Abstract: A light sensing apparatus adaptable for inclusion in an array of such apparatus is operable independent of polling cycle providing a more accurate sensing of the patterns of illumination incident on an array of such apparatus. The apparatus facilitates utlizing each address line to simultaneously initialize one row of apparatus while enabling the subsequent row of apparatus. The apparatus is also compatible with elements capable of providing gain, given that the photosensitive element is separate from the path across which voltage or current is measured. The apparatus may be fabricated of amorphous silicon. The light sensing cell includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a conductive element electrically interconnecting the input and output terminals, a multiple-state sensing device, means for establishing an initial state of the sensing device, means for changing the initial state of the sensing device in response to the incidence of electromagnetic or ionizing radiation (e.g.

Abstract: A broadband optical limiter for use in combination with a sensor system is operative to prevent irradiation of the sensor system by laser radiation of unknown wavelengths having intensity levels sufficient to damage or disable the sensor system. The broadband optical limiter is further operative to throughput, with minimal optical distortion at wide angle fields of view, electromagnetic radiation in the operating spectral band(s) of the sensor system. The broadband optical limiter includes a flat or spherically shaped sacrificial mirror that is operative to reflect electromagnetic radiation in the operating spectral band(s) of the sensor system and to be optically machined, i.e., vaporized, by focused laser radiation of unknown wavelengths having intensity levels sufficient to damage or disable the sensor system to create a reflective dead spot. The reflective dead spot prevents the focused laser radiation from being throughputted to the sensor system.

Abstract: A radiation meter for radiation emerging from an optical fiber, comprising a hollow body having diffusely reflecting interior walls into which the end of the optical fiber can be introduced, and at least one detector arranged behind an opening of the hollow body. Between the end of the optical fiber and the opening for the detector, a diffusely reflecting body is arranged which, together with the interior wall of the hollow body, in the area of the opening for the detector, forms a gap with an adjustable gap thickness.

Abstract: An asynchronous photodetector circuit is provided to interrogate incoming signals and determine whether the frequency of those incoming signal pulses is acceptable. The circuitry of the present invention permits a series of incoming pulses to be interrogated to determine whether the frequency of those pulses is acceptable and can be assumed with confidence to be emanating from an appropriate light source. Upon the receipt of a first input signal pulse, a time window is created by the present invention to define a period to time during which a subsequent input signal pulse is to be expected. Other than during the duration of the time window, the present invention will not accept an input signal pulse and will not count that pulse as having been received. Each properly received pulse creates a subsequent time window until a predetermined number of consecutive pulses is received during their time windows. When that predetermined number is received, a signal is provided.

Abstract: An optical distance sensor superior in measuring accuracy and simple in construction is mounted to, e.g., a welding torch of an arc welding robot. A laser beam from a laser oscillator (1) is moved on a workpiece (100) in a direction perpendicular to a weld line, with angular movement of a mirror (2). Primary reflected light, secondary reflected light and spatter light, except for arc light intercepted by a filter (5), are incident via a lens (4) on light receiving cells of a light receiving section (3) composed of a one-dimensional charge-coupled device. At scanning of the light receiving section, outputs of the light receiving cells depending on incident light quantities are successively sent, and data specifying those light receiving cells which generate predetermined level outputs are written in one of memory buffers (12, 13).

Abstract: A semiconductor relay circuit includes a MOS FET receiving a photovoltaic output generated across a photovoltaic diode array. The photovoltaic diode array is responsive to a light signal from a light-emitting element. A cross gate and source electrodes of a MOS FET is connected a control circuit which is at a high impedance state during the generation of the photovoltaic output but to be at a low impedance state upon disappearance of the output. Additionally, resistors are inserted in series respectively in each of current, one path flowing from the photovoltaic diode array across the gate and source electrodes of the MOS FET and the other path flowing a discharge current from a capacity across the gate and source electrodes of the MOS FET to the control circuit, whereby the setting of rise and fall of circuit output signals can be made easier.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first light emitting device for emitting a first polarized light beam other than a linearly polarized light beam, and a second light emitting device for emitting a second polarized light beam other than the linearly polarized light beam. The second polarized light beam has a pulse waveform. The optical system also includes a semiconductor device receiving the first and second polarized light beams. The semiconductor device has heavy holes and light holes. Each of the first and second polarized light beams has a wavelength which excites either heavy holes or light holes so that electrons are generated. The second polarized light beam is projected onto the semiconductor device in a state where the first polarized light beam is being projected onto the semiconductor device.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed for evaluating the size of grains in a metalized layer on a semiconductor sample (12). The apparatus includes a laser (20) for generating a probe beam (22). The probe beam is focused to a diameter of about one micron and scanned over the surface of the sample. Variations in the power of the specularly reflected beam are measured. In one aspect of the subject invention, the spacing between minima in the reflectivity signal is used to give a direct measurement of average grain size. The depth of the minima can be used to derive a distribution of the grain size. For very small grains, a statistical evaluation of the reflectivity signal is performed to derive grain size.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device component package comprises an optical element having a plano surface with a pattern of electrical conductors thereon, a photoelectric die having an optically active portion and die bond pads, and a printed circuit board having a pattern of electrical conductors thereon and further having an aperture for receiving the die. The die is attached to the plano surface of the optical element such that the die bond pads are electrically connected to corresponding electrical conductors of the optical elements. The circuit board is attached to the plano surface of the optical element and the electrical conductors of the circuit board are electrically connected to corresponding conductors of the optical element. A protective means affixed to the die, the plano surface of the optical element, and a portion of the circuit board protects the device package. The die can be (1) an emitter or detector die for camera autofocus applications; or (2) a photometer die for exposure control applications.

Abstract: The process for measuring the concentration of materials, wherein a radiation is absorbed in the range of the radiation absorption of the material, and another radiation is not absorbed, operates with pulses of identical pulse repetition frequency and identical pulse intervals. The detected electrical signal, the center frequency of which corresponds to the reciprocal value of the pulse interval, is filtered out with the aid of a filter. The concentration of the absorbing material is determined from the amplitude changes of the filtered-out signal. By the use of filters, the passband ranges of which are respectively adapted to the occuring pulse repetition frequencies, and based on the interpretation of the measuring signal as a modulated signal, a high safety against noise signals is attained.

Abstract: In a distance measuring apparatus of the type which measures the distance to an object by projecting a distance measurement light to the object, receiving the reflection of the light thus projected, and integrating a light reception signal corresponding to the reflection thus received, the following devices are provided: an integration device for performing the above integration; a judging device for making a judgment as to whether accuracy in distance measurement can be provided on the basis of the integration output from the integration device for a predetermined time; and a distance information forming device for forming distance information, when the above-mentioned judging device concludes that accuracy in distance measurement cannot be provided, on the basis of the intergration output from the integration device for the predetermined time.

Abstract: A plurality of lens groups are moveable in the direction of an optical axis. A plurality of motors are provided for the lens groups, respectively. A driving circuit drives the motors. A switching section sequentially selects the motors and connects the selected motors to the driving circuit. A lens position-detecting section detects the positions of the lens groups. A driving control section sequentially drives the lens groups in accordance with intermediate target position data, respectively, via the switching section and the driving section, and determines whether the lens groups have reached their respective intermediate target positions, on the basis of the detection performed by the lens position-detecting section. When the driving control section determines that the lens groups have reached their respective intermediate target positions, it demands next intermediate target positions, which are slightly away from the initially-determined intermediate target positions.

Abstract: A high power pulse generating system for use in impulse radar systems and e like contains a plurality of pulser units. The pulser units are circular shaped PIN diodes which integrates a light activated switch and a storage capacitor into a single structure formed on a semiconducting wafer. The pulser units have the capability of outputting pulses having a width of less than one nanosecond, facilitating high power output. The outputs of the pulser units are combined when each of the pulser units is simultaneously discharged using multiple laser pulses. In another embodiment a voltage step-up transformer is formed by a PIN diode structure having a diameter of approximately 60 mm. This device has the capability of outputting voltage amplitudes equal to or greater than the voltage level used to charge the PIN diode.

Abstract: An image detecting unit includes a light emitting system for emitting a light beam which is projected onto a surface of a document and a light receiving system for receiving a light obtained by a reflection of the light emitted from the light emitting system on the surface of the medium. The light receiving system includes optical waveguides and photoelectric conversion devices coupled to the optical waveguides. The light emitted from the light emitting system is projected on an area on the surface of the document, to which an end surface of the optical waveguide is opposed, and an incident angle .phi. of the light incident on the surface of the document is determined by the following formula;.phi..sub.0 -25.degree.<.phi.<.phi..sub.0 +.about..degree.where .phi..sub.0 represents an optimum incident angle.

Abstract: A light beam is incident on a first position on a scale at such an angle that diffracted lights substantially coincide with an incident optical path, and two diffracted lights are directed along a substantially common optical path and are incident on a second position symmetrical with the first position. An interference light formed by rediffracted lights reflected from the second position is detected to thereby detect the displaced state of the scale.

Abstract: A lead scanning apparatus for scanning the lead to lead integrity of electronic devices having an axial length and leads extending from the sides thereof. The apparatus includes track means for moving individual devices axially along a path to a scanning station on the path. Stop pins stop each of said devices at predetermined locations on the path where a clamp rail assists in positioning the device in a scanning orientation. The scanning unit is movably positioned at the station for movement axially along the length of the device to generate signals upon intersection of leads extending from both sides of the device. Actual signals from the scanner are compared with predetermined signals to determine the existence and spacing of each lead with respect to a predetermined pattern. A signal based on the comparison for each device is generated.

Abstract: The method and apparatus optically scan the size of a yarn package of a spinning bobbin with a plurality of light transmitters and light receivers and derive defined control processes in accordance with the ascertained size. Bobbins with yarn packages are moved in a given direction of motion at a predetermined speed between a plurality of paired and mutually opposite light transmitters and light receivers disposed one above the other with respect to the given direction of motion for placing at least some of the light receivers into a shadow. At least one of the light transmitters and light receivers are switched on and off in cycles at a predetermined rhythm, order and duration. A signal is delivered to a computer from each of the light receivers placed into a shadow in each cycle by the bobbin. The volume of the applicable bobbin is calculated with the computer from a given time required for scanning one bobbin and from the signals from the shadowed light receivers delivered during the given time.

Abstract: Special holder for combination of an umbilical type scanner with an inking highlighter in an integral or piggy back unit, which upon use provides a visual record of what has been scanned as well as "scan field verification" which obviates the need to continuously call up the computer display to determine the scan accuracy. The use of a highlighter improves the contrast between the print and the background paper (or other substrate), particularly in the case of poor quality paper, such as newsprint or recycled paper. This results in a "cleaner" digital signal and higher degree of scan accuracy, i.e. a better recognition read by the graphics/text software. Several embodiments of special holders are shown, a principal one being a side-by-side (tandem) pair of sleeves joined by a web, one sleeve being adapted to hold a conventional pen or wand-type scanner, and the other adapted to hold a conventional highlighter.

Abstract: An image sensor device having a plurality of sensor elements connected in a matrix is driven by sequentially applying successive driving pulses, wherein a leading edge of a driving pulse coincides with a trailing edge of a preceding driving pulse and the slew rate at the leading edge is equal to the slew rate at the trailing edge.

Abstract: Methods for the production of image sensors having simplified chip mounting are provided which comprise disposing a photo-setting type insulating resin on the upper side of a substrate, a portion of the substrate being transparent and having circuit conductor layers on its upper side; bringing an image sensor chip, the underside of which has electrodes, into contact with the upper side of the substrate so that the photo-setting type resin is wedged away and the electrodes come into contact with the corresponding circuit conductor layers; flowing current into the image sensor chip through the circuit conductor layers to determine that the image sensor chip operates in a normal manner; and irradiating the photo-setting type resin with light so that the resin is hardened.