Abstract: An eyewear frame assembly comprises at least one lens that is substantially encircled by a flexible wire or cable. The wire can be constructed as a monofilament wire or a multi-filament wire. Various closing members are shown, some of which feature magnetic members.

Abstract: Sunglasses for infants and children includes an elongate integral member including a central portion having a central nose bridge, a lens opening on each side of the central nose bridge, and a temple extending rearwardly of the central portion at a bend in the elongate integral member on each side of the central portion. A lens-defining member is affixed to the central portion, and an elongate integral backing is affixed to the lens-defining member. The backing includes a central nose bridge opposing the central nose bridge of the central portion, and a lens opening on each side of the central nose bridge opposing the lens opening on each side of the central portion. A nose bridge pad is affixed to the backing, and a temple pad is affixed to the backing at each side thereof and to the temples maintaining the bends in the elongate integral member.

Abstract: A SLM includes a pixel array. The pixel array contains a plurality of quadrilateral pixels with the same size, wherein an interior angle of each of the quadrilateral pixels is an acute angle. Each of the quadrilateral pixels further contains a first subpixel, a second subpixel, and a third subpixel.

Abstract: The presently described embodiments provide electric paper, in one form, that is bisymmetrical, both sides of the paper have the same thicknesses of mylar layers and the same thicknesses and patterns of ITO islands. In another form, a disordered layer of conductive particles, non-conductive particles and display elements has the same percolation threshold throughout, and thus is bisymmetrical. In either form, in a system for printing all asymmetries in the printing process are transferred to the printhead, just like in conventional ink printers and paper. As a result, both sides of the electric paper are equally capable of being printed on, just like conventional paper, and the electric paper has the same flexural properties when flexed in a concave or convex manner, just like conventional paper. This construction has the additional practical advantage that there is no longer any need to ensure the electric paper is oriented “right side up” before printing on it.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system that enables a wide image-pickup, and ensures that even when an image is printed, sufficient image quality and clearness are obtained from the center to as far as the margin of the image and the image of a subject is depicted with a sense of extension. The electronic image pickup system comprises an image-formation optical system 10 for forming an image of a subject and an electronic image pickup device 20 located on an image side of the image-formation optical system for obtaining image information on the image.

Abstract: The optical element includes photonic crystals respectively having different optical characteristics. These photonic crystals are formed in a plurality of regions on a single substrate. The optical element has a structure in which two or more kinds of media are nearly periodically deposited on one-dimensionally periodical grooves. Further, the grooves are different in direction according to locations on the deposited surface. A variety of optical elements each having different dependencies on polarization according to locations can be obtained. That is, portions or zones different in optical characteristics can be integrated on a single substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical element comprising: an optical functional section on a first surface of the optical element, the optical functional section having a fine structure; and a flange section formed on a periphery of the optical functional section, wherein the flange section has a heat shrinkage-inhibiting portion, which inhibits heat shrinkage of the optical element during molding in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical element. The invention further provides a method of molding the optical element, and a mold.

Abstract: A spectacle frame according to the present invention includes a pair of lens hangers each having a lens connector at a distal end thereof, and a pair of fixing barrels for supporting proximal ends of the lens hangers to be rotatable on a leftward/rightward axis, and joined to a brow bar. The fixing barrel has a supporting hole extending leftward/rightward, an outer circumference concentric with the supporting hole, having a predetermined radius of curvature, and an annular groove formed on the outer circumference. The lens hanger which is made of a metallic wire has a shaft portion fit in a rotatable manner into the supporting hole of the fixing barrel, an engagement portion engageable with the annular groove of the fixing barrel, and a spring portion formed between the shaft portion and the engagement portion to elastically bias the engagement portion toward the annular groove.

Abstract: A control system for an electrochromic (EC) device is capable of monitoring the temperature of the EC device without requiring an external temperature monitoring element, and then controlling the EC device based, in part, upon the temperature readings. The control system also provides methods for heating the EC device using current flowing through the device and for simultaneously heating and changing the transmissivity level of the device. The controller also provides security feedback by detecting glass breakage via a high frequency impedance measurement of the EC device. The controller also provides for methods of determining the bleaching/coloring history of the EC device, determining the transmission state of the EC device and applying a holding voltage to maintain the transmission state of the EC device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for deficiency in the illumination light from a light source is provided, where the spectrum in the visible range of light from the light source is determined, and a deficiency at a wavelength or band of wavelengths in the visible range of light is determined therefrom, a color sequencing device is provided having a set of filters comprising red, green and blue filter segments, and an additional color balancing filter segment, and wherein a the color balancing segment is constructed so as to preferentially pass a band or bands of wavelengths, which band or bands are determined based on the determined deficiency of the light source.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a substantially distortion free immersion lithography is provided. The apparatus includes a lens element, an outlet for drawing immersion fluid towards the lens element, and a collector ring coupled to the central outlet for removing the immersion fluid. The method includes positioning a lens element relative to a wafer to provide a space between the lens element and wafer, introducing immersion fluid to that space, and drawing the immersion fluid from that space to minimize gas bubbles in the immersion fluid, and repeating the introducing and drawing steps to maintain the flow of the immersion fluid during a lithography process.

Abstract: A panoramic-view diving mask with self-sealing, non-glued, removable watertight lenses. The lenses are self-sealed by an assembly process in which a layer of elastic gasket medium is applied or attached to either one or both beveled contacting edges of the frontal and side lenses, with the non-contacting edges having a lip so as to provide an enhanced seal between the lens and the frame. The lenses are assembled by pressing an assembly ring against the frontal lens and side lens simultaneously, forcing compression against the elastic gasket medium at the contacting edges of the two lenses and securing both lenses to the mask frame. The result is a watertight seal, achieved without adhesives, at the contacting edges of the front and side lenses. This process reduces storage space, packaging size and transporting costs during mass production.

Abstract: A reconfigurable multifunctional optical device has an optical arrangement for receiving an optical signal, each having optical bands or channels, and a spatial light modulator for reflecting the at least one optical signal provided thereon. The optical arrangement features a free optics configuration with a light dispersion element for spreading each optical signal into one or more respective optical bands or channels for performing separate optical functions on each optical signal. The spatial light modulator includes a micro-mirror device with an array of micro-mirrors, and the respective optical bands or channels reflect off respective micro-mirrors. The free optics configuration includes a common set of optical components for performing each separate optical function on each optical signal. The separate optical functions reflect off separate non-overlapping areas on the spatial light modulator. The separate optical functions include optical switching, conditioning or monitoring functions.

Abstract: A thin magnifier structure with magnetic protective jacket, including a transparent magnifying member, a magnetic jacket and a pivot member. The transparent magnifying member integrally has a magnifier and is movably clipped and hidden in the magnetic jacket. The transparent magnifying member and the magnetic jacket are pivotally connected with each other via the pivot member, whereby the transparent magnifying member can be pivoted about the pivot member out of or into the magnetic jacket. When not used, the transparent magnifying member is clipped and hidden in the magnetic jacket, whereby the magnifier is protected from being scraped by any alien article. In use, the transparent magnifying member is pivoted about the pivot member out of the magnetic jacket. At this time, a user can hold the magnetic jacket with a hand to see an object through the magnifier without contaminating the magnifier. The thin magnifier structure is also usable as a bookmark.

Abstract: A pair of eyeglasses includes a lens, two engaging blocks each having an end engaged with a side of the lens, and two clamping members. A ring is mounted to the other end of each engaging block. An end of each clamping member is mounted to a cap visor. The other end of each clamping member includes an engaging hole. An annular toothed wall extends from a bottom wall defining the engaging hole. An annular groove is defined between an outer face of the annular toothed wall and an inner circumference defining the engaging hole. The rings are engaged in the engaging holes the clamping members, with teeth on the annular toothed wall engaged with teeth on the ring. The annular toothed wall expands into the annular groove when the teeth of the rings press against the teeth of the annular toothed wall during pivotal movement of the rings.

Abstract: An eyeglasses assembly includes a lens frame and two eyeglass temples. The lens frame have two mounting seats provided at left and right ends, respectively. Each mounting seat has a pivot hole. Each eyeglass temple includes a coupling portion mounted pivotally to a respective one of the mounting seats. The coupling portion includes two resilient legs, and a curved pivot part disposed between the resilient legs and extending pivotally through the pivot hole in the respective one of the mounting seats. The resilient legs abut against outer faces of the mounting seats when the eyeglass temples are unfolded, and bias the curved pivot parts to move inward and limit outward movements of the eyeglass temples.

Abstract: An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for the modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on a continuous web fed process.

Abstract: A head-up display includes a projection system and a window having a target area where a reflective polarizer is positioned to reflect light from the projection system to a viewing area. Light from the projection system is p-polarized and strikes exposed window surface(s) at an acute angle to reduce or eliminate multiple or “ghost” images. The acute angle is closely matched to a Brewster angle of the exposed window surface(s). The reflective polarizer includes a multilayer stack with refractive indices of individual layers chosen to reflect p-polarized light substantially more than s-polarized light over a wide angular range that includes the acute angle. The reflective polarizer also can reflect infrared light to reduce cabin heating from solar radiation.

Abstract: A lens for substantially collimating light in one axis and spreading light in an axis substantially perpendicular to the collimation axis including a lens an entry face which is positive and cylindrical, having a cross-section which includes the positive cylindrical curvature and having tapered sides substantially parallel to the refracted rays produced by the cylinders curvature and a circular convex or a spheric exit face perpendicular to the cylindrical curvature.

Abstract: An eye cover for use as sunglasses, eye shields, eye glasses or other eye wear, is formed of an elongated and flexible sheet of transparent plastic material adapted to extend horizontally over both eyes and temples of a wearer, to a location forward of the ears of the wearer. The sheet has a central nose engaging area, a pair of viewing areas on opposite sides of the nose engaging area and a pair of temple engaging areas each extending from one of the viewing areas. Each of the temple areas have inner surfaces and are bent for use into an arcuate position with the inner surfaces engaging the temples of a wearer. A bend retaining mechanism, such as wires connected to the perimeter of the sheet, form and resiliently maintain the arcuate position of each of temple area.