A non-spherical projection display structure and system that can be optimized for the ergonomics of preferably one viewer inside the display structure or system. The structure or system is preferably for use with widescreen projectors. The non-spherical projection display structure and system creates a visual projection display and method of operating the display that has a wide horizontal and vertical field of view and uses a rear projected display structure having a projection screen surface with a thickness. The display structure has at least one section with a monotonically increasing or decreasing radius of curvature.

A multi-band/multi-polarization reflective or catadioptric optical system yields differing effective focal lengths (EFLs) per band/polarization. This approach could be used to create an imaging system, for example. In such case, a sensor (imager, spectrometer, diode, etc.) is located at the one or more focal planes. On the other hand, it could also be used to create a projecting system or hybrid projecting and imaging system by locating an emitter such as an LED, laser, etc.) at the image or focal plane. The system employs polarizers and/or dichroic coatings nano patterns to create different focal lengths and/or fields of view using the same mirrors and/or lenses by, for example, including at least one dichroic coating optically in front of at least one additional mirror to separately reflect the different bands or polarizations.

A variety of femtoprojector optical systems are described. Each of them can be made small enough to fit in a contact lens using plastic injection molding, diamond turning, photolithography and etching, or other techniques. Most, but not all, of the systems include a solid cylindrical transparent substrate with a curved primary mirror formed on one end and a secondary mirror formed on the other end. Any of the designs may use light blocking, light-redirecting, absorbing coatings or other types of baffle structures as needed to reduce stray light.

An optical alignment system includes a LADAR sub-system including: a laser source and a probe configured to deliver probe illumination from the laser source to a first optical surface of the optical system and an additional optical surface of the optical system. The probe is further configured to receive a first measurement signal from the first optical surface and an additional measurement signal from the additional optical surface of the optical system. The system also includes a detector configured to receive a first combined signal and an additional combined signal from an optical coupling assembly. The system further include a controller configured to determine a relative distance between the first optical surface and the additional optical surface based on the first combined signal or the additional combined signal.

A device includes an image sensor, first optics, second optics, and a processor. The first optics are configured to form a first optical pattern (OP) on the image sensor. The first OP is associated with a first wavelength. The second optics are configured to form a second OP on the image sensor. The second OP is associated with a second wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength. The processor is configured to generate a first turbulence estimate based on relative motion of the first OP, to generate a second turbulence estimate based on relative motion of the second OP, and to generate error correction data. The processor is also configured to adjust the first turbulence estimate based on the error correction data and the second turbulence estimate to determine an estimated turbulence value. The processor may also be configured to estimate a wind profile, a turbulence profile, or both.

A long-range viewing apparatus is described, the long-range viewing apparatus arranged to provide an all-in-one solution to combining two videos streams obtained coaxially through a single imaging aperture. A long-range viewing apparatus comprising, a housing; a first camera within the housing; a second camera within the housing; and a processing element; wherein the processing element is arranged to combine images from the first and second cameras; wherein the processing element is further arranged to scale images from the first and second cameras; wherein the processing element is further arranged to crop images from the first and second cameras; characterised in that, the first camera is positioned coaxially in front of the second camera; and the housing comprises a single imaging aperture. The invention aims to achieve real-time digital foveal zoom capabilities in a physically robust, low-weight, low-complexity and small form factor assembly suitable for demanding applications.

An omnidirectional camera apparatus configured to facilitate omnidirectional stereo imaging is described. The apparatus may include a first convex mirror, a first camera disposed at the first convex mirror, a second convex mirror, and a second camera disposed at the second convex mirror. The first convex mirror and the second convex mirror may be arranged such that a first mirrored surface of the first convex mirror and a second mirrored surface of the second convex mirror may face each other. The first camera may capture imagery reflected off the second convex mirror. The second camera may capture imagery reflected off the first convex mirror. A method of calibrating an omnidirectional camera apparatus is also described.

An omnidirectional camera apparatus configured to facilitate omnidirectional stereo imaging is described. The apparatus may include a first convex mirror, a first camera disposed at the first convex mirror, a second convex mirror, and a second camera disposed at the second convex mirror. The first convex mirror and the second convex mirror may be arranged such that a first mirrored surface of the first convex mirror and a second mirrored surface of the second convex mirror may face each other. The first camera may capture imagery reflected off the second convex mirror. The second camera may capture imagery reflected off the first convex mirror. A method of calibrating an omnidirectional camera apparatus is also described.

This Cassegrain reflector 200 is provided with a primary mirror 201 and a secondary mirror 202 disposed coaxially with the primary mirror 201 and laterally supported by a plurality of supporting rods. The Cassegrain reflector 200 causes the light incident through an opening 212 formed along an axial line L of the primary mirror 201 to be reflected onto the secondary mirror 202, and then causes the light to be reflected onto the primary mirror 201 in order to emit the light toward a measurement position through an opening 231 formed on the side of the secondary mirror 202. A Cassegrain reflector retention mechanism 6 for retaining the Cassegrain reflector 200 is provided with a retainer 61 for retaining the Cassegrain reflector 200, and a rotation adjustment mechanism 60 for adjusting the rotational position of the plurality of supporting rods.

Systems and methods for preventing high-radiant-flux light, such as laser light or a nuclear flash, from causing harm to imaging devices, such as a camera or telescope. In response to detection of high-radiant-flux light, the proposed systems have the feature in common that a shutter is closed sufficiently fast that light from the source will be blocked from reaching the image sensor of the imaging device. Some of the proposed systems include a folded optical path to increase the allowable reaction time to close the shutter.