Abstract: Letter printing method using line thermal head relates to using ribbon tape effectively so as to cause no unused portion thereof. After one letter print (14) is done at letter printing position (12) of packaging material film (10) with the ribbon tape (30) being unwound, the ribbon tape (30) is rewound by length of the letter print (14). Simultaneously, the ribbon tape (30) is displaced in ribbon tape widthwise direction and next letter print (14) is done. Thereby, the letter print (14) may be done using entire width of the ribbon tape (30) with no unused portion being wasted.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing device, i.e. thermal printer, includes a printing film saving system wherein the print head is lifted during media advancement so that the print film is not advanced during media advancement, and further includes an associated arrangement for tensioning of the print media during printing and print head lifting operations so that the print media maintains print registration and the printing film does not pull upwardly when the print head is lifted. Single print station (monochrome) and multiple print station (color) embodiments are disclosed. Forward tensioning is accomplished by the use of a feed drive positioned forwardly of the single print station in the monochrome embodiment, or forwardly of the last print station in the color embodiment. The feed drive comprises a nip that pulls the print media through the print stations. In the color embodiment, rearward tensioning is accomplished by the print media supply roll, or further upstream by adjacent print stations.

Abstract: A system (21) is proposed for transferring data to plate-like data carriers (23, 23′), the system comprising a holder (22, 22′), shaped at least partly as an inner cylinder, to arrange the data carriers (23, 23′)—of which the side provided to accept data faces the cylinder axis (29) of the holder (30)—and a transfer head (30) which can rotate about this cylinder axis and has at least one transfer means (24)—for transferring the data to the data carrier (23, 23′) the holder (22, 22′) and the transfer head also being capable of moving relative to each other in the direction of the cylinder axis (29) and the distance between at least one surface of the transfer head (30) or transfer means (24) and the data carrier—during the transfer of data—preferably being less than ¼ of the holder diameter and particularly preferably less than 1 cm.

Abstract: A combined image is made up of a static image and a motion image. An area of the static image is replaced by the motion image to form the combined image. The combined image is then coded and transmitted from one communication partner to another communication partner by way of a network.

Abstract: An image and voice communication system of the present invention has an image display element and a voice output element which are suitable for image and voice communication, and further includes a character image setting element capable of imaginatively setting a character image to be displayed on the image display element; a change command receive element for receiving from a communication mate a command signal for changing the character image; a character change element for changing the character image according to the command signal; and an element for causing the display element to display a character image changed by the character change element by supplying the changed character image to the display element.

Abstract: A panoptic camera system that can be used to capture all the light from a hemisphere viewing angle is disclosed. The panoptic camera comprises a main reflecting mirror that reflects light from an entire hemisphere onto an image capture mechanism. The main reflecting mirror consists of a paraboloid shape with a dimple on an apex. The surface area around the dimple allows the main reflector to capture light from behind an image capture mechanism or a second reflector. When two panoptic camera systems that capture the light from an entire hemisphere are placed back to back, a camera system that “sees” light from all directions is created. A stereo vision panoramic camera system is also disclosed. The stereo vision panoramic camera system comprises two panoramic camera systems that are separated by a known distance. The two panoramic camera systems are each placed in a “blind spot” of the other panoramic camera system.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image display apparatus of the invention can be easily operated by the operator while a three-dimensional image created by the apparatus is observed by him. A depth information maximum value acquisition circuit acquires depth information contained in a first image signal. A parallax control circuit controls the parallax amount of a second image signal on the basis of depth information contained in the first and second image signals such that an image corresponding to the second image signal can be three-dimensionally displayed in front of an image corresponding to the first image signal. A three-dimensional image synthesizer synthesizes the first and second image signals which has been controlled by the parallax control circuit, on the basis of the parallax amount of each image signal, such that images correspond to that the first and second image signals in the three-dimensional display space.

Abstract: An image projector (15) includes a plurality of display units (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) each having a pair of transmission-type display panels (21-L, 21-R) which are driven by video signals (VS-L, VS-R) for respective left and right eyes, and further having a pair of light sources (22-L, 22-R) for lighting the display panels. A convex lens (9) directs image containing light from the display units (15) to a concave mirror (12) serving as an imaginary screen in front of viewers (V1, V2).

Abstract: A video camera system is described which may store operating parameter information for reading by the system to provide optimum operating conditions, which may collect information reflecting system uses for later reading by the system to provide a performance history, and which is relatively small and operates with a reduced number of electrical lines to transmit electrical information.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting feedwater piping in a steam generator having “J” nozzles. A camera and light source are coupled to a yoke mounted rotatable wheel adjacent the end of an elongated flexible conduit. Control cables, for rotating the wheel, extend through the yoke and the conduit and are fastened to a second rotatable wheel. Rotation of the second wheel causes rotation of the first wheel along with the camera and light source. Control cables for the camera and light source also extend through the yoke and the flexible conduit.

Abstract: An image input apparatus with a main unit; a film holding adaptor, freely attachable or detachable to or from the main unit, for holding a film; a carriage for holding an illuminator for illuminating a film held in the film holding adaptor and an imaging unit for imaging the film illuminated by the illuminator; and an adaptor mount formed on the carriage and engaged with the film holding adaptor.

Abstract: A sensor is disposed in proximity to the gaming table. The sensor is adapted to sense an occurrence of an event on a surface of the gaming table and to output a change-of-state signal. The video camera or video cameras that are disposed in proximity to the gaming table are configured and positioned to be activated to collect the video information relating to activities on the gaming table, and circuitry is adapted to detect the change-of-state signal from the sensor. The circuitry further is adapted to activate the video camera or video cameras to automatically collect the video information upon the detection by the circuitry of the change-of-state signal from the sensor.

Abstract: The security system for homes and small offices provides snapshots of potential trespassers for viewing on conventional television receivers. The system consists of at least one scene capture unit, a scene recovery unit, and communication links between the scene capture units and the scene recovery unit. A scene capture unit consists of a motion detector, a conventional television camera, and circuitry which converts the camera signal into a sequence of integers that is stored in semiconductor memory and then communicated to the scene recovery unit. The scene recovery unit generates from the sequence of integers communicated by the scene capture unit a signal which, when fed into a conventional television receiver, causes the scene recorded by the camera to be displayed on one portion of the television screen and the time of occurrence to be displayed on another portion.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing system for a television receiver (TV) which enables a user to personally solve simple problems caused by his inexperience in using a TV without need of the product manual or the repair service of an A/S center. The system includes a key matrix including a key for determining a self-diagnosing mode and keys for selecting self-diagnosing menus on the problems, a control section for identifying a corresponding example of the problem when the keys on the key matrix are selected, and providing instructions as to how to solve the problem through a video and/or audio signal, a storage section for storing at least one instructions to solve the problems and providing the instructions to the control means under the control of the control section, and an output section for outputting the video and/or audio signal provided from the control section to a cathode ray tube.

Abstract: A receiver circuit, which may be used in a leakage detector, includes an RF input, a narrow band filter, and a direct demodulator. The leakage detector in which the receiver circuit may be used is operable to measure leakage in a communication system, the communication system operable to transmit broadband communication signals comprising one or more radio frequency carrier signals modulated by one or more baseband communication signals, wherein each radio frequency carrier signal has a channel frequency. Essentially, the exemplary receiver circuit according to the present invention is operable to generate a baseband leakage signal. To this end, the RF input is coupled to a source of broadband communication signals and receives a broadband communication signal therefrom, the broadband comnunication signal including a first signal associated with a first channel frequency.

Abstract: Image pickup control apparatus and method displays, on a screen, an image picked up a camera and transmitted through a communications system. A plurality of control devices may control the camera through the communications system. When one of the control devices is in control of the camera through the communications system, the other control devices are inhibited from controlling the camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the input and processing of information comprising sensor elements arranged in matrix form, which are integrally formed on a substrate. Each sensor element comprises output electronics (3) and at least one photovoltaic cell (PD), which is adapted to convert an optical signal incident upon the photovoltaic cell to an electrical signal. The device according to the invention is characterized in that each sensor element is adapted to perform compensation of an offset error in the output electronics (3) forming part of the sensor element and that each sensor element is adapted to perform the said offset compensation independently of the other sensor elements in the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for managing display formats for a peripheral display coupled to an digital imaging device. The system and method comprising the steps of detecting the coupling between the digital imaging device and the peripheral display; and automatically switching a first display format of the digital imaging device to a second display format for the peripheral display.

Abstract: A hardware-implemented screen-saver prevents burn-in of an image displayed on a screen of a display product by automatically reducing the video gain, and therefore the contrast, of the image when the portion of the image within a two-dimensional detection window has changed by less than a predetermined amount for a predetermined period of time. A lack of change of the incoming video signal of the image is detected and used to invoke a reduction in contrast of the image displayed on the display product. This allows the image to remain visible, yet reduces the possibility of burn-in of the image in the screen of the display product.

Abstract: When short MPEG2 data transfer streams, such as those used for commercials, are sequentially distributed within a short period of time, a decoder method synchronizes the transfer and prevents accumulation of data in a buffer and data losses. The synchronization method extracts sync data originating at the transmission source from a received data stream; acquires sync data for a decoder based on a reference clock; compares the sync data originating at the transmission source with the sync data for the decoder in order to sequentially obtain control values, sequentially updates the frequency of the reference clock for transfer synchronization for the received data stream; determines whether or not a data stream that differs from the received data stream has been received; and employs, when a different data stream has been received, the reference clock obtained when the received data stream has been received, to initiate transfer synchronization for the different data stream.

Abstract: A television with multiple display windows and placement dependent cursor and function control is configured to receive and simultaneously display video and graphics input from multiple devices, including but not limited to personal computers, video cassette recorders, settop boxes, video cameras and video disk players, as well as display video input signals from cable, antenna and satellite sources. The size of each display window is adjustable to encompass a predetermined amount of the display screen of the television. Multiple input windows driven by multiple devices can be viewed simultaneously. One or more cursor control and input devices are used to control the operation of the television and of the devices driving the display windows. The cursor control and input devices control the position of the cursor on the television screen.

Abstract: A signal processing method for an analogue picture signal is proposed. In this case, the analogue picture signal originates from a computing unit (10) in which the signal was generated digitally in accordance with a graphics standard such as, for example, EGA or VGA and was subsequently converted into analogue form. The method consists in subjecting the analogue picture signal to analogue/digital conversion at a first chosen sampling frequency, after which the sampled picture is then investigated for picture disturbances, in order to determine a corrected sampling frequency. Further measures relate to the determination of the optimum sampling phase and the determination of the exact position of the active picture relative to the horizontal and/or vertical synchronization pulses.

Abstract: Television signal reception apparatus for receiving a television signal selected from among transmitted television signals of different types includes a respective receiver portion for each of the different types. Responsive to its respective type of television signal being received, each receiver portion supplies digitized baseband signal to adaptive digital filter circuitry shared by each receiver portion. The adaptive digital filter circuitry is operated for suppressing ghosts in that digitized baseband signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically processing video signals representing images of an object or scene so that details of some portion or all of the object or scene are enhanced in the video display reproduction of the images. Video image signals from a video camera are processed to derive digital color-representative signals and a digital luminance signal, and the luminance signal is filtered to remove higher spatial frequency components. The resulting low pass digital data is subtracted from the original luminance image data, leaving digital data representing the high-pass image components. The high-pass image digital data is passed to an amplification stage where all or only selected pixels are amplified by a factor that varies as a function of the low-pass data value of those pixels and by the location of the pixels within the image. This enables different degrees of enhancement of the light and dark areas of the image.

Abstract: A gamma correction circuit includes an amplifier (A) coupled to receive an input signal (Vi), and a non-linear impedance (Rg) coupled to the amplifier (A) for determining a gain of the gamma correction circuit in such a manner that the gain increases when the input signal (Vi) increases.

Abstract: During the reception of VSB DTV signal, the channel equalizer for a QAM/VSB DTV signal receiver the equalizer is operated to equalize only the real sample stream of VSB symbol code, rather than being operated as a complex equalizer. During the reception of QAM DTV signal, the real sample stream of QAM symbol code and the imaginary sample stream of QAM symbol code are time-division-multiplexed together on an alternate sample basis to generate input signal for the channel equalizer, which is operated as a dual-phase filter. After equalization, the time-division-multiplexed real and imaginary samples of QAM symbol code are de-multiplexed to recover parallel real and imaginary sample streams of QAM symbol code that are independent of each other, but have been subjected to similar equalization. Supposing that the QAM DTV symbol code rate is half the VSB DTV symbol code rate, the minimum sampling rate for operation of the channel equalizer is the same for both types of symbol code.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for tuning television channels that transmit either PSIP Transport Streams or non-PSIP Transport Streams. Specifically, PSIP Transport Streams contain PSIP sections that include a major channel number and minor channel numbers, whereas non-PSIP Transport Streams do not contain such PSIP sections. However, both PSIP and non-PSIP Transport Streams contain PAT sections. Upon receiving a PSIP Transport Stream from a television channel, the present methods and apparatuses directly obtain the major channel number and minor channel numbers from the PSIP section contained in the PSIP Transport Stream. Upon receiving a non-PSIP Transport Stream from a television channel, the present methods and apparatuses form the major channel number and minor channel numbers based on the information contained in the PAT sections. In so doing, the methods and apparatuses can process both PSIP and non-PSIP Transport Streams.

Abstract: A novel television remote control unit receives transmissions from a paging system and incorporates a display device to provide data delivery to television viewers. Data may be gather for dissemination by a service provider from any public or proprietary source, preferably including the Internet. The receiver may also be incorporated into a television set and provide a display of received data on the display device of the television set.

Abstract: Oscillating means 4 wobbles or oscillates an optical axis of a light beam emitted from display face of a display device 1 having a display face with a plurality of pixels in a regular array in predetermined directions. Image display control means 2 controls the display of different images on the display device in synchronism to the oscillation of the light beam optical axis caused by the oscillating means 4. Then, light beam splitting means 5 splits the light beam from the display face into a plurality of split light beams in directions crossing the directions of the oscillation of the light beam optical axis caused by the oscillating means 4.

Abstract: A matrix-type display device having a repair layout, particularly, a matrix-type display device which can be repaired in a pixel unit, is provided. Two or more of signal lines such as scanning signal lines, displaying signal lines and auxiliary signal lines and a pixel electrode are overlapped via an insulating layer, so that a defect such as the disconnection of the displaying signal lines and scanning signal lines, the short of the pixel electrode and signal line, and the loss of electrode of a switching element, can be repaired. Here, the layout of the auxiliary gate line and dual gate line can be modified.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid crystal display including: an active matrix liquid crystal display element; and a surface light source; the liquid crystal display element including a liquid crystal substance sandwiched between an electrode substrate and an counter substrate via alignment films; the electrode substrate having a surface formed with a matrix of pixel portion having switching elements surrounded by a plurality of image signal lines and scanning signal lines; wherein a transmittance distribution of the liquid crystal display element reduces a brightness distribution inconsistency in the surface light source; or more specifically; wherein Xmax is a maximum brightness value in a display region of the surface light source, Xmin is a minimum brightness value thereof, Zmax is a maximum brightness value of the liquid crystal display, and Zmin is a minimum brightness value thereof; and wherein the expression of Xmax/Xmin>Zmax/Zmin is satisfied.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a light quantity control portion b 4a is formed to a dot shape by print or the like on a diffusion plate 4 interposed between lens sheets 3 and a light transmission member 5 on the side thereof near to a backlight source 8 composed of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp or the like. Since the dots of the light quantity control portion 4a have a light transmitting property to a certain extent, they reflect a part of the light from the backlight source 8 and permit the remaining light to pass therethrough. With this arrangement, there can be provided the liquid crystal display device capable of brightly and uniformly irradiating the entire surface of the effective display area of a liquid crystal panel from the backside thereof without emission lines.

Abstract: A light source for illuminating a display panel comprises a light-emitting device such as an incandescent light bulb or LED array disposed within a cavity having diffusely reflecting walls and an aperture. In one embodiment, a diffuser and brightness enhancing film are situated proximate the opening of the aperture which illuminates the display. Preferably, light emerging from the aperture is substantially uniform in intensity and color, and in one embodiment, a color filter is employed to whiten the light emerging from the aperture. The ratio of the area of the aperture to the sum of such area and the surface area of the cavity is at least 0.05. The sides of the cavity are sloped so as to reduce the sum and increase the ratio.

Abstract: In a reflective mode FLC application, a ¼-wave plate compensating FLC is used in series with a ¼-wave imaging FLC to compensate for the effects of DC balancing. Alternatively, the compensating wave plate could be any odd ¼-wave multiple, such as 3&lgr;/4, 5&lgr;/4, etc. The FLCs are driven in synchronization between on and off states with the total effective retardation for each FLC being either none or one-half wavelength in a double pass.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid crystal display which comprises a first region including a display region, and a second region being outside the first region, wherein the first and second regions both contain liquid crystal in a polymer network, and a part of the polymer network of the second region is different in structure from the polymer network of the first region, and the part is present in the second region asymmetrically with respect to the first region, and a production method for a liquid crystal display, which comprises providing a liquid crystal material and a prepolymer material in a space between a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, and polymerizing the prepolymer material by scanning a first region including a display region and a second region outside the first region with a light beam which causes polymerization.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a reflecting plate having excellent reflecting characteristics and a reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus having an improved display quality. A mask has a plurality of basic uneven spot patterns for individual pixels, and two or more uneven regions for at least one basic uneven spot pattern are formed. Any two of the two or more uneven regions appear at least in a relation of parallel displacement in which the uneven spot patterns are displaced in parallel with each other, among relations of parallel displacement, rotational displacement and reversal of uneven spot pattern, and the uneven regions are irregularly arranged. A reflecting plate and a reflection type liquid crystal display apparatus both having convexes are manufactured by an exposure of a photosensitive resin film using the mask. Even in the case where an exposure step is repeated in different positions, no seam is observed.

Abstract: A method for producing a multi-domain alignment layer, as well as multi-domain alignment layers produced thereby and liquid crystal displays comprising the same, are provided. In the subject method, an alignment layer is produced on an alignment surface by directing an ion beam or ion beams at the surface at an angle not equal to 90°, so that the ions contact the surface at non-normal incidence. The substrate may be rotated or the ion beam(s) re-directed or the ion beam source moved so that the surface may be bombarded from different directions in different regions resulting in multiple alignment layer domains with differing alignment. In an alternative embodiment, two ion beams with different angles of incidence may be directed at the surface simultaneously or sequentially, thereby creating multiple alignment layer domains without need for rotation of the substrate. The resultant multi-domain alignment layers find use in liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: A rubbing treatment apparatus and method of rubbing are described. A rubbing roller has a rotation axis and a rubbing cloth wound around its surface. The rubbing cloth is made with pile yarns which are implanted at cyclic intervals in two directions perpendicular to each other. The rubbing roller is used to contact a surface of a film-to-be-processed which is formed so as to cover a plurality of strip-shaped electrodes formed parallel to each other on a substrate, to be moved together with the substrate in relation to each other to perform a rubbing treatment on the surface of the film-to-be-treated. The rotation axis of the rubbing roller is parallel to the surface during the rubbing treatment. An angle &thgr;3 in a plane parallel to the surface is formed by one of the implanting directions of the pile yarns of the rubbing roller and the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped electrodes of the substrate and is in a range of from +5 degrees to −5 degrees.

Abstract: A liquid crystal displaying apparatus high in display quality is provided which is high in aperture ratio and is free from the cross talk. In an liquid crystal displaying apparatus of the present invention, having an array substrate provided with a plurality of scanning wirings and a plurality of signal wirings, active elements, pixel electrodes, and a first alignment film, and an counter substrate provided with a common electrode and a second alignment film, and a liquid crystal layer where the liquid crystal molecule is aligned by the first and second alignment films positioned on a space between the array substrate and the counter substrate, a third alignment film where mutually different distortion is given to the liquid crystal molecule is formed about the intermediate region between the adjacent pixel electrodes.

Abstract: A wide viewing angle liquid crystal display is provided. The present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of pixels, a common electrode, a plurality of protrusions, a plurality of control electrodes, a first orientation layer and a second orientation layer. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix and disposed on the first substrate, each pixel has a pixel electrode and a switching means connected to it. The common electrode is disposed on the second substrate. The plurality of protrusions are composed of dielectric material and at least one of the plurality of protrusions is disposed on each pixel electrode. Each of the plurality of control electrodes is disposed on top of one of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: In conventional reflective-type liquid crystal panels (liquid crystal panels) using semiconductor substrates, a silicon nitride film cannot be used as a passivation film because inconsistencies in the thickness of the silicon nitride film greatly varies the reflectivity in the visible light range. Therefore, there is a problem with moisture resistance of reflective-type liquid crystal panels, which is disadvantageous. A guard ring is constructed using all the conductive layers lying below a reflecting electrode of a reflective-type liquid crystal panel, and the guard ring is directly converted with a moisture resistant insulating film.

Abstract: A process flow for forming a pixel cell for a light valve implements the furnace alloy/sintering step prior to deposition of the reflective metal layer from which the active pixel electrodes are to be formed. In this manner, the active pixel electrodes are spared loss of reflectance associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures of the furnace alloy/sintering step. Adequate suppression of surface state charges created after the furnace alloy/sintering is ensured by performing a rapid thermal anneal at the conclusion of the process flow.

Abstract: When the image processing method and apparatus output a reproduced image of a photographed image on a monitor and the like, designate whether correction of image quality deterioration derived from a taking lens is performed or not based on the reproduced image and perform the correction in accordance with the designation of the performance, the method and apparatus perform at least once a sequential process including the steps of designating a correction intensity of the image quality deterioration, perform the correction of the image quality deterioration with the designated correction intensity and output again the corrected reproduced image after the correction is done, establish the correction intensity and perform the correction of the image quality deterioration based on the established correction intensity.

Abstract: In a transferring region of a wafer transferring portion that transfers a wafer placed in a carrier loading and unloading portion, a pattern inspecting portion for inspecting a resist pattern and a carrier for accommodating a wafer determined as an unacceptable wafer are disposed. The carrier is conveyed to an external cleaning portion. Resist on the unacceptable wafer is cleaned and removed. The resultant wafer is loaded to the coating and developing unit. The film thickness of a monitor wafer is measured by a film thickness measuring portion disposed in the coating and developing unit. Thereafter, resist on the entire surface of the monitor wafer is removed with thinner supplied from a solvent nozzle. Thus, the monitor wafer is regenerated. Consequently, when the coating and developing unit is operated and a substrate and a monitor substrate that have been processes are inspected, the throughput of the coating and developing unit becomes high and the processes can be automatically performed.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit incorporates a mechanism for taking an exposure, and is pre-loaded with unexposed photo film. A telephoto selectable type indicia is imprinted previously on a first edge of the photo film outside imaging frames in an optical manner. An indicia recorder imprints a magnification indicia on a second edge of the photo film outside the imaging frames in an optical manner each time that one exposure is taken. A combination of the telephoto selectable type indicia and the magnification indicia designates a printing condition for each of the imaging frames.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for defining a pattern on a substrate using a shadow masking technique. Said apparatus comprises a flexible member having a movable portion and at least one aperture. The flexible member is positioned in operation above the substrate thereby acting as a shadow mask. The apparatus further comprises a support for the substrate, distance-controlling means for controlling the distance between said movable portion and said substrate, and an actuator for moving the flexible member and substrate relative to each other parallel to a surface of the substrate. The apparatus further comprises an emission source which emits materials, electrons or light and which aims through the shadow mask at the substrate where the pattern is defined. Such a pattern might be employed in micromechanic, microoptic or microelectronic devices, for example. The described apparatus may be implemented using the AFM principal.

Abstract: Laser beams LK and LY are respectively emitted from laser diodes 51K and 51Y and incident on a mirror face of a polygon mirror 55 via collimator lenses 52K, 52Y and first cylindrical lenses 53K, 53Y. The laser beams LK and LY are reflected off the polygon mirror 55 and deflected. Incidence angles of the laser beams LK and LY are set so that the laser beams LK and LY intersect with each other at a position P which is located before the polygon mirror 55.

Abstract: In a distance measurement system, an integrating capacitor is preliminarily charged to at least a reference voltage VREF upon main power source power-on (a first predetermined period). When a shutter release button is half depressed to start a distance measurement (second predetermined period), the integrating capacitor is also preliminarily charged. At the end of the preliminarily charging in the first predetermined period, a drop in voltage occurs in the integrating capacitor due to dielectric absorption. However, by subsequently preliminarily charging at the start of the distance measurement (second predetermined period), a voltage drop in the integrating capacitor due to the dielectric absorption can be prevented. This second charging contributes to the prevention of error. Especially, if the first predetermined period is longer than the second one, the time required for the preliminarily charging at the start of the distance measurement can be further reduced.

Abstract: A holographic optical element transforms a spectral distribution of light to image points. The element comprises areas, each of which acts as a separate lens to image the light incident in its area to an image point. Each area contains the recorded hologram of a point source object. The image points can be made to lie in a line in the same focal plane so as to align with a linear array detector. A version of the element has been developed that has concentric equal areas to match the circular fringe pattern of a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The element has high transmission efficiency, and when coupled with high quantum efficiency solid state detectors, provides an efficient photon-collecting detection system. The element may be used as part of the detection system in a direct detection Doppler lidar system or multiple field of view lidar system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting defects, such as air lines, in optical waveguide fibers are provided. The methods and apparatus employ scattered light interference signals produced by a fiber clad measurement system that transversely illuminates a fiber with a laser beam. Defects in the fiber produce characteristic peaks in the frequency spectrum of the scattered light signal. By filtering the scattered light signal to remove (a) the components associated with the fiber clad measurement system and (b) the fundamental component associated with the fiber, the defect-related components in the scattered light signal which represent defects in the associated fiber are determined. Once the presence of these defect-related components is determined, a defect detection output pulse is generated for each such event. The defect detection methods are also incorporated in an overall system for drawing and inspecting the optical lightguide fibers.