Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lens having a single imaging path operable to direct light captured within a field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens. The apparatus also includes a polarizer located proximate the aperture plane, the polarizer including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first polarization state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second polarization state through a second portion of the single imaging path, the first and second portions of the single imaging path providing respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A stereoscopic imager comprises a lens having a front lens assembly, a rear lens assembly, and two sampling lenses. The sampling lenses are disposed on opposite sides of the optical axis of the lens, between the front and rear lens assemblies, and proximate an aperture plane of the lens. The stereoscopic imager can comprise a first aperture and a second aperture, which apertures can be variable apertures. The first and second apertures are disposed within the aperture plane of the lens and substantially in line with the first and second sampling lenses. The sampling lenses can be abaxial with the apertures. The lens can form a double Gauss lens for suppressing optical aberration and coupling to a small imaging sensor. The two sampling lenses allow the imager to form on the sensor two images with differing perspectives of an object in the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The apparatus includes a lens having a single imaging path operable to direct light captured within a field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens. The apparatus also includes a polarizer located proximate the aperture plane, the polarizer including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first polarization state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second polarization state through a second portion of the single imaging path, the first and second portions of the single imaging path providing respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involves directing light captured within the field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens, receiving the captured light at a spatial discriminator located proximate the aperture plane, the discriminator including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first optical state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second optical state through a second portion of the single imaging path. The first and second portions of the single imaging path provide respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens for forming respective first and second images at an image sensor disposed at an image plane of the lens. The first and second images together being operable to represent three dimensional spatial attributes of the objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stereo image pairs comprises a set of perspective apertures within a perspective aperture plate, separated within a stereoscopic horizon by an inter-aperture distance. An offset aperture is disposed inside an illuminator of the apparatus. The offset aperture is positioned to form a cone of illumination that is mirror symmetrical with respect to the two perspective apertures. The perspective apertures are adjustable both in size and in their position within the aperture plate in order to position them with respect to a cone of light produced at the perspective aperture plate. The offset aperture is similarly adjustable in size and position. The arrangement ensures that light illuminating an object viewed using the apparatus has a narrow cone of direction and angle of incidence, which ameliorates negative effects that occur in stereoscopic systems with objective lens systems having large numerical apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional image information is disclosed. The method involves directing light captured within the field of view of the lens to an aperture plane of the lens, receiving the captured light at a spatial discriminator located proximate the aperture plane, the discriminator including a first portion disposed to transmit light having a first optical state through a first portion of the single imaging path and a second portion disposed to transmit light having a second optical state through a second portion of the single imaging path. The first and second portions of the single imaging path provide respective first and second perspective viewpoints within the field of view of the lens for forming respective first and second images at an image sensor disposed at an image plane of the lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an image on a media while the media is moved relative to an imaging head. The media can include a pattern of registration sub-regions. The image can include patterns of features, such as color filter features or colored illumination sources which can be registered with the pattern of registration sub-regions. The imaging method can include operating an imaging head to emit a plurality of independently-controllable radiation beams while scanning over media to form an image on the media. The imaging channel of the imaging head can be operated to emit a radiation beam having a first intensity while scanning in a first direction over the media during a first scan and to emit a radiation beam having a second, different intensity while scanning in a second, opposite direction over the media during a second scan.

Abstract: In an illumination system the radiation from one or more laser arrays is directed into a light pipe. The light pipe mixes the individual radiation contributions from the laser arrays and forms a uniform illumination line. The pointing direction of each of the laser arrays is monitored and controlled to preserve the brightness of the composite illumination line.

Abstract: In an illumination system the radiation from one or more laser arrays is directed into a light pipe. The light pipe mixes the individual radiation contributions from the laser arrays and forms a uniform illumination line. The pointing direction of each of the laser arrays is monitored and controlled to preserve the brightness of the composite illumination line.

Abstract: In an illumination system the radiation from one or more laser arrays is directed into a light pipe. The light pipe mixes the individual radiation contributions from the laser arrays and forms a uniform illumination line. The pointing direction of each of the laser arrays is monitored and controlled to preserve the brightness of the composite illumination line.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a spatial light modulator combines radiation from two or more multiple-emitter laser diode arrays. Brightness is conserved. The apparatus includes collecting optics which includes an array of microlenses. The microlenses steer beams of radiation which issue from individual emitters so that the beams overlap at a target plane to produce a desired beam profile.

Abstract: A method of fabricating color filters on the surface of a substrate involves ejecting fluid droplets onto a transfer surface and transferring the fluid droplets from the transfer surface to the substrate by bringing the fluid droplets on the transfer surface into contact with the substrate. While on the transfer surface the fluid droplets may have their spatial registration adjusted by interaction between the fluid droplets and a periodic pattern on the transfer surface. The fluid droplets may be subjected to various types of post-expulsion treatments on the transfer surface and may be cured on the substrate. Multiple passes may be made to eject the fluid droplets onto the transfer surface and/or to transfer the fluid droplets to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for the image-wise transfer of fluid droplets from at least one fluid droplet source onto a substrate comprises ejecting fluid droplets from the at least one fluid droplet source onto a transfer surface. The fluid droplets may be water-based or oil based. The transfer surface repels the fluid droplets. For water-based fluid droplets, the transfer surface comprises a spatially periodic arrangement of less-strongly hydrophobic regions and more-strongly hydrophobic regions. The method includes adjusting a spatial registration of the fluid droplets on the transfer surface; and transferring the fluid droplets from the transfer surface to the substrate by bringing the fluid droplets on the transfer surface into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a spatial light modulator combines radiation from two or more multiple-emitter laser diode arrays. Brightness is conserved. The apparatus includes collecting optics which includes an array of microlenses. The microlenses steer beams of radiation which issue from individual emitters so that the beams overlap at a target plane to produce a desired beam profile.

Abstract: A method for the image-wise transfer of fluid droplets from at least one fluid droplet source onto a substrate comprises ejecting fluid droplets from the at least one fluid droplet source onto a transfer surface. The fluid droplets may be water-based or oil based. The transfer surface repels the fluid droplets. For water-based fluid droplets, the transfer surface comprises a spatially periodic arrangement of less-strongly hydrophobic regions and more-strongly hydrophobic regions. The method includes adjusting a spatial registration of the fluid droplets on the transfer surface; and transferring the fluid droplets from the transfer surface to the substrate by bringing the fluid droplets on the transfer surface into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating color filters on the surface of a substrate involves ejecting fluid droplets onto a transfer surface and transferring the fluid droplets from the transfer surface to the substrate by bringing the fluid droplets on the transfer surface into contact with the substrate. While on the transfer surface the fluid droplets may have their spatial registration adjusted by interaction between the fluid droplets and a periodic pattern on the transfer surface. The fluid droplets may be subjected to various types of post-expulsion treatments on the transfer surface and may be cured on the substrate. Multiple passes may be made to eject the fluid droplets onto the transfer surface and/or to transfer the fluid droplets to the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method corrects for droplet placement errors. The method comprises fluid droplets self-registering on a patterned transferring surface that ensures that they are transferred to the correct pixel positions on the final printing surface. The invention also allows for the characteristics of the droplets to be changed while on the patterned surface. The properties may include, but need not be limited to, the size of the droplets, their viscosity and their more general rheological properties. For some applications, there is merit in the droplets changing their water solubility.