Abstract: A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for controlling an optical system including at least one active light-controlling element to better control the illumination of a scene when imaged on an image sensor is presented. This active light-controlling element is used to control the amount of light in an image zone depending on an electric signal from a controller. This allows imaging scenes with bright objects without over-exposure or scenes with dark objects without under-exposure on the image sensor. After image processing to reverse the effect of the active light-controlling element, the resulting processed images have an enhanced depth without the drawbacks associated to traditional HDR imaging. The method can use any shape of sub-elements in the active light-controlling element depending on the application. The method can also be used with multiple active light-controlling surfaces to further control the light on the image sensor, including separating the colors in the image.

Abstract: A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.