Optical lens having fixed lenses and embedded active optics
US8854527B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2010 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49004
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrically controllable optical lens apparatus makes use of fixed lenses and an active optical element together in a lens enclosure. The enclosure may be a barrel structure that is easily mounted to a camera device having an image sensor. The active optical element, such as a tunable liquid crystal lens, receives an electrical signal from the camera device via electrical conductors integral with the lens enclosure that provide electrical pathways between the active element on the interior of the enclosure and surface contacts on the camera device. The enclosure may be a two-piece structure, and the electrical conductors may be attached to either piece of the structure. The lens enclosure may also be threaded for attachment to the camera device. The electrical conductors may also use spring loaded contact portions or molded interconnect devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.