Abstract: An obstacle detection device (10) is provided with a distance measurement sensor (11) which measures a detection distance to an object to be detected, a detection image generation unit (30a) which generates a detection image indicating a presence of the object to be detected in a detection range, based on a result of measurement by the distance measurement sensor (11), a rainfall determination unit (30b) which performs a rainfall determination of whether or not a region in the detection range is in a rainfall state, a rain removal processing unit (30c) which executes a rain removal process for removing the isolated points from the detection image, and an obstacle determination unit (30d) which performs an obstacle determination of whether or not the object to be detected is an obstacle.

Abstract: A system and method for virtually inspecting a blade stage is disclosed. The system may include a digitizing device for obtaining a three-dimensional model of a shroud of each blade of the blade stage. A computer system may include at least one module configured to perform the following processes: extract a geometric location data of a plurality of reference points of each shroud from a three-dimensional model of a shroud of each blade of the blade stage created by digitizing using a digitizing device; generate a 3D virtual rendering of the shrouds of the blade stage based on the geometric location data and the known dimensions of the blade stage, the three-dimensional virtual rendering including a rendering of the plurality of reference points of each shroud; and inspect the blade stage using the three-dimensional virtual rendering.

Abstract: A medium accumulating device has an accumulation table on which a medium is accumulated, an elastic member that supports the accumulation table, and an accumulation table detector that detects lowering of the accumulation table. The accumulation table is sensed to determine whether the accumulation table lowers below a predetermined position to thereby determine whether or not a medium is accumulated on the accumulation table.

Abstract: Removing material from the surface of a first circuit comprises generating a first laser pulse using a pulse generator; targeting a spot on the first circuit using a focusing component; delivering the first laser pulse to the spot on the first circuit, the first circuit including a digital component; ablating material from the spot using the first laser pulse without changing a state of the digital component; testing performance of the first circuit, the testing being performed without reinitializing the circuit between the steps of ablating material and testing performance. Targeting the spot on the first circuit comprises generating a second laser pulse using a pulse generator; delivering a second laser pulse to a sacrificial piece of material; detecting the position of the ablation caused by the second laser pulse with a vision system that forms an image; and using this image to guide the first laser to the spot.

Abstract: A multifunction detector for detecting energy reflected from the surface, the detector comprising: a focal plane array in communication with the optical receiving path; and an optical receiving path; a read-only integrated circuit in communication with the optical receiving path, integrated with a focal plane array; and a processor programmed to operate the focal plane array and read-out integrated circuit in a first mode to process signals in a first frequency band, and in a second mode to process signals in a second, wider frequency band.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method that captures a diagnostic image of a retina having at least one lesion, wherein the lesion includes a plurality of spots to be treated. Information is received from a user interface, wherein the information includes a duration, intensity, and/or wavelength of treatment for each of the spots. A real-time image of the retina is captured; and, a composite image is created by linking the diagnostic image to the real-time image. At least one updated real-time image of the retina is obtained using eye tracking and/or image stabilization; and, an annotated image is created by modifying the composite image based on the updated real-time image. A localized laser beam is delivered to each of the spots according to the information, the composite image, and the annotated image.

Abstract: A microlaser system, including a microlaser, having an elongated generally cylindrical substrate, a thin dopant film encircling at least a portion of the substrate, and a pumping laser positioned to shine onto the thin film. The thin film is between about 2 and about 10 microns thick. When the pumping laser shines on the thin film, the thin film lases in whispering gallery mode. The dopant is preferably selected from the group including transition metals and rare-earth elements. In a most preferred embodiment, the thin film is titanium-doped amorphous aluminum nitride.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel portion configured to convert light into an electric signal; a substrate where the pixel portion is formed; an optical communication unit configured to convert a signal read out from the pixel portion into an optical signal, and outputs the optical signal, which is disposed in one surface where the pixel portion is formed of the substrate; and a light shielding portion configured to shield, of signal light to be output from the optical communication unit, light that directs to the pixel portion, and light to be leaked from the optical communication unit, which is disposed around the optical communication unit.

Abstract: A light output control device for laser light sources for respective RGB colors includes, for each of RGB, three sets, each including: a semiconductor laser for one of the colors; light output detection unit for detecting a light output from the semiconductor laser; light output adjustment unit for updating a light output target value; light output control unit for controlling the semiconductor laser based on the updated light output target value; and division unit for dividing the light output by an output from the light output adjustment unit to obtain a ratio of the rising of the light output, and includes rising determination unit for determining, based on results obtained by the respective division unit, a semiconductor laser with a slowest rising and outputs light output adjustment values for the respective colors. The light output adjustment unit update their respective light output target values based on the light output adjustment values.

Abstract: A multifunction detector for detecting energy reflected from the surface, the detector comprising: a focal plane array in communication with the optical receiving path; and an optical receiving path; a read-only integrated circuit in communication with the optical receiving path, integrated with a focal plane array; and a processor programmed to operate the focal plane array and read-out integrated circuit in a first mode to process signals in a first frequency band, and in a second mode to process signals in a second, wider frequency band.

Abstract: A laser controller has a sensor input for each of a plurality of lasers which the controller may control using outputs. Each laser and sensor may form a laser beam. The controller may have timing start and stop inputs to control a timer, and the controller may calculate a score based on the timer as well as any tripped laser beams. The controller may be used for controlling a game system.

Abstract: An optical measuring device capable of improving the precision of detection of contamination on a protective glass is disclosed. With threshold values as large as 90%, 50%, 10% of a peak value of a scan signal, measured values Q90, Q50, Q10 of a dimension of a work to be measured are derived, respectively. It is determined whether a difference between the measured value Q90 and the measured value Q50 (or a variation of the measured value) is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. (B)-(D) show the presence of contamination on the protective glass, equal to or larger than the reference value. (A) shows the absence of contamination, lower than the reference value. It is then determined whether a difference between the measured value Q50 and the measured value Q10 is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value. (D) shows the presence of thick contamination on the protective glass, equal to or larger than this reference value.

Abstract: The invention is a method for detecting float or peel of semiconductor chips arranged in X and Y axes directions diced and bonded to a dicing tape on a stage. The method includes detecting float or peel of the semiconductor chips in a respective horizontal or longitudinal row arranged in the X or Y axis direction; moving the stage in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, a Z axis direction, and a rotational direction around the Z axis for aligning the stage with a position detection unit for detecting positions of the semiconductor chips in the X axis direction and the Y axis direction; detecting the positions of abnormal semiconductor chips in the respective horizontal or longitudinal row that includes said abnormal semiconductor chips; and specifying the positions of said abnormal semiconductor chips on the X-Y axes.

Abstract: A frame transfer prober 1, for carrying out an electrical property test on a number of semiconductor chips 10 fixed on a dicing tape 11, comprises a separation detection unit 9 for detecting the separation and/or protrusion of the semiconductor chips 10 from the dicing tape. The separation detection unit has a light emitting portion 91 for emitting a laser beam L, a light receiving portion 92 for receiving the laser beam L so emitted and a determination portion 93 for determining the separation and/or protrusion of the semiconductor chips through an increase or decrease in amount of the laser beam L so received.

Abstract: In a method for optoelectronically inspecting pharmaceutical capsules (2) in a capsule filling machine (1), the pharmaceutical capsules (2) are fed in single file from a station (3) where the capsules (2) are made to a capsule (2) outfeed portion (8) of the machine (1) along a defined feed path (P) passing through an inspection station (13). In the inspection station (13), each pharmaceutical capsule (2) passes through an electromagnetic field created by coherent, polarised light radiation.

Abstract: A method involves aligning each of two optical components to be joined relative to a common standard, removing the common standard, and joining each of two optical components to each other in alignment.

Abstract: An optical inspection system is disclosed to detect any cross threading or improper insertion of a threaded fastener after being affixed to a workpiece. A plurality of laser devices is used for said inspection with the projected laser beams becoming partially blocked by the engaged fastener member. Gap spaces are formed in the projected light beam patterns by such obstruction for a subsequent comparison in automated analysis equipment.

Abstract: A transmitivity sensor having a light source and a detector on one side of a medium with a reflector on the other side of the medium so as to reflect the light from the light source back through the medium to the detector. For instance, the sensor may be used on a window of a sealed building or container without having connections to the source and detector break the integrity of the window seal relative to the building or the container. The magnitude of the light signal on the detector relative to that of the source is an indication of the transmitivity of the window. Electronics to effectively implement the sensor are connected to the source and detector. The electronics may contain, for example, a source driver, a detector amplifier, a band-pass filter, a logarithmic amplifier and various voltage sources. Other items may be a part of the electronics as desired.

Abstract: An optical measuring system capable of high resolution measurement of objects, and a method of measuring the same, are provided. The optical measuring system is formed in one integral, portable unit, and includes a laser source having associated optics for emitting a wide collimated light beam. A CCD receiver and a processor housed together and spaced apart from the laser source receive the wide collimated light beam. The CCD receiver has a plurality of diode cells, or “pixels,” formed in a linear array, and the diode cells exhibit output signals corresponding to the received light beam. The processor processes the output signals and determines a measurement associated with the output signals.

Abstract: A laser system comprises a laser diode with an active region and reflectors at both ends. An outcoupling aperture is located between the reflectors to couple light out of the device through the surface. The gain region increases in width as it nears the outcoupling aperture.

Abstract: A method for detecting untextured or defectively textured yarn segments in textured filament yarns during the texturing process, in which the textured yarn is continuously measured by the measurement, conditioning and evaluation of high-frequency measurement signals as evidence of untextured or defectively textured yarn segments.

Abstract: An optoelectric safety system which protects a free entrance or access opening in a machine's protective housing or protective cage at all times during operation. The system includes a reflection light scanner on the machine frame above and adjacent the floor at the front of the machine in the vicinity of the entrance or access opening, which emits a scanning beam covering a horizontal or inclined area and which generates an inner permanent protective field and an outer dynamic protective field.

Abstract: The level of a laser beam is controlled to the maximum level detectable by a sensor, and light transmitted through the pattern is normalized with branched light. The laser beam level is made up for variations, and noise at zero and saturation levels are removed. Data thus can be taken out, in which noise in edge portions is always at a constant level. It is thus possible to increase the pattern image accuracy and obtain sharper image.