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.

Abstract: A preobjective scanning optical system for use with a rotating mirror scanner employing LEDs or lasers to electronically reproduce photographs. The optical system includes a doublet disposed before the mirror and a triplet disposed after the mirror. Instead of collimating, the first optical system along with the mirror forms a virtual, image of the LEDs or lasers which travels along a curved path as the scanner rotates and includes a first and a second lens which, in combination, correct the image for on-axis spherical and axial color aberrations. The triplet has net positive power and its three lenses, in combination, correct for off-axis aberrations such as astigmatism, coma, and lateral color aberration but can be under-corrected for field curvature because its object is the curved virtual image.

Abstract: A magnetic data storage system for use with a double sided disk in which a prerecorded pattern of opaque optical lines is used to define the tracks in which magnetic data is to be stored. A separate optical system including an illumination source and a photosensitive detector is provided on a read/write assembly for each side of the disk. Each detector is designed also to serve as a reference grating. The illumination source is designed to image the prerecorded pattern of optical lines on the reference grating as an indication of the alignment of the read/write head of the assembly and a desired data rack and any misalignment of the head and track generates a servo signal. The detector uses four separate photocells interleaved in a prescribed fashion to form a quadrature detector that is adjustable to compensate for various non-uniformities. One form of illumination source uses a surface-emitting light emitting diode and optics for forming a multiple beam source.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system includes an optical system for imaging radiation from a scene onto the image sensing surface of an imaging device for a selected sample period. The imaging device may take the form of a two dimensional array of photoresponsive areas having a device specific upper spatial frequency limit. In order to eliminate alias signal components in the output video signal caused by spatial frequency components in the scene radiation greater than the Nyquist spatial frequency of the device, the optical system is designed to have a spatial frequency limit no higher than the Nyquist frequency of the imaging device and thus functions as a low pass optical filter.

Abstract: An optical element that is particularly suitable for use in the optical system of a hand-held probe to conduct light to and from bar codes as they are scanned or read for information. The element preferably is integrally formed as a single piece fabricated of optical plastic by injection molding and includes three surfaces, one of which in preferred form is decentered with respect to the element optical axis and forms with another surface an opposed pair used to control the output of a source to illuminate bar codes. The remaining surface, the third, is prismatic, either converging or diverging as required, and is structured to cooperate with part of one of the paired opposed surfaces to conduct light reflected from a bar code to a small photodetector for conversion to electrical form.