Patent ID: 7072086
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A Digital Focus Lens System for providing an optical system having a plurality of selectable focal powers, comprising: a first switchable element capable of being switched between a first-element first-state and a first-element second-state; and and a second switchable element capable of being switched between a second-element first-state and a second-element second-state; wherein the first switchable element has a focal length f wherein the first and second switchable elements are in optical communication with each other such that each of them may contribute to a cumulative focal power, wherein, a first focal power may be selected by activation of the first switchable element to the first-element first-state and activation of the second switchable element to the second-element first-state, wherein a second focal power is selected by activation of the first switchable element to the first-element second-state and activation of the second switchable element to the second-element first-state, wherein a third focal power is selected by activation of the first switchable element to the first-element first-state and activation of the second switchable element to the second-element second-state, and wherein a fourth focal power is selected by activation of the first switchable element to the first-element second-state and activation of the second switchable element to the second-element second-states, wherein the first and second switchable elements are two of N switchable elements in a module of a device having one or more modules, where N is greater than or equal to two, wherein each of the N switchable elements is independently switchable between discrete first and second states, wherein in the first states the focal lengths are the same for all N switchable elements, and wherein in their second states, the focal lengths of the N switchable elements are unique and, except for a smallest second state focal length, each second state focal length is twice as large as another second state focal length.