Abstract: In a defect counting method and apparatus, a projection or a corner of a defect area is successively identified from a pixel and pixels close to the pixel, especially, from four pixel groups. The number of the defect areas is incremented when the projection is identified and decremented when the corner is identified.

Abstract: An optical system having a light source, a uniforming device and an optical fiber type lightguide, wherein the uniforming device comprises a first optical transmission portion connected to the lightguide and a second optical transmission portion connected to the first optical transmission portion including a plurality of optical fibers stretching across the inside thereof which are arranged in such a manner that a light-receiving end of each of the optical fibers is placed at a randomly assigned position on a light-receiving end of the second optical transmission portion and on the other hand a light-emitting end of each of the optical fibers is placed at a randomly assigned position on a light-emitting end of the second optical transmission portion, thereby uniforming the distribution of the quantity of light emitted therefrom.

Abstract: In apparatus for following sun light, at least two pairs of diametrically facing light-receiving elements (30a, 30c and 30b, 30d) are provided along the periphery of a circular end plane of incidence (24) of an optical fiber cable (20) where sun light is condensed by way of a lens 14. The deviation of a condensed light area from the circular end plane of incidence (24) will be effectively detected by the light-receiving elements to control a drive unit (46) which drives an equatorial (18) carrying an optical system including the lens (14) and the end plane of incidence (24) of the optical fiber cable (20). In one embodiment, another light-receiving element (50i) is provided at the center of the end plane of incidence (24) to detect when light condensing area is deviated to a great extent. The output signal of this light-receiving element (50i) is used to perform speed control of the drive unit (46). In another embodiment, a circuit arrangement for detecting abnormal state of the optical system is also used.

Abstract: A method for determining the percentage T-cell content of lymphocyte, which comprises scanning a test specimen with a pickup device, discriminating a lymphocyte from other cells contained in said specimen from the output level and regional information of the image signals transmitted from said pickup device, searching the data marginal to those of the cell discriminated as lymphocyte, to detect pixels corresponding to the image signal output level different from that corresponding to the lymphocytes or background, and discriminating a T-cell from other lymphocytes from the number of detected pixels.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for applying patterning signals to electric patterning devices. Firstly, first electric signals are obtained from an object on which the original pattern is based and is displayed on a display means. Second electric signals are also displayed on said display means for defining an area of said selected pattern. The first and second signals are monitored so that said first signals can be corrected, if necessary. Third electrical signals are obtained corresponding to a portion of the first signal to be selected, and the patterning device and tools are controlled by said third electrical signals.