Abstract: A method for positioning an array with periodic structures, for forming an image thereon, comprises the following steps: (i) producing a light beam along fast-scan axis; (ii) translating the array in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fast-scan axis; (iii) detecting the light beam alternatively by a pair of detectors, the detectors being located near opposite edges of the array along the fast-scan axis; (iv) providing substantially periodic signals by the pair of detectors in accordance with their detection of the light beam; (v) determining relative phases of the periodic signals, the relative phases corresponding to misalignment of the array; (vi) sensing phases of the periodic signals and rotating the array such that the long axes of the periodic structures are substantially parallel to the fast-scan axis.

Abstract: The invention comprises a spatial filter and a method of spatially filtering a laser beam, particularly a high power laser beam. The inventive spatial filter and method of use is especially suited for use in an optical system for writing index gratings in optical waveguides. The invention provides a method of writing gratings in optical waveguide fiber that results in improved grating performance.

Abstract: An LED module comprises a housing with a first connective feature of a predetermined shape and a second connective feature of a complimentary shape, such that when the LED module is attached to another module, the first connective feature of the LED module engages a second connective feature of the other module such that relative motion between the modules is inhibited.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a very compact zoom assembly with a minimum number of parts. Another object of this invention is to provide a zoom assembly which does not require guide rods and utilizes with only one motor for both zooming and focusing. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly includes a zoom lens defining an optical axis. This zoom lens is capable of operating in a plurality of different zoom positions and of focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions. The zoom positions are (i) two extreme zoom positions (a wide angle position and a telephoto position), and (ii) a plurality of intermediate zoom positions. The zoom lens includes at least a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group. These first and second lens group are separated from one another by a variable distance.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an aperture/shutter system comprises a stator, a homogeneous rotor and at least one shutter blade. The rotor is located adjacent to the stator and has at least one positioning feature; and the shutter blade has a complimentary feature coupled directly to the positioning feature so as to be directly rotatable by the rotor.

Abstract: A flash device includes a micro-optic array for concentrating light from the flash lamp on a radiation-absorbing dye carrier, thereby sublimating or vaporizing the dye from the radiation-absorbing dye carrier onto a receiver element, e.g. a glass plate or the like.

Abstract: A camera flash unit for illumination of an associated target surface comprises a linearly symmetric flash light source providing light defined as light rays, a reflector directing the light rays from the flash light source towards the associated target surface and a refractive/TIR (Totally Internally Reflective) condenser lens element. The reflector is located adjacent to one side of the flash light source. The refractive/TIR condenser lens element has optical power in two orthogonal directions and is located adjacent to another side of the flash light source. The refractive/TIR condenser lens element has two surfaces--a back surface facing the light source and a front surface. One of the two surfaces is a hybrid refractive/TIR surface, the other of the two surfaces is a refractive surface.

Abstract: A lens component comprising a first plastic lens element having a thin glass coating and a second lens element cemented to the glass coated surface of the first plastic element.

Abstract: A high numerical aperture objective lens for focusing a laser beam consists of a first lens element of positive optical power intercepting the laser beam and a second lens element of positive optical power located adjacent to the first lens element. The first lens element and the second lens element have identical surface profiles.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining orientation of one surface of an optical component relative to another surface of the optical component comprises: (a) placing the optical component into a test fixture having certain characteristics from which differences in test fixture orientation and position can be determined, so that the one surface of the optical component is accessible in one orientation of the test fixture and the other surface of the optical component is accessible in another orientation of the test fixture; (b) measuring surface profile and orientation of the one surface of the optical component with the test fixture in one orientation; (c) measuring surface profile and orientation of the second surface of the optical component with the test fixture in second orientation; and (d) determining profile and relative orientation of the one surface of the optical component with respect to the another surface of the optical component by nulling out differences betw

Abstract: A dual resolution printer for printing images on an associated print medium includes: a light source providing a light beam and a focusing lens focusing the light beam and creating a converging light beam having at least one beam waist of at least one wavelength at a first beam waist location. The printer also includes an optical unit movable in and out of the converging light beam and having a corresponding first and second position, respectively. This optical unit, in the second position, reimages the beam waist of the converging light beam created by the focusing lens to a different size second beam waist, at a location substantially the same as the first beam waist location.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a laser line generator system comprises a laser source providing a diverging laser beam and a single lens element intersecting the diverging laser beam. The single lens element has a negative optical power in one cross section and a positive optical power in another cross section. This single lens element shapes the diverging laser beam to provide a laser line at an object surface. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the lens element has a first surface that is adjacent to the laser diode. This first surface is a toroidal surface. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first surface is concave about a center of curvature in at least one cross section and, in this cross section the laser diode is located at the center of curvature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing images. The optical output from a spatial multimode laser, which is multimode in one direction and is single mode in the orthogonal direction, is scanned parallel to the multimode direction. More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention the printing apparatus includes a multimode laser having an emitting aperture that provides a laser beam. A scanner scans the laser beam from this laser along a scan line such that a long dimension of said emitting aperture corresponds to the scan direction. An optical system focuses the laser beam to a spot having a long dimension and a short dimension, such that the long dimension of the spot is along the scan direction.

Abstract: A color printer for imaging on an image plane includes: (a) a plurality of light sources, each of the light sources being adapted to provide a spatially coherent, composite beam of light, each of the composite beams including a plurality of spectral components; (b) a single beam shaping optics accepting the composite beams, the beam shaping optics having optical elements adapted to shape said composite beams by a different amount in a scan direction and a cross scan direction, so as to form for each of the composite beams (i) a first beam waist in the cross scan direction of the composite beam and (ii) a second waist in the scan section of the composite beam, the first and second beam waists being spaced from one another; (c) a deflector adapted to move said plurality of composite beams across the image plane, the deflector being located closer to the first beam waists than to the second beam waists; and (d) scan optics located between the deflector and the image plane, the scan optics being adapted to (i) ge

Abstract: The first, movable encloses the front, middle and rear lens groups. The front and rear lens groups are supported by a front and a rear lens cell, respectively. At least one of the front and rear lens cells is an integral part of the front lens barrel. The front and rear lens cells are located at a fixed distance with respect to one another. The middle lens group is supported by a mid-lens cell. The mid-lens cell is slidably movable within the first, movable barrel and has at least three external cam followers. The second, movable barrel engages and at least partially encloses the first barrel and includes three cam grooves engaging the cam followers. The motor is operatively connected to the second, movable barrel. The motor rotates the second, movable, so that the second, movable barrel moves along the optical axis with respect to the first, movable barrel.

Abstract: A document scanner includes: a document support for supporting a document in position to be scanned; an illumination system located adjacent to the document support for illuminating at least a portion of a supported document; a photosensitive medium for capturing an image of the document and generating image information; and a retroreflective imaging lens having an F-number between F/3 and F/8. The retroreflective lens comprises at least one lens element with optical power and a reflective surface, and is positioned to (i) receive light emanating from the document and propagated it in a first direction, through the retroreflective lens, (ii) reflect the light off said reflective surface in a second direction, and (iii) propagate the light through the retroreflective lens in the second direction, towards the photosensitive medium. The document support, the photosensitive medium, and the retroreflective lens are in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism for a camera comprises a support including an integrally formed post and a retainer defining a path; a HEL with a projecting finger, the finger being movable along the path; and a shutter blade pivotally mounted on the post. The shutter blade has a lever portion and a masking portion and is movable into an exposure position by the finger. According to one embodiment the support is a camera frame. According to another embodiment the support is a mechanical plate.

Abstract: A printer system for producing color prints includes: (a) three light sources, each generating a light beam of different wavelengths; (b) three modulators, each of the modulators modulating intensity of each of the light beams by image data, to provide three modulated light beams; (c) a beam combiner combining the three modulated light beams into a single light beam; (d) a single set of beam shaping optics shaping this single light beam into a shaped light beam having different vergences and waist locations in the page and line directions, the vergences and the waist locations being substantially the same in each of the three wavelengths; (e) a light deflector deflecting the shaped light beam to provide a deflected beam, and performing a scanning function; (f) an f-.theta. lens focusing the deflected light beam onto an associated image surface.

Abstract: An aperture/shutter system defining an optical path comprises a shutter mechanism operable at a first state to selectively block light along the optical path and a second state to allow light along the optical path; and a motor including a stator and an annular rotor. The rotor is rotably supported within the stator by a support that is (i) stationary with respect to the stator and (ii) engages an inner surface of the rotor. The rotor is coupled to the shutter mechanism to move the shutter mechanism between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes an annular motor with a central opening and a plurality of lens elements positioned inside the central opening. The motor includes a stator and a homogeneous cylindrical rotor. This rotor is positioned inside the stator and is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm thick and 2.5 mm to 5 mm long. According to one embodiment of the present invention the rotor is characterized by an outer cylindrical surface defined by its circumference. The rotor has a plurality of magnetic poles, and the ratio of the circumference of the outer cylindrical surface to the number of magnetic poles is between 1 and 2.