Abstract: In an improved filing and retrieval system, documents associated with a name card are scanned for electronic storage, the name card is scanned for electronic storage of its image and the electronic version of the document is associated with the electronic version of the name card. The name card is then stored in a name card file, usually a conventional name card storage system. When retrieval of a document associated with a particular name card is desired, the name card is obtained from the name card file, scanned, and the scanned image is matched to the previously stored scanned image of the name card. Once the correct name card is identified electronically, the associated documents are retrieved.

Abstract: While Web servers and clients, such as Mosiac, have opened the door to on-line publishers and consumers of information, these services have only been available to those having an Internet connection. In other words, individuals that do not have a direct Internet connection, including a computer and a data channel to the Internet, cannot search for documents and other resources available through the Web. The present invention obtains documents by receiving a facsimile transmission of a document with at least one search term and performing a search based on search terms on the received document.

Abstract: A method of measuring the origin and amount of a shear between a basic light beam and a reference light beam in a shearing interferometric system. To detect the shear origin, shutters are disposed respectively in the optical paths of the basic and reference light beams. The basic and reference light beams are guided through a condenser lens toward a four-segment light detector. First, the optical path of the reference light beam is closed to allow only the basic light beam to fall on the four-segment light detector. By adjusting the position of the light detector, the position of the basic light beam is identified. Then, the optical path of the basic light beam is closed to allow only the reference light beam to reach the light detector. While output signals from the light detector are being monitored, a shearing member is displaced to shift the reference light beam to detect the shear origin in which the reference and basic light beams are overlapped.

Abstract: A device for optically measuring an aspheric surface includes a fringe-scanning shearing interferometer for applying a wavefront of illuminating light to the aspheric surface and optically measuring the aspheric surface based on light reflected by the aspheric surface along a measurement optical path. A plurality of ring filters having respective different light-transmitting areas are successively positionable, one at a time, in the illuminating light and outside of the measurement optical path for applying divided portions of the wavefront of illuminating light successively to the aspheric surface. The radius of curvature of the wavefront of illuminating light applied to the aspheric surface is measured.

Abstract: A fringe scanning shearing interferometer includes a converter lens for converting a wavefront reflected by an object under test illuminated with light into an approximately parallel wavefront, a beam splitter for dividing the approximately parallel wavefront into first and second wavefronts travelling in two directions, a pair of first and second prisms disposed respectively adjacent to the beam splitter in equally spaced relation thereto, a displacement mechanism for displacing the first prism in a direction normal to the direction in which the first wavefront falls on the first prism, a shearing device for slightly displacing the second prism in the same direction as that in which the second wavefront falls on the second prism, a photodetector, and a focusing lens for focusing the first and second wavefronts having passed respectively through the first and second prism, on the photodetector to produce interference fringes thereon.