Abstract: A light scanning device includes: a movable section which has a light reflection section reflecting light and oscillates around an oscillating axis and in which a maximum deflection angle thereof is variable; and a detection section which detects the maximum deflection angle of the movable section, wherein the detection section includes a light source which irradiates light toward the light reflection section, a light-receiving section which receives reflected light of the light from the light source, reflected by the light reflection section, and a displacement drive section which changes a position of the light-receiving section in accordance with the maximum deflection angle of the movable section.

Abstract: A control unit 6 causes a vertical scanning circuit 3 to cyclically select any one-dimensional pixel line from among pixel lines 21 to 23 each time a prescribed H period elapses, and controls a read circuit 5 and a horizontal scanning circuit 4 so as to read out pixel signals of an object which has been exposed by the selected pixel line. The control unit 6 further controls a vertical movement unit 8 in such a manner that the scanning speed S satisfies S=P/4H, where P is the arrangement pitch in the vertical direction of the pixel lines 21 to 23 and H is the H period.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a transport unit; a first reading unit which reads one surface of a document transported by the transport unit and generates first read data of a front end portion or a rear end portion of the one surface of the document; a second reading unit which reads the other surface of the document transported by the transport unit and generates second read data of a front end portion or a rear end portion of the other surface of the document; an edge detection unit which performs edge detection processing on each of the first read data and the second read data; and a determination unit which determines that there is double feeding of documents by the transport unit when the edge detection unit detects a plurality of edges from at least either the first read data or the second read data.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes: a reader that reads an image on a document; an image forming unit that forms on a recording medium the image read by the reader; and a detector configured to detect a color image from the image read by the reader and trigger the image forming unit to form a mark for image adjustment before forming the color image on the recording medium if the detector detects the color image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs pseudo gradation processing using dithering, and includes an image carrier; a plurality of light-emitting element arrays arranged in a main-scanning direction and including a plurality of light-emitting elements; an image forming unit performing lighting control of the arrays and forming a pattern image on the image carrier; a detecting unit detecting a density of the pattern image; a position detecting unit detecting a position in the main-scanning direction of the detecting unit with respect to the light-emitting element arrays; a determining unit that, based on the detected position, determines whether the detecting unit is positioned at a proper detection position with respect to the pattern image on which noise has no effect; and an operation control unit that, when the detecting unit is positioned at the proper detection position, performs an image density detection operation on the pattern image using the detecting unit.

Abstract: A waveguide 112 includes a substrate of material 134 having optical layers 148, 152 applied to two external surfaces 146, 150. This reduces the critical angle c5 of the substrate of material 134 to provide greater interaction between image bearing light following a light path 140 and a grating element 142 and/or a greater total field of view 160, when compared to the total field of view 132 of a prior art waveguide 110, that is capable of being transmitted by the waveguide 112. Such a waveguide 112 can be used in a projection display.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure device including: a light-emitting element array in which plural light-emitting elements are arrayed in a predetermined direction; and a hologram element array in which plural hologram elements are multiplex-recorded, in correspondence with the plural light-emitting elements, at a recording layer that is disposed above the light-emitting element array such that collected-light points, that are formed on a surface to be exposed by converging of diffracted lights that exit due to illumination of lights from the plural light-emitting elements, are aligned in the predetermined direction, and such that intersection points between optical axes of reference lights and optical axes of signal lights that record the plural hologram elements respectively are not aligned in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An optical effect bubble generating system includes an optical effect viewing device including one or more desired holographic images. The optical effect viewing device can be eyeglasses having lenses containing the holographic images. The lenses can be interchangeable to provide different holographic images. The system includes a bubble generating device that can be manually- or automatically-operated. The system operates to provide the optical effect of imposing the desired holographic image onto one or more bubbles when the bubbles are generated in a naturally- or artificially-lit environment, and the one or more bubbles viewed by a user through the optical effect viewing device.

Abstract: A taut-band resonant scanner is disclosed that includes an elongated band and a sub-assembly. The elongated band has a length in an elongated direction, a width in a width direction that is orthogonal to the elongated direction, and a thickness in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to both the width direction and the elongated direction, wherein the thickness is substantially smaller than the width and wherein the width direction and elongated direction define a band width/length plane. The sub-assembly is attached to a portion of the band, and includes at least one mounting structure.

Abstract: A multibeam deflector includes a plurality of optical deflection devices formed on a single substrate and an output optical system. Each of the optical deflection devices includes a slab optical waveguide formed by a material having an electro-optic effect. The output optical system is configured to separate beams output from the optical deflection devices from each other.

Abstract: Provided is an optical detecting device, wherein a photodiode is provided on a first surface of a substrate, a planar output electrode for outputting electrical signals corresponding to a quantity of light received by the photodiode is provided on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, a cutout portion is provided in a third surface of the substrate such that the cutout portion is in contact with the output electrode provided on the second surface, said third surface being different from the first surface and the second surface, and an electrode connected to the output electrode is provided on the inner surface of the cutout portion.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a mirror, a mirror supporting part to support the mirror on an upper surface, and a pair of torsion beams to support the mirror supporting part from both sides in an axis direction and to drive the mirror supporting part so as to swing the mirror supporting part around the axis by being twisted. The torsion beams include slits approximately parallel to the axis direction.

Abstract: An optical beam steering device is disclosed which includes a compartment for containing an optical component for interacting with an optical beam, a gimbal supporting the optical component and defining a pan axis, a roll cage rotatably supporting the gimbal and defining a tilt axis, wherein the tilt axis is orthogonal to the pan axis, and a mount that houses and rotatably supports the roll cage, wherein the angular position of the roll cage with respect to the mount and the angular position of the gimbal with respect to the roll cage are both locked from one side of the mount.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides an electrowetting display unit and an electrowetting display device. The electrowetting display unit comprises a polar fluid, a non-polar fluid that is colored, and separation walls for surrounding the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid; a medium layer located below the fluid chamber and in contact with the non-polar fluid or polar fluid in the fluid chamber; and an electrode located below the medium layer. Spaces are provided on the separation walls, have openings toward the medium layer, and function to completely or partially store the non-polar fluid when a voltage is applied between the polar fluid and the electrode. The electrowetting display device comprises the electrowetting display unit.

Abstract: The light-amount-adjustment apparatus includes a base member formed with cam-groove portions, and light-blocking blades forming a variable light-passing aperture and each of which is provided with a driving pin and a cam pin, the cam pin engaging one of the cam-groove portions. The apparatus also includes a driving ring disposed on a side of the blades opposite from the base member and rotating with respect to the base member to transmit a driving force to the driving pins so as to rotate the light-blocking blades. A base-member side face of each light-blocking blade is supported by the base member. The driving ring is formed with first blade-supporting portions protruding from a ring-shaped portion outward in a radial direction and including a driving-hole portion with which the driving pin engages. Each first blade-supporting portion supports an opposite-side blade face opposite to the base-member side blade face of a light-blocking blade.

Abstract: An electro-absorption modulator includes: a semiconductor substrate; and an n-type InP cladding layer, an AlGaInAs light absorbing layer, an InGaAsP optical waveguide layer, and a p-type InP cladding layer, which are sequentially laminated on the semiconductor substrate. The InGaAsP optical waveguide layer includes a plurality of InGaAsP layers with different constitutions. The energy barrier between valence band edges of the InGaAsP layers is smaller than the energy barrier when the InGaAsP optical waveguide layer includes only one InGaAsP layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active matrix electrochromic device includes preparing a first substrate including a thin film transistor including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode. An electrochromic layer is formed on the pixel electrode by an electrophoretic process which includes immersing the first substrate and a mesh spaced apart from each other in a solution. While the first substrate is immersed in the solution so that the pixel electrode is soaked therein, a channel of the thin film transistor is opened by applying a voltage to the gate electrode, a potential difference between the pixel electrode and the mesh is generated by connecting a voltage source between a terminal electrically connected to the source electrode and the mesh, and materials in the solution are deposited on the pixel electrode, thereby forming the electrochromic semiconductor layer.

Abstract: An electro-optic device including: an electro-optical panel having an electro-optic substance held between an element substrate and an opposed substrate; and a dust-proof substrate bonded to a surface of the opposed substrate opposite from a surface thereof opposing the element substrate; wherein one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a first material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a positive pole, and the other one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a second material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a negative pole.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic reflective element having a specularly reflective perimeter layer established at least partially around a perimeter border region of a second surface of a front substrate. The perimeter layer is, at least in part, visible through the front substrate to a viewer when viewing the first surface of the front substrate of the reflective element. The perimeter layer conceals at least a portion of the seal from direct view by the driver of the vehicle. At least one of (a) at least one light source is disposed behind the perimeter layer and emits light that is visible to a viewer viewing the first surface of the front substrate of the reflective element at the perimeter layer, and (b) a light sensor is disposed behind the perimeter layer and senses light that passes through the front substrate at the perimeter layer.

Abstract: An optical device compensates for decreased transmission of light caused by gaps between mirrors of a MEMS array. The optical device employs MEMS mirrors having non-reflecting regions on them disposed such that reflecting regions of the MEMS mirrors have substantially the same optical throughput, or an additional optical element having increased transmission at those spatial positions where light impinging on the gaps passes through. Alternatively, the optical device may employ a filter having spectral transmission characteristic with increased transmission at those wavelengths of dispersed light that impinge on the gaps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmissive Spatial Light Modulator with fast response speed and higher brightness using micro-windows having switching transistors on said window so that the fill factor of light transferring area can be maximized. Conventional systems have transistors out of windows which substantially reduce the area to pass incoming light, because transistors are usually opaque and block light transmission. Transmissive Spatial Light Modulator requires simpler and smaller optics than reflective Spatial Light Modulator.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises two different types of electrically charged particles in a fluid. One type of electrically charged particles comprises a dark colored particle and a second type of electrically-charged particles comprises titania having a zirconia surface treatment.

Abstract: An appearance-modifying device (10; 30), for modifying the visual appearance of a surface covered thereby, comprising: first (11) and second (12) oppositely arranged optically transparent substrates; a spacer structure (13; 32) spacing apart the first (11) and second (12) substrates in such a way that a space between the first (11) and second (12) substrates is divided into a plurality of cells (15, 16; 31a-c).

Abstract: A device is described herein which may comprise an optical amplifier having a gain band including wavelengths ?1 and ?2, with ?1??2; a pre-pulse seed laser having a tuning module for tuning a pre-pulse output to wavelength ?1; a main pulse seed laser generating a laser output having wavelength, ?2; and a beam combiner for directing the pre-pulse output and the main pulse output on a common path through the optical amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to process an optical signal using a pre-processor to populate a non-linearity compensation data structure based on a set of predetermined rules in a non-real-time off-line mode; and an amplifier applying said predetermined rules in real-time to one or more channel input data using the data structure to determine a non-linearity compensation output.

Abstract: An optical amplification module has a semiconductor optical amplifier, a package accommodating the semiconductor optical amplifier, and a first connector and a second connector holding respective collimator lenses and arranged in parallel on the package. A sum of bend radii of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber is greater than a space between the first connector and the second connector.

Abstract: We describe methods and apparatus for high-speed high-contrast imaging one-, two- and three-dimensional imaging enabled by differential interference contrast time encoded amplified microscopy of transparent media without the need for chemical staining, that are suitable for a broad range of applications from semiconductor process monitoring to blood screening. Our methods and apparatus build on a unique combination of serial time-encoded amplified microscopy (STEAM) and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. These methods and apparatus are ideally suited for identification of rare diseased cells in a large population of healthy cells and have the potential to revolutionize blood analysis and pathology including identification of cancer cells, such as Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) in early stage disease.

Abstract: A screen which reflects light emitted from a projector includes a light diffusion layer through which light incident from a specific angular region is diffused and transmitted and through which light incident from the other angular region is transmitted straight; area pairs having a mirror forming area and a non-mirror forming area; a light transmissive layer having a back surface, on which the area pairs are disposed, and an opposite surface being bonded to a back side of the light diffusion layer; and a specular reflection film formed on a back surface of each mirror forming area. An inclination of the mirror forming area with respect to a normal line of the screen close to the projector becomes larger than the inclination of the mirror forming area far from the projector within a cross section perpendicular to the mirror forming areas inside the screen.

Abstract: The stereoscopic image display apparatus of this invention includes an upper light source unit 29 having a pair of light sources 33 and 35 and a lower light source unit, which are arranged between a reflection unit 17 with an elliptical mirror 15 having one focus f1 on the side of a reflecting surface 19, and a transmission type liquid crystal display panel 5. Thus, the apparatus has a reduced width. Moreover, the elliptical mirror 15 is the stationary type, and the reflecting surface 19 employed is shaped symmetrical in plan view. This allows the respective light sources to use the common elliptical mirror 15. Therefore, the stereoscopic image display apparatus realizes a reduction in size and a reduction in apparatus cost.

Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical elements can be configured as color combiners that receive different wavelength spectrums of light and produce a combined light output that includes the different wavelength spectrums of light. In one aspect, the received light inputs are unpolarized, and the combined light output is polarized in a desired state. The optical elements are configured to minimize the passage of light which may be damaging to wavelength-sensitive components in the light combiner. Image projectors using the color combiners can include imaging modules that operate by reflecting or transmitting polarized light.

Abstract: The image light entering the image take-out section is reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in a two-stage manner. It is not only possible to make the light beam with a small total reflection angle out of the image light directly enter the side near to the light entrance section out of each of the reflecting units, but also to make the light beam with a large total reflection angle directly enter the side far from the light entrance section out of each of the reflecting units to thereby make it possible to take out the image light to the outside. Therefore, the image light is emitted as the effective virtual image light for the observer in the condition in which the brightness variation and the picture variation are prevented and a high light efficiency can be obtained.

Abstract: An optical element or module is designed to be placed in front of an optical sensor of a semiconductor component. At least one optically useful part of the element or module is provided through which the image to be captured is designed to pass. A method for obtaining such an optical element or module includes forming at least one through passage between a front and rear faces of the element or module. The front and rear faces are covered with a mask. Ion doping is introduced through the passage. As a result, the element or module has a refractive index that varies starting from a wall of the through passage and into the optically useful part. An image capture apparatus includes an optical imaging module having at least one such element or module.

Abstract: During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power is fixed, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power moves toward the image side, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power moves toward the object side, a fourth lens having a negative refractive power unit moves, and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power is fixed. The first lens unit includes a reflecting member that bends the optical path by 90 degrees. The entirety of or at least a part of the fifth lens unit is shifted in directions transverse to the optical axis to stabilize a picked-up image when the optical system vibrates. The zoom lens satisfies the predetermined expressions.

Abstract: An inner focus lens system includes from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit. The first lens unit includes a plurality of negative lenses and at least one positive lens, the lens located closest to the object side is a negative lens. The second lens unit includes at least one negative lens and at least one positive lens, and moves toward the object side for focusing from an infinite object distance to a close object distance such that the distance between the second lens unit and the aperture stop decreases and that the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit increases. The lens system satisfies the following conditions: 1<f1/f 14 (1), and 0.8<f23/f2<3 (2).

Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens, including in order from a magnification conjugate side to a reduction conjugate side: a first lens unit having a negative refractive power; a second lens unit having a positive refractive power; a third lens unit having a positive refractive power; a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power; a fifth lens unit having a negative refractive power; and a sixth lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first and sixth lens units do not move for zooming, while the second to fifth lens units move to the magnification conjugate side during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. Each of the second and third lens units is composed of a single positive lens. Movement amounts of the second, third and fourth lens units during zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end satisfy appropriate relationships.

Abstract: A zoom lens system and a photographing apparatus including the same, wherein the zoom lens system includes a first lens group including one or more lenses, and an optical member for changing a path of light, and having a positive refractive power; a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein zooming is performed by varying air gaps between the first through fourth lens groups.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system consists of first lens group having negative refractive power and second lens group having positive refractive power, which are in this order from an object side, and a distance in an optical axis direction between the first lens group and the second lens group changes when magnification is changed. The second lens group consists of a positive sixth lens, a negative seventh lens, a positive eighth lens, and a cemented lens composed of a negative ninth lens and a positive tenth lens cemented together, which are in this order from the object side, and all of the three positive lenses, which are the sixth lens, the eighth lens and the tenth lens, are double-convex lenses. A predetermined formula is satisfied.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first drive unit, a first lens unit configured to be driven by the first drive unit to perform a magnification-varying operation, a second drive unit, a second lens unit configured to be driven by the second drive unit, and a controller configured to control the first drive unit and the second drive unit so as to drive the second lens unit with reference to a position of the first lens unit in performing the magnification-varying operation. The controller controls the second lens unit so as to move only in a first direction in performing the magnification-varying operation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which makes it possible to form a multi-stage retractable lens barrel permitting the amount of extension of the lens barrel to be set as desired. A first intermediate rotary barrel fitted, for rotation, on a first intermediate rectilinear motion barrel restrained from rotation about an optical axis. A second intermediate rectilinear motion barrel is rectilinearly guided by the first intermediate rectilinear motion barrel. A second intermediate rotary barrel is fitted on the second intermediate rectilinear motion barrel and engaged with the first intermediate rotary barrel, rotation. The first intermediate rectilinear motion barrel has a cam groove formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, for engagement with the second intermediate rotary barrel to cause the same to move along the optical axis.

Abstract: This invention discloses a thin optical lens assembly, comprising two lens elements with refractive power arranged from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, a bi-convex first lens element with a positive refractive power, a second lens element with a negative refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface, and an image sensor on an image plane. Each of the two lens elements has two aspheric optical surfaces, and preferably is made of plastic. Additionally, the thin optical lens assembly satisfies the conditions of the present invention in order to reduce the total length and the sensitivity for its use in compact cameras and mobile phones with photographing functions.

Abstract: A plurality of blade members is overlapped and disposed in the shape of scales in a ring-shaped board having an optical-axis aperture at the center, and is held from above by a driving ring so that each blade member performs open/close motion. At this point, an elastic member is disposed between the blade members and the board to press each blade member against the driving ring side, or an elastic member is disposed between the blade members and the driving ring to press the blade members against the board side, and in this state, the blade members are opened and closed.

Abstract: A photographic optical system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit, a second lens unit for focusing, and a third lens unit. The first lens unit includes a first lens sub-unit having a positive refractive power and a second lens sub-unit. The first lens unit includes a diffractive optical element and an aspheric surface. A length on an optical axis from a lens surface furthest on the object side of the first lens sub-unit to an image plane, an air space between the first lens sub-unit and the second lens sub-unit, a focal length of the first lens sub-unit, a focal length of the second lens sub-unit, a focal length of the diffractive optical element by only a diffractive component, a focal length and an F-number of the entire photographic optical system are appropriately set to satisfy predetermined conditions for optimal focusing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wide-angle optical system constituted of, in order from the object side to the image side, front group 11, stop 12, and rear group 13. The front group 11 is constituted, in order from the object side to the image side, of first lens 111 having negative optical power, second lens 112 having negative optical power, and third lens 113 having positive optical power. The rear group 13 is constituted, in order from the object side to the image side, of fourth lens 131 having positive optical power, and fifth lens 132 having negative optical power. The opposite surface from the stop of each of the paired lenses 113 and 131 arranged at the both sides of the stop 12 is a convex surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wide-angle imaging lens assembly comprising, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a second lens element with negative refractive power having a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface; a third lens element with positive refractive power; a fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface; and a fifth lens element with positive refractive power; wherein the two lens elements with refractive power closest to the object side are the first lens element and the second lens element; and wherein the number of lens elements with refractive power does not exceed six.

Abstract: In a resin molded lens 20 of an interior illumination lamp which includes inserting openings inserting seesaw type switch knobs, gates G and G1 for a resin molding are formed so as to be installed at inner side surfaces of the inserting openings when the resin molding is performed by molds D1 and D2, and protrusions 20T having heights higher than heights of gate traces G2 generated by the gates G and G1 are formed in the vicinity of gate traces G2.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises an optical system forming an optical image of a subject, a tube supporting at least one lens included in the optical system, a fixed member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the tube, the fixed member including a wall formed along an outer peripheral face of the tube, an electrical part disposed on an inner peripheral side of the tube, and a flexible printed cable electrically connected to the electrical part. The tube is incorporated into the fixed member by being moved in a specific direction. The wall includes a slit with an inclination of 45 degrees or less with respect to the specific direction, the slit is open at one end in the specific direction. The flexible printed cable is guided to an inner face of the wall and pulled out through the slit to outside of the fixed member.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, a lens positioning unit includes a fixed structure, a monolithic flexure hinge structure, any one of upper and lower portions of which is provided with a lens mount on which a lens is mounted and the other portion of which is secured to the fixed structure, and an input unit rotatably coupled to the fixed structure, the input unit serving to convert rotational motion into vertical translational motion so as to transmit the vertical translational motion to the upper or lower portion of the monolithic flexure hinge structure provided with the lens mount.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes: a plurality of first piezoelectric elements; a first member that is interposed between opposing faces of the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements and that is driven in a first direction by the plurality of the first piezoelectric elements; a second piezoelectric element that is disposed in the first member; a second member that is disposed in contact with the second piezoelectric element and that is driven in a second direction intersecting the first direction by the second piezoelectric element; and a third member that comes in contact with the second member and that is moved relative to the first member by driving the second member.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a bit density of a magnetic card (2) are provided. Said control device comprises a stepper motor (1) providing power to drive the magnetic card (2) or a recording magnetic head (15), a transmission mechanism transferring power to the magnetic card (2) or the recording magnetic head (15), a CPU (10) sending magnetic recording information, a track data encoder (13) receiving a magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and generating magnetic writing data in synchronization with the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1), and a magnetic head driving circuit (14) outputting a magnetic writing control signal based on the magnetic writing data. The frequency of the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and the frequency of a driving pulse signal (CLK0) of the stepper motor are in a linear relationship. Said control method is a method for controlling a bit density.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing magnetic defect classification using phase modulation for hard disk drives. A magnetic media readback signal of a hard disk drive is processed to identify predefined phase modulation (PM) characteristics to implement magnetic defect classification of magnetic media bump and pit defects.