Abstract: This invention discloses a method of forming an uneven structure on a substrate. Use a hard tool to penetrate into a mold to cut a first trench and a second trench in an order on a surface of a mold, wherein the hard tool has a smoothly-curved shape such that the transverse width of each of the first trench and the second trench increases as the penetrating depth of the hard tool increases, wherein when each of the first trench and the second trench marches along a first direction, the penetrating depth of the hard tool is controlled by repeating moving the hard tool up and down to cut the mold such that the transverse width of each of the first trench and the second trench varies according to the controlled penetrating depth of the hard tool, wherein the first trench and the second trench completely overlap with each other with no space therebetween. Then, use the surface of the mold to emboss a thin film on a substrate.

Abstract: A device for capturing a three-dimensional object is presented, which allows, on one hand, a sufficiently large number of projected pixels and a high image quality of the projected pixels, and which has, on the other hand, a compact size and low assembly costs.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a shock-resistant night vision assembly is configured to detect a high-acceleration event, for example, resulting from a round or burst of high-caliber rifle fire. Upon detecting the event, a voltage such as a photocathode voltage is forced to an inactive or protective level and held there for approximately 50 ms, giving time for mechanical excursions of the microchannel plate to settle out. Damage from physical impact and electrostatic discharge may thus be mitigated.

Abstract: Indicators operable to preview or show the position and relative zoom level of a field of view within a virtual space. Virtual space exploration tools typically make use of a field of view for limiting a user's view of the virtual space and zooming in on a portion of the virtual space. A spherical indicator is provided to show the current position of the field of view within the virtual space, as well as provide an indication of level of zoom. A local field of view indication is also provided to show the current position of the field of view, as well as provide an indication of level of zoom, with respect to a nearby object within the virtual space. Such indicators may be useful in exploring outer space as well as landscapes and any other spaces.

Abstract: An observation device has an ocular lens and an objective lens and is adapted to observe through the ocular lens an intermediate image of an object formed by the objective lens. The observation device further includes a display section provided either on a light path connecting the ocular lens and the objective lens or on a light path branched off from the light path and displaying an image, and a light path switching section provided on the light path connecting the ocular lens and the objective lens and switching the light to be guided from the ocular lens to the objective lens and the image displayed on the display section to be guided to the ocular lens or the objective lens, thereby providing a small-sized observation device and binoculars having a display function.

Abstract: A night sight includes a notched bottom portion, permitting the use of a large objective lens for maximized light gathering capability while also permitting the night sight to be mounted with its center line relatively close to the center line of the barrel of the weapon with which it is used. This configuration permits the night sight to be mounted so that its center line is the same as the center line of a daytime telescopic sight used in conjunction with the night sight. The night sight includes a focusing assembly having decreased sensitivity to tilt or decenter, and a collimator mounted within a spherical bearing so that the collimator may be precisely aligned during assembly of the night sight. The night sight thereby ensures that an image viewed through the night sight appears to originate from the same angle as that with which the image entered the objective lens, and further resists a need to compensate for parallax during aiming.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an optical device comprises a telescope, a coronagraph device coupled to the telescope and having a focal plane occulting mask to provide a coronagraphic image, and a reticulate grid element arranged in a light path propagated through the telescope, at a location relative to the coronagraphic image, to create controlled fiducial spots in the coronagraphic image.

Abstract: An improved electronic aiming device for use with a weapon or other manually aimed device. Means are provided to vary the field of view, i.e., the magnification, of the aiming device in relation to the movement of the device upon which the aiming device is securely mounted and the target.

Abstract: A portable searchlight with a focused beam operating both in the infrared and visible portions of the spectrum with a range of approximately 400 meters includes telescopic lens system integrated with an illumination system. The beam of the searchlight and the telescopic lens are automatically aligned to both focus on the distant object. The telescopic lens system is combined with a digital camera system and an LCD display. The searchlight includes an eyepiece lens enabling an user to choose either viewing a display screen or using the eyepiece lens to optically observe the field of view.

Abstract: A panoramic field of view acquiring system comprises three telescopes, which acquire three separate images, each typically covering a little over one third of the total required scene and a multiplexer, which is used to transmit the three images, one at a time, to an appropriate detector. Standard imaging techniques are then used to coordinate the images to form a complete picture and display them as required.

Abstract: A targeting unit is incorporated into the main body of a solar telescope. The targeting image is provided by an aperture facing the sun in the housing of the telescope through which sunlight is received and directed to a transmissive viewing screen placed in the housing on the same side of the telescope's eyepiece. All parts of the targeting system are fixed to the housing of the telescope and removed from accidental contact by personnel operating the telescope, thereby minimizing the chance for events that might cause misalignment. In addition, this configuration makes it possible to easily position both the viewing screen and the eyepiece on the same side of the telescope following any degree of folding of the objective beam.

Abstract: An aircraft collision avoidance system utilizing video signals of the air space surrounding the aircraft for determining whether an object, such as another aircraft, is too close. Use is made of various types of monitors to display the on coming object and its location relative to the protected aircraft. An audio alarm is provided for alerting the pilot of the danger as well as providing localization information. Video recordings store information for accident and near miss studies. The video signals can also be used for the entertainment of airline passengers. One preferred embodiment of the invention permits ground based experts to point out interesting objects that are visible due to the improved view provided passengers.

Abstract: A single sensor that can operate in multiple bands and display either one radiation band alone or multiple overlaid bands, using an appropriate color choice to distinguish the bands. The multiple-band sensor allows the user to look through at least one eyepiece and with the use of a switch, see scenes formed via the human eye under visible light, an II sensor, an MWIR sensor, or an LWIR sensor, either individually or superimposed. The device is equipped with multiple switching mechanisms. The first, for allowing the user to select between radiation bands and overlays, and the second, as with most thermal imaging sensors, for allowing the user to switch between “white-hot/black-hot” i.e., a polarity switch.

Abstract: A simplified hand held stereoscopic imaging system in which stereoscopic recording and three-dimensional playback of objects viewed with the device is provided with a single recording element and a single playback element.

Abstract: A solar telescope is disclosed that facilitates safe observation of the sun with minimal setup, targeting effort or operator skill. The folded solar telescope of the invention includes a friction stabilized telescope support system that is capable of maintaining a specified telescope orientation. The telescope further includes a targeting system that comprises one or more pointing aids to simplify the process of aligning the telescope with the sun so a solar image is projected onto a viewing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telescope having a focal plane into which an image of a distant object is focused. It includes a primary mirror and a secondary mirror wherein the secondary mirror is positioned to cast a shadow on a portion of the primary mirror. A data image projecting device projects a data image from the portion of the primary mirror which lies in the shadow of the secondary mirror. The data image is focused in the focal plane of the telescope and is superimposed on the image of the distant object.

Abstract: An optical system for providing a viewer with contrast between a golf ball and its environment, including a light filter and at least one polarizer mounted in a viewing device. The light filter has no more than about 20% transmittance of light in one of the range of wavelengths of from about 500 nm to about 700 nm. The viewing device allows for the light filter and the polarizer to be arranged in front of at least one eye of the viewer. The optical system can be provided in a spotting scope, a pair of eyeglasses or an attachment to eyeglasses for ease of use.

Abstract: A telescope includes a position determining system for receiving positioning signals from GPS satellites to obtain the present position of the binocular. A relative-position calculation system provides for calculating a distance, an altitude difference, and an azimuth angle between the telescope and an external device based on the present position of the telescope and the position information of the external device. The telescope further includes an indication system which indicates, by a displaying device, the values of the distance, altitude difference and azimuth angle.

Abstract: A stereoscopic objective lens system for video endoscopes and borescopes includes two full-diameter doublets and two lens pairs forming a stereo lens set. A rotatable dual telescope is disposed between the two doublets and the stereo lens pairs, establishing a Galilean telescope associated with each stereo channel. The Galilean telescopes are each rotatable, preferably in convert, to be in or out of alignment with the system optical axis. When out of alignment, the Galilean telescopes have no effect along the optical path. When in alignment, the Galilean telescopes provide an increase or decrease in magnification, depending on orientation of the telescopes. The full-diameter doublets present equal-angle pairs from symmetrically disposed object points to the lenses of the stereo lens pair. This equal-angle property enables accurate object/image mapping onto the final stereo image pair, such that all parts of each left/right image can be mapped to within a fraction of a video pixel to each other.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors' field of view are redirected by reflective surfaces. Portions of the fields of view of the sensors are removed to produce a first sensor modified field of view with a modified field of view boundary, and a second sensor modified field of view with a modified field of view boundary. Images obtained form the modified fields of view are combined along a modified field of view boundary.

Abstract: An integrated day and night sighting system and a laser rangefinder apparatus includes a daylight objective lens having a night light corrector lens mounted adjacent to and coaxially with the daylight objective lens and having an eyepiece lens. An image converter module may be an image intensifier for night light use and is movably supported for movement between a daylight position out of the light path and a night light position in the light path. The image converter is positioned to focus the night light optics thereon and for the eyepiece lens to view the image intensifier screen. A night primary objective mirror is positioned to reflect light from the night objective lens and a night secondary mirror is positioned to receive light from the primary objective mirror and to focus the night light onto the image converter when the image converter is in the night light position. This allows a refractive day sight to be integrated with a reflective night sight.

Abstract: The invention comprises a protective window for an optical sight. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optical sight (20) may comprise an optical component (182, 300) transmitting an image of a scene. A protective window (180, 430) may be disposed approximate to an internal side of the optical component (180, 300) to obstruct dirt from contacting the internal side of the optical component.

Abstract: There is provided an improved night vision goggle having a housing containing an objective lens assembly, an image intensifier tube, a collimator assembly, a splitter member, and a pair of afocal telescopes. The optical axis of the afocal telescopes are offset from the optical axis of the collimator and objective lens assemblies. A pair of achromatic doublet lens assemblies are mounted side-by-side on the exit side of the collimator and near the entrance pupils of the telescopes. The optical axes of the doublet lens assemblies are coaxial with the optical axes of the telescopes. The achromatic doublet lens assemblies thus collect light from a sub-diameter, decentered aperture of the collimator assembly, and correct axial chromatic aberration in the telescopes.

Abstract: A method of achieving a focusing adjustment of an optical assembly, and of releasably locking this focusing adjustment, is described. A night vision weapon sight (10) which implements this method includes an objective lens assembly (14), an eyepiece lens (18), and an image intensifier tube (20) receiving light via the objective lens in order to provide an image via the eyepiece lens. The objective lens assembly includes a base portion (32) into which a lens housing (34) is threadably received. The threaded engagement of the base portion and lens housing is locked by a collet-like array of radially flexible fingers (42) each having a conical outer surface. A locking collar (44) having a conically tapering inner surface threadably engages the lens housing (34) and engages the collet fingers (42). Locking of the locking collar (44) is ensured by threaded engagement of a locking ring (54) with the locking collar (44) such that the prevailing torque tightens both of a pair of threaded engagements of opposite hand.

Abstract: Cameras are positioned so that they each view a different reflective surface of a polyhedron such as a pyramid. This results in each camera having a virtual optical center positioned within the pyramid. The cameras are positioned so that their virtual optical centers are offset from each other. The offsets produce narrow blind regions that remove image distortions received from the edges of the pyramid's reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A multi-function day/night observation, ranging, and sighting device includes a single objective lens group and a single eyepiece lens and provides an image of a scene. The single objective lens group leads to a visible-light first optical path and to an invisible-light second optical path. It will be understood that the terms visible-light and invisible-light are used merely to distinguish the two optical paths, and not as a limitation. In other words, some visible light will pass to the image intensifier tube, and this tube is capable of providing an image in response to light in the visible portion of the spectrum. On the other hand, some light in the infrared portion of the spectrum may pass along the visible-light optical path. As mentioned, the invisible-light second optical path includes an image intensifier tube providing a visible image. The first and second optical paths converge with visible images provided by each pathway being overlaid at a reticule plane.

Abstract: A image intensifier binocular, so-called goggle, of the type having only one image intensifier tube (2) is working with an effective diameter of its entrance photocathode (3) below 15 mm and therefore an objective (1) having an accordingly shortened focal length. This combination will substantially increase the depth of field of the goggle and also enable a design of smaller weight.

Abstract: A guided stage mechanism suitable for supporting a reticle in a photolithography machine includes a stage movable in the X-Y directions on a base. Laterally surrounding the stage is a rectangular window frame guide which is driven in the X-axis direction on two fixed guides by means of motor coils on the window frame guide co-operating with magnetic tracks fixed on the base. The stage is driven inside the window frame guide in the Y-axis direction by motor coils located on the stage co-operating with magnetic tracks located on the window frame guide. Forces from the drive motors of both the window frame guide and the stage are transmitted through the center of gravity of the stage, thereby eliminating unwanted moments of inertia. Additionally, reaction forces caused by the drive motors are isolated from the projection lens and the alignment portions of the photolithography machine.

Abstract: A panoramic display system for use in a vehicle equipped with a plurality of episcopes (22) includes an information gathering sensor and a plurality of displays (24) for the gathered information. Each display (24) is associated with a respective episcope (22) and is operable to display the information gathered from a field of view corresponding to the respective episcope.

Abstract: A telescopic sight which can be used for either nighttime or daytime operation and is particularly adaptable for use on weapons ranging from rifles to anti-tank weapons.A first embodiment includes a single objective and two parallel light paths, one for day viewing and one for night viewing. The objective forms the beginning of the night path. Separating mirrors transmit light from the objective along the night path and reflects light from the objective to the day path. The night path includes an image intensifier assembly. A mirror at the end of the night path reflects the light from the image intensifier assembly to a beamsplitter/combiner on the day path. The beamsplitter/combiner transmits the light from the day path and reflects the light from the night path along the same path to an ocular assembly for viewing.A second embodiment of the telescopic sight is similar to the first embodiment but contains two objective lens assemblies for collecting light, one for the night path and one for the day path.

Abstract: A surveying instrument is provided having a sighting telescope and a distance measuring device. The sighting telescope has a focusing lens group which is moveable to focus an object to be measured. The distance measuring device measures a distance between the object and the surveying instrument. A focusing operation of the sighting telescope is carried out to move the focusing lens group to a focal position of the object in accordance with the distance between the object and the surveying instrument measured by the distance measuring device.

Abstract: A lightweight night vision device that can be used by itself or can be selectively attached to either the objective lens assembly or ocular lens assembly of an existing optical device. The night vision device includes an image intensifier tube for amplifying low intensity light to produce a visible image. The image produced by the image intensifier tube is inverted. A prism assembly is positioned proximate to the image intensifier tube to reinvert the image in a space and cost efficient manner. The image intensifier tube, the power supply for the image intensifier tube and the reinverting prism are all contained within a house just large enough to accommodate these components. The housing has an objective port and an ocular port. Both ports are adapted to be joined to other optical components. As a result, a large variety of optical devices can be attached to either the object port or ocular port of the night vision device, thereby providing night vision capabilities to the optical device.

Abstract: A multi-function day/night observation, ranging, and sighting device includes a single first lens and a single eyepiece lens and provides an image of a scene. The single first lens leads to a visible-light first optical path and to an invisible-light second optical path. The invisible-light second optical path includes an image intensifier tube providing a visible image. The first and second optical paths converge with visible images provided by each pathway being overlaid at a reticule plane. A single light path leads from the reticule plane to the eyepiece lens. A laser provides a pulse of laser light projected into the scene via the single first lens, and the image intensifier tube is used as a detector for a portion of the laser light pulse reflected from an object in the scene in order to provide a laser range finding function.

Abstract: An image amplifying tube system for a day and night combined use in an observation equipment includes an image amplifying tube assembly mounted on the daytime periscope of the naked-eye sighting device, in which the image amplifying tube assembly swerves from the optical path during the daytime sighting and moves into the optical path during the nighttime sighting. Consecutively, the image amplifying tube is positioned at a specific focusing distance on the optical path by a vertical and horizontal moving mechanism. In this way, it may be possible to use the periscope both in the daytime and in the nighttime.

Abstract: A lens array sheet according to the present invention, comprising a transparent substrate, a lens array having lens elements that are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally formed on the front surface of the transparent substrate, and a cluster having a large number of cluster members randomly formed in a prism shape on the rear surface of the transparent substrate, each of the length, the width, and the height of each of the cluster members being in the range from the wave length of source light to 500 .mu.m. Thus, a lens array sheet that effectively uses light energy of the light source, maintains the light condensing effect, prevents the luminance from deteriorating, homogeneously distributes the luminance on the light emitting surface, prevents equal-thickness interference fringes and wasteful light dispersion to out of the angular range of visual angle can be provided. In addition, a surface light source having the lens array sheet is provided.

Abstract: Compact binoculars for nighttime vision with a center of gravity close to the user. The binoculars have an optical architecture with an inclined principle pathway. The principle pathway extends by way of a first eyepiece pathway with a second eyepiece pathway branching in a different direction. The binoculars include a bent entrance objective conjugate with a light intensifier tube forming an image of a scene along a viewing axis. The image is next transmitted on the two eyepiece pathways to two eyepieces by way of an optical splitter. The splitter partially transmits the flux to a first eyepiece pathway inclined with respect to the plane of the eyepieces and on a second eyepiece pathway which has an axis lying in the plane perpendicular to the viewing axis and passing through the axis of the principle pathway.

Abstract: A lenticular lens provided on the viewer side of a transmission type screen is composed of at least two layers, that is, a surface layer and a base layer at least one of which contains a light dispersing material, and a visible light absorbing material is mingled in at least one of these two layers, or in the light dispersing material, thereby enhancing the image contrast of the transmission type screen.

Abstract: An optical apparatus that enables an object at a first location to be viewed from a second remote location. The optical apparatus includes at least one objective lens assembly that views the object at the first location. The objective lens assembly focuses the viewed image onto the input plane of an image conduit. The fiber optic conduit propagates the image to the second remote location, wherein the image is projected from the image conduit onto the back surface of a substantially transparent planar member. The back surface of the planar member is not highly polished. As a result, the image projected onto the back surface does not pass directly through the planar member. The reflections caused by the unpolished nature of the surface allow the image to be viewed on the back surface of the planar member through the body of the planar member.

Abstract: A spyhole viewer for a door or wall, includes an objective system for producing a real, inverted image. The objective system is mounted in a tubular member fixedly installable in the door or wall. An erector is provided for inverting the inverted image of the objective system and is located behind at least one of the elements of the objective system. At least one reflector is provided for angularly deflecting the light beams from the objective system, and a housing is fixedly attachable to the tubular member for accommodating at least the erector and the reflector. A viewing lens is provided for magnifying the real image as inverted by the erector means. The viewing lens is adapted to swivel in a substantially vertical plane about an imaginary horizontal axis at a radius of swivel at least approximately equal to the length of the light path from the image-side focal plane of the objective system to the first principal plane of the viewing lens.

Abstract: A finder has a display for displaying an image, and a finder optical system for observing the image therethrough. The spacing between the display and the whole of the finder optical system is relatively varied to thereby effect the adjustment of the field of view.

Abstract: A day-night rifle sight, using separate parallel day and night sights comed by means of a beam splitter; is improved by: integrating the housings of the night sight and beam splitter, reducing the outer dimensions, sealing and strengthening the coupling between the from ends of the sights; adding a quick release clamp to the rear ends; reducing the image size of the night sight with a fiber optic taper to match the daysight image and reticule; reducing the size of image forming optics and thereby reducing the inner dimensions of the coupling.

Abstract: A night vision goggle device is fabricated for consumer use. The device employs interpupillary and diopter adjustments for each eye of the user. The combined adjustment mechanism incorporates manually operable control knobs located on the housing and one knob for each of the eye pieces. Each control knob is capable of moving both in a forward and rear mode and in a transverse mode. The knob can provide diopter focus adjustment for a front to back motion and for lateral movement or transverse movement the control provides for interpupillary adjustment. The movement of the knob and the removal of pressure or force from the knob enables the optical assemblies to be locked in position by a friction fit.

Abstract: A Newtonian binocular telescope (20), which is readily adaptable to popular telescope mounts, such as the Dobsonian mount (76), and which includes two primary mirrors (42a, 42b), and two secondary mirrors (32a, 32b), in a single tube (21) of either solid wall or open frame construction. The single tube (21) allows central secondary optical axes (34a, 34b) to be disposed in laterally and longitudinally separate parallel relation to one another so as to form a comfortable interocular axis (36) between them. Both telescopes' oculars (50a, 50b) are conveniently disposed adjacent an ocular wall (22) on a side of tube (21) nearest one of the telescopes. The viewer is provided easy access (91a, 91b and 92a, 92b) to primary alignment means (87a, 87b), which may be used to merge images between telescopes.

Abstract: Reticle apparatus that is affixed to the output surface of an image intensifier tube fiber optic element in a night vision goggle system. One embodiment provides for an illuminated reticle pattern. The reticle pattern is etched into a glass substrate which is then filled by a light reflective material. At least one light emitting diode (LED) is positioned adjacent to the edge of the substrate. Light from the LED is then received by the edge of the substrate which then illuminates the reticle pattern. An alternate embodiment provides for a reticle pattern that is affixed to an output surface of a fiber optic element wherein the output surface is curved. The reticle pattern is formed on a clear, flexible substrate that is able to conform the curvature of the output surface. The substrate is affixed to curved output surface by an adhesive that is coated on the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A helmet mounted night vision device for a pilot that is automatically propelled away from the pilot before the pilot ejects from an aircraft, thereby preventing injury to the pilot caused by the night vision device striking the ejecting pilot. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention night vision device is a binocular device, having a right optical assembly and a left optical assembly that are viewed by the right and left eyes of the pilot, respectively. The right and left optical assemblies are each attached to elongated arm members. Each of the arm members, supporting the optical assemblies, are pivotably coupled to a common mounting plate that is removably attachable to the helmet of the pilot. Prior to ejection, the left and right optical assemblies are joined in front of the eyes of the pilot, thereby forming the binocular device.

Abstract: A light-weight night vision device includes a housing carrying an objective lens through which low-level light from a scene to be viewed is received. The housing carries an image intensifier tube receiving the low-level light from the objective lens, and providing in response an image representative of the scene. An eye piece carried by the housing provides a user of the device with an view of the representative image. The housing includes a light-weight portion which both carries the objective lens and partially houses the image intensifier tube. This light-weight housing portion also serves to shield the image intensifier tube from radio frequency and electrostatic interference.

Abstract: An optical system (10) includes a three mirror anastigmat telescope (12) and imager optics (14). The imager optics (14) provide narrow and wide field of view staring of the viewed scene. The optical system is positioned in a turret assembly (50) and folded to provide a sensor. The sensor includes an output laser beam generator (90). The telescope (12) is shared by the infrared system and the laser (90) to provide a simplistic and compact turret arrangement (50) which is well suited for aircraft targeting and designation purposes.

Abstract: A spyhole viewer, mountable in a wall surface is disclosed and provides a wide angle view, while requiring a small diameter mounting hole. An objective lens system produces a real inverted image, a reflector angularly deflects light from the objective lens system, and an erector, located behind an element of objective lens system, erect the image. Further, a image surface upon which the image will appear, and a projection viewing lens are provided. The image optical axis is angularly deflected at least once between the objective and viewing lens systems.

Abstract: There is provided an improved optical viewing device (10) in which variable compass heading information (80) and stadiametric range measuring information (88), (106), (118) is superimposed upon the image of a scene viewed through a viewing optical system (13) within the device (10). A self-luminous display panel (36) displays the information in the form of graphical symbols and/or alphanumeric characters. A folding lens (38) reflects light from the display panel (36) to a correcting lens (40), which transmits the light to a reflecting means (41) or (52). The reflecting means (41) or (52) reflects the light to a mangin mirror (44) or (62), which reflects the light to a dichroic combiner (28) or (50). The dichroic combiner (28) or (50) transmits the light into the path of the viewing optical system (13) such that the information displayed on the display panel (36) is effectively superimposed upon the image of the scene viewed by the user.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a night vision system is provided which allows the night vision system to be easily and rapidly switched from one eye to the next. The night vision system has an optical portion, and a control housing affixed to the optical portion. The control housing has a first and a second mounting plate. The mounting assembly has a first and a second carriage, and each of the carriages are configured to receive a selected one of the mounting plates. The mounting assembly can then be secured to either a face mask worn by the operator, or a helmet worn by the operator. The position of the carriages can be adjusted to compensate for the inter-pupillary distance and elevation relative a normal line of sight of an operator's eyes. The carriages are carried by a threaded rod having two portions threaded in opposite directions, so that rotation of the knob moves the carriages either closer together or further apart, as desired.