Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a CCD for reading an original image, a standard white plate for providing a standard image signal, a control circuit for controlling light amount and temperature of a fluorescent lamp as a light source, a CPU for controlling the operation sequence of the overall apparatus, a RAM for storing a standard image signal corresponding to the standard white plate, a ROM storing a control program for the CPU, and a display for displaying an error. An image signal of an original read by the CCD is corrected in accordance with the standard image signal. For example, an average value of a block of four pixel image signals, for example, is calculated and is compared with an average value of the standard image signals obtained by reading the standard surface a plurality of times. An abnormal pixel signal is replaced with an immediately preceding normal pixel signal or a predetermined signal pattern.

Abstract: A mechanical vibrator for resonance operation, and particularly well suited for use with a beam chopper, comprises a mechanically stiff vibrator arm representing a fixed mass. A spring with a fixed spring constant is attached to and acts upon the vibrator arm. The vibrator arm and the spring comprise a mass/spring system. A drive means is connected to the vibrator arm and has a positive feedback circuit for self-excitation at the resonance frequency of the mass/spring system. At least one first magnetic system is arranged on the vibrator arm and at least one second magnetic system is located off the vibrator arm in operational connection with the first magnetic system for measuring and/or influencing the time ratio of the two half waves (t.sub.o, t.sub.g) of the vibration amplitude waveform of the vibration arm.

Abstract: Gas is vented through a very small orifice or pore with substantially stable pressures before and after the orifice. The orifice is designed so that the expansion through it is similar to a Joule-Thompson expansion of the gas. With ideal gas, this occurs isothermally. The flow through this orifice is determined for a selected pressure drop across it and the square of this flow is inversely proportional to the relative density. With real gases there is a slight error introduced due to a supercompressibility of the gas, but this is offset by an error in the opposite direction believed to be due to the Joule-Thompson cooling of the gas as it passes through the orifice. Substantially exact error cancellation is obtained within a preferred operating range of the pressure drop across the orifice for a given orifice diameter.

Abstract: A phased-array ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonograph is provided in which electrical signals are supplied to ultrasonic transducer elements to generate ultrasonic beams for diagnostic scanning. The ultrasonic transducer comprises a number of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in the form of an array, a signal electrode plate coupled to the signal-supply side of the transducer elements and connected to a transmitter-receiver circuit by means of signal wires, and an earth electrode plate connected to the earth side of the transducer elements. The earth electrode plate is divided into a plurality of split earth electrode plates corresponding to ultrasonic transducer groups each including a plurality of adjacent transducer elements so that the split earth electrode plates are grounded independently.

Abstract: A polysilicon microstructure is formed on a silicon substrate. Beneath the microstructure, are diffused regions in the substrate. The microstructure is capacitively coupled to these diffused regions so that one such capacitor acts as an excitation capacitor and the other capacitor acts as a sense capacitor. By applying an AC voltage to the excitation capacitor, the electrostatic force between the substrate and the microstructure changes causing a mechanical vibration in the microstructure. A DC voltage is applied to the sense capacitor. The mechanical vibration, which changes its capacitance, will develop a current through the sense capacitor. A phenomenon may then be sensed by the vibrating microstructure. A polymer film disposed on the microstructure can sorb a gas of interest. As the mass of the polymer film and vibrating microstructure increases, its frequency or phase changes. The current through the sense capacitor will exhibit a commensurate frequency or phase shift.

Abstract: A chemoresistive gas sensor is provided which has improved sensitivity. A layer of organic semiconductor is disposed between two electrodes which, in turn, are connected to a voltage source. High conductivity material is dispersed within the layer of organic semiconductor in the form of very small particles, or islands. The average interisland spacing is selected so that the predominant mode of current flow is by way of electron funneling. Adsorption of gaseous contaminant onto the layer of organic semiconductor modulates the tunneling current in a quantitative manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring .DELTA.P in coal is described which comprises: (a) a plurality of closed metallic coal sample cups; (b) a gas manifold flow connected to each of said sample cups by way of a separate electric valve and said manifold being connected to a source of methane by way of electric valve means and connectable to a source of vacuum by way of electric valve means; (c) a pressure transducer connected to said manifold and adapted to measure absolute gas pressure in the manifold, and (d) processing means adapted to actuate said valves to sequentially (1) introduce vacuum to evacuate the manifold and one or more sample cups; (2) introduce methane gas to the manifold and saturate one or more coal samples therewith; (3) close sample cup valves and evacuate the manifold; and (4) selectively open individual sample cup valves.

Abstract: The improved system for remote chemical analysis of this invention includes a quartz halogen bulb as a source of infrared light, quartz fibers leading to and from a sample cell, a non-collinear thallium arsenic selenide, AOTF to perform spectral analysis and a lead selenide detector, Both the AOTF and the detector are interfaced with a microcomputer. Under the control of the microcomputer, this equipment gathers and interprets transmission spectra obtained through the passage of infrared light through the sample cell. Microcomputer interface provides rapid random-access to the RF frequency driving the AOTF, which selects the wavelength of light to be examined and also provides routines for sample averaging and the comparison of various reference spectra. An acousto-optic device mounted in an enclosure which includes input and output crystal fiber connectors is also provided.

Abstract: Single, self-contained, multiple parameter device (10) and method which includes a probe (12) having a water or liquid exposed sensing compartment (61) wherein a permeable tubular membrane (46) transmits total dissolved gas pressure to a sensor (96) in a waterproof compartment. A temperature sensor (92) measures the temperature of the monitored water. Both of the sensed parameters are converted to electrical signals and routed by cable (14) to a control housing (12) and therein combined and analyzed by appropriate circuitry (100, 102, 104, 106) and with barometric pressure signals processed through a selector switch (106) to be visually read out to a display (110). The instrument (10) allows at least for selective read out and display (110) of total dissolved gas pressure, barometric pressure, temperature, percent saturation and difference between total dissolved gas and barometric pressures.

Abstract: A gas concentration measuring instrument using the dependency of the propagation velocity of ultrasonic wave propagating in gas on the gas concentration incorporates a dampproof ultrasonic sensor with a metal or the like deposited by evaporation on the surface of the sealing material. Therefore, this gas concentration measuring instrument is almost not affected by the change of temperature and humidity and can precisely measure gas concentration continuously for a long period of time under high humidity. The ultrasonic sensor is formed fundamentally by an ultrasonic vibrator, a holder and a sealing material. More preferably, this sensor is embedded in a block and sealed with an elastic sealing material and a film of conductive material and/or a nonconductive material is formed on the surface of the sealing material, the elastic sealing material, the vibrating end surface of the ultrasonic sensor and the end surface of the block.

Abstract: A gas sensor has a ceramic substrate carrying a first ceramic layer formed thereon and a second ceramic layer formed on the first layer, the two layers having successive setbacks from one edge of the substrate so as to form a staircase-like edge structure, and a gas-sensitive layer is formed on the staircase-like edge portion of said substrate, height of said gas-sensitive layer above the substrate being less than the thickness of the first ceramic layer.

Abstract: An image information-filing apparatus comprising a two dimensional scanning device for reading a piece of image information, a disc device for storing the piece of image information and a character pattern generator for producing a character pattern corresponding to the time information issued by a time-counter. A piece of image information corresponding to one page of a manuscript is temporarily stored in a page buffer when said image information is read out or written the above-mentioned character pattern denoting the time is attached to the image information stored in the page buffer. The image information stored in the page buffer is rendered visible together with a character pattern denoting the time information by means of a CRT display device or print device.

Abstract: A .lambda. sensor comprising a perovskite compound ASnO.sub.3-.delta. and silica, germania, zirconia or hafnia added to the compound in an amount of 0.5 to 30 mol % per mol of the compound. Silica or like additive gives improved oxygen sensitivity and reduces the temperature dependence of the oxygen sensitivity.

Abstract: A testing machine reproduces road excited vibrations for the purposes of testing vehicle wheel support specimens, for example McPherson strut assemblies used in front wheel drive vehicles, the system permits force inputs of horizontal, steering, vertical, and wheel hop loads, as well as, optionally, simulating braking loads. The loading fixture is compact, and substantially eliminates cross coupling of horizontal loading due to steering motion of the device, even though the steering motions provide for large steering excursions. The loading is tire coupled to simulate actual conditions, including wheel hop that occurs during road travel, and further provides for inherent cross coupling compensation to permit easy instrumentation and very close simulation of road induced vehicle vibrations during the testing process. The entire steering linkage can be tested, including tie rods, tie rod ends, and the wheel suspension mechanism.

Abstract: For the preparation of a tree structure recognition dictionary, a feature set at each node of the tree should be the feature giving the largest discrete distribution number. When elements of an object are classified or divided into categories, if the number of combinations of subgroups, which are discrete, is the largest, the classification is the most effective. This classification is effected, when the distance between distributions for a certain feature is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A gas sensor has an elongated planar ceramic substrate carrying a gas-sensitive layer at one end thereof, and a ceramic layer overlaid on the substrate with a setback from the gas-sensitive layer so as to form a staircase-like step on the substrate, the setback edge surface of the ceramic layer being non-linear in the width direction of the substrate but preferably perpendicular to the plane of substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the correct air/fuel mixture in internal combustion engines. In the preferred embodiment, the density of atmospheric air at concurrent temperature and barometric pressure conditions is sensed by an acoustical transducer whose electric output is electronically correlated with known volumetric flow rate data; thereby obtaining the mass flow rate of engine aspirated air. The acquired air mass flow-rate data, together with other data pertaining to concurrent engine load and condition is utilized to achieve at any throttle position a correct air/fuel ratio. In an alternate embodiment, the mass flow rate of engine aspirated air is obtained by utilizing the basic air density sensing transducer in measuring the suction pressure at the venturi throat within an engine incorporated throttle body device, while simultaneously sensing, and measuring continuously occurring changes in atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting an image in run representation form into a raster image which is rotated by some multiple of 90.degree. from the orientation of the original image is disclosed wherein the original image data which is stored in run end or run length form may be divided and stored in discontiguous blocks. In implementing a 90.degree. rotation, the image data is conceptually divided into vertical strips, each of which is independently rotated to create a horizontal strip of the output image. The rotation process is carried out by firstly converting the run representation image data to raster form, dividing the data in each row among a number of intermediate buffers, each of which contains the data from one vertical strip of the original image. The contents of each buffer are rotated and rearranged in an available buffer to form a horizontal strip of the rotated image ready for raster readout. Similarly, a convenient method of rotating the input image 180.degree.

Abstract: A trackless scanner for examination of pipings comprises an annular base removably mountable to a plant pipe to be examined, and a plurality of drive wheels for running supported on the base and being in contact with the plant pipe. Each of the drive wheels is associated with a sensor for detecting an angle which the annular base makes when it turns circumferentially of the pipe, a mechanism responsive to a detection signal from the sensor to control the axial running of the drive wheel for running, and a sensor for detecting a curvature of the pipe.

Abstract: An automated system is used for the inspection of a transparent film which has been metallized by vaporizing a metal so that it impacts the film's surface at a preselected angle, wherein the metallized film sample is illuminated with a light source, and the transmitted light is passed through a microscope to a video camera, which produces a videoscan. The videoscan is digitized, stored in a computer memory, and processed pixel by pixel by the computer which calculates asperity height distribution from the number and lengths of metallizing shadows caused by asperities on the film surface. This method is especially useful for inspecting film to be used for recording devices, especially for video tapes, where accurate information on the asperity height distribution is required.