Abstract: A three-dimensional input apparatus includes a lens L1 for converting angular information about light rays from a object, a focusing element L3 for focusing the light rays from the object to the vicinities of an array R of photoelectric elements, and a lens L2 for performing conversion into a real image near the surface of the focusing element L3. The lens L2 is present between the lens L1 and focusing element L3. The array R records light as image signal sequentially. A driver portion drives the optical system and scans light ray information about the object.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides an omni-directional imaging assembly. In the preferred embodiment the assembly of the invention comprises a solid omni-directional lens comprising a vertical axis of symmetry; an upper surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the inner side of the omni-directional lens; a transparent perimeter surface; a lower convex surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the direction of the perimeter surface; and a transparent circular surface maintained in the lower convex surface around the vertical axis of symmetry. The light rays from a first 360 degrees, panoramic, scene are refracted by the transparent perimeter surface, are then reflected by the lower convex surface towards the upper surface, and then reflected by the upper surface towards the transparent circular surface, where they are refracted and exit the omni-directional lens.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens according to the present invention is a cylindrical lens of a bi-concave type in which both of a surface on which light is made incident and a surface from which the light is emitted are formed as concave surfaces, wherein, in at least one of the concave surfaces, both ends of the concave surface projecting to outer sides are formed to coincide with a plane, a normal of the plane being an optical axis of the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device for imaging a long object. The imaging device includes at least one vertical lens device which concentrates light from the long object in a vertical direction, and a plurality of lens elements which are arranged in the form of a matrix in at least one lens line behind the vertical lens device, the lens elements respectively concentrating light from the long object in a horizontal direction. In order to achieve optimum light intensity in a cost-effective manner, each lens element comprises at least one horizontal collecting layer which is transparent to the light from the long object and comprises a refractive index having a gradient in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A module for an optical information reader, wherein a light emitting unit (22), a collimator lens (23), a vibration mirror (31) for scanning, a condensing mirror (40), and a light receiving unit (50) are installed in a module casing (10) for modularization, and a lens-barrel hole (13b) opening at one end thereof and having an aperture (13a) formed at the tip face thereof is provided in the module casing (10), the collimator lens (23) is installed in the lens-barrel hole (13b) so as to come into contact with the tip bottom part thereof, and the light emitting unit (22) is press-fitted into the press-fit part (13c) of the lens-barrel hole in front of the collimator lens to form a laser beam generating part (20).

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus of converting a laser beam traveling straight to a beam propagated in all directions and a security system using the laser beam propagated in all directions. The laser beam traveling straight is incident on a cylindrical prism and repeatedly reflected and transmitted to be converted to the laser beam propagated in all directions. The laser beam is converted to a plane beam or a conical beam by controlling an incident angle of the laser beam incident on the cylindrical prism. The security system is constructed using the apparatus of generating the plane, beam or conical beam.

Abstract: An optical head is provided that increases the light utilization efficiency and that can be adapted to high-speed recording and double-layer disks. A beam-shaping lens that shapes an elliptical beam emitted from a light source into a substantially circular beam has a pair of cylindrical surfaces that are curved in the same direction. The cylindrical surface that is closer to the light source is an aspherical surface, and the cylindrical surface that is closer to the light source is a spherical surface. Thus, an optical head is obtained, with which aberrations can be kept low, even when the beam-shaping magnifying power is about a factor 2.

Abstract: A three-dimensional input apparatus includes a lens L1 for converting angular information about light rays from a object, a focusing element L3 for focusing the light rays from the object to the vicinities of an array R of photoelectric elements, and a lens L2 for performing conversion into a real image near the surface of the focusing element L3. The lens L2 is present between the lens L1 and focusing element L3. The array R records light as image signal sequentially. A driver portion drives the optical system and scans light ray information about the object.

Abstract: Combining one or more elements of a beam shaping assembly in a lens module to, for example, reduce the mechanical tolerances in construction of the assembly. An exemplary lens module comprises a molded plastic lens with alignment features, a cylindrical surface, a focusing surface, and an aperture. The aperture is formed by surface positioned on the lens module at an angle greater than the angle for total internal reflection.

Abstract: A focusing lens for an LED is provided.

Abstract: A detector includes a photosensitive array including at least one photosensitive surface. A focusing device focuses spectrally split light onto the photosensitive array. The focusing device is located in an optical path upstream from the photosensitive array. The focusing device includes a microlens array including at least one microlens.

Abstract: The generatrix directions of cylindrical lenses 11a and 11b are perpendicular to the optical axis, and are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the optical system combining the cylindrical lenses 11a and 11b can achieve the same optical effect as a spherical lens. This system is characterized by the fact that since the respective lenses are cylindrical lenses, there is no shift in the optical axis even if the lenses are moved in the generatrix direction. For example, in cases where scratches on the lenses have become conspicuous, the useful life of the laser device can be extended by moving the lenses in the generatrix direction (direction indicated by the arrow) by means of a moving mechanism (not shown in the figures), e.g., a stage equipped with a micrometer, and using unused portions of the lenses.

Abstract: In a beam shaping device for converting the laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser light source from an elliptic beam to a circular beam, the light-entrance-side and light-exit-side surfaces of the beam shaping device both have a curvature only in the minor-axis direction of the cross section of the elliptic beam. Of the light-entrance-side and light-exit-side surfaces, one is a circular-arc cylindrical surface and the other is a non-circular-arc cylindrical surface. The beam shaping device fulfills prescribed conditions with respect to the center thickness, surface shapes, and/or other features.

Abstract: An optical sensor (1) having a light source (3) and a device for homogenizing the light beam (9) generated by the light source (3) is provided. Several optical elements with different focal distances cause a homogenization of the light beam (9) in its propagation direction. For homogenizing the light beam (9) perpendicular to its propagation direction, several optical elements are used with alternating focal lengths or widths arranged one next to the other. These are preferably constructed as an array on a front plate.

Abstract: An optical sensor having a light source (3) and a structured front plate (11), which expands the focused light beam (9) of the light source (3) at least in one direction. In one advantageous construction, the structure includes an array with several cylindrical lenses (11). They are preferably constructed by hot stamping the surface the front plate (11). The expanded light beam (9) is suitable, in particular, for detecting narrow objects (1) or edges. The light source (3) and the front plate (11) are each aligned relative to the sensor housing (12).

Abstract: An optical system with an optical beam propagation extension, having an input and an output for the optical beam. The system includes at least two optical reflection elements for reflection of the beam, arranged to extend the propagation of the beam by reflection on the reflection elements, and at least one optical beam transmission element arranged to be traversed at least twice by the optical beam in different directions during propagation of the optical beam in the optical system. The optical transmission element ensures an optical transformation of the optical beam each tim the optical beam passes through so as to correct the divergence thereof.

Abstract: A line-of-light projecting module is illuminated by a diode-laser bar and includes light-pipe for homogenizing light from the diode-laser bar in the slow-axis. A shaping optics assembly directs the light emitted by the diode-laser bar into the entrance end of the light-pipe as a diverging beam in the slow-axis and as a collimated beam in the fast-axis. The light propagates through the light-pipe unguided in the fast axis. The light is guided by the light-pipe in the slow-axis, and homogenized in the slow-axis by making multiple reflections from walls of the light-pipe. An anamorphic projection optics assembly projects the light from the exit end of the light-pipe and focuses the light to form the line-of-light.

Abstract: An optical sheet includes a substrate onto which light is incident, and a convex part protruded from the substrate by a predetermined thickness. A thickness of the convex part increases from an edge to a center thereof.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens having a refractive optical element and a diffractive optical element is provided. The cylindrical lens can be fabricated cost effectively and precisely, and optical aberrations and defects in semiconductor diode laser arrangements can be corrected. The diffractive optical element can include various segments.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, a medical device, a method and a system. The medical device includes an ellipsoidally shaped reflector having a first focus and a second focus. The ellipsoidally shaped reflector also provides a translational coupling of electromagnetic energy from the first focus to the second focus. The medical device also includes a controllable electromagnetic energy source aligned to emit a non-biologically emitted electromagnetic energy in a proximity to the first focus.

Abstract: In a projection display device that is provided with a relay lens for converting flux that is emitted from a light source to a parallel flux for illuminating an image display element (DMD), and a total internal reflection prism for both directing flux that is emitted from the relay lens to the DMD and directing flux that is reflected by the DMD toward a projection lens, the relay lens is unified with the prism as a lens-integral prism by bonding the relay lens to the total internal reflection surface of the prism.

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 optical beam splitter (1) for a light beam (2) that is parallel along a beam axis (A) has a transparent central area (3) and a plurality of reflecting reflector surfaces (4a, 4b) that are respectively inclined by a reflector angle (?) relative to the beam axis (A) for generating each a discrete spot beam (5a, 5b), with the central area (3) being convexly curved in the manner of a prism at least in part and/or has beam-expanding diffractive optics (19).

Abstract: In a projection display device that is provided with a relay lens for converting flux that is emitted from a light source to a parallel flux for illuminating an image display element (DMD), and a total internal reflection prism for both directing flux that is emitted from the relay lens to the DMD and directing flux that is reflected by the DMD toward a projection lens, the relay lens is unified with the prism as a lens-integral prism by bonding the relay lens to the total internal reflection surface of the prism.

Abstract: A reconfigurable illumination system for illuminating an object, and associated method. The illumination system comprises a cylindrical diffuser having a longitudinal aperture, a linescan camera positioned for having a direct line of sight to the object through the aperture of the diffuser, a base, and an illuminator supported on the base and positioned between the diffuser and the object, wherein the illuminator is selectively reconfigurable in a plurality of configurations, each configuration corresponding to a manufacturing process that requires visual inspection of the object.

Abstract: An optical system includes a pair of adjacent cylindrical lenses and a target positioned in a round-spot plane following the pair of cylindrical lenses. At least one of the cylindrical lenses is rotatable about the optical axis, relative to the other cylindrical lens. A collimated light beam is incident on the pair of cylindrical lenses. Rotating the cylindrical lenses relative to each other allows changing the size of a round spot (or symmetrically scaling an image) at a given target location. Additional optical elements, for example a spherical lens, may be placed after the pair of cylindrical lenses. In various embodiments, the pair of cylindrical lenses may include two positive lenses, or a positive and a negative lens.

Abstract: A beam shaping apparatus including an optical lens is provided. The optical lens includes a diverging surface and a cylindrical surface. The diverging surface expands the input laser beam into a uniform line in one plane. The cylindrical surface converges the laser beam in another plane. Therefore, the output laser line has the desired width and the uniform density along its length.

Abstract: A lens-attached light-emitting element for increasing an optical availability efficiency is provided. A lens-attached light-emitting element for structuring a light-emitting element array arranged in one dimension comprises a light-emitting element having an approximately U-shaped light-emitting area; and an approximately U-shaped composite lens including a combination of two cylindrical lenses arranged in a direction of the one dimension, one cylindrical lens, and four hemispherical lenses. Where the width in a direction of the one dimension of the light-emitting area is p, the thickness of the base portion of the composite lens is in the range of 0–0.71 p, a radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical lens and hemispherical lens is in the range of 0.20 p–0.47 p, and a center-to-center distance between at least two cylindrical lenses is in the range of 0.35 p–0.89 p.

Abstract: A device (1) for generating and projecting light marks (MP, ML) in which projection optics (P) have a cylindrical lens (Z). The cylindrical lens (Z) can be irradiated by a light beam bundle (L2) such that a central beam bundle (L2Z) radiates completely through a cylinder portion area (A) and at least one marginal beam bundle (L2R) travels directly past the edge of the outer surface of the cylinder portion area (ZA). A light mark (ML) in the shape of a line is projected by the central beam bundle (L2Z), while a light mark (MP) in the shape of a point is projected through the marginal beam bundle (L2R).

Abstract: In a beam shaping device for converting the laser light emitted from a semiconductor laser light source from an elliptic beam to a circular beam, the light-entrance-side and light-exit-side surfaces of the beam shaping device both have a curvature only in the major-axis direction of the cross section of the elliptic beam. Of the light-entrance-side and light-exit-side surfaces, one is a circular-arc cylindrical surface and the other is a non-circular-arc cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The method of making an optical lens in accordance with the present invention comprises an optical lens preform producing step of producing an optical lens preform 40 having a plurality of curved surface parts 43 formed parallel to each other, and a pair of flanges 48 formed on both sides of the plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing the optical lens preform 40; and an optical lens producing step of producing an optical lens 1 by cutting the drawn optical lens preform 40; wherein the plurality of curved surface parts 43 of the optical lens preform 40 drawn by the drawing step function as an optically effective part. In such a method, the form of the optically effective part can be determined in the stage of the preform before drawing, whereby the optically effective part can be processed in a sufficiently large size.

Abstract: A rear anamorph is disclosed with at least two cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in one direction primarily for squeezing or stretching the image with a ratio of less than 2:1, and at least two cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in a second direction primarily for aberration control. The cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in one direction may be moved as a group along the optical axis, and the cylindrically surfaced elements oriented in the second direction may also be moved as a group along the optical axis. In addition, the entire rear anamorph may be moved together, and a lens unit attached to the rear anamorph may also be moved with respect to the rear anamorph. With these adjustments, the two image planes formed by the two focal lengths created by the cylindrically surfaced elements in the two directions may be aligned with each other and superimposed on the nominal image plane.

Abstract: A lens arrangement for transforming a divergent, generally astigmatic laser beam from a diode laser into a beam having a high degree of rotational symmetry is disclosed. The arrangement comprises, in series, a first cylindrical gradient index lens arranged with its principal axes parallel to the principal axes of the astigmatic laser beam; a second cylindrical gradient index lens arranged with its principal axes parallel to the principal axes of the astigmatic laser beam; and a third cylindrical gradient index lens arranged with its principal axes rotated 45 degrees with respect to the principal axes of the astigmatic laser beam. The first and the second gradient index lenses have such refractive powers that both the fast and the slow axis of the astigmatic laser beam are converged to a focus inside the third gradient index lens.

Abstract: A projection system for projecting a pattern of a mask onto a substrate. The projection system includes a projection optical system disposed between the mask and the substrate, and an optical element for correcting aberration produced in the projection optical system. The optical element has different refracting powers in two orthogonal directions or has a refracting power in one direction of two orthogonal directions and no refracting power in the other of the two orthogonal directions. The optical element is disposed between the mask and the substrate. An optical axis of the optical element is inclined with respect to an optical axis of the projection optical system.

Abstract: The method of making an optical lens in accordance with the present invention comprises an optical lens preform producing step of producing an optical lens preform 40 having a plurality of curved surface parts 43 formed parallel to each other, and a pair of flanges 48 formed on both sides of the plurality of curved surface parts 43; a drawing step of drawing the optical lens preform 40; and an optical lens producing step of producing an optical lens 1 by cutting the drawn optical lens preform 40; wherein the plurality of curved surface parts 43 of the optical lens preform 40 drawn by the drawing step function as an optically effective part. In such a method, the form of the optically effective part can be determined in the stage of the preform before drawing, whereby the optically effective part can be processed in a sufficiently large size.

Abstract: An aberration changing optical system to be used with a projection optical system of a projection exposure apparatus, includes an optical element having at least one of a cylindrical surface and a toric surface and being rotatable about and tiltable to an optical axis of the optical system. In another form, the aberration changing optical system includes an optical element having different refracting powers in two orthogonal directions or having a refracting power only in one direction, the optical element being made rotatable about and tiltable to an optical axis of the optical system.

Abstract: A method for forming many microlenses comparatively easily and effectively is provided. On one end of an optical substrate is formed a plurality of lens planes at regular intervals. Lens areas containing the lens planes are partially covered by an etching mask and etching processing is performed on areas being exposed outside the etching mask to remove the areas to a specified depth. While the lens planes formed on one surface of the optical substrate are being held by a support substrate, polishing processing is performed on another end face of the optical substrate and each microlens formed in the lens areas is separated from the support substrate.

Abstract: A laser beam incident on a rod lens has a greater cross-sectional diameter than that of a rod lens main body, and mirrors are provided near the rod lens main body to reflect incident light toward the same. Since light of a strong beam intensity reflected onto the rod lens main body by the mirrors produces a greater angle than light of weak beam intensity, this configuration has an effect of increasing the light intensity on the ends of a resulting line beam and, thus, expands the spreading angle of visible light in the line beam.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an optical lens in accordance with the present invention includes a drawing optical lens preform preparing step of preparing a drawing optical lens preform comprising a first curved face part, formed aspheric in one side face thereof, functioning as an optically active part, and a second curved face part, formed in a side face opposite from the first curved face part, having a curvature smaller than that of the first curved face part; a drawing step of drawing the drawing optical lens preform to a desirable outer diameter; and an optical lens preparing step of preparing an optical lens 1 by slicing the drawn drawing optical lens preform. Since the second curved face part is formed, distortions can be restrained from occurring due to the drawing in this manufacturing method.

Abstract: A light source device has a semiconductor laser for emitting an elliptical divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an elliptical form; and a beam shaping element for converting an elliptical divergent beam from said semiconductor laser into an approximately circular divergent beam having a light intensity distribution in an approximately circular form; wherein the beam shaping element has a first surface formed of a cylindrical surface and a second surface formed of an anamorphic surface, in order from said semiconductor laser side, and satisfies the predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for producing lines of groups of lines of electromagnetic radiation of the optical spectral range in a definable area of space. The lines or groups of lines can be used as positioning aids or geometry detection aids, and they include at least one conversion unit which is at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation used, and which can convert the electromagnetic radiation passing through it, especially coherent radiation or laser radiation, such that the electromagnetic radiation forms at least one line of group of lines in a given three-dimensional area.

Abstract: A lens having a lens face including a convex area that exhibits the lens function thereof, and a bonding part formed for bonding an additional optical device to the lens face in another part thereof that is not to be the optical path of the lens, in which the bonding part protrudes outside in the direction of the optical axis at least height not lower than the vertex of the convex face. An additional optical device such as an optical filter is bonded to the bonding part of the lens with an adhesive. The lens may be integrated with any other optical device to fabricate small-sized appliances, for example, and suffers little optical loss that may be caused by adhesive having penetrated into the bonded area of the lens and the additional optical device.

Abstract: A laser diode (20) emits astigmatic and elliptical light. The long axis of ellipse is the fast axis of light, and the short axis of ellipse is the slow axis of light. A collimating lens (34) first collimates the slow-axis light. Following the collimating lens (34), a first cylindrical lens (36) focuses the un-collimated fast-axis light. The focused fast-axis light then diverges and reaches a second cylindrical lens (38). The second cylindrical lens (38) collimates the fast-axis light. The collimated slow-axis light is unaffected by both cylindrical lenses. The beam-waist of the fast-axis light is substantially equal to the beam-waist of the slow-axis light by properly designing the focal lengths of both cylindrical lenses. The second cylindrical lens (38) outputs an astigmatic-aberration-free, circular collimated-beam. The corrected beam is then input to a low-feedback-noise fiber collimator (28), resulting in a fiber-coupled laser diode having both high coupling-efficiency and low feedback-noise.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus includes an optical system, a photosensitive drum and a rotational mechanism. Multibeam laser light is focused through the optical system to form an image as a column of image-forming beam spots on the photosensitive drum. The column of image-forming beam spots is arranged obliquely on the photosensitive drum and scanned to perform optical recording. The optical system includes a resolution converting lens system which is detachably attached into the optical system. The rotating mechanism adjusts rotation of the resolution converting lens system around an optical axis thereof. The resolution converting lens system is rotated by the rotating mechanism to change of resolution of the recording image. The resolution converting lens system is attached into and detached from the optical system to change of resolution of the recording image.

Abstract: The specification discloses a lens for scanners. At the same time of shortening the optical paths among devices in the scanning module of the scanner, the size of the lens increases within a limited range so that the scanner still has a compact dimension. The lens has a cylindrical shape. The rims of the two opposite end surfaces are comprised of two opposite lines and two opposite arcs. The centers of the arcs are located at correspondingly the same positions on the end surfaces. Therefore, the beam can enter one end surface and leave from the other.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first cylindrical optical element (lens or mirror), and a second cylindrical optical element positioned in a round-spot plane following the first cylindrical optical element. At least one of the cylindrical optical elements is rotatable about the optical axis, relative to the other cylindrical optical element. A collimated light beam is incident on the first cylindrical optical element. Rotating the cylindrical optical elements relative to each other allows changing the size of a round spot or scaling an image at a given output location. In one implementation, two positive-magnification cylindrical lenses of focal length f are separated by a distance 2f. Rotating one of the lenses about the optical axis changes the diameter of a round spot (or symmetrically scales an image) at a fixed position away from the second lens.

Abstract: A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

Abstract: A laser beam incident on a rod lens has a greater cross-sectional diameter than that of a rod lens main body, and mirrors are provided near the rod lens main body to reflect incident light toward the same. Since light of a strong beam intensity reflected onto the rod lens main body by the mirrors produces a greater angle than light of weak beam intensity, this configuration has an effect of increasing the light intensity on the ends of a resulting line beam and, thus, expands the spreading angle of visible light in the line beam.

Abstract: A device is proposed to symmetrize the radiation from one or from several linear optical emitters. The device possesses per emitter 1, 1a, 1b a cylindrical lens optical unit 2, 2a, 2b with one or more cylindrical lenses, which collimate each light beam in the y-direction, where by rotating at least one of the cylindrical lenses around the z-axis or by providing a discontinuous diffracting element, each light beam is diffracted at a different diffraction angle in the y-direction. The device additionally contains a director-collimator optical unit 3, which collimates each light beam in the x-direction and diffracts at different diffraction angles so that the main beams of the individual light beams in the x-direction converge at a specified distance from the emitter and run parallel in the y-direction. Finally, the device has a redirecting optical unit 4 which compensates for the diffraction of the light beam in the x-direction caused by the director-collimator optical unit 3.

Abstract: An objective lens (1) for an optical disk, which focuses a light beam from a light source, is designed so that a third-order coma aberration generated when the objective lens is inclined at a unit angle is larger than a third-order coma aberration generated when the optical disk (2) is inclined at the unit angle, mounted on an actuator for inclining the objective lens according to an inclination amount of the optical disk, and used. With this structure, it is possible to obtain an objective lens for an optical disk that has a large numerical aperture and is easy to manufacture and assemble, and in which the third-order coma aberration generated when the optical disk surface is inclined owing to a warp or the like can be corrected by small inclination of the objective lens, so as to reduce a residual astigmatism, which is generated according to the inclination amount, after the correction.