Digital focus lens system
US7072086B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 11, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/294
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Digital focus lens systems that can provide an optical system with a plurality of selectable focal powers are described. The systems may include a number of switchable elements, each of which is capable of being switched between a first state and a second state, whereby the states represent focal powers. The switchable elements may be arranged coaxially in a stack such that each of them may contribute to a cumulative focal power of the system. If, for example, the system includes two such switchable elements, four focal powers for the lens system may be selected by appropriate choice the states of each switchable element. Digital telescopes, cameras, microscopes, and other optical instruments may be implemented using such digital focus lens systems. Methods of fabricating switchable elements and methods of controlling digital lens systems are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.