An apparatus and method for detecting particles. The invention provides for decomposing, compressing, and scrambling digital image data and forwarding the decomposed, compressed and scrambled image data to a destination where the image data is decompressed, re-composed, and descrambled prior to display. The first type path can include a designated section position from a packet header, the second type path can include a short field from a packet attribute, and the third type field can include a long field from a packet header. A photo control circuit is configured to control application of the pulse width modulated signal to the drive transistor responsive to a detected light level. An assessment predicting unit outputs the results of an assessment of a package in which an assessment expression has already been established, by using the assessment expression. The retaining parts are each provided at a foot end with a laterally projecting adapter plate which is fastened to the inner side of a glass panel by means of an adhesive.