Patent Publication Number: US-2020292782-A1

Title: Modular lens system for motion picture camera applications

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,808 filed Aug. 20, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,502,927, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/967,039 filed Dec. 11, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,054,761, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/090,622 filed Dec. 11, 2014, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for modular lens systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditional lens systems include mechanical controls that operate a series of gears, helicals, cams or the like to vary focus, zoom, or other optical properties of the lens system. It may be difficult to interchange components of the lens system due to the mechanical transport existing between various components of the system. 
     In addition, prior mechanical systems may lack the ability to correctly adjust image softness and other optical properties, due to the variety and complexity of components existing in the lens system. 
     SUMMARY 
     The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein are intended to provide for improved interchangeability of lens system components, and improved electronic control of optical features such as focus, image softness, and aperture size. The systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein may serve to improve the utility of lens inventory for a user or supplier, thereby reducing costs. 
     In one embodiment, a modular lens system comprises a front section including one or more lenses, a central section configured to be removably coupled to the front section and including one or more lenses and an aperture, and one or more motors configured to move the one or more lenses of the central section to effect a change in a focus, magnification, or a softness of an image produced by the central section based on a user input, or to move the aperture to effect a change in a size of the aperture based on a user input. 
     In one embodiment, a modular lens system comprises a lens module including one or more lenses and an aperture, and configured to be removably coupled to a camera including an imaging area, and one or more motors configured to move the one or more lenses of the lens module to effect a change in a focus, magnification, or a softness or a position of an image produced by the lens module based on a user input, or to alter the size of the aperture to effect a change in an intensity of the image based on a user input. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the systems, apparatuses, and methods as disclosed herein will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and appended drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a schematic view of a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a portion of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a camera system  10  including a camera  12  and a lens system  14 . The camera  12  may be a digital camera including an image sensor  16 . The image sensor  16  may be sized to produce an image equivalent to the size of a 65 mm film image, or in one embodiment may be sized to produce an image equivalent to the size of a 35 mm film image. The image sensor  16  may comprise an imaging area for receiving images from the lens system  14 . In one embodiment, the camera  12  may be a film camera including an imaging area for receiving images from the lens system  14  on film. 
     The lens system  14  may include a front section  18 , a central section  20 , and a rear section  22 . The central section  20  may be configured as a module, or as a self-contained unit that is removable from other components of the camera system  10 . The central section  20  may include a housing  24  that may form the exterior of the central section  20 , and may retain components of the central section  20 . The central section  20  may include one or more lenses  26  configured to vary a focus of an image that is imaged by the central section  20 . In one embodiment, the one or more lenses  26  may be configured to vary other optical properties of the image, including a softness of the image, a size of the image, to correct for blur or aberrations in the image, or other optical properties as desired. The one or more lenses  26  may be positioned within the central section  20 . The one or more lenses  26  may be spherical or aspherical lenses if desired. 
     The central section  20  may include an aperture  27  configured to control the amount of light that passes through the central section  20 . The aperture  27  may be positioned within the central section  20 , and may be positioned arbitrarily with respect to the functionality of the central lens module in line along the optical axis that the one or more lenses  26  are positioned on. 
     One or more motors  28  may be used to move the one or more lenses  26  of the central section to effect a change in a focus of an image produced by the central section  20 . The one or more motors  28  may be positioned exterior to the central section  20 , or in one embodiment, any one, or all of the motors  28  may be positioned within the central section  20 . The motors may comprise a powered device configured to effect motion in the one or more lenses  26 , any may include a linear actuator, a stepper motor, a piezoelectric motor, a solid state motor, or other form of motor for providing powered movement of the one or more lenses  26 . 
     The operation of the one or more motors  28  may be based on a user input. The adjusting user input may be based on a user&#39;s operation of a mechanical device such as a rotatable ring  30  or bezel positioned on the exterior of the housing  24 . In other embodiments, other electro-mechanical or opto-mechanical devices such as a switch, slide, position encoder or lever may be used to control the one or more motors  28 . In one embodiment, the one or more motors  28  may be controlled based on a signal from a remote device such as a computer, or other electronic device. The central section  20  may include an input for receiving signals from the remote device. 
     The central section  20  may include rails  32  that the one or more lenses  26  of the central section move along. The one or more lenses  26  may move linearly along the optical axis in response to operation of the one or more motors  28 , as noted in the encircled area in  FIG. 1 . The center section  20  may include a gimbal or other off-axis positioning device to provide other degrees of motion for one or more lenses  26 . 
     The central section  20  may include an indicator  34  that may indicate a property of the central section  20  and/or the one or more lenses  26 . The property may be a focus of the one or more lenses  26 , a size of the aperture  27 , magnification of the image, a measure of softness of an image produced by the one or more lenses  26 , combinations thereof, or any other property of the central section  20  and/or one or more lenses  26 . In one embodiment, the indicator  34  may be a digital indicator that produces an image or other indicator on a screen or the like. In one embodiment, lens control and state may be indicated by an electronic lens interface. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more motors  28  may operate to move the one or more lenses  26  of the central section  20  to effect a change in a softness of an image produced by the central section  20 . The central section  20  may be configured to produce a gentler roll-off from a point of focus to enhance a softness of the image focus or create a zone of defocus that is not co-planar with the image surface. The softness of the image may be configured to be independent or within the limits of an aperture range. The softness may be controlled by linear or rotational movement of the one or more lenses  26 . In one embodiment, the one or more motors  28  may operate to move the one or more lenses  26  of the central section  20  to effect a change in a size of the aperture  27  of the central portion. In one embodiment, other optical features of the central section  20  may be adjusted by the one or more motors  28 , including any combination of features discussed herein. 
     A microcontroller  36  may be utilized to operate any of the functions of the central section  20 , including operation of the one or more motors  28 . The microcontroller  36  may operate based on software  38  that may be stored in a memory  40 . In one embodiment, the software may be integrated into the electrical structure of components of the central section  20 . The software may comprise internal firmware for the system. The microcontroller  36  may be configured to process the user input and actuate the motors according to the user input with a control signal. As such, the lens system  14  may operate electronically. In one embodiment, the microcontroller  36  and software  38 , and memory  40  may be positioned within the central section  20 . A power source  42  may be used to power any functions of the central section  20 , including operation of the one or more motors  28 . In one embodiment, the power source  42  may comprise a battery. The power source  42  may be positioned external to the central section  20 , or may be positioned within the central section  20 . In an embodiment in which the power source  42  is external, an electrical conduit may transfer the power to the central section  20 . 
     The central section  20  and its related components beneficially allow a user to perform motorized operation of the optical features of the central section  20 . This presents an improvement over prior direct mechanical control of optical features presented in prior lens systems by providing electronic control and actuation of the lenses and aperture. The motorized operation allows for more precise control, and reduces the complexity provided with prior mechanical transport systems. Additional benefits include low power operation, compact lens geometry, temperature stability and closer focus than typically possible with conventional cameras. 
     The central section  20  beneficially enhances the modular nature of the lens system  14 , by being removable from other components of the camera system  10 . A user or supplier may easily interchange the central section  20  into different camera systems as desired, based on the modular nature of the central section  20 . 
     The front section  18  may be configured as a module, or as a self-contained unit that is removable from other components of the camera system  10 . The front section  18  may include a housing  44  that may form the exterior of the front section  18 , and may retain components of the front section  18 . The front section  18  may include one or more lenses  46  configured to vary a property of an image that is viewed by the front section  18 . One or more motors  28  may be used to move the one or more lenses  46  of the front section to effect a change in its optical properties. In one embodiment, the one or more lenses  46  may comprise a lens group for varying a magnification of an image. In one embodiment, the one or more lenses  46  may comprise an anamorphic lens for varying the magnification of an image in either a horizontal or vertical direction, with the amount of variation in size given by a squeeze ratio, or a ratio of the size of the original image in the powered direction to the size of the resultant image in the powered direction. 
     The front section may include rails radial or linear  48  that the one or more lenses  46  of the front section may move along. The rails  48  may be configured similarly as the rails  32  discussed in regard to the central portion  20 . 
     The front section  18  may be configured to be removably coupled to the central section  20 . Either the front section  18  and/or the central section  20  may include coupler that is configured to couple the front section  18  to the central section  20 . In one embodiment, an electrical conduit, which may be integrated in the coupler may be used to transmit a signal to and/or from the microcontroller  36  of the central section  20  such that the microcontroller  36  determines when the front section  18  is coupled to the central section  20 . The microcontroller  36  accordingly may be configured to determine a property of the front section  18 , including whether or not the front section  18  is present, the make or model of the front section  18 , the type of lenses  46  contained within the front section  18 , a manner of operation of the lenses  46  of the front section  18 , or other properties of the front section  18 . In one embodiment, the microcontroller  46  may be configured to determine a property of the front section  18  through alternative means, for example, a particular form of mechanical contact between the front section  18  and central section  20  may indicate a property of the front section  18 . 
     In one embodiment, the one or more lenses  46  of the front section  18 , or an optical feature of the front section  18 , may be controlled by the one or more motors  28  discussed in regard to the central section  20 . In one embodiment, an electrical conduit may transfer control from the microcontroller  36  to the motors  28  within the front section  18  to its one or more lenses  46 . As such, a user may provide input to the central section  20  that is used to operate the front section  18 . In one embodiment, a separate set of motors  28  may operate the front section  18 . The motors may be configured to operate a location or angle of the lenses  46  for example by moving the lenses  46  linearly or rotationally, or may be configured to rotate or otherwise move anamorphic lenses to vary a squeeze ratio of the lenses or compensate for a change in object distance  46 . In one embodiment, at least three motors may be positioned in the central section  20  for operating the lenses therein. In one embodiment, at least one motor may be positioned in the front section  18  for operating the lenses therein. In one embodiment, the lens system may utilize at least four motors. 
     In one embodiment, the motors that operate the front section  18  may be operated by the microcontroller  36  based on electrical signals which may be sent through electrical conduits connecting the front section  20  and central section  20 . The microcontroller  36  may be configured to operate the front section  18  based on the property of the front section  18  that is determined by the microcontroller. For example, if the microcontroller  36  determines that the front section  18  comprises a particular type of anamorphic lens, then the microcontroller  36  may utilize software designed to control the particular type of anamorphic lens. The types of components of the system  14  may be preprogrammed as a part of the software. This system beneficially allows varying types of front sections  18  to be utilized with a central section  20 , yet the microcontroller  36  remains able to operate both front and central sections. The mechanical complexity of interchanging different types of front sections  18  with central sections  20  may accordingly be reduced. In one embodiment, the microcontroller may be configured to operate the focus and/or aperture and/or other optical features of the central section  20  differently depending on the type of front section  18  utilized. In one embodiment, the front section and rear section may each include registration points for relying information to the microcontroller regarding the type of front or rear section used. The microcontroller may select a matching programmed software used to operate the lens system based on the type of front section and rear section used. The microcontroller may provide unique output signals to the motors of the front section, central section, and rear section based on the programming software. 
     The rear section  22  may be configured as a module, or as a self-contained unit that is removable from other components of the camera system  10 . The rear section  22  may include a housing  50  that may form the exterior of the rear section  22 , and may retain components of the rear section  22 . The rear section  22  may include one or more lenses  52  configured to vary a property of an image that is viewed by the rear section  22 . In one embodiment, the lenses  52  may comprise a scalar that is configured to vary a size of an image for imaging in an imaging area of the camera  12 . The scalar may be configured to scale an image to a 35 to 43 mm sensor target, for example in an embodiment in which the other optical components of the lens system are designed to produce a 65 mm format image, and a 35 mm resulting format image is desired. Additionally, the rear section may be formatted as a anamorphic group that integrates both spherical and cylindrical components. The anamorphic group produces a disproportionate magnification from the powered axis and the non-powered axis. This may effectuate an alternative means of creating an anamorphic modular lens of the resulting central and rear modules. 
     The rear section  22  may include rails  54  that the one or more lenses  52  of the rear section may move along. The rails  54  may be configured similarly as the rails  32  discussed in regard to the central portion  20 . The rear section  22  may be coupled to the central section  20  in a similar manner as the front section  18  is described to be coupled to the central section  20 . The one or more lenses  52  of the rear section  22  may operate in a similar manner as the lenses  46  of the front section  18 . For example, separate motors, or the microcontroller  36  may be used to operate the lenses  46 . 
     The configuration of the lens system  14  may beneficially allow the various sections of the lens system  14  to be interchanged, and controlled electrically, such that mechanical transport structures between the sections are reduced. As such, a user or supplier may enhance the ease in which components are interchanged, to reduce overall inventory of camera systems, and to provide enhanced customization for end users. For example, a particular filter, or plug in filter, used by a film maker may remain in a camera system throughout a day of filming, yet other components of the lens system may be easily interchanged and operable. The film maker may be able to retain the overall look of the film, yet interchange other components used for filming. 
     The front section  18 , central section  20 , and rear section  22  may be removed or modified as desired.  FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a lens system in which the optical components of the rear section  22 ′ have been excluded. Such a feature may be preferable in an embodiment in which a 65 mm format image sensor  16  is used, and no scaling by the rear section is required. In embodiments of the application, the front section  18  and central section  20  may be configured to produce a large format 65 mm image. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a lens system in which the optical components of the rear section  22 ′ have been excluded, as well as the optical components of the front section  18 ′. Such a feature may be preferable in an embodiment in which no anamorphic effect is desired from the front section  18 ′. The central section  20  may produce an image based on the spherical configuration of the one or more lenses therein. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a lens system in which a 35 mm image sensor  16 ′ is utilized. The optical components of the rear section  22 ′ may scale the image to be appropriate for imaging on the 35 mm sensor. In this embodiment, the optical components of the front section  18  and central section  20  may be configured to produce an image scaled for imaging on a 65 mm sensor. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a lens system in which a 35 mm image sensor  16 ′ is utilized, and the optical components of the front section  18 ′ have been excluded. In this embodiment, no anamorphic effect is desired from the front section  18 ′, and the central section  20  may produce an image based on the spherical configuration of the one or more lenses therein. The rear section  22  may operate as a spherical compressor that operates without an anamorphic image. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a central portion  20  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. A coupler  56  may be positioned at the end of the housing for connection to components of the lens system. The housing of the central portion  20  may include a slot  58  for receiving a tag  60  indicating the type of central portion  20  that is utilized in the lens system. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a central portion  20  according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     The embodiments of lens systems discussed herein may be utilized for various aspect ratios and squeeze ratios. Embodiments include, but are not limited to a 1.29× squeeze ratio converting a 2.20 base aspect ratio to a 2.76 final aspect ratio, a 1.29× squeeze ratio converting a 1.86 base aspect ratio to a 2.40 final aspect ratio, a 1.8× squeeze ratio converting a 1.33 base aspect ratio to a 2.40 final aspect ratio, a 1.8× squeeze ratio converting a 1.5 base aspect ratio to a 2.76 final aspect ratio, a 2× squeeze ratio converting a 1.2 base aspect ratio to a 2.4 final aspect ratio, a 2× squeeze ratio converting a 1.37 base aspect ratio to a 2.75 final aspect ratio, a 1.6× squeeze ratio converting a 1.5 base aspect ratio to a 2.4 final aspect ratio, among others. In one embodiment, a Vista, 65 mm, or 35 mm image sensor, or other digital sensors, or film may be used as desired. 
     In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of systems, apparatuses, and methods as disclosed herein, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses, and methods are not limited to that precisely as shown and described. 
     Certain embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the same. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the systems, apparatuses, and methods to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, the systems, apparatuses, and methods include all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the systems, apparatuses, and methods unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     Groupings of alternative embodiments, elements, or steps of the systems, apparatuses, and methods are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other group members disclosed herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing a characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, term, and so forth used in the present specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” As used herein, the term “about” means that the characteristic, item, quantity, parameter, property, or term so qualified encompasses an approximation that may vary. The terms “approximate[ly]” and “substantial[ly]” represent an amount that may vary from the stated amount, yet is capable of performing the desired operation or process discussed herein. 
     The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context of describing the systems, apparatuses, and methods (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the systems, apparatuses, and methods and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the systems, apparatuses, and methods otherwise claimed. No language in the present specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the systems, apparatuses, and methods. 
     All patents, patent publications, and other publications referenced and identified in the present specification are individually and expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the compositions and methodologies described in such publications that might be used in connection with the systems, apparatuses, and methods. These publications are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing in this regard should be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention or for any other reason. All statements as to the date or representation as to the contents of these documents is based on the information available to the applicants and does not constitute any admission as to the correctness of the dates or contents of these documents.