Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer for enhancing the quality of images that have been subjected to degradation. One example of such degradation occurs as the result of haze in the atmosphere. An enhancement function is derived according to a reference digital image and a degraded version of the reference digital image. The enhancement function is applied to a new digital image to produce an enhanced digital image.

Abstract: A plurality of imagers, each responsive to a different wavelength range of light radiation, share the same optical system of lenses. An optical film on a substrate is used to split the light beam emanating from the shared optical system. The first wavelength range is reflected by the film to a first imager. The second wavelength range is transmitted through the film and the substrate to a second imager.

Abstract: A passive matrix organic light emitting display system includes a plurality of pixels configured for emitting light when energized by one of a plurality of row electrodes and one of a plurality of column electrodes. The display system also comprises a plurality of column drivers configured for energizing the plurality of column electrodes. The display system also comprises a plurality of row drivers configured for energizing the plurality of row electrodes. At least two of the plurality of row drivers are configured to simultaneously energize at least two of the plurality of row of electrodes. A method of displaying information on a passive matrix organic light emitting display system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical coupler is designed to be utilized with multiple light sources. The optical coupler can include a reflecting mirror, a plurality of coupling rods, and an integrating rod. The reflecting mirror receives light from the light sources and reflects light to the coupling rods. The coupling rods provide a path for the light to the integrating rod.

Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system with increased power handling capabilities for low melting point fiber optics uses an optical homogenizer. Homogenizers of the present invention preferably comprise a rod with polygonal cross-section. The output intensity of the optical homogenizer is substantially uniform such that the output fiber optic will not be damaged by hot spots created by non-uniform intensity light.

Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system with the output spectrum of the arc lamp modified using filters to reduce the magnitude of the spikes in the spectrum such that the resulting output has the desired chromaticity and color rendering index of white light.

Abstract: Two-layer, thin film coating designs on glass substrates are described which reduce coated surface reflectance while inhibiting the visibility of fingerprints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating optical substrates, such as a combiner substrate, is provided so as to create aspheric optical elements, such as aspheric combiners for heads up displays. Due to its asphericity, the aspheric optical element, such as an aspheric combiner, can compensate or correct for optical aberrations within an optical system, such as a heads up display. However, the coating method and apparatus of the present invention allows aspheric optical elements, including aspheric combiners, to be repeatedly fabricated in a less expensive manner. The coating apparatus includes a fixture for holding an optical substrate, such as a combiner substrate, in a predetermined aligned relation with a mask. The mask defines an opening having a predetermined shape which varies in at least one radial direction and through which a portion of the optical substrate is exposed.

Abstract: An aircraft head-up display with a combiner using a thin film dielectric reflector with a contoured reflectance spectrum of a narrow bandwidth that matches the spectrum of the light output of a cathode-ray tube whose phosphors produce a narrow bandwidth light output used to create visual data for display to the pilot. The dielectric combiner is constructed with a dielectric coating made up of ion deposited layers, with alternate layers having different indices of refraction and possibly different thicknesses near one quarter wavelength thick. The resultant combiner transmits ambient light essentially without attenuation at all visible light frequencies except those frequencies of the visual data produced by the CRT phosphors, which are reflected into superposition with the background viewable through the combiner.

Abstract: An aspheric cylindrical lens for collimating, with low optical aberrations, the asymmetrically diverging beams of diode laser arrays and a method of fabricating such lenses. The aspheric cylindrical lens are formed from a plano-spherical optical lens. The planar surface of the lens is then optimized such that each ray of light from a diverging input light source will travel the same optical path length in reaching a predetermined collimation plane. Due to the optimization process, an aspherical front lens surface is formed from the initial planar lens surface. The aspheric cylindrical lens may be formed by means of a drawing process in which a master lens element is drawn into a plurality of aspheric cylindrical lens elements. In such a drawing process, a master lens element is manufactured having a spherical back lens surface and an optimized front lens surface which are proportionately identical in cross-section to resulting aspheric cylindrical lens, but substantially larger in physical dimensions.

Abstract: A hybrid lens for collimating, with low optical aberrations, an asymmetrically diverging input wavefront. The hybrid lens has a front surface which serves to diffract the input wavefront and a back surface which serves to refract the wavefront. Embodiments are described comprised of either a single plano-convex optical lens or a pair of lenses, one of which is a plano lens and the other or which is plano-convex. In either alternative, the convex surface is spherical. The planar surface of the single plano-convex lens or the back lens surface of the plano lens is optimized such that each ray of light from a diverging input light source will travel the same optical path length in reaching a predetermined collimation plane. This optimization is done by means of binary optic technology which uses a reactive-ion etch to form the requisite eight-level binary optic diffraction pattern.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an apparatus for combining a reflected image in a heads-up-display system with an unobstructed view of the outside world and a system for providing a heads-up-display. The heads-up-display system utilizes a dielectric combiner in order to eliminate flare and increase the system's mechanical stability. The combiner apparatus is comprised of a transmissive substrate and a plurality of dielectric layers which selectively reflects light within a narrow range of wavelengths. The use of dielectric thin films provides a mechanically stable and durable combiner element for a heads-up-display system while eliminating the deleterious effects of flare present in combiner elements utilizing a holographic optical element.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention a binary alignment corrector for correcting the directional errors caused by non-linear placement or "bowing" of diodes within laser arrays. The binary alignment corrector is an array of diffraction gratings with each diffraction grating corresponding to an individual diode of the laser array. Based on the amount of angular misalignment for a particular laser diode, the grating period of its corresponding diffraction grating is calculated. The binary alignment corrector is then fabricated by very large scale integration techniques such that each individual diffraction grating of the binary alignment corrector has a grating period sufficient to properly align its corresponding laser diode. Furthermore, a bias angle may be introduced in the alignment of each laser diode so that laser diodes which are only slightly misaligned may also be corrected.

Abstract: A compact optical scanning system comprises a portable enclosure structure having a cover portion which includes a glass enclosed aperture over which a UPC label attached to a purchased merchandise item is moved. Mounted within the enclosure below the cover portion is a laser whose output coherent light beam is reflected along a path extending in a direction parallel to the cover portion by mirrors mounted on a shelf extending between opposite side walls of enclosure. The laser beam is directed through an aperture in a collection mirror to a bifocal lens which includes a second lens for focusing the received laser beam at the aperture by directing the laser beam at a mirror mounted so as to reflect the laser beam at a six-sided multi-faceted rotating mirrored spinner mounted on the floor of the enclosure directly beneath the shelf and the bifocal lens.

Abstract: A holographic scanning system for scanning a bar coded label is disclosed in which the light beams of a laser are directed at a set of holograms located on a rotating disk in which each hologram will generate an individual scan beam having a slightly different focal length and direction angle from that of the other holograms. Each of the scanning beams is directed at a plurality of mirrors which reflect the beams in the form of a scanning pattern on a scanning area through which a coded label on an article will pass. Each of the scanning beams is projected in an overlapping relationship on the scanning area, thereby providing an enhanced depth of focus enabling a more effective reading operation. The light reflected from the bar coded label is collected by the holograms for collimating the reflected light beams. The collimated light beams are directed at a lens member which focuses the received light beams on a photodetector for use in reading the bar coded label.

Abstract: An optical reader control system includes a source of radiant energy mounted above a checkout counter and detecting means mounted adjacent an aperture in the supporting surface of the counter receives the radiant energy to control the operation of the optical reader mounted within the counter for projecting scanning beams through the aperture. One embodiment of the detecting means includes a pair of photodetectors mounted in the supporting surface of the counter on both sides of the aperture for turning the optical reader on and off. A second embodiment includes a single photodetector mounted in the supporting surface upstream of the aperture for turning on the optical reader and a timer operable upon the positioning of a merchandise item over the photodetector for turning off the optical reader after the expiration of a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A laser system, and method therefor, is disclosed which uses a single holographic bifocal lens element, comprised of non-overlapping first and second holographic lenses, to perform a plurality of different functions in the system. The field lens converges and focuses the first reconstructed beam on a desired target. Light reflected from the target back to the second holographic lens causes that lens to generate and focus a second reconstructed beam at a collection point. The holographic bifocal lens element is fabricated by initially producing a lenslet holographically by recording the interference of two point sources on a first portion of the same side of a hologram recording medium and then producing a collection lens holographically by recording the interference of two point sources on opposite sides of the hologram recording medium.

Abstract: A two axis adjustable optical mount capable of lock down after alignment is rovided by a dual ring arrangement which represents a segment of two concentric spheres. An optical element such as a lens or mirror is held within an inner ring by a retaining ring. The inner ring fits within the outer ring to form a partially concentric sphere arrangement across the diameter. Orthogonally mounted set screws can be used to adjust the relationship of the inner ring to the outer ring and a collar screw clamp is used to freeze the relationship between the inner and outer rings once the desired orientation is achieved.

Abstract: A method for constructing an optical filter for use in a holographic scanner includes exposing a photographic film to a laser, developing the film and reinserting the developed film into the unexpanded output beam of the laser to provide a uniform illumination of the outputted beam. The filter is positioned in the reference beam in the construction of a hologram used in the holographic scanner.

Abstract: A method of producing near infrared polarizers is disclosed using holograc techniques. The interference pattern from two intersecting laser beams is used to produce a plane grating in a layer of photoresist which has been deposited on a layer of conductive material which in turn has been used to coat a substrate. Ion milling reproduces the plane grating in the conductive material layer by selectively etching away a uniform level of material.