Abstract: An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times.

Abstract: An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times.

Abstract: A camera with a viewfinder is disclosed that includes a first lens positioned near an objective side of the viewfinder and having a negative optical power and, a second lens having a positive optical power and being positioned at a viewing side of the viewfinder. The first lens and the second lens combine to define a telescope. A partially reflective mirror is disposed between the first lens and the second lens. A framing target is on a surface of the second lens. The framing target is substantially reflective to light passing from the first lens to the second lens, and is located so a reflected image of the framing target is substantially in focus near the viewing side of the viewfinder. The target may, in some cases, be illuminated by artificial light.

Abstract: Various cameras are disclosed in which indicia on a mask may be selectively viewable to a user depending on the mode in which the camera is operated. The indicia may include, for example, a framing target to facilitate framing of an image to be photographed, or other symbol(s) indicative of the mode in which the camera may be operated.

Abstract: An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times.

Abstract: A miniature visual display has an optical lens system with at least two separated lens elements positioned to admit a scanning mirror between them. The scanning mirror is driven with an oscillatory motion causing an image of a light source which is reflected in the mirror to appear to sweep across the field of view of an observer looking into the system. The light source is typically a linear array of light-emitting diodes, and the diodes are controlled to emit light flashes in synchronism with the scanning mirror oscillation frequency to generate a virtual raster image. The two lens elements are selected and arranged so that the magnification power of the system is split between the lenses. A viewer looking into the system sees a virtual image apparently positioned at a comfortable viewing distance which is in uniform focus over the entire viewing area.

Abstract: A sliding binocular body has two optical assemblies which slide on an intermediate plate to adjust for intraocular distance and which slide closed. Two shells are joined to form one assembly. Front and back contour plates cover the assembly. A field and eye lens holder slides into the box through the back plate. An eye piece is attached to the lens holder. Inward horizontal surfaces have inward extending rails, which engage outward facing grooves on the intermediate plate. The two shells are secured together and joined to the intermediate plate before mirrors are slid and clamped into place. The objective lenses are placed in position, and the contour plates are sealed in place. The eye lens and field lens are inserted in the holders before the holders are inserted in the assemblies. The assemblies hold and clamp mirrors against fixed reference surfaces. Objective lens holders formed in the assemblies permit vertical or horizontal adjustment of an objective lens before its fixing.

Abstract: Light weight, low-cost, compact binoculars intended to be sold at retail locations and popular attractions, such as stadiums, arenas, tourist destinations, and theme parks. The binoculars utilize high reflectance mirrors to fold light and lengthen distance between the objective lens and the field lens to correct the orientation of the image. The binoculars are very light because they are made with mirrors and lightweight, injection molded acrylic plastic lenses. They are pocket sized and compact, yet adjustable for individual interocular distance. The field view is rectangular in format and the IP adjustment is by way of sliding action between nested housings made possible by virtue of the fact that the inversion and reversion functions in its separate housings are in opposite order.

Abstract: A sliding binocular body has two optical assemblies which slide on an intermediate plate to adjust for intraocular distance and which slide closed. Two shells are joined to form one assembly. Front and back contour plates cover the assembly. A field and eye lens holder slides into the box through the back plate. An eye piece is attached to the lens holder. Inward horizontal surfaces have inward extending rails, which engage outward facing grooves on the intermediate plate. The two shells are secured together and joined to the intermediate plate before mirrors are slid and clamped into place. The objective lenses are placed in position, and the contour plates are sealed in place. The eye lens and field lens are inserted in the holders before the holders are inserted in the assemblies. The assemblies hold and clamp mirrors against fixed reference surfaces. Objective lens holders formed in the assemblies permit vertical or horizontal adjustment of an objective lens before its fixing.

Abstract: A mechanical scanning dual-image display device utilizes two separate scanning mirror mechanisms with a common control that forces the scanning mirrors to move in opposition, and substantially cancel reaction forces. This cancellation is accomplished by providing each of the mirrors with an individual drive mechanism, commonly controlling the two drive mechanisms and arranging the geometry of each display so that the reaction forces acting on the overall display as a result of the mirror motion cancel. In a second embodiment, vibrations are reduced by driving both mirror assemblies from a common source. More specifically, both mirrors are oscillated by an eccentric and linkage mechanism driven by a common motor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for reducing the transmission power required when a host computer displays video information on a remote video display. A video memory is located in close proximity to the display so that the display can be periodically refreshed in the normal manner from the local memory. Consequently, the host computer need only transmit information regarding the portions of the local memory that have changed since the last data transmission. Since the information for the entire local memory is not transmitted each time the memory must be updated and in particular, each time the display must be refreshed, the required data transmission rate between the host and the display is greatly reduced from the rate normally required with prior art apparatus and, consequently, the power consumption is reduced.

Abstract: A telephone handset incorporates a miniature virtual image display which can display a full page of text at high resolution. The miniature display is a scanning mirror type of display in which a line image is generated by a line of light-emitting devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs). A magnifying optical system creates a magnified virtual image of the LED line and the virtual line image is then converted into a virtual raster image by an oscillating mirror. The virtual image can be viewed at distances close to the display so that the display can be viewed while the telephone handset is being used.

Abstract: A pocket-sized data receiver which is capable of displaying a full, 80 column page of data includes a virtual raster display unit, and electronic circuitry for receiving data by means of radio transmission or conventional telephone lines, processing the data into a viewable format, storing the data, displaying the data on the raster display unit, and in the case of reception of data over telephone lines, retransmitting of the data to another device over telephone lines. A keyboard connectd to a processing unit enables the viewer to enter dialing information, select data for viewing, and control the selection and operation of the data receiver. The data receiver can be held and operated with one hand, and requires only one eye for viewing, thereby leaving the other eye unobstructed.

Abstract: A resonant scanning unit utilizes a "tuning fork" design with a mirror mounted on one arm of the tuning fork and a counterbalance mass mounted on the other arm. A voice coil electromagnetic motor mounted between the arms causes the arms to move in opposite directions. Light generated by a line of LEDs is reflected from the oscillating mirror to generate a raster display. Reaction forces generated by the motions of the mirror and counterbalance mass cancel at the device base, reducing vibration. In addition, the inventive structure allows placement of the mirror pivot point away from the center of the mirror which allows display devices constructed with the structure to be reduced in size. A second embodiment is disclosed in which molded construction reduces assembly cost and time and allows precise tuning of the reaction forces.

Abstract: A head mounted display for presentation of video information includes a virtual raster display unit, an attachment mechanism for attaching the display unit to the head of the user, a support member connected to the attachment mechanism for supporting the display unit within the user's field of vision, and a remote signal source for providing power, timing, control signals and display information to the display system. The head attachment mechanism can be symmetrically designed to allow positioning of the display unit in front of either of the viewer's eyes, or the attachment mechanism may be eliminated completely and the support member and display unit attached directly to a conventional helmet or the user's eyeglasses.

Abstract: A resonant scanning unit utilizes a "tuning fork" design with a mirror mounted on one arm of the tuning fork and a counterbalance mass mounted on the other arm. A voice coil electromagnetic motor mounted between the arms causes the arms to move in opposite directions. Light generated by a line of LEDs is reflected from the oscillating mirror to generate a raster display. Reaction forces generated by the motions of the mirror and counterbalance mass cancel each other at the device base, reducing vibration. In addition, the inventive structure allows placement of the mirror pivot point away from the center of the mirror which allows display devices constructed with the structure to be reduced in size.