Methods, apparatus and systems are described that relate to in-situ and in-process assembly of segmented optical component with high accuracy. One example method for assembling an optical component with multiple segments includes positioning the multiple segments to an initial state conforming to an alignment or positioning requirement, measuring positions of the multiple segments at the initial state, initiating a fusing process to fuse the multiple segments of the optical element together, measuring the positions of the multiple segments after commencement of the fusing process, and determining whether a change in the positions of the multiple segments has occurred that causes a deviation from the initial state. Upon a determination that the deviation is not within a tolerance value, the method includes adjusting a position of at least one of the multiple segments to maintain the deviation within the tolerance value.

Methods, apparatus and systems are described that relate to in-situ and in-process assembly of segmented optical component with high accuracy. One example method for assembling an optical component with multiple segments includes positioning the multiple segments to an initial state conforming to an alignment or positioning requirement, measuring positions of the multiple segments at the initial state, initiating a fusing process to fuse the multiple segments of the optical element together, measuring the positions of the multiple segments after commencement of the fusing process, and determining whether a change in the positions of the multiple segments has occurred that causes a deviation from the initial state. Upon a determination that the deviation is not within a tolerance value, the method includes adjusting a position of at least one of the multiple segments to maintain the deviation within the tolerance value.

To maximize the light capturing and imaging resolution capability of an imaging satellite while minimizing weight, the primary reflector and other elements of the optical path have a shape optimized to the shape of the satellite. For a nanosatellite with a square cross-section, the first mirror and other elements of the telescope section in the optical path have a square cross-section, as does the sensor array of the camera section.

To maximize the light capturing and imaging resolution capability of an imaging satellite while minimizing weight, the primary reflector and other elements of the optical path have a shape optimized to the shape of the satellite. For a nanosatellite with a square cross-section, the first mirror and other elements of the telescope section in the optical path have a square cross-section, as does the sensor array of the camera section.

An endoscope includes: an image pickup portion including an image pickup device; an optical axis bending optical system; an operation input portion which pivots; an operation conversion portion that resolves an input of the operation input portion and generate a plurality of outputs; and an operation transmission portion that transmits the outputs of the operation conversion portion to a plurality of movable portions. The optical axis bending optical system includes a first prism rotatably supported around a second optical axis, and a second prism rotatably supported around a third optical axis. The operation transmission portion includes: an image pickup portion interlocking portion rotatably supporting the image pickup portion; and a prism rotation transmission portion including a first transmission member that rotates the first prism around the second optical axis, and a second transmission member that rotates the second prism around the third optical axis integrally with the first prism.

An endoscope includes: an image pickup portion including an image pickup device; an optical axis bending optical system; an operation input portion which pivots; an operation conversion portion that resolves an input of the operation input portion and generate a plurality of outputs; and an operation transmission portion that transmits the outputs of the operation conversion portion to a plurality of movable portions. The optical axis bending optical system includes a first prism rotatably supported around a second optical axis, and a second prism rotatably supported around a third optical axis. The operation transmission portion includes: an image pickup portion interlocking portion rotatably supporting the image pickup portion; and a prism rotation transmission portion including a first transmission member that rotates the first prism around the second optical axis, and a second transmission member that rotates the second prism around the third optical axis integrally with the first prism.

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, a first imaging optical system and a second imaging optical system that form respective input images from mutually different viewpoints onto the imaging device, and a first modulation mask and a second modulation mask that modulate the input images formed by the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system. The imaging device captures a superposed image composed of the two input images that have been formed by the first imaging optical system and the second imaging optical system, modulated by the first modulation mask and the second modulation mask, and optically superposed on each other, and the first modulation mask and the second modulation mask have mutually different optical transmittance distribution characteristics.

This invention teaches a binocular telescope wherein wedge prisms are positioned in the optical path of each telescope to control the amount of perceived parallax between the left and the right images. In one embodiment, a pair of thin wedge prisms are positioned in front of the objective lenses to optically manipulate the real convergence angle of an object viewed through the binocular telescope. In a second embodiment, wedge prisms are positioned after the eyepiece lenses to manipulate the apparent convergence angle of an object viewed through the binocular telescope. Depending on the position and the orientation of the wedge prisms, the invention produces benefits such as better depth perception, increased field of view, and the possibility to view close objects.

This invention teaches a binocular telescope wherein wedge prisms are positioned in the optical path of each telescope to control the amount of perceived parallax between the left and the right images. In one embodiment, a pair of thin wedge prisms are positioned in front of the objective lenses to optically manipulate the real convergence angle of an object viewed through the binocular telescope. In a second embodiment, wedge prisms are positioned after the eyepiece lenses to manipulate the apparent convergence angle of an object viewed through the binocular telescope. Depending on the position and the orientation of the wedge prisms, the invention produces benefits such as better depth perception, increased field of view, and the possibility to view close objects.

An actuator device includes a cartwheel flexure having a central moving carriage component configured for parallel motion along an axis of the actuator device. A frame is configured to remain stationary relative to the central moving carriage component. A plurality of cross-beams flexibly support the central moving carriage from the frame, wherein the plurality of cross-beams provide flexibility for movement of the central moving carriage relative to the frame along the axis and provide rigidity in other directions.