Auto-focus system using bubble technology
US7557854B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 24, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/687
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for auto-focusing light. The system includes at least one focusing lens operable to direct light toward a focal point. The system further includes a sensor array disposed adjacent to the lens assembly such that the light through the lens assembly is directed to the sensor array near the focal point and a bubble array having a plurality of bubble generators. The bubble array supports the sensor array and the bubble generators are operable to maneuver the supported sensor array with respect to the focal point. Such a light focusing system is able to provide an auto-focus capability to a camera system that does not have a large amount of space available for a motor-driven auto-focus system. Furthermore, the bubble array is power efficient and does not require the amount of energy to operate as is required for a motor-driven auto-focus system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.