Abstract: A stringed instrument has a body which is composed of a back case and a top case combined by screwing up screw receiving bosses of the back case to screw attaching bosses of the top case with a vibration absorber provided between a side wall of the back and a side wall of the top. Attached to the back case are string vibration parts such as a neck and a bridge base. The bridge base is exposed to the outside from an opening in the top case. Non-string vibration parts including a tape recorder and a speaker are attached to the top case. Thus, when string vibrations are transmitted from the back case to the top case, the central portion of the top of the top case becomes a loop where the vibration amplitude is maximum and the top vibrates greatly freely. Thus, according to the inventive stringed instrument, a musical sound of an increased volume with a warm tone quality containing sufficient overtones is obtained.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a stringed instrument is formed by a microprocessor operating hardware connected with one end portion of the several strings. The hardware principally comprises a reversible motor driving gears and a gear train selectively meshed by a solenoid for each string entrained over a saddle at the bridge position and underlying a double hinged tremolo system. An input sensor in the tuning module detects the tone of a plucked string and converts it to a square wave of the detected frequency, which is compared by the microprocessor with the closest adjacent intended frequency and energizes the solenoid for engaging the gear mechanism for tightening or loosening the string to obtain the required frequency. The user can override the automatic string tuning function for initially tightening a string or strings, and manually adjust the frequency of a string by a manually rotated knob on the head stock of the instrument.

Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy lens system includes a contact lens device and a separate image erecting component. The contact lens device includes a first holder, a contact lens element having a concave posterior surface for placement on a cornea of a patient's eye and a first image forming lens system located anterior of the contact lens element and cooperating with the contact lens element for focussing light emanating from the retina of the patient's eye for forming a real, inverted, aerial image of the patient's retina anterior of the first image forming lens system. The first holder mounts the contact lens element and the first image forming lens system in a fixed relationship to one another.

Abstract: A module, capable of being mounted on a printed circuit board, containing optical components necessary for optical correlation and a unique folded light path technique for conversion from a Vander Lugt optical correlator to a joint-transform optical correlator, or visa versa, with no electronic changes required. The folded optical path permits a polarizing filter to be positioned in the beam path reflected by a filter SLM but before a correlation detector means when the correlator is in a Vander Lugt mode and permits the polarizing filter to be removed, and an auxilliary mirror or other optical components positioned in the beam path to eliminate the filter SLM and to direct the beam path toward the correlation detector means when the optical correlator is to become a two-cycle joint-transform optical correlator and simultaneously match the Fourier transform plane to the detector plane of the detector means.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus to control the light exposure of the skin. One objective is to increase the exposure during periods of common deficient exposure such as for dark skin persons on winter days in areas far from the equator. Another objective is to decrease the exposure during periods of common overexposure such as for light skin persons during spring and summer days in bright environments. A novel feature of the invention is the use of lamps for whole body irradiation while showering or bathing during dark seasons. The whole body exposure enables the use of very low irradiance levels to provide an enhanced probability of beneficial effects and to reduce the possibility of harmful effects of the ultraviolet light. Another novel feature is the use of an adjustable ultraviolet light transmitting building window or automobile sunroof to increase the sunlight exposure on cold days when a deficiency in exposure due to closed windows is common.

Abstract: An optical component comprises at least one substantially planar element having a plurality of elementary surfaces capable of acting to reflect by total internal reflection light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a first range of incident angles associated with each surface, and to refract light incident thereon through the corresponding said element within a second range of incident angles associated with each surface. Refracted light at low angles of incidence passes straight through to provide a view through the component.

Abstract: A light beam deflection unit for deflecting a light beam has a carrier seated in rotatable fashion around an optical axis, a reflector arranged at the rotatable carrier, and a reflection face oriented transversely relative to the optical axis. The carrier is connected to a sleeve that laterally surrounds the reflector at least in certain regions, and that rotates with the carrier. The sleeve has a light entry aperture for the incident light beam at an end face facing away from the reflector, and a light exit aperture for the deflected light beam in the generated surface. An achromatic lens that is displaceable in the direction of the optical axis for the purpose of focussing the light beam and that is held by the sleeve is located in the light entry aperture. A wedge-shaped, transparent insert is arranged in the light exit aperture for astigmatism correction.

Abstract: A privacy and light shade accessory for the screen member of a laptop computer in its viewing position having a base member directly or indirectly mountable on the laptop computer provided with pivotal shade panels movable between a folded storage position and an unfolded operative screen shielding position. In two embodiments of the invention, the shade panels are pivotally attached directly to a base member comprising a cover of a laptop computer carrying case. In a third embodiment, the base member and shade panels are releasably attached to an outer rear surface of the screen member of the computer.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display method using a display, a phase shift member and a polarization optical element, two different types of vertically elongated stripe-shaped polarization plates having orthogonal optical axes, includes the steps of displaying, on the display, a single stripe image which is synthesized in such a manner that right and left parallax images from a parallax image source are divided into stripe pixels, and the stripe pixels of the right and left parallax images are arranged in a predetermined order, and controlling a direction of polarization of light transmitted through the phase shift member by controlling the electrical signal to be applied to the phase shift member in synchronism with the display operation of the stripe image.

Abstract: An improvement is proposed relating to an optical isolator for bonding of the polarizer and analyzer of polarizing glass to the respective holder rings for position adjustment. The improvement comprises: (a) forming a metallized layer of a specific composition over at least two of the side surfaces of each of the polarizer and analyzer on the area of the surface excepting for the linear areas of 50 to 150 .mu.m width from the top and bottom surfaces of the polarizer or analyzer; and (b) bonding the polarizer and analyzer to the respective holder rings by soldering using a solder alloy with intervention of the metallized layer between the polarizer or analyzer and the holder ring. The invention further provides an optical part having, on at least one of the surfaces, a heat-resistant anti-reflection coating film which is a double-layered film consisting of a thin film of the titanium oxide TiO.sub.x (x=1.9 to 2.

Abstract: An exchangeable condenser system for a phase-contrast illuminating system (12) for microscopes has a plurality of different light rings (5), arranged on a nosepiece plate (4), assigned to the condenser optical system (6). The condenser optical system (6) can be exchanged independently of the light rings (5), the focal lengths F.sub.n of the exchangeable condenser optical systems (6) being selected relative to one another in the ratio F.sub.n =F.sub.0 *X.sup.n and the average diameters D.sub.n of the light rings (5) being selected relative to one another in the ratio D.sub.n =D.sub.0 *X.sup.n, where X>0, n=0,1,2,3, . . . .

Abstract: Vehicle body accessories are formed of a transparent plastic material, and having markings defining a repeating pattern of opaque and transparent regions on one side of the transparent plastic material. The markings reduce the amount of light transmitted through the accessory, and give to the accessory an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The accessory can be used as a headlight cover, a tail light cover, a side window protector, a rear window protector, or a hood protector.

Abstract: A process suitable for forming multi-layer (up to at least several hundred layers) monotonic/linear variable/wedge filter coatings on a single substrate surface and for forming monolithic filter assemblies which incorporate such filters, is disclosed along with the designs for such filters. The monolithic process uses radially variable filter fabrication techniques in combination with ion-assisted deposition to form stress controlled, radially variable filter coatings of the desired varied optical profile, preferably using high and low index materials stich as tantala and silica. Stress is minimized by balancing the amount of ion assist and the coating rate. Slices are cut radially from the substrate to form quasi-linear variable filters. Other coatings such as, but not limited to, a wide band hot mirror can be formed on the opposite surface of the substrate from the radially variable LVF method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a line filter that is characterized by suppressing magnetic adverse effects inflicted on other components due to leakage magnetic fluxes from the closed magnetic circuit core used in the line filter and at the same time preventing noises from infiltrating into the closed magnetic circuit core. The line filter comprises a synthetic resin made bobbin (5) having flanges (2) on its both ends and a through hole (20) along its axis, a square shaped closed magnetic circuit core (1) with one of its magnetic legs inserted in the through hole (20) of the bobbin (5), windings (6) wound between both flanges (2) of the bobbin (5) in the direction perpendicular to the bobbin's axis, metal terminals (9) embedded in the flanges (2) and connected with the windings (6) and a wobbling preventive means to prevent the closed magnetic circuit core from wobbling.

Abstract: A reflector assembly is provided for efficiently collecting and forming the electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source into a desired beam pattern. The reflector assembly uses a smaller non-symmetrical generally convex reflector and a larger non-symmetrical generally concave reflector. The generally convex reflector intercepts a large fraction of light emitted by the source that would otherwise escape without interacting with the assembly and redirects this light onto the generally concave reflector for eventual inclusion in the beam.

Abstract: An external mirror for a motor vehicle includes a mirror base attachable to the vehicle, a mirror head which bears a mirror, which head can be rotated relative to the base by a motor, and which is mounted on the mirror base by an articulation, and when subjected to an impulse can yield in a deflection direction in which it is tilted toward the vehicle from the operating position of the mirror head. The articulation includes a tubular element fixed to the mirror base, and the articulation further has a bushing which is pressed coaxially over the tubular element by a spring, and a mechanism for limiting the rotational excursion of the mirror head around the tubular element.

Abstract: A hollow magnetic member includes a plurality of separate magnetic pieces. A parting surface between such pieces is defined by a plane parallel to or defining an angle of not more than forty-five (45) degrees with a center axis of the magnetic member. A holder for supporting a polarizer has such a cross section defined by a part of a cylinder cut away along a plane parallel to or defining an angle of not more than forty-five (45) degrees with the center axis thereof. A notched portion is formed in a cutting surface for containing the polarizer. A jig for assembly includes a base for holding the holder and a plate for positioning optical elements such as the polarizer. The holder is disposed in a recess in the base with the notched portion directed upward. A bonding material is applied to the notched portion prior to installation of the polarizer. The plate is placed on the base by inserting pins through holes, and then a screw is engaged with a tapped hole.

Abstract: A dual format pre-objective scanner (10), for use in a laser printer, having an incident beam (22) from input optics (12) incident on a polygon tower (14) comprised of a first polygon (20) having a first diameter and first number of facets and a second polygon (30) having a second diameter and second number of facets, rotating about an axis (42) common to both first and second polygon. The polygon tower (14) is moved in a vertical direction so that the incident light is directed in a plane approximately perpendicular to the axis rotation of the first and second polygon, at either the first polygon (20) or the second polygon (30). The polygon tower (14) is also moved in a lateral direction approximately perpendicular to the axis (42) of rotation of the polygon tower (14).

Abstract: A blur film is made of a polymeric film material transmissive to infrared energy of a selected waveband, which is affixed to a surface of a substrate transmissive to energy of the same selected infrared waveband. The blur film has a texture or a plurality of lenslets thereon, where the surface of each lenslet is a surface of revolution. In a spatial-filter wheel application, the blur film and substrate are affixed to a support, which in turn is rotatably mounted on a drive. The support is structured such that a portion of its circumference is covered by the blur film and a portion of its circumference is not covered by the blur film. The spatial-filter wheel is rotated in front of a detector to produce alternating blurred and direct images on the detector.

Abstract: A bifocal crystal optic lens made of a uniaxial crystal comprising two surfaces having a same axis, at least one of the two surfaces being a spherical surface or an aspherical surface. An optical system for an optical pickup device includes; a crystal optic lens consisting of a first lens body made of a transparent uniaxial crystal and a second lens body made of a transparent optical material selected from a second uniaxial crystal and an optical isotropic material, the first and second lens bodies joining via a spherically or aspherically curved interface; and an objective lens aligned with the crystal optic lens in a same optical axis of an incident ray. This optical system for the optical pickup device is capable of making simultaneously two focal points in the same axis, so as to simplify preferably the structure of the compatible video optical disc player for CD and SD to minimize the size thereof, thereby providing a relatively low cost for the manufacture thereof.