Abstract: A system for controlling a strobe light or the like with serial data has a first processor for decoding or recognizing commands, and a second processor for executing the commands. The serial data is typically in a standard format such as DMX-512. Also, firing of the strobe lights is controlled digitally, for precise control over both timing and intensity.

Abstract: In an optical beam-doubling and image-rotating device, beam splitting means are provided for creating a first and a second image of an optical target in conjunction with means for rotating the light-ray family associated with the second image yielding a second image which has been rotated axially through a defined angle with respect to the first image, in further conjunction with additional beam splitting means so disposed as to combine the first and rotated second images so that they may be visually compared under the conditions of a specifically defined relative angular displacement. The disclosed use is in measuring the sphericity of the cornea of the eye during ophthalmic surgery.