A sensor system for evaluating an item as it moves includes a sensor assembly including a plurality of emitters and a plurality of detectors disposed about an item movement path. A controller is configured for selectively operating the sensor assembly to set up a first active detection pattern through the item movement path by sequentially and rapidly checking an occlusion status of each of a first plurality of emitter to detector light paths that make up the first active detection pattern, such that only one emitter to detector light path of the first plurality of emitter to detector light paths is checked for occlusion at a given instance.

A sensor device is removably attachable to a drug delivery device. The sensor device comprises an array of optical sensors arranged within the sensor device such that, when the sensor device is attached to the drug delivery device, which has a first movable element configured to move along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drug delivery device, each optical sensor is operable to detect light received at different locations along the path and to output a signal indicative of an amount of detected light. Circuitry is configured to receive the signals output from the optical sensors and, based on the received signals, determine information associated with a location along the path of the first movable element.

The sensor (1) for determining an orientation of the sensor in a gravity field comprises a ball (2) and a rolling surface (R) describing a generally concave shape on which the ball can roll inside the sensor. A further surface (F) is arranged opposite said rolling surface, and a light emitter (E), a light detector (D) and another light emitter or detector is provided. A region (R) within which the ball (2) can move is limited by at least the rolling surface (R) and the further surface (F). And the light emitters (E) and detectors (D) are arranged outside the region (R) for emitting light through the rolling surface (R) into said region and detecting light exiting the region (3) through the rolling surface (R) or for emitting light through the further surface (F) into said region (R) and detecting light exiting said region (R) through the further surface (F). Corresponding measuring methods and manufacturing methods are described, too.

A test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline includes multiple test tube holders for holding test tubes. The test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline comprises a light blocker configured at a side wall of the test tube rack and across multiple test tube holders. A second feature area is on the light blocker between two adjacent test tube holders, a first feature area is between two adjacent second feature areas and a step gap with a predetermined depth is between the first feature area and a second feature area.

There is presented a gully sensor for deployment within, and detecting the presence of matter contained in, a gully. The gully sensor may be arranged to detect when the gully has become blocked, and may further be arranged to notify an external party of such an event. The gully sensor may comprise an elongate body, the body further comprising a first portion which accommodates a light source and a second portion which accommodates a light detector for detecting light emitted from the light source along a light path towards the detector. The gully sensor may further comprise a cross section that is orientated along at least a portion of the light path shaped to allow the matter to intersect at least a portion of the light path, and which joins the first and second portions via the elongate body.

A system for determining a door condition includes a hinge including a first portion coupled with a door and a second portion coupled with a vehicle frame and rotatably coupled with the first portion. The system further includes a sensor outputting a signal related to a position of the first portion relative to the second portion and a controller receiving the signal and determining whether the signal corresponds to a door closed condition or a door open condition.

A position detecting device is provided for detecting a position of a vibrating portion. The position detecting device can include at least one position detecting portion. The position detecting portion includes a light emitting portion, a light detecting portion for detecting light emitted from the light emitting portion, and a light blocking portion, attached to the vibrating portion and positioned between the light emitting portion and the light detecting portion, having a width that increases gradually along the direction of vibration of the vibrating portion.

A system is provided with a measurement system having a light source, a light sensor, and a controller coupled to the light source and the light sensor. The controller is configured to determine a clearance between a rotor and a casing at least partially based on an interruption of light transmitted from the light source to the light sensor.

A label sensing mechanism for a printer mechanism is provided. The label sensing mechanism may comprise a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor disposed opposite one another, each of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may comprise an emitter and a detector. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be positioned on either side of a paper path along which label liner bearing labels to be printed travels. The first optical sensor and the second optical sensor may be operable together or separately in order to detect label position, preprinted marks on the label liner, and preprinted marks on the labels. A method for sensing labels using such a label sensing mechanism and a printer having such a label sensing mechanism are also provided.

A method for providing a singling device of a storage and dispensing container for drug portions is provided. A singling device is adapted to a specific drug portion based on the measurement of the drug portion. The measurement is obtained by generating at least one image of a to-be-measured drug portion by a detection device and using image analysis to process the at least one image. Drug information for the specific drug portion is determined, the drug information including at least the dimensions of the specific drug portion. Based on the determined drug information, a singling device fitting the drug portion to be singularized is identified and provided for use in the storage and dispensing container. A system for identifying a singling device is also provided.