Abstract: An obstacle detection and position sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicles is described. The system includes two spaced-apart contact and position sensitive bumpers disposed across the frontal cross section of the vehicle. Light beams are directed by transceivers and retroreflectors across the frontal cross section area between the two bumpers, forming a light curtain. The combination of the bumpers and light curtain provides complete frontal coverage of the potential collision cross-section of a fairly large vehicle, without obstructing the field of view of sonar, optical, or other forward-looking sensors.

Abstract: A velocity measuring system useful for monitoring repetitive bidirectional movements of a carrier, which supports workpieces in production, initially stores the values of a number of velocities representative of normal operation to establish a normal velocity range, and then compares the values of subsequent carrier velocities to the normal range. A continuing deviation from the normal range is indicative of defective actuator operation, allowing repair or replacement prior to hard failure and serious disruption of the production line.

Abstract: A signal reading circuit has amplifiers for respectively receiving a plurality of signals. The circuit reads out the outputs of the amplifiers to a signal line through resistor elements, wherein each resistor element is a resistance when a switching device is conductive.

Abstract: A charge controlled adaptive-optics system is disclosed for correcting phase distortion in a wavefront of a propagating optical wavefront in real time. In a preferred embodiment a selectively deformable piezoelectric mirror receives an incoming distorted optical wavefront and reflects it to a lenslet array optical sensor. The sensor generates a large plurality of focused light points, the offset positions of which represent wavefront tilts at a plurality of locations on the distorted wavefront. A misalignment calibration system calculates a plurality of calibration signals representing aberrations in the mirror surface and the sensor, and converts the signals into a plurality of representative light rays of varying intensity. The light ray are then superimposed on the light points to form a plurality of calibrated light points, which are then input to an electron-beam generating system.

Abstract: A structure for providing relative positioning of a rotary detecting shaft of a rotary detecting device, such as a rotary encoder or a rotary switch, and a rotary shaft, is disclosed. There is an X-Y stage comprised of a plate, a first sliding plate and a second sliding plate. The rotary detecting device is fastened to the second sliding plate of the X-Y stage, and the plate is fastened to a frame to which the rotary shaft is mounted. The rotary detecting shaft is connected to the rotary shaft by a joint unit. According to the invention, aligning the rotary shaft with a rotary detecting shaft is carried out automatically by the movement of the first and second sliding plates as the rotary detecting shaft and rotary shaft are connected. Further, if exact alignment is not achieved prior to rotation of the rotary shaft, the rotational deviation of the rotary detecting shaft and rotary shaft will be eliminated by the further movement of the X-Y stage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a coordinate measuring apparatus having an optical sensing head. The optical sensing head is held on the measuring arm of the coordinate measuring apparatus. The optical sensing head includes a holder and a plurality of detachable front optic units which can be exchanged as required. Each of the front optic units has its own objective and its own illuminating optic arrangement adapted to the objective. The illuminating optic is supplied via light conductors with the light conductors being guided over a change interface where the front optic unit is attached to the holder of the sensing head in a reproducible manner. The light conducting ends for the illumination are coupled in the change interface by means of a coupling device which achieves this coupling with low losses. This device includes, for example, self-centering sleeves which enable flexible supply light conductors to be centrally seated on the end faces of half-rigid plastic light conductors.

Abstract: An opto-electronic scale-reading apparatus comprising a scale defined by marks provided on one of two members, a read head provided on the other member and including diffraction means for producing interference fringes having movement relative to the read head responsive to a displacement between the scale and the read head, and detecting means for detecting the movement of the interference fringes. The scale marks may have periodicities differing from a nominal value, and the apparatus includes a spatial filter whereby scale periodicities, differing from the nominal value by more than a given maximum, are prevented from contributing to the production of said fringes.

Abstract: A method for detecting a focal point uses an optical system which includes a laser diode light source, a beam-splitter prism having three surfaces with one surface perpendicular to luminous flux emanating from a recording medium and another surface inclined relative to the first, an objective lens between the prism and the recording medium, a photodetector, and an apparatus capable of moving the objective lens perpendicular to the recording surface. The method using this apparatus includes the steps of placing the prism so that the incident angle of the flux through the objective lens is less than the emergent angle of the flux from the prism to the photodetector, detecting the intensity of the light, and driving the objective lens in response to an electrical signal.

Abstract: An optical fiber device for allowing local measurement of temperature or strain using pulse amplitude techniques. The apparatus includes a fiber splice having a high temperature epoxy or solder to secure the opposing fibers in spaced relationship within a metal tube. By applying heat or stress to the tube the load causes the air gap to open or close which in turn varies the amount of light transmitted. By utilizing apparatus to measure the change in the amplitude affected by changes in the air gap, one can measure ultimately the strain or temperature imposed on the device.

Abstract: An opto-electronic XOR gate includes a pair of diode type light sources connected back to back in parallel by a pair of input leads to which first and second electronic logic signals are applied. With only one logic signal in the high state, one of the diode-type light sources is forward biased while the other is reverse biased. With both logic signals high or low neither diode-type light source emits. A two to one fiber optic combiner (FOC) provides a single optical output which is on only when only one electrical signal is high. If an electronic output is desired, a single photodetector converts the output of the FOC to an electronic logic signal. For performing the exclusive OR operation on optical input signals, a pair of photodetectors and buffer amplifiers and connected to the input leads. For 10 to 12 GHz switching speeds laser diodes are used as the diode-type light sources. When lower switching speeds are satisfactory, light emitting diodes can be used as the diode-type light sources.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns the reading of the photocharges generated by the illumination of a matrix of photosensitive dots. The dots are formed by a photosensitive diode in series with a reading diode, all between a row and a column of the matrix. To reduce the reading errors, there is provision to illuminate the photosensitive dots with a constant illumination which gets added to the illumination to be measured, thus creating driving charges that get added to the useful charge and facilitate its transfer to a reading register.

Abstract: In a process and arrangement for measuring a physical quantity using an optical sensor, for imparting a power modulation proportional to the measured quantity on an effective light flux, the physical quantity being obtained from a ratio of the luminous power of the effective light flux to that of a reference light flux, to achieve a high path neutrality of an optical transmission path, the spectral distribution S(.lambda.) of the effective light flux and the spectral distribution R(.lambda.) of the reference light flux is selected according to the relation: ##EQU1## with .lambda.min<.lambda..sub.1 <.lambda..sub.2 <.lambda. max, the light source being emitting in the wave range between the wavelengths .lambda.min and .lambda.max.

Abstract: A discriminating apparatus for discriminating a radiant information signal from a background signal, the discriminating apparatus including a radiation sensing means sensitive to an incident signal comprising both an information signal and a background signal and operative to generate an output sensing signal of a level related to the level of the incident signal, and detector means responsive to the sensing signal to detect an information signal component of the sensing signal from a background signal level component of the sensing signal.

Abstract: Optical waveform observing apparatus including a sampling streak tube to which is applied an incident light beam having a waveform of repetitive frequency to be observed. An electron beam corresponding to the incident light beam is repetitively deflected in the streak tube, in response to a repetitive deflecting trigger signal, to sample the electron beam. The deflecting trigger signal is generated by a time sweep circuit that stepwise delays the occurrence of that signal when the sampling operation is carried out a predetermined number of times. An integration circuit integrates the output of the streak tube for the predetermined number of sampling operations for a sampling time and is then reset to begin integrating the streak tube output for the predetermined number of sampling operations for a next sampling time. The integration circuit output is digitized and displayed.

Abstract: An integrating sphere for detecting particles in an aerosol has a diffuse reflectant interior surface and a plurality of photodetectors. The aerosol passing through aligned ducts which are spaced at the center of the integrating sphere, and a beam of collimated light, such as a laser beam, projects transversely through the aerosol in the space. Particles in the aerosol scatter the light, and the scattered light is detected simultaneously by the photodetectors within the integrating sphere. A coincidence detection circuit is used to detect the number of times scattered light is simultaneously detected by the photodetectors and, thereby, count the number of particles in the aerosol.

Abstract: An optical scanning device which includes a radiation source, a mirror objective an a radiation-sensitive detection system, the mirror objective being a transparent body having a radiation window and a reflector symmetrical therewith on each of two opposed surfaces of such body. First diffraction elements are respectively arranged on the first and second radiation window and the second reflector, whereby radiation directed through the first window is focussed to a scanning spot on an information plane and radiation from such plane after a second passage through the mirror objective includes a number of diffracted beams directed on the radiation detection system. The diffracted beams enable detection of tracking errors and focussing errors of the scanning spot relative to tracks on the information plane.

Abstract: A condenser lens disposed behind a film equivalent plane, a pair of light splitting elements disposed behind the condenser lens, and a focal point detecting apparatus. The radius of curvature of a front surface of the condenser lens at the film equivalent plane side is larger than that of a rear surface of the condenser. A path length L from the film equivalent plane to the rear surface of the condenser lens is set in a range of 3.2 mm>L>3.6 mm on the assumption that the path length L is not substantially expanded by a refractive material. The pair of light splitting elements are disposed in symmetricy with respect to a meridian plane of the condenser lens. The focal point detecting apparatus is adapted to detect a focal point by finding a relative positional displacement of an objective image which is reimaged by the pair of light splitting elements.

Abstract: A beam recorder comprises a beam generator, a deflector for deflecting the beam to scan the beam, and a light intensity control unit for controlling a light intensity of the beam. The deflection has a plurality of deflection planes to which the beam is directed, and at least one of the deflection planes in a non-scan plane. The light intensity control is effected by utilizing a period in which the beam is directed to the non-scan plane.

Abstract: A photoelectric alignment indicator that includes two indicators (10) and (11) and a photoelectric receiver (2) is disclosed. A housing (3) houses the indicators (10) and (11) and the photoelectric receiver (2). One indicator (10), formed by a collimating lens (10b) and LED (10a), is mounted adjacent to the photodetector (9) of the photoelectric receiver (2) and transmits visible energy (12) into substantially the same field as the field of view of the photodetector collimating lens (9b). The second indicator (11) is mounted on the rear surface (8) of the photoelectric receiver housing (3), opposite the receiver photodetector (9) and emits visible energy (12) viewable from the end of the photoelectric receiver (2) remote from the transmitter (1). Alignment of the photoelectric transmitter (1) with the photoelectric receiver (2) allows the light (13) from the light source (15) of the photoelectric transmitter (1) to illuminate the receiver photodetector (9), energizing the indicators (10) and (11).

Abstract: An optical pickup head apparatus comprises a hologram element disposed in the flux of light reflected back from an optical disc, and first and second photodetectors respectively having linear element boundaries extending in a predetermined direction and disposed so as to receive two-focal-point images on their coplanar detection surfaces, whereby the tolerable width of variation in the light source wavelength and the tolerable range of error in the assembling adjustment of the optics can be extended considerably to permit stable differential signal detection.