Abstract: A method and apparatus is used on a flatbed scanner for calibrating the horizontal starting point of a document which is to be scanned by the flatbed scanner. The flatbed scanner is of the type having a light-sensing device as a CCD or CIS device consisting of a linear array of light-sensing cells and a movable scan head. In the method and apparatus, two reflective marks are fixed at a predetermined calibrating position to the front edge of the document. During the calibration process, the movable scan head is moved to the calibrating position where it senses the two reflective marks to thereby determine the distance in pixels between the first light-sensing cell on the linear array and the first reflective mark, and also the distance in pixel between the two reflective marks. The distance in pixel between the first reflective mark and the horizontal starting point of the document can then be determined.

Abstract: A photomultiplier includes a cathode supporting member, arranged in a tube and comprised of a conductive material, for holding a photocathode, and a holding mechanism, comprised of a heat conductive material, for biasing the cathode holding member to hold it. The holding mechanism is thermally connected to a cooler.

Abstract: A double four-quadrant angle position detector is disclosed. The angle position detector comprises a first orientation detector, a second orientation detector, and a detecting means. The first orientation detector is composed of two pairs of photo-detecting means, arranged on opposite sides along vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, to generate output currents according to the brightness level. Similarly, the second orientation detector can also generate output currents according to brightness level. The detecting means determines a first angle and a second angle according to these output currents and then compares the difference of the first angle and the second angle with a preset threshold. When the difference is greater than the preset threshold, it indicates that an image angle is passing through the sensor.

Abstract: A two-dimensional position detector, in combination with dynamic z and/or flutter sensors, provides dynamic misalignment detection and correction of a measuring head, thereby allowing accurate determinations to be made of properties of a sheet material, such as basis weight.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes a light receiving portion having a first photodiode and a second photodiode whose potential well is deeper and whose photosensitivity is lower than that of the first photodiode, and a transmitting portion having a first transmitting gate for transmitting charges accumulated in the first photodiode to a transmission device and a second transmitting gate for transmitting charges accumulated in the second photodiode to the transmission device. Thus, the dynamic range of the solid state imaging device becomes wider.

Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus of the present invention comprises (a) an image projection unit which projects a first checking light through a first region out of two regions formed by splitting a space into two along a border plane including the optical axis of the objective optical system, onto the measured object to form an image of the light source thereon, and (b) an image detection unit which condenses a second checking light emerging from the image of the light source through the second region opposed to the first region with the border plane inbetween, on a light-receiving surface of a photodetector to form image of the measured object thereon. The image projection unit comprises a first converging optical system, which has a first refractive power in a first plane parallel to the border plane, which has a second refractive power substantially different from the first refractive power in a second plane parallel to the optical axis of the objective optical system and perpendicular to the border plane.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for continuously repositioning a shading element to shade an eyepoint from the direct rays originated from a source of radiation. Different ways to simplify the methods are presented, including the use of a repositioning means which continuously repositions the shading element to shade a target location from the direct rays. Also suggested are novel devices to serve as the repositioning means, which may be incorporated in the systems. In embodiments as a visor system on transportation vehicles, this invention avoids a number of shortcomings and limitations of prior systems. It provides practical solutions to the dual problem with conventional visors: their size were too big and too small. This invention enables the vehicle occupants to have a more open field of view while the eyes are always protected from direct sunglare, making it safer and more pleasant to travel.

Abstract: An improved electrophoresis and fluorescence detection apparatus has an electromagnetic radiation sensor juxtaposed with a sensing region. The output signal from the electromagnetic radiation sensor is a current signal, and the current signal is converted to a voltage signal. The voltage signal is summed with a programmable offset generated by an inexpensive eight-bit D/A converter. The offset signal is selected to establish a lower starting point for the dynamic range of the A/D conversion, and is selected to null some or all of the background electromagnetic radiation level. The summed signal is amplified and integrated in an integrator. The integrator is switchable under program control. The integrator is switched on for long and short intervals. The short intervals permit sensing over a dynamic range accommodating very high levels of fluorescence; very high peaks may be measured and features of the peaks distinguished.

Abstract: A sensor for three dimensional detection of the position of a ball joint 1 in which two emitters 14-15 and two collectors 20-21 are located in the ball 4 and socket 5, respectively, of the ball joint 1, and at least one more emitter or collector is located in either the ball 4 or socket 5. Each of the emitters emits a unique signal characteristic and each of the collectors detects and decodes the signals from all emitters. By analyzing the influence of all the emitters on each of the collectors, the position of the ball joint can be deduced. The emitters can be coils or light emitting diodes that emit unique signal frequencies and the collectors can be coils or photo transistors which detects the ratio of signals from each of the emitters. Alternatively, a rotating magnetic field can be induced by three emitter coils in one of the joint halves and detected by three collector coils located in the other joint half.

Abstract: A dynamic and thermal mechanical analyzer incorporating a slide driven vertically in an air bearing guidance system with a large displacement capacity, very low friction and low mass. The position of the slide is measured by digitizing and interpolating two quadrature output signals generated by an optical encoder with very high spatial resolution and a long stroke. A force is applied to the slide using a linear permanent magnet motor with high force, high force linearity and low sensitivity to temperature variations. Position signals derived from the digitized and interpolated quadrature output signals are analyzed as a function of the applied force to calculate viscoelastic properties of a sample of material.

Abstract: A reflective wetting or spot detecting system incorporates a light emitting diode and a solid state photo sensor arranged on the same side of a medium being analyzed. The sensor is carried at one end of an elongated housing with a linear channel extending through. The channel is oriented on a line that is normal to the medium being analyzed. The channel functions as a lensless, passive focuser of reflected radiant energy. The source of radiant energy is located at an acute angle with respect to the medium. A conditioning circuit is coupled to the output of the sensor. The conditioning circuitry includes a current-to-voltage converter, a signal reducing stage, an amplifying stage and a comparator. The signal reducing stage reduces the voltage signal, produced by the current voltage converter, a predetermined amount, thereby effectively providing the amplifier stage with a greater dynamic range than it would have otherwise had.

Abstract: A method for measuring surface topography characterized by making multiple scans of the surface with a laser scanning unit and utilizing the multiple scans to create representations of the surface's topography. The surface topography data can also be used to calculate the compressive or tensile stress caused by a thin film applied to the surface of a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus of the present invention scans a laser beam across a surface in an x direction, and detects displacements of a reflected portion of the laser beam in a z direction. A pair of photodetectors are used to translate z direction displacements of the reflected beam into analog signals which are digitized and input into a microcomputer for analysis. The multiple scans of the surface are preferably accomplished by placing the workpiece on a pedestal which can be rotated to various angular positions.

Abstract: A photodetector array for sensing radiant energy is described incorporating photodetectors, a respective semiconductor region for holding charge and two transistors coupled in series at each pixel, and a column load transistor. An amplifier at the load transistor may provide gain while providing dynamic range compression and a reduction in signal noise due to resetting of the voltage at the semiconductor regions. The invention overcomes the problem of CMOS manufacturing of photodetector arrays and for a simplified circuit per pixel to enable denser arrays and reduced noise.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading documents disposed face upward on a document platen by optical scanning. The image reading apparatus comprises a color correction filter which has characteristics for shielding light of visible light range and is inserted into said imaging system on prescanning to detect the height of the document.

Abstract: A flash device has a flash tube which generates light in response to electrical energy. The amount of light emitted by the flash tube is monitored by a circuit which is connected to means for adjusting the electrical energy supplied to said flash tube when a predetermined amount of light has been emitted to thereby increase the effective life span of the flash tube and maintain intensity level of the flash tube within a given tolerance.

Abstract: There is provided a photosensor having a photoelectric converter for converting incident light into a photoelectric current, and a function of removing noise light from imaging light including noise light and reflected from an object to be photographed. A plurality of photosensors each having the arrangement are used as an image sensor. A single photosensor having the arrangement or a plurality of photosensors each having the arrangement are used as a distance sensor. There is provided a photosensor in which a storage unit stores electric quantity corresponding to fixed light, and electric quantity corresponding to reflected light in the state wherein electric quantity stored in the storage unit is reproduced by a reproduction unit is introduced, and the difference therebetween is reproduced as an electric signal. A single photosensor having the arrangement or a plurality of photosensors each having the arrangement are used as a distance sensor.

Abstract: An autofocus module generates a beam of light that is divergent in the horizontal direction and collimated in the vertical direction. The beam is formed using a laser diode and a diffractively achromatized toroidal lens. A pair of receiver lenses which have focal lengths that are longer and shorter than the distance to a photodetector plane are positioned to receive the beam reflecting from an object. A pair of photodetectors, positioned at the photodetector plane, each providing an output signal that is indicative of the amount of light received by a associated receiving lens. The difference in the output signals is a function of the distance of the object from the detector plane and may be used to drive a camera lens to a desired focus position or to provide an indication of the object from the module.

Abstract: Apparatus for the inspection of the end surface of a cylindrical object including a device for irradiating the end surface of the object, a detector for detecting radiation reflected by the end surface substantially parallel to the axis of the object and a calculator for calculating the proportion of the end surface which has reflected radiation directly to the detector device, wherein the means for irradiating comprises a ring source the center of the ring being substantially co-incident with the axis of the object and being substantially transparent to reflected radiation so that light reflected to the detector passes unhindered through the ring, the ring source having associated therewith a device permitting substantially uniform irradiation across the said end surface.

Abstract: An intensity compensated scanning system includes laser means for providing a laser beam; scanner means for sweeping the laser beam in an arcuate path across a surface to be scanned; means for sensing the return laser beam reflected from the surface to be scanned; means for quantifying the decrease in the intensity of the return laser beam at the scan extremity portion relative to the intermediate scan portion; and means responsive to the means for quantifying for varying the power to the laser means at the scan extremity portion relative to that at the intermediate scan portion for balancing the intensity of the return laser beam reflected from the surface to the means for sensing.

Abstract: In one embodiment a diffractive element, having at least one surface formed as a plurality of blazed diffractive features that are curved and decentered to focus and chromatically disperse incident light into Red Green and Blue spots. An array of the diffractive elements is disclosed for separating incident light from a color image to form Red, Green, and Blue, separations of the image without the use of filters.