Abstract: Laser light is emitted to a sheet member wound on a forming drum in a range which includes the entire width of the sheet member and distance data on a distance to a reflecting surface is obtained, using a two-dimensional laser sensor which has a detection range along a drum circumferential direction, while moving either the two-dimensional laser sensor or the forming drum in a drum width direction. Further, the positions of width-directional opposite end sections of the sheet member are calculated on the basis of the obtained distance data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a movable image-bearing member, a sensor opposed to the image-bearing member, a shutter member arranged between the image-bearing member and the sensor and capable of moving between an open position and a closed position, a rotatable cam configured to move the shutter member, and an execution portion configured to selectively execute a first mode in which the shutter member is opened or closed by rotating the cam within a first phase range and a second mode in which the shutter member is vibrated by rotating the cam at least through a second phase range different from the first phase range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a movable image bearing member, a sensor arranged so as to oppose the image bearing member, a shutter member movable between an opened position and a closed position, a vibration mechanism configured to apply vibration to the shutter member, and an executing portion configured to execute a vibrating action which applies vibrations to the shutter member by the vibration device based on image formation history information.

Abstract: A robot control system has a portable operating device TP and a robot control device RC. The portable operating device TP is actuated by a rechargeable secondary battery and used to operate a robot R. The robot control device RC is capable of wireless communication with the portable operating device TP and performs automatic operation of the robot R based on teaching data provided by the portable operating device TP. The robot control system causes an emergency stop of the robot R when the wireless communication between the portable operating device TP and the robot control device RC is interrupted. The robot control system further includes a charging device CU, a connection monitoring section 12, and an automatic operation continuing section 11. The charging device CU charges the secondary battery by electrically connecting the portable operating device TP to the robot control device RC.

Abstract: An imaging-device driving unit comprising a detector and an exposure controller is provided. The imaging-device driving unit controls a CMOS imaging device amounted in an endoscope. The detector detects the pattern of emitted illumination light. The illumination light is emitted by a light source. The illumination light is shone on a subject. The CMOS imaging device is ordered to capture an optical image of the subject. The exposure controller orders the CMOS imaging device to perform the global exposure and the line exposure when the patterns of emitted illumination light detected by the detector are the first and second patterns, respectively.

Abstract: Laser light is emitted to a sheet member wound on a forming drum in a range which includes the entire width of the sheet member and distance data on a distance to a reflecting surface is obtained, using a two-dimensional laser sensor which has a detection range along a drum circumferential direction, while moving either the two-dimensional laser sensor or the forming drum in a drum width direction. Further, the positions of width-directional opposite end sections of the sheet member are calculated on the basis of the obtained distance data.

Abstract: A robot control system has a portable operating device TP and a robot control device RC. The portable operating device TP is actuated by a rechargeable secondary battery and used to operate a robot R. The robot control device RC is capable of wireless communication with the portable operating device TP and performs automatic operation of the robot R based on teaching data provided by the portable operating device TP. The robot control system causes an emergency stop of the robot R when the wireless communication between the portable operating device TP and the robot control device RC is interrupted. The robot control system further includes a charging device CU, a connection monitoring section 12, and an automatic operation continuing section 11. The charging device CU charges the secondary battery by electrically connecting the portable operating device TP to the robot control device RC.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises an electric scope and a light source apparatus. The light source apparatus has a light source and a light control apparatus. The light control apparatus adjusts a quantity of light that is incident to the electric scope, based on a comparison between a scope characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of light that can be incident to the electric scope and a light source total characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of the light radiated from the light source to the electric scope.

Abstract: A noise reduction system comprising a switch, a light-source controller, a memory and a noise reduction block, is provided. The switch switches an exposure method of a CMOS imaging device to global exposure. The CMOS imaging device generates an image signal on the basis of signal charges. The light-source controller orders illumination of the subject to be suspended during a receiving period in at least one field period after switching the exposure method to the global exposure. The signal charges are generated during the receiving period. The memory stores the image signal which is based on the signal charges generated during the suspension period as a black image signal. The noise reduction block removes fixed pattern noise from an optical image signal on the basis of the black image signal stored in the memory.

Abstract: An imaging-device driving unit comprising a detector and an exposure controller is provided. The imaging-device driving unit controls a CMOS imaging device amounted in an endoscope. The detector detects the pattern of emitted illumination light. The illumination light is emitted by a light source. The illumination light is shone on a subject. The CMOS imaging device is ordered to capture an optical image of the subject. The exposure controller orders the CMOS imaging device to perform the global exposure and the line exposure when the patterns of emitted illumination light detected by the detector are the first and second patterns, respectively.

Abstract: A light-source control system including a detector and a controller is provided. The detector detects an output period. The XY-address type imaging device generates an image signal comprising a plurality of pixel signals. The pixel signals vary according to the signal charges. The pixels generate signal charges according to the amount of light received during a storing period. The storing period comprises a common-period and a variable-period. The common-period is simultaneous for all of pixel-rows. The variable-period varies according to each of the pixel-rows that are arranged in a first direction. Series of the pixel signals corresponding to the pixels that are arranged in the same pixel-row are output in order of the pixel-rows during the output period. The controller controls a light-source to suspend the emission of illumination light during the output period.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises an electric scope and a light source apparatus. The light source apparatus has a light source and a light control apparatus. The light control apparatus adjusts a quantity of light that is incident to the electric scope, based on a comparison between a scope characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of light that can be incident to the electric scope and a light source total characteristic that indicates a relative value of the quantity of the light radiated from the light source to the electric scope.

Abstract: A light source apparatus for an endoscope system comprises a light source, a light reduction unit, and a light guide. The light reduction unit has a light-passing area that is exposed to light from the light source. The light-passing area has a transmittance that is variable. The light guide illuminates an incident light through the light reduction unit, to a photographing subject. The transmittance is set based on a quantity of light emitted from the light source that varies with respect to a time of use of the light source.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a plurality of laser devices, and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes. Each of the laser devices radiates a pulse modulated laser beam so as to detect distance information or data relating to a topography of a measurement subject. The laser beam is radiated onto the measurement subject and a reflected light beam is sensed by the CCD. Signal charge corresponding to a distance from the image capturing device to the measurement subject is accumulated in each of the photo-diodes, and thus the above distance information is sensed. Each laser beam, respectively radiated from each of the laser devices, shares illuminating area at the distance of the measurement subject, so that radiant energy of each laser beam can be reduced by sharing a single distance measurement operation among the plurality of laser devices.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes, a vertical transfer unit and a substrate. The plurality of photo-diodes is separated into a plurality of groups and each of the groups can be controlled independently. A distance measuring light beam having a predetermined pulse width is radiated to a measurement subject and a reflected light beam, generated by the measurement subject due to the distance measuring light beam, is sensed by the photo-diodes, so that a distance information sensing operation which detects distance information of the measurement subject is executed. In the distance information sensing operation, only predetermined groups of the photo-diodes are used for sensing the distance information, while in an image information sensing operation, which detects an image of the measurement subject, all photo-diodes in the CCD are used.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light emitting device and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes, a vertical transfer unit and a substrate. A pulse-modulated distance measuring light beam is radiated from the light emitting device to a measurement subject and a reflected light beam, generated by the measurement subject due to the distance measuring light beam, is sensed by the photo-diodes, so that a distance information sensing operation which detects distance information of the measurement subject is executed. The data, for example, relating to the distance information or the image information of the measurement subject, which is stored in the device, is transmitted to an external computer system by an optical transmission system using the above light emitting device. A data transmitting light beam may be superposed onto the distance measuring light beam.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxygenated compound from a cycloalkane compound which method is characterized in that a cycloalkane compound is contacted with oxygen in the presence of a cobalt compound and a ruthenium compound.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a plurality of laser devices, and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes. Each of the laser devices radiates a pulse modulated laser beam so as to detect distance information or data relating to a topography of a measurement subject. The laser beam is radiated onto the measurement subject and a reflected light beam is sensed by the CCD. Signal charge corresponding to a distance from the image capturing device to the measurement subject is accumulated in each of the photo-diodes, and thus the above distance information is sensed. Each laser beam, respectively radiated from each of the laser devices, shares illuminating area at the distance of the measurement subject, so that radiant energy of each laser beam can be reduced by sharing a single distance measurement operation among the plurality of laser devices.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a plurality of laser devices, and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes. Each of the laser devices radiates a pulse modulated laser beam so as to detect distance information or data relating to a topography of a measurement subject. The laser beam is radiated onto the measurement subject and a reflected light beam is sensed by the CCD. Signal charge corresponding to a distance from the image capturing device to the measurement subject is accumulated in each of the photo-diodes, and thus the above distance information is sensed. Each laser beam, respectively radiated from each of the laser devices, shares illuminating area at the distance of the measurement subject, so that radiant energy of each laser beam can be reduced by sharing a single distance measurement operation among the plurality of laser devices.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes, a vertical transfer unit and a substrate. An electric charge discharging signal and an electric charge transfer signal are periodically output, respectively. Due to the electric charge discharging signal, unwanted charge accumulated in the photo-diodes is discharged to the substrate. A distance measuring light beam is radiated on a measurement subject, and a reflected light beam from the measurement subject is sensed by the CCD, so that electric charge, corresponding to distance information from the device to the measurement subject, is accumulated in the photo-diodes. The electric charge is transferred to a vertical transfer unit due to the electric charge transfer signal.