Abstract: An optical apparatus (10) for routing an optical signal (12) comprises a body (14) comprising a material. A waveguide (16) is formed in the body (14) by laser modification of the material. The optical apparatus (10) further comprises a region (18) comprising a lower refractive index than the material of the body (14) and defines an interface (24) between the region (18) and the waveguide (16). The waveguide (16) and the interface (24) are aligned relative to each other for routing the optical signal (12) therebetween and reflecting the optical signal (12) at the interface (24).

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a membrane, an energy source producing a laser beam which is directed at the membrane causing it to vibrate, and a transparent cap disposed at one end of the energy source. The accelerometer includes a first controller for adjusting an output power of the energy source in a first feedback loop, a second controller for controlling the wavelength of the laser beam in a second feedback loop, and a detector sensing a reflected portion of the laser beam. An acceleration signal is based in part on the frequency of the reflected portion of the laser beam.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for determining the location of a fault in a power cable of a power distribution network. The method involves monitoring at least one electrical parameter of the power distribution network to detect the occurrence of a fault and determine at least one time window for the occurrence of the fault The method involves analysing a first set of measurement signals is obtained by a distributed fibre optic sensor having a sensing optical fibre deployed along the path of the power cable. The first set of measurement signals include signals indicative of the extent of any disturbances along the sensing fibre over a known time period. The measurement shallots are analysed based on the at least one time window for measurement signals and the location of the fault in the power cable is identified based on the location of one or more longitudinal sensing portions of the sensing fibre.

Abstract: A method for user identity authentication using virtual reality includes presenting one or more virtual elements on a virtual reality (VR) scenario of a VR application for initiating a service, identifying, using one or more sensors communicably coupled to the VR device, one or more interactive operations of a user of the VR device with the one or more virtual elements, determining whether the one or more interactive operations match one or more predetermined operations for selecting the one or more virtual elements to initiate the service and trigger biometric authentication for user identity authentication, invoking biometric authentication if the one or more interactive operations match one or more predetermined operations, presenting a virtual guidance in the VR scenario for guiding the user to perform the biometric authentication, and presenting a service interface to the user if the biometric authentication is successful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic frame and an image displaying method of an electronic frame. The electronic frame according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention detects, through an optical sensing unit, parts that are hidden by a frame, sets only a display area that is not hidden by the frame as a valid area, resizes an image so that the image matches the valid area of the display, and displays the image. Accordingly, even if the size of the frame is changed, a phenomenon in which a part of the image is not shown due to the frame could be prevented, as an image-resizing is adjustably performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contour crafting. The system includes a work tool configured to form a first layer by depositing material from a print head and following a path for depositing a second layer of material atop the first layer. The system further includes an optics assembly configured to produce a light pattern directed toward previously deposited material, and a camera configured to capture image data of the previously deposited material. The system further includes a processing device being configured to obtain, from the image data, a visible formation of the light pattern as it is projected onto the previously deposited material, and make a comparison of the visible formation to a predicted formation. The processing device is further configured to determine that the second layer is not aligned with the first layer, and adjust of the path being followed by the work tool based on the determination.

Abstract: An image sensor and a banknote processing apparatus are provided. The image sensor includes a first photosensitive assembly and a first light source assembly which is configured to irradiate light to an original, and further includes a first lens array configured to aggregate light reflected by the original to the first photosensitive assembly, and a light-entering surface of the first lens array is located in a transmission path of reflected light generated due to specular reflection occurred when light emitted from the first light source assembly irradiates on the original. According to different image grayscale values generated by the image sensor, the banknote processing apparatus judges whether a banknote surface is stuck to an adhesive tape.

Abstract: Optical time-of-flight detector arrays are costly and therefore enhancing their utilization (e.g. angular coverage range) is desirable. In one embodiment, a vehicle-based distributed LIDAR is disclosed, comprising a plurality of coherent fiber optic image bundles that transfer laser reflections from fields of view (FOVs) around the vehicle to a shared remotely located detector array. An optical multiplexor timeshares the FOVs from the coherent fiber bundles onto the remote detector array. Individual fibers in the coherent bundles gather laser reflections from distinct portions of a FOV, thereby enabling correlation of the original reflection directions with fiber locations within a bundle. Unlike an externally mounted LIDAR with direct access to a single FOV, or a LIDAR using a single optic fiber that loses direction data associated with laser reflections, the coherent fiber optic image bundles transfer both the timing and direction of laser reflections from multiple FOVs to a shared remote detector array.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a substrate, plural optical channels for transmitting an optical signal, a light source, an oblique structure, and a photo detector. The light source is located on the substrate to emit a first optical signal. The oblique structure has an optical reflective surface to reflect the first optical signal emitted by the light source to at least one of the optical channels. The photo detector is located on the substrate to receive a second optical signal emitted by at least one of the optical channels. The optical reflective surface has at least one gap, such that the optical reflective surface is divided into at least two segments by the gap, and the segments are not electrically connected with each other.

Abstract: An optical system comprising: a light source; a photodetector; a first light-receiving system for causing the photodetector to receive first reflected light with a first angle of reflection from a surface; and a second light-receiving system for causing the photodetector to receive second reflected light with a second angle of reflection, different from the first angle of reflection, from the surface is provided. Here, an incident area on the surface, in which light generating the first reflected light is incident, is spaced apart from an exiting area on the surface, which light, to be incident on the photodetector from the surface via the second light-receiving system, exits.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measuring device for acquiring in situ a difference in distance between a support and an edge region of an object to be measured. The optical measuring device has a measuring head with dual beam guide which directs a first measuring beam towards the support and a second measuring beam towards the edge region of the object to be measured. Means are provided for acquiring and forming reflection spectra of the first measuring beam which is directed towards the support and the second measuring beam which is directed towards the edge region of the object to be measured. The measuring device has a multi-channel measuring apparatus with one spectrometer line. An evaluation unit for the reflection spectra for acquiring the stage height between the support and the edge region of the object works together with a spectrometer and a display unit.

Abstract: An embedded touch control display device is disclosed. The embedded touch control display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are set oppositely; an in-plane switching (IPS) or fringe field switching (FFS) display mode display structure and a capacitance touch structure which are set between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the IPS or FFS display mode display structure is located on the first substrate and comprises a pixel electrode layer, a first medium layer, a public electrode layer and a crystal layer, and the capacitance touch structure is located on the second substrate and comprises touch electrode and a second medium layer; an planarization layer which is located between the second medium layer and the crystal layer; the distance between the touch electrode and the crystal layer is 4 micrometers to 7 micrometers.

Abstract: A particle photographing device 2 includes: an illumination optical system 13 that illuminates particles with sheet-like illumination light based on laser light from an end of an optical fiber 7; an imaging portion 6 that images the illuminated particles; and a regulation portion 14 that changes the distance between the end of the optical fiber 7 and the illumination optical system 13.

Abstract: A photodetection device has a light passing part in an upper portion, a light guiding member, and a photodetection element in a lower portion. Light passing through the light passing part is guided by the light guiding member to be detected by the photodetection element. The light guiding member has an incident curved surface provided annularly around a central axis on a side of the light passing part, and a reflective curved surface provided around the central axis inside the incident curved surface so as to be opposed to the incident curved surface. The light guiding member reflects light at the reflective curved surface to guide the light to a light receiving surface of the photodetection element, the light passing through the light passing part and entering the incident curved surface at a predetermined inclination angle.

Abstract: A sensor includes: a light emitting part that emits light; a light receiving part that receives reflected light, which is emitted from the light emitting part, is reflected, and returns; and plural arranged fiber bodies that are disposed on a front side of at least one of the light emitting part and the light receiving part and operate as a filter limiting an emission angle or a light receiving angle.

Abstract: An optical sensor package may include a chip carrier including a surface having edges defining corners. An optical sensor may be connected to the surface of the chip carrier and be positioned closer to one of the corners than any of the other corners.

Abstract: The image reading device of the present invention is an image reading device comprising a reading unit reading an image of an original document, a clear plate disposed between the original document and the reading unit, a clear photoemitting layer included in the clear plate and having a plurality of emitting areas, a clear input sensor included in the clear plate and outputting a two-dimensional position of a pushed place on the clear plate and an controller displaying an operation panel on the clear plate using the clear photoemitting layer and receiving operations to the operation panel.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light source, a sensing unit, a first optical fiber transmitting light from the light source to the sensing unit, second and third optical fibers transmitting the light from a reflecting surface of the sensing unit to light-receiving portions, and a calculation unit calculating physical quantities from electrical signals from the light-receiving portions. End surfaces of these fibers opposed to the reflecting surface are fixed so that the longitudinal direction thereof and the normal line of the reflecting surface form an angle ?, the second and third optical fibers are parallel to each other, and the fixing angles of the first optical fiber and the second and third optical fibers are symmetric about the normal line. These optical fibers have a single mode in the wavelength of which the optical fibers are used. A depolarizer is interposed between the light source and the first optical fiber.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels laid out on the surface of a pixel area of the display panel; and an illumination section configured to generate illumination light in a normal direction perpendicular to the display panel, wherein the illumination section has a light source, a light guiding board, the display panel also includes a plurality of photo sensor devices, the light source includes an invisible light source, the light guiding board includes an invisible light beam reflection section.

Abstract: A multi-channel low coherence interferometer having sensing and reference arms, at least one of which has variable delay. The sensing arm includes an optical switch for connecting to two or more probe arms. The distal ends of the probe arms collect source light backscattered from a sample. The backscattered light collected by the distal end of a probe arm is combined with reference light and a low coherence interferometric signal is produced by a sweep of a variable delay of the device or a sweep of a variable frequency laser light source. The interference signal produced by the interaction of reference and sensing light at a detector measures backscattered light, which may be used to characterize the sample. The low coherence interferometric signals can provide information about the morphology, physical nature, composition, and properties of the sample.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for improved imaging, spectral analysis, and interactive probing of a sample. In an embodiment, the confocality of a fiber array spectral translator-based spectroscopic system is improved through the use of structured illumination and/or structured collection of photons. User input may be received and acted upon to allow a user to interactively in real time and/or near real time view and analyze specific regions of the sample.

Abstract: A light grid can be constructed with individual modules (10). Each module (10) is an independent functional transmitter and/or receiver unit in an enclosed housing (12). The modules (10) can be coupled to each other in series in a galvanically separate manner for purposes of energy and/or signal transmission.

Abstract: In an apparatus for optically reading a target based on a light reflected from the target, a light source has a first optical axis and operates to emit light. An imaging optical system has a second optical axis. The imaging optical system is arranged so that the reflected light enters into the imaging optical system. A photodetector has an active area so that the imaging optical system focuses the reflected light on the active area of the photodetector. A light guide member is arranged between the target and the imaging optical system on the first and second optical axes, respectively. The light guide member is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source while preventing the guided light from leaking therefrom to irradiate the guided light to the target.

Abstract: An optical non-contact measuring probe for measuring small changes in distance to a target comprises a laser diode (12) coupled to a projecting fiber (14), a receiving fiber (32) spaced a fixed distance from the projecting fiber, and a linear array (36) spaced a fixed distance from the emitting face (34) of the receiving fiber. Light is projected from the projecting fiber to a small area on the target. Light rays reflected from the target are collected by the receiving fiber at an angle and are carried by the receiving fiber by total internal reflection through the emitting face to the linear array where it is detected as a circle having a diameter ?D. The distance from the probe to the target can be measured as inversely function of the diameter ?D.

Abstract: A lighting system associated with a machine vision system. The machine vision system may direct lighting control commands to the lighting system to change the illumination conditions provided to an object. A vision system may also be provided and associated with the machine vision system such that the vision system views and captures an image(s) of the object when lit by the lighting system. The machine vision system may direct the lighting system to change the illumination conditions and then capture the image.

Abstract: A miniature, ultra-high resolution, and color scanning microscope using microchannel and solid-state technology that does not require focus adjustment. One embodiment includes a source of collimated radiant energy for illuminating a sample, a plurality of narrow angle filters comprising a microchannel structure to permit the passage of only unscattered radiant energy through the microchannels with some portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels from the sample, a solid-state sensor array attached to the microchannel structure, the microchannels being aligned with an element of the solid-state sensor array, that portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels parallel to the microchannel walls travels to the sensor element generating an electrical signal from which an image is reconstructed by an external device, and a moving element for movement of the microchannel structure relative to the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a procedure for the quality control of in particular finished surfaces wherein the device comprises at least one illuminating means having at least one light source, its light directed at a predetermined angle to the measurement surface. A plurality of at least three measuring means is provided, whereby each of said measuring means is directed at a different predetermined angle to the measurement surface and receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface. Each measuring means comprises at least one photosensor which emits an electrical measurement signal which is characteristic of the light received by said measuring means. A control and evaluation means having at least one processor means and one memory means controls the measurement sequence, evaluates the measurement results and derives therefrom a parameter which characterizes the surface. An output means serves for the outputting of parameters or measurement results.

Abstract: A precipitation sensor has a prism bonded to a front windshield, a beam transmitter, and a beam receiver. The prism has an entry-side prism wall, a connection wall, and an exit-side prism wall. The entry-side prism wall of the prism parallelizes light transmitted from the beam transmitter by refracting them on a convex lens face. The parallelized light is reflected from a parabolic outer face of the prism wall toward the inner face of the windshield. The parallel beams reflected from the inner face of the front windshield are reflected from a parabolic outer face of the exit-side prism wall and then focused on the beam receiver through a convex lens face of the prism wall. The convex shapes of the lens faces form arcs, the centers of which are aligned with the beam transmitter and the beam receiver, respectively.

Abstract: One embodiment is a lighting system associated with a machine vision system. The machine vision system may direct lighting control commands to the lighting system to change the illumination conditions provided to an object. A vision system may also be provided and associated with the machine vision system such that the vision system views and captures an image(s) of the object when lit by the lighting system. The machine vision system may direct the lighting system to change the illumination conditions and then capture the image.

Abstract: A reflectometer, comprising an illuminator in a 45°/0° configuration with a light source formed by a lamp and an illuminator optic. Light emitted by the lamp is passed after reflection via a measuring opening into a housing and supplied to a measuring system contained therein. Furthermore, the illuminator optic is formed by a number of light guides which start at the light source and end in the form of a rim with a conoidal emission side. The light guides form one or several groups, a group of light guides being made in one piece of plastic.