Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Taizo Yoshida

Masanori Itagaki

Masaaki Mori

Masamitsu Haruna

Tatsumi Ishiwata

Jiro Koyama

Kouji Mori

An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric elements arranged in the form of a single array and divided into n number of blocks each of which includes m number of the photoelectric elements commonly connected at one end. In one form of the present invention, a single operational amplifier and m number of switching circuits are used to establish operational independency of the m.times.n photoelectric elements. In other forms, operational independecy of the m.times.n photoelectric elements is established by using an array of blocking diodes or operational amplifiers constructed in the form of IC, but all of the components of a driving or scanning circuit, including these blocking diodes or operational amplifiers, are so structured to be mounted on the same substrate which is remarkably compact in size. Also provided are various forms of photoelectric cells which are particularly suited to be incorporated into an image sensing device and methods for manufacturing the same.

Image sensing

An optical switching device for switching the transmission of light waves is provided. The main feature of the present invention is the usage of a light-transmitting, crystalline material having a temperature dependent index of refraction. That is, the light transmission condition is altered by controlling the temperature of such a material. In one form of the present invention, a main waveguide and a branched waveguide are provided and light waves are switched between the main and branched waveguides by controlling the temperature of a particlar portion of the intersection region. In another form of the present invention, a pair of waveguides is oppositely arranged in an end-to-end relation with a gap therebetween, and a switching region is defined in the gap. When the switching region is heated, the waveguides are optically connected; whereas, they are optically disconnected at normal temperature condition.

Optical switching device

Growing community of inventors

Ikeda, Japan

Taizo Yoshida