Abstract: A single-focus imaging apparatus having an array of imaging devices includes an optical system including a first imaging system that produces a focused image, at least one imaging plane on which an image produced through the first imaging system is formed, and a second imaging system group including an array of second imaging systems, each second imaging system including the imaging device and a lens through which at least part of the image formed on the imaging plane is formed on the imaging device. At least the position of the lens, the distance between the lens and the imaging device, and the angle of view are determined as parameters of each second imaging system in accordance with the position of the imaging plane that changes depending on the distance between the imaging apparatus and an object.

Abstract: An optical homogenizing and combining apparatus, comprises a one piece, hollow, tubular body having a first input leg, a second input leg and an output leg, each leg having a polygonal cross-section and highly reflective interior surfaces in accordance with an embodiment. The body has a shape corresponding to first and second bent tubes, the tubes being truncated along a plane and joined at a junction lying in the plane. The a first end of the first tube defines the first input leg, a first end of the second tube defines the second input leg, and a second end of the first tube and a second end of the second tube define the output leg.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source section for emitting a beam of substantially parallel rays, a field lens for collecting the beam of substantially parallel rays, a condenser lens for introducing the beam of rays collected by the field lens onto an illumination target surface, and an aperture stop disposed at an entrance-side focal position of the condenser lens. The aperture stop and the light source are in conjugate positional relationship via the collector lens and the field lens. An optical element having different characteristics between the central region and the outer region is arranged in a path of the substantially parallel rays at a position satisfying the condition: 0.03<|L/fCD|<0.4 where FCD is a focal length of the condenser lens and L is a distance from the illumination target surface to a position that is, of positions on which the optical element is projected, closest to the illumination target surface.

Abstract: A non-uniform light source is combined with a system including an integrating light pipe, a mask placed at the output of the light pipe, and a focusing element placed one focal length beyond the light pipe output at an angle appropriate for directing the light toward the illumination plane of the system. The purpose of the mask is to attenuate areas of the light pipe output that correspond to high irradiance regions at the illumination plane. Accordingly, this combination of optical components produces light with desired irradiance profile, including a substantially uniform irradiance profile, at the illumination plane.

Abstract: A system to produce orthogonal beams includes a laser diode operating in conjunction with a collimating lens, with or without an aperture, and a simple compact optic. At least one collimated beam is directed toward an optic comprised of components that are bonded together. Beams are reflected from at least one optical components at right angles to produce a plumb beam. Additionally, a beam is reflected from the optic at a right angle, as well as transmitted through the optic, to produce square and level beams. All beams are orthogonal to each other, have relatively equal power, and are aligned and oriented so as to appear to be originating from a coincident point. An optional orthogonal beam may be produced. An optic in the shape of a cuboid comprised of six small components is also disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided an autonomous vehicle, and an apparatus and method for estimating the motion of the autonomous vehicle and detecting three-dimensional (3D) information of an object appearing in front of the moving autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle measures its orientation using an acceleration sensor and a magnetic flux sensor, and extracts epipolar geometry information using the measured orientation information. Since the corresponding points between images required for extracting the epipolar geometry information can be reduced to two, it is possible to more easily and correctly obtain motion information of the autonomous vehicle and 3D information of an object in front of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A method of making a lens array includes a first step of forming a resin-molded piece, a second step of applying a coating to the resin-molded piece, a third step of melting the applied coating and a fourth step of solidifying the melted coating. The resin-molded piece formed in the first step includes a plurality of lenses each having a convex lens surface, and a holder portion for holding the plurality of lenses. In the second step, the coating is applied to the holder portion so as to surround each lens surface.

Abstract: A color-mixing laser module is disclosed, which is comprised of a laser unit capable of emitting red, blue and green laser beams; a beam combiner, for receiving and converging the laser beams emitted from the laser unit and then directing the converged laser light to illuminate on a light pattern adjusting unit; and the light pattern adjusting unit, capable of receiving the converged laser light from the beam combiner for adjusting the pattern of the same.

Abstract: Optical filters tunable for both center wavelength and bandwidth, having applications such as in astronomy, remote sensing, laser spectroscopy, and other laser-based sensing applications, using Michelson interferometers or Mach-Zehnder interferometers modified with Gires-Tournois interferometers (“GTIs”) are disclosed. A GTI nominally has unity magnitude reflectance as a function of wavelength and has a phase response based on its resonator characteristics. Replacing the end mirrors of a Michelson interferometer or the fold mirrors of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with GTIs results in both high visibility throughput as well as the ability to tune the phase response characteristics to change the width of the bandpass/notch filters. A range of bandpass/bandreject optical filter modes, including a Fabry-Perot (“FP”) mode, a wideband, low-ripple FP mode, a narrowband notch/bandpass mode, and a wideband notch/bandpass mode, are all tunable and wavelength addressable.

Abstract: Speckle noise is reduced to increase image quality in an image display apparatus such as a projection display or the like. An illuminating optical device in an image display apparatus (1) applies a laser beam L to a GLV (spatial modulator) (6) and modulates the laser beam based on an image signal input to the GLV to display an image. A plurality of laser beams (1, 1, . . . ) each having an optical path difference greater than the coherence length of the laser beam are applied to the GLV.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a light valve (34) comprises at least one laser array (10) capable of emitting a plurality of radiation beams (40a, 40b, 40c), each radiation beam propagating along a first axis. A light pipe (20) comprises at least two reflecting surfaces being spaced apart and opposing each other to reflect light along the first axis. An input end (24) separation between the two planar reflecting surfaces (22) is positioned to receive the plurality of radiation beams. An output end (26) separation between the two reflecting surfaces is positioned to emit an output radiation (42b). At least one optical element is located downstream of the output end separation and is operable for illuminating the light valve by imaging a portion of the output radiation onto the light valve. A random phase mask (150) is operable for creating a substantially uniform illumination profile in the output radiation.

Abstract: A head mounted display is disclosed that utilizes a single video display screen to transport images to both eyes. Multiple reflections are created by illuminating the display screen form a plurality of directions, or by illuminating the display screen with light beams of differing polarizations. The reflections of the display screen are focused in order to reduce the splitting volume and then redirected by a plurality of reflective surfaces located near the focal point of the display images. Different images may be sent to each eye of a user by interlacing multiple data streams for the display and linking each data stream with a specific illumination direction, or specific polarization.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating stable, tunable and intense output light pulses are provided. A primary beam of light pulses is used to form a filament in an interaction zone. A secondary bean of light pulses is superposed with the filament and interacts therewith to generate the output light pulses. The parameters of the primary and secondary beams in the interaction zone can be controlled to obtain targeted optical characteristics of the output pulses. Multiple secondary beaus may also be used.

Abstract: An optical arrangement comprising at least one first light-emitting element (LE1) and at least one second light-emitting element (LE2), and at least one light addition device (1) arranged in such a way that the light from the first and the second light-emitting element (LE1, LE2) are added to form a light beam.

Abstract: An optical inspection system rapidly evaluates a substrate by illumination of an area of a substrate larger than a diffraction-limited spot using a coherent laser beam by breaking temporal or spatial coherence. Picosecond or femtosecond pulses from a modelocked laser source are split into a plurality of spatially separated beamlets that are temporally and/or frequency dispersed, and then focused onto a plurality of spots on the substrate. Adjacent spots, which can overlap by up to about 60-70 percent, are illuminated at different times, or at different frequencies, and do not produce mutually interfering coherence effects. Bright-field and dark-field detection schemes are used in various combinations in different embodiments of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combining or for splitting the beam paths of substantially nonpolarized light of at least three different wavelength intervals. The splitting or the combining of the beam path of light of those wavelength intervals located between the other wavelength intervals takes place when the beam paths of the light of the two other wavelength intervals are already or still combined. The present invention also relates to an illumination unit comprising a white light source and utilizing this method by means of interference filters for splitting the white light into red, blue and green light beams. The invention also relates to an illumination unit comprising a red, green and blue light source and utilizing these methods by means of interference filters for the combination of the beam paths of the light sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of providing data are disclosed.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes a web including first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. Corresponding opposed features cooperate to form a lens features.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a hollow tubular body with a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, a first filter, and a second filter. The body includes an input end portion configured to receive and reflect white light having a Gaussian profile to produce a homogenized input beam, a first output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a first reflected beam to produce a first homogenized output beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile, and a second output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a second reflected beam to produce a second homogenized output beam having a second wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile. The first filter is configured to receive the homogenized input beam and produce the first reflected beam and a first transmitted beam. The second filter is configured to receive the first transmitted beam and produce the second reflected beam.

Abstract: A method produces an apparatus for homogenizing light. The apparatus has at least one substrate with at least one optically functional area with a multiplicity of lens elements. In a first method step the lens elements are formed in the at least one optically functional area of the at least one substrate. In a second method step the at least one substrate is divided into at least two parts. In a third method step following thereupon, at least two of the at least two parts of the at least one substrate are reassembled, given another alignment of at least one of the parts.

Abstract: Provided is an illumination structure which includes a light source and an illumination lens. The light source emits light in at least one wavelength band. The illumination lens includes a light receiving portion and a light outgoing portion. The light receiving portion divides the light from the light source in a plurality of different directions and the light outgoing portion emits the divided light.

Abstract: A line scanned display system includes at least three different colors of illumination provided by one or more light sources, and at least one directional illumination optical system for directing the three different colors of illumination. Also in the system is a bilinear array, having two linear arrays of light modulating devices, situated on a common substrate for receiving and modulating two different colors of illumination at any one time that are obtained from the three different colors of illumination. Finally, a lens for creating line images of the two linear arrays on a screen and a scanning mirror for scanning the line images across the screen to form an area image complete the system.

Abstract: In a photomask projection system, a photomask mask is illuminated by light from two lasers. A beam from one of the lasers is mixed with a beam from the other laser to provide two mixed beams each containing of portion of the beams from both lasers. The mixed beams are directed at an angle to each other and intersect on the photomask.

Abstract: The two channel stereo display system with micro electromechanical systems (MEMS, e.g. DMDs from Texas Instruments) simultaneously generates a right and a left image in two discrete modulation channels, which differ by the polarization of their light beams. More specifically, the invention relates to the chirality (handedness) of MEMS and uncovers solutions for some of the geometric problems associated with this handedness in stereoscopic systems. Unpolarized light is split by a first PBS (5) and directed via two TIRs (3,4) onto two MEMSs (1,2) for spatial modulation. In some embodiments, mirror symmetric, compact light paths and complete superposition of the two subimages with a second PBS (6) are realized with two different MEMSs (1) and (2) which are a pair of stereo isomers. Furthermore we uncover solutions with two identical MEMSs.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in imaging broadband light. A plurality of substantially narrowband light components of the broadband light are passed through an array of spectral imaging modules. Each of the spectral imaging modules is configured for imaging light of a respective substantially narrow spectral band with minimal aberrations. This technique provides for producing an image with minimal aberrations over the entire spectral range of the broadband light.

Abstract: A two-dimensional light-modulating fine aperture array apparatus includes a spatial light-modulating unit for adjusting quantity of incident light by using a plurality of light amount adjusting cells (liquid crystal cells or micromirrors) arrayed in matrix form, a two-dimensional microlens array having microlenses which focus light beams passing through the light quantity adjusting cells, and a highly efficient two-dimensional fine aperture array. The light is emitted through the fine apertures by connecting the two-dimensional light-modulating fine aperture array apparatus with a light source unit. A scanning unit moves in the x and y directions to perform a scanning process on a surface of a recording medium by using the light emitted from the apertures.

Abstract: A light-splitting device includes a power module, a transmission module and a filter module. In this case, the power module has a rotating component and a first connection component. The rotating component connects with the first connection component. The transmission module has a second connection component and a third connection component. The second connection component connects with the first connection component. The filter module has a filter element and a fourth connection component. The fourth connection component is disposed on one side of the filter element and connects with the third connection component. When the rotating component and the first connection component rotate, the first connection component drives the rotation of the second connection component and the third connection component, so that the third connection component drives the rotation of the fourth connection component and the filter element.

Abstract: A lens holder for holding a plurality of lenses is provided. The lens holder is assembled from a plurality of subunits divided on a plane that is parallel to an optical axis. A subunit includes a substantially cylindrical outer shell and front side rear side portions that extend from an inner surface of the outer shell toward the optical axis to support at least one lens from in front and behind respectively. When the at least one lens is attached between the portions, one of the portions is harder to deform than the other of portions.

Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar light emitters such as electrically-interconnected LED chips. Each light emitting region in the array is surrounded by reflecting sidewalls whose output is processed by elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, or both. The optical interaction between light emitters, reflecting sidewalls, and the elevated prismatic films create overlapping virtual images between emitting regions that contribute to the greater optical uniformity. Practical illumination applications of such uniform light source arrays include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.

Abstract: A reflex sight includes a beam combiner having high light-transmissivity with respect to one part of the visible spectrum to permit viewing a target field along a first optical axis of the beam combiner, and high light-reflectivity with respect to another part of the visible spectrum to permit viewing an aiming-mark superimposed on the target field when projected through the beam combiner along a second optical axis; and an aiming-mark projector for projecting the aiming-mark along the second optical axis of the beam combiner for viewing as a superimposition on the target field when viewed along the first optical axis. The aiming-mark projector includes an aiming-mark device effective, when illuminated, to project the aiming-mark along the second optical axis of the beam combiner; and a powered light source including a power supply for energizing the light source.

Abstract: A beam corradiator for combining two radiation beams, preferably movable beams independent from each other in at least one direction, to scan and/or influence a sample, preferably a manipulation system and an imaging system, with a partially reflecting layer being provided for the corradiation, wherein the thickness of the layer is provided with a preferably consistent incline or decline over the optically effective cross-section of the beam corradiatior.

Abstract: A line scanning arrangement for imaging microarrays includes a line illuminator that converts output from one or more lasers to a radiation line. The laser output passes through a single mode fiber and a module that converts the laser light to the radiation line. The line is confocally directed to sites on the microarray, and retrobeams returned from the sites are collected on an imaging detector. The microarray is moved in the imaging apparatus so as to progressively illuminate an array or matrix of sites for imaging.

Abstract: To improve the front brightness of the light emitted from a surface light emitter having a surface light emitting device. In the surface light emitter to which a light control sheet having depressions is provided, the surface of the light control sheet having the depressions is adhered to a light emitting side surface of a surface light emitting device, and the transparent material whose refractive index is lower than the refractive index of the light control sheet is arranged in the spaces formed between the depressions and the light emitting side surface of the surface light emitting device.

Abstract: A method for mapping includes projecting onto an object a pattern of multiple spots having respective positions and shapes, such that the positions of the spots in the pattern are uncorrelated, while the shapes share a common characteristic. An image of the spots on the object is captured and processed so as to derive a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.

Abstract: A line-of-light projecting module is illuminated by a diode-laser bar and includes light-pipe for homogenizing light from the diode-laser bar in the slow-axis. A shaping optics assembly directs the light emitted by the diode-laser bar into the entrance end of the light-pipe as a diverging beam in the slow-axis and as a collimated beam in the fast-axis. The light propagates through the light-pipe unguided in the fast axis. The light is guided by the light-pipe in the slow-axis, and homogenized in the slow-axis by making multiple reflections from walls of the light-pipe. An anamorphic projection optics assembly projects the light from the exit end of the light-pipe and focuses the light to form the line-of-light.

Abstract: An imaging system for imaging an object point to an image point, the system including: a beam splitter positioned to receive light rays from the object point and separate each of a plurality of rays into a transmitted portion and a reflected portion, the transmitted portions defining a first set of rays and the reflected portions defining a second set of rays; and an array of independently positionable reflecting elements forming a reflecting surface positioned to receive one of the sets of rays from the beam splitter and focus that set of rays towards the image point via the beam splitter.

Abstract: Two integrating light pipes are optically coupled to a focusing element to produce light with uniform irradiance and intensity profiles. The first ILP stage is used to receive spatially non-uniform light from a single or multi-color source and produce a uniform irradiance distribution while leaving the intensity distribution substantially unaltered. The focusing optical element swaps the irradiance and intensity distributions received from the output of the first ILP and feeds it to a second ILP stage which, in turn, completes the spatial homogenization of the light by transforming the non-uniform irradiance received from the focusing element into an output of uniform irradiance. As a result of this sequence of transformations, a homogeneous multi-color light output, both in intensity and irradiance, is produced.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for conducting at least recording or reproducing of information on two types of optical information recording media having protective substrates with different thicknesses, includes: a first light source for emitting a first light flux with a wavelength ?1; a first objective lens for converging the first light flux on an information recording surface of a first optical information recording medium when the optical pickup apparatus reproduces or records information for the first optical information medium; and a second objective lens for converging the first light flux on an information recording surface of a second optical information recording medium when the optical pickup apparatus reproduces or records information for the second optical information medium, wherein effective diameters of the first objective lens and the second objective lens are substantially same.

Abstract: Kernels are designed in different configurations based on design properties of an enclosure or other requirements. A prism assembly having various types of filters, waveplates, beam splitters (e.g., path length matched beam splitters) and/or other optical components are provided to selectively direct light beams to each of red, green, and blue microdisplays that manipulate the light and then combine the manipulated lights into an output image. The prism assembly includes an input face, an output face, and other faces on which the microdisplays are attached in a number of different configurations. Requirements and exact placement of optical components varies depending on which microdisplay is attached to which face. The components of the prism assembly may be arranged in path length matched positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pickup corresponding to plural kinds of optical discs which can be downsized and simplified, and can compensate the spherical aberration. Optical path separation for separating the optical path of a first and a second optical beams as approaching beams to an optical disc 100 into optical paths directed to a first objective lens 51 and a second objective lens 52 corresponding to the optical beams, optical path combination for combining different optical paths of a first and a second reflected optical beams as returning beams which come in from the first and second objective lenses 51, 52, and approach-and-return optical path separation for separating the optical path of the approaching beam and the optical path of the returning beam are realized by the beam separation/composition prism 44.

Abstract: A lens unit with two lens elements each having special surfaces such that an adjustment of the position of one of the two lens elements relative to the other in a direction generally perpendicular to a viewing direction changes the focusing power of the lens unit. In preferred embodiments two lens units are mounted in a frame to provide eyeglasses with adjustable focus. Several frame designs are described. In preferred embodiments two lens units, each lens unit having two lens elements are mounted in a frame to provide eyeglasses with adjustable focus. Several designs are described. Some designs provide for movement side to side movement of the lens elements relative to each other. In other designs the relative motion is up and down. A simple technique is a thumbscrew adjustment that is operated by the wearer. Another design is based on finger force against a friction force. In some preferred embodiments separate frames holding the lens elements pivot about pivot points on the earpiece of a support frame.

Abstract: The tunable optical filter is provided, comprising an optical means for separating an input optical signal into a tunable drop optical signal and an output optical signal, wherein the output optical signal is directed back along the same path as the input optical signal. One embodiment of the invention comprises an optical circulator, a pair of polarization beam splitters, a pair of half-wave plates, an optical thin-film filter, a rotatable mirror, a spatially fixed mirror. Optical wavelengths are selected by making angular adjustments to the optical thin-film filter and the rotatable mirror, which are rotated by the same angle. A corresponding method for spectrally splitting and spatially separating an input optical signal into an output optical signal and a drop optical signal is also provided.

Abstract: A light illumination system for projecting a color image to a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) panel includes a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination assembly (101, 102, 103), a dichroic combiner (107) for providing a single light source and a condenser lens system (FIGS. 20-23) for directing light from the single light source to the DMD panel. The invention provides a cost effective and efficient system for providing a non-polarized uniform light source to a DMD panel.

Abstract: A polarized light illumination system includes a light emitting diode (LED) (601, 602, 603) for providing a source of light that is directed to a non-polarizing dichroic combiner (607) for combining light from the LEDs into a single light source. A power beam splitter (PBS) (608) is then used for splitting the single light source into polarized light components and an output waveguide (611) operates to provide a source of uniformly illuminated light. A condenser lens (612) then projects the uniformly illuminated light to a microdisplay panel (613) for use with a television receiver or other type of display monitor.

Abstract: An optical surface substrate. The optical substrate features a three-dimensional surface. The optical substrate is defined by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function producing at least one specular component from a first input beam of light. The second surface structure function has a geometry with at least pseudo-random characteristics to modulate the first surface structure function such that the surface of the optical substrate produces specular and diffuse light from the first input beam of light. The optical substrate is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including brightness enhancement and projection devices.

Abstract: Non-mechanical optical beam steering and switching is produced by optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator with angular magnification by high efficiency volume Bragg gratings recorded in a photosensitive PTR glass. Small angle beam deflection in a photoactive liquid crystal cell is produced by exposing it to a controlling beam from an external source of radiation with predetermined distribution of power density which causes predetermined spatial gradients of a refractive index in a liquid crystal cell and, therefore, refraction of a controlled beam which is made to propagate in the region with spatial gradient of the refractive index. Large angle beam deflection is produced by a volume Bragg grating with angular selectivity adjusted in such way that small angle scanning produced by optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator results in change of diffraction efficiency from zero to 100% for switching the beam for two Bragg angles.

Abstract: A method for beam guiding of a light beam generated by a light source to a target location along a path distance LS, comprises splitting the light beam on the path distance LS at least once into a first partial beam and a second partial beam, guiding the first partial beam additionally at least once along a delay line, the first partial beam thereby covering an additional path distance LD, guiding the second partial beam only along the path distance LS, combining the first and second partial beams after the first partial beam having passed through the delay line and guiding the combined beam to the target location, wherein the light beam is guided along the path distance LS and LD in such a way that the light beam generated by the light source has a predetermined beam width B at the target location, expanding the light beam between the light source and the target location at least once to a beam width B?>B and comprising the light beam again at least once in such a way that the light beam has the predeterm

Abstract: A fused thermal and a direct view aiming sight includes an optical gun sight, a thermal sight, and a beam combiner. The optical sight generates a direct view image of an aiming point or reticle superimposed on a target scene. The thermal sight generates a monochromic thermal image of the target scene. The combiner is positioned behind a 1× non-magnified optical sight and the thermal sight and in front of an exit pupil of the thermal sight. The combiner is positioned right behind the intermediate image plane of a magnified optical sight between an objective lens and an eyepiece. The combiner passes the direct view image and reflects the thermal image to the exit pupil to fuse the thermal image onto the direct view image for an operator to see at the exit pupil as a combined thermal and direct view optical image of the target scene together with the aiming reticle.

Abstract: An image display device that displays an image by modulating a light from a light source according to display image data, includes: a first light modulation element that modulates a light emitted from the light source; and a second light modulation element that is disposed on an optical path in series with the first light modulation element and modulates a light exiting from the first light modulation element, wherein an opening in a unit pixel of the first light modulation element and an opening in a unit pixel of the second light modulation element are of analogous shapes.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a microscope includes a light source portion that projects a light beam, two splitting elements that split the light beam into three, wavelength selection elements that independently select transmission wavelengths of the three light beams, shutters that independently shield or guide the three light beams, a first combining element that combines optical paths of two light beams, a second combining element that combines an optical path of the remaining light beam with a combined optical path, a pinhole that is located on an optical path between the first and second combining elements and has an aperture that selectively transmits only part of a light beam, and a projection optical system that applies a light beam from the second combining element to a sample and, when applying a light beam from the pinhole to the sample, projects the aperture of the pinhole onto the sample.