Apparatus and method comprising deformable lens element

• US 20080144185A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Feng, Chen, Havens, William H., Wang, Ynjiun P., Li, Jianhua
• Granted Patent: US 7,813,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/665
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0081 having one or more elements with analytic function to create variable power variable magnification in general G02B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/36 using image sharpness techniques , e.g. image processing techniques for generating autofocus signals image data processing per se G06T; in cameras having a solid state image sensor H04N23/67
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a lens assembly, said apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis and a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

a force imparting structural member disposed to impart a force to said deformable surface;

wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said force imparting structural member is capable of imparting at least one of a pushing force or a pulling force to said deformable surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force imparting structural member is adapted to impart a force to said deformable surface at a plurality of force impartation points formed in a ring pattern spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force imparting structural member is adapted to impart a force to said deformable surface at a plurality of force impartation points formed in an area pattern about said axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force imparting structural member is an actuator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force imparting structural member is a structural member that transmits force generated by an actuator.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force imparting structural member imparts a force generally in a direction of said axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deformable surface partially defines a cavity that holds focus fluid.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element comprises a resiliently deformable material member, and wherein said deformable lens element is devoid of a focus fluid.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said structural member is capable of imparting both of said pushing force and said pulling force to said deformable surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said structural member is capable of imparting a pulling force to said deformable surface.

11. An apparatus for use in a lens assembly, said apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis and a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

a force imparting structural member disposed to impart a force to said deformable surface;

wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said force imparting structural member is capable of imparting a pushing force to said deformable surface resulting in a thickness of said deformable lens member along a plurality of imaginary lines running in parallel with said imaging axis decreasing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that when said pushing force is imparted to said deformable surface, said deformable surface bulges outward in an area of said deformable surface about said axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said plurality of imaginary lines along which said thickness of said deformable lens element decreases do not include a plurality of imaginary lines running parallel with said imaging axis and intersecting said deformable surface within an area delimited by a ring shaped pattern spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said plurality of imaginary lines include imaginary lines disposed about said axis.

15. An apparatus for use in a lens assembly, said apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis and a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

a force imparting structural member disposed to impart a force to said deformable surface;

wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said force imparting structural member is capable of imparting one or more of the following to said deformable surface;

(a) a pushing force resulting in the deformable surface bulging outward in an area of said deformable surface about said axis; and

(b) a pulling force resulting in a shape of said deformable surface changing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said deformable surface is capable of a concave configuration and wherein said pulling force increases a concavity of said deformable surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said deformable surface is capable of a convex configuration and wherein said pushing force increases a convexity of said deformable surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said force imparting member is capable of imparting each of said pushing force and said pulling force on said deformable surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of said pushing force and said pulling force are generated by an electro-active polymer actuator.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of said pushing force and said pulling force is imparted in a direction generally in a direction of said axis.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a major body of said deformable lens member comprises a resiliently deformable material member.

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said deformable surface partially defines a cavity filled with focus fluid.

23. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said pushing force results in a thickness of said deformable lens member decreasing along an imaginary line running in parallel with and being spaced apart from said axis.

24. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said pushing force results in a thickness of said deformable lens member decreasing along a plurality of imaginary lines running in parallel with and being spaced apart from said axis, the plurality of imaginary lines being peripherally disposed about said axis.

25. An apparatus for use in a lens assembly, said apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens member having an axis and a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

a force imparting structural member disposed to impart a force to said deformable surface;

wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said force imparting structural member is capable of imparting a pushing force to said deformable surface resulting in a thickness of said deformable lens member along said axis decreasing.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said force imparting member is configured to impart said pushing force to said deformable surface at a plurality of force impartation points that include an area about said axis, the force imparting member being optically clear for transmittal of image forming light rays.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said deformable lens member is normally convex in an unstressed state thereof.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said force imparting structural member imparts a force to said deformable surface at a plurality of points defined substantially over an entire area of said deformable surface.

29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a major body of said deformable lens member is provided by a resiliently deformable material member.

30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said force is generated by an electro-active polymer actuator having an optically clear area disposed about said axis.

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said force is generated by an electro-active polymer actuator comprising a flexible member substantially conforming to a shape of the deformable surface, the flexible member having an optically clear area disposed about said axis.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said apparatus is adapted so that said pushing force is imparted in a direction generally in a direction of said axis.

33. A method comprising:

incorporating a deformable lens element into an optical system, said deformable lens element having a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

imparting a force to said deformable surface of said deformable lens element at a plurality of force impartation points of said surface to vary an optical characteristic of said optical system, wherein said imparting step includes the step of utilizing a force imparting structural member for imparting said force.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said imparting step includes the step of utilizing an electro-active polymer actuator.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said deformable lens element has an axis, and wherein said imparting step includes the step imparting said force generally in the direction of said axis.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said plurality of force imparting points are defined in a ring pattern on said surface peripherally disposed about and spaced apart from said axis.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein said plurality of force imparting points define a two dimensional area about said axis.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein said force is a push force directed toward said deformable lens element.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein said force is a pull force directed away from said deformable lens element.

40. A method comprising:

incorporating a deformable lens element having an axis into an optical system, said deformable lens element having a deformable lens surface at least a part of which transmits image forming light rays; and

imparting a pulling force to said deformable surface of said deformable lens element to vary an optical characteristic of said optical system, wherein said imparting step includes the step of imparting said pulling force generally in a direction of said axis.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein said imparting step includes the step of utilizing an electro-active polymer actuator.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein said imparting step includes the step of imparting said pulling force at a plurality of points spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

43. The method of claim 40, wherein said imparting step includes the step of utilizing a structural member.

44. An optical imaging system comprising:

a deformable lens element having a deformable surface at least part of which transmits image forming light rays;

a force imparting structural member opposing said surface; and

wherein said imaging system is adapted so that a force can be imparted by said force imparting structural member at a plurality of force impartation points of said deformable surface of said deformable lens element for varying an optical characteristic of said imaging system.

45. The optical imaging system of claim 44, wherein said force impartation points are defined in an area pattern about an axis of said deformable lens element.

46. The optical imaging system of claim 44, wherein said force impartation points are defined in a ring pattern defined at positions spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

47. An optical imaging system comprising:

a deformable lens element comprising a deformable membrane, a cavity delimited by said deformable membrane, and fluid disposed in said cavity, said fluid having an index of refraction greater than one, said deformable lens element having an axis; and

a force imparting structural member capable of contact with said deformable lens element at positions defined circumferentially about said axis;

wherein said optical imaging system is configured so that said force imparting structural member can be moved generally in a direction of said axis either toward or away from said deformable lens element so that an optical characteristic of said imaging system varies with movement of said force imparting structural member.

48. The optical imaging system of claim 47, wherein said force imparting structural member is provided by a ring-shaped pressure element.

49. The optical imaging system of claim 47, wherein said force imparting structural member is provided by a plurality of tab-like elements of an electro-active polymer actuator.

50. The optical imaging system of claim 47, wherein said force imparting structural member is provided by a flexible member of an electro-active polymer.

51. An optical imaging system comprising:

a deformable lens element comprising a deformable membrane, a cavity delimited by said deformable membrane, and fluid disposed in said cavity, said fluid having an index of refraction greater than one, said deformable lens element having an axis, a ring-shaped pressure element in contact with said deformable lens element and arranged circumferentially about said axis; and

an electro-active polymer actuator mechanically coupled to said ring-shaped pressure element, said optical imaging system being configured so that said electro-active polymer actuator moves said ring-shaped pressure element generally in a direction of said axis so that an optical characteristic of said imaging system varies with movement of said ring-shaped pressure element.

52. The optical imaging system of claim 51, wherein said electro-active polymer actuator includes a ring-shaped deformable element comprising a plurality of tab-like elements, said deformable element being circumferentially disposed about said axis, said plurality of tab-like elements engaging said ring shaped pressure element.

53. An optical imaging system comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element is provided by a resiliently deformable member having a hardness measurement of less than Shore A 60; and

wherein said imaging system is configured so that a force can be applied to an external surface of said deformable lens for varying an optical characteristic of said imaging system.

54. The optical imaging system of claim 53, wherein said optical imaging system includes an flexible member actuator for imparting said force, said actuator having a flexible member adapted to substantially conform to a shape of said deformable lens element.

55. An optical system for use in imaging an object, said system comprising:

a deformable lens element capable of being deformed wherein said deformable lens element has a deformable surface that faces an exterior of said deformable lens element, said deformable lens element having an axis;

wherein said optical system is adapted so that said system can impart a force to said deformable surface generally in a direction of said axis toward said deformable lens element in such manner that an optical property of said deformable lens element is changed by impartation of said force.

56. The optical system of claim 55, wherein said optical system is adapted so that said system imparts said force at a plurality of positions spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said imaging axis.

57. The optical system of claim 55, wherein said optical system includes an actuator including an aperture disposed about said axis for imparting said force to said deformable lens element generally in a direction of said axis.

58. An optical system for use in imaging an object, said system comprising:

a deformable lens element having a deformable lens surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays and which faces an exterior of said deformable lens element, said deformable lens surface being one of normally convex or capable of exhibiting a convex curvature, said deformable lens element having an axis; and

an actuator for imparting a force to said deformable surface, the actuator having an aperture disposed about said axis, the optical system being adapted so that actuation of said actuator results in a force being imparted to said deformable surface to vary a convexity of said deformable lens element.

59. The optical system of claim 58, wherein said optical system includes a pressure element transferring a force generated by said actuator to said deformable lens element.

60. The optical system of claim 58 wherein said deformable lens element is configured so that, for achieving deformation thereof, said deformable lens element is contacted at a plurality of positions spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

61. The optical system of claim 58, wherein said optical system includes a force imparting structural member for imparting a force generated by said actuator and for imparting said force generated by said actuator to said deformable surface.

62. The focus apparatus of claim 61, wherein said force imparting structural element is said actuator.

63. A hand held data collection terminal comprising:

a two dimensional image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels formed in a plurality of rows and columns of pixels;

an imaging lens assembly comprising a deformable lens element for focusing an image onto said two dimensional image sensor, said imaging lens being adapted so that said deformable lens element can be deformed with use of a force imparting structural member, said imaging lens assembly being adapted so that force can be applied to an external surface of said deformable lens element to vary an optical property of said deformable lens element, said imaging lens setting having a first lens setting at which said deformable lens element is in a first state and a second lens setting at which said deformable lens element is in a second state; and

a trigger for activating a trigger signal, said data collection terminal being adapted so that said trigger signal can be maintained in an active state by maintaining said trigger in a depressed position;

wherein said data collection terminal is adapted so that responsively to said trigger signal being maintained in said active state, said data collection terminal captures in succession a plurality of frames of image data, each of said plurality of frames of image data representing light incident on said image sensor at an instant in time, wherein said data collection terminal is adapted so that a lens setting of said imaging lens assembly is varied while said trigger signal is maintained in said active state in such manner that said lens assembly is at said first setting for an exposure period corresponding to at least one of said plurality of frames of image data, and said lens assembly is at said second lens setting for an exposure period corresponding to at least one of said plurality of frames of image data.

64. The hand held data collection terminal of claim 63, wherein said data collection terminal is adapted so that said data collection terminal subjects to an indicia decode attempt more than one of said plurality of frames of image data.

65. A focus apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element comprises a resiliently deformable member having at least one normally convex lens surface; and

an actuator for deforming said deformable lens element, the actuator having a flexible member adapted to substantially conform to a shape of said convex lens surface and having one of a coated area or an aperture disposed about said axis, the focus apparatus being adapted so that by varying a voltage applied to said flexible member a convexity of said normally convex lens surface changes.

66. The focus apparatus of claim 65, wherein said resiliently deformable member has a hardness of less then about Shore A 60.

67. The focus apparatus of claim 65, wherein said resiliently deformable member has a hardness of less than about Shore A 20.

68. The focus apparatus of claim 65, wherein said resiliently deformable member comprises silicon gel.

69. The focus apparatus of claim 65, wherein said deformable lens element is a one piece element consisting of said resiliently deformable member.

70. The focus apparatus of claim 65, wherein said flexible member is a flexible member interposed between a pair of flexible electrodes.

71. A focus apparatus comprising:

a deformable lens element having an axis, wherein a major body of said deformable lens element comprises a resiliently deformable member having at least one convex lens surface; and

an actuator for imparting a force to said deformable lens element to deform said deformable lens element and to change an optical property of said deformable lens element.

72. The focus apparatus of claim 71, wherein said actuator has an aperture disposed about said axis, said actuator being selected from the group consisting of an ion conductive electro-active polymer actuator, a dielectric electro-active polymer actuator, and a hollow stepper motor.

73. The focus apparatus of claim 71, wherein said deformable lens element has a deformable surface, at least part of which transmits image forming light rays, and where said focus apparatus includes a force imparting structural element imparting a force generated by said actuator to said deformable surface.

74. The focus apparatus of claim 73, wherein said force imparting structural element is said actuator.

75. A focus apparatus for use in an optical imaging system, said focus apparatus comprising;

a deformable lens element having a deformable light entry surface and an opposing deformable light exit surface, the deformable lens element having an axis intersecting respective centers of said deformable light entry surface and said opposing deformable light exit surface;

a first actuator for deforming said deformable light entry surface to change an optical property of said deformable lens element; and

a second actuator for deforming said deformable light exit surface to change an optical property of said deformable lens element.

76. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein at least one of said first and second actuators is an electro-active polymer actuator.

77. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein at least one of said first and second actuators has an aperture disposed about said axis.

78. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein said focus apparatus is adapted so that a force generated by at least one of said first and second actuators is transferred to said deformable lens element by a push ring.

79. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein said deformable lens element consists of a one piece resiliently deformable member.

80. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein said deformable lens element has a cavity and focus fluid disposed in said cavity.

81. The focus apparatus of said claim 75, wherein said focus apparatus includes a first deformable membrane defining said light entry surface and second deformable membrane defining said second light entry surface, a window, first cavity delimited by said first deformable membrane and said window, a second cavity delimited by said second deformable membrane and said window, and focus fluid disposed in each of said first and second cavities.

82. The focus apparatus of claim 75, wherein said focus apparatus is adapted so that a force generated by at least one of said first and second actuators is imparted to said deformable lens element at a plurality of points spaced apart from and peripherally disposed about said axis.

83. A deformable lens element comprising:

a first clamping element, the first clamping element including a rigid transparent member having an optical surface for allowing light rays to pass there through;

a deformable membrane;

a second clamping member clamping said deformable membrane against said first clamping element so that said deformable membrane opposes said rigid transparent optical surface;

a cavity delimited by said deformable membrane and said first clamping element; and

a deformable substance having an index of refraction greater than one disposed in said cavity.

84. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein said deformable substance is provided by a resiliently deformable member.

85. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein said deformable substance comprises a focus fluid.

86. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein said optical surface is a curved surface having an optical power.

87. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein said optical surface is a planar optical surface.

88. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein said second clamping element is ultrasonically welded to said second clamping element.

89. The deformable lens element of claim 83, wherein at least one of said clamping elements has an annular tooth ring for increasing a securing force between said first and second clamping elements.