With Aspheric Surface (e.g., Schmidt Lens, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/728)
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Publication number: 20080192479Abstract: A laterally emitting radiation-generating component comprising a radiation source, the optical axis of which runs perpendicular to a mounting area of the component, and comprising an optical device arranged downstream of the radiation source. The optical device includes a reflective surface shaped like a V in cross section and a refractive surface that is shaped convexly as seen externally and is arranged between the reflective surface and a bottom area facing the radiation source. The bottom area is arranged and formed in such a way that through it electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source couples into the optical device. The reflective surface is arranged and formed in such a way that a central first portion of the coupled-in radiation is deflected toward the refractive surface by the reflective surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventor: Mario Wanninger
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Patent number: 7403343Abstract: The invention relates to a panoramic attachment optical system and a panoramic optical system for taking an image having a full 360°-direction angle of view or projecting an image at a full 360°-direction angle of view. These optical systems are reduced in size and flare light and improved in resolving power. A panoramic attachment optical system 10 attached to the entrance side of an image-formation lens 20 to form a full 360°-direction image on an image plane 30 comprises a transparent medium that is rotationally symmetric about a center axis 1 and includes at least one internal reflecting surface 12 and at least two refracting surfaces 11 and 13. A light beam incident on the entrance surface 11 in order of travel of light enters the transparent medium via the entrance surface 11, and is reflected at the internal reflecting surface 12 to leave the transparent medium via the exit surface 13, forming an image at a position of the image plane 30 off the center axis 1 via the image-formation lens 20.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Takayoshi Togino
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Publication number: 20080165437Abstract: A high efficiency and compact optical device comprising two or more active and resonating optical facet surfaces defined by a three-dimensional representation and configured to provide a three-dimensional device. A focal region, remote from the optical surfaces and non-contiguous therewith, is defined by two or more active optical resonant surfaces, at least one of which is self-resonant. The optical surfaces in general do not have a continuous second derivative and are defined by a piecewise continuous surface function providing radially directed facets. The optical device comprises a transparent dielectric body with its optical surfaces being formed on the surfaces of said transparent dielectric body. A light transducer may be located at a focal region to provide an energy conversion. A light source having a physical extension in space, such as an LED, may be located at the focal region to provide collimation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Leo David DiDomenico
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Patent number: 7391580Abstract: A mono-bloc catadioptric imaging lens comprising a solid body and a single-focal Maksutov type construction characterized by two refractive surfaces and two reflective surfaces wherein all surfaces are surfaces of revolution and wherein at least one surface is aspheric.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Inventor: Zeev Maresse
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Publication number: 20080130138Abstract: A radar apparatus has a light receiver that includes a refractive body and a mirror on an opposite surface of the refractive body relative to an incidence surface of the refractive body for receiving an incident light from an outside of the radar apparatus. The refractive angle of the refractive body is configured to be smaller than an incident angle of the incident light, and the mirror is configured to reflect at least a portion of the incident light toward a first light receiving element that is disposed on the incidence surface with its light receiving face facing the incidence surface of the refractive body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: DENSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hisaya Katoh, Noriyuki Matsushita
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Publication number: 20080123059Abstract: There is provided an optical projection system which includes a display device, a first optical system that has a positive power in total and has a first lens group and a second lens group, a second optical system having a reflective surface having a negative power, and a first deflecting system that directs a light beam emerging from the first optical system to the second optical system. The first lens group and the second lens group have a positive power and a negative power, respectively. The first deflecting system is located over the first optical system in a cross sectional plane. The first deflecting system deflects the light beam in a direction moving away from the screen to direct the light beam to the second optical system. The optical projection system satisfies conditions: 6.0>D/f1>2.6 ?1>EXP1/f1>?2.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: PENTAX CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsuya ABE, Ken AGATSUMA
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Publication number: 20080058904Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Leroy E. Hood, Roderick A. Hyde, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood
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Patent number: 7327525Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system for illuminating and viewing a target in which an illumination element and a receiving means are disposed behind a single optical window, and which obtains data essentially free of backscatter and stray light. The optical window of the optical system is configured such that it defines a shape having at least one focal curve, i.e., an ellipsoid shaped dome. The illumination element and the receiving means are geometrically positioned on the focal curve plane or in proximity of the focal curve plane, such that, when illuminating, rays from the illumination elements, that are internally reflected from the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving means.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Given Imaging Ltd.Inventors: Hanoch Kislev, Arkady Glukhovsky, Gavriel Meron, Gavriel J. Iddan
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Patent number: 7312933Abstract: A rectangular monobloc optical lens and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. A monobloc optical lens includes a rectangular surround and a central mirror-surface area. The rectangular surround is mounted inside a clipping part of a lens holder. The central mirror-surface area consists of a convex aspherical surface and a concave aspherical surface while the convex aspherical surface faces an image side and the concave aspherical surface faces an object side. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: cutting a sheet made from glass material into a plurality of rectangular sheet units; then setting the rectangular sheet unit into a mold for lens for hot pressing. Thereby, the manufacturing process is simplified and the cost is reduced. Moreover, the lens has high resolution and the volume of the lens is effectively reduced so as to increase the applications of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: E-Pin Optical Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Chien-Min Wu
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Patent number: 7307797Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising a plurality of lens units each composed of at least one lens element, wherein an interval between at least any two lens units is changed so that an optical image is formed with a continuously variable magnification, the zoom lens system comprises a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit that includes a lens element having a reflecting surface and has negative power and subsequent lens units including at least one lens unit having positive power, and the condition: 0.50<(C?S)/H<1.00(C=?{square root over ( )}(2R·dR?dR2), S is a sag of the image side surface of the most object side lens element in the second lens unit at height H, H is one-half of an optical axial thickness of the lens element having a reflecting surface, R is a radius of curvature of the image side surface, and dR is an interval between the most object side lens element and the lens element having a reflecting surface) is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiki Yoshitsugu, Takakazu Bito
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Patent number: 7303290Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality or higher in color. A laser beam focusing arrangement aligns a mechanical axis of a focusing lens with an optical axis along which a laser beam is directed to reduce pointing errors.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Carl Wittenberg, Chinh Tan, Lisa Fan
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Publication number: 20070273985Abstract: The device has flexure correcting means for operating to rotate a first eccentric cam provided at a central part of a first side of a reflecting mirror, thereby moving up and down the central part of the first side to correct the flexure of the reflecting mirror, torsion correcting means for operating to rotate a second eccentric cam or/and a third eccentric cam provided at the ends of a second side opposed to the first side of the reflecting mirror, thereby moving up and down both ends of the second side of the reflecting mirror to correct the torsion of the reflecting mirror, and a rotation operation portion provided at each of extended ends of camshafts provided at the eccentric cams to correct the flexure and torsion of the reflecting mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2007Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventor: Tsuneo Fujinuma
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Patent number: 7302181Abstract: An optical communication device having multiple light sources under a single lens. The optical communication device has two light sources. The optical communication device has a lens optically coupled to the two light sources. The lens is shaped to direct light from the two light sources towards an axis of the lens. The optical communication device further has a third light source located below the approximate center of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Peng Yam Ng, Wee Sin Tan
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Patent number: 7270447Abstract: A lens for an LED having a lens body providing total internal reflection of light emitted by the LED from a first emission point disposed proximate a first junction of the lens body and centerplane. The lens includes an arcuate light-diffusing edge for diffusing light emitted by the LED and reflected by the angular base and sidewall assembly, the light being diffused by the lens at substantially uniform luminance across a sector of at least 150 degrees centered and measured about the first junction. The light diffused by the lens provides for substantially uniform mixing of at least two different colors of light emitted by a multi-color LED apparatus disposed at the first emission point.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: GE SecurityInventors: René Goulet, Guy Drouin, Martin Beaumont
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Patent number: 7222995Abstract: A unitary lens and light emitting device combination is provided that produces a highly uniform beam of light, corrected for distortions and gaps in illumination, throughout a full output beam width. The unitary lens incorporates all of the necessary optical surfaces to provide the output beam, including a pattern-correcting spherical refracting surface that smooths intensity variations in the overall illumination pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Bayco Products, Ltd.Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Newton, Michael Thomas
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Patent number: 7224520Abstract: A compact, optically fast catadioptric imager. In one embodiment, the catadioptric imager of this invention includes a first group of optical elements optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation from an object and having positive optical power, a second group of optical elements, optically disposed between the first group of optical elements and an image plane, having at least one optical surface and having positive optical power, a third group of optical elements, optically disposed between the object and the second group of optical elements, having at least one optical surface and having negative optical power, a fourth group of optical elements substantially centered along an optical axis of said second group of optical elements and having negative optical power, and a fifth group of optical elements having positive optical power.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
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Patent number: 7181378Abstract: The present embodiments provide for apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing apparatuses to convert a first distribution of an input radiation to a second distribution of output radiation. The apparatus can be defined in some embodiments by generating a two-dimensional representation of three active optical surfaces including calculating a segment of first, entry and second surfaces based on first second, and third generalized Cartesian ovals, respectively, and successively repeating the calculating of the segments of the first and second surfaces, and rotationally sweeping the two-dimensional representation about a central axis providing a three-dimensional representation. In some embodiments, portion of the first and/or second surfaces can be totally internally reflective.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLCInventors: Pablo Benitez, Juan C. Minano, Fernando Munoz
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Patent number: 7019918Abstract: A panoramic lens includes an aspherical convex surface and an aspherical concave surface. The convex surface includes a transparent portion and an internally reflective portion, and the concave surface also includes a transparent portion and an internally reflective portion. Light from a 360-degree surrounding scene enters the panoramic lens through the transparent portion of the convex surface, is reflected by the internally reflective portion of the concave surface, is reflected by the internally reflective portion of the convex surface, and exits the panoramic lens through the transparent portion of the concave surface as a narrow column of light beams. Light beams containing image data can be provided to the transparent portion of the concave surface, and those beams will follow this same optical path through the panoramic lens in reverse to project a panoramic image out from the transparent region of the convex surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Be Here CorporationInventors: Edward P. Wallerstein, Robert G. Hoffman, Stanley P. DeMarta, Edward C. Driscoll, Jr.
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Patent number: 6940660Abstract: An optical device has a plurality of optical elements lined up in a row laterally. The optical elements in each case have a light entry surface, a light exit surface, and an associated optical axis. The light entry surfaces are in each case formed convexly in the manner of a lens in a central region surrounding the optical axis. The central region is in each case surrounded by an annular reflector, which is preferably composed of a plurality of individual reflectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Osram GmbHInventor: Simon Blümel
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Patent number: 6934093Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system for illuminating and viewing a target in which an illumination element and a receiving means are disposed behind a single optical window, and which obtains data essentially free of backscatter and stray light. The optical window of the optical system is configured such that it defines a shape having at least one focal curve, i.e., an ellipsoid shaped dome. The illumination element and the receiving means are geometrically positioned on the focal curve plane or in proximity of the focal curve plane, such that, when illuminating, rays from the illumination elements, that are internally reflected from the optical window, will not be incident on the receiving means.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Given Imaging LTDInventors: Hanoch Kislev, Arkady Glukhovsky, Gavriel Meron, Gavriel J. Iddan
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Patent number: 6908200Abstract: Two reflection surfaces that are a first reflection surface (2) and a second reflection surface (3), each in a non-axisymmetric form, are disposed in the stated order in a direction in which light fluxes travel, and bring light fluxes from an object into focus on an image surface (4). The first reflection surface (2) and the second reflection surface (3) are provided eccentrically, and each of the first reflection surface (2) and the second refection surface (3) is concave in a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane containing a center of the image surface (4) and vertices of the reflection surfaces (2, 3). This ensures that light fluxes are guided to the image surface without being blocked, whereby an excellent image can be formed. Thus, a reflective optical device with a wider angle and improved performance can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motonobu Yoshikawa, Yoshiharu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6894842Abstract: The invention discloses a projection optical system for projecting an original image onto a projection surface. The projection optical system comprises a plurality of aspherical curved mirrors, which reflects image light from the original image in sequence and then forms an image on the projection surface. The projection optical system forms a projected image on the projection surface at an aspect ratio different from that of the original image by a combination of reflective actions of the image light on the aspherical surfaces of the plurality of aspherical curved mirrors. Even in a projection optical system having a wide angle of view and a short distance of projection, it is possible to implement a projection optical system that is capable of suppressing distortion and performing an optical aspect conversion.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsumi Kurematsu, Toshihiro Sunaga
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Patent number: 6879338Abstract: Asymmetrical camera systems, which are adapted to utilize a greater proportion of the image data from each camera as compared to symmetrical camera systems, are disclosed. Specifically, an outward facing camera system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of equatorial cameras distributed evenly about an origin point in a plane. The outward facing camera system also includes a first plurality of polar cameras tilted above the plane. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention include a second plurality of polar cameras tilted below the plane. The equatorial cameras and polar cameras are configured to capture an complete coverage of an environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Enroute, Inc.Inventor: Roy T. Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6867931Abstract: An optical imaging system especially for microlithography includes a first imaging system forming an intermediate image of an object, and a second imaging system forming, on a surface, an image of the intermediate image. A reflective surface directs light from the first imaging system to the second imaging system. An aspherical corrective optical surface is located at or near the location of the intermediate image for correcting aberrations such as high-order distortion, aberrations due to accumulation of manufacturing tolerances, and spherical aberration. The first imaging system comprises a positive power refractive element and a concave mirror. The second imaging system comprises refractive elements and no concave mirror.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Tomowaki Takahashi
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Patent number: 6859334Abstract: A reflecting microoptical system is formed of only two optical surfaces having a continuous configuration, and has a simple configuration suitable for glass molding. Different combinations of convex, planar and concave surfaces are disclosed for the two optical surfaces, to provide different advantageous properties. In preferred embodiments of the invention, at least one, and in some cases both, of the optical surfaces have an aspherical shape to correct for aberrations.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manami Kuiseko, Yasushi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6836380Abstract: An optical reduction system for use in the photolithographic manufacture of semiconductor devices having one or more quarter-wave plates operating near the long conjugate end. A quarter-wave plate after the reticle provides linearly polarized light at or near the beamsplitter. A quarter-wave plate before the reticle provides circularly polarized or generally unpolarized light at or near the reticle. Additional quarter-wave plates are used to further reduce transmission loss and asymmetries from feature orientation. The optical reduction system provides a relatively high numerical aperture of 0.7 capable of patterning features smaller than 0.25 microns over a 26 mm×5 mm field. The optical reduction system is thereby well adapted to a step and scan microlithographic exposure tool as used in semiconductor manufacturing. Several other embodiments combine elements of different refracting power to widen the spectral bandwidth which can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventor: Justin L. Kreuzer
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Publication number: 20040246595Abstract: An optical system includes a front end (1), a rear end image relay (2), an image transfer means (5) adapted to image the aperture stop of the rear end image relay (2) to a position where it forms the entrance pupil of the optical imaging system, and aberration correcting means (6, 7), including a lens (7) having an aspheric surface (7A) at or adjacent the aperture stop of the rear end image relay (2) and a meniscus lens (6A) to correct for both primary and higher order spherical aberration, the aspheric surface (7A) being sufficiently aspherical that chromatic error introduced by lens (7) cancels at least a major part of chromatic error introduced by the meniscus lens (6). The aberration correcting means may further include a multiple component lens (6C) to also cancel chromatic error. The front and rear ends may include one or more mirrors in different configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Allan David Beach
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Patent number: 6775073Abstract: The invention relates to a compact, high-performance yet wide-field real image type zoom finder comprising a positive objective optical system Ob and a positive eyepiece optical system Ep and further including an image-inverting means for erecting an real image formed by the objective optical system. The objective optical system Ob comprises a plurality of moving groups G2 and G3, and the eyepiece optical system Ep comprises positive reflecting surfaces, at least one of which is defined by a rotationally asymmetric surface, and satisfies conditions 1.25<dEP/fOC<2.0 and 0.5<lOC/fOC<1.3 where dEP is the distance as measured along an axial chief ray from a final surface to an eye point of the eyepiece optical system, fOC is the focal length of the eyepiece optical system, and lOC is the length as calculated on an air basis and measured along an axial chief ray from an intermediate image-formation plane to the final surface of the eyepiece optical system.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Yuji Kamo
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Patent number: 6767103Abstract: An optical system comprises a three-mirror anastigmat including a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, and a tertiary mirror positioned to reflect a beam path. An intermediate image is formed on the beam path at an intermediate-image location between the secondary mirror and the tertiary mirror. A negative-optical-power field mirror is positioned in the beam path at a field-mirror location subsequent to the intermediate-image location along the beam path. The field mirror reflects the intermediate image to the tertiary mirror.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Lacy G. Cook
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Patent number: 6754012Abstract: The invention is to provide a synthetic resin-made concave cone lens for radiating a standard laser line in a low cost in that accuracy of irradiation of a standard laser line can be assured, occurrence of defective products can be prevented, and advantages in production cost owing to mass production can be sufficiently enjoyed.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Nissho CorporationInventors: Isshu Terauchi, Norihisa Teraji
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Publication number: 20040114255Abstract: A luminous flux, from one conjugate surface (A), having an opening angle of at least 10° sequentially passes through a first optical system (30) having a luminous flux convergent action in the vicinity of its reference axis and a second optical system (31) having a luminous flux divergent action in the vicinity of its reference axis, and converges on another conjugate surface (B). A specific condition is given to the converging distance of each converging point at a luminous flux section including a principal ray according to the passing position of the luminous flux through the first optical system (30) to thereby implement an oblique-incident optical system having a half angle of at least 60° and a comparatively simple structure irrespective of a type of an optical element used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: June 17, 2004Applicant: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.Inventor: Eiki Matsuo
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Publication number: 20040105171Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of a total internal reflection lens whereby a tilted symmetry axis leads to a net deflection of the output beam away from the surface normal of the exit surface. Linear TIR lenses have a net deflection transverse to their focal strip. Circular TIR lens profiles going beyond 90° are tilted to bring the rim level with the source, the deflected rays exiting the lens to form an off-axis beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: LIGHT PRESCRIPTIONS INNOVATORS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability companyInventors: Juan C. Minano, Waqidi Falicoff, Pablo Benitez, William A. Parkyn, Julio Pinto Chaves, Yupin Sun
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Publication number: 20040032653Abstract: The wide angle lens system described herein allows projection devices (e.g., rear projection display devices) to be more compact than would otherwise be possible. The lens system includes a wide angle lens stage and a relay lens stage. When operating as a projection device, the relay lens stage projects a distorted intermediate image to the wide angle lens stage, which projects the image for display. The distortion cause by the relay lens stage compensates (i.e., is approximately equal and opposite) for the distortion caused by the wide angle stage. The distortion can be the image shape and/or the focal plane. When operating as a taking device, the wide angle stage provides a distorted image to the relay lens stage, which compensates for the distortion and provide a less distorted, or even non-distorted image, for capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Gohman
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Patent number: 6687060Abstract: A reading optical system for projecting a document image on a CCD in an image reading device, providing, sequentially from the document side, a symmetrical lens group rotatable about the optical axis, and a free curved mirror. Reflective surface shape of the free curved mirror is symmetrical in a plane perpendicular to the linear layout direction of the line CCD and includes the intersection of the optical axis of the lens group and the reflective surface of the free curved mirror. The reflective surface shape of the free curved mirror is asymmetrical in a plane parallel to the linear layout direction of the line CCD and includes the normal line (NL) at the intersection. The number of lenses of the lens group structure can be reduced to three lenses while maintaining a high optical performance by using such a free curved mirror.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuharu Kagoshima, Makoto Ooki
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Patent number: 6674571Abstract: An optical architecture for observation telescopes, in particular for telescopes intended to be installed on board a vehicle, such as a space satellite, for observing terrestrial areas, includes a concave and off-axis mirror which is aspherical or possibly spherical and reflects in the form of a convergent beam a beam consisting of radiation that it receives from a terrestrial area that it is observing, a dioptric and achromatic aperture correction plate inserted on the path of the convergent beam reflected by the mirror, a dioptric and achromatic field correction plate inserted on the path of the convergent beam reflected by the mirror on the downstream side of the aperture correction plate relative to the mirror, and a pupil on the path of the reflected convergent beam to obtain an off-axis field of view preventing central obscuration. It constitutes a simple way of imaging stereoscopically.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Guy Henri Abel Cerutti-Maori, Thierry Viard
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Patent number: 6639732Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection exposure apparatus (10) for and method of imaging a reticle (R) having patterned surface onto a substrate (W) in photolithographic processes for manufacturing a variety of devices. The invention further relates to an optical system (C) having a folding member (M1) suited to the projection exposure apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the optical system. The projection exposure apparatus comprises an illumination optical system (IS) and a reticle stage (RS) capable of holding the reticle so the normal line to its patterned surface is in the direction of gravity. The apparatus also includes a substrate stage (WS) capable of holding the substrate with its surface normal parallel to the direction of gravity. The optical system includes a first imaging optical system (A) comprising a concave reflecting mirror and a dioptric optical member arranged along a first optical axis. The first imaging optical system (A) forms an intermediate image of the patterned surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Omura, Tetsuo Takahashi, Masatoshi Ikeda, Shiwen Li
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Patent number: 6639733Abstract: A highly efficient optical device comprises two opposing active non-spherical optical surfaces defined by a two-dimensional representation that is symmetrically extended to provide a three-dimensional device. A focal area, spaced apart from the optical surface and non-contiguous therewith, is defined by the two opposing active optical surfaces. The active optical surfaces each have a continuous second derivative, and the optical surfaces are defined by a polynomial with an order of at least about twenty. The optical device may comprise a transparent dielectric core, and the optical surfaces may be formed on the core. A receiver may be situated at the focal area to provide a concentrator. An extended light source such as an LED may be situated at the focal area, to provide a collimator. Faceted embodiments can provide a low aspect optical device. In some embodiments a diffuser may be used to transform incident radiation into a predetermined shape.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC.Inventors: Juan C. Minano, Pablo Benitez, Juan C. Gonzalez, Waqidi Falicoff, H. J. Caulfield
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Patent number: 6636360Abstract: A reflecting type of zoom optical system comprises a plurality of optical elements each of which includes a transparent body and two refracting surfaces and a plurality of reflecting surfaces formed on the transparent body and is arranged so that a light beam enters the transparent body from one of the two refracting surfaces, repeatedly undergoes reflection by the plurality of reflecting surfaces, and exits from the other of the two refracting surfaces, and/or a plurality of optical elements on each of which a plurality of reflecting surfaces made from surface reflecting mirrors are integrally formed, and each of which is arranged so that an entering light beam repeatedly undergoes reflection by the plurality of reflecting surfaces and exits from the optical element.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsunefumi Tanaka, Toshiya Kurihashi, Shigeo Ogura, Keisuke Araki, Makoto Sekita, Nobuhiro Takeda, Yoshihiro Uchino, Kenichi Kimura, Toshikazu Yanai, Norihiro Nanba, Hiroshi Saruwatari, Takeshi Akiyama
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Patent number: 6631036Abstract: An aspheric reduction objective has a catadioptric partial objective (L1), an intermediate image (IMI) and a refractive partial objective (L2). The catadioptric partial objective has an assembly centered to the optical axis and this assembly includes two mutually facing concave mirrors (M1, M2). The cutouts in the mirrors (B1, B2) lead to an aperture obscuration which can be held to be very small by utilizing lenses close to the mirrors and having a high negative refractive power and aspheric lens surfaces (27, 33). The position of the entry and exit pupils can be corrected with aspherical lens surfaces (12, 48, 53) in the field lens groups. The number of spherical lenses in the refractive partial objective can be reduced with aspherical lens surfaces (66, 78) arranged symmetrically to the diaphragm plane. Neighboring aspheric lens surfaces (172, 173) form additional correction possibilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-StiftungInventor: Karl Heinz Schuster
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Patent number: 6624847Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imaging system which corrects colors of taken images of objects at practical speed and displays the image colors correctly. The imaging system comprises an imaging device (23) for taking a color image and a lens (21), and a reflection surface (18) is provided within the maximum field of view (Vm, Vm) to diffuse-reflect an image of an object (Ob) so that it impinges upon the imaging device (23) through the lens (21). Each main coordinates (Xmi, Ymi) of a direct image obtained as an object point (P) on the object (Ob) is imaged on the imaging device (23) is assigned to corresponding sub-coordinates (Xni, Yni) of an indirect image of the object point (P) formed from the reflection surface (18) on the imaging device (23). The R, G, B components in pixels at the individual main coordinates are respectively divided by the same components at the corresponding sub-coordinates to provide a color-corrected image.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Nature Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mohamed Abolella Abdellatif
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Patent number: 6600608Abstract: An objective comprising axial symmetry, at least one curved mirror and at least one lens and two intermediate images. The objective includes two refractive partial objectives and one catadioptric partial objective. The objective includes a first partial objective, a first intermediate a image, a second partial objective, a second intermediate image, and a third partial objective. At least one of the partial objectives is purely refractive. One of the partial objectives is purely refractive and one is purely catoptric.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-StiftungInventors: David R. Shafer, Alois Herkommer, Karl-Heinz Schuster, Gerd Fürter, Rudolf von Bünau, Wilhelm Ulrich
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Patent number: 6575598Abstract: A spotlight has a curved reflector (1, 1′) and a lamp (2, 2′) arranged inside a cavity formed by the reflector (1, 1′). The lamp (2, 2′) and the reflector (1, 1′) are movable relative to one another in a direction of a main optical axis of the spotlight. A converging lens (5) is arranged in front of the reflector (1, 1′) in a direction of light emission. A dispersive lens (6) is arranged between the reflector (1, 1′) and the converging lens (5).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Dedo Weigert Film GmbHInventors: Dedo Weigert, Depu Chin
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Patent number: 6560011Abstract: A system for multiple mode imaging is disclosed. The catadioptric system has an NA greater than 0.65, and preferably greater than 0.9, highly corrected for low and high order monochromatic aberrations. The system employs unique illumination entrances and optics to collect reflected, diffracted, and scattered light over a range of angles. Multiple imaging modes are possible by varying the illumination geometry and apertures at the pupil plane. Illumination can enter the catadioptric optical system using an auxiliary beamsplitter or mirror, or through the catadioptric elements at any angle from 0 to 85 degrees from vertical. The system may employ a relayed pupil plane, used to select different imaging modes, provide simultaneous operation of different imaging modes, Fourier filtering, and other pupil shaping operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Yung-Ho Chuang, David Shafer, Bin-Ming B. Tsai, J. Joseph Armstrong
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Patent number: 6549332Abstract: Disclosed is a reflecting optical system in which a beam from an object is incident through an incident surface formed in a surface of a transparent body, the beam is reflected by a reflecting surface of internal reflection comprised of a curved surface provided in a part of the transparent body, and thereafter the beam is emergent from an emergent surface of the transparent body, thereby forming an image, wherein a radius of curvature of the incident surface is set to be nearly equal to a distance from the vertex of the incident surface to the object on a reference axis and wherein a radius of curvature of the emergent surface is set to be nearly equal to a distance from the vertex of the emergent surface to the image on the reference axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Kimura
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Publication number: 20030067691Abstract: The invention discloses a projection optical system for projecting an original image onto a projection surface. The projection optical system comprises a plurality of aspherical curved mirrors, which reflects image light from the original image in sequence and then forms an image on the projection surface. The projection optical system forms a projected image on the projection surface at an aspect ratio different from that of the original image by a combination of reflective actions of the image light on the aspherical surfaces of the plurality of aspherical curved mirrors. Even in a projection optical system having a wide angle of view and a short distance of projection, it is possible to implement a projection optical system that is capable of suppressing distortion and performing an optical aspect conversion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventors: Katsumi Kurematsu, Toshihiro Sunaga
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Patent number: 6535332Abstract: An infrared optical system for infrared cameras has a convex lens held by a holding member composed of a low-dispersion material that transmits infrared light. A stop for restricting light beams entering the convex lens is disposed on an object side from the convex lens. An aberration correcting plate for reducing spherical aberration is provided in the vicinity of the stop. A field flattener, the thickness of which changes along image height to offset curvature of field, is disposed on an image side of the convex lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Nakano, Yasuhisa Tamagawa
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Patent number: 6532116Abstract: A head up display apparatus adapted to be mounted on a user's head in a goggle type or head gear type arrangement and enable a video image to be observed, wherein an original image is directed to an eyeball through a reflecting optical system to enable the image to be observed, and one or more members differing in power depending on the azimuth direction are present in the reflecting optical system. The members are designed to have an aspherical surface action in the cross-section of at least one azimuth direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shoichi Yamazaki
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Patent number: 6522483Abstract: An optical reduction system for use in the photolithographic manufacture of semiconductor devices having one or more quarter-wave plates operating near the long conjugate end. A quarter-wave plate after the reticle provides linearly polarized light at or near the beamsplitter. A quarter-wave plate before the reticle provides circularly polarized or generally unpolarized light at or near the reticle. Additional quarter-wave plates are used to further reduce transmission loss and asymmetries from feature orientation. The optical reduction system provides a relatively high numerical aperture of 0.7 capable of patterning features smaller than 0.25 microns over a 26 mm×5 mm field. The optical reduction system is thereby well adapted to a step and scan microlithographic exposure tool as used in semiconductor manufacturing. Several other embodiments combine elements of different refracting power to widen the spectral bandwidth which can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Silicon Valley Group, Inc.Inventor: Justin L. Kreuzer
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Publication number: 20030021024Abstract: An aberration-correcting optical relay for an optical system. The relay comprises front and rear converging optical units together with a correcting meniscus or two correcting meniscuses placed symmetrically relative to each other, the meniscus(es) having main faces that are substantially concentric, and preferably exactly concentric, the two converging optical units being placed on a common axis and the correcting meniscus(es) being placed on said axis between the two converging optical units. The front converging optical unit situated upstream from the correcting meniscus(es) is placed in such a manner that the distance from an image point of the portion of the optical system upstream from the optical relay to the front converging optical unit is equal to the focal length of the front converging optical unit, said unit thus transforming a beam coming from said image point into a parallel beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventor: Michel Paramythioti
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Patent number: 6504658Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for a system for presenting collimated images including an off-axis spherical mirror. The device has an additional aspherical mirror whose surface forms, in the plane of symmetry of the unfolded optical system, a curve whose radius of curvature is variable. The surface provides for correction of the image of a pupil of an eye given by the spherical mirror and the pupil image is rectified on the optical axis. The surface may be a paraboloid, an ellipsoid and it may exhibit symmetry of revolution.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Sextant AvioniqueInventors: Laurent Bignolles, Laurent Potin