Abstract: A printing apparatus in which the image of a mask is projected onto a wafer by an imaging optical system and printed on the wafer. This apparatus has a detector for detecting the in-focus or lack of focus conditions of the mask image projected onto the wafer. This detector effects the detection by optically detecting the optical spacing between the mask and the wafer. The detection of such spacing is accomplished by causing a detection light to impinge on the wafer through a projection optical system and detecting the amount of displacement of the position of the reflected light in a plane optically parallel to the wafer.

Abstract: A device is disclosed in which an edge-sensing means ("sensor") and a work-performing assembly are combined to perform work on a belt, strip or other work (hereafter "material"). It may be desired to slit the material, or simply position it with respect to a reference mark, but whichever the work-performing function to be discharged, it is required to do so with accuracy relative to one or both edges of the material. The sensor comprises a silicon solar cell ("cell") and a light source ("lamp") between which an edge of the material is sensed, and the deviation from a reference position measured. Depending upon the area of the cell exposed to light from the lamp due to the variable placement of an edge of the material as it traverses the cell, an electrical current is generated in the cell which current is directly proportional to the area of the cell upon which the light falls.

Abstract: In a process for producing a semiconductor device using an insulating substrate, a so called SOS device, a semiconductor layer is formed on the insulating film and semiconductor elements are formed in the semiconductor layer, material, which develops color with in the insulating substrate, is introduced in the substrate, and a color developed part of the insulating substrate is used as an identification mark of the substrate and the semiconductor elements. Cracking of the substrates due to formation of the identification mark is prevented.

Abstract: A sensor, having a plurality of parallel elongated light transducers, is rotated relative to a document to be aligned with a predetermined reference. A signal accumulated from the transducers reaches a distinct maximum when printed lines on the document are aligned with the elongated transducers. Detection of this maximum enables measurement of the angle by which the document is out of alignment.

Abstract: In a light beam scanning type recording system in which a part of a read-out light beam scans a form slide and another part of the read-out light beam scans a linear encoder to generate photoelectric pulses, a data signal is read out by use of a video clock signal, and a recording light beam is modulated by a video signal obtained by combination of the data signal and the form signal, a device for correcting displacement of the form slide from a predetermined position with respect to the data information is provided. An optical mark is provided on the form slide in the marginal area thereof and a mark signal is generated when the read-out light beam passes through the optical mark. The number of clock pulses from a pulse generator is counted after the mark signal is generated and before the first photoelectric pulse is outputed to detect the amount of displacement of the form slide. Then, the video clock signal or the form signal is delayed according to the detected amount of displacement.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for mask and wafer each having alignment marks provided in a narrow strip like area between circuit patterns is disclosed, which mask and wafer are used in manufacturing semiconductor circuit elements. In the apparatus, the mask and wafer are scanned to obtain scan signals by means of which the amount of relative deviation between the alignment marks on mask and wafer is detected. By means of the detected signal, an alignment is effected between the mask and wafer in the apparatus. For this type of alignment apparatus, there is a problem that since the alignment marks are provided in the narrow strip like area, no coincidence between the scanning position and the strip area is attainable with pre-alignment accuracy. Improvement in the alignment apparatus according to the invention lies in that a reading of alignment marks is initiated after the coincidence is photoelectrically detected.

Abstract: In a wrapping machine a strip bearing repetitively markings and marks is cut up into sections for individual wrapping of articles such as slabs of chocolate.It is desirable to have available a correction in both directions, which is accurate over a wide margin, to avoid restrictions on the printing of the strip, and to allow continuous forward travel and a high rhythm.Circuits (100-120) validate a mark detection signal (LECTREP) while eliminating interference and irrelevant signals and evaluate the phase shifts between this signal (LECTREP) and a synchronization signal (SYNCHR) depending upon the machine. They establish a correction limited to a certain maximum. The correction acts upon a motor (1) which drives the strip. The maximum is such that the cut section remains usable, which avoids interruption, and leaves an article wrapped in this defective section for later elimination.

Abstract: A system for continuously transporting individual articles or a succession of uniformly-spaced articles on a moving conveyor surface through one or more work stations and for providing a warning signal when the normal location of any one of said articles changes relative to said conveyor surface by more than a predetermined permissible distance at a predetermined work station where such changes in spacing are most objectionable or dangerous. The system comprises a pulse-supplying means or machine clock for supplying pulses having a variable frequency proportional to the rate of movement of the conveyor surface, a delay means for providing a conveyor displacement signal when said conveyor surface has moved a predetermined distance and sensing means activated by each of said articles as they travel said predetermined distance to provide an article travel time signal.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for acquiring and maintaining a register condition for successive repeat lengths of a moving web relative to a cut-off apparatus or the like in a web operating apparatus of the type which includes an adjustment means for advancing or retarding the web relative to the cut-off apparatus. The system operates in manual and automatic modes and while in the manual mode, an operator manipulates the adjustment means to obtain the register condition and then switches to the automatic mode which maintains the register condition.

Abstract: An answer document or form, on which the user darkens certain discrete response areas with a graphite or lead pencil to denote his selected choices or data entries, has a bias bar printed across one end with the same color ink used in printing the remainder of the document. When the document is read by the optical scanner, the light passing through the translucent paper also passes through the printed bias bar. Analog voltage signals are obtained from each of the photocells in the optical scanner and these signals are capacitively stored, then converted to digital values. The digital values are averaged and the individual digital values for each photocell are compared with the computed average to check for bad cells. If a poor photocell response persists for a predetermined number of answer documents, the entire scanning operation is stopped.

Abstract: Each original has a notch. A notch detector is located a distance Z upstream of the point at which the notch centerline is later to be stopped, and generates a notch-start and a notch-end pulse. A transducer generates strip-increment pulses during strip transport. In response to a notch-start pulse first and second counters start counting the strip-increment pulses, the first counting the Z distance, the second counting the notch length N. A divider ascertains the notch half-length N/2, which is then stored. When the counting of the Z-distance is finished, strip transport is not immediately stopped, and instead is stopped only after the counting of a further number of strip-increment pulses corresponding to the length N/2, whereupon transport is stopped. This references the system to the reliable centerlines of variable-length notches, instead of the leading ends of the notches, and assures correct positioning when transport is stopped.

Abstract: A machine of the type in which a number of wheels are brought to rotate and to stop in different positions, and in which an arrangement is provided for detecting the individual stop positions of the wheels and for controlling a dispensing mechanism so as to cause release of different numbers of articles in response to the wheels stopping in different characteristic mutual positions, corresponding to the showing of certain symbols in a window of the machine. The detecting arrangement is constituted by touchfree, preferably photoelectric sensing means which cooperate with either the wheels or with movable levers operable to assume positions indicative of the respective stop positions of the wheels so as to be able to read the wheel stop positions in logic terms and supply, a reading signal to a control unit for actuating the dispensing mechanism when the readings of all wheel stop positions correspond to one of the characteristic combinations of stop positions.

Abstract: A system for detecting a jam condition in a series of sequentially moving members which are passing a plurality of stations. The system finds particular application in the production of corrugated board or the like in which at the first station there may be a slitting or slotting or printing drum which is performing an operation on a series of moving corrugated board members. There are detection means at each station and successive signals from one station indicating the presence of a member at that station without a resetting signal from the next sequential station will provide a signal indicative of a jam condition. There are means to prevent a false indication of a jam which can be caused by the absence of a member at the first station in the system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improvement in a system for sensing information encoded on a duplicating original, using the information to control copy processing. A duplicating original is installed onto the surface of a cylinder revolving in the duplication process. The encoded information, in the form of indicia printed on the original, is sensed by an optical read head arranged to scan the revolving cylinder. Signals indicating the position of the revolving cylinder are used to determine when to scan for information. Finally, the information sensed, e.g., the copy quantity, is used to control the processes of the duplicating machine. The manner in which the encoded information is arranged conforms to the writing capabilities of a computer output printer, which is preferably also used to prepare the body of text material being duplicated, and the read head is arranged to sense the thus applied indicia and reproduce the information accurately, allowing wide latitude for correct placement of the information.

Abstract: In a microfilm web handling apparatus wherein a photocell senses position markers corresponding to image frames along the microfilm web to enable positioning of a given image frame within a viewing station, a reference photocell provides a reference signal which is compared with a detected signal from the position sensing photocell to produce a position signal which is processed via logic networks to drive a film transport mechanism to thereby selectively position the microfilm web. Preferably, three photocells are provided, two of which sense position markers adjacent one edge of the microfilm web, while the third provides the reference signal. Each photocell has an effective sensing diameter which is not greater than one-half the dimension of a position marker parallel to the direction of travel of the web. In such an embodiment, the output of the reference photocell is compared with the detected signal from each of the two position indicating photocells.

Abstract: For detecting inadequate separation of successive documents (i.e., stream feed) which pass in seriatim through an apparatus, a logic circuit a counter which begins to count when a first document passes a particular point in the apparatus. A flip-flop is set by a signal from a photosensitive element when a second document passes a second predetermined point. In normal operation, a decoder will respond at a fixed count to clear the flip-flop before a third document arrives at the photosensitive element. However, if the photosensitive element output changes again, indicating the third document has reached the second point before the fixed count is attained, a NOR gate connected to the photosensitive element and the flip-flop generates an inadequate separation or stream feed signal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electronic document detector particularly adapted for but not limited to use in a document recording system. The document detector comprises a light source, a current source which includes a light sensitive element spaced from the light source and arranged for receiving at least a portion of the light output of the light source for providing a current having a magnitude directly related to the amount of light received by the element, wherein the space between the light source and the light sensitive element defines a path in which documents to be detected traverse. As each document traverses the path, the light sensitive element is shielded from the light source. A current sink coupled to the current source has an input and an output for providing at its output an intermediate control voltage having a magnitude related to the magnitude of the current provided by the current source and within a first range below a given level and within a second range above the given level.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for densitometry wherein a sample spot developed on a supporting medium is scanned by monochromatic light in a zigzag way, and at a predetermined point outside the spot in each scanning stroke the measured output is periodically sampled and stored so as to be subtracted from the measured output during the scanning stroke for correction of the base line of the measured output.

Abstract: Postage stamps selected in accordance with destination, are cancelled on mail by activating radiation which also establishes a destination code that is machine readable. The destination code is formed by a pattern of color zones on the cancelled postage stamp, the color of said zones being changed by the activating radiation.

Abstract: A picture information retrieval system in which each time an initial position detecting mark provided in correspondence with the first picture on an information recording medium for detecting the first picture passes the initial position during the retrieval operation the content of the counting section is corrected.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a scanning photoelectric microscope in which a first reference object to be measured which is mounted on a stationary support is disposed relative to a second object to be measured which is disposed on a slidable table so as to form on both sides of the first object to be measured two indication intervals, which are caused to coincide with each other for alignment.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing beginning of tape (BOT) and end of tape (EOT) tape position markers on digital magnetic tape includes an illumination source disposed to emit controlled illumination onto a marker sense position along the length of a tape path, a pair of photosensors disposed to sense illumination from the illumination source which is reflected from different positions across the width of a tape lying in the tape path, a control circuit coupled to control the illumination intensity emitted by the illumination source to maintain a predetermined illumination intensity at the photosensor receiving the least intense illumination, and a comparator connected to sense and indicate substantial differences in light intensities received by the two photosensors.