Apparatus and associated methods relate to an alignment system including an alignment source module (ASM) and an alignment indicator module (AIM) configured to be releasably coupled to a first unit and a second unit, respectively, of a pair of optoelectronic arrays. In an illustrative example, the ASM may be oriented, when coupled, to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit. The AIM may, for example, be configured, when coupled, to provide a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit. Each of the AIM and the ASM may, for example, be configured to axially couple along respective longitudinal axes of the first unit and the second. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate manipulation of the pair of optoelectronic arrays into near alignment with each other.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an alignment system including an alignment source module (ASM) and an alignment indicator module (AIM) configured to be releasably coupled to a first unit and a second unit, respectively, of a pair of optoelectronic arrays. In an illustrative example, the ASM may be oriented, when coupled, to emit an optical beam in substantial alignment with a first optical axis of the first unit. The AIM may, for example, be configured, when coupled, to provide a visible indication when the optical beam is within a predetermined near-alignment orientation range relative to a second optical axis of the second unit. Each of the AIM and the ASM may, for example, be configured to axially couple along respective longitudinal axes of the first unit and the second. Various embodiments may advantageously facilitate manipulation of the pair of optoelectronic arrays into near alignment with each other.

A housing device (20) includes a housing portion (22), a light source (200), and an optical sensor (300). The housing portion (22) includes a holding body (100). An article is housed in the housing portion (22). The holding body (100) extends in one direction. The light source (200) is attached to the holding body (100) along the one direction. The light source (200) applies light toward at least a part of a space (S) located on a side of the holding body (100) with respect to the one direction of the holding body (100), a front of the space (S), and a back of the space (S). The optical sensor (300) is attached to the holding body (100). At least a part of a visual field of the optical sensor (300) faces in at least a part of the space (S), the front of the space (S), and the back of the space (S).

A housing device (20) includes a housing portion (22), a light source (200), and an optical sensor (300). The housing portion (22) includes a holding body (100). An article is housed in the housing portion (22). The holding body (100) extends in one direction. The light source (200) is attached to the holding body (100) along the one direction. The light source (200) applies light toward at least a part of a space (S) located on a side of the holding body (100) with respect to the one direction of the holding body (100), a front of the space (S), and a back of the space (S). The optical sensor (300) is attached to the holding body (100). At least a part of a visual field of the optical sensor (300) faces in at least a part of the space (S), the front of the space (S), and the back of the space (S).

Embodiments of a method for examining shipments are disclosed herein. In the method, at least one shipment is arranged in an examination area. Radiation is emitted into the examination area for examining the at least one shipment by means of a radiation source. Radiation from the examination area is captured by means of a sensor device. The radiation source emits terahertz radiation, and the radiation source covers substantially the entire terahertz frequency spectrum from 1 terahertz to 6 terahertz.

Embodiments of a method for examining shipments are disclosed herein. In the method, at least one shipment is arranged in an examination area. Radiation is emitted into the examination area for examining the at least one shipment by means of a radiation source. Radiation from the examination area is captured by means of a sensor device. The radiation source emits terahertz radiation, and the radiation source covers substantially the entire terahertz frequency spectrum from 1 terahertz to 6 terahertz.

A proximity sensor, including light emitters and light detectors mounted on a circuit board, two stacked lenses, positioned above the emitters and the detectors, including an extruded cylindrical lens and a Fresnel lens array, wherein each emitter projects light through the two lenses along a common projection plane, wherein a reflective object located in the projection plane reflects light from one or more emitters to one or more detectors, and wherein each emitter-detector pair, when synchronously activated, generates a greatest detection signal at the activated detector when the reflective object is located at a specific 2D location in the projection plane corresponding to the emitter-detector pair, and a processor sequentially activating the emitters and synchronously co-activating one or more detectors, and identifying a location of the object in the projection plane, based on amounts of light detected by the detector of each synchronously activated emitter-detector pair.

A proximity sensor, including light emitters and light detectors mounted on a circuit board, two stacked lenses, positioned above the emitters and the detectors, including an extruded cylindrical lens and a Fresnel lens array, wherein each emitter projects light through the two lenses along a common projection plane, wherein a reflective object located in the projection plane reflects light from one or more emitters to one or more detectors, and wherein each emitter-detector pair, when synchronously activated, generates a greatest detection signal at the activated detector when the reflective object is located at a specific 2D location in the projection plane corresponding to the emitter-detector pair, and a processor sequentially activating the emitters and synchronously co-activating one or more detectors, and identifying a location of the object in the projection plane, based on amounts of light detected by the detector of each synchronously activated emitter-detector pair.

The system can include: a container 110, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

A presence detection system includes a support layer operable to act as an underlying surface for supporting object(s), a sensor layer disposed beneath the support layer and operable to output readings indicating the presence of object(s) supported on the support layer and a controller for receiving the presence readings from the sensor layer and determining, based on the readings, an indicator of the occupancy status and/or an occupancy level of the support layer. The presence detection system can be used within an access gate system whereby the access gate is operated to a blocking position upon the presence detection system detecting more than one human supported on the support layer, this operation overriding a reading of an authenticated user token. The presence detection system can also be used within an elevator system wherein the elevator door subsystem and the elevator displacement subsystem are controlled based on an occupancy level detected by the detection system. Methods for detecting object are also contemplated.