Abstract: A solar concentrator has frame members connected together to form a framework, and a flexible sheet attached to the framework such that the flexible sheet takes a loose shape and can flex in response to shaping forces exerted thereon. The sheet has a reflective surface located between the frame members. A shaping force system is operative, when activated, to exert the shaping forces on the sheet, the shaping forces configured to draw the sheet from the loose shape into a desired shape such that solar rays striking the reflective surface are focused on a target, and a solar energy receiver is attached to the framework at a location corresponding to the target. Thin wall tubing filled with pressurized air can provide strong light frame members. When the shaping force system is deactivated, the flexible sheet reverts substantially to the loose shape.

Abstract: A light collector includes: a light guide; optical blocks, each of which has top and bottom surfaces and front and rear surfaces which extend curvedly and frontwardly from the top surface to the bottom surface, the rear surface exhibiting total internal reflection and having a focal point; and optical coupling protrusions, each of which protrudes from the bottom surface, each of which is disposed at the focal point and each of which is coupled to the light-entrance surface of the light guide. The front surface of one of every two adjacent ones of the optical blocks overlaps the rear surface of the other of every two adjacent ones of the optical blocks along a normal direction of the light guide.

Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly for a rearview mirror, including a housing connector having a first pivot member operably connected with an extension tube. A mount includes a windshield bracket and a sensor assembly. The windshield bracket is proximate to the sensor assembly and supports the sensor assembly against the vehicle windshield. A second pivot member includes a first end operably connected with the extension tube and a second end operably connected with the mount.

Abstract: A method of printing a holographic 3D image is provided. The method includes forming sub-voxels on a hologram recording material, the sub-voxels including one or more colors.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to durable solar mirror films, methods of making durable solar mirror films, and constructions including durable solar mirror films. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a solar mirror film comprising: a multilayer optical film layer including having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of less than about 30 ppm per percent relative humidity; and a reflective layer having a coefficient of hygroscopic expansion.

Abstract: An image display according to an embodiment includes a first image-displaying portion that displays first information about a certain object as a first image of object color, and a second image-displaying portion that displays second information about the object as a second image of structural color provided by a relief structure, the relief structure including at least one structure selected from the group consisting of diffraction grating, hologram, and light-scattering structure having an anisotropic light-scattering property. According to an example, the object is a person, and the first image includes a facial image of the person. A labeled article according to another embodiment includes the image display, and a substrate supporting the image display.

Abstract: A lens cap includes: a cap main frame; and a pair of operating members attached to a front surface of the cap main frame, wherein, when the operating members are made to slide outward by a biasing force, engaging portions at outer ends of the operating members are engaged with to-be-engaged portions in the front end opening, while first locking portions are formed at inner edges of the operating members, and second locking portions are formed on back surfaces of the operating members, concave portions are formed on the front surface of the cap main frame, first openings and second openings are formed in bottoms of the concave portions, cover plates are placed on the back surface of the cap main frame, and biasing members are placed between the cover plates and the back surface of the cap main frame.

Abstract: A device for adjusting rear view mirrors includes a vehicle-side first element and a movable second element. A reflecting surface is attached to the second element. One of the first or second elements has a concave surface, and the other element has a convex surface. The second element pivots about at least one axis that is fixed with respect to the first element. A joining slot is formed where the convex surface slides over the concave surface. One of the elements has a sealing lip that makes sliding contact with the other element and prevents foreign objects from entering the slot between the convex surface and the concave surface. The sealing lip annularly contacts either the convex surface or the concave surface. Alternatively, the concave surface is formed by a spherical shell, and the sealing lip slides over a second convex surface disposed on the shell opposite the concave surface.

Abstract: A retroreflective article includes a prismatic film having prismatic elements with a metallized coating wherein the metallized coating is laser etched to provide one or more light transmissive regions to expose underlying material that one or more provides high contrast images that contrast with the retroreflective film. The underlying material can include one or more contrasting elements. The article may be back-lighted to increase the contrast especially during conditions of reduced lighting.

Abstract: An adjustable mirror system, including a flexible mirror configured to change curvature, a shaft coupled to the mirror, a cylinder, wherein the cylinder is configured to receive the shaft and a fluid, and an actuator coupled to the housing, wherein the actuator increases and decreases the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder to drive the shaft and change the curvature of the flexible mirror.

Abstract: An optical AND gate is provided that includes an optical thyristor configured to receive first and second digital optical signal inputs. The optical AND gate further includes control circuitry operably coupled to terminals of said optical thyristor. The control circuitry is configured to control switching operation of said optical thyristor in response to the ON/OFF states of the first and second digital optical signal inputs such that the optical thyristor produces a digital output signal that represents the AND function of the first and second digital optical signal inputs. In another aspect, an AND gate is provided that includes a thyristor and control circuitry operably coupled to terminals of the thyristor.

Abstract: A holographic sight is provided having a housing that includes a plurality of holograph sight components. A laser diode mounted in the housing is configured to emit a laser light beam. The light beam is transmitted to an integrated diffraction grating and filter unit which includes a grating and a filter in a single device. The diffraction grating has a grating surface for diffracting the light beam and also diffracting unwanted ambient light transmitted into the housing. The filter is an optical filter contacting at least a portion of the grating. The optical filter is adapted to absorb at least one wavelength of the ambient light to inhibit the ambient light from diffracting into a visible spectrum that might otherwise be viewable to a user looking into the holographic sight.

Abstract: A magnifying imaging optical unit has at least four mirrors to image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. An absolute value of the Petzval radius of the image field is greater than 500 mm. The imaging optical unit can be used to inspect with sufficient imaging quality relatively large mask sections of lithography masks used during projection exposure to produce large scale integrated semiconductor components.

Abstract: A multi-layer body includes a carrier film, a release layer, an embossed hologram layer, and a vapor-plated reflection layer. An adhesive layer is UV activated and includes a partially activated zone. Cured adhesive regions connect a transparent polycarbonate film and parts of the embossed hologram layer to one another inseparably. The cured adhesive regions are arranged about the periphery of an uncured adhesive region of the adhesive layer to form a frame around the uncured adhesive region. A forgery-proof document is produced using the multi-layer body. Uncured adhesive regions of the multi-layer body are partially cured with UV light through an information-carrying optical mask. The carrier film is removed together with the release layer and non-bonded embossed hologram layer regions. An upper protective film is applied to individualized embossed hologram layers and is hot pressed together with additional films.

Abstract: Algorithms for improved and more efficient rendering of three-dimensional images for use with holographic display systems. These algorithms include creating layers orthogonal to a viewing direction, the separate layers representing different depths in the image. The layers are created based on knowing the color and depth of each point in the image. Each layer then goes through an FFT process until the information for each layer is represented as a diffraction pattern. A holographic lens is then applied to the diffraction pattern of each layer. This lens will cause that layer to appear, in a hologram based thereon, at a different depth than the other layers. The layers, each with their separate lenses, are then coherently summed up and when applied to a suitable portion of a holographic display system (e.g., an SLM), a hologram can be created for that view. A tiled array of such holograms can be combined together by the holographic display system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast generation of a hologram image. The method may include generating a point hologram corresponding to each three-dimensional (3D) point using sub-sampling, generating a hologram pattern using the generated point hologram, and generating a 3D hologram by interpolating the generated hologram pattern.

Abstract: An illumination device has an optical device and an irradiation unit. The irradiation unit has a light source emitting a coherent light beam, and a scanning device capable of adjusting a reflection angle of the coherent light beam emitted from the light source. The light source has light sources emitting a plurality of coherent light beams having an identical wavelength range, the hologram recording medium has a recording area to be scanned with each of a plurality of coherent light beams reflected by the scanning device, and the recording area has an interference fringe that diffracts an incident coherent light beam. The optical device uses the plurality of coherent light beams diffracted by the interference fringe of the recording area so that each of the coherent light beams diffracted by the hologram recording medium is superimposed on at least one portion to reproduce the image of the reference member.

Abstract: A vehicle overhead console is provided which includes a conversation mirror assembly having a housing capable of storing a conversation mirror. The conversation mirror may travel between a stored and a use position. The conversation mirror is releasably secured to the stored and use positions by way of magnetic, tab, and spring arrangements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical article comprising a substrate, at least one of the main surfaces of which is coated with a first coating comprising, at its surface, silanol groups and, in direct contact with this coating, a second coating which is a precursor for an antifog coating, the second coating being formed by deposition, on the first coating, of at least one compound A having a polyoxyalkylene group, and at least one group capable of establishing a covalent bond with a silanol group, wherein the second coating comprises an internal part, in which compound A is grafted to the first coating, and an external part, which can be removed by washing and/or wiping, resulting from the deposition of the compound A, and wherein the second coating is coated with at least one temporary layer comprising at least 50% by weight of silica.

Abstract: A rotary motion controller controlling the motion of a mirror in a projection system is described having a mounting element coupled to a support member. A two-axis coupling is provided with at least two input shafts coupled to two drive mechanisms. A channeled portion is provided in a second of the two input shafts through which the support member extends there through and is guided thereby and where the at least one support member is coupled to the first input shafts via an input coupling coupled to and driving the support member and a control input controlling the position of the at least two input shafts. A method of controlling a mirror in an underwater projection system is also provided along with a method of operating a controller for an underwater projection system and a further embodiment for providing movement of a mirror in an underwater projector.