Abstract: The present invention provides a zoom lens system which comprises nine or less constituent lenses in all, has a short total length and a small front lens, is reduced in terms of size, weight and cost, has a high zoom ratio and a large aperture ratio, and is best suited for use with handy camcorders, and which comprises a first lens unit G1 having a positive refracting power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refracting power and movable horizontally along the optical axis during zooming, a third lens unit G3 constantly remaining fixed and consisting of a positive lens in which the object-side surface has a stronger curvature and at least the object-side surface takes an aspherical configuration and a negative meniscus lens in which the image-side surface has a stronger curvature, two lenses in all, said third lens unit G3 having a positive refracting power as a whole, and a fourth lens unit G4 movable horizontally along the optical axis for focus regulation during zooming and moving the object point and

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retrofocus type of objective lens system for endoscopes which has a wide field angle, a short total length and a short outer diameter, comprises a limited number of lenses and is well corrected for various aberrations. This objective lens for endscopes comprises a first lens component L.sub.1 having a negative refractive power, a second lens component L.sub.2 having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop S positioned just in the rear of the second lens component L.sub.2 and a third lens component that is a cemented lens obtained by cementing together a positive lens and a negative lens.

Abstract: A two-dimensional laser beam scanning device having a support base and a piezoelectric bimorph structure comprising four consecutively bonded piezoelectric layers disposed in the support base. The two outer layers of the bimorph structure have a shorter length than the two inner layers, and the inner two layers extend lengthwise in one direction past the ends of the outer two layers to form a two-layer bimorph portion having a free end. The four-layer portion is affixed along a first lengthwise edge thereof to the support base. The other lengthwise edge defines a free edge. The free end of the two-layer portion is bent ninety-degrees. The two-layer portion has a different resonant frequency than the four-layer portion.

Abstract: Rearview vehicle mirrors mountable on one or both sides of the vehicle to project laterally outward therefrom adjacent the windshield zone are provided with at least three independently adjustable flat faced mirrors movable in all planes to reflect to the driver's eyes rearward zones along the sides and rear of the vehicle which will simultaneously cooperate to provide the driver with a clear undistorted view of oncoming traffic all the way up to the driver's seat. Each mirror assembly has a compartment cup-shaped laterally elongated housing or casing with an open rearwardly facing mouth. Three flat faced mirrors fitting in side-by-side inboard, central and outboard relation in the housing substantially close the open mouth. Stiff ball and socket joints mount the mirrors in the housing to hold them in adjusted positions while permitting them to be manipulated in all planes either manually or electrically while maintaining the mouth of the housing substantially closed.

Abstract: An eyeglass frame having removable lenses, comprising of lens rings which are split into an upper and lower ring portion. Interposed between the upper and lower ring portions, and forming an integral part of the frame and positive actuating means to force open and draw closed the split lens rings to facilitate insertion and removal of lens. Several spices of eyeglass frame are visualized The preferred spieces utilizes a coil spring and resilient rod. Another spieces visualized utilizes several serrated coupling edges and an actuating fulcrum.

Abstract: A high finesse holographic Fabry-Perot etalon and method of making a high finesse holographic Fabry-Perot etalon is disclosed. Particularly, a holographic Fabry-Perot etalon which achieves high finesse despite non-flat interfaces between the etalon media is presented. In a preferred method of fabricating a high finesse Fabry-Perot etalon, single step recording of both holograms simultaneously, with the spacer and substrates in place, is employed which preserves full phase synchronization between the holograms. In spite of imperfections or irregularities of the interface surfaces of the substrates or spacers, the holographic fringes in the holograms remain flat even for slightly different refractive indices between the various media. The position and flatness of the fringes remains similar to perfect Fabry-Perot etalon structure.

Abstract: An improved Gauss-type reading lens system having high lens performance in which there is only a small difference in performance in the meridional and sagittal directions and which can efficiently correct aberrations at various operating wavelengths to produce only limited chromatic aberrations. The system includes, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus first lens element having a convex surface directed toward the object, a positive meniscus second lens element having a convex surface directed toward the object, a negative meniscus third lens element having a convex surface directed toward the object, a negative meniscus fourth lens element having a concave surface directed toward the object, a positive meniscus fifth lens element having a concave surface directed toward the object and a biconvex sixth lens element. The second and third lens elements are cemented and the fourth and fifth lens elements are cemented. The reading lens system satisfies certain conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for relaxing accommodation of an eye undergoing examination or other optical or medical procedures while concurrently permitting and facilitating positioning of the subject eye. A patch, cover, or other device designed to occlude and visually stimulate the eye opposite the subject eye includes multiple light sources facing the occluded eye. The practitioner illuminates a selected one (or ones) of the light sources within the patch and directs the patient to fixate on the source. As the occluded eye moves to fixate on the illuminated source, the subject eye follows the movement, thereby repositioning itself. Occluding the eye causes the image seen by it to appear to be at infinity, rather than nearby, causing the ocular muscles of both eyes to relax.

Abstract: An autofocus lens barrel has an optical system shifter for shifting a focusing optical system forward and backward in the direction of the optical axis, a driven pulley rotatively driven around the optical axis for actuating the optical system shifter, and a driving pulley which is driven by receiving a driving force. The driving force is transmitted from the driving pulley to the driven pulley by means of a belt. Preferably, an idler pulley should be proved at a position substantially symmetrical to the driving pulley with respect to the optical axis, and the driving force is transmitted from the driving pulley to the driven pulley and the idler pulley by means of a belt.

Abstract: A real time variable laser beam spinner, wherein a manual or programmable actuator angularly displaces a mirror or optical flat during rotation in order to follow the instantaneous spin diameter requirements associated with a workpiece, whereby a variable effective spin diameter of the beam results without interrupting the work process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the position of each eye of a human operator (12) with respect to a fixed reference point or with respect to each other by using electro-oculogram signals produced by eye movement. Human operator (12) wears sensor assembly (10) which includes a plurality of sensors (14) which are arranged to monitor right and left, as well as horizontal and vertical eye movement. The sensed electro-oculogram signals are processed by a microprocessor (60) into separate positional signals representing upward movement, downward movement, movement to the left, movement to the right, convergence, and divergence. These positional signals are used to control three dimensional imagery on a computer, video game, or other apparatus to be controlled, or for strabismus measurement and diagnosis.

Abstract: A light confining cavity collects much of the radiation reflected by a receiver, absorbing it imperfectly, and casts it again on the same receiver or on other receivers by means of an optical system. Only light in a bundle of rays of limited angular spread can escape from this cavity, which allows an entry aperture relatively large. Thus, the irradiance at the entry aperture may be low, and in some cases even lower than the irradiance at the absorber. In this way the requirements for the cavity materials and for the concentrating system feeding light to the cavity can be relaxed. The invention is of special interest in photovoltaic conversion devices because it improves the absorption of the solar cells and achieves higher conversion efficiency for photons of different energies by using solar cells of different materials.

Abstract: Methods for creating a plurality of holographic diffraction grating patterns in a raster scan fashion. In accordance with the method, the desired pattern is made up of a large plurality of individual spots, each spot comprising a holographic diffraction grating of a predetermined grating spacing and angular orientation for that spot. Variation of the angular orientation and/or grating spacing between spots and/or groups of spots provide the desired holographic effect. The spot locations may vary as desired, including locations drawing out a desired pattern, and two-dimensional orthogonal matrices in which a pattern is drawn by variations between spots or group of spots as in a raster scan type image. Various embodiments and methods for creating the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable telescope alignment apparatus employs a telescopic assembly which is secured about the periphery to a pivot ring. The telescopic assembly extends from the front and back surfaces of the pivot ring. The pivot ring is positioned within a inner peripheral channel of a collet member to form a ball and socket joint. The collet member has an outer threaded area which is engaged by a threaded locking ring which locking ring selectively compresses the collet member. By means of the ball and socket joint one can adjust and move the telescope assembly within a desired cone of rotation. The collet member is inserted within an aperture formed in a carrier lens held by a spectacle frame and is secured to the lens by means of a suitable adhesive as applied to an outer peripheral flange of the collet member.

Abstract: An optical equipment is equipped with a compact and high precision lens position detector which has a lens holder guide member which is made of a conductor and is provided with a detection electrode for detecting the position of the lens holder by a change in an electrical capacitance.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device for use with an ophthalmic eyeglass frame includes a detachable nosepiece designed to permit vertical and angular adjustment to fit the bridge of a user's nose and to permit the adjustment of the level of the eyeglass lens in relationship to the plane of the user's eye and includes first and second mounting tabs disposed on the eyeglass frame. A generally U-shaped nosepiece includes first and second legs terminating in first and second ends, respectively. The first leg includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures. The second leg includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures, each aperture being aligned with one of the plurality of spaced apart apertures located on the first leg. The nosepiece is disposed between the first and second mounting tabs, such that the first leg is disposed adjacent to the second mounting tab.

Abstract: An imager for the implementation of microscan comprises a member 18 for interrupting radiation between a lens and an array of imaging elements 13. The member 18 comprising alternate refractive transmissive regions 25 and non-transmissive regions 24. The transmissive regions 25 refracting radiation transmitted through them in the direction shown by the arrows. As the disc rotates across the array 13 the image focused on it moves giving successive frames which are shifted relative to one another.

Abstract: An etalon (10) is provided with a coating (12) so as to selectively pass spectral lines of interest. The etalon includes a substrate (14) having a first major surface and a second, opposite major surface. The etalon further includes a coating, preferably a rugate coating (12), formed upon at least one of the major surfaces. The rugate coating has a spatially varying index of refraction profile through a depth thereof. The profile is selected so as to provide the element with a prescribed dispersion characteristic that matches a dispersion characteristic of a source of the radiation signal.

Abstract: An improved microbeam holder to focus and control a laser beam to direct it to a target for laser beam microsurgery. The holder has a simple specular mirror holder and joystick mechanism for ease in laser beam direction. The laser beam holder allows focusing the laser beam during surgery. An attachment is included to hold the microbeam holder on the microscope apparatus being used for surgery and allows the microbeam holder to be rotated relative to the microscope. An adjustable hand rest is provided to allow ease in control of the joystick mechanism for laser beam direction.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the resolution of an image comprising a plurality of phase affecting light transmitting objects, preferably plates, disposed in a stack in the light path of the light energy defining an image, each plate having a thickness and being spaced a distance apart from others of the plates. Preferably, a source of radiant energy is provided for irradiating the plates and spaces between the plates in the stack and optionally the image itself to enhance resolution further by creating standing waves that interfere with the light in the light path defining the image. The plates are preferably edge illuminated, and the radiant energy may be visible light, ultraviolet energy or infrared energy, individually or intermixed. The system has application both for enhancing existing images as well as enhancing images during the image storage process.