Fixed focal length optical lens architecture providing a customized depth of focus optical system

US8810922B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FotoNation Limited · IE

Inventors

• Kai Engelhardt · Buckenhof, DE
• Pavel Reshidko · Nes Ziona, IL
• Gal Shabtay · Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL
• Ephraim Goldenberg · Ashdod, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 14, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 19, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 14, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B27/0075
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Providing for a fixed focus optical system exhibiting extended depth of field is provided herein. By way of example, a compact and fast optical system that yields an asymmetric modulation transfer function (MTF) is disclosed. In some aspects, the asymmetric MTF results in extended depth of field for near field objects. Such a response can be particularly beneficial for small handheld cameras or camera modules having high resolution. According to some disclosed aspects, the resolution can be about 8 mega pixels. Additionally, the optical system can comprise four lenses in one aspect and five lenses in another, while remaining below about 5.3 mm total track length (TTL) for the respective systems. In at least one application, the disclosed optical systems can be employed for a high resolution compact camera, for instance in conjunction with an electronic computing device, communication device, display device, surveillance equipment, or the like.