Disclosed are aspects of a camera assembly, including a sensor for sampling image data in a sampling step. A lens is provided for focussing light onto the sensor. A window is supported in front of the lens. The window includes a transparency changing material for varying the transmittance of light through the window in response to an input signal. The camera assembly is configured to thereby increase the transmittance of light through the window during the sampling step of the sensor.

Disclosed are aspects of a camera assembly, including a sensor for sampling image data in a sampling step. A lens is provided for focussing light onto the sensor. A window is supported in front of the lens. The window includes a transparency changing material for varying the transmittance of light through the window in response to an input signal. The camera assembly is configured to thereby increase the transmittance of light through the window during the sampling step of the sensor.

In a case where a second operation is not performed even if a predetermined amount of time elapses after a first operation has been performed, a control unit drives a motor in a second direction, whereby a cam member is driven by biasing force of a biasing member and driving force of the motor until the charge of the biasing member is disengaged, the driving of the motor by the control unit is stopped, and the control unit drives the motor in the second direction based on the second operation, whereby the cam member is driven by the driving force of the motor, the engaging portion follows through a first zone, and thereafter the control unit drives the motor in the second direction, whereby the engaging member follows through the second zone.

In a case where a second operation is not performed even if a predetermined amount of time elapses after a first operation has been performed, a control unit drives a motor in a second direction, whereby a cam member is driven by biasing force of a biasing member and driving force of the motor until the charge of the biasing member is disengaged, the driving of the motor by the control unit is stopped, and the control unit drives the motor in the second direction based on the second operation, whereby the cam member is driven by the driving force of the motor, the engaging portion follows through a first zone, and thereafter the control unit drives the motor in the second direction, whereby the engaging member follows through the second zone.

Systems and methods for operating a focal plane array are provided. The operations can be stored as command sequences stored in a command queue established in memory provided as part of reconfigurable focal plane electronics. Each command sequence can include definitions of a plurality of image frames that are executed in series. The configurations of the defined frames can be the same as or different from one another. Moreover, the frame definitions can specify a number of focal plane array parameters, such as gain, full frame or window, and integration time. The sequence of focal plane array parameters can be provided to the focal plane array as a command stream at the direction of a state machine implemented by the reconfigurable focal plane electronics. New commands containing different frame commands can be loaded into the command queue without requiring reconfiguration of the electronics.

Systems and methods for operating a focal plane array are provided. The operations can be stored as command sequences stored in a command queue established in memory provided as part of reconfigurable focal plane electronics. Each command sequence can include definitions of a plurality of image frames that are executed in series. The configurations of the defined frames can be the same as or different from one another. Moreover, the frame definitions can specify a number of focal plane array parameters, such as gain, full frame or window, and integration time. The sequence of focal plane array parameters can be provided to the focal plane array as a command stream at the direction of a state machine implemented by the reconfigurable focal plane electronics. New commands containing different frame commands can be loaded into the command queue without requiring reconfiguration of the electronics.

A shutter device includes a light blocking unit and a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor includes a permanent magnet module, a guide track assembly and a coil assembly. The coil assembly is arranged on the guide track assembly, and the permanent magnet module is adapted to produce a magnetic field in the guide track assembly. The light blocking unit includes two shutter blades both connecting to the coil assembly. When energized, the coil assembly will produce a magnetic field having a direction same as or opposite to the direction of the magnetic field in the guide track assembly so that the coil assembly moves forward or backward along the guide track assembly to drive the two shutter blades to open or close. A method controls the shutter device. An exposure dose control method is used with a photolithography machine including the shutter device.

A shutter device includes a light blocking unit and a voice coil motor. The voice coil motor includes a permanent magnet module, a guide track assembly and a coil assembly. The coil assembly is arranged on the guide track assembly, and the permanent magnet module is adapted to produce a magnetic field in the guide track assembly. The light blocking unit includes two shutter blades both connecting to the coil assembly. When energized, the coil assembly will produce a magnetic field having a direction same as or opposite to the direction of the magnetic field in the guide track assembly so that the coil assembly moves forward or backward along the guide track assembly to drive the two shutter blades to open or close. A method controls the shutter device. An exposure dose control method is used with a photolithography machine including the shutter device.

The invention relates to a field of outdoor (street) illumination, in particular, to methods of controlling light emission, as well as to a field of optical devices, in particular, to methods of reducing light pollution that affects astronomical instruments. The method of reducing impact of light of outdoor illumination devices on astronomical instruments consists in generating a light flow of illumination devices in a form of periodical pulses and in blocking the light flow directed to a light-sensitive matrix of an astronomical instrument during arrival of the light flow pulses of the outdoor illumination devices. Thus, light pollution of astronomical instruments by outdoor illumination devices is avoided.

The invention relates to a field of outdoor (street) illumination, in particular, to methods of controlling light emission, as well as to a field of optical devices, in particular, to methods of reducing light pollution that affects astronomical instruments. The method of reducing impact of light of outdoor illumination devices on astronomical instruments consists in generating a light flow of illumination devices in a form of periodical pulses and in blocking the light flow directed to a light-sensitive matrix of an astronomical instrument during arrival of the light flow pulses of the outdoor illumination devices. Thus, light pollution of astronomical instruments by outdoor illumination devices is avoided.