Zoom flash with variable focus lens
View Patent ↗A camera apparatus ( 10 ) has a zoom lens ( 12 ) having a zoom focus setting that is adjustable over a range of focus values and control circuitry for generating a variable voltage potential according to the zoom focus setting. A flash illumination apparatus ( 20 ) has a light source ( 26 ) and a variable focus lens ( 24, 40 ), the variable focus lens ( 24, 40 ) having a first and a second fluid ( 42, 44 ) in a chamber ( 36, 46 ), the fluids ( 42, 44 ) having different indices of refraction and being non-miscible and in contact over an interface surface ( 54 ) with variable shape. An electrode ( 50 ) applies a variable voltage potential within the chamber ( 36, 46 ) for shaping the interface surface ( 54 ) according to the zoom focus setting.
1. A camera apparatus comprising:
a) a zoom lens having a zoom focus setting that is adjustable over a range of focus values;
b) control circuitry for generating at least one variable voltage potential according to the zoom focus setting;
c) a flash illumination apparatus comprising a light source and a plurality of variable focus lenses, each variable focus lens comprising:
i) a first and a second fluid in a chamber, the fluids having different indices of refraction, the fluids being non-miscible and being in contact over an interface surface with variable shape;
ii) an electrode for applying the variable voltage potential within the chamber for shaping the interface surface according to the zoom focus setting; and
wherein at least two of the variable focus lenses are disposed side by side.
2. A camera according to claim 1 wherein at least two of the variable focus lenses are disposed optically in series along a common illumination axis.
3. The camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber for at least one variable focus lens is substantially circularly cylindrical.
4. The camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber for at least one variable focus lens is substantially rectangular.
5. The camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface surface for at least one variable focus lens defines a substantially spherical lens.
6. The camera apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface surface for at least one variable focus lens defines a substantially cylindrical lens.
7. The flash illumination apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber comprises at least one window, the window having a convex surface orthogonal to the illumination axis.
8. The flash illumination apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chamber comprises at least one window, the window having a concave surface orthogonal to the illumination axis.