With Tilted Lens Or Tilted Image Plane Patents (Class 359/433)
  • Patent number: 11370358
    Abstract: A cloaking device comprises an object-side, an image-side, a cloaked region between the object-side and the image-side. An object-side optical component and an object-side tilt correction (TC) component are positioned on the object-side, and an image-side optical component and an image-side TC component are positioned on the image-side. The cloaking device is tilted relative to an object positioned on the object-side such that light from the object is incident on the cloaking device at an acute angle. The object-side TC component redirects light from the object incident on the cloaking device such that the light propagates through the cloaking device generally normal to the object-side and image-side optical components. The image-side TC component redirects light propagating through the cloaking device back to normal to the object to form an image of the object on the image-side of the cloaking device which, if not for the TC components, would be distorted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu-Tae Lee, Songtao Wu, Debasish Banerjee
  • Patent number: 10904032
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for a multi-use optical data, powerline data, and ground power interface for an airplane are disclosed. A method for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system comprises disposing a pin of a connector of a multi-use power interface, which is connected to the ground system, into a socket of a connector of the vehicle such that a lens located on an end of the pin mates with an interior surface of a bottom of the socket. The pin and the socket each comprise an optical portion and a power portion. The method further comprises providing, by the ground system, power to an onboard system on the vehicle via the power portions of the pin and socket. Further, the method comprises communicating data between the onboard system and the ground system via the optical portions and the power portions of the pin and socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald B. Lee, Timothy M. Mitchell, Brian E. Ward
  • Patent number: 10244149
    Abstract: Image scanning systems which scan images of objects as they are transported along a conveying system and methods of such scanning are provided. The optical system includes a conveying system, and optical elements positioned at least one of above, below and to a side of the conveying system such that a scan line is tilted with respect to an imaging surface of the conveyed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Riess
  • Patent number: 10234681
    Abstract: A thermoplastic film for a laminated-glass pane, having a non-linear continuous wedge insert in both a vertical and horizontal direction in some sections, is described. In the vertical direction, the laminated-glass pane is, from the perspective of an observer, further at a lower end than at an upper end. In a laminated-glass pane equipped with the thermoplastic film, the thermoplastic film is located between two glass layers. The thermoplastic film has at least a first section having a wedge angle profile that is continuous and non-linear in the vertical and horizontal direction, such that ghost images from a head-up display are minimized in the region of the first section. The thermoplastic film also minimizes double images in transmission in the first section and in further sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Martin Arndt, Stefan Gossen
  • Patent number: 8958151
    Abstract: Provided are an ocular zoom optical system which has a wide apparent field of view even on a low power side and in which aberrations are favorably corrected while a sufficient eye relief is secured over the entire zoom range, and an optical instrument including the ocular zoom optical system. The ocular zoom optical system 3 includes, in order from the object side: a first lens group G1 having a negative refractive power; a second lens group G2 having a positive refractive power; and a third lens group G3 having a positive refractive power and at least one aspheric surface. An intermediate image I? is formed between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. During zooming, the third lens group G3 is fixed on the optical axis, and the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2 are moved in directions opposite to each other with the intermediate image I? interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Vision Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20130248690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double telecentric optical system (100) and its use in a sensor device (1000), wherein said optical system (100) comprises a single focusing element, for example a lens (101). A mirror element (102) is arranged at the focal point (F) of this focusing element (101) to reflect incoming light rays back to the focusing element (101). Incoming and reflected light rays preferably pass through different parts (101a, 101b) of the focusing element (101), allowing a spatially separated arrangement of an object (3) and its image (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Maria Antonius Van Den Eerenbeemd, Jacobus Hermanus Maria Neijzen
  • Patent number: 8482851
    Abstract: A projection optical system and a projection display device using the same is provided, wherein the projection optical system has a sufficiently small size to be provided in a front-projection-type projector and can effectively correct various aberrations. An original image on an image display surface is enlarged and projected onto a screen by a first optical system that includes a plurality of lenses and a second optical system that includes a reflecting mirror having a concave surface with an aspheric shape. All of the optical surfaces of the first optical system and the second optical system are rotationally symmetric surfaces each having the optical axis common to all of the optical surfaces as its center. A first lens surface, which is a reduction-side surface, and a second lens surface, which is a magnification-side surface, of a lens (fourteenth lens) closest to a magnification side in the first optical system satisfy predetermined conditional expressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiko Nagatoshi
  • Patent number: 8427745
    Abstract: A telescope includes: a concave mirror reflecting light from an object; an image pickup element receiving light from the mirror; a compensation optical system for guiding light from the mirror to the image pickup element; a lens barrel integrally holding the image pickup element and the compensation optical system; and a drive mechanism for driving the lens barrel to change the angle of the optical axis of the compensation optical system with respect to the optical axis of the concave mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Doujou, Toru Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20120300296
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection apparatus including an image generation device and a projection lens. The image generation device has a light valve, and generates a light. The projection lens includes a first lens group having an optical axis and a second lens group disposed between the first lens group and the light valve. The light generated from the light valve penetrates through the second lens group and forms an intermediate image between the first lens group and the second lens group. The intermediate image penetrates through the first lens group to form a projection image. A center of the projected image and a center of the light valve are disposed at a first side of the optical axis, and a center of the intermediate image is disposed at a second side of the optical axis different from the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ming-Kuen Lin, Tsung-Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 8179599
    Abstract: An optical system includes an optical unit with an optical axis extending through a light transmissive sample embedded in a transparent substrate, to focus on the sample embedded in the substrate and to scan the sample according to the main plane of the transparent substrate. The optical axis extends under an angle unequal to zero relative to the normal of the main plane of the transparent substrate, in order to perform a volumetric observation of a sample by obtaining information items focused in all thickness directions within the sample, at a high speed, without requiring any movement along the thickness direction of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Maarten J. Jansen
  • Patent number: 8139909
    Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Upstream Engineering Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka A. Alasaarela, Jussi P. Soukkamäki, Teuvo K. Viljamaa
  • Patent number: 8085434
    Abstract: The appearance of a color print viewed under UV illumination is predicted using a target comprising color patches each printed using a known coverage of printer colorant(s). In one case, the target is illuminated using a UV light source and an electronic image of the target is captured using a digital camera or the like. In another case, a spectrophotometer is used both with and without a UV cutoff filter to measure the target. The captured image data or the spectrophotometric measurements are used to derive a UV printer characterization model that relates any arbitrary combination of printer colorants to a predicted UV color appearance value. Metameric colorant mixture pairs for visible light and UV light viewing can be determined using the UV model together with a conventional visible light printer characterization model. A visual matching task is used to determine a correction factor for the UV printer characterization model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Raja Bala, Yonghui Zhao
  • Patent number: 8031399
    Abstract: An illumination device for a light microscope with an objective, in particular for a stereo-microscope, illuminates an object plane of the light microscope. An illumination beam path of the illumination device is defined by a light source, a field diaphragm, illumination optics with at least one illumination lens, and at least one deflection element. The object plane of the microscope is obliquely illuminated with incident illumination, wherein an axis of the illumination beam path forms an angle ? greater than 0° with an optical axis of the objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Patent number: 7880797
    Abstract: A tilt lens system includes a focus lens unit movable during focusing; a diaphragm sharing a primary optical axis with the focus lens unit; and a tilt lens unit, arranged on an image side of the focus lens unit and the diaphragm, having a negative refractive power and an optical axis tiltable with respect to the primary optical axis. Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied as follows, 1.3<?t<1.7??(1) 0<P<H1??(2) where ?t is a lateral magnification of the tilt lens unit in a not tilted state, P is a distance from a most object side surface of the tilt lens unit to a rotating center of the tilt lens unit in a tilted state, and H1 is a distance from the most object side surface of the tilt lens unit to a first principal point of the tilt lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Nanjo, Masafumi Sueyoshi
  • Patent number: 7843635
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for trapping or stretching a microscopic substance comprising (a) a light source; (b) an acousto-optic modulator (AOM); (c)a beam-expander; (d) an object lens; and (e) an incoherent light source. The present invention further provides a method for trapping or stretching a microscopic substance comprising (a) providing a focused laser beam to form a focal spot and (b) scanning a plurality of points on said microscopic substance by said focal spot by way of the AOM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: National Yang-Ming University
    Inventors: Guan-Bo Liao, Chi-Hung Lin, Arthur Chiou
  • Publication number: 20100238543
    Abstract: System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Patrick Rene Destain
  • Patent number: 7792387
    Abstract: A system constructs a composite image by moving a photo-detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, Inc
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7742229
    Abstract: System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick Rene Destain
  • Patent number: 7729578
    Abstract: A first toroidal ray guide defines an axis of revolution and has a toroidal entrance pupil adapted to image light incident on the entrance pupil at an angle to the axis of revolution between 40 and 140 degrees, and it also has a first imaging surface opposite the entrance pupil. A second toroidal ray guide also defines the same axis of revolution and has a second imaging surface adjacent to the first imaging surface. Various additions and further qualities of the ray guides, which form optical channels, are disclosed. In a method light emanating from a source at between 40-140 degrees from an optical axis is received at an entrance pupil of a ray guide arrangement that is circularly symmetric about the optical axis. Then the received light is redirected through the ray guide arrangement to an exit pupil in an average direction substantially parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Upstream Engineering Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka A. Alasaarela, Jussi P. Soukkamäki, Teuvo K. Viljamaa
  • Patent number: 7583435
    Abstract: The application relates to an ergonomic tube for a microscope. A binocular head is provided on the tube. A deflection element is provided in the tube and a deflection mirror is assigned to the element, the mirror being located behind the optical path of the lens, when viewed from the user's position. A single tube-lens system is positioned in the optical path of the tube. A modification to the inclination of the oclar optical path in relation to the horizontal (H) by a value ?causes the position of the deflection mirror to be modified by an angle ?/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Euteneuer, Klaus Hermanns
  • Patent number: 7500753
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an optical system for a fundus camera in which lens pairs are tilted relative to the imaging beam path to prevent flare. This tilting is carried out in two planes and these planes are preferably oriented perpendicular to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Lothar Mueller, Marco Hanft, Uwe Lippmann
  • Publication number: 20080218852
    Abstract: A viewing system associated with a permanent building structure includes a first reflective optical arrangement, mechanically associated with the permanent building structure, for viewing by a person in a first location. The system also includes a passive optical projection system including at least a second reflective optical arrangement mechanically associated with the permanent building structure The optical projection system is deployed for projecting via the first reflective optical arrangement an image of a defined sub-region of an area within the permanent building structure not directly viewable from said first location. This allows a user at the first location to view the defined sub-region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Linor Latar
  • Patent number: 7315667
    Abstract: Light to be sensed is spreaded across an entry surface of a transmission structure with a laterally varying energy transmission function. For example, the light could be output from a stimulus-wavelength converter, provided through an optical fiber, or it could come from a point-like source or broad area source. Output photons from the transmission structure can be photosensed by photosensing components such as an array, position sensor, or array of position sensors. Wavelength information from the light can be obtained in response to the photosensing component. Spreading can be performed by air, gas, transparent material, or vacuum in a gap, by a region or other part of a lens, or by an optical fiber end surface. If the light comes from more than one source, a propagation component can both spread the light and also keep light from the sources separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Oliver Schmidt, Peter Kiesel, Patrick Y. Maeda
  • Patent number: 7130489
    Abstract: A system constructs a composite image by moving a photo-detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Searete LLC
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7009765
    Abstract: The wide angle lens system described herein allows projection devices (e.g., rear projection display devices) to be more compact than would otherwise be possible. The lens system includes a wide angle lens stage and a relay lens stage. When operating as a projection device, the relay lens stage projects a distorted intermediate image to the wide angle lens stage, which projects the image for display. The distortion cause by the relay lens stage compensates (i.e., is approximately equal and opposite) for the distortion caused by the wide angle stage. The distortion can be the image shape and/or the focal plane. When operating as a taking device, the wide angle stage provides a distorted image to the relay lens stage, which compensates for the distortion and provide a less distorted, or even non-distorted image, for capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Gohman
  • Patent number: 6924931
    Abstract: A support for adjusting the line of sight of a night vision monocular. The support has a shelf that is supported relative to a user's eyes and a flange that is coupled to the shelf and rotatable relative to the shelf. The support also has a shaft supporting the monocular. The shaft is coupled to the flange for tilting the monocular relative to the shelf concurrently with a rotation of the flange. The support also has a tilt control means coupled to the flange for applying an axial force to the flange to control the rotation of the flange and the tilting of the monocular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Lam, Lapthe C. Flora, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6700689
    Abstract: An adjusting device for adjusting a projecting direction of a view comprises the following components. A reflector is pivotally installed in a body case. The body case is formed with an incident hole, first viewing hole and a second viewing hole. A reflector is located within the body case and is pivotally installed thereto. An adjusting button is located on the upper cover. A rotary flange is installed on the adjusting button. Thereby, the user rotates the adjusting button so that a rotary arm is adhered on the adjusting button. When a user desires to see an outer view; by a driving the rotary arm, the reflector is driven to rotate to a predetermined angle. On the contrary, when the user desires to see outer view from the first viewing hole; the user only needs to restore the adjusting button to the original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Su-Min Kung
  • Patent number: 6657784
    Abstract: A telescope (1) with inclined viewing relative to the axis of sight (2) has a sighting device (4) with a mounting (8) that is adapted to be inserted in or removed from a recess (9) on the telescope housing (6) at an inclined portion (5) such that the sighting device (4) is disposed on the side adjacent the eyepiece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Swarovski Optik K.G.
    Inventor: Gerhard Swarovski
  • Patent number: 6633431
    Abstract: An optical system comprises, in succession from the object side, a first optical element of negative optical power, a second optical element of positive optical power, and a third optical element of negative optical power, at least one of the first to third optical elements being a refracting optical element having a reflecting curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6527394
    Abstract: The invention relates to objective arrangements for use in projection systems such as overhead projectors. An objective arrangement 10 provides a tilted image plane. The arrangement 10 is rotationally asymmetric by virtue of the third element 16 having a principal optical axis 22 which is displaced to one side, but parallel with the principal optical axes 20 of the first and second elements 12,14. This asymmetry has been found to correct aberrations introduced by a tilted Fresnel lens used in the projection arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Optics Limited
    Inventor: Kai Chang Lu
  • Patent number: 6459530
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system includes at least three optical units which are a first moving optical unit, a fixed optical unit and a second moving optical unit. The three optical units are arranged in that order in a propagation direction of light, and a variation of magnification is effected by a relative movement between the first moving optical unit and the second moving optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Nanba, Keisuke Araki
  • Patent number: 6426840
    Abstract: An illumination system includes optics capable of adjusting the size of a beam of light and adjusting the focus of the beam of light. Spot size control optics adjusts the overall size of the beam of light and separately adjusts the ellipticity of the beam, primarily in one dimension. Light from the spot size control optics passes to focus control optics that control the overall focus of the beam of light and adjust the astigmatism of the beam by altering the focus position of the beam of light in one dimension. The laser system, the spot size control optics and the focus control optics are within an enclosure. Actuators under remote control from outside of the enclosure adjust both of the spot size control optics and focus control optics in the thermal environment of the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jouni P. Partanen, Nansheng Tang, Xingkun Wu
  • Patent number: 6384984
    Abstract: The improved eyepiece variable focal length optics comprises, in order from objective optics with which it is used in combination, a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group and a positive third lens group, the first and second lens groups moving in opposite directions along the optical axis during variable focal length but the third lens group being stationary, and the eyepiece variable focal length optics satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): 2.0<f3/f2<4.0  (1) 7.0<L12/f(h)  (2) where f2 is the focal length of the second lens group, f3 is the focal length of the third lens group, f(h) is the shortest focal length of the overall eyepiece variable focal length optics, and L12 is the axial air gap between the first and second lens groups at the shortest focal length. The eyepiece variable focal length optics achieves a variable power ratio of about three and yet is compact and allows for adequately large apparent visual field and eye relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishii, Takayuki Ito
  • Publication number: 20020021490
    Abstract: A microscope is disclosed that includes: a light source that emits light in a wavelength range that includes both visible and infrared wavelengths, an illuminating optical system for illuminating a specimen with the light from the light source, an objective lens for gathering light from the specimen and causing it to converge, a light beam dividing unit that divides the beam of light from the objective lens into plural divided light paths such that the wavelength ranges in the divided light paths differ from one another, a magnification conversion optical system in one of the divided light paths which converts the magnification of images formed by light in that divided light path, and an imaging device located in each of at least two of the divided light paths, wherein the objective lens has a magnifying power less than or equal to 32 and a numerical aperture greater than or equal to 0.80.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Takashi Kasahara, Katsuyuki Abe, Kenji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6324016
    Abstract: A reflective telecentric lens which uses an on-axis type concave mirror in a pseudo-off-axis manner to avoid blockage of a portion of the field of view. The concave mirror used in a pseudo-off-axis manner permits the telecentric stop, imaging lens, and film or an electronic detector to be moved outside of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Spencer D. Luster
  • Patent number: 6313942
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprises at least three optical units which are a first moving optical unit, a fixed optical unit and a second moving optical unit. The three optical units are arranged in that order in a propagation direction of light, and a variation of magnification is effected by a relative movement between the first moving optical unit and the second moving optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Nanba, Keisuke Araki
  • Patent number: 6292309
    Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a plurality of optical elements each of which includes a transparent body having two refracting surfaces and a plurality of reflecting surfaces and is arranged so that a light beam enters the transparent body from one of the two refracting surfaces, repeatedly undergoes reflection, and exits from the other of the two refracting surfaces, and/or a plurality of optical elements on each of which a plurality of reflecting surfaces made from front surface mirrors are integrally formed, and each of which is arranged so that an entering light beam repeatedly undergoes reflection by the plurality of reflecting surfaces and exits from the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Sekita, Tsunefumi Tanaka, Toshiya Kurihashi, Shigeo Ogura, Keisuke Araki, Nobuhiro Takeda, Yoshihiro Uchino, Kenichi Kimura, Toshikazu Yanai, Norihiro Nanba, Hiroshi Saruwatari, Takeshi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6282021
    Abstract: A viewing optical instrument includes an objective optical system and an eyepiece optical system such that an object image formed through the objective optical system is magnified and observed through the eyepiece optical system. The viewing optical instrument includes an eyepiece adjusting device which allows the eyepiece optical system to rotate relative to the objective optical system about a rotational axis at which an optical axis of the objective optical system intersects a focal plane formed by the objective optical system. A detector detects an inclination of a surface of a sighting object relative to a plane which is normal to the optical axis of the objective optical system, and a controller control the eyepiece optical system to rotate about the rotational axis in accordance with the inclination detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaaki Yano
  • Publication number: 20010003490
    Abstract: An optical apparatus minimizes autofluorescence and stray light as well as leakage of excitation light and efficiently utilizes illuminating light from a fluorescence illumination optical system to allow observation of a bright fluorescence image. An observation apparatus has an objective, an observation optical system unit including a variable magnification optical system, and an imaging optical system unit including an imaging lens and an eyepiece. A fluorescence illumination apparatus, which is provided separately, is removably attached to the observation apparatus. The fluorescence illumination apparatus has a light source, a collector lens unit, and a reflecting member placed between the objective and the observation optical system unit at a position displaced from the optical axis of the objective to make light from the light source incident on the objective. An excitation filter is provided between the light source and the reflecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventors: Kenji Kawasaki, Daisuke Nishiwaki, Keiji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6163400
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprising four optical units each having a reflecting surface inclined with respect to a reference axis ray which is a ray passing from an aperture center of an aperture stop to a center of a final image plane, the variable magnification optical system being arranged to perform a magnification varying operation by moving at least two of the four optical units along the reference axis ray in such a manner as to vary an optical path length which extends along the reference axis ray from a predetermined position on an object side to the final image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihiro Nanba
  • Patent number: 6123425
    Abstract: A projecting optical system projects an image formed on a primary image plane obliquely onto a secondary image plane. The projecting optical system has a plurality of partial optical systems decentered from each other. The projecting optical system also has a plurality of zoom optical systems. The zoom optical systems are moved to continuously vary an image magnification. During the movement, the secondary image plane is kept in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soh Ohzawa
  • Patent number: 6038068
    Abstract: An aberration correction system having a first lens disposed at an object side; and a second lens disposed at an image side, wherein the first and second lenses have different dispersions (Abbe numbers) with respect to each other, the surface of the object side of the first lens and the surface of the image side of the second lens which is adjacent to the image have substantially common center of curvature and the first and second lenses rotate around the center of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunio Takeshi, Mikichi Ban, Yoshiya Matsui, Kyoji Nariai
  • Patent number: 5999311
    Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprises at least three optical units which are a first moving optical unit, a fixed optical unit and a second moving optical unit. The three optical units are arranged in that order in a propagation direction of light, and a variation of magnification is effected by a relative movement between the first moving optical unit and the second moving optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Nanba, Keisuke Araki
  • Patent number: 5696635
    Abstract: The eyepiece of a telescope is provided with a plano-convex eye lens that adjustably pivots about the geometric center of its convex surface, inducing prism while maintaining the optical axis and focal plane of the eyepiece. The prism effect is adjusted to offset atmospheric optical dispersion when viewing celestial bodies near the horizon. Simple and inexpensive mechanical means for tilt adjustment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Walter J. Kastner
  • Patent number: 5594584
    Abstract: A dot sighting device comprises a lens-shaped transparent objective element with convex and concave surfaces, the convex surface extending outwardly toward a target and the concave surface extending toward a user's eye. The concave surface has a first center of curvature lying on a baseline parallel to an optical axis of the element extending from a center of the element to the user's eye. The concave surface has a first radius from the first center of curvature to a center of the concave surface. The baseline and the first radius subtends an angle .theta. with each other. The convex surface has a second center of curvature positioned eccentrically from the first center of curvature located in a plane containing the baseline and the first radius. The convex surface has a second radius extending from the second center of curvature to a center of the convex surface. A light source is disposed behind the element and directed toward the center of the concave surface such that a light flux makes an angle .theta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Inventors: Ira M. Kay, Ubao Jibiki
  • Patent number: 5406412
    Abstract: A high-resolution synthetic aperture, adaptive optics system includes an imaging system having a plurality of optical elements including at least a primary mirror which is a section of the aperture to be synthesized, and a detector for receiving the radiation collected by the primary mirror; and a device for rotating the primary mirror section through a number of angular positions about the aperture being synthesized to obtain a plurality of component images of an object, at least one from each of the positions; a device for sensing distortion of an incident wavefront; and a device responsive to distortions of the wavefront for locally adjusting at least one of the optical elements to correct distortions in the wavefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Visidyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore F. Zehnpfennig, Saul A. Rappaport
  • Patent number: 5228051
    Abstract: Lenses (30', 32') are orthogonally tilted with respect to one another in a telescope to provide imaging for an amplifier-phase conjugate mirror (PCM)(10) in a laser oscillator/amplifier (12). This mutually orthogonal tilting avoids the problem of air breakdown which occurs when the laser energy is otherwise focused at a single point and thus avoids the need to use a vacuum cell to suppress the sparking at the telescope's focus. An adjustment of the tilting of one lens (32') with respect to the other lens (30') also avoids astigmatism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Matthews
  • Patent number: 5148308
    Abstract: A real image type vari-focal viewfinder comprising an objective lens system consisting of a plurality of lens components and functioning to form a real image, and an eyepiece lens system, adapted so as to vary focal length thereof by moving at least one of the lens units arranged in the objective lens system, and adapted so as to correct parallax by placing said at least one of the lens units or one of the lens components arranged in said at least one of the lens units in a condition eccentric or inclined with regard to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 5130840
    Abstract: A light scanning system has a light source, a deflecting device, an anamorphic scanning lens having different refracting powers in a principal scanning plane and in a secondary scanning plane perpendicular to the principal scanning plane, and another anamorphic convex lens, such as a cylindrical lens, having a larger refracting power in the secondary scanning plane than in the principal scanning plane. The anamorphic convex lens is rotatable for adjustment about an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel with the optical axis of the optical system. When a tapered polygon mirror is used as the deflecting device, the anamorphic convex lens is mounted in a tilted manner such that two principal meridians projected via the reflecting surface of the deflecting device substantially coincide with respective scanning planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Kogyo Kogaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsunori Iima, Akira Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5082362
    Abstract: An apparatus for a variable depth triangulation ranging system, the ranging system including means for emitting a light beam, means for focusing an emitted light beam on an object, and light sensitive means. The present apparatus includes motorized zoom/focus lens means for imaging reflected light onto said light sensitive means, a distance between the zoom lens means and the light sensitive means being substantially fixed when in an operative condition, the light sensitive means being rotatable relative to said zoom lens means, and means for adjustably positioning the light sensitive means and the zoom lens means such that an emitted light beam, a plane axis through the zoom lens means, and an image line through the light sensitive means all intersect at approximately a common point and satisfy the Scheimpflug condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John L. Schneiter