1102results about "Photometry using multiple detectors" patented technology

Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity and to detect light. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a detector of electromagnetic radiation; the detector has a sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity, and to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when sensing visible light. The emitter may be disabled at least temporarily to allow the detector to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter, such as ambient light. In one implementation, the ambient light is measured by measuring infrared wavelengths. Also, a fence having a non-IR transmissive material disposed between the emitter and the detector to remove electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

A vehicle control system and method includes structure and steps for capturing an image of a front seat of the vehicle and outputting image data corresponding thereto. A processor is provided which receives the image data output form the imaging device, compares the received image data with stored image data, and outputs a vehicle equipment control signal based on the comparison. Preferably, the vehicle equipment control signal controls one or more of airbag activation, mirror reflectance, vehicle lights activation, and vehicle intruder alarms. Preferably, the imaging device comprises a single chip camera disposed adjacent the vehicle rearview mirror.

A wireless lighting control system comprises a daylight sensor for measuring a light intensity in a space and a dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to a lighting load in response to the daylight sensor. For example, the daylight sensor may be able to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals to the dimmer switch. The system provides methods of calibrating the daylight sensor that allow for automatically measuring and / or calculating one or more operational characteristics of the daylight sensor. One method of calibrating the daylight sensor comprises a “single-button-press” calibration procedure during which a user is only required to actuate a calibration button of the daylight sensor once. In addition, the daylight sensor is operable to automatically measure the total light intensity in the space at night to determine the light intensity of only the electrical light generated by the lighting load.

An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and a logic and control circuit. The imaging sensor comprises a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements formed on a semiconductor substrate, and has a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The logic and control circuit comprises an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The image sensing system may generate an indication of the presence of an object within the field of view of the imaging sensor. Preferably, video images may be captured by said imaging sensor and may be displayed by a display device for viewing by the driver when operating the vehicle. The logic and control circuit may generate at least one control output, and the at least control output may control an enhancement of the video images.

An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements. The system includes a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one accessory of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the cabin of the vehicle and preferably has a field of view exterior of the vehicle through a window of the vehicle.

A wireless lighting control system comprises a daylight sensor for measuring a light intensity in a space and a dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to a lighting load in response to the daylight sensor. For example, the daylight sensor may be able to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals to the dimmer switch. The system provides methods of calibrating the daylight sensor that allow for automatically measuring and / or calculating one or more operational characteristics of the daylight sensor. One method of calibrating the daylight sensor comprises a “single-button-press” calibration procedure during which a user is only required to actuate a calibration button of the daylight sensor once. In addition, the daylight sensor is operable to automatically measure the total light intensity in the space at night to determine the light intensity of only the electrical light generated by the lighting load.

A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.

A method of visually detecting a leak of a chemical emanating from a component. The method includes: aiming a passive infrared camera system towards the component; filtering an infrared image with an optical bandpass filter, the infrared image being that of the leak; after the infrared image passes through the lens and optical bandpass filter, receiving the filtered infrared image with an infrared sensor device; electronically processing the filtered infrared image received by the infrared sensor device to provide a visible image representing the filtered infrared image; and visually identifying the leak based on the visible image. The passive infrared camera system includes: a lens; a refrigerated portion including therein the infrared sensor device and the optical bandpass filter (located along an optical path between the lens and the infrared sensor device). At least part of a pass band for the optical bandpass filter is within an absorption band for the chemical.

A light emission device capable of holding a uniform color in various environments. A light source control device has a light detection device for detecting emission brightness of light sources that emit different colors and controlling emission brightness of at least one light source of the light sources based on the detection result of the light detection device. A through-hole is formed in a reflection member for reflecting light emitted from the light source, and the reflection is in a predetermined direction. The light detection device is provided across the reflection member from the light source, and the light propagation member is provided at the through-hole.

A system mounted in a vehicle for classifying light sources. The system includes a lens and a spatial image sensor. The lens is adapted to provide an image of a light source on the spatial image sensor. A diffraction grating is disposed between the lens and the light source. The diffraction grating is adapted for providing a spectrum. A processor is configured for classifying the light source as belonging to a class selected from a plurality of classes of light sources expected to be found in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the spectrum is used for the classifying of the light source. Both the image and the spectrum may be used for classifying the light source or the spectrum is used for classifying the light source and the image is used for another driver assistance application.

Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity and to detect light. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a detector of electromagnetic radiation; the detector has a sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity, and to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when sensing visible light. The emitter may be disabled at least temporarily to allow the detector to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter, such as ambient light. In one implementation, the ambient light is measured by measuring infrared wavelengths. Also, a fence having a non-IR transmissive material disposed between the emitter and the detector to remove electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.

A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMID may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.

Energy converters are monitored to ensure that they are operating at acceptable levels. An expected output is predicted using mathematical modeling and compared to the actual output generated by the energy converter. When the difference is above a predetermined threshold, the level of underperformance, along with other parameters, are used to determine a possible cause of underperformance and actions that can be taken to increase the output to acceptable levels. The cause and actions are transmitted to personnel, who are dispatched to service the underperforming energy converter. By centrally locating the mathematical modeling, monitoring, and dispatching, multiple PV modules can be managed from a remote location. When monitoring photovoltaic modules, an irradiation sensor employs multiple photosensors oriented to detect not only the normal components of sunlight but also directional, diffused components of sunlight, thereby increasing the accuracy of the mathematical modeling.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a device to locate and track a light source. In certain preferred embodiments, the device is a telescope and the light source is the sun. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of photodetectors and a plurality of shade casting members. The shade casting members may be disposed substantially symmetrically about an optical axis of the apparatus. In certain embodiments, the apparatus can locate and track the light source by comparing one or more signals produced by the photodetectors in response to light received from the light source.

An optical sensor includes a light-emitting element for directing light to an image, a light-receiving element for receiving light reflected by the image, a normal detection optical path for allowing the light emitted by the light-emitting element and the light reflected from the image to follow a normal detection optical path during normal operation, a calibration reflecting plate disposed inside the optical sensor for reflecting light from the light-emitting element when sensitivity is calibrated, a calibration optical path for allowing the light emitted by the light-emitting element to follow a calibration optical path to the light-receiving element when the emitted light is reflected by the calibration reflecting plate, and a first optical function element disposed in the calibration optical path and switchable between a light permeating state, in which the light passes therethrough, and a light intercepting state, in which the light is blocked, when voltage is applied.

A FET is formed on a semiconductor substrate, a curved surface having a radius of curvature is formed on an upper end of an insulation, a portion of a first electrode is exposed corresponding to the curved surface to form an inclined surface, and a region defining a luminescent region is subjected to etching to expose the first electrode. Luminescence emitted from an organic chemical compound layer is reflected by the inclined surface of the first electrode to increase a total quantity of luminescence taken out in a certain direction.

The present invention provides a large-area flat plate detector. The detector includes a conversion layer which converts incident electromagnetic radiation into electric charges. The detector has a first electrode in communication with the conversion layer and a second electrode formed as a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The detector includes an array of CMOS tiles, each of the tiles comprised of a plurality of pixels and having four side abuttability. The tile array is configured so that each of the tiles is separated by a spacing equal to about one pixel length from every adjacent tile and internally configured to allow for a high readout rate. Each of the tile pixels is arranged in electrical communication with and mapped in one-to-one fashion with the pixels of the second electrode. The readout electronics is capable of reading out CMOS provided data at a rate of at least 30 fps.

To provide a small-size image sensor and electromagnetic radiation imaging device which can obtain a good image without relying on the condition of an object, the image sensor including a plurality of pixel units arranged two-dimensionally, wherein each of the plurality of pixel units includes: a first photodiode and a second photodiode; a readout circuit which reads a signal generated by the first photodiode and a signal generated by the second photodiode, and outputs the read signals, the readout circuit being connected to the first photodiode and the second photodiode; and a difference circuit which outputs a difference signal corresponding to a difference between the signal read from the first photodiode and the signal read from the second photodiode, the difference circuit being connected to the readout circuit.

A single-photon or ultra-weak light multi-D imaging spectral system and method. In order to realize rough time resolution, a time-resolved single-photon counting 2D imaging system for forming color or grey imaging is provided. Moreover, in order to realize high-precision time resolution, the system comprises a light source, an imaging spectral measurement unit, an electric detection unit, a system control unit and an algorithm unit. The light carrying information of an object is imaged on a spatial light modulator and randomly modulated according to compressed sensing theory, emergent light of a grating is collected using a point or array single-photon detector, the number of photons and photon arrival time are recorded, and reconstruction is carried out using the compressed sensing algorithm and related algorithm of the spectral imaging. The system provides single-photon detection sensitivity, high time resolution and wide spectral range, and can be applied in numerous new high-tech industries.

A method of determining solar radiation exposure at a predetermined location is provided. The method may include generating a first two-dimensional (2D) matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each element of the plurality of elements of the first 2D matrix includes an elevation / azimuth pair representing a light ray extending from the predetermined location to one or more positions in the sky. The method may further include generating a second 2D matrix including a plurality of elements, wherein each index of the second 2D matrix includes an associated elevation / azimuth pair of the first 2D matrix. Each element of the plurality of elements of the second 2D matrix represents an amount of solar radiation to impinge on the predetermined location from a direction of a respective elevation / azimuth pair.

A ground based launch detection system consisting of a sensor grid of electro-optical sensors for detecting the launch of a threat missile which targets commercial aircraft in proximity to a commercial airport or airfield. The electro-optical sensors are configured in a wireless network which broadcast threat lines to neighboring sensors with overlapping field of views. When a threat missile is verified, threat data is sent to a centrally located processing facility which determines which aircraft in the vicinity are targets and send a dispense countermeasure signal to the aircraft.

A portable device may include at least one image recording device having a first light sensitive unit configured to record an image and detect first light conditions related to the portable device; a display to render the recorded image; and an illumination device to illuminate the display, wherein the illumination device is configured to control an illumination of the display based on the detected first light conditions.

This invention discloses an illumination method and an illumination control method. An embodiment of the illumination system includes two light detection modules for detecting a light produced by a light emitting diode and an ambient light, calculating a reference spectral distribution based on a detection result of the ambient light, comparing the detection result of the light emitting diode with the reference spectral distribution, and driving the illumination module to emit a light matching with the reference spectral distribution based on a comparison result. Another embodiment of the illumination system includes a light detection module for periodically switching the light emitting diode to emit light and stop emitting light. When the light emitting diode stops an illumination period, the light detection module detects an ambient light, and when the light emitting diode continues an illumination period, the light detection module detects a light produced by the light emitting diode.

A superconducting nanowire avalanche photodetector (SNAP) with improved high-speed performance. An inductive element may be coupled in series with at least two parallel-coupled nanowires. The nanowires may number 5 or fewer, and may be superconducting and responsive to even a single photon. The series inductor may ensure current diverted from a photon-absorbing nanowire propagates to other nanowires and become amplified. The series inductance may be less than 10 times the nominal inductance per nanowire, and may also be larger than a minimum inductance to avoid spurious outputs in response to a photon absorption. The series inductance may be configured to achieve a desired tradeoff between SNAP reset time and spurious outputs. For example, the series inductance may be configured achieve minimum reset time or maximum bias margin, subject to user-defined constraints. By appropriately configuring the series inductance, a systematic method of designing improved SNAPs may be provided.

An imaging system for use in a vehicle headlamp control system includes an opening, an image sensor, a red lens blocking red complement light between the opening and the image sensor, and a red complement lens blocking red light between the opening and the image sensor. Each lens focuses light onto a different subwindow of the image sensor. The imaging system allows processing and control logic to detect the presence of headlamps on oncoming vehicles and tail lights on vehicles approached from the rear for the purpose of controlling headlamps. A light sampling lens may be used to redirect light rays from an arc spanning above the vehicle to in front of the vehicle into substantially horizontal rays. The light sampling lens is imaged by the image sensor to produce an indication of light intensity at various elevations. The processing and control logic uses the light intensity to determine whether headlamps should be turned on or off. A shutter may be used to protect elements of the imaging system from excessive light exposure.

A TeraMOS sensor based on a CMOS-SOI-MEMS transistor, thermally isolated by the MEMS post-processing, designed specifically for the detection of THz radiation which may be directly integrated with the CMOS-SOI readout circuitry, in order to achieve a breakthrough in performance and cost. The TeraMOS sensor provides a low-cost, high performance THz passive or active imaging system (roughly in the range of 0.5-1.5 THz) by combining several leading technologies: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)-Silicon on Insulator (SOI), Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and photonics. An array of TeraMOS sensors, integrated with readout circuitry and driving and supporting circuitry provides a monolithic focal plane array or imager. This imager is designed in a commercial CMOS-SOI Fab and the MEMS micromachining is provided as post-processing step in order to reduce cost. Thus the CMOS transistors and technology provide the sensors as well as the signal processing and additional readout circuitry both in the pixels as well as around the sensor array.

A photodetector of the invention is characterized by having a plurality of detector elements that are arranged over a light-transparent substrate and are connected in parallel. A foldable portable communication tool having two display portions of the invention is characterized by including one photodetector which includes a plurality of detector elements connected in parallel.

The remote sensing apparatus and method include optical fibers and detectors. One end of the optical fibers is located in a focal plane of an optical system, with the end of each optical fiber collecting spectral energy arriving at a particular location in the focal plane. Each detector is coupled to the other end of a single optical fiber, and the detector measures the intensity of the spectral energy emitted by the optical fiber. Sets of detectors may also be utilized, such that each set of detectors is optically coupled to a respective fiber, and at least one separation element separates the spectral energy emitted by each optical fiber into a plurality of spectral bands. Each detector in each set of detectors then receives a respective spectral band emitted by a respective optical fiber.