Did You Know...
...that one person who claimed to be the inventor of the television is Russian emigre Vladimir Zworykin? In 1929 David Sarnoff, founder of RCA, asked Zworykin what it would take to develop TV for commercial use. He said: a year and a half and $100,000. In reality, it took 20 years and $50 million! Before his death in 1982 at the age of 92, Zworykin said of his invention: "The technique is wonderful. It is beyond my expectations. But the programs! I would never let my children even come close to this thing."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7835074 | Mini-scope for multi-directional imaging A mini-scope for multi-directional imaging is disclosed. The mini-scope includes an elongated mini-scoped body. An emissions aperture is disposed on the distal end of the elongated mini-scope body, which can be configured to emit a beam of optical energy propagating... | 11/16/2010 |
| 7277243 | Lens assembly with integrated features An apparatus, method, and system for a lens assembly including a first and second element adapted to be engaged with one another in a manner to secure a first and second lens therebetween is disclosed herein. ... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7261687 | Forward scanning imaging optical fiber probe Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7230756 | Integrated optical system for endoscopes and the like Optical systems for endoscopes, borescopes, dental scopes, and the like which are characterized by having three groups of lenses of positive optical power and an external entrance pupil. Typically, all three groups of lenses are displaced from the pupil and focal pl... | 06/12/2007 |
| RE39643 | Wide field of view imaging system A wide FOV imaging system (10) includes an objective lens (14), a convergent reflective element (18) positioned proximate an intermediate image (16) formed by the objective lens, and a re-imaging lens (20) for re-imaging the interm... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7185464 | Tubular skylight for lighting rooms with natural light A tubular skylight for lighting rooms with natural light, comprising a tubular body with a reflective inner surface which leads into a room and has, at its external end, a natural light collector assembly and, at its internal end, a light diffuser. The collector ass... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7118588 | Scanning treatment laser An therapeutic laser device that incorporates a scanning head to direct low level laser light into a treatment zone that can have any desired shape or energy distribution within a hemisphere forward of the scanning head. The device enables laser light of different p... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7111999 | Lens holder used in digital camera A lens holder (20) used in a digital camera includes a first housing (21) and a second housing (22) complementary thereto. Each housing includes a joining edge (203,204) and a plurality of screw threads (201,202) on an outside surf... | 09/26/2006 |
| 7099078 | Borescope with simultaneous video and direct viewing An assembly is described for connection to a borescope to simultaneously provide a virtual image for direct viewing by an observer and a video image for viewing on a display. The assembly (10) comprises a body (12) with a distal end for connection to a... | 08/29/2006 |
| 6992846 | Micro reader scan engine with prism A scan engine is disclosed for use in a data collection device, as well as a method for producing a scan engine and an image sensor assembly. The scan engine includes a housing with an opening for receiving light from a scanned dataform, an image sensor which is loc... | 01/31/2006 |
| 6552861 | Optical guide fixture The present invention provides an optical guide fixture for coupling visual information on a surface to a viewer. The optical guide fixture of the invention can be coupled to an optical receiver, such as a digital camera, operably connected to a head-moun... | 04/22/2003 |
| 6522466 | Apparatus for observing interior from an ultramicropore space An apparatus for an object in an ultramicropore space has a lens system so that an incidence point P with the diameter in a range from 0.3 to 0.7 mm comes to a position in a range of 12 to 17 mm away from the front side of an object lens 30. At the same t... | 02/18/2003 |
| 6411435 | Monocular viewer and recorder A refocusing device for an optical image display consisting of back-to-back optical eyepieces and other optical elements that creates at least one additional displaced optical image and permits reverse viewing through optical imaging systems.... | 06/25/2002 |
| 6347877 | Cable grid spectral lighting system An apparatus consisting of a cable grid system for lighting in which a light can be positioned at any location on a ceiling. Optionally, the light fixtures can include a diffraction grating reflector (such as a music CD) to reflect light patterns onto the... | 02/19/2002 |
| 6333812 | Borescope An orbital scanning borescope includes a tube insertable into an inaccessible location in use and an optical system for gathering an image of a feature and transmitting the image to a viewing device located in a housing at the proximal end of the tube. Th... | 12/25/2001 |
| 6259523 | Optical inspection insertion apparatus for pressurized vessels An optic device for use in viewing the interior of pressurized vessels, especially high pressure fluid pipelines. Embodiments of the optic device allow manual or automatic insertion/retraction of the viewing head allowing variable depth viewing of the int... | 07/10/2001 |
| 6091489 | Optical inspection apparatus for pressurized vessels An optic device for use in viewing the interior of pressurized vessels, especially high pressure fluid pipelines. Embodiments of the optic device allow manual or automatic insertion/retraction of the viewing head allowing variable depth viewing of the int... | 07/18/2000 |
| 6082869 | Door/window mounted safety mirror The present invention 10 discloses a safety mirror 10 designed to be attached to the outside of an outwardly opening door 14 and to be viewed from the inside of the door by the user 12 looking through the fireproof door window 18. The safety mirror 10 has... | 07/04/2000 |
| 6023367 | Illumination system for a film scanner An illuminator system for a film scanner of the type having a linear image sensor, a film gate through which an area of film to be scanned can be positioned, and an aperture at the film gate for defining the area of film to be scanned. The illuminator sys... | 02/08/2000 |
| 6002516 | Vertical cassette elevator and load lock viewer A viewfinder device for viewing the interior of dark, inaccessible areas and environments, such as the chamber of a vertical cassette elevator or load lock used in semiconductor wafer fabricating systems, consisting of three housing sections forming a dis... | 12/14/1999 |
| 5991100 | Compact view scope The compact view scope enables an observer to view miniaturized textual and pictorial images mounted in the scope. The compact view scope includes axially co-extensive outer and inner cylindrical bodies. The interior of the inner cylindrical body is hollo... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5912764 | Endoscope optical system and image pickup apparatus A compact endoscope optical system capable of providing a clear image of minimal distortion even at a wide field angle. The endoscope optical system includes an objective optical system for forming an object image. The objective optical system has a prism... | 06/15/1999 |
| 5852511 | Optical system for non-flexible endoscopes In a non-flexible endoscope consisting of an insertion section and an eyepiece section which are separable from each other, an optical system configured so as to correct chromatic aberration produced by an observation optical system disposed in the insert... | 12/22/1998 |
| 5786935 | Scope A scope apparatus is provided with an image forming optical system and a condenser lens on the exit side of the image forming optical system. The condenser lens is positioned so that a convex exit surface thereof is disposed in the vicinity of the image p... | 07/28/1998 |
| 5671084 | Illumination system for a film scanner A line light source illuminator for a film scanner of the type having a linear image sensor, a film gate through which an area of film to be scanned can be positioned, and an aperture at the film gate for defining the area of film to be scanned. The illum... | 09/23/1997 |
| 5644438 | Optical device for viewing into restricted areas An optical device for illuminating and inspecting the interior of restricted spaces at a distance, comprising an elongated tubular housing having a distal end, a proximal sight end, and two apertures adjacent to the distal end and on the outer surface of ... | 07/01/1997 |
| 5550673 | Spyhole viewer A spyhole viewer for a door or wall, includes an objective system for producing a real, inverted image. The objective system is mounted in a tubular member fixedly installable in the door or wall. An erector is provided for inverting the inverted image of... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5345339 | Motorized mirror assembly A motorized mirror assembly attaches to a borescope insertion tube for rotating a mirror to provide side viewing capability. A housing for a motor/gearbox has an access port at one end that provides access to a shaft driven by the motor/gearbox for attach... | 09/06/1994 |
| 5341240 | Disposable endoscope An endoscope includes a disposable probe and a non-disposable focusing ocular. The probe includes a transfer module assembly including one or more relay modules, and an objective element including a distal glass window, a molded plastic prism and three mo... | 08/23/1994 |
| 5253638 | Right-angle detachable variable-position reflector assembly A side-looking reflector attachment has a helical thread on the borescope or endoscope the reflector attachment can be rotated to any angular position by drawing the housing distally to move a retaining pin in the housing out of engagement with a recess i... | 10/19/1993 |
| 5214533 | Portable monocular with high magnification The portable monocular comprises an elongate body in two parts (2,3) at one end of which is fixed an eyepiece (1). At its other end the elongate body encloses two biconvex lenses (4,4') of equal power arranged in grooves (5,5'). The distance (A) between t... | 05/25/1993 |
| 5150254 | Endoscope with shape recognition mechanism An endoscope with a shape recognition mechanism capable of facilitating measurements with improved accuracy. In a front-viewing type, the endoscope includes a beam projection unit, to be inserted into the forceps channel, for projecting a patterned light ... | 09/22/1992 |
| 5124838 | Optical coupler An optical device that can be sterilized by autoclaving or immersion. The optical device includes adjoined elements that essentially eliminate any air internal spaces along the optical path. A carrier for the optical elements and other elements of the opt... | 06/23/1992 |
| 5122900 | Motorized mirror assembly A compact self-contained fail-safe motorized mirror assembly is provided for selective attachment to the end of a borescope insertion tube, attachment is through three self-locking standoff pins threaded on each end for engagement in the mirror assembly h... | 06/16/1992 |
| 4832473 | Endoscope with elastic actuator comprising a synthetic rubber tube with only radial expansion controlled by a mesh-like tube An endoscope has a flexible insertion portion having distal and proximal end portions. Elastic actuators for bending the insertion section are mounted in the insertion section. Each elastic actuator has an inner space and is longitudinally expanded/contra... | 05/23/1989 |
| 4822154 | Improvements in or relating to borescopes An optical assembly 7, 8 providing an optical relay of a borescope 1 has a plurality of lenses 7 spaced apart by tubular spacers 8 through which the optical path extends. The spacers 8 include formations 9, 10 and 11 for connecting adjacent spacers and fo... | 04/18/1989 |
| 4777567 | Optical inspection apparatus The optical inspection apparatus consists of an explosion-proof light projector and a viewing periscope. In one embodiment, an external power source connects to an explosion-proof housing protectively enclosing a lamp. In another embodiment, the lamp, bat... | 10/11/1988 |
| 4678290 | Apparatus for visual inspection of closed machinery For use in inspecting the interior pipelines and other machinery subjected to risk of explosive gasses, an improved explosive proof apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a periscope assembly having an optical system and lamp sealed therein for vi... | 07/07/1987 |
| 4639097 | Apparatus for the inspection of combined read/write heads of data carrier disks in EDP installations An inspection apparatus for the read/write heads of data carrier disks in electronic data processing equipment is provided with a mirror holder with approximately two parallel sides between which extends a deviating mirror and a viewing mirror and at leas... | 01/27/1987 |
| 4398811 | Viewing-direction changing optical system A viewing-direction changing optical system comprising an optical fiber bundle, a reflecting means arranged to deflect the optical axis to a direction different from the axis of the optical fiber bundle, and lenses arranged in front and rear (the object s... | 08/16/1983 |
