Abstract: An imaging control apparatus configured to effectively avoid image capturing competition in a scene in which a large number of infrared cameras capture images. The imaging control apparatus includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an infrared image generated by an infrared camera imaging reflected light of emitted infrared rays, and a control unit that controls a setting for the generation of the infrared image on the basis of a control parameter transmitted to another apparatus or received from another apparatus via a communication interface.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring process variables of a medium. The arrangement includes a housing embodied for accommodating a measuring apparatus for determining the physical and/or chemical process variable(s), wherein arranged in the housing is at least one window and at least the window contacts the medium, and wherein an oscillatory transducer is provided for transmitting sound waves, characterized in that the window is connected rigidly with the housing, the oscillatory transducer is arranged in a peripheral module having a module housing. The peripheral module is so arranged that the oscillatory transducer transmits the sound waves toward the window, wherein the sound waves pass through the module housing at an exit area, and the peripheral module is so arranged that medium is located in the region of the window and exit area.

Abstract: An imaging device including an electronic shutter and a pixel array with color pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity arranged. The pixel array part has at least one clear pixel, the plurality of color pixels including at least two of (i) a first color filter pixel having a peak of spectral sensitivity characteristics for red, (ii) a second color filter pixel having a peak for blue, and (iii) a third color filter pixel having a peak for green. The clear pixel has a high transmittance arranged in an oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel. An electronic shutter is separately driven for the at least one clear pixel and for the plurality of color filter pixels.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to activating a blanking programming mode, such as fixed blanking (FB) or floating blanking (FLB), for example, for at least one user-selectable light curtain segment proximally connected to a distal-most segment in a string of cascaded light curtain segments. In an illustrative example, the selective activation may be initiated in response to a request signal from a remote request generator. The remote request generator may, in some examples, communicate the request signal to initiate the programming mode via a wireless communication link. In some embodiments, a request interface module may receive the request signal while releasably plugged into a terminal end of the distal-most segment. In various implementations, the remote selective activation may advantageously empower operators to rapidly configure cascaded light curtain systems that require programming modes for functions such as, for example, FB, FLB, or reduced resolution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor assembly (1) for capturing spatially resolved photometric data comprising a sensor unit (10), a controllable shutter assembly (20), which is arranged in front of the sensor unit (10) and by means of which an incidence of light on the sensor unit (10) can be controlled in dependence on direction, and an evaluating unit (30) for evaluating the information output by the sensor unit (10) and calculating spatially resolved brightness information, wherein the sensor unit (10) has at least two sensor segments (11), with which different combinations of color and polarization filters (12, 13) or spectrometers are associated, and wherein the evaluating unit (30) is designed to supplement the brightness information with additional photometric data on the basis of the signals output by the various sensor segments (11).

Abstract: An optical circuit breaker includes a main optical transmission path including an optical coupler, a delay line and a protection device, and a parallel protection path configured to receive a tapped portion of a signal provided to the main optical transmission path and generate a reference signal based on the tapped portion. The protection device may be configured to be triggered to prevent an overpower condition from passing through the optical circuit breaker responsive to the reference signal exceeding a user selectable threshold. The delay line may be configured to have a longer delay than a time it takes for the protection device to be triggered via the parallel protection path.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a printed circuit board substrate, a semiconductor die, electrical connectors, a lens, a light emitting assembly, and an encapsulating layer. The semiconductor die is positioned over the printed circuit board substrate with its upper surface facing away from the printed circuit board substrate. Each of the electrical connectors is in electrical communication with a contact pad of the semiconductor die and a respective contact pad of the printed circuit board substrate. The lens is positioned over a sensor area of the semiconductor die. The light emitting assembly includes a light emitting device having a light emitting area, a lens positioned over the light emitting area, and contact pads facing the printed circuit board substrate. The encapsulating layer is positioned on the printed circuit board substrate, at least one of the electrical connectors, the semiconductor die, the lens, and the light emitting assembly.

Abstract: An RFID sensor comprises an RFID chip, an antenna, and sensing material. The RFID chip is in electrical communication with the antenna and comprises an optical sensor. The sensing material overlies an upper surface of the RFID chip and is configured as a variable light filter that filters light differently depending upon certain properties or conditions of the environment surrounding the RFID sensor. A light source is configured to selectively illuminate the sensing material to facilitate detection of certain properties or conditions of the environment surrounding the RFID sensor.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces, the refracting power of the lens elements and two parameters to meet an inequality associated with the thickness of the second lens element, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for calibrating an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device, as well as related devices and methods. In some embodiments, a system for calibrating an ADC device may include an ADC device, wherein the ADC device includes an ADC and a dither source, and wherein the ADC device is to apply a set of calibration parameters to generate digital outputs. The system may also include calibration circuitry, coupled to the ADC device, to determine which of multiple sets of values of calibration parameters results in the digital outputs having the lowest amount of noise, and to cause the ADC device to apply the calibration parameters associated with the lowest noise.

Abstract: In one example, a media flag is disclosed. The media flag can rotate between a first position and a second position. The media flag translates parallel with the axis of rotation as the media flag rotates from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state based on a signal output from the imaging unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether an in-focus position is present within a predetermined range from a current position of a focus lens based on the detected focusing state, a control unit configured to perform control to correct the position of the focus lens moved by a manual operation according to a result of the determination made by the determination unit, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire from a storage unit a movement speed of the focus lens corresponding to the manual operation, wherein the control unit performs control to move the focus lens at a speed determined based on the movement speed acquired from the storage unit.

Abstract: An image sensor operable in global shutter mode may include an array of image pixels. Each image pixel may include a photodiode for detecting incoming light and a separate storage diode for temporarily storing charge. To maximize the efficiency of the image pixel array, image pixels may include light guide structures and light shield structures. The light guide structures may be used to funnel light away from the storage node and into the photodiode, while the light shield structures may be formed over storage nodes to block light from entering the storage nodes. The light guide structures may fill cone-shaped cavities in a dielectric layer, or the light guide structures may form sidewalls having a ring-shaped horizontal cross section. Metal interconnect structures in the dielectric layer may be arranged in concentric annular structures to form a near-field diffractive element that funnels light towards the appropriate photodiode.

Abstract: A scale includes a scale grating formed with a period P. A light source grating includes a grating formed with a period 2P, the light source grating being disposed between a light source and the scale. Interference fringe detection means is configured to be able to detect a bright part of an interference fringe with the period P, the interference fringe being generated by the light source grating and the scale. The interference fringe detection means detects a first interference fringe formed by light coming from the scale and a second interference fringe formed by light coming from the scale, a position of a bright part of the second interference fringe being shifted from a position of a bright part of the first interference fringe by a half of the period P (i.e., P/2).

Abstract: An image sensor includes a sensing layer, a number of filter units, and a grid structure. The filter units are disposed on the sensing layer. The grid structure is disposed on the sensing layer and surrounding each of the filter units. The grid structure includes a first partition wall disposed on the sensing layer and located between two adjacent filter units, and a second partition wall disposed on the first partition wall located between the two adjacent filter units. The refractive index of the first partition wall is less than the refractive index of the second partition wall.

Abstract: A system that has plural different photodetector circuits, each photodetector circuit including its own transfer gate, and each of the plural different photodetector circuits and transfer gates commonly connected to a first node. In amplifier is used which maintains a fixed voltage edits input. The amplifier Has a first capacitance to ground in a second capacitance as a feedback between its output and input. In one embodiment, there are 16 photodetector circuits connected to the single amplifier. In embodiments, the photodetector circuits can be located in one substrate while the amplifier is located in another substrate, and the amplifier also minimizes parasitics between the substrates.

Abstract: A sensing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an optical actuator configured to apply an optical stimulus into a detection target substance, a photo detector configured to output an electrical signal having a snapback form in response to an optical response generated according to a concentration of the detection target substance to which the optical stimulus is applied, an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal output from the photo detector and to provide the amplified electrical signal as positive feedback to the optical actuator, and a detection unit configured to detect the detection target substance in response to the electrical signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus including a light-receiving element, including: a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; a separating portion located between the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; and a light guide portion surrounded by an insulation film including at least one insulation layer and provided so as to extend over the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and the light guide portion includes: a high refractive index part having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of the insulation layer; and a low refractive index part having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the insulation layer and lower than the refractive index of the high refractive index part, and the high refractive index part is located on each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions and the low refractive index part is located on the separating portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion using two side branches that may be operated with overlapped timing such that a sampling phase may be overlapped with a previous conversion phase. Some embodiments provide a method of successive approximation A/D converting, comprising sampling a first signal onto a first capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to an analog input of a comparator, sampling a second signal onto capacitors that are coupled to a second analog input of the comparator and configured for charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion; carrying out, based on the first signal and the second signal, a charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion using the capacitors; and while carrying out the charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion based on the first and second signals, sampling a third signal onto a third capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to the analog input of a comparator.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (600) for acquiring data relating to an environment of interest. The methods comprise: receiving by a telescope (110) light scattered by an object within the environment; focusing a cone of light towards a spatial light modulator (112) which is placed a certain distance from the telescope on a telescope-focus surface; and deflecting a select amount of the cone of light by the spatial light modulator towards a photodiode array (114), whereby a sensitivity across the photodiode array is made uniform.