Abstract: A sensor device adapted to detect at least one of a particle and a bubble in a fluid, includes a fluid nozzle defining a center of fluid flow; and a plurality of sensor elements for converting an impact of one of a particle and a bubble into an electrical signal, wherein a first sensor element is arranged closer to the center of fluid flow than a second sensor element. The sensor device includes a number of diaphragm sensor elements each having a sufficiently small mass for responding to a collision with the particle, and an apparatus for converting a vibration of the diaphragm portion into an electrical signal so as to detect the vibration. The multiple elements are arranged in the fluid flow stream such that different size particles will preferentially strike different elements.

Abstract: A display element includes: an actuator including a piezoelectric film having a pair of surfaces and a pair of electrodes coated onto at least a portion of each of a pair of respective surfaces of the piezoelectric film; a movable flexing portion, in contact with one of the pair of electrodes, to support the actuator; a fixed portion for holding the flexing portion so that the flexing portion can move; means, connected to the actuator, for transmitting a displacement of the actuator; and a plate for transmitting light, disposed closely to the displacement-transmitting means. In this display element, a voltage is applied into the actuator through the pair of electrodes so as to control a rest position and a displacement of the actuator as well as a contact and a separation between the displacement-transmitting means and the plate so that a light emission at a predetermined position in the plate is controlled.

Abstract: A display element includes: an actuator including a piezoelectric film having a pair of surfaces and a pair of electrodes coated onto at least a portion of each of a pair of respective surfaces of the piezoelectric film; a movable flexing portion, in contact with one of the pair of electrodes, to support the actuator; a fixed portion for holding the flexing portion so that the flexing portion can move; means, connected to the actuator, for transmitting a displacement of the actuator; and a plate for transmitting light, disposed closely to the displacement-transmitting means. In this display element, a voltage is applied into the actuator through the pair of electrodes so as to control a rest position and a displacement of the actuator as well as a contact and a separation between the displacement-transmitting means and the plate so that a light emission at a predetermined position in the plate is controlled.

Abstract: A buffering system and method for data recorded by a laser on a moving optical medium, such as a flexible optical tape wherein data (e.g., analog video information) can be buffered to permit recording on a flexible optical medium in a manner which optimizes recording efficiency and space utilization on the recording medium.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to systems and methods for storing digital video information on an optical recording medium comprising the steps of moving the optical recording medium in a first direction, sinusoidally scanning a beam of light over the moving optical recording medium in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to establish a scan path over the optical recording medium, and periodically deflecting the sinusoidal scanning beam in the first direction to linearize at least a portion of the scan path. By linearizing at least a portion of the scan path, two traces can be made per cycle of a primary sinusoidal deflection, thereby doubling scanning efficiency.

Abstract: A capacitance type displacement measuring instrument is disclosed in which a change in electric capacity between electrodes due to a change in displacement between two members movable relative to each other is detected on the basis of a change in phase of a detection signal and a displacement value between the two members is measured from the change in the capacity. AC signals are successively applied to transmitting electrodes provided on one of the members at a predetermined pitch by a multiplexer and signals induced in transfer electrodes at a predetermined pitch differing from the aforesaid pitch of the transmitting electrodes are received by pickup electrodes provided on the aforesaid one of the members. The relative displacement is detected from a change in phase of a received signal of substantially triangular waveform, which are obtained by the pickup electrode.

Abstract: A photoelectric reading apparatus comprises a linear image sensor, an optical system for causing characters or figures on the surface of paper such as an original to be imaged on the light-receiving surface of the linear image sensor, index mark means for indicating the area of the surface of the paper to be recorded to adjust such area, and a circuit for reading, of output signals produced by the linear image sensor, a signal corresponding to the area indicated by the index mark means.

Abstract: Information is stored, using a relatively low-power light beam, by redistributing the material in a deformable film. In a disc configuration, positioning of the light beam is achieved by referencing to a previously recorded track. In a document storage and retrieval system the document is scanned with the resultant scanned signal modulating the writing light beam producing a recorded track. This track is optically read with the resultant signal applied to a printer. For optimum utilization of the area, the recording and readout take place at constant velocity.

Abstract: A color image is recorded on film at the television field rate. A portion of the film is illuminated, corresponding to a line in the color image, and decomposed into its component colors. The decomposed light from the line is imaged onto two or more line scanning photosensitive arrays which provide scanned signals. These scanned signals are decoded and used to provide the standard color television signals.

Abstract: A color image is recorded on film at the television field rate with alternate film frames representing the luminance and chrominance information. The chrominance information is encoded by filtering the color image through a striped color filter. On playback two line scanners are used to simultaneously scan the luminance and chrominance frames to provide the desired information simultaneously. A decoding signal is used to decode the encoded chrominance information and derive color-difference signals.

Abstract: A video program is broadcast to different video display sets in a broadcast reception area for display at the discretion of television viewers in that area. In order to determine the reaction of television viewers to the displayed broadcast video program, a determination of a relative number of sets responding to the particular broadcast is made. A display of the broadcast video program is provided with a pictorial representation of the relative number of responding sets. Potentially participating sets may be provided with a facility for registering any of a predetermined number of different types of viewer reactions to the broadcast video program. A display of the broadcast video program may be provided with a facility for displaying a number of pictorial representations corresponding to the predetermined number of different types of viewer reactions for individually indicating each viewer reaction type.

Abstract: A contacting pickup optical waveguide reproduction system and method for reproducing information carried on a recording medium. The recording medium is of the type having optically reflective pits formed in an information path. Information is stored as a function of pit modulation. The system includes an optical pickup adapted to slidably contact an information path along a recording medium and means for illuminating the pits. Optical waveguide means is provided for receiving illumination reflected by said pits and an optical-to-electrical energy transducer is coupled to said optical waveguide means. A particular embodiment includes a remote optical-to-electrical energy transducer.

Abstract: A system for electrostatic printing including a corona source and electrode for coulombs/m.sup.a substantially uniform stream of ions in the direction of a print receiving medium and a multilayer apertured modulator interposed in the ion stream for modulating the cross-sectional flow density of ions in the stream in accordance with a pattern to be reproduced. A cloud of substantially uncharged liquid aerosol ink particles is introduced adjacent the print receiving medium whereby the modulated ion stream selectively impinges upon and charges particles in the cloud which are thereby accelerated and deposited on the print receiving medium in accordance with the pattern to be reproduced. The average surface charge density on liquid aerosol particles in the cloud is no greater than about 1 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.6 coulombs/m.sup.2, and preferably no greater than about 5 .times. 10.sup.-.sup.7 coulombs 2. The liquid aerosol droplets are in the range of from about 0.10 micron to 50.

Abstract: A lens converter ultrasonic camera method and system are shown for producing a visible representation in real time and true perspective of inhomogeneities in an opaque subject or specimen and especially suitable for imaging organs of living organisms. An ultrasonic wave generating transducer means is coupled to the specimen for insonification thereof, and focused perspective images using either transmitted or reflected ultrasonic waves are produced and directed upon an array of acoustic to electrical transducer elements. Scanning means are employed to expose the transducer elements to the entire acoustic image to generate electrical signals representative of the acoustic image.