Abstract: An edge detector is disclosed, which detector is improved by providing a probe moving relatively with a tested pattern, a device for detecting a working force or a tunnel current generated between the probe and the tested pattern, and a device for detecting an edge of the tested pattern according to the detected working force or tunnel current. An edge of the tested pattern is detected at high resolution by detecting the tunnel current flowing between a conductive tested pattern and a probe kept closely opposite thereto, or by detecting an atomic force or a magnetic force working between an insulated or a magnetic tested pattern and a lever.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information recording/ reproducing apparatus utilizing a probe electrode and a recording medium, based on the principle of scanning tunnel microscope. When a track groove on the recording medium is detected, the distance control between the probe electrode and the recording medium is suspended. Consequently, the tip of the probe electrode does not enter the track groove, and is prevented from collision with the recording medium. The scanning speed of the probe electrode can, therefore, be increased without the danger of such collision.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing information onto/from a medium through a probe electrode. A voltage is applied between the medium and the probe electrode and a distance between the medium and the probe electrode is adjusted in such a manner that current becomes a predetermined current value, the current flowing to the probe when the voltage is applied between the medium and the probe electrode. The predetermined current value is changed in accordance with the voltage being applied.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium and a reproducing probe, and reproduces information from a signal between the recording medium and the probe. The apparatus further includes a unit for obtaining reproduced information from each of a plurality of data unit areas of the recording medium under different conditions. By obtaining a plurality of different kinds of information from scanning each recording region under the different conditions in a reproducing operation, it is possible to perform correction by discriminating a change in a tunnel current reflecting a recording bit from a tunnel current caused by projections and recesses of the surface and to remove a resulting error.

Abstract: In a reproducing operation, scanning information is detected while scanning an information string with a probe such that a density of the scan lines is higher than a density of the recorded information, and a logical-sum signal of the plurality of scanning information is used as a reproduced signal. It is thereby possible to prevent deterioration during information processing of the S/N ratio and the like produced due to a positional error of a recording-medium control mechanism caused by various factors.

Abstract: In an apparatus including a recording medium on which a multiplicity of information bit lines are formed and a probe facing the recording medium, the displacement between the center of the information bit line and the locus of the probe is detected at the time of relatively moving the probe along the information bit line. Tracking is performed in such a manner that the probe scans the center of the information bit line in accordance with the detection results.

Abstract: An accessing method which is a method for accessing a probe electrode to the standard position of the format pattern relative to a medium having a format pattern having a standard position includes the step of scanning the probe electrode so that the probe electrode crosses over the format pattern and detecting the change in tunnel current which occurs by such scanning, and the step of detecting the standard position of the format pattern based on the change in tunnel current detected and moving the probe electrode to the standard position detected. An information processing method containing the step of scanning the probe electrode along the format pattern and reading the information by detection of the tunnel current and an information processing device therefor are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an information recording medium where information is recorded and/or reproduced by a probe performing relative scanning, an information region for detecting abnormality of the probe is provided separate from a region where information is recorded and/or reproduced. Also disclosed is an information recording and/or reproducing method for recording information on and/or reproducing information from an information recording medium while relatively scanning the recording medium by a probe, which includes a step of detecting abnormality of the probe by detecting a predetermined information region separated from a region where the information is recorded and/or reproduced on the information recording medium.

Abstract: An encoder has a reference scale having periodic structure of atoms or molecules in a predetermined direction, a probe disposed in opposed relationship with the reference scale, the probe being used to detect the structural variation information of the periodic structure of the reference scale, and relative displacement amount detecting means for detecting the amount of relative displacement of the reference scale and the probe along a predetermined direction from the structural variation information obtained by the probe.

Abstract: In a photo-electric converter having a first reset circuit for resetting a charge stored in a control electrode to a first potential and a second reset circuit for rendering a main electrode of an output circuit to assume a second potential after the resetting by the first reset circuit to reset the residual charge of the control electrode, a third reset circuit for making a third reset which is equivalent to the second reset prior to the first reset is provided.

Abstract: A probe closely positioned to an information carrier in apparatus to effect information reading and/or input on the information carrier is formed by opposing an electrode to an end portion of the probe to be formed. The distance between probe end portion and the electrode is detected to control the position of the electrode with respect to the probe. A voltage is applied to the probe end portion through the electrode under positioning control to form the probe end portion. The probe end portion is formed and may be reformed to maintain reliable performance of the information reading and/or input apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a position detecting apparatus for detecting a relative position of two objects which are relatively moved. The apparatus includes a probe, a probe driving device, a position detecting device and an object driving device. The probe is provided for the first of the two objects so as to face the surface of the second of the two objects, so as to read information from the surface of the second object. The probe driving device allows the probe to two-dimensionally scan the surface of the second object so that the probe reads the two-dimensional information from the surface of the second object. The position detecting device detects a relative positional relation of the two objects by comparing the two-dimensional information obtained by the two-dimensional scan of the probe by the probe driving device with reference to two-dimensional information.

Abstract: There is provided a photoelectric converting apparatus having a plurality of photoelectric conversion device lines and a plurality of scanning circuits corresponding to the plurality of photoelectic conversion device lines, wherein the plurality of photoelectric conversion device lines and the plurality of scanning circuits are connected by wirings.