Back to results
US 9,791,600 B2Granted
Micro-lens capable of changing focal length, micro-lens array including the same, 3D display including micro-lens array and method of operating 3D display
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsKyu-hwan Choi, Yun-hee Kim, Eok-su Kim, Jung-mok Bae, Hoon Song, Kang-hee Won, Yoon-sun Choi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a micro-lens capable of changing a focal length. The micro-lens includes a plurality of electrodes, and an electrowetting liquid layer that is separable from the electrodes and that has a focal length that is controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes.
Claims30
A micro-lens, comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes disposed to form a perimeter surrounding a space,
- wherein a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes comprise in a plan view first and second bends on both ends of the first electrode, wherein the first and second bends are bent inward and face each other, and wherein the first and second bends overlap edges of an additional electrode among the plurality of electrodes;
- and
- an electrowetting liquid layer disposed in the space and separated from the electrodes, and that comprises a focal length controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes.
1 more element
A micro-lens array that comprises a plurality of micro-lenses, each micro-lens comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes disposed to form a perimeter surrounding a space,
- wherein a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes comprises in a plan view first and second bends on both ends of the first electrode, wherein the first and second bends are bent inward and face each other, and wherein the first and second bends overlap edges of an additional electrode among the plurality of electrodes;
- and
- an electrowetting liquid layer disposed in the space and separated from the electrodes, and that comprises a focal length controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes.
1 more element
A three-dimensional (3D) display, comprising:
- a first micro-lens unit comprising an array of micro-lenses configured to focus an image of an object on a location, wherein at least one micro-lens comprises
- a plurality of electrodes disposed to form a perimeter surrounding a space, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises in a plan view a bend, the bend forming a corner of the perimeter, and wherein the bend has surfaces parallel to surfaces of an adjacent electrode, and
- an electrowetting liquid layer disposed in the space and separated from the electrodes, and that comprises a focal length controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes;
- an image pick-up unit disposed inside of the 3D display, and configured to pick up the image through the first micro-lens unit;
- a control device configured to process the image transmitted from the image pick-up unit;
- a display unit configured to project the image transmitted from the control device to a predetermined region;
- and
- a second micro-lens unit configured to focus the image transmitted from the display unit to a predetermined region.
5 more elements
A method of operating a 3D display, the method comprising applying a voltage to a 3D display in order to focus an image on a predetermined location, wherein the 3D display comprises:
- a first micro-lens unit configured to focus an image of an object on a given location, comprising
- a plurality of electrodes disposed to form a perimeter surrounding a space, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises in a plain view bend, the bend forming a corner of the perimeter, and wherein the bend has surfaces parallel to surfaces of an adjacent electrode, and
- an electrowetting liquid layer disposed in the space and separated from the electrodes, and that comprises a focal length controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes;
- an image pick-up unit that picks-up an image through the first micro-lens unit;
- a control device that processes an image transmitted from the image pick-up unit;
- a display unit that projects an image transmitted from the control device on a predetermined region;
- and
- a second micro-lens unit configured to focus an image transmitted from the display unit on a predetermined region.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.