Optical: systems and elements – Lens – With variable magnification
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-08
2003-09-09
Epps, Georgia (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Lens
With variable magnification
C359S726000, C359S291000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06618209
ABSTRACT:
This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2000-239629 filed in Japan on Aug. 8, 2000; Nos. 2000-310922, 2000-310923 and 2000-310924 filed in Japan on Oct. 11, 2000; and Nos. 2001-9823, 2001-9824 and 2001-9825 filed in Japan on Jan. 18, 2001, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an optical apparatus, and more particularly to an optical apparatus comprises, for instance, an optical system for making visual observations or an image pickup optical system.
For a Keplerian finder used with digital cameras, etc., it is required to gain diopter control according to the diopter of an observer. In a prior art finder comprising an objective lens
902
, a Porro II prism
903
and an eyepiece lens
901
as shown in
FIG. 80
, this is carried out by the back-and-forth movement of the eyepiece lens
901
for the reason mentioned above. However, one grave problem with this is that there must be some space for the mechanical structure needed for the back-and-forth movement of the lens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of such problems with the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical apparatus that enables diopoter control, etc. to be achieved by use of a reflection type of variable-optical property optical element, a variable-optical property mirror or the like but without recourse to any mechanical moving part.
For instance, the optical apparatus of the present invention include such embodiments as set forth below.
(1) A variable-optical property optical element.
(2) A variable-optical property mirror.
(3) The variable-optical property according to (2) above, characterized by use of electrostatic force.
(4) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by use of an organic material or synthetic resin.
(5) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by use of electromagnetic force.
(6) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a permanent magnet to make use of electromagnetic force.
(7) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a coil and a permanent magnet to make use of electromagnetic force.
(8) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a permanent magnet and a coil integrated with a mirror substrate to make use of electromagnetic force.
(9) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a coil and a permanent magnet integrated with a mirror substrate to make use of electromagnetic force.
(10) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a plurality of coils and a permanent magnet integrated with a mirror substrate to make use of electromagnetic force.
(11) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a plurality of coils and a permanent magnet to make use of electromagnetic force.
(12) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a permanent magnet and a plurality of coils integrated with a mirror substrate to make use of electromagnetic force.
(13) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a coil to make use of electromagnetic force.
(14) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a plurality of coils to make use of electromagnetic force.
(15) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a ferromagnetic material to make use of electromagnetic force.
(16) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a coil located in opposition to a ferromagnetic material to make use of electromagnetic force.
(17) The variable-optical property mirror according to (2) above, characterized by comprising a ferromagnetic mirror substrate and a coil to make use of electromagnetic force.
(18) A variable mirror characterized by being driven by a fluid.
(19) A variable-optical property mirror, characterized by being driven by a fluid.
(20) A variable-optical property mirror, characterized by comprising a variable-optical property lens and a mirror combined therewith.
(21) An optical element, characterized by having variable properties and comprising an extended curved surface.
(22) A variable-optical property optical element, characterized by comprising a plurality of electrodes.
(23) A variable-optical property mirror, characterized by comprising a plurality of electrodes.
(24) The variable-optical property mirror according to (23) above, characterized in that said plurality of electrodes are located on different planes.
(25) The variable-optical property mirror according to (23) above, characterized by comprising a plurality of electrodes located on a curved surface.
(26) The variable-optical property optical element, variable-optical property mirror, and optical element according to any one of (2) and (20) to (23) above, characterized by being driven by electrostatic force.
(27) The variable-optical property optical element, variable-optical property mirror, and optical element according to any one of (2) and (20) to (23) above, characterized by use of a piezoelectric material.
(28) A variable-optical property lens, characterized by comprising a plurality of electrodes.
(29) The variable-optical property optical element, variable-optical property mirror, and variable-optical property lens according to any one of (1), (20) to (22) and (28) above, characterized by use of a liquid crystal.
(30) The variable-optical property optical element, variable-optical property mirror, and variable-optical property lens according to (29), characterized in that the orientation of the liquid crystal is varied by changing frequency.
(31) A variable-optical property mirror, characterized in that the surface shape thereof in a certain state is close to a part of a quadratic surface of revolution.
(32) The variable-optical property mirror according to (31) above, characterized in that a deviation of the surface shape thereof in a certain state from said part of quadratic surface of revolution satisfies expression (2).
(33) The variable-optical property mirror according to (31) above, characterized in that a deviation of the surface shape thereof in a certain state from said part of quadratic surface of revolution is within 1 mm.
(34) The variable-optical property mirror according to (31) above, characterized in that a reflection surface thereof has a portion at which light is not reflected.
(35) The variable-optical property mirror according to (31) above, characterized in that a member located in opposition thereto is provided on its surface with an electrode.
(36) The variable-optical property mirror according to (31) above, characterized in that shape control information is stored in a memory.
(37) An optical system, characterized in that the refractive index of an optical element located in opposition to a variable-optical property mirror satisfies expression (1).
(38) An optical system, characterized by comprising the variable-optical property optical element, variable-optical property mirror, variable mirror, optical element, variable-optical property lens or optical system according to according to any one of (1) to (37) above.
(39) The optical system according to (38) above, characterized by further comprising an extended curved surface prism.
(40) The optical system according to (38) above, characterized by further comprising a variable-optical property mirror, in which a light ray is obliquely entered.
(41) The optical system according to any one of (38) to (40) above, characterized by comprising an optical element using a synthetic resin or a frame using a synthetic resin.
(42) An optical system, characterized in that changes in an imaging sate thereof are compensated for by changing the optical properties of a variable-optical prope
Hayakawa Kazuhito
Nagaoka Toshiyuki
Nagata Tetsuo
Nishioka Kimihiko
Takeyama Tetsuhide
Epps Georgia
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Spector David N.
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