Abstract: An optical encoder features a transparent disc having three tracks arranged in a concentric configuration on the face thereof. One of the tracks has opaque markings in a particular pattern for determining a zero or starting angular reference for a rotating member. The other two tracks have opaque markings for providing high resolution, incremental angle information. Light is directed through the disc and light pulses are provided in accordance with the disposition of the markings on the respective tracks. The light pulses are converted to electrical pulses which are processed via suitable interface circuitry and a computer for determining the absolute angle through which the rotating member has rotated.

Abstract: An interferometric type photoelectric measuring device is disclosed. The photoelectric angle measuring device includes a graduation carrier having a circular graduation and a scanning arrangement for the diametral scanning of the circular graduation. The scanning arrangement is constructed as an integrated optical circuit.

Abstract: A system for aligning a mask and a semiconductor wafer comprises radiation source for producing a radiation beam, a dual focus linear Fresnel zone plate provided on the mask for focusing the radiation beam incident thereto on a surface of the semiconductor wafer which comprises a first part having a first focal length and a second part having a second focal length substantially smaller than the first focal length, a diffraction grating provided on the surface of the semiconductor wafer in correspondence to the dual focus linear Fresnel zone plate for diffracting the radiation beam focused thereon, a detector held with a predetermined relationship with respect to the radiation source and the mask for detecting the diffracted beam, a movable stage for supporting the semiconductor wafer, and a controller for moving the stage means responsive to an output signal of the detection means.

Abstract: An optical element microstructure detects changes in the propagation angle of an optical beam on a local basis. The optical element microstructure preferably comprises an array of structures which are small compared to the size of the beam. Detection is done on a local basis, with each optical element in the microstructure array perturbing the optical beam in a predictable manner. By virtue of the number of optical sensing elements, the microstructure array is less sensitive to flaws in the optical elements, as compared to a single optical component placed in the path of the light. In addition, the microstructure lends itself to mass production by replication, and other low cost methods such as injection molding.

Abstract: An opto-electrical joystick switch having a hollow cylindrical (20) housing with a collared top (26) and a separated bottom (28). A resilient joystick shaft (36) is rigidly mounted onto the housing bottom and penetrates through an opening at the top of the collar. A pair of printed circuit boards (46) and (50) are juxtapositioned within the housing, each having at least four light emitting diodes (48) and opposed light sensing photodiodes (52) in communication with each other through a light beam. A light blocking commutator disc (54) is disposed upon the shaft between the boards such that when the shaft is manually forced in a given direction, the light is interrupted from the diodes. An external or optional internal power source energizes the diodes and provides a basis for an electronic circuit that processes a signal created by the blocked diodes when the 8-position switch is displaced from its neutral position.

Abstract: The image sensor of the linear type includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, switching elements each having an input terminal connected to each photoelectric conversion element and an output terminal for reading out a detection signal produced from the corresponding photoelectric conversion element, and a scanning circuit for sequentially driving the switching elements. A first common line is connected to output terminals of odd-numbered switching elements. A second common line is connected to output terminals of even-numbered switching elements. A first reading gate has an output terminal and an input terminal connected to the first common line. A first reset gate has an output terminal and an input terminal connected to the first common line. A second reading gate has an output terminal and an input terminal connected to the second common line. A second reset gate has an output terminal and an input terminal connected to the second common line.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement for testing a plurality of light waveguides by an optical measuring device having an optical measuring input to which each light waveguide can be successively coupled via an optical selector is provided. The measuring device (4,5,6) and the selector (11) are integrated parts of a uniform testing device (1), so that the arrangement can be handled in a reliable and simple manner without imposing strict requirements on care of operation.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a camera according to the present invention includes: a focus detector which detects repeatedly focus conditions of a photographic lens and outputs successively focus signals corresponding to the focus conditions; a drive unit for driving the photographic lens for focus adjustment; a predictor for predicting an in-focus detector; a control unit for controlling the drive unit to drive the photographic lens toward the in-focus point predicted by the predictor; an auxiliary light projector for projecting auxiliary light onto an object to enable detecting operation of the focus detector; and a forbidding device for forbidding the control of drive by the control unit while the auxiliary light is projected by the auxiliary light projector.

Abstract: An optical waveform measuring device, comprising an optical amplifier for amplifying a light beam under measurement and a photodetector to which a light beam amplified by the optical amplifier is applied.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus determines a predicted corrosion resistance of deep-drawable iron sheets for body parts of motor vehicles. The method is caarried out with a measuring apparatus comprising one or more light sources with which the iron sheet is irradiated. The reflected light is concentrated by lenses, filtered through filters and the filtered light rays are imaged on a plurality of photoreceivers. The ratios of two respective filter wavelengths are evaluated by a computer from the signals thus obtained. From the values of the quotients of the filter wavelengths, predictions can then be made as to the paint migration values to be expected of the deep-drawable iron sheets painted in a later operation. A simple quality control of the iron sheets supplied by manufacturers for the production of components for motor vehicles can be based on these values.

Abstract: A rotation angle detecting device, that outputs a position data and a control data, each having a prescribed number of bits, as a serial data. A position-data generating circuit, that includes first detecting circuits, that are turned on or off according to the angle of rotation of a rotary shaft, outputs a position data, having a prescribed number of bits, according to the angle of rotation. A state-data generating circuit, that includes second detecting circuits, that are turned on or off according to the signals from the first detecting circuits, outputs a state data, having a prescribed number of bits, that indicate the states of operation of the first detecting circuits. The state data is transformed to a control data after passing through a data selector and a control code generating circuit. The last bit of the serial data is a parity bit.

Abstract: A photodetector produces an output signal in response to irradiation by an optical beam from a pulsed laser. A delay unit delays the output signal for a period corresponding to one-half of one cycle of a beat frequency generated by interaction of two frequency components in the optical beam corresponding to two predetermined longitudinal modes of operation of the laser. A differential mixer subtractively combines the output of the photodetector with the output of the delay unit, to produce an output signal having the main profile of the laser pulses suppressed, and the beat frequency component, if present, amplified. A resonant circuit and amplifier may be provided to further amplify the beat frequency component. The output of the amplifier is integrated to produce a DC signal having a magnitude which corresponds to the amplitude of the beat frequency component. The DC signal is compared with a threshold value to discriminate between single and multimode operation of the laser.

Abstract: A beam position sensor for a beam scanner is disclosed for use in a laser printer. The printer comprises three diode lasers each of which emits at a different wavelength. The beams from the three lasers are combined by the use of dichroic plates to form one combined beam. The combined beam is scanned onto a receiving medium by a polygon. The beam position sensor of the present invention is adapted to sense the position of the polygon in order to provide a synchronizing signal which will insure that each raster line in the printer is started at the proper position. The beam position sensor includes a diode laser and optics for projecting a beam from the laser onto the polygon. The beam is reflected back from the polygon into a photodetector which effects the start of a new raster line at the appropriate time. In order to minimize the number of optical elements in the beam position sensor and to simplify the device, the diode laser and the photodetector are located along the same optical axis.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor comprises a thin plate-shaped optical body, a circuit block and a tubular casing for incorporating therein the optical body and the circuit block. A signal light incoming through a transparent protector of the casing is reflected upon a first reflective mirror of the optical body. Following this first reflection, a second reflection is made upon a second reflective mirror thereof. The light having passed through a light collecting lens is received by a photoelectric converting element and converted into electric signals for output. Since the optical body comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces, an optical path up to the photoelectric converting element can be incorporated compactly within the thin plate-shaped optical body.

Abstract: An automatic leveling system and a method of use of the leveling system that is suited for use with electronic components. The system uses an automatic laser focus system to focus on three separate locations on a workpiece, and the information about the focus positions is sent to a control computer. In the control computer the focus information is transformed into information concerning how far the workpiece is from being level. The computer sends signals to pitch and roll goniometers that move in response to the signals, thus leveling the workpiece.

Abstract: A rotary encoder for detecting a rotation status of a rotary scale having a diffraction grating formed along a rotational direction comprises a directing device for directing a radiation beam to a first position on the rotary scale and directing a plurality of diffracted beams generated at the first position to a second position different from the first position. The direction device is constructed such that the plurality of diffracted beams gave a common light path between the first position and the second position. The encoder also includes a forming device for forming an interference beam from a plurality of rediffracted beams generated at the second position, and a convertor for converting the interference beam to a signal to produce the signal representing the rotation status.

Abstract: An optical pickup device in which, e.g., a semiconductor laser is used as a light source and light fluxes from the light source are irradiated onto an optical information recording medium, thereby performing either one of or both recording and reproduction of information into and from the recording medium is provided.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for use in an inspection system is comprised of an array of light emitting diodes. A specimen is brought into the viewing area, and a current pulse is provided to the diodes of the array to selectively flash all or a portion of the diodes of the array. Reflected light from the specimen is sensed and a digitized image is generated therefrom. An illumination level of the digitized image is adjustable, in whole or in part, by varying the effective lighting intensity of one or more of the diodes of the array during a flash period. The digitized image of the specimen is compared to data indicative of acceptability of the specimen, and acceptance or rejection of the specimen is decided on a basis of a comparison therebetween.

Abstract: An improved electro-optic transmitter-receiver is provided by arranging a variable light source such as an LED and a photosensitive device, such as a phototransistor, on one or more parts of a substantially flat leadframe. Both the variable light source and photosensitive device face outwardly in the same direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the package leads. A unitary transparent cover extends over the variable light source and the photosensitive device. A lense is provided over the photosensitive device that does not extend over the variable light source. An NPN phototransistor is desirable for the photosensitive device and is mounted on the central device lead substantially centered under the centrally located lense. When an N-substrate LED is used it is conveniently located on another lead to one side of the lense. The LED may also be located on the same lead as the phototransistor, but not under the lense.

Abstract: An obstacle detection and position sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicles is described. The system includes two spaced-apart contact and position sensitive bumpers disposed across the frontal cross section of the vehicle. Light beams are directed by transceivers and retroreflectors across the frontal cross section area between the two bumpers, forming a light curtain. The combination of the bumpers and light curtain provides complete frontal coverage of the potential collision cross-section of a fairly large vehicle, without obstructing the field of view of sonar, optical, or other forward-looking sensors.