Abstract: Four cameras provide a 360 degree view of an area using a four sided pyramid shaped element. The four sides of the pyramid shaped element are reflective and reflect images from four different directions. Each camera is positioned to receive a reflected image from one of the reflective sides of the pyramids. The cameras are arranged so that they share a common virtual optical center.

Abstract: There is provided an optical inspection apparatus including an illuminating block for emitting light and illuminating a sample with the emitted light, an observing optical system for forming an image from transmitted light or reflected light from the sample, and an observing block for observing the image. The observing optical system comprises an object side lens arranged on an object side close to the sample, an image side lens arranged on an image side remote from the sample, the object side lens and the image side lens being arranged such that the object side lens and the image side lens have focal points coincident to each other, forming a both-side telecentric optical system for acting on the transmitted light or the reflected light to form the image, an aperture arranged on the focal points or in the vicinity thereof, and a screen arranged on a back focal point of the image side lens or in the vicinity thereof for having the image of the sample being projected thereon.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a light source for generating illumination light, an illumination optical system for illuminating an object to be observed with the illumination light, and an observation optical system for conducting an observation image of the illuminated object to an observation site. An objective change unit is arranged in the observation optical system for holding a plurality of objectives and for selectively inserting one of the objectives onto an optical path of the observation optical system. An optical system controller, which independently controls an optical element arranged in the illumination optical system and independently controls an optical element arranged in the observation optical system, includes a frame controller for controlling the objective change unit to insert one of the plurality of objectives selected onto the optical path of the observation optical system.

Abstract: A stereoscopic-vision endoscope having an objective optical system consisting of a front optical system having a single optical axis including a field conversion optical system, and a rear optical system including optical systems that have a plurality of optical axes. A light beam is received from the front optical system so as to form images on the optical axes, and thus form a plurality of images. The front and rear optical systems can be turned relative to each other. Thus, a magnitude of parallax permitting a sufficient sense of three-dimensionality can be provided, and the postures of images can be corrected responsively to a change in direction of view resulting from the rotation of an insertional part.

Abstract: A line light source illuminator for a film scanner of the type having a linear image sensor, a film gate through which an area of film to be scanned can be positioned, and an aperture at the film gate for defining the area of film to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light source which produces a light beam; an optical condenser between the lamp and the film gate to condense and shape the beam; and optics adapted to diffuse and direct the light beam so as to produce a uniform line of controlled diffuse illumination at the film gate. A spherical relay lens between the lamp and the optical condenser has a focal length nominally equal to a distance between the relay lens and the optical condenser to constrain the beam within the entrance pupil of the optical condenser. A spectral filter is between the lamp and the film gated to remove unwanted wavelengths of radiation from the light beam.

Abstract: A microscope includes an objective lens and a pair of zoom lenses arranged in series along an optical path from the objective lens to a video camera, which converts the output of the second zoom lens to a video signal for display of a magnified first image on an associated monitor. A portion of the output from the objective lens is split to a second video camera which generates a second video signal to display a second image on the monitor, of a different magnification from the first image. The objective is fixed on a holder which can be removably mounted in a receptacle on the microscope housing and retained therein by a manually releasable latch. An optical binocular eyepiece assembly has a prism which is selectively movable into the optical path to intercept the output of the second zoom lens. Illuminating visible light is transmitted from a remote source into the optical path and through the objective lens to illuminate the object viewed. A polarizer/analyzer unit is provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a microscope having an objective corrected to infinity and a pivotable binocular viewing unit. A tube lens is arranged downstream of the objective. The microscope includes at least one two-lens tube lens having a focal intercept greater than 200 mm as well as a tiltable mirror element and a further deflecting element mounted between the tube lens and the binocular viewing unit.

Abstract: An adapter connects a small solid-state television camera to a viewing port of a microscope. The adapter has a lens to focus the image from the microscope, the lens being mounted in a slidable lens holder. The lens holder is slid by rotation of a manual control knob which is connected to a pinion gear in mesh with a gear rack on the lens holder. A mirror within the housing of the adapter, in its normal position, reflects the image 45 degrees and is a flat disk-shaped mirror mounted for universal movement about its center. The angle of the mirror is controlled by a finger-operated control rod which is connected to the mirror by a linkage system having a larger ball, a smaller ball mounted in a bore of the larger ball, and two pairs of rotatable mounts.

Abstract: A magnifying lens system is fixed to the lower end of a vertically adjustable support plate to overlie a workpiece, and to project an image thereof upwardly through a beamsplitter to the image sensor of a video camera that is mounted for vertical adjustment on the support plate above the lens system. A portion of the lens system registers with the reflective surface of a mirror which is inclined to the horizontal, and which registers also with the output of a reticle projecting mechanism that is operatively connected to the video camera for vertical adjustment therewith on the support plate. During auto-focusing, an image of a reticle contained in the reticle projecting mechanism is projected via the mirror, the lens system and the beamsplitter onto the surface of the workpiece. Since the reticle projecting mechanism is coupled to the camera, magnification of the images of the workpiece surface and the reticle will occur simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a zoom system for at least two stereoscopic viewing beam paths and includes a multi-element pancratic magnification system as well as an afocal inverting system arranged downstream of the pancratic magnification system at the viewing/documentation end. The inverting system images the stereoscopic pupillary plane or the apparatus pupils of the viewing/documentation unit approximately in the center of the pancratic magnification system. The zoom system is especially suitable for a stereomicroscope.

Abstract: A photomicroscope includes a port for a still camera (11) and an additional video camera (14). The video image of the video camera (14) serves both for the operation of a passive autofocusing system (23, 24) and for the determination of the exposure time for the still camera (11). The image areas that are used for exposure metering can be selected via a control panel (27). The integration time of the video camera (14) can be varied up to the range of minutes. The selected image areas are superimposed on the object image.

Abstract: A microscopy system designed to achieve upwards of 12,000.times. magnification with simultaneous high resolution of better than 0.3 microns and over 30 microns depth-of-field. The microscopy system utilizes a conventional research microscope having a plurality of objective magnification lenses that produce the initial magnification with acceptable limits of high resolution and depth-of-field. A projection housing is combined with the research microscope in a unique manner where it receives the initial magnification and greatly increases that magnification while still maintaining the high resolution and depth-of-field obtained during the initial magnification. A light source used to illuminate the specimen platform from its underside is located remotely therefrom and connected by a fiber optic cable to a condensing lens positioned beneath the specimen platform. This allows for high intensity lighting of the specimen while keeping it away form the detrimental heat of the source of high intensity light.

Abstract: A finder has a display for displaying an image, and a finder optical system for observing the image therethrough. The spacing between the display and the whole of the finder optical system is relatively varied to thereby effect the adjustment of the field of view.

Abstract: A video camera and a set of telecentric imaging lenses are mounted in spaced relation on a reciprocable support for movement in unison by the support toward and away from a workpiece to focus its magnified image, which is projected by the imaging lenses to the camera for recording and display thereby. The imaging lenses are fixed to the support, but the camera is mounted for limited movement on the support toward and away from the fixed lenses to vary the magnification of the projected image. An iris diaphragm is secured to the support between the camera and the lenses and has an adjusting ring connected to the video camera for movement thereby upon adjustment of the camera relative to the support, thereby to alter the diameter of the opening in the iris diaphragm in response to camera movement on the support.

Abstract: A video microscope capable of optionally and continuously varying image pickup magnifying power of an observed object over a wide range without requiring replacement of a lens. A lens barrel in which a lens system is arranged is slidably positionally adjusted relative to an observation stand in which an illuminating light source is arranged by means of an objective distance adjusting mechanism, to thereby adjust a relative distance between the observed object and an objective side of the lens system. Also, a cylinder of a video signal converting section in which a two-dimensional CCD element is provided is slidably positionally adjusted relative to the lens barrel by means of an enlargement (reduction) magnification and focus adjusting mechanism, resulting in desired magnifying power of the observed object being readily obtained.

Abstract: A light source for a contact image sensor, including an electroluminescent screen fastened to the scanning face glass of a contact image sensor at the back either by bonding or printing and having a narrow gap through which reflected light from document passes to the lens of the contact image sensor.

Abstract: Aperture stops are positioned in the optical train of a partially overlapped binocular display in a such a manner that overlapping portions the binocular boundaries of the left and right fields of view are substantially out of focus, and therefore do not appear as well defined, distracting contours in the visual field. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in virtual reality systems employing head mounted displays.

Abstract: Light from a mercury lamp is focused by an objective lens system and is incident on a specimen to be examined. A focusing optical path of light reflected by the specimen is split into an optical path of an ultraviolet ray and an optical path of visible light by a dichroic mirror having wavelength selectivity. The ultraviolet ray is guided to an ultraviolet CCD camera. The ultraviolet CCD camera supplies a monochrome picture signal to a monochrome display through a first picture processor. On the other hand, the visible light is guided to a color CCD camera. The color CCD camera supplies a color picture signal to a color display through a second picture processor. Therefore, an ultraviolet picture of the specimen is displayed on the monochrome display at a high resolving power and a large magnification. At the same time, a color picture of the specimen is displayed on the color display.

Abstract: An image pickup device using a solid-state image sensor adapted to provide an optical component having a multiple curved surface, polyhedral surface, symmetric cylindrical surface, axially symmetric aspherical surface or asymmetric refracting surface in an objective lens system, or lengthen a shape of an image formed on an exit end face of an illuminating optical system in a direction parallel to a scanning direction of the solid-state image sensor, or select an angle made by a line segment connecting between the centers of individual exit end faces of two illuminating optical systems with the scanning direction of the solid-state image sensor to .+-.40.degree. or less, or extend a shape of an aperture of a stop in a direction parallel to the scanning direction of the solid-state image sensor, in order to make it possible to fabricate the device in a small size and at a low cost and eliminate moire and false color without reducing resolving power.

Abstract: According to the invention, in an operation microscope comprising an illumination optical system for irradiating an observation object, a recording optical system for receiving the reflected light from an observation object for recording and an observation optical system for receiving the reflected light from an observation object for observation, there is disposed a light dividing penetration member wherein an optical axis of the recording optical system and at least part of an optical axis of the illumination optical system coexist.

Abstract: An afocal optical system is formed by a paraboroid mirror and an optical element having a stereographic projection characteristics which is defined by the following equation:hi'=2.multidot.f.multidot.tan (.theta.i/2)where hi' is a height of a light beam, leaving the optical element, taken from the optical axis or a heigh of an image taken from the optical axis, f is a focal length of the optical element and .theta.i is an angle of incidence with respect to the optical element. The focal point of the optical element coincide with that of the first paraboroid mirror. Thus, a compact afocal optical system which satisfies hi'=m.multidot.hi is manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: An afocal optical system is formed by a paraboroid mirror and an optical element having a stereographic projection characteristics which is defined by the following equation:hi'=2.multidot.f.multidot.tan(.theta.i/2)where hi' is a height of a light beam, leaving the optical element, taken from the optical axis or a heigh of an image taken from the optical axis, f is a focal length of the optical element and .theta.i is an angle of incidence with respect to the optical element. The focal point of the optical element coincide with that of the first paraboroid mirror. Thus, a compact afocal optical system which satisfies hi'=m.multidot.hi is manufactured at low costs.

Abstract: A device for providing multiple optical ports on an optical gunsight with a minimum impact on eye relief and which preserves full viewing angle is provided. A housing which includes first and second hinged housing portions is clamped about the circumference of the gunsight. A lens assembly is supported by one of the housing portions having an optical axis in line with the gunsight optical axis. A front lens and aspheric optical distortion lens relay a gunsight image to the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter directs first and second images from a gunsight image along axes which are in line an perpendicular to the gunsight axes. The assembly also includes identical third and fourth lenses which produce images of the gunsight exit pupil along each of these axes.

Abstract: Photographic apparatus having both automatic and manual modes of operation is adapted for coupling to a microscope. the apparatus includes a viewfinder for viewing a scene in the microscope and an exposure controlling photometer for measuring the scene brightness. In addition, a rotatably mounted disc shutter is provided having an opening therein for generating a photographic image producing exposure interval and having a pair of mirrors supported thereon for movement therewith, for respectively directing image-bearing scene light to the viewfinder and to the photometer prior to an exposure. In the automatic mode, movement of the disc shutter is under the control of a microprocessor whereas in the manual mode, such movement is under operator control.

Abstract: A stereoscope in which a digitally stored image can be seen through either or both eyepieces and compared with an object which can also be seen through either or both eyepieces. Digital images of objects can be stored. Both the images to be stored and the stored images can be digitally manipulated, i.e. magnified, rotated or warped.

Abstract: The invention is an inverted microscope with a housing having multiple integrated ray paths leading from the specimen being examined to (a) the viewer/operator and (b) one or more auxiliary ports used for image recording and/or measurement by accessories such as cameras and video recorders. The microscope lens is positioned below the specimen stage; and, positioned below the lens, is a simple reflector which deflects the combined rays from the lens diagonally upward toward the viewer at exactly the same angle at which the viewer looks into the microscope's binocular eyepieces. The position of this simple reflector is the lowest point in the unit's paths of rays, thereby significantly lowering the lens turret and, therefore, the specimen stage to a relatively low, ergonomically-appropriate position. The optical arrangement is simple and compact, minimizing the number of deflections in the path of the viewing rays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved collimator assembly that includes two separate optical paths. Each optical path passes through a corrector lens arrangement substantially centered and aligned with one of two eyepiece lens assemblies. Each corrector lens arrangement is constructed so as to selectively refract light passing through it, in such a manner so as to counteract and reduce the axial chromatic aberrations that occur in the eyepiece lens assemblies.

Abstract: A microscope optical system having an objective lens, an observing direction converting prism bending a beam of light from the objective lens in a predetermined direction, and an eyepiece for observing an image formed by the beam of light bent in the predetermined direction comprises a first prism having the same bottom angle as the observing direction converting prism, replaceable with respect to the observing direction converting prism, a loop optical path comprised of an odd number of reflecting members for conducting the light beam transmitted by the first prism in the predetermined direction, and a photographic lens provided in the loop optical path. Thus, the microscope optical system has important advantages in practical use that where image recordings are made in photography and video, the field range and the position of a photographic image can be observed as they are through the eyepiece, magnification is variable without rendering the lens barrel large, and the structure is simple with low cost.

Abstract: A microscope includes a first stage for placing a specimen on a first plane, a second stage for placing the specimen on a second plane, an objective lens provided between the first plane and the second plane, the objective lens being provided so that the first plane and the second plane are in conjugate relationship with the objective lens, a Koehler illuminating optical system for supplying an illuminating light beam for illuminating the first plane, the illuminating optical system supplying the illuminating light beam to the second plane through the objective lens when the specimen is placed on the second plane, and an observation system for observing therethrough the image of the specimen formed on a third plane, the observation system being provided with an optical system cooperating with the objective lens to cause the image of the specimen placed on the first plane to be formed on a third plane, or cause the image of the specimen placed on the second plane to be formed on the third plane.

Abstract: The invention is an inverted microscope with a housing having multiple integrated ray paths leading from the specimen being examined to (a) the viewer/operator and (b) one or more auxiliary ports used for image recording and/or measurement by accessories such as cameras and video recorders. The microscope lens is positioned below the specimen stage; and, positioned below the lens is a simple reflector which deflects the combined rays from the lens diagonally upward toward the viewer at exactly the same angle at which the viewer looks into the microscope's binocular eyepieces. The position of this simple reflector is the lowest point in the unit's paths of rays, thereby significantly lowering the lens turret and, therefore, the specimen stage to a relatively low, ergonomically-appropriate position. The optical arrangement is simple and compact, minimizing the number of deflections in the path of the viewing rays.

Abstract: The housing (10), which is inserted between the magnification selector (7) and the ocular tube (8) of a microscope, accommodates a pivotable mirror (22) which is normally placed outside the beam path of the microscope, but which by actuating a lever (17) can be pivoted into the beam path in order to deliver the latter through a photo cone (13) to a camera (14). By actuating the lever (17), the camera (14) is released after the required chronological delay in order to take a picture of the object, e.g. an eye (4). A diaphragm arrangement, which can be brought into the preselected position for the exposure as well by actuation of the lever (17), is disposed at the entry of the housing (10), i.e. directly adjacent the magnification selector (7). Due to the full availability of the light and the advantageous position and adjustability of the diaphragm, optimum conditions exist both for observation and for photographical exposures.

Abstract: A documentation illumination module by which full illumination of a properly oriented image of a microscope's field-of-view is returned to a documenting camera or the like. The module includes a cavity with a forming and field-of-view controlling lens system, channel for returning the image, focusing and magnifying lenses in the image channel, and an iris across the image channel. Fiber optics light is transmitted through the cavity and its lens system to a microscope and its field-of-view, then returned to module and to binoculars for an observer (surgeon), without need of beam splitting optical elements. Full light is available to camera and observer. The focusing and magnifying lenses are mounted in an alternatively positionable lens system, while a zoom lens assembly can be substituted therefor.

Abstract: A microscope capable of freely moving an objective optical system and an ocular optical system thereof. The microscope includes a TV camera with a light-receiving surface at an image forming position of the objective optical system and a display, wherein the image is taken by the TV camera and transmitted to the display, the transmitted image is displayed in the display, and the displayed image is observed by the ocular optical system of the microscope.