Abstract: An autofocus system for maintaining a sample in the focal plane of a primary lens is disclosed. A light source generates a monitor beam which is focused onto the sample through the primary lens. The reflected beam passes back through the primary lens and is directed to a secondary lens. The beam is then split by a reflective wedge into two portions with different path lengths such that the beam waists of the two portions are spatially separated. An aperture is located between the two beam waists. A bi-cell photodetector measures the intensity of the two beam portions transmitted by the aperture. The measured intensity levels vary with respect to the position of the sample. By comparing the measured intensity levels, an indication of the position of the sample can be obtained.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is disclosed that includes a sensor array formed on the integrated circuit. The sensor array outputs raw image data. The integrated circuit also includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit receives the raw image data and outputs a feature set based upon the raw image data.

Abstract: Method for configuring the operating mode of an optical detector, by recognition, following an emission in a first operating mode M1, by means of the receiving system. The latter then confirms the detector in the first operating mode or switches it over into a second operating mode M2 according to whether there is recognition of the first mode. Automatic validation or validation carried out by the operator confirms the recognized operating mode. Application to multimode optical detectors able to operate in barrier, reflex, proximity, background suppression proximity mode.

Abstract: A workpiece inspecting device suitable for inspection of tiny workpieces is provided which move workpieces such as screws, nails, screws and rivets while hanging them in the air and to carry out overall length inspection and projecting inspection of the workpieces while they are moving. A hanging portion is provided on the outer periphery of the turntable to lower the position of the bottom surface of the turntable at the outer peripheral portion where the workpieces are supported, so that the heads of workpieces supported in a hanged state from the turntable are within an inspection area through windows provided in the hanging portion.

Abstract: A single step multi-section exposure scanning method for a scanner. The scanner includes a photo-sensor and a stepper motor. The photo-sensor has N rows of sensor cells that correspond to each primary color. The scanning device is driven forward an exposure distance for each revolution of the stepper motor. The single step multi-section exposure scanning method includes the following steps. First, the photo-sensor moves forward one exposure distance. One row of sensor cells is exposed after moving every 1/Nth of the exposure distance. Thereafter, analogue voltages obtained through the exposed row of sensor cells are transmitted to an analogue/digital converter. The above process is repeated until the entire document is scanned.

Abstract: Systems and elements are disclosed for creating a continuous, collimated detection zone for an automatically-actuated device or container, such as an automatic waste container, wherein the detection zone can be made to match the opening periphery of the container, is height adjustable, immune from ambient light fluctuations and relatively simple and inexpensive to produce.

Abstract: An LED array is controlled by determining a constant relating the peak light output of an LED to the peak driving current of a PWM pulse driving the LED, and multiplying the average current of the PWM pulse by the constant to obtain a value of average light output for the LED. The constant may be determined by simultaneously measuring peak light output of the LED and peak current of a PWM pulse driving the LED. The constant is then calculated by dividing the peak light output by the peak current of the PWM pulse. By making the simultaneous measurements at a time during the duration of the PWM pulse where the pulse has reached its full magnitude, rise and fall times of the pulse do not affect the measurements. The average current of the PWM pulse may be determined by a variety of methods including integrating current in the PWM pulse over time, or passing the PWM current through a low pass filter configured for providing an average value of PWM current.

Abstract: A method is described for the operation of an opto-electronic sensor array, in which a plurality of sequential operating light pulses are emitted into a monitored region; the operating light pulses reflected from an object arranged in the monitored region are received by a spatially resolving receiver unit with a plurality of light sensitive sensors; the light intensity of the respectively received reflected operating light pulses is detected and stored in each case during an activation interval synchronously with the emission of the operating light pulses for each sensor; and after each activation interval, in sequential transmission steps, the light intensities stored for the sensors are transmitted to a parallel processor having a plurality of parallel signal inputs for the parallel signal processing, with the transmission in each case taking place for a plurality of sensors simultaneously in each transmission step. Furthermore, a sensor array for the carrying out of the method is described.

Abstract: A multichannel receiver circuit is provided, which suppresses effectively crosstalk or interference between the electric signals transmitted in parallel through multiple channels at high speed and which improves the S/N for each channel. The receiver circuit comprises first to n-th sections for forming respectively first to n-th channels, where n is an integer greater than unity. The first to n-th sections receive first to n-th electric input signals to produce first to n-th electric output signals, respectively, where each of the first to n-th output signals having different logic levels according to a corresponding one of the first to n-th input signals. Each of the first to n-th sections includes an output level fixer circuit that produces an output signal. The output signal of the output level fixer circuit having a fixed level that induces no oscillation when a corresponding one of the first to n-th input signals has a level less than a specific reference level.

Abstract: An optical wavelength monitor provided with an optical coupler for coupling at least a part of the optical signals transmitted in an optical waveguide, which signals are transmitted by means of different carrier wavelengths divided into channels. The coupler is connected via an optical amplifier to a wavelength demultiplexer which selects at least one carrier wavelength of these optical signals and forwards each of these selected carrier wavelengths to a specific output. Optical detectors are connected to these outputs, which detectors each convert an optical signal, detected in a specific channel, into an electrical signal. The optical wavelength monitor is wherein an oscillator is provided which is suitable for modulating the optical signals, supplied to the optical amplifier, with a frequency.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid-level gauge for accurately measuring a liquid-level height of fluid to be measured. In the liquid-level gauge, a float having a uniform cross-sectional form in the height direction and a specific weight value small than that of liquid is dipped in the liquid. The float is supported by an optical fiber at a constant height such that its upper end always projects from the liquid level. One end of the optical fiber is connected to an optical fiber strain gauge and a strain detector is turned round between fiber support members. When the float receives buoyancy from the liquid, tension is applied to the strain detector of optical fiber to generate strain therein. By detecting the strain by means of an optical fiber strain gauge, a liquid-level height can be measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for compensating the position of a robot using a laser measuring instrument by establishing an origin coordinate system; irradiating laser beams onto reflectors and calculating distances to the reflectors; converting the origin coordinate system to an established coordinate system; generating coordinates of an end of a lower tip of a welding gun; calculating a position and posture of the robot; teaching the robot four or more postures; uploading position coordinates of the robot and robot teaching program data to a main computer; determining if an error between CAD data and data modeled through simulation is less than a predetermined value, revising the data if it is not or completing compensation of positions of the welding gun, the robot and the jigs if it is; and downloading the robot teaching program to a robot controller.