Abstract: A method of calculating clinical performance of an ophthalmic optical correction using simulation by imaging a series of objects of different sizes by each of a plurality of eye optical systems, each of the eye optical systems including the ophthalmic optical correction, the method comprising A.) at an object distance, calculating a set of indicia of image quality, each indicium of the set of indicia corresponding to an object in the series of objects when it is imaged by a given one of the plurality of eye optical systems, B.) at the object distance, comparing the set of indicia to a threshold to determine a just-discernable object size for the given one of the plurality of eye optical systems, and C.) repeating steps A and B for each eye optical system in the plurality of eye optical systems.

Abstract: A device for measuring depth of field of an eye optical system that includes a lens Badal having positive optical power, a positioning apparatus adapted to maintain the eye optical system on the image side of the lens at a first focal plane of the lens and a multi-vergency target that provides a plurality of objects that are simultaneously viewable, through the lens, by the eye optical system.

Abstract: A method of calculating clinical performance of an ophthalmic optical correction using simulation by imaging a series of objects of different sizes by each of a plurality of eye optical systems, each of the eye optical systems including the ophthalmic optical correction, the method comprising A.) at an object distance, calculating a set of indicia of image quality, each indicium of the set of indicia corresponding to an object in the series of objects when it is imaged by a given one of the plurality of eye optical systems, B.) at the object distance, comparing the set of indicia to a threshold to determine a just-discernable object size for the given one of the plurality of eye optical systems, and C.) repeating steps A and B for each eye optical system in the plurality of eye optical systems.

Abstract: A device for measuring depth of field of an eye optical system that includes a lens Badal having positive optical power, a positioning apparatus adapted to maintain the eye optical system on the image side of the lens at a first focal plane of the lens and a multi-vergency target that provides a plurality of objects that are simultaneously viewable, through the lens, by the eye optical system.

Abstract: A method of designing a lens having an image plane corresponding to an object located at infinity, comprising optimizing the lens by specifying quantities of light to pass through each of a plurality of the apertures. A method of designing a lens, comprising defining a plurality of objects each at a corresponding object location, at least one of the objects being a virtual object of the lens, and optimizing the lens by specifying for each of the objects a quantity of light to pass through a corresponding aperture disposed in an image space of the lens.

Abstract: An optical assembly has a lens element having a plurality of radially extending tabs and a mounting structure having a plurality of retaining members. The retaining members extend in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis defined by the mounting structure and are positioned complementary to the radially extending tabs of the lens element. A portion of the mounting structure is in an interference fit with the a portion of the lens element.

Abstract: A camera phone includes a phone stage for generating voice signals, a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output, a first fixed focal length wide angle lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output, and a second fixed focal length telephoto lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor. A control element selects either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor. A processing section produces the output image signals from the selected sensor output, and a cellular stage processes the image and voice signals for transmission over a cellular network.

Abstract: An optical system has a first lens element (L1) having an outer portion (36) and a first tapered surface (34). A second lens element (L2) has an outer portion (26) and a second tapered surface (24). The first lens element (L1) and the second lens element (L2) are spaced apart relative to each other and centered relative to the optical axis (O) by a portion of the first tapered surface (34) being in contact with a portion of the second tapered surface (24), the outer portion (36) of the first lens element (L1) being spaced apart from the outer portion (26) of the second lens element (L2).

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus comprising a biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces; an optical fiber approximately located at one of a front focal plane and a back focal plane of the optical lens; and a structure positioned relative to the optical lens and the optical fiber, wherein the structure maintains the position of the optical lens relative to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A pair of optical lenses comprising a first biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces and a second biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces positioned spaced apart from the first biconvex optical lens, wherein the first optical lens is adapted to shape the light emitted from a source optical fiber into one of a converging, diverging, and collimated beam and the second optical lens is adapted to focus the beam into a receiving optical fiber such that the light emitted from the source optical fiber is coupled into the receiving optical fiber.

Abstract: A pair of optical lenses comprising a first biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces and a second biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces positioned spaced apart from the first biconvex optical lens, wherein the first optical lens is adapted to shape the light emitted from a source optical fiber into one of a converging, diverging, and collimated beam and the second optical lens is adapted to focus the beam into a receiving optical fiber such that the light emitted from the source optical fiber is coupled into the receiving optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus comprising a biconvex optical lens having two equivalent aspheric optical surfaces; an optical fiber approximately located at one of a front focal plane and a back focal plane of the optical lens; and a structure positioned relative to the optical lens and the optical fiber, wherein the structure maintains the position of the optical lens relative to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are taught for molding glass lens elements from glass preforms. A glass preform is placed on a first mold surface of a first mold element which resides in a first sleeve segment. The temperature of the glass preform, the first mold element, the first sleeve segment, a second mold element, and a second sleeve segment are elevated to at least the glass transition temperature of the glass preform, the second mold element residing in the second sleeve segment. The second mold element and second sleeve segment are moved toward the first mold element and first sleeve segment to form a mold cavity, the mold cavity including a lens chamber and an annular channel projecting from the lens chamber. The glass preform is compressed in the mold cavity to form a glass lens element with the excess glass from the glass preform flowing into the annular channel.

Abstract: A molded glass lens is taught that includes a molded two-dimensional reference surface at a first end of the lens body, a first molded optical surface that is longitudinally displaced from the two-dimensional reference surface, and a molded second optical surface at a second end of the lens body. The first and second optical surfaces may be plano, convex or concave. The molded two-dimensional reference surface is planar and preferable annular. By physically locating the lens with the molded two-dimensional reference surface and one of the first or second optical surfaces, the lens can be held in a given orientation. Thus, the molded reference surface at the end of the cylindrical body allows for accurate and safe capture, positioning, handling, and placement for subsequent finishing operations, allowing for the creation of one or more additional lens datums.

Abstract: A molded glass lens is taught that includes a molded two-dimensional reference surface at a first end of the lens body, a first molded optical surface that is longitudinally displaced from the two-dimensional reference surface, and a molded second optical surface at a second end of the lens body. The first and second optical surfaces may be plano, convex or concave. The molded two-dimensional reference surface is planar and preferable annular. By physically locating the lens with the molded two-dimensional reference surface and one of the first or second optical surfaces, the lens can be held in a given orientation. Thus, the molded reference surface at the end of the cylindrical body allows for accurate and safe capture, positioning, handling, and placement for subsequent finishing operations, allowing for the creation of one or more additional lens datums.

Abstract: A molded glass lens is taught that includes a molded three-dimensional reference surface at a first end of the lens body, a first molded optical surface interrupting the three-dimensional reference surface, and a molded second optical surface at a second end of the lens body. The first and second optical surfaces may be plano, convex or concave. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is curvilinear and may be a spherical, aspherical or conical segment. The molded lens may include a second molded three-dimensional reference surface at the second end of the lens body. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is of a specified shape and location with respect to the first and second optical surfaces. By physically locating the lens with the molded three-dimensional reference surface and one of the first or second optical surfaces, the lens can be held in a given orientation.

Abstract: A molded glass lens is taught that includes a molded three-dimensional reference surface at a first end of the lens body, a first molded optical surface interrupting the three-dimensional reference surface, and a molded second optical surface at a second end of the lens body. The first and second optical surfaces may be plano, convex or concave. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is curvilinear and may be a spherical, aspherical or conical segment. The molded lens may include a second molded three-dimensional reference surface at the second end of the lens body. The molded three-dimensional reference surface is of a specified shape and location with respect to the first and second optical surfaces. By physically locating the lens with the molded three-dimensional reference surface and one of the first or second optical surfaces, the lens can be held in a given orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling light from one optical fiber into another includes a pair of molded plano-convex lenses. Each lens has an aspheric surface and a flat surface. The aspheric surfaces have a conic constant between −0.6 and −0.3, where the conic constant is chosen so as to give optimal coupling efficiency from a collimated beam input on the aspheric surface into an optical fiber located near the flat surface. The pair of lenses are separated by a distance approximately equal to the sum of the focal lengths of the lenses. Light from an optical fiber placed near the focal plane of one of the pair of lenses is focused into an optical fiber placed near the focal plane of the other of the pair of lenses.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of making a lens assembly with a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, includes the steps of (i) arranging at least two lens arrays and the spacer, such that the spacer is located between the two lens arrays and the lenslets of one of the two lens arrays overlay the lenslets of another one of the two lens arrays and, the holes of the spaces are located between the corresponding lenslets of the two lens arrays; (ii) fixedly attaching the lens arrays and the spacer to one another to form an array assembly; and (iii) dividing the array assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems. According to another aspect of the present invention, the optical assembly includes at least two lens arrays and at least one spacer with a plurality of holes. The spacer is located between the two lens arrays and is fixedly attached to the two lens arrays. The spacer has a thickness of 0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for compression molding arrays optical elements which may be later singulated. The apparatus includes first and second mold halves with the second mold half having a central nest and a plurality of predetermined negative optical surface features therein. A glass preform is placed in the central nest and the first and second mold halves and the glass preform are heated to at least the glass transition temperature of the glass preform. The glass preform is then pressed between the first and second mold halves to thereby form an integral array of optical elements with each of the optical elements being a positive of the predetermined negative optical surface features. The integrally formed array of optical elements is then cooled to below the glass transition temperature and removed from the first and second mold halves.