Abstract: A depixelizer for enhancing an image generated by a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels. The depixelizer comprising a translatable stage having the spatial light modulator attached thereto. The stage being moveable in a first axis of motion and a second axis of motion. The movement of the stage in at least one axis oscillates the spatial light modulator and enhances the image generated thereby.

Abstract: A projection display device wherein a modulated laser beam is scanned across a viewing surface by a system of rotating mirrors. A correcting mirror is provided for introducing small variations in the path of the beam. An instantaneous position of the beam on the viewing surface is monitored and a deviation between the actual pattern traversed by the beam and a predetermined scanning pattern is detected. The angular position of the correcting mirror is adjusted to reduce the deviation between the actual scanning pattern and the predetermined scanning pattern.

Abstract: A light modulator for modulating a beam of light of wavelength .lambda. including a substrate, a fixed electrode formed over the substrate and arranged to reflect light; an insulative transparent layer defining a modulating region formed over the fixed electrode wherein the height of the insulative transparent layer is substantially an odd multiple of .lambda.

Abstract: A hand tremor compensating apparatus for a video camera has a bobbin for supporting and protecting a mirror section. The bobbin has a contact portion with a groove provided therein. A barrel is disposed at an outside of the bobbin. The barrel has a boss in which a post is inserted. The bobbin is slidably mounted on the boss. A rotation restraining section employs a magnetic force to restrain the movement of the bobbin. The magnetic force is an attractive force generated between magnets respectively fixed to the bobbin and the post.

Abstract: A single reflector, two-axis MEMS scanner made of a substrate. The substrate has nested, cut-out regions. Each region is independently rotatable about one of the axes. The axes of the regions are substantially orthogonal.

Abstract: A stereomicroscope has a left and a right stereo radiation path and adjusting means for selecting a stereo base. The main lens is arranged between an object to be observed and the adjusting means, which are preferably designed as opto-mechanical switching means. This arrangement allows an integrated structure with low light losses to be obtained.

Abstract: An optical detector includes a charge-coupled device (CCD). The CCD comprises an active cell for receiving a narrow beam of incident illumination and generating photoelectrons in response thereto, and a first stage readout register comprising a row of N transfer cells, where N>1. A first stage gate structure transfers charge packets consecutively from the active cell into the first stage readout register, whereby N successive charge packets are read into the N cells respectively of the first stage readout register. N second stage readout registers each comprise M transfer cells, where M>1, and a second stage gate structure transfers N charge packets from the N cells of the first stage readout register into respective first cells of the second stage readout registers and subsequently shifts the N charge packets from the respective first cells of the second stage readout registers to respective Mth cells thereof.

Abstract: In a video system for displaying a video picture composed of image points, whose color values and/or brightness values can be stored sequentially, according to a first set of parameters with predetermined parameter values containing number of lines, number of image points, line frequency and frame frequency as parameters, in an image storage which can be read out in accordance with a second set of parameters with different or identical parameter values for the parameters for displaying the stored video picture by means of a display device, the display device contains an individual light source which can be controlled in accordance with the color values and/or brightness values of the image points and whose light bundle can be projected onto a picture screen via an optical system, wherein the optical system has a raster scanning device by which the light bundle can be directed onto the picture screen on optional points within an image field for displaying the video picture of suitable dimensions and for which

Abstract: In order to improve an apparatus for generating an image in an image plane that is visible, in particular, for a human eye, comprising a radiation source which generates an image via an optical projection means by building up at least one row of image spots during an image build-up cycle by illuminating individual, adjacently located image spots and periodically repeating the image build-up cycle, so that it is possible to generate images as simply and, therefore, also as inexpensively as possible, it is suggested that a row of light sources comprising a plurality of semiconductor emitters be provided for the illumination of the image spots of the row of image spots, that the optical projection means associate each exit spot for the radiation of each semiconductor emitter with at least one of the image spots and that the optical projection means simultaneously image the exit spots of all the semiconductor emitters of the row of light sources onto the image spots associated therewith.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a multi-application, laser-array-based image system utilizes three linear laser arrays. Each linear array generates multiple (N>1) parallel output beamlets at one of the three primary colors (red, green, blue). The corresponding 1 to N output beamlets of the three linear arrays, each individually modulated in luminance according to a specific encoding scheme representing the video image to be produced on the viewing screen, are combined spatially to form a single white light linear array source. Through a projection/scanner optical system, the N output beamlets of the white light source are simultaneously directed to, and swept horizontally across a distant viewing screen, resulting in a swath of N lines of a graphic video image. By producing M contiguous swaths vertically down the viewing screen, a full image of M.times.N lines is produced.

Abstract: A panoramic vision apparatus having a simple structure is provided which produces an image from which the viewer feels a natural stretch. A shooter and a display are each provided with a prism. The shooting range is changed by a rotation of the prism of the shooter and the projection position is changed by changing the direction of the projected light by a rotation of the prism of the display. The shooter outputs a direction signal representative of the direction of the prism of the shooter in synchronism with a video signal. The display sets the direction of the prism thereof in accordance with the direction represented by the signal to project an image.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for a FLIR mounted in a cylindrical turret ch has five folding mirrors, two doubling as scanning mirrors, numerous lenses with aspherical surfaces and different refractive indices, and a rotatable head mirror. Some of the lenses and mirrors being mounted on remote controlled electrically powered focusing or scanning means.

Abstract: Currently, electronic imaging cameras use expensive array photodetectors instead of inexpensive linear photodetectors because they cannot scan linear detectors across the entire image within their exposure time and because the linear photodetectors do not capture sufficient photons to produce a high quality image. An image capture system is described that has a lens to form an image on an imaging plane, a linear detector mounted to preclude translational motion, a mirror for deflecting the image to the plane of the linear detector, and a mechanism that moves the mirror to scan the image across the linear detector.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a multi-application, laser-array-based image system utilizes three linear laser arrays. Each linear array generates multiple (N>1) parallel output beamlets at one of the three primary colors (red, green, blue). The corresponding 1 to N output beamlets of the three linear arrays, each individually modulated in luminance according to a specific encoding scheme representing the video image to be produced on the viewing screen, are combined spatially to form a single white light linear array source. Through a projection/scanner optical system, the N output beamlets of the white light source are simultaneously directed to, and swept horizontally across a distant viewing screen, resulting in a swath of N lines of a graphic video image. By producing M contiguous swaths vertically down the viewing screen, a full image of M.times.N lines is produced.

Abstract: A low-cost, high-resolution digital scanning camera for obtaining a digital image of objects within a field of view. Light from the objects in the field of view is reflected off a pivoting mirror through a focusing lens onto a linear CCD image sensor. The linear CCD image sensor provides the horizontal scan. A pivot means pivots the mirror to provide the vertical scan. A computer means converts the output of said CCD image sensor into an image of said objects in said field of view.

Abstract: A raster scanning system is disclosed which utilizes a post polygon optics which generates a field curvature to substantially reduce a differential bow. The post polygon optics of this invention comprises a first lens, a second lens and a wobble correction mirror. The second lens and the wobble correction mirror generate a field curvature to reduce the differential bow and the combination of the first lens, second lens and the wobble mirror correction minimizes the generated field curvature.

Abstract: A modulator for modulating incident rays of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart beam elements, each of which includes a light reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the beam elements in relation to one another and means for moving the beam elements relative to one another so that the beams move between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident rays of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the incident rays of light as they are reflected therefrom. At least one of the facing surfaces of the beam elements and underlying substrate is configured to reduce any tendency to stick as they are pulled together.

Abstract: A display device using laser comprises an input path for a composite video signal, a memory for storing the video signal by picture regions divided according to the size of picture, a controller for controlling the scanning position and the division of picture regions, a semiconductor laser for reading out R, G and B signals from the memory, and then scanning laser beams, and a scanning controller for controlling the path of a laser beam. The device displays an optical signal on a wall or large white surface without an additional cathode ray tube and adjusts screen size by controlling the distance between the device and the display surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for recording images occurring both before and after a triggering event. Temporarily stored images are continually refreshed, the most recent images replacing the oldest images, providing a continuously updated history of recent events in a memory configured as an endless loop. Upon receipt of an external trigger, a predetermined further quantity of temporary images are stored until the capacity of the temporary storage medium is reached and then all temporarily stored images are then permanently stored. The system includes a rotating polygon mirror which produces a sequence of image scan lines. A lens system focuses the scan lines onto a linear array of photodetectors. Transient digitizers or a CCD linear storage array temporarily stores image data received from the photodetectors. Upon receipt of a trigger, the temporarily stored images are transferred to permanent digital memory after a predetermined further quantity of images have been stored.

Abstract: A laser projection system for projecting an image onto a surface comprises a laser projector operably connectable to a computer. The computer controls the operation of the system. The laser projector comprises a laser beam source for generating a laser light beam, a collimator comprising a focusing leans for focusing the laser light beam to a focal point, a collimating lens for collimating the laser light beam beyond the focal point and a wedge-shaped lens having an apertured interposed between the focusing lens and collimating lens. The aperture has a size for passing the laser light beam therethrough. Two scanners direct the light beam about a light path. A photo sensor receives light refracted by the wedge-shaped lens and generates a feedback signal. A plurality of target reflectors, each having a retroreflective material for retroreflecting light back to its source.

Abstract: An image mover having a reduced sizing for the steering mirror and rotator assembly and associated components and motors is disclosed. The image mover comprises a relay lens to collimate and relay angular information of the light image from the projector scanning mirror. Rotators, such as K-mirror, pechan prism or dove prism, rotate the collimated image responsive to horizontal movement of the image. A restoring lens, which can either be a fixed focal length or a zoom lens, restores the collimated light image proportional to the angular information of the image produced by the projector. The restored diverging image is projected to a steering mirror and steered onto a viewing surface in real time.

Abstract: A spherical integrator has beam input and output apertures. The output aperture is opened at a position to which incident beam does not directly strike. The integrator has a curved inner surface which is a uniform diffusion surface. A galvanometer scanner has a mirror capable of adjusting a reflection angle of the beam from a light source such that a luminous energy beam reflected by the mirror to the input aperture is quantitatively varied. Beam from the light source is reflected by the mirror of the scanner to the input aperture of the integrator which diffuses and integrates the incident beam and outputs it through the output aperture.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pixel clock to control the timing of data pulses in an optical scanning device. A VCO is utilized to generate the pixel clock. The control voltage for the VCO is provided by a digital-to-analog converter ("DAC") which converts the count generated by a pixel reference location counter driven by a reference clock. The output of the DAC is fed back as the reference voltage for the DAC. The effect is to either increase or decrease the DAC reference voltage depending on whether positive or negative feedback is implemented, thereby varying the pixel clock frequency for the image data stream as a function of pixel position. By selecting the appropriate feedback and feedback gain, the pixel placement can be made uniform across the scan line.

Abstract: A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced-apart elements, each of which includes a light-reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light-reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation the light-reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of the respective elements is equal to m/4 .times.