Abstract: This invention constructs within the LAN a private area network (PAN) which is configured by terminal devices (personal computers and the like) of a specific group, is hardly influenced by the LAN traffic, and has high security. For this purpose, a PAN server which manages the communication route between specific terminals is installed within the LAN. The PAN server sets the communication route of each terminal device as label information, and causes switches and terminals to set pieces of label information generated for them. When the frame of data from a given port of each connection switch contains information representing PAN communication, the connection switch outputs the data to only a port specified by routing label information described in the frame.

Abstract: This invention constructs within the LAN a private area network (PAN) which is configured by terminal devices (personal computers and the like) of a specific group, is hardly influenced by the LAN traffic, and has high security. For this purpose, a PAN server which manages the communication route between specific terminals is installed within the LAN. The PAN server sets the communication route of each terminal device as label information, and causes switches and terminals to set pieces of label information generated for them. When the frame of data from a given port of each connection switch contains information representing PAN communication, the connection switch outputs the data to only a port specified by routing label information described in the frame.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a solid-state image sensing apparatus capable of performing high-precision AF and AE without adding any camera mechanism or increasing power consumption. To achieve this object, at least S1 and S2 among photoelectric conversion cells output signals not for forming an image signal in a solid-state image sensing apparatus in which photoelectric conversion cells for converting an optical image formed by an optical system into an electrical signal are two-dimensionally laid out.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-lens imaging apparatus and, more particularly, to a multi-lens imaging apparatus for obtaining a single high-fine image by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained by picking up an image of a common object using a plurality of imaging systems and to an apparatus which can provide an image having an aspect ratio different from that of an image obtained by a single imaging apparatus, especially, a panoramic image, by synthesizing a plurality of images using a plurality of imaging systems. This invention has as its object to obtain a high-fine image by synthesizing images from a plurality of imaging systems and, more specifically, to correct mis-registration such as keystone distortions generated in the images.

Abstract: A multi-lens imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of imaging optical systems in which an angle formed by optical axes is varied by inclining an optical axis of at least one optical system between a first state and a second state, and a plurality of image sensing means for detecting an image of an object imaged through the imaging optical systems. A photosensitive surface of the image sensing means corresponding to the at least one optical system is inclined with respect to the optical axis, and the inclined angle is established between an imaging surface being conjugated with the object surface in the first state and an imaging surface being conjugated with the subject surface in the second state, thereby reducing unsharpness amount generating at the periphery portions of the screen.

Abstract: An image recognition method is conducted by extracting characteristic points of the pattern of an image formed by video signals from an image pickup device, within the whole or a limited area of a frame of a display, and measuring the distribution of the characteristic points of the image pattern. With this method, images can be recognized with minimal image processing time and with reduced influence of noises.

Abstract: An in-focus detecting device comprising a photo-electric converter element for converting an object image formed on the image receiving surface thereof through an image forming lens, a drive mechanism for controlling the focusing position of the lens, a focus degree detecting circuit for detecting the degree of focus in a prescribed distance measuring frame of the image receiving surface and the degree of focus outside the frame on the basis of the output signal of the photo-electric converter element, and a control circuit, responsive to the output of the focus degree detecting circuit representing that the degree of focus in the distance measuring frame is below a prescribed level, for comparing the degree of focus in the distance measuring frame with the degree of focus outside the frame to determine the direction of the image forming lens to be driven.

Abstract: A device for measuring an interval between two plate-like objects includes a light source for projecting a light toward the objects, a detector for detecting a position of incidence, upon a predetermined surface, of the light projected by the light source and deflected by the two objects, and a calculating portion for measuring the interval of the two objects on the basis of the detection by the detector.

Abstract: A device for detecting the positional relationship between first and second objects in a predetermined direction includes a light source for emitting light in a direction to the first or second object, and a first detecting portion for detecting the position of incidence of a first light deflected by the first and second objects, wherein the position of incidence of the first light upon the first detecting portion is changeable with a change in the positional relationship between the first and second objects in the predetermined direction. A second detecting portion detects the position of incidence of a second light deflected by at least one of the first and second objects, wherein the state of the position of incidence of the second light resulting from a change in the positional relationship between the first and second objects, in the predetermined direction differs from that of the first light.

Abstract: A method of detecting relative positional deviation between first and second objects. The method includes the steps of providing the first object with a first mark which functions as a lens, providing the second object with a second mark which functions as a lens, providing an optical system between the first and second objects, directing a radiation beam through the first mark and the optical system to the second mark, and detecting any shift of the radiation beam from the second mark irradiated with the radiation beam from the optical system, to detect the relative positional deviation of the first and second objects.

Abstract: A device for detecting a relative positional relationship between first and second objects with respect to a predetermined direction includes an illumination system for irradiating the first object with light, wherein the first and second objects are provided with first and second physical optic elements, respectively, each having a light converging or diverging function in at least one direction and wherein the illumination system illuminates the first physical optic element. A photodetecting system detects light passing through the first object and emanating from the second object, and is operable to detect light convergently or divergently influenced by both of the first and physical optic elements, such that the relative positional relationship between the first and second objects can be detected on the basis of the detection by the photodetecting system.

Abstract: A device for detecting positional relationship between a first and second objects in a predetermined direction is disclosed. The device includes light source for projecting light upon the first object so that the light incident on the first object is deflected thereby and emanates therefrom in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction; a light receiving portion disposed in a direction in which the light having been deflected perpendicularly to the predetermined direction and having been deflected again by the second object advances, the light receiving portion being operable to detect the position of incidence of the light thereupon, wherein the position of the light upon the light receiving means is changeable with the position of incidence of the light upon the second object; and a detecting system for detecting the positional relationship between the first and second objects in the predetermined direction, on the basis of the detection by the light receiving portion.

Abstract: A device for measuring a relatively moving distance of two relatively moving objects is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of inclined surfaces formed on one of the objects and arrayed with a predetermined pitch along the relatively moving direction, with each of the inclined surfaces being inclined with respect to the relatively moving direction. A measuring portion is provided on the other object for measuring the distance to at least one of the inclined surfaces in a direction having an angle with respect to the relatively moving direction, and a detecting portion detects the relatively moving distance of the two objects on the basis of the measurement by the measuring portion.

Abstract: A composition for an intraocular lens comprising, an organopolysiloxane (A) having a viscosity of 10,000 cp or below and comprising at least one unsaturated aliphatic group, an organopolysiloxane (B) comprising at least three hydrogenated silyl units and a platinum compound; wherein the platinum compound based on its platinum content constitutes 10-200 ppm by weight of the composition. The composition provides a homogeneous intraocular lens even when it is injected into a crystalline capsule through a slender tube such as an injection needle.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing apparatus, a focus detecting device having detecting means for detecting the width of the edge part of the image of an object to be photographed and discriminating means for discriminating a focused state on the basis of the size of the detected width is arranged to determine by the discriminating means the apparatus to be out of focus when the width of the edge part of the object image is wide and to be in focus when the width of the edge part is narrow, so that the focus detecting device can operate without being affected by difference in the kind and the contrast of the object to be photographed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus having a high performance and a reduced drive energy is disclosed. At least a portion of an in-focus state detection optical system having an internal light source is movable while maintaining a light path near an object lens of the optical system. A distance of movement of the movable portion which is moved with auto-focusing operation for an object is measured and the three-dimensional shape is measured precisely with a high stroke. An inclination angle measuring optical system which shares the light path near the object lens with the in-focus state detection optical system and has an internal light source is provided in a common casing. Thus, the distance of movement of the movable part of the in-focus state detection optical system and an inclination angle are simultaneously measured so that the three-dimensional shape can be more precisely measured.

Abstract: A device for measuring a moving distance of two relatively moving objects includes a first diffraction grating provided on one of the two objects and disposed along the relatively moving direction of the two objects, and a measuring portion provided on the other object. The measuring portion includes a second diffraction grating, a light source and a photodetecting system, wherein the light source provides lights which are projected upon two points on the second diffraction grating so that they emanate from the two points in the form of diffraction lights having different diffraction orders. The diffraction lights are directed to the same point on the first diffraction grating and are diffracted again by the first diffraction grating so that they are emitted in the same direction, and the photodetecting system is operable to detect a change in the light intensity caused due to the interference of the two lights emanating from the first diffraction grating.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical element wherein an optical molding is formed by using a mold and thereafter released from the mold by supplying a gas to the boundary between the mold surface and the optical molding. In the process, no localized external force is applied to the optical molding during the release thereof, and therefore undesirable deformation or flaws of the optical molding are not caused.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distance measuring system suitably usable in a semiconductor microcircuit manufacturing lithographic apparatus such as an aligner or a stepper, for measuring the position or the distance of movement of a movable object such as a mask stage or a wafer stage. The system includes a magnetic field producing portion such as a magnet for producing a predetermined magnetic field, a superconducting quantum interference device coupled to the mask stage or the wafer stage. Further, there are provided a magnetic flux detecting portion for outputting signals corresponding to changes in the magnetic flux, in the magnetic field, passing through the superconducting quantum interference device and a signal processing unit for processing the output signals of the magnetic flux detecting portion to detect the position or the distance of movement of the mask stage or the wafer stage.

Abstract: An eye examining apparatus has an eye examining lens of an elastic material opposed to an eye to be examined, and control means for causing the marginal portion of the eye examining lens to protrude or sink to thereby change the lens surface of the eye examining lens.