Abstract: A film material utilizing a regular two-dimensional array of non-cylindrical lenses to enlarge micro-images, called icons, to form a synthetically magnified image through the united performance of a multiplicity of individual lens/icon image systems. The synthetic magnification micro-optic system includes one or more optical spacers (5), a micro-image formed of a periodic planar array of a plurality of image icons (4) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes and positioned on or next to the optical spacer (5), and a periodic planar array of image icon focusing elements (1) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes, the axis of symmetry being the same planar axis as that of the micro-image planar array (4). A number of distinctive visual effects, such as three-dimensional and motion effects, can be provided by the present system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating a microlens, comprising providing a substrate with at least a dielectric layer thereon, forming a first thin film on the dielectric layer surface, etching the first thin film to form at least a micro bump, and forming a second thin film on the micro bump surface and dielectric layer surface, wherein the second thin film and the micro bump form the microlens. The present invention microlens can be applied in the environment with high temperature, and a passivation layer is not required for the present invention microlens.

Abstract: An image sensor and fabricating method thereof are provided. The image sensor can include differently microlenses formed on a pixel array substrate. The differently shaped microlenses are formed using a phase mask where the light blocking region for each microlens pattern is positioned according to the relative angle of the microlens to a main lens. The phase shift mask results in a dome shaped microlens at a region of the pixel array substrate receiving incident light from the same axis as light incident the main lens and in asymmetrical shaped microlenses with a thicker region in a portion of the microlens farthest from the dome shaped microlens.

Abstract: A multiple-axis imaging system having optical elements whose optimal image positions can be individually adjusted, comprising a plurality of optical array elements having respective optical axes and being individually disposed with respect to one another to image respective sections of an object; and a plurality of image position shifting devices corresponding to respective optical elements for separately establishing the image positions for a plurality of the optical array elements. The multi-axis imaging system preferably comprises a miniaturized microscope array. The shifting devices may comprise wavelength filters or optical-path-length-altering elements, such as a plane parallel plates. The devices may also comprise a pair of wedges that adjustably overlap one another, the wedges having apexes that point in opposite directions and respective corresponding planar surfaces that are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A pattern mask for forming a microlens includes mask pattern parts alternately arranged and corresponding to pixel regions in a matrix, wherein neighboring corners of the mask pattern parts overlap with each other.

Abstract: An imaging method and imaging system for inspecting features located at a known inter-feature pitch on portions of a target surface. The system includes a lens array having a plurality of lenses wherein the lenses of the lens array have an inter-lens pitch and an inter-field of view pitch corresponding to the inter-feature pitch, and an array of imaging elements having an inter-element pitch corresponding to the inter-feature pitch, whereby the imaging system images only field of view areas of the target surface containing features.

Abstract: A compact rear projection image display apparatus in which the projection distance in a projection optical system is substantially reduced and no reflection mirror is used, thereby eliminating a major cause of image trapezoidal distortion. The rear projection image display apparatus has a projection lens system which includes a first lens group with positive refractive power and a second lens group which further enlarges an image enlarged by the first lens group. The projection lens system enlarges and projects an image displayed on an image display device, on a transmission screen. No reflection mirror is provided between the second lens group and the transmission screen and the image enlarged by the second lens group is directly projected on the transmission screen.

Abstract: A micro-optical device includes a plurality of minute optical elements each having a curved surface operable to condense incident light. The minute optical elements are arranged at constant intervals. The curved surface is expressed by two or more F values.

Abstract: An assembly for fabricating a device for displaying an interlaced image. The method includes providing a film of transparent material and creating a lens array in the film by forming parallel lens sets on a first side of the film, and then bonding an interlaced image including sets of elongate image elements to a second side of the film. Each of the lens sets is configured with lenses for focusing light from one of the image elements in a particular paired set of image elements rather than all the elements as with lenticular material. The bonding of the interlaced image to the film may include printing the interlaced image directly onto the second side with the printing facilitated by the small lens array thickness. Lens array creating includes embossing the lens sets into the film with a flat die or cylinder/roller engraved with a reverse image of the lens array.

Abstract: A micro-lens and a method for forming the micro-lens is provided. A micro-lens includes a substrate and lens material located within the substrate, the substrate having a recessed area serving as a mold for the lens material. The recessed can be shaped such that the lens material corrects for optical aberrations. The micro-lens can be part of a micro-lens array. The recessed area can serve as a mold for lens material for the micro-lens array and can be shaped such that the micro-lens array includes arcuate, non-spherical, or non-symmetrical micro-lenses.

Abstract: An imaging method and imaging system for inspecting features located at a known inter-feature pitch on portions of a target surface. The system includes a lens array having a plurality of lenses wherein the lenses of the lens array have an inter-lens pitch and an inter-field of view pitch corresponding to the inter-feature pitch, and an array of imaging elements having an inter-element pitch corresponding to the inter-feature pitch, whereby the imaging system images only field of view areas of the target surface containing features.

Abstract: A method of fabricating maps and other objects presenting multiple sets of spatially related information. Spatial alignment data, such as geographical boundaries is selected. First and second images are created by aligning or mapping first and second sets of information to the spatial alignment data. A lens sheet or lenticular material is fabricated, and based on the lens sheet configuration, the first and second images are combined to create an interlaced image including alternating strips from the first and second images. The interlaced image is printed on a substrate or the reverse side of the lens sheet, and the substrate is bonded to the lens sheet such that the interlaced image is sandwiched between the lens sheet and substrate. The first image is visible when the map or object is in a first position and the second image when the map or object is rotated to a second position.

Abstract: Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

Abstract: An extended depth of field is achieved by a computational imaging system that combines a multifocal imaging subsystem for producing a purposefully blurred intermediate image with a digital processing subsystem for producing a recovered image having an extended depth of field. The multifocal imaging system preferably exhibits spherical aberration as the dominant feature of the purposeful blur. A central obscuration of the multifocal imaging subsystem renders point-spread functions of object points more uniform over a range of object distances. An iterative digital deconvolution algorithm for converting the intermediate image into the recovered image contains a metric parameter that speeds convergence, avoids stagnations, and enhances image quality.

Abstract: A film material utilizing a regular two-dimensional array of non-cylindrical lenses to enlarge micro-images, called icons, to form a synthetically magnified image through the united performance of a multiplicity of individual lens/icon image systems. The synthetic magnification micro-optic system includes one or more optical spacers (5), a micro-image formed of a periodic planar array of a plurality of image icons (4) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes and positioned on or next to the optical spacer (5), and a periodic planar array of image icon focusing elements (1) having an axis of symmetry about at least one of its planar axes, the axis of symmetry being the same planar axis as that of the micro-image planar array (4). A number of distinctive visual effects, such as three-dimensional and motion effects, can be provided by the present system.

Abstract: A micro-lens and a method for forming the micro-lens is provided. A micro-lens includes a substrate an lens material located within the substrate, the substrate having a recessed area serving as a mold for the lens material. The recessed can be shaped such that the lens material corrects for optical aberrations. The micro-lens can be part of a micro-lens array. The recessed area can serve as a mold for lens material for the micro-lens array and can be shaped such that the micro-lens array includes arcuate, non-spherical, or non-symmetrical micro-lenses.

Abstract: In an optical lens including a lens portion having a convex or concave lens surface on each side, each lens surface of the lens portion has a convex portion of a small projection centered on the optical axis thereof, and the convex portion has the height which is approximately less than four times the used wavelength so as not to have an effect on an optical characteristic of the lens portion.

Abstract: In an optical apparatus according to the present invention, the lens thicknesses and curvature radiuses of respective first lenses are optimized so that beam waist positions of optical beams emitted from the respective first lenses of a lens array are independently changed according to aberration of a second lens, and the focal position deviation due to the aberration of the second lens is cancelled by a difference between the beam waist positions, which is given on the lens array side. As a result, it is possible to suppress, at a low cost, variations in focal positions of the optical beams which are emitted from respective ports of the lens array to be condensed by the common lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser marking is disclosed. An interference fringe is formed on a subject to be marked using a laser beam to make a marking.

Abstract: A prism sheet, a backlight assembly having the prism sheet, and an LCD device having the prism sheet, the prism sheet includes a first surface, a second surface and a reflecting member. A light is incident upon the first surface. The second surface includes a prism pattern. The incident light exits through the second surface. The reflecting member is provided on the first surface to partially reflect irradiated light that is received on the first surface.

Abstract: A microlens array having first and second sets of spherically-shaped microlenses. The second set of spherically-shaped microlenses are located in the areas between individual microlenses of the first set in such a way that there is minimized gapping over the entire microlens array. A semiconductor-based imager includes a pixel array having embedded pixel cells, each with a photosensor, and a microlens array having spherically-shaped microlenses as just described.

Abstract: An assembly for displaying an interlaced image. The assembly includes an interlaced image, which may be digitally or web printed for example, with sets of elongate image elements or slices A lens arrays is provided with a first side proximate the interlaced image such as a planar surface and a second side distal the image with numerous lens sets. Each of the lens sets is paired with one of the sets of the image elements and includes a number of linear or elongate lenses that are each mapped to one to three image elements. The lenses are each configured to focus light from the subset of image elements to a viewer along a focus direction or line. The lenses are configured to provide a lens-specific viewing angle with a focus line, and the focus line to the paired image element subset differs from other lenses or is unique.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement are described by means of which a plurality of ray bundles emitted from individual radiation sources are combined with the aid of an imaging optics system. The individual radiation sources are in this connection arranged on at least one curve surrounding the optical axis of the imaging optics system. The individual ray bundles are substantially linearly polarised. The bundles are reflected on their path to the superimposition point at least at a surface whose reflection capability is polarisation-dependent. The polarisation direction of the ray bundles coming from the individual radiation sources is in this connection aligned so that the first reflection at the surface takes place with low loss, whereas a possible second reflection after previous reflection at the workpiece takes place with high loss. In this way the individual radiation sources are protected against damaging back-reflections.

Abstract: An optical illumination apparatus has a polarization conversion device for converting light from a light source into light polarized uniformly in a predetermined manner and an optical integrator system for illuminating a display panel with the light polarized in the predetermined manner. The polarization conversion device splits the light from the light source into a first light beam and a second light beam in such a way that the first and second light beams are polarized in different manners, and then converts one of the first and second light beams into light polarized in the identical manner as the other light beam. Moreover, the first and second light beams pass through an identical lens cell of a first lens array of the optical integrator system and are imaged on an identical lens cell of a second lens array of the optical integrator system.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus is provided with an LED array including a plurality of LEDs and a second lens array including a plurality of lenses. The LEDs and the lenses are arranged in lengthwise and crosswise directions and aligned such that a relationship between a number of the LEDs and a number of the lenses are mutually prime with each other in both lengthwise and crosswise directions. Primary illumination light from the LED array is split into a plurality of pieces of secondary illumination light by the lenses and thereafter superposed to irradiate. All of pieces of the secondary illumination light are provided with different strength peak positions of the illumination light and therefore, light having a uniform intensity can be irradiated to an irradiated region.

Abstract: A micro-lens and a method for forming the micro-lens is provided. A micro-lens includes a substrate and lens material located within the substrate, the substrate having a recessed area serving as a mold for the lens material. The recessed can be shaped such that the lens material corrects for optical aberrations. The micro-lens can be part of a micro-lens array. The recessed area can serve as a mold for lens material for the micro-lens array and can be shaped such that the micro-lens array includes arcuate, non-spherical, or non-symmetrical micro-lenses.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical panel which has a plurality of electro-optical elements whose light-emitting characteristics or transmissive characteristics are changed by electrical energy applied; a converging lens array which has a plurality of distributed index lenses, each transmitting light traveling in the electro-optical panel to form an erect image with respect to an image on the electro-optical panel, the images formed by the plurality of distributed index lenses constituting a continuous image; and a transmissive spacer unit which is provided between the electro-optical panel and the converging lens array so as to be bonded to them. The spacer unit includes a laminated structure of a plurality of transmissive spacer members.

Abstract: A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions.

Abstract: A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions.

Abstract: A microscopic lens, of size approximately 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear projection type image display device comprising projection lenses (2, 3) for projecting an image displayed on an image display element onto a transmission type screen (6) on a larger scale, an optical path turn-back mirror (7) for turning back halfway a light beam projected from the projection lenses, and a drive circuit for displaying an image on the image display element, that are fixedly housed within a housing (5). When a diagonal size of the transmission type screen (6), the depth of the housing (5), and the length from a lower end of the screen (6) to a lower end of the housing (5), are assumed to be SS (inch), D (inch), and L (inch), respectively, the following conditions are satisfied: SS >40, D?SS/3.0, L?SS/10.9.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for illuminating and inspecting a specular surface, comprising a light source, a collector optics for collecting the light from the light source, a homogenizing optics for transmitting the light from the collector optics having a first micro-lens array downstream of the collector optics, and a second micro-lens array downstream of the first micro-lens array, a Fourier optics for transmitting the light from the homogenizing optics onto the specular surface, an objective optics, and a detector for receiving an image, wherein the collector optics and the first micro-lens array project the light source onto the second micro-lens array and wherein the second micro-lens array and the Fourier optics project the first micro-lens array onto the specular surface, and wherein the objective optics projects the specular surface onto the detector.

Abstract: Spherical convex micro-lenses are arranged between rectangular grooves adjacent to each other of a lens plate. The arrangement of convex micro-lenses is made to be in parallel with the short-side direction of the lens plate, namely, the direction of the rectangular grooves. Since stray light appears mainly on the convex micro-lenses arranged in the long-side direction of the lens plate, the stray light to appear in the long-side direction of the lens plate is removed by forming grooves at regular intervals in the long-side direction of the lens plate and forming a light absorbing film in each of the rectangular grooves. Or the stray light to appear in the long-side direction of the lens plate is removed by making the direction of arrangement of convex micro-lenses different from the long-side direction of the lens plate.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging device which is small in light loss, is operable to suppress an occurrence of a stray light, and is operable to provide an image with a high quality as far as a periphery thereof.

Abstract: A micro-lens array with reduced or no empty space between individual micro-lenses and a method for forming same. The micro-lens array is formed by patterning a first set of micro-lens material in a checkerboard pattern on a substrate. The first set of micro-lens material is reflowed and cured into first micro-lenses impervious to subsequent reflows. Then, a second set of micro-lens material is patterned in spaces among the first micro-lenses, reflowed and cured into second micro-lenses. The reflows and cures can be conducted under different conditions, and the micro-lenses may be differently sized. The conditions of the reflows can be chosen to ensure that the focal lengths of micro-lenses are optimized for maximum sensor signal.

Abstract: A scanning module for scanning a document is provided. The scanning module comprises: a chassis; a light source on the chassis for emitting a light ray onto the document; a plurality of reflectors inside the chassis; a lens inside the chassis; an image sensing device inside the chassis, an image of the document being reflected by the plurality of reflectors and formed on the image sensing device, the image sensing device including a plurality of sensing cells; and a plurality of microlenses on the plurality of sensing cells, each of the plurality of microlenses having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a plurality of notches as an input window for changing an incident angle of the light ray, the bottom surface having a plurality of round curves as an output window for further focusing the light ray.

Abstract: A reflecting surface design system (50) has (1) first rendering means (54) for displaying a free-form surface (20) on which a plurality of segments (24), each of which is defined by a plurality of vertices (251 to 254), are formed, (2) reflection information specifying means (56) for specifying the vertex position and light reflecting direction for each of the plurality of vertices (251 to 254) that define one of the plurality of segments (24), and (3) surface calculation means (58) for calculating a surface (S) to be assigned to the one segment (24) on the basis of the vertex positions and light reflecting directions specified for the plurality of vertices (251 to 254) that define one segment (24), and the light source position, which is specified in advance.

Abstract: A microlens array with reduced or no empty space between individual microlenses and a method for forming the same. The microlens array is formed by patterning a first set of microlens precursors in a checkerboard pattern on a substrate. The first set of microlens precursors is reflowed and cured into first microlenses impervious to subsequent reflows. Then, a second set of microlens precursors is patterned in spaces among the first microlenses, reflowed and cured into second microlenses. The reflows and cures can be conducted under different conditions, and the microlenses may be differently sized. The conditions of the reflows can be chosen to ensure that the focal lengths of microlenses are optimized for maximum sensor signal.

Abstract: An image projection module within a housing is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image on a display screen of VGA quality. The screen is provided with an array of lenslets to reduce speckle noise in the image.

Abstract: A surface emitting device includes a light guiding plate, a light source, and a prism sheet. The light guiding plate is provided with prism portions each having a slight inclined plane and a steep inclined plane arranged closer to one edge than the slight inclined plane. A plurality of light refracting portions each having a refractive surface and a reflective surface are provided on an incident surface of the prism sheet. Light introduced into the light guiding plate from the light source is emitted from the slight inclined plane and is then incident on the light refracting portion. The light is introduced into the prism sheet by the refracting surface and is then reflected from the reflective surface to be emitted.

Abstract: An optical manipulation system is disclosed that includes an array of focusing elements, which focuses the energy beamlets from an array of beamlet sources into an array of focal spots in order to individually manipulate a plurality of samples on an adjacent substrate.

Abstract: The optical system of the invention is comprised of a monolithic microlens array assembly that consists of two groups of microlenses sub-assemblies having different pitches between the adjacent lenses. A ratio between the pitches of sub-assemblies is determined by a predetermined relationship between the parameters of the optical system so that the microlenses of the first sub-assembly create a plurality of individual intermediate images arranged side-by-side in a common intermediate plane that are transferred by the microlenses of the second sub-assembly to the final image plane in the form of a plurality of identical and accurately registered images interposed onto each other. This is achieved due to the aforementioned ratio between the pitches.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display having an image display surface which displays a two-dimensional image of an object including a three-dimensional object, and an image transmitting panel spaced apart from the image display surface for creating an imaging plane displaying a real image of the two-dimensional image in a space opposite to the display. The image transmitting panel and the imaging plane are non-parallel with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a digitally imaged lenticular product comprising a lenticular lens having an array of lenticules defining a front surface, and a substantially flat back surface located opposite the front surface. The product further includes a digitally output interlaced image digitally printed and joined to the flat back surface of the lens so as to be in correspondence with the array of lenticules. The digitally output interlaced image includes at least one individually customizable element. The digitally imaged lenticular products can be part of a variety of consumer end products, such as a container, a cup, a label, and a package. This permits final digitally imaged lenticular products to have a wide range of variance and versions, both from one lenticular run to the next, as well as within a run, thereby accommodating individualized data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional plastic sheet that forms an array of convex lenses having a plurality of semispherical convex lenses arranged horizontally and vertically on the surface thereof, such that a three-dimensional image can be vividly seen even at every positions irrespective of the position or direction of the plastic sheet, while greatly minimizing the generation of moire patterns caused by the interference of different color dots.

Abstract: The invention includes also a sensor tat includes at least one laser, at least one detector, and at least one lens system that includes a sensor surface having three individual surfaces that are virtually the same, and an object surface having two individual surfaces that are virtually the same. The invention also includes a sensor having at least one source that produces radiation, at least one detector; and a lens system that collimates and focuses the radiation onto at least two different regions of a surface of a reflective object, wherein the reflective object reflects the incident radiation, and the lens system collimates and focuses the reflected radiation onto the detector, thereby sensing the reflective object.

Abstract: A high-efficiency, compact color illuminating system and a projection type image display apparatus using the color illuminating system are provided. The color illuminating system includes a light source, a spiral lens disc that periodically scrolls light by rotational movement, and an optical unit that isolates light beams of different wavelengths from white light emitted from the light source and guides the isolated light beams to enter at least two effective regions of the spiral lens disc. The projection type image display apparatus includes the color illuminating system, an image forming unit that generates images using scrolling light from the spiral lens disc, and a projection lens unit that enlarges and projects the images formed by the image forming unit on a screen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus of LED flat light signal display, which comprises at least one light emitting diode, a plurality of flat microlens and at least one microlens set. The light emitting diode acts as a light source for discharging light. The flat microlens comprises a plurality of concentric serrated rings for collimating and converging convergence received from the light source. The microlens set comprises at least one microlens unit with a specific geometric shape for receiving light transmitted from the flat microlens to produce a light spot identical to the specific geometric shape, and the micro unit has a lateral side on its external edge to be disposed next to another lateral side of another micro unit to define a geometric plane. The present invention can provide a maximum viewing area with a minimum quantity of LEDs while being applied in dot matrix LED signals or imaging devices, and also make the images produced by the device smoother to enhance the comfort of viewing.

Abstract: Spherical convex micro-lenses are arranged between rectangular grooves adjacent to each other of a lens plate. The arrangement of convex micro-lenses is made to be in parallel with the short-side direction of the lens plate, namely, the direction of the rectangular grooves. Since stray light appears mainly on the convex micro-lenses arranged in the long-side direction of the lens plate, the stray light to appear in the long-side direction of the lens plate is removed by forming grooves at regular intervals in the long-side direction of the lens plate and forming a light absorbing film in each of the rectangular grooves. Or the stray light to appear in the long-side direction of the lens plate is removed by making the direction of arrangement of convex micro-lenses different from the long-side direction of the lens plate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a planar substrate and an array of substantially transparent spherical micro-lenses forming a pattern. The pattern has an internal two-dimensional lattice symmetry on the planar substrate. Each micro-lens includes a convex bulge or a concave depression in a surface of the planar substrate. The micro-lenses and substrate include hydrogel that swells and contracts in a manner that is responsive to an environmental condition.