US4729641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Functional optical element having a non-flat planar interface with variable-index medium
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-30
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Granted: 1988-03-08
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Expires: 2007-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A functional optical element comprises a first optical member, a second optical member provided in contact with said first optical member, the interface between said first optical member and said second optical member being non-flat planar, a means for changing the refractive index of said second optical member, said means for changing refractive index being capable of creating selectively a first state in which said first optical member and said second optical member have an equal refractive index and a second state in which said first optical member and said second optical member have different refractive indices by changing the refractive index of said second optical member.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiko Matsuoka
- 👤 Kazuo Minoura
- 👤 Masayuki Usui
- 👤 Yukuo Nishimura
- 👤 Takeshi Baba
- 👤 Atsushi Someya
- 👤 Yuko Suga
- 👤 Kazuyo Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/132; G02F1/0147; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/29; G02F1/294; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/30; G02F2201/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A functional optical element comprising: a first optical member; a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide an interface comprising a blazed-type diffraction grating; and refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A functional optical element comprising: a first optical member; a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide an interface comprising a blazed-type diffraction grating; and refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A functional optical element according to claim 1, wherein said refractive index varying means comprises means for supplying heat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A functional optical element according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first optical member and said second member is formed of a liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a functional optical element having a first optical member, a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide an interface comprising a blased-type diffraction grating, and refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different; means for directing a light beam to said functional optical element; and optical means for selectively passing light beams emitted from said functional optical element in accordance with the state thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a functional optical element having a first optical member, a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide an interface comprising a blased-type diffraction grating, and refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different; means for directing a light beam to said functional optical element; and optical means for selectively passing light beams emitted from said functional optical element in accordance with the state thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said optical means includes a shielding plate having a opening slit of predetermined shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said functional optical element includes a microlens in the vicinity of a light emitting surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
A functional optical element comprising: a first optical member; a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide a non-planar interface therebetween; refractive index varying means for changing the refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members; and lens means formed in the vicinity of a light transmitting surface, different from said interface, of at least one of said first and second optical members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
A functional optical element comprising: a first optical member; a second optical member in contact with said first optical member, said first and second optical members having configurations that provide a non-planar interface therebetween; refractive index varying means for changing the refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members; and lens means formed in the vicinity of a light transmitting surface, different from said interface, of at least one of said first and second optical members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a functional optical element having a first optical member and a second optical member in contact with said first optical member at an interface comprising a diffraction grating; refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different; directive means for directing a light beam to said functional optical element; first guiding means for guiding a light beam emitted from said functional optical element when said functional optical element is in said first state; and second guiding means for guiding a light beam emitted from said functional optical element when said functional optical element is in said second state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
An optical apparatus comprising: a functional optical element having a first optical member and a second optical member in contact with said first optical member at an interface comprising a diffraction grating; refractive index varying means for changing a refractive index of at least one of said first and second optical members, said refractive index varying means being capable of selectively creating a first state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are equal and a second state in which the refractive indices of said first and second optical members are different; directive means for directing a light beam to said functional optical element; first guiding means for guiding a light beam emitted from said functional optical element when said functional optical element is in said first state; and second guiding means for guiding a light beam emitted from said functional optical element when said functional optical element is in said second state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said diffraction grating comprises a blazed-type diffraction grating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-08 | 1991-09-07 | 1992-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-08 | 1995-09-07 | 1996-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-08 | 1999-09-07 | 2000-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |