Abstract: An optical apparatus includes area sensors which are made to differ in picture element pitch between the central portions and the marginal portions thereof (the marginal portions are made to have a coarse picture element pitch since it is not very meaningful even if the picture element pitch is made fine because the performance of an optical system is limited, and the central portions are made to have a dense picture element pitch) and the changeover of the respective picture elements is electronically effected by reading-out means so that two kinds of object field information (detailed information and coarse information) may be obtained from the area sensors.

Abstract: Weeds growing around the bases of the stalks of cotton plants growing in a row in a cotton field are sprayed with herbicide without spraying the cotton stalks or wasting herbicide on bare ground. The cotton plants are adequately mature that their stalks exhibit a significantly different spectral reflectance characteristic than the weeds typically growing amid the cotton. The cotton plants are adequately tall that the majority of the leaves of the cotton plants are disposed outside the area which can be sprayed using an electronically-controlled valve and nozzle. Light is transmitted toward an object (a cotton stalk, a weed, or soil) in the row and the reflected light is analyzed. If the object has a spectral characteristic of a growing weed, then the valve is activated and the object is sprayed with herbicide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus minimizes the relative difference between motions of two stages driven by a single input signal, where the motions of the two stages ideally are perfectly synchronized. In practice, synchronization is imperfect due to mechanical/environmental disturbances in each stage as well as electrical differences affecting the stage controller. The two stages are serially coupled for control purposes so that a signal indicating the position of the first stage is used as an input driving signal to the second stage. The relative location error between the two stages is thereby minimized, compared to the case where the two stages are driven simultaneously but in parallel by a common input signal. Furthermore, by using the lower bandwidth stage as the driver (first) stage and the higher bandwidth stage as the follower (second) stage, the relative position error is no larger than the smaller of the absolute position errors of either stage alone.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and apparatus for use in stabilizing images. The invention operates to sense the position of the image to be stabilized, compare the position of the image to a reference to determine a displacement value responsive thereto and change a correction element located in the conveyance path of the image in response to the displacement value to cause a compensating displacement of the image.

Abstract: A laser-based target detection system applicable for search-and-rescue type operations takes into account a plurality of optical attributes in the energy delivered to, and received from, a target-containing area so as to enhance effectiveness. In addition to analyzing the returned optical signature for sufficient energy reflected by a potential target at a primary laser wavelength, the system also senses the target's effect on a supplemental optical attribute, and only when sufficient amplitude at the primary wavelength is detected in conjunction with a substantial effect on the supplemental optical attribute is a valid target confirmed. In one embodiment, the supplemental optical attribute is amplitude at a wavelength other than the primary wavelength, with the system preferably looking for a high degree of attenuation at the non-primary wavelength.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the flying height and orientation of a magnetic head (54) relative to a transparent disk (20) based on frustrated total internal reflection. The apparatus comprises a housing (10) that mounts an electric motor (12) which rotationally supports the aforementioned disk. The disk (20) has a tapered lateral surface (20c) with light emitting means (22) such as a laser(24) installed on one side of the disk lateral surface and a light detecting means (30) on a side of the disk diametrically opposite to the laser. The light is emitted from the laser (24) and is directed to the disk (20) perpendicular to the tapered lateral surface (20c) of the disk (20). The latter has a tapering angle of 45.degree. so that the light is propagated through the body of the disk (20) in the channel region (49) with total internal reflection from two parallel surfaces (20a and 20b) of the disk into the body of the disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical detection device for determining the position of an indicator medium on or in front of a projection surface with an optical monitoring field arranged directly in front of or slightly spaced from the presentation surface parallel to the latter, wherein either at least one scanner is provided which transmits light beams in the plane of the monitoring field, which scans the monitoring field and delivers angle and distance measurements related to the respective position of the indicator medium in the monitoring field, or wherein, starting from two different positions, range and/or angle measurement devices are provided which transmit light beams in the plane of the monitoring field, and wherein the angular range scanned by each of the two range and/or angle distance measuring devices respectively embraces the whole monitoring field, and wherein the respective position of the indicator medium in the monitoring field can be computed from the range and angular values delivered by

Abstract: An optical system is coupled between a one-dimensional line image and a two-dimensional detector array. The line image is segmented and reimaged onto respective image cells of the detector array, each image cell being a row of detector cells. The optical system positionally segments the line image into lengths of a predetermined length. The predetermined length of the segments optically fit within the width of image cells within the array. The optical system reimages the line segments to image cell positions on the detector array. The optical system preferably employs diffractive (binary) optic elements.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for adjusting an operating point of an opto-electronic element having a saturation voltage and which constitutes a component of a receiver for alternating light useful signals and which generates current during a short-circuit operation and voltage during a no-load operation. The circuit comprises a resistive circuit connected in parallel with the opto-electronic element for adjusting the operating point of the opto-electronic element below the saturation voltage for the compensation of constant light signals. The resistive circuit includes an automatic control resistor which changes its resistance as a function of voltage when a specific voltage below the saturation voltage is exceeded for loading the opto-electronic element until the specific voltage is essentially reached.

Abstract: A device and a method for eliminating interference signals in a light barrier. The device includes, having a transmitter, a receiver and an evaluation unit that is connected to the receiver. The transmitter periodically emits light pulse trains with a defined pulse length T.sub.P and a defined period length T.sub.s. In the evaluation unit, the received signals present at the receiver are evaluated only during activation intervals that are limited in time. The length of the activation intervals depends on whether light pulses are recorded during these activation intervals.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry sensor has a light emitting and light detecting part containing light emitting diodes and a photo detector electrically connected to a pulse oximetry instrument, and a two-halved clamp. An optical fiber cable is connected between the part and the clamp, and a power distributor transfers part of the available electric power from the pulse oximetry instrument to a power receiver supplying electric power to a signal amplifier.

Abstract: The optical filter of the invention has a optical filter section for transmitting only the light having wavelength included in the transmission wavelength band prescribed by the wavelength control signal out of the input signal light and for supplying the transmission wavelength band signal light, a low frequency signal generator, an optical coupler, a photoelectric converter, a specific frequency signal component extractor, a wavelength controller, and a signal superposer. The low frequency signal generator generates a changing signal having a previously prescribed frequency. The optical coupler branches partially the transmission wavelength band signal light through the optical filter and outputs the branched signal light from one terminal. The photoelectric converter converts the branched signal light to an electric signal. The specific frequency signal component extractor extracts the signal component of the changing signal frequency, and outputs a specific frequency signal.

Abstract: A document holder is fed into a cassette scanning system. A sensor that is set in the cassette scanning system detects whether the document holder is in the scanning system or not. The scanning system is responsive to the sensor to drive the image sensor to a predetermined position where is exactly over a reference pattern. The reference is formed in the document holder. Next, the image sensor starts to detect whether the document is in the document holder or not. The scanning system is responsive to the signal to drive the image sensor for capturing the image of the document.

Abstract: There is disclosed an XY-addressable photoelectric conversion apparatus capable of always providing the output signal of a same color from each of the output terminals. The apparatus is provided with four color filters A, B, C and D in a mosaic array on the pixels, wherein the color filters are arranged in a unit array of 4 lines and 4 columns and in a pattern of ABAB, CDCD, ABAB and DCDC from the first to fourth lines, and the pixels corresponding to the color filters are read for each column, with a displacement of the pixels of the second or fourth line by a column. Also the color filters in the unit array of 4 lines and 4 columns are complementary color mosaic filters.

Abstract: In an optical pickup, an optical guide member is provided in an optical path of light from a light source, and has a plurality of inclined surfaces inclined with respect to a light beam emitted from the light source. A light-receiving element is provided for receiving light and for converting the received light into an electrical signal. The optical guide member and the light-receiving element are contained in a packaging member. The light beam from the light source is reflected by the plurality of inclined surfaces of the optical guide member, and then are directed to a recording medium. The reflected light from the recording medium is directed to the light-receiving element. At least one of dry air and inert gas such as nitrogen gas is charged in the interior of the packaging member at a pressure of 0.5 atm to 1.5 atm, thereby preventing the optical characteristics from being degraded.

Abstract: A robot with a moveable arm is taught precise position data for the various locations it must attain during operation. The arm moves vertically, radially and angularly and is provided with an end effector which is used to grip the object being transported by the robot. The end effector is modified to allow effective position training before normal operation and to provide a warning signal during normal operation. Horizontal locations are taught by recording the angular and radial coordinates at which a modified section of the end effector is lined up with a vertical locating beam. Vertical positions are taught by recording the vertical coordinates at which a second locating signal is detected at the front edge of the end effector. This signal also serves as a warning signal during normal operation.

Abstract: In a device for detecting a position of an object (linear or circular strip) moving in rotation or translation relative to a base, an incremental track bearing periodically recurring marks and two index tracks bearing a plurality of index marks are scanned by sensors. These sensors supply analog signals which are complementary to each other. In each case, two complementary signals are combined to form a logical track. By a combining of the logical tracks with each other, a further logical track is formed which contains a serial code which corresponds to the absolute value of the position of the object.

Abstract: A solar radiation sensor comprises a light sensing element 1 detecting the uantity of light entering therein, and first and second lead legs 4, 5 each conducting an electric signal representing the quantity of the light detected by the light sensing element 2. Light sensing element 2 and first and second lead legs 4, 5 are supported on a sensor casing body 1, so that light sensing element 2 is housed inside a transparent cover 3. Each of first and second lead legs 4, 5 has one end 4a, 5a formed into a contact portion connected to light sensing element 2 and the other end 4b, 5b formed into an external connecting terminal, thereby reducing the number of welded or soldered connections. An engaging ridge 1a is provided on the sensor casing body 1 to fix light sensing element 2 with respect to cover 3. First and second lead legs 4, 5 are integrated with sensor casing body 1.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus for detecting a vapor of an organic solvent is characterized by a simple structure which allows easy manufacture, high reliability, low cost, compactness in size, and portability. The optical sensor apparatus has a light source unit which emits light for irradiating a polymer thin film formed on a flat reflecting substrate of a sensing element. Light reflected by the sensing element is detected by a light detecting unit. The light source unit, the sensing element, and the light detecting unit are integrally supported by a housing. The polymer thin film which comes into contact with a vapor of an organic solvent causes a change in the thickness and a reflective index thereof. This change is utilized to detect the existence and/or concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for probing with backside emission microscopy for locating defect sites in an integrated circuit specimen, where a first microscope positioned for observing the front side of the specimen and a second microscope positioned for observing the backside of the specimen. A carrier is provided for supporting the specimen in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first and second microscopes. A white light camera is mounted on the first microscope for acquiring an illuminated image of the front side of the specimen, and generates its image as corresponding to site indicia of the backside of the specimen. A light emission sensitive camera mounted on the second microscope acquires a light emission image of the backside of the specimen in response to electrical test signals applied at terminals of the specimen by test probes. The light emission sensitive camera generates the emission image for superposing with the illuminated image to identify the location of defect sites in the specimen.