Catadioptric lens system with light transmission control means
First Claim
1. A self-contained electronic light attenuating catadioptric lens system for a camera comprising:
- a lens barrel;
means for exchangeably mounting the catadioptric lens system on a camera;
a plurality of light reflecting surfaces mounted in the lens barrel;
a plurality of light refracting surfaces mounted in the lens barrel;
an electrochromic device in the lens barrel for variably attenuating the light transmission through the lens system, whereby the light reflecting and refracting surfaces define an optical path for forming an image of an object and the electrochromic device operatively interfaces with the optical path; and
electric circuit means including a power source for controlling the electrochromic device, the electric circuit means being located in the lens barrel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catadioptric light system such as a module lens system capable of being mounted on a camera is provided. A plurality of light reflecting and refracting optic members are designed to provide a desired image forming light path through the lens system. Disposed within the lens system is an electrochromic device that is responsive to an applied voltage to provide a predetermined degree of light transmission intensity through the lens system. The electrochromic device can be a thin film mounted on a transparent plate or on a reflective surface. The housing of the lens system can be advantageously designed to contain its own power source.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A self-contained electronic light attenuating catadioptric lens system for a camera comprising:
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a lens barrel; means for exchangeably mounting the catadioptric lens system on a camera; a plurality of light reflecting surfaces mounted in the lens barrel; a plurality of light refracting surfaces mounted in the lens barrel; an electrochromic device in the lens barrel for variably attenuating the light transmission through the lens system, whereby the light reflecting and refracting surfaces define an optical path for forming an image of an object and the electrochromic device operatively interfaces with the optical path; and electric circuit means including a power source for controlling the electrochromic device, the electric circuit means being located in the lens barrel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An improved self-contained electronic catadioptric lens system adapted for removable mounting as a lens module on a camera housing comprising;
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a lens barrel body member of approximately the configuration of a conventional camera lens non-electronic catadioptric lens system; a plurality of light reflecting and refracting optical elements forming a non-linear optical path through the lens module for transmitting the image of an object including a first ring-shaped lens with a central aperture, a first mirror member having an object side reflecting surface and a second mirror member having an image side reflecting surface adjacent the first ring-shaped lens; an electrochromic device, uniformly intersecting the effective image forming light path and mounted within the body member, having a variable light transmission characteristic; circuit means for varying the light transmission characteristic of the electrochromic device to a predetermined value of light intensity passing therethrough including control means mounted on the body member for providing a plurality of predetermined values of light intensity and a battery receptacle mounted directly in the body member for receiving at least one battery to power the circuit means. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification