Abstract: Method and apparatus usable for automatically controlling exposure of a photographic film by evaluating selected spectral scene light frequencies during certain ambient light portions of an exposure interval and evaluating additional spectral frequencies during a flash portion of the interval.

Abstract: An apparatus which automatically balances the magnitudes of each phase current in a multi-phase power system includes electrical conductors, or phase lines, variable reactance evices, and control elements. Each phase line connects to a variable reactance device which can change the reactance of the line to thereby control the magnitude of the phase current. The variation of the reactance in one line is controlled by a control element which supplies the reactance device with a direct current converted from the alternating current of another phase line. This direct current generates a magnetic field which saturates the reactance device and thereby balances the controlled phase's current by interacting with the magnetic fields generated in the reactance device by that phase's alternating current. Total balancing is obtained by concatenating the control elements to reactance devices of all phases, i.e., one phase controls a second phase, the second controls a third, . . ., the n.sup.th -1 controls the n.sup.

Abstract: A focus detecting device for a camera in which at least first and second groups of light receiving elements are disposed in planes parallel to each other and to the plane of the film in the camera. The absolute values of the difference between the signals from adjacent elements in each group are summed from which is determined the amount of high frequency components in the frequency spectrum of the image being photographed. From this, a processing circuit produces a signal representative of correct focalization when the amounts of the high frequency components are higher than a predetermined level and are equal to each other.

Abstract: A unidirectional focus control system for a variable focus lens moves said lens outside of its normal focusing range in order to establish a reliable reference point to which or from which said lens is moved for variable focus lens focusing. In addition, lens movement outside of its normal focusing range provides the means for actuating switch means whose actuation initiates or inhibits the initiation of an event or a series of events.

Abstract: A liquid drop (i.e. ink jet) printing system is disclosed of the type wherein many parallel drop streams are continuously generated. Selected drops from each stream are deflected laterally to address the multiple pixels of a segment of a raster image scan line. The scan line segments addressed by each stream collectively compose a full scan line of a raster image. The drops are deflected by electrostatic fields tilted relative to the scan line to compensate for drop placement errors due to the relative motion between a target and the drop generator. The tilted fields are created in the spaces between interleaved teeth of two electrode members resembling garden rakes. The teeth are triangular, in cross-section at least partially, to tilt the fields. In addition, a drop collection gutter is positioned adjacent each tooth of one of the rake members. The gutter collects drops from adjacent streams not intended for marking a target. The drops within adjacent streams are swept in opposite directions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the electric charge on droplets formed by the breaking up of a pressurized liquid stream at a drop formation point located within an electric field. The field is provided to have an electric potential gradient and means are provided to effect drop formation at a point in the field corresponding to the desired predetermined charge to be placed on the droplets at the point of their formation. The location of the drop formation point within the charging field may be controlled by one or more signals applied to various components of the apparatus. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to ink-jet recording systems.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for imparting a rotational force to a rotary valve member of a multi-way valve device has a cylindrical housing and an electric motor housed therein and being operative to produce a torque corresponding to the input current supplied to the motor. The motor shaft is hollow and rotatably journalled by the end walls of the motor housing. A torsion bar is housed in the shaft and fixed at one end to one end of the shaft. The other end of the torsion bar is fixed to the housing so that, when rotational force is imparted by the motor to the shaft and thus the rotary valve member connected thereto, the torsion bar produces a return force applied to the shaft. The angular position of the other end of the torsion bar about the axis thereof is adjustable within a limited range. The actuator is suited to impart a rotational motion of less than 180.degree. and provides a reduced hysteresis in the rotation characteristics.

Abstract: There is provided a diaphragm control device for a camera which comprises a light receiving section to produce stop information corresponding to the brightness of a subject, a stepping motor to rotate stepwise in response to stop information from the light receiving section, and a coupling ring to operate a linking pin of a diaphragm mechanism in accordance with the rise of a mirror, whereby the manipulated variable of the linking pin of the diaphragm mechanism, i.e. the diaphragm opening, is controlled through the engagement between a stopper lever attached to the shaft of the stepping motor and a notch section formed in the coupling ring. The angle of rotation of the stepping motor is so set as not to overreach the middle angle between one of a plurality of initial stop angles of the stepping motor and another stop angle adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A continuous drop, electrostatic deflection ink jet or liquid drop printing system is disclosed. An integrated waveguide or optical fiber drop sensor array is positioned adjacent a target to be printed on the upstream side. A test gutter is positioned on the downstream side of the target. The sensor array is normally used when a target is not in position for printing to calibrate the charging voltages for a plurality of drop streams. The object is to compose a straight or print line with segments of the line being composed by each of the plurality of drop streams. The sensor array includes two optical fiber sensors for each drop stream made up of an input fiber spaced from two output fibers called A and B fibers. Groups of the A and B fibers are terminated at common photodetectors requiring the A and B fibers to cross each other's paths. This is achieved in an integrated waveguide structure by fabricating the A fibers in one plane and the B fibers in a second plane.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus for combined use of an electronic flash with a camera includes a changeover switch which assumes different positions depending whether a flash photography utilizing a usual electronic flash, a flash photography utilizing a devoted electronic flash or normal photography is involved. The apparatus operates to produce a signal indicative of the use of a devoted electronic flash which predominates whenever the devoted electronic flash is mounted on the camera if the changeover switch assumes its position indicative of the use of a usual electronic flash, thus automatically establishing a diaphragm value in a camera which is associated with the devoted electronic flash.

Abstract: One form of the timer is designed to be mounted over and behind a conventional wall switch cover plate and includes a two position timer condition-setting arm, a rotatable and depressible time setting dial knob and an indicator on the front of the cover plate. When the arm is moved to a timer-on position, the indicator flashes to indicate that timer programming is needed. This may be achieved in real time over the first twenty-four hours after a 30 minute play period by depressing the knob acting as an on and off power switch control push button to turn the light circuit on and off in a normal manner. Fast normal programming is achieved by rotating the knob to various time settings and depressing the knob to set ON or OFF markers in timer memory.

Abstract: The friction face of an electromagnet is formed by a relatively thin sheet of friction material and by magnetic inserts which are secured to the friction material and which define the pole faces of the magnet. The friction face is adapted to be easily removed from the magnet and replaced with a new friction face when the friction face becomes worn.

Abstract: A multipolar type circuit breaker has a plurality of breaker element assemblies corresponding to AC source pole number. Each assembly comprises a contact operating mechanism for ON and OFF operations of a movable contactor connected to a load side terminal with respect to a fixed contactor connected to a current source side terminal. A trip mechanism forms an electric current path between the movable contactor and the load side terminal an interlinks with the contact operating mechanism for releasing its normal ON position latch with respect to the movable contactor upon incoming of a excessive curent to arbitrarity trip ON state. The assemblies are housed in a single housing in a mutually parallel and aligning relation. The contact operating mechanisms in all assemblies are operated by a single handle extending transversely to them within the housing.

Abstract: In an improved control circuit for the heating current of a system for developing latent photographic images on a heat developable medium, an incipient loss of tension in the record medium is sensed by detecting high frequency components of the energizing current incident to incipient arcing at the heating electrodes. The resulting signal is utilized to interrupt the flow of current to the heating electrodes, to prevent further arcing and the danger of fire. A time delay feature is incorporated to restore the heating current after a predetermined delay. If the tension in the record medium has not been restored, then the incipient arcing will again cause an interruption of the heating current.

Abstract: An annunciator for a solenoid includes a conductive probe which projects into the pathway of the solenoid core piece. Upon actuation of the core piece, the probe is engaged by the core piece to partially complete an electrical circuit to an external signalling device. The probe includes a lost motion contact to insure proper making and breaking of a circuit upon further movement of the core piece into engagement with the field piece.

Abstract: In a transfer-type electromagnetic relay, movable contact studs are attached to both ends of a leaf spring (38) fixed onto an armature (39) for reducing the relay thickness. Leads (26, 27) for fixed contact studs are made of a soft magnetic material. Permanent magnets (46, 47) are placed transversely on the leads with poles of the same name brought nearer to the leads. When selectively magnetized by a coil (48) wound around a housing (21, 22), the armature is swung to carry out contact transfer with a high sensitivity. The relay is rendered self holding by the permanent magnet and the soft magnetic leads. Only one permanent magnet may be used for a current-holding relay. The leaf spring has transverse and longitudinal arms for insuring contact between the movable and fixed contact studs and connection of the movable contact studs to leads thereof.

Abstract: An electrical relay assembly is shown having a mounting base carrying a plurality of electrical terminals extending from one side thereof (for connection to associated electrical circuits) and a relay winding and armature at the other side thereof; the ends of the relay winding are effectively isolated as to prevent breakage of the wire comprising the winding due to any vibrations or shock induced as into the mounting base; the armature is provided with bearing surfaces which effectively minimize and reduce frictional resistance to movement of the armature; and a housing is illustrated as being capable of being secured by various mounting apparatus to associated support structure.

Abstract: A mounting for a magnetic armature intended particularly for minicompact relays and provided with a housing encasing a magnetic coil, a magnetic armature and a spring is angled and held tiltably against the magnetic yoke by means of its spring force. The spring force is applied to the yoke by the flat spring strip freely inserted into the housing of the relay, which for this purpose is supported under prestress with its front side ends abutting the walls of the housing or with one end abutting the wall and with the other end abutting the switch spring or the switch spring and a switch spring support and/or contact and a contact spring support, while abutting, at its bend on the magnetic armature.

Abstract: A scanning carriage ink jet printer is provided wth ink drying apparatus on the carriage. The dryer allows a greater variety of inks and paper to be utilized. Preferably, drying apparatus is provided on both sides of the printer, parallel to the scanning direction of the carriage, to provide for bidirectional printing.

Abstract: Hinged armature magnet for matrix printer head with a hinged armature (24), which near its one end is fixed one end of the magnet yoke (12) by means of a mounting part (48) so as to be able to swing out against spring force, wherein the hinged armature (24) and the mounting part (48) rest in common against a substantially cylindrical pin (80) which with its cylindrical axis is arranged substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the hinged armature (24) near the corner edge of the magnet yoke (12). The pin (80) with a recess (84) can be supported in a cutout (82) in the magnet yoke (12). By the rolling motion of the hinged armature (24) on the cylindrical surface of the pin (80) during the starting motion of the hinged armature, the lever arm enlarges between the momentary position of the pivoting axis of the hinged armature and the supporting tongue (76) of the mounting part (48) transmitting the spring force, in which way a progressive spring action occurs.