IP Library Granted Patent US 7,969,645
Granted Patent B2
US 7,969,645 · App. 12/394,400 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Variable lens

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,969,645
App. No.
12/394,400
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A lens is provided, comprising a lens body. According to an embodiment, the lens body comprises at least one portion of electroactive material.

Claims (22)

1. A lens comprising a lens body, said lens body comprising at least one portion of electroactive material that changes at least one of its shape, size, and form in response to an applied voltage.

2. The lens of claim 1 , wherein said lens body consists essentially of said electroactive material.

3. The lens of claim 1 , further comprising at least two electrodes configured to apply a voltage to said at least one portion of electroactive material.

4. The lens of claim 3 , wherein said at least two electrodes comprise at least one first electrode arranged on a first side of said lens body and a plurality of second electrodes arranged on a second side of said lens body, said second side being opposite said first side.

5. The lens of claim 3 , wherein said at least two electrodes are configured to control the shape of said at least one portion of electroactive material to form a Fresnel lens.

6. The lens of claim 3 , wherein at least one electrode of said at least two electrodes is selected from the group consisting of a mesh of electrical conductors and a transparent conductor.

7. The lens of claim 1 , wherein said at least one portion of electroactive material comprises an electroactive polymer.

8. A device, comprising:

a lens, said lens comprising a lens body, said lens body comprising at least one portion of electroactive material that changes at least one of its shape, size, and form in response to an applied voltage, and

at least two electrodes applied to said at least one portion of electroactive material,

said device further comprising a control unit coupled to said at least two electrodes and configured to apply a voltage to said at least two electrodes.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein said control unit is configured to shift an optical axis of said lens by applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein said control unit is configured to form said lens to the shape of a Fresnel lens by applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein said at least two electrodes comprise at least one first electrode arranged on a first side of said lens body and a plurality of second electrodes arranged on a second side of said lens body, said second side being opposite said first side.

12. The device of claim 8 , comprising a lens arrangement, said lens arrangement comprising said lens and at least one further lens.

13. An electronic device, comprising:

a lens arrangement configured to guide light to an image sensor, and

a flash light, said flash light comprising a lens, said lens comprising a lens body, said lens body comprising at least one portion of electroactive material.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein said lens further comprises at least two electrodes, said device further comprising a control unit configured to apply a voltage to said at least two electrodes to adapt said lens to a subject to be illuminated by said flash light.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein said control unit is configured to shift an optical axis of said lens by applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein said control unit is configured to form said lens to the shape of a Fresnel lens by applying a voltage to said at least two electrodes.

17. The device of claim 13 , wherein said device is selected from the group consisting of a digital camera and a mobile phone.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2019
From: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048825/0737 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 25, 2019
From: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
Reel/Frame 048690/0974 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2009
From: WIK, DANIEL; JAHGE, ANDERS INGEMAR
To: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
Reel/Frame 022323/0050 →