Abstract: A camera-movement compensation device includes a first liquid-crystal cell with a pair of parallel transparent plates and a first voltage source coupled to the first liquid-crystal cell and able to apply and alter a first voltage gradient across the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell. The device also includes a second liquid-crystal cell having a pair of parallel transparent plates and disposed so that each of the plates of the second liquid-crystal cell is parallel to the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell and in light communication with at least one wave of light passing through the plates of the first liquid-crystal cell, a second voltage source coupled to the second liquid-crystal cell and able to apply and alter a second voltage gradient across the surfaces of the second liquid-crystal cell, and a movement detector coupled to the voltage sources to alter the slope of the voltage gradients in proportion to a movement.

Abstract: An auto-focus camera (100) can include a lens (102), a sensor (108) for detecting an image from the lens, a first liquid crystal layer (104) between the lens and the sensor, and a second liquid crystal layer (106) between the lens and the sensor and further orthogonally aligned to the first liquid crystal layer. The auto-focus camera can further include an integrated circuit programmed to drive the first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer. The auto-focus camera can include a controller (202) programmed to control two orthogonally aligned liquid crystal layers. The liquid crystal layers can serve as an optical anti-alias filter using birefringence properties of the liquid crystal layers. The first liquid crystal layer and the second liquid crystal layer can be orthogonally aligned to achieve polarization insensitive operation of the auto-focus camera.

Abstract: A solid state device (200) for a hybrid vertical cavity of multiple wavelength LEDs is provided. The solid state device can include a hybrid vertical cavity formed by a cascading of a first sub-cavity (210) and a second sub-cavity (220) to share a mirror (350) within the solid state device. The hybrid vertical cavity can collimate the first accumulated light (213) and the second accumulated light (223) to increase an efficiency of total emitted light. In one arrangement, the total emitted light can be directed to a phosphor to generate a white light.

Abstract: A handheld portable imaging device (100) including a first array of pixels and a second array of pixels embedded within the first array. A processor coupled to the first and second arrays processes data read from first array independently of data read from the second array. In one embodiment, data read from the first array is processed as an image, and data read from the second array is processed relatively quickly for controlling a lens actuator that focuses an image on the first array. In another embodiment, the data from the second array is used to stabilize an image captured by the first array.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for indicating operation of an imager by positioning a notification light within the no light zone that is between the imager and a lens and/or approximately in the same plane as the imager. The notification light can be configured to operate according to the duty cycle of the imager, that is, the light can be inactive while the imager is collecting light and can be active while the imager is not collecting light, without affecting the quality of the image capture or video recording. By positioning the notification light in the no light zone, there may be better utilization of the surface area of a camera or mobile communication device or other device with a camera.

Abstract: Miniature camera lenses (100, 300) include in order an object side (116, 302) to the image side (118, 304) a first double concave lens (102, 306), a lens group including first convergent meniscus lens (104, 318), a first double convex lens (106, 312), a second convergent meniscus lens (108, 318), a second double concave lens (110, 330), a second double convex lens (112, 336), and a divergent meniscus lens (114, 342). The lenses (100, 300) feature a field of view of about fifty six degrees, low distortion, a relatively long back focal distance, and a relatively low F-number.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) and a method for use thereof having an integral camera (102) for taking pictures from multiple sides of the electronic device. The electronic device (100) has a case (101) and a moveable assembly (108) for allowing the camera (102) to capture images from multiple angles with respect to the case depending on the position of the moveable assembly (108). A lens (122) may be used to correct or adjust the image. The camera (102) or electronic device electronics may be used to reverse an image when an odd number of mirrors (206), (208) are used to direct light to the camera (102).