Abstract: An optical axis conversion lens includes an incident surface on which the light emerging from a slab light guide is incident, a cylindrical lens surface which has an optical axis C in a position or direction different from an optical axis A of the light incident on the incident surface and which converges the light in the direction of the optical axis C, a first internal reflection mirror which changes the direction of the incident light from the incident surface to an optical axis B, and a second internal reflection mirror which changes light on optical axis B to an optical axis C. By such an arrangement, it is possible to convert light on the optical axis A to the optical axes B and C without being limited by the height of the slab light guide and to form a narrow beam even at a position far away from the slab light guide.

Abstract: In a viewing optical system using a reflection type image display device and a decentered prism, occurrence of ghost light is prevented which would otherwise be caused by illuminating light reflected from a half-mirror and further reflected from the inner wall of a housing or the like. Illuminating light from a light source (5) passes through a polarizing plate (32) and enters a prism (10) through a polarization beam splitter surface (31) on a surface (13). After being reflected from a surface (12), the light exits from a surface (11) to illuminate a reflective LCD (3). Reflected light from the reflective LCD (3) enters the prism 10 through the surface (11) and exits the prism (10) via the surfaces (12, 13 and 14). The light enters a decentered prism (20) through a surface (21) and is reflected successively by surfaces (23 and 22). The reflected light exits the prism (20) through the surface (23) and displays an enlarged display image in an eye E.

Abstract: An optical system for image rotation comprises two Pechan prisms (8, 9) located on an optical axis (4) and a lens system located on the same optical axis. The two Pechan prisms (8, 9) can be rotated relative to each other around the optical axis (4). They are located next to each other without the interposition of lenses. The lens system comprises two lens subsystems (6, 7) that are located one on each side of the pair of Pechan prisms, and between which there exists a telecentric beam path.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self light-emitting retroreflective sheet including a light-transmitting retroreflective element including a plurality of prismatic projections, a lining film, and an electroluminescence device. The lining film includes a light-transmitting film which has sealing projections on one of its surfaces so that the prismatic projections are confined within a plurality of sealed cells formed by the sealing projections. In the sealed cells, a surface of the prismatic projections interface with air so as to increase light-emitting luminance and improve its uniformity.

Abstract: The luminance control film includes a periodic array of optical structures which are small with respect to the wavelength of light. Scattering and diffractive effects result in improved off-axis illumination intensity in comparison with brightness enhancement optical devices having larger scale optical structures.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.

Abstract: An array of graduated prisms disposed in a circle for rotating an incident image, the prisms are disposed with their end faces at the periphery of the circle and their apices at the center. The end faces are all oriented in the same direction either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A light refracting and collecting assembly includes a housing having a bottom surface with two diverging side walls extending therefrom, two opposing end walls and an open top. Disposed between the side walls, proximal the bottom surface, is a light absorbing means such as a heat conductive conduit or a photovoltaic cell collector plate. Angularly extending from the upper surface of the light absorbing means are a plurality of substantially triangular prisms for refracting and directing light from the open top of the housing downwardly towards the light absorbing means. The interior surface of the side walls and bottom surface are coated with a light reflecting material to further direct light toward the light refracting prisms and the light absorbing means. A transparent cover member is superimposed on the open top for protecting the interior and to bend light towards the light absorbing means.

Abstract: Imaging articles and methods are disclosed that use dual-axis retroreflective elements such as 90 degree prisms and linear lenticular elements in which the imaging is either superimposed on the imaged object or displaced therefrom. If the imaging is superimposed on the imaged object, it is accomplished by retroreflection. If the imaging is displaced from the imaged object, it may be accomplished by dual axis retroreflection or retrotransmission.

Abstract: A segmented aperture lens having multiple lens segments having predetermined patterns. Each lens segment may be a fresnel lens. The lens segments may be arranged in a two-dimensional array or a one-dimensional array.

Abstract: An illumination system is described that efficiently produces linear polarized light for use in LCD projection. A polarizing beam splitter and half-wave retarder plate produce two adjacent collimated beams of light having a common polarization direction. These adjacent beams are spatially integrated into a single collimated polarized beam whose aspect ratio is subsequently converted to match that of the LCD format.

Abstract: A lens, suitable for directing radiation, comprises an array of planar reflecting elements or slats. Each reflecting element is of non-uniform extent or surface area t and/or is of non-uniformly spacing d from adjacent elements. The elements may be parallel or non-parallel. Each element is positioned such that the ratio of spacing d.sub.n to extent t.sub.n is determined by the angle of incidence on the nth element .gamma..sub.n as is given by the relationship (a) where d.sub.n is the spacing between the nth and (n+1)th adjacent elements of the lens, t.sub.n is the length of the nth element and M is the magnification of the lens.

Abstract: A prismatic lens (10) having a plurality of integral prisms (60), wherein the prisms (60) surround a central non prism area (90) in an apex portion (68) in-base (62) out orientation. Each prism (60) is adjacent or contacting two other prisms (60) to encompass the non prism area (90). The present invention may include a conical, spherical or aspheric lens member (30). Further, the plurality of prisms (60) may be disposed on an object side (12) or an image side (14) of the lens (10), so that a corrective prescription curvature may be formed on the lens member (30) on either the object (12) or image (14) side of the lens (10).

Abstract: To generate a stereoscopic image of an object (41), two light beams (151, 161) unparallel to each other are used to back light a portion (43) of the object (41). The two light beams (151, 161) are deflected to form two deflected light beams (153, 163) substantially parallel to each other. The deflected light beams (153, 163) form a stereoscopic image of the portion (43) of the object (41). A camera (46) records the stereoscopic image of the object (41). The signal from the camera (46) is processed by a vision computer (48) to reconstruct the stereoscopic image and determine whether the object (41) meets design specifications.

Abstract: A depth-from-defocus optical apparatus is provided for use with a depth-from-defocus three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a depth image of an object. The invention facilitates the formation of depth images of objects exhibiting specular reflection, either alone or in combination with diffuse reflection, thereby allowing the application of depth-from-defocus three-dimensional imaging to objects such as microelectronic packages. The optical apparatus of the invention generally includes an illumination source, a projection lens assembly for converging rays of incident light towards an object, and a viewing lens assembly for converging rays of reflected light towards an image plane. Importantly, the viewing lens assembly is of the same working f-number as the projection lens assembly.

Abstract: A solid-state laser having a rod of active material optically pumped along the side of the rod by an array of diode lasers. Beam shaping elements, such as Brewster angle facets on the end of the laser rod, cause the laser beam to assume a generally elliptical shape within the rod with the long axis of the ellipse aligned with the irradiation angle of the diode lasers. However, the beam is circularly shaped outside the rod. Preferably, the laser rod is held within an optical cavity formed within a cooling block which both cools the rod and reflects pump light back into the rod. The diode lasers irradiate the rod through a linear slit in the cooling block. Also, preferably, a slab-shaped optical waveguide is placed within the slit to guide the light from the diode lasers to the side of the laser rod.

Abstract: A lenslet array system for imaging an associated object onto a final image plane includes (i) a first lens assembly including a field limiting mask and a first lenslet array having an associated image plane, (ii) a second assembly including a rear lenslet array, and (iii) a middle lenslet array located between the first and said rear lenslet array. The first lenslet array accepts a full field of view subtends by the associated object and forms a plurality of image sections of the associated object on an intermediate image plane. The first lenslet array includes a plurality of positive power lenslets, each of the plurality of lenslets having a focal length f.sub.1 and accepting a unique segment of the full field of view subtended by the associated object. These segments of the full field of view together comprise the full field of view, and each of the lenslets forms one image section corresponding to its segment of the full field of view. The rear lenslet array has a plurality of positive power lenslets.

Abstract: The microoptical device has beam-parallelizing optics and a deflecting mirror configuration. The device converts a laser beam bundle, which is emitted by a laser diode strip structure or individual diode chips and which is comprised of a plurality of strip-shaped individual laser beams, into a rectangular or parallelogram-shaped laser beam bundle composed of parallelized strip-shaped individual laser beams arranged parallel next to one another. The beam-parallelizing optics may be a cylindrical lens, and the deflecting mirror configuration may be two rows of mirrors. The cylindrical lens and the rows of mirrors are preferably produced from a semiconductor material and they can therefore be produced cost effectively by means of methods used in semiconductor process engineering.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for the homogenization of laser radiation, in particular of an excimer laser, and for the generation of several lighting fields (F1, F2) from this radiation comprises a plurality of acentric lens segments (G1a, G1b, G1c, G1d; G2a, G2b, G2c, G2d). The acentric lens segments are characterized in that they are segments of cylindrical lenses with an axis of symmetry and that the portion of the cylindrical lens which contains the axis of symmetry is not part of the acentric lens segment. Several groups (G1, G2) of acentric cylindrical lens segments are provided, with each group generating a lighting field (F1, F2) of homogeneous energy density. A collecting lens (S) is arranged downstream of the acentric lens segments, which generates the lighting fields (F1, F2) on a work plane (E).

Abstract: In a dual focusing optical pickup device, a laser beam is incident on an optical member via a beam splitter. Some part of the incident laser beam is reflected by the optical member and then returned to the beam splitter to be focused on an optical disc. The other part of the incident beam is refracted and transmitted through the optical member and then totally reflected by the reflecting member to return to the optical member. The returned beam is focused to the optical disc via the optical member and the beam splitter. The beam which is reflected by the optical member and the beam which is reflected by the reflecting member after being transmitted through the optical member generate a dual focus on the optical disc, in which the dual focus has different focal distances. Therefore, the optical discs of two kinds in which the recording layers are placed at different distances can precisely be recorded or reproduced, respectively.

Abstract: A traffic signal light comprises an array of light-emitting diodes for producing respective light rays, and an array of lenses for propagating light rays from the light-emitting diodes toward a plurality of predetermined, distinct spatial points. The lenses are each associated with a corresponding one of the light-emitting diodes, and each lens comprises a solid body of light-propagating material defining a light-refracting surface through which the light rays from the corresponding light-emitting diode propagate. The light-refracting surface is divided into distinct light-refracting surface sections each associated to a corresponding one of the spatial points. The light-refracting surface sections have different configurations in view of deviating the light rays propagating therethrough toward the associated spatial points, respectively. Therefore, at each spatial point add the light rays deviated by the associated light-refracting surface sections of the different lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device in which a holographic device (HP.sub.i) separates the polarizations of an incident beam. The resulting polarized beam is transmitted to a holographic device (HL.sub.i) focusing the beam at various points of a screen. This screen may be a liquid-crystal screen (LCD).Applications: Liquid-crystal display.

Abstract: A front-lit display, having a ridged transparent film thereon. The ridges on the film bend glancing light rays down into the display. The light rays are reflected by a reflector below the display, pass back through the display, and exit the film in a direction substantially normal to the display. Thus, the ridged film enhances the brightness of the display for a given light source.

Abstract: An image reader has a light source for illuminating an original; a lens array having many convex lenses arranged at an equal interval and converging light reflected on the original; a roof mirror array having roof type reflecting faces arranged at the same interval as the convex lenses and reflecting light transmitted through the lens array; a one-dimensional image sensor for photoelectrically converting the reflected light from the roof mirror array; and light shield plates arranged between the convex lenses of the lens array. In this image reader, it possible to reliably avoid generation of flare caused by light passing around between adjacent convex lenses of the lens array. Further, for example, the quality of a read image can be improved by preventing rise of a black output level, interruption of thin lines of the image, etc.

Abstract: A new type of optical element for diverging a laser beam in several directions, for example to produce a relatively uniform cross, has a number of cylindrical segments. Each segment has at least two surfaces, a primary and a secondary surface. The primary surface has a relatively sharp apex and is shaped to conform to a curve defined in a (x,y,z) cartesian coordinate system by the equation ##EQU1## where z and y are independent of x, c is the curvature at the apex and Q is the conic constant which is less than -1.The element is useful e.g. for precision alignment.

Abstract: A microlens array and mold for making same in which the perimeter of each microlens is a modified polygon in that each edge of the lens approximates an elliptical arc, the ends of which terminate at the corners of the polygon, wherein the middle of the arc curves toward the center of each microlens. The microlenses are preferably rectangular or triangular.

Abstract: Dispersive microlens apparatus and methods are used in one mode for detecting multiple, different wavelengths from a bandwidth of wavelengths (existing within an image plane blur spot) and are used in another mode for combining a plurality of different, emitted wavelengths into a bandwave of wavelengths (at a blur spot in an image plane).

Abstract: A light control material generally comprising a transparent substrate for carrying a print or photographic image and a plurality of focusing elements which provide a field of view over which the brightness of the print or photographic image is enhanced. The field of view is controlled by the geometry of the focusing elements including radius, width, and degree of symmetry. By providing a field of view over which the brightness of the image is enhanced, the image may be viewed at angles which avoid the angles of specular reflection, which are usually seen as unwanted glare. Furthermore, selected portions of an image may be brightness enhanced more than others or selected portions may be brightness enhanced while others are not.

Abstract: A microlens array is disclosed which comprises a supporting substrate, a light condensing layer having a plurality of microlenses, and a shading layer having a plurality of openings, each of the microlenses being formed so as to condense light through the corresponding opening of the shading layer, wherein the light condensing layer is formed by exposing a photosensitive resin layer to light with the use of the shading layer as a mask, the photosensitive resin layer being formed on the supporting substrate together with the shading layer.

Abstract: An image pick-up and projection apparatus comprising a projection unit (14), a pick-up unit (11) and a projection screen (9) switchable between a transmissive state and a diffusing state. By arranging an array (15) of elongated prismatic elements on the front surface of the screen, the contrast of the projected image is enhanced and it is avoided that a user (12) can simultaneously see the front of the projection unit and the front of the pick-up unit.

Abstract: A high-power optical fiber device comprising a pump source of light-emitting facets, optical means for collimating and converging the array, an optical beam rotator for transforming the array by rotating individual light emissions, and an optical fiber structure having a core surrounded by an inner cladding for transferring pump energy into the core, the inner cladding having a cross-sectional shape in the form of a convex polygon.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method are provided for steering a beam of optical radiation. The system includes a dividing telescope microlens array for receiving a beam of optical radiation directed along a first path and dividing the beam into a plurality of divided beam columns. A steering microlens array collectively redirects each of the divided beams along a second path. The system further includes a compensation lens for compensating for phase differences which may otherwise exist among the redirected divided beam columns. The redirected divided beams are then combined by way of a combining microlens array to provide a recombined far-field beam of optical radiation directed along the second path.

Abstract: An image forming device is improved in that crosstalk between adjacent lenses is decreased thereby to improve an imaging power. In the image forming device a lens array has a plurality of lenses continuously formed. A roof prism array is also provided therein with a plurality of roof prisms respectively having a rectangular reflection plane and arranged at the same pitch as that of the lenses in the lens array. The lens array and the roof prism array are integrally formed of a plastic. A space portion, which is a portion unfilled with a resin, is formed between respective two adjacent roof prism lens pairs to prevent the crosstalk therebetween. Alternatively, a light shielding member may be integrally formed in front of the lens array to prevent the crosstalk.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical system which includes an image region having at least one light source which directs a beam of light along an optical axis and an object region which is adapted to receive the light from the light source. An optical delivery system is between the image region and object region. The optical delivery system receives the light from the image region and directs it to the object region. The optical delivery system is formed of a plurality of optical elements, such as lenses and volume holograms. The optical delivery system is designed to either receive a plurality of beams of light from a plurality of sources or different modes of a single light source and form a single spot of light in the image region having the combined power of all of the beams of light or modes of a single beam. The optical delivery system can also condense or expand the spacing between the beams of light from a plurality of light sources.

Abstract: In the process and by means of the apparatus, several radiation sources (1) arranged in a row, whose emitted radiation intensity distribution is not rotationally symmetrical, are imaged by means of a first, noncentrically imaging functional element (5), then each beam bundle (9) is rotated by means of a beam-rotating element (7), and the beam components of the rotated beam bundles (9) not imaged by the first functional element (5) are imaged by means of a second, noncentrically imaging functional element (11). The functional elements (5, 11) and their locations are chosen so that parallel beam bundles (9) are produced which are focused with a spherical lens (15) into a spatial zone (3). The apparatus according to this invention provides in a simple way a good focusing ability for several individual beams.

Abstract: An optical system for use in conjunction with a one or two dimensional array of high brightness sources where such sources are individually rotated by multiple reflective elements and in turn may be captured by beam filling optics and subsequently re-imaged by symmetric and asymmetric optics where the asymmetric optics preferentially image a single dimension while leaving the focus in the second dimension largely unaffected. In this manner and by properly selecting the spacing as well as the width of the line sources, and by properly designing the symmetric and asymmetric optics, the array of high brightness sources can be reformatted in a brightness conserving manner that allows the reformatted beam to simultaneously have an arbitrary ratio of image length to image width and arbitrary divergences in the respective dimensions.

Abstract: A focusing screen for use in the finder system of a camera such as a single-lens reflex camera, and a method of forming a microstructure array suitable for use in the production of such a focusing screen. The focusing screen includes an optical material in plate form having on one surface a plurality of small lens portions that project in a regular array of equilateral triangles from the optical material and each of which has concentric contour lines, with a central apex. A flat portion is formed between adjacent small lens portions and a constricted portion is formed in the middle portion of the inclined surface of each small lens portion, with an irregular pattern of finer asperities is formed on the surfaces of the small lens portions and the flat portion. The high and low spots can be reversed.