Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of tissue within a body of a patient may include a medical device. The medical device may include a distal end configured to be advanced within the body of the patient; at least one aperture at the distal end; a laser emitter operable to emit monochromatic light out from the distal end via the at least one aperture and onto target tissue; and at least one photodetector array. The at least one photodetector array may be configured to: receive light incident on the at least one aperture that is one or more of scattered by or reflected from the target tissue; and generate Raman spectroscopy image data based on monochromatic light incident on the at least one aperture, the Raman spectroscopy image data including an array of intensity values.

Abstract: Provided are a gesture interaction method and a gesture interaction system based on artificial reality. The method includes: determining a ray formed from a predetermined position of a hand to a finger joint when four fingers form a fist as an operation indication line, an end point of the ray being on the hand; determining a point of intersection between the operation indication line and a display surface in the artificial reality as a position of an operation icon in the artificial reality; controlling the operation icon to move correspondingly in response to detecting that the four fingers form the fist and move, to move the operation icon in the display surface to a target key; and determining, in response to detecting an action of a thumb of the hand touching an index finger, that the operation icon clicks on the target key to complete an interaction.

Abstract: A method for calculating 19 biological parameters associated with the light absorption of human skin by means of a mathematical model. This method establishes a relevance between the skin spectrum and the biological parameters associated with light absorption in the epidermal/dermal layer of skin, by establishing two levels of analytical models, namely, a skin spectral analysis model and a mathematical model of biological parameters in the skin associated with the light absorption, achieves virtual spectrums which are stimulated by a set of skin parameters, and then performs optimization iteration by information processing technology using the virtual spectrums and the actual spectrums, to find a set of optimized results which meets a specific standard of the goodness of fit, thus reaching the goal of quantitatively analyzing biological parameters associated with the light absorption in human skin.

Abstract: A sequential image photographing device for photographing sequential images of an object to be observed includes: an illuminating unit configured to sequentially irradiate a plurality of light having different wavelength bands to the object; a digital camera configured to photograph the object illuminated by the plurality of the light emitted from the illuminating unit; a controller controlling the illuminating unit and the digital camera; and an image processing unit configured to extract a plurality of channel images corresponding to the respective wavelength band from the image photographed by the digital camera and to obtain the sequential images of the object.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for collecting volatile organic compounds and applying THz based detection of a signature of the collected compounds to determine egg properties. Egg properties include gender and/or fertility.

Abstract: Accessories for improving sensitivity or efficiency of optical spectrometers and methods for utilizing such accessories are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for enhancing road markings using Infrared (IR) retroreflective spherical elements, comprising immersing a plurality of IR retroreflective spherical elements in one or more paint materials to produce a composition applied to paint road markings on one or more surfaces of one or more road segments. Each of the plurality of IR retroreflective spherical elements is at least partially transparent in visible light spectral range and in one or more infrared spectral ranges and is at least partially coated with one or more IR reflective materials characterized by (1) reflecting more than a first value of light in the one or more infrared spectral ranges, and (2) transferring more than a second value of light in the visible light spectral range. The painted road markings expressing driving information relating to the one or more road segments.

Abstract: An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the “as collected” condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

Abstract: Grain sorting process and apparatus (1) includes a grain infeed chute (2) for delivery of bulk cereal grain into the apparatus (1) past an in-line measurement station (3) which analyses selected parameters of grain delivered through the infeed chute (2). The grain infeed chute (2) discharges onto a horizontal grain sorting conveyor (4) which discharges the grain into storage silos (5, 6) in response to one or more measured parameters of the grain determined at the measurement station (3), The measurement station (3) In has a sensor unit (7) which includes a near-infrared light source for emitting light onto grain delivered through the grain infeed chute (2) or through the grain sorting conveyor (4), The light is reflected from the grain and reflected light is detected by the sensor (7) to provide a spectrum of the grain.

Abstract: The disclosed technology describes determining and registering dictionary data to diagnose a deteriorating state of a surface of a diagnose object. The method comprises receiving spectral distribution information of deteriorating surface regions of a target object. Given the spectral distribution information and a predetermined spectral distribution information of a reference object, the present technology determines a reference reflectance value of the target object and registers the reference reflectance value of the target object as dictionary data. The reference reflectance value is approximately the same regardless of a progressing state of deterioration of a surface of the target object. Given the dictionary data, the present invention estimates a deterioration state of a surface of a diagnose object under a variety of type of light sources with accuracy, without measuring spectral distribution information about a light source used at the time of measuring spectral data of the diagnose object.

Abstract: An information processing system includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a deposited material with electromagnetic waves, a detection unit configured to detect scattered waves or transmitted waves of the electromagnetic waves with which the deposited material has been irradiated by the irradiation unit, and a determination unit configured to determine a state of the deposited material from an image based on the scattered waves or the transmitted waves detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A method of determining health of a plant which method includes displaying, on a screen of an electronic display of a mobile computing device, a digital leaf colour chart with colours ranging from yellow green to dark green; displaying on the screen next to the digital leaf colour chart a white area on which a leaf of the plant is to be placed; receiving input to the mobile computing device from a user about which colour of the digital leaf colour chart that best matches the leaf placed on the white area; and the mobile computing device determining the plant health based on the received input.

Abstract: A product-inspection apparatus includes a vibration unit configured to vibrate an object to be inspected at different vibration frequencies in a stepwise manner, the object to be inspected being a product in which a powder is contained in a container, a light source configured to apply light onto an upper surface of the powder, an imaging unit configured to take an image of the upper surface of the powder at a frame rate equal to or higher than a maximum vibration frequency of the vibration unit, and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the object to be inspected is a quality product based on image information taken by the imaging unit.

Abstract: The animal waste collection robot is a robot. The animal waste collection robot automatically collects befoulment generated by an animal. The animal waste collection robot is an automated device. The animal waste collection robot is an independently powered electric circuit. By independently powered is meant that the animal waste collection robot can operate without an electrical connection to an external power source. The animal waste collection robot comprises a vehicle, a crane, a control circuit, and a pan. The control circuit mounts in the vehicle. The crane and the pan mount on the vehicle. The vehicle transports the animal waste collection robot over a patrol route. The control circuit: a) scans the patrol route for befoulment; b) operates the crane to collect the befoulment; and, c) further operates the crane to transport the befoulment to the pan for storage.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for estimating a target component, the apparatus including a temperature controller configured to modulate temperature of an object, a measurer configured to measure a spectrum for each temperature of the object that changes based on the modulation, and a processor configured to obtain effective optical pathlength vectors corresponding to a temperature change based on the spectrum for each temperature of the object, obtain a representative effective optical pathlength based on the obtained effective optical pathlength vectors, and obtain a target component estimation model based on the obtained representative effective optical pathlength.

Abstract: A device including a measuring unit having probes for emitting or detecting light with optical attenuators at points forming a regular triangle, and a control unit to: set transmittances of the attenuators so that an amount of light from the probes becomes a desired value; identify, among three channels, a first channel having a maximum light amount; perform detection in second and third channels between first and second probes of the first channel and a third probe; adjust transmittance of the attenuator of the first or the second probe of the channel having a smaller light amount so that light amounts in the second and the third channels become equal; adjust transmittance of the attenuator of the third probe so that the light amount of the second or the third channel becomes equal to the light amount of the first channel; and perform measurement with all transmittances after adjustments maintained.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes: a transmitter unit for transmitting a light signal; a receiver unit for receiving the light signal reflected by an object to determine a proximity status of the object; and a housing defining a first enclosed accommodation space for accommodating the receiver unit, wherein the portion of the housing which defines the first enclosed accommodation space has a sealed light passage made of a light-transmissible material such that the receiver unit is capable of receiving the light signal reflected by the object through the light passage. The housing can further include a second enclosed accommodation space for accommodating the transmitter unit.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light-emitting device, a partition structure and a cover. The partition structure defines a first space for accommodating the light-emitting device. The cover is disposed over the partition structure. The cover has a first surface facing the partition structure and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A light emitted by the light-emitting device forms a first irradiance pattern projected on the second surface of the cover, and the first irradiance pattern includes a first dark zone traversing the first irradiance pattern.

Abstract: A retrographic sensor includes a clear elastomer substrate, a deformable reflective layer, and a contact surface with an array of rigid, non-planar features formed of a material or a pattern of particles to mitigate adhesion to a target surface while permitting the egress of trapped air around a region of interest. This combination of features permits the contact surface of the sensor to more closely conform to the target surface while physically transferring the topography of the target surface to the deformable layer for imaging through the substrate.

Abstract: Items are identified in a waste stream for purposes of recycling, using deterministic and/or probabilistic techniques. Imagery of the waste stream from multiple viewpoints permit creation of a 3D depth draped image representation, from which one or more 2D planes can be synthesized. Phase-coherent patches of recoverable encoded data can be identified from among soiled and crumpled object surfaces, and used in combination to recover object identification information. Recognition of certain items can trigger further image processing that is specific to such items. (Detection of a catsup bottle, for example, can trigger image analysis to discern the presence of catsup residue.) Information about recognized objects can be provided to external data customers, e.g., to track grey market diversion of particular products into unlicensed territories. These and other features and advantages, which can be used alone or in combination, are detailed herein.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reading unit, a background member, and processing circuitry. The reading unit includes alight source to emit light to a passage area through which an object passes and an imaging device to capture reflected light of the light emitted to generate a visible image and an invisible image. The background member is disposed opposite the light source across the passage area. The processing circuitry is configured to: detect a change in an image characteristic due to a change in an optical characteristic of the reading unit, in invisible images obtained by capturing of invisible marks on the background member; determine a correction amount of an image characteristic to be used for correcting an image of the object generated by the imaging device, based on the change in the image characteristic detected; and correct the image characteristic based on the correction amount determined.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical ice detection method is provided. The method includes contacting a multilayer structure with water under conditions effective to form ice, the multilayer structure comprising an optically transparent or semi-transparent material disposed over at least a portion of a material probe. The method further includes performing Raman spectroscopy on one or more of the material probe, water, or ice to obtain Raman spectra, detecting a shift in the Raman spectra, and calculating ice-induced strain in the material probe. Apparatus for optically detecting ice are also provided.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood glucose detection device and a measurement method based on a multi-technology integration is provided according to the disclosure. The device combines a near-infrared spectroscopy non-invasive blood glucose detection technology with a non-invasive blood glucose detection technology based on optical polarimetry, thus improving the detection sensitivity and accuracy, simultaneously inhibiting the influence of human background and individual differences. The AOTF can be used to achieve tunable light splitting and the output lights have two orthogonal linearly polarized light characteristics. The hardware for implementing the two methods are combined. Thus, the device has the advantages of simple structure, strong anti-interference ability and low cost. In addition, it combines the two methods on software by adopting a random forest algorithm and a data fusion algorithm, which effectively improves the prediction accuracy of non-invasive blood glucose concentration.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring soil properties. An example control and monitoring system for an agricultural implement having a plurality of row units includes a reflectivity sensor, a camera, a processor, and a monitoring device. The reflectivity sensor generates a reflectivity signal related to reflectivity of soil worked by the row units. The camera captures images of a seed trench opened by an opening assembly of the row units. The camera is disposed on a shank extension forward of seeds being deposited in the seed trench by the row units. The processor is configured to calculate a statistical variation in the reflectivity signal and the monitoring device is configured to display one or more of the images captured by the camera and a representation of the statistical variation.

Abstract: A method, a structure, and a computer system for privacy-preserving motion analysis. Embodiments may include collecting data corresponding to a user with one or more sensors and identifying one or more joints of the user based on the data. Embodiments may additionally include generating one or more 3D representations of the one or more joints of the user and anonymizing the one or more 3D representations by applying thereto a joint-centering and a random shuffling. Embodiments may further include classifying one or more actions of the user based on analysing the one or more 3D representations, and exporting at least one of the data and the one or more actions.

Abstract: An IR microscope includes an IR light source/interferometer (1) generating a collimated IR beam (26), an effectively beam-limiting element (8) in a stop plane (27), a sample position (15), a detector (19) having an IR sensor (19a), a detector stop (19b), a first optical device focusing the collimated IR beam onto the sample position, and a second optical device imaging the sample position onto the IR sensor. The effectively beam-limiting element is situated in the collimated IR beam. The first and second optical devices image the detector stop opening into an input beam plane. For the area A1 of the image of the detector stop opening in the input beam plane and the area A2 of the cross section of the collimated IR beam in the input beam plane: 0<A1/A2?1. Thereby, only collimated IR radiation is picked up, while vignetting and stray radiation are avoided.

Abstract: A detecting device for detecting liquid or colloid, comprising: a light emitting device, configured to emit first light, wherein a first angle between a first emitting direction of the first light and a surface when the detecting device is located on the surface, wherein the first angle is larger than 0° and smaller than 90°; an optical sensor, configured to detect first optical data generated based on the first light; and a processing circuit, configured to determine if the liquid or the colloid exists in a predetermined range of the detecting device based on the first optical data. An automatic cleaner applying the detecting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for identifying water on a surface, including an optical sensor and a processor. The optical sensor is configured to produce a first image of the surface which has a first optical bandwidth within which the water has a first absorption rate, and a second image of the surface which has a second optical bandwidth within which the water has a second absorption rate that is higher than the first absorption rate. The processor is configured to combine the first image and the second image to produce a combined image in which the surface is reduced or eliminated as compared to the water. In addition, the processor is configured to detect water in the combined image.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for performing wound analysis using THz imaging are provided. Due to the large complex component of water's dielectric constant in the THz regime, and the relative frequency invariance of non-aqueous tissue constituents, this modality is highly sensitive to the water content of tissue. It has been found that using THz imaging turns the presence of edema into a contrast mechanism, and allows for the use of the spatial distributions of edema to assess wound status immediately. Apparatus and methods enable earlier diagnosis of wound status which could result in accelerated treatment and shorter overall hospital stays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of processing influences on the quality of feedstuff raw materials and/or feedstuffs, in which the processing conditions indicator of the of feedstuff raw materials and/or feedstuffs is determined and the specific digestibility coefficient of an amino acid of a feedstuff raw material and/or feedstuff in an animal species is determined. The present invention also relates to a process for the optimization of feedstuffs considering the determined processing influences and the thus obtained and/or obtainable feedstuffs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting a defect of a film. The method includes obtaining a film image, determining one or more pieces of scratch information corresponding to the film image through processing the film image using a recognition model, the recognition model includes a convolution layer, a regression layer, and a classification layer, determining whether each piece of scratch information in the one or more pieces of scratch information meets a preset condition, each piece of scratch information includes position information, angle information, and size information, in response to a determination that each piece of scratch information meets the preset condition, adding one or more pieces of annotation information to the one or more pieces of scratch information that meets the preset condition, and generating prompt information based on the one or more pieces of annotation information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the screening of histological samples, especially samples that may include cancerous or precancerous cells, or cells having other disease states. The method involves analysing a sample obtained from a subject and comprises the steps of providing the spectra produced by scanning the sample using FTIR spectroscopy and identifying or sorting the cells in the sample according to the spectrum each produces.

Abstract: A light source unit, a light receiving unit that includes a distance image sensor in which a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device generating electric charge corresponding to incident light and a plurality of electric charge accumulating units accumulating the electric charge and dividing and accumulating the electric charge among the electric charge accumulating units at a predetermined accumulation timing are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern, a distance image processing unit that is configured to acquire a distance from a subject present in the space that is an imaging target, and a timing determining unit that is configured to determine the accumulation timing in the measurement time interval on the basis of an electric charge amount in each of the electric charge accumulating units in an inspection time interval in which the light pulse is not emitted at the accumulation timing are provided.

Abstract: A system includes a first-vehicle processor configured to receive a signal broadcast from a second vehicle. The processor is also configured to determine a distance between a first transceiver, receiving the signal, and a second transceiver, transmitting the signal. The processor is further configured to determine second vehicle dimensions. Also, the processor is configured to digitally map a second vehicle perimeter around a second transceiver location, determined based on the distance and alert a first vehicle driver of a likely overlap condition of the second vehicle perimeter and a first vehicle perimeter.

Abstract: A system for monitoring soil composition within a field may have a ground-engaging tool configured to engage soil within a field as an implement moves across the field. The system may further have a sensor configured to generate data indicative of a soil composition within the field, where the sensor is movable relative to the ground-engaging tool while the implement moves across the field such that the sensor generates data indicative of the soil composition at different depths within the field. Additionally, the system may have a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to determine the soil composition at the different depths within the field based at least in part on the data received from the sensor.

Abstract: A lighting module includes a voltage-current controller to control power externally supplied, a capacitor charged with power supplied from the voltage-current controller, a laser light source to emit laser light driven by a current from the capacitor, first and second FETs electrically connected in series to the laser light source, and circuitry that controls a first voltage value applied to the first FET and a second voltage value applied to the second FET, to control a resistance value of the second FET. The first FET controls a pulse width of the current flowing through the laser light source in accordance with the first voltage value applied to a gate thereof. The second FET changes in resistance value in accordance with the second voltage value applied to a gate thereof and controls, with the resistance value, a peak value of the current flowing through the laser light source.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a surface of a structure for defects includes an inspection apparatus having a heating device for heating a section of the surface of the structure, an infrared camera for receiving infrared radiation from the surface in response to heating, a controller configured to generate thermographs from the received infrared radiation, and a communication device. A training system includes an expert system module configured to determine correlations between a set of thermographs generated by a thermal simulation of modeled structural elements with defects, and parameters of the modeled structural elements. A computer system communicatively coupled to the training system and the inspection apparatus, is adapted to receive thermographs received from the inspection apparatus and to detect quantitative parameters of defects in the structure using the correlations obtained from the training system.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method may determine a first candidate item type and a second candidate item type for a container. The method may determine appearance feature(s) of the first candidate item type and appearance feature(s) of the second candidate item type. The method may determine, using a trained dissimilarity model, a distinguishability score between the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type based on the appearance feature(s) of the first candidate item type and the appearance feature(s) of the second candidate item type. The method may determine to store the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type together in the container based on the distinguishability score between the first candidate item type and the second candidate item type. In some instances, the method may place item(s) of the first candidate item type and item(s) of the second candidate item type in the container.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects in a composite structure includes applying heat to a surface of a composite structure. Thermographic images or frames captured by a moving camera may be utilized to corm temporally aligned images that include temperature data (pixels) from a plurality of frames, wherein the pixels comprise data captured at a simple (uniform) time delay from the time at which heat was applied. The temporally aligned thermographic data for the surface region may include variations due to differences in thermal transients caused by defects in the composite structure. The variations in the thermographic data may be utilized to detect one or more defects in the composite structure.

Abstract: A robot control method includes, storing, in a memory, shape information about a robot including a tool attached to a tip and about a peripheral object located on a periphery of the robot. A teaching program also is stored in the memory. The teaching program includes a setting speed when operating the robot. By a processor connected to the memory, a distance between the robot and the peripheral object, based on the shape information, is calculated at each operation position when operating the robot according to the teaching program. By the processor, it is determined whether or not the calculated distance is changing in a decreasing direction. In response to determining that the calculated distance is changing in the decreasing direction, by the processor, the robot is operated at a speed lower than the setting speed in the teaching program.

Abstract: An image acquiring apparatus for a vehicle includes a light emitting unit configured to emit pulse light to a predetermined direction, an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light returning from the target distance ranges at imaging timings set according to the target distance ranges, and a timing controller configured to control a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings. The timing controller is configured to control at least one of the light emission cycle and the imaging timing such that among different target distance ranges, a range of a specific distance necessary for object recognition is imaged with luminance higher than that for ranges other than the range of the specific distance.

Abstract: An image acquiring apparatus for a vehicle includes a light emitting unit configured to emit pulse light to a predetermined direction, an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of different images of target distance ranges by imaging reflected light returning from the target distance ranges at imaging timings set according to the target distance ranges, and a timing controller configured to control a light emission cycle of the pulse light and the imaging timings. The timing controller is configured to set a light emission interval time to be longer than a delay time which is a time from a light emission start time point of the light emitting unit to an imaging start time point of the image acquisition unit and is required to image a longest-distance range of the target distance ranges from which the reflected light can be imaged.

Abstract: A method for determining characteristics of a structure is disclosed. The method comprises repetitively irradiating the structure with a transient continuous wave electromagnetic radiation and capturing as a function of time a transient part of the reflection or transmission of the transient continuous wave electromagnetic radiation reflected at or transmitted through the different interfaces of layer-based structure. The method furthermore comprises deriving from the transient part of the reflected or transmitted transient continuous wave electromagnetic radiation as function of time information regarding different contributions in the transient part of the reflected or transmitted transient continuous wave electromagnetic radiation stemming from the reflections at different interfaces of the structure and determining from said information at least geometric information and/or electromagnetic properties of the one or more materials of the structure. A corresponding system also is claimed.

Abstract: An induction heating system includes an induction heating head assembly configured to move relative to a workpiece. The induction heating system may also include a temperature sensor assembly configured to detect a temperature of the workpiece and/or a travel sensor assembly configured to detect a position, movement, or direction of movement of the induction heating head assembly relative to the workpiece, and to transmit feedback signals to a controller configured to adjust the power provided to the induction heating head assembly by a power source based at least in part on the feedback signals. In certain embodiments, the induction heating system may also include a connection box configured to receive the feedback signals, to perform certain conversions of the feedback signals, and to provide the feedback signals to the power source.

Abstract: A sorting or classifying apparatus comprising an illumination device for providing illumination or foreground illumination, the illumination device comprising a reflector (61) which has a reflecting surface (63) providing a reflection envelope, a first light source (70) which is disposed in spaced relation in front of the reflecting surface (63) and provides light of a first spectral output to the reflecting surface (63) for reflection thereby and which first light source (70) comprises a plurality of light elements or incandescent lamps (72), wherein the light elements or lamps (72) are disposed on or near a focal axis (X) of the reflector (61), and a second light source (71) which is disposed in spaced relation in front of the reflecting surface (63) and provides light of a second spectral output, different to the first spectral output to the reflecting surface (63) for reflection thereby and which second light source (71) comprises a plurality of light elements or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (75) arranged

Abstract: A computing system can receive sensor log data from one or more first autonomous vehicles (AVs) operating throughout a transport service region, and analyze the sensor log data against a set of road anomaly signatures. Based on analyzing the sensor log data against the set of road anomaly signatures, the computing system may identify road anomalies within the transport service region, and generate a resolution response for each road anomaly. The computing system can then transmit the resolution response to one or more second AVs to cause the one or more second AVs to respond to the road anomaly.

Abstract: A topographical measurement system uses an imaging cartridge formed of a rigid optical element and a clear, elastomeric sensing surface configured to capture high-resolution topographical data from a measurement surface. The imaging cartridge may be configured as a removable cartridge for the system so that the imaging cartridge, including the rigid optical element and elastomeric sensing surface can be removed and replaced as a single, integral component that is robust/stable over multiple uses, and easily user-replaceable as frequently as necessary or desired. The cartridge may also usefully incorporate a number of light shaping and other features to support optimal illumination and image capture.

Abstract: A droplet sensor includes an optical cover having an elliptical surface forming a portion of a spheroid, a light source arranged at or in a vicinity of a first focal point of the elliptical surface, and a photodetector arranged at or in a vicinity of a second focal point of the elliptical surface. The elliptical surface includes an effective detection area configured to reflect light emitted from the light source towards the photodetector. An amount of light reflected from the effective detection area changes according to adhesion of a droplet on the effective detection area of the elliptical surface. The optical cover includes a hollow portion that is provided in a region inside the optical cover, and outside optical paths of the light emitted from the light source and reflected from the effective detection area toward the photodetector.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide low-loss dielectric microstrip line (DML) circuits for use with respect to signals in the terahertz frequency range are described. Low-loss DML integrated circuits of embodiments, such as may comprise DML transmission lines, DML couplers, DML crossovers, etc., may be based on silicon technology and are adapted for signal frequencies in the range of 750-925 GHz. A DML circuit implementation may be comprised of silicon on insulator based DML structure having a silicon dioxide (SiO2) insulation layer as the middle layer of the DML, wherein the device layer (HR—Si) and the handle layer (HR—Si) are the top and bottom layers of the DML. A high-precision fabrication process for the SOI wafer, wherein the height of the dielectric microstrip lines can be accurately controlled, may be utilized to fabricate DML circuits of embodiments. A non-contact measurement technology may be used to test the DML circuits of embodiments.

Abstract: An imaging instrument for controlling a target designation makes it possible to visualise a target designation spot (SP) within a scene (SC), while using only one image sensor. To do this, a filter is arranged on the image sensor, in a restricted area (ZC) of same. The filter makes it possible to increase a contrast and a signal-to-noise ratio for an image of the target designation spot, when a misalignment (DP) is produced in order to bring the image of the target designation spot into the area of the filter.