Abstract: The present invention discloses an array of micromirrors with non-fixed underlying structures which can be oriented to have principal rotational axis with no structural and mechanical interference and with no electrical conflict. The micromirror array in the present invention can reproduce various surfaces including spherical, aspherical (e.g. parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptical, etc.), anamorphic, other than rotational symmetric profiles. With the newly introduced non-fixed underlying structure, the present invention makes possible for a micromirror array to generate a desired optical surface profile by simple motion controls and to improve structural stability, simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency in motion and motion control.

Abstract: A compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention comprises a prism, an aperture stop, a first lens element, a second lens element, reflecting mirror surface, and image surface, optionally an infrared cut-off filter. By introducing a lens-surfaced prism, the compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention has many advantages over the prior arts in the field of invention, such as compactness in thickness, small number of optical elements, high performance of optical quality, enough space for optional elements such as an infrared cut-off filter and diversity in optical geometries.

Abstract: The binoculars of the present invention comprise two optical units; one optical unit for each eye. Each optical unit comprises a first reflective lens element and a second reflective lens element, wherein at least one of the reflective lens elements is a Micromirror Array Lens. The binoculars of the present invention provide focusing and/or zoom functions without or with minimal macroscopic mechanical lens movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array with iris function that comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to provide an adjustable aperture having a plurality of aperture sizes by controlling motions of the micromirrors. The adjustable aperture controls the amount of incident light admitted to an image sensor by changing the aperture size. Also, the micromirrors comprised in the aperture forms a Micromirror Array Lens having variable focusing function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array device specially Micromirror Array Lens device structure and method for making the same. By introducing a sub coating layer and an over coating layer with a high reflective metal layer, the reflective layer of the micromirrors is protected from environmental circumstances, oxidation, degradation, acid, base, and galvanic corrosion of the micro-mechanical structures. Also the new coating structure enhances the performance of the Micromirror Array Lens by reducing degradation of the reflectivity of the metal layer, by providing anti-reflection in the optically non-effective area, and by protecting the micro-mechanical structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical micromirror device and their array device and method for making the same. By introducing a sub coating layer and an over coating layer with a high reflective metal layer, the reflective layer of the micromirrors is protected from environmental circumstances, oxidation, degradation, acid, base, and galvanic corrosion of the micro-mechanical structures. Also the new coating structure enhances the performance of the micromirror array device by reducing degradation of the reflectivity of the metal layer, by providing anti-reflection in the optically non-effective area, and by protecting the micro-mechanical structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-guided microsurgery system comprising a real-time three-dimensional microscopic imaging device and a three-dimensional display device. The imaging device generates an all-in-focus image or in-focus depthwise images with depth information in various fields of view, and the display device shows realistic three-dimensional images with features including reducing eye fatigue, watching by multiple viewers, two-dimensional/three-dimensional compatibility, color expression and high depth resolution, low manufacturing cost, and no significant data amount increase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact automatic focusing system using a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit. The automatic focusing system using the MEMS unit has a small volume and low power consumption, and its operation is very reliable, precise, and fast. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises at least one micromirror, at least one micro-actuator, and at least one micro-converter fabricated on the same substrate by microfabrication technology. By fabricating the micromirror, the micro-actuator, the micro-converter on the same substrate, the volume of the automatic focusing system of the present invention can be greatly reduced. The micro-converter converts the in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to out-of-plane translation of the micromirror to provide a large out-of-plane translation range.

Abstract: A discretely controlled micromirror device provides multiple motions of a micromirror using stepper plate and micromirror bottom support. The discretely controlled micromirror device can be controlled in a low driving voltage. Also, simple motion control is applied by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for driving the micromirror motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array with iris function that comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to provide an adjustable aperture having a plurality of aperture sizes by controlling motions of the micromirrors. The adjustable aperture controls the amount of incident light admitted to an image sensor by changing the aperture size. Also, the micromirrors comprised in the aperture forms a Micromirror Array Lens having variable focusing function.

Abstract: This invention provides a Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens with reduced chromatic aberration over a broadband wavelength range of light. Conventional micromirror array lens uses phase matching condition. Therefore, the optical surface profile of Micromirror Array Lens using the same phase condition has a discontinuous surface profile. As the required optical power of Micromirror Array Lens is increased, the number of profile discontinuity of Micromirror Array Lens is increased. Therefore, the chromatic aberration is increased. To minimize the chromatic aberration, the number of profile discontinuity should be minimized. The number of discontinuity is reduced when the optical surface profile has a simulating base curve, called a translation contour with optical power. Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens is invented to reduce a large translational amount and chromatic aberration for large optical power lens.

Abstract: This invention provides a discretely controlled micromirror array device comprising a plurality of micromirrors. The discretely controlled micromirror array device forms multiple surface profiles, wherein the rotational and translational motion of each micromirror is discretely controlled by selectively activating different groups of segmented electrodes using a control circuitry. The discretely controlled micromirror array device is compatible with known semiconductor electronics technologies and provides structural stability and efficiency in motion.

Abstract: A compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention comprises a prism, an aperture stop, a first lens element, a second lens element, reflecting mirror surface, and image surface, optionally an infrared cut-off filter. By introducing a lens-surfaced prism, the compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention has many advantages over the prior arts in the field of invention, such as compactness in thickness, small number of optical elements, high performance of optical quality, enough space for optional elements such as an infrared cut-off filter and diversity in optical geometries.

Abstract: A multi-motion programmable micromirror control method is provided with the multiple supports in a stepper plate to upholding the micromirror structure. The control system has advantages such that multiple motion can be applied to a micromirror and that the micromirror can be controlled in a low driving voltage and that simple motion control is applied by digital controlling and that the degrees of freedom in motion of the micromirror can be chosen by the number of the stepper plate and that only single voltage is needed for driving the micromirror motion. With many advantages, the multi-motion programmable micromirror control system provides a solution to overcome the difficulties in controlling micromirror motion.

Abstract: A MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions comprises bottom layer, stepper plate, support, and motion plate. The multiple motion of the motion plate is generated by the electrostatically actuated stepper plates and geometrically predetermined supports. By introducing the MEMS actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions, simple motion control can be achieved by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for motion control of the motion plate.

Abstract: The optical tracking device of this invention comprises a lens unit, a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the lens unit, and an imaging unit optically coupled to the lens unit. The lens unit comprises at least one Micromirror Array Lens, wherein the Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to have a plurality of optical surface profiles by controlling rotations or translations of the micromirrors. The optical tracking device of the invention further comprises an image processing unit, communicatively coupled to the imaging unit, configured to process the image information from the imaging unit and generates a control signal for the control circuit to control the lens unit. The optical tracking device of the present invention provides capability of tracking a target moving in a high speed, providing three-dimensional image information of the object, and compensating the aberration of the optical tracking device.

Abstract: The optical tracking device of this invention comprises a lens unit, a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the lens unit, and an imaging unit optically coupled to the lens unit. The lens unit comprises at least one Micromirror Array Lens, wherein the Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to have a plurality of optical surface profiles by controlling rotations or translations of the micromirrors. The optical tracking device of the invention further comprises an image processing unit, communicatively coupled to the imaging unit, configured to process the image information from the imaging unit and generates a control signal for the control circuit to control the lens unit. The optical tracking device of the present invention provides capability of tracking a target moving in a high speed, providing three-dimensional image information of the object, and compensating the aberration of the optical tracking device.

Abstract: This invention provides a Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens with reduced chromatic aberration over a broadband wavelength range of light. Conventional micromirror array lens uses phase matching condition. Therefore, the optical surface profile of Micromirror Array Lens using the same phase condition has a discontinuous surface profile. As the required optical power of Micromirror Array Lens is increased, the number of profile discontinuity of Micromirror Array Lens is increased. Therefore, the chromatic aberration is increased. To minimize the chromatic aberration, the number of profile discontinuity should be minimized. The number of discontinuity is reduced when the optical surface profile has a simulating base curve, called a translation contour with optical power. Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens is invented to reduce a large translational amount and chromatic aberration for large optical power lens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an array of micromirrors with non-fixed underlying structures which can be oriented to have principal rotational axis with no structural and mechanical interference and with no electrical conflict. The micromirror array in the present invention can reproduce various surfaces including spherical, aspherical (e.g. parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptical, etc.), anamorphic, other than rotational symmetric profiles. With the newly introduced non-fixed underlying structure, the present invention makes possible for a micromirror array to generate a desired optical surface profile by simple motion controls and to improve structural stability, simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency in motion and motion control.

Abstract: A discretely controlled micromirror device provides multiple motions of a micromirror using stepper plate and micromirror bottom support. The discretely controlled micromirror device can be controlled in a low driving voltage. Also, simple motion control is applied by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for driving the micromirror motion.