Abstract: A Schottky barrier type radiation detector in combination with a mirror positioned from the barrier by a distance longitudinally equal to one quarter wavelength of the radiation being detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the liquid level in each of a plurality of containers in which each bottle passes in succession on a conveyor belt past a measuring station and between a radiation source and detector at the station. Each bottle is detected as it reaches the station to trigger actuation of the radiation source for a given number of time periods. Each period is of fixed duration and the time between periods is varied in accordance with the speed of belt and container so that each container receives the same radiation regardless of its speed.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a focussing error signal of an objective lens with respect to a video disc on which a light beam emitted from a laser light source is to be focussed as a light spot by the objective lens, a light flux reflected by the video disc is made incident upon a detection prism surface which is set substantially at a critical angle with respect to a central light ray in the reflected light flux, and two light fluxes which situate on respective sides of a boundary plane including the central light ray and perpendicular to a plane of incidence, and are reflected by the reflection surface are separately received by two light receiving regions which are divided along a boundary plane including the central light ray reflected by the reflection surface and perpendicular to the plane of incidence. The focussing error signal is derived as a difference between output signals from the two light receiving regions.

Abstract: In an optical instrument such as a photographic camera or an endoscope, the focus of an image of the object to be observed or photographed is automatically controlled based on the distance automatically measured. The distance of the object is automatically measured by use of a light source for illuminating the object, a photodetector, an image focusing optical system for focusing the image of the object on the photodetector, and an electric circuitry connected with the photodetector. The intensity of the illumination is periodically changed and the light reflected by the illuminated object received by the photodetector is measured. When the level of the output of the photodetector becomes equal to a predetermined level, a signal is generated to indicate that the brightness of the illuminated object has reached a predetermined level. Since the light intensity of the illumination at this point corresponds to the distance of the object, the distance is thus measured.

Abstract: Installation to measure the limit of visibility in a fog, comprising a motor of a control device effecting the setting of the variable focus of the optical apparatus (1) and simultaneously driving one or several moving assemblies (8) displaceable with respect to one or several stationary assemblies (9). In each combination of a moving assembly (8) and the corresponding stationary assembly (9), one of the two assemblies comprises at least one detector (11) or sensor (12) of numerical and/or analog information consigned to the other assembly and having as its object the light of the series of lights upon which the variable focus is set.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus for a camera comprises a first focusing optical system with a half mirror transmitting light from a subject, a second focusing optical system with a mirror to lead another light from the subject to the half mirror and a single focusing element for receiving said different lights thereby focusing detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting breakage of glass fibers comprising illuminating the fibers with electromagnetic radiation and sensing a variation in the amount of radiation scattered by the fibers as an indication of a break of said fibers.

Abstract: The output (18) from an optical sensor is recharged for a time dictated by the output of the digital-to-analog converter (11). A previous count indicative of the recharge time is stored in memory (52) which controls the converter (11). This count is manipulated in incrementing circuit elements (54) (70 and 72) depending on the time the comparator (12) signals a difference signal, indicative of a period of recharge.

Abstract: A photoelectronic apparatus, in which a photoelectric convertor (the operational convertor) receives a beam of light and produces an output signal proportional to the intensity of the light received, is protected against the effects of unwanted light by providing an auxiliary photoelectric convertor arranged in the vicinity of the operational convertor. The auxiliary convertor detects the presence of unwanted light and its output is subtracted from that of the operational convertor and the resultant signal is then examined to distinguish between events occuring in the light beam and events simulated by the unwanted light.

Abstract: There is provided a photoelectric switch comprising a photoelectric detection means, a circuit means disposed independently of the detection means, and cable means interconnecting the detection and circuit means, there being formed in the photoelectric detection means a parallel circuit comprised of a light emission photodiode and a display photodiode of opposite polarity thereto as connected in parallel-circuit relation, which parallel circuit is connected to a pulse oscillation circuit included in the circuit means with a couple of lines, whereby a pulse current of single polarity is applied from the pulse oscillation circuit to the parallel circuit to thereby actuate only the light emission photodiode, and there being disposed in the circuit means a display circuit which functions in response to a detection output obtained in the circuit means so that through the tow lines a pulse current of opposite polarity to the first-mentioned pulse current flows to the parallel circuit in a phase where the first-ment

Abstract: A process is described for fabricating spacers of a desired thickness of filters, the spacers to be used in separating the filter from an underlying image sensing device. The process includes the steps of forming a pattern of electrically conductive material on one surface of the filter, depositing dry resist to the desired thickness over all of the filter except on the electrically conductive pattern, depositing additional electrically conductive material on at least the electrically conductive pattern, and removing the dry resist.

Abstract: An improved optical transducer includes optical transmitter and receiver heads and an encoder plate movable therebetween on channel-shaped tracks integral in part with an inner housing. The encoder plate, and optical heads are disposed in an optical fluid which minimizes light refraction between those optical components, cushions against shock and vibratory loading, and lubricates the encoder plate tracks. The transducer includes an input shaft connected to the encoder plate by means of a coupling which isolates the encoder plate from misalignments of the input shaft and eliminates free-play in the connection between the encoder plate and input shaft, thereby eliminating backlash in the reciprocation of the encoder plate for improved transducer accuracy.

Abstract: A signal generator which generates one pulse for each predetermined distance of travel of a vehicle. A rotary member is driven by the rotation of a wheel of the vehicle, and the rotary member has arranged thereon reflecting and non-reflecting portions alternately with each other about a rotary shaft of the rotary member. A pair of optical transmission lines are disposed to confront at one end the surface of the rotary member on which the reflecting and non-reflecting portions are arranged. Light is emitted from a light emitting element to the other end of one of the optical transmission line, and light reflected by the rotary member is incident to the other optical transmission line and received by a photo detector provided at the other end of the optical transmission line. In dependence on whether the reflecting or non-reflecting portion of the rotary member lies opposite to the optical transmission lines, the output from the photo detector varies to provide a travel-distance signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder housing is rotatably mounted upon a hub secured to the shaft of a motor typically by a set screw. The hub also carries the encoder disc. A circular leaf spring is fastened by studs to the motor housing and the encoder housing. Alternatively a spring couples the hub to the motor shaft while the encoder housing is secured to the motor housing.

Abstract: A device is disclosed in which an edge-sensing means ("sensor") and a work-performing assembly are combined to perform work on a belt, strip or other work (hereafter "material"). It may be desired to slit the material, or simply position it with respect to a reference mark, but whichever the work-performing function to be discharged, it is required to do so with accuracy relative to one or both edges of the material. The sensor comprises a silicon solar cell ("cell") and a light source ("lamp") between which an edge of the material is sensed, and the deviation from a reference position measured. Depending upon the area of the cell exposed to light from the lamp due to the variable placement of an edge of the material as it traverses the cell, an electrical current is generated in the cell which current is directly proportional to the area of the cell upon which the light falls.

Abstract: An envelope for a photodiode which serves as a detector of light signals comprises a support and a metal cap-shaped member connected hermetically to the support. A metallized glass light conductor passed through an aperture of the cap-shaped member is connected in the aperture by means of solder. One end of the light conductor extends up to the photodiode; the other end projects from the cap-shaped member and is surrounded by the wall of an aperture on one side of a blocked-shaped member, in which aperture an optical fiber can be incorporated on the other side.

Abstract: A clock generator for establishing working clock pulses occurring for constant increments in a scan path of a laser scanner which cyclically sweeps over a record medium at a non-constant velocity includes: a generator of a fiducial pulse at least once per cycle of sweep; a frequency synthesizer responsive to the fiducial pulses for generating radio-frequency clock pulses having a frequency greater than the fiducial pulses, and in synchronization therewith; a storage for storing a plurality of count values, each of the count values being associated with a given increment along the scan path; a working clock pulse generator, including a counter which counts the radio-frequency clock pulses, for emitting a working clock pulse each time the counter counts a count value received by the working clock pulse generator. For each working clock pulse a new count value stored in the storage is transmitted to the working clock pulse generator.

Abstract: An absolute encoder comprising a sensor array, a code plate arranged in opposition to the sensor array and having a plurality of blocks in the direction of normal displacement, each block having an address track and a fine reading track, and an arithmetic unit for processing data of the code plate detected by the sensor array. Each of the blocks of the code plate has a reference track, an address track and a fine reading track. The fine reading track of each block has fine reading patterns which change in a direction crossing said direction of normal displacement.

Abstract: A time-shared aperture device using the laser illuminated target to provide a return wavefront which passes through the optical train and beam expander. The distortions in this return wavefront are sampled by a rotating beam chopper which completely blocks the outgoing beam, thereby preventing scattered laser light in the optical train and beam expander from drowning out the fainter target return. Wavefront analyzers provide an indication of errors present in the optical system so that correction may be applied.

Abstract: A low pass filter for an auto focus camera system to deflect light from the main lens by a controlled angular amount and thus suppress high frequency components in the signal.