Abstract: A light shaping optic may include a substrate. The light shaping optic may include a structure disposed on the substrate, wherein the structure is configured to receive one or more input beams of light with a uniform intensity field and less than a threshold total intensity, and wherein the structure is configured to shape the one or more input beams of light to form one or more output beams of light with a non-uniform intensity field and less than the threshold total intensity.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to object detection. In some aspects, a device may include a housing; an input device adjoined to the housing, the input device configured to receive an input associated with a press of a key of a plurality of keys; one or more transmitters disposed in the housing, the one or more transmitters configured to transmit one or more signals toward the plurality of keys; one or more receivers disposed in the housing, the one or more receivers configured to receive one or more return signals corresponding to the one or more signals; and a processor configured to determine a location of the key based at least in part on the one or more return signals.

Abstract: A keyboard includes an elastic element disposed above a bottom case, a light emitter, a light receiver, a pressing element, and a keycap. When a force toward the bottom case is applied to a top surface of the elastic element, a relationship between a force to move the top surface and a distance from the top surface to the bottom case is in a negative correlation in a path of the top surface from a first position to a second position, and a relationship between a force to move the top surface and a distance from the top surface to the bottom case is in a positive correlation in a path of the top surface from the second position to a third position. The light emitter, the light receiver, and the pressing element are disposed above the elastic element. The keycap is disposed above the pressing element.

Abstract: A key module, a keyboard and an electronic device using same are provided. The key module includes a substrate, a light receiver, a light emitter and a lifting mechanism. The light receiver is disposed on and electrically connected with the substrate. The light emitter is disposed on and electrically connected with the substrate and disposed opposite to the light receiver. The lifting mechanism is disposed on the substrate and includes an interrupting portion, wherein the interrupting portion is movable to a region between the light receiver and the light emitter.

Abstract: An optoelectronic apparatus is provided having a carrier device that has at least one optoelectronic transmitter and/or at least one optoelectronic receiver at an upper side; having a lens element that is provided above the carrier device and that has at least one lens section for the at least one optoelectronic transmitter and/or for the at least one optoelectronic receiver; and having a holding device that at least partly surrounds the carrier device and the lens element. The lens element has a mechanical coding section that projects out of the holding device and that enables at least one coding element for identifying the optoelectronic apparatus.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for mechanisms for providing muting functions for a piano system. In some embodiments, a piano system according to the disclosure includes a plurality of linkage structures coupled to a plurality of keys, a plurality of strings corresponding to the plurality of linkage structures, and a muting unit configured to place at least one elastic structure at a first position to implement a first mode for the piano system. In some embodiments, the first position is located between the linkage structures and the strings. In the first mode, the elastic structure may be placed at the first position to prevent an interaction between at least one of the linkage structures and the strings when one of the plurality of keys is depressed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a button including a fixed force magnet coupled to a first housing assembly component serving as a top portion of the button, a variable force magnet coupled to a second housing assembly serving as a bottom portion of the button, and a spring coupled to the fixed force magnetic and the variable force magnet for repelling the fixed force magnet from the variable force magnet according to a spring constant of the spring. The variable force magnet emitting a magnetic field to counter the spring constant and thereby adjust a force required to depress the button. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: To provide an illuminator, which offers reliable protection against undesirably high levels of emitted light intensity, there is provided on the illuminator according to the invention, in addition to a light source and a control unit, which supplies the light source with an electric current or an electric voltage and is equipped to regulate the intensity of an emitted light via the electric current or the electric voltage, a detector, which captures at least a performance variable of the light source. In addition, a diagnostic unit is provided, which compares the at least one performance variable against at least one specified limit value and triggers an action, which reduces the intensity independently of the control unit, as soon as the at least one performance variable reaches or exceeds the at least one limit value.

Abstract: A keyboard device includes plural key structures, an electronic paper display element and an illumination module. The electronic paper display element is disposed under the plural key structures. The plural key symbols corresponding to the plural key structures are displayed on the electronic paper display element. The illumination module is disposed over the electronic paper display element to provide a light beam to the electronic paper display element. Consequently, the plural key symbols are illuminated.

Abstract: The invention discloses a split type dual optical path key switch and a mechanical keyboard. The key switch comprises a key switch body, an LED emitter and a light receiver disposed on the PCB, wherein the key switch body comprises a housing and a handle disposed on the housing. The LED emitter and the light receiver are separated by a first light blocking component; a first light guiding body is disposed above the LED emitter, and a second light guiding body is disposed above the light receiver. The first guiding body is provided with a light transmitting portion and a first light reflecting portion, the second light guiding body is provided with a second light reflecting portion, and the handle is provided with a second light blocking component. The key switch can not only realize the function of backlight through the LED emitter, but also connect the switch with the help of the light receiver, so that the entire housing can reserve a sufficient space.

Abstract: A flexible display device, comprising: a flexible display panel; and at least one displacement sensor, which is disposed at a boundary region of the flexible display panel, emitting emission waves and receiving reflected waves, wherein the reflected waves are emission waves that are returning after being reflected, and determining a bend angle of the flexible display panel according to a displacement calculated based on the reflected waves.

Abstract: The present application discloses implementations that relate to devices and techniques for sensing position, force, and torque. Devices described herein may include a light emitter, photodetectors, and a curved reflector. The light emitter may project light onto the curved reflector, which may reflect portions of that projected light onto one or more of the photodetectors. Based on the illuminances measured at the photodetectors, the position of the curved reflector may be determined. In some implementations, the curved reflector and the light emitter may be elastically coupled via one or more spring elements; in these implementations, a force vector representing a magnitude and direction of a force applied against the curved reflector may be determined based on the position of the curved reflector.

Abstract: A rotary encoder is for detecting the rotation position or rotation speed of a shaft. The rotary encoder includes: a rotation code plate having a detection code and to be rotated by the shaft; and a boss attached to the rotation center of the rotation code plate and used for attaching the rotation code plate to the shaft. The boss is made of a resin material. The boss includes a fitting hole formed at the rotation center of the boss and used for making a fit with the shaft through press-fitting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.

Abstract: In some examples, an optical encoder may consist of a light source that shines light onto a wheel which then reflects the light onto a sensor. Using information encoded in the reflected light, the rotation of the wheel may be determined. In some examples, rotation of the wheel may be determined by detecting an encoding pattern in light reflected from an exterior surface of the wheel. In some examples, the encoding pattern can be a pattern of light and dark stripes. In some examples, a pattern of light stripes can be generated from light reflecting off of reflective portions of the wheel. Some examples of the disclosure relate to using a surface topology for a wheel that can be used to generate an encoding pattern of light and dark stripes in light reflected from the surface of the wheel, even when the surface of the wheel is uniformly reflective.

Abstract: A sensor for a laser may contain an at least partially transparent plastic with a fluorescent material that receives laser light at one frequency and creates light inside the transparent plastic with a second, different frequency. The light at the second frequency may travel through the plastic to an electronic sensor mounted against the transparent plastic. The sensor may be several feet in length or longer and still detect a single impinging Class I or Class II laser beam. In systems where the position of the laser may be known, a set of linear gain coefficients may be determined to calibrate the electronic sensor, as the signal strength of a received signal may decay with the distance from the electronic sensor to the location where the laser beam impinges the plastic element.

Abstract: A position detector, including: a scale including a pattern array formed cyclically in a movement direction, the scale being provided to a fixed member or a movable member; a detector including detection elements arranged in the movement direction, the detector being provided to the other; a generating unit that selectively generates, from signals received from the detection elements, a first signal obtained by a first combination of the signals or a second signal obtained by a second combination of the signals; an output unit that outputs the first or second signal received from the generating unit; and a switcher that switches over between the first and second signals as a signal to be generated, wherein the first signal changes within a first range, corresponding to a relative position; and the second signal does not change beyond a second range smaller than the first range, corresponding to the relative position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoupling the electrical and mechanical functionality of a depressible key are disclosed. The depressible key can include a non-contact proximity sensor, such as an optical sensor, to detect motion of the keycap. The output from the optical sensor is used to determine a distance, velocity, acceleration, and a force applied during a keypress.

Abstract: An examination apparatus 1 for microorganisms for measuring an amount of microorganisms in a sample solution, the apparatus including stirring and mixing means 7 for stirring and mixing the sample solution into which a sample and a fluorescent staining reagent are added, in a sample container 5 formed of a material allowing light to pass through, an excitation light source 10 including a light source that irradiates an irradiation target surface of the sample container 5 with excitation light while the sample solution is being stirred by the stirring and mixing means 7, light receiving means 14 for detecting light and converting the light resulting from a fluorescent emission caused by excitation light from the excitation light source 10, into an electric signal, and control means 23 for detecting the number of emissions based on the electric signal from the light receiving means 14 and calculating the amount of the microorganisms contained in the sample in the sample container 5 based on the number of emissi

Abstract: Robotic devices with multi-degree of freedom (DOF) load cells for shear beam sensing are described. An example robotic device includes actuators coupled through joints to form a robotic manipulator, and a load cell provided proximal to a joint for detecting a force applied to the robotic manipulator and a torque experienced about the joint. The device also includes a controller programmable to determine a location of the force along the robotic manipulator based on values of the force and the torque output from the load cell, receive information indicating parameters of the robotic manipulator and of a load being experienced by the robotic device, and based on one of the force applied to the robotic manipulator or the torque experienced about the joint being above a threshold expected amount due to the load being experienced, determine that the robotic manipulator is experiencing an unexpected shear load at the location.

Abstract: A chopper for a particle beam comprises at least one control element, which is divided into at least two regions A and B, wherein region B is less transparent to the particle beam than region A, and at least one drive source for moving the control element through the particle beam in such a way that the beam impinges on regions A and B in a chronologically alternating manner. The control element has a band-shaped design and is non-positively seated against the outer circumference of at least one element that can be caused to rotate by the drive source. It was found that the chopper can have a significantly more space-saving design when the control element is designed as a band-shaped element than as a wheel-shaped or ring-shaped chopper according to the known art. In particular, the drive source, which is bulky compared to the control element, can be disposed spatially separated from the beam path, while the band itself transmits the force of the drive source.

Abstract: A device including a port barrel, a ball spring, a first enclosure part, and a mounting plate disposed adjacent to the first enclosure part is disclosed. The mounting plate includes a mounting hole. The port barrel is arranged to extend through the mounting hole, and the ball spring is arranged between an inner surface of the mounting hole and an exterior surface of the port barrel.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a rotating member which rotates in a rotation direction from a standby posture by being pushed by a conveyed sheet, a sensor of which an output is changed as the rotating member rotates from the standby posture, an elastic member which elastically applies a force to the rotating member in a direction opposite to the rotation direction, a first abutting portion which abuts onto the rotating member applied by a force by the elastic member to maintain the rotating member in the standby posture, and a regulation unit which allows the rotating member to rotate in the rotation direction by being pushed by the conveyed sheet and regulates the rotating member not to rotate in the rotation direction by a repulsion force when the rotating member rotated in the opposite direction by an elastic force of the elastic member abuts onto the first abutting portion.

Abstract: A network for indicating and communicating detection of hostile fire, and systems, methods, and computer program products thereof. Hostile fire is optically detected and identified at a first vehicle and such identification is transmitted from the first vehicle to one or more other vehicles in the network. Data regarding hostile fire directed at the first vehicle can be stored at one or more of the other vehicles and even retransmitted to other vehicles or base stations.

Abstract: An optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a sound generating element of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to sound generating element movement.

Abstract: A liquid leakage detector includes: a first liquid detection unit provided at a member to be detected, the first liquid detection unit being configured to detect a liquid leaked from the member to be detected; a liquid impermeable member which covers the first liquid detection unit to protect the same from the ambient air; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the liquid is leaking from the member to be detected in response to a signal from the first liquid detection unit.

Abstract: An optical proximity switch includes an optical transmitter for emitting a light signal, a transmitting lens with total internal reflection-using the light signal to form and transmit a light beam , a receiver, an imaging receiving lens for receiving and transmitting to the receiver the light signal, and an electronic circuit for evaluating the light signal received by the receiver.

Abstract: An optical sensing device for using light to locate objects or features in a field of view comprises a light source; a controllable lens having two states and being controllable between them, for example a multifocal lens having two or more foci for focusing light from the light source; and a sensor able to sense light reflected from an object, to determine information of the object. The use of two or more foci adds dynamic range to optical sensing to allow for reliable detection over a wide range of distances.

Abstract: Reflective systems include a reflective element secured to an optical element. The reflective element is a switchable reflective layer that is switched by an alignment mechanism electrically coupled to a controller that sends data instructing the alignment mechanism that various light conditions exist.

Abstract: Techniques for solar cell electrical characterization are provided. In one aspect, a solar testing device is provided. The device includes a solar simulator; and a continuous neutral density filter in front of the solar simulator having regions of varying light attenuation levels ranging from transparent to opaque, the continuous neutral density filter having an area sufficiently large to filter all light generated by the solar simulator, and wherein a position of the continuous neutral density filter relative to the solar simulator is variable so as to control a light intensity produced by the device. A solar cell electrical characterization system and a method for performing a solar cell electrical characterization are also provided.

Abstract: Device to adjust the position and/or size of a pinhole in a laser scanning microscope (LSM) where the pinhole is illuminated via a separate light source or the LSM laser and the pinhole is moved at a right angle to the optical axis until the receiver has the maximum intensity and the pinhole position is captured and saved together with the data attributed to the replaceable optical components.

Abstract: An optical finger navigation module includes a light source configured for emitting light in a first spectrum; a cover housing disposed above the light source, the cover housing including a window plate that is configured to transmit light in at least the first spectrum, and a light guiding structure that is configured to transmit light in at least a second spectrum; a first light sensor configured to sense light in the first spectrum originally emitted by the light source, reflected by an object, and then transmitted through the window plate; a second light sensor configured to sense light in the second spectrum transmitted through the light guiding structure or the window plate; and a substrate. The light source, the cover housing, the first light sensor and the second light sensor are coupled and mounted to the substrate.

Abstract: An automated shutter for dark acclimating a sample, comprising a base and a head mounted to the base and movable between an open and closed position. The automated shutter further comprises one or more artificial light sources and one or more optical detectors disposed in said head or base, and wherein the head is contiguous with the sample when moved into the closed position. Another embodiment comprises an enclosure placed over a sample to be dark acclimatised, with one or more artificial light sources and optical detectors disposed within or closely adjacent to said enclosure which is configured to be transformed between an optically transparent state and an optically opaque state.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for adjusting the position and aperture of a pinhole and a method using the same are provided. A light beam is provided. The light beam is focused on an object and reacts with the object to form a signal beam. The signal beam is focused and projected on a liquid-crystal switch. The projection position of the signal beam on the liquid-crystal switch is determined, and the transparence of the liquid-crystal switch at the projection position is adjusted to form a transparent area. The signal beam passes through the transparent area and reaches a light detecting unit to form a detecting signal. The aperture of the transparent area is adjusted according to the intensity of the detecting signal. The liquid-crystal switch is driven to move, so that the position of the transparent area in the moving direction of the signal beam is adjusted.

Abstract: A photoelectric switch control circuit includes a first resistance; a first capacitance; and a photoelectric switch having a plurality of contacts which comprise a first to a fourth contacts. The first contact is grounded, one end of the first resistance, the second and the third contacts of the photoelectric switch and one end of the first capacitance connects at node A, the fourth contact is connected with the processing unit and grounded via a second resistance, the other end of the first resistance is connected with a voltage source, the other end of the first capacitance is grounded.

Abstract: An optical scanning device including a light source having multiple light emitters; an optical element to reflect and transmit the emitted light beams; a photodetector to receive the reflected light beams; an aperture having an opening to shape the transmitted light beams; a light deflector to deflect the transmitted light beams; and a scanning optics to guide the deflected light beams to a scanning surface. The quantity of each of the light beams received by the photodetector is not less than 0.01 mW, and the size of a light receiving surface of the photodetector is determined such that even when the full width at half maximum of the emitted light beams changes, the rate of change of the ratio of the quantity of the light beams detected by the photodetector to the quantity of the light beams passing through the opening of the aperture is not greater than 4%.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical MEMS detector, comprising: a substrate; at least one photo diode in a region within the substrate; an isolation wall above the substrate and surrounding the photo diode region; and at least one movable part having an opening for light to pass through and reach the photo diode, wherein when the at least one movable part is moved, an amount of light reaching the photo diode is changed.

Abstract: An optical sensor unit includes: a light-emitting device; a light-receiving device that receives light which is emitted from the light-emitting device and reflected from an object to be detected, and outputs an output value in accordance with the light; a shutter member that openably and closably covers an incident/exit plane having an exit part where light of the light-emitting device is emitted to the object to be detected and an incident part where light reflected from the object to be detected enters, and has a facing surface facing the incident/exit plane that is an inclined surface inclined to the incident/exit plane; and a corrector that corrects an output value of the light-receiving device when receiving light reflected from the object to be detected, based on an output value of the light-receiving device obtained by emitting light to the inclined surface of the shutter member.

Abstract: Techniques for solar cell electrical characterization are provided. In one aspect, a solar testing device is provided. The device includes a solar simulator; and a continuous neutral density filter in front of the solar simulator having regions of varying light attenuation levels ranging from transparent to opaque, the continuous neutral density filter having an area sufficiently large to filter all light generated by the solar simulator, and wherein a position of the continuous neutral density filter relative to the solar simulator is variable so as to control a light intensity produced by the device. A solar cell electrical characterization system and a method for performing a solar cell electrical characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A light valve module and a projection device using thereof are provided. The projection device includes a chassis, a light source, a projection lens, the light valve module and a fastener assembly. The light valve module is configured within a cavity of the chassis by the fastener assembly and disposed on a transmission path of a light beam so as to convert the light beam to an image light beam. The light valve module includes a field lens, a light valve component and an elastic frame. First and second surfaces of the elastic frame respectively contact the field lens and the light valve component. A recess of the elastic frame is located on one of the first surface and the second surface. A pressed portion of the elastic frame is deformed towards the recess when the field lens and the light valve component press the elastic frame.

Abstract: Asymmetric rotating stray light baffles are provided for conformal dome two-axis seekers having arch corrector optics mounted on the outer gimbal. A pair of side skirt baffles are mounted on opposite sides of the arch corrector optics on the outer gimbal extending forward beyond the transparent arch adjacent but not touching the inner surface of the dome and extending aft beyond the forward most receiver optic for all fields of regard (FOR).

Abstract: A 3D image capturing device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a single sensor, an image sensor; a cross dichroic prism; a first mirror; and a second mirror. The first and second lens module have a first optical axis and a second optical axis, respectively. The second lens module is located juxtaposed with the first lens module. The second optical axis is parallel with the first optical axis. The first and second mirrors are arranged at opposite sides of the cross dichroic prism. The first and second mirrors are configured for reflecting and directing light beams from the first and second lens modules to the cross dichroic prism. The cross dichroic prism is configured to redirect the reflected light beams from the first and second mirrors to the image sensor.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale; a light source; a plurality of light receiving element arrays (three light receiving element arrays) receiving via the scale light emitted from the light source; and a measurer. The first and the third light receiving element arrays are each divided into two areas. The measurer includes an abnormality determiner determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the areas based on signals output from the areas, and a location measurer measuring a location of the scale based on signals output from the areas (for which the abnormality determiner has determined that an abnormality has not occurred) and the second light receiving element array.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical MEMS detector, comprising: a substrate; at least one photo diode in a region within the substrate; an isolation wall above the substrate and surrounding the photo diode region; and at least one movable part having an opening for light to pass through and reach the photo diode, wherein when the at least one movable part is moved, an amount of light reaching the photo diode is changed.

Abstract: Disclosed in a wearable electronic device including an optical keypad supported by a keypad housing. The optical keypad may include a plurality of keys disposed along the keypad housing, and a plurality of illumination sources and optical receivers with a corresponding illumination source and optical receiver for each of the plurality of keys. The keypad signal interface may be limited to three connections, to provide a connection for power, a connection for ground, and a connection for data between the keypad housing and the main housing. The electronic device may also include at least one optical receiver configured to be optically coupled to at least one of the plurality of illumination sources, and configured to convert a received optical signal representing data into an electrical signal representing data. The illumination sources may provide optical signals during key presses, and may in addition provide key illumination for unpressed keys.

Abstract: A device for controlling a driven movement element with an electronic unit is proposed, which comprises a transmitter for electromagnetic radiation, for example, light, in particular infrared light, and a receiver for electromagnetic radiation emitted by a transmitter for the detection of objects on a propagation path between transmitter and receiver. According to the invention, the electronic unit is designed to detect a temporal change in at least one feature derived from the received electromagnetic radiation and, upon a detection of a change in the at least one feature that is comparatively slow over time, to output a signal that is associated with a detection of smoke.

Abstract: A transmissive optical encoder comprises a base, a first leadframe, a second leadframe, an optical emitter, a shielding portion, an optical receiver, and a lens. The base has a first housing and a second housing. The first leadframe and the second leadframe are respectively disposed in the first housing and the second housing. The optical emitter for emitting a light is disposed in the first housing and coupled to the first leadframe. The shielding portion is extended from the first leadframe being bent to cover the optical emitter and exposes the optical emitter by an opening formed thereon. The optical receiver for receiving the light is disposed in the second housing and coupled to the second leadframe. The lens is disposed on the first housing for rendering the light passing through the opening to the optical receiver.

Abstract: An optical reading device comprising a sensor array having pixels which are exposed to an image; an illumination generator for illuminating the image with light, the illumination generator being configured to have a front face; a housing for housing the sensor array, aiming pattern generator and illumination generator for hand held operation, the housing having a window disposed between the illumination generator and the image for permitting transmission of the illuminating light; a lens for focusing light to the sensor array, wherein the lens protrudes through the illumination generator; a gasket disposed around the lens for blocking light reflected off of the window from reaching the sensor array.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An encoder detects a relative displacement between an encoder scale and an encoder head. The encoder head incorporates a light source, a light-receiving element to receive light from the light source via the encoder scale, and a signal-processing circuit to process an electrical signal from the light-receiving element. The encoder has a signal detection unit, a signal discrimination unit, and a switching unit. The signal detection unit is activated selectively in accordance with setting. When activated, the signal detection unit detects one or more signals having an almost sinusoidal waveform from the encoder head. The signal discrimination unit is activated selectively in accordance with setting. When activated, the signal discrimination unit determines the waveform of one or more signals having an almost sinusoidal waveform from the signal detection unit. The switching unit switches the current to be supplied to the light source to one of various magnitudes.