Abstract: A surface position detection apparatus of this invention includes a position detection section having a plurality of electrodes opposing the object surface to be measured, and a measurement device for selecting at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the shape of the object surface, supplying an AC current to the selected electrode, and measuring the current flowing to the electrode, thereby measuring the distance between the electrode and object surface.

Abstract: A portable camera with integral printer device, the camera including a digital image capture device for the capturing of digital images; an integral programming language interpreter connected to the digital image capture device for the manipulation of the digital image; and a script input device for inputting a self documenting program script for the manipulation of the digital image to produce visible alterations thereof The script input device comprises a card reader for optically reading a script carried on a surface of a portable card. The script is interpreted and executed by the interpreter so as to modify the digital image in accordance with the script and so as to provide a printout of a modified image on the integral printer.

Abstract: A remote camera positioning and control system is disclosed that permits a sole operator to use and support a camera out of arm's reach without external structural or personnel support. Various features of such a remote camera positioning and control system are disclosed. The positioner can include one or more beam modules having cross-sectional flexural rigidity that varies along the length of the beam module(s) by use, for example, of stiffening longerons, anchoring braces and relatively low density stabilizing webs. The camera can be mounted to the beam module by a front end assembly that is constructed to place the center of mass of the camera and the front end assembly along the neutral axis of the beam module over as great a range of motion as possible. The system can also include a handle module that incorporates, for example, an axially and rotationally moveable grip and a proximal handle grip ring and control cage for surrounding a camera control, such as a joystick.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting small periodic wave patterns in technical surfaces, monochromatic coherent primary light is directed onto a workpiece surface approximately at right angles to the expected periodic wave patterns, and at an angle of incidence that grazes the workpiece surface, creating a diffraction image of the waved surface structure in the secondary-light beam. The occurrence of two intensity maxima immediately indicates the presence of a periodic wave pattern, whose period is evaluated through inverse proportionality from the spacing of neighboring intensity maxima, while the depth of the wave troughs is determined from the intensity of neighboring intensity maxima and from the period. The intensity distribution in the diffraction image in the secondary-beam path is subjected to an autocorrelation, and both the period and the depth of the wave pattern can be calculated from the autocorrelation function.

Abstract: A projector changes stepwise electric energy supplied to a light source based on temperature information which is detected by a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of components of an optical engine or an ambient air temperature. A lamp output control circuit changes stepwise the electric energy supplied to the light source based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for showing images. The apparatus includes a screen. The apparatus includes a mechanism for displaying a distinct and separate image for each of a number of different observers simultaneously on the screen. A method for showing images.

Abstract: A metrology target mask includes a first array of spaced, substantially parallel elements having essentially the same length and width. Ends of the individual elements are aligned to form opposing array edges. The target mask also includes a second array of elements comprising a central element having a length and a width, and a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel outer elements having a length and a width. The width of the outer elements is less than the width of the central element, with edges of outer elements on each side of and farthest from the central element forming opposing array edges. The pitch of the outer elements is selected such that the outer elements are not resolvable after lithographic printing. After printing, the first array is sensitive to both dose and focus, and the second array is sensitive to dose but not focus, of the energy beam.

Abstract: In a lithographic apparatus having a movable object table in vacuum, an interferometer-based alignment system for detecting the position of that object table has a passive part in vacuum and an active part outside the vacuum chamber. The active part contains the beam generator, e.g. a laser, and the electronic detectors whilst the passive part contains the illumination and imaging optics. The two parts are coupled by optical fibers. The interferometer may make use of different diffraction orders from measurement and reference gratings and the order separation may be included in the passive part.

Abstract: An optical projection system includes a first optical image projector that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels having a first pupil associated therewith. A second optical image projector is configured to generate a second array of image pixels having a second pupil associated therewith. An optical element is configured to superimpose the first and second pupils to create a single exit pupil.

Abstract: A retractable screen system suitable for portable, hand held computing and communication units joins a number of optical sheets to form a rollable, extendible and retractable projection sheet. The resulting folded optical system provides a lightweight, portable unit. Telescoping arms allow the screen to be extended and stowed quickly and easily. High screen resolution is afforded by multiple mechanisms that scan concurrently. Beam indexing of the screen permits the precise alignment via feedback, and an embodiment fit for military, command and control applications.

Abstract: An illumination optical unit and an image display system including the illumination optical unit. The illumination optical unit comprises a light source which emits light and a dichroic mirror wheel, which includes a plurality of dichroic mirrors, each of which is divided into at least three segments, to sort out at least three color light beams from light incident from the light source and to reflect the light beams as the mirror wheel is rotated by a motor. The image display system comprises the illumination optical unit; an image optical unit which modulates light incident from the illumination optical unit to form an image; and a projection optical unit which projects light from the image optical unit onto a screen. Since light is temporally and spatially divided, light loss is reduced and a high resolution of an image is accomplished.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively positioning a first projector and a second projector to project an image through a single projection aperture. The apparatus comprises a first rail system, extending longitudinally along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a first platform, translationally slidable in the second axis on at least a portion of the first rail system; a second rail system, disposed on the first platform; a second platform, adapted for mounting the first projector and translationally slidable along the first axis on the second rail system; and a third platform, adapted for mounting the second projector and translationally slidable in the second axis on at least a portion of the first rail system.

Abstract: An ink/print media discriminating portion discriminates kind of ink to be used in an apparatus on the basis of information of kind of the ink or a printing medium input by a user. The discrimination information is fed to a thermal energy generation amount control portion. The thermal energy generation amount control portion sets a driving condition, such as a pulse width of a drive pulse or the like corresponding to the kind of the ink represented by the discriminated information, is set in a head driving portion.

Abstract: An optical equipment having a discharge lamp for supplying light and a light valve device for projecting the light from the equipment having an air intake opening arranged on one side of the equipment. A ventilation device is associated with the air intake opening so as to draw in air from outside of the equipment through the air intake opening and a ventilation path arranged so as to extend from an outlet of the ventilation device continuously. The ventilation path includes a partition member proximate to an outlet of the ventilation device and air flow through the ventilation path is divided into a plurality of air flows by the partition member so as to cool different parts of the light valve device respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure to attach a liquid crystal panel to a prism, which enables further enhancements in cooling capabilities. The structure includes a storing member fixed on a base and holding a holding frame, where a liquid crystal panel is held. Erected pieces to form a space to receive the holding frame are formed protruding on both left and right sides at the light incident side. Protrusions to form an air path with a cross-dichroic prism are formed on both left and right sides on the light emitting side. The liquid crystal panel is attached to the cross-dichroic prism through a holding member having an opening at a portion corresponding to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for routing and aligning beams and optical elements in an optical device include a multiplexing device and/or a demultiplexing device, which includes an optical alignment element (OAE). The OAE can be configured to substantially compensate for the cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The OAE allows the optical elements in a device, other than the OAE, to be placed and fixed in place without substantially compensating for optical alignment errors. The OAE is inserted into the beam path and adjusted. This greatly increases the ease in the manufacturing of optical devices, especially for devices with numerous optical elements, and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The multiplexing and/or demultiplexing device can reside within a standard small form factor, such as a GBIC. The devices fold the paths of the traversing beams with a geometry which allows a small package.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection device (10) which comprises: at least two high resolution input channels (12, 14) for receiving a first and a second high resolution input signal (20, 22) having information data for a first and a second display format, respectively, an image recombination system (24) for combining the high resolution input signals (20, 22) into one high resolution imaging signal having information data for a third display format larger than either of the first or second display formats, a high resolution image forming display device (18) for displaying an image corresponding to the high resolution imaging signal, and a projection lens (26) for projecting the imaged high resolution imaging signal onto a visualization surface (16). The present invention also provides a corresponding method. Due to the use of one large image forming display for displaying the two images, no geometrical alignment problem occurs.

Abstract: A reflecting optical element is disclosed which includes the following articles. The reflecting optical element is constituted by: a base member having a continuous curved-surface portion, and a resin layer integrally formed of resin on the curved surface of the base member, and having a plurality of mutually discontinuous curved surfaces to be reflecting surfaces. The base member is made of a material smaller in coefficient of linear expansion than the resin for forming the resin layer. Thus, a reflecting optical element is provided which is low in optical-performance deterioration caused by the temperature effect, and small in the number of restraints in fabrication.

Abstract: A projection optical system according to the present invention whose image side numerical aperture is greater than or equal to 0.75, and which forms an image of a first object upon a second object using light of a predetermined wavelength less than or equal to 300 nm, comprises: a first lens group G1 of positive refractive power; a second lens group G2 of negative refractive power; a third lens group G3 of positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group G4 of positive refractive power, and: the first lens group G1, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4 are arranged in order from a side of the first object; and a distance D in mm along an optical axis between an optical surface of the fourth lens group G4 closest to the second object, and the second object, satisfies a condition of 0.1<D<5.

Abstract: Provided are a micro mirror device capable of realizing color images without a color wheel by selectively reflecting color beams using a plurality of micro mirrors whose driving axes are positioned in different directions, and a projector employing the same. The micro mirror device can individually control a plurality of micro mirrors, the micro mirror device comprising a plurality of micro mirror units having micro mirrors whose driving axes are positioned at predetermined different angles, the micro mirror units for reflecting light incident in different directions.