Abstract: A non-invasive photoelectronic device which determines the location of a liquid column within a transparent tube. The device includes a source of visible light, transmitted as a substantially parallel light beam against a transparent lensing tube which may be a sightglass or a leg of a U-tube manometer located within the light beam. The liquid contained within the tube forms an identifiable liquid column which acts as a highly effective condensing lens to the transmitted light beams with a resultant focus close to the tube. A plurality of optoelectronic detectors are arranged in an array over the portion of the tube to be monitored. Each detector is a phototransistor which is responsive to the large change in light intensity caused by the lensing effect of the liquid-filled tube compared to the non-lensing action of the adjacent portion of the tube.

Abstract: A photosensor array device comprises a line sensor including a plurality of sets of sensors juxtaposed on a transparent glass substrate. Each set comprises an amorphous silicon photodiode, a crosstalk preventing element in the form of a diode or a transistor and a matrix wiring connected to the element. A selector is provided for driving the crosstalk preventing elements of the line sensor. The photodiode and the crosstalk preventing element are formed integrally.

Abstract: A non-contact switching device comprising a housing, a light path switching member housed within the housing, an actuator member disposed in the housing for transferring an external mechanical force to the light path switching member, a light entrance member disposed on the housing connectable to a first optical fiber for guiding light transferred from an external light source through the first optical fiber to the light path switching member, and a light exit member disposed on the housing connectable to a second optical fiber for guiding light from the light path switching member to the second optical fiber, the light path switching member being associated with the actuator member so as to switch a light path from the light entrance member to the light exit member through the light path switching member.

Abstract: A zero-home locator includes a fixed phototransistor switch and a moveable actuator including two symmetrical, opposed wedges, each wedge defining a point at which switching occurs. The zero-home location is the average of the positions of the points defined by the wedges.

Abstract: There is disclosed a tactile sensor comprised of a compliant overlay having a surface of spatially dispersed semi-spherical domes in registration with sequentially pulsed signal means, such as light emitting diodes. The domes adaptively collapse upon the application of pressure applied to the opposite surface of the overlay entrapping signals by reflection between the overlay surfaces. The entrapped signals migrate by reflection to the edges of the overlay for reception by photodetectors. The output from the photodetectors is then processed for determining the magnitude, location and profile of the pressure applied across the overlay. A feedback arrangement is also provided for controlling the magnitude of the externally applied pressure.

Abstract: A field-adjustable power control arrangement for and method of controlling outdoor lighting systems in accordance with a timing cycle which turns an outdoor lighting system off at dawn, on at dusk, off at a nighttime turn-off time after dusk, and on at a morning turn-on time before dawn. The nighttime turn-off time and the morning turn-on time are manually adjustable in an analog and digital manner so as to permit easy and rapid field adjustment and/or factory pre-adjustment.

Abstract: An electron discharge device of the type including an evacuated envelope having a longitudinal axis comprises a photoemissive cathode for providing electrons in response to radiation incident thereon and a charge coupled device spaced from the cathode. A plurality of washer-like focusing electrodes are disposed between the cathode and the charge coupled device for focusing electrons therebetween. Each of the electrodes has an electron aperture of progressively decreasing diameter. The electron aperture of the electrode adjacent to the cathode is larger than the electron aperture in the electrode adjacent to the charge coupled device. The electrodes provide a substantially spherical electrostatic field lens between the photoemissive cathode and the charge coupled device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for illuminating a container by focusing a radiant beam of light into an elongated image extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a portion of the container being inspected. The apparatus also comprises means focused on the illuminated portion of the container for sensing the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated portion and for viewing the illuminated portion from a direction and forming an angle ranging from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees from a path of the incident beam of light. The sensing means provides a plurality of the electrical signals each proportional to the reflected intensity from a corresponding position on the illuminated portion of the container.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging sensor in which the sensitivity of the sensor is automatically adjusted in accordance with the overall intensity of the image being sensed. A charging potential applied to an image signal storage capacitor in each pixel of an array of pixels of which the sensor is composed is dynamically varied as the overall intensity of the image being sensed changes. A voltage multiplying circuit, which may be either light sensitive or light insensitive, supplies the variable charging potential. If the voltage multiplying circuit is light insensitive, an elongated photodiode is provided along two sides of the sensor array to adjust the charging potential.

Abstract: A scanning system for mapping the degree of uniformity of gas flow in the cavity of a laser includes a carriage mounted for movement along a set of parallel tracks disposed along a side of the laser cavity. The carriage mounts an infrared detector in radiation receiving relationship with the laser cavity. A screw drive mechanism is drivingly coupled to the carriage for moving it in opposite directions on the tracks. Spaced windows along the side of the laser cavity allows passage of radiation from the laser cavity to the detector. Because of the alternating relationship between transmissive windows and non-transmissive plates which defined the windows, successive portions of a voltage signal generated by the detector representing separate measurements can be easily identified with successive positions of the carriage along the laser cavity, and thus with particular successive portions of the laser cavity where each measurement was taken.

Abstract: The invention comprises a unit (1) implemented with two elongate chambers (3, 4) provided with openings or gaps (7, 8) on one wall (5, 6). At one end of one chamber one or more LED (9) are adapted, and opposite hereto at the end of the other chamber there is arranged a receiving means (10). After one or more reflections by the reflecting walls of the first chamber (3) the radiation departs through the opening or gap (7) and after reflection by an object (13) on the outside returns through the gap (8) of the other chamber (4), to be reflected by the mirror walls of the chamber such as to strike the receiving means (10) after reflection.

Abstract: The system effects positioning of an art work at precise given X and Y rectangular coordinate points. This art work may correspond to drill hole positions in a printed circuit board. By recording in memory the exact rectangular coordinate points on the art work and the necessary servo signals to effect exact centering at the coordinate points, accurate circuit board drilling can be carried out. A circular hole is provided in the art work and an image of this hole projected to a screen having horizontal and vertical cross hairs defining X and Y axes respectively. The art work is precisely positioned at a given pair of rectangular coordinates when the intersection of the cross hairs corresponds exactly with the exact center of the image of the circular hole. Exact centering is achieved by causing first and second light responsive photo cells to oscillate along the X and Y axes directions respectively, the centers of oscillation of the cells corresponding to the intersection point of the cross hairs.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor comprising:a phototropic layer disposed in front of a picture element area, and/ora fluorescent film disposed on a photo sensor in a picture element area, whereinthe phototropic layer contains a photoreversible phototropic matter which reduces optical transmittance only at an irradiated portion when a light spot of high intensity is irradiated thereon, and the optical transmittance is rapidly restored when the light spot is put away, thereby improving the clarity of the picture signal against blooming or smear.The fluorescent film absorbs a specified short wave-length spectral component of irradiated light and converts it to light of a longer wave-length, thereby improving the sensitivity of the short wave-length portion of said image sensor.

Abstract: A three-mode analog controller for regulating a signal corresponding to a controller variable to produce a controller output, comprises an integrating circuit, a proportional circuit, and a derivative circuit. The integrating circuit includes a reset adjustment for varying a time constant thereof, the proportional circuit includes a gain adjustment for varying the gain thereof and the derivative circuit includes a rate adjustment for adjusting the rate of derivation of the signal. The gain adjustment comprises a photoresistor associated with a source of light which is provided with varying current corresponding to the signal to vary the resistance of the photoresistor and, thus, the gain value. The reset and rate adjustments may also comprise photoresistors with light sources or may be formed of field affect transistors each controlled by a circuit and remotely located potentiometer or variable voltage source.

Abstract: A fibre optic light pen including a hollow elongate cylindrical housing having a tip portion and a base portion, and having an elongate cylindrical actuator positioned for axial movement relative to and within said housing tip portion is described. The actuator is operable between an extended position at which the actuator point portion projects outwardly from the housing tip portion, and a retracted position at which the actuator point portion is pressed within the housing hollow tip portion. An axial bore extends through the actuator and contains therein a light conductive rod which extends axially along said bore from the actuator's point portion to the actuator's base portion. A fibre optic light conductor is secured within the hollow housing base portion in such a manner that the light conductive rod focuses light on the light conductor when the actuator is recessed within the hollow tip portion of the housing.

Abstract: A thin film photoelectric converting device comprises a plurality of sensor blocks, each block including a thin film transistor array which is paired with a storage type image sensor array, the thin film transistor array and said image sensor array being formed on the same insulating substrate, means for simultaneously turning ON as a group the thin film transistors in each block and for sequentially driving the thin film transistors of said blocks, and reading means comprising detection means and scanning means for sequentially reading electric charge signals sensed by the storage type image sensor elements in each block.The detection means includes a plurality of detectors of the same number as that of sensor elements in each block, said detectors simultaneously detecting electric charge signals of said image sensor elements in each block.The scanning means scans and reads out outputs of said detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting focus conditions of an imaging optical system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a light flux dividing means having a plurality of light flux dividing elements arranged at a predetermined focal plane or near a plane conjugated therewith, a photoelectric conversion means having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged to receive light fluxes divided by respective light flux dividing elements in line therewith and means for detecting focus conditions of the imaging optical system based on the outputs of the light receiving elements. The photoelectronic conversion means is so arranged that the cross-section of light fluxes incident upon respective light receiving elements at the exit pupil of the imaging optical system includes regions which are not overlapped with each other.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker having a wider field-of-view by the use of a phase draction plate to cause the focusing of a square array of spots upon a focal plane having a plurality of detectors thereon. Using the detectors to find the spot of the greatest intensity so as to cause the tracker to point towards the target of interest.

Abstract: An optical fiber disposed between a light source and a photodetector is subjected at a number of points, equispaced along its axis, to a transverse pressure causing a significant attenuation of the transmitted luminous radiation. The optimum spacing of the pressure points is a function of the radius of the fiber core and of the refractive indices of its core and its envelope. These pressure points are formed by turns of a substantially incompressible helix which is wound around the fiber and which may be constituted by an internal or external rib of a surrounding flexible sheath of similarly incompressible material. The pressure may be applied by a piezoelectrical transducer and may be modulated by an electrical signal to be picked up by the photodetector.

Abstract: A plurality of detectors, i.e., encoders, are prepared each of which generates an output signal representing an absolute value below one period at a predetermined period with respect to a given rotational or linear displacement. A displacement associated with a rotational or linear displacement of an object of detection is provided to each detector and one period of each detector is established in such a manner that one such period corresponds to one of mutually different predetermined amounts of displacement of the object. As a result, the output signal of each detector changes at a rate which is different from one another with respect to the displacement of the object and a combination of values of the output signals of the respective detectors is sufficient to identify an absolute position of the object.