Abstract: An apparatus includes a deformable structure in which a neural network comprising a plurality of deformation sensors, e.g. nanowire sensors, and distributed in-situ processing circuits. The circuits generate a signal characterizing features of the local deformation of the structure and/or a command signal corresponding to the detected deformation. The structure may be a wearable sleeve that conforms to deformations of a user's skin, part of an electronic device, such as a touch sensitive screen, or an object in itself. The apparatus can provide a user interface, wherein a command corresponding to a current shape of the structure is generated and acted upon by a integrated or remote device, or a device for monitoring a user's position or movement e.g. for replication by a robotic device. The apparatus may have machine learning capability to improve the matching of commands with determined shapes of the deformable structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device (32) for a dryer (10) includes a means for sensing a physical parameter, such as temperature or strain, at a sensing locus within the dryer (10), for example at a vial (20). The sensing means comprises an optical sensing fiber (38) having at least one fiber Bragg grating (54). Moreover, the invention provides a dryer, in particular a freeze dryer (10), which is equipped with such monitoring device (32).

Abstract: A movement and expression sensor has a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) disposed along the length of an optical fiber, and the optical fiber is placed in contact with a subject's skin surface. The sensors are interrogated for reflected wavelength, which is converted into a temperature or a strain. A series of such measurements can be made to determine the movement or position of the sensor location. A garment may be formed using the sensors and an elastomeric material, such that the sensors may be worn and removed, and the movements of the elastomer in the areas of sensors measured as a wavelength shift to characterize movement or estimate location. The elastomeric garment may be formed as a mask, or a sock, such as for use with a face, or foot.

Abstract: A controller for determining when icing conditions are present on an outside surface of an aircraft may include a first input receiving a moisture condition on a windshield of the aircraft, a second input receiving an outside temperature, and an output that provides an icing condition determined as a function of the first input and the second input. The moisture condition can be provided by a moisture sensor positioned on an interior surface of the windshield and the windshield may include a heating system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sensor unit that includes a mounting portion fixed on one side of the sensor unit; an elastic member including a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed on the mounting portion; a transmission portion configured to transmit a detectable signal, the transmission portion disposed on the second end of the elastic member; a reception portion configured to receive a reflection of the detectable signal; and a controller that determines whether the reflected signal indicates an impact, motion, or impending impact.

Abstract: A self-powered sensing and transmitting circuit (50) including a power element (44) and a sensing element (46) that is powered by the power element for generating a sensor signal responsive to a local operating environment The circuit also includes a transmitting element (48) powered by the power element for transmitting an output signal responsive to the sensor signal to a receiving location (33, 55) remote from the circuit The power element, sensing element and transmitting element of the circuit are arranged in a generally planar and non-integrated circuit configuration formed on a substrate (57) component exposed to operating temperatures at or exceeding 650° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a tilt angle detecting device which has a two-liquid tube (19), comprising a transparent container (16) containing a first liquid (17) and a second liquid (18) having different property, specific gravity, and optical transmissivity from each other, wherein a movement occurs between the first liquid and the second liquid by tilting of the transparent container.

Abstract: A double pendulum gravimeter accurately measures gravity by transferring aligned mode energy between suspension points of the pendulums to establish equal arcs of oscillation of the pendulums and by sensing oscillation characteristics to establish an accurate gravity value including a correction factor which depends on the arc of oscillation, while absorbing adverse mode energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absolute encoder including a scale on which a first mark and a second mark are arrayed, a detector configured to detect light from the scale, and to output periodic signals in which peak values, including a first peak value corresponding to the first mark and a second peak value corresponding to the second mark and smaller than the first peak value periodically appear, and a processor configured to obtain a code sequence by binarization of the first peak value and the second peak value in the periodic signals output from the detector, wherein the processor has a function of performing calibration so that the first peak value becomes larger than a threshold for the binarization and the second peak value becomes smaller than the threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle compartment has a housing defining a space and an access door pivotally coupled to the housing for pivoting between an open position and a closed position. Included is a light source for illuminating the space and a tilt switch provided on a circuit board coupled to the access door. The tilt switch is configured to have a first switch position when the access door is in the closed position and a second switch position when the access door is in the open position. The light source is activated when tilt switch is in the second switch position. The compartment may include a storage compartment, such as a glove box. The compartment may include an engine compartment.

Abstract: A tilt switch includes a housing defining a chamber and including a frusto-conical inner wall surface having a cone angle which is less than or equal to 90 degrees, and a tapered bottom inner wall surface that defines a bottom end of the chamber, that tapers downwardly from a bottom end of the frusto-conical inner wall surface and that forms a cone angle which is greater than 90 degrees. A light emitter and a light receiver are disposed respectively at two opposite sides of the chamber. A rolling element is rollable in the chamber between blocking and unblocking positions, where the rolling element blocks and unblocks light emitted from the light emitter, respectively.

Abstract: A method of controlling a robot includes the steps of calculating a torsional angular velocity of an arm using a difference between an angular velocity detected by a gyro sensor and an angular velocity in a gyro sensor coordinate obtained from information detected by a first encoder and a second encoder, calculating a correction amount of a sensitivity error of the gyro sensor using a variation in the torsional angular velocity, and correcting sensitivity of the gyro sensor using the correction amount of the sensitivity error.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position transmitter with a position code and an optical sensor element for detecting at least one part of the position code. The sensor element has a row of photosensitive detection regions, which convert incident photons into electric charges, and a readout structure for outputting an electric data signal corresponding to the stored electric charges. The sensor element has an analog memory unit structure with a number of N>1 rows of photo-insensitive analog memory cells in order to temporarily store the electric charges and an electric switching structure, by means of which a charge transfer can be carried out between the detection regions and the memory cells, between the memory cells amongst one another, and between the memory cells and the readout row.

Abstract: An encoder includes a plurality of slit tracks, a point light source, a first light-receiving array, a second light-receiving array, and a third light-receiving array. The plurality of slit tracks respectively comprises a plurality of reflection slits arranged along a measurement direction. The point light source is configured to emit diffusion light to the plurality of slit tracks. The first light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern. The second light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern longer in pitch than other incremental patterns. The third light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an absolute pattern.

Abstract: The encoder includes a plurality of slit tracks, a point light source, two first light-receiving arrays, two second light-receiving arrays, and a third light-receiving array. The plurality of slit tracks respectively comprises a plurality of reflection slits arranged along a measurement direction. The point light source is configured to emit diffusion light to the plurality of slit tracks. The two first light-receiving arrays are disposed sandwiching the point light source in a width direction substantially orthogonal to the measurement direction. The two second light-receiving arrays are disposed sandwiching the point light source in the measurement direction. The third light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern that differs in pitch from other incremental patterns, and is disposed at a position in a direction where the first light-receiving array is disposed than the point light source.

Abstract: An encoder includes a plurality of slit tracks, a point light source, a first to third light-receiving arrays. The plurality of slit tracks respectively comprises a plurality of reflection slits. The point light source emits diffusion light to the plurality of slit tracks. The first light-receiving array receives light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern. The second light-receiving array receives light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern longer in pitch than other incremental patterns, and is disposed at a position on a side of a direction where the point light source is disposed, than the first light-receiving array, The third light-receiving array receives light reflected by the slit track comprising an absolute pattern, and is disposed at a position on a side of a direction where the point light source is disposed, than the first light-receiving array.

Abstract: An encoder includes a plurality of slit tracks, a point light source, a first light-receiving array, and a second light-receiving array. The plurality of slit tracks respectively comprises a plurality of reflection slits arranged along a measurement direction. The point light source is configured to emit diffusion light to the plurality of slit tracks. The first light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern, and is disposed at a position in a first direction than the point light source. The second light-receiving array is configured to receive light reflected by the slit track comprising an incremental pattern that differs in pitch from the slit track corresponding to the first light-receiving array, and is disposed at a position in a second direction than the point light source. The second direction forms an angle ? with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A position detector, includes: a scale having pattern arrays formed in different cycles in a movement direction an obtaining unit which obtains signals in accordance with the pattern arrays; a first deriving unit which derives a temporal position of the scale relative to the obtaining unit based on the signals; a second deriving unit which derives a displacement amount of the scale relative to the obtaining unit based on one or more signals of the signals; and a determinates which determines a determined position of the scale relative to the obtaining unit based on the temporal position and the displacement amount, wherein the determinator determines the determined position based on a result of comparison between a difference between first and second temporal positions respectively calculated by the first and second deriving units at first and second positions and a displacement amount from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Provided is a position detecting apparatus, including: a scale including pattern arrays formed in different cycles in a movement direction; an obtaining unit configured to obtain signals in accordance with a the plurality of pattern arrays; a phase calculator configured to calculate a phase of signals; a synchronism calculator configured to calculate a relative positional relationship between the obtaining unit and the scale by performing synchronism calculation of the phases calculated by the phase calculator; a synchronization error calculator configured to calculate a synchronization error in the synchronism calculation; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the synchronism calculation is normal by comparing the synchronization error and a predetermined threshold value with each other.

Abstract: An optical encoder, comprising a plurality of light receiving elements 1-12, receiving light that has passed through or been reflected by a scale having a lattice of pitch P, and outputting four-phase signals that have been respectively offset in phase by an integer number of times 90° (1/4P). 12 light receiving elements being are in the lateral direction (scale longitudinal direction) with gaps between them of P/60 or 2P/60, four arbitrary light receiving elements arranged next to each other in a row all output signals of different phases, and light receiving elements respectively outputting signals of same phase have three lateral widths of 70P/60, 13P/60 or 20P/60.

Abstract: An optical sensor module is proposed. The optical sensor module comprises two parts, including optical module and vibration sensing unit. The vibration sensing unit is disposed on the optical module. The optical module comprises a light source, a photo detector, and a second substrate with optical micro-reflection surface. The vibration sensing unit comprises a first substrate, a membrane, and an optical gate. The membrane is disposed between the first substrate and the optical gate.

Abstract: Encoder systems provide measurement and reference optical paths based on propagation in a common set of optical elements along paths that are displaced angularly or spatially. Associated measurement and reference beams are reflected by corner cubes to as to define first paths and second paths. The measurement and reference beams are combined to determine a work piece displacement in a manufacturing process.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor, in particular used for the detection of an angle of rotation, includes a dimensional scale, a light transmitter, which transmits transmission light in transmission light directions, and a light receiver having a light reception surface, which is arranged in such a way that the light reception surface is substantially located between the dimensional scale and the light receiver. The light receiver receives backwardly reflected transmission light as received light. The light receiver also includes a transmission light directing unit. The light directing unit is configured such that a predefined angle of deflection of the transmission light results with respect to the transmission light directions when the transmission light again exits from the transmission light directing unit. The transmission light directing unit is provided in the light receiver; and the transmission light directing unit is composed of at least one aperture which is incorporated into the light receiver.

Abstract: A purpose is to provide a resin encoder scale a cost of which can be reduced by making processing easy by producing the encoder scale as a resin molded piece including a scale pattern. A resin encoder scale is used in a reflection-type optical encoder and a scale pattern for position measurement is provided thereto. In the scale pattern, a low reflection part a surface of which is molded as a rough surface during resin molding and which has low reflectivity of light and a high reflection part a surface of which is molded as a mirror surface during the resin molding and which has higher reflectivity of light than the low reflection part are arranged alternately.

Abstract: A transmissive optical encoder includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a rotatable disk provided with slits and rotatable together with an object of detection, and an optical waveguide having an inlet facing the light emitting element and an outlet facing the light receiving element. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on the same side in relation to the rotatable disk. The optical waveguide is fixed independently of rotational movement of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: Provided are an absolute position measurement method, an absolute position measurement apparatus, and a scale. The scale includes a scale pattern formed by replacing repeatedly arranged pseudo-random-codes with a sequence of a linear feedback shift register of N stages using a first symbol with first width representing a first state and a second symbol with second width representing a second state. The first is divided into two or more first symbol areas of different structures, and the second symbol is divided into two or more second symbol areas of different structures. There is at least one overlap area in which the first symbol and the second symbol overlap each other to have the same structure.

Abstract: A position detector, includes: a scale having first and second patterns having respective first and second period; a detector array including elements each detecting energy intensities based on the patterns; a generator configured to generate first and second signals having phases different from each other obtained based on the patterns respectively; and a deriver deriving a position of the array relative to the scale based on the signals, wherein the scale is movable relative to the array; the deriver derives a reference position as a detection element array position relative to the scale based on the signals, performs a first process to derive a array position relative to the scale by a array displacement relative to the reference position is derived based on the first signals, and performs a second process in which a relative array position is derived based on the position derived by the first process.

Abstract: A photoelectric encoder includes an absolute scale provided with an absolute pattern based on pseudo-random data, and a detection head including a light source that emits light to the absolute pattern of the absolute scale, and a light receiving unit that receives light from the absolute pattern, and it detects an absolute position of the detection head with respect to the absolute scale. In the photoelectric encoder, the absolute pattern is composed of a grating part and a dark part arranged in a repetitive manner. The photoelectric encoder further includes an interference pattern generation means that generates an interference pattern in combination with the grating part, and an interference pattern signal processing unit that detects the pseudo-random data of the absolute pattern based on the interference pattern received by the light receiving unit.

Abstract: An optical encoder light shielding plate has a plurality of bridge parts provided in parallel, each of the plurality of bridge parts having a metallic layer, and a slit formed between the plurality of bridge parts. The slit is configured to have light incident therefrom. In the metallic layer, a master-side surface on an exposed surface side of a conductive master body is arranged on a light incident direction side. The metallic layer is obtained such that a plurality of cavities are provided in parallel on the exposed surface of the conductive master body. A voltage is applied while the conductive master body is dipped in an electrolytic solution. The metallic layer is electrodeposited on the exposed surface of the conductive master body in the cavities.

Abstract: Micro pick up arrays and methods for transferring micro devices from a carrier substrate are disclosed. In an embodiment, a micro pick up array alignment encoder detects relative position between a micro pick up array having an encoder scale and a target substrate having a corresponding reference scale. In an embodiment, the micro pick up array alignment encoder facilitates alignment of the micro pick up array with the target substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an optoelectronic position measuring device that may include a code carrier, which carries an optically detectable position code, a radiation source for emitting optical radiation onto the code carrier, and a detection element having a multiplicity of light-sensitive reception regions for receiving at least part of the optical radiation, as a result of which a scanning signal dependent on the position code can be generated and a position of the code carrier relative to the detection element can thus be detected, wherein the measurement components are arranged in a fixed spatial relationship with respect to one another on a carrier element, the code carrier is movable with one degree of freedom, in particular rotationally or along an axis, and the code carrier and the carrier element are arranged at a fixed spatial distance with respect to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calibrating an encoder which includes a scale and a light receiving unit configured to receive light reflected by the scale, and detects a change in relative position between the scale and the light receiving unit, the method comprising a measurement step of measuring a deformation amount of a surface shape of the scale, a specifying step of specifying, based on a measurement result in the measurement step, a range which includes a portion of a surface of the scale, where the deformation amount exceeds a threshold, and within which a detection value of the encoder is corrected, and a determination step of determining a correction value for correcting the detection value of the encoder within the range specified in the specifying step.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring device (32) for a dryer (10) includes a means for sensing a physical parameter, such as temperature or strain, at a sensing locus within the dryer (10), for example at a vial (20). The sensing means comprises an optical sensing fiber (38) having at least one fiber Bragg grating (54). Moreover, the invention provides a dryer, in particular a freeze dryer (10), which is equipped with such monitoring device (32).

Abstract: An optical decoder and a multi-functional printer using the same are provided. The optical decoder includes a directional light source, a light guide bar and a light receiving unit. The light guide bar disposed on a light-emitting side of the directional light source has multiple scales. The light receiving unit is disposed on a side of the light guide bar, wherein the directional light source and the light receiving unit are disposed on different sides of the light guide bar. The light receiving unit is used to move along the light guide bar and read the scales of the light guide bar. The overall volume of a multi-functional printer can be reduced by applying the optical decoder therein.

Abstract: Two dimensional encoder system and method designed to improve accuracy, compactness, stability, resolution, and/or light efficiency of metrology carried out with such system and method. Embodiments employ a novel retroreflector which while particularly useful in present invention, is believed to have more general utility in optical imaging systems and methods.

Abstract: A scale for a photoelectric encoder includes a scale substrate and a reflection film formed at a predetermined pitch on the scale substrate. A surface of the reflection film forms a reflection surface. A low-reflection surface is formed by etching the scale substrate between reflection films. Accordingly, a scale can be provided which is lower in cost and has favorable yield rates.

Abstract: A servo motor includes a motor including a shaft and a bracket on an opposite side of a load side, a disk connected to the shaft and having a plurality of reflecting slits formed along a circumferential direction, a light source configured to emit light to the reflecting slit, a light-receiving element configured to receive light emitted from the light source and reflected by the reflecting slit, a substrate provided with the light source and the light-receiving element, an encoder cover attached to the bracket so as to cover the disk and the substrate, and a support member provided on the encoder cover.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus for performing detection of a signal varying with displacement of an object and measurement of the displacement, includes a clock generator configured to generate, in synchronization with a request signal for requesting measurement data, a first clock signal having a cycle shorter than a cycle of the request signal; a detector configured to perform the detection with respect to each cycle of the first clock signal; an operation device configured to obtain the measurement data based on an output of the detector; and a correction device configured to obtain a displacement amount of the object per unit time based on a plurality of the measurement data, and correct the measurement data based on the obtained displacement amount and a time difference between the first clock signal relating to the measurement data and the first clock signal relating to the request signal.

Abstract: A linear position measuring system and a method for determining an absolute position of a carriage along a slide rail are disclosed. An analog signal progression (S) based at on at least one reference point is here discretely scanned in response to a first threshold (SW1) and second threshold (SW2). The resultant digital values are stored in a first measured value register (MR1) and a second measured value register (MR2). The contents of the first and second measured value register (MR1, MR2) are compared with the respective contents of a first and second set measured value register. The reference point is output as an ideal reference point if the differential value lies within a predetermined tolerance range, and is otherwise discarded.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes: a first wavelength division multiplexer; a first set of optical launches including at least one optical launch, operatively connected to the first multiplexer; and an encoder plate including at least one patterned track; wherein each optical launch of the first set is positioned to direct light at the corresponding patterned track.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale having diffraction gratings formed at predetermined pitches in a measurement axis direction, a detection head relatively movable with respect to the scale, the detection head including a light source portion configured to irradiate the scale with light, and a plurality of receiver portions configured to receive light reflected by or transmitted through the diffraction gratings of the scale, at different phases, and a signal processing device configured to perform signal processing to light reception signals output from the receiver portions of the detection head, to produce quadrature differential signals. The signal processing device is configured to calculate alignment adjustment monitor signals corresponding to a Lissajous radius of the quadrature differential signals in order to detect misalignment of the detection head with respect to the scale.

Abstract: A reference signal generation circuit generates a reference signal from a reading result of the reference point detection pattern. The first light-receiving element array includes a first light-receiving element that outputs a first signal, and a second light-receiving element that is disposed in a first direction of the first light-receiving element and outputs a second signal. A second light-receiving element array includes a third light-receiving element that outputs a third signal, and a fourth light-receiving element that is disposed in the first direction of the third light-receiving element and outputs a fourth signal. The second light-receiving element array is disposed in a second direction of the first light-receiving element array. The reference signal generation circuit outputs a reference signal that starts at a period when levels of the first and second signal become equal and ends at a period when levels of the third and fourth signal become equal.

Abstract: A reference point detection light-receiving unit receives light from a reference point detection pattern by first to fifth light-receiving elements. The first to fifth light-receiving elements are arranged in a first direction and outputs first to fifth signals, respectively. A reference signal generation circuit outputs a reference signal that starts at a period where a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding first and second signals, and a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding third and fourth signals, will become equal, and ends at a period where a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding the second and third signals, and a level of a signal, which is obtained by adding fourth and fifth signals, become equal.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described for a lock system. An example lock system includes a lock with a lock module that controls a lock mechanism. The lock is configured to transmit optical signals to a key. The key reflects the optical signals back to the lock. The key is configured to encode the optical signals with a combination. The lock module is configured to determine whether the combination is valid. The lock module actuates the locking mechanism when the key is determined to be valid.

Abstract: A position detector which detects the position of a movable member relative to a fixed member includes a signal detector configured to detect periodic signals which respectively indicate predetermined values concerning the position of the movable member relative to the fixed member and change at different periods in accordance with a position change, a signal processor configured to generate displacement signals based on the periodic signals detected by the signal detector and sequentially output the generated displacement signals while switching the signals at a predetermined period, a position calculator configured to calculate a position of the movable member relative to the fixed member based on the displacement signals, and a reliability determining unit configured to determine that the reliability of the position calculated by the position calculator is low, if the displacement amount of the movable member in the predetermined period is larger than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An encoder for outputting a measurement value of a position or angle of a scale in accordance with a command signal transmitted with a cycle, includes: a detector configured to perform detection of a signal from the scale and output a detection signal; and a processor configured to perform generation of data representing a position or angle of the scale based on the detection signal, perform correction of the data based on a change amount of the position or angle along with movement of the scale in a delay time till receiving of a subsequent command signal after the detection, and perform outputting of the corrected data. The processor is configured to perform processing including the generation and correction in accordance with receiving of the command signal, and perform a plurality of the processing in parallel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an encoder and control scheme are provided. In one embodiment, a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device comprises: a stator having a first marker and a second marker arranged on a surface of the stator to form a sensing pattern; a sweeping element that dithers in a plane parallel to the surface of the stator along a sweep path that crosses the first marker and a second marker; an overlap sense circuit operable to measure an area overlap between the sweeping element and the sensing pattern, wherein the overlap sense circuit generates a pulse train signal output that varies as a function of the area overlap.

Abstract: A linear encoder includes a housing, a scale disposed within the housing and a sensor unit disposed within the housing facing the scale with a gap between the sensor unit and the scale. The sensor unit is configured to scan the scale and obtain position information. At least one adjustment hole for a gap adjustment is disposed in at least one of the housing and an end cover of the housing at a position corresponding to a position of the gap.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical sensor includes a photodetector and a substrate. The photodetector detects light. The substrate in which the photodetector is received includes at least three layers including a cover layer, a spacer layer, and a base layer. The substrate includes an electrical conductive portion for the photodetector.

Abstract: A flexible optical displacement encoder configuration uses a source grating to illuminate a scale with structured light such that light from the scale is modulated with a beat frequency envelope, which may have a relatively coarse pitch that matches a desired detector pitch. An imaging configuration provides spatial filtering to remove the high spatial frequencies from the modulation envelope to provide a clean signal in the detected fringe pattern. This combination of elements allows an incremental scale track pattern with a relatively finer pitch (e.g., 4, 5, 8 microns) to provide fringes with a coarser pitch (e.g., 20 microns) at a detector. Various scale resolutions can use a corresponding source grating such that all combinations can produce detector fringes that match the same economical detector component.