Other

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

Metaphase Corporation

Metaphase Ophthalmic Corp.

Marvin L Pund

Tadmor Shalon

Susan L Bragg

James D Houseman

Steven W Free

Mark Szus

John A VanHoogstrate, Jr

A reservoir () near an ice cap (), and a graded terrace network () on the surface of the ice cap (). The graded terrace network () collects runoff water across a wide area, both within the limits of the reservoir's () ice cap natural catchment area (), and beyond it in the ice cap non-catchment area (). The graded terrace network () directs the collected water into the ice cap natural catchment area () and from there it drains into the reservoir's ice-free catchment area (), and then into the reservoir (). This increases the volume of water stored in the reservoir (). This additional stored water is used to power a hydroelectric power station () and for other uses. A second reservoir (), connected to the reservoir () by a water pump () and a second hydroelectric power station (), adds additional water storage and power generating capacity.

Ice cap water collection and storage system

An automated portable keratometer includes a hand held housing and is battery powered. A projection system projects collimated light sources at equal converging angles to an optical axis which extends outside the housing. A camera, including an imaging device, and telocentric objective lens are aligned along the optical axis in the housing. The projection system projects a known pattern of collimated light sources onto a patient's eye. The reflected images of these light sources is captured by the camera and imaging device. Derivation of the distances between certain reflected images can be converted by known algorithms into radii of curvature of the eye. Alignment leveling, and other features can be included with the keratometer. The device can also be used to measure other curved surfaces.

Automated hand-held keratometer

A computer controlled subjective refractor includes a microcomputer based remote hand control connected to an enclosure which houses the optical elements of the refractor and which controls their operation for the examination of a patient. The enclosure has a beam splitter extending at its bottom and a forehead rest extending near its bottom such that a patient's eyes are positioned near the bottom of the enclosure to view into the beam splitter and thereby materially reduce accommodation which would otherwise interfere with the accurate refracting of the patient's eyes. Movement and position location of the optical elements are achieved through a microcomputer based electronic controller which is in communication with the microcomputer remote hand control. Additionally, a microcomputer based target projector assembly may be used to selectively project any of a wide number of images comprised of eye charts and the like for testing the patient's vision. The subjective refractor thereby provides a network of microcomputer based electronic controls for very accurately positioning a plurality of optical elements and determining their position in order to determine the refractive correction of a patient's eyes. The handheld remote control includes an optical display and a number of finger controls through which an operator may actively interact with the subjective refractor as the patient is examined.

Computer controlled subjective refractor

A sensor for determining the lateral position and direction of an optical source having an arbitrary spatial intensity distribution. The sensor includes two substantially separated apertures which establish the extent of an optical radiation ray bundle which includes rays from the optical source. The power centroid of this optical radiation ray bundle is measured in the plane of the first aperture and in the plane of the second aperture. Optical source position and direction are computed from these two measurements.

Optical source position and direction sensor

An apparatus and method for automated perimetry. A patient interface is adjustable with respect to a previously positioned patient rather than requiring the patient to position him or herself with regard to the perimeter. Fine adjustment of the patient interface with respect to the patient is possible while a perimeter dome is moved away from the patient and patient interface. Once positioned, the perimeter dome is moveable to a position adjacent the patient. A visual stimulus generating and directing device is preferably contained in a first module attachable to the dome. The visual stimuli are directed to various locations in the dome. An optional feature includes an eye sensing device which continuously monitors the size and position of a patient's pupil and correlates this information to the projected stimuli to verify the patient's fixation during testing. The eye sensor is preferably contained within a second module attachable to the dome. A connection device allows connection of either or both the projector and eye sensor to a stand alone processor. The device and method provide for industry standard tests and results, while being of a size which is portable and of a structural cooperation which does not require field servicing.

Apparatus and method for automated perimetry

An automated lensometer including a mounting device to support and center a lens to be tested along an axis. First and second arrays of light source patterns are positioned at different optical distances from the mounted lens and are projected along the axis through the lens. The images of the projected patterns are captured and stored in a camera imaging device located along the axis. A comparison of the patterns by a processor allows derivation of refractive power of the lens.

Automated lensometer

A display system is provided which gives an illusion of depth to an observer by generating left and right eye image projections for view by the observer. The device includes an observer tracking system which monitors the position of the observer and adjusts the projected scene perspective as a function of observer head position. In the preferred embodiment, the display system is housed in an enclosure adapted for use in arcade video game devices. The tracking device preferably is a plurality of light sensitive photo cells which are monitored to determine observer position in a predetermined field of view. The left and right image scene perspective is adjusted to accommodate observer positions within that field of view as those positions change.

Stereoscopic display

A projection system that is particularly suited for simulating aircraft flight includes a large dome and a projector and optical system that are located outside of the dome. The dome has a diffuse reflective surface that is presented inwardly. The projector produces a pattern of light which is redirected by the optical system such that it passes through an aperture in the dome, and is cast upon a wide area of the diffuse reflective surface as an image of a scene, particularly a scene that one might encounter from the cockpit of an aircraft. The optical system includes a concave mirror that is presented toward the aperture, a wide angle lens that is along the axis of the mirror, and a system of lens and folding mirrors for transmitting the light from the projector to the wide angle lens. The wide angle lens is located such that its pupil upon being reflected from the concave mirror reforms or comes into focus at the aperture in the dome. Thus, the light upon diverging from the wide angle lens reflects from the concave mirror and concentrates at the aperture through which it passes, diverging beyond the aperture to come into focus on the diffuse reflective surface, where it forms an image of the scene developed at the projector.

Wide angle projection system

A projector casts light rays upon a reflective surface to produce a focused scene, and within the periphery of the scene the reflective surface has a small aperture. Behind the aperture is a concave mirror which is positioned to intercept the projected rays that pass through the aperture. The mirror reflects these rays onto a small screen which is located adjacent to the aperture. The arrangement is such that the reflected rays come into focus at the small screen, producing a focused image of that portion of the scene seemingly lost at aperture. Light from this image is in turn reflected by the mirror so as to create a real image, the location of which is the aperture in the reflective surface. Thus, the real image of the small screen is observed at the void left in the reflective surface by the aperture and blends in with the remainder of the scene on that surface. As a result, the aperture is practically indiscernible. Another projector may be located behind the reflective surface to project a different scene through the aperture and onto another reflective surface located opposite the first reflective surface. A retractive optical system may be used in lieu of the mirror.

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Chesterfield, MO, United States of America

Marvin L Pund