An intelligent skin based on a small-size distributed optical fiber sensing array. The intelligent skin includes an epidermis sensing array, an embedded optical fiber sensing array, a data collection system module, and a data processing mode recognition module. The body of the intelligent skin is made of a flexible material. The embedded optical fiber sensing array in an epidermis includes a plurality of all-fiber interferomatic sensing arrays. The data collection system module includes a broadband light source, an optical combiner/splitter, an optical path change-over switch, a signal detector and a computer. The data processing mode recognition module includes mode recognition and training of a neural network. The intelligent skin further includes an external display software used to perform intelligent sensing recognition for sense of touch, position, shape, and ingredient, temperature and vibration of an object and so on.

Methods and apparatuses to obtain increased performance and differentiation for an inductive position sensor through improvements to the sense element and target design are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a sense element includes a transmit coil, a first receive coil that includes a first plurality of arrayed loops, wherein two or more of the first plurality of arrayed loops are at least one of phase blended and amplitude arrayed, and a second receive coil that includes a second plurality of arrayed loops, wherein two or more of the second plurality of arrayed loops are at least one of phase blended and amplitude arrayed, and wherein the first receive coil and the second receive coil are phase shifted. The sense element coils are arrayed in several geometries and layouts, and the coil and target geometry are manipulated to compensate for inherent errors in the fundamental design of an inductive position sensor.

Two photoelectric circuit sets each have a light source, two light switches, optical fibers, photoelectric sensor and computer. The light source emits visible light to the first switch, which is continuously deflected and reflected by a torsional micro-mirror. The light respectively irradiates each of the optical fibers in a composite material optical fiber prepreg layer. If the material is normal, the optical fiber is not damaged, the visible light passes through the optical fiber and irradiates the second switch, and is continuously deflected and reflected by a second torsional micro-mirror, the light irradiates the photoelectric sensor. The sensor outputs an electric signal to the computer. If the material is damaged, the optical fiber here is damaged, another corresponding optical fiber path at an intersection point is also damaged without electric signal output. The computer gives breaking position coordinates at the intersection point of two paths of optical fiber arrays.

A multilinear domain-specific domain generalization (MDSDG) approach that utilizes information stored in multilinear indices of data domains to improve machine learning. In particular—based on limited sample size(s) in observed scenarios—an array of models is jointly trained, which advantageously are generalized to a new, unseen scenario, where only domain descriptions in the form of multilinear indices are available.

Safety systems for operating equipment have a source of visible light, a first signal light transmitter, a first signal light receiver, preferably a second signal light transmitter and second signal light receiver. A fiber optic bundle with at least one section of illuminated cable emits the visible light and carries the signal light. The signal light follows an optical circuit through the fiber optic bundle from the signal light transmitters to the signal light receivers. The signal light receivers are connected to suitable controls of the system such that if a predetermined light signal is not received by the signal light receiver(s), the operating equipment will stop and/or alarms will be generated. The fiber optic bundle is connected to optical pull switches which interrupt the light circuit if a person applies a predetermined pull force to the optical fiber bundle.

In some embodiments, a method and apparatus, as well as an article, may operate to determine properties based on detected optical signals. An optical detection apparatus can include an optical detector for detecting light received through a fiber optic cable; a housing for enclosing the optical detector; a light source; and a cooling mechanism having the housing mounted thereto. The cooling mechanism can maintain the temperature of a light-sensitive region of the optical detector within a temperature range below 210 degrees Kelvin. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Two photoelectric circuit sets each have a light source, two light switches, optical fibers, photoelectric sensor and computer. The light source emits visible light to the first switch, which is continuously deflected and reflected by a torsional micro-mirror. The light respectively irradiates each of the optical fibers in a composite material optical fiber prepreg layer. If the material is normal, the optical fiber is not damaged, the visible light passes through the optical fiber and irradiates the second switch, and is continuously deflected and reflected by a second torsional micro-mirror, the light irradiates the photoelectric sensor. The sensor outputs an electric signal to the computer. If the material is damaged, the optical fiber here is damaged, another corresponding optical fiber path at an intersection point is also damaged without electric signal output. The computer gives breaking position coordinates at the intersection point of two paths of optical fiber arrays.

A supporting apparatus for supporting insertion of a flexible insertion member into a subject and removal of the insertion member includes an attention point acquisition unit, a first displacement acquisition unit and a determination unit. The attention point acquisition unit specifies at least one first attention point specified by a shape of the insertion member. The first displacement acquisition unit acquires a first displacement of the first attention point. The determination unit determines how a state of the insertion member or the subject is at a position corresponding to the first attention point, based on displacement information including information on the first displacement.

A sensor capable of monitoring the condition of a physical structure is provided. The sensor may be comprised of a plurality of flexible conductive segments arranged in a geometric pattern. The sensor also includes nodes within the geometric pattern. The sensor monitors the condition of a physical structure by monitoring the electrical resistance within the flexible conductive segments. Additional secondary sensors may also be included within the geometric pattern of the sensor. A processor may use the information from the flexible conductive segments and any secondary sensors to assess the condition of the physical structure.

The present invention relates to a sensor device for determining alignment/misalignment of a laser beam relative to a gas nozzle of a laser machining head which comprises a sensor housing provided with mounting means adapted to mount the housing to a laser machining head, a camera device comprising a camera, the camera device is provided in the sensor housing, so that the camera faces the tip of the gas nozzle when the sensor housing is mounted to the laser machining head for visualizing an orifice of the gas nozzle and a pilot laser simultaneously, and output means for outputting image signals obtained by the camera.