Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An indicia reading terminal can comprise an image sensor integrated circuit having a two-dimensional image sensor, a hand held housing encapsulating the two-dimensional image sensor, and an imaging lens configured to focus an image of a target decodable indicia onto the two-dimensional image sensor. The two-dimensional image sensor can include a plurality of pixels arranged in repetitive patterns. Each pattern can include at least one pixel sensitive in a first spectrum region, at least one pixel sensitive in a second spectrum region, and at least one pixel sensitive in a third spectrum region. The image sensor integrated circuit can be configured to capture a frame of image data by reading out a plurality of analog signals. Each read out analog signal can be representative of light incident on a group of two or more pixels of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating an incident beam includes a body that is non-transmissive and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a surface of the body. The body has a first set of features including transmissive features with respect to the incident beam along a first radial path at a first radial distance from the axis and a second set of features including data storage features along a second radial path at a second radial distance from the axis. The apparatus also includes a reference sensor disposed over a first position along the second radial path. In the apparatus. the radial distances are different and the numbers of transmissive features and data storage features are relatively prime. When the body is rotating, the first set of features modulate the incident beam and the reference sensor generates a reference signal based on the data storage features traversing the first position.

Abstract: A method for characterizing samples having units, by monitoring fluctuating intensities of radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected by said units in at least one measurement volume, the monitoring being performed by at least one detection means, said method comprising the steps of: a) measuring in a repetitive mode a number of photon counts per time interval of defined length, b) determining a function of the number of photon counts per said time interval, c) determining a function of specific brightness of said units on basis of said function or the number of photon counts.

Abstract: A method is presented that allows multiple devices for generating three dimensional surface models of moving objects to be used simultaneously. A timing pattern is used to control and trigger the devices in order to operate seven of the devices without interference. In one embodiment, a method of employing optical filters is also described that then allows operation of forty nine of the devices at the same time if the normal visible spectrum is to be used for simultaneous video acquisition. In another embodiment, if no simultaneous video acquisition is required, the optical filtering technique can support up to one hundred fifty four imaging devices operating simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a dataset of spectra is provided in which each spectrum has a count value for each of a number of parameter values within a parameter range. The method is for identifying one or more parameter values that exhibit a significant variation within the dataset. A dataset of spectra is obtained and a statistical analysis is applied to the count values for each of the parameter values. The result of the analysis for each parameter value is a function of the variation in the count values. A spectrum that is representative of at least part of the dataset of spectra is then displayed together with the results of the statistical analysis. A corresponding computer program and system for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disc serving as a spatial radiation modulator has dispersed radiation filters thereon. Each filter has a transmittance or reflectance modulation function of the form sin2(m&thgr;+p&pgr;r/4), where m is a positive integer and p has one of the four values 0, 1, 2, 3. A radiation beam including selected wavelength components is diffracted into an elongated image dispersed according to wavelength. Different wavelength components are focused onto different filters on the modulator and are encoded by correspond filters. Since the modulation functions of the filters are orthogonal to one another, it is possible to extract the amplitude of each wavelength component after it has been encoded or modulated by corresponding filter from the total detected signal during one measurement.

Abstract: An object sensing apparatus comprises a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object to be sensed, and a filter member having a surface disposed in confronting and spaced-apart relation to the distance measuring device. The distance measuring device has a light projecting element for projecting light toward the object and a light receiving element for receiving the light projected by the light projecting element and reflected by the object. The filter member is disposed at a preselected angle of inclination with respect to the distance measuring device. When the light projecting element projects light toward the object, light reflected or scattered by the surface of the filter member is directed in a direction away from the light receiving element.

Abstract: A distance sensing system employs an optical triangulation system and a position sensitive device (PSD). The PSD generates a pair of current signals when a target reflects light from a light source back to the surface of the PSD. An automatic power control circuit is used to keep one of the current signals a constant value. The position of the reflected light spot on the PSD is linearly proportional to the other current generated by the PSD according to the formula:Y=C.times.I2Where Y is the spot position and C is a normalization constant. The signal I2 is processed to extract distance information relative to the target.

Abstract: A device and method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal using a photoelectric position sensitive detector is provided. The device capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal comprises: a PSD, two current mirrors, a variable optimum constant current source, and a converter. The method capable of converting a position signal into a frequency signal comprises: providing a PSD, providing two current mirrors, providing a variable optimum constant current source, and providing a converter to convert a position signal into a frequency via a relationship.

Abstract: The overall length of a lens, particularly the thickness thereof, is reduced to thereby reduce the volumetric capacity occupied by a lens system for distance measurement. A distance measuring apparatus has a light-emitting device; a light-projecting lens system for projecting light emitted from the light-emitting device onto a subject; a light-receiving lens system for receiving and converging reflected light from the subject; and a detector for detecting the light. The light-projecting lens system or the light-receiving lens system includes a diffractive optical element having plane surfaces r.sub.1 and r.sub.4 on both sides thereof, at least one of which is formed from a diffraction surface. A similar diffractive optical element is provided in a similar lens system adapted to change a projected light angle by adding a converter lens to a master lens, and also provided in a similar lens system adapted to change a projected light angle by changing the spacing between a plurality of lens units.

Abstract: Light projected by a light projecting portion and reflected by an object is received by two sensor arrays (105, 106). Difference signals between signals respectively added by ring CCDs (113b, 114b) in correspondence with the ON and OFF states of the light projecting portion are calculated, and the distance to the object to be measured is calculated on the basis of the relative values of the positions of the difference signals on the sensor arrays (105, 106). The two sensor arrays (105, 106) form the base length, and the light projecting portion (104) is disposed at a position offset from the base length.

Abstract: A distance measuring device for measuring a distance by receiving, at a light receiving system, a reflected light caused by a light projected from a light projecting system is provided with a protection cover provided on front sides of the light projecting system and the light receiving system and a preventive arrangement for preventing the light projected from the light projecting system from propagating through the protection cover to enter the light receiving system.

Abstract: A range finder in accordance with the present invention is a range finder having a light-emitting device and light-receiving device and a printed-circuit board on which electrical parts are mounted. The light-emitting device is mounted on a front face of the printed-circuit board, and the light-receiving device is mounted on the back face thereof. The mounted sides of the light-emitting device and light-receiving device are substantially opposed to each other with the printed-circuit board between them. The printed-circuit board is formed with an opaque member and intercepts harmful light, preventing it from falling directly on the light-receiving device from the light-emitting device.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus is provided which is capable of not only reducing the cost of auxiliary separate parts but also making the apparatus small-sized and lightweight and improving the efficiency of operation in spite of the fact that both the measurements of long and short distances can be taken with the single apparatus. The distance measuring apparatus projects a measuring beam of light toward an object (14) to be measured by a light projecting system. Light reflected by the object (14) is imaged on a light receiving and converting device (16) by a light receiving system. A distance from a measuring position to the object (14) is measured based on the light imaged on the light receiving and converting device (16).

Abstract: An active type range finder apparatus comprises a light projecting element having a base, a lead frame disposed on the base, at least one light emitting member disposed on the lead frame for emitting light to a subject, and at least one control terminal disposed on the base for controlling the light emitting member. A light receiving element is disposed at a base length from the light projecting element for receiving light reflected by the subject. The lead frame and the control terminal of the light projecting element have end portions arranged outside an extension region of the light emitting member in a direction of the base length. When the light emitting member is illuminated, scattered light is prevented from being projected within the extension region of the light emitting member in the direction of the base length, thereby preventing distance measurement errors.

Abstract: A rangefinding device for use in a camera comprising a projection section for projecting a light beam emitted by a light source through a projection lens to an object, a light pickup section disposed diagonally opposite from the projection section that picks up, on its light pickup element, light reflected off the object, two-dimensionally senses the light, and outputs incident light position information, a CPU for computing the range to the object based on the output of the light pickup section and an attitude sensor section for sensing the orientation or attitude of the camera. In response to the output of the attitude sensor section, the CPU computes the range to the object based on the incident light position information in either the vertical direction or horizontal direction of the photographing frame, output by the light pickup section.

Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a light emitting element which emits light toward an object to be distance measured. A distance to the object is computed based on photo-currents outputted from a semiconductor position sensitive light detector upon which the light reflected from the object is incident. Background light components coming from a background of the object is detected and canceled from the output obtained from the position sensitive light detector, and position information is outputted which is represented by temperature-dependent variables. Therefore, computation of the distance to the object is not affected by temperature.

Abstract: A calibration device for a laser ranging system includes an interferometer assembly and a beam path magnifier assembly which is optically coupled to the interferometer assembly to receive a calibration beam therefrom and to the laser ranging system to receive a laser ranging beam therefrom. The calibration beam and the laser ranging beam enter the beam path magnifier assembly such that they pass along equidistant paths and so that the calibration beam is detected by the interferometer assembly to provide a precise measurement of the distance the calibration beam traveled and the laser ranging beam is detected by the laser ranging system to provide a measurement of the distance traveled by the laser ranging beam along the calibration optical path. Comparison of the two readings provides calibration data for the laser ranging system. The beam path multiplier assembly includes means for varying a folded calibration optical path length to provide a range of calibration beam path lengths.

Abstract: A calibratable optical distance measuring system (100) and method of calibrating the same utilizes a plurality of electronic calibration constants stored in memory (118) to compensate the measurement output of a position sensitive detector element (18) for variations in physical design and circuit performance parameters. The method of calibrating includes generating the plurality of electronic calibration constants by placing the optical distance measuring system (100) into a calibration fixture (200 or 208) where at least one target object is moved into known distances, and the calibration constants are determined based on the system's measurements of the known distances.

Abstract: A distance measuring device has an infrared light-emitting diode by which an infrared light is emitted towards a subject, and first and second linear line sensors on which an image corresponding to light reflected from the subject is formed. The first and second linear line sensors are disposed adjacently and in parallel to each other, and offset by an amount corresponding to half of the predetermined A/D converting step. Analog distance data outputted from the linear line sensors are converted to digital distance data using the predetermined A/D converting step, and then, the digital distance data are added together to obtain a subject distance with a high accuracy.

Abstract: A light-emitting section projects distance measurement light to an object to be photographed. A light-receiving section receives a reflected light beam from the object, and outputs a pair of current signals corresponding to an incident position of the reflected light beam, and a light amount signal corresponding to an amount of received light beam. A storage section stores a correction value associated with a noise component (superposed on outputs from the light-receiving section) which does not depend on a distance to the object. A calculating section calculates the distance to the object on the basis of the pair of current signals using the light amount signal output and the correction value.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus includes a first light projecting device for projecting a light to a projection range, and a first light receiving device arranged along a base length direction thereof, for receiving a reflection light of the light projected from the first light projecting device. The first light receiving device has a first position sensor to detect, in accordance with a position of light reception, a distance to an object, the object being located at least within a middle distance. A second light projecting device, provided independent of the first light projecting device, projects a light to substantially the same projection range as the first light projecting device. A second light receiving device, arranged in a direction different from the base length direction of the first light receiving device, receives a reflection light of the light projected from the second light projecting device.

Abstract: An object distance detecting apparatus having a light projecting device for projecting a pulse light toward an object to be photographed and a primary semiconductor position detecting device for receiving the reflected light from the object by this light projecting device and outputting a first current value and second current value corresponding to the object distance, comprising: a first integrating circuit for integrating a predetermined number of times the added value of the above-mentioned first current value and second current value, a second integrating circuit for integrating a predetermined number of times the ratio operating value of the above-mentioned both current values, a first calculating device for calculating the object distance on the basis of the square of the output of the above-mentioned first integrating circuit and a second calculating device for calculating the object distance on the basis of the output of the above-mentioned second integrating circuit so that, when the output of the f

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera comprises a measuring device formed integrally with a camera housing, defining a distance measuring zone selectively extended in different directions, and adapted for producing information employed for focusing to an object contained in the extended distance measuring zone. A position detecting device for detecting the position of the camera housing, and a device for varying the extending direction of the distance measuring zone, in response to the position of the camera housing detected by the position detecting device.