Abstract: An optical timing and A/D conversion method and apparatus for converting analog signals obtained by movement of a plurality of reaction vessels relative to one or more beams of light from analog to digital signals. The sample signals are obtained each time a reaction vessel passes through a beam of light. The converted digital signals indicate the absorbance of the respective vessels and their contents. Each of the reaction vessels or cuvettes has translucent wall portions providing a radiation path therethrough for the light beams which may be monitored by photometer means in a chemical reaction analyzer. The vessels are repeatedly passed through the light beams of the photometer means as chemical reactions take place therein, the purpose being to monitor the changes in the reaction of the fluids therein by measuring the changes in the absorbance of the vessel and fluids.

Abstract: An improved exposure control apparatus for camera comprises a metering circuit, exposure operational circuit, correction value calculating circuit and correction operational circuit. The metering circuit meters a plural number of divisional sections of the field of an object and generates a plural number of photoelectric outputs corresponding to the respective sections of the field. The exposure operational circuit calculates an exposure value from the plural number of photoelectric outputs. The correction value calculating circuit calculates correction values for correcting the distribution characteristics of said photometric outputs relative to the distribution characteristics of illumination on the focal plane of the photographing lens of the camera at the time of photographing, the correction values corresponding to the sections of the field respectively.

Abstract: A photometer for use in combination with a camera determines the optimum film exposure interval with the exposure interval corrected for differences in illuminance between a subject of principal interest in the central portion of the scene to be photographed and the subjects of secondary interest in the foreground and background portions of the scene. The photometer includes a photo-responsive array divided into three light receiving segments each having a field of view that generally corresponds to, respectively, the central portion, the foreground portion, and the background portion of the scene.

Abstract: To measure the density of a foilage canopy, an elongated average-light measuring instrument includes an elongated diffuser, an elongated quartz rod with a uniform diffusing groove in it between it and the diffuser and a photodiode at one end so that radiation hitting the diffuser enters the quartz rod and is transmitted to the photodiode to provide a measure of average light entering the length of the instrument. To digitize light instead of sensing average light, another embodiment includes a plurality of separate light entrances positioned along the length of the quartz rod and a scanner that scans across the rod or a uniform diffusing groove and circuitry that digitizes the electrical signal from the photodiode periodically in accordance with the position of the light scanner on the groove.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately sampling and measuring beam power of a high energy aser beam without blocking or unduly perturbing the beam for phenomenological effects purposes and including a unitary sampling wheel which reflects a portion of the laser beam energy to a primary collecting and focusing mirror which re-reflects the laser beam onto a low level energy detector and a low level power detector for providing accurate and reliable samples through a wide range of frequencies and low amplitude without affecting beam characteristics and further use.

Abstract: A sensor head for monitoring radiated laser energy is disclosed which uties a transparent scatter plate placed in the path of the laser beam. A plurality of regularly spaced photodetector diodes are secured to its outer edge. The scatter plate and photodiode configuration are contained in a mounting bracket and frame assembly which permits its attachment to a front of a variety of laser systems without requiring modification of those systems. As radiation from the incident laser beam is transmitted through the plate, a small portion of the laser energy is coupled to the diodes via microscopic scattering sites in the plate. The signal output from the four diodes is combined by signal summing to provide a measure of the energy at peak power output of the laser without distorting or perturbing transmitted beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring progressively the absorbance changes of a large number of aliquots from a plurality of different samples. The sample introduction, testing instructions, aliquot preparation, reagent dispensing, absorbance measuring and data recording all can be accomplished in a continuous mode of processing. Stat and batch operation also can be accomplished. The aliquots are in an array of cuvettes which is advanced slowly along a circular path. Photometer means, preferably having several photometric detectors, are mounted in fixed orientation on a common support that advances rapidly along a similar circular path, such that radiation passing through each of the cuvettes is monitored many times by a specific photometric detector by the time that that cuvette completes one circuit of its path. The photometric detectors can operate at several different wavelengths. Many different chemical reactions can be monitored at the same time.

Abstract: Visibility monitoring method and means are disclosed employing a video camera for monitoring an area which includes a low reflectance (substantially non-reflecting) target at known range from the camera and adjacent horizon sky. Window gating circuit means under control of a programmable digital computer are used to gate selected portions of the output from the video camera to integrating means for generating signals related to brightness of at least a portion of the target and adjacent horizon sky. The brightness related to signals are supplied to said digital computer for use in computing visual contrast, visibility, or the like. Preferably, a plurality of substantially non-reflecting targets at different ranges are employed for increased accuracy.

Abstract: A method of controlling the exposure of a camera comprising steps of measuring the luminance of an object on each surface section thereof by a plurality of photoelectric elements widely arranged on the image forming plane of the camera and where the light from the object to be photographed is received, of gaining the maximum and the minimum values of the outputs provided by any one of the photoelectric elements and detecting whether the difference between the maximum and the minimum values exceeds a predetermined value, and of converting the mode for determining the exposure by the detecting signal.

Abstract: An exposure meter for use in photography which includes means for measuring brightness at a plurality of places in a scene to be measured for exposure, means for calculating frequency distribution of the brightness which divides brightness value into many stages and counts frequency of occurrence of brightness at each of the stages, and means for calculating, under designated conditions, position whereat film latitude is to be present within the width of the brightness distribution.

Abstract: A light smoothing device for rendering a non uniform distribution of light more uniform especially suited for use in line scanning in combination with a light conducting rod which transmits light incident on its surface to its end faces for subsequent detection. The smoothing device has an optical passage with a reflecting interior surface an inlet to the passage and a detector at the other end of the passage. The passage ensures at least part of the light entering the inlet is reflected prior to incidence on the detector.A number of forms of optical passage are disclosed having various reflecting segments of convex, plain or concave curvature.

Abstract: An exposure meter provides a display indicating the brightness of selected portions of a scene to be photographed. In one embodiment, a photometering block including a plurality of light sensitive elements is employed, and there is an automatic fixed display indicating the brightness level of the brightest and the darkest portions of the objective scene together with a display of a median value. Another embodiment employs a spot photometering device with only one light sensitive element, and a display of the brightness level of different portions of the scene selected by the photographer.

Abstract: An optical sighting device consists of a hood with two windows which can transmit radiation within predetermined wavelength ranges to a rotatable reflecting device. The reflecting device receives radiation from one or other of the windows and the hood is rotatable subject to the rotation of the reflecting device. The radiation reflected by the reflecting device is received by two dichroic mirror plates which are suitable for transmitting or reflecting thermal infra-red radiation, visible radiation and near infra-red radiation towards suitable corresponding detectors.

Abstract: A protection device for an electro-optical detector used in systems for making far field diagnostic measurements of a high energy laser beam comprises a solid silicon cone having a truncated apex which functions as the pin hole aperture for the detector. The large end of the cone has a surface defined by the radius drawn from the cone axis at the truncation. This surface is coated with a reflective attenuation layer which reflects a high percentage of the energy of the incident laser beam entering the pinhole aperture thereby minimizing the absorption of the beam by the cone. The high index of refraction of the solid silicon cone permits large off-axis angles of the laser beam to be directed onto the detector resultingly increasing the field of view of a system using a given detector. The increased field of view allows a closer spacing of a plurality of detectors in the system ensuring a high spatial resolution of the laser beam for a desired field of view.

Abstract: An automatic ambient light compensating circuit for use in conjunction with a light sensing device to render the light sensing device insensitive to variations in ambient light conditions and which is particularly adapted for use with reflective sensor systems. An optical sensor, including a source of light and a first photodetector, is disposed to detect the presence of an object in proximity thereto. The optical sensor provides an output signal which is a function of the amount of light received by the first photodetector and includes light from the source of light and ambient light. The output signal of the optical sensor is provided as an input to a signal level detection means. A second photodetector responsive only to ambient light is operatively connected in parallel with the output of the optical sensor to the level detection means to compensate the output signal of the optical sensor for ambient light conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring the light intensity gain performance of an image intensifier. The apparatus includes a light source which illuminates the input surface of the intensifier with input light of predetermined and constant intensity, a light sensitive detector arranged at the intensifier output for receiving at least a portion of the output light produced by the intensifier in response to the input light and for providing an electrical signal having an amplitude directly related to the intensity of the output light and an indicator coupled to the detector for providing an indication of the intensifier light intensity gain performance responsive to the electrical signal provided by the detector.

Abstract: To form a hologram of a section of an object surface one end of each of a pair of elongated, flexible, optical fibers is illuminated with a laser beam through an optical mechanism which allows adjustment of the amount of light that falls on each of the fiber ends. The opposite end of one of the fibers is disposed adjacent to the object of which the hologram is to be formed so that the light output of that fiber diffuses and illuminates the relevant surface. A photographic plate is disposed to receive light reflected from the object surface as well as a reference beam radiating from the output end of the other fiber. A photodetector device receives a portion of the reference beam at one input and a portion of the object beam at another input and provides a visual indication of the relative intensity of the beams. The input to the fiber elements is adjusted to achieve the desired beam ratio for forming a hologram.

Abstract: A simple, inexpensive device for measuring the radiation energy of the sun impinging on the device. The measurement of the energy over an extended period of time is accomplished without moving parts or tracking mechanisms.

Abstract: The photo-sensing circuit of the present invention has output characteristics which are linear for a wider range than that of a conventional photo-sensing circuit. In this invention the amount of incident light of the photographing field which is to be sensed is converted to an electric signal by a photo-electromotive element. A photo-conductive element, having its resistance value varied corresponding to the amount of incident light from the photographing field which is sensed, is connected as a load resistance to the above mentioned photo-electromotive element. Therefore the saturation level of the output characteristics of said photo-electromotive element varies corresponding to the amount of incident light into the photo-conductive element.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for quantizing radiation beams by optical diffraction including the steps of, and associated apparatus for, reflecting a majority of the energy in an incident radiation beam, optically diffracting portions of the non-reflected incident radiation beam to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity, and individually detecting each of the quantized radiation portions. Advantageously, the detected radiation beam portions are converted to electrical signals which may be processed for display, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for exposure measurement and/or focus detection by means of image senser such as photo diode array (MOS image senser), CCD (charge coupled devices) consisting of a plural number of adjacently disposed respectively integrated fine light sensing elements whereby the image pattern of the object is scanned purely electrically in such a manner that the then obtained output of each light sensing element is converted into a digital value one after another for processing.

Abstract: A system for fully characterizing monochromatic radiation incident on the stem. The system computes the azimuth and elevation of the point of origin, optical frequency, pulse width, power level and pulse repetition frequency of the source.

Abstract: An automatic density control device for photographic printers for sensing and correcting for a "subject failure" in a photographic negative, where the subject area of the negative is out of the optimum density ratio to the background area, which device includes a frusto-pyramidal radiation directing member having its enlarged end proximate to the negative and its small end remote therefrom and being positioned to receive the radiation from a source through the negative and having subject sensing means mounted at the central portion of the enlarged proximate end of said member to sense the radiation passing through the central subject area of the negative and also having background sensing means mounted at the diminished remote end to sense the radiation passing through the marginal portions of the negative and the marginal portions of the enlarged end of said member and including circuitry for comparing the signals produced by said subject sensing means and background sensing means and thus deriving a density

Abstract: A system for detecting the brightness of an area which is to be photographed. A plurality of series circuits respectively include a plurality of photosensitive devices for respectively receiving light from different parts of the area while remaining substantially static with respect thereto so that when the area is illuminated unevenly a pair of the photosensitive devices will respectively receive light of maximum and minimum brightness. The plurality of series circuits respectively include also a plurality of series-connected elements respectively connected in series with the plurality of photosensitive devices for respectively providing therewith a plurality of photo-responsive divided voltages. The plurality of series circuits are connected in parallel with each other and with a power source.

Abstract: An opto-electrical measuring apparatus for determining the hemoglobin content of an illuminated hemoglobin solution arranged in the path of light between a light source and a photoelectric transducer by evaluating the light absorption of the solution within a predetermined wavelength range. The spectral or spectrum properties of the light source, the transducer and other components arranged in the path of the light emanating from the light source are accommodated or matched to one another such that in the absence of the hemoglobin solution in the path of light an electrical magnitude generated in the photoelectric transducer possesses a spectral dependency which in the wavelength range of 540 to 560 nm constitutes a maximum value and to both sides of such range with a half-value width of at least 60 nm continually decreases to less than 20% of the maximum value at about 500 and 600 nm, respectively, and externally of these band limits asymptotically approaches the value null.

Abstract: A camera shutter control device includesA light intensity to electric signal conversion means, which means further includes a first photosensitive means and a second and a third photosensitive means. The first means and the second and third means are designed in such a manner that they receive the light beams coming from a substantially different part of the object to be photographed and give electrical signals corresponding to the light quantity received.A memory means is included, which is electrically connected with the first and second conversion means and serves to memorize the difference between the signal outputs of both conversion means.

Abstract: An electro-optical detector array and spectrum analyzer system consisting of a novel detector array containing a plurality of photodetectors, each covered by a different narrow band optical filter and each activated when an electromagnetic energy source admitted by the narrow band optical filter is present whereby discrete components of the electromagnetic energy can be identified simultaneously and nearly instantaneously by comparison with the known wavelength admittance characteristics of said narrow band optical filter. Companion electronics and associated metering equipment complete the system.

Abstract: A system for compensating for magnetic disturbances caused by the rotating stirrer magnet of a photometer sample cuvette on the photomultiplier tube of the photometer. To obtain the required compensation, a companion similar magnet is located coplanar with and adjacent to the main stirrer magnet and is counter-rotated synchronously with the main magnet in opposite magnetic phase therewith. The two counter-rotating magnets are physically located symmetrically with respect to the photomultiplier tube so that their magnetic effects on the electron flow of the photomultiplier tube cancel each other out. The companion magnet may be the stirrer magnet associated with a reference cuvette mounted in side-by-side relation to the sample cuvette. The counter-rotating magnets may be gearingly coupled together and may be mounted coaxially with respective ejection plungers associated with the cuvettes.

Abstract: A continuous-operation automatic device for detection and accurate measurement of the strength of a burst generating an emission from luminous or infrared sources. This device characterizes and analyzes the maxima and minima of a "thermal flux/time" curve. The device comprises a master time element and an assembly of photoelectric detectors, an electronic processing system coupled to the detectors, and a mechanical system securing the rigidity and positioning of the photoelectric detector assembly with respect to an octahedral prism based on a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A light-responsive system which includes a plurality of photosensitive elements respectively directed to different parts of a scene for respectively providing electrical inputs according to the brightness of the light at the different parts of the scene. The several inputs are supplied to a plurality of electrical circuits which in turn are connected with an output unit, these circuits operating in such a way that the output unit will be actuated only by that one of the inputs which corresponds to that part of the scene which has the maximum brightness or the minimum brightness. In this way it is possible to provide an output corresponding either to the maximum brightness of the scene or the minimum brightness of the scene without requiring scanning of the scene.

Abstract: A two infrared beam gas analyzer, with sample and reference paths and radiation chopper has two absorption cells as detectors wherein the pressures are compared in a first diaphragm capacitor and the sum with parameter modification by operation of pneumatic inpedances is formed in a second diaphragm capacitor. The ratio of the two capacitor outputs constitutes the output of the system. A compact unitary construction is described in detail including the detector chambers and one capacitor in a body serving as mounting element for the second capacitor with a frit like element interposed as pneumatic inpedances and rotational adjustment of that second capacitor as a whole results in parameter adjustment.