Abstract: An optoelectronic arrangement for the detection of relative movements or relative positions of two objects, which comprises at least two position sensitive detectors, with each position sensitive detector being illuminated by a light emitting means in order to form a measuring cell, and a light emitting means illuminates two detectors each in order to form two measuring cells with a common light emitting means. Further, a force and/or moment sensor provided with this arrangement with a first board and a second board, with the first board and the second board being elastically connected with each other and movable relative to one another. Finally, a personal computer keyboard which is provided with such a force and/or moment sensor.

Abstract: A two-dimensional field of regard is scanned with a single plane mirror in the object space of a telescope, maintaining a fixed relationship between the rotational direction of scan and the projection of the telescope's focal plane. The two dimensional field of regard is covered by a series of conical arcs, each arc being scanned by rotation at constant angular velocity about the inner axis of the two-axis system. This scanning system accommodates applications such as TDI that require an opto-mechanical scan with a constant linear velocity (magnitude and direction) in the focal plane. Shading of IR images is mitigated by calibration at the ends of each scan line and by a scan geometry that minimizes changes in reflection angle.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing movement of an encoder. At least two sensors are mounted adjacent the encoder. Each of the sensors provides an output corresponding to the amount of movement. A pair of comparators are connected to the sensors to provide two signal outputs. The comparator outputs are then provided to a digital encoding circuit which encodes the signals as a multi-bit serial value on a single output line. The bit value can be read by forcing control pulses onto the output line through an input buffer connected to the same line. The use of the single output line eliminates the extra output pin of the prior art, enabling a three pin package to be used.

Abstract: A device for positioning one end of a movable bridge in relation to a door on a craft comprises a control unit for controlling at least the vertical movement of the bridge and for storing information on the position of the door on the craft. The control unit comprises a sensor arranged to transmit electromagnetic radiation in different directions, and to detect electromagnetic radiation; and the control unit is arranged to measure the time difference between the transmission of radiation in at least two different directions and the detection of said radiation, thereby determining the position of the bridge in relation to the craft in said directions, and to control at least the vertical movement of said one end of the bridge to a position adjacent to the door in response to the determined position of the bridge and the stored information on the position of the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-receiving module of a heat-resistant, vibration-resistant type for use in petroleum exploration or the like, and a radiation detecting apparatus equipped with the light-receiving module. The light-receiving module comprises a photomultiplier having a faceplate and a stem opposing each other, a bleeder circuit board provided so as to sandwich the stem together with the faceplate and electrically connected to the photomultiplier, a module case provided so as to accommodate the photomultiplier and the bleeder circuit board, said module case having an opening for exposing the faceplate of the photomultiplier, a step provided on an inner surface of the module case, and a stopper seated on the step, defining the position of the photomultiplier in the module case.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting and compensating the disk tilt of an optical disk and an apparatus using it. The disk tilt causes the coma which degrades the carrier-to-signal ratio of a pickup. To reduce the coma induced by the disk tilt of an optical disk, the pickup of the present invention adapts a two-dimension (2-D) grating to produce a plurality of laser beams for detecting the disk tilt in the radial and tangential direction of the optical disk. In addition, according to the radial and tangential tilts of the disk, an actuation device adjusts a reflection angle of a reflective mean to change the incident angles of the laser beams for the compensation of the coma induced by the disk tilt of the optical disk.

Abstract: By altering the assembly condition (for example, frame bent depth, type and height of precoat resin, type of mold resin) of an optically coupled device, the quantity of light arriving at a photodetector (for example, a phototransistor) from a photoemitter (for example, an infrared-emitting diode) is set to be a value within a predetermined range. As a result, an optically coupled device having a current transmission rate within a particular range can be fabricated, independent of the performance of the photoemitter and the performance of the photodetector. Thus, the yield of the optically coupled device can be improved.

Abstract: The invention discloses a scanner apparatus for performing bidirectional scanning by using an integration amplifying detector, which is capable of preventing the occurrence of jitters. To detect the n-th pixel from the left in a going direction, an integration timing setting circuit generates pulses indicating a resetting period Tr and a measuring period Ti by using the n-th pulse of a scanning position detecting clock as a reference, and then controls an integration circuit. To detect the n-th pixel from the left in a returning direction, an integration timing setting circuit generates a timing clock by delaying a difference period Td generated between the going and returning ways, with the n+1st pulse of the scanning position detecting clock from the left used as a reference, and then controls the integration circuit.

Abstract: A gimbal for supporting a moveable mirror includes an attachment section, first and second pairs of beams extending along the x-axis and connected to the attachment section, and third and fourth pairs of beams extending along the y-axis connected with the first and second pair of beams. The connections are such that the mirror can tilt or rotate about both the x-axis and y-axis. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A wireless pointing device may have a motion circuit to indicate when the wireless pointing device is in motion, and a transmitter to transmit a unique signal indicative of the wireless pointing device's motion is described. A wireless receiver may have a control circuit to generate control signals based on a classification of signals received from the wireless pointing device, and an analysis circuit to determine a characteristic of the received signals is also described. Signal classification may include determination of whether the received signal indicate motion of the wireless pointing device and/or whether a wireless pointing device control (a button or switch, for example) has been activated. Signal characteristics may include motion and/or the speed of motion of the wireless pointing device.

Abstract: A plurality of energy couplers (12) receives signals from an energy pulse, each of the energy couplers (12) having a defined field of view, the field of views of at least some of the energy couplers being overlapping. A transducer (14) converts the signals received from the energy pulse to voltage or current output signals that are then amplified. A threshold circuit (18) triggers when the amplitude of a signal caused by the energy pulse exceeds a predetermined level, and signal processing instrumentation (24) then calculates the source location and/or the intensity and/or the initiation time of the energy pulse based on the timing of the output signals associated with individual energy couplers (12).

Abstract: Reflected light of each light beam projected toward an object at a distance to be measured is detected to provide a far signal and a near signal, and the far signal is compared with a preset clamp signal. The larger signal resulting from the comparison is outputted from a clamping circuit and a ratio of the output signal and the near signal is calculated to obtain an output ratio signal. Output ratio signals for light emissions from a light projecting unit are accumulated in an integration to produce an integral signal. The integral signal is transformed to a distance signal according to the distance by transformation equations selected based on whether the number of clamp signals outputted as output signals from the clamping circuit during the integration is larger than a set number.

Abstract: A novel system for facilitating the work for setting the horizontal direction of a guide laser beam is disclosed. The guide laser beam (P) can be radiated in vertical and lateral directions from the horizontal direction as a reference by a guide laser beam radiator (20). The reference horizontal direction position of the guide laser beam radiator (20) is detected by a first GPS unit (75). A pole (81) has a second GPS unit (76) for detecting a horizontal position. A reference horizontal direction position of the guide laser radiator (20) is detected by the first GPS unit (75). A first horizontal direction position is detected by the second GPS unit (76) of the pole (81) set up at a first position (83), thereby specifying the direction Z1 in which the guide laser beam (P) is to be radiated from the reference horizontal direction position as an origin.

Abstract: The charge read out efficiency of a line sensor utilizing a large photodiode is improved. A line sensor formed of a photoelectric converting portion utilizing a photodiode divided into a plurality of regions and having a potential inclination configuration wherein the potential wells thereof become deeper the closer the position thereof is to a readout gate is provided.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a laser or other light source for producing a light beam, and optics that split the light beam into a plurality of differentiable beam portions, such as a plurality of polarized beams. The optics also direct the differentiable beam portions toward a target to be measured. The measurement device also includes a detection component, such as a plurality of position sensitive detectors, positioned to intercept images created by simultaneous incidence of the differentiable beam portions on the target. The data collected by the detection component is used to calculate measurement data related to the target. When used with a head suspension target, displacement of various regions of the head suspension may be measured relative to a reference region, such as the mounting region of the head suspension.

Abstract: A radiation sensor with particular application to detection of sunshine has at least two (but typically seven) light sensitive detectors and a masking element. The masking element has a pattern of translucent and opaque areas which are disposed to ensure that at any time at least one detector can be exposed to direct sunlight (if the sun is shining) through a translucent area and at least one detector is shaded from direct sunlight by an opaque area. Signal processing apparatus analyses signals from the detectors, such analysis including a comparison of the signal from the detector exposed to the most light and the signal from the detector exposed to the least light.

Abstract: The invention discloses a scanner apparatus for performing bidirectional scanning by using an integration amplifying detector, which is capable of preventing the occurrence of jitters. To detect the n-th pixel from the left in a going direction, an integration timing setting circuit generates pulses indicating a resetting period Tr and a measuring period Ti by using the n-th pulse of a scanning position detecting clock as a reference, and then controls an integration circuit. To detect the n-th pixel from the left in a returning direction, an integration timing setting circuit generates a timing clock by delaying a difference period Td generated between the going and returning ways, with the n+1st pulse of the scanning position detecting clock from the left used as a reference, and then controls the integration circuit.

Abstract: A laser transmitter is provided including a specialized compensator assembly damping mechanism. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compensator assembly position detector is arranged to detect a position X1 of the compensator assembly with respect to the X-axis, and a position Y1 of the compensator assembly with respect to the Y-axis. The compensator assembly damping mechanism includes an X-axis magnetic damping mechanism, a Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism, and a rotational damping mechanism. The active feedback circuit is arranged to (i) drive the X-axis magnetic damping mechanism so as to increase a damping force generated by the X-axis magnetic damping mechanism as a rate of change of the signal indicative of the position x1 increases, and (ii) drive the Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism so as to increase a damping force generated by the Y-axis magnetic damping mechanism as a rate of change of the signal indicative of the position y1 increases.

Abstract: CCD type charge transfer sections include vertical charge transfer sections and horizontal charge transfer sections having stages twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. The horizontal charge transfer sections have a capacity capable of holding charges twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. A controller controls an area image sensor to arrange charges of an object image corresponding to an irradiated state and charges of the object image corresponding to a non-irradiated state in the vertical charge transfer sections, and to transfer charges for two pixels per vertical charge transfer section to the horizontal charge transfer sections to hold the charges.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining stellar inertial attitude based upon a plurality of stars includes a star tracker and a controller. The star tracker is used to sense the positions of stars and generate signals corresponding to the positions of the stars as seen in its field of view. The controller checks a star catalog and actively determines which stars to track. The controller does this determination in terms of each star's relative geometry. The controller then commands the star tracker to track these stars and uses them to determine the spacecraft attitude.

Abstract: System intended to determine the orientation in the space of a body integral with a photoreceiver, comprised of three photosensors (3) which receive light from a photoemitter (1), which provides through an electronic calculation subsystem to determine the direction (5) of the incident radiation (2). The integration of the photosensors into a CMOS circuit is one form of execution of a photosensor surface having a vectorial character and capable of determining the intensity and direction of the radiation arriving from the photoemifter. Its object is to access information and control systems by using the movement of the user's head. The vectorial photosensor senses the movements of the body and uses said information to establish the position of the pointer and execute actions in information and control systems. Other alternatives of the system make it possible to determine the position and orientation, in elevation and azimuth, of a body in the space.

Abstract: A beam position detector, which comprises a photodetection unit for receiving a laser beam and issuing a signal corresponding to photodetection amount, wherein said photodetection unit has a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit and width of said first photoelectric conversion unit is gradually decreased in positive position detecting direction, and width of said second photoelectric conversion unit is gradually increased in positive position detecting direction, and scanning position of the laser beam is detected by comparing the output value of said first photoelectric conversion unit with the output value of said second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: In centering a transfer device so that tweezers of the transfer device transfer a substrate to a predetermined delivery position on a spin chuck when the substrate is delivered to a coating unit by means of the transfer device, the substrate is transferred onto the spin chuck in the coating unit by means of the tweezers, a positional deviation amount of the substrate with respect to the delivery position on the chuck is detected by a detecting device, a positional deviation amount of the tweezers is computed based on this detection value, and a position at which the tweezers deliver the substrate is corrected based on the positional deviation amount of the tweezers. Thus, centering of the substrate transfer device can be performed automatically in a short time.

Abstract: A beam position detector, which comprises a photodetection unit for receiving a laser beam and issuing a signal corresponding to photodetection amount, wherein said photodetection unit has a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit and width of said first photoelectric conversion unit is gradually decreased in positive position detecting direction, and width of said second photoelectric conversion unit is gradually increased in positive position detecting direction, and scanning position of the laser beam is detected by comparing the output value of said first photoelectric conversion unit with the output value of said second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: The invention monitors the driving range and tracks golf balls from users at the driving range and informs those users of characteristics such as driving distance. A solid state camera images the range, and preferably one or more tee-off positions, and collects frames of image data to track a ball's motion through space. Simulation routines augment that track and assist in isolating the start location as well as where the ball lands, or would have landed had it not been obstructed (e.g., by a net). Preferably, the invention also determines the ball's position in 3-D to increase the accuracy. In one technique, two or more solid state cameras are used, and synchronized, to specify stereoscopic imaging. In another technique, the ball's energy or physical extent is used to determine an absolute distance between the camera and the ball. A computer at the club house monitors the entire system and further manages a network including an array of displays at the several tee off positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar altitude detector (1) for motor vehicles comprising a shade mask (2) in which a passage opening (5) provided for permitting sunlight though is inserted, said opening creating a light structure when irradiated. A sensor array (3) comprising a plurality of individual pixels is representively arranged under the shade mask (2) such that individual sections of the light structure created by the passage opening (5) fall on the photosensitive surface of the sensor array (3) during solar radiation. Various pixels of the sensor array (3) are irradiated according to the incidence angle of the sunlight passing through the passage opening (5) such that a clear statement which refers to the incidence angle and to the incidence direction of the sunlight is possible.

Abstract: A computer input device detects images on a surface. The computer input device generates input information indicative of a change event when the device switches from reading one predetermined pattern to reading another predetermined pattern. The present invention can also be directed to a method of using the input device or printable medium with the predetermined patterns disposed thereon.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for determining the direction of an object (10) which emits or reflects optical radiation. An optical element (14) which structures the wavefront of the radiation converts the conventional dot-type image (20) into an intensity distribution (14′) with more than one maximum on a locally resolving opto-electronic detector (13). From the intensity distribution (14′) and the structure function of the optical element (14), the direction of the object (10) can be determined with a high degree of accuracy over a wide measurement range. In addition, this gives a design with a shorter optical path length and very few optical components.

Abstract: CCD type charge transfer sections include vertical charge transfer sections and horizontal charge transfer sections having stages twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. The horizontal charge transfer sections have a capacity capable of holding charges twice the number of lines of the vertical charge transfer sections. A controller controls an area image sensor to arrange charges of an object image corresponding to an irradiated state and charges of the object image corresponding to a non-irradiated state in the vertical charge transfer sections, and to transfer charges for two pixels per vertical charge transfer section to the horizontal charge transfer sections to hold the charges.

Abstract: A target, comprising a pole for indicating a measuring point, an object to be measured as provided on said pole with a predetermined distance from said measuring point, a tilting sensor for detecting tilting of said pole, and transmitting means for transmitting detection data of said tilting sensor to a survey instrument.

Abstract: To perform a reliable and calibrated measurement of partial discharges, a first calibratable sensor and a second sensor are arranged in a metal enclosure. The first calibrated sensor picks up signal components in the HF (High Frequency) range, and the second non-calibrated sensor picks up signal components in the UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) range. An HF signal component picked up by the first sensor is transmitted to a partial discharge analyzer. The opening time of the gate device is determined by a UHF signal component picked up by the second sensor.

Abstract: The coupling alignment warning system (CAWS) of the instant invention is designed to provide the driver of a towing unit, e.g., a commercial truck, with visual and/or audible cues that indicate whether the towing unit is aligned relative to a towed unit for proper engagement of the coupling components mounted thereon, including a fifth wheel hitch on the towing unit and a king pin on the trailer. The CAWS combines a laser light source and a series of sensors with a reflective target to provide alignment information to the user. In particular, the system combines a low-power laser diode mounted on the towing unit with a retro-reflective target that is attached, preferably temporarily, on the towed unit. The target will continuously return positive coupling alignment information back to the sensors as long as laser light impinges upon the target, i.e., as long as target acquisition is maintained. The sensors transmit detection signals to a processing unit that includes a microprocessor and relay.

Abstract: Reflected light of each beam projected toward an object to be measured is received to provide a far signal and a near signal, and the far signal is compared with a preset clamp signal. The larger signal resulting from the comparison is outputted from a clamping circuit and a ratio of the output signal and the near signal is calculated to obtain an output ratio signal. Output ratio signals against light emissions from a light projecting unit are accumulated in an integral operation to obtain an integral signal. The integral signal is transformed to a distance signal according to the distance by either of different transformation equations, based on whether the number of clamp signals outputted as output signals from the clamping circuit during the integral operation is not less than a set number.