Patents by Inventor Michael Dror

Michael Dror has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240151949
    Abstract: Folded digital cameras comprising a lens system with a lens and an image sensor, the lens having N?6 lens elements Li, an effective focal length (EFL) and a total track length (TTL), wherein each lens element has a respective focal length fi and wherein a first lens element L1 faces an object side, and an optical path folding element (OPFE) for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens. In some embodiments, the lens system has a focusing range that covers object-lens distances from infinity to a minimal object distance (MIOD), wherein MIOD/EFL is smaller than 20 or even 7. In some embodiments, the ratio of a maximal chief ray angle to a field of view of the folded camera Max CRA/FOV is smaller than 0.25 or even 0.15 when the camera is focused at infinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Nadav Goulinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 11966147
    Abstract: Cameras with OIS capable of performing multi zoom super macro photography and handheld electronic devices comprising such cameras. A camera may include a lens comprising N lens elements L1-LN divided into two or more lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis starting with L1 on an object side and ending with LN on an image side, adjacent lens groups separated by a respective air-gap d1 along the lens optical axis; an image sensor with a sensor diagonal SD between 7 and 20 mm separated from lens element LN by an air-gap d2 along the lens optical axis; and an actuator for controlling air-gaps d1 and d2 to switch the camera between M?1 operative pop-out states and a collapsed state and to focus the camera on an object at an object-lens distance of less than 30 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Itay Yedid, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Michael Scherer, Ziv Shemesh, Nadav Goulinski
  • Patent number: 11953659
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes five lens elements and provides a TTL/EFL<1.0. In an embodiment, the focal length of the first lens element f1<TTL/2, an air gap between first and second lens elements is smaller than half the second lens element thickness, an air gap between the third and fourth lens elements is greater than TTL/5 and an air gap between the fourth and fifth lens elements is smaller than about 1.5 times the fifth lens element thickness. All lens elements may be aspheric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Dror, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay
  • Publication number: 20240077703
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes five lens elements and provides a TTL/EFL<1.0. In an embodiment, the focal length of the first lens element f1<TTL/2, an air gap between first and second lens elements is smaller than half the second lens element thickness, an air gap between the third and fourth lens elements is greater than TTL/5 and an air gap between the fourth and fifth lens elements is smaller than about 1.5 times the fifth lens element thickness. All lens elements may be aspheric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Dror, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay
  • Publication number: 20240077704
    Abstract: A zoom camera comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding the light from a first optical path to a second optical path, a first lens having a first optical axis and a first effective focal length EFLL1, the first optical axis being along the second optical path, a collimating lens having a second optical axis, and an image sensor located on the second optical path, wherein the collimating lens is movable between at least a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the collimating lens is positioned in the second optical path between the OPFE and the first lens such that light entering the first lens arrives only from the image side of the collimating lens, and wherein in the second state the collimating lens is positioned outside the first optical path such that light entering the first lens does not arrive from the image side of the collimating lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Gil Bachar, Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Noy Cohen
  • Patent number: 11914117
    Abstract: Folded digital cameras comprising a lens system with a lens and an image sensor, the lens having N?6 lens elements Li, an effective focal length (EFL) and a total track length (TTL), wherein each lens element has a respective focal length fi and wherein a first lens element L1 faces an object side, and an optical path folding element (OPFE) for providing a folded optical path between an object and the lens. In some embodiments, the lens system has a focusing range that covers object-lens distances from infinity to a minimal object distance (MIOD), wherein MIOD/EFL is smaller than 20 or even 7. In some embodiments, the ratio of a maximal chief ray angle to a field of view of the folded camera Max CRA/FOV is smaller than 0.25 or even 0.15 when the camera is focused at infinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Nadav Goulinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 11852790
    Abstract: A zoom camera comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding the light from a first optical path to a second optical path, a first lens having a first optical axis and a first effective focal length EFLL1, the first optical axis being along the second optical path, a collimating lens having a second optical axis, and an image sensor located on the second optical path, wherein the collimating lens is movable between at least a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the collimating lens is positioned in the second optical path between the OPFE and the first lens such that light entering the first lens arrives only from the image side of the collimating lens, and wherein in the second state the collimating lens is positioned outside the first optical path such that light entering the first lens does not arrive from the image side of the collimating lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Bachar, Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Noy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20230393370
    Abstract: Folded Tele cameras, comprising: an optical path folding element (OPFE) for a folding a first optical path OP1 to second optical path OP2, a lens including N lens elements, the lens being divided into four lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis and marked, in order from an object side of the lens to an image side of the lens, G1, G2, G3 and G4, and an image sensor, wherein the lens elements of a lens group do not move with respect to each other, wherein G1 and G3 do not move with respect to each other, wherein G2 and G4 do not move with respect to each other, wherein the Tele camera is configured to change a zoom factor (ZF) continuously between a minimum zoom factor marked ZFMIN corresponding to a minimal effective focal length marked EFLMIN and a maximum zoom factor marked ZFMAX corresponding to a maximal effective focal length marked EFLMAX by moving G1 and G3 together relative to the image sensor and by moving G2 and G4 together relative to the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Nadav Goulinski, Roy Rudnick, Ephraim Goldenberg, Itay Yedid, Michael Dror, Itay Manor, Ziv Shemesh
  • Patent number: 11835694
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes five lens elements and provides a TTL/EFL<1.0. In an embodiment, the focal length of the first lens element f1<TTL/2, an air gap between first and second lens elements is smaller than half the second lens element thickness, an air gap between the third and fourth lens elements is greater than TTL/5 and an air gap between the fourth and fifth lens elements is smaller than about 1.5 times the fifth lens element thickness. All lens elements may be aspheric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Dror, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay
  • Publication number: 20230384568
    Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay, Gal Avivi, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Itay Jerby, Itay Yedid
  • Publication number: 20230367103
    Abstract: Lens assemblies comprising from an object side to an image side, seven lens elements numbered L1-L7; an optical window; and an image sensor having a sensor diagonal length (SDL), wherein an exemplary lens assembly has a total track length TTL that includes the optical window an effective focal length EFL and a field of view (FOV), wherein TTL/EFL<1.100, wherein TTL/SDL<0.64, wherein FOV<90 degrees, wherein a normalized thickness standard deviation constant T_STD of at least four of the seven lens elements complies with T_STD<0.035, and wherein a focal length f1 of lens element L1 fulfills f1/EFL<0.95.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 11808925
    Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay, Gal Avivi, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Itay Jerby, Itay Yedid
  • Publication number: 20230353877
    Abstract: Multi-cameras and in particular dual-cameras comprising a Wide camera comprising a Wide lens and a Wide image sensor, the Wide lens having a Wide effective focal length EFLW and a folded Tele camera comprising a Tele lens with a first optical axis, a Tele image sensor and an OPFE, wherein the Tele lens includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens element group G1, a second lens element group G2 and a third lens element group G3, wherein at least two of the lens element groups are movable relative to the image sensor along the first optical axis to bring the Tele lens to two zoom states, wherein an effective focal length (EFL) of the Tele lens is changed from EFLT,min in one zoom state to EFLT,max in the other zoom state, wherein EFLTmin>1.5×EFLW and wherein EFLTmax>1.5×EFLTmin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Emil Bronstein, Itay Yedid
  • Publication number: 20230350153
    Abstract: Digital cameras, optical lens modules for such digital cameras and methods for assembling lens elements in such lens modules. In various embodiments, the digital cameras comprise an optical lens module including N?3 lens elements Li, each lens element comprising a respective front surface S2i-1 and a respective rear surface S2i. In various embodiments the first lens element toward the object side, L1 and its respective front surfaces S1 have optical and/or mechanical properties, such as a clear aperture, a clear height and a mechanical height that are larger than respective properties of following lens elements and surfaces. This is done to achieve a camera with large aperture stop, given a lens and/or camera height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Michael Dror, Itay Yedid, Gil Bachar
  • Publication number: 20230273393
    Abstract: Digital cameras, optical lens modules for such digital cameras and methods for assembling lens elements in such lens modules. In various embodiments, the digital cameras comprise an optical lens module including N?3 lens elements Li, each lens element comprising a respective front surface S2i?1 and a respective rear surface S2i. In various embodiments the first lens element toward the object side, L1 and its respective front surfaces S1 have optical and/or mechanical properties, such as a clear aperture, a clear height and a mechanical height that are larger than respective properties of following lens elements and surfaces. This is done to achieve a camera with large aperture stop, given a lens and/or camera height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Michael Dror, Itay Yedid, Gil Bachar
  • Patent number: 11743587
    Abstract: Multi-cameras and in particular dual-cameras comprising a Wide camera comprising a Wide lens and a Wide image sensor, the Wide lens having a Wide effective focal length EFLW and a folded Tele camera comprising a Tele lens with a first optical axis, a Tele image sensor and an OPFE, wherein the Tele lens includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens element group G1, a second lens element group G2 and a third lens element group G3, wherein at least two of the lens element groups are movable relative to the image sensor along the first optical axis to bring the Tele lens to two zoom states, wherein an effective focal length (EFL) of the Tele lens is changed from EFLT,min in one zoom state to EFLT,max in the other zoom state, wherein EFLTmin>1.5×EFLW and wherein EFLTmax>1.5×EFLTmin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Emil Bronstein, Itay Yedid
  • Publication number: 20230204931
    Abstract: A zoom camera comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding the light from a first optical path to a second optical path, a first lens having a first optical axis and a first effective focal length EFLL1, the first optical axis being along the second optical path, a collimating lens having a second optical axis, and an image sensor located on the second optical path, wherein the collimating lens is movable between at least a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state the collimating lens is positioned in the second optical path between the OPFE and the first lens such that light entering the first lens arrives only from the image side of the collimating lens, and wherein in the second state the collimating lens is positioned outside the first optical path such that light entering the first lens does not arrive from the image side of the collimating lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Gil Bachar, Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Noy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20230205055
    Abstract: Cameras with OIS capable of performing multi zoom super macro photography and handheld electronic devices comprising such cameras. A camera may include a lens comprising N lens elements L1-LN divided into two or more lens groups arranged along a lens optical axis starting with L1 on an object side and ending with LN on an image side, adjacent lens groups separated by a respective air-gap d1 along the lens optical axis; an image sensor with a sensor diagonal SD between 7 and 20 mm separated from lens element LN by an air-gap d2 along the lens optical axis; and an actuator for controlling air-gaps d1 and d2 to switch the camera between M?1 operative pop-out states and a collapsed state and to focus the camera on an object at an object-lens distance of less than 30 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Itay Yedid, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Michael Scherer, Ziv Shemesh, Nadav Goulinski
  • Publication number: 20230199314
    Abstract: Multi-cameras and in particular dual-cameras comprising a Wide camera comprising a Wide lens and a Wide image sensor, the Wide lens having a Wide effective focal length EFLw and a folded Tele camera comprising a Tele lens with a first optical axis, a Tele image sensor and an OPFE, wherein the Tele lens includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens element group G1, a second lens element group G2 and a third lens element group G3, wherein at least two of the lens element groups are movable relative to the image sensor along the first optical axis to bring the Tele lens to two zoom states, wherein an effective focal length (EFL) of the Tele lens is changed from EFLT,min in one zoom state to EFLT,max in the other zoom state, wherein EFLTmin > 1.5 x EFLw and wherein EFLTmax > 1.5 x EFLTmin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Emil Bronstein, Itay Yedid
  • Patent number: 11668894
    Abstract: Digital cameras, optical lens modules for such digital cameras and methods for assembling lens elements in such lens modules. In various embodiments, the digital cameras comprise an optical lens module including N?3 lens elements Li, each lens element comprising a respective front surface S2i?1 and a respective rear surface S2i. In various embodiments the first lens element toward the object side, L1 and its respective front surfaces S1 have optical and/or mechanical properties, such as a clear aperture, a clear height and a mechanical height that are larger than respective properties of following lens elements and surfaces. This is done to achieve a camera with large aperture stop, given a lens and/or camera height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Michael Dror, Itay Yedid, Gil Bachar