Abstract: A celestial navigation system includes an optical device for receiving light from a celestial object, a spectrometer for measuring a spectrum of the light in sufficient detail to identify absorption and/or emission features, and a processor for processing the spectrum to match the spectrum, or a processed version thereof, against a set of reference spectra information in a database, a device for measuring the pointing direction of the optical device and a clock. The matching may be on a maximum likelihood basis. The system is thus able, on identification of a single star, and, using commonly available navigational almanacs, to calculate a geographical position. Celestial navigation takes place even when only one celestial object (that is also within the database) is visible, although improved accuracy may be obtained with multiple observations. Advantageously, the database includes stars of the K and/or M type, that have more characteristic spectral content.

Abstract: A touch panel and a display device are provided. The touch panel includes a touch substrate; two first photodetectors disposed at both ends of a side of the touch substrate, wherein the touch substrate is divided into a first touch area and a second touch area, the second touch area is in a location corresponds to the detection blind zone of the two first photodetectors, and the two first photodetectors are configured to determine the position of a touch point in the first touch area; and a second photodetector disposed at peripheral of the touch substrate which can emit and receive infrared light and are configured to determine a position of a touch point in the second touch area.

Abstract: Method for printing patterns onto three-dimensional articles mounted respectively on rotary receiving elements, including a step of generating, for each receiving element, a set of several digital images for respectively printing parts of a same pattern onto an article mounted on the receiving element, a step of printing successively parts of a same pattern onto a same article respectively from the digital images of the set associated with the receiving element for the article, the digital images of a same set having a same length, and a step of printing simultaneously several parts of distinct patterns respectively onto several articles, each simultaneous printing of a part of a pattern onto an article being performed from a digital image of the set associated with the receiving element for the article.

Abstract: A substrate positioning device includes: a supporting unit for supporting a substrate in place; a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit respectively arranged at major surface sides of the substrate to face each other; a light emission control unit configured to control a light emission quantity of the light emitting unit pursuant to a control value; and a detecting unit for detecting a light reception quantity received by the light receiving unit. The substrate positioning device further includes an adjusting unit for controlling the control value pursuant to the light reception quantity while the substrate is not supported by the supporting unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for control of cross-track registration of a web member in an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier or printer. A control patch is laid down on the web member and toned. After toning, the amount of toner for a particular section of the control patch is sensed and compared with known amounts of toner to determine the cross-track position of the web. Once the cross-track position is determined, a printhead is programmed to alter the web lay-down location, of an image to be reproduced, to adjust for the actual cross-track location of the web.

Abstract: In a measuring arrangement for the spacing between a marking (32) on a displaceable marking carrier (30) and a reference line, to produce a high degree of resolution and a low scanning frequency, at least two electrodes (17, 18) defining a measuring gap (20) are provided on the inside of the end (9) of a cathode ray tube (1). The deflection unit (6) of the cathode ray tube is actuated in such a way that the impact spot (7) of the electron beam (4), which covers the measuring gap in the transverse direction, moves along the measuring gap on the end (9) of the tube, without external influence, in such a way that the difference between the currents which flow away from the two electrodes is of a predeterminable value. The marking carrier exerts on the electron beam an influence which varies when the marking carrier is displaced and by means of which the impact spot is displaced transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the measuring gap.

Abstract: A finger-touch coordinate input apparatus according to the present invention comprises printed circuit boards provided between a display screen and its front frame and having light-emitting and light-receiving element groups thereon, and LED filters provided outside the printed circuit boards at a predetermined distance therefrom, constituting side edges of the display screen, and having light-transmitting portions at part thereof, wherein spaces formed between the printed circuit boards and the LED filters are connected to an air supply source so that an air flow is generated in at least one space, thereby easily and properly eliminating degradation of the detection function due to dust or the like at photodetectors in which the light-emitting and light-receiving elements for coordinate position detection are arranged.

Abstract: A touch-operated display for a CRT faceplate includes a plurality of optical gates for energizing light-emitting diodes in response to generation of the CRT raster thus eliminating the need for external switching of the beam generating means to produce the grid of crossing light paths. A frame is disclosed for mounting the light sources, detectors and common optical gates--all of which take the form of silicon chips.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device is arranged with substantially parallel surfaces which are at least partially transparent to light. A flexible membrane is supported above the top surface of the screen and when the overlay is flexed into contact with the screen, light which had passed through the screen, is trapped between the screen surfaces by total internal reflection. The edges of the screen are fitted with light detectors for gathering the trapped light. Using this arrangement positional determination of one or more screen touches is possible.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an X-Y co-ordinate detection system of the type which generates intersecting paths of radiation across a surface which may be, for example, a touch panel of the cathode ray tube type. Less expensive and more reliable operation is provided by developing the paths of radiation by use of radiation-emissive material disposed near at least one edge of the surface and excited by a flying spot of energy, such as an electron beam. In the preferred embodiment, strips of infrared emissive material are disposed on an internal surface of a cathode ray tube's panel and excited by overscanning the tube's electron beam to develop intersecting paths of infrared radiation across the tube's faceplate.

Abstract: A touch sensitive device is arranged with substantially parallel surfaces inside which light from a synchronized source, such as a CRT, can become trapped by total internal reflection. The edges of the device are fitted with photodetectors which respond to the entrapment of light within the surfaces. The top surface is arranged so that a touch of the device at a particular point will cause a medium change on the surface at that point. The medium change causes light to become entrapped within the surface by total internal reflection thus making it possible, by comparing the photodetector output with the CRT raster position, to determine the exact surface position of the touch. Using this arrangement, positional determination is uneffected by raster drift.

Abstract: In certain situations it is necessary to detect a slight change in a continuous wave signal and to be able to specifically determine the exact position of the change. This is especially necessary in situations where a continuously changing signal (with respect to time) is generated and where it is necessary to determine, at a particular instant of time, any change in the signal from a previous corresponding instant of time. Where the signal is periodic in nature and substantially repeatable between cycles it is possible to establish a memory data base of signal levels as a function of time. Comparisons can then be made on successive cycle against the known, or precalculated data base. Changes between the data base and the new signal result give a positive signal change indication.

Abstract: A position encoding arrangement is provided having a position locating area from which the positioned co-ordinates of a probe in the area can be found. The invention provides for a change of magnification of the arrangement so that movement of the probe produces a scaled down change in positional co-ordinates. A preferred embodiment provides a light beam encoder for use in conjunction with a C.R.T. type display where a probe is detected and a marker appears on the screen. With the invention change in magnification allows scaled down movement of the marker to allow accurate positioning.

Abstract: In a telecine equipment of the flying spot cathode-ray tube type with an oscillatory mirror, markers associated with the frames of a film are illuminated with a light spot of small dimensions, which substantially follows the motion of the marker associated with the frame being scanned. This is obtained by means of a small fixed light source, which is used for scanning the path followed by the marker associated with the film frame being scanned, using the same optical channel as for the frame scanning. This same optical channel, used in the reverse direction by means of a fixed mirror located behind the film, forms the image of the illuminated marker.

Abstract: Test apparatus for a cathode ray tube has optical elements disposed along two optical paths from the screen of a cathode ray tube to two photosensors. One optical path passes through a graticule which has a pattern of light transmissive and non-transmissive areas. The real image of a luminous spot on the screen is accurately positioned on a boundary between two of the areas of the graticule by deriving a control signal from a comparison of the photosensor outputs.

Abstract: A light pen detection system used for a display system using a cathode ray tube (CRT) in which the operation for detecting the character display position on the CRT face is started when the operation switch of the light pen is turned on, and repeatedly progresses in synchronism with the picture repetition rate, and when a position marker is displayed at the character display position detected through such detecting operation, the operation switch of the light pen is turned off thereby to stop such detecting operation, whereby the character display position detected is obtained as the up-to-date one indicated by the light pen.

Abstract: A light impact on the photocathode of a photomultiplier is localized by defocusing the beam of emitted photoelectrons, sweeping the surface of the photocathode by means of a localized electric field which is located in the vicinity of the photocathode and by measuring the time which elapses between the instant of commencement of sweeping of the photocathode surface and at least one change of sign of the anode signal.