IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,088,520
Granted Patent B2
US 7,088,520 · App. 11/049,534 · Granted Aug 8, 2006

Variable-optical-property element

Assignee: Olympus Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,088,520
App. No.
11/049,534
Granted
Aug 8, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical apparatus includes a variable optical-property element to change its optical properties by applying an electric or magnetic field or temperature to a liquid crystal. In this way, the optical apparatus is reduced in thickness, and can be used in a camera, a microscope, etc.

Claims (74)

1. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens; a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that drives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit,

wherein at least one of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit is arranged on a substrate, and

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element.

2. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens; a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that drives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit;

wherein at least two of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit are arranged on a substrate, and

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on display element.

3. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that drives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit,

wherein the image sensor and at least one of the display element and the electronic circuit are arranged on a substrate, and

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element.

4. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a plurality of variable optical-property elements;

a drive circuit that drives the plurality of variable optical-property elements;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit,

wherein at least on of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit is arranged on a substrate,

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the plurality of variable optical-property elements is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element, and

wherein an optical system having the plurality of variable optical-property elements has a zooming function.

5. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that drives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor;

an electronic circuit;

a microprocessor; and

a memory, wherein,

at least one of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit is arranged on a substrate; and

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element.

6. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that drives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit,

wherein at least one of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit is arranged on a substrate,

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element; and

a surface of the image sensor and a surface of the display element arc oriented in directions opposite to one other.

7. An optical apparatus comprising:

a lens;

a variable optical-property element;

a drive circuit that dives the variable optical-property element;

a stop;

a display element;

an image sensor; and

an electronic circuit,

wherein at least one of the image sensor, the display element and the electronic circuit is arranged on a substrate,

wherein the optical apparatus is constructed and arranged such that an image formed by the lens and the variable optical-property element is picked up by the image sensor to be displayed as a picture on the display element, and

wherein the variable optical-property element has a focusing function.

8. An optical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 7 , wherein the optical apparatus has a plate shape.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE COVERSHEET TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEES' ADDRESS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 016254, FRAME 0400. Recorded Apr 17, 2006
From: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO. LTD.
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017806/0887 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 3, 2005
From: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016254/0400 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2005
From: NISHIOKA, KIMIHIKO
To: OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016254/0493 →
Priority Claims (5)
JP 10-198155 · Jun 30, 1998 · national
JP 10-316184 · Nov 6, 1998 · national
JP 10-316185 · Nov 6, 1998 · national
JP 10-349311 · Nov 25, 1998 · national
JP 11-072557 · Mar 17, 1999 · national
Continuity (4)
Division 1080552500 · Mar 22, 2004
Division 1018798200 · Jul 3, 2002
Division 0934449000 · Jun 25, 1999
Related Publication 20050157409A1 · Jul 21, 2005