Abstract: Methods of and systems for illuminating objects using planar laser illumination beams having substantially-planar spatial distribution characteristics that extend through the field of view (FOV) of image formation and detection modules employed in such systems. Each planar laser illumination beam is produced from a planar laser illumination beam array (PLIA) comprising an plurality of planar laser illumination modules (PLIMs). Each PLIM comprises a visible laser diode (VLD, a focusing lens, and a cylindrical optical element arranged therewith. The individual planar laser illumination beam components produced from each PLIM are optically combined to produce a composite substantially planar laser illumination beam having substantially uniform power density characteristics over the entire spatial extend thereof and thus the working range of the system.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a liquid crystal display system comprising a liquid crystal display ("LCD") having a plurality of pixels. Moreover, the system comprises an illuminator for illuminating each of said plurality of pixels. The illuminator comprises an optical fiber for transmitting a light beam within said fiber, and a number of discrete scattering sites positioned along the fiber for scattering a portion of the light beam outside said fiber. The number of discrete scattering sites are optically coupled with the plurality of pixels such that the plurality of pixels are illuminated by the light beam scattered outside the fiber through the number of discrete scattering sites.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved parallel telecine for converting a plurality of recorded images or frames of film, defined by a first and a second set of frames of film, to a digital data stream. The improved telecine comprises a plurality of image transfer or digitizing systems for respectively digitizing each of the recorded images or frames of film or groupings of frames of film. Each image transfer and digitizing system comprises an illuminator system for illuminating the respective frames or groupings of frames, and a camera system for converting the image of the respective frame or groupings of frames into a digital data stream. Each camera sensor additionally comprises a position sensor for detecting a first and a second pair of edges on a coordinated positional tag at the edge of the film frame. Further, each camera system comprises an aligning mechanism for aligning each camera system in response to the set of edges of the respective coordinated position tag detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved parallel telecine for converting a plurality of recorded images or frames of film, defined by a first and a second set of frames of film, to a digital data stream. The improved telecine comprises a plurality of image transfer or digitizing systems for respectively digitizing each of the recorded images or frames of film or groupings of frames of film. Each image transfer and digitizing system comprises an illuminator system for illuminating the respective frames or groupings of frames, and a camera system for converting the image of the respective frame or groupings of frames into a digital data stream. Each camera sensor additionally comprises a position sensor for detecting a first and a second pair of edges on a coordinated positional tag at the edge of the film frame. Further, each camera system comprises an aligning mechanism for aligning each camera system in response to the set of edges of the respective coordinated position tag detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: A camera tracking system determines the three dimensional (3D) location and orientation of the film plane of a camera providing live recording of a subject, thereby defining a 3D coordinate system of the live action scene into which animated objects or characters may be automatically mapped with proper scale and 3D visual object by a computer animation system.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an improved parallel telecine for converting a plurality of recorded images or frames of film, defined by a first and a second set of frames of film, to a digital data stream. The improved telecine comprises a plurality of image transfer or digitizing systems for respectively digitizing each of the recorded images or frames of film or groupings of frames of film. Each image transfer and digitizing system comprises an illuminator system for illuminating the respective frames or groupings of frames, and a camera system for converting the image of the respective frame or groupings of frames into a digital data stream. Each camera sensor additionally comprises a position sensor for detecting a first and a second pair of edges on a coordinated positional tag at the edge of the film frame. Further, each camera system comprises an aligning mechanism for aligning each camera system in response to the set of edges of the respective coordinated position tag detected by the position sensor.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a liquid crystal display system comprising a liquid crystal display ("LCD") having a plurality of pixels. Moreover the system comprises an illuminator for illuminating each of said plurality of pixels. The illuminator comprises an optical fiber for transmitting a light beam within said fiber, and a number of discrete scattering sites positioned along the fiber for scattering a portion of the light beam outside said fiber. The number of discrete scattering sites are optically coupled with the plurality of pixels such that the plurality of pixels are illuminated by the light beam scattered outside the fiber through the number of discrete scattering sites.

Abstract: A machine vision system images bar code labels moving through a horizontal plane at variable object distances within the system's object depth of field Z .sub.obj with a plurality of sequential line images, each with different object lengths which gradate Z .sub.obj into plural focused object planes, and the object plane within which the bar code label lies provides a focused optical image of the bar code to a multilinear photodetector which transduces the focused optical image into a corresponding electrical signal for further processing.

Abstract: A geometric sensor includes a Monolithic Lenslet Module (MLM) subaperture array having a plurality of microlenses, each of which have an opaque center formed concentric with the microlens optical axis, at the location of the lens chief ray, to produce an integral geometric reference (IGR) spot pattern of the lens array which is used to correct for sensor errors to an accuracy comparable with that achieved with reference plane wave calibration.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system for measuring the height of an object having an outer surface. The system comprises a system for generating an energy beam along a path, such as light, having a structured pattern, wherein the structured pattern of the energy beam irradiates the outer surface of the object. The structured light pattern comprises a constant dimension. The system further comprises a sensor for sensing the outer surface of the object irradiated by the structured pattern. Moreover, the system comprises a system for calculating the height of the object in response to the constant dimension of the structured pattern irradiating the outer surface of the object and sensed by the sensor. This system for calculating the height of the object preferably comprises a programmed computer containing a series of algorithmic steps for deriving a refined overall height profile of the object.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for detecting distortion in light wavefronts is described in which the wavefront is divided into a plurality of subapertures and light amplified or intensified and imaged as spots of light from each subaperture onto a filter mask. The filter mask encodes a predetermined function of the spot intensity distributor onto the light intensity of the spot transmitted through the filter. For spot centroid calculation, the function is linearly variable. Mask embodiments include linearly varying alternate opaque and transparent chevrons, electronically variable chevrons, and quadratically varying chevrons.

Abstract: An improved light waveform image sensing system is described. The image wavefront is focused on an image divider and divided into "n"-segments ("n">1) whereupon the "n"-segements are focused on "n"-detector arrays and detected by "S"-detectors ("S">>1) in the "n"-detector arrays.The "S"-detectors may comprise any of the well-known photosensitive elements. A particular useful detector is an electron-beam mode device described in detail herein. The detected signals are combined to produce an electrical signal proportional to the tilt in the wavefront which signal may be used to deform a deformable mirror thereby correcting the image.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for sensing wavefront distortions in a return beam of light, such as a beam returned through a turbulent atmosphere or through an imperfect optical system from a radiating or illuminated object is disclosed. This apparatus includes the components typically present in a Hartmann-type wavefront sensor, and additionally includes means to provide a modulated reference beam of light which is combined with the return beam. The use of a modulated reference beam eliminates the necessity for precise optical alignment, which is difficult or impossible to maintain in most operating environments.