Patent ID: 7245439

Claim:
A variable lens ( 100 ; 300 ; 400 ; 500 ) having an optical axis ( 90 ), the lens comprising a plurality of annuli ( 120 , 130 , 140 , 150 , 160 , 170 ; 420 , 430 ; 520 , 530 ) located around the optical axis, each annulus having respective side walls ( 210 a , 210 b ) defining a chamber ( 280 ) containing a first fluid ( 220 ) and a second fluid ( 230 ) in contact over a meniscus ( 225 ), the fluids ( 220 , 230 ) being substantially immiscible and having different refractive indices; and wherein at least one of the annuli ( 140 ) comprises at least one electrode ( 240 ) for altering the configuration of the meniscus ( 225 ).