Imaging device

• US 6,961,187 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Amanai, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HASAN, MOHAMMED A
• Application Number:
  US10/247,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 359676-692, 359665-667
• US Class Current: 359/666
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/143507 arranged -++
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/144515 arranged -+++
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/0896 with variable magnification or multiple imaging planes, including multispectral systems systems with only refractive elements G02B15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0825 the reflecting element being a flexible sheet or membrane, e.g. for varying the focus flexible mirrors for cosmetic use A45D42/24

Abstract

A zooming optical system has at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function and at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function. In this case, the zooming optical system satisfies the following conditions: 0≦|øx/φ|<0.5, 0≦|øy/φ|<0.5, where øx is power of an axis perpendicular to a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface; øy is power of an axis in parallel with a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface; and φ is power of the entire optical system.

Claims

1. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function, said zooming optical system satisfying in at least one operating state, the following conditions;

0<

|φ

x/φ

|<

0.5

0<

|φ

y/φ

|<

0.5

where φ

x is power of an axis perpendicular to a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface;

φ

y is power of an axis in parallel with a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface; and

φ

is power of an entire optical system.

2. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function, said zooming lens satisfying the following condition;

0.01<

|η

|<

3.0

where η

is a magnification of variator unit.

3. A zooming optical system according to claim 2, wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit.

4. An imaging device using a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein the zoom optical system further comprises a variator unit and is configured to move the variator unit without using a driving means.

5. An imaging device using a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein the zoom optical system further comprises a variator unit and is configured to move the variator unit without using a driving means.

6. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function, satisfying the following condition;

D<

20.0 mm

where D is an effective beam diameter of the deformable reflecting surface.

7. A zooming optical system according to claim 6, wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit.

8. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein a variator is contacted with one lens unit.

9. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit to satisfy the following condition;

0.1<

|η

|<

2.0

where η

is a magnification of a variator unit.

10. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function, said zoom optical system satisfying the following condition;

D<

17.0 mm

where D is an effective beam diameter of the deformable reflecting surface.

11. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein a stop surface is independently moved in a zooming operation and is placed in the proximity of the deformable reflecting surface.

12. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is configured as a free-formed surface.

13. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is constructed to be deformable at least by a predetermined amount of deformation, the predetermined amount of deformation being an amount that is sufficient for compensation for deterioration of optical performance caused a manufacturing error of a lens or a lens system.

14. A zooming optical system comprising:

a deformable reflecting surface; and

a lens unit,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface has only a function as a compensator, and the lens unit has a non-deformable surface and performs focusing.

15. An optical system comprising:

a variable mirror;

a moving lens unit; and

an image sensor,

wherein the variable mirror is arranged to be decentered in a predetermined direction,

wherein the lens unit has a rotationally symmetrical lens, and

wherein the image sensor is arranged so that a longer side thereof is parallel with the predetermined direction.

16. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein a stop is moved in a zooming operation.

17. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein an angle made by axial incident light from an axial object with axial incident light on the image sensor is 90°

±

5°

or 60°

±

5°

.

18. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein the variable mirror has a deformable mirror surface, and the variable mirror has a substrate made of an organic substance.

19. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein the variable mirror has a deformable minor surface that is shaped oblong and arranged with a lengthwise a direction thereof being parallel with a plane of incidence of light.

20. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein the variable mirror has a deformable mirror surface that is shaped non-convex.

21. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein the moving lens unit, which makes a greatest contribution to a magnification change, has a positive power.

22. An optical system according to claim 15, wherein the moving lens unit, which makes a greatest contribution to a magnification change, has a negative power.

23. An optical system including a zooming optical system, zooming optical system having at least one moving lens unit and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein a stop is moved along an optical axis in a zooming operation.

24. An optical system including a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system having at least two moving lens units and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein a stop is moved along an optical axis in a zooming operation.

25. A zooming optical system constituting an optical system, the optical system comprising:

a variable mirror;

a moving lens unit with a rotationally symmetrical lens; and

an image sensors,

wherein the variable mirror is arranged to be decentered in a predetermined direction,

wherein the image sensor is arranged so that a longer side thereof is parallel with the predetermined direction, and

wherein only the variable mirror is driven in a focusing operation to perform focusing.

26. An optical system including a zooming optical system, said zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein an angle made by axial incident light from an axial object with axial incident light on the image sensor is 90°

±

5°

or 60°

±

5°

.

27. An optical system including a zooming optical system,

said zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein an angle made by axial incident light from an axial object with axial incident light on the image sensor is 90°

±

5°

or 60°

±

5°

.

28. An optical system including a zooming optical system, said zooming optical system having at least one moving lens unit and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein an angle made by axial incident light from an axial object with axial incident light on the image sensor is 90°

±

5°

or 60°

±

5°

.

29. An optical system including a zooming optical system, said zooming optical system having at least two moving lens units and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein an angle made by axial incident light from an axial object with axial incident light on the image sensor is 90°

±

5°

or 60°

±

5°

.

30. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein a non-deformable reflecting surface is provided and an incident angle of axial light on a variable mirror is 55°

or less.

31. A zooming optical system constituting an optical system, the optical system comprising:

a variable mirror;

a moving lens unit with a rotationally symmetrical lens; and

an image sensor,

wherein the variable mirror is arranged to be decentered in a predetermined direction,

wherein the image sensor is arranged so that a longer side thereof is parallel with the predetermined direction,

wherein a non-deformable reflecting surface is provided, and

wherein an incident angle of axial light on the variable mirror is 55°

or less.

32. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function,

wherein an aspherical lens is provided.

33. A zooming optical system constituting an optical system, the optical system comprising:

a variable mirror;

a moving lens unit with a rotationally symmetrical lens; and

an image sensor,

wherein the variable mirror is arranged to be decentered in a predetermined direction,

wherein the image sensor is arranged so that a longer side thereof is parallel with the predetermined direction, and

wherein an aspherical lens is provided.

34. An optical system including a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system comprising:

at least one lens unit having a variable magnification function;

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a compensator or focusing function; and

a deformable mirror having the deformable reflecting surface,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is shaped oblong and arranged with a lengthwise direction thereof being parallel with a plane of incidence of light.

35. An optical system including a zooming optical system,

the zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions;

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function; and

a deformable mirror having the deformable reflecting surface,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is shaped oblong and arranged with a lengthwise direction thereof being parallel with a plane of incidence of light.

36. An optical system including a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system having at least one moving lens unit and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein the variable mirror has a deformable mirror surface that is shaped oblong and arranged with a lengthwise direction thereof being parallel with a plane of incidence of light.

37. An optical system including a zooming optical system, the zooming optical system having at least two moving lens units and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein the variable mirror has a deformable mirror surface that is shaped oblong and arranged with a lengthwise direction thereof being parallel with a plane of incidence of light.

38. A cellular phone having an optical system, the optical system comprising:

a variable mirror;

a moving lens unit; and

an image sensor,

wherein the variable mirror is arranged to be decentered in a predetermined direction,

wherein the lens unit has a rotationally symmetrical lens, and

wherein the image sensor is arranged so that a longer side thereof is parallel with the predetermined direction.

39. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

said zooming optical system satisfying in at least one operating state, the following conditions;

0<

|φ

x/φ

|<

0.5

0<

|φ

y/φ

|<

0.5

where φ

x is power of an axis perpendicular to a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface;

φ

y is power of an axis in parallel with a direction of decentering of the deformable reflecting surface; and

φ

is power of an entire optical system.

40. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

said zooming optical system satisfying the following condition;

0.01<

|η

|<

3.0

where η

is a magnification of a variator unit.

41. A zooming optical system according to claim 40, wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit.

42. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

said zooming optical system satisfying the following condition;

D<

20.0 mm

where D is an effective beam diameter of the deformable reflecting surface.

43. A zooming optical system according to claim 42, wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit.

44. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit.

45. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein a variator is constructed with one lens unit to satisfy the following condition;

0.1<

|η

|<

2.0

where η

is a magnification of a variator unit.

46. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

said zooming optical system satisfying the following condition;

D<

17.0 mm

where D is an effective beam diameter of the deformable reflecting surface.

47. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein a stop surface is independently moved in a zooming operation and is placed in the proximity of the deformable reflecting surface.

48. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is configured as a free-formed surface.

49. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein the deformable reflecting surface is contacted to be deformable at least by a predetermined amount of deformation, the predetermined amount of deformation being an amount that is sufficient for compensation for deterioration of optical performance caused by a manufacturing error of a lens or a lens system.

50. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein a non-deformable reflecting surface is provided and an incident angle of axial light on a variable mirror is 55°

or less.

51. A zooming optical system having at least two moving lens units and a variable mirror to thereby make a magnification change, wherein a non-deformable reflecting surface is provided and an incident angle of axial light on a variable mirror is 55°

or less.

52. A zooming optical system comprising:

at least two lens units having variable magnification or compensator functions; and

at least one deformable reflecting surface having a focusing function,

wherein an aspherical lens is provided.

53. A zooming optical system having at least two moving lens units and a variable minor to thereby make a magnification change,

wherein an aspherical lens is provided.