Abstract: A pattern detector comprises a plurality of photoelectric converter elements having thin film semiconductors disposed adjacently in a line in one plane. The converter elements are shaped that they overlap one another by a predetermined length when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the converter elements are disposed. The photoelectric converter elements may be disposed in a plurality of parallel arrays, staggered so that the center of one element in one array is opposed to a space between neighboring elements of the other array.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolation circuit for a power transistor that enables a control circuit to turn the power transistor on and off, while insulating the control circuit from DC currents that may flow to or from the power transistor. The isolation circuit includes a first pulse transformer for receiving a pulse string signal corresponding to an ON command signal from the control circuit to alternatingly energize and de-energize the first pulse transformer. In addition, the isolation circuit includes a fast circuit path comprising a pair of serially connected diodes coupled between the secondary winding of the first pulse transformer and the base resistor of the power transistor for rapidly supplying base current drive to the transistor as soon as the first pulse transformer is energized. Also included in the isolation circuit is a base drive maintaining circuit coupled to the fast circuit path and to the base resistor of the power transistor.

Abstract: A pattern discriminator receives scanning data obtained by raster scanning objects within predefined window regions with a photoelectric converter, converts the scanned data into pixel binary data by using a threshold value dependent upon the scanning position and window region and evaluates the binary data in accordance with predetermined criteria to produce an output signal indicative of the evaluation. A memory stores data which represents the window regions in a compressed arrangement indicating the ordinate and abscissa coordinates of the beginning and ending points or pixels of each window region location on each scanning line, along with corresponding information representing the particular threshold value to be used for each window region segment on each scanning line.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic focusing apparatus for an optical imaging system which utilizes a focus detector which monitors the contrast of the image at the focal plane of the imaging system, the image being deemed to be in focus when the contrast of the image is maximized. The focus detector comprise a plurality of detector/converter elements arranged in an array in the focal plane. Each detector/converter senses the light intensity in a respective portion of the image at the focal plane and provides a pulse signal having a pulse-width which is approximately inversely proportional to the sensed light intensity. A detection circuit receives the pulses provided by the detector/converter elements and derives a digital quantity which is related to the difference between the maximum and minimum pulse-widths of the pulses. The digital quantity is received by a digital servosystem which appropriately adjusts the focusing of the imaging system to maximize the digital quantity provided by the detection circuit.

Abstract: An automatic specimen sealing system which provides totally automated sealing of glass slides. Slides are ejected sequentially at predetermined intervals onto a conveyor at a predetermined orientation. The size of the specimens held on the slides is detected, and liquid adhesive is supplied onto the slides in an amount determined in accordance with the thus-detected specimen sizes. Glass covers are then placed over the specimens, with the size of the glass covers being also selected in accordance with the specimen size. The slides with the covers placed thereon are next fed to a binding device where the covers and slides are bound together. Finally, the slides are assembled in trays.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of the invention described in the specification, selected portions of the surface of a selenium-arsenic layer of a photosensitive element for use in electrophotography are provided with a superfinish having ridges and grooves in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 .mu.m and a width of 3 .mu.m or less by vibrating a grinding stones on the moving surface at a frequency of 1,000 to 1,500 cpm and an amplitude of 3 mm. The grindstone is held against the surface with a pressure of 0.3 to 0.4 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a measurement apparatus for measuring physical quantity, such as temperature, pressure etc., and providing corresponding measuremnt data suitable for transmission to a remote central location. The physical quantity being measured is first converted to a frequency signal, either directly by an appropriate transducer or by a combination of an appropriate transducer and appropriate converter. Counters are then used to convert the frequency signal to a corresponding digital quantity. An appropriately programmed digital processor is then used to perform processing operations on the digital quantity to derive the measurement data. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an optical transceiver for converting the measurement data into corresponding optical signals for transmission via an optical fiber to a central processor.

Abstract: In the specific embodiments described herein, the charge drop resulting from fatigue in an electrophotographic process using an a-Se:H photosensitive member is reduced by a stabilization exposure carried out for one to three cycles prior to use of the member for image formation. Longer wavelength light may be used for the stabilization exposure and shorter wavelength light may be used for the imaging and discharge steps.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine makes use of a microcomputer to compute the time duration for supply of component materials in accordance with stored data and supplied input data.

Abstract: A coin sorter for examining the genuineness of plural coin denominations and for sorting the coins has an AC bridge circuit which produces bridge output signals corresponding to different denominations of coins, a time-sharing signal generation circuit in the form of a microcomputer, for producing time-sharing signals, a switching circuit for time-multiplexing the bridge output signals in sequence to one output lead in response to the time-sharing signals, and a single amplifier and comparator which receives the sequentially provided bridge output signals, amplifies and compares them to reference signals, and provides an indication of the coin denomination.

Abstract: An infrared film thickness gage for continuous on-line thickness measurement of a plastic film produced by a film blowing process into a tube shape has an infrared source with generally uniform directional radiation characteristics and is concentrically positioned inside the film tube. A photodetector is positioned outside the film tube in confronting relation to the source and receives the infrared rays of different reference and measurement wavelengths after the infrared rays have passed through the tube. Converting means receives the output of the photodetector, and since the film has different known attenuation coefficients for the different wavelengths, the thickness of the film can be determined. By using an infrared source having uniform directional characteristics and a filter to filter out instantaneous background light, measurement errors are substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A highly stable, tunable oscillator circuit includes a crystal oscillator providing a reference pulse signal of frequency Fco, a voltage-to-frequency converter responsive to a control voltage for providing a control pulse signal of frequency Fv substantially lower than Fco, a toggle circuit receiving the reference signal and providing a first and a second complementary signals, each having a frequency Fco/2 and the same pulse-width as the reference signal, a flip-flop circuit receiving the reference signal, the control signal and the first complementary signal and providing a pulse signal having frequency Fv and a pulse-width equal to the period of the reference signal, and synchronized with the first and second complementary signals. The signal provided by the flip-flop circuit is logically combined with the first complementary signal in and AND gate. The output of the AND gate is then logically combined with the second complementary signal in an OR gate to derive a combined signal of frequency (Fco/2)+Fv.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting defects in a substrate, including the periphery of the substrate, by the use of an image pickup device which sequentially scans the substrate along each of a plurality of vertically displaced horizontal lines for equal horizontal scanning periods. The analog output of the pickup device is coded to provide a binary coded signal having a polarity determined by the amount of light reflected from the substrate at each incremental portion of the scanning periods. The binary coded signal is shifted for a first interval which is less than the horizontal scanning period to obtain a first shifted output, and then further shifted for a second interval, measured from the end of the first interval, which is equal to the horizontal scanning period to obtain a second shifted output.

Abstract: A blood sugar analyzer has a reaction cell which houses a fixed enzyme membrane and measuring electrode and which receives a blood specimen, to cause a chemical reaction between the specimen and membrane for measuring the blood sugar concentration in the specimen on the basis of the reaction current generated in the electrode by the reaction. The analyzer also monitors the temperature in the cell and the sensitivity of the electrode, and a printer prints out data on the temperature and sensitivity. A digital control device controls overall operation of the analyzer.

Abstract: A load switch includes a vacuum switch in series with an air disconnecting switch. The vacuum switch comprises a fixed electrode, a movable electrode attached to one end of an axially movable control rod and a retaining spring which exerts a resilient force on the control rod tending to separate the electrodes. The air disconnecting switch comprises a conically shaped male contact and an opposing female contact shaped to permit insertion of the male contact therein. The male contact has a relatively large diameter base portion attached to the other end of the control rod and forming a step with the control rod. The female contact has spring loaded locking projections for releasably engaging the step of the male contact and a stopper for exerting a force on the control rod sufficient to close the electrodes of the vacuum switch when the male contact is moved against the stopper after engagement with the female contact.

Abstract: A drinking cup storage and feeding device for an automatic vending machine comprises a rotary type cup storage drum having a plurality of cup storage chambers around its periphery for receiving different kinds of drinking cups stacked in columns. A cup take-out stage has at least two cup take-out mechanisms spaced apart from each other and positioned adjacent to, but outside the rotational movement of the cup storage drum, for supplying specific cups one by one to a vending stage according to a selection signal. A switch detects when a cup take-out stage becomes empty of cups and then rotates the cup storage drum. A cup selecting mechanism detects when a full cup storage chamber storing a certain cup type reaches a position adjacent to the empty cup take-out stage for the same type of cup, during rotation of the cup storage drum, and stops rotation of the drum when the position is reached.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described herein, a Karman's vortex flow metering apparatus has an oscillating plate magnetically held at the vertex of a triangular chamber located outside a flow line. Within the flow line a Karman's vortex generator is mounted transverse to the flow direction and has vortex generating slits extending along its length. Pressure detecting slits located at the end of the generator near the detector communicate through short pressure transmitting lines with opposite sides of the chamber. The resulting oscillation of the plate is detected optically or magnetically to provide signals corresponding to the flow rate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer from the metallic surface (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel) of a substrate used in electrophotography. The amorphous silicon layer is removed by exposing such layer to a plasma generated in a fluorine containing atmosphere. Such a plasma provides a high etch rate for the amorphous silicon layer and an extremely high silicon-to-metal etch selectivity. Therefore, the amorphous silicon layer may be rapidly removed by etching at a high power density without risk of damaging the polished metallic surface of the electrophotographic substrate. Moreover, since the etching automatically stops when the metallic surface is reached, no end-point detection is necessary.

Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for producing amorphous silicon layers for solar cells or electrophotography by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) through glow-discharge decomposition of a reaction gas containing monosilane or a higher order silicon hydride in a reaction chamber. Deposition rate and efficiency of reaction gas usage are improved by the selective removal of hydrogen gas reaction product from the reaction chamber. In one embodiment, a filter which is more permeable to hydrogen gas than to the reaction gas is placed in the vacuum pumping port of the reaction chamber. The filter comprises either a palladium film or a bundle of small diameter tubes made from a polyimide system polymer. In another embodiment of the invention, a porous sintered material containing La-Ni alloy is used to selectively adsorb hydrogen gas in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an production method for plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of amorphous silicon films providing improved throughput and film yield. According to the present invention, a glow discharge is generated in a reaction chamber containing a gaseous silicon-containing compound, such as monosilane (SiH.sub.4) or tetraflourosilane (SiF.sub.4), by the imposition of an electric field between a pair of spaced-apart electrodes within the chamber. The electric field is established by connecting an appropriate DC or high frequency driving voltage to one of the pair of electrodes and ground potential to the other. In the case where a high frequency driving voltage is used, connection to the driven electrode is made through a coupling capacitor, and the frequency of the driving voltage is selected such that a DC potential develops between the pair of electrodes.