Patent ID: 7443597

Claim:
A variable optical element comprising: (a) a lens including a first liquid, a second liquid having an index of refraction different from said first liquid, a structure defining a space containing said liquids, and control electrodes in proximity to said first and second liquids, said first and second liquids forming a meniscus therebetween, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes; and (b) a piezoelectric transformer including a primary piezoelectric element and a secondary piezoelectric element mechanically linked to said primary piezoelectric element, said secondary piezoelectric element being electrically connected to said control electrodes, said piezoelectric transformer being arranged to convert a primary electrical signal applied to said primary piezoelectric element into mechanical motion and to convert the mechanical motion into a secondary electrical signal in said secondary piezoelectric element, whereby said secondary electrical signal will be applied to said control electrodes, and wherein said piezoelectric transformer has a step-up ratio of about 10:1 to about 100:1.