Patent · US Active

Wide angle thin-profile zoom

US8599497B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 3, 2012
Grant dateDec 3, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B27/0994
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Some embodiments pertain to an optical zoom system. The optical zoom system includes a first inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective and a second inward-facing surface that is at least partly reflective. The optical zoom system further includes a first aperture that includes a plurality of sub-apertures which are positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward facing surfaces. Each sub-aperture includes an optically powered element. The optical zoom system further includes a second aperture that exists proximate a central region of the optical zoom system. Light is reflected on the first and second inward facing surfaces as the light travels between the first aperture and the second aperture such that the light is optically combined into a single image before exiting the second aperture.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.