Optical zoom system and method for its use
AssigneeKARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
InventorGeorge E. Duckett, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A camera head is provided that includes a first lens group, including at least one deformable lens with variable curvature, a second lens group moveable relative to the first lens group, and an image sensor for capturing a light beam received from an endoscope, wherein the first lens group is fixed relative to the image sensor and the aperture of the first lens group is smaller than the aperture of the second lens group. A method is also provided for capturing of an image utilizing a zoom system including a variable power first lens group and a movable second lens group.
Claims24
An optoelectronic device for an optical instrument, the optoelectronic device comprising:
- an image sensor and a zoom system, both disposed along a common optical path,
- the zoom system comprising a plurality of lens groups for imaging an optical image from the optical instrument, the plurality of lens groups comprising, in relative order along the common optical path:
- a first lens group having a first lens group aperture, the first lens group comprising at least one deformable lens with a variable curvature, the first lens group fixed relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a second lens group having a second lens group aperture wider than the first lens group aperture, the second lens group optically arranged between the first lens group and the image sensor, the second lens group adapted to move relative to the first lens group in a direction substantially coaxial with at least a portion of the common optical path.
An optical instrument comprising:
- an objective for providing an optical image,
- a zoom system, and
- an image sensor, wherein the objective, the zoom system and the image sensor are disposed along a common optical path, and wherein the zoom system comprises
- a plurality of lens groups for imaging the optical image, the plurality of lens groups comprising, in relative order along the common optical path from the objective side:
- a first lens group having a first aperture and including at least one deformable lens with a variable curvature, the first lens group being fixed relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a second lens group having a second aperture, the second aperture being wider than the first aperture of the first lens group, the second lens group being optically arranged between the first lens group and the image sensor, and the second lens group adapted to move relative to the first lens group in a direction substantially coaxial with at least a portion of the common optical path.
A method for capturing an image comprising the steps of:
- providing an optoelectronic device, the optoelectronic device comprising, disposed along a common optical path,
- an image sensor;
- a zoom system;
- the zoom system comprising a plurality of lens groups for imaging the image, the plurality of lens groups comprising, in relative order along the common optical path
- a first lens group with a first aperture area comprising at least one deformable lens with a variable curvature, the first lens group being fixed relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a second lens group optically arranged between the first lens group and the image sensor, the second lens group having a second aperture area larger than the first aperture area, and the second lens group being adapted to move relative to the first lens group in a direction substantially coaxial with at least a portion of the common optical path;
- illuminating a scene;
- forming an image of the illuminated scene with an objective;
- transferring the image to the optoelectronic device;
- adjusting zoom and focus settings of the optoelectronic device by adjusting the power of the first lens system and the position of the second lens system such that a focused image is detected by the image sensor;
- and
- capturing the image with the image sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.