Prism (including Mount) Patents (Class 359/831)
  • Patent number: 7237893
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel photoinitiators and their use in light adjustable compositions. The initiatives comprise two or more multiphoton chromophores linked by a bridging compound. The bridging compound consists of a material that is compatible with the base material of the light adjustable composition. The novel photoinitiator permit the readjustment of light adjustable material without the need for significant amounts of photoabsorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: Shiao H. Chang, Robert H. Grubbs, Julia A. Kornfield, Axel Brait, Patrick Case
  • Patent number: 7230761
    Abstract: A grism based upon a grating with a given line frequency is configured such that a design wavelength will undergo either a specific total bend angle, a zero-degree total bend without lateral displacement, or a zero-degree total bend with a lateral displacement. Each configuration exhibits the same dispersion characteristics. Other design wavelengths, bend angles and displacements are possible through appropriate adjustment of grating frequency, prism geometry, and/or material(s). A specific design is disclosed using light with a +/?delta wavelength around a design wavelength of 795 nm. The invention may be used to disperse light at different wavelengths, including wavelengths associated with optical communications bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Arns
  • Patent number: 7230603
    Abstract: An illumination device and display device using it display motion pictures without a blur and make a light utilizing efficiency of a backlight improved. An illumination device having a light pipe of a substantially parallel flat-form sheet, whose one surface is an outgoing light surface and a light source unit is placed at one side and both side edges, is equipped with a light axis of lights after having entered the light pipe from the light source unit being unparallel to the outgoing light surface of the light pipe, and a reflection body unit consisting of plural unit reflection bodies divided into m in a vertical direction of the light source unit at an opposite side surface of the outgoing light surface of the light pipe, wherein the reflection body unit can contact and separate from the opposite side surface the outgoing light surface of the light pipe for every unit reflection bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunenori Yamamoto, Ikuo Hiyama, Akitoyo Konno, Osamu Ito
  • Patent number: 7227685
    Abstract: An optical film has a transparent film and an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film. The adhesive layer has a refractive index different by 0.12 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film. The transparent film has an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 30 nm. A repetitive prismatic structure is provided on the other surface of the transparent film, the repetitive prismatic structure having optical path changing slopes aligned in a substantially constant direction at an inclination angle in a range from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a plane of the transparent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Umemoto, Toshihiko Ariyoshi, Takao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7224494
    Abstract: In an image reading apparatus using a contact image sensor, an area light source for reading an image from a film original is provided. The area light source has a light guide plate and an LED device in the center of a side surface on the shorter side of the plate. In the LED device, red-, green-, and blue-LED chips are mounted on the same package and red-, green-, and blue-light are switched and lit. A white bottom plate covers the bottom surface of the light guide plate and a white case frame covers the four side surfaces. A scattering sheet is adhered to the upper surface of the white case frame, that is, a light emitting surface. On the rear surface of the light guide plate, light scatterers are formed by screen printing so that a specific pattern is drawn by high-reflectance white ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tomihisa Saitou, Kouzou Fujino
  • Patent number: 7199951
    Abstract: The decentering optical system comprises a decentering prism and a holding component. The decentering prism has two or more positioning portions at positions which sandwich an effective diameter of an optically functional surface held by the holding component. The holding component has a holding portion of positioning portions corresponding to the positioning portions of the decentering prism. Furthermore, on the optically functional surface of the decentering prism, two and more projected portions are arranged at a position which sandwich the effective diameter of the optically functional surface and is located at the outside of the positioning portion, and a projected portion is located inside of the positioning portion. The decentering prism is fixed for positioning at the holding component through the positioning portion, the holding portion of the positioning portion and the projected portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Nagata, Tomoko Sato, Akihiro Sakurai, Tetsuya Ishii, Takeshi Takahashi, Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7190535
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for scanning all or part of a hand print for one or more hands positioned on a non-planar portion of a prism. The non-planar portion can be symmetrical about an axis of symmetry of the prism. Typically, a palm pocket, writer's palm, or the like, is hard to capture on a flat surface. In contrast, the non-planar portion of the prism according to embodiments of the present invention provides a form so that the palm pocket, writer's palm, or the like, can be captured. Hand and/or finger characteristic data can also be captured, for example hand geometry (e.g., finger lengths and spacing between fingers). The prism can also include a positioning device (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. McClurg, John F. Carver, Frank L. Ebright
  • Patent number: 7180690
    Abstract: A light condensing filter has plural prisms formed on a surface of a flat substrate and on the opposite surface to the surface, and light from a light source is condensed by the plural prisms, wherein the plural prisms formed on the surface are designed in a linear shape extending in a specific direction on the surface and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction, the plural prisms formed on the opposite surface are designed in a linear shape extending in the direction perpendicular to the specific direction on the opposite surface and arranged in the specific direction, and the plural prisms formed on the surface and the plural prisms formed on the opposite surface are irregularly arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimitoshi Nagao
  • Patent number: 7170696
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for the depth-resolved optical detection of a specimen with an illumination light distribution of at least one wavelength generated on or in a specimen and detection particularly of the light that is influenced due to interaction with the specimen, particularly fluorescent light and/or reflected light and/or luminescent light and/or scattered and/or transmitted light, wherein the illumination light has a modulation in at least one spatial direction and the detection light which is modulated like the illumination light is spatially split into two components having a phase shift relative to one another, the components are measured separately and an optical section image of the specimen and/or of part of the specimen is calculated from them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Wolleschensky
  • Patent number: 7170678
    Abstract: An optical color separation and synthesis system is constructed according to a method, in which four first to fourth polarization beam splitters are arranged in such a manner that polarization separating surfaces of the polarization beam splitters form an X-shape, a predetermined gap is formed between facing surfaces of the polarization beam splitters before bonding the polarization beam splitters onto a base platform, and thereafter a frame comprising an opening in a middle portion thereof and a stepped portion to be bonded to an optical function plate in a peripheral portion thereof is secured to any of the first to fourth polarization beam splitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Ryo Nishima, Morihiko Ota
  • Patent number: 7147333
    Abstract: In a base plate, projections for being inserted into openings in a lower bracket, and for supporting a bottom surface of a cross-dichroic prism, are provided. The lower bracket and the cross-dichroic prism are fixed to the base plate by adhesive agent filled into a clearance between the lower bracket and the bottom surface of the cross-dichroic prism supported on the projections. Holes are provided on a liquid-crystal panel, and holding arms provided on an upper bracket and the lower bracket are inserted into the holes. Then the adhesive agent is applied into the holes to fix the liquid-crystal display to the upper and lower brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Shirota
  • Patent number: 7142357
    Abstract: An in-line night-day boresight with an adjustable wedge-prism assembly is disclosed. The adjustable wedge-prism assembly includes two opposing wedge prisms that are axially rotatable relative to each other. The assembly is arranged in the optical path between the night optics and the day optics. The adjustable wedge-prism assembly allows for compensation of image shift errors introduced by the night optics due to manufacturing errors in the night optics. This in turn allows for a cost-effective and easily aligned in-line night-day boresight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Knight's Armament Company
    Inventor: Ken Greenslade
  • Patent number: 7119972
    Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a path of a beam includes a first wedge and a second wedge. The first wedge includes a first refractive surface and a second refractive surface. The second wedge includes a third refractive surface adjacent to the second refractive surface, and a reflective surface. The beam refracts at the first refractive surface, refracts at the second refractive surface, refracts at the third refractive surface, reflects from reflective surface, refracts at the third refractive surface, refracts at the second refractive surface, refracts at the first refractive surface. At least one of the first wedge and the second wedge can be rotated so that the beam exiting the apparatus can be oriented substantially orthogonal to the beam entering the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Prince
  • Patent number: 7119971
    Abstract: An optical prism 100 for reflecting light incident on its light incidence surface 12 suited for incidence of light from an LCD 20 at least twice within itself and emitting the reflected light as emitted light from a light emission surface 14 to the outside. The optical prism is coupled in use with a display element support 30 adapted to suit it. The side surfaces of the optical prism crossing the light incidence surface 12 and light emission surface 14 have projections 90L and 90R for mounting the optical prism on the display element support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 7113352
    Abstract: An annular prism capable of causing light (or other radiation) to either converge or diverge is defined by an annulus of material which is transparent to the light (or other radiation). The annulus tapers radially towards either its outer periphery or its central aperture. If the annulus tapers towards its outer periphery, light converges. If the annulus tapers towards its central aperture, light diverges. The degree of tapering determines the degree of convergence or divergence. A cross section of the annulus formed by a plane containing a principal axis of the annulus viewed on only one side of the principal axis may have a triangular shape. In some embodiments, a segment of the annulus may be missing, resulting in a penannular prism which causes light (or other radiation) to converge or diverge about the principal axis of the incomplete annulus for some angular measure less than 360 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Samuel N. Markowitz
  • Patent number: 7102824
    Abstract: An optical element is provided that may be used for collecting optical radiation incident at large angles of incidence. The element may include a grating window formed of grating elements that may collect large incident angle radiation and reflect that radiation, e.g., under total internal reflection in a substantially normal direction. A lens or lens array may be used to collect the internally reflected radiation and focus that radiation to a detector. Example detectors include infrared detectors. The element may be formed to collect, reflect, and redirect optical radiation incident at angles above 45° as measured from a surface normal to a detector oriented substantially at normal incidence. The detected signal from the optical element may be used to control systems within an aircraft or other vehicle capable of flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roy Clark, Douglas C. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7095558
    Abstract: A total reflecting prism portion is formed on an image generation source side of a Fresnel lens sheet which constitutes a rear projection type screen. The total reflecting prism portion is formed in an area in which the angle of incidence of a projection image projected from an optical part on the Fresnel lens sheet is at least about 40·. The total reflecting prism portion causes incident light to be outputted as output light at a predetermined output angle by a total reflection phenomenon after a first refraction phenomenon. A refracting prism portion is formed on an image monitoring side of the Fresnel lens sheet. The refracting prism portion is formed in an area opposed to the portion where the total reflecting prism portion is not formed. The refracting prism portion causes incident light to be outputted as output light at a predetermined output angle by a second refraction phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yoshikawa, Tetsu Ohishi, Koji Hirata, Daisuke Imafuku
  • Patent number: 7079331
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for holding a beam splitter element having an optically active beam splitter layer in an optical imaging device, the beam splitter element being connected to at least one support element that is fastened in the housing of the imaging device. The connection between the beam splitter element and said at least one support element is designed in such a way that the position of the beam splitter layer of the beam splitter element remains nearly constant relative to the housing independently of temperatures and of thermal stresses acting upon the beam splitter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Weber, Alexander Kohl, Hubert Holderer, Armin Schoeppach, Erwin Gaber, Winfried Kaiser, Reiner Garreis, Toralf Gruner, Chris Reed, Dragos Pariza, Mike Meehan
  • Patent number: 7075740
    Abstract: A prism is produced by the steps of feeding a glass base material into a heating furnace, the glass base material having surfaces to be prism surfaces after forming, the Ra value of the surface roughness of the surface being less than the Ra value corresponding to #170, the glass base material having a predetermined dimensional ratio, grasping the glass base material with feeding means, and feeding the glass base material into a heating furnace to heat the glass base material to a temperature so that a minimum viscosity of the glass base material becomes equal to or more than 104 Pa·s and less than 106 Pa·s, drawing and forming the lower portion of the glass base material, and then cutting the glass base material to obtain a longer body having a desired dimension and prism surfaces with the Ra value of the surface roughness equal to or less than a quarter of the wavelength of incident light, and cutting the longer body into desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takeuchi, Nagaharu Nakajima, Tadashi Seto, Mitsutaka Nakae
  • Patent number: 7075739
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for correcting laser illumination emitted from a laser light source, comprising a laser light source, which has linear emission sources that are arranged in a row in a first direction (X), whereby in addition, the emission sources that are arranged essentially in a row are at least partially offset relative to the row in a perpendicular direction (Y) in relation to the first direction (X). The assembly also comprises corrective elements, which can correct the laser illumination emitted from the laser light source in such a way that the spatial distortion of the laser illumination, caused by the offset position of the emission sources relative to the row, is compensated. According to the invention, the corrective elements are configured as a plate array that comprises a number of plate elements consisting of substantially plane-parallel plates that are transparent to the laser illumination used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hentze-Lissotschenko Patentverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexei Mikhailov, Vitalij Lissotschenko
  • Patent number: 7045558
    Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprises a heterocyclic acrylate or heterocyclic methacrylate. The composition is curable to make an optical management article such as an optical management coating on a substrate. A method of making an optical management article, comprises forming a radiation curable composition comprising the heterocyclic acrylate or heterocyclic methacrylate on a substrate and curing the composition to form the optical management article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Ja Chisholm, James Edward Pickett
  • Patent number: 7035025
    Abstract: Compact beam manipulators employ one or more Risley prism sets with or without a parallel plate translator. One beam manipulator contains a plate mounted to permit pitch and yaw adjustments and a prism set mounted to permit rotations. The rotations of the prisms adjust a beam direction, and adjustment of the plate adjusts the beam position. Another beam manipulator contains a prism set mounted to permit rotations and pitch and yaw adjustments of the prisms. The rotations and pitch and yaw adjustments provide coupled changes in the position and direction of a beam, and iterative adjustments alternate between rotating prisms to change the beam direction and the adjusting pitch and yaw to change the beam position. The iterative adjustments are complete when the beam has a target position and a target direction to within required tolerances. Gluing elements to optic holders minimizes stress-induced birefringence and temperature and humidity effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Prince, Scott M. Detro
  • Patent number: 7031070
    Abstract: The plastic optical component includes a main body and a transparent moisture-proof coating provided on all surfaces of the main body, the moisture-proof coating satisfying the following relation (1): (D1/d)×(L/D2)<10 ??(1) where D1 (mm2/s) is a water diffusion coefficient of a first material of which the moisture-proof coating is made, d (mm) is a thickness of the first material, D2 (mm2/s) is the water diffusion coefficient of a second material of which the main body is made, and L (mm) is an average thickness across an optical surfaces of the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Suzuki, Noriko Eiha, Tadashi Mochizuki, Takeo Kido
  • Patent number: 7031062
    Abstract: An assembly of beam splitters of the invention includes a roof-prism, a triangle prism and a complementary prism; wherein the roof-prism has a first emitting/receiving surface, the triangle prism has a second emitting/receiving surface and the complementary prism has a third emitting/receiving surface and a fourth emitting/receiving surface. A beam of first wavelength enters the assembly of beam splitters through the second emitting/receiving surface, and leaves it through the first emitting/receiving surface. A beam of second wavelength parallel to the beam of first wavelength enters the assembly of beam splitters through the second emitting/receiving surface, and leaves it through the third emitting/receiving surface. A beam of third wavelength enters the assembly of beam splitters through the fourth emitting/receiving surface, and leaves it through the first emitting/receiving surface. Thus, the optical axis of the beam of third wavelength is parallel to the optical axis of the beam of first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Sung Kao
  • Patent number: 7009789
    Abstract: An optical device is formed of an array of micro-wedges where each micro-wedge is different in size and shape from adjacent micro-wedges. Each micro-wedge of the array directs light in a predetermined direction toward a particular sub-region of an angular pattern. The positions of the micro-wedges in the device may be essentially random with respect to the corresponding positions of the sub-regions. The device causes the output light to fill a large angular spread with homogenized light with clear boundaries and edges. The device employs refraction or reflection, and the device operates efficiently over a broad wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Mems Optical, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 6992846
    Abstract: A scan engine is disclosed for use in a data collection device, as well as a method for producing a scan engine and an image sensor assembly. The scan engine includes a housing with an opening for receiving light from a scanned dataform, an image sensor which is located within the housing to sense light entering an aperture in the image sensor, and a prism located within the housing for receiving light from the opening along a first path and to provide at least a portion of the received light to the aperture along a second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Feng
  • Patent number: 6993165
    Abstract: A rotating optical system includes an optical element and a measuring device for locating and/or scanning a full palm print and/or full palm and fingerprint for a hand positioned on a non-planar surface of an optical element. The hand is placed on the non-planar surface of the optical element. A measuring device can be rotated about a centerline axis of the optical element. During the rotation, a circular image of the full palm print (including thenar, hypothenar, interdigital, palm heel, “writers palm,” palm pocket, and fingertips) and/or full palm and finger prints, and/or hand characteristic information (e.g., hand geometry, spacing, etc.) can be captured by the measuring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. McClurg, John F. Carver
  • Patent number: 6975465
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to beam control prisms and the use of a beam control prism to modify the beam properties of light emitted from an edge emitting diode laser. The subject invention can utilize a beam control prism placed next to a diode laser bar. The subject beam control prism can have, for example, a curved surface and/or a high reflective coated surface for a diode laser wavelength. The curved surface can collimate the fast axis divergence and the mirror surface can change the beam direction. The subject curved surface beam control prisms can incorporate one or more features, such as parabolic reflecting surface, elliptical exit surface with flat reflecting surface, and a hyperbolic entrance surface with flat reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Te-Yuan Chung, Michael Bass, Daniel P. Rini, H. Randolph Anderson, Louis Chow
  • Patent number: 6968099
    Abstract: An optical switch (10) includes a housing (3), an input port (4), an output port (5), a switching element (6), a holder (7), and a driver (63). The holder holds the input and output ports in alignment with one another and is assembled with the switching element. The switching element includes an optical component assembly (61) and a rotating mechanism (60). The optical component assembly is fixed on the rotating mechanism and is brought to move between a top stopper (85) (an upward position), wherein the optical component assembly is out of optical paths running between the input port and the output port, and a bottom stopper (86) (a downward position), wherein the optical component assembly is in the optical paths. The optical component assembly includes a prism (612), which redirects optical paths passing through it, thereby effecting switching between the input and output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien Cheng Chen, Kun-Tsan Wu
  • Patent number: 6967774
    Abstract: Provisions must be made in surgery microscopes for eye surgeries through the selective adding of optics so that a non-reversed and erect-standing image can be produced including that of the fundus of the eye. A device for the image reversion is fastened on the microscope so that it can be moved into the beam path and is then provided between the lens and the eye so that the overall height of the microscope is not influenced. This inventive arrangement can be utilized very universally on very differently designed microscopes and can be operated with prism systems of varying designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Kirchhuebel, Josef Reiner
  • Patent number: 6963451
    Abstract: The invention provides a sheet (1) comprising a light-transmittable resin, in which irregularities are formed on both sides (1a) and (1b) of the sheet, the average surface roughness of one side (1a) which becomes the light-entering side is from 0.2 to 5.0 ?m and larger than the average surface roughness of the opposite side (1b) that becomes the light-departing side, wherein the average surface roughness of the opposite side (1b) is from 0.2 to 2.0 ?m, and the surface area ratio of the one side (1a) is smaller than the surface area ratio of the opposite side (1b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Takiron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Se, Yutaka Omura
  • Patent number: 6945657
    Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a sighting telescope having an objective lens and an eyepiece; an erecting optical system functioning so that an image formed by said objective lens is viewed as an erect image through the eyepiece; and a light shield device, positioned in an optical path extending from an incident surface of the erecting optical system to an exit surface of the erecting optical system, for preventing an off-field light bundle which is incident on the erecting optical system from reaching the eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Shirai, Shunichiro Wakamiya, Homu Takayama, Kenji Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6942347
    Abstract: A color combining optical system according to this invention aims at reducing the size of an optical system and suppressing the occurrence of color unevenness. According to this invention, there is provided a color combining optical system for combining color light reflected by a dichroic film and color light transmitted through the dichroic film. The optical thickness of the dichroic film increases or decreases from one end side to the other end side in the inclining direction of the dichroic film with respect to the incident optical axis of the color light reflected by the dichroic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saburo Sugawara, Atsushi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6935757
    Abstract: A multi-band direct prism comprising at least first and second prismatic elements of disparate refractive indices facilitates the contemporaneous analysis of dispersed emergent light energy within at least two distinct and predetermined sets of energy wavelengths wherein one wavelength within each of the at least two wavelength sets emerges from the direct vision prism with no net angular deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Solid State Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Mooney, William S. Ewing, Richard J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6933039
    Abstract: An optical component comprising a substrate and a transparent polymer coating film laminated thereon, said polymer coating film including: (1) a processed surface formed into a desired shape by selectively removing with a laser abrasion process; (2) a ? bond structure in the main chain of a constituting material, wherein the main chain contains an interatomic bond having bond energy smaller than photon energy of laser used for the laser abrasion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6934084
    Abstract: Novel optical devices, which are referred to as composite prisms in this document, have been designed, produced and tested. They have the potential to be useful for a number of vision related applications. For high prism diopter (15 prism diopters or more), composite prisms have resulted in thinner, lighter and lower aberration optical devices than the standard ophthalmic prisms currently in use. They also offer significantly better optical quality than the Fresnel press-on prisms which are also used to correct several ophthalmic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Ranjana Pandya
  • Patent number: 6927914
    Abstract: In order to achieve highly dispersive spectrometry in wide wavelength with the use of a single grism, but not a plurality of grisms, the grism is composed of a prism the vertex angle of which can be varied and a volume phase holographic (VPH) grating. More specifically, the grism comprises a prism the vertex angle of which can be varied; and a VPH grating being a diffraction grating and disposed substantially orthogonal with respect to a side including the vertex angle of the prism; the VPH grating being rotated around an axis being substantially orthogonal to the side of the prism, whereby a slope angle defined by the VPH grating and a predetermined plane is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Noboru Ebizuka, Kashiko Kodate, Keiko Oka, Masanori Ie, Toshikazu Ebisuzaki
  • Patent number: 6917473
    Abstract: An optical film has a transparent film, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.1 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and a repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film, the repetitive prismatic structure having optical path changing slopes aligned in a substantially constant direction at an inclination angle in a range of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a plane of the transparent film. Another optical film has a transparent film having an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 30 nm, an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the transparent film, the adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.12 or less from that of a layer of the one surface of the transparent film, and the repetitive prismatic structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Umemoto, Toshihiko Ariyoshi, Takao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6917475
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical element that has a low refractive-index chromatic dispersion, a high degree of freedom in molding or forming as is the case with synthetic resins, and moldability or formability that lends itself to mass production. The optical element is obtained by molding or otherwise forming a composition containing a first material that is a fine particle having an Abbe number vd of 80 or greater indicative of a chromatic dispersion in a visible range and having a size of less than 400 nm, and a second material that is an organic/inorganic hybrid material comprising an organic polymer material having a carbon-carbon bond in a main chain and an inorganic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Naohito Shiga, Kunihisa Obi, Atsushi Goto, Tetsuhide Takeyama, Michio Shirai
  • Patent number: 6917470
    Abstract: This invention relates to an optical apparatus for observation which is provided with drive control means for driving a variable angle prism on the basis of an output signal from vibration detecting means and in which the variable angle prism is installed between an objective lens and an erect prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimi Iizuka
  • Patent number: 6891685
    Abstract: An anisotropically etched prism assembly including a device portion, a light coupling portion, and an alignment portion. The anisotropically etched prism assembly having a plurality of optical devices arranged in a first fixed pattern. Each pair of said plurality of optical devices spaced a first prescribed distance apart. The light coupling portion including a plurality of anisotropically etched prisms. Each one of the plurality of anisotropically etched prisms is arranged in second fixed pattern so as to correspond with a respective one of the plurality of optical devices. Each one of the pairs of said plurality of anisotropically etched prisms are spaced a second prescribed distance apart, the second prescribed distance substantially equals the first prescribed distance. The alignment portion aligns the light coupling portion and the device portion. Each one of said plurality of anisotropically etched prisms are aligned with a respective one of said plurality of optical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: SiOptical, Inc.
    Inventors: Shrenik Deliwala, Robert Keith Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6888595
    Abstract: A reflector has a transparent film, an adhesive layer disposed on one surface of the transparent film, a groove structure provided on the other surface of the transparent film, the groove structure having a plurality of grooves including optical path changing slopes aligned in a substantially constant direction at an inclination angle in a range of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a plane of the transparent film, a transparent cover film formed so as to cover an outer surface of the groove structure, and a light diffusing type reflection layer disposed on an outer surface of the cover film. A lighting-external light double mode liquid-crystal display device comprising the above reflector and a transmission type liquid-crystal panel, wherein the reflector is bonded to aback side (opposite to a viewing side) of the transmission type liquid-crystal panel through the adhesive layer of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Umemoto
  • Patent number: 6888691
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces convergence and focus drift in imager prism assemblies includes at least one assembly having a first side and a second side. The first side communicates with a first isolator inner surface and a second side communicates with a second isolator inner surface. An outer surface of the first isolator communicates with a first member of a frame. An outer surface of the second isolator communicates with a top side of a damping member. A bottom side of the damping member communicates with a second member of the frame. There is at least one guide pin located through the first isolator and the first member. A first adhesive secures the first side to the first isolator inner surface and the first adhesive secures the second side to the second isolator inner surface. A second adhesive secures the first isolator outer surface to the first member and the second adhesive secures the second isolator outer surface with the top side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventor: Carl Douglas Archer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6885403
    Abstract: A color separation beam splitter for projectors is provided, which comprises a plurality of prisms connected with each other and three optical interference filters having different wavelength ranges respectively formed on side surfaces of the plurality of prisms. The three optical interference filters include a yellow color reflective dichroic mirror, a red color reflective dichroic mirror, and a blue color reflective dichroic mirror to filter out the yellow light and provide three primary color lights with high color purity. Moreover, by reflecting a light beam twice, the number of layers of dichroic mirror can be reduced. The color purity of the light is increased after reflected twice by the dichroic mirrors. Moreover, configuration of a liquid crystal projector by use of this prism assembly as color separation unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Fang Chuan Ho, Cheng-Wei Chu
  • Patent number: 6873479
    Abstract: A mounting bracket (40) for suspending a clear aperture of the base face of a prism (30) has a frame providing a horizontal support surface for allowing light to pass through the clear aperture of the suspended prism (30). First, second, and third support elements (44, 46) are spaced apart on the frame for supporting the base face of the prism (30), suspending the clear aperture. The second and third support elements (44) are peripheral to the clear aperture. The center of gravity of the prism (30), vertically projected, lies on or within the triangle formed by the first, second, and third support elements (44, 46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Franklin D. Ehrne
  • Patent number: 6870694
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a prism that comprises a first and a second substrate, both translucent, bonded together with an optical thin film interposed at the interface in between and that is used with the interface inclined relative to the optical axis of incident laser light of a wavelength of 420 nm or shorter includes the step of bonding together the first and second substrates of which the difference ?N1 in refractive index at the wavelength of the laser light fulfills the condition: ?N1?|1/(0.3×104×NA×t)|, where t represents the thickness of the first and second substrates cemented together as measured along the optical axis of the laser light, and NA represents the numerical aperture of the incident laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Nishi, Yuichiro Ori, Tomokazu Taguchi, Kazunari Tada
  • Patent number: 6867916
    Abstract: A compact magnification-varying viewfinder optical system includes an objective lens unit for forming a primary image, the objective lens unit having at least one curved reflection surface arranged to reflect a light flux and a lens surface, and an eyepiece lens unit for observing the primary image, wherein an optical power is imparted to the curved reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Koyama, Yasunori Murata
  • Patent number: 6851804
    Abstract: The invention relates to optical elements whose optical properties can be repeatedly adjusted over time. Through the use of modifying compositions capable of stimulus induced polymerization coupled with a blend of stimulus absorbers and initiators, it is possible to repeatedly adjust the optical properties of the element by exposing the lens to a stimulus which exceeds the absorption capacity of the stimulus absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventors: Jagdish M. Jethmalani, Shiao H. Chang
  • Patent number: 6850375
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighting apparatus including a light source, an optical member that is placed in front of the light source and provided with a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light source or prism sections each made up of a refracting surface which receives the light incident from the light source and a reflecting surface for reflecting the light incident from this refracting surface. Here, in the optical member, there is a plurality of pairs of the reflecting surfaces or prism sections arranged in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis within a plane including the radial direction of the light source centered on the optical axis. The present invention can provide a low-profile lighting apparatus using light from the light source with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 6836590
    Abstract: An optical subassembly utilizes a core with a first, second, and third faces. The first and second faces are coupled, non-parallel, and non-co-planar for changing a path of a beam, and their intersection defines an axis. Filters are coupled to the third face. The light path traverses between the first or second face and each filter such that, at each filter, no portion of the light path interferes with any other portion of the light path. The light path also traverses the core in a direction along the axis. This is facilitated by the light path traversing an external surface of a filter at an angle. The device includes adjustable ports residing at the same side of the device. Filters are coupled to the core and optically coupled to the adjustable ports. The light path travels down the core and exit or enter the device via the adjustable ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Oplink Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenkin A. Richard, Eric V. Chamness, David F. Moore, George H. Guan, Steven J. Benerofe, Anjul K. Katare, Cameron D. Hinman, Qunwen Leng