Abstract: A reflection assembly is configured to reflect a three dimensional image in two planes. The reflection assembly has a housing that further has a back wall joined to a top wall, and a bottom wall. A first frame is rotatably joined to the top wall and the bottom wall. The first frame further comprises a first frame major axis and a first frame minor axis. A first mirror is joined to the first frame. A second frame is rotatably joined to the top wall and the bottom wall. The second frame further comprises a second frame major axis and a second frame minor axis. A second mirror is joined to the second frame. An intersection angle is formed by the first frame minor axis and the second frame minor axis is about eighty degrees measured counterclockwise from the first frame minor axis to the second frame minor axis.

Abstract: Beam guides for guiding a laser beam from a driver laser device in the direction of a target position for generating extreme ultraviolet (“EUV”) radiation are disclosed. The beam guides include a device for increasing or decreasing the beam diameter of the laser beam. The device includes a first off-axis parabolic mirror having a first convex curved reflecting surface and a second off-axis parabolic mirror having a second concave curved reflecting surface. The beam guides also include a moving device arranged to change a distance between the first and the second reflecting surfaces to change the opening angle (?), e.g., the convergence or divergence angle, of the laser beam. Methods for adjusting an opening angle (?) of a laser beam using such beam guides are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reading apparatus for assisting a person to read or view reading material, including from a lying down position, with the reading apparatus including in a lying down position. The reading apparatus comprises: an optical system including a tray for supporting the reading material, a reflecting mirror and an imaging mirror, said tray, said reflecting mirror and said imaging mirror being mechanically intercoupled in a manner that enables them to be positioned at predetermined, respective angles relative to each other, to enable the reading material located on said tray to be viewed by viewing an image formed by said imaging mirror. A support is configured to enable the optical system to be positioned in front of the person. The tray, the reflecting mirror and the imaging mirror can be folded onto each other.

Abstract: Provided is an image projection apparatus, such as a projector, including a light source; an image generating element such as a DMD that receives light from the light source and forms an image; an image generating unit that irradiates the image generating element with the light from the light source; a first optical system including multiple transmission refractive optical elements; a second optical system arranged on an optical path of outgoing light of the first optical system and including a reflection optical element; and a projection optical system that enlarges and projects an image conjugate to the image generated by the image generating element as a projected image. The light source, the image generating unit, and the first optical system are arranged side by side in series in a direction parallel with the projected image plane.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a concave panoramic reflector, a support structure configured to hold the concave panoramic reflector in a fixed position with respect to the housing, and a mounting device for positioning the housing in a fixed orientation with respect to a computing device such that light reflected by the concave panoramic reflector is directed to a light sensor in the computing device.

Abstract: A multipurpose, lower extremity, examination stool, has at least one light set in integral cooperation with at least one mirror to facilitate an examination of a foot by a person, a clinician, or a doctor. The foot examination stool preferably has a top mirror and a slide mirror. The slide mirror is slidably mounted below the top mirror and has a set of lights, to illuminate both the slide mirror and the lower extremity being tested or examined. The top mirror is illuminated by two sets of lights hingedly or rotatably mounted adjacently thereto and perpendicular to the slide mirror.

Abstract: A projection optical system that receives light from a display element to project an image displayed by the display element onto a screen with enlargement at a varying magnification achieved by varying the projection distance to the screen has: a refractive optical system composed of one or more refractive lenses and having a positive optical power; and a concave-surfaced mirror disposed to the screen side of the refractive optical system and having a plane-symmetric reflective surface. The projection optical system includes at least one optical element designed to be movable for focusing. The projection optical system forms an intermediate image between the refractive optical system and the concave-surfaced mirror. Moreover, a prescribed conditional formula is fulfilled.

Abstract: A projection display device comprises: a light source; liquid crystal panels disposed corresponding to R light, G light and B light; a light guiding optical system for guiding R light, G light and B light among light from the light source to respective corresponding liquid crystal panels; a dichroic prism for synthesizing the R light, G light and B light modulated by the liquid crystal panels; a projection optical system having a curved mirror for enlarging and projecting the light synthesized by the dichroic prism; and a bending mirror. A placement plane for optical members is orthogonal to a projection plane (screen surface), and shorter sides of optical members forming the liquid crystal panels and the light guiding optical system are placed on the placement plane.

Abstract: A reflector for the lighting device and an illumination system of the projection apparatus are provided. The reflector comprises a first reflecting structure and a second reflecting structure disposed on the portion of the first reflecting structure. The reflecting surfaces of the first and second reflecting structures are formed with a distance therebetween. After the first portion of the light is reflected from the first reflecting surface and the second portion of the light is reflected from the second reflecting surface, the second portion of the light is adapted to remove the centrally dimmed area at the opening of the lighting device. Thus, the luminance performance can be improved.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle that has a double curved mirror positioned next to a vehicle side view mirror and said double curved mirror along with said side view mirror allows a user to view the lower perimeter of the vehicle in the side view mirror while operating the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mirror and mirror system which can be used in connection with large vehicles, such as school buses, to provide the driver of such vehicles with the ability to view the entire side of the vehicle. While such vehicles currently include side view mirrors attached to the front of the vehicle, these mirrors contain blind spots, such as the area immediately in front of the rear wheel of the vehicle. The current invention overcomes such blind spots by attaching a second mirror to the rear portion of the vehicle that provides a forward view from the rear of the vehicle, including a view of such blind spots. Such front and rear mirrors may be aligned so that the view of the rear mirror is portrayed within the view of the front mirror. As such, the present invention provides the driver with a complete view of the passenger side of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention proposes an optical monitoring device for monitoring the activity of a tool in a monitoring area, having at least one camera (1). In order to improve the capture of the lateral regions of a three-dimensional object in the monitoring area (20), at least one mirror (2) is provided that is concavely bent in at least one partial region and that is disposed in the optical path between the monitoring area (20) and the camera (1).

Abstract: A safety mirror for mounting at the rear of a vehicle to allow an operator of the vehicle to observe images of objects which may be present to either side of the rear of the vehicle, the safety mirror comprising a convex reflective mirror surface for mounting at the rear of the vehicle such that images of objects to either side of the rear of the vehicle are reflected in the safety mirror toward the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A projection system includes a modulator and an Offner relay. The modulator is to modulate light in accordance with sub-frames of a frame of image data. The Offner relay is to differently aim, in accordance with each sub-frame, the light as modulated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector having a light-diffusing property which suppresses inter-object reflection over a wide angle, and giving particularly high reflectance in an intended range of viewing angle; and to provide a reflection type liquid crystal display device using the same. The reflector includes a plurality of light-reflective concave portions. Each of the concave portions is formed so that an inclination angle (an angle between a plane tangential to a point on a concave surface and the surface of the base material) is maximum on a side portion of the curved surface, and so that the direction of the side portion having the maximum inclination angle is on a far side from a view point of an observer.

Abstract: Forward view apparatus (10) for a motor vehicle, to enable the driver of the vehicle to view an image of objects which are located forward of the apparatus (10), includes a housing (12) in which a rear view mirror (14) is located. A two-mirror arrangement (20, 24) within the housing (12) provides an image of objects forward of the assembly (10) in a viewing portal (16). The first mirror (20) is planar and adjustable. A second mirror (24) is fixed and has a curved reflecting surface. The reflecting surface of the fixed mirror (24) is aspheric, spherical, substantially spherical, parabolic or quasi-parabolic. A window (26) is provided on the forward side of the housing, to enable light to pass to the two-mirror arrangement (20, 24). A shutter (332) is able to close across the window (26) to prevent bright lights or other distracting images being seen by the driver.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: Two reflective surfaces disposed in a predetermined angular orientation inside the optical tube assembly of a telescope intercept the optical beam and deliver it from the objective to the eye-piece. By translating these surfaces simultaneously along the axis bisecting the angle between them, the separation between the focal points of the objective and the eye-piece is adjusted as required to re-focus the telescope in a continuous and reversible fashion without changing its overall dimensions.

Abstract: An optical delay line for use with an optical source including input/output optics optically coupled to the optical source and a curved mirror with a reflective surface that is centered about an evolute curve of the delay line to retro-reflect light traveling along a delay line beam path tangent to the edge of the evolute curve. The input/output optics direct light from the optical source along the delay line beam path and direct delayed light from the delay line beam path out of the optical delay line along an output beam path. The input/output optics and/or the curved mirror rotate about the evolute curve at a selected angular speed. The reflective surface has a curvature based on a parametric curve that is calculated from the evolute curve such that the delay of the delay line varies according to a predetermined function as the input/output optics and/or the curved mirror rotate.

Abstract: An auxiliary rear view mirror assembly for increasing a driver's lateral and rearward field of vision without adversely affecting the driver's forward field of vision. The auxiliary rear view mirror assembly is mounted at the rear of a vehicle in a location which is visible in a main rear view mirror of the vehicle. The auxiliary rear view mirror assembly is comprised of a pair of auxiliary rear view mirrors which are independently selectively adjustable about a pair of axes and selectively adjustable about a second axis which is in orthogonal relationship to the first pair of axis. In a first embodiment, the auxiliary rear view mirror assembly is mounted on a rear window of the vehicle. In a second embodiment, the auxiliary rear view mirror assembly is mounted on a rear brake light. In a third embodiment, the auxiliary rear view mirror assembly is combined with a rear brake light and is remotely adjustable by a set of controls which are accessible to the driver.

Abstract: A multi-view mirror assembly for a vehicle dimensioned to allow a driver to view people, vehicles and other objects positioned lateral and downwardly vertical to a rear end of the vehicle is disclosed. The multi-view mirror assembly is mountable on either an exterior or an interior surface of the vehicle. Furthermore, the multi-view mirror is maneuverable so as to compensate for varying vehicle sizes and dimensions.

Abstract: A system comprises at least one optical fiber that revolves around an axis when an array assembly that includes a radar array revolves around the axis. The optical fiber receives a light pattern that specifies information from the array assembly. A stationary device remains optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving the light pattern while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.

Abstract: A lateral-view mirror assembly capable of providing a driver of a vehicle with the ability to view objects positioned lateral to a rear portion of the vehicle by looking at a reflection of the objects reflected from lateral-view mirrors to a rear-view mirror to the driver. The two lateral-view mirrors are placed apart on a rear portion of a vehicle, with a first lateral-view mirror placed between a center portion and a driver's side of a top surface of a rear portion of a vehicle and a second lateral-view mirror placed between a center portion and a passenger's side of a top surface of a rear portion of a vehicle.

Abstract: A mirror unit having two mirrors, so the area in front of the mirror can be viewed, is adjustable in a plurality of planes to facilitate use by a wide range of users. The mirror unit can be used on a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An optical system capable of providing a magnification which can be varied comprises a pair of ellipsoidal mirrors [(20, 21)]which are so mounted and arranged that the focus for radiation reflected from one mirror corresponds substantially with the input focus for the other mirror. The mirrors are preferably mounted so that they are pivotable.

Abstract: A produce data collector and produce recognition system which illuminates a produce item with substantially uniform light to enhance the accuracy of collected produce data and subsequent identification of the produce item as part of a transaction in a transaction establishment. The produce data collector includes a light source for illuminating the produce item with substantially uniform light during the transaction, a light separating element for splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions having different wavelengths, a detector for converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals, and control circuitry which digitizes the plurality of electrical signals to produce a digital spectrum from the produce item which contains information to identify the produce item for the purpose of determining its unit price.

Abstract: A device for directing a defined light beam onto a photosensitive area, for testing the performance of a photovoltaic module including said photosensitive area, comprising a support structure (1) which can be turned about a vertical central axis (4) in accordance with the actual azimuthal sun position. Housing (7) receives the photovoltaic module with the photosensitive area (6) of said module in a horizontal position, the housing being located in the lower portion of the support structure. A first mirror (2) which can be tilted about a horizontal axis (3) in order adapt its position continuously to the sun elevation position and to optimize the sun light impact thereon, and a second mirror (5) is fixed to the support structure (1) vertically above the photosensitive area (6) of the module and receives the light beam from the first mirror (2) for reflexion towards said area (6).

Abstract: A mount for a baby mirror for viewing a baby in a baby seat placed on a back seat of a motor vehicle in a rearwardly facing position. The mount includes one of the fasteners for securing the headliner of the vehicle to a roof panel. The mirror has a housing formed with a slot in the top surface. The slot is of inverted T-shape. The slot is open at the rear of the housing to permit the head of the fastener to enter the wide portion of the slot and the shank to enter the narrow portion. The mirror housing is thus suspended from the fastener. In another embodiment, the housing has a U-shaped clip received in a groove in the housing. The legs of the clip straddle the shank of the fastener and the body of the clip is clamped between the head of the fastener and the headliner. The mirror may be detached by separating the housing from the clip and leaving the clip assembled with the fastener, or the entire housing and clip may be removed from the fastener.

Abstract: An all-reflective optical system uses a mirror with a hole to transmit a focused laser beam to an on-axis elliptical mirror. The reflected beam from the ellipse is predominately reflected off the mirror with a hole and focused to a distant adjustable focus. This focus spot can be positioned by X-Y scanning mirrors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical system for measurement of a three dimensional device. The optical system is designed and configured to meet telecentric and f-.theta. requirements. The system employs primary and secondary mirrors operating in conjunction with a tertiary deflector mounted on a pivot. Light from a light source produces a beam which is deflected off the deflector and the secondary and primary reflectors respectively. The beam is then transmitted to the surface of the object to be measured. Deflection of the tertiary deflector on the pivot results in scanning of the light beam across the surface of the object to be measured.

Abstract: An optical filter that uses multiple reflections to provide spectral bandpass filtering of ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation with a very high transmission of wavelengths within a selected passband coupled with exceptional off-band rejection. The reflection filter uses dielectric-coated spherical reflectors or mirrors manufactured with absorbing glass substrates. The multiple-pass feature of the reflection filter is achieved using a traditional long-path absorption cell such as a White Cell or Wilkes Cell. The light transmitted through the reflection filter is only that light which has undergone multiple reflections as the wavelengths of high mirror reflectivity reflect off the dielectric-coated substrates. All remaining light at wavelengths corresponding to high mirror transmission is attenuated by absorption in the mirror substrate.

Abstract: A vehicular visual safety device having a pair of substantially parallel mirrors secured within the interior of the vehicle in fixed relationship with the driver. The rear-most mirror is positioned so as to capture an image lateral and forward of the device's position below the level of the front view window and front portion of the vehicle on the side of the vehicle opposite to the driver's position. The forward-most mirror is laterally offset towards the driver relative to the rear-most mirror and is positioned so as to capture an image of the rear-most mirror. Specifically, the vehicular visual safety device includes a mirror assembly having a planar reflecting forward-most mirror and a convex object rear-most mirror each having an upper edge that lies in respective vertical planes that are substantially parallel with each other. A frame assembly is provided to adjustably secure the mirror pair within the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a reflective dead angle vision device, which provides a line of sight for the driver that includes the area adjacent to the two front tires. The invention has a housing and two ultra wide-angle mirrors. The housing has movable transparent plates positioned at the front and rear, pivoting rectangular wide-angle mirrors positioned at the front and rear reflect light from a light bulb to provide forward illumination during day and night, an indicator light bulb positioned at a lower rear corner of the housing, intersecting water drainage troughs and a water drainage hole formed in the bottom, two hook-type mounting arms extend from the rear top edge to provide a means of installation onto a side mirror, and two flat rubber cushions are glued to the housing top for securing to the bottom of an automobile side mirror.

Abstract: The apparent position of a three-dimensional volumetric image can be "translated" or moved away from image generation apparatus by employing an image translation chamber comprising two concave reflectors. In one embodiment, a reduced portion or "sector" of the image translation chamber can be provided to facilitate image translation for a restricted range of viewing angles. In another embodiment, two or more image translation chambers can be "stacked" to provide double translation of a three-dimensional image over a greater distance. In another embodiment of the invention, a bi-convex lens can be used to translate the apparent position of a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A rear view system for a vehicle (10) includes in combination a light transmitting member (2) and a light reflective medium (16) spatially displaced from the member. The member has a first face (4) for light emergence from which in use light rays are directed towards the medium (16) and a second face (6) for light incidence, each face being disposed on a respective side of a median plane (8). The member (2) comprises a plurality of elemental prismatic sections, the prismatic angles of the elemental sections progressively changing along the length of the member whereby rays of refracted light emerging through the first face are in parallelism or substantial parallelism one with the other irrespective of the angles of incidence of the rays. The shape of the light transmitting member (2) is such as to afford a wide angular scope of view to the system thereby to enhance safety.

Abstract: A viewing device is adapted to enable an observer in a vehicle to view an object located to the rear of the observer. The vehicle has a rear vision mirror. The device comprises a support adapted to be rigidly affixed to the vehicle and a reflecting means mounted on the support. The reflecting means is capable of cooperating with the rear vision mirror so as to provide an image of the object in the rear vision mirror.

Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle safety rearview mirror assembly with distortion offset element and method of using the same. The rearview mirror assembly comprises an elongated convex mirror. The convex mirror is independently supported by a double-ball-joint shank and a mounting base affixed on the windshield of the vehicle. The present invention also provides a method to offset the distortion created by the convex mirror. The method combines a safety reference and a safety locker to tell the driver whether and when it is safe to change lanes or make turns. The safety reference includes two opposite end portions of the rearward visual field respectively prescribed by the side windows of the vehicle, and the safety locker includes the central portion of the extended rearward visual field respectively prescribed by the rear window of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pancratic mirror objective system for laser focussing and especially for laser machining apparatus. The pancratic mirror objective system preferably includes a convex paraboloid mirror and an ellipsoid mirror. The ellipsoid mirror can be approximated by a toric or spherical form. The focus F.sub.1 of the paraboloid mirror P and the first focus of the ellipsoid mirror E are coincident. By rotating the ellipsoid mirror E about the axis parallel to the incident laser beam through the first focus F.sub.1, the effective image side aperture (for example K=4 to K=8) and the focal length are varied. The track control compensates for the movement of the focus F.sub.2 in laser machining apparatus.

Abstract: This specification relates to the invention of a vehicular visual safety device. The device utilizes a planar object, and an opposed convex reflecting mirror mounted on the inside surface of a vehicle windshield enabling the driver to see objects lateral, forward and below the level of the front windshield and front portion of the vehicle on the side of the vehicle opposite and lateral to the driver (passenger side) which heretofore encompassed a dangerous blind spots.

Abstract: A vision saver for use with a computer monitor relieves eye strain, reduces focusing problems, minimizes eye convergence, reduces the number of eye and head movements by an operator using a computer keyboard with the computer monitor, and reduces glare. The vision saver comprises first and second reflecting surfaces and a supporting structure for supporting the reflecting surfaces in spaced relation in front of the computer monitor such that the first reflecting surface faces the screen of the monitor and the second reflecting surface, and the second reflecting surface faces the first reflecting surface and outwardly from the screen of the monitor whereby a person can visually observe the screen of the computer monitor by viewing the second reflecting surface which can advantageously be positioned closer to the computer keyboard than the screen of the monitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating an object surface with light at varying angles of incidence and for optically evaluating the object surface for features and defects, etc. are disclosed. In a specific implementation the systems and methods, the target object comprises a coin and the illumination and evaluation techniques are used to accurately objectively evaluate the numismatic quality of the coin and/or identify the coin. Central to the illumination and evaluation techniques is the ability to apply a uniform confined beam of light to the surface of the target object to be imaged. The confined angles of incidence of the beam of light includes a perpendicular component angle of incidence range and a parallel component angle of incidence range relative to the object surface. The component ranges are defined such a light beam illuminates the object surface from a well-defined direction.

Abstract: A computer monitor viewing device is provided which locates a monitor image at a comfortable viewing location and which is desirably suitable for use by most computer users and, in particular, by bifocal users. The device includes a first mirror positioned to reflect an image from a computer monitor screen and a second mirror which is positioned to reflect the image reflected by the first mirror toward the eyes of a viewer. Supports are also provided for positioning the first and second mirrors. Desirably, where the device is used in connection with a keyboard, the second mirror is positioned closer to the keyboard than the computer monitor screen, thereby allowing users, including bifocal wearers, to comfortably view the screen and the keyboard simultaneously. The device may also incorporate means to shield the user from radiation from the computer monitor.

Abstract: An optoelectrical particle detection apparatus comprising concave and convex reflectors spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, a laser source for emitting a laser beam and introducing the laser beam between the concave and convex reflectors, the concave and convex reflectors and the laser source being arranged so that the laser beam is multi-reflected at a much closer pitch to form a laser beam curtain in which the multi-reflected beam segments are overlapped with respect to each other to enhance a light intensity thereof, and an optoelectrical detector for receiving light scattered due to a presence of particles in the laser beam curtain, whereby the presence of particles can be detected in the laser beam curtain with a high probability and a high sensitivity.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manipulating laser beams with mirrors, the beam is caused to emerge substantially in alignment with the initial direction of the incoming beam by deflecting the incoming beam with a first mirror whose position is selectively adjustable to a second mirror which preferably has a parabolic surface, and then from the second mirror the beam is directed to a third, flat mirror whose position is also adjustable so that the beam is focussed on the region to be treated in a position substantially in alignment with the initial direction of propagation. An improved system for supplying screening gas to the region under treatment is also disclosed.