Abstract: A dynamically actuable diffractive optical element (DOE) includes a substrate and a diffraction grating disposed on a first region of a surface of the substrate. The DOE further includes a quantity of a fluid disposed on a second region of the surface of the substrate, a fluid displacer disposed adjacent the second region of the surface of the substrate, and a drive signal source configured to send an electric signal to the fluid displacer. The fluid displacer is configured to, upon receiving the electric signal in a first state, causing a portion of the quantity of the fluid to be displaced from the second region of the surface into grooves of the diffraction grating, and upon receiving the electric signal in a second state, causing the portion of the quantity of the fluid to retract from the grooves of the diffraction grating to the second region of the surface.

Abstract: An electrochromic module includes two opposite positioned first substrates and at least one electrochromic unit disposed between the first substrates. Each of the electrochromic unit includes a first conductive layer, a filter layer, and a second conductive layer stacked in turn. One end of the first conductive layer protrudes from an edge of the filter layer to form a first electrode area. One end of the second conductive layer protrudes from another edge of the filter layer to form a second electrode area. Vertical projections of the first electrode area and the second electrode area on the first substrates are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first electrode area and the second electrode area is configured to connect to a power supply. The electrochromic module can make it easy to connect the electrochromic unit to the power supply.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrochromic device is provided. The method includes providing a patterned arrangement of an electrically conductive material; and applying one or more layers of an electrochromic material to the patterned arrangement, wherein at least a portion of the electrochromic material is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive material. An electrochromic device and an electrochromic ink composition are also provided.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, embodiments described herein are generally directed to an electronic device comprising: a housing; a component mounted within the housing; a component cover in fixed relation to the housing; wherein the component cover is configurable between at least a first state and a second state; and wherein light transmissivity through the component cover is greater when in the second state than when in the first state. In some implementations, in the first state the component cover is substantially opaque, or in the second state the component cover is substantially transparent.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to operate in a line-sequential manner and a shutter device operatively coupled to the image sensor. The shutter device includes regions configured to switch between substantially open states and substantially closed states such that after a first exposure for a first frame is finished, a second exposure for a second frame is started.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter includes a board including an opening; a leading blade and a trailing blade opening and closing the opening; a trailing blade actuator driving the trailing blade; a drive member driving the trailing blade by receiving driving force of the trailing blade actuator; and a buffering member abutting with the drive member in a state where the trailing blade recedes away from the opening, wherein the trailing blade actuator causes the drive member to move away from the buffering member from an abutting state therewith and to abut therewith again in a charging operation, and then starts an exposure operation.

Abstract: An electronic device having a liquid crystal shutter is disclosed. A liquid crystal shutter is provided in an area formed by expanding a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal shutter includes a rear polarizer, a rear glass substrate, a segmented electrode, a liquid crystal, a counter electrode, a front glass substrate, a shutter aperture, and a front polarizer. A camera module is disposed behind the rear polarizer. A voltage applied to the segmented electrode can be controlled to visually expose or hide the lens of the camera module from a shutter aperture.

Abstract: A shutter assembly includes a base having a stop and a central aperture, a permanent magnet rotatably mounted on the base, and a shutter blade directly mounted on the magnet and configured to move between an open position exposing the aperture and a closed position blocking the aperture. The magnet contacts the stop in the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An apparatus, useful in, for example, a miniature camera, includes an object, e.g., an optical element such as a shutter blade, an actuator operable to apply an impulse to the object such that the object moves from a first position to a second position, and at least one flexure coupled to the object and operable to confine movement of the object to movement along a predefined trajectory extending between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a lensless optical device for acquiring an image. The device can include a light attenuating layer having a plurality of elements, where transmittance of each of the plurality of elements is controllable, and an image detector disposed at a distance from the light attenuating layer, the image detector configured to acquire an image with light that passes through the light attenuating layer. The device also can include a light attenuating layer controller configured to simultaneously control transmittance of each of the plurality of elements independent of each other. Methods of detecting and tracking an object in a scene are also disclosed.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to operate in a line-sequential manner and a shutter device operatively coupled to the image sensor. The shutter device includes regions configured to switch between substantially open states and substantially closed states such that after a first exposure for a first frame is finished, a second exposure for a second frame is started.

Abstract: A transparent screen is constructed in such a way that a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12d each of which is smaller than a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a and has a shape approximately similar to that of each of the plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a are arranged in a sawtooth shape on a non-light incidence surface portion of a Fresnel lens 12 on a light incidence side to which any image light PB applied from a projector 1 is not applied directly because blocked by a Fresnel prism 12a placed frontwardly.

Abstract: A camera includes a lens module, an image sensor, and a shutter module. The centers of the image sensor and the shutter module are on an optical axis of the lens module. The shutter module includes a frame and an electroactive telescopic unit having a first electroactive polymer layer, two compliant electrode layers, and two second electroactive polymer layers. The center of the electroactive telescopic unit has a through hole through the first electroactive polymer layer, the two compliant electrode layers, and the two second electroactive polymer layers. A central axis of the through hole and the optic axis of the lens module are coaxial. The electroactive telescopic unit is contractible or expandable along a direction perpendicularly to the optic axis of the lens module in response to a change in a voltage applied between the two compliant electrode layers.

Abstract: An impulse actuated device for, e.g., an optical element of a digital camera, includes an elongated flexure having a first end upon which the optical element is disposed, and an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain the element to move along an arcuate, relatively long first trajectory between opposite initial and final positions, and a short-throw, high force element actuator that includes a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator and along a second trajectory intersecting the first trajectory at the initial position of the element, and an apparatus for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the element such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the element and causes the element to move along the first trajectory and from the initial position to the final position.

Abstract: A high speed optical shutter, a method of operating the high speed optical shutter, and an optical apparatus including the high speed optical shutter. The optical shutter includes a transparent electro-optical medium in an active solid state having a total internal reflection surface on which an angle of total internal reflection is changed by an external action. The transparent electro-optical medium may be a prism or a prism array whose angle of total internal reflection is changed by the external action. An incident light path changing unit may be further arranged in front of the transparent electro-optical medium. Also, a light path changing unit may be further arranged so as to allow light passing through the electro-optical medium to be perpendicularly incident on an incidence target object.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a first cover, a second cover, a camera and a liquid crystal shutter. The first and second covers cooperatively form a housing. The camera is received in the housing and fixed to the first cover. The camera includes an optical lens and an image sensor. The optical lens is optically aligned with the image sensor. The second cover has a through hole defined therein aligned with the optical lens of the camera. The liquid crystal shutter is fixed in the through hole. The liquid crystal shutter is changeable between a bright state and a dark state, thereby having a light switch function of a shutter.

Abstract: An impulse actuated mechanism for, e.g., a digital camera shutter, includes a shutter blade disposed at a first end of a flexure having an opposite second end fixed so as to constrain the blade to move along a planar, relatively long, first trajectory between opposite initial and final blade positions, and a short-throw, high force blade actuator that includes a stator and a stage supported for movement relative to the stator and along a second trajectory intersecting the initial blade position, and a mechanism for accelerating the stage along the second trajectory and against the blade such that at least some of the momentum of the stage is imparted to the blade, causing the blade to move along the first trajectory from the initial blade position to the final blade position, where it blocks the passage of light through a light aperture of the camera.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light amount adjustment apparatus, including: a light amount adjustment member; a rotatable magnet formed in a disk shape; a driving arm configured to be pivoted by rotation of the magnet to operate the light amount adjustment member; a core having a pair of confronting portions positioned so as to sandwich the magnet from an outer circumference side and a connecting portion configured to connect end portions of the confronting portions to each other; a coil through which one of the portions of the core extends; and a base member having the core attached to the base member and supporting the magnet for rotation on the base member. The base member has a plurality of attaching projections provided at least at two places of the base member for attaching the core to the base member. The attaching projections have a small projection for fitting with the core.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed. The optical element may include a container having a holding chamber, a polar or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and not mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The image taking apparatus of the invention includes a light quantity control device that is arranged on the optical axis of subject light and controls transmitted volume of the subject light. The light quantity control device includes a light quantity control layer and a pair of light-transmissive electrodes. The light quantity control layer expands and contracts in accordance with an electric field generated therein and thereby changes the transmitted volume of the subject light. The electrodes are disposed so as to sandwich the light quantity control layer and generate an electric field in the light quantity control layer, in response to application of voltage, thereby causing the light quantity control layer to expand and contract.

Abstract: An iris diaphragm actuator includes a magnetic position sensing structure, at least one driving element and a light intercepting element. The magnetic position sensing structure includes a magnetic element and a magnetic sensor relatively disposed. The driving element connects and drives the magnetic element or the magnetic sensor to perform a rotating motion with respect to a rotation center such that the distance and angle between the magnetic element and the magnetic sensor are changed so as to obtain a substantially linear relation between a magnetic flux sensed by the magnetic sensor and the position of the magnetic element. Also, an arrangement method of a magnetic position sensing structure is disclosed.

Abstract: A shutter includes a first light-pervious electrode, a second light-pervious electrode, a light-shielding layer sandwiched between the first and second light-pervious electrodes and a voltage supplying system. The light-shielding layer is comprised of an electrostrictive material. The light-shielding layer has a fixed end positioned adjacent to one edge of the first light-pervious electrode, and a free end facing toward the opposite edge. the free end is extendable towards the opposite edge of the first light-pervious electrode to block light from in response to a voltage applied to the light-shielding layer. The voltage supplying system is electrically connected with the first and second light-pervious electrodes for supplying a voltage between the first and second light-pervious electrodes.

Abstract: A method of supplying an electrically controllable system having variable optical/energy properties in transmission or in reflection, including at least one carrier substrate with a multilayer that allows migration of active species, including at least two active layers separated by an electrolyte, the multilayer being placed between two electrodes connected respectively to upper and lower current leads respectively. In addition to a constant first energy potential, a time-varying second energy potential is applied between the current leads, the first and second energy potentials being designed to ensure switching between two states having different optical/energy properties in transmission or reflection.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device includes a light modulator layer having a plurality of elements, each having a controllable transmittance, and a plurality of lenses, wherein each of the plurality of lenses is disposed to receive light independently of each other. The device further includes an image detector disposed at a distance from the light modulator layer and configured to acquire images from light that passes through the light modulator layer. In addition, the device includes a controller configured to control transmittance of the elements of the light modulator layer. Methods of acquiring images are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic aperture comprises first and second polarizers and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second polarizers. The liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystals having an angular orientation that varies as a function of position. In one exemplary embodiment, the angular orientation of the liquid crystals varies as a function of distance from an optical axis.

Abstract: An image input apparatus that includes a solid-state image sensing device having a plurality of pixels; a shutter having a front curtain and a rear curtain for opening and blocking an optical path to the solid-state image sensing device; a shutter-curtain sensor that senses passage of the front and rear curtains at a plurality of positions; and a reset unit that resets pixels of the solid-state image sensing device successively before the sensor senses passage of the rear curtain upon elapse of a prescribed period of time after the sensor senses passage of said front curtain.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element, optical unit, and image-taking apparatus which can reduce heat generation in the optical element and accurately control a refractive index profile of the optical element. The optical element has a liquid crystal layer composed of transparent liquid crystal molecules; a first electrode placed along the liquid crystal layer; multiple transparent second electrodes placed along the liquid crystal layer on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer from the first electrode, with a voltage being applied between the first electrode and each of the multiple transparent second electrodes; and multiple transparent transistors placed along the liquid crystal layer together with the multiple second electrodes to adjust the voltages applied to the multiple second electrodes.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a sealed container having edge walls facing each other in a thickness direction of the container and a side wall connecting both of the edge walls; a first liquid with polarity or electrical conductivity and sealed within the container; a second liquid that is sealed within the container and does not mix with the first liquid; and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage across the first liquid. The first liquid and the second liquid have equal specific gravity, and transmissivity of the first liquid is lower than the transmissivity of the second liquid. An interface between the first liquid and the second liquid changes shape in response to a voltage applied by the voltage applying unit. A light transmission path that passes through the edge walls and extends in a direction of the thickness of the container is formed.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an optical density changing element comprising: an electromotive force generating element comprising an electromagnetic wave sensor (example: phototransistor) and a voltage source (example: battery), wherein the electromotive force generating element generates an electromotive force; an optical density changing element (light regulating filter) including an electrochromic material driven by the electromotive force; and a resistor connected in parallel to the optical density changing element.

Abstract: An electrical aperture and shutter device having a transparence switching element includes an operating element, a transparence switching element, and a controller. The operating element is configured for producing a signal. The transparence switching element is configured for controlling a transparence and a light-passing time of the transparence switching element and thereby carrying out the functions of aperture and shutter. The controller is configured for controlling an operation of the transparence switching element by receiving the signal produced by the operating element. A camera incorporated an electrical aperture and shutter device having a transparence switching element therein, also is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter for an optical imaging system, e.g. a digital camera. The shutter comprises an interface between a transparent body and a capillary space. Light rays introduced to the active area of the interface are reflected by total internal reflection when the capillary space is filled with a gas. The light rays are transmitted through the interface when the capillary space is rapidly filled with a liquid. Thus, the light rays are either absorbed or reflected towards an image sensor, depending on the state of the shutter. The liquid is delivered to the capillary space through at least one duct which is positioned opposite the active area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shutter for an optical imaging system. An amount of opaque fluid is moved in a planar capillary space to open and close the shutter. Depending on the position of the opaque fluid with respect to an optical path passing through the capillary space, the fluid opens or blocks the optical path. In an embodiment, the opaque fluid is moved by a pressure differential caused by a diaphragm which is coupled to a piezoelectric actuator. In another embodiment, the opaque fluid is moved by electrostatic forces.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an objective lens, a shutter which is arranged between the objective lens and the image sensor, opens to set the image sensor in an exposure enable state, and closes to set the image sensor in a light-shielding state, a dark image acquisition unit which acquires a dark image by closing the shutter and causing the image sensor to accumulate charges, and a control unit which controls an aperture size of an aperture stop arranged at the objective lens, wherein if the aperture stop has a aperture size more than a predetermined aperture size before acquiring the dark image, the dark image acquisition unit acquires the dark image after the control unit controls the aperture stop to an aperture size not more than the predetermined aperture size.

Abstract: A light quantity adjusting device includes a ring-shaped base plate having an exposure aperture at a center thereof, a first light quantity adjusting blade arranged in the exposure aperture, a first drive device for opening/closing the first light quantity adjusting blade, a second light quantity adjusting blade arranged in the exposure aperture, and a second drive device for opening/closing the second light quantity adjusting blade. The first drive device includes a magnet rotor and an exciting coil formed in a ring shape, and a guiding member for inducing a magnetic field to a position facing a magnetic pole formed on a circumference side of the magnet rotor. The second drive device includes a magnet rotor, an exciting coil, and a guiding member for guiding a magnetic field to a position facing a magnetic pole formed on a circumference side of the magnet rotor.

Abstract: An exemplary electric shutter comprising a first transparent electrode, an electrochromic layer and a second transparent electrode, wherein said electrochromic layer is disposed between said first transparent electrode and said second transparent electrode, and said second transparent electrode has an opposite polarity to said first transparent electrode. An exemplary camera having such an electric shutter is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary shutter includes a chamber; a transparent, hydrophobic dielectric layer; a light-tight (i.e., non-transparent), insulating oily layer; a transparent conductive aqueous layer; and a pair of electrodes. The chamber has a pair of opposing transparent plates. The dielectric layer, the oily layer, and the aqueous layer are accommodated in the chamber, in that order, from one of the pair of transparent plates to the other. The pair of the electrodes is configured for generating an electric field to induce an electrowetting effect in the aqueous layer.

Abstract: An exemplary shutter includes an upper plate, a lower plate facing the upper plate, a side plate, a magnetic fluid, and a magnetic field generator. The side plate is connected between the upper plate and the lower plate. The upper plate, the lower plate, and the side plate cooperatively define a chamber. The magnetic fluid is accommodated in the chamber and includes a transparent solution, a surfactant, and a plurality of black magnetic particles dispersed in the solution and surrounded by the surfactant. Each of the particles is surrounded by a surfactant. The magnetic field generator is positioned outside and adjacent to the chamber, and is for generating a magnetic field in the chamber.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes an image forming optical system forming an image of an object, an imaging device placed in the proximity of the image of the object, a liquid crystal element placed at a preset position on the optical path between the object and the imaging device; and an optical element placed on the object side of the liquid crystal element. The optical element is constructed of a medium in which the transmittance of light at a wavelength of 500 nm is 20% or more and which exhibits different refractive indices with respect to light, the directions of vibrations of which are perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system including a short focal length for a wide angle of view; and an ND filter in the shape of a disc which is provided on an optical axis of the optical system. An optical density of the ND filter decreases in a direction radially outwards from a center of the ND filter.

Abstract: An optical system includes a shutter assembly with a stationary support, a shutter pivotably mounted upon and movable with respect to the support; and a shutter drive mechanism. The shutter drive mechanism includes a permanent first magnet affixed to the shutter, and a first electromagnet structure affixed to the support facing a first side of the shutter and including a first-structure first electromagnet. The permanent first magnet and the first-structure first electromagnet are positioned such that activation of the first-structure first electromagnet causes the permanent first magnet to move relative to the first-structure first electromagnet. The shutter drive mechanism further includes a second electromagnet structure affixed to the support facing a second side of the shutter and including a second-structure first electromagnet.

Abstract: Described are photochromic articles that include a substrate and at least one photochromic material adopted to change from an unactivated form to an activated form upon exposure to actinic radiation. The activated form of the photochromic material changes from more absorbing to less absorbing of radiation in the absorption region of its unactivated form as the temperature increases from 10° C. to 35° C. The photochromic article demonstrates a more consistent photochromic response, for example, an optical density response loss of 50 percent or less over a temperature range of from 10° C. to 35° C. as measured in the Photochromic Temperature Dependence Test. Methods for producing the aforedescribed articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device capable of controlling its optical transmittance. The optical device has a first liquid conductive or having a polarity and a second liquid. The first and second liquids are substantially equal in refractive index but differ in transmittance. The first and second liquids do not mix with each other. The first and second liquids are sealingly contained in a container in such state that the boundary therebetween has a predetermined shape. When a voltage is applied between these liquids through electrodes formed in such a place or condition as to avoid interference with passage of a bundle of rays incident upon the optical element, the output of the applied voltage is selected under control to change the shape of the boundary, thereby changing the quantity of transmitted light in the bundle of rays traveling through the optical device.

Abstract: An electronic shutter apparatus and light shuttering method for a still image capturing device are provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a beam splitter positioned in an incoming light beam path and splitting the incoming light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. The apparatus further includes first and second polarizing shutters respectively positioned in paths of the first and second light beams and capable of being electrically activated to transmit light and to respectively form first and second polarized light beams. A polarization orientation of light from the second polarizing shutter is in non-alignment with a polarization orientation of light from the first polarizing shutter. The apparatus further includes a beam combiner receiving and combining the first and second polarized light beams to form a substantially non-polarized resultant light beam. The resultant light beam is focused onto an image sensor.

Abstract: A light shutter device including a group of light shutter elements 31a, 31b 31c and 31d formed on a light shutter chip 30 made of PLZT has a construction in which an electrode gap is set wider in a element in which an electric field acts more strongly to equalize half wavelength voltages of elements almost to the same level since electric fields acting on the elements are different in strength from each other even under a prescribed voltage applied between a common electrode 32 and each of individual electrodes 33. An electrode gap of an element 31c having a weaker electric field is comparatively set narrower, whereas an electrode gap of an element 31d having a stronger electric field is set comparatively wider. Moreover, a shape of electrodes of each element are altered so as to make half wavelength voltages of elements almost equal.

Abstract: In a light shutter device in which multiple light shutter elements are located on a substrate made of PLZT, and the ON/OFF control of light is carried out by having an electrical field operate on each light shutter element from a pair of electrodes, the cross-talk phenomenon occurs among adjacent elements on the PLZT substrate, i.e., the elements (13c), (13e) and (13g). In order to effectively prevent such cross-talk, driving is carried out such that an electrical field does not operate on such elements simultaneously as a practical matter. In other words, the one line cycle is divided into periods (a) and (b), and the element (13e) is turned ON during the period (a) while the other elements (13c) and (13g) are turned ON during the period (b). Through this operation, a light shutter device in which each element has a stable amount of pass-through light may be obtained.

Abstract: A light shutter device which has a plurality of light transmitting portions (light shutter elements) on a planar PLZT substrate. By applying voltages between a common electrode and individual electrodes to apply electric fields to the light shutter elements, the light shutter elements transmit and shut light individually. Suppose each of the individual electrodes faces the common electrode at a distance L and has a dimension W in a direction perpendicular to the direction of electric field, W/L>2. Suppose each of the individual electrodes has a dimension D in the direction of electric field, preferably D/L>0.5. Further, the individual electrodes are so placed that the distance between a side of one light shutter element which extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of electric field and each of the individual electrodes which drive the other light shutter elements is not less than 5L.

Abstract: A still photo camera for film and electronic image recording selectively employs various media and media evaluation modes with selectable mechanical, optical and electronic imaging.

Abstract: A light shutter device which, on a planar PLZT substrate, has a plurality of light transmitting portions (light shutter elements) which are disposed in two groups separated by a common electrode, and individual electrodes provided for the respective elements. Adjacent light shutter elements in each of the groups are arranged in mutually different lines so as to inhibit crosstalk.

Abstract: In a light shutter device in which multiple light shutter elements are located on a substrate made of PLZT, and the ON/OFF control of light is carried out by having an electrical field operate on each light shutter element from a pair of electrodes, the cross-talk phenomenon occurs among adjacent elements on the PLZT substrate, i.e., the elements 13c, 13e and 13g. In order to effectively prevent such cross-talk, driving is carried out such that an electrical field does not operate on such elements simultaneously as a practical matter. In other words, the one line cycle is divided into periods (a) and (b), and the element 13e is turned ON during the period (a) while the other elements 13c and 13g are turned ON during the period (b). Through this operation, a light shutter device in which each element has a stable amount of pass-through light may be obtained.

Abstract: A hybrid, micro-electromagnetic light shutter includes a silicon body having a top surface with an arcuate groove formed on the top surface. A recess and a light aperture are formed in the top surface of the silicon body proximate to the arcuate groove. A shutter assemblage generally comprising metallic elements is provided with a rotatable shutter blade fixedly attached to a means for rotating. The means for rotating has a micro-magnetic element that interacts magnetically with an electromagnet for producing rotational movement. The shutter assemblage is arranged in the recess of the silicon body so that the means for rotating can be supported during rotation by the arcuate groove and be activated for rotational movement by the electromagnet.