Abstract: An apparatus for the optical scanning of objects in which the light from at least one light source falls on at least one light-sensitive sensor and the objects to be scanned are disposed between the light source and the sensor. The sensor comprises a large-area solar cell and an aperture mask conforming to the contours of the object to be scanned disposed between the surface of the solar cell and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: Sensing of acoustic waves is achieved by providing spaced apart stationary and cantilevered optic fibers whereby inertial forces created by acoustic signals modulate an optical signal carried by the fibers through vibration of the cantilevered fiber.

Abstract: Automatic focusing apparatus includes a charge store type photo-sensor. Due to the use of the photo-sensor, the apparatus has an improved response to a substantial charge of an interval of control outputs by change in a time sequence of the control outputs and also has an improved response to a change in a time sequence of servo outputs and a substantial change in an interval of the servo outputs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image acquisition utilizing a non-planar beam of electro-magnetic radiation, such as, a hollow conical beam of light, to illuminate at least a portion of an object. The conical beam of light is generated by impinging a light beam on the surface of a concave, cylindrical reflector. The light beam enters the concave cylindrical reflector through the hollow shaft of a motor. The illuminated portion of the object is imaged on an array of photosensitive elements to produce corresponding signals that are representative of the image on the array. These signals can be used to obtain identification information concerning the object and guidance information for a plural axis manipulator employed in conjunction with the object. In one application the image acquisition apparatus is used in a robot to provide control signals for guiding the robot tool along a path, such as, a welding seam.

Abstract: An in-focus detector for binocular stereoscope including a pair of left- and right-hand observation optics comprises a pair of beam splitters disposed on the optical axis of the respective observation optics. Each of the beam splitters derives part of observation light out of the associated observation optics and directs it to a reflecting element, which reflects the light onto a light receiver disposed at a focused position. The light receiver produces photoelectric outputs in accordance with the imaging condition of an image of an object being examined, and an in-focus detection circuit responds to these outputs by detecting an in-focus condition.

Abstract: A thread-monitoring device for monitoring threads being fed to a textile machine, comprising for each pair of threads to be monitored, a two-arm lever pivotally mounted in a pendulum-like manner and provided at the free ends of its arms with respective thread guides. A pair of threads to be monitored is led down past a corresponding two-arm lever such that with the threads engaged in respective ones of the lever's thread guides the threads exert forces on the lever which normally balance out and leave the lever in a central position. Upon this balance of forces being upset, for example, due to thread breakage or unequal thread tensions, the lever is arranged to be displaced from its central position, this displacement being detected by suitable sensor means.

Abstract: An optical cursor control device or "optical mouse" is disclosed for use with an interactive, display oriented computer system to provide movement for a visible cursor from position to position on a display screen of such a system. The cursor control device provides an output indicative of the amount and direction of movement of the device relative to an orthogonal coordinate system. The device relies on a planar grid pattern comprising orthogonally positioned grid lines of uniform spacing, one line and spacing defining a grid period. Means is provided to illuminate at least a portion of the grid pattern. Sensor array means comprising optical transducers are provided for each orthogonal direction. Each optical transducer has an elongated radiation detecting area to receive radiation from an elongated radiation collecting area at the plane of said grid pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image acquisition utilizing a non-planar beam of electro-magnetic radiation, such as, a hollow conical beam of light, to illuminate at least a portion of an object. The conical beam of light is generated by impinging a light beam on the surface of a concave, cylindrical reflector. The illuminated portion of the object is imaged on an array of photosensitive elements to produce corresponding signals that are representative of the image on the array. These signals can be used to obtain identification information concerning the object and guidance information for a plural axis manipulator employed in conjunction with the object. In one application the image acquisition apparatus is used in a robot to provide control signals for guiding the robot tool along a path, such as, a welding seam.

Abstract: An optical type detector comprises a full-wave rectifier circuit to which input power source voltage arbitrarily selected is supplied, a switching regulator, a detecting section supplied with power from the switching regulator and optically detecting an object to output a detection signal, and a relay switch for performing switching operation in response to detection signal and producing a detection output corresponding to detection signal. The switching regulator includes a drive section which has two transistors connected in series with each other. When the input power voltage is applied, the two transistors divide the power voltage into substantially equal two parts.

Abstract: The pulse signal generating device for a tape recorder comprises a rotary plate attached to a rotating shaft portion of the tape recorder which rotates in connection with tape running. The rotary plate has a central axis, and rotates together with the rotating shaft portion around the central axis. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body includes at least one first surface portion with a higher reflection factor and at least one second surface portion with a lower reflection factor. The first and second surface portions adjoin each other along the circumferential direction, and are located at different distances from the central axis. The pulse signal generating device further comprises a photo-reflector facing the outer peripheral surface of the rotary plate. The photo-reflector includes a light emitting element for emitting light toward the outer peripheral surface and a light receiving element to receive light reflected from the outer peripheral surface.

Abstract: A lag control electrode is mounted on that portion of a cell constituting a picture element which is disposed on one end portion of an N.sup.+ layer. A gate electrode is provided close to the other end portion of the N.sup.+ layer. Where a picture light enters a solid state image sensor, then a signal charge is generated in a P type semiconductor substrate. The signal charge thus produced is collected in the N.sup.+ layer. Only during the period in which the lag control electrode is impressed with a prescribed level of voltage, then part of the signal charge is trapped in interface states between that portion of a SiO.sub.2 layer which lies below the lag control electrode and the N.sup.+ layer. Only during the period in which the gate electrode is impressed with a prescribed level of voltage, the signal charge collected in the N.sup.+ layer is delivered to the channel layer of a CCD shift register.

Abstract: A solar array positioning system includes first light sensor means facing the same direction as the solar array and second light sensor means facing the opposite direction. A third sensor, this one responsive to gravity, is employed to indicate the direction about a diurnal slew axis that the array is tilted. These sensors are employed to determine the initial array slewing direction to insure that during slewing and subsequent tracking, the array never is rotated through more than a given angle, less than 360.degree., between two fixed limits. This permits connection to the array by hard wiring rather than slip rings. The system includes also fourth sensor means for providing fine tracking signals which assume control of the array position during tracking. A vane structure reduces the sensitivity of various of the sensors to obscuration by foreign particles. A low cost uncorrected lens may be used with the fourth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binary coding of sensor signals received from a number of optoelectronic sensor elements employ an evaluator associated with each sensor element for generating binary output signals corresponding to the amount of charge generated by the associated sensor element. Selected pairs of evaluators are connected to an electronic switch, with one of the evaluator outputs serving to actuate the switch for the purpose of undertaking a charge quantity comparison between the associated sensors which are disposed a small distance from one another. Each evaluator includes a converter consisting of a switching transistor and a load element connected in series, and a barrier transistor connecting the output of the associated sensor element with the input of the converter, and a reset transistor for connecting the converter input with a constant voltage source.

Abstract: Photo-optical apparatus for reading a label or the like carrying a label code readable in the form of a binary code characterized by presence or absence of optically detectable indicia at predefined zones of predetermined dimension. The apparatus includes optical sensors disposed adjacent to a path so as to be responsive to indicia carried by the label travelling in a direction such that the indicia is disposed in first and second tracks parallel to the direction of label travel. A programmed microprocessor is responsive to the state of the sensor outputs for detecting the direction of label travel and reversals of the direction of travel, and for selectively controlling entry and output of the label code to and from a data storage register such that upon completion of a read cycle the order of data significance can be determined independently of direction of travel of the label through the path past the sensors and independently of the left or right side mounting of sensors with respect to label travel path.

Abstract: A correction circuit of a halftone dot area rate detector wherein a relation between a detected halftone dot area rate and a light transmittance or reflectance of an object obtained by a halftone photography is approximately expressed by a turning curve having at least one turning point, which comprises line segments, by using a turning point correction circuit comprising an inverting amplifying circuit, wherein another inverting amplifying circuit is coupled in parallel with the turning point correction circuit, and wherein a potensiometer couples the outputs of the two circuits and outputs a signal corresponding to a correction amount.

Abstract: Conveyor system particularly suitable for the bulk transfer of cigarettes from one or more manufacturing machines to one or more packaging machines, and comprising at least one device for controlling the quantity of cigarettes at a determined position.The control device comprises a plurality of photoemitter elements disposed at different levels relative to the controlled position, which direct their rays through the controlled position to corresponding photosensitive elements. An electrical circuit controls drive means for the conveyor system by means of a voltage which in terms of absolute value and sign is a function of the number of photosensitive elements illuminated by the corresponding photoemitter elements.

Abstract: An assembly of electrical components having electrical leads extending from a housing having channels for the leads extending through the end of the housing. The lead channels are of a depth about equal to the diameter of the leads with beveled bottom surface portions to engage the leads. A cover for the housing has protrusions on the inner face of the housing overlying each of the lead channels and the beveled portions and each dimensioned to interfere with the leads in the channels when the cover is secured to the housing.

Abstract: An optical pattern tracer is disclosed, of the circular scanning type. The interception of the pattern by the scan produces electrical outputs which are reduced to numerical values representative of their time of occurrence with reference to the scanning circle. The numbers derived and the nature of the signal generated are then processed to indicate the direction of the pattern, presence or absence of command marks and combined with other reference inputs, such as kerf and direction of tracing used to control a drive mechanism to move the tracer around the pattern.

Abstract: A normally-OFF switch includes a transistor branch path and a parallel pair of oppositely poled thyristor branch paths to protect against voltage surges. To minimize latching-on of the thyristors as a result of voltage surges, the thyristor branch paths including light emitting diodes which light up when excess current flows in the thyristor branch paths and actuate a photodiode array which biases the transistor path to conduction to divert excess current from the thyristor path.

Abstract: This invention relates to control circuits of the type which continuously monitor their own performance so as to be self-checking, i.e., to produce a response whenever the system shows the absence of a condition being monitored or a change therein and also produces a response if the control system itself should become inoperative or otherwise malfunction.