Abstract: This invention is a trailer hitch viewing device which attaches to the front of a trailer and assists the driver of the tow vehicle to connect a trailer to a tow vehicle. The device is designed so that, after initial installation and alignment of the mirror, the mirror can be easily detached by merely lifting it out of an anchor bracket. The mirror is designed to be removed after the trailer hook up has been successfully achieved and to be folded in the center to form its own protective storage and carrying case. After storage, the mirror can be replaced for subsequent use by merely lowering it into the anchor bracket. Because of the unique design of the anchor bracket, mirror and other mounting hardware, the mirror does not require realignment when replaced and the device is immediately ready for use as soon as the mirror is placed in the anchor bracket.

Abstract: An optical correlator system for encoding a complex optical image onto a erent beam of light such as a laser and comparing it with a reference complex image. One embodiment of the invention encodes phase only information of the complex image onto the coherent beam of light by means of a liquid crystal television receiver. The light beam is passed through the liquid crystal television receiver, whose pixels are manipulated to provide phase information concerning the image. A second embodiment of the invention encodes both phase and amplitude components of a complex image onto the coherent beam of light such as a laser beam. Either or both encodings are utilized in the optical correlator system.

Abstract: An objective lens system for use within a microscope includes a first to an eleventh lens which are disposed in that order from an object side to an image side with predetermined air spacings therebetween. The first lens in the form of a meniscus is made of quartz, and has a concave surface which is directed toward an object side. The second lens in the form of a meniscus is made of quartz, and has a convex surface which is directed toward the object side. Each of the third, fifth, sixth and eighth lenses is made of fluorite, and has a positive power. Each of the fourth, seventh and ninth lenses is made of quartz, and has a negative power. The tenth lens is made of either quartz or fluorite, and has a positive power. The eleventh lens in the form of a meniscus is made of quartz, and has a concave surface which is directed toward the image side. The system transmits ultraviolet and/or far ultraviolet light and corrects chromatic aberration.

Abstract: A pattern recognition apparatus and a method for operating same. The apparatus includes a volume holographic medium (4) having a plurality of Fourier-space volume holograms representing pattern templates stored within. The apparatus further includes a spatial light modulator (1) and a phase encoder (2). The phase encoder has an output optically coupled to the medium by a first Fourier transform lens (3). The spatial light modulator spatially modulates a spatially uniform laser beam (7) in accordance with an unknown pattern. The two-dimensional phase encoder causes the spatially modulated laser beam to be spatially distributed prior to application to the medium. The apparatus further includes a detector (6, 11) having an input optically coupled by a second Fourier transform lens (5) means to an angular spectrum of plane waves generated by the medium in response to the output of the spatial modulator, phase encoder, and first Fourier lens.

Abstract: A lens in a shape of cylinder or head-cut-off cone made of transparent thin film materials with a fine prism-shaped fresnel lens surface formed thereon. The cylindrical lens is manufactured by forming a fine prism-shaped linear fresnel lens surface on a thin transparent film, shaping the film into a cylinder or a frustum of a cone, and connecting both ends of the film so that the fresnel center line forms a horizontal ring.

Abstract: A lens system comprising a radial type graded refractive index lens element and a diffraction type lens element so that the refractive power of the radial type graded refractive index lens element is imparted to the diffraction type lens element, thereby facilitating manufacturing of the graded refractive index lens element and favorably correcting aberrations including chromatic aberration.

Abstract: A kit to convert a standard epi-illumination microscope into a single aperture confocal scanning epi-illumination microscope comprises an assembly including, in one embodiment, a pair of intermediate lenses to create a second field plane conjugate to the specimen plane in both the incident and reflected light paths, with a single aperture positioned at this second conjugate field plane and controllably scanned through the plane to create the incident light beam as well as to mask the returning light before viewing. In a second embodiment, only a single lens is included in the assembly and the objective lens may be positioned at its correct tube length, or a non-standard objective lens may be used to prevent undesired degradation of the image. This assembly conveniently mounts to the nosepiece of the standard microscope in place of the objective lens, and the objective lens mounts to the assembly.

Abstract: A reflecting surface which is open at least at one axial end and in an axial section conforms to an axial section through a geometric surface generated by rotating a parabolic curve about an axis normal to the parabola axes. An elongated source/sink extends along the axis of the reflecting surface and is at least partly enveloped by that surface.

Abstract: A horizontal cut stepped mirror mounted to the pillars of an automobile to either side of the windscreen. Such mirrors may be mounted for adjustment or affixed directly to the pillar. Cushioning and mechanical adjustments may be used in mounting to the pillar for safety. The mirrors can be mounted inwardly and/or outwardly of the side window.

Abstract: A light scanning device has a laser beam generator, a reflecting mirror supported by a rotatable device and a driving mechanism for driving the rotatable device. The rotatable device includes a stator having a plurality of electrodes and a rotor having a plurality of electrodes opposed to the stator electrodes. The rotor is rotatably provided on the stator and is driven by an electrostatic force generated by selectively applying a voltage to the stator electrodes while supported in a non-contact state with the stator. The mirror preferably has a single mirror surface and therefore can be driven at a high deflecting speed.

Abstract: Buoyant jewelry for retaining and protectinq personal articles. Each jewelry/retainer comprises a brightly colored, buoyant body coupled to one or more fasteners for securing various articles such as sunglasses, keys, or personal care products which the swimmer or water sportsman desires to conveniently retain. The jewelry items comprise eyeglass retainers, bracelets, anklets, name badges, and necklaces. The body comprises a resilient core of low-density foam covered by a flexible, tubular sheath. The sheath brightly colors and reinforces the body. In one mode the fasteners comprise resilient tubes for axially gripping the ear pieces of conventional glasses. An alternative fastener comprises a flexible fabric channel for receiving fine wire or wrap-around ear pieces. Another embodiment comprises a cord looped through an item to be floated, and an optional cap is provided for slip-fitting over existing containers of personal care products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the photographic recording and the visual restitution of a tridimensional scene by means of a coherent light source (1). According to the invention, in view of the photographic recording, a coherent light beam is projected onto said scene such that it illuminates only a small portion of the surface of the scene (3) and a photosensitive recording plate (4) is disposed in such a way that it receives diffuse light coming from said scene; in view of the visual restitution, a first face of said plate is illuminated by a coherent light beam while the second face of said plate is observed.

Abstract: A scanning optical system has a light source for emitting a light beam; a condenser lens for changing the light beam from the light source to a parallel light beam; a connection holding member for supporting the light source and the condenser lens; a deflector for deflecting an approximately parallel light beam transmitted from the condenser lens at an equiangular velocity; and a lens for optical scanning for scanning a scanned face at an approximately equal speed while converging the light beam deflected by the deflector and forming an image in the shape of a spot on the scanned face, the lens for optical scanning being formed by a plastic material for optics.

Abstract: The method for sealing electrochromic devices disclosed in the present invention allows the cell cavity of a device to be established and filled with media at substantially the same time, without requiring spacer beads, fill holes and the like to complete the assembly. Moreover, the method of the present invention allows the cell cavity to be filled without accurately pre-measuring the media. Further, the sealing means used herein is constructed of a thermoplastic material that is inert to, and compatible with, the media commonly used and which forms an integral seal, even while in intimate contact with the media in the cell cavity.

Abstract: A flexible, shape-retentent rear view mirror is mounted to a support flange having a flange forward surface, with a positioning flange orthogonally and integrally mounted to an upper edge of the support flange. First and second mounting plates are positioned at opposed ends of the support flange in a coplanar relationship, with each lower edge of each mounting flange having a channel to receive the mirror plate therewithin to capture the mirror plate between the channels and the positioning flange. An arcuate spring plate having a convex forward surface projecting beyond the forward surface of the support flange is oriented between the support flange and the mirror to effect bowing of the mirror. Suction cups mount the organization to an interior surface of a vehicular windshield.

Abstract: Disclosed is a variable lens assembly having a water chamber defined with a front lens holder between two flexible, transparent diaphragms and filled with a fluid, and a syringe connected to the front lens holder and controlled to vary the volume of the water chamber. The diaphragms are stretched to curve outwards and form into a biconvex lens as the plunger of the syringe is pushed forwards in compressing the fluid; the diaphragms are induced to curve inwards and form into a biconcave lens as the plunger of the syringe is pulled backwards in releasing the fluid.

Abstract: An optical system for an endoscope has, in order from its object side, an objective lens system having a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power and an aspherical surface therein, and relay lens systems arranged on the image side of the objective lens system. The optical system for an endoscope can correct aberrations, assure uniform brightness over the entire range of an image from its center to its peripheral areas, and permits reducing the diameter of the cover glass plate used therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of binocular rivalry in a partially overlapped binocular image are disclosed. A false contour line is generated either electronically or mechanically along the border between the binocular and monocular images. This contour line reduces binocular rivalry in both convergent and divergent partially overlapped binocular displays.

Abstract: A computer hood is provided for a computer having a monitor that contains a cabinet and video display screen behind a keyboard on a desk located in a building having overhead lighting in a ceiling and/or an uncovered window in a wall. The computer hood consists of a structure for covering the front of the cabinet about the video display screen of the monitor of the computer to reduce glare on the video display screen from the overhead lighting in the ceiling and the uncovered window in the wall of the building. It will improve sharpness of display, relieve eyestrain and improve productivity of a person operating the computer.

Abstract: A zoom lens is provided, in which a fixed first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power and which realizes a variable magnification, a fixed third lens group having a positive refracting power and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power which compensates fluctuation of an image surface caused by the variable magnification and which focuses an image are sequentially provided from an object side. In this zoom lens, the third lens group is composed of two separate lenses of a positive lens (31) and a negative lens (32). At least one surface of the positive lens (31) is formed as an aspherical surface and a surface of the negative lens (32) opposing the image surface side is concaved to the image surface side. Thus, the zoom lens of this invention can be miniaturized and reduced in weight without deteriorating the characteristics such that a variable magnification is large and that an F number is small.