Abstract: Apparatus for generation of broadband vestigial sideband (VSB) signals primarily for transmission over optical fibers in which the carrier frequency is in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The modulating signal is normally a broadband digital signal. The apparatus includes an optical fiber, an optical signal source coupled to a modulator with first and second modulation signals modulating the carrier optical signal, plus a method of adding carrier optical signal to the modulator output optical signal and coupling to an output optical fiber. The modulation signals are selected such that an output optical signal transmitted along the optical fiber from the modulator has a vestigial single sideband. Part of the carrier optical signal is transmitted with the output optical signal through the use of a bypass loop or through an appropriate combination of the first and second modulation signals.

Abstract: A lens position control device including a first lens movable along an axis, a first detector detecting a position of the first lens, a second lens movable along the axis, a second detector detecting a position of the second lens, and a controller for driving and controlling the lenses, including storing and position parts. The storing part stores information related to second lens positions with in-focus state retained respectively for a plurality of object distances with respect to each of a plurality of positions of the first lens.

Abstract: An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for a vehicle includes a reflector/electrode on the third surface of the mirror. This reflector/electrode forms an integral electrode in contact with the electrochromic media, and may be a single layer of a highly reflective material or may comprise a series of coatings. When a series of coatings is used for the reflector/electrode, there should be a base coating which bonds to the glass surface and resists any adverse interaction, e.g.

Abstract: Aspheric toric lens designs are disclosed which reduce the number of cylindrical axis locations required for stock keeping units in inventory by aspherizing the toric surface thereof. The present invention pertains to ophthalmic lenses, and in particular to contact lenses such as soft hydrogel contact lenses, particularly designed to fit astigmatic patients who are either non-presbyopic or presbyopic. One of the front and back surfaces of the aspheric toric lens defines a spherical surface corresponding at least to the patient's basic distance prescription Rx. The other of the front and back surfaces defines an aspheric toric curve, wherein the toric surface is constructed with aspheric radii, such that the aspheric curve desensitizes axial misalignment of the toric curve by providing an enhanced depth-of-focus.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which enables observation of a clear image at a wide field angle with substantially no reduction in the brightness of the observation image, and which is extremely small in size and light in weight. The image display apparatus has an image display device (7) and an ocular optical system (8) for projecting the image of the image display device (7) and leading the projected image to an observer's eyeball (1). The ocular optical system (8) has at least three optical surfaces, and a space formed by these surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1. The three optical surfaces are defined as a first surface (3), a second surface (4), and a third surface (5), respectively, in the order in which light rays pass in backward ray tracing from the observer's eyeball (1) to the image display device (7).

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel in which a zoom lens is switched to a plurality of focal lengths by a moving member by which a plurality of lens groups are moved in the direction of optical axis. After a desired focal length has been selected, a focusing operation is conducted by the moving member. At least two lens groups, which are moved for switching focal lengths, are moved while a distance between lens groups is being changed so that the focusing operation can be conducted.

Abstract: A color separation prism assembly includes an imaging lens, a blue light separation prism, a red light separation prism and a green light transmission prism, arranged in this order behind the imaging lens. A blue light reflecting dichroic layer is located between the blue light separation prism and the red light separation prism. A red light reflecting dichroic layer is located between the red light separation prism and the green light transmission prism. The prism assembly satisfies the relationships defined by20.degree.<.alpha.<22.degree.;and35.degree.<.beta.<37.degree.,wherein .alpha. represents an angle defined between a light incident surface of the blue light separation prism, perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging lens and the blue light reflecting dichroic layer, and .beta. represents an angle defined between a light incident surface of the red light separation prism, parallel to the blue light reflecting dichroic layer and the red light reflecting dichroic layer.