Abstract: The present invention provides a dimensioning system for determining the minimum size box necessary to enclose an object traveling on a moving conveyor. The dimensioning system is comprised of a light source which generates a scan beam that is moved by a mirrored wheel. A line scan camera whose field of view tracks the moving scan beam receives images of the scan beam and outputs a signal which is processed to compute a three dimensional box structure of the scanned object.

Abstract: A device for examining optical waveguides comprises a prism to be positioned on the waveguide to be investigated, an entering point at which incoming light enters the device, and control devices for altering the angle of light directed to the prism from the entering point of incoming light, wherein the control devices include a mirror whereby the projection of the reflecting surface of the mirror in the plane of altering the angle is in the form of an ellipse, a rotatable mirror is placed at the focal point of the ellipse and the corner of the prism is situated at the second focal point of the same ellipse.

Abstract: A method for inspecting bags having folded and pasting bottoms. Light source is provided to irradiate a bottom of a moving bag with a light so that shadows appear along a shape of bottom folds. A CCD linear array image sensor takes an image of the bottom of the bag from the reflected light and delivers electric signal corresponding to the image. The electrical signal are processed to extract a shape of bottom folds based on the shadows on the irradiated bottom. The obtained outer profile is compared with a reference input of a good bag stored in a memory to emit an electric selection signal classifying whether it is a good product or a defective product.

Abstract: Fluorescent type lamps are arranged to have high frequency power derived from standard, commercial A.C. sources either directly or from power levels distributed from a master ballast. When the master ballast is employed, it functions as an interface between the primary power source and a distribution network to one or more modules so as to relieve the modules of operations such as initial power form conversions, filtering and power factor correcting which require large components. The module or modules driven by the master ballast output are contained within the lamp envelope or attached as an extension of the lamp envelope. The module is formed of elements mounted as a miniaturized unit configured to fit within the lamp envelope or to attach to the end of the envelope. The module includes oscillator components mounted on an elongated board so as to form an assembly with a cross-section compatible with the perimeter of the envelope itself.

Abstract: An inspection system inspecting an original with a pellicle, which system includes a light source for providing a light beam, a first detecting device for receiving light produced as a result of passage of the light beam through the pellicle, a second detecting device for receiving light produced as a result of non-passage of the light beam through the pellicle, and a processing system for determining information related to transmissivity of the pellicle, on the basis of outputs of the first and second detecting devices.

Abstract: An illumination unit according to the invention comprises an electrodeless low-pressure discharge lamp 10. The illumination unit is provided with a lamp vessel 20 which encloses a discharge space 21 which contains an ionizable filling. The illumination unit is in addition provided with a holder 60 for the lamp vessel 20, with a coil 30 for generating a high-frequency magnetic field so as to maintain an electric discharge in the discharge space 21, and with a high-frequency supply 50 for the coil. The illumination unit is further provided with ignition aids 40 for promoting the initiation of the discharge.

Abstract: A plasma system is disclosed comprising a vessel suitable for containing a plasma at a pressure of at least about 100 mtorr, a plasma gas in the vessel at a pressure of at least 100 mtorr, an antenna with a substantially planar face positioned adjacent a portion of the vessel for applying an electromagnetic field to the plasma gas to thereby generate and maintain a plasma, and means for applying an external magnetic field to the plasma gas other than the field generated by the antenna, and having a component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar face of the antenna.

Abstract: A high reliability portable incandescent illumination system for use in applications which require a reliable, high output light source such as heliport markers, runway lights, warning lights, road hazard and obstruction lights. The required elements of the invention are a battery to provide an energy source, a DC/DC converter to step up the battery voltage to a level required to drive a high output light source. The DC/DC converter is driven by a controller which generates a pulse stream to the DC/DC converter based upon inputs from a soft start circuit, a filament temperature sensor, an optical spectrum sensor, a power sensor and a filament break sensor. The optical spectrum sensor is coupled to the light source by a fiber optical element. An improvement in results in the performance of portable beacons by using high voltage lamps with low voltage batteries via voltage step-up electronics.

Abstract: A scanning system for wood products to detect grain defects and product geometry simultaneously. Multiple scanner sets cast parallel beams of light at an angle of incidence in a plane that is normal to the surface of the wood product. Scanner sets are provided to scan both the top and bottom surfaces of the wood product. The scanner sets include detector arrays to detect the reflected light of the beams off the surface of the product. One array of each set is positioned strategic to the angle of incidence and another is positioned strategic to the angle of specular reflection. The magnitudes of the detector are compared to determine clear wood or grain defect. The time of detection is used to calculate thickness/geometry.

Abstract: An assembly for making thickness measurements in a thin film structure. The assembly comprises a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) subassembly for effecting topographical changes in a thin film structure; and, a measuring subassembly for detecting the thickness of a thin film structure, the measuring subassembly interposed with the CMP subassembly so that a thickness measurement can be made during and independent of CMP process operations.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system has: (A) a central power supply connected with regular power line voltage and including a number of power supply modules (e.g., eight), each such module having: (i) a parallel-resonant self-oscillating bridge inverter operative to provide a 35 kHz sinusoidal output voltage at a pair of primary output terminals; (ii) a tank-inductor and a tank-capacitor parallel-connected across the primary output terminals; and (iii) several (e.g., four) pairs of secondary output terminals, each connected with the primary output terminals via its own dedicated current-limiting sub-circuit; thereby to prevent a load connected with a pair of secondary output terminals from drawing more than a certain amount of power; thereby, in turn, to render each pair of secondary output terminals fire-hazard-safe; (B) a plurality of lighting fixtures (e.g.

Abstract: Test reticle patterns (reticle pattern images) are transferred by exposure onto an unexposed wafer in a plurality of rows parallel to a predetermined direction, and a rotation angle of each reticle pattern image is obtained from an amount of positional displacement in the vertical direction (direction Y) (Steps 102 to 104). A rotation angle of each reticle pattern image is obtained from the bend of a moving mirror within an exposure range on a wafer stage which is obtained by correcting an amount of positional displacement in a horizontal direction (direction X) by the rotation angle obtained from the positional displacement in the vertical direction and the bend of the moving mirror assumed in a region outside the exposure range, and a residual rotation error between the thus obtained rotation angle and the actual rotation angle is obtained (Steps 105 to 107).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that indicate the amount of gas such as air in a clear liquid such as water. The apparatus includes a transparent pipe (60), an input coupling (16) at a first end of the transparent pipe, and a shutoff valve (20) at the second end of the pipe. The first end of the pipe is connected to a source of water (12) under pressure, whose air content is to be determined. With the valve (20) open, water is allowed to pass through the pipe and valve to purge the pipe of air and any previous water. The shutoff valve is then closed, to contain the water under pressure. The dissolved air in the static, pressurized water, immediately forms microscopic air bubbles, which result in the water having a "milky" appearance. The presence of the milky appearance indicates the presence of a considerable amount of dissolved water (when the water is not under high pressure). The reflectivity of the water indicates the amount of dissolved air per unit volume of water (when not under high pressure).

Abstract: The apparatus measure the radius of curvature of a reflective or partially reflective surface 18, and comprises first and second lasers 2, 4 which generate two parallel beams a known distance apart. A lens 12 focuses the beams, which are passed via a beam splitter 14 and transform lens 16 to the surface 18. The beams are reflected back via the transform lens 16 and the beam splitter 14 onto a detector 20. A processor 22 calculates the radius of curvature of the surface in dependence of the known distance X separating the beams and the positions of the beams on the detector 20.

Abstract: A propagation delay time measuring device has a test signal generating circuit, a time measuring circuit, a data table and a calculation circuit. The test signal generating circuit generates a test signal and supplies the test signal to a measuring point which is connected to one of the terminals of a signal transmission line. The time measuring circuit receives a signal waveform at the measuring point. The signal waveforms indicates an waveform of the test signal supplied to one of the terminals of the signal transmission line and a waveform reflected by another terminal of the signal transmission line and returned to the measuring point. The time measuring circuit measures a time when the test signal is supplied to the measuring point and a time when the reflected waveform is returned to the measuring point based on the signal waveform at the measuring point.

Abstract: This invention is a method for remotely obtaining roadway crown point elevation and horizontal location based on projecting a horizontal laser beam configured vertically in either a continuous or discrete manner across the roadway surface at a predetermined elevation substantially coincident with the crown point of the roadway. The highest elevation of the roadway partially occludes the vertically configured laser beam. The lowest elevation of the laser beam which contacts an array of vertically configured laser receivers positioned on the opposite side of the roadway is by necessity the elevation of the roadway crown. By using an optical detector at a known vertical offset from the laser beam emitter, the angle and hence the distance can be determined to the furthest laser impact with the roadway. This distance information can be combined with the known line between the laser emitter and laser receivers to resolve the horizontal coordinates of that point.

Abstract: A small package voltage reduction system which is especially adapted for easy installation into a conventional high intensity discharge light, such as a street light having a receptacle for receiving a standard ambient light sensor. The invention permits extremely easy and thus inexpensive installation and maintenance and yet provides a significant reduction in energy use which may save significant expenditure for energy by a municipality or other user of high intensity discharge lights.

Abstract: A monitor and method for monitoring the optical properties of a recording head of a hard disk drive. The monitor includes a light source that reflects a light beam off of the recording head. The reflected light beam is detected by a photodetector. The light beam directed onto the head has an intensity Ii. The light beam reflected from the head has an intensity Io. The photodetector and light source are coupled to a controller which calculates a reflectance R based on the ratio of the intensities Ii and Io. The reflectance R is a function of the optical properties of the recording head. The calculated reflectance R is compared with a threshold value. If the reflectance R exceeds the threshold value the monitor may provide a part fail message which indicates that the optical properties off a particular head deviates from a range of values. The present invention provides a means to quickly monitor the optical properties of recording heads without actually measuring the properties.

Abstract: That illuminating pattern of the headlight which appears on a screen disposed in front of the vehicle is pictured. The optical axis of the headlight is adjusted based on an image of the illuminating pattern. A distribution of illuminance of the illuminating pattern along a scanning line which bridges a light portion and a dark portion of the image of the illuminating pattern is measured. A position of a reference point which serves as a reference in adjusting the optical axis is obtained from that point on the scanning line which corresponds to a crossing point of a first straight line and a second straight line. The first straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding at least to one of the light portion and the dark portion of a curve which represents the measured distribution of illuminance. The second straight line is obtained from a portion corresponding to a transient region which is positioned between the light portion and the dark portion.

Abstract: An arc detection and cut-out circuit is connected to an electronic ballast to detect when arcing occurs and to disable the ballast when arcing occurs. The arc detection and cut-out circuit is comprised of a current detector and a shunt circuit. The current detector detects the current in the electronic ballast to determine if arcing has occurred. If detected, the current detector causes a shunt circuit to shunt the power inverter of the ballast shutting it down. The arc detection and cut-out circuit prevents the power inverter from starting up until the power to the ballast is cycled off and back on.