Abstract: Correction optics (10) are disposed in an optical path directly behind an entry slit (1) of a spectrometer (100) and configured to warp a straight object line shape (A1) of the entry slit (1) into a curved object line shape (B1) from a point of view of the projection optics (2,3,4). The warping of the correction optics (10) is configured such that a curvature (R1) of the curved object line shape (B1) counteracts an otherwise distorting curvature (R5) in a projection (A5) of the straight object line shape (A1) by the projection optics (2,3,4) without the correction optics (10). As a result, the spectrally resolved image (B5) comprises a plurality of parallel straight projected line shapes formed by spectrally resolved projections of the straight object line shape (A1).

Abstract: Various gun sights and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a gun sight includes a light source adapted to project light, a user-viewable interface, and an optical element. The optical element includes a first surface adapted to pass the light to provide a reticle at the user-viewable interface. The optical element also includes a second surface adapted to refract the light to provide a light guide at a peripheral area of the user-viewable interface to aid a user to substantially align the user's eye with the reticle. Various mechanisms for aligning gun sights, attaching gun sights, related methods, and other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser surveying apparatus capable of forming a measuring reference line and a reference plane by laser light. In the laser surveying apparatus, a mount unit is rotated about a vertical axis, a laser projection unit is rotated about a horizontal axis, a light source applies laser light in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis, a rotating irradiator turnably applies the laser light onto the reference plane, first deflecting means provided in the laser projection unit deflects the laser light in an intersecting direction, and second deflecting means provided in the rotating irradiator deflects the laser light sent from the first deflecting means in an intersecting direction. The first deflecting means comprises a mirror and an image rotator is placed between the mirror and the light source.

Abstract: A method for laser marking semiconductor wafers wherein marking errors attributable to the laser marking tool are measured for each of the anticipated marking fields. A weighted average error is then calculated, and a correction based thereon is entered into the control mechanism of the laser marking tool. The method of the invention reduces downtime between jobs by eliminating the need to recalibrate the laser marking tool between jobs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, hand-held distance-measurement apparatus comprising a laser range finder which is aimed by an active viewfinder. The active viewfinder improves the accuracy of the range finder by giving the user more visual feedback and thus allowing the user better control over the ranging operation. Under user command, the viewfinder enters a targeting mode wherein the user is presented with a illuminated targeting indicator inside the viewfinder. The indicator is superimposed upon the field-of-view seen through the viewfinder. In the targeting mode, the user aims the range finder by placing the targeting indicator on the object to be ranged. Once the device is aimed, the user commands the distance-measurement device to execute a distance measurement cycle. In one embodiment, targeting indicator flashes in various ways to indicate the quality of the data being obtained during the distance measurement cycle.

Abstract: A laser apparatus is provided for sensing rotational orientation or the degree of levelness. The apparatus includes a photosensitive cell and a diode laser directing a laser beam toward the photosensitive cell. Both the diode laser and the photosensitive cell may be mounted in a rigid housing. A ball lens is rotatably mounted between the diode laser and the photosensitive cell such that the laser beam must pass through the ball lens to impinge upon the position sensitive cell. The ball lens is subject to limited movement within the housing. The control for limiting movement of the ball lens may be a circular raceway or a negative lens. Movement of the ball lens within the circular raceway or on the negative lens causes the laser beam to shift on the target. The position of the laser beam on the target is a function of the position of the ball lens and can be correlated to either the rotational orientation of the housing or the degree of levelness of the housing.

Abstract: The sight comprises a support adapted for mounting onto an instrument to be aimed at a target, an optical device mounted onto the support for creating an image including a first sighting mark at a first finite distance with respect to the optical device, and a device mounted on to the support for providing a second sighting mark at a finite distance with respect to the first sighting mark. The instrument is aimed at the target by aligning the sighting marks. Since at least the first sighting mark is an image, its position can be chosen to improve the accuracy of aiming by alignment of the marks without having to physically accommodate the first mark.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring towed vehicles, such as trailers and the like, which are not visible in a rear view mirror of a tow vehicle. The method consists of, firstly, attaching markers to a towed vehicle such that the markers are visible on each side of a towing vehicle to which the towed vehicle is coupled. Secondly, projections are attached to each side of the towing vehicle. The projections are positioned on each side of the towing vehicle so that the projections are in respective linear alignment with the markers when viewed from respective side mounted rear view mirrors of the towing vehicle. When the markers cease to be in linear alignment with the projections during driving, the driver of the towing vehicle is alerted that there has been an alteration in the positioning of the towed vehicle relative to the towing vehicle, thereby indicating a problem requiring a stoppage of the vehicles.

Abstract: A polychromatic mutual alignment device for an aiming apparatus includes an optical mixer having at least two holes each receiving light emitted in one of different spectral ranges for which boresighting is to be achieved and a plate which is transparent in a wave length range and reflective in another wave range for combining the two light beams into a common block output beam. A parabola mirror receives the output beam at an angle with respect to its axis. The mixer and the mirror being so located that all source-forming holes are at the focus of the mirror.

Abstract: An optical plummet mechanism for compensating an error due to an inclination of a surveying instrument comprises a first pendulum suspended in the instrument body interior, a second pendulum suspended in a perpendicular relation to the first pendulum, a first reflector provided on the first pendulum for reflecting light incident in the direction of a collimation axis of a collimation lens in the direction of a substantially horizontal collimation axis lying in the plane of swinging of the first pendulum, and a second reflector provided on the second pendulum and being a double reflecting surface reflector for reflecting light incident in the direction of a collimation axis lying the the plane of swinging of the first pendulum in the direction of a vertical collimation axis. Collimation errors due to inclination of the instrument body in two directions, i.e.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring sun elevation which includes a structure rotating at a controlled, constant speed. By means of a magnet on said structure a pulse is produced once per revolution. This pulse forms a datum point and can coincide with the horizon. A further pulse is produced by sunlight reflected onto a photo-sensitive device by a mirror rotating with said structure. An oscillator and divider produces a train of pulses, and there is a counter which counts the number of pulses of the train between the datum pulse and the further pulse. As the number of pulses counted is a measure of the time between the further and datum pulses, and this time is a measure of the angle through which said structure has rotated, and this in turn is a measure of the angle between the sun and the horizon, the number of pulses counted can be converted electronically into a read-out of the sun angle.