Eastman-Kodak Company

Other

Dean A Johnson

Mark D Bedzyk

James A Schmieder

Michael Kenin

William T Goosey, Jr

Stephen P Smith

Stephen A Horstman

William R Laubengayer

James M Gotta, Iii

William J Mitchell

Stephen G Richardson

It is an object of the present invention to provide a very compact zoom assembly with a minimum number of parts. Another object of this invention is to provide a zoom assembly which does not require guide rods and utilizes with only one motor for both zooming and focusing. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly includes a zoom lens defining an optical axis. This zoom lens is capable of operating in a plurality of different zoom positions and of focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions. The zoom positions are (i) two extreme zoom positions (a wide angle position and a telephoto position), and (ii) a plurality of intermediate zoom positions. The zoom lens includes at least a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group. These first and second lens group are separated from one another by a variable distance. The first and second movable lens groups move (i) together, at the same speed and direction in order to focus at one of the extreme zoom positions and at an adjacent intermediate zoom position; and (ii) differentially in order to focus at another one of the extreme zoom positions.

Zoom assembly having zoom lens with plurality of lens group that move

Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly having a plurality of different zoom positions and focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions includes: (i) a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups defining an optical axis and (ii) a cam barrel centered about the optical axis. The cam barrel has an inner peripheral surface with at least one cam groove for moving one of the lens groups relative to another one of the lens groups. The cam groove includes: (i) a set of primary zoom sections, each corresponding to one of the zoom positions and having a slope with respect to the optical axis, and (ii) a set of intermediate sections corresponding to transitions from one of the plurality of zoom positions to another one of the plurality of zoom positions. Each of the intermediate sections is has a slope with respect to the optical axis. A subset of the set of the primary zoom sections has slopes of one, common sign and the set of primary zoom sections also includes at least one primary zoom section having a slope of opposite sign from the sign of the slopes of the subset of the set of primary zoom sections. The set of intermediate sections includes a subset of intermediate sections each of which is being located between two of the primary zoom sections that form the subset of the primary zoom sections. This subset of intermediate sections has slopes of an opposite sign to the slopes of one, common sign.

Zoom assembly having an improved cam barrel

The first, movable encloses the front, middle and rear lens groups. The front and rear lens groups are supported by a front and a rear lens cell, respectively. At least one of the front and rear lens cells is an integral part of the front lens barrel. The front and rear lens cells are located at a fixed distance with respect to one another. The middle lens group is supported by a mid-lens cell. The mid-lens cell is slidably movable within the first, movable barrel and has at least three external cam followers. The second, movable barrel engages and at least partially encloses the first barrel and includes three cam grooves engaging the cam followers. The motor is operatively connected to the second, movable barrel. The motor rotates the second, movable, so that the second, movable barrel moves along the optical axis with respect to the first, movable barrel. The rotation of the second movable barrel causes the cam followers to move within the cam grooves such that the mid-lens group moves axially at a different rate than the front and rear lens groups.

Zoom assembly

An image sensor assembly is mounted in an optical system having a plurality of reference locators. The image sensor assembly includes an image sensing device having photolithographically generated elements, such as image sensing sites, and a carrier package for enclosing the image sensing device. The carrier package has externally accessible reference features that are optically aligned with respect to the photolithographically generated elements on the image sensing device. Moreover, the externally accessible reference features are used to exactly constrain the image sensor assembly relative to the reference locators. Referencing the image sensing device to the same features that are used for exact constraint removes the effect of material variations that may cause dimensional changes and eliminates the need to activate the sensor for alignment of the sensor assembly in the optical system.

Image sensor assembly and packaging method

A multiple circuit board assembly comprising: a first circuit board having a first predetermined set of conductive traces on a surface; a second circuit board having a second predetermined set of conductive traces on a surface; an interconnect mechanism having a third set of traces that mate the first and second set of traces when sandwiched between the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a predetermined manner; and fastened to the first and second circuit boards together with the interconnect mechanism sandwiched between such that there is electrical contact between the first and second predetermined set of conductive traces. The interconnect mechanism can be either single sided flex connector cable, double sided flex connector cable, or Cinch connectors. The fastening mechanism can be snaps fittings or screw setups without or without resilient washers.

Multiple circuit board assembly having an interconnect mechanism that

A new inflatable soccer goal for allowing for easy transportation and set up. The inventive device includes a contiguous peripheral frame comprised of inflatable tubing. A nylon net extends within the contiguous peripheral frame.

Inflatable soccer goal

Image sensor assembly

A lens assembly comprises a lens barrel assembly for supporting a lens barrel, one or more guide members for guiding the movement of the lens barrel assembly in the direction of an optical axis, a gear shaft rotatable by a primary mover, and a drive linkage for coupling the lens barrel assembly with the gear shaft. In particular, the drive linkage has a drive nut portion meshing with the gear shaft over a partial circumferential threaded section thereof and movable in the direction of the optical axis by the rotation of the gear shaft to thereby move the lens barrel assembly in the direction of the optical axis. The advantage of this design is that it allows for a compliant linkage between a lead screw motor and the lens barrel assembly, wherein the connection to the lead screw utilizes the section of the nut for thread engagement. By utilizing up to 180 degrees of thread engagement between the linkage and the lead screw, this design further allows for simplified assembly.

Optical assembly with drive linkage for a movable lens element

A transport apparatus for reliably handling compact discs includes a jaw assembly having a lower pivot plate coupled to an upper frame member, at least three jaw blades pivotally mounted in openings located in the lower pivot plate, wherein lower portions of the jaw blades extend from the lower pivot plate and upper portions of the jaw blades extend through openings provided in the upper frame member, a mechanism for applying an outward pivoting force to the jaw blades, and a mechanism for applying an inward pivoting force. In addition to pivoting, the jaw blades can move upward in response to a force exerted against the tips of the jaw blades.

Disc transport apparatus

The system of the present invention increases the resolution of an image that may be formed from an image sensor without increasing the resolution of the sensor. An image beam is directed along a path through a color filter wheel and a single non-rotating transparent plate and impinges on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The transparent plate is positioned in a frame by flexures. A lever, controlled by a cam, exert a force on the transparent plate causing the transparent plate to tilt about the optical axis. The cam surface directs the lever to tilt the transparent plate in a plurality of discrete sampling positions. At each sampling position, the tilted transparent plate displaces the image beam in a different direction which allows each pixel of the CCD to sample a plurality of areas of the image. The color wheel is rotated to sequentially place each filter into the path of the image beam. The CCD sequentially receives the light passed through the transparent plate and color filter wheel and converts the image formed by the light to corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals are stored and reordered by interleaving to form an image with increased resolution.

Growing community of inventors

Churchville, NY, United States of America

Dean A Johnson