Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device has a layered structure with split liquid crystal layers having alignment surfaces that define in a liquid crystal material pre-tilt angles of opposite signs. Four liquid crystal layers can provide two directions of linear polarization. In the case of a lens, the device can be a gradient index lens, and the alignment surfaces can have a spatially uniform pre-tilt.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing operation of a single or multiple tunable active optical device(s) operated by one or more driving electrodes are described. Test methods and apparatus are provided for device testing without necessarily requiring direct physical contact with the driving electrodes. Testing subjects devices to incident light along an optical path and to an external electric field applied to the device producing a dipolar charge distribution within the electrodes, causing the device to operate. The effect of device operation on incident light is optically sensed. The sensed effect is analyzed to identify device defects. Test methods and apparatus are provided for testing multiple unsingulated devices during fabrication employing a strip contact structure having contact strips connected to multiple devices and extending to wafer edges, such that singulating devices leaves portions of the strip contact structure exposed on device dice edges providing electrical contacts in use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing operation of a single or multiple tunable active optical device(s) operated by one or more driving electrodes are described Test methods and apparatus are provided for device testing without necessarily requiring direct physical contact with the driving electrodes Testing subjects devices to incident light along an optical path and to an external electric field applied to the device producing a dipolar charge distribution within the electrodes, causing the device to operate The effect of device operation on incident light is optically sensed The sensed effect is analyzed to identify device defects Test methods and apparatus are provided for testing multiple unsingulated devices during fabrication employing a strip contact structure having contact strips connected to multiple devices and extending to wafer edges, such that singulating devices leaves portions of the strip contact structure exposed on device dice edges providing electrical contacts in use.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device has a layered structure with split liquid crystal layers having alignment surfaces that define in a liquid crystal material pre-tilt angles of opposite signs. Four liquid crystal layers can provide two directions of linear polarization. In the case of a lens, the device can be a gradient index lens, and the alignment surfaces can have a spatially uniform pre-tilt.

Abstract: A camera module and method for focusing a tunable lens configured to continuously vary its optical power in response to a drive signal. A drive circuit generates the drive signal so that the tunable lens performs a continuous scan of its optical power. An image sensor is configured to acquire light images passing through the tunable lens, and to convert the light images to image signals during the continuous scan. A processor is configured to generate focus scores of the acquired light images using the image signals during the continuous scan. The processor is configured to determine from the focus scores a peak focus score achieved or achievable, and to instruct the drive circuit to adjust the drive signal so that the tunable lens settles at a value of the optical power that corresponds to the peak focus score.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing operation of a single or multiple tunable active optical device(s) operated by one or more driving electrodes are described Test methods and apparatus are provided for device testing without necessarily requiring direct physical contact with the driving electrodes Testing subjects devices to incident light along an optical path and to an external electric field applied to the device producing a dipolar charge distribution within the electrodes, causing the device to operate The effect of device operation on incident light is optically sensed The sensed effect is analyzed to identify device defects Test methods and apparatus are provided for testing multiple unsingulated devices during fabrication employing a strip contact structure having contact strips connected to multiple devices and extending to wafer edges, such that singulating devices leaves portions of the strip contact structure exposed on device dice edges providing electrical contacts in use.

Abstract: A motionless adaptive focus stereoscopic scene capture apparatus employing tuneable liquid crystal lenses is provided. The apparatus includes at least two image sensors preferably fabricated as a monolithic stereo image capture component and at least two corresponding tuneable liquid crystal lenses preferably fabricated as a monolithic focus adjustment component. Using a variable focus tuneable liquid crystal lens at each aperture stop provides constant magnification focus control. Controlled spatial variance of a spatially variant electric field applied to the liquid crystal of each tuneable liquid crystal lens provides optical axis shift enabling registration between stereo images. A controller implements coupled auto-focusing methods employing multiple focus scores derived from at least two camera image sensors and providing multiple tuneable liquid crystal lens drive signals for synchronous focus acquisition of a three dimensional scene.

Abstract: A motionless adaptive focus stereoscopic scene capture apparatus employing tunable liquid crystal lenses is provided. The apparatus includes at least two image sensors preferably fabricated as a monolithic stereo image capture component and at least two corresponding tunable liquid crystal lenses preferably fabricated as a monolithic focus adjustment component. Using a variable focus tunable liquid crystal lens at each aperture stop provides constant magnification focus control. Controlled spatial variance of a spatially variant electric field applied to the liquid crystal of each tunable liquid crystal lens provides optical axis shift enabling registration between stereo images. A controller implements coupled auto-focusing methods employing multiple focus scores derived from at least two camera image sensors and providing multiple tunable liquid crystal lens drive signals for synchronous focus acquisition of a three dimensional scene.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical device has a layered structure with split liquid crystal layers having alignment surfaces that define in a liquid crystal material pre-tilt angles of opposite signs. Four liquid crystal layers can provide two directions of linear polarization. In the case of a lens, the device can be a gradient index lens, and the alignment surfaces can have a spatially uniform pre-tilt.

Abstract: A camera module and method for focusing a tunable lens configured to continuously vary its optical power in response to a drive signal. A drive circuit generates the drive signal so that the tunable lens performs a continuous scan of its optical power. An image sensor is configured to acquire light images passing through the tunable lens, and to convert the light images to image signals during the continuous scan. A processor is configured to generate focus scores of the acquired light images using the image signals during the continuous scan. The processor is configured to determine from the focus scores a peak focus score achieved or achievable, and to instruct the drive circuit to adjust the drive signal so that the tunable lens settles at a value of the optical power that corresponds to the peak focus score.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact lens system for use as a wide-field photographic objective with small format digital image sensors having a pixel dimension less than 0.010 mm. The f-number of the lens system is 2.9740, and the effective focal length of the system is 3.85 mm. The full angular field of view of the lens system is 61 degrees, and the chief ray incidence angles on the image plane are less than 18 degrees. The system comprises three plastic lenses, each having two aspheric surfaces. At least one of the aspheric surfaces in the system is coated with a multilayer infrared cut-off filter for blocking infrared wavelengths from the image sensors. The lens system has a reduced sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances, particularly lateral misalignment of optical elements and surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact lens system for use as a wide-field photographic objective with small format digital image sensors having a pixel dimension less than 0.010 mm. The f-number of the lens system is 2.9740, and the effective focal length of the system is 3.85 mm. The full angular field of view of the lens system is 61 degrees, and the chief ray incidence angles on the image plane are less than 18 degrees. The system comprises three plastic lenses, each having two aspheric surfaces. At least one of the aspheric surfaces in the system is coated with a multilayer infrared cut-off filter for blocking infrared wavelengths from the image sensors. The lens system has a reduced sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances, particularly lateral misalignment of optical elements and surfaces.

Abstract: A compact, low-cost finger imager, to be used for enrolling and recognizing individuals based upon their finger ridge patterns. The optical system employs viewing beyond the critical angle and darkfield illumination for maximum image contrast. The optical system is afocal and telecentric, achieving corrected distortion with oblique viewing.

Abstract: An optical viewfinder system comprising two optical elements, and a field stop or a reticle, to provide an image of a scene to a viewer, and further comprising a diffractive optical element to provide a clear, stationary image of the field stop or reticle to the viewer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-level current driver suitable for driving a semiconductor laser for printing applications, the laser driver including a primary power source for producing a first current pulse of amplitude I.sub.1 and of duration T.sub.2, a secondary power source for producing a second current pulse of amplitude I.sub.2 and of duration T.sub.1, means for combining the outputs of the power sources, and sensing means for detecting the current pulse output from the primary power source.

Abstract: A multiple focal length folding imaging device includes a first and second housing which are operably joined together for movement relative to one another so that the second housing is movable relative to the first housing between at least a first position and a second position. The first housing is formed to at least partially receive therein the second housing, such that when the second housing is in the first position, the second housing is at least partially received within the first housing. The second housing includes an exiting aperture for allowing exiting of at least one image recordable unit therefrom when in the second position, and when the second housing is in the first position, the exiting aperture is at least partially disposed within the first housing so that the at least one image recordable unit cannot exit from the exiting aperture.

Abstract: A plurality of fixed focus exposure lenses are mounted in a turret for manual selection of a desired focus. Each exposure lens in the turret is combined with a pair of ranging lenses for movement therewith which direct light beams to converge at the sharpest subject focus distance of the exposure lens.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus having both automatic and manual modes of operation is adapted for coupling to a microscope. the apparatus includes a viewfinder for viewing a scene in the microscope and an exposure controlling photometer for measuring the scene brightness. In addition, a rotatably mounted disc shutter is provided having an opening therein for generating a photographic image producing exposure interval and having a pair of mirrors supported thereon for movement therewith, for respectively directing image-bearing scene light to the viewfinder and to the photometer prior to an exposure. In the automatic mode, movement of the disc shutter is under the control of a microprocessor whereas in the manual mode, such movement is under operator control.

Abstract: Source of laser radiation for a printer includes at least one laser diode array and an optical system which is telecentric in at least one azimuth for imaging the near field distribution from the laser diode array(s) on a recording medium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a scanning beam position indicating arrangement which is employed in an electronic printer for accurately clocking a writing beam of the printer as a function of writing beam position. One embodiment of a scanning beam position indicator arrangement utilizes a Fresnel mirror device. Another embodiment utilizes a holographic encoding element. Still another embodiment utilizes a ellipsoidal mirror device. Another embodiment utilizes a holographic lens.