Abstract: This specification discloses a polarizing. element for dividing light into first and second polarized lights differing in polarized state from each other by a polarizing dividing surface, directing the first polarized light in a first direction, reflecting the second polarized light by a reflecting surface and directing it in the first direction, and varying the polarized state of at least one of the first and second polarized lights to thereby make the polarized states of the first and second polarized lights coincident with each other, characterized in that the polarizing dividing surface is disposed on one surface of a plane parallel plate and the reflecting surface is disposed on the other surface of the plane parallel plate, and the light enters obliquely from the one surface or the other surface. The specification also discloses a polarizing conversion unit provided with such polarizing element, and a projector provided with such polarizing conversion unit.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a modulator for modulating incident light in accordance with an image signal, and an optical path deflector that is provided in the neighborhood of the modulator and reflects the incident light to the modulator, wherein the modulator includes plural pixel portions arranged in a matrix form and a light shielding portion provided between the pixel portions, and the optical path deflector is a prism element having a reflection portion for reflecting the incident light to the pixel portions, the prism element being disposed at a position corresponding to the light shielding portion on a reference face, and the length of the prism element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference face being set in the range from 15 times to 250 times of the length of the prism element in a direction substantially parallel to the reference face.

Abstract: A light condensing filter has plural prisms formed on a surface of a flat substrate and on the opposite surface to the surface, and light from a light source is condensed by the plural prisms, wherein the plural prisms formed on the surface are designed in a linear shape extending in a specific direction on the surface and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction, the plural prisms formed on the opposite surface are designed in a linear shape extending in the direction perpendicular to the specific direction on the opposite surface and arranged in the specific direction, and the plural prisms formed on the surface and the plural prisms formed on the opposite surface are irregularly arranged.

Abstract: The present invention disclose a composite structure for light diffusion, including at least one carrier media layer and a microlens system comprising a plurality of microlenses thereon. A transparent material for enlarging the shape is coated on each microlens to cover the gaps between the microlens. Partial surface of the transparent material can be coated a light absorbing layer for glare reduction. Besides, the microlens can be or asymmetric or arranged in random, non-periodic array for interference reduction.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a prism group and satisfies either of the following conditions d<0.95×?/(2×(n?1)), d>1.05×?/(2×(n?1)) where d is a distance between a reference surface and a flat surface, ? is a wavelength of an incident light, and n is a refractive index of the prism group.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an optical symmetrization device for symmetrizing the radiation emitted by laser diodes. The symmetrization device contains a cylindrical lens system (3), a cylindrical lens array (4) and a deflection element (5). The cylindrical lens array (4) contains at least two cylindrical single lenses (4A) that are arranged adjacent to one another in fixed allocation, wherein the distance between two adjacent single lenses (4A) is smaller than the distance between two adjacent linear optical emitters (2).

Abstract: A three-dimensional image optical system including at least an elementary image optical subsystem constructed with plural afocal optical elements which include the first and the second optical components, wherein the plural afocal optical elements are aligned in a planar arrangement. The variety of the focal length to satisfy the afocal property is realized with the combination of the first optical components and the second optical components, that results in to provide the flexibility of the depth magnification, by which a remote observation is possible.

Abstract: A variable focus system (100) that includes an electrovariable optic (EVO) (108) and a controller (112) operatively configured for changing the focal configuration of the EVO. The EVO includes a plurality of movable optical elements (164) that may be moved substantially in unison with one another so as to change either the focal length (f) of the EVO, the direction of the focal axis (132) of the EVO, or both, depending upon the needs of a particular application. The variable focus system may be used in conjunction with an image source (116) to construct a 3D floating image projector (500, 540, 560, 600) that projects a series of 2D image slices (IS1–IS7) of a 3D image onto corresponding respective image planes (IP1–IP7) in succession rapidly enough that a 3D floating image (120) is perceived by a viewer (104).

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first off-axis illumination source for providing a first illumination field at a surface of an illumination modulator such that when the modulator is in a first non-activated mode a zero-order reflected illumination field is directed toward a first illumination blocking device, and when the modulator is in a second activated mode one first order reflected illumination field is directed toward an imaging surface while another first order reflected illumination field is directed toward a second illumination blocking device.

Abstract: A scanning module for scanning a document is provided. The scanning module comprises: a chassis; a light source on the chassis for emitting a light ray onto the document; a plurality of reflectors inside the chassis; a lens inside the chassis; an image sensing device inside the chassis, an image of the document being reflected by the plurality of reflectors and formed on the image sensing device, the image sensing device including a plurality of sensing cells; and a plurality of microlenses on the plurality of sensing cells, each of the plurality of microlenses having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a plurality of notches as an input window for changing an incident angle of the light ray, the bottom surface having a plurality of round curves as an output window for further focusing the light ray.

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system provided between a light source and a projection lens in a projection display, has at least one prism assembly made up of at least two prisms bonded to each other with a bonding layer formed between the prisms. A white light emitted from the light source is divided into red-, green-, and blue-color light components related to primary colors. The light components are modulated by spatial light modulators in accordance with a video signal. The modulated light components are combined and projected onto a screen via the projection lens. The thickness of the bonding layer is varied as thin and thick for optical paths long and short, respectively, from the spatial light modulators to the bonding layer which each modulated light component emitted from the corresponding spatial light modulator reaches.

Abstract: In the beam path of an Optical Cross Connect between the front face of a fiber block and a moveable mirror array are placed a telecentric lens and multi-surface optical element. The lens is placed adjacent the front face with a front focal plane coinciding with the front face. The substantially parallel beam path axes between the front face and the telecentric lens are converted by the lens into dispersing directions towards the optical element. Discrete optical surfaces of the optical element redirect the dispersing beam paths in a fashion such that the beam paths coincide in the following with corresponding moveable mirrors of a mirror array. Pitches of arrayed fiber ends and of the optical surfaces as well as the moveable mirrors are independently selectable. The telecentric lens simultaneously focuses the signal beams with improved beam separation and reduced signal loss.

Abstract: A resin lens plate has, on its planar surface, convex lenslets arranged in a regular pattern with adjacent lenslets being apart from each other by a specified center-to-center pitch. Each of the convex lenslets has a rectangular or hexagonal contour in a plan view of the plate, and the lenslets are arranged such that the direction in which the center-to-center distance between adjacent lenslets takes a maximum value is in parallel with the lengthwise side of the plate. A groove or a ridge is formed along the bisector of a center-to-center line drawn between each pair of adjacent lenslets, and a light absorbing film is formed over the groove or the ridge. The groove or ridge inhibits the entry of stray light to the lenslet from adjacent lenslets.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for optically combining light beams is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of prism shaped doorways configured to receive output beams from at least one optical device. Each of the plurality of doorways has a common refractive index. The apparatus also includes a set of spherical mirrors disposed substantially parallel to the plurality of doorways. Each mirror is associated with one of the plurality of doorways. The apparatus further includes a boundary layer disposed between the set of doorways and the set of mirrors. The boundary layer has a refractive index greater than the common refractive index of the plurality of doorways. The common refractive index of the set of doorways and the refractive index of the boundary layer are configured to change the angle of each of the received output beams to combine the set of received output beams into a single output beam.

Abstract: A focus detecting device comprises a first photoelectric conversion section for performing photoelectric conversion of a light beam emitted from a first pupil area of a image pickup optical unit, a second photoelectric conversion section for performing photoelectric conversion of a light beam emitted from a second pupil area different from the first pupil area, a light intercepting section having openings for allowing passage of a portion of light in the first pupil area and for allowing passage of a portion of light in the second pupil area, and a detecting section for detecting a focus condition of the image pickup optical unit on the basis of photoelectric conversion outputs of the first photoelectric conversion means and the second photoelectric conversion sections. For example, when the image pickup optical unit has a large defocus quantity, the light intercepting section is set in an optical path for focus detection.

Abstract: An optical beacon is comprised of a telescope having a primary focal plane or Coudé focal plane, a plurality of fiber coupled laser sources for generating a plurality of beams, a collimator for collimating the plurality of beams, and optics for combining and focusing the plurality of collimated beams onto the primary or Coudé focal plane of the telescope. The telescope propagates the optical beacon, which is arranged into a ring of incoherent plurality of collimated beams. The apparatus further comprises fiber splitters coupled to each laser source to provide at least eight beams from at least four laser sources. The optics comprises a prism assembly, a combiner lens, a focusing lens and a field lens for focusing the plurality of collimated beams onto the primary focal plane or Coudé focal plane of the telescope.

Abstract: A viewing optical system of an optical apparatus has an objective system for forming an image of an object and an eyepiece system for enlarging and directing the image to the pupil. The viewing optical system also has a hologram combiner comprising holograms of the volume type, phase type, and reflective type and having optical power for constructing a surface which is optically equivalent to the image surface at a different position than the image when viewed from the pupil. The system also includes an information display means for displaying information at the position of the equivalent surface, wherein the hologram combiner transmits light from the image and reflects light from the information display means so as to allow viewing of an image together with the information display overlaid onto the image.

Abstract: An imaging arrangement for, and method of, imaging a target at one of a plurality of focal planes, includes a two-dimensional sensor having an array of pixels for converting incident light into electrical signals to be processed into an image of the target, and an optical assembly including a stationary optical element transmissive to the incident light en route to the sensor. The element is fixed relative to the sensor and has a plurality of optical portions respectively arranged in a plurality of patterns relative to a plurality of groups of the pixels. The assembly is operative for focusing the respective groups of the pixels in the respective patterns at respective focal planes spaced apart from one another away from the sensor.

Abstract: A waveguide for use in a back lighting device includes a moth-eye structured surface. A back lighting system includes a lighting device, a display panel, and a waveguide for redirecting light generated by the light source toward the display panel. A first light-redirecting film, which can include a plurality of moth-eye structures, can be positioned between the waveguide and the display panel. The first light-redirecting film can also include a plurality of linear prisms. A second light-redirecting film is also provided that can include a plurality of moth-eye structures and a plurality of linear prisms. The second light-redirecting film can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the display panel. A diffuser can be positioned between the first light-redirecting film and the waveguide and/or between the second light-redirecting film and the display panel.

Abstract: A beam integrator system, which integrates multiple beams into fewer beams of increased intensity by using a combination of optical elements and lenses.

Abstract: A display apparatus has a lens sheet with a plurality of unit columnar lenses arranged so as to be parallel to one another, and is disposed on the observation side of a display panel, spaced therefrom by a layer of air. The direction of the ridge lines of the unit columnar lenses of the lens sheet, seen from the observation side, are non-parallel to the direction of an edge of the display panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for the rotation of images taken by a film camera about an optical axis, having a controller device for the rotation of images with an adjusting motor and a position sensor for recording the rotation angle of the image-rotating optical system. In addition, the possibility of displacing the optical system in at least one axial direction is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens-implanted optical sheet is disclosed, which includes following steps: (A) laying a patterned screen mask on an inner surface of a mold (B) coating or transferring-printing a layer of an adhesive or a binder on said inner surface (C) removing said patterned mask (D) locating said lens or said prisms on said adhesive or said binder (E) closing said mold and injecting a polymer into said mold to form a molded optical sheet; and (F) opening said mold. The lens-implanted optical sheet with a smooth surface and with a simple structure is also revealed here.

Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes a detector for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for collimating light of projected images establishes limited few designs of Fresnel lenses to accommodate conventional image projection system having a wide range of sizes of viewing screens for the projected images. A multi-layer image-enhancing filter is disposed to receive substantially collimated image light exiting the Fresnel lens. A light-transmissive structure includes a substrate layer supporting a single layer of contiguously-arranged beads of light transmissive material disposed on an incident surface of the substrate layer. A Fresnel lens includes angularly-pitched segments on one surface and an array of a plurality of elongated lenses aligned in one direction on an opposite surface of the Fresnel lens for passing a projected light image therethough to the layer of beads on the substrate layer.

Abstract: The performance of all pattern recognition and tracking systems is limited by the depth of field of the optical imaging system used to acquire the images. Here an optical imaging system that produces images with a wide depth of field independent of f-number is provided, and includes a plurality of photo-detector elements, a way to measure the amount of defocus aberration for each photo-detector element, and a way to compensate for such aberration in order to produce an enhanced image with a large depth of field independent of f-number.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a wavefront dividing type optical integrator which can yield a uniform illuminance distribution substantially over the whole illumination field formed thereby even when the size of each micro lens constituting the optical integrator is made smaller so as to set a large number of wavefront divisions. The optical integrator in accordance with the present invention is a wavefront dividing type optical integrator, having a number of micro lenses arranged two-dimensionally, for forming a number of light sources by dividing a wavefront of an incident beam; each micro lens having a rectangular entrance surface and a rectangular exit surface, and satisfying at least one of the following conditions: (d1/2)(D1/2)/(&lgr;·f)≧3.05 (d2/2)(D2/2)/(&lgr;·f)≧3.

Abstract: An optical system for distorted imaging of an object, especially for photographic cameras, is based on a distorting optical system (1) consisting of at least one lens where at least one of the lenses has at least one asymmetric aspherical optical surface and/or of at least one diffractive element, where at least one diffractive element has a surface with asymmetric diffractive structure and/or at least two lenses with mutual general space orientation.

Abstract: A reflective projection screen has in a first aspect a plurality of reflective elements. The upper surface of the reflective elements is either coated or textured to interfere with reflection of light from the upper surface to an adjacent reflective element. In a second aspect of the invention, a screen is provided that reflects light in the vertical direction like a plane surface, while reflecting light in the horizontal direction back toward the light source. In a third aspect of the invention, a projection system projects a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An optical device which is suitable for use in a projection display comprises a spatial light modulator, such as a liquid crystal device, with a microlens array disposed on its front surface. The microlenses are of convergent type, such as lenticules. The spatial light modulator is of the reflective type and comprises a plurality of rear reflectors, each of which has convergent optical power in at least one direction. The reflectors are arranged such that, for a given direction of illumination, each reflector forms an image of the aperture A of a microlens on the aperture B of another microlens or at a different position on the same microlens. When used in, for example, a projection display, light losses caused by vignetting are reduced.

Abstract: A light collimating film has a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of linear optical elements having a primary axis running the length of the optical elements, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength optical microstructures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the primary axis of the linear optical elements. Another embodiment includes a back lighting display device having a lighting device, a display panel, and a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of linear prisms having peaks, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength optical microstructures being oriented at about 90 degrees relative to the peaks of the linear prisms.

Abstract: The object is to display an image projected by a display device, installed in a vehicle dashboard, for displaying an information data in the optimum field of vision for a driver and to make a driver recognize visually. Projected light (image) by a liquid crystal display 12 is polarized (horizontal polarization) by a polarizing plate 12a mounted on the surface of the liquid crystal display 12 and reaches the first polarizing plate 9 through a prism 11. Since the polarizing direction of the first polarizing plate 9 is perpendicular to that of the polarizing plate 12a, the projected image is reflected toward a eye position 6 by the first polarizing plate 9. External incident light on the area AR1, limited by the first polarizing plate 9, is polarized (vertical polarization) by passing the first polarizing plate 9.

Abstract: An integrating rod (100) for combining light beams from two or more sources. A first light beam (104) enters the integrating rod 100 through a first entrance face (102) to a first reflecting face (110). The light is reflected by the first reflecting face (110) and travels along the major axis (114) of the integrating rod (100) to an exit face (116). A second light beam (108) from a second light source enters the integrating rod (100) through a second entrance face (106). The second light beam may be reflected by a second reflecting face (112) and travels along the major axis (114) to the exit face (116). The two light beams experience multiple reflections as they travel along the integrating rod and leave the integrating rod (100) through the exit face (116) as a single homogenous light beam.

Abstract: An optical sheet to be used for a back light unit of a liquid crystal display having at least a lamp and a light guiding plate has the following structure. The optical sheet is constituted by a lower base portion and an upper fitting portion which are fitted each other in a vertical direction with less margin, and the base portion and the fitting portion are formed of materials having different refractive indices. The base portion is provided with a large number of triangular portions having a triangular sectional shape in parallel, the triangular portion having a first side surface positioned on the left side and a second side surface positioned on the right side. Moreover, the first side surface of the triangular portion has an angle which is equal to or greater than an angle formed between a direction taking a peak of a ray refracted and incident on an inside of the base portion through a light guiding plate and the transverse direction.

Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, this application describes a system for pixilating a window. A means is provided for separating electromagnetic energy entering a window according to its focal point. Means are provided for separating trajectories of electromagnetic radiation at a curve where its focal points form and for selecting which trajectories of electromagnetic energy will exit the window. A means if provided for selecting at what trajectory said selected electromagnetic energy will exit the window. Multiple users of the window will each see the same views from their different respective vantage points.

Abstract: The present invention improves the precision of color synthesis and suppresses the generation of vertical stripes in the projected image, and includes at least the following three aspects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact display device that can be used in small personal devices, such as head-mounted displays, mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDA). The display device is provided with a light source and a reflective display for forming an object image, and an optical system for projecting a virtual image of the object image. In order to improve the illumination of the reflective display, the display device is provided with a light-guiding means for substantially perpendicular illumination of the reflective display via total reflection.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens-implanted optical sheet is disclosed, which includes following steps: (A) laying a patterned screen mask on an inner surface of a mold (B) coating or transferring-printing a layer of an adhesive or a binder on said inner surface (C) removing said patterned mask (D) locating said lens or said prisms on said adhesive or said binder (E) closing said mold and injecting a polymer into said mold to form a molded optical sheet; and (F) opening said mold. The lens-implanted optical sheet with a smooth surface and with a simple structure is also revealed here.

Abstract: An optical sheet (25) for spreading light has a substantially smooth surface (27), and a structured surface (28) comprising an array of prisms (30, 31). A beam of light that is to be spread is directed through the film from the smooth surface. Some of the prisms (termed “refraction prisms”) deviate normally-incident light only by refraction at a prism facet as the light leaves the film while others (termed “reflection prisms”) deviates normally-incident light by total internal reflection within the prism before the light leaves the film. There are a plurality of reflection prisms (30) selected to deviate normally-incident light through different angles and a plurality of refraction prisms (31) selected to deviate the normally-incident light through different angles, and they are arranged, preferably in a non-ordered manner, so that successive reflection prisms are separated by at least one refraction prism.

Abstract: A sheeting having linear prisms and method for forming the same are provided in which the prism includes a base, a first side, and a second side. In one embodiment, the first side includes a first planar surface and the second side includes a second planar surface and a third planar surface. In another embodiment, the first side includes the first planar surface extending from the base plane to a fourth planar surface which extends to the second planar surface at an apex of the prism. In particular embodiments, at least three of the planar surfaces can have different cross-sectional lengths.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization separation element comprising a first array of prisms having a wedge-shaped cross-section, and a second array of prisms also having a wedge-shaped cross section. One of the prism arrays is an array of birefringent prisms.

Abstract: Methods for measuring and automatically controlling the light distribution and overall brightness in electronic-based spatial light modulator projection display systems. One method takes a small fraction of the projected light from a partial turning mirror 407 in the projector's optics path and focuses this light on to a detector 420 for use in controlling the light distribution and brightness of the system. Another method uses an array of embedded light sensors 518-522 at chosen locations on the surface of a display screen 517 to control the light distribution and brightness parameters of the projection system. Both methods use a micro-controller, servomotors, and an adjustable power supply, controlled by the detector/sensor outputs, to maintain the desired light distribution and brightness in the projected image.

Abstract: A projection display includes a light source for generating a beam output that contains first, second and third color components, a color separation/synthesizing prism unit having a color separation part for separating the beam output from the light source into the first, second and third color components that exit the prism unit in three different directions, and first, second and third light modulators for modulating the first, second and third color components that exit from the color separation part. The prism unit further has a color synthesizing part that receives the modulated first, second and third color components from the light modulators and that synthesizes the modulated first, second and third color components so as to form an output beam. A projection lens receives the output beam from the color synthesizing part, and is used to project a color image. The first, second and third color components have equal optical path lengths measured from the light source to the respective light modulator.

Abstract: A color image display having a spatially uniform distribution of at least two different “types” of prism structure. The first type consists of a prism, a color filter associated with one of the prism's facets and two color absorbing control members, each of which can be biased away from or into optical contact with one of the prism's other two facets. The color filter has a first spectral absorption characteristic, and the control members have second and third spectral absorption characteristics respectively. The second type of prism structure consists of a second prism, a color filter associated with one of the second prism's facets and at least one color absorbing control member which can be biased away from or into optical contact with one of the second prism's other two facets. The second prism's color filter and control member have fourth and fifth spectral absorption characteristics respectively.

Abstract: An image separating device connected to a rigid endoscope has a Pechan prism to shift the optical axis of an objective optical system contained in the rigid endoscope, X- and Y-stages and a moving mechanism for moving the Pechan prism in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective optical system, and an enlarging optical system having an optical axis parallel with the optical axis of the objective optical system. As the Pechan prism is shifted, the image formed through the objective optical system is relatively shifted within its image plane, so that the image re-formed through a first image re-forming optical system is picked up by a first CCD camera without any decentering aberration, inclination relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the first image re-forming optical system, nor image rotation about the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical turning film has a first surface including an array of prisms. The array has a plurality of first prisms, with each of the first prisms having a first prism configuration, and a plurality of second prisms, with each of the second prisms having a second prism configuration different from the first prism configuration. The optical film also has a second surface opposing the first surface, and light rays incident to the first surface are directed by the plurality of first prism and the plurality of second prisms along a direction substantially parallel to a viewing axis.

Abstract: A lenticular image product comprising: a lenticular material having an array of lenticules with cylindrical lenses; and a lenticular image associated with the lenticular material, the lenticular image having an original image having a wide angle view and at least one final image having a narrow angle view created from the original image, such that tilting of the lenticular image product produces a zoom effect between the original and final images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system for optical automatic analysers, especially fluorescence readers. On the sample side, the imaging system contains a cylindrical lens array and a prism array, which is arranged upstream of the cylindrical lens array. The prismatic effect of the prisms of the prism array lies in the direction of the cylinder axes of the cylindrical lenses. Together with a telescopic imaging system, the inventive imaging system creates a number of parallel cylindrical focussing volumes between the cylindrical lens array and a detector array, these focussing volumes being slanted towards the optical axis of the telescopic system in relation to the vertical. The arrangement enables the detection of fluorescence with a large aperture in one direction, and at the same time enables depth selective analysis of the fluorescence signal, especially the discrimination of the fluorescent radiation originating from the solution above.

Abstract: A light collimating film has a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of prisms, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength optical microstructures. Another embodiment includes a back lighting display device having a lighting means, a display panel, and a sheeting having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side includes a series of prisms, and the second side includes a plurality of subwavelength optical microstructures. A preferred embodiment includes a back lighting display device having a first collimating film having a first surface with a subwavelength optical microstructure thereon and a second surface with linear prisms having an included angle of greater than about 95 degrees, and a second collimating film having a first surface with a subwavelength optical microstructure thereon and a second surface with linear prisms having an included angle of less than about 85 degrees.