Banner Engineering Corp.

Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a lens assembly including a lens base and a lens fill. The less base is constructed of a first material and defines a lens interior surface and a plurality of ribs extending axially from the lens interior surface. The plurality of ribs define a plurality of cavities between the plurality of ribs. The lens fill is constructed of a second material and is located within the plurality of cavities. The first material includes a plastic and the second material includes a plastic.

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 a stackable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to provide a wide viewing angle for instantly inspecting multiple connections when multiple DCCHs are stacked. In an illustrative example, a DCCH may include multiple connection ports distributed on one or more edge surfaces. An offset bracket, for example, may couple two DCCHs, each at a coupling surface of the corresponding DCCH. Upon coupling, the DCCHs are held at substantially parallel planes. For example, a first DCCH is offset from a second DCCH in two directions. In a first direction, respective planes are offset along a vertical axis by a predetermined first offset. In a second direction, the DCCHs are offset by a predetermined second offset, orthogonal to the first direction. Various embodiments may advantageously allow visual status of the connection ports visible in at least one viewing angle along the vertical axis.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a stackable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to provide a wide viewing angle for instantly inspecting multiple connections when multiple DCCHs are stacked. In an illustrative example, a DCCH may include multiple connection ports distributed on one or more edge surfaces. An offset bracket, for example, may couple two DCCHs, each at a coupling surface of the corresponding DCCH. Upon coupling, the DCCHs are held at substantially parallel planes. For example, a first DCCH is offset from a second DCCH in two directions. In a first direction, respective planes are offset along a vertical axis by a predetermined first offset. In a second direction, the DCCHs are offset by a predetermined second offset, orthogonal to the first direction. Various embodiments may advantageously allow visual status of the connection ports visible in at least one viewing angle along the vertical axis.

Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lens alignment system having opposing end effectors configured to control a position of a rigid lens body with respect to a plane. In an illustrative example, each of the opposing end effectors may engage a corresponding receptacle on respective opposite faces of the lens body. Each of the end effectors may, for example, frictionally contacts each of the corresponding receptacles within a respective portion of each of at least two contact regions. During the engagement, each of the contact regions may, for example, lie on opposite sides of an axis of rotation that extends between the end effectors. In response to at least a predetermined minimum net moment applied to the lens body, the lens body may, for example, be rotatable about the axis of rotation. Various embodiments may advantageously enable precise and/or rapid positioning of the lens body in the plane.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a field selectable gain mode system. In an illustrative example, an APD-based sensor may, for example, have two or more predetermined gain modes. The gain modes may, for example, be activated in response to a selection signal(s) generated by a user. For example, the APD-based sensor may apply the user-selected gain mode by independently controlling a circuit gain, an emitter gain, and an APD gain. When the user selection signal is selected, for example, a controller may apply corresponding independent gain parameters to the circuit gain, the emitter gain, and the APD gain, such that a collective high dynamic range sensor system is provided. For example, the independent gain parameters may include a range of control voltages, a range of control current, and/or a range of gain input. Various embodiments may advantageously achieve increased accuracy across an extended operating range of gain values.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an array of individually readable distance sensors disposed along a first axis on a platform and configurable to detect penetration of a first plane containing the first axis, and an array of individually controllable light emitting indicators disposed on the platform along at least a second axis and configurable to emit visual indicia to a user out of the first plane. The visual indicia may, for example, be associated with the detected penetration. A reconfigurable predetermined detection window may, for example, be generated by associating adjacent sensors detecting input during a teaching operation. The detection window may, for example, be further generated by determining at least one distance threshold profile as a function of input received from the adjacent sensors during the teaching operation. Various embodiments may advantageously enable efficient configuration of generic sensing and indication units.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a dynamically reconfigurable distributed communication and control hub (DCCH) configured to identify and configure its multiple connection ports independently and automatically. In an illustrative example, the DCCH may include a controller circuit and multiple independent reconfigurable connection ports (IRCPs). For example, the DCCH may be connected to multiple edge devices and controllers at the IRCPs. The edge devices and controllers may use different communication protocols. Upon receiving a signal at a IRCP, for example, the control circuit may retrieve a first predetermined set of rules to determine whether the IRCP is to be operated as a master port, a slave port, or a pass-through port. Based on a second set of rules, for example, the control circuit may determine a communication protocol of the IRCP. Various embodiments may advantageously avoid human intervention in setting up each of the multiple IRCPs of the DCCH.