Abstract: Methods for stereo calibration of a dual-camera that includes a first camera and a second camera and system for performing such methods. In some embodiments, a method comprises obtaining optimized extrinsic and intrinsic parameters using initial intrinsic parameters and, optionally, initial extrinsic parameters of the cameras, estimating an infinity offset e using the optimized extrinsic and extrinsic parameters, and estimating a scaling factor s using the optimized extrinsic and extrinsic parameters and infinity offset parameter e, wherein the optimized extrinsic and extrinsic parameters, infinity offset e and scaling factor s are used together to provide stereo calibration that leads to improved depth estimation.
Abstract: Digital camera comprising an upright Wide camera configured to provide a Wide image with a Wide image resolution and a folded Tele camera configured to provide a Tele image with a Tele image resolution higher than the Wide image resolution, the Wide and Tele cameras having respective Wide and Tele fields of view FOVW and FOVT and respective Wide and Tele image sensors, the digital camera further comprising a rotating OPFE operative to provide a folded optical path between an object or scene and the Tele image sensor, wherein rotation of the OPFE moves FOVT relative to FOVW. In some embodiments, a rectangular FOVT is orthogonal to a rectangular FOVW. When included in a host device having a user interface that displays FOVT within FOVW, the user interface may be used to position FOVT relative to FOVW, scan FOVT across FOVW and acquire, store and display separate Wide and Tele images, composite Wide plus Tele images and stitched Tele images.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 9, 2021
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Eran Kali, Noy Cohen, Gil Avraham, Ruthy Katz
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 or non-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 a Macro state or 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. In the Macro state, the lens with EFLT,min allows for focusing on objects with short object-camera distances such as 5 cm. Actuators for enabling the movements are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 2020
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Emil Bronstein, Itay Yedid, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Yiftah Kowal
Abstract: A dual-aperture zoom camera comprising a Wide camera with a respective Wide lens and a Tele camera with a respective Tele lens, the Wide and Tele cameras mounted directly on a single printed circuit board, wherein the Wide and Tele lenses have respective effective focal lengths EFLW and EFLT and respective total track lengths TTLW and TTLT and wherein TTLW/EFLW>1.1 and TTLT/EFLT<1.0. Optionally, the dual-aperture zoom camera may further comprise an optical OIS controller configured to provide a compensation lens movement according to a user-defined zoom factor (ZF) and a camera tilt (CT) through LMV=CT*EFLZF, where EFLZF is a zoom-factor dependent effective focal length.
Abstract: Rotation mechanisms for rotating a payload in two, first and second degrees of freedom (DOF), comprising a static base, a first rotation arm coupled mechanically to the static base through a first rotation joint and used for rotating the payload relative to the static base around a first rotation axis that passes through the first rotation joint, a second rotation arm coupled mechanically to the static base through a second rotation joint and used for rotating the payload relative to the static base around a second rotation axis that passes through the second rotation joint, and a follower member rigidly coupled to the payload and arranged to keep a constant distance from the second rotation arm, wherein the rotation of the first arm rotates the payload around the first DOF and the rotation of the second arm rotate the payload around the second DOF.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 25, 2019
Date of Patent:
March 29, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gil Bachar, Ephraim Goldenberg, Noy Cohen, Yiftah Kowal
Abstract: Actuators for rotating an optical-path-folding-element with two, first and second, degrees of freedom in an extended rotation range around two respective rotation axes, folded cameras including such actuators and dual-cameras including a folded camera as above together with an upright camera.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd
Inventors:
Itay Yedid, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gil Bachar, Gal Barak, Yiftah Kowal
Abstract: Actuators for rotating an optical-path-folding-element with two, first and second, degrees of freedom in an extended rotation range around two respective rotation axes, folded cameras including such actuators and dual-cameras including a folded camera as above together with an upright camera.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 22, 2019
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd
Inventors:
Itay Yedid, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gil Bachar, Gal Barak, Yiftah Kowal
Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 18, 2020
Date of Patent:
March 1, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Gil Bachar
Abstract: Actuators for rotating or tilting an optical element, for example an optical path folding element, comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) and a curved ball-guided mechanism operative to create a rotation or tilt movement of the optical element around a rotation axis upon actuation by the VCM. In some embodiments, an actuator includes two, first and second VCMs, and two curved ball-guided mechanisms operative to create rotation or tilt around respective first and second rotation axes.
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:
February 15, 2021
Date of Patent:
September 28, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay, Gal Avivi, Michael Dror, Gil Bachar, Itay Jerby, Itay Yedid
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:
March 25, 2020
Date of Patent:
September 21, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Michael Dror, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Shabtay
Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes a mobile electronic comprising an integrated camera, comprising a Wide camera unit comprising a Wide lens unit, and a Telephoto camera unit comprising a telephoto lens unit, the telephoto lens unit and the wide lens unit having respectively TTL/EFL ratios smaller and larger than 1 and defining separate telephoto and wide optical paths.
Abstract: Folded cameras comprising a lens having a lens optical axis, an image sensor and a prism for folding light from a first optical path to a second optical path along the lens optical axis towards the image sensor, wherein the camera has a full camera cone of vision, wherein the prism intersects the full camera cone of vision, and wherein a camera has a construction that prevents double reflected stray light from reaching the image sensor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 3, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 31, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Ephraim Goldenberg, Roy Rudnick, Michael Dror, Itay Yedid, Gil Bachar
Abstract: Actuators for carrying and actuating a lens having a first optical axis, the lens receiving light folded from a second optical axis substantially perpendicular to the first optical axis, comprising first and second VCM engines coupled to the lens and first and second linear ball-guided rails operative to create movement of the lens in two substantially orthogonal directions upon actuation by respective VCM engines.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2020
Date of Patent:
June 29, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gil Bachar, Itay Yedid, Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Itay Jerby
Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
June 22, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Gil Bachar
Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 11, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Gil Bachar
Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
April 13, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Gil Bachar
Abstract: Actuators for actuating a lens in a folded camera, folded cameras including such actuators and dual-cameras including such folded cameras. The actuators actuate a lens having a lens optical axis for auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) and comprise a stationary sub-assembly that includes an OIS coil having an OIS coil plane and an AF coil having an AF coil plane, and a lens actuating sub-assembly movable relative to the stationary sub-assembly with a lens holder holding the lens, wherein the OIS coil plane is perpendicular to the AF coil plane and wherein the lens optical axis lies between the OIS coil plane and the AF coil plane. Some actuators have a design using VCM actuation and a reduced height due to top and/or bottom openings in actuator envelopes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 13, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Barak, Itay Yedid, Ephraim Goldenberg
Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging system comprising a first camera with a first sensor that captures a first image and a second camera with a second sensor that captures a second image, the two cameras having either identical or different FOVs. The first sensor may have a standard color filter array (CFA) covering one sensor section and a non-standard color CFA covering another. The second sensor may have either Clear or standard CFA covered sections. Either image may be chosen to be a primary or an auxiliary image, based on a zoom factor. An output image with a point of view determined by the primary image is obtained by registering the auxiliary image to the primary image.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2019
Date of Patent:
August 17, 2021
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging system comprising a first camera with a first sensor that captures a first image and a second camera with a second sensor that captures a second image, the two cameras having either identical or different FOVs. The first sensor may have a standard color filter array (CFA) covering one sensor section and a non-standard color CFA covering another. The second sensor may have either Clear or standard CFA covered sections. Either image may be chosen to be a primary or an auxiliary image, based on a zoom factor. An output image with a point of view determined by the primary image is obtained by registering the auxiliary image to the primary image.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 15, 2019
Date of Patent:
February 22, 2022
Assignee:
Corephotonics Ltd.
Inventors:
Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg