Abstract: A tactile sensing system is provided which consists of essentially four components including a touch surface having a plurality of mechanically and electrically isolated sensitive sites, transducer means associated with each of the sensitive sites for converting a mechanical response to an electrical signal, first signal processing means for scanning the signals produced by the transducer means and converting such signals to digital format, and second signal processing means including a computer for interpreting and displaying the data. The system of this invention is capable of providing high contrast, high normal load resolution, moderate spatial resolution and high sensitivity to determine such mechanical contact parameters as presence, pressure, pressure pattern, texture, hardness and topography of an object contacting the touch surface. In addition, separate means are included enabling the system to detect the location, magnitude and direction of shear forces applied to the touch surface.

Abstract: In an optical scanning system suitable for use in an aircraft for ground contour measurements, wherein the received image from an illuminated ground spot is reflected from a rotating prism onto paraboloidal mirrors which focus the image at a common focal point, and wherein the rotating prism is also used to transmit the scanning spot-illuminating beam, a wedge-shaped light guide accepts the coincident focused images and funnels them into a photoelectric detector. Because the prism rotates at high speed, variations in light signal transit times due to differences in target distance over the range of the scan cycle and due to differences in aircraft altitude cause the image focal point to shift, necessitating a relatively wide rectangular input aperture on the light guide, resulting in the admittance of large amounts of background light in to the detector.

Abstract: An image plane deviation amount detecting device includes means for converting the amount of lateral deviation between two object images formed by two light beams passing through two areas of the exit pupil of a focus detecting lens into an amount of image plane deviation including the sign and absolute amount thereof, whereby when utilized in an automatic focus apparatus, it is not only capable of effecting quick automatic focusing operation even when there is a response delay in the focus detecting device, but also capable of displaying the focus adjusted condition in the form of a quantitative amount of image plane deviation when utilized in a display device.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely monitoring the color distribution of two materials charged in a treating column by moving a color sensor along a viewing window of the column. The color sensor moving along the viewing window projects a light onto the materials in the treating column and receives the reflected light for conversion into a reception signal. A comparator compares the reception signal with a reference signal representing a standard color of the materials in the column to produce a digital color difference signal. The digital color difference signal is sampled and distributed to indicator lamps in accordance with position signals from the of positions sensing means which senses the passage of the color sensor by each of a plurality position. Thus, the indicator lamps provide a remote display of the color distribution of the materials along the viewing window.

Abstract: An optical transducer for detecting the angular position of a rotary member with respect to a fixed structure comprises a disc 13 mounted rotatably within a casing. The disc is provided with a plurality of opaque radial regions 19 which are spaced by transparent regions 18 which transmit the light emitted by a light source mounted on the casing. The light is received by a photodetector element 25 comprising a support plate 28 on which is disposed a multiplicity of photovoltaic cells 26 each having an area which is fraction of the area of each transparent region of the disc. The cells are subdivided into the groups A, B and C with different functions and phase positions and are distributed diffusely over the area encountered by the beam of light from the light source. The cells of each group are connected together in parallel to generate three electrical signals, one of which provides pilot control for the feed to the light source to stabilize the signals of the other two groups of photoelectric cells.

Abstract: A device is described which accurately and reproducibly identifies points on the circumference of a non-vertical pipe for use as reference marks for pipe inspections. The device comprises a light-permeable disk-shaped chamber having a plurality of pockets spaced about its circumference, a light source transmitting a beam of light through the chamber, and a light-activated switch positioned to detect the light beam. The chamber contains a freely moving ball sized to be retained by the pockets. The device is mounted to revolve about the axis of the pipe. As it revolves the ball moves from one pocket of the chamber to another, interrupting the beam of light and triggering the light-activated switch, thereby indicating that the device has passed to a pre-selected circumferential position on the non-vertical pipe.

Abstract: The apparatus for analyzing the surface of a fibrous web, such as a paper or a textile, includes a prism structure in which one surface is placed in contact with the fibrous web under a predetermined pressure. A collimated beam of light is directed into the prism on the contact surface. The light reflected from the contact surface through the prism is directed to a detector. The detector senses the light reflected by the contact surface as well as the light diffracted at the contact surface to indicate the surface condition of the fibrous web.

Abstract: A character reader is provided in the form of a plate having a light source and a photoconductive layer on either side of the light source. The photoconductive layers may be provided with optical plates and transparent covers, if desired. In use, the device may simultaneously read data from two sheets or pages of a book, for example. Also, the photoconductive layer may be formed on only one side of the light source in a configuration where there are provided two light sources and photoconductive layers which are hinged together so that they may be folded to confront one another with an original therebetween.

Abstract: An optical pattern tracing system of the type having a tracing head with a scanner that projects a photocell onto a pattern-line with an improved manual resolver for providing control signals to drive the tracing head in an approach direction toward the pattern-line. The manual resolver is a capacitive resolver constructed of foil elements and an angularly adjustable coupling disc mounted directly on a printed circuit board that also carries much of the other control circuitry for the tracing system.

Abstract: A light beam splitter includes a splitter lens a light flux splitter, in which a splitter lens is disposed such that a light beam, having passed through substantially one half of the light emission area of a focusing lens defined by a substantial border line constituted by a straight line passing through the center of the light emission area and dividing the area into two regions, is incident on light receiving elements in one of two light receiving element arrays and a light beam having passed through the other region is incident on light receiving elements in the other light receiving element array individually corresponding to the first-mentioned light receiving elements.

Abstract: An improved optical scanner has a light source and a focusing element to direct the light to a region of an adjacent moving web. The sensor also includes a second focusing element to focus the reflected light onto a slit having a selected orientation. Electronic elements sense the light passing through the slit and generate an output control signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the location of graduated marks in measuring comprising source means for emitting electromagnetic radiation towards electromagnetic radiation sensors, and a measuring mark moveable between the source means and the sensors from one measuring position to another in a direction of measurement transverse to the direction of radiation, the mark being adapted to cause a restriction in the cross-sectional measurement of radiation between the source means and the sensors, the sensors being adapted to detect the location of the radiation restriction by sensing radiation intensity proportional to the area of their receiving faces upon which such radiation falls in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the distance from a reference point to a remote object comprises a light source and optics to project light from the light source onto the remote object. One component of the optics is a movable mirror which is used to position the projected light on a remote object. A sensor is provided to detect the position of the projected light on the remote object. In response to position information from the sensor, control circuitry produces a drive signal which controls a galvanometer. The galvanometer shaft is attached to rotate the mirror. When the mirror has been positioned such that the projected light impinges on the remote object at a predetermined location, the value of the drive signal can be used to compute the distance to the remote object by triangulation.

Abstract: An adaptive optical control system employing a multidither servo control of a deformable mirror includes an aperture that adjusts in diameter in response to changes in the output beam.

Abstract: A device for accurately positioning an optical system element uses an array of electromagnets to alter fluid pressure distribution in a mass of ferromagnetic fluid. The pressure redistribution causes movement of an optical system element positioned adjacent to the ferromagnetic fluid. The invention is concerned with particular arrangements of fluid and energizing electromagnets to ensure combined rectilinear and angular movement of the optical system elements. The device has neither the complexity nor the delicacy of known structures used for moving optical system elements.

Abstract: A multiple-head optical scanner includes a plurality of read heads for reading a column of video information at a scanning window. Each read head includes a photosensor array and a lens assembly. The lens assembly focuses the light flux reflected from a segment of the scanning window onto the photosensor array. The photosensor array converts the reflected light flux into electrical signals. The optical axes of adjacent read heads are aligned to intersect the document plane at the scanning window at different angles. In addition, the segment scanned by each read head overlaps a portion of the segment scanned by its adjacent read head.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for detecting a magnetic field perturbation while nulling out variations in the signal caused by acoustic perturbations comprising a first and second optical fibers, an adjustable optical coupler for coupling light therebetween, a magnetic component attached to the optical coupler for exerting a mechanical force thereon proportional to a magnetic field perturbation to thereby change the degree of coupling between the fibers, and an optical detector for determining the amount of light actually being coupled between the fibers. As noted above, the system includes an acoustic circuit for nulling out the response in the detector signal due to acoustic perturbations. Two separate embodiments are disclosed. A first embodiment modulates the axial alignment of fibers in an end-to-end configuration by means of a magnetic material. A second embodiment modulates the evanescent coupling between the fibers disposed in parallel adjacency via a magnetostrictive material.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus is provided with first and second imaging lenses for distance measurement for forming images of the same object, a first photoelectric device having a light-receiving surface for receiving the first image by the first imaging lens for distance measurement, a second photoelectric device having a light-receiving surface for receiving the second image by the second imaging lens for distance measurement, and varying means for varying the relative position of the light-receiving surface of the first photoelectric device and the first image thereon and the relative position of the light-receiving surface of the second photoelectric device and the second image thereon. The apparatus detects the distance to the object from the fact that the two relative positions have assumed a predetermined relation.

Abstract: A combination type smoke detector comprising a light scattering smoke detector and an ionization smoke detector in which a labyrinth structure dark chamber for the light scattering smoke detector is made of an electroconductive plastic material and functions as the outer electrode of the ionization smoke detector is disclosed. Members of the ionization smoke detector and the light emitter and the light sensing element for the light scattering smoke detector are arranged so that the light emitted from the light source and reflected by said members and the lamina members does not enter the light-sensing element.

Abstract: A parabolic light emitter incorporates a solid state light emitter embedded in a transparent body formed with one planar surface and an opposing surface formed as a paraboloid, the outer surface of which is coated with a light reflecting material. In one embodiment, a reflective member is interposed between the light emitter and the planar surface.