Abstract: An image generation apparatus for generating, from an input image, a plurality of phase images having lower resolutions than the input image and overlapping each other with a predetermined amount of shift when being projected onto a projection plane. The apparatus includes when the plurality of phase images are projected onto the projection plane, means for relating an area formed by a predetermined pixel of the plurality of phase images overlapping individually to a predetermined pixel of the input image, and calculating a pixel value of a pixel of the phase images having a smallest difference between a pixel value of the corresponding area and a pixel value of a pixel of the input image.

Abstract: A focus-state detecting device, to which a removable lens unit is mounted, that includes, for example, a focus-state detection unit that detects a focus-adjusted state; a first acquisition unit that acquires information on chromatic aberration; a second acquisition unit that acquires information on spectral characteristics of a subject; a correction unit that corrects information on the focus-adjusted state which has been detected by the focus-state detection unit; and a control unit that repeats operations.

Abstract: A plurality of optical beacons that emit light in respective light emitting patterns containing an ID code are distributed and installed in a space in which of a mobile body are moved. The mobile body is provided with a detection unit. The detection unit identifies at least three optical beacons according to the ID codes of the lights emitted according to the optical beacons and detects the direction of light emitted according to each of the identified optical beacons. Then, it detects the position of the mobile body according to the outcome of detection.

Abstract: A method for measuring a parameter of a movement of an object, in which a series of successive first time-spaced linear images and a second spaced linear image are taken, (a) a first development of first linear images and (b) a second development consisting of at least one second image are formed, and linear images of the first development are compared at least partly with at least a part of a linear image of the second development to determine the part of a spaced linear image of the first development which best corresponds to a part of a linear image of the second development.

Abstract: There is provided a photoelectric converter comprising a photoelectric conversion element of a laminated structure comprising a first electrode layer, an insulation layer for blocking the passage of a first carrier and a second carrier, a photoelectric conversion semiconductor layer, an injection blocking layer for blocking the injection of the first carrier to the photoelectric conversion semiconductor layer, and a second electrode layer, wherein a switching means is provided for operating the converter by switching the following three operation modes a) through c) for applying an electric field to each layer of the photoelectric conversion element; a) an idling mode for emitting the second carrier from the photoelectric conversion element, b) a refreshment mode for refreshing the first carrier accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element, and c) a photoelectric conversion mode for generating pairs of the first carrier and the second carrier in accordance with an amount of incident light to accumulate

Abstract: A sun-following solar panel stand that includes a frame, a hollow box, rotating and pivoting apparatus, first, second, and third light apparatus, comparing apparatus, and combination determining and comparing apparatus. The frame is horizontally rotatively mountable to a surface and the hollow box is vertically pivotally mounted to the frame. The rotating apparatus rotates the frame as the sun traverses horizontally and the pivoting apparatus pivots the hollow box as the sun traverses vertically. The first light apparatus provide a first light apparatus output responsive to the horizontal position of the sun. The second light apparatus provide a second light apparatus output responsive to the vertical position of the sun. The third light apparatus provide a third light apparatus output responsive to the general position of the sun.

Abstract: An absolute optical linear or rotary encoder which encodes the motion of an object (3) with increased resolution and encoding range and decreased sensitivity to damage to the scale includes a scale (5), which moves with the object and is illuminated by a light source (11). The scale carries a pattern (9) which is imaged by a microscope optical system (13) on a CCD array (17) in a camera head (15). The pattern includes both fiducial markings (31) which are identical for each period of the pattern and code areas (33) which include binary codings of numbers identifying the individual periods of the pattern. The image of the pattern formed on the CCD array is analyzed by an image processor (23) to locate the fiducial marking, decode the information encoded in the code area, and thereby determine the position of the object.

Abstract: An optical scanner utilizes two linear CCD detectors and a bandpass means to improve the ability of the scanner to discriminate against specular reflection. A coded symbology is illuminated by a noncoherent light source and light reflected from the coded symbology along a first path strikes the front face of the bandpass means. The bandpass means, functioning as a notch filter, transmits a select bandwidth of light while reflecting all other light onto a first CCD detector. Simultaneously, light reflected from the bar code symbol travels along a second path, at a different angle with respect to the plane of the coded symbology than the first path, is reflected from a mirror onto the back face of the bandpass means. The bandpass means transmits the select bandwidth of light onto a second CCD detector and reflects all other light. The second CCD detector has a notch filter which permits the detection of only the select bandwidth.

Abstract: The quasi-absolute encoder module determines absolute position within one mechanical rotation. The encoder module includes a three channel position encoder and detection circuitry that includes a read-only memory (ROM). There are three channels: A, B, and I. Channels A and B have four periods and channel B is offset from channel A by 90.degree. in phase. Channel I has a unique sequence. The address generated by sampling this unique sequence corresponds to an address in ROM. The address indicates the position of the rotating shaft on which the codewheel is attached.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus including a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of a reticle onto a substrate, an optical characteristic detecting device for detecting a change in optical characteristic of the projection optical system, which change may result from the projection of the reticle pattern onto the substrate through the projection optical system, and a light detecting device for detecting at least one of (i) an intensity distribution of light from the reticle pattern, at a position adjacent to the reticle or adjacent to an imaging plane on which the reticle is to be imaged, and (ii) an intensity distribution of the light from the reticle pattern, at a position adjacent to a pupil plane of the projection optical system, wherein the optical characteristic detecting device is arranged to detect the amount of change in optical characteristic in accordance with the intensity distribution detected by the light detecting device.

Abstract: In a microscope with an objective, a variable magnification system and an autofocus arrangement, the autofocus arrangement produces a projection beam path for the projection of an autofocus marking onto an observation object, and an imaging beam path which passes through an objective, for imaging on a detector the autofocus marking projected onto the observation object. The projection beam path and/or the imaging beam path then passes through the variable magnification system outside its optical axis.

Abstract: A multiple beam scanning system for an imaging device, such as a photoplotter and scanner, includes a plurality of scanning assemblies slidably coupled to a spar that extends the length and parallel to the longitudinal axis of a scanning surface of an internal drum. The scanning assemblies simultaneously reflect a plurality of optical beam to or from a plate of media disposed on the scanning surface. A photoplotter includes a plurality of independently controlled optical beam generators that emit an optical beam to a corresponding scanning assembly which then reflects the optical beams to the media. A scanner includes a plurality of optical beam receivers that generate imaging signals indicative of the optical beam reflected from the media by each corresponding scanning assembly. The optical beam generators and receivers may be disposed at one end of the internal drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting the presence of a record medium (31) in a feed path (22) and for sensing the speed of the record medium (31) as it passes along the feed path (22). The invention includes roller means (28) movable between a first position when the record medium (31) is not present in the feed path (22) and a second position when the record medium (31) is passing along the feed path (22). The roller means (28) are arranged to be rotated by virtue of engagement with the record medium (31) when in the second position. Sensing means (24) operative to provide an indication of the absence of the record medium (31) when the roller means (28) is in the first position are also provided along with pulse generating means (40,45) arranged to generate a series of pulses in response to rotation of the roller means (28).

Abstract: A low light level detection and imaging device including a photon sensing and counting device for image detection that is capable of detecting/imaging low photon flux levels over a wide spectral range using either image tube or solid state readout. The sensing and counting is composed of a detector stack having several photoconductive layers, at least one layer of the stack being an amorphous Selenium layer that is capable of high gain avalanche multiplication. The stack further includes an amorphous Silicon layer deposited on the amorphous Selenium layer to absorb infrared and ultraviolet radiation to enhance responsivity in the red and near-IR region, whereas the purpose of the amorphous Selenium layer is to provide high responsivity in the blue region and also to provide avalanche gain or multiplication of the photo generated carriers in both the amorphous Silicon or Selenium layers.

Abstract: A photoelectric keyboard switch apparatus comprising a first structure to produce and detect laterally directed and longitudinally spaced first light beams at a first level in a simulated keyboard area, which is open; a second structure to produce and detect longitudinally directed, laterally spaced second light beams at or proximate to the first level, in the area, whereby the first and second light beams produce a grid-like pattern having cross-over nodes; a third structure to produce and detect third light beams at a second level or levels, whereby user's finger interruption of a third beam occurs in conjunction with finger interruption of the first and second beam at or near one or more nodes.

Abstract: A scanning system for scanning an imaging surface includes a radiation emitter configured to emit a beam of radiation directed towards a deflector for scanning the beam onto the imaging surface. A detector detects any misalignment of the beam with respect to the deflector. A driver moves a correction element substantially perpendicular to the beam axis of the correction element to correct for the detected misalignment during scanning of the imaging surface.

Abstract: A method of position encoding in convergent beam scanned imaging systems (10) is provided that reduces distortion. Distortion of a scanned image is introduced in convergent beam systems through the application of mirror "pullback" at the limits of the scanning sector, which is required to retain focus over the field of view or scanning sector. The rotational position of a scanner mirror (14) is not proportional to the spatial scanned angle or object space angle (.delta.) due to this pullback, and thus introduces distortion. Various components of the pullback motion are utilized to provide the compensation required to overcome this distortion. A process is provided that determines the position of a mirror position detector such that the pullback translation motion of the scanner mirror (14) is used to compensate for the nonlinear rotational motion of the scanner mirror (14).

Abstract: A garage door opener is retrofitted with a device that causes a garage door to close after it has been open for a predetermined amount of time. In a garage door of the type having a light that is activated when the door is opened or closed, a photocell is mounted in close proximity to the light to detect the presence or absence of light. When light is detected, the photocell conducts and prevents a first automatic switch, such as a silicon-controlled rectifier, from conducting. When absence of light is detected, the first automatic switch closes and a capacitor discharges through the first automatic switch and throws a second automatic switch, such as a transistor, that is electrically connected in parallel to a manually-operated switch for opening and closing the garage door. When the second automatic switch conducts, it mimics closing of the manually-operated switch and thus effects closing of the garage door.

Abstract: An apparatus which securely grasps a wide range of three dimensional objects while relaying digital data about the surface grasped using pneumatically actuated mechanical probes for such grasping and optomechanical encoding for such relaying of data. Such optomechanical encoding employs encoder tubes with columns of patterned slots and holes to selectively transmit light through synthetic plastic fibers. A process of constructing the portion of the apparatus where the optomechanical encoding producing such data occurs which comprises continuously looping the synthetic plastic fibers necessary for light transmission, injecting an adhesive and sealant to enable pneumatic operation of the apparatus, and cutting the adhesive and sealant and synthetic plastic fibers in a circular pattern to allow the passage of the encoder tubes.

Abstract: Because of diffraction effects caused by slits or apertures in optical measurement systems, the radiation energy which is directed towards a particular region on a sample will be spread over a larger area than desirable. By employing an apodizing filter in the radiation path in such system, diffraction tails of the system will be reduced. The apodizing filter preferably has a pattern of alternating high transmittance areas and substantially opaque areas where the locally averaged transmittance function is an apodizing function. In the preferred embodiment, the locally averaged transmittance function varies smoothly and monotonically from the periphery to the center of the filter.