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US 2015/0028195 A1Published application
Optical Apparatus And Method
AssigneesKnowles Electronics, LLC, Optotune AG
InventorsCharles King, Chauncey Graetzel, Laurent Davoine, Christopher Monti, Thomas Schmidhaeusler, MIchael Bueeler, Martin Salt, Natalia Kukaleva, Peter Liebetraut
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A deformable optical lens with a lens membrane having an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials is provided. The spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers.
Claims207
A deformable optical lens with a lens membrane having an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials, wherein the spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers.
A deformable optical lens with a membrane having an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped according to a spherical cap and a Zernike[4,0] polynomial, the spherical cap having a spherical cap radius, and wherein a magnitude of the Zernike[4,0] polynomial depends upon the spherical cap radius.
A deformable optical lens subsystem comprising:
- a lens shaper with a well-defined lens shaper edge;
- a fixed solid lens concentric with the well-defined lens shaper edge;
- a barrel aligning the fixed sold lens;
- a deformable lens membrane that is directly attached to the lens shaper in the absence of an adhesive, but allowing for an auxiliary chemical.
1 more element
A deformable optical lens subsystem comprising:
- a lens shaper;
- a deformable lens membrane that is indirectly attached to the lens shaper with the use of an intermediate material;
- wherein the lens shaper is comprised of silicon and the deformable lens membrane is comprised of siloxane;
- wherein the deformable lens membrane includes an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials wherein the spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing a deformable optical lens with a membrane that is configured to be shaped according to at least one Zernike polynomial, the Zernike polynomials comprising a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial;
- using the two Zernike polynomials to provide a model of the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers;
- using the model of the deformable optical lens to configure at least a first fixed lens to serve in combination with the deformable optical lens.
A deformable optical lens comprising:
- a deformable membrane having an index of refraction of about 1.4, wherein the membrane includes an optically active portion that is configured to be shaped over an air-membrane interface according to a spherical cap and Zernike polynomials, wherein the spherical cap and the Zernike polynomials comprise a Zernike[4,0], (Noll[11]) polynomial and are sufficient to model the deformable optical lens to within approximately 2 micrometers;
- an optical fluid at least partially contained by the deformable membrane and having an index of refraction of between approximately 1.27-1.9, wherein the optical fluid comprises a colorless, fluorinated liquid having a structure selected from the group consisting of:
- an organic structure, a semi-organic structure, and an inorganic backbone structure.
A method comprising:
- preparing the surface of both a lens shaper and a deformable lens membrane;
- directly bonding the deformable lens membrane to the lens shaper without use of an adhesive.
A multi-optical element assembly comprising:
- a first deformable optical lens;
- a second deformable optical lens;
- a reflective surface;
- a folded optical axis defined by the first and second deformable optical lenses and the reflective surface;
- an optical path that traverses along the folded optical axis.
2 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a deformable optical lens aligned with an axis that extends through an optical housing and the deformable optical lens, the deformable optical lens being at least partially enclosed by the optical housing;
- at least one fluid reservoir at least partially containing a fluid;
- a surround structure;
- at least one elastomeric structure, the elastomeric structure being disposed between the surround structure and the optical housing, the elastomeric structure being in at least partial contact with the optical housing;
- wherein the at least one elastomeric structure and the surround structure form at least a portion of a channel through which fluid is exchanged between the at least one fluid reservoir and the deformable optical lens;
- such that an arrangement of the surround structure and the at least one elastomeric pad is effective to reduce or prevent thermal energy and mechanical forces from being transferred between an external entity to the deformable optical lens.
3 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing having an end;
- a fixed lens;
- a first deformable optical lens;
- a barrel, the barrel being disposed within the optical housing, and at least one of the fixed lens and the deformable optical lens being disposed at least partially within the barrel;
- a reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and an object axis being arranged at two times the angle of incidence of the sensor axis, the object axis and the sensor axis passing through the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path being redirected at the reflective surface and then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens;
- such that the optical housing is configured and arranged to align the deformable optical lens along the sensor axis and align the deformable optical lens in a direction that extends radially outward from the sensor axis.
6 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing having an end;
- a fixed lens;
- a first deformable optical lens;
- a barrel, the barrel being disposed within the optical housing, and at least one of the fixed lens and the deformable optical lens being disposed at least partially within the barrel;
- a reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and an object axis being arranged in non-parallel relation to the sensor axis, the object axis and the sensor axis passing through the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens;
- such that the optical housing is configured and arranged to align the deformable optical lens along the sensor axis and align the deformable optical lens in a direction that extends radially outward from the sensor axis.
6 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing;
- a reflector disposed in the optical housing;
- a deformable optical lens including a membrane, a lens shaper, a fluid and barrel;
- wherein the lens shaper defines a well-defined lens shaper edge, the well-defined lens shaper edge being generally disposed in a plane with a deformable optical lens axis centered to the edge and normal to the plane;
- wherein the barrel in contact with the optical housing;
- such that an image object is located outside of the optical apparatus;
- an optical path that extends from the image object to the reflector and from the reflector to a sensor.
4 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing having an end;
- a fixed lens;
- a first deformable optical lens;
- a second deformable optical lens;
- at least one barrel, the at least barrel being disposed within the optical housing, the first deformable optical lens and the second deformable optical lens being disposed at least partially within the at least one barrel;
- a first reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and an object axis being arranged at two times the angle of incidence of the sensor axis and a reflective surface, the object axis and the sensor axis co-located at the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path being redirected at the reflective surface and then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens.
6 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing having an end;
- a fixed lens;
- a first deformable optical lens;
- a second deformable optical lens;
- at least one barrel, the at least barrel being disposed within the optical housing, the first deformable optical lens and the second deformable optical lens being disposed at least partially within the at least one barrel;
- a first reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and an object axis being arranged in non-parallel relation to the other, the object axis and the sensor axis passing through the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens.
6 more elements
An optical apparatus, comprising:
- an axis;
- an optical portion including at least one deformable optical lens arranged about the axis;
- a pump portion, the pump portion configured to actuate the at least one deformable lens, the pump portion arranged about the axis.
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a pump portion;
- an optical portion, the optical portion comprising:
- an optical housing;
- a first deformable optical lens and a second deformable optical lens disposed within the optical housing;
- a reflective surface disposed within the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at an end of the optical housing;
- such that the pump portion is configured to cause a fluid exchange between at least one fluid reservoir and the first deformable optical lens and between the at least one fluid reservoir and the second deformable optical lens;
- an axis, the pump portion and the optical portion arranged about the axis, such that the axis intersects portions of the pump.
5 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a deformable optical lens with a first axis extending there through;
- a fixed lens having a second axis extending there through;
- a sensor with a third axis extending there through;
- an optical path that follows along the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis;
- wherein the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are automatically aligned so as to improve an image quality of an image that follows the optical path to the sensor.
2 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a deformable optical lens with a first axis extending there through;
- a sensor with a second axis extending there through;
- a fixed lens having a third axis extending there through;
- an optical path that follows along the first axis and the second axis, a reflective surface being aligned with the first axis, the second axis, wherein one or more of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis are automatically aligned so as to improve an image quality of an image that follows the optical path to the sensor.
1 more element
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing with an end;
- a solid lens disposed within the optical housing;
- a deformable optical lens disposed within the optical housing;
- a sensor coupled to the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and an object axis being arranged at two times the angle of incidence of the sensor axis, the object axis and the sensor axis passing through the reflective surface;
- such that at least one of the reflective surface, the sensor, solid lens, or the deformable optical lens are movable or adjustable so as to improve an image quality of an image that follows the optical path to the sensor.
3 more elements
A pump, the pump comprising:
- a magnetic circuit return structure having a central portion and an outer portion, the outer portion including a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the central portion disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion;
- a first coil extending around a first portion of the central portion and a second coil extending around a second portion of the central portion;
- a first magnet;
- a second magnet;
- a first actuator;
- a second actuator;
- such that a first electrical current applied to the first coil produces a first force to produce a first movement of the first actuator, the first movement of the first actuator communicating with a first deformable optical lens;
- such that a second electrical current applied to the second coil produces a second force to produce a second movement of the second actuator, the second movement of the second actuator effective to move a second membrane that communicates with a second deformable optical lens.
5 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing with an end;
- a fixed lens and a deformable optical lens;
- a reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and the reflective surface, and an object axis being generally perpendicular to the sensor axis and passing through the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path being redirected at the reflective surface and then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens;
- wherein the optical housing comprises:
- a first portion, the first portion including a first interface at a first end of the first portion;
- a second portion, the second portion being non-integral with the first portion and including a second interface at a second end of the second portion;
- wherein the first interface couples and mates to the second interface such that an alignment of the first portion with respect to the second portion is achieved.
7 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- an optical housing with an end;
- a fixed lens and a deformable optical lens;
- a reflective surface, the reflective surface mounted to the optical housing;
- a sensor disposed at the end of the optical housing;
- a sensor axis passing through the sensor and the reflective surface, and an object axis being arranged in non-parallel relation to the sensor axis and passing through the reflective surface;
- an optical path disposed within the optical housing, the optical path following the object axis from an object external to the apparatus to the reflective surface, the optical path then following the sensor axis to the sensor at the end of the optical housing, the optical path passing through the deformable optical lens and the fixed lens;
- wherein the optical housing comprises:
- a first portion, the first portion including a first interface at a first end of the first portion;
- a second portion, the second portion being non-integral with the first portion and including a second interface at a second end of the second portion;
- wherein the first interface couples and mates to the second interface such that an alignment of the first portion with respect to the second portion is achieved.
7 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a first deformable optical lens including a lens shaper,
- a barrel, the barrel being disposed within the optical housing, the deformable optical lens being disposed at least partially within the barrel;
- a first set of contact points disposed between the lens shaper and the barrel;
- a second set of contact points disposed between the barrel and the optical housing;
- wherein the first set of contact points is separated from the second set of contact points by a distance, and the distance is sufficient to allow for a mechanical stress or a thermal stress to be at last partially relieved.
2 more elements
An optical apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a deformable optical lens having a membrane and a lens shaper, a fluid and barrel, the lens shaper having a top surface, an inside surface, and an outside surface;
- a well-defined lens shaper edge at the intersection of the inside surface, and the top surface;
- wherein the lens shaper edge is generally in a plane;
- with a deformable optical lens axis centered to the edge and normal to the plane;
- wherein the inside surface of the lens shaper surrounds the deformable optical lens axis;
- wherein the outside surface of the lens shaper surrounds the inside surface and the membrane is under tension and bonded to the top surface;
- wherein an outside edge is formed by the top surface and the outside surface and the membrane is cut so that it is substantially inside the outside edge.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.