Abstract: Optical lens attachments and cameras are disclosed. The attachment comprises a coupling mechanism for mating engagement with at least one of a camera and an optical lens. A barrel is coupled at one end to the coupling mechanism. A negative lens unit is coupled to the other end of elongated barrel. A diopter lens is disposed between the barrel and the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism, the diopter lens, and the barrel are aligned with an optical axis. Also disclosed is a double swivel optical system, comprising a negative lens unit, a mirror oriented at an angle to the optical axis of the negative lens unit, a roof prism for rotating incident light rays by 90 degrees and inverting an image, a rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the negative lens unit about a vertical axis, an image rotator comprising a prism that can invert an image, the prism disposed within the image rotator, and another rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the roof prism about an optical axis of the image rotator.

Abstract: (A2) An extended depth of field (DOF) imaging system (10) is disclosed that has a corresponding extended depth of focus (DOF?) by virtue of its optical system (20) having a select amount of spherical aberration. The imaging system has an image processing unit (54) adapted to process the raw images and perform contrast enhancement to form processed images. The image processing includes restoring the defocused modulation transfer functions (MTFs) using a gain function (G) and the amount of defocus. The imaging system can include an illumination system (60) that illuminates the object being imaged to establish a distance (DH) between the optical system and the object, where distance DH is used in the restoring of the MTF. An iris-recognition (I-R) system based on the enhanced DOF imaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Wide-angle, deep-field, close-focusing optical systems are disclosed. According to one aspect, the optical system comprises a negative lens unit and a relay lens. The negative lens unit accepts radiation from an object in space. The relay lens is coupled to the negative lens unit. The negative lens unit and the relay lens are aligned on an optical axis in that order. The negative lens unit forms a first image on the relay lens to form a final image at a final image plane at a distance from the relay lens. The relay lens may comprise a zoom lens or zoom lens components, which may be movable.

Abstract: An extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging system (10) is disclosed that has an optical system (20) consisting of a single lens element (22) having a focal length (F), a thickness (TH) between 0.25F and 1.2F, and an objectwise aperture stop (AS). The optical system has a select amount of spherical aberration (SA) that allows for correcting coma by positioning the aperture stop. The optical system has an amount of field curvature (FC) such that 20 microns?FC?300 microns, which is made possible by the thickness of the single lens element. The imaging system has an image sensor (30) and an image processing unit (54) adapted to process raw images to form contrast-enhanced images.

Abstract: Optical lens attachments and cameras are disclosed. The attachment comprises a coupling mechanism for mating engagement with at least one of a camera and an optical lens. A barrel is coupled at one end to the coupling mechanism. A negative lens unit is coupled to the other end of elongated barrel. A diopter lens is disposed between the barrel and the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism, the diopter lens, and the barrel are aligned with an optical axis. Also disclosed is a double swivel optical system, comprising a negative lens unit, a mirror oriented at an angle to the optical axis of the negative lens unit, a roof prism for rotating incident light rays by 90 degrees and inverting an image, a rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the negative lens unit about a vertical axis, an image rotator comprising a prism that can invert an image, the prism disposed within the image rotator, and another rotation mechanism permitting rotation of the roof prism about an optical axis of the image rotator.

Abstract: An afocal Galilean attachment lens is disclosed, with the lens comprising, along an optical axis, a first lens group with overall negative optical power and a second lens group with overall positive power. The first and second lens groups are arranged to define a Galilean configuration. The lens also has exit and an entrance pupils with respective diameters DEX and DEN that define a pupil magnification PM=DEX/DEN>4 and in some embodiments PM>10. The afocal Galilean attachment lens also has a length parameter defined LP>200 and in some embodiments LP>700. The extreme length of the afocal Galilean attachment allows for photographing or filming objects that are remote or otherwise hard to photograph while also providing a relatively large depth of field.