1206 results about "Optical alignment" patented technology

A laser scanning module employing a laser scanning assembly mounted within a module housing using a mechanism that allows the laser scanning assembly to be rotated to an angular position within the engine housing so that light collection, beam folding and light collection mirrors in the module housing are optically aligned. A PC board is mounted on a side of the housing and has a configuration of elongated apertures of open-ended and / or closed geometry, arranged in a non-parallel manner. An electromagnetic coil structure, associated with the laser scanning assembly, has a linear array of electrically-conductive pins that project through the configuration of elongated holes, at locations along the elongated holes that are determined by the angular rotation of the laser scanning assembly attained during optical alignment conditions during manufacture.

A method and apparatus are provided for correcting for optical misalignment of the dual (left and right) images produced by a stereo electronic endoscope, or of the corresponding dual images produced by coupling electronic imaging devices to each of two monocular teaching ports of a stereo optical endoscope. The stereo image alignment technique comprises electronically capturing the video image data of the dual images, and subsequently processing that data electronically to correct for optical alignment errors. The method involves digitizing the electronic data and digitally performing the equivalent of vertical image shift, and / or image size change, and / or image rotation as required to correct for any visual image misalignment.

A compact image steering and focusing device has a generally rectangular frame containing at least one illuminator and at least one and preferably two cameras and a pan / tilt mirror on a tilting frame. There is a tilt axis through the frame. A tilt motor is attached to the frame to turn the frame about the tilt axis. Another camera is positioned in optical alignment with the pan / tilt mirror. The device can fit behind the cover plate of an automated teller machine. Images from the cameras on the titling frame are used to focus the other camera on one eye of the automated teller machine user to identify the user by iris analysis and comparison to an iris image or iris code on file.

A cable connector plate interconnects ends of fiber optic cable. The connector plate includes a base having opposing front and back sides. At least three adapters are carried by the base and have respective axially-aligned end portions extending outwardly from each of the front and back sides of the base. The adapters receive and interconnect ends of fiber optic cable in optical alignment. The adapters are disposed at respective distinct angles relative to a notional plane facing either of the front and back sides of the base.

An exemplary camera module array includes lens modules, a first holder, image sensors, a second holder, an optical element, and an image processor. The lens modules are threadedly coupled to the first holder. The image sensors are in optical alignment with the lens modules in one-to-one relation. The image sensors are received in the second holder. The optical element is sandwiched between the first holder and the second holder. The image processor is electrically connected with the image sensors. The image processor is configured for processing image signals from the image sensors and thereby obtaining a compound image.

An optical adapter system for a smart-phone has a lens and a light transmission guide within a housing. The adapter lens is located at the distal end of the housing in optical alignment with the smart-phone's camera lens, and the light transmission guide extends from one end that is adjacent to the smart-phone's light source toward the distal end of the housing and directs light outside of the housing to the subject being imaged. The optical adapter is preferably used in combination with the smart-phone as an ophthalmic examination tool and can be used with a computer program that runs on the smart-phone's processor. The computer program can be calibrated for use with the particular optical adapter and can be used to control the smart-phone's imaging system, such as varying the intensity of the light source, and can determine a refractive error in a patient's eye.

An optical detection system for a microfluidic device and a dry-focus microfluidic device compatible with the compact optical detection system are described. The system includes an LED; means for collimating light emitted by the LED; an aspherical, fused-silica objective lens; means for directing the collimated light through the objective onto a microfluidic device; and means for detecting a fluorescent signal emitted from the microfluidic device. The working distance between the objective and the device allows light from an external LED or laser to be brought in along a diagonal path to illuminate the microfluidic device. The dry-focus microfluidic device includes multiple channels and multiple closed optical alignment marks having curved walls. At least one of the channels is positioned between at least two of the marks. The marks are illuminated for alignment and focusing purposes by light brought in on a diagonal path from an external white LED.

An optical device for coupling the luminous output of a light-emitting diode (LED) to a predominantly spherical pattern comprises a transfer section that receives the LED's light within it and an ejector positioned adjacent the transfer section to receive light from the transfer section and spread the light generally spherically. A base of the transfer section is optically aligned and / or coupled to the LED so that the LED's light enters the transfer section. The transfer section can comprises a compound elliptic concentrator operating via total internal reflection. The ejector section can have a variety of shapes, and can have diffusive features on its surface as well. The transfer section can in some implementations be polygonal, V-grooved, faceted and other configurations.

In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is disclosed including an image sensor, a color filter array, and an image processor. The image sensor has an active area with a matrix of camera pixels. The color filter array is in optical alignment over the matrix of the camera pixels. The color filter array assigns alternating single colors to each camera pixel. The image processor receives the camera pixels and includes a correlation detector to detect spatial correlation of color information between pairs of colors in the pixel data captured by the camera pixels. The correlation detector further controls demosaicing of the camera pixels into full color pixels with improved resolution. The apparatus may further include demosaicing logic to demosaic the camera pixels into the full color pixels with improved resolution in response to the spatial correlation of the color information between pairs of colors.

An optical apparatus of a head mounted display includes a fused fiber bundle, an image source, and an image lens. The fused fiber bundle includes an array of fused optical fibers having an in-coupling surface located at a first end and an out-coupling surface physically facing an eye-ward direction and located at a second end. The fused fiber bundle is tapered such that the in-coupling surface has a larger surface area than the out-coupling surface to compress the light image. The image source is disposed at the first end of the fused fiber bundle and optically aligned with the in-coupling surface to launch the light image into the fused fiber bundle. The image lens is disposed at the second end and optically aligned with the out-coupling surface to focus the light image emitted from the second end towards an eye when the head mounted display is worn.

An optical imaging system including an illumination system, a Cartesian PBS, and a prism assembly. The illumination system provides a beam of light, the illumination system having an f / # less than or equal to 2.5. The Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter has a first tilt axis, oriented to receive the beam of light. A first polarized beam of light having one polarization direction is folded by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter and a second polarized beam of light having a second polarization direction is transmitted by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter nominally polarizes the beam of light with respect to the Cartesian beam-splitter to yield the first polarized beam in the first polarization direction. The color separation and recombination prism is optically aligned to receive the first polarized beam. The prism has a second tilt axis, a plurality of color separating surfaces, and a plurality of exit surfaces. The second tilt axis maybe oriented perpendicularly to the first tilt axis of the Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter so that the polarized beam is nominally polarization rotated into the second polarization direction with respect to the color separating surfaces and a respective beam of colored light exits through each of the exit surfaces. Each imager is placed at one of the exit surface of the color separating and recombining prism to receive one of the respective beams of colored light, wherein each imager can separately modulate the polarization state of the beam of colored light.

A single-channel, expanded beam connector having a front and rear orientation and comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an outer sleeve at least partially contained by the housing; (c) a first inner sleeve disposed at least partially in the outer sleeve; (d) a ferrule disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve; (e) a lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve in front of the ferrule, wherein the lens and the ferrule have about the same outside first diameter which is just slightly less than that of the inside diameter of the first inner sleeve such that the ferrule and the lens are held in optical alignment in the first inner sleeve, and wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve extends beyond the inner sleeve to receive a second inner sleeve of a mating structure, the first and second inner sleeves having the same diameter which is just slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve such that the first and inner sleeves are aligned within the outer sleeve.

An optical apparatus includes a light source, a deformable mirror, an actuator system, and a partially transparent mirror. The deformable mirror is positioned in an optical path of the image output from the light source. The actuator system is coupled to the deformable mirror to selectively adjust at least a curvature of the deformable mirror. The partially transparent mirror is positioned to be in front of the eye of the user when the optical apparatus is worn and optically aligned with the deformable mirror such that the image output from the light source positioned peripherally to the eye is reflected by the deformable mirror to the partially transparent mirror and reflected by the partially transparent mirror to the eye of the user.

An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with wiring. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. A plurality of OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A carrier is interposed between electrical interconnect elements. The carrier is positioned between the wiring of the silicon layer and a circuit board and the carrier is electrically connecting first interconnect elements connected to the wiring of the silicon layer and second interconnect elements connected to the circuit board.

A network for distributing signals to a plurality of user apparatuses having a distribution unit with a plurality of ports, and a plurality of optical-fiber cables connected to the ports and suitable to make the plurality of ports of the distribution unit communicate with the plurality of user apparatuses. At least one of the plurality of optical-fiber cables is an electrically terminated optical cable having an optical cable with a single-mode optical fiber and an opto-electronic end portion mechanically and permanently connected to an end of the optical cable, and the opto-electronic end portion has an opto-electronic conversion device having an optic port optically aligned with and mechanically connected to, an end of the single-mode optical fiber.

A head mounted display (“HMD”) includes a frame assembly for wearing on a head of a user and an integrated display module mounted to the frame assembly within a peripheral viewing region of an eye of the user when the HMD is worn by the user. The integrated display module includes a display source for outputting a computer generated image (“CGI”), a lens system optically aligned with the display source to focus the CGI emitted from the integrated display module towards the eye, and an actuator coupled to adjust a focal distance of the lens system for changing an image depth of the CGI displayed to the user.

A laser scanning module employing a laser scanning assembly mounted within a module housing using a mechanism that allows the laser scanning assembly to be rotated to an angular position within the engine housing so that light collection, beam folding and light collection mirrors in the module housing are optically aligned. A PC board is mounted on a side of the housing and has a configuration of elongated apertures of open-ended and / or closed geometry, arranged in a non-parallel manner. An electromagnetic coil structure, associated with the laser scanning assembly, has a linear array of electrically-conductive pins that project through the configuration of elongated holes, at locations along the elongated holes that are determined by the angular rotation of the laser scanning assembly attained during optical alignment conditions during manufacture.

A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits. The present invention applies to spectral filters, waveguides, fiber-optic mode-transformers, diffraction gratings, refractive lenses, diffractive lens / Fresnel zone plates, reflectors, and to combinations of elements and devices, including microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and liquid crystal device (LCD) matrices for adaptive, tunable elements. Preparation of interfacial layer properties and attachment process embodiments are taught.

An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board.

Various configurations of optomechanical matrix and broadcast switches are disclosed herein. One such optomechanical matrix switch includes a substrate and a plurality of optomechanical switching cells coupled thereto. Each of the optomechanical switching cells includes a mirror and an actuator. The matrix switch further includes an array of collimator elements, each of the collimator elements being in optical alignment with one of the optomechanical switching cells. Also disclosed herein is a distributed matrix switch including first and second optomechanical matrix switches. The first and second optomechanical matrix switches respectively include first and second pluralities of optomechanical switching cells mounted upon first and second substrates. A collimator array is interposed between the first and second matrix switches in optical alignment with the first and second pluralities of optomechanical switching cells.

A camera alignment system that can enable alignment in at least one of three planes and about an axis of at least one of the planes. An alignment mount can mate to a camera and lens. The alignment mount can comprise a mechanism to adjust the camera relative to the lens to that an image plane of the camera aligns with an image plane of the lens in a predetermined orientation. One predetermined orientation can be that the image plane of the camera being parallel to the image plane of the lens.

Cable assemblies and optical connector subassemblies having retractable alignment pins and coded magnetic arrays for optical alignment are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector subassembly includes a connector body, an optical coupling assembly within the connector body, first and second alignment pins, and a pin switch coupled to the first and second alignment pins. The connector body includes a front surface, a first pin bore and a second pin bore. The optical coupling assembly includes at least one magnetic component, and an optical coupling face. The optical coupling assembly receives at least one optical fiber. The first alignment pin is disposed within the first pin bore and the second alignment pin is disposed within the second pin bore. Actuation of the pin switch translates the first and second alignment pins between a protracted state and a retracted state.

The ophthalmologic apparatus 1 splits low coherence light LO into a signal light LS and a reference light LR, the interference light LC being generated by having the signal light LS overlap with the reference light LR, and detects this interference light LC. In addition, the apparatus comprises an optical alignment system 190A for performing the alignment of an optical system forming the signal light path to the eye EL. An intraocular distance calculator 214 determines the distance between the position where the signal light LS has been introduced onto the eye E and the position where the signal light LS has been reflected by the fundus oculi E based on length of the optical path of the signal light, the length of the optical path of the reference signal light, the working distance after alignment, and the detection signal output by the CCD 184 (or signal intensity data).

A single-channel, expanded beam connector having a front and rear orientation and comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an outer sleeve at least partially contained by the housing; (c) a first inner sleeve disposed at least partially in the outer sleeve; (d) a ferrule disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve; (e) a lens disposed at least partially in the first inner sleeve in front of the ferrule, wherein the lens and the ferrule have about the same outside first diameter which is just slightly less than that of the inside diameter of the first inner sleeve such that the ferrule and the lens are held in optical alignment in the first inner sleeve, and wherein the distal end of the outer sleeve extends beyond the inner sleeve to receive a second inner sleeve of a mating structure, the first and second inner sleeves having the same diameter which is just slightly less than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve such that the first and inner sleeves are aligned within the outer sleeve.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for free-space optical communication. The apparatus includes a first board with a plurality of optoelectronic converter components mounted on the first board. The apparatus additionally includes at least one optics element optically aligned with at least one of the optoelectronic converter components, where the optics element is configured to pass light directly between free-space and the plurality of optoelectronic converter components, and electronics coupled to at least one of the plurality of optoelectronic converter component. In one embodiment, communication is achieved by providing electric signals to a plurality of lasers that are mounted on a first board, generating a plurality of optical signals with the plurality of lasers and directing the plurality of optical signals into free-space with a plurality of optics elements.

A rugged, releasably attachable or interchangeable optical alignment system well suited for use as with pistol sights includes a sight body carrying a leaf spring locking member adapted to releasably engage a pistol's indentation. The sight body's leaf spring member is inserted into the pistol in a side opening transverse receiving notch with a pinned end of the leaf spring locking member sliding transversely over the pistol indentation's end wall open segment (at the side of the pistol). The user slides the sight base toward the bore's central axis to its fullest transverse extent, whereupon the leaf spring member's first end abuts the indentation's closed end wall. At this moment, the leaf spring locking member's free distal second end springs down and releasably engages and abuts the indentation's end wall, thus releasably locking the sight base to the pistol.

A polymer waveguide assembly. The assembly includes a polymer waveguide have a plurality of waveguide cores and an associated plurality of lenses respectively. The assembly also includes a molded lens structure having a support region, a primary refractive surface and a secondary refractive lens. The polymer waveguide is positioned onto the support surface of the molded lens structure so that the waveguide lenses are in optical alignment with the primary refractive lens and the secondary refractive lens of the molded waveguide structure. The lenses of the polymer waveguide are capable of collimating in the X and Y directions respectively. The primary refractive lens and the secondary refractive lens are both capable of collimating light in the Z direction. With this arrangement, a substantial; portion of the light passing through the secondary lens toward the waveguide cores is within the acceptance angle of the plurality of waveguides lenses respectively. The secondary lens thus creates a shallow angle of convergence relative to the input of the plurality of lenses of the waveguide. As a result, issues caused by misalignment are minimized and optical coupling is improved.

A rugged adjustable, optical alignment system is well suited for use in low light environments or at night. A rear sight includes a U-shaped array of, preferably, first second and third substantially cylindrical, transparent, tritium vials arranged such that the elongated cylindrical side surfaces of the vials are exposed to define an array of elongated illuminated segments. The array is preferably in the shape of a “U” having a first horizontally aligned vial positioned below a sight notch with a second vertical vial positioned above and to the left of the notch. A third vertical vial is positioned to the right of the sighting notch, above the first vial. In use, a front blade or front post also containing a tritium insert is aligned within the rear sight's U-shaped array of illuminated segments, thereby providing an intuitive sight picture.