Abstract: A position-sensitive radiation detector, which on a plane surface has at least two adjacent reverse-biassed radiation-sensitive diodes, includes a bias circuit for establishing differences in the reverse voltages across the diodes in order to adjust the boundary between the radiation-sensitive areas of the diodes. To adjust the position of the boundary relative to the locations where a radiation beam is incident on the detector use can be made of the photoelectric currents generated in the radiation-sensitive diodes by the radiation beams for comparing the actual position of the boundary with the desired position of the boundary. The position-sensitive radiation detector is particularly suitable for use in the focus-error detection system of an optical read and/or write apparatus.

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: The invention relates to a manually controlled static switch. This switch comprises a body having a slot with a base wall, bordered on either side by first and second recesses, so that the slot has at least two walls transparent to electromagnetic radiation positioned laterally with respect to the base wall and which are substantially parallel to one another, an electromagnetic radiation beam emitter disposed in the first recess, so as to be able to supply beams to said second recess, a radiation--sensitive receiver located in the second recess and which detects the beams, the receiver emitting an output signal having two different levels depending on whether the receiver does or does not receive the beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving radiant energy is provided having a linear sensitivity to the angle of arrival of the radiant energy with that linearity relatively unaffected by wavelength and polarization variations in the radiant energy. An optical fiber is provided having a receiving end disposed to receive radiant energy and also having a transmitting end. A diffusing surface for receiving radiant energy is disposed on the receiving end of the optical fiber. A detector receives radiant energy from the transmitting end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for inspecting translucent containers to determine whether haze or pearlescence exists include a light source and associated photodetectors which are in spaced relationship to permit passage of containers to be inspected therebetween. A processing unit determines whether a particular predetermined linear array of photodetectors has been illuminated to indicate the presence of pearlescence, whether a conical light beam has illuminated a circular array to indicate the presence of haze or whether neither defect exists. In a preferred embodiment, individual portions of the container less than the full circumference are tested with the results being cumulatively determined so as to minimize the likelihood that minor defects will provide a false reading of the presence of either haze or pearlescence.

Abstract: A photoelectric control unit for street lighting comprises control means including a photoelectric sensor mounted on a printed circuit board for switching on a street lamp when the intensity of light falling on the sensor falls below a preset value. Electrical connection means between the P.C.B. and the lamp is provided by three connector pins which are led through a cooling chamber or stem. The pins are cranked to closely follow the contour of the chamber to dissipate heat through the chamber walls. The chamber is also filled with a high thermal conductivity potting compound for heat transfer to the walls of the chamber.One controller for such a photoelectric control unit includes a switching means provided by a relay and a triac connected in parallel. The triac operates to prevent the relay being subjected to high voltages during switching and hence prevents pitting of the relay contacts.

Abstract: According to a method and apparatus for converting an image into electrical signals, a single image is exposed onto a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices a plurality of times each, and charges distributed in correspondence with images induced by the respective exposure cycles are shifted within the respective solid-state image pickup devices and are added to each other. In addition, the output signals generated by the solid-state image pickup devices and representing the identical pixels are subtracted from each other.

Abstract: A rotary encoder having first and second slit disks are disposed between a light emitting diode and a light sensor coaxially in proximity to each other, the two slit disks each having a large number of slits formed radially at equal intervals in a peripheral edge portion of the disks, the first slit disk being connected to and rotated by a rotational shaft, and the second slit disk being rotated by interlocking gears in a direction opposite to that of the first disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring particles in a fluid comprises a laser source for producing a laser beam which is projected onto the fluid containing the particles. Laser light scattered by the particles is converted into an electrical signal consisting of pulses corresponding to the particles to be measured. The pulses are counted by first and second counters and processed in a processor to derive therefrom the diameter and/or concentration of the particles. The first and second counters are alternately operated for pulse counting and inhibited from pulse counting. Each counter transfers its count to the processor during the period that it is inhibited from counting.

Abstract: A contact type color image sensor comprises a photoelectric converting section comprising a plurality of photoelectric converting elements of sandwich type in which a metallic electrode, a photoelectric converting layer and a light permeable electrode are sequentially formed on an elongated substrate, and a color filtering layer formed on a light receiving area of said photoelectric converting section, wherein said color filter layer comprises a dyeable polymer layer dyed a desirable color.

Abstract: An optically coupled data interface formed of a host device having apparatus to receive data in optical format, the host device having apparatus to impart optical data initiating signals, a portable module adaptable to interface with the host device and having an optically responsive window adapted to receive optical data initiating signals from the host device and means self-contained in the portable module controlling the optically responsive window to impart data onto optical signals receivable by the host device.

Abstract: An alignment system usable in a semiconductor device manufacturing exposure apparatus for superimposingly transferring a circuit pattern of a reticle onto each of patterns formed on individual portions of a semiconductor wafer, for sequentially aligning the individual portions of the wafer with respect to the reticle by use of alignment marks formed in or on scribe lines defined between the individual portions of the wafer. An optical system for detecting the alignment marks is disposed outside the path of light used for the sake of pattern transfer.

Abstract: A projection aligner wherein light from a light source is passed through a mask so as to focus an image of a pattern of the mask on a wafer, characterized in that at least one sensor for monitoring a luminosity and a distribution thereof is disposed in an optical path between the light source and the mask, whereby a luminosity and a distribution thereof on the wafer can be controlled to proper values. The projection aligner is effective for application to minute processing technologies for the production of semiconductor devices, etc.

Abstract: An encased position measuring instrument for measuring the relative position of two objects comprises a housing, a measuring scale and a scanning unit. The measuring scale is scanned by the scanning unit which is connected to a fastening member by means of a connecting rod. The connecting rod moves through a frontal opening in the housing which is hermetically sealed by a sealing unit. To avoid undesirable constraining forces exerted on the connecting rod when the housing changes position, the sealing unit is fastened to the housing by means of rods or wires. These rods run parallel to the connecting rod and are rigid in the measuring direction but allow movement of the sealing unit at right angles to the measuring direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser apparatus having a semiconductor laser diode for radiating a laser beam, a photodetector formed on a semiconductor substrate, a prism having a first plane for introducing the laser beam to a reflecting substance and introducing the beam reflected by the reflecting substance to the photodetector and a second plane facing to the photodetector, and a coating layer formed on the boundary between the semiconductor substrate and the prism, having a refractive index such that the laser beam incident from the first plane other than the laser beam reflected by the reflecting substance is inhibited from reaching the photodetector.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a load has a load operating circuit, two radiation sources, a photodetector which is responsive to radiation from one of the sources to change the condition of the circuit, and optomechanical transducer which defines a path for radiation from the sources and has a mirror which reflects radiation from the one source to the photodetector. The mirror is movable between first and second positions in one of which the quantity of reflected radiation suffices and in the other of which the quantity of reflected radiation does not suffice to change the condition of the circuit. The apparatus also comprises an electrical conductor or other suitable means for changing the intensity of radiation from the other source in response to changes in the condition of the circuit so that each change in the condition of the circuit is displayed by the transducer.

Abstract: An optical displacement transducer is supplied via a fibre-optic cable with broad band radiation from an LED driven at reduced power. The transducer has a movable plate one half of which is neutrally transparent and the other half of which is coated with a filter the transmission characteristic of which varies sharply in the band width of the LED. A second fibre-optic cable receives radiation passing through the plate and supplies it to two detectors that are responsive respectively to two different wavelengths. The relative outputs of the two detectors varies according to the proportion of radiation passing through the transparent and filtering regions of the plate. A comparator compares these outputs to indicate the position of the plate.

Abstract: A scanning system for an optical type coordinate input device comprises a plurality of light emitting elements and photoreceiving elements opposed to each other and a coordinate detection section for successively scanning a plurality of light emitting elements, wherein the light emitting elements in coordinate detection section are scanned while disposing a predetermined scanning interruption period. Since the temperature rise in the casing containing light emitting elements and like other elements can be reduced, erroneous operation of the device can be avoided, and element life can be increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are disclosed for examining a moving web of paper to determine the optical parameter of "formation" and the physical parameter of "roughness". The apparatus includes an optical system which forms an area of the web, with a first light source directing light through the moving web area from a back surface thereof, and a second light source directing light obliquely to the web area from the front surface thereof. A signal processing device determines the root-mean-square of the quotient resulting from the difference in received radiation from two spatially adjacent areas of the detectors divided by the sum of the received radiation from four spatially adjacent areas of said detectors to provide an output signal corresponding to formation or roughness of the paper web.

Abstract: An optical encoder and a method for producing the same in which each slit on a pulse scale of the encoder, which is an encoder wheel in the case of a rotary type encoder, is formed as a plurality of parallel grooves. The grooves are formed by depositing a thin layer of a reflective and chemically stable metal such as chromium or aluminum on a transparent plate and scanning the metal film with a laser while moving the plate and on/off modulating the laser to evaporate portions of the film. The laser is moved for each line of grooves, radially in the case of an encoder wheel.