Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device has an inverting-amplifier constructed with MOS transistors, which is provided with electrical power through a common output line, and inputs and outputs signals through the common output line. With this configuration, a supply line conventionally used exclusively for supplying electrical power does not pass through a pixel of a solid-state image sensing device, thereby reducing difficulty of manufacturing a fine pixel and making a large aperture area. The inverting-amplifier of this solid-state image sensing device is reset to the same voltage as that of the common output line, and an offset voltage is read out. Thereafter, the electric charge inputted into the inverting-amplifier from a photo-electric converter is inverted and amplified, and the resultant signal is read out. Finally, a difference between the inverted and amplified signal and the offset voltage is obtained and outputted as an image signal.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensing system and method comprises a continuous optical fiber including at least three mirrors defining at least two contiguous optical cavities. Preferably, each optical cavity has a unique length so that the reflected optical signal associated with a given optical cavity will have a unique phase difference or wavelength allowing each of the respective optical signals to be selectively detected. A physical phenomenon acting on a given optical cavity can be sensed by determining changes in the respective optical signal reflected from that optical cavity. This sensing system allows a single optical fiber to include both integrating and point sensors. In addition, this system can be incorporated in smart structures.

Abstract: An optical apparatus provided with a light receiving device for receiving light distributions from light beams passed through different portions of a pupil of a main imaging lens, a focus state detecting device for detecting the focus state of the main imaging lens from the positional relation between the light distributions received by the light receiving device, a decentration position detecting device for detecting the decentration position of a decenterable lens provided in the main imaging lens, a memory for memorizing inherent data of the main imaging lens which should correct the focus state detection output at each decentration position, and a calculating device for calculating the amount of movement of a focusing lens for focusing by the use of the inherent data read out from the memory conforming to a signal from the decentration position detecting device and the focus state detection output.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting when a clipping component within a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) or TVSS with high frequency electrical noise attenuation (both called surge suppression device or SPD) has failed open. The method comprises the steps of: collecting airborne debris and gases generated when the SPD fails open in a space; subjecting the space to a particle detector; diagnosing the detection of particles by the particle detector and communicating the diagnosis to an appropriate signal generator. The device comprises a container within which at least the clipping components of the SPD reside; an open air space within the container; particle detector associated with the space within the container; and an electronic control unit electronically associated with the particle detector to receive a message that airborne debris or gas particles are within the air space inside the container and then to communicate and, as required, act on such.

Abstract: A sun sensor for use in orbiting satellites provides accurate attitude control yet eliminates the use of complicated optical components. The improved accuracy results from adjustment of the relative positions of a slit or pinhole aperture and a cooperating linear array of photodetector elements to increase the operating range of the sun sensor. Enhanced accuracy is further achieved by the use of a relatively wide slit instead of complicated optical components, in conjunction with a processing procedure which uses the finite angular subtense of the sun to increase the accuracy of the attitude control of the satellite by the sun sensor. A further embodiment of the invention includes a sun sensor device having dual "pinhole" apertures which is particularly useful for attitude control of a spinning satellite.

Abstract: An optical-modulation-type sensor comprises an input condenser lens for collecting light from a light source, a polarizer for linearly polarizing the light from the input condenser lens, a light-transmissive piezo-oscillator which is provided with an oscillator circuit and to which the linearly polarized light is introduced from the polarizer, an analyzer for linearly polarizing the light from the piezo-oscillator, and an output condenser lens for converging the linearly polarized light from the analyzer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the curvature of a wafer. The apparatus includes a laser head that includes multiple laser sources that each emit a laser beam, each beam having a different wavelength. A CPU selects one of the sources to emit a beam. The beam is directed through a lens within the laser head and onto a surface of a wafer. The beam is reflected from the surface of the wafer and detected by a detector. The present invention includes a motor to cause relative motion between the laser head and the wafer such that the beam scans across the surface of the wafer, relaying data to the detector and the CPU. The CPU calculates the curvature of the wafer surface using the scanned data. The CPU selects a different laser source to direct a beam having a different wavelength at the wafer surface to avoid destructive interference that may occur with previously-used wavelengths.

Abstract: A short focal length image sensor is formed with an array of photosensor sites and a lenslet array. The lenslet array is comprised of a number of abutting lenslets corresponding in number to the number of photosensor sites. Each lenslet has its optical axis decentered as a function of its radial position in the lenslet array so that each lenslet views a different segment of a total field of view. A field limiting baffle, comprised of one or more separated aperture plates, is included with the center of the apertures in each aperture plate being positioned to lie along the optical axis of a respective lenslet.

Abstract: A near field electromagnetic probe converts an incident energy beam into an interrogating beam which exhibits, in the near field vicinity of the probe, a transverse dimension that is small in relation to the wavelength of the incident energy beam. The probe comprises an energy source for providing the incident energy beam with a wavelength .lambda.. An antenna is positioned in the path of the incident energy beam and comprises at least a first conductive region and a second conductive region, both of which have output ends that are electrically separated by a gap whose lateral dimension is substantially less than .lambda.. The electromagnetic system which produces the incident energy should preferably have its numerical aperture matched to the far-field beam pattern of the antenna. Further, the incident beam should have a direction of polarization which matches the preferred polarization of the antenna.

Abstract: A label gap detection circuit comprises a photosensor having a light emitting element disposed at a first side of the print media and a light receiving element disposed at a second side of the print media so that light emitted by the light emitting element passes through the print media. The light emitting element provides a signal corresponding to an amount of light emitted therefrom and the light receiving element provides a signal corresponding to an amount of light received thereon. A regulator is coupled to the light emitting element for controlling an amount of light emitted by the light emitting element in response to a sum of the signals from the light emitting element and the light receiving element. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the light receiving element to receive the signal therefrom and provide a binary value corresponding to an amount of light received by the light receiving element.

Abstract: The invention discloses a compact scanner with an internal document tray which can be integrated with a computer and adapted to the location of the floppy diskette driver of the computer. The invention has a very simple structure driving device which allows a document I/O device to locate between illuminating device and photoelectric converting unit. When scanning, an illuminating unit provides light source for the reflective sheet placed on the internal document I/O device. The reflection is then guided to photoelectric converting unit to be converted into electric signals for the computer to read.

Abstract: A fiber optic signal collection system and method for position sensing or sensing other parameters indicated by light distinctive patterns. The system is particularly suitable for use in aircraft flight control. The system includes a set of fiber optic fibers with first and second ends. The first ends are disposed adjacent a light distinctive pattern indicating a particular pattern such as a relative position. A portion of the second ends are positioned adjacent a light source and a portion of the second ends are disposed adjacent a light sensing electrical device such that light from the light source can be conveyed through the fibers, reflected from the light distinctive pattern, and conveyed through the fibers to the light sensing electrical device in order to detect the pattern in the electrical device.

Abstract: A digital signal output device including a revolving shaft, a transparent gear wheel fixedly mounted around the revolving shaft and turned by it, the transparent gear wheel having a plurality of teeth alternatively spaced by gaps around the periphery and an annular sloping wall at one side around the center, and a plurality of photoelectric inductors spaced from the periphery of the transparent gear wheel and arranged in parallel, wherein when the transparent gear wheel is turned by the revolving shaft, the light of the light source is projected onto the sloping wall of the transparent gear wheel and reflected radially through the teeth and/or gaps of the transparent gear wheel onto the photoelectric inductors, causing the photoelectric inductors to be or not to be triggered, and therefore the amplification circuit which is connected to the output ends of the photoelectric inductors is driven to provide a digital output signal corresponding to the revolving direction and amount of movement of the revolving sh

Abstract: A means and method of photonic heterodyning wherein at least one photonic beam set having fundamental frequencies to be heterodyned is used to produce a dynamic interference image that is projected onto an image component separator. Energy from selected portions of the dynamic image is separated into at least one output. Energy components within the dynamic image move relative to the separating locations as determined by the fundamental input frequencies. This causes intermodulation of the input signals and the development of energy at the sideband frequencies in the output(s). Special Interference is also used to provide amplified photonic heterodyning.

Abstract: An opto-electronic accelerometer and pressure sensor formed on a substrate are disclosed. The sensor includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors exposed on a semiconductor substrate. A cantilever beam extends over the substrate. The cantilever beam is positioned such that it reflects light from the light source as an applied force urges the cantilever beam to deflect relative to the plurality of light detectors. Acceleration or pressure can be determined by the slope change of the cantilever beam and is computed by taking the ratio of illumination between corresponding light detectors. In an alternative embodiment, the cantilever beam includes a proof mass. In a further embodiment, a pressure sensor is coupled with a linkage rod which is connected to the cantilever beam and then connected to a diaphragm which is displaced as a pressure is applied.

Abstract: An optical device assembly includes a planar optical filter and a planar sensor having an optically active area. The optical filter and the sensor are joined together with a gap therebetween by a metallic bump extending between the optical filter and the sensor. The metallic bump, which is preferably indium, is positioned at a location outside of the optically active area of the planar sensor. The metallic bump is preferably formed by vapor depositing an indium subbump on the optical filter and another indium subbump on the planar sensor, in each case outside of their optically active areas, and thereafter pressing the two subbumps together to complete the bonding.

Abstract: A light beam generated by a laser diode travels straight through a holographic beam splitter and other optical elements without undergoing any optical modifications up to an information storage disk (disc), and a return beam reflected on the disk (disc) surface is diffracted and divided into two beams by the holographic beam splitter. The divided two beams are reflected by mirrors respectively and irradiate photo-detectors respectively. A monitoring beam is generated at the back of the laser diode, and is reflected by an additional mirror and irradiates an additional photodetector.

Abstract: A method and device for acquiring data related to topography of a medium includes projecting light, allowably from more than one direction, onto the surface of the medium at an angle of less than sixteen degrees relative to the surface and imaging the surface. For example, the imaging sensor may be an array of sensor elements that is used to determine navigation of a hand-held scanner along an original. By introducing light at an angle of less than sixteen degrees, surface irregularities cast shadows that form a high contrast illumination pattern along the surface of the medium. The navigation sensor detects multi-element variations of intensity of scattered light from the surface with respect to positions along the surface, so that the Nyquist criteria are adequately satisfied. Typically, the light is collimated incoherent light, but this is not critical. The illumination angle can be established by using a prism. The prism may have an antireflective thin film coating on one or more prism faces.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning the visual characteristics of a surface includes an illumination system which scans a beam of light across the surface for reflection therefrom. The reflected beam is split into two parts. A first part goes to a control sensor which generates a control signal in response to the spatial distribution of the intensity of the reflected light. A second portion of the reflected light goes to a measuring sensor. A field mask is disposed in the beam of reflected light and operates to restrict the cross-sectional area of the beam which impinges upon the measuring sensor. Positioning of the field mask is controlled by a driver responsive to the control signal produced by the control sensor. In this manner, the field mask may be positioned so as to select only specularly reflected light for measurement.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a light sensing detector assembly (10) having integral fiber optic light transmission strands (16) is provided. The light sensing detector assembly (10) includes a quadrant detector (12) having a plurality of apertures (14) extending therethrough and a photosensitive surface (20) that generates photocurrents in response to exposure to light. The plurality of fiber optic strands (16) each have a first end (18) and a second end (22). The first ends (18) extend through the plurality of apertures (14) and outwardly from the photosensitive surface (20). A light source (26) projects light onto the second ends (22) of the plurality of fiber optic strands (16) such that the light is transmitted through the plurality of fiber optic strands (16) towards a reflective workpiece (50). The light reflected from the workpiece (50) in turn impinges upon the photosensitive surface (20).