Abstract: A method for detecting at least one specific microorganism in a sample is disclosed, wherein a probe nucleic acid sequence comprising at least one detectable label which is capable of emitting at least one detectable signal is provided, and wherein the detectable signal takes a first value when the probe sequence is not bound to the target sequence and a second value when the probe sequence is bound to the target sequence. At least one value of the detectable signal for the probe nucleic acid sequence is measured and analyzed, wherein it is indicated that the sample contains the microorganism if the measured value corresponds to the second value of the detectable signal. A significant difference between a probe sequence that hybridizes with a target sequence (signal (2)) and a control sequence which does not bind to any target (signal (1)) can be detected.

Abstract: The scanner has a light transmitter (10) which radiates light onto a rotating mirror (12) for linewise scanning of an article (20). The mirror wheel (12) has mirror surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) with different inclinations relative to its axis of rotation which project the light in parallel scanning lines onto the article (18). The light scattered back from the article (20) is picked-up by an optical system and transferred to a photodetector (30). The output signal of the photodetector (30) is stored after analogy-digital conversion in a memory (1", 2", 3", 4", 5", 6"). A pre-evaluation stage with a programmable module (32) accesses the memory (1", 2", 3-, 4", 5-, 6"), identifies the signal component originating frOm a bar code and transfers it to a second memory (38) which has a substantially smaller memory width but however a substantially larger memory depth.

Abstract: An optical thread breakage monitoring apparatus for tufting machines has a laser beam scanning apparatus (21). The retroreflecting strip (11) illuminated by this laser beam scanning apparatus (21) is secured above the eyes (12) of the needles (13) to the front side of the needle beam (14) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An adjustment device for aligning a group of cyclically switched transmitters or receivers with a single receiver or transmitter of the kind in which a series of spatially spaced beams pass between the transmitters and the receiver, or alternatively between the transmitter and the receivers. In a preferred form the adjustment device is used to ensure alignment of a row of infra-red transmitters which direct beams of light to a photoelectric converter arranged at the focus of a concave mirror. The adjustment device features a coincidence circuit the outputs from which indicate that signals transmitted from the end transmitters of the row are received at the photoelectric converter. The outputs are used to energize respective adjustment indicating lamps. In a particularly preferred arrangement threshold circuitry is used to produce winking of the lamps when approximate adjustment has been achieved; continuous lighting of the lamps shows that accurate adjustment is present.

Abstract: Colored markings such as a series of colored rings applied to an ampoule are read by causing the ampoule to move beneath an illuminating system which projects white light at the colored markings. Light reflected or scattered from the colored markings is directed at an aperture member arranged in the field of view of a color sensitive photoelectric detector arrangement and the image of the colored markings moves in a first direction across this aperture member due to relative movement of the object. The aperture member has a series of spaced apart optical apertures which are sequentially moved in a second direction transverse to the first direction and in front of the photoelectric detector arrangement. The photoelectric detector arrangement produces signals corresponding to the transmission of the image of the colored markings through the optical apertures.