LIQUID OPTICS IMAGE STABILIZATION

• US 20140211312A1
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Blackeye Optics, LLC
• Inventors: Jannard, James H., Neil, Iain A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,581,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/557
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 15/143105 arranged +-+
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/004 based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/646 compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length

Abstract

A lens system suitable for use with a camera is disclosed. The lens system employs liquid optics to provide stabilization of an image. A liquid lens cell provides stabilization of the image. A second liquid lens cell may provide stabilization in another direction. A third liquid lens cell may liquid lens cells may provide compensation for changes in the focus position.

Claims

1. An image stabilization system configured to stabilize an image of an object at a focus position, comprising:

a first liquid lens cell offset from a primary optical axis in a first direction, the first liquid lens cell comprising first and second contacting liquids, wherein a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids has a variable shape that is substantially symmetrical to an optical axis of the first liquid lens cell and is asymmetrical to the primary optical axis;

a second liquid lens cell offset from the primary optical axis in a second direction, the second liquid lens cell comprising first and second contacting liquids, wherein a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids has a variable shape that is substantially symmetrical to an optical axis of the second liquid lens cell and is asymmetrical to the primary optical axis; and

a third liquid lens cell substantially centered on the primary optical axis, the third liquid lens cell comprising first and second contacting liquids, wherein a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids has a variable shape,

wherein the first liquid lens cell provides stabilization along an axis parallel to the first direction, the second liquid lens cell provides stabilization along an axis parallel to the second direction, and the third liquid lens cell compensates for changes in the focus position.

2. The image stabilization system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of at least one lens element.

3. The image stabilization system of claim 2, further comprising a controller configured to vary the shape of the contacting surface of at least one of the first liquid lens cell, the second liquid lens cell, or the third liquid lens cell to compensate for movement of the at least one lens element and to provide stabilization of the image of the object.

4. The image stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

5. The image stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.

6. The image stabilization system of claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the first liquid lens cell is parallel to the primary optical axis.

7. The image stabilization system of claim 6, wherein the optical axis of the second liquid lens cell is parallel to the primary optical axis.

8. An image stabilization system, comprising:

a first liquid lens cell offset from a primary optical axis in a first direction, the first liquid lens cell comprising first and second contacting liquids, wherein a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids has a variable shape that is substantially symmetrical to an optical axis of the first liquid lens cell and is asymmetrical to the primary optical axis; and

a second liquid lens cell, the second liquid lens cell comprising first and second contacting liquids, wherein a contacting optical surface between the contacting liquids has a variable shape,

wherein the first liquid lens cell contributes to stabilization along an axis parallel to the first direction, and the second liquid lens cell contributes to focusing of radiation delivered to an image side space.

9. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the second liquid lens cell is offset in a second direction opposite from the first direction.

10. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the second liquid lens cell is substantially centered on the primary optical axis.

11. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the second liquid lens cell contributes to stabilization along the axis parallel to the first direction.

12. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the first liquid lens cell contributes to focusing of radiation delivered to an image side space.

13. The image stabilization system of claim 8, further comprising a sensor configured to detect movement of at least one lens element.

14. The image stabilization system of claim 13, further comprising a controller configured to vary the shape of the contacting surface of at least one of the first liquid lens cell or the second liquid lens cell to compensate for movement of the at least one lens element and to provide stabilization of an image formed by the focusing of radiation delivered to the image side space.

15. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the optical axis of the first liquid lens cell is parallel to the primary optical axis.

16. The image stabilization system of claim 8, wherein the optical axis of the first liquid lens cell is tilted with respect to the primary optical axis.