Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including an image taking device which takes an image of an object, an image-data memory in which image data representing the taken image of the object is stored, a negative-search-line producing device which produces one or more negative search lines which are expected not to intersect an edge of the image of the object represented by the image data, an optical characteristic of the image significantly changing at the edge, and a judging device which judges whether one or more negative search lines intersect the edge of the image of the object.

Abstract: A method of processing an image of an object to obtain a dimension-difference relating amount which relates to a difference of an actual dimension of the object from a reference dimension thereof, the method including the steps of producing a plurality of search lines each of which perpendicularly intersects a corresponding one of a plurality of substantially straight portions of an edge of the image of the object, and obtaining the dimension-difference relating amount based on a sum of a plurality of products each of which is obtained by multiplying a corresponding one of respective edge-point deviations of respective actual edge points where the search lines intersect the straight portions of the edge, respectively, from respective reference edge points on the search lines, in respective directions parallel to the search lines, by a corresponding one of respective parallel-direction distances of the reference edge points from a dimension center of the image of the object in the respective directions paralle

Abstract: An apparatus including a pick-up device which picks up an optical image of an actual object and a background, a first memory which stores image data representing the picked-up image by defining optical-characteristic values at respective positions in the optical image, a second memory which stores seek-template data representing one or more seek templates each of which includes pairs of points matching a reference edge line of a portion or a whole of a reference object, and a processing device for processing the image data and the seek-template data so that the seek template is superposed on the optical image, the image-data processing device including a judging device for making, when the optical-characteristic values of the optical image which correspond to the two points of each pair of each seek template satisfy a predetermined condition relating to an amount of difference between the optical-characteristic values inside and outside an actual edge line of the actual object in the optical image, an individ

Abstract: An apparatus including a pick-up device which picks up an optical image of an actual object and a background, a first memory which stores image data representing the picked-up image by defining optical-characteristic values at respective positions in the optical image, a second memory which stores seek-template data representing one or more seek templates each of which includes pairs of points matching a reference edge line of a portion or a whole of a reference object, and a processing device for processing the image data and the seek-template data so that the seek template is superposed on the optical image, the image-data processing device including a judging device for making, when the optical-characteristic values of the optical image which correspond to the two points of each pair of each seek template satisfy a predetermined condition relating to an amount of difference between the optical-characteristic values inside and outside an actual edge line of the actual object in the optical image, an individ

Abstract: A detecting device for detecting a position of an electronic component in which the component is held by a holder is disclosed. The detecting device includes a first light emitter for emitting a first radiation toward a vicinity of the electronic component, a second light emitter disposed in the vicinity of the holder, for absorbing the first radiation, and emitting a second radiation having a wavelength different from that of the first radiation, toward the electronic component, and a photoelectric device disposed on one of opposite sides of the electronic component which is remote from the second light emitter. The photoelectric means is insensitive to the first radiation and receives a projection image of the electronic component formed by the second radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting electronic components into a printed circuit board including (a) chucking means for holding a pair of lead wires of an electronic component, which chuck opens and closes in a direction perpendicular to a plane including the axes of the pair of lead wires; with a distance identical to that between the lead wire inserting holes in the printed circuit board; (b) means for inserting thus held lead wires into a corresponding pair of lead wire inserting holes; and (c) means for applying a clinching treatment to the inserted lead wires protruding from the back side of the printed circuited board, whereby an electronic component is, regardless of the size of the inter-lead-wire distance, held by a chuck such that one of the lead wires is located at a certain preset base position biased to either side of the chucking surface of the chuck, and the printed circuit board and the chuck are relatively positioned when the lead wires held by the chuck are about to be inserted, and such that the com

Abstract: A method of inserting and fixing, by means of a machine, lead wires of the electronic components to a printed circuit board having a number of lead-wire-inserting holes, wherein a movable member relative to the printed circuit board is abutted to an electronic component which is already planted (or inserted) in the neighboring space of the targeted lead-wire-inserting holes for the component-to-be-planted, in order to slightly push away the already planted component for clearing or expanding the neighboring space, by means of causing a deformation to the lead wires of the already planted component. This invention includes the provision of apparatuses for realizing the above-mentioned method into practical use.

Abstract: A method of inserting electronic components to a printed circuit board including steps of (a) holding a pair of lead wires of an electronic component by a chuck, which is open-and closable in a perpendicular direction to a plane including the pair of lead wires, with an inter-lead-wire distance identical to the distance between the lead wire inserting holes in the printed circuit board; (b) inserting thus held lead wires into targeted lead wire inserting holes; and (c) applying a clinching treatment to the lead wires protruded to the back side of the printed circuited board, wherein an electronic component is, regardless of the size of the inter-lead-wire distance, held by a chuck such that one of the lead wires is located at a certain preset base position biased to either side of the chucking surface of the chuck, and the printed circuit board and the chuck are relatively positioned, when the lead wires held by the chuck are about to be inserted, such that already inserted (planted) components are positioned

Abstract: A method of inserting and fixing, by means of a machine, lead wires of the electronic components to a printed circuit board having a number of lead-wire-inserting holes, wherein a movable member relative to the printed circuit board is abutted to an electronic component which is already planted (or inserted) in the neighboring space of the targeted lead-wire-inserting holes for the component-to-be-planted, in order to slightly push away the already planted component for clearing or expanding the neighboring space, by means of causing a deformation to the lead wires of the already planted component. This invention includes the provision of apparatuses for realizing the above-mentioned method into practical use.

Abstract: A differential mechanism having two inputs independent of each other and an output is provided in an interconnecting mechanism for transmitting the rotaional angle of a handle to steered wheels. Also a transducing mechanism as a control system is provided which receives the speed of the automobile and the rotational angle of the handle as detected quantities and can control the deflection of the steered wheels after the operation by a driver so as to return the deflection to zero with a control speed dependent on the speed of the automobile. The steered wheels are operated by the output of the differential mechanism which receives the rotational angle of the handle and the output of the control system as its differential inputs.