Optical transform system
US5096281A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for generating compound shapes in optical surfaces needed to accomodate variable magnification, off-axis projection, reflection from diverse surfaces, reflector relay, intensity pattern requirements and other complex optical transform functions. The present invention permits the realization of mirrors of which provide a variable magnification. The surface generation capabilities permit controlled magnification changes that nevertheless are still image forming and typically avoid the human eye focussing difficulties normally associated with variable magnification mirrors. The present invention includes a computer driven, reflector design system which permits the designer to see the field of view, ray tracings, reflected beam intensity pattern and other data pertinent to a variable magnification mirror from entered mirror specifications. The effect of changes in specifications can be rapidly determined and a final design achieved through one or more such reiterations. The system further determines machine tool motional controls for grinding a surface corresponding to the entered mirror specifications. The capability of the invention in producing irregular optical…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.