An apparatus according to the aspect of the embodiments includes a light source, a first surface configured to reflect light from the light source toward an object, a second surface with a shape different from a shape of the first surface in which the second surface is configured to reflect a part of the light from the object toward the object, and a third surface configured to reflect a part of the light reflected by the second surface and then reflected by the object, toward a light receiving element.

A photovoltaic (PV) apparatus includes a substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface. A cavity fabricated in the substrate extends from the first substrate surface toward the second substrate surface. The cavity defines a first end to receive incident light, a second end opposite the first end, and a side surface, which extends from the first end to the second end to concentrate the incident light, received by the first end, toward the second end. The PV apparatus also includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell, in optical communication with the second end of the at least one cavity, to convert the incident light into electricity.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a receiver of an optical sensing system. The receiver may include a mask configured to resonate during a scanning procedure performed by the optical sensing system. The receiver may also include a photodetector array positioned on a first side of the mask. The photodetector array may be configured to detect light that passes through the mask during the scanning procedure to generate a frame. The receiver may further include a light collector array aligned with the photodetector array and configured to concentrate the light that passes through the mask during the scanning procedure before directing the light to the photodetector array.

The present disclosure describes a system and method for coaxial LiDAR scanning. The system includes a first light source configured to provide first light pulses. The system also includes one or more beam steering apparatuses optically coupled to the first light source. Each beam steering apparatus comprises a rotatable concave reflector and a light beam steering device disposed at least partially within the rotatable concave reflector. The combination of the light beam steering device and the rotatable concave reflector, when moving with respect to each other, steers the one or more first light pulses both vertically and horizontally to illuminate an object within a field-of-view; obtain one or more first returning light pulses, the one or more first returning light pulses being generated based on the steered first light pulses illuminating an object within the field-of-view, and redirects the one or more first returning light pulses.

A multifunctional rangefinder capable of functioning as a rangefinder and at least one additional function. The multifunctional rangefinder comprises a laser transmitter for transmitting a laser pulse and an object lens, located at an inlet of the multifunctional rangefinder, for capturing light reflected by a target and focusing the reflected light at a first digital micro-mirror device. The first digital micro-mirror device has a plurality of micro-mirrors, and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors has an “on” position and an “off” position. A single detector element receives light reflected by the plurality of micro-mirrors of the first digital micro-mirror device. An optical condenser arrangement is located between the digital micro-mirror device and the detector element. An analog/digital converter is coupled to the single detector element for processing signals detected by the single detector element. A grating, a second digital micro-mirror device, first and second collimating lens are also provided.

In an optical module that irradiates an object with a light beam and detects reflected light thereof, a linear light beam without distortion is emitted regardless of an incident angle of a scanned light beam.

The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined direction. The converging unit converges the light beam emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements into a substantially parallel light beam or a light beam having a predetermined angular width at a predetermined diaphragm center point. The light conversion unit converts the light beam through the converging unit into a linear light beam in a line direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit by the optical surface. The light detection unit detects reflected light from the object with respect to the linear light beam. In the optical surface of the light conversion unit, the curvature radius in the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit is substantially equal to the distance from the virtual diaphragm center point in the arrangement direction of the light emitting unit to the center point of the optical surface of the light conversion unit regardless of the position in the line direction.

The present disclosure sets forth a motion sensing outdoor security light with the flexibility of being mounted to either a wall structure or to an eave or ceiling structure. An adjustable spherical motion sensor housing may be provided with the rotationally adjustable outdoor security light, allowing easy adjustment of motion detection ranges under different mounting schemes without comprising the aesthetic design of the light. The adjustable spherical motion sensor housing may also provide an enlarged horizontal field of view for better performance.

Portable, mobile, lightweight, removable, low cost, easy to manufacture, easy to ship, easy to transport, easy to store, and easy to use optical adapters that provides an effective means of videoconferencing over a mobile phone or other mobile device with a camera. Embodiments include landscape and portrait adapters that can be easily applied, used and removed while maintaining a professional and aesthetic appearance. Small mirrors within the optical adapter allow light from the front of the mobile device to enter the adapter and be conditioned and redirected into the built-in lens of the camera on the back of the mobile device. Novel embodiments include a lens reverser and/or a re-lens. Optical adapters also provide for self-imaging or surveillance. Various protective cases and adapter embodiments are configured to match specific mobile devices.

A camera, including a lens assembly and a plurality of infrared ray (IR) light sources arranged around the lens assembly, has a photographing target area classified as a main irradiation area and an external irradiation area. The main irradiation area is set not to exceed a half-power angle of the IR light sources. The external irradiation area is set to exceed the half-power angle of the IR light sources. A reflector is installed corresponding to the IR light sources. IRs reflected by the reflector reach the external irradiation area.

An electro-optical assembly, in particular a sensor assembly for detecting ambient light, includes a reflection surface, a lens body and an electro-optical component, in particular a light receiver. The component includes a depression having a main lens section, in particular a diverging lens section with a concave interior wall, and a converging lens section with a convex interior wall. The interior wall of the converging lens section is formed in such a way that the rays of the ray path which travel through the converging lens section to the electro-optical component hit the reflection surface in such way that the angle of incidence at the reflection surface is larger or the same as the critical angle of the total internal reflection at the reflection surface. In another aspect a method for detecting ambient light is described.