Abstract: An optical system including a plurality of lenses is provided. In particular, a horizontal field of view and a vertical field of view of the optical system are different from each other, and a horizontal effective focal length (EFL) and a vertical EFL of the optical system are different from each other. In addition, a retro-focus type optical system is formed in one of a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, and a telephoto type optical system is formed in the other of the horizontal direction or the vertical direction such that a beam pattern from a square-shaped light source is extended laterally.

Abstract: Asymmetrical lenses are provided having design to mitigate or eliminate field of view mismatch between image sensor modules and luminaires incorporating the image sensor modules. Briefly, an asymmetrical lens comprises an optical axis and a front surface comprising a first set of normal axes (x, y) in a plane normal to the optical axis and a negative radius of curvature or positive radius of curvature along each of the normal axes (x, y). The asymmetrical lens also comprises a back surface comprising a second set of normal axes (x?, y?) in the plane normal to the optical axis and a negative radius of curvature or positive radius of curvature along each of the normal axes (x?, y?), wherein the asymmetrical lens has negative refractive power or positive refractive power in each of an x-axis and y-axis of an image plane of the asymmetrical lens.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for producing non-rotationally symmetric optical aberrations. Such aberrations may be created by a removable attachment that may be attached to another lens, such as a spherical lens. Aberrations that appear to reproduce an anamorphic effect may be produced, yet the underlying camera system may remain a spherical camera system, and the capture mode may remain non-anamorphic.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective having a relatively small anamorphic factor but with relatively pronounced residual anamorphic artifacts is formed by reducing the anamorphic factor with anamorphic lens elements located on the image side of the aperture stop. The lens section on the object side of the aperture stop must therefore have a relatively large anamorphic factor, and this creates the desired residual anamorphic artifacts. The disclosed anamorphic objective is suited either to an integrated optical design or to a modular approach in which the anamorphic factor reduction optics are connected as a removable attachment to an independently well-corrected anamorphic optical system. The anamorphic objective has a relatively small anamorphic squeeze ratio while simultaneously producing relatively large residual anamorphic characteristics.

Abstract: An optical imaging lens includes a first lens element, a second lens element, an aperture stop, a third lens element, and a fourth lens elements arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis, and each lens element has an object-side surface and an image-side surface. The first lens element has negative refracting power. The object-side surface of the second lens element has a concave portion in a vicinity of the optical axis. The image-side surface of the fourth lens element has a convex portion in a vicinity of a periphery of the fourth lens element.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator imaging system is disclosed. The system comprises an illumination module configured to provide illumination light representing data patterns to be imaged by the spatial light modulator imaging system, a projection module configured to project the illumination light to a substrate, and an illumination-projection beam separator coupled between the illumination module and the projection module, where the illumination-projection beam separator is configured to receive the illumination light along an illumination optical axis and transmit the illumination light received to the projection module along a projection optical axis, and where the illumination optical axis and the projection optical axis are substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective lens comprising, along an optical axis and in order from an object space to an image space: at least a negative (?) first spherical power lens group; an anamorphic lens group and a positive (+) second spherical lens group wherein an aperture stop is located before, after or preferably within the spherical power second lens group. Both spherical lens groups contain spherical refractive optical surfaces and the anamorphic lens group contains cylindrical and plano optical surfaces with at least one cylindrical surface oriented at substantially 90 degrees about at least one other cylindrical surface. The negative first spherical power lens group may provide focusing.

Abstract: ANAMORPHIC LENS, of the type used to horizontally compress images, in which the anamorphic group is positioned immediately behind the stop o iris (12); the anamorphic part is composed of two groups having two or more cylindrical lenses each, said two groups being aligned and the second group being rotated 90° relative to the first one, wherein one of said groups horizontally compresses the images and the other one vertically stretches them.

Abstract: Provided is a small-sized five-element image pickup lens which ensures a sufficient lens speed of about F2 and exhibits various aberrations being excellently corrected. The image pickup lens is composed of, in order from the object side, a first lens with a positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens with a negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing the image side; a third lens with a positive or negative refractive power; a fourth lens with a positive refractive power, including a convex surface facing the image side; and a fifth lens with a negative refractive power, including a concave surface facing the image side. The image-side surface of the fifth lens has an aspheric shape, and includes an inflection point at a position excluding an intersection point with the optical axis.

Abstract: An anamorphic objective is provided for imaging an object onto an image acquisition unit. The anamorphic objective has at least one first plane of symmetry and at least one second plane of symmetry. The first plane of symmetry and the second plane of symmetry are oriented perpendicular to one another. The first plane of symmetry and the second plane of symmetry intersect and have a straight line of intersection (intersection line). A first objective section followed by a second objective section are arranged. A diaphragm is arranged between the first objective section and the second objective section. A first anamorphic optical element is arranged in the first objective section. A second anamorphic optical element is arranged in the second objective section. The anamorphic objective fulfills specified conditions and is suitable for generating a stigmatic imaging of the object on the image acquisition unit.

Abstract: Provided is a low-cost and compact super-wide-angle anamorphic lens having small number of lenses and exhibiting excellent lens performance when the lens is used for an onboard camera, capturing of an unwanted portion is minimized. The super-wide-angle anamorphic lens has an angle of view of 180° or more in the horizontal direction, and includes a first lens having a negative power, a second lens having a negative power, a third lens having a positive power, a fourth lens having a positive power in that order from an object side. One of the aforementioned third lens and fourth lens is provided with at least one non-rotationally symmetric aspherical surface.

Abstract: A small-sized super wide-angle lens for a solid-state image sensor that is suitable for a digital input apparatus such as a monitoring camera and an onboard camera, which is excellent in terms of optical performance and is low in terms of cost. The super wide-angle lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens with a negative refractive power; a second lens with a negative refractive power; a third lens with a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens with a positive refractive power. The first lens is a meniscus lens including a convex surface facing the object side. Each of the second lens and the fourth lens includes at lest one rotational-asymmetric surface.

Abstract: A pair of optical prisms arranged in a complementary relationship provides for anamorphic magnification and cooperates with a refractive or diffractive cylindrical lens element, the later of which generates an aberration that at least partially compensates an aberration generated by the pair of optical prisms. The refractive or diffractive cylindrical lens element is rotated out of normal with respect to the optic axis of the system so as to provide for reflecting stray light away from the optic axis.

Abstract: A scan lens for an imaging device includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements optically positioned in ascending numeric order between a scanning component and an imaging surface. The first lens element has an optical power in an in-scan direction of the imaging device and an optical power in a cross-scan direction of the imaging device, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being positive and greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction. The second lens element has a negative optical power in the in-scan and cross-scan directions. The third lens element has a positive optical power in the in-scan direction and cross-scan directions. The fourth lens element has an optical power in the in-scan direction and a positive optical power in the cross-scan direction, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anamorphic optical system 1, comprising one aspheric surface lens G5 and one anamorphic lens G3 on object side, and one aspheric lens G7 and one anamorphic lens G8 on image side with a diaphragm S11 therebetween, and an effective field angle is set to 200° or more at maximum in horizontal direction.

Abstract: A scan lens for an imaging device includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements optically positioned in ascending numeric order between a scanning component and an imaging surface. The first lens element has an optical power in an in-scan direction of the imaging device and an optical power in a cross-scan direction of the imaging device, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being positive and greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction. The second lens element has a negative optical power in the in-scan and cross-scan directions. The third lens element has a positive optical power in the in-scan direction and cross-scan directions. The fourth lens element has an optical power in the in-scan direction and a positive optical power in the cross-scan direction, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction.

Abstract: Provided is a low-cost and compact super-wide-angle anamorphic lens having small number of lenses and exhibiting excellent lens performance when the lens is used for an onboard camera, capturing of an unwanted portion is minimized. The super-wide-angle anamorphic lens has an angle of view of 180° or more in the horizontal direction, and includes a first lens having a negative power, a second lens having a negative power, a third lens having a positive power, a fourth lens having a positive power in that order from an object side. One of the aforementioned third lens and fourth lens is provided with at least one non-rotationally symmetric aspherical surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anastigmatic anamorphic lens unit for processing images, particularly multidimensional images, as they are generated and evaluated, for example in connection with spatially resolved spectroscopy. The lens unit has a high anamorphic factor and comprises several lens subassemblies, a positive refractive subassembly (a) comprising at least one rotationally symmetrical lens or lens group being disposed on the lens side in order to reduce the field angle. A central optical subassembly (b) is disposed behind the positive refractive subassembly (a) in the beam path for beam divergence in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis, while maintaining small field angles, wherein the central optical subassembly (b) comprises at least one anamorphically distorting element and one or more rotationally symmetrical lenses or lens groups.

Abstract: A small-sized super wide-angle lens for a solid-state image sensor that is suitable for a digital input apparatus such as a monitoring camera and an onboard camera, which is excellent in terms of optical performance and is low in terms of cost. The super wide-angle lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: a first lens with a negative refractive power; a second lens with a negative refractive power; a third lens with a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens with a positive refractive power. The first lens is a meniscus lens including a convex surface facing the object side. Each of the second lens and the fourth lens includes at lest one rotational-asymmetric surface.

Abstract: An ultra wide angle imaging optical system includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group, an aperture stop, and a second lens group. The first lens group includes, in order from the position closest to the object side, a negative meniscus lens element convex to the object side, a negative lens element, and a negative lens element. The second lens group includes a plurality of positive lens elements. The first lens group and the second lens group each includes at least one anamorphic surface having different optical powers with respect to a first section extending in a first direction on a flat plane substantially orthogonal to an optical axis, and with respect to a second section extending in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The first lens group includes the lens element satisfying the following conditional formula (1): ?0.6<(Ph?Pv)*(fh+fv)<?0.

Abstract: An optical system includes a primary lens group having a central beam path therethrough and including a front lens group and a rear lens group. An anamorphic lens group lies on the central beam path and is positioned between the front lens group and the rear lens group. The anamorphic lens group includes at least one optically powered anamorphic lens that has different enlargements of a light beam along different axes perpendicular to the central beam path. The anamorphic lens group may be mounted on structure that allows it to be removed from the central beam path. An image transceiver is either an image source that directs a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group, or is an image receiver that receives a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group.

Abstract: An anamorphic converter, which can be inserted into and removed from a lens group of an image-formation optical system, includes an anamorphic lens that satisfies the following conditions 0.9<(AR1·?x)/(AR2·?y)<1.1 (AR22+1)·?y2/(AR12+1)>1 wherein ?x represents a first focal distance magnification scale at a first cross-section containing an optical axis of the anamorphic lens, ?y represents a second focal distance magnification scale at a second cross-section which is perpendicular to the first cross-section and contains the optical axis, AR1 represents an aspect ratio of an image-taking range in a field of the image-formation optical system, and AR2 represents an aspect ratio at an effective range of an image-taking unit disposed at an object image side of the lens group. As such, there is provided an anamorphic converter which is small and has high optical performance, suitable for digital cinematography.

Abstract: An anamorphic converter, which is disposed at an image side of an image-forming optical system, includes a first lens unit having one of positive and negative optical power, a second lens unit including an anamorphic lens, and a third lens unit having positive optical power, positioned in order from an object side to the image side. The second lens unit is removable from the position between the first lens unit and the third lens unit.

Abstract: An optical system with mechanical adjustment provides for the rotation and/or translation of one or more optical phase filters to variably select an extended depth of field, aberration-tolerance, and/or anti-aliasing properties of an optical imaging system. By adjusting the amount of phase induced on the wavefront, a user may select image quality selectively. The system may further automatically counter change of focus and/or aperture to maintain substantially constant image properties. Typically, two phase filters are used and moved concurrently to achieve desired image properties.

Abstract: Provided are an optical correcting system which can form a linear image or illuminating light having a substantially uniform light intensity distribution without reducing the efficiency of use of light, and an exposure head which can perform excellent exposure by using the linear image or the illuminating light. Light flux from a light source is collimated by the function of a collimator lens, and the collimated light flux enters into an optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution. The optical correcting system for correcting light intensity distribution changes the width of the light flux at the exit position at which each collimated light flux exits so that the light intensity distribution of a linear image is uniform when the collimated light flux is formed into the linear image.

Abstract: The invention provides a numerical aperture limiter for an optical thermal imaging system, comprising at least one pair of wedge-like prisms made of a transparent material having a known index of refraction, the prisms of the pair being disposed in close mutual proximity and in opposite orientation with the narrow end of one prism adjacent to the wide end of the other prism, the prism surfaces facing one another of the pair of prisms being spaced apart from one another by a distance at least equal to the wavelength of the light used by the imaging system, with the vertex angle of each one of the prisms being a function of the desired numerical aperture and the index of refraction.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens for a digital projection display system comprising a projection lens and an optical axis has an anamorphic factor between 1.3 and 2.0. The anamorphic lens includes a first afocal part placed in front of the projection lens and a second part placed behind the projection lens. The first part comprises a plurality of lens elements configured for magnification in a first direction transverse to the optical axis. The second part comprises at least one element configured for magnification in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A CO2 laser beam 12 is converted into a beam of uniform intensity at the position of a phase matching element 15 by an intensity converting element 14 and the phase matching element 15. Then, the uniform intensity beam irradiates a mask 17 containing an aperture variable in size via a variable-magnification projecting optical system 16. At the time of irradiation, the laser beam at the position of the phase matching element 15 is projected onto the mask 17 at a magnification factor most suited to the size of the aperture formed in the mask 17. Further, the pattern of the mask 17 is projected onto a workpiece 19. Thus, a uniform intensity distribution of the laser beam is obtained on the workpiece and high quality laser processing becomes possible.

Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide an imaging lens which can read image information highly accurately even if there are changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, and an image reading apparatus using the same. To achieve this object, in an imaging lens for imaging the image information of an original on reading means, at least one of a plurality of lenses constituting the imaging lens is a lens anamorphic with respect to the optical axis thereof, and when the temperature change factor dN/dT (1/° C.) of the refractive index dN of the anamorphic lens for e-line at the use temperature dT is defined as CT, and the focal length (mm) of the anamorphic lens for e-line is defined as fanm, the condition that |CT/fanm|≦4.30×10−6 is satisfied.

Abstract: An anastigmatic anamorphic lens, in particular for the projection of Cinemascope films, with a high aperture and an anamorphic factor of greater than 1.7. The anastigmatic anamorphic lens comprises a main objective with considerable positive astigmatism. A main objective which might otherwise be unsuitable for projection because of aberration phenomena, in combination with cylindrical afocal attachments, has its image defects supplemented with the typical aberrations of the attachments in such a way as to achieve an optimum overall result.

Abstract: A lens system defined along an X-Y-Z coordinate system transforms an elliptical optical beam defined as exhibiting a first, fast axis component and a second, slow axis component, into an essentially circular optical beam. A first and a second lens intercepts the elliptical beam and a cruciform cylindrical lens is disposed to intercept the output from the second lens. The cruciform cylindrical lens has a fast lens and a slow lens, the fast lens having a first, front cylindrical surface oriented along the X axis of the coordinate system for magnifying the first, fast axis component, the slow lens having a second, rear cylindrical surface oriented along the Y-axis of the coordinate system for magnifying the second, slow axis component, wherein the magnifications are determined to provide an essentially circular output beam, the cruciform cylindrical lens disposed such that the optical beam exiting the second lens impinges the first, front cylindrical surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved laser beam useful in material surface processing and an apparatus for producing the improved laser beam. The improved laser beam of the present invention comprises a power distribution that is more intense at the outer regions than in the central region. The invention includes an apparatus comprising a power spherical and cylindrical optical elements aligned to focus and/or shape a laser beam into a novel profile useful in material surface processing. The invention further includes a method of using this apparatus to focus and/or shape a laser beam for producing Laser Induced Surface Improvements, hereinafter referred to as "LISI".

Abstract: A color display including a non-polarized light source, at least one polarizing beam-splitter receiving light from the non-polarized light source, at least one selectably actuable polarization rotating light valve having thereon impinging light from the polarizing beam splitter and operating in a reflective mode, the light valve having a plurality of separately controlled light valve regions which correspond to different colors, a display screen including a plurality of differently colored light impingement regions and imaging optics for directing light reflected from the at least one light valve via the at least one beam-splitter to the display screen such that light from individual ones of the plurality of separately controlled light valve regions which correspond to a given color impinges on correspondingly colored light impingement regions of the display screen.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens (11) for use in a display system (10) that has a spatial light modulator (12) and a projection lens (13) and that projects images to a screen (14). The anamorphic lens (11) is placed between the projection lens (13) and the screen (14). The spatial light modulator (12) generates an image that is anamorphically squeezed in the horizontal dimension, and the anamorphic lens (11) widens the image so that the viewer perceives a normal wide-screen image on the screen (14).

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that when a phototaking lens system forms image information on a image pickup device in which a plurality of light-receiving elements are arranged in a non-square lattice pattern and a signal from the image pickup device is sampled in a square lattice to obtain a two-dimensional digital image, the phototaking lens system forms an image as optically correcting for a distortion of aspect ratio of image caused upon sampling in the square lattice.

Abstract: Variations on the Koehler illumination system, used for providing light to be reflected from, or transmitted by, an SLM. An anamorphic illumination system (10) uses multiple light sources (11) and a cylindrical lens (14) to provide an elongated and compressed beam to the SLM (16). A cascaded illumination system (30) uses multiple light sources (31) and multiple TIR prisms (33) to provide an extended light beam or one that is more intense, to the SLM (36).

Abstract: A photographic lens system, comprising, from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, and a second lens group having a positive refractive power, wherein the first and the second lens groups comprise at least one cylindrical lens and the photographic lens system satisfies the condition of 1.0<f.sub.1 /f.sub.2 <1.2, where f.sub.1 represents a focal length in the Y direction, and f.sub.2 represents a focal length in the Z direction.The photographic lens system enables an image to be formed at the same position by making the horizontal magnification different from the vertical magnification due to the back focal length in the Y direction being different from that in the Z direction while equating the focal point lengths in the Y and Z directions. The photographic lens system can be used in a high quality camera having a relatively large aperture ratio and a good image forming efficiency.

Abstract: A segmented axial gradient array lens is provided. In one embodiment, the segmented array lens includes two sheets of optical material which mate at opposing faces which have a series of corresponding parallel grooves and ridges. At least one of the sheets has an axial gradient index of refraction profile. This provides the functionality of a series of parallel cylindrical lenses. The array lenses may include one or more additional intermediate sheets which may have a homogeneous or axial gradient index. With the first and last sheets having an axial gradient index of refraction, and the grooves forming the first and last interfaces between the sheets being rotated 90 degrees relative to each other, a two dimensional array of point foci can be provided. An array of cones and conical indentations can be used at the interfaces to provide the functionality of an array of spherical lenses. An array lens of the invention can be used to provide an optical multiplexer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anamorphic lens for a CCD camera apparatus used for inspecting a semiconductor chip during the manufacturing process. The reduced image of the semiconductor chip being inspected is formed at a magnification of 0.25 times in the horizontal direction and a magnification ratio of 1:1 in the vertical direction. The anamorphic lens system for the CCD camera apparatus includes two spherical lens sets each having five lenses, and an afocal cylindrical lens system through which the image is formed in different ratios between its length and width. The spherical lens sets are positioned face-to-face on the same axis line. The afocal lens system includes an indefinite distance in its focus point, and the different magnification between length and width is positioned in a space between the two spherical lens sets. As a result, the image of the semiconductor chip being inspected is formed on a general CCD element 6.6 mm.times.8.8 mm in size after it is reduced by 0.25 times.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a focusing optical system for semiconductor lasers, which is regulated in terms of magnification power in both its directions normal to the optical axis, so that the back focus of sufficient magnitude can be made equal in both the directions and the magnitude of aberration can be regulated to achieve an improvement in focusing efficiency, and in which a light beam from a semiconductor laser having varying exit angles in the horizontal and vertical directions is focused on a spot having substantially equal diameters in the horizontal and vertical directions. This focusing optical system comprises first lens unit L1 including a rotation asymmetric lens having positive power in the direction defined by a large exit angle at which a laser beam emanates from the laser, a second lens unit L2 including at least one lens of negative power, and a third lens unit L3 that is a rotation asymmetric lens unit having positive power in the directions defined by both large and small exit angles.

Abstract: An optical system for imaging the light from light sources having varying astigmatic differences of focus in different planes, having an optical element with an astigmatic effect and having an imaging lens system, the optical element having an astigmatic effect being provided with two lens components, the distance of which in the direction of the optical axis can be adjusted in order to correct astigmatic differences of focus varying from light source to light source and/or changing astigmatic differences of focus due to aging.

Abstract: An objective lens system for endoscopes comprising, in the order from the object side, a first lens component having a negative refractive power, a second lens component having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop arranged right after the second lens component, and a rear lens unit comprising a third lens component designed as a cemented doublet consisting of a lens element having a positive refractive power and a lens element having a negative refractive power. Said objective lens system for endoscopes has a wide field angle, a compact design, a small number of lens elements and favorably corrected aberrations.

Abstract: The electronic imaging apparatus comprises an imaging lens system for forming an image of an object at magnifications different between an x-z section and y-z section when the object is placed on a z-axis, an imaging optical system, an image sensor having a photoelectric converting surface substantially perpendicular to the z-axis for receiving the image of the object, and a video signal processing circuit capable of changing a difference in expansion/contraction ratio between a scanning direction and the direction perpendicular thereto for reproducing an image of object on the basis of output signals from the image sensor and is capable of generating video signals for displaying an image substantially similar to the object. This electronic imaging apparatus permits obtaining a very clear reproduced image which is substantially similar to the object.