Patent · US Active

Optical assembly including plenoptic microlens array

US9184199B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
30References
55Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 27, 2012
Grant dateNov 10, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 20, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10F39/8063
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An optical assembly includes a solid spacing layer between a plenoptic microlens array (MLA) and a pixel-level MLA, avoiding the need for an air gap. Such an assembly, and systems and methods for manufacturing same, can yield improved reliability and efficiency of production, and can avoid many of the problems associated with prior art approaches. In at least one embodiment, the plenoptic MLA, the spacing layer, and the pixel-level MLA are created from optically transmissive polymer(s) deposited on the photosensor array and shaped using photolithographic techniques. Such an approach improves precision in placement and dimensions, and avoids other problems associated with conventional polymer-on-glass architectures. Further variations and techniques are described.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.