Docket No.CS32577RL

Compact Stationary Lens Optical Zoom Image Capture System

BACKGROUND

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001 ] This invention relates generally to image capture devices having optical zoom capabilities, and more particularly to an image capture device having an electronically switchable optical zoom capability that can change an image magnification without lens movement relative to an image sensor.

BACKGROUND ART

[002] People today are taking more pictures. Advances in technology have made this possible. Prior to the advent of digital photography and digital cameras, a person wanting to take a picture of a friend had to invest in expensive cameras, professional lenses, several rolls of film, and costly film processing. Today, however, digital cameras fit into a pocket and enable people to take pictures more effortlessly.

[003] When purchasing a camera, photographers often prefer cameras with some type of zoom magnification capability. A "zoom" camera is simply one that is capable of changing a magnification of an image. In the world of digital photography, zoom capability comes in one of two forms: digital zoom and optical zoom.

[004] In an optical zoom system, mechanical motors and gears within the camera move the lens element relative to the film or image sensor to adjust the focal length of the system. The space between the lens elements and the film or image sensor changes, thereby altering the optical magnification of the system. By contrast, in a digital or electronic zoom system, the lens elements remain stationary at a physically fixed distance relative to image sensor. Image magnification is altered by blowing up and cropping a subsection of an image. As such, the user sees only a portion of the image. Digital zoom reduces the number of pixels used to generate the stored image. Photo enthusiasts generally prefer optical zoom systems due to

Docket No.CS32577RL their higher quality images. Digitally magnified images often appear grainy and sometimes look out of focus, as less data is used for an equally sized, zoomed image.

[005] Optical zoom systems are problematic for small electronic devices. A first problem is that they are mechanical in nature, requiring substantial space for many moving parts. Even in a small optical zoom system, the lens elements may have to move across a range of tens of millimeters to cover a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 magnification range. In small, handheld devices, such as mobile phones and the like, there is often insufficient space for the motors, lens motion assemblies, and other components that are required. For this reason alone, conventional optical zoom systems have traditionally been too large and fragile for handheld electronic devices such as mobile telephones.

[006] Next, optical zoom systems are slow. In conventional mechanical optical zoom systems, such as those found in traditional 35 millimeter cameras, it may take a time of several hundred milliseconds to several seconds to alter the magnification by physically moving the lens relative to the image sensor and then reacquiring focus. When a child takes his first steps, parents may find themselves disappointed to miss such a memorable event because of delay caused by the optical zoom system.

[007] Third, optical zoom systems rely on motors and gears. These motors and gears are mechanical components, and are therefore subject to wear. Continued wear can lead to component failure.

[008] There is thus a need for an improved optical zoom system for compact portable electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] The accompanying figures serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles in accordance with the present invention.

[010] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic optical zoom system in accordance with the invention.

Docket No.CS32577RL

[Oi l] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram view of an electronic optical zoom system having an orthogonal lens configuration in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[012] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram view of an electronic optical zoom system having a concentric lens configuration in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[013] FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of a switchable mirror in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[014] FIG. 5 illustrates graphs of transmittance and reflectance properties of one embodiment of a switchable mirror in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[015] FIG. 6 illustrates plan views of various states of one embodiment of a switchable mirror having an aperture state in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[016] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram view of an optical zoom system without a reflective surface in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[017] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device, with cutaway section, having an electronic optical zoom system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[018] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[019] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to an electronic optical zoom system for an image capture configured to electronically alter a system magnification without changing the physical distance of the lens assembly relative to the image sensor. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to

Docket No.CS32577RL understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[020] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non- processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of electronically performing an optical zoom function as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a microprocessor associated memory, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to perform electronically performing the optical zoom function. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs with minimal experimentation.

[021 ] Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or

Docket No.CS32577RL action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than figure A.

[022] Embodiments of the present invention provide an image capture system offering optical zoom capabilities with a lens assembly that is stationary relative to the image sensor. Embodiments of the present invention employ an electronically alterable optical device, such as a switchable mirror, to electronically cause redirection of light from one of multiple lens structures to an image sensor. The switchable mirror is capable of being electronically switched from a reflective state to a pellucid state, and vice versa. By electronically switching the switchable mirror, the system provides different, discrete, electronically selectable states of optical zoom. The switchable mirror allows a controller to select between different focal length paths while using only a single sensor.

[023] The switchable mirror allows the system to switch between two or more optical paths rather than using motors and gears to move the lenses relative to the image sensor. This allows the overall system to be more compact than conventional optical zoom systems. Experimental testing has shown that the overall size of an image capture system can be reduced by at least 50% compared to mechanical optical zoom systems when using embodiments of the invention.

[024] In addition to the switchable mirror used to redirect light from one of multiple lens assemblies, additional switchable mirrors may be employed to act as both shutters and aperture devices. Aperture states may be configured such that systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention provide aperture capabilities equivalent to a conventional "F stop" range of at least 2.8 to 8. Once the proper aperture/optical path configuration is chosen,

Docket No.CS32577RL image processing techniques may be applied to the captured image to properly process the image.

[025] One embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention offers a quarter-inch sensor array system having three-times optical zoom capability in a package size measuring 10 x 7 x 6 millimeters, including the shutter/aperture device. Such a package is suitable for small, portable electronic devices such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, and handheld computers. The system is also suitable for small digital cameras as well. Conventional optical zoom systems employing quarter-inch lens assemblies have measurements on the order of 25 x 9 x 8 milimeters. A one third inch sensor array system with three-times optical zoom capability can be manufactured with dimensions of 11 x 8 x 6 millimeters or less in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Additionally, no moving components are required to alter the optical zoom of the system.

[026] Turning now to FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is a block diagram of an electronic optical zoom system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The electronic optical zoom system 100 includes a first lens assembly 101, a second lens assembly 102, and an image sensor 103. Each lens assembly is used for receiving and directing light. While it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that three, four, five, or more lens assemblies may be employed to provide the optical zoom capabilities described herein, for discussion purposes, two lens assemblies will be used for illustration.

[027] The first lens assembly 101 and second lens assembly 102, in one embodiment, have different magnification properties. The first lens assembly 101 has a shape, material characteristic, and/or other optical design characteristic such that light 104 passing through the first lens assembly 101 to the image sensor 103 presents an image having a first magnification. The second lens assembly 102 has a shape, material characteristic, and/or other optical design characteristic such that light 104 passing through the second lens assembly 102 to the image sensor 103 presents an image having a second magnification. By way of

Docket No.CS32577RL example, if the first lens assembly 101 is a base line "IX" lens, the second lens assembly 102 may have a magnification that is three times that of the first lens assembly 101. As such, the second lens assembly 102 would be a "3X" lens assembly.

[028] The lens assemblies may be oriented in different physical configurations. In one embodiment the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 are adjacently disposed. In another embodiment, the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 are concentrically disposed. In yet another embodiment, the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 are orthogonally disposed. Other configurations will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[029] The first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 may each comprise a single lens element. Alternatively, either of the first lens assembly 101 or the second lens assembly 102 can consist of a group of lens elements to, for example, minimize aberrations between image subject 109 or object and the image sensor 103. The lens assemblies are physically and geometrically stationary relative to the image sensor 103. The electronic optical zoom function is achieved without movement of either lens assembly relative to the image sensor 103. Thus, motors, cams, gears, and other mechanical parts of motion are not required.

[030] The image sensor 103 is an electronic device configured to sense light and convert that light into binary data suitable for processing by an image processor. Suitable image sensors include charge coupled devices or CMOS sensors. Each of these typically employ an array of light detecting elements formed as part of a semiconductor, sometimes referenced as cells, to convert incident light into a change in storage charge or a voltage change. Once converted, processing circuitry reads the charge status of each cell in the sensor and converts this status to a binary value. These values are then stored in memory (not shown).

[031 ] Light is redirected from either the first lens assembly 101 or the second lens assembly

102 to the image sensor 103 by a switchable mirror 105 and, optionally, a reflective surface

Docket No.CS32577RL 106. The reflective surface, which may be any of a conventional mirror, a switchable mirror, a phase shifting mirror, or other equivalent device, redirects light 104 to the image sensor 103 along an optical path 107. In one embodiment, the reflective surface 106 is positioned so as to cause the optical path 107 to be redirected orthogonally. Said differently, light passing through one of the first lens assembly 101 or the second lens assembly 102 turns, approximately 90 degrees, as it makes its journey to the image sensor 103. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 3, the optical path is non-orthogonal and includes multiple redirection reflections.

[032] The switchable mirror 105, in one embodiment, is disposed between the reflective surface 106 and the lens assemblies 101,102 along the optical path 107. The switchable mirror 105 has electronically controllable states of varying reflectivity. For instance, in one embodiment, the switchable mirror 105 has both a reflective state and a pellucid state. In the reflective state, the switchable mirror 105 operates as a reflective surface and resembles a glass or metallic mirror. In the pellucid state, the switchable mirror 105 becomes translucently clear - essentially like glass - transmitting substantially all incident light 104. Note that it may not be absolutely transparent, in that some loss arises due to the controlling electrodes or film surfaces integrated into the switchable mirror 105.

[033] While some embodiments described herein employ the generally reflective state - referred to herein as the reflective state - and the generally clear state - referred to as the pellucid state - note that it is also possible to configure the switchable mirror 105 in other states as well. Intermediate transmittance or reflectance states can be achieved by altering a control voltage applied to the switchable mirror 105 by a controller 108. The controller 108, which may be any of a microprocessor, application specific circuit, programmable logic device, or equivalent, is capable of electronically switching the switchable mirror 105 to a desired state of reflectivity. The controller 108, in one embodiment, is configured to electronically alter the switchable mirror 105 to either a reflective state or a pellucid state. In

Docket No CS32577RL accordance with embodiments of the invention, and where the controller 108 is also coupled to the image sensor 103, the controller 108 is able to capture a first magnification image with the image sensor 103 when the switchable mirror 105 is m a reflective state, and a second magnification image when the switchable mirror 105 is m the pellucid state.

[034] Suitable switchable mirrors for use with embodiments of the invention are taught, for example, in US Pat. No. 7,042,615, issued to Richardson on May 9, 2006, entitled "Electrochromic Devices Based on Lithium Insertion." Other switchable mirrors are commercially available from companies such as Kent Optronics, Inc. of Kent, Ohio. The switchable mirrors generally are low power devices, consuming little energy m operation, which is beneficial to portable electronics. The power required to switch an exemplary switchable mirror 105 from state to state is on the order of 250 microwatts.

[035] Turning briefly to FIG. 4, illustrated therein is a cross section of a switchable mirror

(105). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the switchable mirror (105) is an electrolyte-based device that may be changed from a reflective state to a pellucid state with the application of voltage to a pair of electrodes 403,405. The electrodes 403,405 are disposed about an electrolyte layer 404, which m one embodiment comprises lithium phosphorous oxynitnde (LiPON). Each electrode 403,405 is adjacent to a layer of transparent conductive oxide 402,406, such as mdium tin oxide (ITO) or the zinc oxide (ZnO), which is used for making electrical connections. The overall assembly resides between two layers of glass 401,407.

[036] Turning briefly to FIG. 5, illustrated therein are the physical properties of such a switchable mirror (105). Graph 500 shows a transmission plot 502 versus wavelength of a switchable mirror (105) in the pellucid state, while graph 501 shows a reflectivity plot 503 versus wavelength of a switchable mirror (105) m a reflective state. Note that these plots are taken from exemplary switchable mirrors positioned at a 45 -degree angle relative to the incident light. Note also, that to the extent color or other luminous properties are affected by the switchable mirror being placed m the optical path, color or other image correcting

Docket No CS32577RL techniques may be desired or beneficial For example, it may be beneficial to tune the image sensor more toward the red end of the visible spectrum by altering the color filters of the sensor. Alternatively, it may be beneficial to amplify or attenuate certain frequencies so as to approximate a flat frequency response across the visible spectrum. Color correction algorithms m softwaie may also be employed.

[037] Turning now back to FIG. 1, the electronic optical zoom system 100 can also employ one or more switchable ins mirrors 111,112 The switchable ins mirrors 111 , 112 , m one embodiment, are also switchable mirrors. Rather than being generally controllable, the electrodes of the switchable ins mirrors 111,112 have been deposited m a concentnc circle fashion, thereby offenng regional control capabilities. The use of switchable mirrors as the switchable ins mirror is advantageous m that the controller 108, by way of an ins control module 110, may simply select whether the sections of the switchable ins mirrors are reflective or translucent, thereby determining what aperture or ins state they should have. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the use of switchable mirrors as switchable ins devices, howe\er. Other devices, such as conventional mechanical shutters and aperture devices may also be used.

[038] In one embodiment, a first switchable ins mirror 111 is a switchable mirror having electronically variable aperture states. Turning bnefly to FIG. 6, illustrated therein are exemplary aperture states 600 for the switchable ins mirrors (111,112) when switchable mirrors are used. By selectively depositing the electrodes (403,405) and the transparent conductive oxide layers (402,406), various concentnc circles 601,602,603,604,605 may be controllable along the switchable ins mirror 111. By selectively actuating the vanous concentnc circles 601,602,603,604,605, the "aperture" may be opened and closed, as well as partially opened or closed a predetermined amount. Note also that by selectively actuating all concentnc circles 601,602,603,604,605, the switchable ins mirrors (111,112) may be used as shutters as well.

Docket No CS32577RL

[039] Turning back to FIG. 1 , the first switchable ins mirror 111 has a first set of electronically variable aperture states. The first switchable ins mirror 111 is disposed so as to be capable of limiting first lens assembly light 113 upon selection of a first switchable ins minor state. When the first switchable ins minor 111 is m a completely reflective state, the first switchable ins mirror 111 helps to prevent first lens assembly light 113 from reaching the image sensor 103.

[040] Similarly, the second switchable ins mirror 112 has a second set of electronically variable aperture states. The second switchable ins mirror 112 is disposed so as to be capable of limiting second lens assembly light 114 upon selection of a second switchable ins mirror state. When the second switchable ins mirror 112 is m a completely reflective state, the second switchable ins mirror 112 helps to prevent second lens assembly light 114 from reaching the image sensor 103.

[041] The ins control module 110, which may be a stand-alone controller, or may be a firmware or hardware module of the controller 108, is coupled to the first switchable ins mirror 111 and the second switchable ins mirror 112. The ins control module 110 is configured to select one of the electronic-all} vanable aperture states for the first switchable ins mirror 111, and to additionally select one of the variable aperture states for the second switchable ins mirror 112. When, for example, an image of a first magnification is desired, the ins control module 110 can switch the first switchable ins mirror 111 into an aperture state while making the second switchable ins mirror 112 reflective. Similarly, when an image of a second magnification is desired, the ins control module 110 can switch the second switchable ins mirror 112 to an aperture state while making the first switchable ins mirror 111 reflective.

[042] The system image magnification can be vaned by electronically altenng the state of the switchable mirroi 105. By way of example, when the switchable mirror 105 is m the reflective state, the switchable mirror 105 redirects light 104 from one of the first lens

Docket No CS32577RL assembly 101 or the second lens assembly 102 - depending upon system configuration - to the image sensor 103 along optical path 117. (Note that the first lens assembly 101 and second lens assembly 102 can be reversed.) When the switchable mirror 105 is in the pellucid state, light 104 from an other of the first lens assembly 101 or the second lens assembly 102 passes through the switchable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the switchable mirror 105 is in the pellucid state, light 104 reflects off the reflective surface 106 and then passes through the switchable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103 along optical path 107.

[043] An image processing circuit 115 is coupled to the image sensor 103. The image processing circuit 115 is configured to generate a composite image 116 of a system magnification by processing the image to achieve the desired photographic requirements, including color balance, sharpness, hue, saturation and so forth.

[044] Now that the general operation of the components has been explained, consider a more specific example of operation of the system 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 are adjacently disposed. Suppose the first lens assembly 101 has a baseline IX magnification. The second lens assembly 102 has three times the magnification of the first lens assembly 101, and thus will be a 3X lens.

[045] The reflective surface 106 is disposed so as to redirect light from the second lens assembly 102 to the image sensor 103 along optical path 107. An optional switchable ins mirror 112 is positioned between the second lens assembly 102 and the reflective surface 106. The switchable ins mirror 112, under the control of the ins control module 110 of the controller 108, is capable of either reducing the amount of second lens assembly light 114 from reaching the image sensor 103 or acting as a shutter. When m the reflective state, the switchable ins mirror 112 is capable of essentially prohibiting second lens assembly light 114 from reaching the reflective surface 106. Another optional switchable ins minor 111 may be

Docket No.CS32577RL disposed between the first lens assembly 101 and the switchable mirror 105 for performing a corresponding function.

[046] When the system 100 is in a first system magnification mode, such as the IX mode, the switchable mirror 105 is in the reflective state. As such, light 104 reflects off a subject 109 and passes through the first lens assembly 101 as first lens assembly light 113. Where a switchable iris mirror 111 is used, the switchable iris mirror 111 may be placed in an aperture state so as to limit the amount of first lens assembly light 113 that reaches the image sensor 103.

[047] As the switchable mirror 105 is in the reflective state, the first lens assembly light 113 reflects off the switchable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103 along optical path 117. The image sensor 103 thus receives an image having a first system magnification, which in this example is a IX magnification. Where the controller 108 is also coupled to the image sensor 103, the controller 108 may then cause an image to be captured having a first magnification (IX) with the image sensor 103.

[048] When the system 100 switches to an optical zoom or second system magnification mode, such as the 3X mode, several changes occur. First, where the switchable iris mirror 111 is used, the iris control module 110 causes the switchable iris mirror 111 to enter the reflective state. This effectively prohibits first lens assembly light 113 from reaching the switchable mirror 105. To further ensure that first lens assembly light 113 does not reach the image sensor 103, light absorbing material 118 may be placed opposite the switchable mirror 105 relative to the first lens assembly 101.

[049] Next, or concurrently, the controller 108 causes the switchable mirror 105 to enter the pellucid state. With the switchable mirror 105 in the pellucid state, any stray first lens assembly light 113 would pass through the switchable mirror 105 to the light absorbing material 118. Additionally, where switchable iris mirror 112 is used, the iris control module 110 causes the switchable iris mirror 112 to enter an aperture state. With the switchable

Docket No CS32577RL mirror 105 in the pellucid state, light 104 reflects off the subject 109 and through the second lens assembly 102 as second lens assembly light 114. This second lens assembly light 114 reflects off the reflective surface 106 and passes through the pellucid switchable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103 along optical path 107. Thus, the image sensor 103 receives an image having 3X magnification Where the controller 108 is also coupled to the image sensoi 103, the controller 108 may then cause an image to be captured having a second magnification (3X) with the image sensor 103.

[050] Note that the reflective surface 106 m the embodiment of FIG. 1 can also be a switchable mirror itself having electronically selectable varying reflectivity states. Where this is the case, when the s>stem 100 is m the IX mode, the reflective surface 106 could be switched to a pellucid state As such, any stray second lens assembly light 114 would not be reflected to the image sensor 103. Additional light absorbing material 119, which may just be an extension of light absorbing mateπal 118, may be disposed behind the reflective surface m such a configuration. Stray second lens assembly light 114 would thus pass through the second switchable mirror to the additional light absorbing mateπal 119.

[051 ] Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is an alternate embodiment of an electronic optical zoom system 200 m accordance with the invention. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG. 1. How ever, rather than having the first lens assembly 101 and second lens assembly 102 adjacently disposed, they are orthogonally disposed. Additionally, a second switchable mirror 205 and a second reflective surface 206 have been included. The embodiment of FIG. 2, while functioning m a similar fashion to the system 100 of FIG. 1, allows for an elect onic device having only one photographic aperture 201 rather than two adjacently disposed lens assemblies.

[052] In FIG. 2, which the system 200 is m the IX mode, the second switchable mirror 205 is m the pellucid state. The first switchable mirror 105 is m the reflective state. Incident light

Docket No CS32577RL 213 passes through the second switchable mirror 205, through the first lens assembly 101, and is reflected off the first swichable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103.

[053] When the system 200 is m the 3X mode, the second switchable mmoi 205 is in the reflective state. The first switchable mirror 105 is m the pellucid state. Incident light 213 reflects off the second switchable mirror 205 to the second reflective surface 206 and is directed to the first reflective surface 106. The light is redirected off the first reflective surface 106 through the first switchable mirror 105 to the image sensor 103. Note that switchable ins mirrors may be used either with the photographic aperture 201 , or with the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102.

[054] Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated theiein is one embodiment of an electronic optical zoom system 300 where the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 are concentrically disposed (shown m a sectional view). In the embodiment of FIG. 3, as with the embodiment of FIG. 1, for illustration purposes the first lens assembly 101 will have a baseline IX magnification. The second lens assembly 102 will have three times the magnification of the first lens assembly 101, and thus will be a 3X lens. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill m the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other magnification differences may be used.

[055] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the switchable mirror 105 is axially aligned with the first lens assembly 101. Further, the reflective surface 106 and the image sensor 103 are concentrically aligned. The switchable mirror 105 is rounded, although various angular configurations could equally be used.

[056] When the system 300 is m the IX mode, the controller 108 causes the switchable mirror 105 to enter the pellucid state. Where a switchable ins mirror 112 is used, the ins control module 110 causes the switchable ins mirror 112 to enter the reflective state With the switchable mirror 105 m the pellucid state, incident first lens assembly light 113 passes from the first lens assembly 101, through the switchable mirror 105, to the image sensor 103 along

Docket No CS32577RL a substantially linear optical path 317. The optical path 317 is "substantially" linear as refractions from the first lens assembly 101 will cause the first lens assembly light 113 to not be perfectly linear.

[057] When the system is in the 3X mode, the controller 108 causes the switchable mirror

105 to enter the reflective state. Where a switchable ins mirror 111 is used, the iris control module 110 causes the switchable ins mirror 111 to enter the reflective state. With the switchable mirror 105 m the reflective state, incident second lens assembly light 114 passes from the second lens assembly 102 to the reflective surface 106. The second lens assembly light 114 then reflects off the reflective surface 106 to the switchable minor 105, which redirects the second lens assembly light 114 to the image sensor 103 along a nonlinear optical path 307. The result is a 3X system magnification without having physically realigned any lens assembly relative to the image sensor 103.

[058] Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is one other alternate embodiment of an optical zoom system 700 m accordance with the invention. The system 700 of FIG. 7 is an orthogonal system m that the first lens assembly 101 and second lens assembly 102 are orthogonally disposed. One advantage of the system of FIG. 7 is that only a single switchable minor 105 is used.

[059] When the system 700 is m the IX mode, the swtichable minor 105 is m the pellucid state. First lens assembly light 113 passes through the first lens assembly 101, through the switchable mirror 105, to the image sensor 103. Second lens assembly light 114 passes through the second lens assembly 102, through the switchable minor 105, to the light absorbing material 118, where it is absorbed.

[060] When the system is m the 3X mode, the switchable minor 105 is m the reflective state. First lens assembly light 113 passes through the first lens assembly 101 and is reflected off the switchable minor 105 to the light absorbing material 118. Second lens assembly light

Docket No.CS32577RL 114 passes through the second lens assembly 102 and is reflected off the switchable mirror

105 to the image sensor 103.

[061 ] Turning now to FIG. 8, illustrated therein is a portable electronic device 800 having an electronically alterable optical zoom system 850 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The electronically alterable optical zoom system 850, which may be any of the embodiments previously described, is configured to offer optical zoom capabilities without the need for motors or moving lens assemblies.

[062] The electronically alterable optical zoom system 850, in one embodiment, includes an image sensor 103 that is configured to electronically capture images. A first lens assembly 101 and a second lens assembly 102 may be either adjacently disposed or concentrically disposed. Each of the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly are configured to capture and redirect light 104 to the image sensor 103. To provide the optical zoom function, in one embodiment the first lens assembly 101 and the second lens assembly 102 have different magnifications. In other embodiments, a differing length of the optical path is used to achieve the magnification.

[063] The reflective surface 106 is disposed so as to redirect incident light 104 to the image sensor along a first optical path 107. An alterable electronic optical device 851, such as a switchable mirror having at least a reflective state and a pellucid state, is disposed so as to selectively redirect incident light received by one of the first lens assembly 101 or the second lens assembly 102 to the image sensor 103. The alterable electronic optical device 851 does this by redirecting light between a first optical path 107 and a second optical path 117 depending upon the state of the alterable electronic optical device 851.

[064] A controller 108 is coupled to the alterable electronic optical device 851 and is configured to alter light 104 received by the image sensor 103 from the first optical path 107 to the second optical path 117 by changing the state of the alterable electronic optical device 851. The controller 108 thus alters a system image magnification as detected by the image

Docket No CS32577RL sensor 103 by electronically changing a state of the alterable electronic optical device 851. In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the piesent invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is clear that the invention is not so limited Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled m the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded m an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.