Auto-focus system using bubble technology
First Claim
1. A light-focusing system, comprising:
- a fixed lens assembly including at least one focusing lens operable to direct light toward a focal point;
a sensor array disposed adjacent to the fixed lens assembly such that the light through the fixed lens assembly is directed to the sensor array near the focal point; and
a bubble array coupled to a plurality of bubble generators operable to maneuver at least a central portion of the supported sensor array toward the focal point to improve sharpness of an image;
wherein an entirety of the sensor array is configured to be maneuvered across a linear path towards the focal point.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for auto-focusing light. The system includes at least one focusing lens operable to direct light toward a focal point. The system further includes a sensor array disposed adjacent to the lens assembly such that the light through the lens assembly is directed to the sensor array near the focal point and a bubble array having a plurality of bubble generators. The bubble array supports the sensor array and the bubble generators are operable to maneuver the supported sensor array with respect to the focal point. Such a light focusing system is able to provide an auto-focus capability to a camera system that does not have a large amount of space available for a motor-driven auto-focus system. Furthermore, the bubble array is power efficient and does not require the amount of energy to operate as is required for a motor-driven auto-focus system.
6 Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A light-focusing system, comprising:
-
a fixed lens assembly including at least one focusing lens operable to direct light toward a focal point; a sensor array disposed adjacent to the fixed lens assembly such that the light through the fixed lens assembly is directed to the sensor array near the focal point; and a bubble array coupled to a plurality of bubble generators operable to maneuver at least a central portion of the supported sensor array toward the focal point to improve sharpness of an image; wherein an entirety of the sensor array is configured to be maneuvered across a linear path towards the focal point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for focusing light onto a sensor array, the method comprising:
-
focusing light through a fixed lens assembly toward a plurality of sensors in a sensor array, the sensor array supported by an array of bubbles, each bubble having an elastic membrane operable to be inflated based upon a signal propagating through a respective bubble generator resistor; wherein an entirety of the sensor array is configured to be maneuvered across a linear path towards the focal point; collecting data about the focused light at the sensor array; generating an adjustment signal based on the analysis of the collected data; and adjusting the position of the sensor array by inflating at least one bubble, the at least one bubble inflated to a level corresponding to the adjustment signal to maneuver at least a central portion of the supported sensor array toward a focal point to improve sharpness of an image. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A camera, comprising:
an auto-focus system including; a fixed lens assembly including at least one focusing lens operable to direct light toward a focal point; a sensor array disposed adjacent to the fixed lens assembly such that the light through the fixed lens assembly is directed to the sensor array near the focal point; a bubble array coupled to a plurality of bubble generators operable to maneuver at least a central portion of the supported sensor array toward the focal point to improve sharpness of an image; and a processor operable to control the auto-focus system by inflating at least one bubble; wherein an entirety of the sensor array is configured to be maneuvered across a linear path towards the focal point. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
Specification