18460454. Folded Telephoto Camera Lens System simplified abstract (Apple Inc.)
Contents
Folded Telephoto Camera Lens System
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Romeo I. Mercardo of Fremont CA (US)
Folded Telephoto Camera Lens System - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18460454 titled 'Folded Telephoto Camera Lens System
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a folded telephoto lens system for a camera that includes multiple lenses and a folding element to change the direction of light. The lens system is designed to achieve high image resolution in a small form factor camera.
- The folded telephoto lens system includes multiple lenses with refractive power and a folding element.
- Light enters the camera through lens(es) on a first path and is refracted to the folding element.
- The folding element changes the direction of the light onto a second path with lens(es) that refract the light to form an image plane at a photosensor.
- At least one of the lens elements has an aspheric surface on either the object side or image side.
- The total track length (TTL) of the lens system is 14.0 mm or less.
- The telephoto ratio (TTL/f) is less than or equal to 1.0, where f is the focal length of the lens system.
- The materials, radii of curvature, shapes, sizes, spacing, and aspheric coefficients of the optical elements are selected to achieve quality optical performance and high image resolution.
Potential Applications
- Small form factor cameras
- Mobile phones
- Compact digital cameras
Problems Solved
- Achieving high image resolution in a small camera
- Designing a compact lens system with refractive power
- Improving optical performance in a small form factor
Benefits
- High image resolution
- Compact and lightweight design
- Quality optical performance
- Suitable for small form factor cameras
Original Abstract Submitted
A folded telephoto lens system may include multiple lenses with refractive power and a light path folding element. Light entering the camera through lens(es) on a first path is refracted to the folding element, which changes direction of the light on to a second path with lens(es) that refract the light to form an image plane at a photosensor. At least one of the object side and image side surfaces of at least one of the lens elements may be aspheric. Total track length (TTL) of the lens system may be 14.0 mm or less. The lens system may be configured so that the telephoto ratio (TTL/f) is less than or equal to 1.0. Materials, radii of curvature, shapes, sizes, spacing, and aspheric coefficients of the optical elements may be selected to achieve quality optical performance and high image resolution in a small form factor camera.
