# US 10,502,927 B2 · Modular lens system for motion picture camera applications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,927 B2 - Document ID: US10502927B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/105,808 - Filed: 2018-08-20 - Published: 2019-03-28 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-11 - Assignees: Panavision International, L.P. - Applicants: Panavision International, L.P. - Inventors: David William Macintosh; Daniel Keith Sasaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502927B2 ## CPC - G02B 7/14: adapted to interchange lenses {(G02B7/027 takes precedence)} - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - G02B 7/102: {controlled by a microcomputer (cameras with interchangeable lenses G03B17/14)} - G02B 13/08: Anamorphotic objectives - G02B 15/02: by changing, adding, or subtracting a part of the objective, e.g. convertible objective - G03B 3/10: Power-operated focusing - G03B 5/00: Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing - G03B 17/14: interchangeably - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - G03B 17/565: {Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A modular lens system for use with a camera system and connected therewith. The lens system including modular sections configured to include one or more lenses and/or an aperture. The one or more lenses are controlled by one or more motors to enhance focus, softness, and/or size and other optical characteristics. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for providing a modular lens system for use with a camera, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a modular lens system to a camera, wherein the modular lens system comprises: a front section including one or more lenses; a central section removably coupled at a first end to the front section, wherein the step of attaching comprises connecting a second end of the central section to the camera, the central section comprising one or more lenses; and adjusting one or more of the lenses of the modular lens system by user input to a controller disposed in the modular lens system that provides an output signal to cause the adjusting, wherein the controller operates independent of the camera and does not receive any control signal from any controller or computer in the camera. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein one of the front section or the central section includes an aperture, and wherein the method further includes adjusting the aperture by user input to the controller and an output signal from the controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the step of adjusting, the output signal is provided to one or more motors disposed in the modular lens system, wherein the one or more motors are operatively connected to one or more of the lenses in the front section or central section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the step of adjusting, one or more of the lenses are moved to effect a change in a focus or a softness, magnification, or a zonal position of an image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the second section includes a user interface element for receiving the user input, and wherein the controller is attached with the central section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the step of adjusting, a control signal from the controller is directed to one or more motors in the first section to move the one or more lenses disposed in the first section, or a control signal from the controller is directed to one or more motors in the central section to move the one or more lenses disposed in the central section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the step of adjusting, software in the controller is used to provide the output signal in response to the user input. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein during the step of attaching, a rear section is removably coupled to the central section and interposed between the central section and the camera, the rear section including a scalar for varying a magnification of an image received from the central section. ### Claim 9 A method for combining and using a modular lens system with a camera, the method comprising: attaching a modular lens system comprising a front section and a center section with a camera, wherein one or both of the front section and center section includes one or more lenses disposed therein, and wherein the center section is interposed between the front section and the camera; and changing one or more optical features provide by the first section or second section by user input to a processor in the modular lens system, wherein the processor provides an output signal to change the one or more optical features, wherein the processor is attached with one of the first or second section, and wherein the other of the first or second section is free of a processor, and wherein the modular lens system does not receive a control signal from any processor in the camera. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9 wherein during the step of changing, the output signal causes one or more of the one or more lenses to be moved. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9 wherein during the step of changing, the output signal is directed to one or more motors disposed in the first section or the central section, wherein the one or more motors is connected with the one or more lenses to be moved. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the modular lens system includes an aperture that is movable by user input. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of moving the aperture by an output signal from the processor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9 wherein during the step of changing, the user input is provided by a user input element that is part of or remote from the modular lens system, and that is remote from the camera. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the modular lens system comprises a rear section, and wherein during the step of attaching, the rear section is interposed between the camera and the central section, wherein the rear section includes a scaler for varying a magnification of an image provided from the central section. ### Claim 16 A modular lens system for use with a camera, the modular lens system comprising: a front section and a center section operatively coupled together, wherein one or both of the front section and center section includes lenses, and wherein one end of the center section is configured for connection with a camera; and a processor for changing one or more optical features of the modular lens system, wherein the processor is part of the modular lens system and receives user input, wherein the modular lens system does not receive any control signal from any processor in the camera. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The modular lens system as recited in claim 16 comprising one or more motors that are operatively connected with the one or more lenses, wherein the one or more motors receive an operating signal from the processor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The modular lens system as recited in claim 16 comprising an aperture and a motor for changing an optical feature of the aperture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The modular lens system as recited in claim 16 wherein the processor is part of the center section, and user input to the processor is provided by a user interface element.