Abstract: Luminous energy of a light-emitting element in an optical device is adjusted to a desired level by a light adjusting circuit including a light-receiving element adapted to detect the level of luminous energy of light emitted from the light-emitting element, an up/down counter circuit for counting clock signals up or down according to the level detected by the light-receiving element, and a current adjusting circuit for resetting the current intensity supplied to the light-emitting element according to output data from the up/down counter circuit.

Abstract: A light chopper periodically transmits and blocks light, and first a dark current cancelling circuit determines an approximate mean value of the dark current from a photodiode when the light is blocked and cancels thus the mean value from the current signal fed into the integrated circuit, add to this, a differential arithmetic circuit that subtracts the remaining dark current component from the output of the integration circuit, thus the remaining signal indicates only the signal current component.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes two birefringent media, one of which is exposed o pressure to undergo pressure-variable birefringence. Polarized light passes through the birefringent media to be modulated in accordance with the pressure and is then made incident on a photodetector to detect the modulation. The use of two birefringent media provides temperature compensation.

Abstract: A device and method for defining a three-dimensional structure of an object having a submicrometer size splits a coherent electromagnetic radiation beam into two partial beams including a first partial beam and a second partial beam. The first partial beam is focused on the object. The first partial beam is reflected from or dispersed from the object to yield a first radiation directed toward a locus. The second partial beam is directed toward the locus. The first radiation and the second radiation form an electromagnetic combination in a region of the locus. Second phase values are established from the initial phase values via multiplication of the initial phase values by one or more predetermined values to provide information for generating a magnified image representative of the object.

Abstract: A detector for an x-ray tomography apparatus has a plurality of detection elements arranged near an x-ray incident position in an array transverse to the slice direction. Each detection element is formed with a phosphorescent element for converting an incident radiation beam into light and a photoelectric conversion element for converting light from the phosphorescent element into an electrical signal. The phosphorescent element is shorter in the slice direction than the sensitive region of the photoelectric conversion element such that radiation reaching an edge area of the phosphorescent element can also be detected within a sensitive region of the photoelectric conversion element and generation of virtual and false images can be prevented.

Abstract: A non-contact type position transducer has a light emitting block for splitting a light beam into two light sub-beams and a light detecting block for receiving one of the light sub-beams and another light sub-beam radiated from another light emitting block, and the light emitting blocks and the light detecting blocks shared between a plurality of non-contact type position transducers make the arrangement of non-contact type position transducers simple.

Abstract: Radiation beam scanning apparatus comprises a rotatable reflector for causing an incident radiation beam to undergo a scanning movement; and a compensating device on to which the radiation beam impinges before reaching the rotating reflector. The compensating device modifies the optical path of circumferentially spaced portions of the beam upstream of the reflector, in phase with the rotation of the reflector, so as to compensate for distortions in the reflected beam introduced by the reflector.

Abstract: An optical detection system particularly suited to us as a pointing device uses a photodetector array capable of generating a quasi-sinusoidal signal in response to illumination with an image of appropriate size. The detection system can use either coherent or non-coherent light, and existing textures in standard materials such as paper or printed patterns.

Abstract: A method for the direct, mathematical reconstruction of the image of an object from measurements of the transmitted intensity of the scattered radiation effected by irradiating the object. The transmitted coefficient is related to the image by an integral operator. The image is directly, mathematical reconstructed by executing a prescribed mathematical algorithm, as determined with reference to the integral operator, on the transmitted coefficient, the algorithm further relating the absorption coefficient, the diffusion coefficient, or both to the transmitted coefficient by a different integral operator.

Abstract: An optical pickup system reads an information signal from stored on a recording surface of an optical disk. The optical pickup system includes a light source for generating a light beam including a P and an S polarization component with a wavelength .lambda..sub.1, a 1/4.lambda. plate for changing the polarization component of the light beam transmitted therethrough, an optical detector for detecting the information signal off the optical disk, and a beam splitter, provided with a first and a second surface, the first surface being capable of reflecting one of the polarization components to the optical disk through the 1/4.lambda. plate and transmitting the light beam reflected from the optical disk changed its polarization component by passing through the 1/4.lambda. plate to the second surface being capable of reflecting the light beam impinging thereon to the detecting means, thereby allowing the optical pickup system to read the information signals off the recording surface.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses an acceleration sensor which is capable of detecting the magnitude or the azimuth of acceleration. For this purpose, a ball 2 is set onto a bottom 1b of a tapered housing. A light emitter 3 is disposed thereunder and a light receiving unit 4 is disposed thereabove. The light receiving unit 4 comprises four light receiving elements 5A-5D which are disposed about the optical axis 10. When acceleration force is exerted on the ball 2 and the ball 2 is moved, light spot 20 of the ball 2 is moved also and output signals produced by receiving elements 5A through 5D are changed, thereby acceleration can be detected.

Abstract: An optoelectronic unit includes a base plate, an optoelectronic component carried by the base plate and having at least one optically active zone, and a lens body having at least one lens associated with the at least one optically active zone. The lens body has an integral spacing device resting directly against the optoelectronic component for establishing a desired clearance distance between the at least one optically active zone and the at least one lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the position of a shaft along a longitudinal axis. The method is used with a device that includes first, second, and third light detecting devices arranged about the shaft in a specific geometric pattern, with the second energy detecting device mounted to the shaft. A light directing device is arranged to deliver light energy sequentially between the first, the second, and the third light detecting devices. The method for determining the position of the shaft comprises the steps of generating a first measured value by measuring the interval the light energy directing device travels between the first and the second light detecting devices. A second measured value is generated that measures the interval the energy directing device travels between the second and the third energy detecting devices. A percentage of shaft rotation is calculated using the first and second measured values.

Abstract: The invention comprises a mounting assembly for an image intensifier tube in an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mounting assembly (152) may include a housing (154), a retainer (158) and a locking device (177). The housing (154) may be mounted to an optical bench (60). The retainer (158) may engage an image intensifier tube (150) and be coupled to the housing (154). The image intensifier tube (150) may be rotatable relative to the optical bench (60). The locking device (177) may selectively secure the image intensifier tube (150) relative to the optical bench (60).

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus is constructed in such an arrangement that a light-source substrate, in which a light source is arranged, and a photosensor are directly mounted on a frame bearing the strength of the main body of an information processing apparatus, the above light-source substrate may be unified with an electric circuit substrate of the information processing apparatus, and the electric circuit substrate has the photosensor and the light source, whereby the size and weight of the apparatus can be further decreased, the freedom of design and engineering design can be improved, and simplification of assembling and improvement in reliability can be achieved.

Abstract: An image tracker (10) that tracks an object (16) targeted for engagement by a laser weapon (12). The tracker (10) includes receiver optics (31) that receive radiation (30) from both a detected target (16) and a laser beam (14) incident thereon, and a polarizing beam splitter (44) that splits the radiation into a first beam of reflected laser radiation (46) and a second beam of detected target radiation (47). The polarizing beam splitter (44) reflects the first beam of reflected laser radiation (46) in a first direction for imaging purposes and linearly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation (47). A beam polarizer (60) circularly polarizes the second beam of detected target radiation. A micromirror array (66) reflects the circularly polarized detected target radiation back through the beam polarizer (60) to linearly polarize the second beam of detected target radiation (47).

Abstract: For the sake of reducing the number of parts and simplifying adjustment for the optical positions of the parts in an optical device wherein information signals from the light scattered or diffracted which is derived from an optical recording medium are detected, there is provided the optical device of the invention comprising a semiconductor substrate provided with a plane light emitting laser element and a photodiode; and an optical system; a layout position of the photodiode being selected in a region which extends out of the confocal region of the optical system, and from which the light scattered or diffracted from a section irradiated with laser light irradiation derived from the plane light emitting laser element with respect to the section to be irradiated.

Abstract: Spectrometric methodology for non-invasively obtaining optical spectra from heterogeneous material for the identification and quantification of constituent compounds. There is provided a transient or steady state subsurface thermal gradient spectroscopic methodology for obtaining in vivo optical spectra relating to the concentration of .eta. analytes at depths to around 330 microns in human tissue, and for determining that concentration from the spectra. The methodology is employable on a wide variety of spectrometric devices, and enables: a real time determination of both surface and reference intensities; a fast, efficient calibration of the spectrometric device; and results in the provision of an analytical parameter which avoids the measurement of the optical path length to enable the extremely accurate calculation of a ratio of concentrations of .eta. analytes in the system under analysis.

Abstract: First current is conducted through a first path to adjust a voltage at a node toward a predetermined level in response to the voltage being within a first subrange of voltages. Second current is conducted through a second path to adjust the voltage at the node toward the predetermined level in response to the voltage being within a second subrange of voltages.

Abstract: There is disclosed a non-contact type mode sensing device for use in an electric appliance. The mode sensing device comprises a stationary body, a driven gear rotatably fixed on the pin of the stationary body, and an optical coupler having a light emitter and a light receiver. The driven gear is provided with a circular reflective track formed on the bottom surface thereof. A plurality of reflective portions are formed, along a circular track, on a bottom surface of the driven gear. The reflective portions have different arcuate lengths from one another. The light beam emitted by the emitter of the optical coupler is reflected by the reflective portions and received at the receiver during the rotation of the driven gear, thereby allowing the optical coupler to produce signals in response to the presence or absence of the light reflected by the reflective portions.