Abstract: A flaw recovering apparatus for an optical recording medium comprising a liquid tank for applying refractive index matching liquid onto a recording surface of an optical card to form a refractive index matching liquid layer, a liquid applying roller, a film cassette for forming a transparent film layer on the index matching layer, and a film adhering roller.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for accurately determining settling data for the settling of erythrocyte cells from a plasma fluid in a test specimen of blood. The apparatus includes a settling tube, a sensing assembly movably mounted proximate the settling tube. Preferably an infrared emitter and detector are provided in the sensing assembly, and a control assembly is provided which senses data at a high rate and is responsive to the sensed data to sample or store the time at which sensed reflectivity exceeds a threshold level. When the threshold is reached, data is sampled and the tracking head is moved by a very small step. This process is repeated to enable tracking of the descent of the separation boundary between the erythrocyte cells and plasma fluid. The apparatus senses changes in reflectivity of the erythrocyte portion of the specimen below and up to the separation boundary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image recording apparatus for performing image recording on a recording medium by using plural types of recording heads, each having a plurality of recording elements comprising an array. A test pattern forming unit for forming test patterns on the recording medium by using the plural types of recording heads, a reading unit for reading the test patterns recorded by the test pattern recording unit, and a correction unit for correcting image signals for driving the recording elements in accordance with the recording elements and types of recording heads on the basis of data read by the reading unit are included whereby image density is made uniform.

Abstract: A DNA sequence transcribing method involves labeling a DNA fragment with a fluorescent substance, subjecting the labeled fragments to electrophoresis, exposing a gel containing the DNA fragment to light during electrophoresis, and detecting fluorescence generated upon exposure. An image corresponding to a fluorescent image on the gel is transcribed on a recording medium by entering a detecting signal in synchronization with operation of detecting fluorescence on the gel containing the DNA fragment after electrophoresis. This arrangement enables a crude fluorescent image on the gel containing the DNA fragment to be recorded as an intact image of the DNA sequencing on the basis of the fluorescent method, and the image can be retained.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording an image sensed by a photosensor comprises an inlet for accepting a liquid to be delivered to an outlet orifice through a liquid flow path. Liquid is supplied to the inlet for flow through the liquid flow path to a heating element, which heats liquid in the liquid flow path in response to signals received by the photosensor. Heating is sufficient to cause a change of state of the liquid (that is, to generate a bubble) and produce a force acting on the liquid which overcomes the surface tension of liquid at the orifice and thereby projects a droplet of liquid from the orifice.

Abstract: A scanning mode printer operates with an array of heating elements and corresponding photoelectric elements coupled in parallel so that a modulated laser beam scans in line fashion the photoelectric elements to respectively activate each heating element in a thermal head for imaging a heat-responsive medium.

Abstract: A device for transmission of signals between a stationary element and an element rotating about an axis (8), such as the headwheel (20) of a videotape apparatus, features optical transmission. At least two opto-electrical converters such as photodiodes (9, 10) are provided on one part (6, 7). At least two electro-optical converters such as laser diodes (4, 5) are provided on the other part (1, 34, 42), arranged such that beams (11, 12; 28, 29) generated by the electro-optical converters (4, 5) strike the opto-electrical converters (9, 10) at an acute angle to their axis (8). Preferably, a ring-shaped transparent body (26-31) with a trapezoidal or prism-shaped cross-section surrounds each photodiode and serves to bend the light beam toward the axis (8). Electrical connecting leads (14, 15, 16) which connect the opto-electrical converters (9, 10) to further elements (65) on their part are placed at least partially off the axis (8) of that part (6, 7).

Abstract: An optical information record/read apparatus comprises a light source for emitting light, a converging optical system for converging the emitted light from the light source on the optical record medium so that the converged light is reflected by the optical record medium, and an optical waveguide element having a waveguide layer. A light coupling system is provided for coupling the reflected light from the optical record medium with the waveguide layer so that the light coupled with the waveguide layer is then propagated, as a guided light, within the waveguide layer. At least a part of the light coupling system is integrally formed with the optical waveguide element. A light detecting system for detecting the guided light propagated within the waveguide layer is integrally formed with the optical waveguide element.

Abstract: Generally, in an optical system for recording and reproducing an optical information medium, a semi-conductor laser is used as a light source, an approximately parallel luminous flux is obtained by a collimator lens, and thereafter it is converged on a recording surface by an objective lens. If the semi-conductor laser causes a mode hop to abruptly change an oscillating wavelength, an error results when the objective lens has a chromatic aberration. A collimator lens with a reverse chromatic abberation can be used so that various conventional objective lens may be utilized as they are without any error as described.

Abstract: An optical pickup comprising a semiconductor laser, a first waveguide for leading light emitted by the semiconductor laser to recording medium and coupling again light returning from the recording medium; splitting element for separating the light returning from the recording medium from the first waveguide path; and a second waveguide propagating light returning from the recording medium and separated by the splitting element; wherein light going towards the recording medium and light returning from the recording medium propagate separately in the first and the second waveguide so that the utilization efficiency of the light is increased.

Abstract: In a high volume printing and packaging operation, stationery is fed by document feeder 10 to a laser printer 14. The printer prints both text and discrete identification code on the page both text and code being supplied from a system controller 16. The document is then folded by folder 22 and the code read. Enclosures are added as dictated by the code and the code read again prior to insertion in an envelope by inserter 24. A correct code verification causes an ink-jet printer 26 to print the name and address on the envelope. The marking code comprises a series of small marks normally unnoticeable to the normal observer and each representing a digit, whose value depends on the position of the mark on a notional circle whose center is a fixed distance from a pair of reference marks.

Abstract: An optical ink jet head for an ink jet printer irradiates a photochemically reactive substance by an active electromagnetic wave to generate gas so that ink is ejected by the pressure of the gas. In optical communications, optical signals transmitted by optical fibers are directly used to drive an ink jet head to eject ink drops complementary to the optical signals from ink ejection nozzles of the head.

Abstract: A method of recording a densitogram representing densities of albumin, .alpha..sub.1 -globulin, .alpha..sub.2 -globulin, .beta.-globulin and .gamma.-globulin in an electrophoresis is disclosed. In order to display the densitogram representing the change in density of the substances, an area of the densitogram surrounded by a densitogram curve and a base line is made proportional to a total density T which is measured separately by a colorimetric method. Successive density signals X.sub.n are adjusted by multiplying them with a density output ratio R which is derived in accordance with the following equation, ##EQU1## wherein K is a coefficient denoting an area on a record paper per unit density, .SIGMA.X.sub.n is an accumulated density signal, Y is a gain of a recorder and P is a recording pitch of the recorder.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer to draw time changes of a plurality of spectrophotometric data by one recording pen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously recording multiple Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) signals using an interferometer. The analog signals are coupled to switching means which is operable in response to a first control signal for synchronizing the operation of the interferometer and the control circuits and a second control signal for defining data acquisition intervals to direct the sampled data of the analog input signals over a circuit path including Sample and Hold and Analog to Digital Conversion circuits to a processor for storing the digital data corresponding to the analog input signals. The switching means is operated so that samples of the analog input signals are taken in sequence and stored in sequential storage locations in interleaved fashion. The processor is operable under program control to access the digital data so that all data samples for the same input signals are separated to produce an interferogram for each of the input signals.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit having a plurality of dot forming portions disposed in a plane, a carriage which moves incrementally in a direction normal to the plane of dot forming portions, and a laser generator mounted on the carriage. The generator has a semiconductor which radiates a laser pulse in a direction substantially perpendicular to each dot forming portion of the recording unit.

Abstract: An apparatus is described with which a plurality of microbiological tests made in wells located in a pattern of rows on a tray can be conveniently analyzed and evaluated. A housing is formed with a tray analysis section and over which an arm is mounted to move from row to row. A plurality of manually activated signal generators are mounted on the arm, with the generators being aligned with a well in a row to enable the operator, upon identification of a particular well in a row as representative of analysis, to actuate the signal generator in registration therewith. The signals are representative of a score value and are recorded on score forms located in a test scoring section over which the arm moves with recording elements, also mounted on the arm. An elongated illuminator for a row of wells is described and which is conveniently adjusted to view selected test wells against different background lighting.

Abstract: A densitometer comprising a recorder so adapted as to be capable of recording a set of analytical data obtained with a photometric system twice at a definite recording interval, an index arranged at a position apart by a distance equal to said recording interval from the recording pen of said recorder, a switch for setting boundary point and another switch commanding erasure of boundary point, said densitometer being so adapted as to permit setting and erasing boundary point by using the first recorded densitogram and said index.

Abstract: A recording sheet is successively fed in the abscissa direction by means of a sprocket. The recording sheet is previously printed with ruled lines with a predetermined inter-line space in the ordinate direction thereof. The sprocket is driven by a pulse motor. Displacement of the recording sheet from one to the next ruled line corresponds to the number of pulses supplied to the pulse motor. Before the beginning of the recording, a ruled line on the recording sheet is brought into positional coincidence with the recording pen. During the movement of the recording sheet after the recording operation having been started, a counter counts the pulses supplied to the pulse motor and is reset every time when the number of the pulses corresponding to the inter-line space has been attained. Upon termination of the recording, the contents in the counter represents the position of a recording pen relative to a certain ruled line.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled densitometer system for optically scanning a blood sample or the like and generating an electric analog signal which is a function of the optical density of the scanned sample. The electrical analog signal is processed and converted into digital data for storage in a memory as raw sample data to be retained until the next given sample is scanned. Under microprocessor control, a CRT device displays a re-constructed optical density analog waveform pattern representative of the generated electrical analog signal and may be normalized for full-scale readings.

Abstract: A device for recording data on a photosensitive recording support comprises a light beam transmitter, means for modulating the intensity of said light beam in relation with the data to be recorded, a fiber optic transducer with one circular end and one straight end, in operative relation with the modulating means at the circular end and with the recording support at the straight end and means for incrementally displacing said support relative to the transducer.

Abstract: In a plotting apparatus such as a spectrophotometer having a modifying system which introduces a phase lag between the occurrence of a change in a dependent variable quantity and plotting thereof against an independent variable quantity, in one embodiment, a cam is used to provide a quantity representing the dependent phase lag and the output of the cam is coupled to the driving system for the plotter so as to introduce therein a phase shift to compensate for the phase lag. In another, electrical embodiment the same object is accomplished by digitizing the phase lag and using the digital value to offset the wavenumber stepper motor and the chart stepper motor in the spectrophotometer with respect to each other.

Abstract: A recorder pen is mounted on the sample scanning stage of an electrophoretic sample analyzer. Movement of the stage scans the sample optically while, at the same time, the recorder pen produces an analog record of the optical analysis. A sample holder is mounted in the stage for detented movement in the direction orthogonal to the scanning motion of the sample stage. The sample holder can be moved to one of several detented positions so that different tracks of the samples are scanned.

Abstract: An analyzer for electrophoretic samples has a sample stage movable linearly with respect to a source and a detector of analysis energy. During a first scan of the sample, a voltage is produced representing either the minimum detected fluorescence or the minimum detected optical density. During a second scan, the voltage is combined with the output of the detector to automatically correct the output to a reference.

Abstract: There is described an improvement for an apparatus employing a plurality of operational elements adapted to cooperate for producing an electrical signal representing the variation of an ordinate quantity with respect to an abscissa quantity changing at a controlled rate. At least one of said elements requires an adjustment during operation such as is capable of causing spurious transients in the electrical signal. The apparatus further comprises a filter for filtering the electrical signal before feeding the signal to a suitable utilization device such as a recorder. The improvement includes control means which operate to interrupt the ordinate quantity signal and cut off the filter response prior to any element adjustment. There is disclosed means for storing the output of the filter at cut off and for memorizing the point along the impulse characteristic of the filter at which cut off takes place.

Abstract: A variable chart format system for a recorder with a chart print out, the system having a manually selectable switch for simultaneously controlling the abscissa and ordinate formatting independent of scale expansion circuitry normally associated with the abscissa and ordinate. The abscissa formatting is digital and operable in response to a programmable or variable clock, the output of which is selectively passed through a first set of abscissa formatting frequency dividers and then serially through one of a second set of abscissa scale expansion frequency dividers to drive a chart drive stepper motor.

Abstract: A reader recorder which will plot a concentration versus time graph based on stain intensity of a gas sensitive tape. Simultaneously, the device will integrate the area under the curve to obtain the total dosage for the period of time covered by the graph. By means of a common drive system for the recorder and the tape drive a meaningful relationship between displacement on the tape and position on the graph is obtained yielding information on the exact time of occurrence of events of interest.

Abstract: High speed writing apparatus, for mapping 1:1 polar plots of disc record defect locations on disc-shaped electrosensitive paper, accepts electrical signals representing defect occurrences from a defect detector which scans the disc record surface in a spiral scanning pattern. These signals activate a high voltage switch circuit that produces an electric current between an electric writing pen stylus and a conducting surface of a turntable of the printing apparatus upon which the disc shaped electrosensitive paper is mounted. Relative motion is established between the turntable and the writing pen in a manner causing markings resulting from pen activations to be located on the electrosensitive paper with radial and circumferential positions corresponding to the locations of the defects appearing on the disc record, thereby generating 1:1 polar plots of the defect locations on the paper.

Abstract: An encoder for converting a distance to an electric signal is connected with a computer to put a distance signal into the computer. Th encoder is put on a moire pattern obtained by interference between a standard grating and a deformed image of the standard grating deformed by the surface of a three dimensional object. The distance between moire fringes is put into the computer. The computer is supplied with a signal indicting whether the surface is convex or concave. The depth or height of a point on the moire pattern is calculated by the computer, and a contour of the three dimensional object is obtained. An X-Y recorder is connected with the computer to draw the contour of the object.

Abstract: A sedimentation recorder including an optical tracking head controlled to track the liquid-solid separation boundary in a tube containing a sample of liquid-solid mixture. The tracking head is controlled by a pulse operated servomotor which responds to the output of a photodetector mounted in the tracking head. A two-pen plotter is provided to record the sedimentation behavior of the sample. One pen is connected to the tracking head and continuously records the position of the liquid-solid separation boundary to provide a settling curve. The other pen is driven by a rate of change mechanism and records the approximate rate of change of the separation boundary position. The rate of change mechanism operates by measuring the excursion of the tracking head during each of a series of successive time intervals. The difference between each excursion measurement and the preceding measurement is calculated and each difference value is converted into a corresponding number of pulses.

Abstract: In a measuring instrument such as a spectrophotometer which is driven under the control of a dedicated microcomputer and has a provision for wavelength scan, a flow chart lock system is obtained by storing in the random access memory of the microcomputer an indication of the actual chart position between two sprockets on the chart drive. With this information and stored data regarding the position of the scanning apparatus of the instrument, accurate repositioning of the chart to accurately reflect the scanning position even after scale changes or different modes of operation have occurred is accomplished.

Abstract: A system for plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprises a spectrofluorometer including excitation and emission monochromator stages having operating wavelengths dependent on applied stepping pulses, and an X-Y plotter having a marking pen synchronized for movement along X and Y axis with changes in the wavelengths of the monochromators. A control circuit generates pulses to incrementally step the emission monochromator and horizontally scan the marking pen. A level detection circuit monitors the output of the spectrofluorometer and activates the pen upon attainment of a desired contour level. Limit circuitry incorporated in the control circuit momentarily actuates the excitation monochromator following each horizontal scan to increase the excitation wavelength for the subsequent emission scan to complete the plot.

Abstract: In a recording spectrophotometer the ordinate of the plotter-scriber is controlled by the output of a photomultiplier while the abscissa of the plotter-scriber is controlled by a selectable mode manually adjusted controller.In one mode, the controller furnishes a time base signal of selected rate of change, so that the abscissa of the plotter-scriber varies with the passage of time in accordance with said rate of change.In aother mode, the controller furnishes a stepping signal of selected periodicity, for application to a stepping motor, which changes the wavelength adjustment of the spectrophotometer at a rate determined by the selected periodicity. The spectrophotometer furnishes to the plotter-scriber an analog voltge varying with the instantaneous wavelength setting of the spectrophotometer, so that the abscissa of the plotter-scriber correspondingly varies with the instantaneous value of the wavelength.

Abstract: An improved method for graphically displaying optical density patterns generated by a densitometer which scans a sample to generate analog signals indicative of the optical density of the sample. The maximum amplitude and cumulative amplitude of the analog signals are computed and stored simultaneously as normalizing signals. The sample is again scanned to recreate the analog signals which are directed in two paths toward two graphic display units. The recreated analog signals directed toward the first display unit are modified by the normalizing amplitude signal to create a visual display curve of the normalized density. The recreated analog signals directed toward the second display unit are modified by the normalizing cumulative amplitude signal to create a visual display of the normalized area under the density curve.The apparatus includes a scanning system having circuitry to provide analog signals indicative of the optical density of the sample and a pair of conventional graphic display devices.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer sytem having a first stepper motor driving a wavelength scanning mechanism and a second stepper motor driving a chart recorder, both motors being operative in response to pulses from a system clock. The clock frequency is successively divided by first and second cascaded, switch-selectable sets of frequency dividers. The output of the first divider is applied to the wavelength motor and determines wavelength scan speed. The output of the second divider is applied to the chart motor and determines chart scale expansion. A decoder monitors the frequency selections of the first and second sets of frequency dividers, and upon detection of a frequency selection outside the capability of the chart motor, the decoder provides an output which inhibits the chart motor. When a first frequency selection is made, the available (i.e. valid) second frequency selections are displayed to the operator.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a graph of a function represented by a varying analogue input signal supplied to the apparatus, comprising display means adapted to display in a graphing operation the graph of the function, calculating means adapted to receive the analogue input signal and to calculate the value of a parameter of the function, and control means operable to interrupt the operation of the display means at preselected points in the graphing operation and to cause the display means to display the value calculated by the calculating means and thereafter to resume the graphing operation.

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic continuous-flow fluid analyzer of the pe wherein a stream of fluid, segmented by air bubbles or other separating medium inert to the fluid to be analyzed, passes through a colorimeter flow cell. The bubble artifact is eliminated from the photoconductor signal while allowing the signal produced from the fluid segment to remain intact. This is accomplished by means of a signal comparator which operates as a digitally controlled differentiator, but could alternatively be a purely analog differentiator. The signal comparator through continual signal comparisons momentarily samples and stores a photoconductor output.For a finite period of time, the stored value is compared with all subsequent succeeding photoconductor output signals. If any signal that follows varies outside a preset range from the stored value, the comparator logic concludes that an air bubble is passing and the output to the recorder is not changed.

Abstract: Original information is converted to digital signals and recorded on a digital signal recording medium such as a paper tape. The digital signal recorded on the tape or the like is converted to binary signals. A photosensitive material is fed in synchronization with the conversion of the digital signal to binary signals. The photosensitive material is exposed to light from a light source controlled in accordance with the binary signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a print out typewriter is connected with the circuit which converts the digital signals to the binary signals to print out the information being recorded on the photosensitive material on an output sheet in the form of the original information.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer system having a first stepper motor driving a wavelength scanning mechanism and a second stepper motor driving a chart recorder, both motors being operative in response to pulses from a system clock. The clock frequency is successively divided by first and second cascaded, switch-selectable sets of frequency dividers. The output of the first divider is applied to the wavelength motor and determines wavelength scan speed. The output of the second divider is applied to the chart motor and determines chart scale expansion. A decoder monitors the frequency selections of the first and second sets of frequency dividers, and upon detection of a frequency selection outside the capability of the chart motor, the decoder provides an output which inhibits both motors. The decoder output additionally actuates a visual indicator to inform an operator of the invalid selection.

Abstract: The light output of pyrotechnic luminants under dynamic conditions can be nitored to obtain data representative of ground surface illumination as a function of time and position of the illumination source. An array of photocells is disposed at substantially ground level throughout the range testing area, these photocells being sequentially scanned to provide a serial electrical data output during the firing of a pyrotechnic luminant-containing projectile over the range testing area. The serial data is transmitted to a remote control location whereat the data is received, sequentially demodulated, and converted into an optical display synchronously with the scanning in a pattern which simulates the illumination impinging on the photocell array. The position of the projectile over the range testing area is simultaneously tracked and a tracking information display is also provided.

Abstract: A system for plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprises a spectrofluorometer including excitation and emission monochromator stages having operating wavelengths dependent on applied stepping pulses, and an X-Y plotter having a marking pen synchronized for movement along X and Y axis with changes in the wavelengths of the monochromators. A control circuit generates pulses to incrementally step the emission monochromator and horizontally scan the marking pen. A level detection circuit monitors the output of the spectroflourometer and activates the pen upon attainment of a desired contour level. Limit circuitry incorporated in the control circuit momentarily actuates the excitation monochromator following each horizontal scan to increase the excitation wavelength for the subsequent emission scan to complete the plot.