LIQUID OPTICS ZOOM LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of zooming using a zoom lens, comprising:
- moving a negatively powered zoom lens group along an optical axis; and
varying the shape of a contact surface in an axially stationary lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell, the at least one liquid lens cell comprising first and a second contacting liquids, a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids having a variable shape,wherein the axially movable zoom lens group and the axially stationary lens group are aligned on a common optical axis and arranged to collect radiation emanating from an object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to an image side space without forming an intermediate image, with the liquid lens cell being located between the axially movable zoom lens group and the image side space on the common optical axis.
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Abstract
A high performance zoom lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The zoom lens systems employs liquid optics and a movable lens group to provide optical performance over the zoom focal length range at focus distances from close to infinity. The system also provides compensation for undesirable thermally induced effects by adjustments of the zoom group and the variably shaped optical surface in the liquid lens cell.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of zooming using a zoom lens, comprising:
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moving a negatively powered zoom lens group along an optical axis; and varying the shape of a contact surface in an axially stationary lens group comprising at least one liquid lens cell, the at least one liquid lens cell comprising first and a second contacting liquids, a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids having a variable shape, wherein the axially movable zoom lens group and the axially stationary lens group are aligned on a common optical axis and arranged to collect radiation emanating from an object side space of the zoom lens system and deliver the radiation to an image side space without forming an intermediate image, with the liquid lens cell being located between the axially movable zoom lens group and the image side space on the common optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A zoom lens system comprising:
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a liquid lens cell comprising a first liquid and a second liquid, wherein an interface between the first liquid and second liquid forms an electronically controllable surface; and a control circuit that energizes the liquid lens cell, the control circuit configured to control the surface to provide both zoom control and focus control without forming an intermediate image between a focal location and a negatively powered movable lens group. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of zooming a lens, comprising:
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moving a negatively powered lens group along an optical axis; and varying the shape of a contact surface in a liquid lens cell group that is aligned along the optical axis without forming an intermediate image. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification