Abstract: Electro-optical measurement of distance and motion parameters of a target is obtained with high resolution by employing matched comparators for obtaining differences in arrival times of transmit and receive pulses, and by compensating for time delays introduced by system components.

Abstract: An optical signal receiver system provides for five (5) signals, namely VCC, Ground, RPM (Receiver input Power Monitor), Data, and Data Bar outputs, using only the four external pins of a conventional TO-style can package. To provide for five signals on only four pins, two of the output signals are superimposed on each other in which one has a DC value (RPM) and one has an AC value (Data or Data Bar). Once the combined signal comes out of the TO can, the combined signal can be separated into two separate signals using a capacitor which blocks the DC signal (Data or Data Bar) and allows the AC signal to go through. The DC information is then extracted by filtering the AC information from the combined signal with a Current Sense Circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining flight parameters of a ball in flight along a flight path, includes a pair of light conditioning elements on the ball, a first set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a first plane through which the ball initially passes during flight and a second set of sensors having mutually orthogonal fields of view intersecting along a second plane through which the ball subsequently passes during flight. Each sensor includes a linear array of photodiodes for obtaining a linear image of a linear section of the ball. A controller successively pulses the sensors at microsecond intervals to obtain multiple, successive linear images of successive linear sections of the ball to obtain first and second reconstructed images of the entire ball and the locations of the elements thereon at the first and second planes, respectively, and processes changes in the locations of the elements at the first and second planes to derive the flight parameters.

Abstract: Environmental variations in ambient light and temperature are eliminated in arrangements for and methods of detecting objects in areas exposed to such variations by generating a differential measurement value indicative of the difference between two signals derived from two light sources, both signals being affected in the same way and extent by the environmental variations.

Abstract: Movement of a musical instrument in space is employed to modulate its sound output. An electro-optical controller is used to detect the elevation of the instrument relative to the floor and, in turn, a control signal for modulating the sound output is generated.

Abstract: Ambient light and temperature fluctuations are suppressed in an optical receiver system by feeding the output of a photodiode directly to one input of a differential amplifier and, via a low pass filter, to another input of the amplifier. Reductions in amplitude in an optical information signal are automatically compensated.