Abstract: An optical encoder device is provided, in which first light transmissive slits are formed in a movable slit plate and second light transmissive slits are formed in a stationary slit plate. The number of the second light transmissive slits is defined as S. The second light transmissive slits are formed in the stationary slit plate such that when one of the second light transmissive slits is optically coincident with one of the first light transmissive slits, the remaining S-1 second light transmissive slits are shifted in position from other first light transmissive slits corresponding to the remaining second light transmissive slits by S-1 phase differences.

Abstract: A shutter includes micro-optics having first and second concentrator arrays. A transducer laterally displaces one of the first and second concentrator arrays between transmissive and shuttered modes. In the transmissive mode, the arrays of concentrators are optically aligned to permit electromagnetic energy passing through the first array of concentrators to pass through the second array of concentrators. In the shuttered mode, the electromagnetic radiation is blocked from passing through the second array of concentrators. The concentrators may be compound parabolic concentrators, or lenslets positioned on opposing plates with pinholes printed therethrough. The shutter may increase f-number of radiation passing therethrough, and may be used in a limited f-cone radiation source with shuttering abilities, for example reducing f-cone of radiation output from the radiation source.

Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device includes a plate, an upper diaphragm blade, a lower diaphragm blade, and a diaphragm blade driving unit. The upper diaphragm blade has a semicircular upper main opening and a semicircular upper sub opening. The lower diaphragm blade has a semicircular lower main opening and a semicircular lower sub opening formed. The diaphragm blade driving unit is formed so as to be capable of switching between a state in which a circular main diaphragm opening is formed by the upper main opening and the lower main opening with an optical axis being the center and a state in which a circular sub diaphragm opening that is smaller than the main diaphragm opening is formed by the upper sub opening and the lower sub opening with the optical axis being the center.

Abstract: A shutter device of a camera includes an upper plate and a bottom plate. An oscillator, which is provided between the upper plate and the lower plate, includes a rotator having a spindle, and the spindle pivots its opposite ends on pivot portions of the upper plate and the lower plate respectively. A driving arm is provided to the spindle to swing two shutter blades for exposing or shading an aperture of an aperture plate. One of the shutter blade is fixed to the driving arm that the spindle is no longer to be a rotation center of the second shutter blade, so that a working space, in which the aperture plate, the shutter blades are received, is elevated to the same level as the pivot portion of the lower plate to reduce a thickness of the shutter device.

Abstract: A dynamic aperture, positioned in the path of light, includes a pair of parallel blades, a connecting member, a driving member, and a motor. The projection device includes a light source configured for generating light. The connecting member is fixed to the projection device and rotatably interconnects a same side of the blades. The driving member rotatably interconnects the opposite side of the blades so that the blades, the connecting member, and the driving member constituting a variable quadrangular frame. The motor is coupled to the driving member and is configured for rotating the driving member. Rotation of the driving member and restriction of the projection device to the connection member alter dimensions of the variable quadrangular frame and accordingly adjust a gap between the blades through which the generated light passes.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of spacers distributed within the interior of the array. The display apparatus may also include a reflective aperture layer disposed on a front facing surface of a substrate included in the display apparatus.

Abstract: A light amount adjusting device includes: a board including an opening; a linear moving blade linearly and movably supported by the board; and a swinging blade swingably supported by the board, wherein: the linear moving blade and the swinging blade are receded from the opening to form a fully opened state; the linear moving blade covers the opening to form a fully closed state; and the swinging blade has a small aperture opening with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the opening, and causes the small aperture opening and the opening to be overlapped with each other to form a small aperture state.

Abstract: A diaphragm unit includes: a plate-like base member having an optical path hole formed therein; diaphragm blades overlapping with each other in an optical axis direction of an optical system, being supported by the base member so as to be movable in directions in which the diaphragm blades approach and depart from the optical axis along a plan perpendicular to the optical axis, and forming a diaphragm opening centered on the optical axis inside the optical path hole; and a driving mechanism adjusting the size of the diaphragm opening by moving the diaphragm blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.

Abstract: A domestic viewing panel unit for a door, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more first panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more first panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more second panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more second panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; an actuator for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel; wherein the first and second panels are arranged such that the amount of visible light transmitted unhindered through the domestic viewing panel is a non-linear function of the relative position of the first and second panels.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of apertures formed in a layer of material. Each light modulator corresponds to one or more apertures and has a portion which may overlap a corresponding aperture, where the size of the overlap is proportional to a distance between the array and the layer of material.

Abstract: An optical system is described for merging a first and a second partial image beam emanating from a specimen into a resultant image beam allowing modification of the areal proportion of the respective first or second partial image beam in the resultant image beam. A stop arrangement comprises at least a first and a second movable stop element each comprising at least one stop region adapted to be brought into a working position with the first or second partial image beam. Movably arranged connecting means for connecting the two stop elements are provided to modify the respective areal proportions of the partial image beams in the resultant image beam by movement of the connecting means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide structures for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that can be sensed, activated, controlled or otherwise addressed or made to respond by the application of forcing functions. In particular, an optical shutter structure suitable for use in an optical switch arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical shutter or switch can be scaled and/or arranged to form arbitrary switch, multiplexer and/or demultiplexer configurations. In another embodiment of the present invention, an optical switch can include: a shutter; and a flexure coupled to the shutter, whereupon a vibration transmitted to the flexure when in the presence of a resonant frequency causes the shutter to move across an opening for the passage of an optical signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising positioning a light concentrating component, having a body comprising a near end and a far end, an exit pupil at the far end, and an internal reflective surface shaped and dimensioned to concentrate light entering the body at the near end to exit the body at the far end via the exit pupil, to a position relative to an modulating component in which position light exiting the body through the exit pupil impinges on an active area of the modulating component; and securing the light concentrating component relative to the modulating component in said position.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.

Abstract: A base plate is provided with four guide pins and a rotor has four output pins so that each of four blades is provided with a plurality of slots. Individual slots provided to the blades are selectively fitted to the four guide pins and the four output pins so that when the rotor is reciprocated and rotated, the blades are capable of continuously changing the size of an aperture by cooperation of their aperture forming edges while maintaining a regular octagon.

Abstract: A light quantity control device includes: a bottom board having an opening; a first blade and a second blade linearly moving in opposing directions and changing in an opening area of the opening; a supporting blade overlapping the first blade and closing the opening in cooperation with the first blade and the second blade; and a driving lever connected to the first blade, the second blade, and the supporting blade, and driving the first blade, the second blade, and the supporting blade by rotation of the driving lever. The first blade and the supporting blade are engaged with an identical pin provided in the driving lever. The first blade and the supporting blade are misaligned in such a way to reduce an overlapping degree of the first blade and the supporting blade. The first blade and the supporting blade bring the opening to the fully closed state in cooperation with the second blade.

Abstract: The invention concerns a modifiable assembly of microscopic apertures comprising several plates (100, 110) that are opaque except on transparent parts (101, 114, 115), capable of moving relative to one another, to modify the size of resulting pinholes. The invention is applicable for microscopic apertures for confocal microscopy.

Abstract: In a light controlling apparatus including a substrate in which an aperture is formed, a light controlling unit in which, another aperture is formed, and a ion conducting actuator as a driving source, the aperture formed in the substrate and the aperture formed in the light controlling unit are switched by moving the light controlling unit to a first stationary position which overlaps with a position of the aperture formed in the substrate, and a second stationary position which is a position retracted from the position of the aperture formed in the substrate, by changing a shape of the ion conducting actuator by supplying an electric power to the ion conducting actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shaping a laser beam for interaction with a film in which the laser beam travels along a beam path and defines a short-axis and a long-axis. In one aspect, the system may include a first short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d1, along the beam path from the film and a second short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d2, along the beam path from the film, with d2<d1. An optic may be positioned along the beam path between the second element and the film for focusing the beam in the short-axis for interaction with the film. In another aspect, a system may be provided having a mechanism operative to selectively adjust the curvature of one or both of the edges of the short-axis element.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.

Abstract: Adjustable pinhole, particularly for the illumination beam path and/or detection beam path of a laser scanning microscope, wherein the pinhole is defined by foil edges which are adjustable relative to one another, and at least two foils, each with at least one straight edge, are advantageously arranged relative to one another and/or connected to one another in such a way that their edges describe an L-shape and the L-shaped connection pieces are arranged on one another in such a way that they define a rhombic or square light passage and they are moved relative to one another for adjusting the pinhole.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope using a Nipkow disk prevents deterioration of performance in an optical axis direction while maintaining a high measurement speed. The confocal scanning microscope includes a light source, an illuminating device to pass the light from the light source toward a certain direction, and two Nipkow disks each having slit-shaped apertures formed thereon such that the light incident from the illuminating device travels in a form of light which passed through a single aperture. In addition, the confocal scanning microscope includes a first optical system to form an image on a sample by the light passed through the Nipkow disks, and a second optical system to form a second image by the light reflected from the sample and passed through the Nipkow disks.

Abstract: A shutter includes micro-optics having first and second concentrator arrays. A transducer laterally displaces one of the first and second concentrator arrays between transmissive and shuttered modes. In the transmissive mode, the arrays of concentrators are optically aligned to permit electromagnetic energy passing through the first array of concentrators to pass through the second array of concentrators. In the shuttered mode, the electromagnetic radiation is blocked from passing through the second array of concentrators. The concentrators may be compound parabolic concentrators, or lenslets positioned on opposing plates with pinholes printed therethrough. The shutter may increase f-number of radiation passing therethrough, and may be used in a limited f-cone radiation source with shuttering abilities, for example reducing f-cone of radiation output from the radiation source.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus is provided which offers improved contrast while smoothly controlling the amount of light, with a simple structure and without deterioration of lifetime due to the heat of the light from a light source. This projection display apparatus includes a light valve, a light source for emitting light to the light valve, an integrator lens disposed on the optical path of the light propagating from the light source to the light valve, for making uniform the illuminance distribution of the light from the light source, and a shutter mechanism disposed on the light path, for controlling the amount of light that illuminates the light valve.

Abstract: Adjustable pinhole, particularly for the illumination beam path and/or detection beam path of a laser scanning microscope, wherein the pinhole is defined by foil edges which are adjustable relative to one another, and at least two foils, each with at least one straight edge, are advantageously arranged relative to one another and/or connected to one another in such a way that their edges describe an L-shape and the L-shaped connection pieces are arranged on one another in such a way that they define a rhombic or square light passage and they are moved relative to one another for adjusting the pinhole.

Abstract: A pixel device, comprising; a first plate, a second plate disposed under the first plate, and a third plate disposed under the second plate; a first power supply for providing a first voltage to the first plate; a second power supply for providing a second voltage to the second plate; and a third power supply for providing a third voltage to the third plate.

Abstract: Attenuating or blocking light in a vehicle includes a rotatingly connected first and second sheet each with a plurality of holes and apertures, respectively. During use, a hole of the first sheet is registered with an aperture of the second sheet and both the hole and aperture are securely fitted about a support arm of a rear view mirror in the vehicle. Because the sheets are tinted or opaque, and fitted to eliminate space gaps, light incoming to the vehicle is attenuated or blocked. To adjust positioning, users realign a second hole of the first sheet with a second aperture of the second sheet and fit both about the support arm. Because of the arrangement of the sheets relative to one another, and their relative pivot point locations, the sheets hang in a different position on the support arm, after adjustment, higher or lower than before.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to independently control the F-number and the number of light attenuation steps of a multi-density ND filter by using a light amount control apparatus using an iris stop and the ND filter. The iris stop mechanism made up of a plurality of aperture blades and the ND filter having a multi-density pattern are stacked in a single unit. This simultaneously realizes continuous control of the F-number, multi-step control of the light attenuation ratio of the ND filter, a substantially circular stop aperture, and a uniform transmittance distribution in the stop aperture. In the first embodiment, the driving region of an actuator is divided into an ND control region and aperture control region. This makes it possible to independently control the F-number and the number of ND steps by the single actuator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a modifiable assembly of microscopic apertures comprising several plates (100, 110) coated with an opaque deposition except on transparent parts, for example (101, 114, 115), capable of sliding relative to one another, separated by an oil layer (117). The invention is applicable to microscopic apertures for single-point or multiple-point confocal microscopy.

Abstract: A light apparatus, which produces a central motionless light beam and at least one light beam rotating around the central beam, includes a cylindrical housing, a parabolic reflector, a lamp having a light sours in reflector's focus and a rotating non-transparent disk having a central round opening and at least one non-central opening. The disk is placed in front of the lamp with the reflector. The disk rotates without use of an electromotor. For rotation, the disk is mounted in an inner mobile metallic, for example aluminum, ring of ball-bearing, wherein balls, separators and an outer fixed ring are electric insulators. The diameter of the disk is preferably close to the diameter of the inner ring and to the diameter of the reflector. The inner ring is rotated by a rotating magnetic field. The disk rotates together with the inner ring. The rotating magnetic field is created by an inductor-stator, when the inductor-stator is supplied by polyphase alternating electric current.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprises a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses for splitting a ray bundle of illumination light into a plurality of convergent partial ray bundles which illuminate a sample simultaneously at several measuring points; a beam splitter for separating a beam path of the illuminating light and a beam path of sample light originating from the illumination of the sample and captured in an inverse direction with regard to the illumination light; a pinhole diaphragm array having a plurality of pinhole diaphragms arranged in the beam path of the sample light and corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light; and a further microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light. Said microlenses of said microlens array splitting the illumination light and said microlenses of said further microlens array are arranged in the beam path of the sample light.

Abstract: An electrically heated resistance element disposed on axis within a gold coated reflector, which collects the radiated infrared energy from the resistance element and shapes it to a desired beam, provides a shaped high intensity source of infrared radiation which is modulated by a rotating modulator positioned in front of the reflector.

Abstract: A projection display according to the present invention reduces the size of a light beam in the optical path of an illumination optics from the periphery to change the amount of light incident on a video display device and the angle of such incidence, thereby making a plurality of image brightness/contrast combinations selectable. Further, the present invention changes the revolving speed of a projection display cooling fan and the adjustment value settings for the video display device's electrical characteristics in accordance with the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extremely fast opening and closing of an exposure path or optical axis. Two disk-shaped shutters are coaxially rotated in opposite directions at an initial synchronous speed so as to dynamically align openings in the discs at an angular position offset from the exposure path. The angular speeds of two of the disks are selectively increased and decreased to dynamically align the openings with the exposure path. A third masking disk may be provided, which rotates coaxially with the other two at a constant angular speed less than the angular speeds of the other two disks, to permit the invention to rapidly open and close two or more separate optical paths.

Abstract: A compact high aspect ratio MEMS optical switch, and a process for fabricating same, are disclosed. An outer body portion is mounted so as to have a first rotational degree of freedom about a first axis. An inner body portion is coupled mechanically to the outer body portion so as to have a second rotational degree of freedom relative to the outer body portion about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and in the plane of the outer body portion. The inner body portion is further coupled to the outer body portion in a manner such that the inner body portion rotates with the outer body portion about the first axis if the outer body is rotated about the first axis, such that the second axis remains substantially in the plane of the outer body portion as the outer body portion rotates about the first axis.

Abstract: A dimming system is provided that facilitates a wide dimming range and precise control of the dimming range. In one embodiment, the dimming system comprises a multi-aperture dimming system. The multi-aperture dimming system can be implemented in any display that utilizes a fly's eye lens array. The multi-aperture dimming system comprises a plurality of moveable attenuators. The moveable attenuators are configured to form a plurality of apertures that can be controllably opened and closed. Each of the plurality of apertures attenuates a portion of the light propagating through at least one of the lenses in the fly's eye lens array. Thus, by selectively controlling the plurality of moveable attenuators, the dimming system can control the throughput of light propagating through the fly's eye lens array, where the throughput is the percentage of light passed compared to the light passed at maximum brightness and thus is the reciprocal of the dimming ratio at a given setting.

Abstract: In one of several embodiments, a method of communicating optical signals comprises communicating a plurality of optical signals over an optical communications medium, wherein each of at least some of the plurality of optical signals comprises a launch power that is a function of a noise property measured at or near a center wavelength of that signal. Launch powers of the plurality of optical signals primarily decrease with increasing center wavelengths of the plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: A low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of hinged micromirrors that are deflected between two states, a first state in which the micromirror covers a portion of the background and a second state in which the micromirror uncovers the background. In one particular configuration, a stability mechanism is incorporated in the display so that the micromirrors switch between stable states and remain in those stable states unless and until an actuating force is applied to the micromirrors that is sufficient to overcome an actuation threshold. The mechanics of the hinge, stiction due to Van der Waals forces or a combination of both can be used to provide bistability. Bistability allows power to be removed from the display between updates but requires active actuation between both states. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LCDs.

Abstract: A display device using a micro light modulator that is capable of applying to various display apparatus. The display device has a plurality of fixed members installed parallel to each other over a substrate, the member being apart from each other; and a plurality of moveable members being driven with the fixed members by a statically electric force to switch a path of lights incident from the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for modulating thermal infrared radiation for a pyroelectric imaging sensor or similar sensor by providing two discs rotating at the same speed, both discs provided adjacent to one another and between a source of radiation and a radiation sensor. Each of the discs is provided with a solid portion and an open portion. Changing the orientation of the solid portions of each the discs with respect to one another would change the sensitivity of the modulation device.

Abstract: There is provided a flat panel display using a micro-electromechanical device, comprising a back glass substrate having a transparent electrode of a transparent electric conductor; a front glass substrate having a color filter layer; an micro-electromechanical device formed at the transparent electrode to switch light; and a support beam for supporting the back glass substrate and the front glass substrate. The micro-electromechanical device used in the flat panel display is fabricated by a micro-machining technology, thereby increasing a light utilizing efficiency and remarkably reducing a fabricating cost.

Abstract: A programmable MEMS diffractive optical processor having actuatable grating elements that are optically adjacent and supported at points intermediate the ends of the grating elements. The grating elements are maintained substantially flat during actuation of the grating elements.

Abstract: A valve device formed of MEMS devices includes a generally-planar semiconductor substrate having one or more apertures to provide passages for fluids, gases, or light. Movable gate elements alternately cover or expose such apertures to either block or open such passages. Actuators in the form of miniature electromagnets repel or attract the gate elements to open or close the passages. The valve device may be used to control fluid delivery systems dispensing pressurized fluid, or in aspiration systems used to suction fluids. Alternatively, the gate elements may serve as light valves for selectively passing light from a light source through the substrate to a light-responsive surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for modulating thermal infrared radiation for a pyroelectric imaging sensor or similar sensor by providing two discs rotating at the same speed, both discs provided adjacent to one another and between a source of radiation and a radiation sensor. Each of the discs is provided with a solid portion and an open portion. Changing the orientation of the solid portions of each the discs with respect to one another would change the sensitivity of the modulation device.

Abstract: A micromechanical apparatus includes a microelectronic substrate and a tiltable body thereon. The tiltable body includes a plate configured to tilt about an axis parallel to the microelectronic substrate and a tilt stop engaging portion disposed axially adjacent the plate. A range of rotation of the plate about the axis is defined by contact of the tilt stop engaging portion with a tilt stop on the substrate. The microelectronic substrate may have an opening therein configured to receive the plate, and the tilt stop may include a surface of the microelectronic substrate adjacent the opening. An actuator, such as an electrostatic actuator, may tilt the tiltable body about the axis. Related operation and fabrication methods are also described.

Abstract: A micromechanical apparatus includes a microelectronic substrate and a tiltable body thereon. The tiltable body includes a plate configured to tilt about an axis parallel to the microelectronic substrate and a tilt stop engaging portion disposed axially adjacent the plate. A range of rotation of the plate about the axis is defined by contact of the tilt stop engaging portion with a tilt stop on the substrate. The microelectronic substrate may have an opening therein configured to receive the plate, and the tilt stop may include a surface of the microelectronic substrate adjacent the opening. An actuator, such as an electrostatic actuator, may tilt the tiltable body about the axis. Related operation and fabrication methods are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing simultaneous jamming of a number of missiles is disclosed comprising a plurality of reticles each having a pattern therein which provides necessary spin frequency and carrier frequency (if required) for the missile to be jammed. The reticles are arranged in series and modulate a source of radiation and generate the spin and carrier frequencies by blocking or rejecting radiation within the spectral passband of the missile to be jammed.