Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing visual patterns of handprinted characters or the like by means of an optical character reader which reads the patterns by a so-called outermost point method. While tracing the contour of the pattern stored in a two-dimensional memory, the distances from the starting point of the tracing and the integrated values of the coordinates of the points traced on the contour from the starting points are simultaneously obtained successively to extract outermost points for the series of contours. According to this outermost points, the contours are segmented into the convex line segments, concavity line segments and hole segments and the corresponding parameters of features of each segment are detected. Simultaneously, the convex line segment of which is shorter than a predetermined length is rejected and the remaining segments are subjected to matching operation in accordance with preliminarily prepared dictionary, thereby making a decision as to the pattern's identity.

Abstract: An optical multiplex communication system in which n kinds of digital signals whose logical levels do not simultaneously become true, such as, pulse motor controlling pulses, are multiplexed through a single optical fiber line. The transmitting end generates n kinds of carrier clock signals of different frequencies by clock generating means, produces the respective logical products of the carrier clock signals and the digital signals and then produces a logical sum of the logical product outputs by logical circuits and converts the logical sum output to a light signal by a light transmitter, thereby delivering the light signal onto the single optical fiber line.

Abstract: A linear solenoid-type flow control valve with a valve element position feedback loop. An input consisting of an analog command signal is supplied in the form of a serial digital signal from a modulating transmitter through an optical fiber transmission line. An actuator operating driving circuit, a receiving demodulator for reconverting the light signal from the transmission line to the serial digital signal and further to the analog command signal and supplying it to the driving circuit, a differential transformer for detecting an operated position of a control valve element and a feedback circuit from the differential transformer are integrally mounted on the coupling component of the control valve element and its actuator and in this way the component parts at the receiving side are arranged as close as possible with respect to one another.

Abstract: A circuit for change-over of electric signal set points applied as control inputs to a fluid control valve for controlling the pressure or flow rate of a fluid. A priority circuit including a priority encoder or priority chain is provided in an input section for set point select and change-over instruction signals from an external sequential controller. When two or more of the instruction signals are applied simultaneously, only the highest priority instruction is received to select the desired set point and the other instructions are ignored.

Abstract: An electromagnetically driven hydraulic actuator for driving an electromagnetic valve for which a larger valve operating force is required. The pilot control valve and the actuator piston are enclosed within the stationary magnetic core of the electromagnetic plunger of the actuator so that a compact driving unit is provided for driving the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for a printed character reading system in which prior to the recognition process, the information obtained by reading the characters on a source document is separated line by line to obtain a line information and then, starting at its one end, the line information is successively separated character by character to obtain a character information for each of the individual characters. In this apparatus, the read character information is stored primarily character by character each for approximately one and a half line width and the 1.5-line information is then dissected in the line direction into blocks each having a line length of two character spacings.

Abstract: Described is an antenna structure which reduces the side lobe level of a slot array antenna of the type using a dielectric plate as a director mechanism. A slot radiator is mounted on the vertical side of a member composed of metal plates and having a C-shaped side sectional shape, and a pair of parallel dielectric plates are projected to extend in the direction of the open end of the C-shaped member. Also, a pair of metal pent roof plates are provided to spread upwardly and downwardly from the open end edges of the C-shaped member on the outer side of the dielectric plates. The metal pent roof plates serve as reflecting plates for the radiation power from the slot radiator and thus the side lobe level is reduced to a practical low level.

Abstract: A rotary valve for changing the connections of the fluid inlet passages and the fluid outlet passages of a Gerotor type fluid rotary machine in which the fluid is contracted and expanded by a plurality of cavities defined by the teeth formed on a stator and a rotor in response to the orbital rotation of the rotor formed with one less external tooth than the number of the internal teeth on the stator. The rotary valve selectively connects the fluid passages with the Gerotor cavities by means of its rotary commutator which orbits with a phase difference of 90.degree. with respect to the Gerotor rotor, and the commutator is rotatably accommodated in a spacer disposed between an end cover and a port member having a plurality of fluid passages. The clearance at each side of the commutator is permanently determined by the width of the spacer.

Abstract: A lightweight mixed dielectric and a manufacturing method thereof is described, which is prepared by mixing metal-coated expanded particles of plastic, glass or silica, thin-wall metal pipes or metal coated thin-wall plastic pipes and uncoated expanded particles of plastic, glass or silica and then forming the resulting mixture into a desired shape by thermal expansion or by the use of binder with the provision that these uncoated expanded particles are only made of plastic when the forming step is carried out by thermal expansion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a television antenna directing and tracking system for directing a television repeating or relaying antenna mounted on an aircraft toward a ground station. The air-borne office is provided with a coordinate transforming device for transforming the azimuth angle .phi..sub.A (t) and the elevation angle .theta..sub.A (t) which represent the direction of the aircraft with respect to the longitude and latitude of the globe or the globe coordinate into the azimuth angle .phi..sub.B (t) and the elevation angle .theta..sub.B (t) at the air-borne coordinate. The ground office is equipped with receiving means and tracking means and the air-borne office receives command signals regarding the azimuth angle .phi..sub.A (t) and the elevation angle .theta..sub.A (t) from the ground office. Further, the air-borne office is equipped with means for computing by itself the azimuth angle .phi..sub.A (t) and the elevation angle .theta..sub.

Abstract: A marine steering arrangement wherein each of the starboard steering switch and port steering switch connected to a power source is closed upon receipt of an actuating signal resulting from a difference between an order signal of a rudder angle and an actual signal of a rudder angle, so as to conduct power to a rudder driving mechanism, rotating the rudder to the order rudder angle position within an allowable extent of the rudder angle, is provided with an improvement which further comprises at least one limit switch for shutting off the power source to stop any further rotation of the rudder beyond either of the rudder angle limits.