Abstract: Disclosed herein is an illumination system including an array of LED light sources for emitting light encoded with a modulation pattern, an array of sensors and a space characterization unit. The array of sensors receives emitted light scattered by an object. Each sensor determines a distance between the corresponding light source and the object using the modulation pattern. The space characterization unit uses the distance from each sensor to generate an elevation map indicating a presence of the object.

Abstract: Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide for an electronically addressable display (such as an LCD) that mixes optical signals from a plurality of emitters, and mixes these signals to produce, for positions on the display, position-unique signals. A stylus or other receiving device may determine its position relative to the electronically addressable display by analyzing the position-unique signals.

Abstract: A method for measuring distances of targets by measuring the time of flight of pulses, in particular laser pulses, reflected on those targets, including the steps of; transmitting pulses having a pulse interval which varies according to a modulation signal as transmitted pulses, and concomitantly recording of reflected pulses as received pulses; determining a first series of distance measurement values from times of flight between transmitted pulses and those received pulses which are respectively received within a first time window following each transmitted pulse; determining at least a second series of distance measurement values from times of flight between transmitted pulses and those received pulses which are respectively received within a second time window following each transmitted pulse; and determining that series of distance measurement values which is least affected by the modulation signal as result of the distance measurement.

Abstract: A measurement system for measuring the position of a work piece (28) includes a stage grating (234) and an encoder head (236). A first measurement beam (38A) is directed at the stage grating (234) at a first angle, the first measurement beam (38A) being at a first wavelength. A second measurement beam (38B) is directed at the stage grating (234) at a second angle that is different than the first angle, the second measurement beam (38B) being at a second wavelength that is different than the first wavelength. At least a portion of the first measurement beam (38A) and at least a portion of the second measurement beam (38B) are interfered with one another to create a measurement signal along a signal axis.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method of managing illumination energy applied to illuminated portions of a scanned wafer to mitigate illumination-induced damage without unnecessarily compromising SNR of an inspection system. The wafer may be rotated at a selected spin frequency for scanning wafer defects utilizing the inspection system. Illumination energy may be varied over at least one scanned region of the wafer as a function of radial distance of an illuminated portion from the center of the wafer and the selected spin frequency of the wafer. Illumination energy may be further applied constantly over one or more scanned regions of the wafer beyond a selected distance from the center of the wafer.

Abstract: A lift detection method for an optical mouse and an optical mouse with a lift detection function are presented. An average brightness value of pixels captured by part of sensing units of an image sensor is computed after each scanning, and two average brightness values obtained from two adjacent times of scanning are compared, to determine a brightness change of the pixels in each scanning, thereby acquiring a placing state of the optical mouse accordingly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a computer system. The computer system comprises a stylus pen and an optical touch system. The stylus pen comprises an optical lens for retrieving relative movement information of the stylus pen when the stylus pen is moving, a first processing unit for analyzing the relative movement information and generating a control signal and a light-emitting unit for sending an optical signal according to the control signal, wherein the optical signal includes the relative movement information. The optical touch system comprises a sensing module for receiving the optical signal and a second processing unit, for calculating relative coordinates of the stylus pen according to the relative movement information included in the optical signal.

Abstract: A coordinate measurement machine having a feeler whose position is determined optically and a lens for use in such a machine and a method for making a lens for a coordinate measurement machine, having a flexible feeler having a sensing tip, positioned substantially at the focal point of the objective lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating diffusion effects. Diffused regions of a segmented flow of multiple, miscible fluid species may be vented off to a waste channel, and non-diffused regions of fluid may be preferentially pulled off the channel that contains the segmented flow. Multiple fluid samples that are not contaminated via diffusion may be collected for analysis and measurement in a single channel. The systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating diffusion effects may be used to minimize or eliminate diffusion effects in a microfluidic system for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plural third harmonic generation (THG) microscopic system and method. The system includes a laser device, a microscopic device, a beam splitter device and a photodetective device. By utilizing lasers with different central wavelengths or a broad band light source to simultaneously analyze THG response with respect to different wavelengths, a plurality of THG images and THG spectrum of the material or bio-tissue under stimulation of different wavelengths are obtained, thereby retrieving distributed microscopic images and resonant characteristics of the observational material or bio-molecules.

Abstract: A vision measuring device includes: an imaging device which images a workpiece; an illumination device which irradiates the workpiece with light; a position control system which controls an in-focus position of the imaging device and outputs the in-focus position as information representing a position in an in-focus axis direction; and a control device which, when the position control system controls the in-focus position, controls the frame rate of the imaging device, and controls at least one of the imaging device and the illumination device such that an amount of light to be received by the imaging device becomes substantially constant.

Abstract: A vision measuring device includes: an imaging device which images a workpiece; an illumination device which irradiates the workpiece with light; a position control system which controls an in-focus position of the imaging device and outputs the in-focus position as information representing a position in an in-focus axis direction; and a control device which, when the position control system controls the in-focus position, controls the frame rate of the imaging device, and controls at least one of the imaging device and the illumination device such that an amount of light to be received by the imaging device becomes substantially constant.

Abstract: A visible laser beam scanned by a galvano-scanner system is aligned at each of positioning points on the top surface of a master work by manual operation to record sensor position signals of position sensors on galvano-scanners. The sensor position signals on each positioning point are recorded to create a drive pattern in accordance with recorded sensor position signals. The drive pattern no longer has optics system error sources including focus error and attachment error as well as errors caused by scale, offset and the like, also eliminating the need for entering a distance as far as the top surface of the work. Therefore, the drive pattern with error components removed can be created with ease.

Abstract: An encoder includes a detector, a first position data calculator, a first data converter, an approximation device and a third position data calculator. The first data converter is configured to convert a first position data calculated by the first position data calculator into second position data whose second width in bits is longer than a first width in bits of the first position data. The approximation device is configured to calculate an approximation function that derives position data when timing data is input, based on a plurality of the second position data converted by the first data converter at a plurality of successive sampling timings, respectively. The third position data calculator is configured to calculate third position data indicating a position of a detection target at an output timing, based on the approximation function calculated by the approximation device.

Abstract: An image position detector includes a light emitting element to emit light to an image on an image carrier, a first light receiving element to receive a specular reflection of light from a surface of the image carrier and output a first light receiving signal, and a second light receiving element to receive a diffuse reflection of light from a surface of the image and output a second light receiving signal. The image position detector is configured to find the end position of the image according to a multiplied value obtained by multiplying values of the first and second light receiving signals by a constant coefficient.

Abstract: A processing device includes a control section adapted to perform emission control of first and second light source sections based on a light reception result of a light receiving section adapted to receive a reflected light beam caused by an object reflecting irradiation light beams from the first and second light source sections, and a determination section adapted to determine a positional relationship of the object with respect to the first and second light source sections based on emission current control information for performing the emission control. The determination section determines the positional relationship of the object based on first period emission current control information as the emission current control information in a first period in which no object exists in the detection area and second period emission current control information as the emission current control information in a second period in which the object exists in the detection area.

Abstract: In an optical position detection device, when light source sections emit detection light, a light detecting section detects detection light reflected from a object to detect the coordinates of the object. When seen from the detection space, the light detecting section is located inward from a plurality of light source sections, and each of the plurality of light source sections includes first and second light emitting elements. Therefore, the position of the object can be detected on the basis of a comparison result of the received light intensity in the light detecting section when the first light emitting element is turned on and the received light intensity in the light detecting section when the second light emitting element is turned on in both the case where the object is located outside a region between the light source sections and the case where the object is located inside the region.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advanced monitoring and control using an LED driver in an optical processor are described. In an embodiment, a monitoring and control circuit may include a light-emitting diode (LED) driver including a control input, an output, and a node, wherein the output is coupled to an LED. The circuit may also include a multiplexer coupled to the node of the LED driver, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the multiplexer, and a controller coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and to the control input of the LED driver, wherein the LED driver is coupled to drive the output with a first voltage supply that is independent from a second voltage supply that is coupled to drive the controller.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting an overhang on a load of a carrier device, having a sensor arrangement with at least one transmitter and a receiver and also an electronic unit for control purposes. According to the invention, the sensor arrangement senses two regions of the carrier device with a load during a movement of the carrier device such that evaluation of the geometrical position of the regions in relation to one another is made possible, wherein the first region relates to the carrier device and the second region relates to the load. Furthermore, the electronic unit is designed for generating a signal for each region and linking the signals such that it is possible to ascertain an overhang from this.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating diffusion effects. Diffused regions of a segmented flow of multiple, miscible fluid species may be vented off to a waste channel, and non-diffused regions of fluid may be preferentially pulled off the channel that contains the segmented flow. Multiple fluid samples that are not contaminated via diffusion may be collected for analysis and measurement in a single channel. The systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating diffusion effects may be used to minimize or eliminate diffusion effects in a microfluidic system for monitoring the amplification of DNA molecules and the dissociation behavior of the DNA molecules.

Abstract: A method and device for periodically perturbing the flow field within a microfluidic device to provide regular droplet formation at high speed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a proximity sensor, a control module and an adjustment module. The proximity sensor is configured to emit light and to detect reflection of the emitted light. The control module is configured to control an operation of the electronic apparatus, based on an output signal of the proximity sensor. The adjustment module is configured to adjust an intensity of the emitted light by monitoring the output signal of the proximity sensor while varying the intensity of the emitted light, when an event indicating that a detection distance of the proximity sensor is to be adjusted has occurred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a movement detection device for detecting a movement of an object in a space range. The movement detection device includes a light source, a light guiding element, at least two light sensing elements and a processing unit. The light sensing elements have an offset therebetween along a first direction such that the object, when moving in the space range, reflects the light from the light source sequentially to the light sensing elements through the light guiding element. The processing unit identifies the movement of the object along the first direction according to a sequence that the light sensing elements detect the light reflected by the object.

Abstract: A display apparatus is provided which, when projecting a video onto a curved surface of an object for display, can realize an undistorted display of the video. The measuring means outputs the distance information representing the distance to the object. Based on the distance information produced by the measuring means, the curved surface contour is detected with high precision. According to at least the detected curved surface contour distortions, pixels of the display image are unevenly rearranged to correct the video information before it is output. This arrangement realizes an undistorted display of video when the video is projected onto the curved surface of the object.

Abstract: A substrate positioning device includes: a supporting unit for supporting a substrate in place; a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit respectively arranged at major surface sides of the substrate to face each other; a light emission control unit configured to control a light emission quantity of the light emitting unit pursuant to a control value; and a detecting unit for detecting a light reception quantity received by the light receiving unit. The substrate positioning device further includes an adjusting unit for controlling the control value pursuant to the light reception quantity while the substrate is not supported by the supporting unit.

Abstract: In a method and a light sensor for the optical monitoring of a monitored zone, light is transmitted into the monitored zone and light reflected back or remitted back from the monitored zone is detected by first and second light receivers, each having two spatial detection zones for the scanned zone and the background zone of the monitored zone. A first output signal of the first light receiver is produced depending on whether the center of the light reflected back/remitted back is located in the first or in the second detection zone of the first light receiver, with the first output signal only being able to adopt one of two possible states. In a similar way, a second output signal of the second light receiver is produced. The first and the second output signals are logically linked to one another to produce an object determination signal.

Abstract: In the component position measurement method, the position B of the component 1 when the laser beam is blocked (the laser beam blocking position) is measured with respect to the chuck position A of the component 1. Since the component 1 generates a large vibration (inclination) during the chuck is used, the position of the leading end (front end) C of the component 1 is computed using the inclination angle ? with respect to the measurement value of the deviation amount H of the laser beam blocking position B of the component 1 based on a similarity relationship of a triangle.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus for detecting an overhang on a load of a carrier device, having a sensor arrangement with at least one transmitter and a receiver and also an electronic unit for control purposes. According to the invention, the sensor arrangement senses two regions of the carrier device with a load during a movement of the carrier device such that evaluation of the geometrical position of the regions in relation to one another is made possible, wherein the first region relates to the carrier device and the second region relates to the load. Furthermore, the electronic unit is designed for generating a signal for each region and linking the signals such that it is possible to ascertain an overhang from this.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing platelike substrates, particularly wafers or test wafers, like those, in particular, used for manufacturing electronic components. The aim of the invention is to make a reliable access to the substrates possible even when storage elements, which can be separated from one another, of the device are affected by manufacturing mistakes. For such a device that, for each substrate, has a number of storage elements, which follow one another in a direction of stacking and which can move relative to one another, in which the storage elements have a stacking area, which is provided for placing the respective storage element inside a stack of storage elements, compensating means are therefore provided in order to compensate for stacking errors in the direction of stacking.

Abstract: A system is employed for defining a position (location) of a receiving element inside an area surrounded by a wire loop, along the perimeter (a perimeter wire loop), of a work area or other bounded area. In particular, the system can determine whether the receiver is inside or outside the loop, and evaluate its distance from the perimeter wire.

Abstract: Helmet-mounted switch systems are disclosed. A helmet-mounted switch system comprises a mount portion, an electronic device, a power source, at least one accelerometer, and a processor. The mount portion is rotatable around a rotation axis. The electronic device is mounted to the mount portion. The power source is configured to switchably supply power to the electronic device. The at least one accelerometer is operable to measure an acceleration of the mount portion. The system may also include at least one gyroscope operable to measure a rotation of the mount portion. The processor is configured to receive acceleration data. The processor is programmed to determine whether the mount portion is rotating around the rotation axis based on the acceleration data. The processor is programmed to change a power state of the electronic device when the mount portion is rotating around the rotation axis.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.

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: Processing a two dimensional (2D) barcode using a mobile telecommunications terminal having an image scanner includes obtaining a scanned image of the 2D barcode from the image scanner, decoding the image to obtain data, including a web address, and associating an identifier with the decoded web address, such that the identifier is identifiable by a remote proxy server to obtain information relating to the use of the barcode. A browser of the mobile terminal transmits a web page request including the decoded web address and the identifier. The web page request may be identified as originating from a 2D barcode at a server in a mobile telecommunications network. The request is received from a mobile terminal, an inserted identifier is identified in the request, and a record is saved, the record including an identifier of the mobile terminal or a user of the mobile terminal and the web page address.

Abstract: The present lighting system adds detection capabilities to perceive the presence and measure the velocity of objects such as automobiles, trucks, pedestrian and other users, to lighting modules for transportation applications like traffic signal, pedestrian control, rails signal, street light, message board and speed monitoring board. For example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) has the capability to be used as lighting source for illumination as a first function and also be pulsed or modulated as a source for the detection sub-system as a second function.

Abstract: An optical tracking system can include at least one scanning detector having a scanning mirror and one or more fixed photo-detectors located near the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror can be configured to deflect a light beam from a source towards a retroreflective target and the photodetectors are configured to collect a portion of the light beam that is retroreflected from the target. A scanning optical detector apparatus may optionally comprise a substrate, a scanning mirror having at least one portion monolithically integrated into the substrate, and one or more photodetectors monolithically incorporated into the substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the claims' scope or meaning.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus, for processing information of a plurality of measured heights respectively corresponding to a plurality of measurement points on a surface of a substrate held by a chuck, includes a processor and an output device. The processor is configured to specify, with respect to the surface, a plurality of areas that are arrayed and a plurality of sections each constituted by a number of the plurality of areas, extract at least two inclinations of a plurality of inclinations respectively corresponding to the number of the plurality of areas based on the plurality of measured heights with respect to each of the plurality of sections, and cause the output device to output information specifying a section of the plurality of sections that satisfies a first condition that a product of two inclinations among the at least two inclinations exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A displacement detecting device comprises: a light source, a first beam splitter adapted to split the light emitted from the light source into a first beam and a second beam, a reflecting member adapted to reflect the first beam, an objective lens adapted to condense the second beam on a surface-to-be-measured, a first light receiving section adapted to receive interference light of the reflected first beam and the reflected second beam, a relative position information output section adapted to output relative position information in height direction of the surface-to-be-measured, a second beam splitter adapted to extract a part of the reflected second beam, an astigmatism generator adapted to generate astigmatism in the extracted second beam, a second light receiving section adapted to receive the second beam having astigmatism, and an absolute position information output section adapted to generate absolute position information in height direction of the surface-to-be-measured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing image primitives, such as edge polarity, edge magnitude, edge orientation, and edge displacement, and derivatives thereof, for an object are described. The data are obtained substantially simultaneously and processed in parallel such that multiple objects can be distinguished from one another in real time.

Abstract: A method for making a sample for evaluation of laser irradiation position and evaluating the sample, and an apparatus which is switchable between a first mode of modification of semiconductor and a second mode of making and evaluating the sample. Specifically, a sample is made by irradiating a semiconductor substrate for evaluation with a pulse laser beam while the semiconductor substrate is moved for evaluation at an evaluation speed higher than a modifying treatment speed, each relative positional information between pulse-irradiated regions in the sample is extracted, and stability of the each relative positional information between pulse-irradiated regions is evaluated. The evaluation speed is such a speed that separates the pulse-irradiated regions on the sample from each other in a moving direction.

Abstract: A web edge sensor is disclosed. The web edge sensor has a light source directing light incident to an edge of a web. The edge of the web scatters the light and a sensor array that detects a first portion of the light scattered from the edge of the web and rejects a second portion to determine a position of the web edge.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method and apparatus for determining a change in network-generated crosstalk levels caused by a multi-line phone includes determining a first crosstalk level between a first line pair and a second line pair of a multi-line phone caused by the multi-line phone, and determining a second crosstalk level between each of the first line pair and the second line pair of the multi-line phone. The second crosstalk level is determined when the first line pair and the second line pair are coupled to a first predetermined length of network line pair cable. The method further includes determining a change of network generated crosstalk levels caused by the multi-line phone by subtracting the first crosstalk level from the second crosstalk level.

Abstract: A position detector includes a first planar encoder including a first encoder head unit mounted on a test object that is a movable member, and a first grating unit mounted on a fixed member, the first planar encoder being configured to detect a position of the test object in two directions by measuring a position of the first grating unit using the first encoder head unit, and a second planar encoder including a second encoder head unit mounted on the fixed member, and a second grating unit mounted on the movable member, the second planar encoder being used to generate data for calibrating the position of the first grating unit measured by the first encoder head unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining a position by emitting a first laser beam (7) by a laser source (6) positioned in a reference system onto a detector (1) and simultaneously detecting the first laser beam (7) by the detector (1), thus defining an emission direction of the laser source (7). The detector (1) has a segmented detection area comprising a plurality of discrete partial detection areas (17), each having a defined partial detection direction and at least two partial detection directions thereof being different. When detecting the first laser beam (7), an impingement point (9) of the first laser beam (7) on the detector (1) is detected by means of at least one partial detection area (17), and when determining the incidence direction (10), said direction is derived from the at least one partial detection direction. The location of the detector (1) relative to the laser source (6) and the reference system is then determined using the emission direction and the incidence direction (10).

Abstract: A displacement detecting device includes a non-contact sensor having a light source, an objective lens focusing output light from the light source onto a measurement surface, and a light receiving element detecting displacement information based on a focal length of the objective lens by using reflected light from the measurement surface; a control unit adjusting the focal length based on the displacement information; a displacement-amount measuring unit having a linear scale attached to the objective lens with a link member therebetween and measuring an amount of displacement of the linear scale when the focal length is adjusted. A light adjustment member is disposed between the light source and the objective lens or between the objective lens and the light receiving element and has an aperture section transmitting the output and/or reflected light therethrough and a light blocking section that blocks a specific light component of the output and/or reflected light.

Abstract: A multi-channel LED object detection system and a method for detecting an object are provided. The method includes providing and orienting a light source having a wide field-of-illumination to encompass the width of the environment; providing and orienting a detector having a wide field-of-view to encompass the width of the environment, the detector having a plurality of sub-detectors with individual narrow field-of-views, driving the LED source into emitting light to illuminate the width of the environment; receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object at each sub-detector; converting the acquired individual complete trace into an individual digital signal; and detecting and identifying a presence of an object, a position of the object, a distance between the object and the LED source and/or a visibility, using the emitted light waveform and an individual digital signal.

Abstract: A surface sensing device for use in position determining apparatus has an elongate stylus (74) with a tip (82) for scanning the surface of a workpiece to be measured. Lateral displacements of the stylus tip are detected by a light beam which passes along the stylus from a light source (66) to a retroreflector (78). This reflects the beam back via a beamsplitter (70) to a position sensitive detector (76). The stylus is mounted for longitudinal displacement on a carriage (72). The longitudinal displacement is measured by another light beam projected by the beamsplitter (70) onto a second position sensitive detector (84).