Abstract: A method for transferring signals from a photoreceiver array to computational circuitry in which parallel transfer amplifiers receive periodic offset correction. In a first embodiment, each transfer amplifier has a differential circuit that can be switched from a reset mode to a readout mode. In the readout mode, the voltage state at the output is responsive to first and second inputs, with the second input being connected to a source of a reference voltage. In the reset mode, the inputs are both connected to the reference voltage and the output is temporarily connected to a source of a fixed reset voltage. An offset adjustment signal is generated in response to detection of a voltage difference between the reset voltage and the actual voltage state at the output after the output has been disconnected from the source of the reset voltage. A single offset circuit is used to periodically and sequentially refresh the various transfer amplifiers.

Abstract: A sensor mounting structure superior in durability for supporting by a frame member 17 on one side of a transport path a sensor body 22, including at least one of a light emitter 18 and a light detector 19, for detecting an object being transported along the transport path 12, the mounting structure comprising a pair of rising portions 23 spaced apart from each other and rising from the frame member 17 along both sides of the sensor body 22, each rising portion having a lock portion 24; and a pair of hook portions 25 releasably engaging the lock portions 24, wherein each hook portion 25 is capable of being deformed elastically in the direction in which both hook portions 25 come closer to each other in order to engage or disengage the corresponding lock portions 24.

Abstract: A programmable logic device (10) has a number of programmable logic elements (LEs) (12) which are grouped together in a plurality of logic array blocks (LABs) (14). A global interconnect structure (20, 24) is provided for interconnecting a LAB with other LABs. Adjacent or nearby LEs are connectable to one another via cascade connectors (72) between LEs. The cascade is enhanced by providing a selector (90) that allows a cascade line from one LE to selectively be coupled to an input of an adjacent or nearby LE through a cascade logic gate (94).

Abstract: A device for generating, detecting and recognizing a contour image of a liquid container, such as at least partly transparent, colored or non-colored bottles comprising a light source, light detector means, means for directing light rays received from said light source as parallel rays transversely of a path travelled by said container, and for conveying to said light detector means light rays which are not refracted or hidden by said container, processing means connected to said light detector means for processing signals from said detector means which are indicative of such detected light rays, and means for comparing such processed signals with predetermined container feature data to recognize said contour image of the container. The means for directing light rays suitably comprises a Fresnel lens which is located at a longitudinal side of said path, and a planar mirror located at an opposite longitudinal side of said path, said light source e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a reflective surface, or material on such surface, such as lubricant and planarizing layers on a substrate surface. A beam of controlled polarization impinges obliquely at a spot in the plane of the substrate. A collector such as an integrating sphere is spaced away from the substrate and has an opening oriented to catch the oblique specular reflectance from the surface. Preferably the opening is substantially larger than the beam, so that substrate run out does not send the beam astray or defeat its measurement, and the oblique beam is aimed at an angle lying between the Brewster angle of the lubricant and that of the adjacent layer. A temperature-controlled laser diode with constant-current driver provides a beam that is free of wavelength hops and amplitude changes, making beam aiming repeatable and allowing point-by-point comparisons of the detected reflectance.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing an initial position of a moveable carriage mounted within a housing of an imaging device may comprise a detector having a plurality of light sensitive elements for detecting objects within a field of view. At least one of the light sensitive elements is an image sensing element and at least one of the light sensitive elements is a position sensing element. A reference mark is positioned on the housing so that is within the field of view of the position sensing element of the detector when the carriage is at about a home position. An image data processor connected to the detector and responsive to the output signals generated thereby determines whether the reference mark is within the field of view of the position sensing element of the detector.

Abstract: A document scanner method and apparatus is provided which allows for the detection of the presence and size of a document to be scanned. The scanner would also determine whether the document being scanned is crooked. The document scanner includes an automatic document feeder, which feeds the document into the scanner. As the document is being fed into the scanner by the automatic document feeder, an array of CCDs detects the size of the document using a code strip. The CCD signal of the detected document size is then converted to an electronic signal which is sent to application software. The application software then instructs the scanner as to the area to be scanned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gun lens for generating a particle beam with a cathode, an extraction electrode, an anode and a condenser lens, wherein a deceleration field is generated between the extraction electrode and the anode and the condenser lens produces a magnetic field which is superimposed on both the cathode, the extraction electrode and the anode.

Abstract: Polarized measuring light is coupled into a sensor device and, after passing through the sensor device, is decomposed in an analyzer into two differently, linearly polarized partial light signals. The corresponding electric intensity signals are intensity-normalized by dividing their respective AC signal component by their respective DC signal component. From the two intensity-normalized signals S1 and S2, a temperature-compensated measured signal M is derived in accordance with the two equations S1=f1(T)*M and S2=f2(T)*M. The functions f1(T) and f2(T) are predetermined by particular linear, quadratic, or exponential fit-functions of the temperature T. In particular, in the case of linear fit-functions f1(T) and f2(T), the measured signal is yielded as M=A*S1+B*S2.

Abstract: A scanner including a scanning unit for scanning penetrative document as well as reflective document, and a light source projecting unit adapted for reflecting light from the light source of the scanning unit through penetrative document when the light source of the scanning unit is turned from the position for reflective scanning mode to the position for penetrative scanning mode.

Abstract: An electro-optic, noncontact, interior cross-sectional profiler (a "probe") and method of using the probe to determine the physical characteristics, such as interior dimensions, of an interior surface of a tubular structure, such as pipe, tubing, gun barrels and the like. The probe utilizes a disc of unfocused light to illuminate a cross-section of the interior surface and images the illuminated cross-section from the interior surface to a photodetector array, where the image can be evaluated. The probe is useful for off-line and on-line (or "in-line") processes, such as an extrusion process.

Abstract: A horizontal retrace time adjustment pulse generating circuit includes a microcomputer for outputting a horizontal flyback signal and an analog voltage based on an input horizontal synchronizing frequency; oscillation duty adjusting circuit for outputting a duty-cycle adjusting signal based on the analog voltage of the microcomputer; a monostable multivibrator for outputting a rectangular wave based on the horizontal flyback signal of the microcomputer and the duty-cycle adjusting signal of the oscillation duty adjusting circuit; feedback signal detecting circuit for detecting a horizontal flyback pulse from a horizontal deflection circuit and outputting the detected signal; and signal coupling circuit for coupling the rectangular wave of the monostable multivibrator and the detected signal from the feedback signal detecting circuit and outputting a result of the coupling as a time control pulse for horizontal retrace.

Abstract: A thermally differentiable pattern such as hot melt adhesive is monitored in a production line system. An electrical output from a thermopile radiation sensor is applied to a detection circuit which processes the sensor electrical output to perform an inverse to the sensor transfer function and to perform a differentiation which provides a pulsed output at rising and falling edges of the sensor signal. Comparators provide respective output pulse signals representing the respective rising and falling edges. An adjustable amplifier in the circuit adjusts pulse threshold relative to sensed radiation.

Abstract: An infrared type gas analyzer is formed of a measuring cell for receiving a gas to be measured; an infrared light source for irradiating the gas in the measuring cell; a correlation filter disposed adjacent to the measuring cell; and a sensor for detecting infrared light ejected from the infrared light source and passing through the correlation filter and the measuring cell to analyze the gas in the measuring cell. A correction filter is disposed on a portion of the correlation filter for correction or calibration of the gas analyzer. Thus, the infrared type gas analyzer has a simple structure and can perform a simplified correction without complicated operation.

Abstract: An automated method for checking cytological system autofocus integrity. The automated method includes the steps of checking focus illumination integrity, checking focus camera Modulation Transfer Function, checking focus camera position integrity, and checking closed loop accuracy. Checking focus illumination integrity includes checking focus illumination system integrity, and checking a focus noise floor level. Checking focus camera position integrity includes checking focus camera longitudinal separation, and checking focus camera lateral separation. Checking focus camera position integrity includes checking focus filter frequency response.

Abstract: A light intensity controlling device has a beam splitter which splits light fluxes emitted from a plurality of independently controlled semiconductor lasers, guided by optical fibers, into monitor light fluxes and main light fluxes. A gain adjusting circuit corrects the changes of output of light receiving elements depending on the polarization states of the light fluxes incident into the beam splitter. The changes result from the polarization characteristics of the optical fibers and/or the beam splitter. Alternatively, a filter is provided at one of the light receiving elements to compensate for the changes, thus providing a corrected output signal. Laser control circuits control the light emitting intensity of each semiconductor laser based on corrected output signals. The light receiving elements are set at an angle to the incoming light as so to avoid directing reflected light back toward an imaging system or the lasers.

Abstract: A bill or security discriminating apparatus includes at least one irradiating device for irradiating a surface of a bill or security at a predetermined angle with the surface thereof, at least one polarization separating device for receiving light reflected by the surface of the bill or security and separating the received light into P-polarized light and S-polarized light, at least one first light detector for photoelectrically detecting the P-polarized light separated by the at least one polarization separating device and generating an electrical signal in accordance with intensity of the detected light, at least one second light detector for photoelectrically detecting the S-polarized light separated by the at least one polarization separating device and generating an electrical signal in accordance with intensity of the detected light, and a discriminator for discriminating the bill or security in accordance with the intensity of the P-polarized light and S-polarized light based on the electrical signals

Abstract: A transmission type encoder is disclosed, which comprises a main scale, a light source that radiates collimated light to the main scale, and a photodiode array that also functions as an index scale. The main scale has a rectangular grating in which light transmitting portions and light non-transmitting portions are arranged at pitch P, and each width of the light transmitting portions is set to 2p/3, whereby a third harmonic distortion in an output signal can be removed.

Abstract: A dynamic logic signal repeater includes a complementary dynamic logic circuit with an input node to receive an input signal and an output node storing a precharge signal. The complementary dynamic logic circuit configuration, transistor sizing, and the use of a precharge driver results in a signal transition trip point for the precharge signal on the output node that is substantially equivalent to the signal transition trip point of a static logic circuit. Thus, the dynamic logic signal repeater has improved noise immunity. An evaluation locking transistor is connected to the complementary dynamic logic circuit and the output node. The evaluation locking transistor prevents the charging of the output node during a dynamic logic evaluation period.

Abstract: An improved fast neutron x-y detector and radiographic/tomographic device utilizing a white neutron probe (4). The invention includes a multiple scattering filter (44), radiographic and tomographic imaging of the number densities of atoms in small volume increments through a sample 32 and the atomic, chemical and physical structure of a sample, (32), and neural net analysis techniques, where the neural net is trained through use of simulated volume increments. The invention detects fast neutrons over a two dimensional plane, measures the energy of the neutrons, and discriminates against gamma rays. In a preferred embodiment, the detector face is constructed by stacking separate bundles (6) of scintillating fiber optic strands (20) one on top of the other. The first x-y coordinate is determined by which bundle (6) the neutron strikes. The other x-y coordinate is calculated by measuring the difference in time of flight for the scintillation photon to travel to the opposite ends of the fiber optic strand 20.