Abstract: An improved floating bridge lock for stringed musical instruments is provided. The improved floating bridge lock comprises a mount and a throw bolt for mounting on a stringed musical instrument. The throw bolt is movable between an inactive position, out of engagement with the floating bridge, and an active position at which it is engaged with the floating bridge. The mount is affixed to a stringed instrument and arranged so that when the throw bolt is in the engaged position, it precludes movement of the floating bridge in a manner that would increase the tension on the strings. When the throw bolt is not engaged, there is free movement of the floating bridge.

Abstract: The PMD system comprises at least one PMD element (PMD), at least one transmitter (E), whose intensity can be modulated, and at least one controlling electronic device (FG) by means of which the PMD element (PMD) and the transmitter (E) can be controlled with at least one respective modulation voltage (Umod, Umod, UTxmod), and by means of which a phase shift (&Dgr;f) can be altered by an actuating signal. The PMD system is characterized in that a controlled system (CTR) is provided into which at least one output signal (Ua, Ub, Ud) of the PMD element (PMD) can be fed as a controlled variable (U′d) and whose output signal (U1phs, U1fc) can be fed into the controlling electronic device (FG) as an actuating signal, whereby the controlled variable (U′d) can be set to the value of a predetermined target variable by the controlled system (CTR).

Abstract: The light-guide module for emitting particular polarized light beams includes a splitter for separating non-polarized light beams, a transformer for converting polarization of light beams, and a non-polarized light source. The non-polarized light source emits light beams. Particular polarized light beams pass the splitter and other light beams are reflected by the splitter. Polarizations of reflected light beams and of light beams emitted by the non-polarized light source are converted by the transformer so as to separate the light beams later. Thus the light-guide module for emitting particular polarized light beams loses relatively little light energy.

Abstract: An exposure system (8) for fabricating optical film (40) by exposing a pattern such as for photoalignment, where the optical film (40) has a photosensitive layer (20) and a substrate (10). The exposure system (8) directs an exposure beam from a light source (1) to a reflective polarization modulation device (88). The modulated exposure beam is then reflected onto the photosensitive medium (20) for forming a pattern onto the optical film (40).

Abstract: A separable modulator architecture is disclosed. The modulator has a mirror suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The flexible layer also forms supports and support posts for the mirror. An alternative separable modulator architecture has a mirror suspended over a cavity. The modulator is supported by supports and support posts. The support posts comprise a flexible layer over support post plugs. A bus structure may be formed upon the flexible layer arranged over the support posts.

Abstract: An electrochromic mirror is provided for performing color change in response to a voltage applied thereto. The electrochromic mirror includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first and a second electrodes, an electrochromic composition and a reflective layer. The reflective layer is made of aluminum-titanium (Al/Ti) alloy and disposed on the second substrate for partially reflecting the light entering from the first substrate back to the first substrate. A reflective layer of an electrochromic mirror for partially reflecting incident light from an image is also provided. The reflective layer includes an aluminum-titanium (Al/Ti) alloy layer and an indium tin oxide (ITO) attached to the aluminum-titanium (Al/Ti) alloy layer.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by, for example as shown in FIG. 1, using a resin 8 containing prescribed filler which can minimize a change in moisture content in an electrochromic film as a sealing resin, and further by sealing the outer circumference by a silyl-containing polymer 9.

Abstract: An integrated variable optical attenuator and isolator assembly includes:

Abstract: Provided is an optical switching system which is capable of being operated at a very high speed in a communication wavelength region and of meeting the various requests at a high grade by the provision of an optical switching system having such a construction that a signal light composed of a light pulse train, and a pulse-like control light synchronous therewith are applied to a light control portion composed of a thin film made of carbon natures to selectively transmit the light pulse train in the signal light through the thin film to form an output signal light and then receiving the output signal light thus formed is received.

Abstract: An image display medium which implements multi-color display with a small number of kinds of particles and avoids a reduction in resolution of images, and an image writing device. The image display medium has a structure with a transparent display substrate, a colored back substrate, a spacer for constantly maintaining inter-substrate space, and white particles and black particles. The image display device is provided with the image display medium, an electrode head and a voltage application section. The electrode head implements monochrome display by moving the white particles and the black particles one to the display substrate side and the other to the back substrate side, by applying dc voltages between the substrates. When multi-color display is to be implemented, the electrode head applies ac voltages between the substrates and moves the particles to peripheries of portions so as to expose the back substrate at those portions.

Abstract: An active matrix electrophoretic display is driven. In a reset period Tr a reset voltage is applied to each pixel electrode. Next, in a writing period an applied voltage is applied to each of said pixel electrode during a time period corresponding to a gradation value designated by an image data. Next, a common voltage is applied to each of said pixel electrode, so that electric charge accumulated in each capacitor is taken away and no electric field is applied to each dispersal system, thereby a displayed image is held.

Abstract: A frequency synthesiser for generating wideband signals for zero Hz up to frequencies in the millimetre wave band provides the ability for arbitrarily fine increments in output frequency. The synthesiser has an optical comb generator that provides a set of reference signals at predetermined intervals. These reference signals are fed to two or more laser devices, at least one of which is a frequency selection and translation device capable of selecting a particular output line from the comb generator and shifting it by some desired frequency. The outputs from the laser devices are then combined and detected using a photodetector. The output from this is the system output. Various methods of producing the frequency selection and translation device are disclosed, as are various methods of producing the optical comb reference signal. Some possible applications of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a Raman amplifier using three or more pumping wavelengths, when the pumping wavelengths are divided into a short wavelength side group and a long wavelength side group at the boundary of the pumping wavelength having the longest interval between the adjacent wavelengths, the short wavelength side group includes two or more pumping wavelengths having intervals therebetween which are substantially equidistant, and the long wavelength side group is constituted by two or less pumping wavelengths.

Abstract: Gain for single and multi-stage optical amplifiers is controlled to determine gain profile and adjust for input signal transients by varying the gain linearly in relation to balanced variable gain settings in input signal and output signal feedback circuits. ASE correction may be dynamically applied in relation to temperature, input signal level, and gain setting. Feed-forward transient control may also be applied.

Abstract: A bi-directional polarization independent optical isolator and monitor/amplifier system simultaneously transmits two separate signal rays in opposite forward directions while simultaneously suppressing backward transmission of each signal ray in its respective reverse direction. Both of the counter-propagating signal rays are amplified within an optical gain element. The separate signal rays include either two wavelength bands completely separated in wavelength or two sets of wavelengths, each of a plurality of wavelengths, such that wavelengths of the two signal rays are interspersed in alternating fashion. The bi-directional polarization independent optical isolator portion of the system comprises a birefringent polarization separation element, a reciprocal optical rotation element, a lens, a reflective element, a lens, a non-reciprocal optical rotation element, and a birefringent polarization combining element.

Abstract: A multiple-axis imaging system having optical elements whose optimal image positions can be individually adjusted, comprising a plurality of optical array elements having respective optical axes and being individually disposed with respect to one another to image respective sections of an object; and a plurality of image position shifting devices corresponding to respective optical elements for separately establishing the image positions for a plurality of the optical array elements. The multi-axis imaging system preferably comprises a miniaturized microscope array. The shifting devices may comprise wavelength filters or optical-path-length-altering elements, such as a plane parallel plates. The devices may also comprise a pair of wedges that adjustably overlap one another, the wedges having apexes that point in opposite directions and respective corresponding planar surfaces that are parallel to one another.

Abstract: Laser-scanning microscope with at least one detection radiation input, in which an aperture plate is installed in front of the detector, whereby optics with variable transmission lengths and a fixed focal distance is provided for focusing varying wavelengths of the detected light onto the aperture plate level at the detection radiation path, which realizes the imaging from the infinite space into an image level with a finite conjugate distance,

Abstract: A telescope comprises a telescope tube and a mount for supporting the telescope tube for altitude and azimuth positioning. The mount comprises an azimuth assembly including vertical bearing holders in spaced parallel relation and an altitude assembly including interconnected vertical bearings rotatably supported on tracks of the bearing holders. The bearings have lips disposed over outer surfaces of the bearing holders, respectively, and a frictional adjustment mechanism of the azimuth assembly includes an extension element extendable into frictional contact with one of the lips to maintain proper tracking of the bearings on the tracks of the bearing holders. A clamp assembly disposed between the bearings comprises a plurality of clamp members having apertures, respectively, through which the telescope tube extends. The clamp members are pivotal between open and closed positions via operation of a single operating member.

Abstract: The invention refers to the methods and means of conversion of electromagnetic radiation (mainly belonging to the optical range) with the purpose of forming of objects' images (mainly of spatially extended ones) within incoherent light. In an Optical System (OS) the following procedures are being performed: pre-defined distortion of optical motion of rays by means of Amplitude-Phase Mask (APM); optical-electronic conversion of distorted image of object 6 and deduction of the distortions inserted by the APM and by OS. Deduction of distortions is arranged by means of accorded spatial filtration of the distorted image. Distortion of optical motion of rays is accomplished in the direction that is close to the orthogonal one in regards to the distortions brought in by defocusing and by aberrations of the OS. In the meanwhile, the possibility to receive the function of distortions that possesses rotary symmetry is being secured.

Abstract: A visual display screen (100′) such as an LCD screen is provided with a display area (30) for displaying an image. The display area (30) extends as far as an optically inactive region (60), containing device drivers, at the edge of the screen.

Abstract: It is possible to eliminate a fringe pattern produced at the time of incidence of polarized light of a light distribution control element, in which stray light derived from outside unnecessary light in a liquid crystal display apparatus of the like can be effectively reduced, and bright, wide viewing angle characteristics can be achieved when the display is viewed at any angle by an observer. In a light distribution control element constituted of a transparent base member, an array of a plurality of micro-lenses (transparent beads densely arrange on the transparent base member and a light absorbing layer having very small opening portions substantially at focal positions of the micro-lenses, the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body which is substantially isotropic optically or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotrophy.

Abstract: A stereoscopic microscope is disclosed that includes an objective lens which substantially collimates light from an object of interest, left and right afocal zooming systems, left and right afocal relay systems, and an ocular tube optical system which forms magnified images of the object. The optical axis of the objective lens is substantially normal to a plane that includes the optical axes of the left and right afocal zooming systems, a beam splitter is arranged in each optical path between the left and right afocal zooming systems and said ocular tube optical system, and in each optical path between the left and right afocal zooming systems and the ocular tube optical system, there is at least one region between the beam splitter and the ocular tube optical system where the optical axes of light fluxes from an observation object point intersect. Preferably, there are additional regions of intersecting light.

Abstract: There are provided an inexpensive polarizing beam splitter having a polarized light beam separating function of a wide range with a simple film construction and a reduced number of laminated film layers, and a polarizer provided with the polarizing beam splitter to arrange natural light into a specific polarized state.

Abstract: A patterned roller including one or more patterned rings forming an overall cylindrical pattern. The patterned roller may also include one or more spacer rings to form grooves or channels into a surface. The patterned roller may be included in a roller stack as part of a manufacturing system for patterned film. The patterned roller can include a pattern to form full corner cubes of many different sizes and/or geometries in a continuous manner across the width and along the length of a reflective sheet without seams. Methods of manufacture include rolling the cylindrical pattern of the patterned roller into a surface of an extruded sheet. Articles are manufactured utilizing the methods of manufacture including license plates, shoes, highway signs, articles of clothing, pavement markers, automobile reflectors, and bicycle reflectors.

Abstract: An optical element of which diffraction efficiency hardly varies with wavelength is provided by using an optical material satisfying the conditions that nd>−6.667×10−3vd+1.70 and &thgr;g,F≦−2×10−3vd+0.59 where nd is a refractive index at d-line, vd is an Abbe number at the d-line, and &thgr;g,F is a second order dispersion at d-line, whereby diffraction efficiency is improved in any working visible wavelength region and more precise chromatic aberration correction is obtained.

Abstract: The anti-reflection film has reflectance minimums in at least prime colors. The reflective display medium has the reflectance minimums in at least the prime colors. The light emitting display medium has the reflectance minimums in at least the prime colors, and having light emission maximums in the prime colors. The organic EL device has the light emission maximums in the prime colors. The liquid crystal monitor has the reflectance minimums in at least the prime colors, and uses as a supplemental light source the organic EL device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simulator arranged for simulating firing and intended to be mounted on a weapon. The simulator includes an emitter for a simulation beam arranged to emit an electromagnetic beam, and beam shaping means located in the beam path of the simulation beam and arranged to shape the beam so that its beam lobe exhibits a predetermined shape within a large range of distances from a given minimum distance (Rmin) from the simulator principally out to a maximum range (Rmax) for the simulation beam. The invention is characterized in that the beam shaping means comprise an optical component having at least one diffractive transmitting surface, diffractive reflecting surface, aspherical refractive surface or aspherical reflective surface.

Abstract: A container for producing a graphical image within the container. A container wall is provided with a front portion and a rear portion. A lenticular lens array is provided integral with the front portion of the container wall with a first optic surface, e.g., a plurality of parallel lens or ribs providing lenticules, contiguous with an exterior surface of the container wall and a second optic surface contiguous with an interior surface of the container wall. The array has a focal point on the rear portion of the container wall. A printed image is positioned near the focal point on the rear portion of the container wall to be registered to the lenticules of the array and may be printed directly on the exterior surface on the rear portion of the container wall or printed on a label that is attached to the exterior surface of the container wall.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes an inner-surface reflecting type integrator, an optical system for directing a beam from a light source to a portion of incidence of the inner-surface reflecting type integrator, an wave-front splitting type integrator, an image-forming optical system for arranging the portion of incidence of the inner-surface reflecting type integrator approximately conjugate with a portion of incidence of the wave-front splitting type integrator, and for directing a beam from the beam mixer to the wave-front splitting type integrator, and an irradiating optical system for superimposing multiple beams from the wave-front splitting type integrator on a plane to be irradiated, wherein a stop is provided at or near the portion of exit of the inner-surface reflecting type integrator.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system may include a spectral purity filter including diffractive gratings. The diffractive gratings may be formed in a silicon substrate using anisotropic etching techniques to produce smooth, flat facets defined by (111) crystallographic planes.

Abstract: A gobo is described wherein the superimposed layers are integrally bonded with a continuous and uniform layer of polymerized gluing material. Preferred bonding glues, their required characteristics, and a method for fabricating the integrally bonded gobo are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a collimating lens, comprising

Abstract: A miniature microscope objective for a miniature microscope array (MMA) includes preferably at least three or four lenses including from object to image a first positive lens, a second positive lens and a third negative lens. The objective has a numerical aperture (NA) that provides diffraction limited performance, and is preferably between 0.4 and 0.9 for the four lens design. The magnification of the objective is below approximately the outer diameter (OD) divided by the field of view (FOV), and is preferably between approximately 1 and 12, and is further preferably greater than 4. The ratio of magnification (M) to numerical aperture (NA) for the objective thereby has a magnitude that is less than substantially 30.

Abstract: A wide-angle zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group, in this order from the object. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group decreases, and the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases.

Abstract: A high zoom-ratio zoom lens system includes a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, and a negative fourth lens group. Zooming is performed by moving each of the lens groups along the optical axis.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens unit fixed when the magnification of the zoom lens is changed and at least two positive lens units arranged on the image side of the first lens unit so that relative spacings between individual lens units are varied when the magnification is changed. The first lens unit has a prism containing a reflecting surface at the most object-side position, the entrance surface of the prism is configured as a concave surface directed toward the object side, and the concave surface is an aspherical surface that divergence is impaired progressively in separating from the optical axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens system which includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having negative optical power, a second lens unit having positive optical power, and a third lens unit having positive optical power. During the zooming operation of the zoom lens system, a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end, and a distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit is changed. During the zooming operation of the zoom lens system from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the second lens unit moves toward the object side. Three lens elements constitute the second lens unit, and the location of its aspherical surface is appropriately set to achieve excellent remarkable performance.

Abstract: An electronic picture taking apparatus comprises a zoom lens system and an image pickup device. The zoom lens system has a type of movement suitable for stable, high performance in the range from infinite to near distance and being thoroughly reduced the thickness. The zoom lens system comprises at least four lens units. A foremost first lens unit on the object side of said zoom lens system has a negative refractive power. Each of three consecutive lens units has variable space on the image side thereof between an adjacent lens unit for performing a zooming operation. A rearmost lens unit of the zoom lens system consists of a single positive lens element having an aspherical surface and being fixed during the zooming operation. The zoom lens system includes an aperture stop moving incorporated with the second lens unit which is adjacent to the first lens unit.

Abstract: A three-group zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group of negative refractive power, and second and third lens groups, each of positive refractive power. The first and second lens groups include negative and positive components and the third lens group is a single lens component. All but one lens component may be a single lens element. When zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first and second lens groups move closer together while the second lens group moves farther from the third lens group. The third lens group remains stationary during zooming but moves for focusing. The second lens group includes a diaphragm on its object side. Aspheric lens surfaces are disclosed. The zoom lens satisfies certain conditions for the focal lengths of the zoom lens and a component of the zoom lens, and for Abbe numbers of two lens elements.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes first to fourth lenses in order from an object side. The first lens has negative refracting power and a concave surface thereof faces the object side. The second and fourth lenses have positive refracting power. The third lens has negative refracting power. The zoom lens as a whole is constituted of a first lens group having positive refracting power, and a second lens group having negative refracting power. The following conditions are satisfied, −2.7<fs/f1<−1.7 −1.1<f1/f2<−0.9 and 1.0<r1/f1<3.0, wherein fs denotes a focal length of the overall system at a wide-angle end, f1 and f2 denote focal lengths of the first and second lenses respectively, and r1 denotes a radius of curvature at the object side of the first lens.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the back foci of an objective and a camera to one another has a housing by which a graphic pattern and an optics are mounted at a predetermined distance F′ from each other. The temperature compensation for the distance F′ is constant to ±2 mm for a temperature change of Delta 20° Celsius. The device also includes an apparatus for matching the back foci of an objective and a camera to each other, in which a housing has a fastening mechanism for fastening an object-side end of the objective and a graphic pattern is arranged in the housing on the end of the device opposite the fastening mechanism. The invention also includes a method for equalizing the back foci of an objective and camera using specific steps.

Abstract: A small zoom lens apparatus capable of carrying out focusing through manual operations in an autofocus mode. The zoom lens apparatus includes a variator lens unit, an object-side focus lens unit placed closer to an object than the variator lens unit and an image plane-side focus lens unit placed closer to an image plane than the variator lens unit. Driving of the object-side focus lens unit through manual operations is allowed when the autofocus mode is set.

Abstract: A retractable lens includes a linearly movable ring, a retractable holder, a holding device, a retracting device, and a flexible PWB configured to connect an electronic component supported inside the linearly movable ring, with an electronic circuit positioned outside the linearly movable ring. The retractable holder is separate from the flexible PWB when the retractable holder is held by the holding device in an operational position in which the retractable optical element is on the optical axis. The retractable holder presses the flexible PWB in a radial direction of the linearly movable ring from an inside to an outside of the linearly movable ring and supports the flexible PWB when the retractable holder is moved to a radially retracted position by the retracting device such that the retractable optical element retracts to the position that deviates from a photographing optical axis.

Abstract: An advancing/retracting mechanism of a lens barrel, including a rotatable ring; a non-rotatable advancing/retracting guide ring positioned inside the rotatable ring including an inclined lead slot, and at least one circumferential slot which is communicatively connected with the inclined lead slot; a driven member having a follower engaged in the inclined lead slot and the circumferential slot, and further engaged in the rotation transfer groove; an optical element supported by the driven member; and a ring spring positioned inside the rotatable ring along an inner peripheral surface thereof and supported by the rotatable ring. The follower is disengaged from the follower pressing portion of the ring spring when the follower is engaged in the inclined lead slot. The follower is engaged with the follower pressing portion and resiliently deforms the follower pressing portion when the follower is engaged in the circumferential slot.

Abstract: A retracting mechanism for a lens barrel, the mechanism includes a non-rotatable member having an engagement surface; a frame movable along an axis towards and away from the non-rotatable member without rotation and having a holder for holding an imaging element, the holder pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between an aligned position where the lens barrel component is aligned with the axis and a displaced position where the component is displaced relative to the aligned position; and a spring assembly configured to resiliently hold the holder at the aligned position and having an engagement surface configured to contact the engagement surface of the non-rotatable member during movement of the frame towards the non-rotatable member, overcome the resilient holding of the holder at the aligned position, and move the holder from the aligned position to the displaced position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a non-rotatable annular ring and a circumferential guide groove; a first rotatable ring supported inside the annular ring and including a rotation-guiding projection slidably engaged in the circumferential guide groove; a second rotatable ring which rotates with the first rotatable ring and is only axially movable relative to the first ring, including an engaging projection slidably engaged in the circumferential guide groove with the rotation-guiding projection, wherein the engaging projection is insertable/removable from the circumferential guide groove through the insertable/removable aperture at a first assembling/disassembling angular position; and a coupling ring which is positioned inside the first and second rotatable rings. A coupler provided between the coupling ring and the second rotatable ring is disengaged at a second assembling/disassembling angular position. The first and second assembling/disassembling angular positions are substantially the same.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam ring, and a linearly movable frame supporting an optical element. Cam groove groups are located at different positions in a circumferential direction on the cam ring, and each cam groove group includes cam grooves at different positions in the optical-axis direction and trace the same reference cam diagram. A cam groove intersects another cam groove of another cam groove group adjacent thereto in the circumferential direction. Each cam follower group includes cam followers located at different positions in the optical-axis direction engageable with the cam grooves of each cam groove group. In each cam groove group, at least one complementing cam follower of each cam follower group remains engaged in a corresponding cam groove when another cam follower of the complementing cam followers passes through an intersection area of the intersecting cam grooves during a rotation of the cam ring.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for a lens barrel includes a support frame supporting an imaging component, and a linear guide configured to guide the support frame along an axis. The linear guide can include a ring portion defining an opening through which the support frame can pass, and further includes at least one linear guide key extending along the axis from the ring portion and positioned substantially radially inwardly of the opening. The support frame has at least one linear guide groove located at the outer peripheral surface thereof and configured to slidably engage with a respective the at least one linear guide key, and each of the opposite ends of the at least one linear guide groove are open such that the support frame is movable to extend from either of the sides of the ring portion.

Abstract: A viewing lens that is divided into at least three sections such that a wearer can see through a center section with both eyes, and can see through a lateral section only with the eye immediately adjacent to that section.

Abstract: A laser beam incident on a rod lens has a greater cross-sectional diameter than that of a rod lens main body, and mirrors are provided near the rod lens main body to reflect incident light toward the same. Since light of a strong beam intensity reflected onto the rod lens main body by the mirrors produces a greater angle than light of weak beam intensity, this configuration has an effect of increasing the light intensity on the ends of a resulting line beam and, thus, expands the spreading angle of visible light in the line beam.