Abstract: Apparatus for producing aerial-images is disclosed employing a combination of focusing reflectors, beamsplitter polarizing filters, and light sources. An object to be displayed is illuminated, and its image partially reflected by the beamsplitter to a focusing mirror and reflected to an aerial position. A polarizer prevents ambient light or images from degrading or interfering with the aerial-image. A clock radio, personal television display counter, as well as animated mannequin versions are disclosed.

Abstract: A guide for use with a cutting member, such as hand saws, that is easy to use, is readily portable and can be adjusted to permit cutting of precise compound angles on work pieces of various configurations. The guide mechanism comprises two angularly related members arranged so that when one member engages the face of a work piece, the other member functions to glidably engage a cutting member, such as the blade of a hand saw with the teeth thereof in cutting relation with said face of the work piece. In one form of the invention, locking mechanisms are provided to lock the member in any selected angular relation and a magnet is carried by the guide member which uniquely functions to continuously urge the saw into engagement with a plurality of rollers that are also carried by the guide member.

Abstract: An optical retroreflective remote control used in combination with electronic apparatus, such as a VCR or television set is disclosed. The controlled apparatus includes a light or radiation source and a retroreflected light detector as well as means for detecting any modulation of the light emitted as a control signal for the electronic apparatus. The remote control includes a portable housing with a window for receiving light from the electronic apparatus and for retroreflecting modulated light return by the remote controller. Manual controls or push buttons on the housing operate to block or modulate certain portions, i.e., wavelengths of the incident light enter in the window before the light reaches a retroreflector. Returned light or radiation from the controller as modified constitutes a control signal for the electronic apparatus. The remote control requires no power supplies or light or radiation sources.

Abstract: A viewfinder, particularly useful in a camera, is lensless but which provides a useful reticle to aid the user to properly frame the desired scene. A camera body includes a viewfinder front wall opening. Surrounding the front wall opening, on its interior surface is a concave mirror with its focus on a reticle. The reticle on an internal surface of the camera body is located at the interior face of the eyepiece opening region of the viewfinder. Incoming light at the front opening illuminates the reticle and its image is reflected by the concave mirror surface to the user's eye. In one embodiment, the front opening of the camera is a single opening larger than the rear or eyepiece opening, and in another embodiment, the front opening constitutes a series of small holes in the front wall of the camera with the surface between the holes reflectorized and acting as the concave mirror.

Abstract: An optical reflective mouse or other pointing device for computers which provide an optical signal. The mouse modifies, e.g., interrupts, the optical signal from the computer as a function of the mouse movement or operation of one or more control buttons.The mouse reflects or retroreflects the modified optical signal to the computer as a computer control signal. The mouse employs retroreflectors, diffraction gratings, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements in combination with a mouse ball operator to complete the mouse. No electronics, radiation sources or batteries or any cable connection to the computer is required.

Abstract: A new suspended work platform for providing a platform for working on projects that can be raised out of the way when not in use. The inventive device includes a support structure, a platform member, and a suspension structure for suspending the platform member from the support structure. The suspension structure includes a vertical adjustment member, a translational adjustment member, and a turret member to allow adjustment of the vertical position, the horizontal translational position, and the horizontal orientation of the platform member in relation to the support structure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for creating stereoscopic images from multiple sources from predetermined lateral directions for forming the multiple images onto a multiple image plane and converging the images into multiple superimposed images on a viewing screen. The viewing screen employs a Fresnel lens and a lenticular lensed surface with horizontal lenticules. No glasses are needed, by one or more persons, to view stereoscopic 3-dimensional images. The source of the multiple images may be multiple cameras, composite multiple image film, video signals, or computer-generated images. In one embodiment, the multiple images are projected each by a respective substantially identical lens and through a folded optical reflective system to a restricted viewing opening in the system housing.

Abstract: A system for creating stereoscopic images from multiple sources from predetermined lateral directions for forming the multiple images onto a multiple image plane and converging the images into multiple superimposed images on a viewing screen. The viewing screen employs a Fresnel lens and a lenticular lensed surface with horizontal lenticules. No glasses are needed, by one or more persons, to view stereoscopic 3-dimensional images. The source of the multiple images may be multiple cameras, composite multiple image film, video signals, or computer-generated images.

Abstract: A solar clock utilizes the sun's radiant energy to illuminate a digital display in accordance with the solar time. An opaque mask member, preferably in the form of a right circular cylinder, is provided with a series of sunlight-transmitting apertures which cooperate with a plurality of strategically positioned fiber optic arrays, operatively coupled to a light-responsive digital display, to provide an indication of the solar time. During the course of travel of the sun across the sky, the sun illuminates different fiber optic arrays through the mask. The fiber optics serve to couple the sun's energy to the digital display.

Abstract: A variable light attenuator comprises a pair of spaced optical elements, each having a reflective surface and at least one being adapted to variably polarize a light beam as a function of its angle of incidence. Means are provided for rotatably supporting the optical elements so that the beam, upon being reflected from both elements, is always parallel to the input beam, regardless of its angle of incidence. Preferably, a second pair of reflective elements, similarly structured, arranged and supported, cooperates with the first pair of reflective elements to produce a variably attenuated output beam which is colinear with the input beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting at infinity an image of an object displayed on a convex surface, such as a CRT or rear projection screen. Such apparatus comprises a pair of beam-splitters, preferably cylindrical in shape and arranged such that their respective axes of curvature are perpendicular to one another. Each beam-splitter has an optical power which compliments that of the other, whereby such elements share the image-forming function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is camera mounting apparatus which is particularly useful for independently adjusting the interocular spacing and convergence distance between the respective optical axes of a pair of cameras used in three-dimensional (3-D) photography. Such apparatus comprises a pair of slider mechanisms, each including a slider member which is connected to a camera housing (e.g., via a camera support plate) and movable along a rectilinear path defined by its respective mechanism. One of the slider mechanisms is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis which perpendicularly intersects the respective paths of both slider members. Separate means are provided for (a) adjusting the positions of the slider members along their respective sliding paths, and (b) adjusting the angular relationship of one sliding path relative to the other, whereby the camera support plate is movable through a predetermined interocular spacing (e.g. 4.

Abstract: A camera assembly is provided for photographing a scene or subject from two slightly different positions with controlled three-dimensional effects for subsequent viewing, for example, with the assistance of special eyeglasses having appropriately filtered lenses. The camera assembly comprises a pair of cameras, such as two motion picture cameras, mounted onto a rigid frame for photographing a common scene or subject, with one of the cameras receiving light transmitted through a beamsplitter and the other camera receiving light reflected from the beamsplitter. One of the cameras is stationary on the frame whereas the other camera is movably supported by a mechanical control linkage to controllably vary three-dimensional effects by adjusting the lateral or interocular spacing between the nodal points of lens units for the two cameras and further by adjusting the movable camera to select the point of intersection, or convergence distance setting, of the camera sight lines within their fields of view.

Abstract: A compact, smoothly operating, X-Y positioning mechanism for use in microfiche projecting apparatus is disclosed. The positioning mechanism occupies an area substantially the same size as one microfiche, however is displaceable over an area approximately four times as large. Smooth translation of the positioning mechanism is provided by two pairs of parallel rollers, the rollers of one pair being disposed perpendicularly to the other pair to allow for positioning in any direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining in focus an image formed at the image plane of an optical instrument, notwithstanding random angular movement of the instrument's housing. Such apparatus includes mounting means for angularly decoupling the image-forming element (e.g., a refractive lens) of the optical instrument from the instrument's housing, thereby allowing the image-forming element to move relative to such housing, and means for maintaining the focal plane of the image-forming element substantially parallel to the image plane of the optical instrument during relative angular movement between the image-forming element and the instrument's housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a photographic camera having an integral flash unit which illuminates object space through the camera's viewfinder. According to a preferred embodiment, light from an energized flashlamp mounted within the camera interior is reflected into object space by means of a mirror which is pivotally mounted in the camera's viewfinder. Prior to shutter release, the mirror is stored in a position to allow normal use of the viewfinder. In response to actuation of the camera's shutter release mechanism, the mirror pivots to a position on the optical path of the viewfinder, whereupon it reflects light emanating from the flashlamp through the front of the viewfinder and into object space.

Abstract: An improved bellows for use with a folding camera comprises a sheet of opaque resilient material, extending over an opening in the camera body. When the camera is folded, the bellows material is collapsed to a substantially flat plane, and when the camera is unfolded, the bellows material is expanded to define a light-tight, tent-like extension from the back of the camera.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bellows material possesses a dimpled, or wrinkled microstructure such that the material is expandable in any direction by unfolding the microstructure.

Abstract: A compact microimage viewing apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a low intensity light source with wide-angle projection optics to provide a clear and highly illuminated image to the viewer. To achieve compactness, the high brightness light-distributive screen of the viewing apparatus is located at an acute angle to the axis of projection of the projection lens. Keystone distortion of the projected image is substantially eliminated by employing a correcting lens, preferably a Fresnel lens, between the screen and the viewer at a predetermined angle to the screen such that the image portion projected onto the edge of the screen nearest to the projection lens, which would otherwise appear smaller to the viewer than would the image portion projected onto the farthermost edge of the screen, is magnified to an extent that a rectangular and substantially non-distorted image is presented to the viewer.