Abstract:
An apparatus having a variable angle light source characterized by a pivot point, a variable response optical receiver, and a first optical system is disclosed. The variable response optical receiver receives light generated by the light source on a receiving surface, the receiver generating a signal indicative of an intensity of light that impinges on a receiving surface. The first optical system images the pivot point to a fixed point relative to the receiver surface. In one aspect of the invention the first optical system is chosen such that light from the variable angle light source covers mores than half the receiving surface. The variable angle light source can include a gain chip in a semiconductor laser having a pivot point located substantially on a facet of the gain chip.
Abstract:
A compact proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fits in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone. In particular, a high yield assembly process for installing the compact proximity sensor is described.
Abstract:
An extreme ultraviolet light source device, comprising a collector mirror focusing extreme ultraviolet radiation at a focal point, wherein a porous plate having a plurality of through holes arranged such that only radiation focusing at said focal point passes is provided insertably between said collector mirror and said focal point on an optical axis of said collector mirror, and a detection means is provided to receive radiation having passed through said porous plate and to detect an intensity of said received radiation, and a method for detecting an irradiance distribution in an extreme ultraviolet light source device.
Abstract:
A shadow band assembly includes a platform and an arcuate shadow arm extending upward from the platform and terminating in a free end above the platform. A sun sensor mounting location is located below the free end of the shadow arm. The arm is preferably further supported by a vertical strut. According to other embodiments, the arm is hollow and contains a fluid conduit and/or an electrical cable. A sun sensor may be mounted on top of the free end of the arm and a fluid nozzle may be mounted under the free end. A shadow band pyranometer includes the shadow band assembly, a sun sensor mounted at the mounting location and a motor drive coupled to the platform for azimuth tracking. Additional sensors with zenith tracking may also be provided.
Abstract:
There is described an optical radiation sensor device for detecting radiation in a radiation field. The device comprises a sensor element capable of detecting and responding to incident radiation from the radiation field and a radiation window interposed between the sensor element and the radiation field. The radiation window comprises a non-circular (preferably square) shaped radiation transparent opening. The optical radiation sensor device can be used in a so-called dynamic manner while mitigating or obviating the detection errors resulting from the use of a circular-shaped attenuating aperture and/or angular (even minor) misalignment of the sensor device with respect to the array of radiation sources when multiple such circular-shaped attenuating apertures are used.
Abstract:
A spectral photometer intended for integration purposes includes a measurement head equipped with illumination arrangement (10) including at least one light source (11) for the illumination at an angle of incidence of 45° of a measured object and located in a measurement plane (M), a pickup arrangement (20) for capturing the measurement light remitted by the measured object at an angle of reflection of essentially 0° relative to the perpendicular to the measurement plane, a spectrometer arrangement (30) including an entry aperture (31) for the spectral splitting of the measurement light captured and fed through the entry aperture, and a photoelectric receiver arrangement (32) exposed to the split measurement light for conversion of the individual spectral components of the measurement light into corresponding electrical signals. It further includes an electronic circuit (100) for control of the light source (11) and forming digital measurement values from the electrical signals produced by the photoelectric receiver arrangement. The light source (11) is constructed as a cosign beamer and located in such a way that its main radiation direction is essentially parallel to the main beam (21) of the remitted measurement light and the mean distance of the light source from the main beam of the remitted measurement light being essentially the same as the distance of the light source (11) from the measurement plane (M). The light source (11) includes a combination of two or more light emitting diodes of different spectral characteristics located in one plane and preferably positioned on a common carrier, whereby the plane is oriented essentially parallel to the measurement plane (M). The spectrometer arrangement (30) includes a pot-shaped spectrometer housing (34) made of plastic with an essentially cylindrical mantle (34a) and a removable cover. A concave diffraction grating (35) is positioned coaxially to the mantle in the spectrometer housing and rests on an annular shoulder (34c) formed on the mantle and preferably shaped complementary to the diffraction grating. The cover (34b)forces the diffraction grating (35) against the annular shoulder (34c) at a predefined force by way of a compression spring (36). The spectrometer housing (34) is with an end opposite the cover positioned on a printed circuit plate (33) including the entry aperture (31) and the photoelectric receiver arrangement (32) and fixed to the printed circuit plate (33) by a clamping spring (37). The pickup arrangement (20) is directly mounted on that side of the printed circuit plate (33) which is opposite the side of the spectrometer housing (34).
Abstract:
A passive infrared detector that enables the extent of the field to be 360 degrees in circumference with a simple arrangement and allows the field range in the vertical direction to be adjusted wholly or partially. A plurality of sensor units are circumferentially arranged on a sensor mounting plate. Each sensor unit has a reflecting mirror and a sensing element placed at the focus position of the mirror. Each sensor unit is rotatable in the vertical direction. A slot is formed radially in the sensor mounting plate opposite to each sensor unit. A rotating plate is rotatably mounted on the sensor mounting plate. A circumferential slit is formed circumferentially in the rotating plate such that the distance from the center of the rotating plate to the circumferential slit gradually decreases. An adjusting rod is connected at one end thereof to each sensor unit. The other end of the adjusting rod extends through the slot and the circumferential slit.
Abstract:
Many applications of radiant energy transducer systems call for specific performance characteristics over desired fields of view or footprints on identified surfaces. Constructive occlusion utilizes a mask sized and positioned to occlude an active optical area, such as an aperture of a diffusely reflective cavity, so as to provide a tailored performance characteristic. Use of principles of constructive occlusion alone or in combination with several other techniques enable tailoring of the illumination distribution or the sensitivity profile of a radiant energy transducer system to meet the demands of specific applications. One mechanism used to further tailor performance involves a non-diffuse reflective shoulder along a peripheral section of the mask and cavity type system. Another technique involves using a retro-reflective surface, for example along a portion of the periphery of the system, to limit the angular field of view and to redirect light back into the system for emission within the desired field. Another technique involves use of a reflective wall along one side of the system, to limit the field of view to angles on the opposite side of the axis of the mask and cavity configuration.
Abstract:
A passive infrared detection system is described which has a wide angular field of view and a flat or nearly flat front surface. Input optical elements direct and/or focus incident peripheral infrared radiation onto one or more internal Fresnel lens arrays and/or a sensitive area of a detector, including radiation having incident angles of less than about 30.degree.. Because of the absence of protruding elements improved performance and greater functionality can be obtained by employing larger or multiple infrared input windows and/or opto-electronic sections without degrading the aesthetic appearance of the unit.
Abstract:
A vision system and proximity detector is provided in the form of an occluding mask with multiple high aspect light pathways positioned over a light detecting surface. Pixel-based images can be generated to provide a vision system utilizing a variety of illumination modes. Proximity can be measured with a triangulating beam.