Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a housing in which a substrate with an electronic component mounted thereon, a thermoplastic hot-melt resin, and a substrate holding part are accommodated. The interior of the housing is divided by the substrate into a plurality of spaces. In the plurality of spaces, a distance between the substrate or the electronic component on the substrate and the substrate holding part, the housing, another substrate, or the electronic component on the another substrate is 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a defect in a solar panel. The method includes initially imaging, via an infrared camera, a group of solar panels. Then, identifying, via a computer system configured for solar panel defect detection, the individual solar panels in the group of solar panels. Finally, identifying, via evaluation of an infrared image obtained by the infrared camera, a defect in at least one of the group of solar panels.

Abstract: A lidar scanning instrument includes one or more optical elements for redirecting a portion of the output beam sweep of the lidar scanning instrument in a different direction. Three dimensional environment data for both fields of view can be generated. The optical element(s) can be static or moveable, with constant or dynamic motion patterns, to change the direction of the second field of view if desired for the application.

Abstract: An optical switch incorporated in a photomedical system, and a method of treating tissue using the optical switch for creating pulsed light. A light source generates an optical beam. An aperture element includes a light-transmitting portion and a light-blocking portion. An optical element such as a mirror, prism or lens directs the optical beam to the aperture element, wherein the optical element is movable for translating the optical beam across the light-transmitting and light-blocking portions of the aperture element, or changing its angle of incidence through the aperture to produce one or more pulses of light from the optical beam. A lens focuses the one or more pulses of the optical beam onto target tissue. A controller controls the movement of the optical element to produce the one or more pulses of light.

Abstract: A measurement system includes detachable parts, on which one filter module out of a plurality of filter modules including optical filters that each transmit different types of special light is detachably mounted, a specification part that specifies the optical filter of the one filter module mounted on the detachable parts, and a set value switching part that switches, according to the specified optical filter specified by the specification part, set values for adjustment used in a measurement using a specific optical filter.

Abstract: A head-disk assembly device, “mass spin-valve” or “gravitational rectifier” and method of producing gravitomagnetic induction utilizing Nano-features fabricated on the surface of a hard disk is presented. The Nano-features may include Nano-bumps and Nano-pits. The device includes a computer hard disk, a piezoelectric glide head and/or a GMR read head, a typical hard drive's electronics, wherein defects are fabricated on the said disk using a Focused Ion Beam (FIB) by depositing requisite number of nanobumps of specified height, and etching equal number of nanopits of specified depth a few mils or mm apart on a pre-decided radius. By spinning the said nano-features disk produce (1) an associated mechanical force utilizing a piezoelectric glide head and/or (2) an associated magnetic force utilizing a GMR read head for (a) general use in surface characterization work and (b) for producing power by the presence or the absence of matter on a spinning disk.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow gauging device includes a light enhanced acrylic block flow tube to optimize visualization of pressure readings. An LED or other light source is fitted to the top of the flow tube and illuminates a float or bobbin from above to provide more accurate readings, especially in low light conditions such as modern operating rooms. In addition, the light enhanced flow tube provides a mechanical backup in the case of failure of newer electronic systems and visually matches the graphical flow display, simultaneously providing a double-check of the electronic system.

Abstract: An optoelectronic pickup for a musical instrument includes at least one light source which directs light to impinge a sound generating element of the musical instrument in at least one photoreceiver located to detect the reflected light, so as to generate an electrical signal that is responsive to sound generating element movement.

Abstract: A device and a method for reading a mechanical numerical totalizer meter having a plurality of decadic wheels is disclosed. The device includes a light source for illuminating a portion of a decadic wheel, a sensor for detecting a change in the intensity of light reflected by the illuminated portion of the decadic wheel and for linearly scanning the portion, a processing unit, connected to the light source and the sensor, for processing the change in light intensity detected by the sensor so as to determine the change from one numerical figure of the decadic wheel to the next numerical figure and to translate the change into at least a pulse signal; and a housing containing the light source. The sensor and processing unit, are suitable for constituting a darkroom and having an opening facing the meter.

Abstract: A lift mast for an industrial truck has a plurality of frames disposed within one another that are adjustable in height relative to one another. A lift height sensor assembly has a pulse generator and a sensor unit. The pulse generator is configured as an elongated element disposed on one frame and the sensor unit is disposed on a second frame. The sensor unit has a sensor head having at least one running wheel. The sensor head is mounted pivotably and the running wheel rests against the first frame or pulse generator under pretension using a resilient element.

Abstract: A position detecting device using a reflection type photosensor, comprising a reflector fitted to a moving target and having reflecting portions and non-reflecting portions arranged alternately in a moving direction of the moving target, a reflection type photosensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element with plural light receiving portions, and an operation unit for calculating a value indicating the position of the moving target. The light receiving element comprises the first and second light receiving portions outputting signals having different phases, the second light receiving portion is divided into two regions provided at far and near sides from the light emitting element about the first light receiving portion, and the operation unit calculates the value using the one signal calculated from the output signals from the two regions and the output signal from the first light receiving portion.

Abstract: A light-emitting element driving apparatus comprising a light-emitting element, a driving unit including a control terminal for driving the light-emitting element based on a potential of the control terminal, and a controlling unit including a voltage holding unit, wherein the controlling unit controls the potential of the control terminal such that an emitted light amount approaches a target value and causes the voltage holding unit to hold a voltage corresponding to the potential of the control terminal, when the light-emitting element is in an emitting state, controls the potential of the control terminal to inactivate the driving unit, when setting the light-emitting element in a non-emitting state, and controls the potential of the control terminal by using the voltage of the voltage holding unit, when setting the light-emitting element in the emitting state again.

Abstract: The present application provides a fiber optic sensor system. The fiber optic sensor system may include a small diameter bellows, a large diameter bellows, and a fiber optic pressure sensor attached to the small diameter bellows. Contraction of the large diameter bellows under an applied pressure may cause the small diameter bellows to expand such that the fiber optic pressure sensor may measure the applied pressure.

Abstract: In a total luminous flux measurement apparatus according to an embodiment, a total luminous flux emitted by an object is calculated based on a result of measuring illuminances using a measuring unit when providing relative movement between the object and an integrating unit to expose a substantially entire light emitting surface of the object to an inner space of the integrating unit. Specifically, under conditions that the object is disposed to penetrate the integrating unit from one sample hole to the other sample hole, a luminous flux of a portion of the object within the inner space of the integrating unit is measured, then the integrating unit is moved relative to the object, and a luminous flux of a portion accordingly contained in the inner space of the integrating unit is measured.

Abstract: A mechanical galvanometer tilt control system includes two beam detection sensors that detect vertical displacement caused by the horizontal rotation of a galvanometer and the vertical rotation of a photoconductive drum. The galvanometer may be in communication with a mirror holder that holds a mirror. The mirror holder may be operable to horizontally rotate the mirror as the mirror reflects a light beam onto a photosensitive image forming surface of the photoconductive drum. The two beam detection sensors receive the reflected light beam as the galvanometer generates one or more forward-going and one or more reverse-going scanlines on the photosensitive image forming surface. The mechanical galvanometer tilt control system may further determine an amount of vertical correction required to correct for the vertical displacement caused by the rotation of the galvanometer and the rotation of the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a housing having reflecting and mounting surfaces facing each other, and a receiving chamber formed between the reflecting and mounting surfaces. The mounting surface is recessed to form at least two mounting recesses. A sensor unit includes a light emitter and at least one light receiver disposed respectively in the mounting recesses and exposed from the mounting surface to face the reflecting surface. The light emitter is capable of emitting light to the light receiver through a reflection of the reflecting surface. A slide disc is disposed slidably but not rollably in the receiving chamber, and is slidable between a blocking position, where the slide disc blocks the light emitted from the light emitter to the light receiver, and an unblocking position, where the slide disc allows the light emitted from the light emitter to be received by the light receiver.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a system detects the degree of rotation of a knob, the system comprises a shaft having a length and a first end and a second end; the second end has an oblique reflective surface defined thereon; the first end fixedly attached to the knob. Containing the shaft is a rotation body, having a receptacle to accommodate the second end of the shaft with the oblique reflective surface exposed. An integrated circuit optical module is optically coupled the rotation body and the optical module detects light irradiance profile from the oblique reflective surface. The optical module includes a solid state light source and a plurality of photo detectors which generate an electrical signal upon exposure to light. As the knob is rotated, the oblique reflective surface generates a changing asymmetric irradiance profile, the change being translated into an electrical signal via the photo detectors. The electrical signal corresponds to the degree of rotation of the knob.

Abstract: There is provided an encoder sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The encoder sensor may include: a light emitting unit and a light receiving part disposed at a distance in a readable range of an encoding mark of a disk; a receiving part receiving the light emitting unit and the light emitting unit; and a lead frame extending into an opposite direction of the disk from the receiving part and electrically connected to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method of determining the eccentricity of an encoder scale member of a rotary encoder includes taking an encoder scale blank having a geometric center and mounting the encoder scale blank centered about a second center. A scale can then be produced on the encoder scale blank thereby forming an encoder scale member. The scale of the encoder scale member is centered about the second center. Any eccentricity between the geometric center and the second center is measured by, for example, measuring any change in the apparent radius of the encoder scale member. The encoder scale member may then be mounted in a working location wherein it is rotated about a third axis. The eccentricity when mounted in the working location may be matched to that measured during manufacture thereof and/or the eccentricity errors arising from both manufacture and mounting of the encoder scale member may be determined.

Abstract: A mechanical galvanometer tilt control system includes two beam detection sensors that detect vertical displacement caused by the horizontal rotation of a galvanometer and the vertical rotation of a photoconductive drum. The galvanometer may be in communication with a mirror holder that holds a mirror. The mirror holder may be operable to horizontally rotate the mirror as the mirror reflects a light beam onto a photosensitive image forming surface of the photoconductive drum. The two beam detection sensors receive the reflected light beam as the galvanometer generates one or more forward-going and one or more reverse-going scanlines on the photosensitive image forming surface. The mechanical galvanometer tilt control system may further determine an amount of vertical correction required to correct for the vertical displacement caused by the rotation of the galvanometer and the rotation of the photoconductive drum.

Abstract: An optical sensing device comprising a shell, at least one light emitting member, at least one optical sensing member and a shading member is disclosed. The shell is formed with a black-body condition space therein, and the light emitting member projects a light beam into the black-body condition space. The optical sensing member is located within the shell and neighboring to the black-body condition space. The shading member is movably arranged within the black-body condition space. At least one end surface of the shading member is contacted with the shell and formed with at least one recess. When the shading member moves to at least one shading region within the black-body condition space, the optical sensing member is shaded by the shading member; and when the shading member moves apart the shading region, the optical sensing member senses the light beam to accordingly send out a sensing signal.

Abstract: Excitation light ?ex is two-dimensionally scanned onto the living body tissue in the form of condensed light using an x-axis scanning mirror, a y-axis scanning mirror, and a condenser lens, whereby the excitation light ?ex is cast onto the living body tissue. This allows fluorescence observation with a relatively low output intensity of a laser light source. Furthermore, a white light image is generated by scanning the white light in the same way, thereby enabling fluorescence observation in the same observation region and at the same timing as with normal observation. This enables fluorescence observation of a sufficient area which allows the user to distinguish living body tissues in an endoscope observation image while suppressing deterioration in the laser light source.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a reflective optical encoder package having a light emitter and a light detector disposed on an integrated circuit having an optically transparent glass layer disposed thereover. The package can be manufactured without resort to wirebonding techniques and instead can be made using wafer level packaging methods and materials. The package can also be made of lower profile or smaller footprint than many conventional optical encoder packages, and may be employed to sense or detect rotary or linear motion.

Abstract: The integrated photoreceptor circuit includes a photosensitive area for picking up light and a processing unit area for processing the signals provided by the photosensitive area. This photoreceptor circuit includes electric contact pads, which are arranged symmetrically solely on the side of the processing unit area, which is juxtaposed with the photosensitive area. The integrated photoreceptor circuit is mounted on a first portion of a flexible substrate. The contact pads of the integrated photoreceptor circuit are electrically connected to electrical connection pads of the printed circuit of the flexible substrate. A second portion of the flexible substrate carries electrical connection terminals, which are connected to the connection pads via conductive paths, arranged in part on a connecting portion between the first and second portions. A through aperture in the first portion may be provided opposite the photosensitive area only of the photoreceptor circuit.

Abstract: A sensor having a mass that moves relative to a structure is disclosed. A spring mechanism applies a restoring force to the mass when the mass moves from an equilibrium position with respect to the structure. A first code scale is attached to the mass and viewed by a first imaging system that is fixed with respect to the structure. The first imaging system forms images of the first code scale that are used by a controller to provide an indication of the relative position of the mass with respect to the structure. The mass can be located in a sealed chamber in the structure that has a transparent liquid through which the mass moves. The first imaging can view the first code scale from outside the chamber through a transparent window in the chamber.

Abstract: An optical detection apparatus includes a housing having a circumferential opening therein. A primary mirror reflects light rays to form a first set of light rays to a secondary mirror that has a generally concave shape coupled to the housing. A tertiary mirror having a generally concave shape coupled to the housing spaced apart from the secondary mirror directs light to detection optics that form an image using the third set of light rays. The detection optics include a micro-mirror array that redirect the image to a detector. A controller controls the micro-mirror array and determines an event characteristic based upon the image thereon.

Abstract: A control portion of an optical image pickup apparatus includes a scan driver, a lock-in amplifier, and an A/D converter. The scan driver outputs a predetermined drive signal to a Y-scanning mirror and an X-scanning mirror and scans the Y-scanning mirror and the X-scanning mirror. The lock-in amplifier detects a signal level Vout of a frequency component of the drive signal of the scan driver among signals detected by a detector portion. The A/D converter converts a signal detected by a detector portion and a signal level of the detected signal of a frequency component of a drive signal detected by the lock-in amplifier to digital signals and outputs the digital signals to an image processor. Thus, mirror scan operations of the scanning mirrors can be securely detected.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus capable of forming a high contrast electrostatic latent image. A polygon mirror scans a light flux emitted from a light source in a main scanning direction. An electrostatic latent image in an irradiation position irradiated by the scanned light flux is formed onto a photosensitive drum. An electro-optic crystal structure disposed in a light path between the light source and the polygon mirror deflects a course of the light flux emitted from the light source to the main scanning direction by applying a voltage. A controller maintains the irradiation position on the photosensitive drum irradiated by the light flux, by controlling a voltage to be applied to the electro-optic crystal structure according to the scanning information during the time period in which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to one dot is formed on the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A reflective type optical encoder has a light source, a scale which moves relatively with respect to the light source and which has a periodic optical pattern, and a photodetector which can detect a change in an intensity pattern of a light beam that is emitted from the light source and is reflected and modulated by the scale. The photodetector and a concave portion are formed on a semiconductor substrate, the light source is disposed at the concave portion on the semiconductor substrate, a slit is also disposed on the concave portion, and the light beam emitted from the light source irradiates the scale after passing through the slit.

Abstract: A user navigational apparatus. The user navigational apparatus includes a dial, a coding element, and an encoder. The coding element is coupled to a dial. The coding element includes a track of alternating reflective and non-reflective sections, each having a substantially oblique leading edge relative to a direction of movement of the coding element. The encoder includes an emitter and a detector. The emitter generates a light signal incident on the track of the coding element. The detector detects a reflected light signal which corresponds to a portion of the incident light signal that is reflected off of the reflective sections of the track. The detector also generates a channel signal corresponding to the reflected light signal.

Abstract: In preferred forms of the invention an array of MEMS mirrors or small mirrors inside an optical system operates closed-loop. These mirrors direct external source light, or internally generated light, onto an object—and detect light reflected from it onto a detector that senses the source. Local sensors measure mirror angles relative to the system. Sensor and detector outputs yield source location relative to the system. One preferred mode drives the MEMS mirrors, and field of view seen by the detector, in a raster, collecting a 2-D or 3-D image of the scanned region. Energy reaching the detector can be utilized to analyze object characteristics, or with an optional active distance-detecting module create 2- or 3-D images, based on the object's reflection of light back to the system. In some applications, a response can be generated. The invention can detect sources and locations for various applications.

Abstract: A remote sensing apparatus includes an optical system device, a frequency converter, and a frequency analyzer. The device transmits laser light generated from a laser light source toward an optical pattern rotary plate to receive its reflection light by an optical receiver. The plate is a measurement object. The converter converts a reception signal obtained by the receiver into a signal in a frequency domain. The analyzer analyzes a frequency component of the signal obtained by the converter, selects candidate values of sideband wave frequencies from the signal in the frequency region, obtains an approximate value of a rotational frequency by decision of a majority of intervals of the sideband wave frequencies, obtains candidate values of the carrier frequency from the approximate value, and selects the rotational frequency on the basis of the candidate values of the rotational frequency from among the candidate values of the carrier frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring light beams comprising a reflector for passing at least partially through the beam to reflect a sample of the beam and at least one sensor arranged to receive the reflected beam sample for determining a characteristic of the beam sample. The reflector may be arranged to oscillate and the sensors may he arranged at substantially forty-five or ninety degrees to the axis of the incident beam.

Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a housing and a mechanical sensor placed in the housing for sensing change of the pressure. A characteristic of the sensor varies in correspondence to the change of the pressure. The gauge also includes an optical fiber, at least part of which is in the housing with a first end connected to the sensor such that a characteristic of the fiber varies in correspondence to the variance of the characteristic of the sensor, and an optical signal generator connected to a second end of the fiber for emitting an optical signal into the fiber. The second end of the fiber is distanced from the sensor, and the fiber generates at least a first reflected optical signal towards said second end, which first reflected optical signal contains information relating to the variance of the characteristic of the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an AMR device and method of use having an optical transceiver adapted to read analog meter faces. The transceiver advantageously includes an optical receiver having an amplifier receiving signals from photodiodes and further including an automatic gain control. A gain of the optical receiver amplifier is programmable to compensate for parameters affecting the photodiodes in the optical receiver.

Abstract: A novel system and method for achieving accurate readings of the rotational speed, number of revolutions and direction of rotation of a utility system. More specifically, a system and method for retrofitting existing utility meters with a lightweight tape, having contrasting sections of reflective and non-reflective material applied thereto, which is read by optical sensors as the lightweight tape passes by with the revolutions of the disk of the utility meter. Additionally, the system and method detects unauthorized use of the utility or tampering with the utility meter and its functions.

Abstract: A method for operating a positioning apparatus that moves a positioning element comprises the steps of: generating a first and at least one further reference signal, the first reference signal corresponding to a first reference position and the further reference signal to a further reference position; generating a first and at least one further estimated value for the present position of the positioning drive; transferring the first reference signal and the estimated value to the positioning apparatus; establishing the first reference position using the positioning apparatus, and measuring the present position and generating a position signal that corresponds to the measured present position; transferring the further reference signal to the positioning apparatus; generating a further estimated value of the positioning drive position; transferring the further estimated value to the positioning apparatus; establishing the further reference position, and measuring a further present position and generating a furt

Abstract: Actuator-controlled mirrors with a Z-stop mechanism to reduce an undesired translational motion of the mirrors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring three dimensional information of a target placed in an interior space of a rotator type mirror by using the rotator type mirror in combination with an imaging apparatus disposed with its light receiving axis aligned with a center axis of the rotator type mirror. The invention includes projecting reference light toward the rotator type mirror from a position on the center axis, and scanning the target with mirror reflected reference light that is produced by reflecting the reference light on the rotator type mirror. The invention further includes obtaining the three dimensional information of the target, based on a physical quantity corresponding to the projection angle of the reference light and on a physical quantity corresponding to the position of a projected image obtained when the mirror reflected reference light that scanned the target is captured by the imaging apparatus via the rotator type mirror.

Abstract: A novel system and method for achieving accurate readings of the rotational speed, number of revolutions and direction of rotation of a utility system. More specifically, a system and method for retrofitting existing utility meters with a lightweight tape, having contrasting sections of reflective and non-reflective material applied thereto, which is read by optical sensors as the lightweight tape passes by with the revolutions of the disk of the utility meter. Additionally, the system and method detects unauthorized use of the utility or tampering with the utility meter and its functions.

Abstract: A fiber grating pressure sensor for use in an industrial process includes an optical sensing element 20,600 which includes an optical fiber 10 having a Bragg grating 12 impressed therein which is encased within and fused to at least a portion of a glass capillary tube 20 and/or a large diameter waveguide grating 600 having a core and a wide cladding and which has an outer transverse dimension of at least 0.3 mm. Light 14 is incident on the grating 12 and light 16 is reflected from the grating 12 at a reflection wavelength &lgr;1. The sensing element 20,600 may be used by itself as a sensor or located within a housing 48,60,90,270,300. When external pressure P increases, the grating 12 is compressed and the reflection wavelength &lgr;1 changes. The shape of the sensing element 20,600 may have other geometries, e.g., a “dogbone” shape, so as to enhance the sensitivity of shift in &lgr;1 due to applied external pressure and may be fused to an outer shell 50.

Abstract: A continuous optical calibration system for a galvanometer scanner. The system maintains one or more fiducial position references in each axis, independent of the normal position detector circuit. An optical reference position monitor circuit triggers a calibration signal when load position coincides with a reference position, whereupon the measured position of the position detector and then current look up table is compared to the known reference position, and an error correction is generated and applied to the look up table. The optical monitor circuit includes a rotor rigidly attached to the load shaft so as to rotate between a light emitter and detector. A thin slit in the rotor permits passage of a highly collimated light beam to the detector only when the slit is aligned between the emitter and detector, which occurs only when the load is at or passing through the reference position.

Abstract: An article and method including an optical fiber coupled to a microstructure which is easily manufactured. The microstructure is comprised of a plurality of layers including a receptacle layer and a movable layer. The optical fiber has a high reflectivity terminal end forming the non-movable layer. The receptacle layer has an opening aligned with the movable layer for receiving the terminal end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is inserted into the opening and the receptacle layer and fixed in relation to the microstructure, so as to form cavity between the terminal end of the fiber and the movable layer of the microstructure. The movable layer is physically adapted for moving relative to the non-movable layer under the influence of an actuating force.

Abstract: An optical sensor for monitoring a utility meter having a sweep hand indicator that moves over a meter surface of the utility meter. The optical sensor has a single infrared light emitter and two photo diodes detectors. The infrared light emitter is positioned at an angle with respect the meter surface and the sweep hand indicator of the utility meter so that the sweep hand indicator is illuminated from an angle to provide a shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The photo detectors detect changes in the intensity of light reflected on the sweep hand indicator and the background surface as well as the shadow of the sweep hand indicator. The two photo diode detectors are electrically coupled in series but in opposite directions relative to an output node, so as to cancel each other at the output node in normal operation. The passing of the sweep hand indicator changes the signal produced of each of the photo diode detectors at the output node, independently but in opposite directions.

Abstract: A laser beam generated from a laser beam generating means 201 is reflected on a semiconductor mirror galvanometer 102. A region 105 to be inspected is scanned with the reflected laser beam 106. The laser beam 106 passing through the region 105 to be inspected is received by a light receiving device array 130. A pulse train included in an output signal produced from the light receiving device array 130 are monitored by a signal processing circuit 206. If an obstacle introduces into the region 105 to be inspected and induces a pulse deficiency in the pulse train, the deficiency is detected by use of a pulse deficiency detecting circuit 204. A constitution mentioned above provides an optical barrier apparatus capable of reducing manufacturing costs without endangering a fail-safe property.

Abstract: A laser beam mixer combines two or more input laser beams in a coaxial manner to provide an output beam. At least one of the input beams is altered in cross-sectional profile, for example, to an annular cross-sectional shape. Another input beam is placed within the altered beam by a beam combining element having a transmissive portion and a reflective portion to respectively reflect and transmit the two input beams. The beams are combined with minimal beam losses and without diverging a beam profile.

Abstract: A control system for a scanner is disclosed, especially for a laser scanning microscope, with an oscillating motor for driving an oscillating mirror serving for the linearly oscillating deflection of a beam bundle, with a control unit for supplying the oscillating motor with an exciting current which is variable with respect to the control frequency, frequency curve, and amplitude, with a function generator which is connected with the control unit, and with a measurement value transducer for obtaining a sequence of information about the deflection positions of the oscillating mirror.The measurement value transducer is connected with the function generator by way of a logic unit for determining correction values for the exciting current. Accordingly, it is advantageously possible, by evaluating the information supplied by the measurement value transducer about the actual deflection position of the oscillating mirror, to determine correction values with the assistance of the logic unit.

Abstract: A profile measuring apparatus provided with an improved probe for measuring profiles throughout a wide area of the surface of an object with a high level of response and high accuracy. The probe 10 comprises an arm 3 having a stylus 1 fixedly mounted to the distal end thereof, which is coupled to a stationary part 11 of the apparatus by an arm holding member 5 made of a V-shaped leaf spring in such a way that the arm 3 is tilted in one axial direction by a contact pressure exerted thereto during measurement. Displacement of the arm 3 is thereby detected through measuring an elastic deformation of the leaf spring caused by the contact pressure exerted to the stylus 1 being pressed against the surface to be measured.

Abstract: A meter reader for reading a meter by reading a shadow made by a meter pointer on the face of the meter. The meter reader includes a light source for shining a light toward the meter, a pulse control circuit for pulsing the light source, two light sensors for receiving reflections of the pulsed light from two sections of the face, a detection circuit for detecting the intensity of the reflections received by each of the sensors, a microprocessor system for calculating an intensity relationship between the intensities received by each of the sensors, a counter for incrementing a meter readout count when the intensity relationship varies indicating that the shadow has passed over both sections of the meter face, and a transmitter for transmitting the meter readout count in a meter readout signal.

Abstract: The three-dimensional measuring apparatus of the present invention includes an optical beam scanning unit for scanning a projected-and-depressed surface of an object with an optical beam while controlling the scanning operation, and a detector unit for receiving a reflected optical beam reflected by the projected-and-depressed surface through the scanning operation and for thereby measuring height information on the projections and depressions of the object, in which noise information due to noise generated during the control of the scanning operation with the optical beam is prevented from being transmitted as the height information from the detector unit.