Non-uniform fiber optic imaging system
US4099833A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/06
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical imaging system for achieving a non-uniform magnification of an input image utilizing a fiber optic taper having a planar input end surface and a curved output end surface, and a fiber optic cylinder having one curved end surface coupling to the curved taper end surface. This curved interface intersects the component fibers of the taper so that the effective diameter of each fiber end lying in the curved surface is dependent on its radial position in the surface. This variation in the effective fiber diameters results in an output image having a pattern of size amplification or reduction that is non-uniform. The form of the pattern and the degree of non-uniformity can be selected through a proper choice of the taper configuration. Further increases in the degree of non-uniformity of the output image are achieved by substituting a second taper for the fiber optic cylinder, or by coupling one or more additional tapers between the curved interface and the cylinder. In one form diverging and converging tapers are alternated and the coupling interfaces between fiber optic elements are also alternated between concave and convex shapes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.