Abstract: An object of the present invention is to create a panoramic lens that is compact, having a lower front diameter to final image circle ratio. Such a lens can be used in space constrained applications such as in endoscopy or other panoramic applications. The lens designs include two lens groups each with multiple lens elements and are scalable. This design can be scaled to a smaller absolute size for space constrained applications, or enlarged to cover an even large image circle. The example designs use all spherical lens elements except a single surface nearest and intermediate focal plane that is located between the two lens groups.

Abstract: A lens system design for an imaging projection lens is described. The system enables selection of performance requirements of a high or low resolution lens system as described through a set of examples meeting a set of parametric equations. A low resolution imaging lenses has a field angle between 15 and 20 degrees and effective focal lengths (EFL) between 18 and 25. The high resolution lens systems have an EFL between 30 and 38 source and field angles between 10 and 12 degrees. The examples all use a 12.8 mm light source (Ah). The lens system is scaled to other size light sources using the parametric equation for EFL/Ah. The lens system comprises two positive powered lens groups. There are 3 lens elements in a first group and 1 to 3 lens element in a second group, the second group is nearest the light source.

Abstract: Wide-angle optical imaging lenses designed to have a wide field of view, stability in optical properties over temperature excursions, and, low chromatic aberrations are described. The lenses are comprised of three lens groups. A first group (counting from the object side) having a negative refractive power comprises two negatively powered elements. The first element has a meniscus shape with a convex object surface. The second lens element has a concave image surface and in preferred embodiments is aspherical. The second group having a positive power comprising two elements. Both elements having positive power. The image surface of the first element in the 2nd group and the object surface of the 2nd element in the 2nd group are both convex. An aperture stop is located between the second and third lens groups. The third lens group has a positive power and includes a cemented doublet or triplet, and a singlet element.

Abstract: Large aperture compact lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens comprises from object to image, three lens groups with a first lens group having a negative or positive power and comprising 3-4 lens elements, a second lens group having positive power and 3-4 elements including an aperture stop, at least one cemented doublet and one positive power lens made from athermic optical material, and a third lens group comprising 1-3 elements.

Abstract: Wide angle fovea lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes a single aspherical lens element. The lenses have higher magnification on the optical axis than at angles off the optical axis.

Abstract: An imaging module is described that acquires images of objects and outputs a digital image of the objects that is corrected for aberrations and flaws due to design, manufacturing constraints and variability, and, the local environment (temperature and humidity). The imaging module includes memory to store adjustment parameters, environmental sensors, and, a computing device that processes the raw acquired image into a corrected processed image. The imaging module is used with a test apparatus to calibrate the imaging module and calculate empirically determined correction factors that are stored in memory within the imaging module.

Abstract: Wide angle fovea lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes a single aspherical lens element. The lenses have higher magnification on the optical axis than at angles off the optical axis.

Abstract: A thermally stable, compact, wide angle lens design has been described. The lens is comprised of two lens groups. The first group, nearest the object, has positive power and provides most of the focusing power of the entire lens assembly. The first group is made of either a single lens element or a doublet. The positively powered lens element in group 1 is made of thermally stable materials such as optical glasses. The second lens group is comprised of four aspheric lens elements. The image surface of the last element, nearest the image plane, is a complex aspherical surface. The lens design satisfies a list of 8 parametric equations.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens system that includes four lens groups arranged from object to image and having a field of view greater than 90 degrees is described. The lens elements within each of the four groups are selected for optimization of performance factors of low chromatic aberration, low optical distortion and manufacturability. Design methods are included and shown through exemplary optimized designs.

Abstract: High performance lens system designs are described. The lens system has four lens groups, is made entirely of spherical lens elements, and, includes selected lens elements made of materials with high refractive index and Abbe numbers and coefficient of thermal expansion that provide stable high performance across wide and rapid temperature changes. Group descriptions and parametric equations enable creation of designs having fields of view ranging from 50 to 150 degrees.

Abstract: Compact wide angle lens designs are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes complex aspherical lens elements. The lens designs have a field of view of 80° or greater and satisfies at least one of the conditional equations a) BFL/EFL<=0.6 where BFL is the distance from the image surface vertex of the complex aspheric lens element to the image plane, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens, and, b) BFL/CA<=0.3 where CA is the clear aperture of the complex aspheric lens element, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens, and, c) 3=<TTL/EFL<=6.6 where TTL is the distance from the vertex of the first element of group 1 to the image plane of the lens assembly when focused at infinity, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens.

Abstract: Wide angle fovea lens and a camera design using the lens are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes a single aspherical lens element. The lenses have higher magnification on the optical axis than at angles off the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens mount design is presented. The mount can be used on a variety of imaging systems but is targeted at small camera systems such as might be used on mobile phones, cameras, sports cameras, computers and computer peripherals where interchangeable lenses are currently not common place. Embodiments include different attachment mechanisms, environmental barriers, electrical connections, a serial number marking system on the replaceable lens body and methods for using the lens mount and system.

Abstract: A wide-angle lens system that includes four lens groups arranged from object to image and having a field of view greater than 90 degrees is described. The lens elements within each of the four groups are selected for optimization of performance factors of low chromatic aberration, low optical distortion and manufacturability. Design methods are included and shown through exemplary optimized designs.

Abstract: Compact wide angle lens designs are described. The lens has three lens groups and includes complex aspherical lens elements. The lens designs have a field of view of 80° or greater and satisfies at least one of the conditional equations a) BFL/EFL<=0.6 where BFL is the distance from the image surface vertex of the complex aspheric lens element to the image plane, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens, and, b) BFL/CA<=0.3 where CA is the clear aperture of the complex aspheric lens element, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens, and, c) 3=<TTL/EFL<=6.6 where TTL is the distance from the vertex of the first element of group 1 to the image plane of the lens assembly when focused at infinity, EFL is the effective focal length of the optical lens.

Abstract: A lens mount design is presented. The mount can be used on a variety of imaging systems but is targeted at small camera systems such as might be used on mobile phones, cameras, sports cameras, computers and computer peripherals where interchangeable lenses are currently not common place. Embodiments include different attachment mechanisms, environmental barriers, electrical connections, a serial number marking system on the replaceable lens body and methods for using the lens mount and system.

Abstract: A lens mount design is presented. The mount can be used on a variety of imaging systems but is targeted at small camera systems such as might be used on mobile phones, cameras, sports cameras, computers and computer peripherals where interchangeable lenses are currently not common place. Embodiments include different attachment mechanisms, environmental barriers, electrical connections, a serial number marking system on the replaceable lens body and methods for using the lens mount and system.

Abstract: Low ghosting wide-angle lens designs are presented. The dimensions and materials are selected such that the lens has a field of view of at least 145 degrees, f# of 2.2-2.9 and all secondary images of an object imaged on the image plane are focused such that they fall either outside of the image plane thus having a relative intensity that is less than 10?4 times the intensity of the primary image. In one embodiment a set of conditional expressions are all met. In another embodiment the conditional expressions are all met and the conditional expressions related to the physical size of the lens is narrowed. In another embodiment five and seven element designs are produced.

Abstract: Low ghosting wide-angle lens designs are presented. The dimensions and materials are selected such that the lens has a field of view of at least 145 degrees, f# of 2.2-2.9 and all secondary images of an object imaged on the image plane are focused such that they fall either outside of the image plane thus having a relative intensity that is less than 10?4 times the intensity of the primary image. In one embodiment a set of conditional expressions are all met. In another embodiment the conditional expressions are all met and the conditional expressions related to the physical size of the lens is narrowed. In another embodiment five and seven element designs are produced.

Abstract: A lens mount design is presented. The mount can be used on a variety of imaging systems but is targeted at small camera systems such as might be used on mobile phones, cameras, sports cameras, computers and computer peripherals where interchangeable lenses are currently not common place. Embodiments include different attachment mechanisms, environmental barriers, electrical connections, a serial number marking system on the replaceable lens body and methods for using the lens mount and system.