Abstract:
Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensor for imaging a biometric input object on a sensing region includes a transparent layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a set of apertures disposed above the first side of the transparent layer; a first set of reflective surfaces disposed below the second side of the transparent layer configured to receive light transmitted through the first set of apertures and to reflect the received light; a second set of reflective surfaces disposed above the first side of the transparent layer configured to receive the light reflected from the first set of reflective surfaces and to further reflect the light; and a plurality of detector elements positioned to receive the further reflected light from the second set of reflective surfaces.
Abstract:
The present disclosure describes optical imaging and optical detection modules that include sensors such as time-of-flight (TOF) sensors. Various implementations are described that, in some instances, can help reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between active detection pixels and reference pixels and/or can facilitate the ability of the sensor to determine an accurate phase difference to be used, for example, in distance calculations.
Abstract:
A proximity and light sensing device including a light emitting compartment having a light emitter positioned on a substrate and an optical element positioned along a side of the light emitter opposite the substrate. The device further including a light receiving compartment including a light detector positioned on the substrate and an optical element positioned along a side of the light detector opposite the substrate. A mid wall extends in a direction substantially normal to the substrate and is positioned between the light emitting compartment and the light receiving compartment. The device further includes a reflective element positioned at a side of the mid wall facing the light receiving compartment, the reflective element capable of reflecting an off-axis light beam onto the light detector so as to form a real image on the light detector of an otherwise virtual image formed behind the reflector. Other embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a light guide (750) and an electronic device including a light guide for coupling ambient light to a light sensor. The light guide (750) that is a structure of light-transmitting material having an elongate shape including a first end (752) for receiving ambient light and a second end (754) for collecting ambient light to transmit to a light sensor. The first end (752) of the light guide has a concave shape and the second end (754) of the light guide also has a concave shape. An electronic device may support the light guide and a light sensor. The concave shape of the second end of the light sensor may disperse light toward the light sensor, rather than tightly focusing the light toward the light sensor. Accordingly, the light sensor may have a sensing area that forms a detection plane so that the detection plane is positioned adjacent to the second end.
Abstract:
In apparatus for the production and detection of fluorescence at a sample surface, the height of the apparatus above the sample surface is reduced, and loss of the emitted fluorescence due to reflection loss and light scattering is minimized. The apparatus comprises a three-dimensionally curved light reflecting surface (40) that directs light from a light source (32) transversely to its original path and focuses the light on to an illumination zone (30) at or below the sample surface. The reflecting surface (40) also collects, directs and at least partially collimates emitted fluorescence transversely to its original path and towards a detector (46).
Abstract:
The inventive sensor (30) device includes a support structure, a sensing element (15) mounted on the support substrate (60) for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto, and an encapsulant (62) encapsulating the sensing element (15) on the support structure. The encapsulant (62) being configured to define a lens portion (61) for focusing incident optical radiation onto an active surface of the sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion (53) surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting optical radiation that is not incident the lens portion (61) onto the active surface of the sensing element (15). The collector portion (53) may be a parabolic reflector that reflects incident light by total internal reflection. The sensor device (15) may be incorporated into an assembly including a diffuser (32) positioned across an aperture, and/or may be incorporated into a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror assembly.
Abstract:
A sensor (50) for determining the magnitude and intensity of solar radiation. The apparatus includes a diffuser (2) which provides radiation through channels (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d) within an elongated channeled member (5) onto photodiodes (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d). Each photodiode (54a, 54b, 54c, 54d) is optically isolated from other photodiodes. The diffuser (2) is arranged and constructed so as to receive radiation within 360 degrees of the surrounding environment.
Abstract:
Weeds (100) growing around the bases of the stalks of cotton plant (101) growing in a row (105 and 105A) in a cotton field are sprayed with herbicide without spraying the cotton stalks (101) or wasting herbicide on bare ground (107). The cotton plants are adequately mature that their stalks exhibit a significantly different spectral reflectance characteristic than the weeds typically growing amid the cotton. The cotton plants are adequately tall that the majority of the leaves of the cotton plants are disposed outside the area which can be sprayed using an electronically-controlled valve and nozzle (103). Light is transmitted toward an object (a cotton stalk, a weed, or soil) in the row and the reflected light is analyzed. If the object has a spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is activated and the object is sprayed with herbicide. If the object does not have the spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is not activated and the object is not sprayed with herbicide.
Abstract:
An optical proximity sensor (1) generates information indicative of a distance (D1) to an object (14A) in a field and in some embodiments also generates information indicative of a spectral reflectance characteristics of the object (14A). The information indicative of the spectral reflectance characteristic can be used to determine whether the object (14A) in the field is a living plant (14A) or another object such as soil (10). Light emitted from the optical sensor (1) for reflection off the object (14A) is modulated so that reflected light from the optical sensor can be discriminated from reflected ambient sunlight. The optical sensor (1) is scanned over the field to map objects in the field and/or to determine the location of rows of crop plants. A sensor in accordance with the present invention has many uses in agriculture including spraying, cultivation and vehicle guidance.