A multi-axis projection imaging system. Such a system includes a plurality of objectives defining respective object fields of view and corresponding image fields of view. An object is adapted for controllably illuminating the object fields of view with light that varies spatially in one or more selected characteristics, for creating respective images within the image fields of view.

An optically based location system and method of determining a location at a structure include a lighting infrastructure having lights at a structure. Each light is configured to illuminate and to transmit a respective relative or absolute terrestrial position through modulation of emitted light. An optical receiver is configured to detect the lights, to demodulate the position of detected lights, and to determine from the detection a position of the receiver. The receiver can have a conventional optical detector for determining a two-dimensional position of the receiver relative to a detected light, or can have a three-dimensional spot collimating lens and charged couple device optical detector for determining a three-dimensional position of the receiver relative to a detected light. The receiver and lights can be synchronized for converting a delay time into a distance measurement to calculate a distance between a light and the receiver.

An imaging system with an integrated source and detector array. A plurality of light detectors are arranged in an array and a corresponding plurality of light sources are arranged in an array in an epi-illumination system so that light radiated from a point on the object illuminated by a given source is detected by a corresponding detector. An optical system is disposed so as to illuminate an object with light from the source array and image the object on the detector array. Ordinarily, the sources and detectors are coplanar and, preferably, are fabricated or at least mounted on the same substrate. In one embodiment the Airy pattern of the point response of the optical system encompasses both a detector and corresponding light sources. In another embodiment, the optical pathway is split by a diffractive element to produce conjugate points corresponding to light sources and their respective detectors. In a further embodiment, the pathway is split by a Wollaston prism. In yet another embodiment where the illumination and image light have different wavelengths, the pathway is split by dispersion. Another embodiment comprises a power supply connected to the plurality of light sources, a signal conditioning circuit for receiving and digitizing output signals from the light detectors so as to produce a respective set of output values, and an equalizing system for equalizing the output values for a given input radiance.

A single-axis illumination system for a multiple-axis imaging system, particularly an array microscope. A single-axis illumination system is used to trans-illuminate an object viewed with an array of imaging elements having multiple respective axes. The numerical apertures of the imaging elements are preferably matched to the numerical aperture of the illumination system. For Kohler illumination, the light source is placed effectively at the front focal plane of the illumination system. For critical illumination, the light source is effectively imaged onto the object plane of the imaging system. For dark field illumination, an annular light source is effectively provided. For phase contrast microscopy, an annular phase mask is placed effectively at the back focal plane of the objective lens of the imaging system and a corresponding annular amplitude mask is provided effectively at the light source. For Hoffman modulation contrast microscopy, an amplitude mask is placed effectively at the back focal plane of the objective lens of the imaging system and a slit is provided at a source of light of the illumination system. Structured illumination and interferometry, and a secondary source, may also be used with trans-illumination methods and apparatus according to the present invention.

An equalization system for a multi-axis imaging system. A plurality of light detectors are arranged in a detector array and a plurality of light sources corresponding to detectors in the detector array are arranged in a source array so that light radiated from a point on the object illuminated by a given source is detected by a corresponding detector. A signal conditioning system is provided for receiving output signals from the plurality of detectors. An equalizer system, adapted to interact with said signal conditioning system, is provided for equalizing the output values for given amounts of optical power illuminating the respective fields of view of the imaging elements.