Abstract: A holder for food, drink and utensils includes a flat oval-shaped platform having a central food supporting portion and an upturned peripheral retaining lip, and a pair of cup-shaped recessed compartments connected to and extending below the platform. The compartments are spaced from one another at opposite ends of the platform. One recessed compartment is a beverage container compartment and the other is a utensil compartment. A third recessed compartment can be provided as an option to hold a party dip. The container compartment is larger in diameter than the utensil compartment. The dip compartment is preferably oblong in shape and of a shallower depth than the other two which are equal in depth. The container and utensil compartments make the holder capable of standing by itself in an upright fashion.

Abstract: An optical instrument and method for measuring susceptibility to glare of a human vision system is described which comprises a glare light source of preselected intensity sufficient to generate glare in the vision system of a subject, an acuity target having first opaque or partially transparent areas and second translucent areas defining a pattern of recognizable indicia on the target, a housing supporting target and source side-by-side for simultaneous viewing by the subject, and a reflective surface within the housing for directing light from the source onto the back surface of the target for substantially uniform transillumination of the target with light from the source. Optional optical filters may be placed between the source and subject, target and subject, or source and reflective surface, for selectively filtering light viewed by the subject. A movable cover plate may be included for selectively exposing the source to the subject in certain glare susceptibility measurements.

Abstract: An improved glide slope indicator system for facilitating aircraft landings under adverse lighting conditions on remote or austere landing sites is provided which comprises a pair of indicators deployable near ground level on each side of a runway, each indicator including a housing having an optical window and a pair of light sources mounted in predetermined spaced relationship to each other and to the optical window and connected to a power source and related circuitry to project a well defined first blinking and second steady light beam of predetermined angular divergence and overlap, one indicator disposed to project beams with an overlap elevated at a first angle relative to horizontal and the other indicator disposed to project beams with an overlap elevated at a second angle relative to horizontal different from the first, with a preselected glide path lying between the two overlaps.

Abstract: A method of measuring haze of an aircraft transparency includes producing a first reading representative of the level of light scattered by an area of a transparency under test while on the aircraft when it is illuminated by a known light source, and producing a second reading representative of the level of light scattered by a predetermined, preferably worst haze condition, reference plate when it is illuminated by the light source in place of the transparency. Then, a ratio of the first and second readings is calculated to provide a quantitative measure proportional to the degree of haze in the transparency test area.

Abstract: A novel optical device and method for measuring intraocular light scatter in a human vision system of a subject is described which comprises first and second light sources of respective predetermined intensities, the images of which are optically folded along a common optical axis and projected into the vision system of the subject, the first source being of intensity sufficient to generate intraocular haze in the vision system of the subject, the second source being movable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis along which its image is projected whereby the second source image as viewed by the subject may be selectively viewed with respect to the first source image to measure the apparent peripheral extent of the haze surrounding the first source image.

Abstract: A novel decoy providing the deceptive appearance of a genuine three-dimensional object, such as a vehicle, is described which comprises a plurality of modular table units each of predetermined shape and assembled in an abutting relationship to form an outline of the vehicle, each said table unit supported by a framework including leg elements in a spaced relationship above the ground whereby a shadow is cast in said outline, to further the deceptive appearance of said decoy as viewed from the air, and a vertical element, supported by said assemblage of table units, in the shape of an elevational view of said vehicle, to provide a deceptive elevational view of said vehicle.

Abstract: A method of measuring haze in a transparency includes the steps of illuminating a transparency to be measured from one side using a semi-collimated light source disposed in a predetermined angular relationship to the transparency, measuring the illumination (E) falling on a surface of the transparency from the one side thereof, then along a predetermined line of measurement through the transparency using a photometer to measure the veiling luminance (L) within the transparency from another side of the transparency opposite to the one side thereof, and, finally, calculating the haze index of the transparency by solving H.sub.i =L/E.

Abstract: A novel instrument and method for measuring the accommodative amplitude and speed of the eye of a subject is described. The instrument for making the measurements according to the present invention comprises a pair of illuminated or luminous visual displays disposed for viewing along an optical axis, the images of the displays superimposed upon each other for viewing by a subject, one of the displays comprising a pattern having a plurality of distinct and recognizable orientations with respect to the axis along which it is viewed, an orientation generator for randomly and alternately generating one of the orientations for viewing by the subject, a switch operable by the subject for turning the displays off and indicating the observed orientation of the random pattern, and a recorder for recording the last displayed orientation and the time the displays were on or the time between presentation of one display and the correct identification of the other.

Abstract: A novel vision test device and method for measuring the ability of a subject to perceive contrasts is described, which comprises a chart for display to the subject having a plurality of visual test shapes systematically organized thereover in a predetermined array on a background of preselected luminance or reflectance level, each test shape having a preselected luminance level providing maximum contrast relative to background at its center and substantially zero contrast relative to background at its edges, the luminance (or reflectance) level of each test shape varying radially from its center outwardly according to a Gaussian distribution of preselected distribution factor.

Abstract: A novel device and method for determining the contrast sensitivity of a subject is provided and comprises a test chart including a plurality of patches systematically organized in a predetermined array, each patch having a plurality of adjacent patterned areas, at least one of which is a pattern of alternate light and dark regions of predetermined contrast, and the remaining patterned areas are solid gray patterns of predetermined reflectance, each contrast pattern being characterized by a space average reflectance equal to the predetermined reflectance value of the adjacent gray patterned areas. The spatial frequency and contrast of the alternate dark and light regions may be varied in the array of patches. In the method for determining the visual contrast sensitivity of the vision system of a subject, a chart of the invention is displayed to the subject at successively shorter distances, and the greatest distance at which the subject can resolve each contrast pattern is determined and recorded.

Abstract: An image layout arrangement suitable for transposing small template located images into large work surface located images with any required degree of image resolution and detail, using simple, low-cost tools. An exemplary layout of aircraft images to a runway surface for use in enhancing air base survivability is included and employs point-by-point image transposition according to a plurality of point locating arrangements.

Abstract: An arrangement for conveniently changing the illumination in an aircraft cockpit or other enclosure to a spectrum compatible with night vision infrared equipment including provision for easy return to the original illumination source. Selected LED elements are employed in multiple element arrays using a tether connected package that can be excited directly from existing wiring in fixtures.

Abstract: A novel vision tester and vision testing method is described which comprises a pair of translucent displays, each transilluminated by electroluminescent lighting panels, the images of the two patterns being superimposed to provide a combined image characterized by a pattern of variable contrast. Light sensors near each light panel provide a measure of the relative intensities of the two images, which provides a measure of the contrast of each combined image. Contrast may be directly read out by processing the signals from the light sensors. The tester may be battery powered for portability.

Abstract: A diffuse incandescent runway marker light apparatus has a housing with a visible light diffusing plate mounted in one end and an infrared light diffusing plate mounted in the other end, and a pair of incandescent light sources mounted in the housing and aimed toward the respective housing end plates. A switch, when flipped to a first position, turns on one light source for producing visible illumination and turns off the other light source. The switch, when flipped to a second position, turns off the one light source and turns on the other light source for producing infrared illumination. In such manner, the appropriate type of illumination for marking the runway for overt or covert landing operation may be selected. When the switch is flipped to a third position, both light sources are turned off.

Abstract: A glide slope indicator system in which light from an incoming aircraft's landing light is shaped by spherical/cylindrical lens combination into a line image which strikes a linear photodiode array. By determining which photodiode in the array the center of the line image strikes, the glide slope angle can be determined. An appropriate signal is communicated to the pilot via a pair of indicator lights mounted on the runway depending upon whether the aircraft is above, below or on the desired glide slope angle.

Abstract: An improved helmet is provided including means to telescopically acquire an image of a field of view, which comprises, a telescopic optical system including an objective lens mounted to said helmet above the line of sight of the wearer, a light-conducting fiber optics bundle mounted to said helmet for receiving the image from the objective lens, and collimating lens for receiving the image from the fiber optics bundle and projecting the image onto a helmet-mounted visor in the line of sight of the wearer. A shutter, remotely controllable by the wearer, may be disposed intermediate the objective lens and display to selectively block transmission of the image.

Abstract: A replaceable anti-reflection shield for the glare surface beneath the windscreen of a vehicle is described which comprises a flexible panel of light absorbing material, such as black cloth, velvet, canvas or plastic, of size and configuration corresponding to that of the glare surface for placement on and conformance to the contour of the glare surface beneath the windscreen, and peripheral attaching means such as adhesive strips, snaps, Velcro.RTM. strips, suction cups, or similar devices, on the flexible panel for detachably securing the peripheral edges of the panel to the glare surface, whereby the panel is easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: An optical alignment device for binocular displays is provided which comprises a pair of objective lenses and adjacent lens apertures for receiving the images transmitted along the two optical axes of the binocular display and optical folding means in the form of folding mirrors, right-angle prisms, or the like, disposed along each said optical axis for optically folding said images along a single optical axis, whereby the said images may be focused as a single composite image on an imaging plane.

Abstract: A portable visual function tester and testing method is described for rapid and accurate measurement of several human vision parameters, including critical fusion frequency, stereopsis, Snellen visual acuity and visual resolution, cyclophoria, eye dominance, and lateral and vertical phoria, which comprises, first and second illuminated visual displays disposed for viewing by respective left and right eyes of a subject along respective parallel first and second optical axes, each display comprising an array of visual display patterns, one pattern of each display comprising a pair disposed for simultaneous viewing by the subject in the measurement of a corresponding vision parameter; the display patterns include an illuminated blinking disk for measurement of critical fusion frequency, a rectangular array of four-dot sets for measurement of stereopsis, an array of Snellen E designs of various sizes and orientations for measurement of visual acuity, and a resolution fan comprising a pattern of a plurality of rad

Abstract: A method of measuring optical properties of a transparency uses a video camera for focusing and then refocusing an image of a point source of light transmitted through a test region when the transparency is first absent and then later present at the test region. The distance the camera needs to be moved together with the focal length of a focusing lens used in carrying out the method provide sufficient quantitative data to calculate the spherical optical power of the transparency. Also, the camera generates video images of the point source both before and after the transparency is present in the test region. These images are displayed on a screen containing a grid pattern which facilitates measurement of the displacement of the image from the center of the grid or from the optical axis due to the presence of prismatic deviation in the transparency. Given the earlier data and supplemented by the latter displacement quantity, the prismatic deviation of the transpareny can also be calculated.