Abstract: In a fly reel, drag is provided by use a helically wound wire spring mounted coaxially over a fixed post attached to the reel frame. The turns at one end of the helically wound spring loosely contact the fixed post, while at the other end of the spring the turns are in intimate contact with the post. One end of the spring is free and the other end is fixed to a spool axially straddling the spring-post combination. The spool contains a drag adjustment knob whose initial setting determines the angular travel of the spool until a pin on the knob contacts the free end of the spring. As line is stripped from the spool, the spool rotates and the loose turns incrementally tighten about the fixed post.

Abstract: An optical gauging system which includes an aperture positioned on an axis between two lenses at a distance from each equal to their respective focal lengths and, utilizing radiation from a remote object parallel to the axis, the system being operable to determine the position or size of the object regardless of its distance from the system.

Abstract: A surface position sensor utilizing a beam of energy reflected from the surface through an optical receiver to a detector wherein an energy blocking member having a receiver aperture permits only energy substantially parallel to the optic axis of the optical receiver to pass through to the detector.

Abstract: A color detecting apparatus and process in which light from a source is directed to a surface whose color is to be measured through an aspheric lens situated so that reflected radiation is returned to the aspheric lens along a reversely directed path. The aspheric lens collimates the reflected light from the surface and directs it to two or more detectors which are tuned to receive energy in two or more preselected band widths along paths which are substantially of equal length with each detector receiving energy in substantially same cross-sectional area of the collimated beam.

Abstract: A proximity detection system which detects the presence of highly specular surfaces which could produce erroneous indications for the system and suppresses them so that they will not affect the system adversely.

Abstract: A radiation spot position sensor utilizing a diffuse material upon which a spot of radiation impinges and diffuses from that point outwardly along the material to the two ends thereof in a proportion indicative of the linear position of the spot along the sensor so as to be detected by radiation sensing devices located at the ends to produce and output that can be used to determine the linear position of the spot.

Abstract: A viewing system for utilizing a linear array of detectors so that they may view the remote object in two separate directions by use of mirrors to reflect energy from the object to the row of detectors.

Abstract: An automatic faucet control including a radiation emitter directing radiation into the area of a sink where hands are to be washed and a detector positioned to receive radiation reflected from the hands to activate the water supply. The flow of water terminates when the hands are removed.

Abstract: A surface position sensor in which energy is directed along an axis to the surface, is reflected back along the axis, and is focused on an elongated detector at a position along its length indicative of the distance to the surface.

Abstract: A device for measuring the distance to a surface comprising first and second energy emitting sources positioned at two different distances with respect to the surface and driven by a signal which is of common frequency, but which is of different phase from one another. The beams produced by the two energy sources are reflected from the surface and the resultant vector sum of the beams received by an energy responsive detector is used to produce a resultant signal which has a phase that varies with the distance to the remote surface.

Abstract: A device for measuring the distance to a surface comprising a pulsed energy emitting source positioned to direct energy to the remote surface and first and second energy responsive detectors to receive energy reflected from the surface with the detectors being arranged at different distances so that the output of the detectors can be compared to produce a resultant which is indicative of the distance to the surface.

Abstract: A compact single lens position sensor with adjustable range and detection zone utilizing two pairs of detectors, at least one of which is adjustable in position so as to produce unique signals when an object is in a near zone, ok zone, and far zone.

Abstract: Focus detecting apparatus wherein an image of a remote object is focused by lens means on a detector array, and the exit pupil is oscillated to produce a dither signal in the output of the detectors having a magnitude indicative of the amount of out of focus and a sense indicative of the direction the lens means should be moved to achieve proper focus.

Abstract: A fly fishing reel including a frame, a spool for collecting and storing line, a handle to impart rotation to the spool, and a pawl mounted on the spool and arranged to react to the direction of the spool rotation so that positive engagement of the handle and spool is effected when line is being recovered and the handle is disengaged and prevented from rotating with the spool when line is being removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a remote object first with uniform intensity and second with a pattern so the detector array may view the object to determine its characteristics and view the pattern to determine the range to the object.

Abstract: An opaque mask having a plurality of apertures therein for use in an auto focus circuit which includes a plurality of lenslets formed in a transparent member and a printed circuit chip which includes radiation responsive detector areas and a circuit area, the mask permitting radiation to pass through the lenslets and be focused on the detector areas but preventing light from passing through transparent areas adjacent the lenslets and striking the circuit area.

Abstract: A two dimensional optical array of lenslets and detectors is provided. The outputs of the detectors are combined to produce a signal indicative of the characteristics of an object being viewed while the output of selected detectors are compared to produce a signal indicative of the range to the object.

Abstract: A low pass filter for an auto focus camera system to deflect light from the main lens by a controlled angular amount and thus suppress high frequency components in the signal.

Abstract: A mechanism for use in a camera employing a low cost auto focus system wherein the light from the remote scene is reflected from a moveable mirror to the auto focus circuitry to produce an output indicative of the correct focus position and thereafter the shutter mechanism of the camera is moved into position behind the taking lens and the mirror is moved out of position to allow the shutter to thereafter control the travel of light from the taking lens to the film.

Abstract: A digital auto focus system includes first and second detector arrays which receive first and second detection images of an object. The detection images are displaced by a number n of detectors depending upon the distance between the object and the detector arrays. The output signals of the detector arrays are processed to provide a signal indicative of the number n. This signal may be used, for example, to control the position of a lens in a photographic system.