Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus having one or more optical fibers with a numerical aperture of 0.870 or less to receive and conduct light signals. A light detecting unit receiving the light signals from said optical fibers and providing an electrical output signal in response thereto. A signal processing unit receiving the electrical output signal and determining the signal distribution thereof.

Abstract: A fiber optic detection system comprising an array of fiber optic elements is presented. Each fiber optic element is uniquely encoded using a plurality of discrete ferquencies, digital codes or other encoding techniques. When a break occurs in one or more fiber optic elements, the missing light frequencies or digital codes are sensed, thereby indicating the break. Preferably, the fiber optic elements are arranged in a grid pattern so that precise location of the break can be made.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for inspecting the sidewalls of bottles are disclosed. The sidewall of a bottle to be inspected is illuminated by a light in a pattern of stripes. At least three near points in an image of lights transmitted through the sidewall which are selected along a scan line are compared in brightness. When the central one of the three points to be noted has a brightness differing from the other near points on both sides of the noted point by more than a set value, the noted point is detected as a defect point. Based on the thus detected defect point, the presence of a defect on the sidewall of the bottle is judged. The method and the apparatus for inspecting the sidewalls of bottles can detect refractive defects as well as light-blocking defects with high precision.

Abstract: A laser beam recorder arranged to record data with dots of a constant size, constant pitch and constant density, irrespective of possible differences in scanning speed between the middle and peripheral portions of a recording medium. The timing of irradiating the recording medium with the light beam is precipitated and the duration of the irradiation with the light beam is shortened as the scanning speed increases, whereby the dot size and dot pitch can be made constant irrespective of variation in the scanning speed. Further, the light beam is intensified as the scanning speed increases. Though the duration of the irradiation with the light beam is reduced with the increasing scanning speed, the amount of energy for recording one dot is maintained constant by intensifying the light beam as described, whereby the dot density can be maintained constant.

Abstract: A rotation quantity measuring method and system measures a rotation quantity of an object body. The rotation quantity is measured by irradiating a light from a light source on a grating pattern which is formed on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical body which rotates integrally with the object body, and detecting a shadow picture pattern which is generated by a reflected light received from the grating pattern based on a diffraction caused by the grating pattern. Then, the rotation quantity of the object body is measured based on a movement of the shadow picture pattern as the object body rotates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuously and instantaneously measuring sidestream smoke are provided. A hood assembly is provided to fit over the ports of a conventional smoking machine. Sidestream smoke produced by test cigarettes is continuously drawn through the hood by an exhaust system. A laser beam is passed through the smoke one or more times before the beam is sensed by a photodiode detector. An electrical signal from the detector, representing the light transmission, is received by a strip recorder or computer system. The transmission measurements are used to calculate the extinction coefficient of the smoke for comparison purposes.

Abstract: An improved image sensor is described. The image sensor is produced with a light window by removing a portion of a photosensitive laminate structure by projection of a laser beam. The laminate structure comprises a light blocking electrode, a semiconductor film and an opposed electrode formed on a transparent substrate in this order. Because of differences in laser scribing effectiveness at different depths, the laminate structure is partially removed in a somewhat conical form and therefore the light blocking electrode extends beyond the semiconductor film.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of processed photograph film at a particular location comprises a light source which emits green or blue light having a wavelength in the range of 420-600 nanometers. A light sensors positioned to receive light from the light source when the film is not present. An infrared filter and a filter for transmitting light in the range of wavelengths emitted by the light source are positioned in front of the light sensor.

Abstract: A range camera is provided for the determination of range to an object through the utilization of a system which projects a limited depth of field light pattern onto an object and measures the blurring of the pattern on the object. In one embodiment an anisotropic aperture or astigmatic optics are used in combination with an isotropic pattern to eliminate system error introduced by the camera. The anisotropic aperture provides that blurring takes place only in a given direction, with measurement of blurring in an orthogonal direction providing an output only responsive to the blurring associated with the camera. This blurring can then be subtracted out to eliminate system error from the range measurement. The range camera is operative to produce a range picture or map, with optional outputs providing localized albedo and a conventional brightness image.

Abstract: An x-ray image intensifier for use in an x-ray diagnostic system has an electrode system for focusing electrons generated by incident x-radiation on an input luminescent screen onto an output luminescent screen. For reducing manufacturing and assembly costs, the electrodes of the electrode system are applied as a coat on the inside of a one-piece sheet metal part which forms the wall of the x-ray image intensifier between the input and output luminescent screens. The coat is adapted in shape as needed to form the electrodes, and the sheet metal wall, with the electrodes thereon, has different diameters along its longitudinal length matched to the required electrode diameters.

Abstract: A microscope (1) arranged for measuring microscopic structures uses punctiform bundles of rays from a point source (31, 34) of light focused by an optical system on a structure to be measured so that a photoelectric detector (15) can receive the ray bundles reflected from the structure. Plane plates (30a,30b) arranged in a non-parallel ray portion of the path of the optical system can be pivoted through predetermined angles for moving the focal point of the ray bundles on the structure. Encoders (61a, 61b) are coupled with the plates and arranged for measuring the pivot angles used in moving the focal point; and a processor (20) supplied with signals from the encoders and from the detector (15) is arranged for calculating the linear dimensions of the structure over which the focal point has moved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for effecting the sweep of a beam of light stricly plane and parallel to a given axis, comprising a sweeping mirror, mounted on an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the said given axis, and the plane of which substantially contains the said axis of rotation, and an optical device arranged substantially in the plane containing the said given axis of rotation. It comprises a first means of adjustment for adjusting the angle of incidence of the beam of light with respect to a predetermined plane passing through the said given axis and substantially perpendicular to the said axis of rotation of the mirror, and a second means of adjustment for adjusting the inclination of the axis of rotation of the mirror with respect to the said predetermined plane.

Abstract: As a result of the use of a slow phosphor in the exit screen of an X-ray image intensifier tube, a number of image fields can be picked up by means of the comparatively fast television camera during the afterglow of the phosphor. This enables quantum noise integration and, when use is made of a CCD camera upon display, a resolution can be achieved upon display which corresponds to the resolution of a conventional pick-up tube. Moreover, in accordance with the invention it is no longer necessary to use a controllable diaphragm and a complex interface for the asynchronous pick-up and reading of the image information.

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode quenching circuit comprises a low value photodiode series resistor and a comparator amplifier. The comparator compares the photodiode potential with a reference voltage and changes state rapidly after initiation of a photodiode avalanche. The photodiode is actively quenched by taking its potential below breakdown. This achieved by a fast-switching transistor activated by avalanche detection at the comparator. A further fast-switching transistor is arranged to reset the comparator input after a preset delay following avalanche detection. The photodiode recharges passively through the series resistor at a rapid rate since this resistor has a low value. The quench and reset transistors are deactivated by comparator reset, the latter after the preset delay once more, and are isolated from the photodiode during recharge by diodes. The invention avoids the use of active photodiode reset pulses, and has constant output pulse width and well-defined dead-time.

Abstract: To compensate for the effects of magnetic distortion in an X-ray image intensifier tube, the mode of scanning the target of the television camera associated with this tube is modified. Shifts, corresponding to measured distortions, are caused in the line scan and the vertical scan. In this way, an image which can be used in morphometry is restored on a display screen.

Abstract: A touch panel apparatus which, when attached to a display having a substantially cylindrical display surface, reduces the effects of parallax by having a first set of plural light source - photo-detector pairs provided adjacent the cylindrical display surface for generating and detecting a first set of parallel light beams passing across the cylindrical display surface of the display, a second set of plural light source photo-detector pairs provided adjacent the cylindrical display surface for generating and detecting a second set of parallel light beams passing across the cylindrical display surface of the display, wherein the first and second sets of light beams are non-parallel relative to the principal direction of cylindrical curvature of the cylindrical display surface, and a process circuit connected to the first and second sets of light source - photo-detector pairs for determining coordinates by detecting interrupted light beams.

Abstract: A high density planar array of substrate-supported, thin film diodes constituting photoresponsive semiconductor elements is placed between a document to be read and a light source for illuminating the document. The document is illuminated by the light source via windows in the array, reflected light from the document impinging on the photoresponsive elements constituted by the diodes which are electronically interrogated to provide a signal which is indicative of image information on the document. The light source directly illuminates small portions of each diode to establish a discharge or bias current that makes the array more sensitive and responsive. The high density diodes of the array can be formed in a manner that minimizes leakage current between adjacent diodes.

Abstract: A method and system for finding an exact focus of a taking lens of a single lens camera or the like. The method detects the relative position between two images on the basis of light intensity distribution of the images from a pair of light sensor arrays that receive the images through light paths separated from each other in space. The relative position depends on whether a taking lens of a camera is in front-focus condition or in back-focus condition. Partial image data consisting of n data respectively are sampled from the two image data as verification data. A number of combinations of the data are used to calculate evaluation values indicative of the level of correlation between the respective verification data. Correct focus exhibits the highest correlation. The method overcomes the problem that the combination having the highest correlation may not be correctly determined due to abnormal shape or envelope of the plotted distribution of the evaluation value.