Abstract: Disclosed is a form comprising a surface having a morphology of complex lenses wherein the surface asperities have an amplitude of between 1 and 40 micrometers, a spatial frequency of between 1 and 100 complex lenses per square millimeter, and between 1 and 40 minor lenses per major lens. Also disclosed is a method for making such a form.

Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a dispersion element, a reflector, and an angle-to-offset (ATO) element. The angle-to-offset (ATO) element has optical power. The dispersion element is positioned in or near a focal plane of the ATO element and adapted to separate an input wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light beam received from an input port of the optical device into two or more channel light beams. The reflector is positioned in or near a focal plane of the ATO element and arranged to receive the channel light beams from the dispersion element via the ATO element. The reflector is designed to reflect at least one of the channel light beams toward a respective output port of the optical device. With this arrangement, the dispersion element, reflector and ATO element cooperate to optically demultiplex the input WDM light beam.

Abstract: A soft-focus lens system includes a master lens group and a soft-focus lens group. The soft-focus lens group includes a positive sub lens group and a negative sub lens group. The positive sub lens group and the negative sub lens group are moved to set the normal photographing mode or the soft-focus photographing mode. Each of the sub lens groups is arranged to move with respect to the master lens group and the other of the sub lens groups so that the focal point and the focal length are not substantially varied before and after the switching of the soft-focus photographing mode to the normal photographing mode or vice versa.

Abstract: A radiation source assembly and transducer incorporating same are suitable for use in measuring spectral absorption properties of a substance to be analyzed, such as a gas. The radiation source assembly has an optical axis. A measuring radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis and a reference radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis. An optical diffuser is spaced from the radiation sources along the axis. Radiation from the measuring radiation source and radiation from the reference radiation source are applied to the diffuser and the diffuser forms an exiting radiation beam for the assembly from the radiation of the measuring radiation source and reference radiation source. The exiting radiation beam extends along the axis.

Abstract: A display apparatus, includes a laser light source for emitting a light beam; a beam expander for expanding the light beam; a spatial light modulator; beam shaping optics for shaping the expanded laser beam to provide uniform illumination of the spatial light modulator, the beam shaping optics including a fly's eye integrator having an array of lenslets; and a moving diffuser located in the laser beam between the laser light source and the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: There is provided a protective, diffusive film for use in a surface light source device provided with a lens film, said protective, diffusive film comprising: a transparent substrate layer; and a resin layer provided on the top surface and the under surface of the transparent substrate layer, the resin layers being free from fine particles and having fine concaves and convexes on the surface thereof, the difference in coverage between the resin layer provided on the top surface of the transparent substrate layer and the resin layer provided on the under surface of the transparent substrate layer being in the range of −20% to +20% in terms of the percentage of the coverage of one of the resin layers to the coverage of the other resin layer.

Abstract: An optical sheet according to the present invention is an optical sheet which is capable of transmitting upwards a light beam entering the optical sheet from below and which comprises a light beam controlling section formed of first rectangular areas and second rectangular areas, each of the first rectangular areas being square or rectangle in cross section, the first rectangular areas being arranged in parallel to each other, each of the second rectangular areas being square or rectangle in cross section, the second rectangular areas being arranged in parallel to each other. The first and second rectangular areas are alternate in the lateral direction. The first rectangular area is formed of a material having a refractive index that is higher than that of a material of the second rectangular area.

Abstract: A luminous signalling device comprises a body made of transparent synthetic material, basically in the form of a plate having two larger faces set opposite one another, at least one of which carries an image. A plurality of LED devices of the SMD type which emit white light is coupled externally to at least one of the walls that define the peripheral edge of the aforesaid plate body. The arrangement is such that the rays of white light coming out of the LED devices undergo multiple total reflections within the plate body, which thus functions as a light guide. In areas corresponding to selected areas of the image, the face of the plate body is made up of diffusing optical elements designed to diffuse outwards the rays of light that are incident on said areas within the body.

Abstract: A diffuser master is provided which is manufactured mechanically instead of holographically. The master can be made from a suitable substrate including relatively hard materials such as plastic, glass or metal. A substrate having a first side is worked to form a diffuser surface relief structure thereon. The substrate can be buffed using a buffing agent of a selected grit in order to form surface scratches in the first side of the substrate. The substrate can also be blasted with shot particles in order to form indentations and depressions in the first side. The substrate can alternatively be acid or alkali etched in order to form surface irregularities in the first side. The scratches, depressions or irregularities can be formed in order to create a desired surface relief and hence desired diffuser output characteristics.

Abstract: A holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) is formed from a monolithic glass material by recording light shaping structures (sometimes collectively known as “speckle”, particularly when the structures extend into the interior of the diffuser) in the glass material during its formation. A volume LSD may be produced by the photolithographic writing or other imaging of light shaping structures in a photosensitive glass material. Alternatively, a surface LSD may be produced by this imaging process or by embossing light shaping structures onto a high quality optical glass or by embossing a light shaping structures on a glass film layer coated onto a substrate. Both types of diffusers control the angular spread of transmitted light while homogenizing otherwise spatially noisy light sources such as LCDs and filamented light sources and while maintaining damage thresholds consistent with any glass optical element.

Abstract: A photosensitive layer of or for a cathode ray tube is illuminated by means of a laser illumination arrangement. The laser illumination arrangement comprises a homogenizer which serves to reduce the coherence of the laser beam.

Abstract: A light control member formed by a prism sheet 5 is arranged along an emitting surface 12 of a light guide plate of a side light type surface light source device for liquid-crystal display backlighting arrangement and the like. The prism sheet 5 is provided with numerous projections formed with a height H1 at a pitch W1 D1. Roughness is imparted to the emitting surface 12 by matt-processing or adhesion of fine particles. The roughness is preferably within the arithmetic average roughness Ra range 0.02-0.25 &mgr;m. Non-uniformity may be applied to height H1 of the prism sheet 5. The tendency of the prism sheet to adhere to the emitting surface is reduced and degradation of light quality prevented by the roughness of the emitting surface and/or non-uniform height of projections on the prism sheet.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical body having a surface formed with a microstructure set which includes at least two microstructure relieves. At least one of the microstructure relieves has a configuration different from another one of the microstructure relieves. At least one of the microstructure relieves is defined by 3 to 5 faces.

Abstract: Kinoform diffusers (82) exhibit controllable diffusion characteristics that include off-axis transmittance and reflectance properties, elimination of zero-order beam, and freedom from spectral dispersion under achromatic illumination. Light control devices (76, 80, 82) implemented with kinoform diffusers having controllable diffusion characteristics provide anisotropic luminous intensity distributions and glare control at high viewing angles while maintaining high luminaire efficiency or daylight utilization.

Abstract: Structured screens for the controlled spreading, diffusion, or scattering of an incident beam are provided. The screens are composed of microstructures (1,2) whose configurations and distribution on the surfaces of the screen are precisely determined. In certain embodiments, the configurations and/or their distribution is randomized. The structured screens can be used as diffusing screens or display screens.

Abstract: A glass diffuser is fabricated by first producing a metal shim submaster or other high temperature resistant diffuser having a surface relief structure on one surface. A glass substrate material is heated to a suitable temperature and at least one exposed surface is thereby softened to a desired degree. The submaster diffuser, and particularly the surface relief structure, is then placed in contact with the exposed and softened glass substrate material in order to replicate the surface relief structure in the glass material. The submaster diffuser and the glass substrate are separated and then the glass is allowed to cool to form a glass diffuser.

Abstract: Lighting elements employing multiple light emitting diodes and a diffusive agent such as a microprism sheet, a gas, or a gel, include a video monitor, a light bulb, a neon tube replacement, and a large area compound light panel. Each of the lighting elements may include light emitting diodes of different colors to provide color lighting effects.

Abstract: An optical system and, more specifically, an image pick-up optical system having a small size and satisfactory aberration, in which an optical system includes an optical unit having a light incident surface on which light is incident, a light reflecting surface having a curvature to reflect the light incident from the light incident surface, and a light exit surface from which the light reflected by the light reflecting surface emerges, and has a refractive index distribution, is disclosed.

Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating a liquid crystal display (LCD). The light guide has a reflection surface for reflecting light from a light source to the LCD. A reflection plate is provide adjacent to a rear side surface of the light guide opposite to the light source. The reflection surface of the light guide has saw-toothed grooves. Each of the grooves comprises a front side having a small angle of elevation and a rear side having a large angle of elevation. The light emitted from the light source passes through the light guide and is reflected from the reflection plate and reflected from the rear sides to the LCD.

Abstract: A light regulation element regulates both the travelling direction and diffusion state of a light emitted from a surface light source device. Lights from a cylindrical light source 2 such as a cold cathode tube is introduced in a light guide 1. The light guide 1 has an emission surface 1a on the side opposite to a reflection element 4, and a light regulation element 3 is arranged in opposition to the emission surface 1a. Protrusions 3a are formed on one surface or both surfaces of the light regulation element 3. Coated on the surface on the light emission side of the light regulation element 3 is a light diffusion layer 5. The turbidity of the light diffusion layer 5 falls within a range from 1900 cm−1 to 2400 cm−1 . The light emitted from the emission surface 1a of the light guide penetrates the light regulation element 3, thereby causing the light travelling direction to be regulated.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of manufacturing luminous display devices. The invention provides an edge-lighted luminous device comprising a thin plate of translucent or transparent plastics material, a light source lighting the edge of the plate, and on at least one of the main faces of the device, a grating of linear diffusing motifs of spacing that varies regularly.

Abstract: There is provided a spread illuminating apparatus which is improved in terms of compactness. A transparent substrate (2A) is composed of a transparent substrate proper (15), a curve (16) and an extension (17) which is plate-like, continuous with the curve (16) and substantially perpendicular to the transparent substrate proper (15). Light rays from a spot-like light source (6) enter the extension (17). Thereafter, the light rays enter the transparent substrate proper (15) due to the total internal reflection at the extension (17) and the curve (16), the reflection at a curved surface (16a) of the curve (16), and the like. Thus the light rays enter the transparent substrate proper (15) with the spot-like light source (6) not disposed on the same plane as the transparent substrate proper (15).

Abstract: An optical film includes a transparent film having provided on one side thereof an adhesive layer, a layer which includes a plurality of groove structures, each structure having optical-path changing slopes oriented substantially toward certain directions at an angle of 35 to 48 degrees relative to the transparent film, and which is laid on the other side of the transparent film, a transparent cover film for covering the surface of the layer in which the groove structures are formed, and at least an anti-reflection layer and an anti-moisture layer laid on an exterior side of the cover film.

Abstract: A monolithic element has a substrate body and at least one macro-optical characteristic integral in a first portion of the optical element. A plurality of surface micro-structures are integral in a portion of the optical element. The micro-structures are designed to homogenize light passing through the optical element to produce a predetermined pattern of smoothly varying, non-discontinuous light exiting the optical element. The light exiting the optical element is therefore altered according to both the macro-optical characteristic of the optical element as well as the homogenizing characteristics of the micro-structures.

Abstract: This invention provides a reflecting screen with a wide angle of field and high luminance usable in a video projector or the like, and comprising a first sheet having a first surface having a diffusion layer for diffusing a projected image, and a second surface formed on a side opposite to the first surface and having a group of striped prisms of an optically transparent resin arranged so as to extend vertically, the prisms having a section in the shape of an isosceles triangle with a constant apical angle and sides of constant length; and a second sheet opposed to the group of prisms of the second surface of the first sheet, a surface of the second sheet opposed to the group of prisms being of a black color capable of absorbing transmitted light substantially; the first sheet and the second sheet being disposed parallel to each other.

Abstract: A lens is described that produces a columnar focus comprised of a continuum of focal points at varying distances from the principal plane of the lens aligned along the axis of the lens. The lens refracts an incident wavefront with a focal length that is dependent upon the radial distance from the axis of the lens. The radii of curvature of the primary surface of the lens is dependent upon the desired length of the focal column.

Abstract: A light diffusion composite comprises a first prism sheet, a second prism sheet and a light diffusion material disposed in this order from the light emitting surface. The light diffusion material comprises a transparent support and a light diffusion layer formed on the support. The light diffusion layer comprises an acrylic resin as a binder resin and light diffusion agents including acrylic resin particles and silicone resin particles. The light diffusion composite has better luminance in the front direction than the conventional light diffusion sheet and also has good light diffusibility.

Abstract: A soft focus lens which is designed as a retrofocus type lens, comprises a front lens group having a negative power, a rear lens group having positive power, and a diaphragm located within the rear lens group. The front and rear lens groups are arranged in this order from an object side. In particular, the soft focus lens satisfies the following conditions;SAU/f<-0.10 (1)f/fF<-0.5 (2)whereSAU is spherical aberration at full open aperture, f is focal length of the whole lens system, and fF is focal length of the front lens group.

Abstract: A spectral filtration system comprising a non-imaging optic having entry and exit faces, the exit face being tilted relative to the entry face, and a filter positioned so as to receive light from, or transmit light to, a face of the non-imaging optic.

Abstract: A head-mounted image display apparatus having an exit pupil that is enlarged without causing an increase in the size of a relay optical system or a reduction in the size of a projected image. The head-mounted image display apparatus has an image display device (1) having a display surface for displaying an image, a relay optical system (2) for transmitting the image displayed on the display surface of the image display device (1) to form an image of the display surface, and an ocular optical system (4) for projecting the image transmitted by the relay optical system inside an observer's eyeball as an enlarged image. A numerical aperture (NA) enlarging element is disposed at a position conjugated with the display surface with respect to the relay optical system (2). Thus, pupil alignment is facilitated without causing an increase in the size of the relay optical system (2) or a reduction in the size of the projected image.

Abstract: A rear-projection screen having at least a Fresnel lens and a light-diffusing member, and is characterized by having vertical-direction light diffusion properties greater at its upper and lower end portions than at its middle portion. For example, the light-diffusing member contains light-diffusing fine particles and has a vertical lenticular lens that diffuses light in the vertical direction, provided on the light-incident surface of the Fresnel lens. This decreases the rainbows caused by misdirected light and also improves the brightness at the border, without causing a lowering of peak gain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating bar codes are described. A bar code illuminator includes a first light source and a first light transformer optically connected to the first light source; the first light transformer including a first light shaping diffuser and a first lens optically connected to the light shaping diffuser. The systems and methods are advantageous in that a bar code illuminator is provided with a wide angle capability that may be compact and inexpensive.

Abstract: A spyhole viewer for a door or wall, includes an objective system for producing a real, inverted image. The objective system is mounted in a tubular member fixedly installable in the door or wall. An erector is provided for inverting the inverted image of the objective system and is located behind at least one of the elements of the objective system. At least one reflector is provided for angularly deflecting the light beams from the objective system, and a housing is fixedly attachable to the tubular member for accommodating at least the erector and the reflector. A viewing lens is provided for magnifying the real image as inverted by the erector means. The viewing lens is adapted to swivel in a substantially vertical plane about an imaginary horizontal axis at a radius of swivel at least approximately equal to the length of the light path from the image-side focal plane of the objective system to the first principal plane of the viewing lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens system for projecting an image of an object on a screen, comprises, sequentially from a screen side, a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a negative refracting power and a fifth lens group having a positive refracting power. The first lens group is so disposed as to be movable for focusing along an optical-axis direction. The second lens group is so disposed as to be movable for zooming along the optical-axis direction. The third lens group is so disposed as to be movable for correcting a fluctuation in image position due to the zooming. The fourth and fifth lens groups are fixed with respect to the optical-axis direction during the zooming. The third lens group has, sequentially from the screen side, a front lens unit having a negative refracting power and a rear lens unit having a positive refracting power.

Abstract: A zoom lens barrel is provided which comprises a pair of cylindrical members, which are interconnected by respective helicoids, and a discontinuous linear guide groove which is formed by cutting away outer pheripheral portions of the helicoid thereby forming a plurality of key grooves, wherein the guide groove is extended in a direction parallel with an optical axis of the zoom lens barrel.

Abstract: An aperture device for use in an optical apparatus has a plurality of aperture blades which cooperate in collectively defining an aperture of a desired size. The inner edge of at least one of such blades defining one side of the aperture is uneven over at least part of the length of the inner edge. The spacing between adjacent relatively high portions and relatively low portions, as well as the depth, is smaller than the exposed length of the inner edge of each aperture blade when the aperture device has been operated to the minimum aperture size. Preferably, the spacing between adjacent crests or between adjacent high portions and low portions of the unevenness varies in a non-periodic manner.

Abstract: There is provided a plastics optical member having on its surface a light-diffusing layer composed of a layer of micro-joints formed by immersing a plastics material successively in a good solvent and a poor solvent, and a plastics light-quantity-controlling member having on its surface a white pattern composed of the micro-joints. The superiority in light diffuse reflection, transmission and light-quantity-controlling property permit their incorporation into various optical systems such as screens for projection, various displays, light-source-directly-under-an-illumination-surface type light boxes, edge light type light boxes, etc.

Abstract: A target for use in white balancing video cameras and, in particular, video cameras suitable for endoscopic use. The target is molded from an elastomeric material having the ability to diffuse a substantial portion of light incident upon the target from a video camera. A user may use the target to white balance a video camera by placing the camera directly on the target and adjusting the light intensity of the camera's light source. In the case of an endoscopic camera, the distal tip of the scope (extending from the camera) is placed directly on the target. The user need not be concerned about aiming the camera at a selected white target and holding it a certain distance from the target.

Abstract: A camera viewfinder has a viewfinder lens comprising a plastic lens element with a molded integral aiming circle whose molded optical finish is different than the molded optical finish of the remainder of the lens surface to make the aiming circle visible.

Abstract: An autofocusable soft focus lens system includes a movable front lens group having a positive power, and a stationary rear lens group having a negative power.

Abstract: A light system comprising a light source adapted to illuminate an area and at least two refracting substantially transparent and coextensive films juxtaposed with one another and interposed between the source and the area, the films having mutually confronting patterns of refracting rises formed on respective surfaces of the films, the rises being separated by intervening recesses and the rises and recesses being so oriented as to form diversely distributed light-refraction paths across the films, the patterns being selected so that gaps are provided between the films and to effect diffusion of light from the source cast upon the area.

Abstract: A device for admitting light into a photodetecting apparatus such as an automatic white balance sensor includes a light-diffusing plate having a light admitting face for receiving light and a light issuing face from which diffuse light emerges. A reflecting layer is formed on at least a surface of the light-diffusing plate which is opposite the light admitting face.

Abstract: A focusing control apparatus comprises a focusing information detector for detecting focusing control information regarding a focusing lens and an auxiliary lens set position detector for detecting a set position of an auxiliary lens such as a soft focus lens. A stored correction coefficient for the set position of the auxiliary lens is utilized, together with the focusing control information, in determining a drive distance of the focusing lens to achieve proper focusing. In one modification, if the auxiliary lens is manipulated and the set position thereof is changed after an in-focus state is attained in a single mode, the above process is repeated. In another modification, if the auxiliary lens is manipulated after the in-focus state is attained in the single mode, the mode is switched to a continuous mode.