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Abstract Bc<n2 C0
There is a need for a small and fast optical zoom device that can change magnification. Conventional zoom devices require coupled mechanical motions to adjust the axial separations between individual or groups of elements in order to change the optical magnification. The mechanical motions decrease the speed of zooming, increase space and weight for zoom system, may induce unwanted jitter, and require large power consumption. In addition, the mechanical zoom system is restricted to magnifying the area on-axis. To solve problems of conventional zoom system, the zoom system utilizing one or more variable focal length micromirror array lenses without macroscopic mechanical motion of lenses is invented. Xk,>l6vc
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Inventors: Cho, Gyoung Il; (Seoul, KR) ; Gim, Dong Woo; (Gyoungnam, KR) ; Seo, Cheong Soo; (Seoul, KR) ; Boyd, James Greenup; (Brenham, TX) ; Baek, Sang Hyune; (Suwon, KR) n P1GW6Pu
Correspondence Name and Address: PARK & SUTTON LLP 1"YpO"Rh
3255 WILSHIRE BLVD ^C7C$TZS
SUITE 1110 aMJ;bQD
LOS ANGELES h/K@IAd
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90010 ^N- 'xy
US
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Serial No.: 806299
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Series Code: 10 >DP:GcTG
Filed: March 22, 2004 ARWZ; GX
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U.S. Current Class: 359/676 :1;Q(9:v
U.S. Class at Publication: 359/676 h1f8ktF
Intern'l Class: G02B 015/14; G02B 015/15 ,2,5Odrz
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Claims 1'O0`Me>#
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1. A zoom system for forming an image with varying magnification comprising one or more variable focal length lenses, wherein the variable focal length lens is made of a micromirror array lens, wherein the micromirror array lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors, wherein each micromirror is controlled to change the focal length of the micromirror array lens, wherein the micromirror array lens further comprises a plurality of mechanical structures upholding the micromirrors and actuating components actuating the micromirrors. mQr0sI,o]
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4. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the translation of each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is controlled. >qh?L#Fk
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5. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the rotation of each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is controlled. t&}6;z 3
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6. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the translation and rotation of each micromirror of the micromirror array lens are controlled. {rXs:N@
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7. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirrors of the micromirror array lens are arranged to form one or more concentric circles. ^E,1V5
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8. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein each micromirror of the micromirror array lens has a fan shape. -^SA8y
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9. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface of each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is substantially flat. d8OL!Rk
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10. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface of each micromirror of the micromirror array lens has a curvature. DWm SC}{.
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11. The zoom system of claim 10, wherein the curvature is controlled. d,9`<1{9
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12. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is actuated by electrostatic force. |B^G:7c
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13. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is actuated by electromagnetic force lZWX7FO'
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14. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein each micromirror of the micromirror array lens is actuated by electrostatic force and electromagnetic force. DtF}QvA
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15. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the mechanical structure and the actuating components are located under the micromirrors. !')y&7a~
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16. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is a reflective Fresnel lens. YnTB&GPxl
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17. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirrors are arranged in a flat plane. |vILp/"9=W
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18. The zoom system of claim 1, and wherein each micromirror is controlled to change the focal length of the micromirror array lens. Vrp[r *V@E
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19. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein the micromirror array lens compensates for phase errors of light introduced by the medium between an object and its image. ;>"nn
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20. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein the micromirror array lens corrects aberrations. 8;" *6vHZ
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21. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein the micromiror array lens corrects the defects of the zoom system that cause the image to deviate from the rules of paraxial imagery. _*6v|Ed?
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22. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is an adaptive optical component, wherein an object which does not lie on the optical axis can be imaged by the micromirror array lens without macroscopic mechanical movement of zoom system. '&yeQ
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23. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the micromirror array lens is controlled to satisfy the same phase condition for each wavelength of Red, Green, and Blue (RGB), respectively, to get a color image. ga0'zo9K
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24. The zoom system of claim 23, further comprising a plurality of bandpass filters. Q-eCHr)
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25. The zoom system of claim 23, further comprising a photoelectric sensor, wherein the photoelectric sensor comprises Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) sensors, wherein a color image is obtained by treatment of electrical signals from the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) sensors. c&'JmKV>&
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26. The zoom system of claim 25, wherein the treatment of electrical signals from the Red, Green and Blue (RGB) sensors is synchronized and/or matched with the control of the micromirror array lens to satisfy the same phase condition for each wavelength of Red, Green and Blue (RGB), respectively. %0-wpuHc(]
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27. The zoom system of claim 1, wherein the variable focal length lenses comprise a first variable focal length lens and a second variable focal length lens, wherein the focal length of the first variable focal length lens and the focal length of the second variable focal length lens are changed to form the image in-focus at a given magnification. Vpp&