Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image, a reference member, a sensor including a substrate, a light-emitting element provided on the substrate, a light-receiving element provided on the substrate, and a blocking member provided between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element on the substrate, the sensor configured to output an output value based on a light reception result of the light-receiving element, a memory storing data related to a relationship between a measurement condition and an offset value, and a controller configured to control the sensor based on a plurality of measurement conditions to acquire an output value corresponding to a measurement result of reflected light from the reference member, and determine a measurement condition for measuring the image based on the acquired output value and the data stored in the memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for qualitative and/or quantitative indentation detection are provided. A method includes receiving imaging data comprising a plurality of indentations within a region on a surface. The method further includes obtaining a size measurement for each indentation. The method further includes calculating a number of indentations within the region are equal to or above a minimum size.

Abstract: Motion contrast depth scanning is disclosed herein. A disclosed example apparatus includes an illumination source that is to provide at least one of spatial or temporal changes to light emitted from the illumination source to a scene. The example apparatus also includes a motion contrast sensor, where pixels of the motion contrast sensor are to detect changes corresponding to the scene, and where the motion contrast sensor is to report measurements when a pixel change exceeds a threshold. The example apparatus further includes a processor to determine at least one of a reflectance, a depth, or movement of the scene based on the reported measurements by the motion contrast sensor.

Abstract: A system for evaluating drainage condition of a pavement surface is disclosed. The system may include: a spray assembly configured to spray a liquid over the pavement surface, an image capturing device configured to capture consecutive images of the pavement surface at predetermined intervals, and an image processing unit coupled with the image capturing device.

Abstract: A sheet detecting device usable with a sheet feeding device for feeding a sheet, the sheet detecting device includes a common light emitter; a first light receptor and a second light receptor for receiving the light emitted by the common light emitter and output a signal in response to the reception of the light; a first detector configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet by switching the signal outputted by light receptor, in response to the sheet blocking or reflecting the light emitted by the common light emitter; a movable portion capable of being moved by the sheet which is moving; and a second detector configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet by switching the signal outputted by the second light receptor, in response to the movable portion forming or blocking a optical path for the light emitted by the common light emitter.

Abstract: A printer that includes systems for detecting transparent medium may include a medium dispenser for transporting print medium along a transport pathway to a print station which receives the print medium. Transmitters and receivers may be positioned on opposite sides of the transport pathway for scanning the print medium with a light beam. The sensor arrangement may be configured to detect deflection of the light beam when a transparent print medium is transported on the transport pathway between the transmitter and the receiver. The results of the scan may be communicated to a controller to facilitate proper print settings.

Abstract: A security system is provided that integrates a unique set of structural features for concealing self-powered sensor and communication devices in aesthetically neutral, or camouflaged, packages that include energy harvesting systems that provide autonomous electrical power to sensors, data processing and wireless communication components in the portable, self-contained packages. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A toner amount detection sensor has a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and a toner amount calculation unit. The first light receiving element is provided on a side opposite to a light emitting element with respect to a plane extending in a direction perpendicular to a surface of a transfer belt. The second light receiving element is provided at a position avoiding a plane containing the light emitting element and the first light receiving element and is provided separately from the first light receiving element. The toner amount calculation unit calculates the toner amount from the light quantity of the light equivalent to the specular reflection light received by the first light receiving element and the light quantity of the diffuse-reflected light received by the second light receiving element.

Abstract: A control system includes an information obtaining apparatus, a network, and a control apparatus. The information obtaining apparatus includes a distance information obtaining unit configured to obtain a distance information indicating a distance to an object and a transmission unit configured to transmit the distance information obtained by the distance information obtaining unit. The control apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive the distance information transmitted by the transmission unit via the network, a distance information correction unit configured to correct the distance information received by the reception unit, and a control unit configured to perform control using the distance information corrected by the distance information correction unit.

Abstract: A lidar system with a light source to emit a pulse of light and a receiver to detect a return pulse of light. The receiver can include a first channel to receive a first portion of the return pulse and produce a first digital output signal, and a second channel to receive a second portion of the return pulse and produce a second digital output signal. The receiver can include a logic circuit to produce an output electrical-edge signal in response to receiving the digital output signals. The receiver can also include a time-to-digital converter to determine a time interval based on an emission time of the pulse of light and based on the electrical-edge signal. The lidar system can also include a processor to determine a distance to a target based at least in part on the time interval.

Abstract: A terahertz scanning reflectometer system is described herein for in-situ measurement of polymer coating thickness, semiconductor wafer's surface sub-surface inspection in a non-destructive and non-invasive fashion with very high resolution (e.g., 25 nm or lower) and spectral profiling and imaging of surface and sub-surface of biological tissues (e.g., skin) in a non-invasive fashion.

Abstract: To prevent the detection accuracy from deteriorating due to stray light, an optical apparatus includes the following configuration. The optical apparatus includes a light-emitting member, a light-receiving member, and a substrate on which the light-emitting member and the light-receiving member are mounted. The substrate includes a plate-like substrate layer and a plate-like conductive layer. The optical apparatus further includes a light-shielding member disposed between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member and inserted in a through-hole of the substrate provided between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member. The light-receiving member receives reflected light from a portion to be irradiated with the light emitted from the light-emitting member. The conductive layer is excellent in light-shielding property compared to the substrate layer. The conductive layer is exposed to an inner cylindrical surface of the through-hole.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for operating a weapon targeting system comprising the steps of using a laser to fire a single pulse at a target to obtain a reflected laser pulse; detecting the reflected laser pulse as a signal by a SWIR focal plane; detecting background illumination by using the SWIR focal plane; scene clutter filter and using optical filtering if it is necessary to suppress background illumination.

Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device package may include: a light emitting diode (LED) chip having a first surface on which a first electrode and a second electrode are provided, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a plurality of side surfaces, a lateral wavelength conversion layer disposed on a side surface of the plurality of side surfaces of the LED chip, the lateral wavelength conversion layer comprising a wavelength conversion material, and a reflective layer covering the second surface of the LED chip, the reflective layer being configured to reflect light emitted by the LED chip back towards the LED chip.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical transmitter having a plurality of optical data modulators and an end-face coupler. Each of the optical data modulators is configured to output a corresponding data-modulated optical carrier. The optical end-face coupler is configured to direct the data-modulated optical carriers into a pattern of light beams to illuminate an end-face of a multi-mode optical fiber with a pattern of light spots. The optical end-face coupler is configured to cause each of the data-modulated optical carriers to excite a set of orthonormal optical propagating modes of the multi-mode optical fiber. Some of the orthonormal optical propagating modes of the set have nontrivially differing intensity and/or phase profiles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for converting an image contrast evolution of an object to a temperature contrast evolution and vice versa are disclosed, including methods for assessing an emissivity of the object; calculating an afterglow heat flux evolution; calculating a measurement region of interest temperature change; calculating a reference region of interest temperature change; calculating a reflection temperature change; calculating the image contrast evolution or the temperature contrast evolution; and converting the image contrast evolution to the temperature contrast evolution or vice versa, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the uniform diffuse reflectance ROBJ(?) at least at one point on an object (30) using a device (10) comprising a means (11) capable of emitting color illuminants expressed in the form of luminous flux and an electronic color image sensor (12). The present invention also relates to a device (10) comprising a means (11) for emitting color illuminants expressed as luminous flux of colors and an electronic color image sensor (12), for measuring the uniform diffuse reflectance ROBJ(?) at least at one point on an object (30) placed in a zone located opposite and substantially perpendicular to the said means (11) capable of emitting colors and located in the field of vision of the said electronic color image sensor (12) and being subjected to an external illuminant expressed as a constant and unknown external environmental luminous flux (40) denoted Iext(?).

Abstract: A radio frequency electronic tag reader/writer device including a housing, an antenna, a processing unit connected to the antenna and intended to exchange data with a radio frequency electronic tag presented within the range of the reader/writer device, at least one communication interface intended to be connected to a programmable logic controller and controlled by the processing unit for exchanging data with the programmable logic controller, a signalling unit for indicating one or more operating statuses, the signalling unit being connected to the processing unit, the processing unit being arranged for controlling the signalling unit on the basis of a control frame received from the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: To prevent the detection accuracy from deteriorating due to stray light, an optical apparatus includes the following configuration. The optical apparatus includes a light-emitting member, a light-receiving member, and a substrate on which the light-emitting member and the light-receiving member are mounted. The substrate includes a plate-like substrate layer and a plate-like conductive layer. The optical apparatus further includes a light-shielding member disposed between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member and inserted in a through-hole of the substrate provided between the light-receiving member and the light-emitting member. The light-receiving member receives reflected light from a portion to be irradiated with the light emitted from the light-emitting member. The conductive layer is excellent in light-shielding property compared to the substrate layer. The conductive layer is exposed to an inner cylindrical surface of the through-hole.

Abstract: A medium detection mechanism includes a medium guide that holds a medium and an optical sensor including an irradiation section that emits irradiation light to the medium guide and a light receiving section that receives reflected light. An amount of received light that is received by the light receiving section from among reflected light of external light that enters the medium guide and reflected light of the irradiation light is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: The present invention includes an optical system disposed on an optical path of light that is emitted by a light emitting section, travels to a detection target object, is reflected by the detection target object, and reaches a light receiving section. The optical system, in a sub scanning direction, that is, the direction in which a detection target object is moving, collects light so that the light receiving section has, for light from the light emitting section, a regularly reflected light receiving area and a diffuse-reflected light receiving area that differ from each other in position within a predetermined range. The optical system, in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the movement direction, refracts light so that a light receiving area, which covers the regularly reflected light receiving area and the diffuse-reflected light receiving area, is wider in the perpendicular direction than in the sub scanning direction.

Abstract: An optical imager design that is capable of imaging a common scene to two or more optical systems, and is more compact in physical size and superior in throughput than previous designs is disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination device including a voltage transformer module, a switching unit, a control module, a sensor module, a first illumination module and a second illumination module. The switching unit is coupled to the rectifier module and the voltage transformer module. The control module is coupled to the switching unit and the voltage transformer module. The sensor module is electrically connected to the control module. The sensor module senses an invading object within an induction area. The first illumination module is electrically connected to the switching unit. The second illumination module is electrically connected to the sensor module. The sensor module supplies electricity to the second illumination module to emit light. The sensor module outputs a sensing signal to the control module when the sensor module senses the invading object. The control module controls the switching unit to be turned on so that the first illumination module emits light.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for determining an amount of temperature exposure to a Bismaleimide Resin (BMI) matrix substrate, the method includes determining component data of a Bismaleimide Resin (BMI) matrix component via fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy; correlating the component data to model data to determine a structural debit from temperature exposure; and bounding a structurally damaged area in response to the correlating.

Abstract: A toner-amount detection sensor includes a light-emitting element, a first light-receiving element, and a toner-amount calculating unit. The light-emitting element emits light toward the surface of the transfer body at a predetermined incident angle. The first light-receiving element is disposed on a side opposite to the light-emitting element with respect to a plane normal to the surface of the transfer body. The first light-receiving element receives light reflected from the surface of the transfer body. The toner-amount calculating unit calculates the amount of toner from the quantity of the reflected light received by the first light-receiving element. The sensor has a relationship of A1<A2<1.5A1 where A1 represents the predetermined incident angle with respect to the plane normal to the surface of the transfer body, and A2 represents an angle of disposition of the first light-receiving element with respect to the plane normal to the surface of the transfer body.

Abstract: A highly advantageous terahertz spectrometer with phase modulation and associated method are disclosed which utilize a second harmonic for generating an error signal to control a phase modulator to at least reduce nulls of an interference pattern.

Abstract: A mobile terminal may be provided that includes a case having a through window formed in front of the case, an optical sensor arranged in the case toward the through window, a glass formed of an opaque material to cover the through window of the case, and a window layer disposed on a behind face of the glass, with a fine hole formed above the optical sensor.

Abstract: An outer dimension measuring apparatus includes a light source; an optical system focusing the light emitted from the light source onto an optical axis; a reflector reflecting the focused light; a detector detecting an intensity of the reflected light; and a calculator calculating an outer dimension of a measured object using a first focus position, a second focus position, and a position of the reflector on the optical axis, the first focus position lying on the optical axis where a peak in reflected light intensity is detected by the detector for light reflected by a first surface, and the second focus position lying on the optical axis where a peak in reflected light intensity is detected by the detector for light that has been reflected by the reflector and emitted at a second surface.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating the performance of a vehicle windshield wiper system includes a digital camera positioned to allow the camera to capture an image of the surface of the windshield, and a computer including logic for capturing a digital image of the surface of the soiled windshield, capturing a digital image of the surface of the wiped windshield, and comparing the data from both captured images to develop selected indicia related to the extent to which the soil has been removed from the windshield.

Abstract: An inspecting device serves to inspect a solar cell. The inspecting device includes an irradiation part for irradiating with pulsed light and a detection part having a detector for detecting an electromagnetic wave pulse radiated from the solar cell depending on the irradiation with the pulsed light. The detector detects an electric field intensity of the electromagnetic wave pulse depending on irradiation with probe light emitted from a light source (a femtosecond laser) of the pulsed light. Moreover, the inspecting device includes a delay part for delaying a timing for detecting the electromagnetic wave pulse in the detector. Furthermore, the inspecting device includes an electromagnetic wave pulse analysis part for detecting a negative peak of the electric field intensity in a temporal waveform of the electromagnetic wave pulse.

Abstract: A specimen inspection apparatus includes: a terahertz wave generation unit which generates a terahertz wave; a transportation unit which includes a transportation surface on which specimens as inspection objects are loaded and is configured so as to transport the specimens in an in-plane direction of the transportation surface; an irradiation direction changing unit which changes an irradiation direction of a terahertz wave which is emitted from the terahertz wave generation unit and is emitted to the specimens loaded on the transportation surface; and a terahertz wave detection unit which detects a terahertz wave which is emitted to the specimens loaded on the transportation surface to transmit therethrough or be reflected thereby, wherein the irradiation direction changing unit changes the irradiation direction by changing a position of the terahertz wave generation unit.

Abstract: A method of measuring damage of an organic layer of a thin film encapsulation includes: preparing a thin film encapsulation structure in which an inorganic layer is stacked on an organic layer, in which a light-emitting material is mixed; irradiating light to the thin film encapsulation structure so that light is emitted from the light-emitting material, the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting material decreasing over time; detecting a light emission lifetime of the light emitted from the light emitting material; and determining a degree of damage to the organic layer based on the light emission lifetime. Accordingly, a degree of the damage to the organic layer due to plasma may be easily detected, and the damage to the organic layer may be minimized based on the detected degree of the damage by improving plasma process conditions for an operation of forming an inorganic layer.

Abstract: Methods and a computer readable medium for deriving a quantitative phase contrast tomographic image of a specimen. The specimen is illuminated and a focus of the illuminating light is scanned to a plurality of depths within the specimen. Light transmitted through the specimen is spatially Fourier transformed at each of the plurality of depths to form a spatially transformed image, and at least one of the phase and amplitude of a plurality of spatial frequency components of the spatially transformed image is spatially modulated. An intensity image of the specimen plane as modulated with respect to spatial frequency components is detected and deconvolved at a plurality of spatially modulated instances to obtain a three-dimensional phase representation of the specimen at each of the plurality of distances relative to a fiducial plane.

Abstract: An electrode position detection device detects a relative positional relationship between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, when a packaged electrode having the positive electrode disposed inside a bag-shaped separator and the negative electrode are alternately stacked. The device includes a light source, a camera, and a detector. The light source projects light that penetrates the separator and is reflected by the electrodes. The camera receives the light reflected by the positive electrode when the packaged positive electrode is on the uppermost layer and receives the light reflected by the negative electrode when the negative electrode is on the uppermost layer. The detector detects the relative positional relationship between the electrodes based on the results of light reception by the camera when the packaged positive electrode is on the uppermost layer and the results of light reception by the camera when the negative electrode is on the uppermost layer.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking an eye including a light source projecting light toward a display surface in a sequential pattern, one or more reflectors associated with an optical device, where the one or more reflectors reflect the pulses of light from the display source, one or more photo detectors, where the photo detectors detect reflected pulses of light from the light source, and a system that measures pulse timing relative to horizontal and vertical pattern to compute a gaze angle of the eye.

Abstract: A tunable laser source that includes multiple gain elements and uses a spatial light modulator in an external cavity to produce spectrally tunable output is claimed. Several designs of the external cavity are described, targeting different performance characteristics and different manufacturing costs for the device. Compared to existing devices, the tunable laser source produces high output power, wide tuning range, fast tuning rate, and high spectral resolution.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a level gauge system using electromagnetic signals to determine a filling level of a product in a tank. The level gauge system comprises a real time sampler for sampling a reflection signal with a sampling period between consecutive samples. The method comprises the steps of: receiving timing signals from a wireless communication network; generating time stamp signals based on the timing signals; registering a number of the sampling periods between a first time stamp signal and a second time stamp signal; and determining the sampling period based on the registered number of sampling periods and a time between the first time stamp signal and the second time stamp signal. Various embodiments of the present invention provide for high accurate determination of the filling level in a tank without the need for a temperature stable and highly accurate clock reference in the level gauge system.

Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or absence of an object to be measured in a specimen or the quantity thereof. The method includes filtrating the object to be measured from the specimen using as a physical filter, a void-arranged structural body having a plurality of void portions penetrating in a direction perpendicular to a primary surface thereof so as to hold the object to be measured by the void-arranged structural body; irradiating an electromagnetic wave on the void-arranged structural body holding the object to be measured; and detecting characteristics of an electromagnetic wave scattered by the void-arranged structural body.

Abstract: A source assembly (48) configured to generate infrared electromagnetic radiation includes an emitter (60) that emits electromagnetic radiation over an emission solid angle. A portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is used in a detection. The portion of the user electromagnetic radiation surrounds the optical path in a usable solid angle. Electromagnetic radiation outside of the usable solid angle is focused back by a reflection assembly (64) onto the emitter to enhance the efficiency of the emitter.

Abstract: A measurement method is disclosed for measuring the presence or absence of an object to be measured or the quantity thereof, and the measurement method includes irradiating an electromagnetic wave on a void-arranged structural body holding the object to be measured, and detecting characteristics of an electromagnetic wave scattered by the void-arranged structural body. The void-arranged structural body has a plurality of void portions penetrating in a direction perpendicular to a primary surface thereof, and at least a part of the object to be measured is held by the void-arranged structural body with carrier particles provided therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring parameters, such as moisture content or basis weight, of a fibrous web, e.g. paper or non-wovens, comprises optical elements and a wavelength selection device for selectively directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation comprising wavelengths in at least the mid infrared (MIR) spectral range through the web; an element, such as a beam stop, arranged in the path of electromagnetic radiation emerging from the web, for separating directly transmitted from scattered electromagnetic radiation; a collector for collecting the scattered radiation; and at least one detector for detecting the scattered radiation collected by the collector.

Abstract: A terahertz wave generation element is provided, which includes: an optical waveguide including a core of electro-optic crystal; an optical coupler for extracting a terahertz wave generated from the optical waveguide when light propagates in the optical waveguide to a space; and a reflecting layer disposed on the opposite side to the optical coupler with respect to the core of the optical waveguide, so as to reflect the generated terahertz wave. According to the element, it is possible to provide a generation element that can generate a relatively high intensity terahertz wave efficiently by photoexcitation or generate a terahertz wave having a relatively narrow pulse width, so as to flexibly control waveform shaping of the generated terahertz wave.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to receive a first signal from a sensor, determine that a user is present based on the received first signal, receive a second signal from the sensor, and determine if the user is still present based on the received second signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder system includes a module that has a light emitting element and a light detecting element, wherein the light detecting element is operable to detect light at a wavelength emitted by the light emitting element. The optical encoder system also includes a code wheel that has facets on its surface. Each facet has a surface that provides diffuse reflectance, with adjacent facets being inclined by different amounts. The code wheel can be disposed with respect to the module so that at least some light emitted by the light emitting element is reflected by the facets back toward the module, wherein an amount of reflected light detected by the light detecting element in the module depends at least in part on the rotational position of the code wheel.

Abstract: A THz radiation probe (1) for examining an object (8), the probe comprising a first portion configured to be inserted into an opening of said object in a first direction (5), said probe further comprising at least one THz emitter (15), directing means (7) for directing THz radiation emitted from said emitter to said object via an aperture (2) located at said first portion and subsequently from said object to at least one THz detector (17) and, means for scanning said emitted THz radiation across said object in a scan direction, said scan direction having a component in said first direction (5).

Abstract: In an optical measuring device, the visual observation section includes: a white light source which emits white light; a first objective lens arranged between the white light source and measurement object, through which the white light emitted from the white light source and return light from the measurement object transmit; a plurality of tube lenses which change a magnification of the return light passing through the first objective lens to a predetermined magnification; and a lens switching mechanism which can selectively switch the tube lenses so as to select one of the tube lenses to be arranged on the return light, and the special observation section includes: a special light source which emits special light; and a second objective lens arranged between the special light source and measurement object, through which the special light emitted from the special light source and return light from the measurement object transmit.

Abstract: A method for characterizing food-grade wooden part-components, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: emitting an IR radiation beam towards food-grade wooden part-components, receiving radiations reflected/transmitted by the radiated wooden part-components, processing said radiations reflected/transmitted by the radiated food-grade wooden part-components to generate information indicative of the radiation spectrum, determining, on the basis of said spectrum, the quantities PE(i) of odor active volatile compounds present in the food-grade wooden part-components, characterizing said wooden part-components on the basis of determined quantities PE(i) of odor active volatile compounds.

Abstract: An opto-electronic module includes a detecting channel comprising a detecting member for detecting light and an emission channel comprising an emission member for emitting light generally detectable by said detecting member. Therein, a radiation distribution characteristic for an emission of light from said emission channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a sensitivity distribution characteristic for a detection in said detecting channel of light incident on said detection channel is non rotationally symmetric; and/or a central or main emission direction for an emission of light from said emission channel and a central or main detection direction for a detection of light incident on said detection channel are aligned not parallel to each other; and/or at least a first one of the channels comprises one or more passive optical components.

Abstract: A holder and apparatus for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles, and methods for terahertz imaging and/or spectroscopy of beads, particles or microparticles and making the holder are disclosed. The holder includes a tray having a substantially planar upper surface, and one or more offsets above or below the substantially planar upper surface. Each offset is configured to hold one of the beads, particles or microparticles, and has a height or depth configured to minimize or eliminate interference between reflections of the terahertz radiation from the tray and reflections of the terahertz radiation from the bead, particle or microparticle in or on the offset.

Abstract: Compact opto-electronic sensor modules are described that allow detection of an object's motion occurring in spatial regions (e.g., quadrants) that are located primarily directly about the surface of a device in which the module is located. For example, light (e.g., infra-red) from a light emitting element in the module can illuminate substantially all, or at least a significant percentage of, areas in a plane directly above the surface of the device. Each of multiple light detecting elements in the module can be arranged to receive light from a respective detection zone directly above the surface of the device.