Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system generating a high resolution image using low resolution images taken by a low resolution image sensor. Also, the imaging system generates a wide angle of view image. Enhancement of resolution and enlargement of angle of view are accomplished by optical axis change, utilizing one or more micromirror array lenses without macroscopic mechanical movements of lenses. The imaging system also provides zoom and auto focusing functions using micromirror array lenses.

Abstract: A multi-step microactuator is provided with the multiple supports in a stepper plate to give multi-step displacement to a controlled object. The microactuator has advantages such that multiple motion can be applied to the controlled object and that the object 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 object 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-step microactuator provides a solution to overcome the difficulties in controlling multi-step motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional endoscope system comprising a three-dimensional imaging device and a three-dimensional display device using a variable focal length micromirror array lens. The micromirror array lens has enough focusing speed and focusing depth range for three-dimensional imaging and realistic three-dimensional display.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a high-speed, miniaturized, low-cost DVD recording and reproducing system. The present invention is particularly directed to a motorless optical pick-up device for recording and/or reading information on or from an optical disc (CD or DVD), which provides focusing, tracking, seamless layer jumping, tilt compensation, and CD/DVD compatibility.

Abstract: A Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors arranged on a flat or a curved surface to reflect incident light. Each micromirror in the Micromirror Array Lens is configured to have at least one motion. The Micromirror Array Lens forms at least one optical surface profile reproducing free surfaces by using the motions of the micromirrors. The free surface can be any two or three-dimensional continuous or discrete reflective surface. The Micromirror Array Lens having the corresponding optical surface profile provides optical focusing properties substantially identical to those of the free surface. The Micromirror Array Lens can forms various optical elements such as a variable focal length lens, a fixed focal length lens, an array of optical switches, a beam steerer, a zone plate, a shutter, an iris, a multiple focal length lens, other multi-function optical elements, and so on.

Abstract: A three-dimensional optical mouse device with a Micromirror Array Lens (MMAL) is provided. To have the three-dimensional optical mouse system, a three-dimensional imaging device is used for detecting the motion of optical pointer or fingers of the user and gives a location of the pointer to computer working as a pointing device in three-dimension. This three-dimensional pointing system uses three-dimensional imaging device using MMAL with variable focal length.

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: 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 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 provides a three-dimensional imaging system for robot vision, which is capable of three-dimensional positioning of objects, object identification, searching and tracking of an object of interest, and compensating the aberration of the system. The three-dimensional imaging system for robot vision comprises one or more camera systems, each of which has at least one variable focal length micromirror array lens, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. The variable focal length micromirror array lens used in the three-dimensional imaging system for robot vision has unique features including a variable focal length, a variable focal axis, and a variable field of view with a fast response time.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a two-dimensional display displaying a depthwise image, and a variable focal length micromirror array lens receiving light from the two-dimensional display and forming a corresponding image in the required location in space. Each depthwise image represents a portion of an object or scene having the same image depth, and the two-dimensional display displays one depthwise image at a time. The focal length of the variable focal length micromirror array lens changes according to the depth of the depthwise image being displayed. The variable focal length micromirror array lens has enough speed and focusing depth range for the realistic three-dimensional display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small and fast zoom system using micromirror array lens (MMAL). Thanks to the fast response and compactness of the MMAL as well as absence of the macroscopic mechanical movements of lenses, the zoom system of the present invention fastens the speed of the zooming and reduces the space and weight for the zoom system. Also the present invention provides magnifying the area not on the optical axis and can compensate the aberration of the zoom system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system generating a high resolution image using low resolution images taken by a low resolution image sensor. Also, the imaging system generates a wide angle of view image. Enhancement of resolution and enlargement of angle of view are accomplished by optical axis change, utilizing one or more micromirror array lenses without macroscopic mechanical movements of lenses. The imaging system also provides zoom and auto focusing functions using micromirror array lenses.

Abstract: An optical system includes a refractive lens system and a micromirror array lens with angled positioning to improve light efficiency. The micromirror array lens is optically coupled to the refractive lens system, and has a focal length gradient. The micromirror array lens is configured to focus the light input refracted by the micromirror array lens onto a focal plane, the micromiror array lens is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the light input and the focal plane. The optical system may further include an infrared filter and/or an optical stop to block unwanted light. The advantages of the present invention include improved light efficiency, image quality, and/or focusing.

Abstract: A variable focal length lens consists of many micromirrors with degrees of freedom rotation and/or degrees of freedom translation and actuating components. As operating methods for the lens, the actuating components control the positions of micromirrors electrostatically and/or electromagnetically. The optical efficiency of the variable focal length lens is increased by locating a mechanical structure upholding micromirrors and the actuating components under micromirrors. The lens can correct aberration by controlling each micromirror independently. The lens can also be of a desired arbitrary shape and/or size. The micromirrors are arranged in a flat plane or in a curved plane with a predetermined curvature. The electrodes determining the position of the micromirrors can be made of material with high electrical conductivity, preferably metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast optical shutter function by use of the fast movement of the micromirrors. In a micromirror array lens (MMAL), all the micromirrors reflect the incident light to form an image on the image plane. If the micromirrors reflect the incident light out of the optical sensor area, then the optical sensor can not have any optical signal just like the incident light blocked. By just changing the beam path by MMAL motion, the micromirror array lens has a function for optical shutter.

Abstract: An array of micromirror array lenses is invented. The micromirror array lens consists of many micromirrors and actuating components. Each micromirror array lens is variable focal length lens with high speed focal length change. The lens can have arbitrary type and/or size as desired and desired arbitrary optical axis and can correct aberration by controlling each micromirror independently. Independent control of each micromirror is possible by known microelectronics technologies. The actuating components control the positions of micromirrors electrostatically and/or electromagnetically. The optical efficiency of the micromirror array lens is increased by locating a mechanical structure upholding micromirrors and the actuating components under micromirrors. The known microelectronics technologies remove the loss in effective reflective area due to electrode pads and wires.

Abstract: A micromirror array lens includes a micromirror lying in a micromirror layer, an electrode configured to displace the micromirror by electrostatic force, and a control wire coupled to the electrode and configured to supply voltage to the electrode to generate electrostatic force. In one embodiment, the control wire lies in a gap between the micromirror and another micromirror in the micromirror layer. In another embodiment, the control wires lie beneath the micromirror layer, such that the fill-factor of the micromirror array lens is optimized. In another embodiment, the micromirror array lens includes a passivation layer configured to provide electrical isolation between the electrode and the control wire. The advantages of the present invention include improved optical efficiency and accuracy by minimizing the voltage variation of electrode and control wire by each other and electrostatic force between control wire and micromirror.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a two-dimensional display displaying a first image, and a variable focusing lens receiving light from the two-dimensional display and forming a second image. The variable focusing lens reflects light from the two-dimensional display. The first image includes a predetermined number of first depthwise images that are displayed within a unit time, and the second image includes corresponding second depthwise images. Each depthwise image represents the portion of the first image having the same image depth, and the two-dimensional display displays one depthwise image at a time. The focal length of the variable focusing lens changes according to the depth of the depthwise image being displayed. A micromirror array lens is used as the variable focusing lens. The micromirror array lens has enough speed and focusing depth range for realistic three-dimensional display.

Abstract: There is a need for a small and fast optical zoom device that can change magnification. Conventional zoom devices require coupled mechanical motions to adjust the axial separations between individual or groups of elements in order to change the optical magnification. The mechanical motions decrease the speed of zooming, increase space and weight for zoom system, may induce unwanted jitter, and require large power consumption. In addition, the mechanical zoom system is restricted to magnifying the area on-axis. To solve problems of conventional zoom system, the zoom system utilizing one or more variable focal length micromirror array lenses without macroscopic mechanical motion of lenses is invented.