Abstract: An apparatus for determining surface topology of a portion of a three-dimensional structure is provided, that includes a probing member, an illumination unit, a light focusing optics, a translation mechanism, a detector and a processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided, that includes a probing member, an illumination unit, a light focusing optics, a translation mechanism, a detector and a processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided, that includes a probing member, an illumination unit, a light focusing optics, a translation mechanism, a detector and a processor.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided, that includes a probing member, an illumination unit, a light focusing optics, a translation mechanism, a detector and a processor.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (t2) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams passing through a focusing optics and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (t2) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (t2) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: A system for optical scanning along one line with fast random access and high optical resolution, composed of: a plurality of first lenslets (240) constructed for use with a selected media format (224), the plurality of lenslets (240) all being disposed in a single row and being spaced apart by a given center-to-center distance; a movable mount carrying the plurality of lenslets (240), a linear motion actuator (241) coupled to the mount for moving the mount in a direction substantially parallel to the single row over a distance having a maximum value that is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the given center-to-center distance; at least one light source (260); a light directing unit (234) for directing light from the source to any one or two selected lenslets (240); and a control unit for controlling the light directing unit (234).

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident tight rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beam, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a rotating optical disk, including: a scanning assembly for directing a light beam toward the disk surface and causing the beam to traverse the surface; a focusing lens unit disposed in the path of the beam to focus the beam at the surface; and a light beam deflecting element disposed in the beam path between the scanning assembly and the focusing lens unit to deflect the beam toward a direction perpendicular to the surface. The focusing lens unit may be composed of a group of individual focusing lenses spaced apart parallel to the surface, each having an optical axis that is perpendicular to the surface and each being associated with a respective track; and light directing elements disposed in line with the path at a location for directing light substantially entirely to a respective one of the individual lenses.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: Determining surface topology of a portion (26) of a three-dimensional structure is provided. An array of incident light beams (36) passing through a focusing optics (42) and a probing face is shone on said portion. The focusing optics defines one or more focal planes forward the probing face in a position which can be changed (72) by the focusing optics. The beams generate illuminated spots (52) on the structure and the intensity of returning light rays propagating in an optical path opposite to that of the incident light rays is measured (60) at various positions of the focal plane(s). By determining spot-specific positions yielding a maximum intensity of the returned light beams, data is generated which is representative of said topology. Measurement of teeth. Light beams by grating of matrix of pinholes, micro lens array. Simultaneous imaging from three angles. Quicker with three different light components.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a rotating optical disk, including: a scanning assembly for directing a light beam toward the disk surface and causing the beam to traverse the surface; a focusing lens unit disposed in the path of the beam to focus the beam at the surface; and a light beam deflecting element disposed in the beam path between the scanning assembly and the focusing lens unit to deflect the beam toward a direction perpendicular to the surface. The focusing lens unit may be composed of a group of individual focusing lenses spaced apart parallel to the surface, each having an optical axis that is perpendicular to the surface and each being associated with a respective track; and light directing elements disposed in line with the path at a location for directing light substantially entirely to a respective one of the individual lenses.

Abstract: A wide angle directed reflector is disclosed. The directed reflector includes a lenticular layer including at least one array of lenslets, each of which having a focal length, The directed reflector further includes a reflective layer which is disposed relative to the lenticular layer. The lenticular layer and the reflective layer are constructed, designed and relatively disposed such that light incident at an angle of incidence on the lenticular layer is reflected by the reflective layer and redirected through the lenticular layer at a substantially constant angle relative to the angle of incidence.

Abstract: A system and a method for optical access of the surface of an optical disk (or another moving media information storage device) with a very short seek time is presented. The system uses two-dimensional deflection of a light (typically laser) beam. The beam reaches a stationary lenslet array, where, at a particular moment, it intercepts a single lenslet. The lenslet focuses the beam to a spot on the information storage surface of the disk. For reading information, the beam is reflected through the lenslet. Taking advantage of the "cat-eye" retro-reflection principle, only one detector (or very few detectors) is needed. Since only one spot at the surface is illuminated at any given moment, this spot gets most of the laser's light, allowing sufficient power concentration when needed for writing information on the disk.

Abstract: An optically-generated or computer-generated holographic diffusing screen usable in bringing an image to focus thereon is a hologram which upon reconstruction displays a substantially transparent annulus on a substantially opaque background. The annulus preferably has an outer diameter substantially equal to the exit pupil of the image-forming lens, which image is to be focused. The radial width of the transparent annular portion is very small relative to the outer diameter of the annulus. The holographic diffusion screen may be formed by making a holographic image of the substantially annular pattern or by exposing a holographic plate with two collimated mutually coherent beams of light, one beam being perpendicular to the plate while the other is at an angle with respect to the first beam, rotating the holographic recording plate a predetermined amount, and repeating the exposing and rotating steps until a predetermined number of exposures has been completed.

Abstract: A system and a method for optical access of the surface of an optical disk (or another moving media information storage device) with a very short seek time is presented. The system uses two-dimensional deflection of a light (typically laser) beam. The beam reaches a stationary lenslet array, where, at a particular moment, it intercepts a single lenslet. The lenslet focuses the beam to a spot on the information storage surface of the disk. For reading information, the beam is reflected through the lenslet. Taking advantage of the "cat-eye" retro-reflection principle, only one detector (or very few detectors) is needed. Since only one spot at the surface is illuminated at any given moment, this spot gets most of the laser's light, allowing sufficient power concentration when needed for writing information on the disk.