Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed. The optical sensor includes an irradiating system which irradiates a linearly polarized light; a first photodetecting system including a first photodetector which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is specularly reflected from a subject; a second photodetecting system including an optical element which is arranged on an optical path of a light which is diffuse reflected from the subject within an incident face in the subject and which separates a linearly polarized component in a second polarizing direction which is orthogonal to a first polarizing direction and a second photodetector which receives a light separated by the optical element, wherein an angle of taking in the light in the first photodetector and an angle of taking in the light in the second photodetector are mutually different.

Abstract: In an optical sensor, a light emission system emits an irradiated light of a linear polarization in a first polarization direction toward a surface of a target object having a sheet shape from an incident direction which is inclined with respect to a normal direction of the surface. A first light detection system includes a first light detector arranged on a first light path of a specular reflected light, which is emitted from the light emission system and is specularly reflected from the target object. A second light detection system includes a second light detector arranged on a second light path of a diffuse reflected light which is diffusely reflected from an incident plane on the target object. The second light detector receives second light passed by an optical element which passes a linear polarization component of a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction.

Abstract: An optical device includes at least one surface emitting laser device having a dielectric film for causing a central portion of a light emitting region to have a comparatively higher reflectivity than a peripheral portion; a light receiving element disposed, with respect to a first direction, on one side to the surface emitting laser device; and a transparent member disposed in a path of light emitted from the surface emitting laser device and configured to reflect a portion of the light toward the light receiving element as monitoring light. The central portion has shape anisotropy in which a width measured on a line extending in the first direction and passing through the center of the light emitting region is smaller than a width measured on a line extending in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and passing through the center of the light emitting region.

Abstract: A moisture sensor for detecting moisture content of an object includes a light source to emit light having an infrared wavelength that is absorbed by water; an optical system to receive the light from the light source and output linearly polarized light having a first polarization direction in a direction toward the object, and to receive light scattered from the object and output linearly polarized light having a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction in another direction other than the direction toward the object; and a photodetector to receive the linearly polarized light having the second polarization direction output from the optical system.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a first illuminating system, a second illuminating system, a first regular reflected light detection system, a second regular reflected light detection system and so forth. The first illuminating system is disposed at the ?X side of the opening in the dark box, and the second illuminating system is disposed at the +X side of the opening in the dark box. The first and second illuminating systems emit light to the opening. The incidence angles of irradiation light from the first and second illuminating systems relative to the surface of the stage are set equal to each other. The first regular reflected light detection system detects the light emitted from the first illuminating system and regularly reflected by the recording paper, and the second regular reflected light detection system detects the light emitted from the second illuminating system and regularly reflected by the recording paper.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes an irradiation system including a semiconductor laser having plural light-emitting parts; and at least one photodetector that detects an amount of light which is emitted from the irradiation system and reflected on a sheet-like object.

Abstract: An optical device includes at least one surface emitting laser device having a dielectric film for causing a central portion of a light emitting region to have a comparatively higher reflectivity than a peripheral portion; a light receiving element disposed, with respect to a first direction, on one side to the surface emitting laser device; and a transparent member disposed in a path of light emitted from the surface emitting laser device and configured to reflect a portion of the light toward the light receiving element as monitoring light. The central portion has shape anisotropy in which a width measured on a line extending in the first direction and passing through the center of the light emitting region is smaller than a width measured on a line extending in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, and passing through the center of the light emitting region.

Abstract: In a variable directivity antenna, an antenna element includes a pole-like or rotator-like radiator. A coaxial line supplies power to the antenna element. A directivity switching unit is provided in a junction between the antenna element and the coaxial line to change a directivity of the variable directivity antenna. At least one of an inside diameter of an outer conductor of the coaxial line in contact with the junction and a diameter of an inner conductor of the coaxial line in contact with the junction is provided to change a gain of the variable directivity antenna.

Abstract: An antenna supplied with power by a coaxial line including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric provided between the inner conductor and the outer conductor is disclosed. The antenna includes an antenna part including a first conductor and a second conductor, the second conductor including a conical shape having an apex thereof opposing the first conductor; and a transition area having an effective dielectric constant different from the dielectric constant of the dielectric in the coaxial line, the transition area being provided in the end part of the coaxial line connected to the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna including a grounded conductor and a radiating element having a diameter that increases from the top to the bottom in which the top of the radiating element is opposed to the grounded conductor is disclosed. The radiating element of the antenna includes three regions positioned from the top to the bottom, each region having an angle between a side of the radiating element in the region and a center axis of the radiating element, wherein the angles of the three regions satisfy relationship: ?1>?2 and ?2<?3 when the angles are indicated by ?1, ?2 and ?3 respectively from the top to the bottom.

Abstract: An antenna supplied with power by a coaxial line including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric provided between the inner conductor and the outer conductor is disclosed. The antenna includes an antenna part including a first conductor and a second conductor, the second conductor including a conical shape having an apex thereof opposing the first conductor; and a transition area having an effective dielectric constant different from the dielectric constant of the dielectric in the coaxial line, the transition area being provided in the end part of the coaxial line connected to the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna including a grounded conductor and a radiating element having a diameter that increases from the top to the bottom in which the top of the radiating element is opposed to the grounded conductor is disclosed. The radiating element of the antenna includes three regions positioned from the top to the bottom, each region having an angle between a side of the radiating element in the region and a center axis of the radiating element, wherein the angles of the three regions satisfy relationship: ?1>?2 and ?2<?3 when the angles are indicated by ?1, ?2 and ?3 respectively from the top to the bottom.