Having A Radial Gradient Patents (Class 359/654)
  • Patent number: 7868284
    Abstract: An imaging optical module is designed to be placed in front of an optical image sensor of a semiconductor component. The module includes at least one element which has a refractive index that varies between its optical axis and its periphery, over at least an annular part and/or over its central part. The element may be a tablet in front of the semiconductor sensor or a lens in front of the semiconductor sensor. The direction of variation in refractive index may be oppositely oriented with respect to the table and lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Vigier-Blanc, Guillaume Cassar
  • Publication number: 20100271708
    Abstract: A lens for distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis and defining an emitter plane. The lens including an emitter-adjacent base end forming an opening to an inner cavity surrounding the emitter. An inner-cavity surface includes an axis-adjacent first inner region configured for refracting emitter light rays away from the axis, a second inner region spaced from the first inner region and configured for refracting emitter light rays toward the axis, and a middle inner region joining and substantially cross-sectionally asymptotical to the first and second inner regions. The middle inner region is positioned with respect to the emitter to refract light away from the axis by progressively lesser amounts at positions progressively closer to the second inner region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: RUUD LIGHTING, INC.
    Inventor: Kurt S. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20100253828
    Abstract: A refractive index distributed optical element having a refractive index varying within a plane, including a positive refractive index distributed portion having a positive refractive index varying within the plane and a negative refractive index distributed portion having a negative refractive index varying within the plane. The absolute values of the refractive indexes of the positive refractive index distributed portion and the negative refractive index distributed portion decrease toward a region between the positive refractive index distributed portion and the negative refractive index distributed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100214468
    Abstract: A dual field-of-view optical imaging system is provided for obtaining two images of a scene, each image having a different field of view. The dual field-of-view optical imaging system includes a frontal dual focus lens, the dual focus lens having a central zone of focal length f1 producing a wide field-of-view image at a first focal plane and a peripheral zone of focal length f2 greater than f1 producing a narrow field-of-view image at a second focal plane; and a detector for detecting and acquiring the wide field-of-view image and the narrow field-of-view image, the detector being movable along an optical path for selective positioning at the first focal plane or the second focal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Hubert CARON, Monique Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7777964
    Abstract: A plastic rod lens having a cylindrical shape with a radius R including a central axis; and an outer peripheral portion, wherein a refractive index nD decreases from the central axis to the outer peripheral portion, and the following requirements (1) to (3) are met: 43??1?60??(1) |{nA×?A/(nA?1)}?{nB×?B/(nB?1)}|<5??(2) n0?n1?0.01??(3) wherein n1, n0, nA, and nB represent refraction index nD in the outer peripheral portion, at the center, and at arbitrary points A and B, respectively, and ?1, ?A, and ?B represent Abbe number ? in the outer peripheral portion, and at the arbitrary points A and B, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Takashi Saeki, Tsuyoshi Nakagawa, Norifumi Hirota
  • Patent number: 7724439
    Abstract: A lens, a lens array and imaging device and system containing a lens, and a method of forming a lens array and an imaging device and system containing a lens. Each lens has varying reflection indices in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Li, Jiutao Li
  • Patent number: 7710657
    Abstract: A distributed refractive index lens and method of producing the lens are disclosed. The lens has a plurality of areas having refractive index distributions, and includes a plate-like member containing polysilane. The refractive index distribution of these areas is a distribution that includes a change in a refractive index in a direction parallel to a plane of the plate-like member, and includes a substantial uniform refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenobu Hamada
  • Patent number: 7676112
    Abstract: An optical adapter for an imaging system correcting images of spherical or near spherical bodies such as the earth during satellite image collection. An imaging system includes an image collector that collects a two-dimensional image of the body from a distance above the body such as from a satellite in geostationary orbit. The collected image is disk shaped and includes distortion due to earth curvature, primarily in the form of a loss of resolution due to the foreshortening of earth features in a radial direction extending outward from the center of the image disk. The optical adapter receives the collected image, transforms the collected image to correct the distortion, and outputs a corrected image with essentially uniform spatial resolution across the areas for which the correction is applied. An image sensor such as charge-coupled device array senses the corrected image and creates a digital representation of the corrected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
    Inventor: David B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100002308
    Abstract: An optical die, which is intended to be placed in front of an optical sensor of a semiconductor component, has an optically useful zone having an optical axis and exhibiting a variable refractive index. Specifically the refractive index of the die is variable in an annular peripheral zone lying between a radius Ru enveloping the useful zone and a smaller radius Ro. The index is varies as a function of radial distance from a higher value near the smaller radius Ro to a lower value near the radius Ru. The function of the variable refractive index lies between a maximum and minimum profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Vigier-Blanc, Guillaume Cassar, Thierry Lepine
  • Patent number: 7630137
    Abstract: A lens array has a plurality of rod lenses with optical axes in parallel with one another, in which the rod lens has a refractive-index distribution in a radial direction. The lens array has a radius ratio r0/r set to 0.9 or smaller, in which a radius r of the rod lens is set as the radius of the rod lens when the refractive-index distribution is formed, and in which a radius r0 of the rod lens is set as the radius of the rod lens when all or part of an outer periphery of the rod lens is removed after formation of the refractive-index distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 7573645
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a graded refractive index optical element, the method being capable of easily forming a graded refractive index distribution in a desired portion of a glass substrate without the need for a specific treatment atmosphere, and without using a molten salt. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of producing a graded refractive index optical element comprising applying a paste containing a copper compound, an organic resin and an organic solvent to a glass substrate containing an alkali metal component as a glass component, and then performing heat treatment at a temperature below the softening temperature of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignees: Isuzu Glass Co., Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tatsuya Suetsugu, Norimasa Kominami, Takeshi Ohtani, Naoko Kaga, Hiroaki Yokoi, Minoru Takada, Takashi Tarumi, Toshihiko Einishi, Kohei Kadono
  • Publication number: 20090190231
    Abstract: A lens and its method of making. The lens includes a material having a lower index of refraction and a material having a higher index of refraction arranged in a pattern such that the lens has a gradient effective index of refraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Victor Lenchenkov
  • Publication number: 20090168190
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device that, even if the optical axis of the multifocal lens has a deviation resulting from its decentered surfaces, can prevent an image from being deteriorated by the low precision lens. The imaging device 1 comprises a solid state image sensor 6 for taking an image of an object to produce an image signal indicative of the image, an aspherical single focus lens 2, a bifocal lens 3 disposed in front of the solid state image sensor 6, the bifocal lens 3 having two focal distances, and an aperture diaphragm 4 located just before the bifocal lens 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Imaoka, Kimio Tokuda, Hiroshi Nishizawa
  • Publication number: 20090109542
    Abstract: A lens, a lens array and imaging device and system containing a lens, and a method of forming a lens array and an imaging device and system containing a lens. Each lens has varying reflection indices in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jin Li, Jiutao Li
  • Patent number: 7522353
    Abstract: A lens unit (20) includes a lens body (24) and a thin film (22) provided thereon. The thin film comprises a plurality of sections (220, 222, 224) from a center to a periphery. Each section has a different refractive index. The refractive index of the each section of the thin film increases from the center to the periphery of the lens body/thin film. Such a lens unit can be advantageously incorporated into a compact digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles Leu
  • Publication number: 20090091818
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide multi-focal electro-active lenses having one or more multi-focal electro-active inserts. The electro-active inserts can provide multiple optical power regions each capable of providing a desired optical power. An electro-active power region of the insert is capable of providing a variable optical power upon application of an electrical signal such as a time-varying voltage waveform. Electro-active inserts can be fabricated from any type of material and can be inserted into any type of bulk lens material. The electro-active inserts can be thin and flexible and can function independently of other optical components of the overall electro-active lens. Consequently, the electro-active inserts can be fabricated according to a uniform design using uniform materials, independent of the supplementing portions of the final lens. Index matching layers of the present invention can be used to reduce reflection losses between bulk lens material and electro-active insert interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Joshua N. Haddock, William Kokonaski, Ronald D. Blum, Venkatramani S. Iyer, Roger Clarke, Peter Crossley
  • Patent number: 7515347
    Abstract: A device for altering an intensity distribution of a laser radiation field contains two substrates with differing refractive indices and with two opposed, mutually corresponding optical functional boundary surfaces, which are at least partly curved. The laser radiation field for altering can pass serially through the optical functional boundary surfaces, whereby a difference in the refractive indices of the first and second substrate is less than 0.1 and the cavity, between the first optical functional boundary surface and the second optical functional boundary surface is embodied such that the laser radiation, on propagation from the first substrate into the second substrate, is essentially subjected to one refraction on the basis of the difference in the refractive indices of the first and second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Limo Patentverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Hauschild, Aleksei Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 7511891
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a miniaturized optically imaging system with high lateral and axial resolution for endomicroscopic applications. To provide a miniaturized optical head which permits an appreciable increase in photon efficiency with high lateral and axial spatial resolution compared to conventional GRIN optics the plane side of a refractive, plano-convex, homogeneous lens defines a plane entrance surface of the optical system, and first and second GRIN lenses are arranged along the optical axis orthogonal to the entrance surface, wherein the first GRIN lens being arranged downstream of the refractive lens for reducing the divergence of the highly divergent light bundle transmitted from the object through the refractive lens, and the second GRIN lens being provided for adapting the light bundle transmitted by the first GRIN lens to the aperture and object field size of the downstream transmission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Grintech GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Messerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20090052048
    Abstract: A distributed refractive index lens and method of producing the lens are disclosed. The lens has a plurality of areas having refractive index distributions, and includes a plate-like member containing polysilane. The refractive index distribution of these areas is a distribution that includes a change in a refractive index in a direction parallel to a plane of the plate-like member, and includes a substantial uniform refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Hidenobu Hamada
  • Publication number: 20090002627
    Abstract: Optical elements having a plurality of integral prism facets having varying prismatic power are provided. These optical elements address the disadvantages of conventional therapeutic optical prisms by addressing the undesirable variation in prismatic effect that results when conventional prisms are combined with optical lenses in binocular vision. Specifically, the present invention can equalize differential prismatic effects of right and left eye lenses over their entire aperture. The optical elements may include a plurality of prism facets having base-down and base-up prismatic power. The elements may include individual elements having variable prismatic elements, individual elements combining both conventional prisms and variable prism, or separate elements having conventional prisms and variable prism. The plurality of integral facets or a substantially continuous smooth surface may be provided, for, example, a cylindrical surface having a circular or non-circular profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Milton KATZ
  • Patent number: 7466491
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DLC film that functions as an optical element and that can easily be miniaturized or integrated, and a method for forming the DLC film. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film. More specifically, a DLC film in which the refractive index decreases continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a convex lens. A DLC film in which the refractive index increases continuously in at least one width direction from the center of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a concave lens. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsuura, Kazuhiko Oda, Toshihiko Ushiro
  • Publication number: 20080266670
    Abstract: A fixed-focus lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side along an optical axis thereof, an aperture stop, a first positive lens, a second negative lens, a third positive meniscus lens, and a fourth negative lens having increasing negative refractive power from the optical axis toward the periphery. The fixed-focus lens system satisfies the following condition: 0.1<RS32/f<0.3, where f is the effective focal length of the fixed-focus lens system, and RS32 is the curvature radius of an image-side surface of the third positive meniscus lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Asia Optical Co., Inc
    Inventor: Chen-cheng Liao
  • Publication number: 20080225401
    Abstract: A compact imaging lens system includes three lenses. The first lens is a positive meniscus lens having a convex side facing toward the image side, which has a big focusing power and is provided to capture image and for balance of aberration. The first lens serves to make the lens system a low sensitivity lens system. The second lens is a negative lens and is provided mainly for correcting chromatic aberration and off-axis aberration. An aperture is set between the first and second lenses, and this is of benefit to balance of aberration. The third lens is a negative lens and is provided for correcting off axis aberration. All the lenses can be made of plastics. This facilitates cost reduction, weight reduction, while still maintains a high resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Chen-Cheng Liao
  • Patent number: 7426328
    Abstract: An optical medium has a graded effective refractive index with a high maximum refractive index change. The medium is formed using alternating layers of two or more materials having significantly different refractive indices. The thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials is substantially less than the effective light wavelength of interest. The effective index of refraction in a local region within the medium depends on the ratio of the average volumes of the two materials in the local region. A graded index of refraction is provided by varying the relative thicknesses of the two materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Phosistor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Seng-Tiong Ho
  • Patent number: 7426079
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to A retro focus optical system that is capable of sufficiently correcting and/or reducing various aberrations including the chromatic aberration. The optical system includes a refractive optical element including a solid material. The Abbe number ?d and the partial dispersion ratio ?gF of the solid material along with a shape of the refractive optical element can reduce various aberrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayoshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7411738
    Abstract: An exemplary composite lens includes a main body and an embedding member. The main body has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The main body has an optical axis associated therewith. The embedding member is disposed in the main body between the first surface and the second surface. A main plane of the embedding member is perpendicular to the optical axis of the main body. A refractive index of a material of the embedding member is higher than that of the main body. The composite lenses can be made thinner. A method for manufacturing the composite lens is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 7390532
    Abstract: A process for producing an optical element having a gradient structure, wherein a potential difference is generated in a nanocomposite material comprising nanoscale particles in a matrix material to cause a directed diffusion of the nanoscale particles in the matrix material and a concentration gradient of the nanoscale particles in the matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fuer Neue Materialien Gemeinnuetzige GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrike Dellwo, Martin Mennig, Peter W. Oliveira, Helmut Schmidt, Heike Schneider
  • Patent number: 7369225
    Abstract: A device and method for checking surfaces in the interior of holes, depressions, or the like. The device and method are developed in such a manner that a multicolor light beam can be produced with a light source, wherein a light beam, due to the chromatic aberration of the imaging optics, can be focused onto several points at different distances from the imaging optics, such that the distance to the surface can be determined from the spectrum of the detected light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Messerschmidt, Karl Wisspeintner
  • Patent number: 7359123
    Abstract: Optical field flattener and converter having an array of gradient index rod lenses. Each gradient index rod lens is substantially in proximity with at )east one other gradient index rod lens. The array is capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation and imaging the received electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Mitchell, Thomas W. Stone
  • Publication number: 20080080060
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a miniaturized optically imaging system with high lateral and axial resolution for endomicroscopic applications. To provide a miniaturized optical head which permits an appreciable increase in photon efficiency with high lateral and axial spatial resolution compared to conventional GRIN optics the plane side of a refractive, plano-convex, homogeneous lens defines a plane entrance surface of the optical system, and first and second GRIN lenses are arranged along the optical axis orthogonal to the entrance surface, wherein the first GRIN lens being arranged downstream of the refractive lens for reducing the divergence of the highly divergent light bundle transmitted from the object through the refractive lens, and the second GRIN lens being provided for adapting the light bundle transmitted by the first GRIN lens to the aperture and object field size of the downstream transmission system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: BERNHARD MESSERSCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 7345826
    Abstract: An optical scanning lens used in a scanning and imaging optical system in which a beam deflected by a light deflector is condensed on or in the vicinity of a surface to be scanned. The optical scanning lens is formed through plastic mold, and a distribution of the refractive indexes ?n(x) inside of the optical scanning lens has a local maximum within a range through which the beam passes through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suhara
  • Publication number: 20080055736
    Abstract: A lens produced from a radial rays-curing material comprises a lens proper portion that serves as an optically effective part of the lens, and a circular flange portion that surrounds the lens proper portion and serves as an optically non-effective part of the lens. The circular flange portion has front and rear surfaces that are different in appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Tsuji, Yuichiro Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 7292394
    Abstract: A lens system (10) includes a main lens (12) having a first surface (12a) and a second surface (12b) configured opposite to each other, a first film lens (11) and a second film lens (13) respectively secured on the first surface and the second surface of the main lens. The first film lens and/or the second film lens are radial gradient index lenses, which refractive index progressively decreases from the centers to the outmost sides. All of the main lens, the first film lens and the second film lens are converging lens, and the axles of them are overlapped one to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles Leu
  • Patent number: 7274514
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Uematsu
  • Patent number: 7173767
    Abstract: A focusing device with a refractive index profile changing from the center of the focusing device towards its perimeter, is made of a material wherein the lateral refractive index distribution of the focusing device material is homogeneous and wherein the focusing device comprises holes for introducing a graded refractive index profile. This allows accurate control of the graded refractive index profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Avanex Corporation
    Inventor: Klaus Satzke
  • Patent number: 7130130
    Abstract: An optical scanning lens used in a scanning and imaging optical system in which a beam deflected by a light deflector is condensed on or in the vicinity of a surface to be scanned. The optical scanning lens is formed through plastic mold, and a distribution of the refractive indexes ?n(x) inside of the optical scanning lens has a local maximum within a range through which the beam passes through the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suhara
  • Patent number: 7102177
    Abstract: The light-emitting device includes a light source and a gradient index (GRIN) element. The GRIN element has a cylindrical refractive index profile in which the refractive index varies radially and is substantially constant axially. The GRIN element includes a first end surface opposite a second end surface and is characterized by a length-to-pitch ratio. The GRIN element is arranged with the first end surface adjacent the light source to receive light from the light source, and emits the light from the second end surface in a radiation pattern dependent on the length-to-pitch ratio. Since the radiation pattern depends on the length-to-pitch ratio of the GRIN element, LEDs with different radiation patterns can be made simply by using GRIN elements of appropriate lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kee Siang Goh, Yee Loong Chin, Boon Kheng Lee, Cheng Why Tan
  • Patent number: 7012721
    Abstract: An optical imaging system is provided that includes a rod lens array and has the optimum refractive index distribution for achieving a high resolving power. The refractive index distribution of rod lenses can be expressed by n(r)2=n02·{1?(g·r)2+h4·(g·r)4+h619 (g·r)6+h8·(g·r)8}Eq. 45 where r is a radial distance from the optical axis of the rod lenses, n0 is a refractive index on the optical axis of the rod lenses, and g, h4, h6 and h8 are refractive index distribution coefficients. The refractive index distribution coefficients h4, h6 and h8 are set on a spheroid in a Cartesian coordinate system with h4 being x-axis, h6 being y-axis and h8 being z-axis. The spheroid is defined by a vector X* that is expressed by X*=(x, y, z)=O*+kAA*+kBB*+kCC*Eq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company Limited
    Inventors: Minoru Toyama, Shigeo Kittaka
  • Patent number: 7002754
    Abstract: Disclosed are axial, radial or spherical gradient index (GRIN) lenses fabricated by layering composite polymer films into an hierarchical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Eric Baer, P. Anne Hiltner, James S. Shirk
  • Patent number: 6963437
    Abstract: The device of the present invention includes an electrochromic element having a transmittance that varies in response to an electrical signal, a base substrate disposed in spaced relation to the electrochromic element, a seal disposed between the base substrate and the electrochromic element, and an optical sensor. The seal, base substrate, and electrochromic element form a sealed cavity therebetween, in which the optical sensor is disposed. According to another embodiment, an electrochromic device is provided that includes a first substrate, an electrochromic medium disposed on the first substrate, a pair of electrodes in contact with the electrochromic medium, a pair of conductive clips, each in electrical contact with a respective one of the electrodes, and two pairs of electrical lead posts for mounting the first substrate to the circuit board. Each pair of lead posts is attached to, and extends from, a respective one of the conductive clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: GENTEX Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick T. Bauer, Joseph S. Stam
  • Patent number: 6940645
    Abstract: A monocentric autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a virtual image, electronically generated and projected on a curved surface. For each left and right image component, a separate optical system comprises an image generation system (70l, 70r) and projection system (72), the projection system comprising a spherical diffusive surface (40) and a spherical gradient-index ball lens assembly (31) to provide wide field of view. A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the ball lens pupil (48) at the viewing pupil (14) and essentially provides a single center of curvature (C) for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement, diffusive surface (40), and ball lens (30) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Rongguang Liang, David Kessler
  • Patent number: 6903877
    Abstract: A micro prismatic structure is formed inside the light transmission face of a gradient-index lens, in which the projections have a height of at least 0.25 ? and the distance between the neighboring projections is at most ?, based on the applied wavelength ?. Preferably, the micro prismatic structure has conical projection units that are aligned in the light transmission face of the lens in a mode of hexagonal, tetragonal or orthorhombic arrangement. The conical projections may be in any form of circular cones, polygonal cones, flat-headed circular cones (circular cones of which the apex has been cut horizontally) or flat-headed polygonal cones .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiji Tsunetomo
  • Patent number: 6891678
    Abstract: A lens for optical scanning condenses luminous flux deflected by an optical deflector to a plane to be scanned in a scanning image forming optical system. The lens is made of a plastic material by molding. A reference axis of an N-th order approximating curve of refractive index distribution ?n(x) of the lens is away from a center of a passing area, through which the luminous flux passes in the lens, by equal to or more than 10% of the width of the passing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Suhara
  • Publication number: 20040263993
    Abstract: An optical leveling module (1) includes a sensitive element (10) with a plurality of sensitive areas (11) thereon, and an optical leveling layer (20) mounted on the sensitive element and including a plurality of lenslets (21) wherein a refractive index of the lenslets progressively increases from a center of the optical leveling layer to a periphery of the optical leveling layer. The optical leveling module further includes an adjusting lens (30) and a filter (40) above the optical leveling layer. The intensity of image is essentially uniform after being adjusted by the optical leveling module. A method for manufacturing an optical leveling layer of the optical leveling module is provided. At first, enhance an optically resistant block's refractive index by doping. Second, cut it into slices. Third, each slice is etched to form a plurality of columns. Finally, each column is fused to form a lenslet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Ming-Chiang Tsai, Ga-Lane Chen, Chun-Yu Le, Tsung-Wei Chiang
  • Publication number: 20040257667
    Abstract: Provided is an objective optical system employing a gradient index (GRIN) lens. A refractive index of the GRIN lens is changed in an axial direction and a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mee-suk Jung, Myung-bok Lee, Eun-hyoung Cho, Hae-sung Kim, Jin-seung Sohn
  • Patent number: 6831791
    Abstract: An optical system for optical communications is composed of a transparent material having a refractive index distribution formed by changing the molar ratio of metal oxide with valence of 2 or more. The metal oxide with valence of 2 or more includes, for example, Fe2O3. Using such an optical system for optical communications, optical communication components such as an optical fiber collimator and an optical isolator are composed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Namiki, Hirofumi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6816319
    Abstract: The planar lens of the invention having a flat glass substrate, in which a refractive index distribution is formed by diffusing a refractive index-increasing component into the flat glass substrate in a substantially hemispherical form or semicylinder form, wherein the refractive index-increasing component is silver, and the flat glass substrate comprises Li as an alkali metal that is subject to an ion exchange with the silver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuda, Shigekazu Yoshii, Koichi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6801374
    Abstract: The present invention provides a plastic lens, used in an optical system of an optical image recording apparatus, which is low in birefringence, and is less susceptible to displacement of focus caused by resistance to environment. At least a part of a non-effective area is concave, and there is a sink mark in the concave portion. The shape of the concave portion is determined so as to achieve a GI ratio (&Dgr;f/f0)≦5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Kuroda, Osamu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20040190152
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an optical element includes providing a base member for an optical element and a cutting tool from which a blade tip part protrudes, forming an inspecting groove on a surface of the base member by the blade tip part of the cutting tool by relatively moving the cutting tool and the base member while the cutting tool is rotated and inspecting an inclination of a cut surface of the inspection groove formed by the cutting tool to form an inspection result. The method also includes correcting an angle defined by the base member and the blade tip part of the cutting tool based on the inspection result and forming formal grooves on the surface of the base member having the inspection groove by the blade tip part of the cutting tool by relatively moving the cutting tool and the base member while the cutting tool is rotated simultaneously with the inspection groove being cut out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20040174609
    Abstract: Graded index lenses, methods, and devices are disclosed. In certain embodiments, he lenses are made from generally cylindrical glass members having a radially varying refractive index and have a pitch less than about 0.23. Other embodiments relate to graded index lenses having a pitch between about 0.23 and 0.25 and an index gradient less than or equal to 0.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Donald M. Trotter