Abstract: An inspection mirror incorporates an extremely thin glass substrate and low profile mount to produce a mirror that can provide visual access to spaces that would otherwise be too small or otherwise inaccessible. An aluminized layer forms the first reflecting surface. The mirror is protected by an amorphous carbon layer which forms a second reflecting surface. The mirror may be framed or frameless. Where provided, the support frame has a mirror receiving recess in which the mirror is retained by adhesive. Frameless mirrors are supported by a planar wire mount secured to the rear surface of the mirror by adhesive. The mirrors may be carried on a spring wire shaft received in a handle or by a flat strip that forms the handle and mirror support.

Abstract: An endoscope has a first end for insertion into a body, or other visually obscured area, with an optical image-forming lens device in the first end for forming two, side-by-side images of an object on opposite sides of the central axis of the endoscope. The images are transmitted to the opposite end of the endoscope, where they are received by a viewing device for three-dimensional viewing of the images by an operator. An image converging mechanism is provided in the image paths to provide a suitable convergence angle between the images at the viewing device.

Abstract: A side-viewing mirror device particularly suitable for viewing objects such as components on printed circuit boards, comprises a mirror having at least one straight edge for placing against a flat surface and a reflective front surface extending up to the straight edge, and a handle member extending at an angle less than 90 degrees to the straight edge of the mirror, so that when the straight edge is positioned against a flat surface facing the side of an object to be viewed, while viewing the object from above, the handle member will be offset out of the plane of the optical path including the mirror.

Abstract: An optical viewing system for producing a 3-dimensional effect is arranged to project two different and separated views of an object simultaneously along different optical paths onto opposite halves of a retina of a viewer's eye, or onto both eyes of a viewer. The system includes a projecting lens, an image separator for projecting two separate images of the object, and a reflector for reflecting the images separately through at least one eye opening or exit pupil into a viewer's eye.

Abstract: An optical inspection method particularly suitable for viewing objects such as components on printed circuit boards, comprises the steps of viewing an object from above with a magnifying optical device and at the same time placing a side-viewing mirror in the optical path of the optical device facing the side of the object and tilted at an angle up to 90 degrees to the optical path so as to rotate an image of the side of the object by at least 90 degrees to present simultaneous front and side views of the object to an observer.

Abstract: Stereo views of a scene are reflected by plano mirrors onto a concave mirror. The plano mirrors are positioned to cause the reflected light from the concave mirror to converge on and cross the optical axis. The concave mirror focuses real images in planar registration in front of the concave mirror and on the optical axis. When viewed from beyond the real images an observer sees a separate stereo view in each eye which combine to provide a 3-D picture.

Abstract: A fingerprint comparator includes a projection system including a source of light and a carrier for mounting samples of prints to be compared with an optical system for projecting the images of the samples side-by-side on a screen with one image reverted and the screen divided with the images being movable toward and from the dividing line appearing to merge and emerge from the central dividing line for a precise adjacent comparison at the dividing line. An alternate embodiment uses a split video screen and provides for remote transmission of either the record or sample print.

Abstract: An optical comparator in which images of a master component and a sample component are inspected by comparison of the images that are projected in a moving, abutting, merging, mirror image, a limited area of the components being viewed in a scanning illumination at a controlled rate for full viewing coverage. The components are held in a sliding tray with means for rapidly changing the component to be inspected, while maintaining precise alignment. A closely directed light source and efficient cooling device permits prolonged operation of the apparatus, and instant access to mark defective portions of the component is provided, without interrupting viewing. The location of each defective portion is marked on a reference chart for use in a viewer which provides a composite image of the chart and component in proper registration for easy identification of the faults. A marking pen is employed to mark the faults.

Abstract: Coatings particularly useful as marking inks in which an epichlorhydrin-modified polyethylenimine and an ethylene oxide-modified polyethylenimine cooperate in aqueous solution to form a composition capable of application to form deposits adherent to most materials and resistant to most organic solvents but readily removable by water.

Abstract: An optical comparator which provides confronting images of a pair of similar objects being compared, the images having a pronounced 3-D effect when viewed with a single eye. Images of the two objects are projected in separate optical paths and are greatly enlarged, the resultant composite image showing comparable portions of the two objects side-by-side with a sharp dividing line. The two objects are mounted in related alignment on a common holder and, when the holder is moved, the objects are scanned across their faces with the images converging toward or diverging from the dividing line, depending on the direction of motion of the holder.

Abstract: An optical comparator which provides mirror images of a pair of similar objects being compared. One image is visible to each eye and, in the combined view, the images are of comparable portions of each object on opposite sides of a common separation line, so that any differences are readily apparent. Images of the two lighted objects, which are held in related alignment on an adjustable holder, are projected in separate optical paths through a system of reflectors to produce enlarged real images visible from a fixed eye position. A prism in one optical path inverts and reverts that image to obtain the back to back mirror images. When the holder is moved the objects are scanned across their faces and the comparable elements in the images appear to blend into or separate out from each other at the dividing line, depending on the direction of motion.

Abstract: An optical comparator in which images of a master component and a sample component are inspected by comparison of the images that are projected in a moving, abutting, merging, mirror image, a limited area of the components being viewed in a scanning illumination at a controlled rate for full viewing coverage. The components are held in a sliding tray with means for rapidly changing the component to be inspected, whie maintaining precise alignment. A closely directed light source and efficient cooling device permits prolonged operation of the apparatus, and instant access to mark defective portions of the component is provided without interrupting viewing. The location of each defective portion is marked on a reference chart for use in a viewer which provides a composite image of the chart and component in proper registration for easy identification of the faults.