Abstract: The structure of a miniature component for use in connecting optical fibers along with methods for fabricating the component. A small scale tube having precision surfaces inside and out has formed directly in it a converging, preferably plastic, lens capable of imaging a fiber end properly located into assimilarly situated fiber in another like facing component. The outside precision surfaces of the tube serve as references for precision alignment of the component while its inside precision surfaces aid in formation of the lens.

Abstract: A system for precisely positioning a printing element relative to a rotating drum, as in a drum printer, employs two position signals for alignment purposes. A pair of linear grids is disposed along a path of travel of the printing element for generating, with the aid of optical beam and sensor devices, a periodic electric signal which varies in accordance with printing element position. One of the grids is stationary and the second of the grids moves with a carriage supporting the printing element. An encoder positioned alongside the drum is operative with a set of markings having a variation in spatial frequency, or a grid overlay, to produce an alternating electric signal which varies in accordance with rotational position of the drum. Motors which rotate the drum as well as a lead screw which translates the printing element may be constructed as synchronous motors to permit phase locking to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving the quality of an electronic image generated by a charge coupled device (CCD) array that senses scene images through a colored optical filter. The apparatus includes a prism or prismatic filter movable into and out of the path of image-containing light rays impinging on the color filter overlying the CCD array that alternately shifts the scene image between color filters of the CCD array that absorb particular scene image colors and those that transmit these colors to their associated CCDs while in the case of the prismatic filter absorbing the dominant scene color generated by the colored optical filter. Scene image signals generated by a CCD array in this manner are processed such that their spatial relationship with respect to the sensed scene image is precisely monitored and electronically counter-shifted for subsequent scene image reconstruction.

Abstract: An optical resonant cavity adapted to receive, as an input from a transmission trunk line, a group of optical signals distributed in wavelength over a predetermined band and to provide, as an output, a narrower band of the optical signals. The wavelength selective nature of the cavity stems from a modification of its resonant modes with periodic structures that are interferometrically formed as alternating layers of high and low index of refraction in photopolymeric material at its opposite ends and operate to suppress resonant modes at wavelengths outside of the narrow band desired as an output.

Abstract: An imaging component of unitary construction, molded of a transparent optical plastic, and adapted for use with a companion, preferably similar, component to optically couple optical fibers with one another. The component includes a lens surface arranged about an optical axis therethrough, a reference surface for facilitating mounting and positioning the component, and structure for facilitating receiving and positioning the end of an optical fiber at a fixed distance along the optical axis and behind the focus of the lens surface. The optical structure of the component is such that, when used with another axially spaced by a fixed distance and operating at finite conjugates as a pair, the optical fiber end in each is exactly imaged onto or within the entrance pupil of the other.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus by which the energy distribution of preselected areas of illumination is altered by diffusion so as to minimize the visual effects of artifacts on image recording material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming miniaturized optical components such as fiber optics connector terminals in which a three-part mold set is employed to attain precise concentricity of mold cavity formations carried by two of the three mold parts which are movable axially relative to and positioned by the third or central one of the three parts. The two movable parts are each located by oppositely diverging frustoconical reference surfaces on the central part and include mold surface components which are axially positionable relative to the parts in which they are carried. The central part is supported by a shuttle for movement between a molding position and an ejection position, appropriate ejection pins being located in spaced relation to the molding position so as not to interfere with the molding operation.

Abstract: A system utilizing aspects of both photography and electronic imaging is provided for recording and reproducing an image of scene in color. A camera component of the system photographically records the image on monochromatic film to provide a high resolution photograph from which electronic luminance signals are derived, and also utilizes an image sensor for providing lower resolution chrominance signals which are recorded on a medium, such as a magnetic stripe, that may be formed on the film unit. The photograph and chrominance signal recording are transferred to a reproduction component of the system which derives the luminance information signals from the photograph and combines it with the chrominance signals to provide three primary color signals which are utilized to drive a hard copy printer or an electronic image display device.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming miniaturized optical components such as fiber optics connector terminals in which a three-part mold set is employed to attain precise concentricity of mold cavity formations carried by two of the three mold parts which are movable axially relative to and positioned by the third or central one of the three parts. The two movable parts are each located by oppositely diverging frustoconical reference surfaces on the central part and include mold surface components which are axially positionable relative to the parts in which they are carried. The central part is supported by a shuttle for movement between a molding position and an ejection position, appropriate ejection pins being located in spaced relation to the molding position so as not to interfere with the molding operation.

Abstract: A photoresponsive apparatus is disclosed which includes a photoresponsive device that provides an output or response having a characteristic which varies as a function of the radiant power and wavelength incident on a photoresponsive surface thereof. Included is a spectral filtering means associated with an optical assembly so as to provide the assembly with different f-number zones for each of the respectively different proportionalities of wavelengths such that the spectral composition of incident radiation reaching the surface is controlled by the spectral filtering means to effect a desired change in the response of the photoresponsive device.

Abstract: An electronic printing method by which originals are photographically reproduced by exposing high-contrast copy material with an intensity modulated illumination source that coarsely scans the original while the original is sharply imaged with a well-corrected optical system. The source intensity is modulated to compensate for the original's tonal qualities and electronically shapes the response of the copy material to enhance tonal reproduction. The imaging system in conjunction with the high-contrast material assures high reproduction of detail. The method enhances copy sharpness and reduces copy time, memory and computational needs otherwise required for copies of comparable quality.

Abstract: An optical proximity imaging method and apparatus in which the proximity of glass surface to another surface is determined by frustration of total internal reflection of light energy from the glass surface to develop a light area pattern, calibrating gray scale densities of the pattern so that levels of density correspond to increments of surface proximity, and displaying a facsimile of the gray scale image to indicate variations in surface proximity. The pattern of frustrated totally reflected light energy is preferably magnified and the magnified image recorded by a television camera, the output of which is fed, in a preferred embodiment, to an oscilloscope capable of displaying a three axis image in which one of the three axes is determined by variation in gray scale density. In another embodiment, the output of the television camera is fed through a colorizer to assign different colors to different gray scale densities and a colored facsimile of the pattern image presented on a CRT screen.

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.

Abstract: Optical elements shaped in accordance with preferred analytic functions which permit the elements to be relatively rotated about one or more pivots decentered with respect to an optical axis to simulate the dioptric action of a well corrected rotational lens element of variable power that can be used to maintain focal setting over a large range of object distances. The optical elements can be used in pairs, singly with mirror images of themselves, or they can be incorporated in more elaborate systems to provide focusing action.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately adjusting CRT image geometry for the purpose of removing defects in an image reproduced by a CRT. The method and apparatus include a conventional pattern generator for producing a grid-like test pattern, in the form of two mutually perpendicular sets of closely spaced parallel lines, on the viewing screen of the CRT whose geometry or image-forming apparatus is to be adjusted. A reference pattern image formed on a transparent base material suitable for viewing by transmitted light and having the same general characteristics as the CRT formed image is supported in superposed relationship with respect to the CRT formed, pattern generator produced test pattern image.

Abstract: An electronic imaging camera is provided with a substantially expanded dynamic exposure range by implementing two succeeding exposure intervals under conditions where the exposure defining parameters are substantially different and thereafter selectively choosing between the electronic information signals sensed during the two succeeding exposure intervals to provide an output signal from which a visible image of the subject may be reconstructed thereafter.

Abstract: A laser scanning and printing apparatus operates to scan an original picture in generally low resolution to provide a minimal quantity of image data which may be modified to provide an enhanced image reproduction of the original by subsequently laser scanning the original and directing the laser light reflected from the original to expose a photosensitive material, the intensity of the laser light being modulated to effect the enhanced image reproduction by selectively lightening or darkening predetermined areas of the photosensitive material exposed by the laser light reflected from the original picture during the subsequent line scan thereof.

Abstract: A line exposure array of light emitting diodes arranged in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis thereof and geometrically configured to provide a substantially uniform exposure of a photosensitive material without underexposed stripes appearing on those areas of the photosensitive material immediately adjacent the spaces between the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A photosensor arrangement for providing an exposure influencing control signal in a photographic camera apparatus includes a photosensor array wherein the exposure influencing control signal comprises an average of the output signals from all the photosensors in the array excepting the output signals from those photosensors in the array which detect the highest and lowest scene light intensities.

Abstract: A method of preparing an optical fiber includes the steps of applying a first cladding layer of a sinterable, glasseous particulate matter providing a selected index of refraction to a support surface, forming at least one longitudinally-extending groove in the layer prior to sintering, applying a deposit of glasseous particulate matter in said groove to ultimately define a core stripe having an index of refraction greater than that of the previously applied layer, applying a covering layer of glasseous particulate matter, sintering the various layers and the core strip to provide an optical fiber preform, and drawing the preform to provide an optical fiber having a rotationally non-symmetric characteristics with a core of higher index of refraction than the surrounding cladding.