Abstract: A projector screen is provided with a Fresnel lens for collimating lights projected from a projection lens provided in a projection device. A lenticular lens having a plurality of pillar lens elements successively arranged in parallel forms an image from the collimated lights projected by the Fresnel lens and spreads the image. A protection panel is installed on the front surface of the lenticular lens for protecting the lenticular lens. Also, a plurality of parallel spreading units is formed along the central axis of each lens element at the contact portion of the lenticular lens and the protection panel for providing a wide viewing angle of the image. The surface of the lenticular lens opposing the protection panel is flat so as to adhere to the protection panel.

Abstract: An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact and simple wide-angle lens system composed of a reduced number of lenses and having high productivity, which is well suited for use on digital cameras, while making sure of the space necessary for edge, and middle thicknesses, and constructing the system and, at the same time, having a given back focus and exit pupil position, and good-enough image-forming capability, and which comprises two lens groups or, in order from the object side thereof, a negative lens group GN and a positive lens group GP with an aperture stop D midway between them and a lens located nearest to the object side thereof being defined by a positive lens, said positive lens conforming three conditions in terms of focal length, shape factor, and making sure of sufficient edge thickness.

Abstract: An optoacoustic modulator contains first and second optoacoustic media, to which first and second piezoelectric vibrators are attached respectively. Herein, both of the first and second optoacoustic media are designed in same measurements, wherein they are arranged in series along an optical axis of a light signal in such a way that crystal orientation of the first optoacoustic media differs from crystal orientation of the second optoacoustic media with an angle of inclination of 90.degree.. In addition, the first piezoelectric vibrator is attached to a first surface of the first optoacoustic media which is placed in parallel with the optical axis of the light signal, while the second piezoelectric vibrator is attached to a second surface of the second optoacoustic media which is placed in parallel with the optical axis of the light signal, wherein the first surface is directed perpendicular to the second surface.

Abstract: A multi-stage extension type zoom lens barrel includes a first rotational feed barrel rotatably connected to a stationary barrel; a first linear movement barrel disposed in, and rotatably connected to, the first rotational feed barrel without relatively moving in the optical axis direction; a second rotational feed barrel disposed in, and rotatably connected to, the first linear movement barrel so as to move in the optical axis direction relative to the first linear movement barrel upon rotating; a rotation transmission barrel which can be detachably inserted between the first rotational feed barrel and the first linear movement barrel from the front thereof; a rotation transmission groove and a projection which connects the rotation transmission barrel and the first rotational feed barrel so as to relatively move in the optical axis direction without relatively rotating; connection members provided at the front ends of the rotation transmission barrel and the second rotational feed barrel; and a connection h

Abstract: A head-mounted display apparatus includes an image display device for displaying images, a first flat reflection mirror for reflecting light from the image display device, a first and a second lenses for controlling a size of the image from the first flat reflection mirror, a first beam splitter for partially transmitting and partially reflecting the light passing through the first and the second lenses, thereby splitting two light beams, a second flat reflection mirror for reflecting the transmitted light beam, a second beam splitter for partially transmitting and partially reflecting the light beam from the second flat reflection mirror, a first reflection mirror for reflecting the light beam reflected by the second beam splitter to one eye of a viewer, a third flat reflection mirror for reflecting the light beam reflected by the first beam splitter, a fourth flat reflection mirror for reflecting the light beam from the third flat reflection mirror, a third beam splitter for partially transmitting and parti

Abstract: An optical diffraction grating is formed from a region of photonic crystalline material Light is coupled into the photonic crystalline material, and the grazingly emergent output beam is collected. The photonic crystalline material may include an array of holes formed in a substrate of dielectric material, e.g., InP, and integrated with planar waveguide structures.

Abstract: An image blur correction apparatus includes a movable member such as an image blur correction optical system or the like, which moves for image blur correction, an elastic member such as a spring or the like, which movably supports the movable member with respect to a predetermined base member, and has one end connected to the movable member and the other end connected to the base member, and a sliding suppression portion for suppressing sliding of the elastic member relative to the movable member at a contact surface therebetween or sliding of the elastic member relative to the base member at a contact surface therebetween. With this arrangement, the stop position control precision of the movable member, the phase delay characteristics and small vibration response characteristics upon operation of the movable member, and the like are improved.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly for a zoom lens having at least two lens groups comprises at least one rotatable lens barrel equipped with a first guide cam for shifting one of the two lens group relative to the lens barrel along the optical axis, a rotatable ring member equipped with a second guide cam for shifting the lens barrel along the optical axis and an electromagnetically operated clutch mechanism for locking the rotatable ring member to permit relative rotation of the lens barrel to the ring member so as to shift the lens group according to the first and second guide cams for focusing the zoom lens and unlocking the rotatable ring member from the lens barrel to cause integral rotation of the rotatable ring member and the lens barrel so as to shift the lens group according to the first guide cam only for adjusting a zoom ratio of the zoom lens.

Abstract: An array of thin film actuated mirrors includes: an active matrix including a substrate, an array of connecting terminals; and an array of actuating structures, each of the actuating structures including an upper electrode functioning as a mirror as well as a common bias electrode, an electrodisplacive member made of a piezoelectric material, a seeding member made of a material having the same crystal structure and growth direction as that of the piezoelectric material constituting the electrodisplacive member, a lower electrode functioning as a signal electrode, an elastic member and a via contact.

Abstract: A zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups, includes: a first lens group including a plurality of lenses, provided closest to an object side, wherein a first lens made of a plastic lens having a positive refracting power is located closest to the object side among the plurality of lenses in the first lens group.

Abstract: A magnifying device for viewing toes and toenails includes a longitudinally extending main body portion securable to the lower leg with straps. The body portion curves at its distal end to extend over the ankle and a portion of the top of the foot. A head portion which houses a magnifying lens is attached to the distal end of the body portion via an attachment mechanism and extends over the top portion of the foot. The attachment mechanism allows head portion to be translationally extended and retracted from the distal end of the body portion in a plane substantially parallel to the distal end of the body portion and in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the foot extending from the heel to the toe. The magnifying lens is shaped to allow all of the toes of one foot to be viewed through the lens simultaneously. Alternatively, the body portion of the magnifying device rests on the bottom of the foot and is attached to the foot via straps.

Abstract: An optical instrument for facilitating the observation of surface engravings located on an optical lens includes a base housing having a light source therein for illuminating the optical lens. An image contrastor, selected based on the type of lens to be examined, is placed on the base housing over the light source. The image contrastor includes its own housing within which is positioned a viewing plate and a light diffuser. A screening pattern or coating is formed on the viewing plate to define a backdrop for examining the lens. A support member extends from the base housing and carries a magnifying lens. With this arrangement, an optical lens may be placed between the image contrastor and the magnifying lens to enhance the observation of engravings on the optical lens.

Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A 360 Degree Forward View Integral Imaging System comprises a panoramic imaging element capable of imaging a full 360 degree panoramic image and a forward image onto a single plane. This system can be integrated with a variety of image capture systems such as a CCD camera, a film based camera, or a fiber optic bundle coupled to a CCD camera for remote imaging. The applications of such a system include but are not limited to pipe inspection, bore hole inspection and remote imaging.

Abstract: An optical device that can be either permanently or temporarily affixed to a headgear, such as a cap or a visor, is disclosed. The optical device comprises right and left barrels or lens holders, each of which is non-adjustable or if adjustable is joined to a gear assembly. The barrels may be joined separately to the gear assembly in some embodiments. The gear assembly includes a knob for moving the lens for focus adjustments. By using the optical device of the present invention, the user does not have to continuously hold the optical device in close proximity to the eyes to view distant objects or require constant focusing. The optical device may be used for indoor or outdoor events.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided with: first and second lens frames which are adapted to be able to make a relative displacement therebetween and are adapted so that an inner peripheral portion of one of the first and second lens frames overlaps with an outer peripheral portion of the other lens frame in a used state; a light shielding portion, which is provided at one end portion of the first lens frame, for blocking light which is incident from the end portion in the used state; and a pressure-contact light shield member that is provided at a place which is nearer to an other end portion of the first lens frame than the light shielding portion provided at the one end portion thereof and that is adapted to be elastically deformed by being pressure-contacted to the outer peripheral portion of the second lens frame, thereby blocking light transmitted by the light shielding portion provided at the one end portion of the first lens frame.

Abstract: A laminated body comprising an aqueous solution, in which molecules dissolved in water aggregate upon increasing temperature to demonstrate cloudy light-scattering resulting in decrease in light transmittance, sealed between two substrates which are at least partially transparent to allow direct visibility of said aqueous solution, wherein said aqueous solution comprises 0.5 to 45 parts by weight of an amphipathic substance which exhibits a clouding point, is an oil at room temperature and dissolves uniformly in water at room temperature, dissolved in 100 parts by weight of a solution of 0.5 to 40 parts by weight of an ionic water-soluble polymer or a vinyl-based non-ionic water-soluble polymer exhibiting no clouding point at a temperature of not higher than about 45.degree. C. in 100 parts by weight of water, and said aqueous solution undergoes a temperature-dependent reversible sol-emulsion phase transition, as well as a window employing it.

Abstract: A retroreflective lens includes: a single positive power lens element with an index of refraction N.sub.1 and thickness T.sub.1 ; a single negative power lens element with an index of refraction N.sub.2 and thickness T.sub.2, the negative power lens element being spaced from the positive power lens element by a distance S.sub.1 ; and a reflective surface intercepting light propagating from the negative lens element and reflecting this light toward the negative lens element. The lens elements in combination with the reflective surface provide the retroreflective lens with an F-number between F/3 and F/6. According to one embodiment N2>1.6 and N1-N2>0.15. According to another embodiment of the present invention the single negative power lens element has an integral reflecting surface and the retroreflective lens satisfies the following inequalities: N2>1.6, N2-N1>0.12. According to one embodiment of the present invention T1+T2+S1<0.15 F, where F is the focal length of the retroreflective lens.

Abstract: An optical fiber modulator comprises an optical fiber, a substrate having a groove pattern in which the optical fiber is fixed, and a modulation unit including a polarizer, an electrooptic element, and an analyzer aligned in a light path of the optical fiber in this order, wherein the electrooptic element is made of a poled portion of the optical fiber, and when the electrooptic element is in an electric field-free condition, an absolute value, .delta., of a phase difference of a beam passed through the electrooptic element is within the following range(m/2-1/6).pi..ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.(m/2+1/6).pi.wherein m is an odd number. When the portion of the optical fiber is poled from two different directions, the modulation unit should further include a wave plate, and an absolute value, .delta.1, of a phase difference of a beam passed through the wave plate and the electrooptic element is within the following range of (n/2-1/6).pi..ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.(n/2+1/6).pi. wherein n is an odd number.