Abstract: A reading optical system comprises a transparent block a part of whose bottom surface is an inclined surface forming an angle with respect to the horizontal plane, combined light-guides embedded in the block and having one end thereof all disposed on the intermediate portion of the inclined surface spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the lower end of the inclined surface and the other end extending on the upper surface of the block, a light sensor installed on the upper surface of the block in opposed relationship with the other end of the combined light-guides, and an illuminating system for illuminating the vicinity of the surface of an original opposed to the one end of the combined light-guides, through the block.

Abstract: A method for the identification of metal cans for beverages or the like, at least one area of identification (7; 8) being provided extending around the entire circumference of the can (1) and not being interrupted by a possible other decoration or the like on said can, which area of identification (7; 8) is formed by a number of alternating contrasting stripes (9-13) the mutual width (.tau..sub.1, .tau..sub.2, .tau..sub.3) of which is measured by at least one detector (19-25; 20, 20"; 23; 32'), an identification value (K), e.g. a deposit value, which is characteristic of said can being calculated by the aid of a calculating circuit (33). The measurement may be carried out while said can passes the detector or is briefly at rest. The can is provided with two areas of identification (7;8) at the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said can (1). The areas of identification (7;8) are provided on said can simultaneously with any other decoration or the like (3, 4, 5, ).

Abstract: In a conveyor system for conveying articles, such as a system for conveying cigarettes from a cigarette-manufacturing machine along a plurality of channels to a packaging machine, the level of cigarettes in one or more of the channels is measured by an analog-type level detector which generates a continuous output signal used to continuously control the speed of the conveyor system.

Abstract: The position of parallelepiped-shaped objects on a first receptacle is detected by means of a detection device using an optical reader operating on a position mark carrier which has two label portions intended to arise on different ones of two adjacent sides of the object, one of the sides being larger than the other. Each of the label portions has a respective identification mark so that not only does the label indicate the nature of the object, it also identifies which of the two adjacent faces of the object is being scanned by the optical reader. Furthermore, means are provided for measuring the distance of the optical reader from the scanned side of the object, by relying on angular deflection of a scanning beam at a given constant angular velocity and measurement of the time taken to scan the label portion which has a predetermined constant length.

Abstract: An optical sensing arrangement suitable for the detection of acoustic waves and/or temperature or magnetic field changes, comprises a laser light source for producing polarized light which in operation of the arrangement will be applied for detection purposes to the input end of an optical sensor for transmission therethrough, whereby a relative phase delay is produced between orthogonal components of the polarized light at the output end of the optical sensor, characterized in that a relative phase delay compensation device is optically coupled to and so orientated with respect to one end of the sensor, that the relative phase delay between the orthogonally polarized components transmitted through the compensation device and the corresponding relative phase delay of these components in the optical sensor are mutually opposite, thereby reducing the noise content of an output signal derived from the arrangement and fed to polarization analyzer for producing an indication of structural changes which have occurr

Abstract: There is provided a device which will provide a trace or image or will store a trace or image. One microchannel plate in series with another selectively multiplies into the latter, which provides feedback into the former, selectively as permitted by suitable gates.

Abstract: A closed loop optical fiber interferometer is used in sensing a quantity, Q, by applying a time varying or modulated measure of, Q, asymmetrically to the closed loop (24) and detecting phase shift between two counterpropagating optical signals in the closed loop. The closed loop (24) can be used as the sensing element or a separate sensor (68, 70) can develop a time varying signal which is then applied to the closed loop interferometer.

Abstract: According to an image pickup device, a swing-driver unit is provided for vibrating an image sensor unit, thereby causing the image sensor unit to perform an image pickup operation in such a manner as to periodically shift to different sampling positions at different time points in one frame period. The swing-driver comprises a pair of plate-like bimorph piezoelectric elements for stably supporting the image sensor unit. The image sensor unit and the piezoelectric elements are sealed in a ceramic frame body in a compact manner. The electrical connection between the image sensor unit and lead wires formed on the frame is performed by a flexible film connector. The electrical connection between the piezoelectric elements and the lead wires is performed by wiring patterns preformed on the frame.

Abstract: Wavelength related interference artifacts may appear superimposed on the output data curve of a scanning spectrophotometer utilizing a photodiode array as photometric detector. These may be suppressed by interposing a transparent optical element in the optical beam adjacent to its incidence on the array. Such an element should have no optical power along an axis parallel to the wavelength axis of the array and should provide varying phase displacement of the rays of the beam transverse to the wavelength axis. Several forms such an optical element may take are disclosed.

Abstract: Focussing error detecting apparatus includes a composite lens formed of a single glass lens and a single plastic lens and a photodetector disposed behind the composite lens in opposed relation thereto. The glass lens has a uniform focal length, the plastic lens is formed of a pair of lens regions divided by a flat interface including an optical axis of light incident on the composite lens, and the pair of lens regions have back focal lengths different from each other and optical axes spaced apart from each other. The photodetector is placed so that its photodetecting face is at a middle point between converged points of light emitted from the pair of lens regions on the optical axis of the incident light when the light incident on the composite lens is focussed.

Abstract: The detector comprises an avalanche photodiode for receiving a light beam, a circuit for measuring the mean current across the avalanche photodiode and a bias voltage source. That source is controlled by the circuit for applying to the photodiode a bias voltage such that the mean current across the diode be substantially equal to an adjustable set value.

Abstract: A fire detection system incorporating fiber optics and having a selectively energizable light source for applying light pulses to a fiber optics path and a one way light transmitting element, such as a dichroic mirror, at the remote end of the fiber optics path for reflecting the pulses back to the detection portion of the system, thus providing a Built In Test Equipment (BITE) test capability in the system. Instead of a dichroic mirror, a bandpass filter may be used as the light transmitting member. The bandpass filter is selected to transmit light with wavelengths in the range from about 1.3 to 1.5 microns, in which case the light source is a light emitting diode (LED) emitting light at a wavelength of approximately 0.9 microns. The fiber optics path includes a branch which is coupled to the light source. This branch may comprise one fiber of a multi-fiber bundle or it may be an auxiliary fiber of a commercially available fiber optics combiner.

Abstract: A fibre optic magnetic sensor is disclosed. The sensor has a thin-walled cylindrical barrel with a mid-section which is elastically radially deformable. A single mode optical fibre is wound about the mid section of the barrel. A magnetostrictive element is located within the center of the barrel and secured to both ends of the barrel. Changes in the external magnetic field in the vicinity of the sensor cause changes in the length of the magnetostrictive element and consequently cause axial forces to be applied to the end of the barrel. The mid-portion of the barrel deforms radially, thus inducing a strain in the optical fibre from which the external magnetic field strength may be deduced.

Abstract: Sheet sensing apparatus comprises a shaft (9); two roller assemblies (20) mounted on the shaft (9) by means including a resilient portion (30), the roller assemblies contacting guide surfaces (27) provided by drive rollers (17). Sensing means (37,38) are provided within the shaft (9) for sensing deflection of the resilient portion (30) relatively to the shaft in response to the passage of one or more sheets (44) through the nips (24) between the roller assemblies (20) and the drive rollers (17). Monitoring means (not shown) connected to the sensing means monitors the sensed deflections of the resilient portion (30).

Abstract: An optical device for detecting bar codes (markings or patterns which symbolize data such as the name and vendor of a product) are detected by an optical device which serves as a bar code scanner. A laser diode and associated optics provides an invisible beam. A visible marker beam coincident with the laser beam is generated by a lamp and associated optics and directed coaxial with the laser beam so as to enable the laser beam to be scanned across the bar code by moving a housing in which the laser and the lamp and their associated optics are disposed. Also contained in the housing is a photodetector on which scattered light from the code is incident after passing through a collection lens located at an outlet port for the beams. An aperture is positioned between the collection lens and the detector.