Abstract: The present invention relates to a sideview mirror for vehicles and an angle adjusting device thereof which includes a housing pivotable on the inner and outer guide lines of the vehicle; an Amici type prism installed within the focal length of an object lens so as to reflect the ray passing through the object lens for refracting the ray passing through an outer rearward portion of the vehicle to be converged; a reflector installed beyond the focal length of the object lens and adapted to reflect the ray reflected by the prism to an inner aperture portion of the housing; and an eye lens system magnifying and refracting the ray reflected by the reflector so as to form an image having unit magnification for thereby forming an afocal system.

Abstract: A pair of prisms arranged in a complementary relationship provides for anamorphic magnification and cooperates with a curved refractive element, the later of which generates an aberration that at least partially compensates an aberration generated by the pair of prisms. Examples of the curved refractive element include, but are not limited to, a cylindrical lens, a curved substrate of optical material, a pair of counter-rotatable cylindrical lenses, a fluid-filled cylindrical lens with variable power incorporating a substrate that is deformed by a clamp mechanism over a fulcrum or curved surface, and at least one curved surface of fixed or variable curvature of the prisms, the later of which may be fluid-filled. In one embodiment, a color image is generated as a composite of images from different image modulators, each modulating a different color, and chromatic aberration is compensated by electronically scaling or shifting images from different image modulators differently.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prism having a light incident surface, a light emerging surface, and at least one light reflection surface. The light incident on the light incident surface is reflected, inside the prism, by the light reflection surface, and emerged from the light emerging surface. At least one light reflection surface has a reflecting surface which does not satisfy a total reflection condition. A reflection area is formed on the at-least-one light reflection surface by applying light reflecting material. The reflection-area corresponds to a portion on which a normal light is incident. Further, a portion of the-at least-one reflection surface other than the reflection area is formed to be a low-reflection area-which has a lower reflectance index than the reflection area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact and high-performance prism optical system having, in order in which light rays pass from the object side, a first transmitting surface (4), a first reflecting surface (5), a second reflecting surface (6), a third reflecting surface (7), and a second transmitting surface (8). When an axial principal ray (1) is projected onto a plane defined by three points at which the axial principal ray (1) impinges on the first transmitting surface (4), the first reflecting surface (5) and the second reflecting surface (6), the projected axial principal ray forms an optical path that bends at two consecutive reflecting surfaces (5, 6) in the same direction with respect to the direction of travel of the rays and bends at the other reflecting surface (7) in a direction different from the direction of bending at the two reflecting surfaces. At least one of the three reflecting surfaces is a rotationally asymmetric surface.

Abstract: An optical information detecting apparatus includes a first optical system focusing an optical beam on a recording surface of a recording medium and a second optical system directing a reflection optical beam produced as a result of reflection of the optical beam by a recording surface of the recording medium to a photodetection unit. The second optical system includes a beam dividing element disposed so as to interrcept the reflection optical beam and divide the reflection beam into a plurality of optical beam elements traveling generally parallel with each other in the reflection optical beam, such that the plurality of optical beam elements reach the photodetection unit along respective optical paths.

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.

Abstract: An image pickup optical system includes an optical unit having a light incidence surface on which a light is incident, a light reflecting surface reflecting the light incident from the light incidence surface and having a curvature, and a light emergence surface from which the light reflected by the light reflecting surface emerges, and a transparent optical member disposed near the surface position of at least one of the light incidence surface and the light emergence surface. The optical member is adhesively fixed to the optical unit to thereby make any special holding member for the optical member relative to the optical unit unnecessary.

Abstract: A TIR prism system for DMD and a projector adopting the same make a loss of incidence light be reduced, and having a small size and light weight. In a TIR prism system having the DMD and for total reflecting the incidence light to a certain direction in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, the TIR prism system of the present invention includes a first prism for receiving the incidence light on a surface set before, refracting the light, and outputting the refracted light, and a second prism coupled to the first prism for receiving the light outputted from the first prism, transmitting the light to the DMD, and outputting the transmitted light after being totally reflected in accordance with that the DMD is controlled, whereby a loss of light energy inside the system can be reduced.

Abstract: A prism (1) comprises a first inner surface (114A) that performs total reflection of all rays (20) entering from the exterior and allows ON light (21) to pass therethrough; a second inner surface (122) that allows the rays (20) and the ON light (21) to pass therethrough and performs total reflection of OFF light (22); and a third inner surface (134) that allows the ON light (21) to pass therethrough. A first end (1E1) of the first inner surface (114A) is located in proximity to and above a predetermined point (P) in the second inner surface (122). The prism (1) is regarded as a plane parallel plate having a second outer surface (121) and a third outer surface (133).

Abstract: A beam splitting prism system includes, at least, a first prism for extracting a first light beam along an advancing direction of a light beam coming from an objective lens, an air separation, and a second prism having a predetermined apical angle and having a reflecting surface for extracting a second light beam, wherein the second prism is arranged to cause the second light beam reflected by the reflecting surface to be totally reflected by a surface of the second prism adjacent to the air separation and then exit from the second prism, and the apical angle of the second prism is set such that interference fringes which occur due to reflection of the second light beam by a solid-state image sensor disposed within the optical path of the second light beam do not overlap in a central portion of an image plane of the solid-state image sensor disposed within the optical path of the second light beam.

Abstract: A red-reflecting film and a blue-reflecting film are formed in a substantially X shape on joint surfaces defined by the respective side faces of four columnar prisms or right-angle prisms. The red-reflecting film is continuously formed without separating at an intersection of the two reflecting films. The blue-reflecting film is, on the other hand, divided into two pieces by the red-reflecting film and an adhesive. It is preferable that that four columnar prisms are obtained from one block of sheet glass. This arrangement ensures an improvement in properties of a resulting light-selective prism.

Abstract: A panoramic periscope includes a central body (3, 3A) and a rotating head-piece (9) supported on the central body. Inside the central body, an optical path (21, 23, 101, 105, 109, 111, 113) for an optical beam (F,) coming from the head-piece (9) is provided. A viewing module (17) receives the optical beam, for observing the external scenery. A laser telemeter (19) is provided and, along the optical path, a separator element (10S) with an inner dichroic surface (105A) is passed through by the optical beam coming from the head-piece (9). The inner dichroic surface (105A) separates a laser beam coming from the head-piece (9) and deviating it towards a separate optical path (107) which conveys the laser beam towards the laser telemeter (19). The separator element (105) has an entry surface (105I) and an exit surface (105U) which are parallel with one another and passed through by the optical beam (FV), the surfaces being perpendicular to the optical beam (FV).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact and high-performance prism optical system having, in order in which rays pass from the object side, a first transmitting surface (4), a first reflecting surface (5), a second reflecting surface (6), a third reflecting surface (7), a fourth reflecting surface (8), and a second transmitting surface (9). The first transmitting surface (4) and the second reflecting surface (6) are formed from the identical surface, and the second transmitting surface (9) and the third reflecting surface (7) are formed from the identical surface. The first reflecting surface (5) and the fourth reflecting surface (8) are formed from surfaces independent of the first transmitting surface (4) and the second transmitting surface (9). At least one of the reflecting surfaces is formed from a rotationally asymmetric surface. At least one of the second reflecting surface (6) and the third reflecting surface (7) has a power.

Abstract: A real image mode finder optical system is constructed to be independent of a photographing optical system and includes, in order from the object side, an objective optical system with a positive refracting power, a field frame located in the proximity of the imaging position of the objective optical system, and an eyepiece optical system with a positive refracting power. The real image mode finder optical system has an image erecting means, and the focal length of the objective optical system can be made shorter than that of the eyepiece optical system.

Abstract: An image pickup optical system includes an optical unit having a light incidence surface on which a light is incident, a light reflecting surface reflecting the light incident from the light incidence surface and having a curvature, and a light emergence surface from which the light reflected by the light reflecting surface emerges, and a transparent optical member disposed near the surface position of at least one of the light incidence surface and the light emergence surface. The optical member is adhesively fixed to the optical unit to thereby make any special holding member for the optical member relative to the optical unit unnecessary.

Abstract: In an image display apparatus, between a reflection-type liquid crystal display panel and a light source for supplying illumination light thereto, a half mirror is disposed at an angle. In addition, in the optical path of the light reflected from the liquid crystal display panel and then reflected from the half mirror, a concave mirror is disposed, and, in the optical path of the light reflected from the concave mirror and then transmitted through the half mirror, a polarizing plate is disposed so that, out of the light reflected from the liquid crystal display panel, only the light that conveys an image is directed to an observer's eye. Alternatively, a polarization separation mirror is disposed in place of the half mirror, and a quarter-wave plate is disposed between the polarization separation mirror and the concave mirror instead of using the polarizing plate.

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.

Abstract: A thermal birefringence compensator for a double pass laser system, which includes a polarization or conventionally outcoupled laser resonator, a gain medium and a compensator optically coupled to the gain medium. In one implementation, the compensator, which acts as an end reflector, includes a Benson prism, a first quarter waveplate with its principle axes aligned to the fold axis of the Benson prism, and a second quarter waveplate with its principle axes at 45° to the fold axis of the Benson prism. Alternatively, the compensation's prism can be a Porro prism.

Abstract: A viewing optical system and image-forming optical system in which an intermediate image is formed once and two decentered prisms, i.e. first and second prisms, are arranged to correct each other's decentration aberrations, thereby attaining a wide viewing field angle and a short focal length. The second prism is placed closer to the object side than the first prism and has three optical surfaces, of which a first surface is an entrance surface also serving as a reflecting surface, a second surface is a reflecting surface, and a third surface is an exit surface. At least one of the first and second surfaces has a rotationally asymmetric surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration. The first prism has a reflecting surface, an entrance surface, and an exit surface. The reflecting surface has a rotationally asymmetric surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration.

Abstract: A viewing optical instrument has a roof prism which is provided with a pair of reflection surfaces intersecting at a nominal face angle of 90°, wherein the pupil is split by an edge line of the reflection surfaces of the roof prism. The reflection surfaces are provided with a multiple-layer coating which does not absorb visible light. A change in the phase difference produced between light incident on one of reflection surfaces located on opposite sides of an edge line of the roof prism and emitted from the other reflection surface, and light incident on the right reflection surface and emitted from the left reflection surface is restricted to reduce wavefront aberrations to thereby improve the quality of an image to be viewed. A roof prism used in the optical instrument is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical unit including a light entrance surface, light reflecting surfaces and a light exit surface all of which are integrally formed of transparent material, and the optical unit has in its interior an internal refracting surface for refracting light. Since a light beam passes through the optical unit from the light entrance surface to the light exit surface via the internal refracting surface and the light reflecting surfaces along a bent optical path, the optical apparatus is reduced in size and improved in optical performance, particularly, well corrected in chromatic aberration. Another disclosed optical apparatus is arranged to achieve zooming by using a plurality of optical units each of which is similar to the aforesaid optical unit.

Abstract: Optical system for directing an auxiliary image towards an observer so as to be superimposed on to a main image. The optical system comprises a pentagonal prism having a first surface for intercepting the auxiliary image and directing an auxiliary image beam toward an opposing second surface so as to be internally reflected by the second surface towards a third surface so as to be internally reflected by the third surface and propagated out of the pentagonal prism through a fourth surface opposite the third surface towards the observer. At least one of the surfaces of the pentagonal prism is aspeheric and a directing optics constituted by a wedge proximate and external to the third surface directs a main image beam derived from the main image through the third surface into the pentagonal prism and out of the fourth surface thereof towards the observer.

Abstract: A configuration of prisms is capable of spectral division, or spectral color combination, or both simultaneously even with reflected light that undergoes a change of polarization. The configuration includes first and second prisms each with pairs of faces that respectively form first and second prism angles. One face of one prism is engaged against one face of the other prism with no air gap between. Light of a first spectral range is incidence substantially perpendicular on the other prism face of the first prism after entering the first prism and undergoing a double reflection before leaving the first prism. Light of a second and third spectral range are also incident on the other face of the first prism and pass substantially unreflected through the first prism. Light of the second spectral range after leaving the first prism and entering the second prism is double reflected in the second prism. Light of the third spectral range substantially passes through the second prism as well without reflection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective prism device, which comprises a prism unit and a data communication unit, and communication light being irradiated from a survey instrument toward said prism unit, whereby there is provided a light guide for guiding a part of said communication light entering said prism unit toward said data communication unit.

Abstract: A prism system for image inversion in a visual observation beam path, which uses a roof prism and a reflecting prism. The roof prism has a roof edge inclined with respect to a bottom face, and a gable face which is placed at an angle with respect to the bottom face and which acts as a beam splitter. The reflecting prism has a beam-pass face parallel to the bottom face of the roof prism. The bottom face of the roof prism and the beam-pass face of the reflecting prism have areas separated geometrically from one another for the passage of observation beams and for the passage of a further beam path which reflects a measured-value display into an exit-side observation beam path and/or reflects a rangefinder measuring beam path into an entry-side observation beam path.

Abstract: In a real-image finder, an objective optical system forms a real image and a reflecting member has a surface that reflects light from the objective optical system. A transmissive prism that transmits light from the reflecting member has an incident surface on which a light beam from the reflecting member is nearly perpendicularly incident and an emergent surface at an angle to the incident surface. The light from the transmissive prism is incident on an incident surface of a reflecting prism placed close to the emergent surface of the transmissive prism. A reflecting surface of the reflecting prism reflects light from the reflecting surface so that the light reflected from the reflecting surface is totally reflected by the reflecting prism incident surface. An eyepiece optical system guides the light from the reflecting prism to an observer.

Abstract: A real-image finder optical system including a positive objective optical system in which an image of an object, being upside down and reversed from left to right, is formed; an erecting optical system, having a plurality of reflection surfaces, in which the image formed by the objective optical system is erected to the same orientation as the object; and an eyepiece optical system through which the image erected by the erecting optical system is viewed. A shape of a finder field of view is a rectangle having major sides along the transverse direction in the finder field of view. Along the optical path on the side of the object with respect to the image formed by the objective optical system, at least three reflection surfaces of the erecting optical system are provided, and further, the most object-side reflection surface is positioned so that the optical axis is deflected in a direction along the major side of the rectangular finder field of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slimmed-down, well weight-balanced image display apparatus which, while a wide angle of view is presented, ensures high resolving power and a large pupil diameter, and comprises a viewing optical system for viewing an image displayed on an image display device 3 and having generally positive refracting power. The viewing optical system comprises a relay optical element for forming a relay image 6 and an ocular optical element for forming an exit pupil 2 for guiding relay image 6 to an observer. The relay optical element comprises a prism member 5. The prism member 5 comprises an entrance surface 11, at least one reflecting surface 12 or 13, and an exit surface 14. The reflecting surface is constructed of a rotationally asymmetric surface capable of imparting power to a light beam and making correction for aberrations produced by decentration.

Abstract: A real image type finder optical system includes, in order from the object side, an objective optical system, a first prism, a second prism, and an eyepiece lens. The first prism includes a first face as an entrance surface confronting the exit plane of the objective optical system, a second face making an angle of 22.5° with respect to this first face and a third face for transmitting the finder optical axis bent in order by the second face and the first face. The second prism includes a first face as an entrance surface confronting the third face of the first prism with a space therebetween, a second face opposed to the first face so as to bend the finder optical axis toward the object side within a horizontal plane, a third face for turning the finder optical axis bent in order by the second face and the first face to a direction generally coaxial with the eyepiece lens and a fourth face for transmitting the optical axis turned from the third face.

Abstract: An image-forming optical system including a compact and high-performance prism optical system. The image-forming optical system has a prism member formed from a medium having a refractive index larger than 1. The prism member has a first transmitting surface, first to third reflecting surfaces, and a second transmitting surface. The second and third reflecting surfaces are arranged so that the path of the axial principal ray in the prism is folded in a triangular shape, and the axial principal ray incident on the second reflecting surface and the axial principal ray reflected from the third reflecting surface form intersecting optical paths. At least one of the first to third reflecting surfaces has a curved surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam. The curved surface configuration has a rotationally asymmetric surface configuration that corrects aberrations due to decentration.

Abstract: A real image type finder optical system comprising, in order from the object side, an objective optical system of non-telecentric system, a first prism having a wedge angle of 3°, a second prism, a third prism, and an eyepiece lens. The second prism has a first face as the entrance surface in contact with the back surface of the first prism, a second face forming an angle of 22.5° with respect to the first face and a third face for transmitting the optical axis bend by these second face and first face. The third prism has a first face as the entrance surface spaced in parallel from and confronting the third face of the second prism, a second face forming 45° with respect to the first face in order to bend the optical axis toward the object side at an angle of 90° within a horizontal plane, and a third face formed as roof faces for bending the optical axis bent by the second face toward the first face at an angle of 45° within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical element fixing device, and particularly to a prism mounting device for an optical device using light beam which passes through a prism or lens, a lens fixing device for aligning and fixing the center of a lens with a prescribed optical axis, and a device for fixing a reflecting mirror of an optical device. The invention can easily and securely position the prism to be press-contacted to the lens within a case, in which changes in the magnitude of press-contacting with the passage of time is very small. And, the lens can be securely fixed with its center accurately aligned with a prescribed optical axis. Besides, the reflecting mirror is fixed by a simple structure and a contact between the reflecting mirror and a plate spring is not limited to one point.

Abstract: An optical element has a base body with a surface, an optically effective first layer system of which at least one layer system surface is on the base body and a second optically effective layer system embedded in the base body. The second system terminates in an intersection area with a broad surface of the second system extending along the surface of the base body. The second system has a sequence of optically high and low refraction layers, the high refraction layer consisting predominantly of at least one of TiO2, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, HfO2, ZrO2, or SiOxNy and the low refraction layer consisting predominantly of at least one of SiO2, Al2O3 or SiOxNy. The packing density of the layers of the second optically effective layer system is at least 0.95 and the second layer system is recessed in the intersection area at most by 5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A Porro prism and a light polarizer are combined in a single optical element termed a Hendrix Prism. The design provides retro-reflection of incoming light of a predetermined polarization in a direction anti-parallel to the direction of light incidence, while reflecting undesired light, i.e., that having a polarization orthogonal to the predetermined polarization, from the surface of the light polarizer. The undesired light is reflected in a direction that does not interfere with the intended operation of the device in which the Hendrix Prism is installed yet provides feedback to the system in which it is used.

Abstract: The bottom surfaces of an entering surface-forming portion 1a for forming a light-entering surface 11a of a reflector type prism 11 and of an emitting surface-forming portion 1b for forming a light-emitting surface 11b of the reflector type prism 11 are formed as concave surfaces in a die 1. Even if shrinkage of the reflector type prism 11 occurs during its formation, the light-entering surface 11a and the light-emitting surface 11b are, at least, not formed as concave surfaces, so that a light beam entering the reflector type prism 11 and a light beam emitted from the reflector type prism 11 are prevented from becoming scattered.

Abstract: A fast and compact decentered optical system corrected for aberrations due to three-dimensional decentration by three-dimensionally disposing a rotationally asymmetric surface having no plane of symmetry. The decentered optical system includes at least one optical surface with a rotationally asymmetric surface configuration having no plane of symmetry and having a positive power. The decentered optical system has an entrance surface, at least three reflecting surfaces, and an exit surface. At least one of intersections between an optical axis and the entrance surface, the reflecting surfaces and the exit surface is not in a plane where the other intersections are present.

Abstract: A handheld inspection mirror uses right angled mirror surfaces and triangular prism means to provide a non-inverted undistorted image from objects located in remote or relatively inaccessible places.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a finder prism capable of forming some in-finder information such as an automatic focus target mark and a short distance correction mark by virtue of extremely narrow lines. In detail, the finder prism is provided between an objective lens and an ocular lens, and is adapted to transmit an object image to a camera user under a condition where an automatic focus target mark and an short distance correction mark are overlapped on a photographing object image. In particular, the prism is made of a resin, a shouldered portion is formed on one surface of the prism from which the object light is allowed to exit during a photographing process, thereby forming some in-finder information such as an automatic focus target mark and an short distance correction mark.

Abstract: Polarization preserving optical systems for use in deviating plane polarized beams through preselected angles without changing their linear state of polarization. The optical systems have a variety of applications and are particularly suitable for use in the field of distance measuring interferometry (DMI) to enhance measurement accuracy by reducing undesirable polarization effects that can introduce errors associated with an otherwise present undesirable polarization rotation found in classical retroreflectors. Prismatic optical elements are preferably used to construct assemblies which can include polarization beam splitting coating arrangements and/or birefringent materials to enhance the extinction ratio between orthogonally polarized beams propagating through such systems.

Abstract: An all-around reflector for retroreflection of beams which comprises, as reflectors, triple prisms with round light entrance surfaces, wherein the triple prisms are arranged in a housing in such a way that their light entrance surfaces are part of the circumferential surfaces of the housing. The triple prisms are arranged in the housing in such a way that adjacent triple prisms contact, or almost contact, at a point inside the housing. The tips (corners) of the triple prisms lie in a plane extending vertical to the light entrance surfaces of the triple prisms wherein the axes of the triple prisms which intersect at a point are also located in this plane. Triple prisms which are located next to one another are oriented relative to one another so as to be rotated about their axes by 60°.

Abstract: A real image mode finder includes an objective optical system and an eyepiece optical system which has at least one reflecting surface. The objective optical system includes, in order from the object side, an objective unit, a first prism and a second prism. The first prism has an entrance surface which transmits a light beam emerging from the objective unit and a transmission surface which is optically inclined with respect to the entrance surface. The second prism has a reflecting surface, situated nearly opposite to the entrance surface of the first prism, for obliquely reflecting the light beam transmitted through the first prism toward the object side, a transmitting-reflecting surface located nearly parallel with the transmission surface of the first prism, at a minute distance away therefrom, to transmit the light transmitted through the first prism and to totally reflect the light from the reflecting surface, and an exit surface.

Abstract: A stable resonator for a ring-down cavity spectroscopy cell having an optic axis. The resonator includes two Brewster's angle retroreflector prisms, each having a plurality of total internal reflection surfaces, with one of the total internal reflection surfaces of at least one of the prisms having a curved surface (either a ground curved surface or a surface curved by the addition, through optically contacting or gluing, of a plano-convex lens to the surface). The prisms are disposed in alignment along the optic axis of the resonator. A spherical mirror or lens, tilted from normal incidence to produce a desired degree of astigmatism, mode matches the radiation into the resonator. One or both of the prisms can be rotated so that light rays enter and leave a surface of the prism nearly at Brewster's angle to the normal of the prism surface. This feature maintains alignment between the prisms and allows the resonator to be tuned.

Abstract: A stable resonator for a ring-down cavity spectroscopy cell having an optic axis. The resonator includes two Brewster's angle retroreflector prisms, at least one prism having greater than two total internal reflection surfaces. The prisms are disposed in alignment along the optic axis of the resonator. One or both of the prisms can be rotated so that light rays enter and leave a surface of the prism nearly at Brewster's angle to the normal of the prism surface. This feature maintains alignment between the prisms and allows the resonator to be tuned. One of the total internal reflection surfaces of at least one of the prisms may be a curved surface (either a ground curved surface or a surface curved by the addition, through optically contacting or gluing, of a plano-convex lens to the surface).

Abstract: A signal light including a housing is recessed into a traffic surface and projects minimally upwardly from the surface and wherein a light processing assembly is provided to receive light from a light source, intensify the light and direct the light toward a light outlet in a generally linear manner, the arrangement for processing light being mounted to the housing. For this purpose, the light source is designed in such a way that it sends an essentially linearly directed light beam onto the light processing assembly. The light is collected in the light processing assembly in such a way that, when it exits, it is still linearly extending in at least one direction but it has a higher intensity. For this purpose, the light processing assembly includes a cylindrical-convex lens entry surface and a cylindrical concave mirror surface for receiving and directing light.

Abstract: A see-through retroreflective structure includes a transparent polymeric film, an array of retroreflective elements attached to the polymeric film, and an array of apertures through the retroreflective structure within the array of retroreflective elements. In one embodiment, the retroreflective structure includes a metalized reflective layer formed on the transparent prism elements and a support layer, such as a fabric, is attached to the metalized reflective layer.The method includes providing a transparent polymeric film. An array of retroreflective elements is attached to the polymeric film. The array of retroreflective elements and the transparent polymeric film are perforated through the retroreflective structure to form an array of apertures, thereby forming a retroreflective structure. The apertures are of sufficient size and spacing to provide a see-through capability.

Abstract: A penta prism mask havimg having an antireflective coating film on its surface, the antireflective coating film being an electrodeposition coating film formed by electrophoretic deposition using an electrodeposition paint comprising a dispersion of a resin and fine particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical element fixing device, and particularly to a prism mounting device for an optical device using light beam which passes through a prism or lens, a lens fixing device for aligning and fixing the center of a lens with a prescribed optical axis, and a device for fixing a reflecting mirror of an optical device. The invention can easily and securely position the prism to be press-contacted to the lens within a case, in which changes in the magnitude of press-contacting with the passage of time is very small. And, the lens can be securely fixed with its center accurately aligned with a prescribed optical axis. Besides, the reflecting mirror is fixed by a simple structure and a contact between the reflecting mirror and a plate spring is not limited to one point.

Abstract: At least one of four rectangular prisms in a dichroic prism is made longer than the other rectangular prisms. Parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms partially protrude from the rectangular surfaces of the other rectangular prisms in the longitudinal direction. The protruding parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms are not provided with a dichroic film. Such a construction makes it possible to prevent return light, which returns from the light emitting surface side of the dichroic prism and the dichroic prism, from emitting again from the light emitting surface.

Abstract: An optical unit for projecting an image including first and second locating lines for substantially eliminating the introduction of visual parallax error. In one preferred form, the optical unit is incorporated into a machine for performing a forming operation on a workpiece and is operative to project an image of a portion of a scale to a position easily read by the user during machine operation. The optical unit includes a prism portion having a first side disposed adjacent the scale, a second side at an angle to the first side for reflecting the image and a third side through which the projected image may be viewed. The first locating line is disposed on the first side and the second locating line is disposed on the third side such that visual alignment eliminates the introduction of visual parallax error associated with reading a scale.

Abstract: A compact optical system capable of providing a clear image of minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. The optical system is a decentered optical system (10). Curved surfaces (3 and 4) constituting the optical system include at least one rotationally asymmetric surface having no axis of rotational symmetry in nor out of the surface. To correct rotationally asymmetric aberrations due to decentration by the rotationally asymmetric surface, the following condition is satisfied:-1000<FX/FXn<1000 (1-1)where FX is the focal length in the X-direction of the optical system, and FXn is the focal length in the X-direction of that portion of the rotationally asymmetric surface on which an axial principal ray strikes.