Abstract: An optical device, for homogenising the lighting in an image plane, defined by a digital optical sensor wherein the optical device is formed of a block made of transparent homogenous filtering material, this block having a substantially uniform absorption coefficient for all the wavelengths of the visible optical spectrum which pass through it, and having a variable thickness suited to a determined absorption profile.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical device intended for homogenising the lighting in an image plane, in particular defined by a digital optical sensor, characterised in that it is formed of a block made of transparent homogenous filtering material, this block having a substantially uniform absorption coefficient for all the wavelengths of the visible optical spectrum which pass through it, and having a variable thickness suited to a determined absorption profile.

Abstract: A dual-layer optical ball for use in a cursor control pointing device. The ball is illuminated by a light source that emits light signals at, at least, a first wavelength, the ball having an inner layer surface that is capable of diffusing a light signal and an outer layer having a substantially smooth surface that surrounds the inner layer. The outer layer is substantially transparent to light at the first frequency. The inner layer diffuses the light signals at different intensities depending upon an the area of the inner surface that is illuminated.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes various embodiments, some of which include a patterned ball and some of which rely on other patterned surfaces, which recognizes changes in the position of the pattern relative to a sensor having an array of photosensitive elements. Circuitry associated with the sensor determines movement of the pattern across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes various embodiments, some of which include a patterned ball and some of which rely on other patterned surfaces, which recognizes changes in the position of the pattern relative to a sensor having an array of photosensitive elements. Circuitry associated with the sensor determines movement of the pattern across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes various embodiments, some of which include a patterned ball and some of which rely on other patterned surfaces, which recognizes changes in the position of the pattern relative to a sensor having an array of photosensitive elements. Circuitry associated with the sensor determines movement of the pattern across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes various embodiments, some of which include a patterned ball and some of which rely on other patterned surfaces, which recognizes changes in the position of the pattern relative to a sensor having an array of photosensitive elements. Circuitry associated with the sensor determines movement of the pattern across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: A cursor control device for personal computers and workstations includes a randomly speckled ball illuminated with diffuse lighting. An image of at least a portion of the illuminated area of the speckled ball is focused by an optical element such as a diffractive optical element onto a photosensitive array. Logic associated with the photosensitive array determines movement of the ball across the array, and translates that movement into conventional cursor control signals supplied to a host system.

Abstract: The pattern scanning projection device for copying machines of the type in which a pattern is projected in a strip-like manner on an image recording support by means of a pattern scanning unit which is movable in guiding grooves and includes a plurality of scanning lens plates. The lens plates for the sake of uniform projection of partial images cooperate with aperture and/or image field diaphragms and with separating diaphragms. The lens plates are individually insertable into an objective housing which is detachable from the copying machine. The housing is assembled of two parts, one housing part being provided with mounting longitudinal grooves engaging one longitudinal edge of respective lens plates and the lens plates being centered in the longitudinal grooves by separate centering grooves and being secured in central position at one point only so as to permit longitudinal displacement due to mechanical or thermal stresses.