Abstract: A feeding device comprises a pair of guide shafts, and a film holder which is movably supported by the guide shafts. A slide-mount, which holds a film, is attached to the film holder. Guide members are formed on side surfaces of the film holder, and are slidably engaged with the guide shafts. Each of the guide members has a first bearing member and a second bearing member. The first bearing member and the second bearing member are offset in a direction in which the guide members extend. The first bearing member is engaged with an upper surface of the guide shafts, and the second bearing member is engaged with a lower surface of the guide shafts.

Abstract: A ground positioning system integrated with a distance measuring device that detects the distance from the device to a selected object for each pixel of the captured image of the selected object. The system, which also includes an azimuth sensor, calculates ground positioning coordinates of a selected object that correspond to a certain pixel of captured image using distance information, device ground positioning coordinates and device direction information.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device performs sensing operations of a first reflected light beam component and a second reflected light beam component. In the sensing operation of the first reflected light beam component, the pulse shape of a distance measuring light beam is triangular. The electric charge accumulating period starts at the same time as the disappearance of a pulse of the distance measuring light beam, and ends after the disappearance of a pulse of the reflected light beam. In the sensing operation of the second reflected light beam component, the pulse shape of a correction light beam is rectangular. The electric charge accumulating period starts at the same time as the disappearance of a pulse of the correction light beam, and ends after the disappearance of a pulse of the reflected light beam. A signal charge obtained by the first reflected light beam component sensing operation is divided by a signal charge obtained by the second reflected light beam component sensing operation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device which performs a distance measurement in first and second modes. In the first distance measurement mode, an electric charge accumulation period starts at the fall of a pulse of a distance measuring light beam, and ends after the fall of a pulse of a reflected light beam. In the second distance measurement mode, an electric charge accumulation period starts earlier than the fall of a pulse of the distance measuring light beam, by a predetermined time, and ends after the fall of a pulse of the reflected light beam. Based on a ratio of a first accumulated electric charge amount, obtained by the first distance measurement mode, to a second accumulated electric charge amount, obtained by the second distance measurement mode, the three-dimensional image is obtained.

Abstract: A film scanner is provided with a line sensor for capturing an image formed on a film in a principal scanning direction, and a scanning mechanism for moving the film relative to the line sensor in an auxiliary scanning direction, which is perpendicular to the principal scanning direction. The scanning mechanism is provided with: a film holder for holding the film; a table for slidably mounting the film holder, the film holder being slidable in the auxiliary scanning direction; and a first driving system which drives the table in the auxiliary scanning direction at a first predetermined speed; and a second driving system which drives the film holder in the auxiliary scanning direction at a second predetermined speed, the second predetermined speed being faster than the first predetermined speed.

Abstract: A non-contact type data symbol reader is provided which includes a light projecting system for projecting an optical image defining an area capable of being read onto a readout surface. When an infocus image is formed on the readout surface by the light projecting system, the data symbol reader is being held at a distance from the readout surface where an infocus image of the symbol to be read is obtained.

Abstract: A stationary data symbol reader includes a CCD, lens, CCD drive circuit, amplification circuit, binarization circuit, memory, CPU, light sources, light source drive circuit, communication driver, switch circuit and trigger switch. When reading, a frame image capture is carried out, and a number of picture elements of the fields of the frame corresponding to the displacement of an authenticator pattern (associated with the data symbol) between a second field image and a first field image is calculated. The moving speed of the data symbol is calculated from the displacement. The optimal light exposure time is calculated from the moving speed, and the optimal intensity of illumination is calculated from the exposure time.

Abstract: A scanner is provided which can read information of the whole face of a transmission type reading object by using only a linear-illumination light source for illuminating a reflection type reading object.

Abstract: A first and a second two-dimensional data symbols are printed on a prepaid card. Once the prepaid card is used repeatedly and an operational parameter data of the prepaid card reaches "0", a hole is pierced in the second two-dimensional data symbol. It is determined that the prepaid card is redundant, when the hole is pierced in the second two-dimensional data symbol.

Abstract: A data symbol reader for reading a data symbol formed on a reading surface which includes: a head portion which is placed on the reading surface to cover the data symbol when reading the data symbol; an image pick-up device on which an image of the data symbol is to be formed; and an image-forming optical system for leading light reflected on the data symbol to the image pick-up device to form the image of the data symbol on the image pick-up device. The head portion includes an enclosing portion for enclosing the data symbol while an open end of the enclosing portion contacts the reading surface. The enclosing portion includes a light transmissive member through which the inside of the enclosing portion is visible from the outside of the enclosing portion. The light transmissive member is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis of the image-forming optical system.

Abstract: A casing of an optical reader comprises a reading head and a handle. The reading head includes a frame portion having a bottom opening constituted as a parallelogram. The optical reader comprises an angular speed sensor. The optical reading is controlled in accordance with the trembling speed of the casing sensed by the angular speed sensor.

Abstract: A data symbol reading apparatus, for reading an encoded data symbol, includes: an image pickup element; an image forming optical system for forming an image of the encoded data symbol located within a symbol read area onto a light-receiving surface of the image pickup element; and an illumination system. The illumination system includes a plurality of light sources, a diffusion plate for diffusing light emitted from the light sources, and a lens member for transmitting diffused light diffused by the diffusion plate onto the symbol read area. The plurality of light sources, the diffusion plate, and the lens member are arranged such that a light distribution within the symbol reading area is almost uniform.

Abstract: A symbol reading device has a casing formed with an opening which defines a symbol reading area. An image receiving element, such as a CCD, is provided within the casing. A portion of the casing, on a surface opposite to the symbol reading area, is formed with a window portion at which an optical element, which reflects light within a predetermined wavelength range, and transmits other light is provided. Accordingly, a symbol facing the opening is observable through the optical element.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided which illuminates a two dimensional data reading area in a data reader and which includes a plurality of light sources which are arranged along one pair of opposing sides of the two dimensional data reading area. An optical axis for each of the light sources is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a line that is normal to a reference surface of the data reading area. The optical axes of the light rays emitted from the light sources onto the reference surface are spaced from the pair of sides of the two dimensional data reading area, at a distance within a range of 0.1 to 0.34 times the length of the other pair of opposing sides of the two dimensional data reading area.

Abstract: An iris apparatus includes a transparent elastic member which is provided on an optical axis including a convex surface, the apex thereof being located on the optical axis; a transparent plate which is opposed to the convex surface of the transparent elastic member in the optical axis direction; an elastic tube which defines a space between the convex surface of the transparent elastic member and the transparent plate; light intercepting liquid which is contained within the space; and an actuator that relatively moves the transparent elastic member and the transparent plate in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A data symbol reader includes a reading head which is positionable on a data symbol to be read, in which the reading head is provided with an opening for surrounding the data symbol when the reading head is positioned on the data symbol. At least one light emitter is provided for emitting light toward the opening to illuminate the data symbol and an image pick-up device is provided on which an image of the data symbol illuminated by the at least one light emitter is to be formed. A window through which the data symbol can be seen is provided and a light-splitting optical system is positioned between the opening and the window for splitting light incident on the light-splitting optical system which has passed through the opening into two beams. One of the two beams of light is received by the image pick-up device and that the other of the two beams of light is directed to the window, wherein the one of the two beams of light includes at least a part of the light emitted by the at least one light emitter.

Abstract: A casing of an optical reader comprises a reading head and a handle. The reading head includes a frame portion having a bottom opening of a parallelogram. A first switch and a second switch are provided on the frame portion, adjacent to the bottom opening. The first switch and the second switch are placed symmetrically and diagonally about the center of the bottom opening. When the first switch and the second switch are pressed and the tip ends of them become flush with the frame portion, they are turned on. The optical reading is controlled in accordance with the combination of the signals outputted from the first and second switches.

Abstract: An optical deflecting device has a supporting member and a deflecting member. The supporting member is provided with an opening. The arced inner surface of the opening corresponds to spherical annulus. The deflecting member has an arced ring-shaped wall and a plane mirror. The arced ring-shaped wall is in slidable contact with the arced inner surface of the opening. Driving mechanisms are provided on each of two perpendicular axes. The point of intersection of the two axes being a center of the spherical annulus. The driving mechanisms rotate the deflecting member around the two axes.

Abstract: A data symbol reading device has a casing which includes a hand grip and a head part. The casing includes signal processing circuits, a light source, an image sensing device, and an optical system. The optical system directs light reflected from a symbol reading area such that an image is formed on a light receiving surface of the image sensing device. An indication unit, comprised of five LEDs, is provided on an easily visible surface of the casing. If, in the reading process, it is determined that a data symbol is fully within the symbol reading area, a central LED is illuminated. However, if the data symbol is protruding outside the symbol reading area, one or more LEDs are illuminated to indicate the direction of protrusion.

Abstract: A data symbol reading device is provided with a white light source, a single-color LED light source, and mode selection switches. The reading device is controlled to have a symbol reading mode, a color image scanning mode, and a monochrome image scanning mode based on the position of the selection switches. The reading device transmits data as appropriate to a host computer. Alternatively, the symbol reading device is provided with red, green, and blue single-color light sources, and has the same modes. Further, the symbol reading device may be provided with a three or four color filter wheel and a white light source to generate the color and monochrome images.