Abstract: A liquid crystal lens cell comprises a pair of flat layers with the liquid crystal lens supported between the layers. One of the layers supports a planar electrode made of ITO. The other electrode, also formed of ITO, is supported in the center of the opposing substrate and projects downwardly toward the center of the liquid crystal layer. A power supply creates a potential difference between the two electrodes and accordingly imposes a non-uniform electric field on the liquid crystal modules which aligns them in which a way as to act as a lens. By varying the voltage between the two electrodes the focal length of the lens may be controlled. A central electrode may be in the form of a beam or of a pointed tip. In other embodiments of the invention an electrode having a central hole may be associated with the central electrode or the planar electrode.

Abstract: A system for photographing an object and generating a three-dimensional display of the object without the need for the observer to wear special glasses employs a camera having an electronically tunable liquid crystal lens in which the focal plane of the lens may be adjusted by controlling the voltage on the lens. An operator of the camera focuses the camera on the scene to be imaged and the camera records a series of images at closely spaced focal lengths by varying the voltage applied to the lens between the images. The digitally recorded images are then used to generate a display on a multilayer transparent display substrate with pixel addressing capabilities. Each of the recorded images at the differing focal lengths are displayed on one of the layers of the display screen, with the closest focal length recorded being displayed on the top screen, the one most proximate to the observer, and with successive images on other screens. A three-dimensional image is produced.

Abstract: To provide an image of a scene having three-dimensional characteristics, without the use of special glasses, a special camera employing an electrically controllable LCD lens which may be changed as to focal length by varying an applied voltage is used to record a plurality of images of the scene at each of a plurality of closely spaced focal lengths. All of the recorded images are simultaneously displayed on a device employing a stack of transparent LCD screens with one image being provided to each screen in the same order as the focal lengths used during the recording step.

Abstract: An electrically controlled liquid crystal zoom lens system for a camera or the like is set to a desired zoom by an operator. The desired zoom signal is provided to an image signal processor which also receives the output of an image sensor at the output of the lens. The process generates a control signal for a power supply which adjusts the voltage between electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal module. By rapid, iterative adjustment the actual zoom is brought to the desired zoom level. The liquid crystal module is combined in series with conventional lenses which may be integrated with the liquid crystal.

Abstract: An optical disc storage system employs a read/write pick-up head assembly in which the optical path between the disc and the read/write light source, usually a laser diode, includes both a conventional objective lens formed of glass or plastic, with a fixed focus, and a liquid crystal lens which is electrically tunable to vary its refractive index and focal distance. The optical signal reflected from the disc is passed through this hybrid pick-up head assembly and demodulated to detect errors in the focus of the pick-up head and the tracking, and to adjust the focus by modifying the electrical signals applied to the LCD lens, and move the pick-up head in the plane of the disc to address the appropriate track.