G02B26/004

Apparatuses and methods for actuation of optical elements

An apparatus having an asymmetric adjustable lens with a deformable optical element. The apparatus may also include one or more actuators coupled to a deformable element of the asymmetric adjustable lens in a direct-drive configuration such that (1) mechanical action of the one or more actuators applies force to the deformable optical element and (2) the force applied by the mechanical action of the one or more actuators changes an optical property of the asymmetric adjustable lens by deforming the deformable optical element. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Applications of an electrokinetic device for an imaging system

An electrokinetic device is configured as a dynamic lens cover and/or filter for an imaging assembly, e.g., of a mobile device, to selectively allow electromagnetic radiation to pass through a lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a first operating state or to prevent electromagnetic radiation from reaching the lens of the imaging assembly when the dynamic lens cover is in a second operating state. The electrokinetic device includes transparent first and second substrates, and a compaction trench surrounding the lens of the imaging assembly. The compaction trench stores pigment when the dynamic lens cover is in the first operating state. In the second operating state pigment is dispersed within a carrier fluid between the first and second substrates.

Auto-focusing device and method of fabricating the same

In accordance with some embodiments, a method of forming an auto-focusing device is provided. The method includes forming a cantilever beam member. The cantilever beam member has a ring shape. The method further includes forming a piezoelectric member over the cantilever beam member. The method also includes forming a membrane over the cantilever beam member. The membrane has a first region and a second region. The first region has a planar surface, and the second region is located between the first region and an inner edge of the cantilever beam member and has a plurality of corrugation structures. In addition, the method includes applying a liquid optical medium over the membrane and sealing the liquid optical medium with a protection layer.

Camera module including liquid lens, optical device including the same, and method of manufacturing camera module including liquid lens
11543567 · 2023-01-03 · ·

An embodiment of a camera module includes a holder configured such that the upper and lower portions of the holder are open and such that a first hole and a second hole, opposite to the first hole, are formed in the side surface of the holder, a first lens unit coupled to the upper portion of the holder, a second lens unit coupled to the lower portion of the holder, and a liquid lens disposed in the first hole and the second hole of the holder between the first lens unit and the second lens unit, the liquid lens protruding outward from the side surface of the holder, wherein at least a portion of the liquid lens may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the holder.

Variable focal length lens device and control method of variable focal length lens device
11543642 · 2023-01-03 · ·

A variable focal length lens device includes: a variable focal length lens whose focal length cyclically changes in accordance with an inputted drive signal; an image detector configured to detect an image of a measurement target through the variable focal length lens; a pulsed light illuminator configured to emit a pulsed light to illuminate the measurement target; and an illumination controller configured to control the pulsed light illuminator so that the pulsed light is emitted twice in one cycle of the drive signal based on two detection phases corresponding to a designated focal distance of the variable focal length lens.

OPTICAL MEMBER AND LIGHT GUIDE SYSTEM

An optical member includes a light source, a first substrate to be a light guide that guides emitted light from the light source, a variable layer in contact with a predetermined surface of the first substrate, and a second substrate facing the first substrate via the variable layer. When a refractive index of the first substrate is n1, a refractive index of the variable layer can be changed to n2 or n3 (where n2>n3), and n1, n2, and n3 satisfy a relationship of |n1−n2|<|n1−n3|.

OPTICAL COMPONENT AND LIGHT-GUIDING SYSTEM

An optical component has: a planar liquid layer; and one or more light sources arranged such that light is guided to the planar liquid layer; wherein the liquid layer is configured to guide light.

Camera module
11536931 · 2022-12-27 · ·

One embodiment of a camera module can comprise: a housing having a first electrode pattern and a first recessed part, which are formed on the upper surface thereof; an auto-focusing unit mounted in the first recessed part and electrically connected to the first electrode pattern; a lens barrel accommodated inside the housing; a first holder which is disposed at the lower part of the housing and to which the lens barrel is coupled; and a printed circuit board disposed at the lower part of the first holder and electrically connected to the housing.

Sensor driving device having substrate with electromagnetic driving unit and protrusion part and camera module having same
11539867 · 2022-12-27 · ·

A sensor driving device is provided. A sensor driving device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate and electrically connected to the first substrate; and an image sensor disposed on the second substrate, wherein the second substrate comprises a body and a first protrusion part protruding from one end of the body, and the first protrusion part comprises a first extension part extending in a first direction from the body, and a second extension part extending in a second direction that differs from the first direction from the first extension part.

Ferrofluid sealed deformable mirror

A deformable mirror can include a reservoir containing a ferrofluid. The deformable mirror can also include a reflective face sheet covering a front side of the reservoir such that a back side of the reflective face sheet is exposed to the ferrofluid. The reflective face sheet can have a reflective surface on a front side of the reflective face sheet opposite the back side. The reflective face sheet can have a non-uniform thickness between the front and back sides of the reflective face sheet to provide stiffness for the reflective face sheet. In addition, the deformable mirror can include one or more electromagnets operable to generate a magnetic field that acts on the ferrofluid to deform the reflective face sheet. A deformable mirror system can further include a control system operably coupled to the one or more electromagnets to control the magnetic field and thereby a deformation of the reflective face sheet.