Abstract: A focal plane shutter comprises a base plate having a shutter opening, at least one shutter sector group having sectors, and arms pivotally connected to and supporting the sectors for displacing the sectors relative to the shutter opening. At least a first one of the sectors comprises an intermediate sector interposed between a second one of the sectors and one of the arms connected to and supporting the second sector. The intermediate sector has an edge portion disposed proximate a connection of the second sector and the arm connected to and supporting the second sector. At least the edge portion of the intermediate sector is thinner than other portions thereof to facilitate smooth displacement of the sectors relative to the shutter opening without any obstruction.

Abstract: A matrix of display elements are driven on a time sharing basis to switch between two optically distinct states in response to a pulse train applied to the selected display elements. The pulse train includes display control pulses having a duration and electric field effective to set the display elements to the desired optically distinct state, does not allow, after the application of the display control pulse, existence of a pulse which would change the optical state, and also includes a plurality of pulses having the same pulse shapes in different polarities. AC pulses which hold the optical state are applied to the display elements after the application of the display control pulse. The AC pulses are obtained by superposing high frequency AC pulses to the AC pulses having an amplitude lower than the display control pulse.

Abstract: Improvements in a focusing apparatus having an objective optical system for optically manufacturing a workpiece, forming a desired pattern on a surface of a workpiece or inspecting a pattern on a workpiece and used to adjust the state of focusing between the surface of the workpiece and the objective optical system. The focusing apparatus has a first detection system having a detection area at a first position located outside the field of the objective optical system, a second detection system having a detection area at a second position located outside the field of the objective optical system and spaced apart from the first position, and a third detection system having a detection area at a third position located outside the field of the objective optical system and spaced apart from each of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A camera operable in shutter-priority automatic exposure mode comprises a photometric circuit, an exposure data memory circuit for storing information on a plurality of selectable diaphragm openings, and a control circuit for calculating a desirable diaphragm opening based on a shutter speed preset prior to an exposure and luminance data output from the photometric circuit, and determining an actual diaphragm opening based on a comparison between the calculated diaphragm opening and the selectable diaphragm openings. The control circuit checks whether the preset shutter speed is higher or lower than a predefined reference shutter speed and selects one of the selectable diaphragm openings that provides a higher shutter speed if the preset shutter speed is higher than the reference shutter speed, or selects one of the selectable diaphragm openings that provides a lower shutter speed if the preset shutter speed is lower than the reference shutter speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to facilitate the replacement of printing types and to eliminate mistakes in the replacement thereof. A printing type wheel 2 and a stock wheel 3 are coaxially arranged. The printing type wheel 2 is provided with an attachment part for inserting and attaching a printing type unit 5 for printing on an object F to be printed. The printing type unit 5 is detachably stocked in the stock wheel 3. The printing type unit 5 is taken out from the stock wheel 3 with a robot 6 so as to be attached on the printing type wheel 2. Ink is deposited to the printing type unit 5 attached on the printing type wheel 2 with an ink roller 45. The printing type wheel 5, the stock wheel 3 and the ink roller 45 are warmed with the heater 30 and the heater 46.

Abstract: A high accuracy, orthogonal motion stage for microscopes and the like uses three frames for orthogonal motion. The lower most frame has provided thereon a series of downwardly depending ramps. An actuator plate having correspondingly positioned, upwardly directed ramps is translated with respect to the lower most frame to raise and lower the frames.

Abstract: A device for focusing light from a laser transmitter is provided. A focusing lens is coupled to a inner portion of a disc shaped diaphragm and the outer portion of the diaphragm is coupled to a mounting assembly. The diaphragm is flexible along the optical axis of the focusing lens but rigid along the transverse plane of the lens. The focus point of a laser is changed by flexing the diaphragm in a direction parallel to the optical axis with a diaphragm flexing device. The position of the lens along the optical axis changes as the diaphragm is flexed, thereby changing the focus point of the laser. The lens does not move laterally so that there is no tilting of the laser beam off the optical axis.

Abstract: A distance measurement device is provided which determines the measurement zone of an object and also determines the direction of movement of the object within the measurement zone.

Abstract: A servotrack writing apparatus (10) having a reference section (30), a workpiece section (32), and a tracking section (34). With the reference section (30) a standard is established without a disk drive workpiece (12) mounted. A workpiece (12) is then mounted in the workpiece section (32) with a beamsplitter-reflector unit (52) attached to the actuator arm (20) bearing the read-write head (18) which is to be used for servotrack writing, and verification information is obtained for comparison with the standard. Based upon this comparison, correction of workpiece (12) mounting offset and eccentricity of beamsplitter-reflector unit (52) mounting may then be performed before servotracks are written, or compensation for such offset and eccentricity may be performed while servotracks are written.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a patient located on an item of furniture such as a bed is disclosed. The system includes a pneumatically actuated switch for providing a signal circuit to notify of undesired movement of the patient beyond a predetermined range. The pneumatic switch is responsive to a pneumatic pulse which is released from an armable pneumatic pressure generator having a spring loaded plunger and piston combination. The piston is maintained in an extracted and armed position through a releasable clip positionable within a notch in the piston and attached to the patient by a length of cord.

Abstract: A device for feeding bullets to an ammunition reloading press. A bullet guide member in the device has a vertical bore for allowing bullets to descend by gravity from a stack of bullets in a storage tube one at a time to a small platform. A feeder body is mounted for reciprocating vertically on the guide member and a shuttle is mounted for sliding horizontally relative to the feeder body between a retracted position on the body to a fully advanced position where the bullet picked up from the platform by grippers on the shuttle is aligned with a bullet seating tool and with an ammunition case that is moving upward with the ram of the press. Continuing upward movement of the ram causes the case to be pushed slightly onto the bullet and ultimately the mechanism that moves the shuttle out an in, the feeder body and shuttle rise so the bullet begins to enter the seating die.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing glass optical elements at high operational efficiency, a mass of molten glass which is dropped down is cut at a first step by a wind blast into a sequence of glass gobs each of which is received by a gas stream spouted from a lower portion. Each glass gob is kept afloat with a gas stream spouted to be adjusted to a temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.5.5 and 10.sup.9 poises. Thereafter, the glass gob is pressed in a third step by the use of a pair of forming dies kept at a temperature which corresponds to a glass viscosity between 10.sup.8 and 10.sup.12 poises and which is lower than the temperature of the glass gob. During the third step, the forming dies are cooled to a temperature lower than the temperature corresponding to a glass viscosity of 10.sup.13.4 poises with the glass gob kept within the forming dies and are thereafter opened to release a shaped article from the forming dies.

Abstract: A dual guide beam stage mechanism for accurate X-Y positioning for use e.g. in semiconductor processing equipment provides accurate planar motion and yaw control. Over-constraint between components in their relative motion is minimized by utilizing flexibly mounted air bearings at the connection between at least one of the moveable guide beams and its corresponding stationary guide, and between at least one of the guide beams and the adjacent stage itself. Thus stage yaw motion is provided by allowing yaw motion of one of the guide beams. Preloading provides enough constraint through the air bearings without over-constraining the moving components, thereby improving accuracy and also reducing the need for close manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A method of constructing a pulley comprising a shaft, annular members and a rim, wherein the shaft has an integral tapered surface of a uniform slope near each end. The annular members have an interior periphery of a slightly larger diameter than the outside diameter of the shaft. The interior periphery of the annular members also includes a tapered surface with substantially the same slope as the outside diameter of the shaft at its tapered surfaces. In constructing the pulley, the shaft is inserted through the rim. The annular members are then placed over the ends of the shaft and displaced axially toward the tapered surfaces of the shaft until the tapered surface of the annular members are mateably engaged over the tapered surfaces of the shaft. A compressive interference connection is thereby created between the tapered surfaces. A continuous weld is placed all around the outside face of the annular member where the annular member intersects the shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast response and distortion measurement of a signal transfer device. A computer processor generates a multitone test signal of predetermined duration and stores it in a memory. The test signal is read out, converted to analog form, if necessary, and applied to the input of a device under test. The output produced by the device under test in response to the test signal is acquired and digitized, if necessary, and a Fast Fourier Transform is performed on the acquired data to determine its spectral characteristics. Frequency response, harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, phase distortion, wow and flutter and other signal transfer characteristics are measured by the CPU by analysis of the output signal.

Abstract: A distance measurement device comprises at least one switch for generating a start signal, a distance measurement device for measuring the distance to an object in response to the start signal, a memory device for storing distance data measured by the distance measurement device, the stored data defining a plurality of measurement zones within the full range of distance measurement of the distance measurement device, and a judgement circuit for judging which measurement zone the result of the distance measurement performed by the distance measurement means belongs to from the plurality of measurement zones defined by the distance data stored in the memory device. In accordance with this configuration, division points can be set if an object is placed at an actual division point desired and a switch is pressed. Accordingly, when an operator sets the division point, it is unnecessary to depend on memory, perception, or calculation, and the setting of the division points becomes easier.

Abstract: A linear motion micropositioning device employs a housing containing fixed, electrically excited stators. A rotating permanent magnet rotor is directly attached to a spindle of a precision lead screw. The stators are provided with sufficient axial depth to permit the rotor to rotate and reciprocate axially while under continuous magnetic influence of the stators.

Abstract: In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of a distance measurement device of the light-projecting type, the device is provided with a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage having a level dependent upon whether or not a light is being projected.

Abstract: A method for expressing an approximate curve of an original curve by approximately expressing the original curve such as Bezier curve using matrix dots, comprises finding first and second coordinates of three consecutive dots of the approximate curve; and then finding a third coordinate of the three consecutive dots of the approximate curve on the basis of a difference between value of parameter "t" used for determining the coordinates of the first dot and that used for determining the coordinates of the second dot.