Abstract: A beam separating prism system for an imaging system having two pairs of prisms, each prism having a 30, 60, and 90 degree triangular cross section and being provided with a partially reflecting region situated between the common boundary of the pair. A nonreflecting entry surface of one pair receives light which is both not focused and not parallel as reflected from a document. The light received at the entry surface is separated into three light components by the prism system. The exit axes of two light components are parallel and the exit axis of the third light component is at an angle of approximately 60 degrees to the other exit axes. The light is received by the pair of prisms having the entry surface and intercepted by the partially reflecting region of the pair. The remaining light is transmitted by the partially reflecting region to form a first component which is then reflected along an exit axis.

Abstract: An optical beam steering system is provided by a reflective surface mounted n a baseplate which is electromagnetically driven by applied signals to control its angular disposition to a degree of accuracy within fractions of a microradian. Resilient means such as coil springs are attached in pairs to the baseplate to define two orthogonally related axes of movement intersecting at the geometric center of the baseplate. A pivotal support (preferably a jewel bearing) is positioned at the geometric center of the baseplate; first and second pairs of permanent magnets extend from thebaseplate at opposite equidistant points from the pivotal support to define first and second axes of movement which are also orthogonally related.

Abstract: A traffic channeling device for positioning on a highway in a normal traffic flow pattern. The channeling device comprises generally a paperboard shell structure which has formed on its lower portion, a plurality of flaps which are utilized in combination with holding means to hold the shell structure in a pre-determined position on the highway. The holding means may comprise a weight being positioned within the shell and in the preferred embodiment the weight may comprise at least one and preferably a plurality of automobile tires being positioned within the shell and on top of the flaps. The paperboard shell also has positioned on the outside thereof warning means for warning the traffic flow that the device has been positioned on the highway in the normal traffic flow with the warning means comprising an adhesive reflecting tape applied to at least a portion of the outside of said shell and preferably to the entire outside shell.

Abstract: A compact optical lens barrel mechanism for relativenonrotational displacement of a series of lens elements forming an optical system is provided. Lens elements can be mounted for selective subdivision into operative lens groups for both focusing and introducing a variable soft focus condition. The barrel mechanism includes a mounting cylinder having appropriate linear alignment elements. A translational cylinder is rotatively journalled within the mounting cylinder. Three lens mounting members can be relatively movable and are designed to each carry a predetermined number of lens elements. The rear lens mounting member can be moved by the translational cylinder to provide a variable amount of spherical aberration to produce a soft focus condition. An exterior focusing ring and a soft focus condition ring can be rotatively mounted relative to the stationary mounting cylinder for linearly moving the respective mounting members.

Abstract: A light reflecting delineator particularly adapted for delineating or marking the edges of road shoulders, bridges, abutments or other areas or objects that should be marked for the safety of motorists. The delineators are preferably of the reflex reflector type and are formed with a relatively small radius arcuate configuration in at least one plane which greatly improves their performance. Thus, the delineators reflect the light of an approaching vehicle over a far greater angular distance than do the conventional flat faced delineators in common use. The arcuate configuration of the delineators may take the form of a portion of a sphere, or a cylinder or a portion thereof.

Abstract: In a colorimeter including a light source, a first quantity of light is directed toward a color sample and from the color sample toward a single photoelectric receiving and measuring device which is capable of measuring amounts of primaries or tristimulus values in quantities of light. A first carriage has mounted thereon an X primary filter, a Y primary filter and a Z primary filter, and such first carriage is reciprocable so that a selected primary filter may be positioned in front of the single photoelectric device. Adjacent the light source is mounted a second carriage which supports thereon an X primary filter mirror, a Y primary filter mirror and a Z primary filter mirror. The second carriage is reciprocable to position adjacent the light source a selected primary filter mirror corresponding to that primary filter positioned adjacent the photoelectric device.

Abstract: An aircraft-carried omnidirectional assembly of retroreflectors for reciprocal-direction reflection of laser beams comprises an aerodynamically slender body having fittings on its medial portion for attachment to underwing supports for externally carried loads. Recessed in each end portion of the body are a plurality of individual retroreflectors, one coaxial and facing endwise outwardly, the rest spaced lengthwise from it and one another and facing in different generally lateral directions but with their axes intersecting the longitudinal axis of the body and uniformly inclined towards the adjacent body extremity. The incident sectors of the several retroreflectors at each end of the body slightly overlap and complement one another to provide, collectively, a hemispherical incident sector symmetrical to the body axis and complementary to the collective hemispherical incident sector of the retroreflectors at the other end portion of the body.

Abstract: Low-profile raised retroreflective sheeting useful for retroreflecting light that strikes the sheeting at a high incidence angle comprises a base retroreflective layer and a light-directing layer disposed above the base retroreflective layer. The light-directing layer comprises a longitudinally-extending series of short transparent projections which each have upwardly extending front and back edge surfaces. The front edge surface is disposed across the path of high-incidence-angle light so as to transmit a high percentage of such light rays; and the back edge surface is disposed so as to reflect the light transmitted through the front edge surface to the retroreflective layer for retroreflection by the layer and to return light retroreflected by the retroreflection elements back through the front edge surface toward its source.

Abstract: A photo-reconnaissance/surveillance system in which the landscape to be sned is photographed on color film. The film is then developed in a highspeed processor and scanned by photosensors. Illuminations for the sensors is provided by a plurality of point sources of light. Colored filters e.g., a green filter and a blue filter, are alternately interposed between the light sources and the film. A logic circuit compares the transmission through the film for both light conditions and, thus, can detect the presence of a target, if the color signature of the target is known a priori.

Abstract: An in-line safety reflector assembly for attachment to a spoked wheel of a cycle for improved end visibility of the cycle. Two planar reflectors are attached to opposite sides of a spring metal base plate, the inner end of which has a curved portion forming a spring clip for attachment to the wheel hub and the outer end of which has a laterally protruding spoke clamp which can be crimped onto a spoke. The reflectors lie in a plane parallel to the hub axis, lie wholly within the protected space generated by the revolving spokes, and have an extensive surface area, extending substantially the entire width of such space and the major portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: A foldable reflector for roads and highways in which the reflecting member is mounted on a panel held vertically on a supporting base. The panel is abutted on both sides by hinged wire stands which are spring-loaded to bear against the panel so as to keep it in a central and upright position.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a scanning optical system in which the scanning beam from a light source is deflected by a beam deflecting device to scan the scanning plane through a scanning beam focusing lens. The scanning optical system comprises a member disposed between the beam deflecting device and the focusing lens for reflecting a part of the scanning beam a plurality of times within the member so as to take up part of the beam as an information beam.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging an elongate object comprises at least two prisms back to back and means for laterally displacing light rays from part of the image prior to passage through the prisms, so that a series of images are formed in side-by-side arrangement. The images will be displaced relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the object but are still overlapping so that a section across the images will include all of the object. By increasing the number of prism pairs, further apparent subdivision of the object can be obtained.

Abstract: A scanning system for use in an air-borne vehicle and adapted for collecting and focusing radiation received by periodically scanning a strip of the ground from which radiation energy is being collected extending tranversely to the course of flight, comprising a scanning mirror having at least three radiation reflective surfaces mounted in symmetric and parallel relationship relative to the axis of rotation of said scanning mirror. Each one of said radiation reflective surfaces during its active scan interval consecutively views a first optical system and a second optical system respectively. Said first optical system and said second optical system as well, each are adapted to collect and focus respectively radiation reflected from the respective one of said radiation reflective surfaces during its active scan interval onto a focal point within the entrance aperture of a radiation detector.

Abstract: A reflective sheeting is disclosed having spaced apart cavities extending along one face and light-reflecting beads lining both wall and bottom portions of the cavities to impart a wide angle retroreflective response to incident light and improved brightness or intensity. The sheet is prepared by forming in a deformable carrier sheet a network of relatively depressed cavities having wall and bottom portions and spaced apart by intervening ridges, and then coating the wall and bottom portions of the cavities and the ridges with light-reflecting beads. After filling the cavities and covering the ridges with a solidified layer of a resinous organic matrix having a greater adherence to the beads than the carrier sheet has, the sheet is stripped away. This transfers the beads to the organic matrix and locates them in similarly shaped cavities and ridges molded in the matrix by the carrier sheet.

Abstract: A scanning device for light beams, wherein, for the purpose of permitting positional displacement of a scanning light beam to a certain extent in the direction perpendicular to its scanning direction, which is possibly caused by tilting or inclination of the reflection surfaces of scanning means such as a polygonal mirror, there is disposed a tolerating optical system in the light path of the light beam from the above-mentioned reflection surfaces. The positioned displacement of this light beam caused by tilting of the reflection surfaces of the light beam scanning means can be tolerated by a positional displacement tolerating optical system, wherein the focal length in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the light beam is shortened in comparison with the focal length in the scanning direction of this tolerating optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating light from a linear field on to a relatively small receiver disposed at the end of a rod light guide on the peripheral surface of which light emanating from the linear field is directed. The linear field is arranged substantially at the focal distance from a first concave strip mirror which is disposed so as to extend optically parallel to the field and reflects the incident light from the field to a second concave strip mirror which is optically parallel with the first mirror and forms therewith a substantially telecentric system and which, in turn, reflects the incident light to the peripheral surface of the rod light guide.

Abstract: A line scanning device for detecting defects in webs of material, wherein a laser light source throws a light spot by way of an objective, a light deflector device, and a cylindrical lens onto a web of material moving parallel to its surface, the light spot periodically scanning the web at right angles to the direction of its movement and parallel to its surface, and wherein a light receiving arrangement comprising a rod light guide and at least one photoreceiver is disposed parallel to the web of material and to the direction of scanning. The rod light guide carries a step mirror arrangement on that side of its periphery lying opposite the light inlet, and a light-scattering cylindrical lens grid, the axes of whose lenses extend in the scanning direction, is disposed between the light source and the objective.

Abstract: A reversible, side mounted rearview mirror for vehicles adapted to be mounted at the exterior of the vehicle and having opposed reflective surfaces one of which is suitable for daytime use and the other which is suitable for nighttime use. The mirror is supported within the housing for rotation about a horizontal axis and for swinging movement about a vertical axis at one end of the mirror to provide a full range of adjustment and to permit selecting one or the other of the reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A safety reflector device for bicycles or the like comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having first and second ends. The U-shaped members have a light reflective surface on at least one side thereof. First and second connectors pivotally connect the first and second ends of the U-shaped members together respectively. The U-shaped members may be pivotally moved relative to each other from a closed super-imposed position to an open position. When in the open position, the U-shaped members are spaced from one another and suggest a large mass with depth, height and breadth when subjected to a light source. A support member is operatively connected to the U-shaped members for mounting the device on the forward and rearward portions of the bicycle.