Patents Examined by Mohammad Y. Sikder
  • Patent number: 5648867
    Abstract: An objective has a first group of lenses with a first optical axis and a second group of lenses with a second optical axis. The optical axes are offset from and parallel to one another. A pair of Porroprisms is disposed between the first lens group and the second lens group and serves to rotate images. The Porroprisms cause a shift in optical axis, and the first and second optical axes are spaced from each other by a distance corresponding to this shift. The arrangement is such that light travelling along the optical axis of one lens group can enter the Porroprisms for reflection to the optical axis of the other lens group. The first lens group has negative refractive power while the second lens group has positive refractive power. A rhomboidal prism is located on the side of the second lens group remote from the Porroprisms and functions to cause a shift in optical axis equal but opposite to the shift caused by the Porroprisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert AG
    Inventors: Walter Hellriegel, Eberhard Dietzsch
  • Patent number: 5646791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sequential temporal and spatial integration of a collimated non-symmetrical excimer laser beam to optimize the temporal and spatial characteristics of the beam. The temporal integrator comprises a pair of cylindrical lenses spaced along the beam axis by a distance substantially equal to the sum of the focal length of both lenses, and a motor mechanism for rotating the two spaced cylindrical lenses about the beam axis. The spatial beam integrator includes a plurality of prisms distributed about a hollow center, the outlet face of each prism being angled with respect to the body axis of the spatial beam integrator so that portions of the laser beam passing through a given prism are refracted towards the center upon emergence from the outlet face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Visx Incorporated
    Inventor: Herrmann J. Glockler
  • Patent number: 5644443
    Abstract: The invention is a reflective dead angle vision device, which provides a line of sight for the driver that includes the area adjacent to the two front tires. The invention has a housing and two ultra wide-angle mirrors. The housing has movable transparent plates positioned at the front and rear, pivoting rectangular wide-angle mirrors positioned at the front and rear reflect light from a light bulb to provide forward illumination during day and night, an indicator light bulb positioned at a lower rear corner of the housing, intersecting water drainage troughs and a water drainage hole formed in the bottom, two hook-type mounting arms extend from the rear top edge to provide a means of installation onto a side mirror, and two flat rubber cushions are glued to the housing top for securing to the bottom of an automobile side mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: Hsiang-Hsin Hung
  • Patent number: 5640274
    Abstract: An EC mirror having an end surface of layers consisting of an ECD, an output electrode, and a clip electrode, prevents attacking by water submerging through the end surface, improves sealing ability with the mirror holder, prevents the mirror from chattering and a strange noise due to a vibration of the mirror, improves an anti-impact ability of the ECD end surface. An insulating member is disposed to cover ECD periphery portions and connecting portions of an output electrode, the clip electrode and a harness cord. A water proof member is disposed on an outer periphery of the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Murakami Kaimeido Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokumitsu Iwama, Michiaki Hattori
  • Patent number: 5640284
    Abstract: An optical illumination system according to the present invention is provided with an optical reflector for illuminating a surface to be illuminated in the shape of arc or annulus. A reflective plane of the optical reflector is shaped in a special curved surface. Specifically, an arbitrary parabola with a first axis passing through the vertex and the focus of the parabola is rotated about a second axis passing through a point located on the opposite side of the directrix of the parabola with respect to the focus and being parallel to the directrix. The rotation of the parabola yields a parabolic toric surface. The reflective plane of the optical reflector has the curved surface constituting at least a part of the parabolic toric surface. The reflective plane so shaped reflects a light source image emitted from a light source system to illuminate the surface to be illuminated in the shape of arc or annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Tanitsu, Takashi Mori, Hideo Hirose
  • Patent number: 5640270
    Abstract: A broad-bandwidth interferometric device is adapted for longitudinal insertion into a cylinder cavity to produce irradiance signals at multiple vertical-scanning positions as a function of optical path differences between a reference mirror incorporated in the probe and the cylinder-wall surface. The light-source beam is passed through an objective lens placed longitudinally in the cylinder and then divided by a beam splitter disposed in fixed relation to the cylinder wall to produce a test beam directed radially to the wall and a reference beam directed axially to a reference mirror disposed in fixed relation to the lens. During scanning, the objective lens and reference mirror are translated together, while the beam splitter remains stationary with respect to the cylinder wall, thereby varying the position of the focal point of the test beam and providing the vertical-scanning effect required to produce interference fringes and a corresponding map of the tested cylinder surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Wyko Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Aziz, Bryan W. Guenther
  • Patent number: 5638207
    Abstract: An optical system is provided in which flare is prevented and, when the light reflected from a reflection component is modulated by a photoelastic phenomenon, the effect of the modulation on the measurement of the intensity of the reflected light can be eliminated, and, further, a flying height tester for a magnetic head is provided using such optical system. A multilambda plate is provided in the flare-prevention optical system for allowing the light reaching a reflection component and the light reflected from the reflection component to pass, and for allowing the phase difference between the ordinary ray and the extraordinary ray to vary by 2.pi. or more depending on the wavelength of light. Since the light passed through the multilambda plate only varies in the peak position and the peak height varies little even if the light has experienced modulation, no error occurs in the spectrum intensity of the light. A depolarizer may be substituted for the multilambda plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Fukuzawa, Teiji Hisano, Yasuji Ozawa, Yasuyuki Takahashi, Hiroshi Watabe
  • Patent number: 5638206
    Abstract: A first a confocal optical microscope in which a good image with high contrast can be observed with which a bright image can be observed over a long time interval. The confocal optical microscope has a quarter wave plate arranged in an optical path between an imaging lens and an objective such that it is inclined relative to a reference optics axis extending between the imaging lens and the objective. Furthermore, the confocal optical microscope has a shortwave radiation attenuator for attenuating light radiated from the light source with wavelengths of less than or equal to 340 nm. The confocal optical microscope can form part of a length measuring device which can take a length measurement of a sample to be measured with high measurement accuracy and high reproducibility. The length measuring device also has a movable carrier, a carrier device for a sample to be measured, a computing device, a display device and a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masato Sumiya, Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5636069
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for improving the brightness symmetry of a beam emitted from a laser diode where the beam has a large width and a narrow height. The optical system includes a tilt plate for displacing one half of the width of the beam downwardly. A first beam steering prism functions to tilt the remaining, second half of the beam width in a plane parallel to the width dimension so that the second half travels towards the first half. A second beam steering prism is provided to tilt the second half of the beam so that its propagation axis is parallel to the propagation axis of the first half and wherein the second half is stacked above the first half. The optical system functions to improve the brightness symmetry of the beam by a factor of about five. The corrected beam can be used to improve the performance of a solid state laser which is end pumped by a broad area laser diode or a laser diode bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Nightingale, John A. Trail, John K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5636056
    Abstract: A device for preventing a false lighting phenomenon is provided between a light source of the main body of a signal lamp and e cover lens for preventing the signal lamp from presenting a false lighting phenomenon. The device for preventing a false lighting phenomenon comprises a pair of complex spherical lenses formed by many numbers of spheres arranged in a matrix on planes, and configured in a chain form in which the contact points, front, rear, left and right sides, of each of the spheres truncate the spheres forming a gapless interface while the upper and lower spherical surfaces are left intact to function as spherical lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Singoh Denzai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Itonaga, Toshio Tomosada
  • Patent number: 5636071
    Abstract: The speed reduction device for the electrically powered foldable rearview mirror includes a two stage speed reduction worm mechanism connecting an electrically powered motor for folding the rearview mirror which is fixed on a frame of a mirror body and a clutch gear engageably and removably mounted on a shaft which stands on a base and on which the mirror body is rotatably mounted. The first stage worm of the speed reduction worm mechanism is a twin gear including a worm screw portion with a coaxial spur gear on an end thereof. The second stage worm is a twin gear including a worm screw portion with a coaxial worm wheel on an end thereof. The spur gear of the first stage worm is engaged with a pinion mounted on an output shaft of the motor but the axis of the worm screw portion of the first stage worm is parallel with the motor output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Murakami Kaimeido Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mochizuki, Kazunari Yamauchi, Masahiko Ito, Yoshihiko Narukawa
  • Patent number: 5631782
    Abstract: Support pillar 426 for use with a micromechanical device, particularly a digital micromirror device, comprising a pillar material 422 supported by a substrate 400 and covered with a metal layer 406. The support pillar 426 is fabricated by depositing a layer of pillar material on a substrate 400, patterning the pillar layer to define a support pillar 426, and depositing a metal layer 406 over the support pillar 426 enclosing the support pillar. A planar surface even with the top of the pillar may be created by applying a spacer layer 432 over the pillars 426. After applying the spacer layer 432, the spacer layer 432 is etched to expose the tops of the pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory C. Smith, Robert M. Boysel
  • Patent number: 5625502
    Abstract: A motor actuated foldable vehicle outside rearview mirror which can also be manually folded to and from the service position. A first friction coupling is provided between one of the motor actuated parts and the mirror carrier. A second friction coupling is provided to detent the service position. Stops are provided on the mirror carrier and base to limit forward and rearward folding. A third friction coupling is provided which is active in the service position to provide greater resistance to forward folding than to rearward folding. Stationary concentric contact strip are provided on the carrier and moveable wipers on the stationary strips provide switching for energizing the motor on the carrier for powering folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf P. Hoogenboom, Stefan F. Brouwer, Adrianus J. M. Blom, Martinus A. B. Vernooij
  • Patent number: 5623375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interferential or interference dielectric mirror and to its production process. The mirror includes a ground, planar substrate, whose surface has been replicated with a thermal plastic resin, the substrate being covered with at least one layer of colloids having a low refractive index and at least one layer of colloids having a high refractive index, the two layer types being arranged in an alternating manner. The mirror is both inexpensive and resistant to laser flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'energie Atomique
    Inventors: Herve Floch, Michel Berger
  • Patent number: 5619370
    Abstract: An optical apparatus that enables an object at a first location to be viewed from a second remote location. The optical apparatus includes at least one objective lens assembly that views the object at the first location. The objective lens assembly focuses the viewed image onto the input plane of an image conduit. The fiber optic conduit propagates the image to the second remote location, wherein the image is projected from the image conduit onto the back surface of a substantially transparent planar member. The back surface of the planar member is not highly polished. As a result, the image projected onto the back surface does not pass directly through the planar member. The reflections caused by the unpolished nature of the surface allow the image to be viewed on the back surface of the planar member through the body of the planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: Patrick J. Guinosso
  • Patent number: 5615044
    Abstract: A binocular telescope includes adjustable optical components. The telescope has at least two telescope halves, respectively having an optical axis passing through an ocular and an objective. The adjustable optical components lie between the ocular and objective in a respective housing tube. The telescope has, between the two telescope halves, an axis that is essentially aligned parallel to the two optical axes, and in which a shaft body is arranged. The shaft body has a longitudinal slot in which an adjusting body, displaceable in the longitudinal axis of the shaft body, is arranged. This adjusting body is adjustable in the longitudinal direction from outside the telescope, its axial movement being coupled with the movable optical components for common focusing. A separate drive knob is arranged to change the axial position of one optical component in one telescope half to compensate for visual defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventor: Heinrich Dross
  • Patent number: 5612816
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a stereoscopic endoscope wherein an intermediate image is generated in a rod-shaped endoscope attachment. The intermediate image is imaged into the focal plane of an objective. The objective can be the main objective of a surgical microscope with the objective having a long focal length or the main objective of a stereoscopic recording system. The main objective and an in-coupling optic conjointly define an inverted telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Fritz Strahle, Ulrich Sander, Uwe Vry
  • Patent number: 5610771
    Abstract: A non-deviating prism system (40) and method provides continuously variable dispersion of light with limited deviation. Light is dispersed in a prism arrangement which includes a selected liquid filled in the spaces between adjacent prism elements (41, 51). The indices of refraction and the apex angles of the prisms (41, 51) and the intervening liquid are set to limited deviation according to predetermined relationship. The prisms are mounted near the edges of mutually insertable tubes (62, 64) and a refractive liquid is secured in a containment space bounded by the prism elements (41, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5608581
    Abstract: A rear view apparatus for a vehicle having at least a driver's cabin having a roof and a front window. The rear view apparatus having at least three mirror devices each of which is elongated and defining a longitudinal axis, a first mirror device of the apparatus being positioned higher than the roof; a third mirror of the apparatus being positioned in front of a driver in said cabin; and, a second mirror of the apparatus being positioned so as to direct light rays reflected from the first mirror device to the third mirror device, wherein the mirror surface of at least one of the three mirrors is torsioned in a longitudinal direction. The torsion of the mirror surface being opposed from the middle of the mirror surface to each of the sides of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Theodorus G. Potma
  • Patent number: 5604643
    Abstract: A multiple reflection optical instrument including a housing; a main field mirror fixedly mounted on a mount which is disposed at one longitudinal end of the housing and has a light beam inlet window; an auxiliary field mirror fixedly mounted on the mount which is adjacent to the main field mirror; a light beam outlet window formed in the mount; and first to fourth objective mirrors arranged at the other longitudinal end of the housing opposite to the field mirrors, wherein an image matrix is formed on the main and auxiliary field mirrors by a plurality of reflection spots of the light beam passing through the inlet window into the housing, and a position of a center of curvature of each of the first to fourth objective mirrors, which is projected onto the main field mirror, is adjusted such that the finally reflected light beam toward the outlet window is a maximum even-numbered coming and going reflection reflected from the third objective mirror in the image matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazushige Yamamoto