Abstract: An optical unit coupling mechanism for coupling optical units 10, 11 having a plurality of mutually parallel optical paths 10a, 10b with each other, said optical unit coupling mechanism comprising a round dovetail consisting of a male dovetail 1 and a female dovetail 4, wherein said male dovetail 1 has a minor diameter part 1b of predetermined diameter d.sub.2, part 1d of which is sized larger than the diameter d.sub.2 of the minor diameter part 1b. By virtue of this optical unit coupling mechanism, the system performance can be enhanced without causing a system enlargement and the system compatibility can be maintained.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus has a convex cylindrical lens and a concave cylindrical lens between a light source for emitting a light beam and a polygon mirror. The cylindrical lenses condense the light beam in the vicinity of a deflecting surface of the polygon mirror only in the sub-scanning direction. The cylindrical lenses are held by a lens barrel to form one unit, and the lens barrel is mounted on a V groove formed in a base. The position of the unit having the cylindrical lenses is adjustable along the optical axis, and the rotational angle of the unit is adjustable about the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical pickup device includes two objective lenses having numerical apertures different from each other, a lens holder for holding these objective lenses in common, a cylinder fixed to the lens holder, and four tracking coil pairs affixed onto a cylindrical surface of the cylinder. Two tracking coil pairs are displaced from the remaining two tracking coil pairs by a predetermined angle. When one objective lens is used, two tracking coil pairs corresponding to the objective lens are used for tracking control of the objective lens. The remaining two tracking coil pairs are used for positioning control of the objective lens.

Abstract: A revolver assembly of a microscope, for switching a current objective lens to one of a plurality of lenses by manual rotary operation of the revolver assembly, includes a revolver main body and a revolver rotary section rotatably coupled to the revolver main body for removably mounting thereon a plurality of objective lenses of the microscope. A holding member extends in a direction crossing a rotary axis of the revolver rotary section, and is immovable with respect to the revolver main body. A manually operable rotary operation section is arranged approximately parallel to the rotary axis of the revolver rotary section, and is coupled to the holding member so as to be manually rotatable around an axis which is separated from the rotary axis of the revolver rotary section by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An optical-path switching apparatus for an optical microscope, which is simple structure, has a plurality of optical devices to be inserted and removed to and from at least two or more switching positions provided for optical paths so as to switch the optical paths. A drive force generator generates a drive force, and an insertion/removal device transmits the drive force generated by the drive force generator so as to insert and remove the plural optical devices to and from the switching positions while relating the plural optical devices to one another. A control unit controls switching of the optical devices to be performed by the insertion/removal device in order to obtain a required optical path.

Abstract: A microscope objective lens has a modulator. The modulator can be rotated with respect to the objective lens to compensate for a change in orientation of the objective lens. This is achieved by providing various means on the objective lens for transmitting torque to the modulator, thereby rotating it.

Abstract: A novel computer-controlled video microscopy system, features a rotatable objective lens turret. The lens turret is a rotatable cylindrical drum having an open end and closed end. A plurality of light-transmitting objective lenses are evenly spaced about the side wall of the cylindrical drum. The objective lenses are each directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum. A computer is used to select a desired objective lens and signal a motor to rotate the cylindrical drum about its axis of rotation, so as to move the selected objective lens into the path of an approaching light beam. When the light beam enters the drum through the objective lens, a prism or mirror inside the cylindrical drum bends the light beam at a right angle and directs it out of the drum through its open end. An image carried by the light beam is then focused onto the imaging plane of a video camera.

Abstract: A lens actuator in an optical disk apparatus, wherein a rotation drive unit rotates a lens holder including a plurality of objective lenses which have different optical characteristics from each other, and which are disposed on a circumference whose center coincides with an axis of rotation of the lens holder to thereby switch the objective lenses and place an objective lens ?to! in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An assembly of a microscope, a multi-specimen holder, and a display stand. The microscope includes an optical tube, a stage having an aperture therein, and a light transmissive rod having an ambient light gathering end portion located below the stage and arranged to receive ambient light to convey it through the aperture to illuminate a specimen located above the stage. The microscope is mounted on the display stand, as is the specimen holder. The specimen holder is a rotatable wheel having plural specimen holding portions and at least one light transmissive opening associated therewith. The specimen holder is supported by plural shock absorbing pads. The specimen holder is arranged to be manually rotated to bring any of the specimens into the microscope's field of view. The at least one opening in the specimen holder enables ambient light to pass therethrough to the light gathering end of the light transmissive rod.

Abstract: An index print viewer is described which has a base, a recessed bed for receiving a single index print prior thereon, and having a movable carriage assembly that is slidable over the bed. The carriage assembly includes a carrier for movement in a first direction, and a bridge moveable over the carriage in a second direction, the bridge including a magnifying lens for viewing individual images from the index print in an enlarged fashion. A cropping mask is optionally provided which allows the person using the index print viewer to selectably locate openings corresponding to three separate print formats over each image, so that the person can determine, through the magnification and cropping effect, which of the available print formats should be selected.

Abstract: A revolver control device of this invention includes a revolver rotatably formed and having a plurality of mounting holes which contain a specified mounting hole corresponding to a specified objective and in which a plurality of objectives containing the specified objective are respectively mounted, recognition circuit for recognizing at least one of one of the plurality of objectives and one of the plurality of mounting holes which lies on an observation optical axis, driving circuit for giving the rotation driving force to the revolver to move one of the plurality of objectives onto the observation optical axis, and control circuit for controlling the driving circuit to prevent the specified objective mounted on the revolver or the specified mounting hole from being passed through the observation optical axis by rotation of the revolver when at least one of the objective and mounting hole recognized by the recognition circuit is replaced by at least one of the plurality of objectives and mounting holes whic

Abstract: A three field of view change apparatus has a cubic carousel 1 mounted for rotation about a rotation axis 2 which is coincident with a diagonal of the carousel 1. The rotation axis 2 makes an angle of 54.736.degree. with a fixed optical axis 5 so that carousel 1 can be rotated to cause the fixed optical axis 5 to pass through the centres of any two opposed faces of the carousel 1. Optical components 14 are arranged on opposed faces of the carousel 1 and can be swung into alignment with the optical axis by rotating the carousel.

Abstract: An electric revolver apparatus of a microscope comprises a revolver holding a plurality of objective lenses, a drive device for driving and braking the revolver based on a command signal from the outside of the electric revolver apparatus, a detection device for detecting a predetermined amount of rotation of the revolver and outputting a detection signal to brake the drive device, and a delay circuit for delaying the detection signal for a predetermined period of time and outputting it to the outside to delay the brake starting time of the drive device based on the command signal from the outside.

Abstract: In an optical system, when a binary image is to be read, a first reducing projection lens is located onto an optical axis and focuses an image of the original at a first magnification (relatively high magnification), and a mirror divides the entire image into three divided images which will be then projected onto three CCDs, respectively. On the other hand, when a multivalued image is to be read, a second reducing projection lens is located onto the optical axis and focuses an image of the original at a second magnification (relatively low magnification) which is lower than the first magnification, and the entire image is projected onto one of the three CCDs.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image acquisition apparatus for acquiring a plurality of images of an object with the positions in focus shifted at predetermined step distances used for measuring the three-dimensional shape of an object.This three-dimensional image acquisition apparatus comprises an image forming lens, a two-dimensional image pickup means for converting the optical image of an object into electric signals and outputting the electric signals, at least one rotary support which has a plurality of transparent plates differing in thickness or refractive index or both secured thereto and is disposed so that when it is rotated the transparent plates in turn intersects the optical axis between the image forming lens and the object or the image forming lens and the two-dimensional image pickup means, and at least one drive means for intermittently or continuously rotating the rotary support.

Abstract: An optical pickup device includes two objective lenses having numerical apertures different from each other, a lens holder for holding these objective lenses in common, a cylinder fixed to the lens holder, and four tracking coil pairs affixed onto a cylindrical surface of the cylinder. Two tracking coil pairs are displaced from the remaining two tracking coil pairs by a predetermined angle. When one objective lens is used, two tracking coil pairs corresponding to the objective lens are used for tracking control of the objective lens. The remaining two tracking coil pairs are used for positioning control of the objective lens.

Abstract: A change-over device has a plurality of centerable reception rings (10), inserted into a sliding bearing (9), for optical components. A spring element having a plurality of tongues (16) split in the longitudinal direction is provided in such a way that in each case successive halves of adjacent tongues (16) rest against the rim of a reception ring (10) under spring pressure.

Abstract: A photographic printing apparatus includes a lens unit and a lens mount which are joined to each other in a separable manner. The lens mount includes therein a drive motor and a drive force transmitting mechanism to adjust the focal distance and aperture of the lens unit. A plurality of lens units having different focal distances are provided, from which a lens unit suitable for a printing magnification is automatically selected for printing. Each lens unit is provided with external connection members which are connected to an aperture adjusting mechanism and the focal distance adjusting mechanism of the lens unit. The lens mount to which the lens unit is attached is provided with members which are engaged with the external connection members of the lens unit to displace them. The displacement of these members is effected by motors provided on the lens mount. With this structure, the cost of lens units can be reduced, and the efficiency of the printing operation can be increased.

Abstract: An optical element positioning device comprises a fixed member fixed to an optical apparatus having an optical axis, a movable member supported by the optical apparatus so as to be movable with respect to the fixed member, and holding a plurality of optical elements along the moving direction, a first permanent magnet arranged in the fixed member, and a plurality of second permanent magnets equal in number of the optical elements, disposed in the movable member along the moving direction and selectively able to face the first permanent magnet when the movable member is moved.

Abstract: A projection type exposure apparatus is provided for illuminating a mask formed with a pattern with an illumination light having a predetermined wavelength area and forming an image of the pattern on a substrate through a projection optical system. This apparatus comprises a projection optical system incorporating a plurality of lens barrel units each housing one or more optical elements. Each lens barrel unit is so mounted in the projection optical system as to be attachable thereto and detachable therefrom.

Abstract: An optical system switching apparatus for a reflected fluorescence microscope including a first turret having a plurality of first windows which are formed at an equal distance from a rotation center axis and on which absorption filters are mounted, a second turret having a plurality of second windows which are formed at an equal distance from the rotation center axis and on which excitation filters are mounted, a third turret having a plurality of mounting portions which are formed at an equal distance from the third rotation center axis and on which dichroic mirrors are mounted. The first to third turrets are assembled to be rotatable independently of each other, for optically aligning an arbitrary one of the excitation filters an arbitrary one of the dichroic mirrors, and an arbitrary one of the absorption filters at respective rotational positions.

Abstract: An optical instrument comprising a housing having an optical path and a lens turret carrying at least two different optical components. At least three supporting devices are carried by the housing and engage the outer cylindrical wall of the lens turret at circumferentially spaced positions to support the turret for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the outer cylindrical wall to position a selected optical component in the optical path. Rotation of the turret is effected by a motor with a rotatable output pulley and a flexible drive element passing around the pulley and the outer cylindrical wall of the turret. One of the optical components is a rearwardly facing mirror, and the turret has a relatively large open area to enable light to pass therethrough for reflection by a mirror on the housing to the rearwardly facing mirror.

Abstract: A modular microscope system includes a plurality of stackable housing modules each having a plurality of inwardly pointing protuberances provided with one or more precision stop surfaces thereon for removably mounting and positioning a plurality of prealigned functional element carriers having corresponding precision stop surfaces thereon for engagement with the precision stop surfaces of the housing module protuberances.

Abstract: A lens assembly installation of scanner comprises a sliding base being movable inside the scanner horizontally and longitudinally on which is disposed a projection lamp, a light filtering lens assembly and a camera. Characterized in that the light filtering lens assembly includes a stepping motor, a support plate, a lens bracket and four pieces of lens, wherein the lens bracket shaped as a circular arc wherein four windows are disposed one-by-one parallelly has a plurality of screw holes disposed at the top. An opening at the top rim of the window and a U-channel, to accommodate the lens, in the inner rim of the window are provided. The support plate is provided with a shaft hole by which it can be fixed onto the stepping motor shaft and several small holes and projected hold-down plate are provided at its outer rim corresponding respectively to the screw holes on the lens bracket and window which can be locked with the lens bracket to form an integrated unit.

Abstract: A multi-lens optical device for use in an optical scanner including a lens holder having a viewing aperture, and a lens unit disposed in front of the viewing aperture, wherein the lens unit includes a lens holder, a plurality of lenses of different magnifying power respectively mounted on the lens holder, a reversible motor, and a reduction gearing driven by the reversible motor to move the lens holder, permitting one lens to be aligned with the viewing aperture for scanning.

Abstract: A microscope objective adjustable for different cover slip thicknesses includes an outer ring rotatable about an optical axis of the objective, an intermediate mount carrier having a plurality of inner lens mounts fixed thereto, and an inner correcting lens mount axially movable between a pair of fixed lens mounts. The correcting mount is coupled to the outer ring for rotation therewith by a follower pin extending through a curved cam slot in the intermediate mount carrier and into an axial groove in the outer ring, such that when the outer ring is rotated the correcting mount moves axially due to engagement of the follower pin with the cam slot and simultaneously rotates about the optical axis due to engagement of the follower pin with the axial groove.

Abstract: A multi-lens changing mechanism is disclosed for use in optical scanners; it comprises: (a) a main mechanism having a bottom, first and second sides, and an aperture as an inlet for receiving light, each of the first and second sides having a magnetic means attached thereto; (b) a sliding lens carriage including at least two lenses, the sliding lens carriage being slidable within the main mechanism: and (c) a driving mechanism including a guide rod and a swinging arm. The guide rod is fitted at the bottom of the main mechanism, and is able to move back and forth. The swinging arm has a first end attached to the sliding lens carriage and a second end pivotally mounted to the main mechanism such that the swinging arm will swing when it is driven by the guide rod.

Abstract: An electro-optical scanning unit which comprises a linear LED array and a linear lens array for imaging slitwise onto a photoconductive drum with light is emitted by the LED's, and a holder for the lens array is connected by leaf springs to a holder for the LED array, the leaf springs connecting the holders in the middle of the arrays and at some distances therefrom and permitting adjustment of the lens array in a direction (Y-direction) perpendicular to the optical axis plane of the lens array and in a direction (Z-direction) parallel to said optical axis plane, the lens holder consisting of two parts which are glued to the lens array and which together form a diaphragm for the lens array.

Abstract: An optical element support for supporting optical elements adjacent to a lens of a camera. The support comprises an optical element holder assembly which is mountable to the camera lens housing. The holder assembly includes at least one stack of discrete holder members configured so that adjacent ones of the holder members together define grooves therebetween to hold a desired selection, by number and dimension, of optical elements. The holder members are removably connectable and further configured such that a rearrangement of the holder members in the stack permits variation in the number and/or width of the grooves and the accommodation in the grooves of optical elements of different number and/or thickness.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for a microscope provided with a revolver capable of selecting one of a plurality of objective lenses and inserting it into an observation optical path comprises an illuminating light source for illuminating a sample, a power source for supplying electric power to the illuminating light source, and a control device responsive to the changeover of the revolver from one of the objective lenses to another to stop the supply of electric power to the illuminating light source.

Abstract: In an electrically-powered revolver, a cylindrical fixed shaft is provided substantially in the center of a fixed member, a motor is fixedly set inside the fixed shaft, the motor is connected via gears with a cover having an internal gear, and the cover is rotated together with a rotating member.

Abstract: A switching device for a multi-lens optical scanner, which comprises a body casing, a sliding lens seat and a driving mechanism; the feature of the switching device is that the power of a scanning device is used for driving a guide rod of the switching device so as to set the mechanism at a given position automatically, and provide an optical scanner with various resolving powers desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a read-write head for an optical tape recorder comprised of a synchronized scanning transmissive polygon and rotating lens wheel. The transmissive polygon is a multi-sided piece of transparent optical quality material for displacing a through transmitted collimated read or write light beam. The lens wheel comprises a unitary disk-shaped piece of optical quality material having a plurality of individual lenses precision molded or diamond point turned therein for focusing the through transmitted and displaced read or write light beam onto a recording media. The polygon is rotated to translate the displaced beam for scanning along a linear path aligned with an arcuate path followed each successive lens on the rotating lens wheel. The rotation of the polygon and lens wheel are synchronized such that each scan of the displaced beam along the linear path coincides with the movement of a lens along the arcuate path to trace out a data track on the recording media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a read-write head for an optical tape recorder comprised of a synchronized scanning transmissive polygon and rotating lens wheel. The transmissive polygon is a multi-sided piece of transparent optical quality material for displacing a through transmitted collimated read or write light beam. The lens wheel comprises a unitary disk-shaped piece of optical quality material having a plurality of individual lenses precision molded or diamond point turned therein for focusing the through transmitted and displaced read or write light beam onto a recording media. The polygon is rotated to translate the displaced beam for scanning along a linear path aligned with an arcuate path followed each successive lens on the rotating lens wheel. The rotation of the polygon and lens wheel are synchronized such that each scan of the displaced beam along the linear path coincides with the movement of a lens along the arcuate path to trace out a data track on the recording media.

Abstract: A switching variable magnification finder includes an objective lens system having a positive refracting power, an image erecting optical system for erecting an image formed by the objective lens system, and an eyepiece system having a positive refracting power, in which an auxiliary lens system is removably disposed behind the objective lens system so that magnification is varied according to the insertion or removal of the auxiliary lens system. Thus, the switching variable magnification finder allows magnification to be changed without increasing the overall of the finder optical system and moving the objective lens system and its switching mechanism to be simplified.

Abstract: A flexible light conduit which preserves the coherence of a transmitted beam. Several conduit elements having optical elements mounted inside each one are connected together to form a chain. Each conduit element is tiltably coupled to each adjacent conduit element in the chain. The optical elements may be refractive or reflective. The conduit preserves the spatial coherence properties of the beam so the input image is reimaged at a distant place, having passed through the series of relay optical elements through the angles permitted by the coupling members.

Abstract: The present invention provides a read-write head for an optical tape recorder comprised of a synchronized scanning transmissive polygon and rotating lens wheel. The transmissive polygon is a multi-sided piece of transparent optical quality material for displacing a through transmitted collimated read or write light beam. The lens wheel comprises a unitary disk-shaped piece of optical quality material having a plurality of individual lenses precision molded or diamond point turned therein for focusing the through transmitted and displaced read or write light beam onto a recording media. The polygon is rotated to translate the displaced beam for scanning along a linear path aligned with an arcuate path followed each successive lens on the rotating lens wheel. The rotation of the polygon and lens wheel are synchronized such that each scan of the displaced beam along the linear path coincides with the movement of a lens along the arcuate path to trace out a data track on the recording media.

Abstract: A divergent lens (4) perforated in its center by a hole (5) of small diameter is placed opposite the aperture (12) of a laser beam type marker (10) in order to pick up the laser beam comprising substantially parallel rays (13) from the marker, the lens (4) deflecting the laser rays which reach it round the central hole (9) so as to produce a divergent beam (14) whereas the rays which reach the central hole (4) pass through it without being deflected so as to form a fine pencil of light (15) of higher intensity serving to mark a target. The divergent lens (4) is, for example, mounted in a aperture (3) provided in the head of a body (2) intended to be slid on and to cover the head (11) of a laser beam type marker (10). The divergent lens (4) can also be mounted in the aperture (12) provided in the head (11) of a laser beam type marker (10 ).

Abstract: A main body of a zoom lens barrel, which accommodates a zoom lens system having lens components movable in the direction of the optical axis, is composed of a housing having an opening on one side wall in parallel with the optical axis. At least the movable lens components of the zoom lens system can be assembled in the housing through the opening. The housing, accommodating movable lens components of the zoom lens system, is composed of a single element.

Abstract: A radiation aperture system where two sets of apertures are distributed in ring sections of like radius on two parallel rings. As one ring is rotated with respect to its counterpart, one aperture of each ring will align to pass a radiation beam through both apertures. Only a single aperture pair is formed at each unique time, allowing sequential measurements of all combinations of both aperture openings during rotation without halting the rotation.

Abstract: A projecting and exposing device includes a light source and a device for projecting light emitted by the light source to a mask. At least one inverting or erect projecting optical system is provided for projecting an area of a part of the pattern of the mask onto a substrate in the ratio of N to 1. A scanning device moves the projecting optical system in a speed ratio of N:1 so as to scan the mask and expose the substrate to the light coming from a pattern of the mask. A device also moves the mask and the substrate in the speed ratio of N:1.

Abstract: A turret condenser for microscopes is equipped with two turrets which are capable of interposing combinations of numerous types of optical elements on the optical axis and rotatably arranged in overlapped positions in the vicinity of the pupil of a condenser lens. Most of the optical elements are removably accommodated in each of the turrets. This turret condenser makes it possible to perform microscopy in various modes by simple operations.

Abstract: An optical device that can be sterilized by autoclaving or immersion. The optical device includes adjoined elements that essentially eliminate any air internal spaces along the optical path. A carrier for the optical elements and other elements of the optical device comprise metals and metal alloys that withstand the sterilizing environment. Vacuum port elements are provided to enable any liquids to be evacuated from the interstices of the optical device.

Abstract: An ocular turret telescope system for attachment to a conventional reflecting or refracting telescope or other optical instrument includes a plurality of integrated optical adjustment features. A rack and pinion slidable adjustment provides a viewer with a resolution adjustment. A rotatable filter and magnification selection turret enables the selection of one of several filters and/or magnification levels. A selectable eyepiece housing enables the selection of one of several eyepiece barrels of different aperture sizes which are sighted along the telescope barrel via an internal, reflecting mirror mounted at a 45 degree angle. Also, an end-mounted specialized eyepiece or camera mount automatically urges the internal, reflecting mirror upward and out of the optical viewing path of the specialized eyepiece or camera when the eyepiece or camera is connected to the ocular turret system.