Dual field of view lens system

Abstract

A dual field of view lens system comprising a first lens group aligned along an optical axis and a third lens group aligned along the optical axis and positioned a predetermined distance from the first lens group. A second lens group, having an optical stop attached thereto, is aligned along the optical axis and disposed between the first and third lens group such that the second lens group and the optical stop are moveable along the optical axis between a first position and a second position. Positioning the second lens group and the optical stop in the first position provides a wide field of view and moving the second lens group and the optical stop to a second position provides a narrow field of view.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to optical lens systems and in particular to a dual field of view lens system.BACKGROUND[0002]In lens systems for military, marine, industrial, outer space, or other rugged use, various machine vision systems having zoom and focus capability are used. However, one problem with these system is that typical commercial zoom and focus lenses have mechanisms that are not sufficiently robust for these lenses.[0003]One possible solution is to use multiple cameras and lens systems instead of using one lens system. Some disadvantages to this approach are the increased cost, volume, and mass of having multiple cameras and lens systems.[0004]Another possible solution is to use standard commercial lens systems that have mechanical devices to zoom the lens. One disadvantage to this approach is that a failing commercial lens system cannot be repaired or replaced in unmanned situations and these lens systems tend to mechanically fail due...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a special lens system that can capture two different fields of view simultaneously. The lens system has two groups of lenses that are aligned along the optical axis. The first group is positioned close to the camera, while the third group is positioned a certain distance from the first group. The second group of lenses is positioned between the first and third groups and can move along the optical axis to capture either a wide or narrow field of view. The lens system also has an optical stop that helps to control the amount of light that enters the lens system. The technical effect of this invention is that it allows for a more versatile and flexible lens system that can capture both wide and narrow field of views with ease.

Problems solved by technology

However, one problem with these system is that typical commercial zoom and focus lenses have mechanisms that are not sufficiently robust for these lenses.

Some disadvantages to this approach are the increased cost, volume, and mass of having multiple cameras and lens systems.

One disadvantage to this approach is that a failing commercial lens system cannot be repaired or replaced in unmanned situations and these lens systems tend to mechanically fail due to shock, extreme changes in temperature, etc.

Attempting to make these types of lens systems more robust makes these lens systems tend to be large and complicated (e.g. most lens systems require three or more independent lens group motions to operate).

There have been single motion zoom lens systems used previously, however, these systems have been used for infrared systems and the image quality has not been suitable for visible light applications.

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