Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first input part for inputting a video signal, a second input part for inputting a control signal indicative of a special effect mode to be applied to the video signal, a compressing part for compressing the video signal inputted by the first input part, a memory part for storing the video signal, and a memory control part for, according to the control signal, causing the memory part to selectively store the video signal compressed by the compressing part and a video signal not compressed by the compressing part.

Abstract: An image acquisition system that is used to acquire digital images of objects or scenes is disclosed. The image acquisition system supports multiple modes of operation. The image acquisition system can be used to acquire and store not only video images but also still images. The image acquisition system is typically part of, or within, a digital camera, but could also itself be a digital camera.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for an application program executed in a digital imaging device, wherein the digital imaging device and the application program applies a plurality of imaging effects to captured images. The method and system include selecting one of the captured images, and automatically applying the plurality of effects to the selected image to provide a plurality of preview results. The plurality of preview results are then displayed as an aligned set of application specific items in the display along with the selected image to thereby provide a real-time preview of each type of effect applied to the selected image.

Abstract: A device for collection, digital encoding, and processing of signals from plural photo-detectors in a camera. The device includes plural digital encoding units, each digital encoding unit in the plural encoding units being associated with one individual photo-detector in the plural photo-detectors, and including a summation device and an analog-digital converter. A digital processing unit is connected to each encoding unit. Such a device may find particular application to gamma-cameras.

Abstract: A timing pulse generating apparatus generates a variety of timing pulses used for acquiring image signals from a solid-state imaging device. A horizontal-ROM stores pattern data representing timing pulses for one period first generated in a horizontal scanning period and repeat times of the timing pulses for one period in the horizontal scanning period. Appropriate pattern data is read from the horizontal-ROM and set in a horizontal-register. A timing pulse generating circuit generates timing pulses in accordance with a count value of a horizontal-counter and the pattern data set in the horizontal-register. Thus, the amount of the pattern data is small even if the repeat times of the timing pulses for one period in the horizontal scanning period are large.

Abstract: An improved deinterlacing technique reconstructs regions of an image that change monotonically in the vertical direction (i.e., vertical deinterlacing). The present invention adapts to the image content without using spatio-temporal interpolation techniques. Rather, deinterlacing in accordance with the teachings of the present invention uses, for example, four localized input pixel values to produce an output pixel value that minimizes spatial artifacts (i.e., accurately reconstructs regions that change monotonically in the vertical direction). In another embodiment, an overlay scaler shares overlay scaling circuitry and deinterlacing circuitry to provide a cost effective implementation of a unique deinterlacing circuit. In another embodiment, a plurality of offsets are used in addition to three or more pixels.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing audio frame presentation time with a system time in an MPEG audio bit-stream decoder is provided. The method includes identifying a time disparity between an audio frame presentation time and a system time. A group of successive audio frames in the MPEG audio bit stream are then examined for an audio frame having an amplitude value less than a threshold value. An audio frame is selected from the examined bit stream for skipping or repeating. If an audio frame below the threshold value is identified, it is selected, otherwise the last frame in the group of frames is selected. The selected frame is then skipped or repeated to synchronize the audio presentation time to the system time in order to minimize the effect of audio artifacts on the listener.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver for realizing a picture-in-picture (PIP) screen using a plurality of decoders is provided. The digital broadcasting receiver includes a first decoder 30 and a second decoder 80 for decoding each of a plurality of broadcasting signals, and outputs two broadcasting signals on a PIP screen. That is, each of the broadcasting signals which are input simultaneously is decoded in the first decoder 30 and the second decoder 80, and the decoded image signals are output on the PIP screen. Thus, the digital broadcasting receiver provides an effect of performing a PIP screen function in which a plurality of decoders decode each of the broadcasting signals.

Abstract: An adjustable biased Gamma-correction circuit with central-symmetry voltage is disclosed. The present invention provides varistors, transistors, or operation amplifiers in a Gamma-correction circuit to obtain a plurality of plus and minus symmetrical driving voltages based on a central voltage. Utilizing the present invention, a Gamma-correction circuit can generate the most adjustable driving voltages by using the minimum voltage sources.

Abstract: A receiver includes a CPU. The CPU can determine whether a variable N has reached a predetermined value X or not. The variable N is the number of channels over which broadcast signals could have been consecutively received. If “YES” is determined in the determination, the CPU performs presetting according to a CATV broadcast channel plan.

Abstract: A geomagnetism sensor (2) outputs the vertical magnitude of geomagnetism as a detection signal (Vy). An A-D converter (5) converts the detection signal (Vy) into digital data which in turn is supplied to a CPU (6) together with data from a memory (1). The CPU (6) performs a computation based on a vertical deflection signal (VH), the data from the memory (1) and the detection signal (Vy) to provide parameters (hposi, yvj, vcancel) for determining current values to be supplied to a deflection yoke (13), a convergence correction coil (14) and a beam landing correction coil (15). D-A converters (7-9) convert these parameters into analog signals. Drive circuits (10-12) receives the analog signals provided by conversion to generate current for driving the deflection yoke (13), the convergence correction coil (14) and the beam landing correction coil (15). Image variations under the influence of the vertical component of geomagnetism are automatically corrected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to beam steering and scanning devices which utilize cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) elements arranged in branches to form a logic tree. Each branch comprises an active and passive CLC element; the former further comprising a half-wave retarder and an electrode and the latter only the CLC element. Each succeeding branch contains twice as many branches as a preceding branch and, by activating active CLC element electrodes under control of a programmable pulsed source, inputs applied to the first stage of a logic tree are delivered as a scanned line of electromagnetic energy or light to the imaging cells of the last stage of the logic tree. By stacking identical logic trees with a laser source for each tree, a flat panel imaging array or display device is formed in which the transmission losses are minimized.

Abstract: An electrode structure of a display panel includes a plurality of electrodes formed on a substrate constituting the display panel, the electrodes including display electrode portions provided in almost parallel in a central part of the substrate and oblique lead electrode portions converged in a predetermined number for each block from the display electrode portions to reach terminal portions at an end of the substrate, and a dummy electrode provided between two oblique lead electrode portions extending in different directions in a block boundary portion for limiting a flow of an etching solvent into the block boundary portion during etching when the electrodes are formed.

Abstract: Liquid crystal display device of lightweight material, low power consumption and long operational life, capable of a high quality display in both dark and bright environments. In a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal layer enclosed by a pair of substrates containing two electrodes facing each other on opposing sides and a liquid crystal material layer driven by electrodes enclosed by that pair of substrates, a dark display is shown when no electrical field is applied to the liquid crystal layer; and a field light emission layer is formed driven by electrodes between the pair of substrates.

Abstract: The present invention features designs of pixels and designs of control features for seals on AMLCD tiles optimized for tiling AMLCD flat panel displays (FPDs) which have visually imperceptible seams. The FPD structure has an image view plane which is continuous and remote from the pixel apertures or image source plane on the inside of the tiles. The image is formed on the view plane by a distributed ultra low magnification flies-eye optical system (a screen) that is integrated with the tiles, effectively excluding and obscuring an image of the seams. The innovations described herein minimize the defects on the perimeter pixels by effectively damming the waviness of the front of the seal near the perimeter pixels on the tiles. Dark space required for the seal between the interior tile edges and active regions of the pixels is decreased, as is the space allocated for wiring thereby increasing the feasible aperture ratios near the mosaic edges and all apertures.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal layer, pixel electrodes having pixel apertures, and at least one microlens array including microlenses arranged two-dimensionally in correspondence with the pixel apertures. Each microlens includes a condenser lens having at least one lens surface along an optical axis and condensing light incident thereon toward the corresponding pixel aperture, and a field lens having at least one lens surface along the optical axis and being constructed such that the focal point thereof is at approximately the same position as the principal point of the condenser lens. The overall focal point of the condenser lens and the field lens is shifted from the corresponding pixel aperture, and the amount of shift is set such that an effective aperture ratio is increased compared with the case in which the overall focal point is at the same position as the corresponding pixel aperture.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition which enables the formation of a pattern manifesting large elastic deformation ratio and small plastic deformation ratio in a wider temperature range, and a color filter which enables the production of a liquid crystal display having a columnar convex part for setting the thickness of a liquid crystal layer and having excellent display qualities are provided. A photosensitive resin composition comprises at least a polymer, a poly-functional acrylate monomer and a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the content of the poly-functional acrylate monomer is from 50 to 70% by weight. A photosensitive resin composition comprises at least a polymer, a monomer having an unsaturated double bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and an alicyclic compound-containing resin, wherein the alicyclic compound is a compound having a poly-cyclic steric structure.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus containing an image sensor, which comprises a liquid crystal display part comprising an active matrix circuit, a peripheral driver circuit for driving the active matrix circuit, and a sensor part, integrated on one substrate, wherein the sensor part is sealed and protected with a sealing part and a counter substrate.

Abstract: In a dark environment, when a backlight 119 is lighted, white light emitted from the surface of a light guide plate 118 passes through a polarizing plate 107 and a phase plate 108 and, further, passes through a transflective plate 111 and a transparent electrode 116 provided on the inner surface of a substrate 102 before it is introduced into a liquid crystal layer 3. Then, it is guided to the exterior of a liquid crystal cell and sequentially passes through a phase plate 106 and a polarizing plate 105 before it is guided to the exterior. In a bright environment, external light incident from the polarizing plate 105 passes through the liquid crystal layer 3, and is then reflected by the transflective plate 111 through the transparent electrode 116 before it is passed through the polarizing plate 105 again and guided to the exterior.

Abstract: A display according to various aspects of the present invention comprises an LCD having a first substrate, a second substrate proximate the first substrate, a liquid crystal material located between the first and second substrates, an element for compensating for horizontal view angle limitations of the display. The LCD may further include a nonmechanical element for vertically shifting the viewing angle associated with the high-contrast viewing envelope of the LCD device.

Abstract: A method of forming a liquid crystal polymer layer includes: coating a substrate with a release layer; coating the release layer with an alignment layer capable of aligning a liquid crystal polymer layer; coating the alignment layer with a layer of a liquid crystal polymer material, thereby forming a liquid crystal polymer layer in which the molecules have a predetermined orientation; solidifying the layer of liquid crystal polymer; and dissolving the release layer in a liquid which does not harm the solidified liquid crystal polymer layer to form a self supporting film. The release layer and alignment layer can be combined into a single layer, such as for example a layer of polyvinyl alcohol which may be dissolved in water. Thicker or multi-layer films can be fabricated by using the first solidified layer as an alignment layer for a subsequently deposited liquid crystal polymer layer.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device comprising first and second substrates having first and second principal surfaces which are opposed to each other with a space left therebetween, first and second alignment layers are formed on the first and the second principal surfaces of the first and the second substrates. The first alignment layer is subjected to a first aligning treatment in a first aligning treatment direction while a second alignment layer is subjected to a second aligning treatment in a second aligning treatment direction which shifts from the first aligning treatment direction by a predetermined slight angle. Interposed between the first and the second alignment layers, a liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules each of which is twist aligned by a twist angle equal to the predetermined slight angle.

Abstract: A multi-domain liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing each other and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. A conductive layer distorting electric field is on the first substrate, and a common-auxiliary electrode is on a same layer whereon the conductive layer distorting electric field is formed. A common electrode is on the second substrate, and a storage electrode is in an electric field inducing region that divides the liquid crystal layer into at least two domains.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprising: a gate bus line 12a ; a data bus line 20a crossing the gate bus line: a picture element electrode 36; and a transistor including a first electrode 44 connected to the data bus line, a second electrode 40 connected to the picture element electrode, and a gate electrode 13, the first electrode 44, the second electrode 40 or the gate electrode 13 being extended along the gate bus line 12a or the data bus line 20a. The first electrode 44, the second electrode 40 or the gate electrode 13 is extended along the gate bus line 12a or the data bus line 20a, whereby a line disconnected part of the gate bus line 12a or the data bus line 20a can be repaired by the first electrode 44, the second electrode 40 or the gate electrode 13.

Abstract: A thin film transistor liquid crystal display generates voltage difference between the lower electrodes, then the generating domains are controlled by the voltage difference. The lower electrode is divided into a narrow electrode and a pixel electrode. The pixel electrode is further divided into a plurality of pixel electrodes. The narrow electrode is coupled to a drain or a source of a thin film transistor, and a portion of the pixel electrode is overlapped on the drain/source of the thin film transistor but insulated to the drain/source of the thin film transistor to generate capacitive coupling and make the voltage level of the narrow electrode exceeds that of the pixel electrode. Thus, a horizontal electric fields is formed to generate multiple domains in a signal pixel.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an array substrate for use in an IPS-LCD device which includes substantially zigzag-shaped pixel and common electrodes. The pixel electrodes and the common electrodes are connected with a connecting line and the common line, respectively. However, if each pixel and common electrode forms an acute angle with each connecting and common lines, liquid crystal molecules are strangely rotated and produce extraordinary domains in the intersection when the voltage is turned ON. Moreover, disclination occurs around the intersection. In order to overcome these problems, substantially sawtooth-shaped bases are employed of where the pixel and common electrodes meet the connecting and common lines, respectively. So each electrode forms an obtuse angle with each respective line, and thus the rotational direction of the liquid crystal molecules are the same in regions of the pixel area when the voltage is supplied.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid crystal display device including a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate pasted to each other via a liquid crystal sealing space in between, and provided with a predetermined display region. The first transparent substrate is integrally formed with an extension extending further than an edge of the second transparent substrate and longitudinally of the edge of the second transparent substrate. The extension is provided with at least one semiconductor chip having a longitudinal axis laid longitudinally of the extension. The extension is formed with an external connection terminal region including a plurality of terminals. The external connection terminal region does not overlap the semiconductor chip longitudinally of the extension.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, mechanically masking a workpiece to form exposure exclusion regions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mask that is arranged atop the photosensitive surface of the workpiece. The mask is opaque to the wavelength of radiation that activates the photosensitive workpiece surface. The mask is placed onto the workpiece prior to lithographic exposure of the workpiece so that the photosensitive material (e.g., negative acting photoresist) can be removed from select regions of the workpiece to provide, for example, electrical contact directly to the workpiece upper surface.

Abstract: The mask guiding device of the present invention has a mask guiding device that guides a substrate received from the outside. The mask guiding device is provided with a plurality of receiving portions that receives said mask from the outside.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a power level of a communication light beam is disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic switch beam generation element generates a communication light beam that may be received at a beam splitter. The beam splitter may be configured to produce a reflected light beam that reflects a portion of the communication light beam, while permitting at least a portion of the communication light beam to propagate through the beam splitter. A reflected light beam detector may be used to detect the reflected light beam. The power level (e.g., light energy) of the communication light beam may then be calculated based on the light energy of the reflected light beam.

Abstract: An automatic transmission fluid tester determines the remaining service life of automatic transmission fluid. The tester includes a radiation source for emitting radiation in the direction of an automatic transmission fluid sample under test, and a radiation receiver for detecting radiation passed through the sample. Based on the output of the radiation receiver, the tester measures the opacity of the sample. The remaining service life of the automatic transmission fluid is determined as a function of the measured opacity.

Abstract: A remote sensing method for detecting and analyzing gases, vapors and flame plumes using an imaging spectrometer. The spectrometric instrument uses Image Multispectral Sensing (IMSS) technology, enhanced by advanced imaging processing techniques and micro-miniature circuitry. These enhancements provide a portable instrument with the capability to remotely detect and image gases, including gas leaks. The technology also provides an analysis of the gas including chemical species and concentrations. The instrument can also remotely detect, image and analyze flames and plumes in the same manner, providing an analysis of the chemical species and concentrations in the flame. Advanced image processing techniques are used to provide gas and plume images and analysis to the operator. These processing algorithms are implemented in micro-miniature circuits such as digital signal processors (DSP's) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's) to provide a field portable instrument.

Abstract: An optical tomograph obtains a tomogram of an object by dividing a low coherence light beam into a signal light beam and a reference light beam, shifting the frequency of at least one of the signal light beam and the reference light beam so that the signal light beam and the reference light beam becomes different from each other in frequency, causing the signal light beam to impinge upon the object, causing the signal light reflected at a predetermined depth of the object to interfere with the reference light beam, and measuring the intensity of the obtained interference light. A light amplifier amplifies the reflected signal light.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to actively stabilize a probe, such as a microelectrode, relative to movement of the subject, utilizing laser interferometry. In the preferred embodiments, a probe is mounted on a manipulator such that the probe moveable in response to a control voltage. A laser interferometer is utilized to transmit a first light beam to the subject and to receive a reflected light beam, to modulate a second light beam with a radio frequency signal to form a reference light beam, and to combine the reflected light beam and the reference beam to form an interference pattern. A demodulator is utilized to quadrature demodulate a phase shift of a radio frequency component of the interference pattern to determine a displacement signal representative of an amount and direction of subject movement, and to convert the displacement signal to the control voltage.

Abstract: A critical dimension measurement method and apparatus capable of measurement even for a object below a resolution of an optical microscope. An image of an object is picked up by using an optical microscope and an image sensor. From an obtained video signal, signal positions of two points coinciding with a predetermined luminance level are extracted. A difference in position between the two points is multiplied by a ratio of maximum luminance between the two points to maximum luminance serving as a reference. On the basis of a resultant product, a size of the object is measured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating documents using a raster image processor operated in a low resolution mode to generate a low-resolution bit-mapped image from received print data containing a coded page description language. The low resolution page is then transmitted to a frame-store. The frame-store image is then interpolated by an interpolator from a low resolution image to a higher resolution image for use in a printer to produce a document at the higher resolution.

Abstract: A method for printing an indicium with a printer coupled to a personal computer includes the steps of collecting indicium data in memory of the PC, generating an indicium bar code relating to the indicium data, creating in the PC memory a printable image of a valid indicium including the indicium bar code, printing the printable image, and destroying the printable image in the PC memory as soon as the printable image has been printed. Messages of the PC operating system can be monitored for printing activity such that the printable image can be modified after a first copy of the printable image has been printed. The step of creating a printable image includes determining if more than one copy of the indicium is to be printed, and changing the number of copies to be printed to one when more than one copy is determined. The step of creating a printable image renders an indicium image to a memory device context. The printable image can be destroyed by overwriting the printable image with other information.

Abstract: When 31-dot space data specified in 120 dpi from a host is expanded in an image buffer 41 in 90 dpi, a command interpretation section of a printer finds 23/90 dots and an error 43 corresponding to 31/120 by calculation. Error correction information 44 indicating occurrence of the error 43 and the error amount is placed at a position in the image buffer 41 where print data cannot exist. An engine control section of the printer controls head drive in the amount to which the shift distance as long as error correction is added based on the error correction information 44.

Abstract: Each pixel receives a digital picture data having a multi-gradation data. A line composed of printing pixels having a thickness difference of multi-gradations is obtained on a recording paper by controlling whether or not there exist ink transcription by each gradation with a line head. A digital printer of printing a picture by recording a plurality of lines on a recording paper with scanning by the line head, comprising counting devices (5-1, 5-2) for counting a number of pixels to print at each gradation, dividing devices (9-1, 9-2, 12-1, 12-2, 13-1, 13-2) for dividing all pixels into several groups in accordance with the counting devices and deciding devices (10-1, 10-2, 11-1, 11-2) for deciding a number of groups. A range of grouping and as number of groups can be changed so as for a number of printing pixels in every group to be equal to a predetermined number of simultaneous turn-on pixels.

Abstract: A method of representing a half-tone level with dot sets each comprised of contiguous dots including the steps of providing a dot-set center at an offset point that is neither a center of a dot nor a midpoint between centers of dots, selecting dots that are included inside a symmetric-shape area having a center thereof at the dot-set center, an area size of the symmetric-shape area being commensurate with an input image level, and representing a half-tone level corresponding to the input image level by forming a dot set comprised of the selected dots.

Abstract: A return-to-zero pulse optical communication system includes fast saturable absorber means (F1,DSF) to provide substantially zero average dispersion in a single amplifier span (SIF,DSF) to reduce the effect of timing jitter an provide considerably enhanced propagation distances.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus adapted to track or other wise communicate with a remote object is provided, comprising a plurality of individually actuatable laser devices, each laser device emitting a laser beam. The scanning apparatus further comprises a moveable lens member disposed adjacent to the output ports such that the laser beams are directed therethrough, the lens member being moveable and cooperable with the laser devices such that each laser beam is directed in a different direction after passing through the lens member. The scanning apparatus is further configured to provide laser beam agility by selectively actuating individual laser devices so as to coarsely track the remote object and to provide laser beam steerability by moving the lens member with respect to an actuated laser device so as to finely track the remote object. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: An optical scanning device comprises a rotary polygonal mirror which performs deflection scanning of a light beam emitted from a light source; and an annular member which is disposed around the rotary polygonal mirror in proximity thereto and which has a width extending generally in a diameter of the rotary polygonal mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching mirror display having an increased aperture. The display comprises pixel elements (20) having a switchable layer (3), which is switched between a reflecting and an absorbing state by changing a hydrogen content of the switchable layer (3). Applying a DC voltage on electroconductive layers (11, 13) changes the hydrogen content. These electroconductive layers (11, 13) sandwich a stack of layers comprising the switchable layer (3), which stack has been deposited on a transparent substrate (1). The display is being viewed from a side (24) of the substrate on which the stack is deposited. The pixel element (20) is driven by an active matrix element (22). The switchable layer (3) extends across the active matrix element (22) and conceals this element. This increases the aperture of the display.

Abstract: This invention relates to a semiconductor device and method for switching or modulating optical signals. The semiconductor device has a photodetector having a low electrical capacitance Cd, a detector absorbing layer for absorbing an optical signal beam, a modulator having a low capacitance Cm and a modulator absorbing layer exhibiting an electric field-dependent absorption coefficient. The modulator absorbing layer is used for absorbing an optical power beam, which is to be modulated or switched. The device has a low resistivity region between the photodetector and the modulator such that the electric field-dependent absorption coefficient is altered uniformly and rapidly throughout the modulator absorbing layer during absorption of the optical signal beam in the detector absorbing layer. The device is equipped with a high resistivity element in series with the low resistivity region for minimizing a net charge flow to and from the device.

Abstract: An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Abstract: A temperature-stabilized optical amplifier (100) comprises at least an erbium-doped waveguide (101) for amplifying optical signals; at least a first and a second pump sources (103, 104) for generating respective pump beams at a first and, respectively, a second pump wavelength (&lgr;1, &lgr;2), said first and second pump wavelength being lower and, respectively, higher than 978 nm at an intermediate temperature of a predetermined range of temperature, and being subjected to drift as a consequence of temperature variations; and a pump distribution device (105), optically coupled to said pump sources for receiving said pump beams, and optically coupled to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide for feeding to said at least an erbium-doped waveguide a mixed pump radiation comprising at least a power fraction of each of said pump beams.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photolithography system having a catadioptric system with a polarizing beam splitter cube. The beam splitter cube transmits light at wavelengths equal to or less than 170 nm. The polarizing beam splitter cube can image at high quality light incident over a wide range of angles and including a numeric aperture greater than 0.6. In one embodiment, the polarizing beam splitter cube comprises a pair of prisms that are made of at least a fluoride material, such as calcium fluoride, and a coating interface having at least one layer of a thin film fluoride material. Layers in a multi-layer stack can also be graded across the hypotenuse face of a prism to adjust layer thicknesses at any point so as to compensate for changes in the incidence angle of the light. In one embodiment, the prisms and coating interface are joined by optical contact.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for capturing and analyzing video images of sediment from the bottom of a body of water such as a river or sea. The apparatus includes a video imager with a close-up focus of lens adapted to collect images of sediment at the bottom of the body of water. A waterproof housing surrounds the video imager. The video images are analyzed using any appropriate algorithm to determine grain size.

Abstract: A microscope assemblage, in particular a confocal laser scanning microscope, has a light source (1), for illumination of a specimen (6). An objective (5) is provided for guiding the illuminating light beam to the specimen (6). A device, having a tilt element, is provided for generating a relative motion between the illuminating light beam and the specimen (6). The device and the tilt are configured so that the illuminating light beam is rotatable in the objective pupil.