Abstract: There is provided an optical pickup which emits a reading light to an optical disc having a pit in which information is stored and reads the information by means of the 0th order reflected light reflected from the pit and the diffracted light generated on the pit by diffraction effect. The optical pickup comprises a semiconductor laser for generating the reading light, a first photodiode for generatign a first electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the 0th order reflected light incident thereto, a second photodiode for generating a second electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the diffracted light incident thereto, a light focusing and guiding device for focusing the reading light to the pit and guiding the 0th order reflected light to the first photodiode, a light guiding device for guiding the diffracted light to the second photodiode and an operation device for generating an output signal by taking difference between the first and the second electric signals.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to an object of concern includes a clock pulse generator for generating a clock pulse signal at a predetermined frequency, a pulsed laser for emitting a light pulse to the object, a photodetection circuit for detecting an echo light pulse resulting from reflection of the light pulse at the object, an analogue-to-digital converter for converting an electric signal output from the photo-detection circuit to digital data under the timing of the clock pulse signal, and a memory for sequentially storing the digital data output from the analogue-to-digital converter on a time-serial basis, and a processing unit for processing the data stored in the memory to thereby arithmetically determine the distance to the object on the basis of a peak appearing in an echo wavefrom reconstituted from the data, a time lapse from the emission of the light pulse to the appearance of the peak, and the frequency of the clock signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically insulating viewing windows in an image intensifier tube is disclosed. The mechanical parts which are located close to the window are electrically insulated with the metal parts being held at a high voltage and electrically insulated on the outside of the image intensifier by an insulating screen. The insulating screen includes electrically conductive layer 36 and an insulating layer 37 which separates the metal parts 20, 26 from the conductive layer. The conductive layer also forms an equipotential layer which is opposite the metal parts and thereby "freezes" the distribution of the electrical lines of force in the insulating screen 35.

Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine (10) having a three point support for a work supporting table (24) mounted over a base (12) constructed of a thermally dissimilar material. A first fixed support, (26A) and a laterally compliant second support (26B) are located at the front of the machine. The second front support (26B) is comprised of a pair of webs (28) oriented to be compliant in the lateral direction to allow relative thermal growth between the table (24) and base (12) while being rigid in the longitudinal direction to prevent rotation of the table (24) about the fixed front support (26A). Stacked crossed roller bearings (38A, 38B) provide a frictionless third point of support at the rear of the table (24).

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus comprises a plurality of line sensors, an optical system for forming an image of a subject, a blazed diffraction grating inserted in light path between the optical system and the sensors, and a slit inserted in light path between the subject and the optical system. The blazed diffraction grating separates light beams from the subject into plurality color lights and directs them to their corresponding sensor arrays. The slit has an aperture, the size of which in the array direction of the sensors is longer than that in the direction perpendicular to the array direction of the sensors. By construction of the apparatus according to the present invention, noise light can be prevented so as to read high accuracy digital color image.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a probe support carrying a scanning probe, a piezoelectric transducer having a free end connected to a stage on which the sample is supported, probe sensing circuitry connected to sense a signal indicating interaction between the tip of the probe and a point of the sample surface and producing in response thereto a Z control voltage so as to optimize the interaction and produce a Z coordinate representing the height of a presently scanned point of the sample surface. Optical sensing circuitry includes a light source connected in fixed relation to the sample stage, a position sensitive photodetector, and optics focusing lens for focusing a portion of the light onto a position sensitive detector to cause it to produce X and Y position signals. The light source includes a retroreflector attached to the piezoelectric transducer receiving a beam from a stationary laser and focused by a stationary lens onto the position sensitive detector.

Abstract: In an inserter including a support member rigidly extending transversely over a paper path in the inserter, a self adjusting document scanning apparatus includes a scanner having a scan head and structure for mounting the scanner to the support member. The mounting structure is operatively coupled to the support member so as to allow position adjustments of the scanner in the transverse direction. The mounting structure also provides a fixed reference for the upward movement of the scanner. There is linkage for coupling the scanner to the mounting structure. The linkage holds the scanner stationary in longitudinal and transverse directions and allows downward-upward movement of the scanner. Paper guides are operatively coupled to the scanner for maintaining a fixed distance between the scan head and a sheet of paper being scanned.

Abstract: A guidance system for of vehicle, such as a model airplane which has directional control devices. A device is mounted on the vehicle or at some remote station to generate a command attitude signal. At least two sensors are mounted on the body of the vehicle and face in opposite directions away from the body of the vehicle. These sensors are connected together in such a way that radiation falling on the sensors causes the sensors to produce a signal such that the signal at the junction between the sensor is functionally related to the orientation of the vehicle. A servo mechanism is mounted on the body of the vehicle and is connected to the directional control devices of the vehicle. An electric circuit is connected between the signal from the sensors and the device that generates a command attitude signal and the servo mechanism.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a flash tube for emitting flash light to a target in a first short period and a second short period, a detector for detecting amounts of light from the target in the flash light of the first short period and the flash light of the second short period, a receiver for receiving the flash light irrespective of the target to detect each reference light amount, an evaluator for evaluating the flash light according to the reference light amounts to generate a compensation signal for a characteristic of the flash light with respect to a characteristic of an ideal light source, and a calculator for calculating a characteristic value of the target under ideal light source according to the target light amount and the compensation signal.

Abstract: A sensor and adjusting element for controlling high-powered laser beams. A single structural member, which is integrated into the beam path of the laser, simultaneously permits the sensing and the correction of angle and focusing errors in the beam path of high-powered lasers.

Abstract: A surface inspecting apparatus generates an inspecting width gate signal by in a procedure wherein when the subject matter is subjected to the scanning via the light beam, a counting means digitizes the detected position of both the front and rear ends of the subject and then an operating means calculates values which indicate the positions included within the range between both of the ends, thus generating the inspecting width gate signal. Consequently, it is possible to inspect any subject matter without manually resetting the effective inspecting range whenever a subject matter changes in width.

Abstract: An optical modulator or laser source has a detector for detecting its output signal and for producing a corresponding output signal. A tapping device is connected to tap off a portion of the input modulation signal as a reference signal. The reference signal is compared and subtracted from the detector output signal by a subtraction unit in order to produce an error output signal which will be proportional to the laser noise/distortion components. This error signal is amplified and connected to an external modulator linked to the laser optical output and intensity modulates the laser output signal by the error signal in order to reduce or cancel the noise and distortion components in the signal.

Abstract: An image intensifier tube is provided with a channel plate. The channel plate's channels are open both at the cathode side and at the anode side. A high frequency alternating electric field is generated in the space between the cathode and the channel plate. Thereby during a first period of the cycles of the alternating electric field the photoelectrons emitted by the photocathode traverse the space between the photocathode and the channel plate. During a second period of the cycles of the alternating electric field, in which second periods the polarity of the electric field is reversed with respect to the polarity during the first period, any ions that may have emerged from the channels into the space between the photocathode and the channel plate are drawn back to the channel plate.

Abstract: A light off detecting arrangement for sensing the presence of a flame in a region such as the afterburner of a turbine engine is disclosed. An optical focusing device such as a lens or mirror is located near a quartz window adjacent the afterburner for concentrating electromagnetic radiation emanating from the region. An optical (fiber optic) pathway receives the concentrated electromagnetic radiation from the optical focusing device and conveys that radiation thru the optic filters to an opto-electrical converter for converting incident electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals. A frequency selective optical device such as an infrared filter is interposed between the optical focusing device and the opto-electrical converter for insuring that a preselected portion only of the electromagnetic radiation emanating from the region is converted to electrical signals.

Abstract: A contact type image sensor comprises a transparent substrate, photoelectric conversion elements disposed on the substrate, and an opaque film disposed selectively over the first photoelectric conversion elements. The first photoelectric conversion element over which the opaque film is disposed indicates a reference quantity of received light. The second photoelectric conversion element connected with the first photoelectric conversion element in adjacent relationship and having no opaque film disposed thereover indicates a quantity of light from an original document. A signal free from a varying luminance of the light source is obtained from the junction point of the first and second photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus has a condenser lens provided near a primary image of an object formed through an objective lens, and a plurality of focus detecting optical systems, each detecting deviation between the relative positions of a pair of secondary images. Each focus detecting optical system has a pair of stop openings provided rearwardly of the condenser lens for dividing a marginal area of the exit pupil of the objective lens into a pair of divided pupil areas that are symmetrically disposed with respect to the optic axis of the objective lens. A pair of re-imaging lenses is disposed rearwardly of each pair of stop openings for forming a pair of secondary images. The directions of deviation of the pairs of secondary images differ from each other. The interval between the centers of the stop openings of each pair of stop openings is substantially the same for all the pairs of stop openings, but the radii of circles that circumscribe respective pairs of stop openings differ from each other.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus comprising a document table, a reading section disposed above the document table for reading a document placed on the document table. The reading section includes a sensor for detecting variations of brightness within a selected reading area of the document which is designated by light beams prior to a reading operation. This apparatus further comprises a display device for displaying the image of the selected reading area.

Abstract: A gain stabilization system for photomultiplier tubes using a pulsed light source, preferably a light emitting diode (LED), the signal of which is detected at the first dynode and at the anode. The gain of the photomultiplier tube is stabilized by keeping the ratio between the two signals constant.

Abstract: An envelope reflectance meter for evaluating the contrast between ink on a pre-printed envelope and the envelope itself and for calculating and displaying the print contrast ratio and the print reflectance difference is described. The device includes a portable housing having internally a pair of light sources which generate a reflected image of the envelope. The image passes through a lens, is reflected from a mirror, and is then displayed on a viewplate. An aperture is provided in the viewplate which passes a beam of light. The beam of light is then split and the two beams resulting analyzed for red content and green content. The analog signal produced is then converted to digital and the print contrast ratio and print reflectance difference calculated. A display is provided within the housing adjacent the viewplate whereby selectively the values for red light and for green light and comparisons between the readings for ink and the readings for the envelope are selectively displayed for an operator.

Abstract: A light detecting device includes a signal input portion which generates a current upon input of a light signal, a signal detecting portion including a superconductor which detects the light signal with injection of the generated current, and electrodes through which the generated current is injected into the superconductor.