Abstract: Chromatic correction of a Fresnel lens is effected by collecting data at multiple detectors arrayed along the optical axis of the lens and then digitally processing data from each detector to obtain multiple sets of image data corresponding to selected tuned wavelengths associated with the multiple detectors, or to obtain composite multi-color image data. Digital processing includes deconvolving data from each detector with a point spread function (PSF) associated with the tuned wavelength of the detector, and thereby enhancing the image derived from the detector. Two possible techniques are also disclosed for deriving sub-band signal data having a wavelength that falls between the tuned wavelengths of adjacent detectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation curable resin composition which comprises epoxy (meth)acrylate, a monofunctional (meth)acrylate, a bifunctional (meth)acrylate having a specific structure, and a bifunctional (meth)acrylate obtained from an aliphatic dihydric alcohol having an oxyalkylene structure and (meth)acrylic acid and further contains a thermoplastic resin, thereby causing satisfactory adhesion to plastic substrates, sufficient shape retention, and excellent shape recovery properties, and satisfaction in moldability including casting efficiency and shape reproducibility, as well as a high refractive index and appropriateness for use as a lens sheet.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels with associated microlenses arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each microlens includes a distributed index lens with a modulated effective refractive index distribution obtained by including a combination of a plurality of patterns having a concentric structure, the plurality of patterns being divided into line widths equal to or shorter than a wavelength of an incident light. At least one of the plurality of patterns includes a lower light-transmitting film having the concentric structure and a first line width and a first film thickness, and an upper light-transmitting film having the concentric structure configured on the lower light-transmitting film having a second line width and a second film thickness. The distributed index lens has a structure in which a refractive index material is dense at a center and becomes sparse gradually toward an outer side in the concentric structure.

Abstract: A Fresnel member for an optical system is configured to receive at least reflected light having a first wavelength at a first envelope and reflected light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength at a second envelope. The Fresnel member includes a plurality of ring zone portions having predetermined surface heights for achieving a maximum diffraction efficiency.

Abstract: A color image readout lens comprises, in order from an object side: a first group comprising a positive lens convex toward the object side and a biconcave negative lens; a stop; a second group comprising one diffractive optical element that has at least one flat surface and has a diffractive structure formed on the flat surface; and a third group comprising a biconvex positive lens and a negative lens concave toward the object side.

Abstract: A light emitting fixture carried by a ceiling, wherein the fixture includes an electrical light source which emits generated light in response to an electrical signal and an optical fiber with light emitting and light collecting ends. The optical fiber emits collected light from the light emitting end in response to receiving incident light at the light receiving end.

Abstract: A system includes first and second light collecting modules, each having a window and an optical fiber which receives light flowing through the window. The first and second modules are coupled together so they are repeatably rotatable, as a unit, between first and second positions. A light emitting fixture is operatively coupled to the optical fiber. The light emitting fixture includes an electrical light positioned proximate to a light emitting end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: A disclosed reflective screen is configured to display an image projected from a projection device located within a short distance. The reflective screen comprises a first reflective surface configured to reflect, in a substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a first position, and a second reflective surface configured to reflect, in the substantially same direction, projection light beams projected from a second position different from the first position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to correct a curved Petzval focusing surface to a plane using a convex lens, a concave lens, and a space arranged between the curved side of the convex lens and the curved side of the concave lens. The method and apparatus may also include a Fresnel lens arranged between the concave lens and a pixel array.

Abstract: In a Fresnel lens which is made of a lens material whose refraction index is n, and focuses light beam from a light source at a specified radiation view angle ?, and has plural N pieces of circular lens surfaces arranged concentrically around a common optical axis, and plural circular rise surfaces arranged adjacent alternately between these lens surfaces, and two lens surfaces adjacent via at least one of the rise surfaces are concave surfaces, and tangent lines and at the intersecting point with the rise surfaces of the shape of a cross section passing through the optical axis of those lens surfaces intersect at the outside with respect to the optical axis, and when the angle formed between these tangent lines is defined as ?, a relational equation ???/(2 n N) stands.

Abstract: A lens (11) of an illumination device (10) includes a body (110), a light output surface (12) located on a top of the body and a plurality of recesses (120) defined in the light output surface. The recesses extend along a transverse direction of the light output surface and are distributed along a longitudinal direction thereof. Each of the recesses includes a concave, curved wall (122) and a vertical wall (123). The recesses are divided into two groups symmetrically located on the light output surface and arranged at two sides with respect to a middle recess (120a) defined in a middle portion of the light output surface. An LED (14) is received in a groove (126) defined in a bottom of the body of the lens. The lens and the LED are mounted on a reflective base (16).

Abstract: The present invention is related to a chromatic aberration-correcting element which allows the adoption of BDs even when DVD/CD light beams are incident. The chromatic aberration-correcting element has a diffractive structure formed thereon, which can correct chromatic aberration in BD wavelength light beams in addition to adopting DVD/CD wavelength light beams. Also provided is an optical pickup device whose structure is simplified by employing the chromatic aberration-correcting element.

Abstract: A pickup lens has a plurality of ring zones on at least one surface, and steps are formed respectively between the plurality of ring zones. The plurality of steps have step differences causing laser light to have a phase difference to reduce aberration occurring in the pickup lens due to a change in ambient temperature. Further, when a numerical aperture of the pickup lens is NA, a focal length is f (mm) and a working distance is WD (mm), the pickup lens is fabricated to satisfy NA=0.85, 1.1=f=1.8 and WD=0.3.

Abstract: An imaging lens is provided, whose lens characteristics can be switched between e.g. normal imaging and close-up imaging without requiring mechanically movable mechanism or attachment/removal of another lens. Switching of lens function is realized by combining a liquid crystal diffraction lens and a refractive lens and applying a voltage to a liquid crystal layer of the liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens is constituted by two liquid crystal lenses that are laminated together so that their polarization directions producing lens functions are perpendicular to each other, which suppresses chromatic aberration and achieves good imaging characteristics by appropriately selecting focal lengths and Abbe numbers.

Abstract: A surface light emitting apparatus capable of providing uniform illumination while efficiently using a laser light. The apparatus comprises a light source section that includes at least one light source which emits laser beam; an optical guiding section that guides from an incidence surface of the optical guiding section the laser beam emitted from the light source section and emits the laser beam from a radiation surface of the optical guiding section; and an optical element section that includes at least one beam shaping optical element with a powered surface which converts an intensity distribution of the laser beam emitted from the light source section at the incidence surface of the optical guiding section to a uniform intensity distribution.

Abstract: An imaging system and an optical engine comprising the imaging system are provided. The imaging system in this invention at least comprises a lens assembly, a light valve, and a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens is formed with a receiving portion adapted to correspondingly receive at least one portion of the lens assembly and replaces the conventional aspheric lens to focus a light ray onto the light valve. The light valve reflects the light ray into the lens assembly for imaging. Thereby, the Fresnel lens is adapted to decrease the surface area of the receiving portion to eliminate the influence of stray light on the imaging quality and to economize lens material costs.

Abstract: A radiation-curable resin composition for optical parts comprising (A) 5% to 70% by weight of a urethane (meth)acrylate which is a reaction product of (a) a (meth)acrylate having a hydroxyl group, (b) a polyisocyanate having an aromatic ring, (c) a polyol, and (d) an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms without a polymerizable unsaturated group, and which has (meth)acryloyl groups in an amount of 40% to 85% by mole of its molecular ends on average of the reaction product; and (B) 10% to 80% by weight of a compound, other than the component (A), having an ethylenically unsaturated group is provided. A cured product of the composition exhibits a high refractive index, excellent property of adhesion to various plastic substrates, appropriate hardness, and little sign of yellowing.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens having a curved surface and a large number of Fresnel lens steps with rectangular cross sections for enhancing the aesthetics while providing a diffuser appearance. The cylindrical Fresnel lens can be uniformly divided into rectangular sections across the lens axis. The rectangular sections are alternative and are offset from the curved surface by a distance, which produces a very parallel output beam. The front face of the cylindrical Fresnel lens provides a square like pattern, which results in an aesthetic appearance with the effective usage of light and reduced production costs.

Abstract: Formed by modules (1) with bi-convex (2) configurations in the central modules (1) of the lens, becoming plano-convex and finally concavo-convex in its end modules (1), with a smooth transition (3), all ridges or grooves being minimized, and with the vertical face joining the upper and lower facets of the modules (1) being flat and inclined towards the optical axis, eliminating spherical aberration by incorporating in the modules (1) refracting fluids with different refraction index and very small volume, in a construction with a minimal thickness and weight.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lens of a polymer material, includes producing in the core of the lens or on the surface of the latter at least one opaque zone having an optical function, by locally degrading the molecular structure of the polymer material using a beam of laser light. Example application is provided in particular but not exclusively to CMOS imagers.

Abstract: This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the elements (lenses) of a Fresnel lens solar concentrator tracking array by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts. Control can be achieved without recourse to magnetic fields, by means of high electric fields which may be attained at relatively low voltages. At low voltages, the instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It can perform dynamic motion control with independent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no mechanical likages, the instant invention is the most adapted for fabrication from the mini- to the micro-technology realm. Furthermore it provides less costly and greater ease of manufacture from the mini-to the micro-realm.

Abstract: A lens module (100) includes a barrel (10), a lens (20), an image sensor module (30) and a grating (22). The lens is received in the barrel for focusing optical signals. The image sensor module is installed on an end of the barrel for receiving and transforming the optical signals. The grating is formed on the lens for preventing unnecessary optical signals from being received by the image sensor module.

Abstract: A lens element comprising: a rear substrate having a front surface provided with a surface relief having a plurality of zones each capable of providing a lens effect; a front substrate disposed in front of the rear substrate and having a rear surface provided with a surface relief having a plurality of zones each capable of providing a lens effect, the zones of the surface reliefs provided on the rear substrate and the front substrate having the same spatial arrangement over the area of the lens element; and solid or liquid, isotropic, intermediate material disposed between the front surface of the rear substrate and the rear surface of the front substrate, the intermediate material having a refractive index different from the refractive index of each of the rear substrate and the front substrate. This construction reduces the degree of Fresnel reflection which would otherwise degrade the optical performance.

Abstract: A rear projection type display apparatus is disclosed wherein image light reflected upon entrance thereof into a Fresnel lens sheet of the reflection type provided on a transmission type screen is suppressed from making stray light. A Fresnel lens sheet for converting incident light incoming at an incident angle within a predetermined angular range into parallel light includes a plurality of prisms arrayed on the light entrance face of a substrate. Each prism has a refracting face for refracting the incident light and a reflecting face for reflecting the refracted light from the refracting face toward the emergence face of the substrate. At least some of the prisms are configured such that the angle of a perpendicular to the refracting face with respect to a perpendicular to the emergence face is smaller than the incident angle at the position of the prism.

Abstract: An image sensor includes at least one photoelectric conversion area on a semiconductor substrate, a color filter over the photoelectric conversion area, and an apochromatic microlens over the color filter.

Abstract: In a Fresnel screen for displaying an image, comprising, a screen surface, and a reverse surface opposite to the screen surface in a thickness direction of the screen to be prevented from facing to the viewer, the Fresnel screen has first prism surfaces extending to have respective longitudinal arc-shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in the thickness direction to deflect light beams for forming the image in at least one of directions perpendicular to each other as seen in the thickness direction, and second prism surfaces extending to have respective longitudinal shapes juxtaposed with each other as seen in the thickness direction to deflect at least a part of the light beams in at least one of the directions perpendicular to each other as seen in the thickness direction.

Abstract: An object lens arranged on a light proceeding path to focus light on a recording medium includes a first surface that is an incident surface on which light is incident, a second surface from which light exits to be focused on the recording medium, and a diffractive optical element disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces and which has a refractivity of fD/f<5, fD being a focus distance of the diffractive optical element and f being a focal distance of the object lens. The object lens has a numerical aperture of 0.75 or greater.

Abstract: An image display apparatus to produce an erect real image of an object in space. The image display apparatus includes a housing to accommodate the object including an opening to secure a field of view of the object, and a microlens array installed within the housing between the object and the opening and having a plurality of microlenses. The image display apparatus inverts an image of the object so that a viewer can view the erect real image of the object in space.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens having a curved surface and a large number of Fresnel lens steps with rectangular cross sections for enhancing the aesthetics while providing a diffuser appearance. The cylindrical Fresnel lens can be uniformly divided into rectangular sections across the lens axis. The rectangular sections are alternative and are offset from the curved surface by a distance, which produces a very parallel output beam. The front face of the cylindrical Fresnel lens provides a square like pattern, which results in an aesthetic appearance with the effective usage of light and reduced production costs.

Abstract: Disclosed are image expanding lenses, display devices, and electronic devices incorporating the disclosed image expanding lenses. In accordance with a disclosed image expanding lens, the image viewed by the user is larger than the active area of the LCD panel underneath the lens, so that the border around, for example, the LCD display is hidden from viewing. The image expanding lenses may include a non-uniform transparent substrate, having for example, a wedge shape that may be the top surface of the display. The substrate in combination with prismatic films may bend the light output from an array of pixels so that the image hides the border of the display device. In this way, an electronic device can render an edgeless image to a viewer since the image of the electronic device is projected beyond an edge of the display device of the host electronic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a rear-projection screen, a method of rear-projection collimation and a projection video display (PVD) system. In one embodiment, a rear-projection screen includes: (1) a total-internal-reflection (TIR) fresnel lens configured to aim light received at an incidence angle toward a central axis of the TIR fresnel lens at a convergence angle and (2) a refractive fresnel lens configured to refract the light received from the TIR fresnel lens and at least to reduce the convergence angle.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12 is formed so that a refractive surface 12 thereof includes a non-light incidence surface 12c upon which any light ray emitted from a projector 1 is not directly incident because it is intercepted by another Fresnel prism 12, the non-light incidence surface having an angle ?? with a reflective surface 12b which is different from the prism apex angle ? of each of the plurality of Fresnel prisms. As a result, a light ray reflected by the refractive surface 12a of each of the plurality of Fresnel prisms without passing through the refractive surface can be preventing from emerging, as unnecessary light, toward the viewer's line of sight.

Abstract: An imaging device consistent with one of numerous embodiments has an opaque planar sheet with a plurality of pinholes defining a photon sieve in the sheet, wherein, the photon sieve comprises at least first and second regions. The first region exhibits a first focal length, a first field of view, a first transmissivity, a first resolution and a first wavelength, and the second region exhibiting a second focal length, a second field of view, a second transmissivity, a second resolution and a second wavelength. At least one of the first focal length, the first wavelength, the first transmissivity, the first resolution and the first field of view is different from the second focal length, the second wavelength, the second transmissivity, the second resolution and the second field of view. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Each intralayer lens disposed between a color filter 120 and photoelectric conversion sections has a Fresnel lens structure composed of a center lens 132 and an annular lens 134. As a result, the thickness of the intralayer lenses is reduced, and positions of upper lenses can be lowered without having to reduce the thickness of a color filter.

Abstract: An imaging optical system capable of moving a meridian image plane further closer to an ideal imaging plane vertical to an optical axis with the number of lenses kept constant. At least one plane of at least one optical element and including at least one optical element is divided into at least one zonal area surrounding an optical axis and a center area including the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens 10 comprises a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. The first surface 12 is provided with a plurality of horizontal, linear Fresnel lenses 16 and the second surface 14 is provided with a plurality of horizontal pillow optics 18. In the lens 10 the horizontal, linear Fresnel lenses 16 of the first surface 12 provide vertical refraction of light from a central axis sufficient to collimate light from a point to within ±70 degrees of horizontal and the pillow optics 18 of the second surface provide horizontal spread of the collimated light to ±25 degrees from the medial plane.

Abstract: The invention comprises an optical arrangement for illumination purposes, in particular for a stepped lens spotlight, comprising a stepped lens with a light-diffusing element, in particular a diffusing screen, in which the diffusing screen is arranged in a first region and the stepped lens is arranged in a second region, and in which, with the change in the shape of the light impinging on the optical arrangement and/or the size of the light illuminating the optical arrangement, it is possible to set the aperture angle of the light emerging from the optical arrangement, in particular between two limit values, a smaller ?Sp and a larger ?F1.

Abstract: Light incoupling structures for lighting applications, such as lightguides. The incoupling structures include an optically substantially transparent medium for transporting light emitted by a light source and an optical element including at least one hole in the medium for coupling light together with optional further optical elements. A lighting element includes a light source with related integrated optics.

Abstract: Optical elements having a plurality of integral prism facets having varying prismatic power are provided. These optical elements address the disadvantages of conventional therapeutic optical prisms by addressing the undesirable variation in prismatic effect that results when conventional prisms are combined with optical lenses in binocular vision. Specifically, the present invention can equalize differential prismatic effects of right and left eye lenses over their entire aperture. The optical elements may include a plurality of prism facets having base-down and base-up prismatic power. The elements may include individual elements having variable prismatic elements, individual elements combining both conventional prisms and variable prism, or separate elements having conventional prisms and variable prism. The plurality of integral facets or a substantially continuous smooth surface may be provided, for, example, a cylindrical surface having a circular or non-circular profile.

Abstract: A light receiver comprises a Fresnel lens for collecting light signals, and a light receiving element disposed closer to the Fresnel lens than the focal point of the Fresnel lens for receiving the light signals collected by the Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens comprises a lens surface group having a plurality of lens surfaces, and a back cut surface group having a plurality of back cut surfaces connecting the lens surfaces. The back cut surfaces are inclined with respect to the center axis of the Fresnel lens. Thus, the light receiver has a high light collection efficiency of light signals incident within a certain acceptance angle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique suitable for making a set more compact by realizing reduction in height and reduction in depth. An image display apparatus of the present invention includes a reflecting mirror (4) for reflecting the image sent from a projection lens (2), and guiding the image to a transmissive screen (3). The reflecting-mirror (4) includes a planar mirror section (4a) for reflecting, of the entire image exiting the projection lens (2), only image portions projected onto the upper section of the transmissive screen (3), and a Fresnel mirror section (4b) with multiple reflective prisms for reflecting only image portions projected onto the lower section of the screen (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a Fresnel lens sheet that scarcely makes the projected image distorted, and others. The Fresnel lens sheet has a plurality of unit total reflection Fresnel lenses arranged on the light-entering side, each unit lens having a light-entering surface and a total reflection surface that totally reflects a part of or all of the imaging light that has passed through the light-entering surface to deflect the light in the desired direction. This Fresnel lens sheet is formed so that it fulfills the relationship H1×H1/(10×E1×T1×T1)?3L/2000, where H1 represents the length (cm) in the vertical direction of the Fresnel lens sheet; L1, the length (cm) in the horizontal direction of the Fresnel lens sheet; T1, the thickness (cm) of the Fresnel lens sheet; and E1, the modulus of elasticity (kgf/cm2) of the Fresnel lens sheet.

Abstract: A method for producing a mold for a zonal optical element having a circular portion having a circular shape taking an optical axis as a center viewed from a plane surface; at least one zonal surface formed around the circular portion in a ring form; and boundary wall surfaces connecting the circular portion with the zonal surface or connecting the zonal surfaces with each other is produced by a stage for forming a circular portion where while rotating a work around a rotation axis corresponding to the optical axis as a center, a tip is relatively moved relative to the work to form the circular portion at the mold side corresponding to the circular portion on the processing surface of the work perpendicular to the rotation axis; a stage for forming a zonal surface where the tip is relatively moved relative to the work to form a zonal surface at the mold side corresponding to the zonal surface; and a stage for forming a corner portion between the boundary portion at the mold side and the zonal surface at the mo

Abstract: A traffic light compound lens system is presented that utilizes two Fresnel lenses to provide a more efficient lens system with better light directing capabilities than a single lens system. The optical power of each Fresnel lens is less than that required for the single lens system. Due to aberration reduction, the compound lens system has less geometrical aberration than a single lens system, especially over a larger field of view, and has improved directionality. In addition, the compound lens system has better collection efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology suitable for shortening a depth of a image display apparatus while obtaining a picture of high quality. According to the invention, a total reflection prism portion is provided on a side of a Fresnel lens sheet toward a picture source. The total reflection prism portion reflects an incident light to a direction toward an optic axial center of the Fresnel lens sheet to have the same outgoing. On the other hand, a first refractive prism portion, by which light of a predetermined incident angle or less is refracted to outgo to a direction along an optical axis of the Fresnel lens sheet, and a second refractive prism portion, by which light reflected to the direction toward the optic axial center of the Fresnel lens sheet is changed to the direction along the optical axis.

Abstract: Optical devices and systems that provide high solar flux onto a multi-junction solar cell, or other target cell, to produce efficient electrical output. An optical device includes a primary focusing element, and a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture. The primary focus element is configured to focus light from a distant source onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator. The primary focusing element has an f-number that is greater than about 1, e.g., between 1 and 4 or greater. The device includes a solar cell located proximal to the exit aperture of the secondary concentrator. In certain aspects, the primary focusing element includes a Fresnel lens, a diffractive lens and/or a reflector. In certain aspects, a Fresnel lens used as the primary is flat, substantially square, curved and/or refractive.

Abstract: A film having a Fresnel lens is placed adjacent a design to create a three-dimensional image. The film can be used separately or laminated to a substrate to create enclosures such as cartons, dispensers, or containers.

Abstract: When using an acrylic resin with a refractive index of 1.494, for example, the structure of the Fresnel lens is such that in a segment where a deviation angle of 19.5° or less is required, refraction-only prisms which do not cause any reflections are used, while in a segment where a deviation angle of 31.0° or larger is required, single-step total reflection prisms in which light is totally internally reflected once and then refracted are used and, in a segment where a deviation angle not smaller than 19.5° but not larger than 31.0° is required, two-step total reflection prisms in which light is totally internally reflected twice and then refracted are used.

Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray microscope has a phase plate that is placed in proximity of and attached rigidly to the objective to form a composite optic. This enables easier initial and long-term maintenance of alignment of the microscope. In one example, they are fabricated on the same high-transmissive substrate. The use of this composite optic allows for lithographic-based alignment that will not change over the lifetime of the instrument. Also, in one configuration, the phase plate is located between the test object and the objective.