Abstract: A frame for assembling shielding units for the radiation emitted by apparatus incorporating variously sized video terminals comprises two flat annular structures, namely a front and a rear, which are able to be connected together to simultaneously clamp the perimetral edge of a shielding plate (2), the annular structures each consisting of four identically configured consecutive elements (1), each comprising one corner (11) and one side (10) of the peripheral form of the corresponding flat annular structure, the elements (1) of the front or near flat annular structure overlying the abutting end regions of the pairs of elements pertaining to the rear or front flat annular structure.

Abstract: An image is conceptually divided into pixel blocks each having a plurality of pixels. RGB image data representing the image are converted into luminance data and color difference data in the NTSC form. Standard deviation values of these data are calculated in each pixel block and are compared with threshold values, so that the pixel blocks are classified into two types. The image data in the pixel blocks of respective types are compressed at different compression rates to obtain image data compressed.

Abstract: A fluid detection system by which the presence or absence and identity of fluids may be detected within confined areas, such as those existing within underground storage tank systems and in which fluids may accumulate. The fluid detection system includes a probe assembly having circuitry which determines the presence of fluids by the capacitance developed across a variable capacitor. The output signal provided by the capacitor is converted to frequency values, is filtered by a receiver included with the system, and transmitted to a remote location for display. The system is suitable for deployment within and monitoring of one or a multiple of tank systems.

Abstract: A computerized multicolor camera is disclosed that provides digital signal representations of several monocolor images of an object. The camera has an image sensor with an imaging region that develops a charge pattern in response to incident light reflected from the object through a selectable color filter to the imaging region. This analog charge pattern for each selectable color is digitized, the computer within the camera corrects the digitized values for nonlinearities of the image sensor, and stores the corrected digital values in its internal memory. The computer within the camera can then transfer the digital representations of the image to an external computer via a SCSI interface. In addition, the camera has an analog output mode that generates a monocolor real time video signal.

Abstract: An image acquisition system employs spaced lateral effect diodes for acquiring signals which are processed to generate signals indicative of a three dimensional image of an object. An endoscope is adapted for operation in association with an optical scanner which generates a beam of radiation tracing out a raster. The endoscope employs at least one optical channel comprising a bundle of coherent flexible optical fibers. Elemental photodetectors which may be mounted at either the distal end of the endoscope probe or the proximal end of the endoscope probe are employed for sensing reflected radiation and generating a video signal. The optical channel may also be employed for transmission of a therapy beam. The endoscope is capable of obtaining multi-spectral and multi-dimensional images of the tissue under examination.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding a plurality of cut-type sheets, having been stacked in an accommodating member, one by one toward a predetermined position in response to a predetermined signal to be applied to the sheet feeding device. The sheet feeding device comprises: a first feeding member for feeding the stacked sheets to another predetermined position in response to the predetermined signal, a second feeding member for feeding the sheet, having been fed by the first feeding member, to the predetermined position after a feeding operation executed by the first feeding member and a controlling member for controlling the first feeding member so as not to be operated during a feeding operation executed by the second feeding member. Thus, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to avoid sheet jamming caused by sheets having been fed together in an overlapped state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a facsimile device enabling data transmission in high efficiency independently of the direction in which an original is drawn into the facsimile device. The facsimile device includes a scanner for reading the original, an image memory for storing a read image signal, a circuit for detecting the direction of text lines of a read pixel signal, a circuit for determining whether or not the text line direction is close to a longitudinal direction or a lateral direction of arrangement of memory cells in the image memory, a circuit for executing an operation for rotating the image signal by a predetermined angle when a determination is made that the text line direction is closer to the longitudinal direction, a compression circuit for reading the rotated image signal in the lateral direction of the arrangement of the memory cells, to compress the read image signal, and a transmission circuit for transmitting the compressed signal onto lines.

Abstract: A method of the operation of an ionization smoke alarm which has a measuring chamber open to the ambient air and ionizable by a radioactive source. A measuring chamber includes a first electrode to which a supply d.c. voltage is applied and a measuring electrode the potential of which changes in response to the smoke density if smoke enters the measuring chamber. This potential is measured for producing a smoke alarm signal if it reaches a predetermined value. The potential of the measuring electrode is measured for at least one further electric field strength that is compared with at least a second potential which occurs at the second field strength according to the law of the agglomeration of small ions if smoke aerosols are present in the measuring chamber.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes photosensitive portions which accumulate electrical charges corresponding to the quantity of light received thereby. Also included are vertical transfer portions which accumulate electrical charges corresponding to the quantity of light received thereby and which transfer the electrical charges accumulated by the photosensitive portions. Color filters are alternately arranged in a predetermined order on the photosensitive portions or the vertical transfer portions to permit the associated colors to pass therethrough. The invention is also directed to an electronic still camera having such a solid state imaging device, a signal memory for memorizing the signal data generated by the vertical transfer portions, and a picture signal generator for synchronizing the signal data memorized by the memory and the corresponding signal data read by the photosensitive portions to form a picture signals.

Abstract: A system for transducing a signal voltage into an optical signal, transmitting the optical signal via an optical fiber to a remote location in the form of light attenuation frequency and interpreting the light frequency at the remote location to the amplitude and wave form of the signal voltage. The electro optic modulator includes an elongated piezoelectric member which changes length when an electric field is imposed across it. A mirror is attached to a free end of the piezoelectric member and strains or alternately moves toward and away from a partially reflecting surface at the end of an adjacent optical fiber. Light is introduced into the fiber with a portion reflected back by the movable mirror and part by the end of the fiber. A detector at the second end of the optical fiber receives the reflected light.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus capable of informing an operator of data such as operable time of the facsimile apparatus, the number of documents transmittable and receivable based on the quantity of electric charges remaining in the battery comprises a clock for generating time data and a monitor for monitoring the quantity of electric charges remaining in the battery. The monitor calculates the charging time of the battery based on the time data. The charged quantity of the battery from the time when the battery started to be charged to the current time is determined from the charging time. The operation time of the facsimile apparatus driven by the battery in each of the operation modes is calculated based on the time data. The consumed quantity of electric charges in the battery is measured from the operation time. The quantity of electric charges remaining in the battery is calculated from the charged quantity and consumed charge quantity.

Abstract: This optical receiver is capable of receiving broadband R-F modulated signals transmitted over fiber-optic cable. The receiver comprises a photodiode impedance matched to the input of an low noise, low distortion amplifier by an impedance matching transformer. A passive tuning network is placed between the photodiode and the transformer to improve the high frequency performance of the receiver. Distortion of the optical receiver is further reduced by cancelling even power distortion products from out of phase signals generated by the photodiode.

Abstract: A color deleting apparatus includes an image reading device for reading a color original document and for producing R, G, B signals for each pixel, a monochrome generator for producing a gradiation image signal based on the R, G, B signal, a color judging circuit for judging whether the R, G, B signal is carrying chromatic information or achromatic information, and a deleting circuit for deleting the gradiation image signal when the color judging circuit judges that the R, G, B signal is carrying chromatic information. Thus, the colored areas in the color original document are completely deleted in the copied image.

Abstract: The blockage module is designed to be mounted on air seeder seeding equipment. Piezoelectric sensors extending into the flow tubes monitor flow by producing high frequency ringing signals when struck by seeds. During a calibration step, the module will monitor each sensor and adjust the gain of the signal until the number of seed hits per second above a fixed voltage threshold is near a predetermined value. Each sensor connected to the module will be similarly calibrated, and the calibrated gain and hit rate will be stored. It has been found that if a blockage or partial blockage occurs under these calibrated conditions, the number of hits above the fixed voltage threshold will be sharply reduced. The reduced hit rate is compared to the calibrated hit rate, and an alarm is generated if the reduction is great enough. Because the reduced hit rate is immediately detectable, the response time to report a blockage is very short.

Abstract: A flashing alarm device responsive to audible signals produced by a smoke detector when the smoke detector senses a smoke condition, the alarm device including a circuit with a microphone portion for responding to audible signals produced by the smoke detector and an amplifier circuit portion for amplifying signals produced by the microphone, a switch circuit portion having a control input connected to the output of the amplifier circuit portion, and another circuit portion including a battery, a timer circuit, and a light bulb, the battery having a connection to the amplifier circuit and to the timer circuit, the timer circuit and the light bulb being connected in series with the switch circuit portion for energizing and de-engergizing the light bulb whenever the switch circuit portion is in its conducting condition. The device may also include a housing for the components and the device may optionally be constructed to operate on transmitted and received radio frequency signals.

Abstract: A calibration utility 22 for electronically-generated images decouples tone scale and color corrections by completing tone scale and color balance corrections upon separate RGB image signals (representative of intensity) and hue and saturation corrections upon combinations of RGB signals (representative of chrominance). An operator adjusts tone scale controls 32 and color controles 34, which provide values for calibrating separate RGB tone scale look-up tables 49a, 49b, and 49c and a color matrix 48 in a printer 14. To decouple the corrections, the tone scale look-up tables 49a, 49b, 49c are adjusted until the brightness of a predetermined number of image levels is accurately rendered. If the resultant image signal contains coloration in neutral areas, the values in the particular look-up table(s) for the color(s) producing the color cast in the neutral areas is adjusted, thereby producing a neutrally-adjusted image signal substantially free of neutral coloration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fire detection and engine monitoring system of the type which utilizes a pair of elongated thermistor strands extending over substantially the same path to provide redundancy. A resistance of the two thermistor strands are sensed and a resistance difference signal is generated. The resistance signal is monitored for abnormal differences between the two identical thermistor devices which are essentially exposed to the same operation conditions. Such differences are indicative of the deterioration over time of the condition of one of the sensors.

Abstract: A testing device for fire detectors comprises a resistance heating coil disposed outwardly of a clear central area and a collar located to one side of and about the resistance heating element for locating of a fire detector relative to the heating element. The heating element is of a low thermal mass and is quickly activated when connected to a power source thereby radiating heat directly to the housing of the detector. The collar is sized to position the resistance heating coil immediately adjacent the surface of the fire detector and spaced from the heat collection fin to thereby cause a rate of temperature rise within the pressure chamber of the fire detector while maintaining the heat collection fin below its activation point.

Abstract: A picture data encoding circuit is constituted by a picture data buffer part storing the read picture data temporarily, an encoding circuit part for encoding the picture data per one line, a picture memory device part storing the encoded picture data, a picture data contracting part for decoding the encoded picture data as before and contracting it, a contracted picture data buffer part storing the contracted picture data temporarily, a signal switching part for signal transmissions of each part, and a signal processing part for processing signals of each part. One encoding circuit part is used in common in the reading of picture data and the data sending.

Abstract: A modular fax machine including a document feeder for feeding documents to a scanner, a control panel for operator input of selectable fax machine parameters, a drawer for supporting the document feeder and the control panel, and a housing for extensibly and retractably supporting the drawer.