Abstract: The scanner scans a first laser beam to have a first optical path. A concave mirror collects a second laser beam reflected by a reflective object. A photosensitive element receives the laser beam from the concave (parabolic) mirror to output a photosensitive signal. The photosensitive element is arranged outside a second optical path from the reflective object in the first optical path to the concave mirror. A segment concave mirror of which maximum size is such that a general concave mirror with a full circle aperture is divided on a plane including an optical axis of the concave mirror may be used. The photosensitive element is arranged near the optical axis to place the photosensitive element outside the second optical path to increase a light receiving efficiency. The distance measuring apparatus includes the optical radar scanner.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus controls a forward laser beam to scan a detection area. A photodetector array includes a plurality of photo detecting elements. At least one is selected among the photo detecting elements as an effective element, and the effective element is changed from one to another in response to the direction of the forward laser beam. Identification is given of at least one among the photo detecting elements which receives an echo laser beam corresponding to the forward laser beam in a specified direction. An actual correspondence relation between directions of the forward laser beam and the photo detecting elements receiving corresponding echo laser beams is grasped on the basis of a relation between the identified photo detecting element and the specified direction. The selection and change of the effective element are executed according to the grasped actual correspondence relation.

Abstract: An optical detection device for vehicles such as a laser radar is provided. The device consists of frontal and lateral object detection optical systems to monitor a font and a lateral zone around the vehicle, respectively. The frontal and lateral object detection optical systems share several component parts and a signal processing circuit installed in a device body, thereby resulting in a simplified structure of the device and allowing the size of the device to be decreased.

Abstract: A photo detecting device includes an output line leading to a processing circuit, and an array of pixels including respective photo detecting zones for changing incident light into corresponding electric signals through photoelectric conversion. Each of the pixels includes a first switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting a related photo detecting zone to and from the output line, and a second switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting the related photo detecting zone to and from a ground line. The second switch disconnects the related photo detecting zone from the ground line when the first switch connects the related photo detecting zone to the output line. The second switch connects the related photo detecting zone to the ground line when the first switch disconnects the related photo detecting zone from the output line.

Abstract: A recording film is formed by a vacuum film formation process. The recording film contains a substance which is thermally decomposed when a recording laser beam is irradiated thereto. When the substance is thermally decomposed by irradiation of the recording laser beam, a substance generated by the thermal decomposition is precipitated within the recording film, and therefore a change in complex index of refraction is caused predominantly over the raising deformation in the recording film. As a result, information is recorded in the recording film while causing almost no raising deformation of the recording film.

Abstract: A lighting fixture apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed wherein both left and right side lighting fixtures or lamps may not be extinguished simultaneously and maintain a necessary function even if a light source extinguishes due to malfunction of the light source or its control circuit. Two optical transmission devices are provided each of which has a light source, two optical cables connected to both sides of the light source, and flat and hot zone luminous intensity distribution lenses connected to both ends of the two optical cables. The flat and hot zone luminous intensity distribution lenses are distributed to both the head lamps. An illuminating range obtained by combining illuminating ranges wherein both the lenses mounted on one of the optical transmission devices illuminate is similar to an illuminating range obtained by combining illuminating ranges wherein both the lenses mounted on the other optical transmission device illuminate.

Abstract: In a demultiplexing and/or multiplexing optical circuit of the invention, a groove for arranging a filter in an optical waveguide is arranged to be perpendicular to a pair of parallel opposing sides of a substrate for constituting the optical circuit. A plurality of demultiplexer and/or multiplexer can be formed simultaneously, and a high machining precision can be obtained relatively easily.