U.S. patent application number 15/829330 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-29 for near-infrared lens for cameras in mobile devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to MATTHEW BONE.
Application Number | 20180341084 15/829330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54869479 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180341084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BONE; MATTHEW |
November 29, 2018 |
NEAR-INFRARED LENS FOR CAMERAS IN MOBILE DEVICES
Abstract
A first optical imaging system includes, in order from the
object side to the image side, a first lens element, a second lens
element, and a third lens element, arranged along an optical axis.
A second optical imaging system includes, in order from the object
side to the image side, a first lens element, a second lens
element, a third lens element, and a fourth lens element, arranged
along an optical axis. A third optical imaging system is a
telecentric lens system having only lens elements having a
refractive power and a chief ray angle smaller than 1 degree. The
lens elements of the optical imaging systems may be made of the
same material having absorption in visible wavelengths and high
transmission in near infrared radiation. The lens elements may be
coated with an antireflective coating that is optimized for near
infrared radiation.
Inventors: |
BONE; MATTHEW; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd. |
Taichung City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Genius Electronic Optical Co.,
Ltd.
Taichung City
TW
|
Family ID: |
54869479 |
Appl. No.: |
15/829330 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14746772 |
Jun 22, 2015 |
9864168 |
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15829330 |
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62015867 |
Jun 23, 2014 |
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62052181 |
Sep 18, 2014 |
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62061516 |
Oct 8, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 13/14 20130101;
G02B 9/34 20130101; G02B 13/004 20130101; G02B 13/0035
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02B 13/00 20060101
G02B013/00; G02B 13/14 20060101 G02B013/14; G02B 9/34 20060101
G02B009/34 |
Claims
1. An optical imaging lens system comprising, sequentially in order
from an object side to an image side, an aperture stop, a first
lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, and a
fourth lens element arranged along an optical axis, each of the
first, second, third, and fourth lens elements having an
object-side surface facing toward the object side and an image-side
surface facing toward the image side; wherein: the image-side
surface of the first lens element comprises a convex portion in a
vicinity of its periphery; the object-side surface of the second
lens element comprises a concave portion in a vicinity of a
periphery of the second lens element; the object-side surface of
the fourth lens element comprises a convex portion in a vicinity of
the optical axis and a concave portion in a vicinity of its
periphery; wherein: an absolute value of a difference between an
Abbe number V1 of the first lens and an Abbe number V4 of the
fourth lens is defined as |V1-V4|, a thickness of the fourth lens
element at the optical axis is defined as T4, a distance measured
from the object side surface of the first lens element to an image
plane along the optical axis is defined as TTL, a sum of
thicknesses of the first, second, third, and fourth lens elements
is defined as ALT, a sum of air gaps between the first lens element
through the fourth lens element along the optical axis is defined
as AAG, a thickness of the first lens element at the optical axis
is defined as T1, a thickness of the second lens element at the
optical axis is defined as T2, an air gap between the first and
second lens elements at the optical axis is defined as G12, and
|V1-V4|, T1, T2, T4, TTL, AAG, ALT, and G12 satisfy the relations:
0.ltoreq.|V1-V4|.ltoreq.20.00; 6.50.ltoreq.TTL/T4.ltoreq.10.00;
3.15.ltoreq.ALT/T1.ltoreq.3.50; 3.15.ltoreq.ALT/AAG.ltoreq.3.50;
1.50.ltoreq.T2/G12.ltoreq.2.10; and
1.44.ltoreq.T4/T2.ltoreq.1.60.
2. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein a distance
between the image side of the fourth lens element and the image
plane along the optical axis is defined as a BFL, and ALT and BFL
satisfy the relation: 1.175.ltoreq.ALT/BFL.ltoreq.1.751.
3. The optical imaging lens system of claim 2 wherein:
0.862.ltoreq.T1/T2.ltoreq.2.244.
4. The optical imaging lens system of claim 2 wherein the
image-side surface of the second lens element comprises a convex
portion in a vicinity of its periphery.
5. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein:
0.450.ltoreq.T2/T1.ltoreq.1.148.
6. The optical imaging lens system of claim 5 wherein a distance
between the image side of the fourth lens element and the image
plane along the optical axis is defined as a BFL, and BFL and T4
satisfy the relation: 2.237.ltoreq.BFL/T4.ltoreq.3.765.
7. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and ALT and G23
satisfy the relation: 5.116.ltoreq.ALT/G23.ltoreq.5.699.
8. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein a thickness
of the third lens element at the optical axis is defined as T3, a
distance between the image side of the fourth lens element and the
image plane along the optical axis is defined as a BFL, and an air
gap between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and T3, BFL, and
G23 satisfy the relation:
5.079.ltoreq.(T3+BFL)/G23.ltoreq.6.125.
9. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein a distance
between the image side of the fourth lens element and the image
plane along the optical axis is defined as a BFL and an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and BFL and G23
satisfy the relation: 3.766.ltoreq.BFL/G23.ltoreq.4.366.
10. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and TTL, T1, and
G23 satisfy the relation:
4.107.ltoreq.TTL/(T1+G23).ltoreq.4.322.
11. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and ALT, T1 and G23
satisfy the relation: 1.973.ltoreq.ALT/(T1-G23).ltoreq.2.092.
12. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and TTL, G12, and
G23 satisfy the relation:
6.921.ltoreq.TTL/(G12+G23).ltoreq.8.077.
13. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and ALT, G12, and
G23 satisfy the relation:
3.324.ltoreq.ALT/(G12+G23).ltoreq.3.909.
14. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein a thickness
of the third lens element at the optical axis is defined as T3, a
distance between the image side of the fourth lens element and the
image plane along the optical axis is defined as a BFL, and an air
gap between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23, and T3, BFL, G12,
and G23 satisfy the relation:
3.300.ltoreq.(T3+BFL)/(G12+G23).ltoreq.4.202.
15. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein a thickness
of the third lens element at the optical axis is defined as T3 and
an air gap between the third lens element and the fourth lens
elements measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T1,
T2, T3, and G34 satisfy the relation:
1.658.ltoreq.(T1+T2+G34)/T3.ltoreq.2.053.
16. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the third lens element and the fourth lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T1, T2, T4, and
G34 satisfy the relation:
2.013.ltoreq.(T1+T2+G34)/T4.ltoreq.2.285.
17. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the second lens element and the third lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G23 and an air gap
between the third lens element and the fourth lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T1, T2, G23,
and G34 satisfy the relation:
2.696.ltoreq.(T1+T2+G34)/G23.ltoreq.2.915.
18. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the third lens element and the fourth lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T1, T2, T4, and
G34 satisfy the relation:
1.431.ltoreq.(T2+G34+T4)/T1.ltoreq.1.530.
19. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the third lens element and the fourth lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T4, G12, and
G34 satisfy the relation:
2.914.ltoreq.(G34+T4)/G12.ltoreq.3.335.
20. The optical imaging lens system of claim 1 wherein an air gap
between the third lens element and the fourth lens elements
measured at the optical axis is defined as G34, and T2, T4, and G34
satisfy the relation: 1.624.ltoreq.(G34+T4)/T2.ltoreq.1.806.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/746,772, filed Jun. 22, 2015, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/015,867, filed Jun.
23, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/052,181, filed
Sep. 18, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/061,516, filed Oct. 8, 2014, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to optical lens systems, and
more particularly to near infrared optical imaging lens systems
having three lens elements and four lens elements for cameras
incorporated in mobile electronic devices.
[0003] Mobile electronic devices with built-in digital cameras are
becoming increasingly popular. Along with trends of downsizing in
digital cameras and cell phones and recent technological advances
in charge coupled devices (CCD) and CMOS imaging sensors, optical
lens systems also need to reduce their size. However, the size
reduction of the optical imaging lens systems also has to take into
account optical performance requirements.
[0004] Wavelengths longer than 700 nm are not directly perceived by
human eyes. These wavelengths have the characteristics of anti
jamming capability, low cost, low power consumption, and
undetectability to a human eye. They are often used in remote
control devices, infrared detection systems, and the like. In
recent years, interactive electronic devices have been developed
using infrared (IR) detectors or near infrared (NIR) detectors to
detect a user movement for achieving user interactions.
[0005] The present invention relates to NIR imaging lens systems
having three lens elements and four lens elements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to an
optical imaging system having three lens elements. In some
embodiments, an optical imaging lens system includes, in order from
an object side to an image side, an aperture stop, a first lens
element, a second lens element, and a third lens element arranged
along an optical axis. The first lens element has a positive
refractive power, the second lens element has a negative refractive
power, the third lens element has a convex object-side surface in a
vicinity of the optical axis and a concave object-side surface near
the outer circumference. In some embodiments, the first, second,
and third lens elements are made of a same material; and the
optical imaging system only has three lens elements having a
refractive power.
[0007] In another embodiments, an optical imaging lens system
includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first
lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, and a
fourth arranged along an optical axis. The first lens element has a
positive refractive power, the second lens element has a negative
refractive power, the third lens element has a negative refractive
power, and the fourth lens element has a positive refractive power.
The fourth lens element has a convex object-side surface in a
vicinity of the optical axis and a concave object-side surface near
the outer circumference. In some embodiments, the first, second,
third, and fourth lens elements are made of a same material, and
the optical imaging system only has four lens elements having a
refractive power.
[0008] The following description, together with the accompanying
drawings, will provide a better understanding of the nature and
advantages of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross section view of an exemplary lens element
to explain the terms used in the present description.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a simplified cross-section view of a
three-element optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 2B and 2C are graphs illustrating the respective
astigmatic field curvatures and distortion in the embodiment of
FIG. 2A.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 3B and 3C are graphs illustrating the respective
astigmatic field curvatures and distortion in the embodiment of
FIG. 3A.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
telecentric optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
telecentric optical lens system according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a MTF graph for the four-element telecentric
optical lens system shown in FIG. 5A.
[0017] FIG. 6A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIGS. 6B-6O are a set of graphs illustrating transverse ray
fan plots in the embodiment of FIG. 6A.
[0019] FIG. 7A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIGS. 7B-7O are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot in the embodiment of FIG. 7A.
[0021] FIG. 7P is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 7A.
[0022] FIG. 8A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIGS. 8B-8O are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot in the embodiment of FIG. 8A.
[0024] FIG. 8P is a set of graphs illustrating the modulus of the
optical transfer function as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 8A.
[0025] FIG. 8Q is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the field in the
embodiment of FIG. 8A.
[0026] FIG. 9A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 9B-9Q are a set of graphs illustrating transverse ray
fan plots in the embodiment of FIG. 9A.
[0028] FIG. 9R is a set of graphs illustrating the modulus of the
optical transfer function as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 9A.
[0029] FIG. 9S is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the field in the
embodiment of FIG. 9A.
[0030] FIG. 10A is a simplified cross-section view of a
four-element optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIGS. 10B-10Q are a set of graphs illustrating the
transverse ray fan plot in the embodiment of FIG. 10A.
[0032] FIG. 10R is a set of graphs illustrating the modulus of the
optical transfer function as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 10A.
[0033] FIG. 10S is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the field in the
embodiment of FIG. 10A.
[0034] FIG. 11A is a simplified cross-section view of a
four-element optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 11B-11Q are a set of graphs illustrating transverse ray
fan plots in the embodiment of FIG. 11A.
[0036] FIG. 11R is a set of graphs illustrating the modulus of the
optical transfer function as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 11A.
[0037] FIG. 11S is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the field in the
embodiment of FIG. 11A.
[0038] FIG. 12A is a simplified cross-section view of a
four-element optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 12B is a set of graphs illustrating the astigmatism for
the sagittal and tangential image surface in the embodiment of FIG.
12A.
[0040] FIG. 12C is the optical distortion of the embodiment of FIG.
12A.
[0041] FIG. 13A is a simplified cross-section view of a
four-element optical lens system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] FIG. 13B is a set of graphs illustrating the astigmatism for
the sagittal and tangential image surface in the embodiment of FIG.
13A.
[0043] FIG. 13C is the optical distortion of the embodiment of FIG.
13A.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 16A is a graph illustrating the distortion and FIG. 16B
is a simplified diagram of an example raster TV distortion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to
three-element optical lens systems and other embodiments of the
present invention relate to four-element optical lens systems.
These three-element and four element optical systems have broad
applications in electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, a
digital still camera, a digital video camera, a tablet, and the
like, that use a CCD or a CMOS imaging sensor. Lens data and other
parameters of specific embodiments are described below. Those
skilled in the art with access to the present disclosure will
recognize that other lens systems can also be designed within the
scope of the claimed invention.
Definition of Terms
[0048] The term "lens element" refers to a single transparent mass
of refractive material having two opposite refractive surfaces. The
expression "a lens element with a positive refractive power (or
negative refractive power)" refers to the refractive power in the
vicinity of the optical axis of the lens element having a positive
refractive power (or negative refractive power). A lens element
having a convex (or concave) surface in a region refers to that
region having a convex portion (or concave portion) with respect to
the adjacent outer region in the radial direction of that region,
and the region has a protruding (convex) or depressed (concave)
surface with respect to the optical axis.
[0049] FIG. 1 provides an example cross-sectional view of a lens
element to explain the terms used in the present description. As
shown in FIG. 1, "I" denotes the optical axis of an exemplary lens
element 2 having rotational symmetry along the optical axis. The
object side of the lens element has a convex surface in region A, a
concave surface in region B, and a convex surface in regions C and
D. Region A has a convex surface because the surface of the region
A is protruding with respect to the adjacent radial outer region
(i.e., region B) and in the direction of the optical axis. Region B
is depressed in relation to adjacent region A, C, or D. Region C or
D is protruding with respect to adjacent region E. The expression
"area around the circumference" refers to imaging light rays
passing through the area in the vicinity of the circumferential
edge of the lens element, i.e., the region C or D. The imaging
light rays may include a chief ray Lc and marginal rays Lm. The
expression "area in the vicinity of the optical axis" refers to
imaging light passing through the region of the optical axis, i.e.,
the region A. The expression "area in a vicinity of an outer
circumference of a lens element" means in the vicinity of the
circumferential region on the surface of the lens element only
where the imaging light passes, such as the region C or D. In
addition, the lens element may include an extension portion or
flange E configured to mount the lens element to a lens barrel. The
desired imaging light rays may not pass through the extended
portion E. Although the extension portion E of the lens element may
be part of the optical imaging system, a description and a sketch
thereof will be omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0050] The "effective diameter" (also sometimes referred to as
"clear aperture diameter" or "clear aperture") of a lens element
refers to the diameter of the portion of the surface of the lens
element that is shaped to contribute to optical performance. For
example, some or all lens elements may be formed with a flange or
other structure at the outer periphery for mechanical purposes
(e.g., positioning and retention of the lens element), and it is to
be understood that such a structure would be outside the effective
diameter. Further, in some instances, the object-side and
image-side surfaces of a single lens element may have different
effective diameters. In some instances, portions of the surface of
a lens element may be specified as convex or concave. Such portions
can be symmetric about the optical axis, with a portion that is
"near," or "in the vicinity of," the optical axis extending outward
from the optical axis and a portion "near," or "in the vicinity
of," the periphery extending inward from the effective diameter.
Those of skill in the art will understand that a portion of the
surface described as being near the optical axis (or near the
peripheral edge) may extend outward (or inward) sufficiently far to
provide the desired optical properties.
[0051] The telephoto ratio is defined as the ratio between the
total length TTL measured from the object-side surface of the first
lens element to the image plane along the optical axis and the
effective focal length. An optical imaging lens having a telephoto
ratio (TTL/EFL) of less than 1 is referred to as a telephoto
lens.
Three Element Lens System
First Embodiment
[0052] FIG. 2A is a simplified cross-section view of a
three-element optical lens system 100 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. Optical lens system 100
comprises a first lens element L1, a second lens element L2, and a
third lens element L3, in order from the object side to the image
side along the optical axis. Each lens element L1-L3 can be
rotationally symmetric above the optical axis.
[0053] First lens element L1 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface, a convex image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a convex image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Second lens element L2 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, a concave object-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, a convex image-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex image-side surface in
the outer circumferential region. Third lens element L3 has a
positive refractive power, a convex object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis and a concave object-side surface in
the outer circumferential region, a concave surface on the image
side along the optical axis, and a convex surface in the outer
circumferential region. Optical lens system 100 further includes an
aperture stop AS disposed in front of the first lens element L1,
where the optical axis intersects the center of the aperture
stop.
[0054] Optical lens system 100 also includes a filter configured to
block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. In some
embodiments, the filter filters out wavelengths below about 700 nm.
The optical filter blocks shorter wavelengths of the visible
spectrum and passes through wavelengths above about 700 nm. The
filter improves the infrared performance of the imaging lens system
100 by reducing interference from other light sources. Although the
filter is shown as a single filter disposed between the third lens
element and the image plane, the filter can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 2A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L1. Likewise, R3
and R4 are the respective object side and image side surface of
second lens element L2. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L3.
[0056] In one embodiment, lens elements L1, L2, and L3 each are
made of the same material, which passes near infrared light having
a wavelength about 900 nm. In another embodiment, the material of
the lens elements L1, L2, and L3 has a high absorption for visible
light and a high transmission for near infrared light longer than
900 nm, preferably at 940 nm.
[0057] Still referring to FIG. 2A, T1 is the thickness of first
lens element L1, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L2,
and T3 is the thickness of the third lens element L3. Thicknesses
T1-T3 are each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap
between the first and second lens elements, and AC23 is the air gap
between the second and third lens elements. Air gaps AC12 and AC23
are each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back
focal length, which is the distance between the image side of the
third lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the third lens element and the image plane. In the
present disclosure, EFL denotes the effective focal length, which
is also known as focal length. The focal length of an optical
imaging system is defined as the distance over which collimated
rays are brought to a focus. Hereinafter, the focal length is
called effective focal length to distinguish from the back focal
length (BFL).
[0058] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to third lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to third lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23.
[0059] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and the
third lens element is designed to have a positive refractive power.
In order to increase the production yield and reduce manufacturing
costs all three lens elements can be made of the same material. In
one embodiment, the optical lens material has an absorption
spectrum of visible light with a wavelength in the range between
400 nm and 700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths
above 850 nm.
[0060] According to the first embodiment, all three lens elements
L1, L2, and L3 can be made of the plastic material F52R and coated
with an antireflective material optimized for near-infrared
radiation. First lens element L1 has a positive refractive power, a
convex surface on the object-side in the vicinity of the optical
axis, and a convex surface on the image-side in the vicinity of the
optical axis. Second lens element has a negative refractive power,
and the third lens element has a convex surface on the object in
the vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave surface near the
outer circumference. The object-side and image-side surfaces of the
three lens elements are even aspheric. The combination of these
three lens elements provides the desired lens system quality.
Making the three lens elements of the same plastic can lower the
manufacturing costs and simplify the manufacturing process.
[0061] Table 1A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. All three lens elements are made of the plastic
material F52R.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1A Curvature Thickness/air Refractive Radius
(1/mm) Radius (mm) gap (mm) index Abbe # material Object Infinity
14400 Aperture Infinity -0.12727 stop Lens 1 0.868705 1.151139 0.51
1.535 55.63452 F52R -0.00598 -167.34 0.296489 Lens 2 -0.90057
-1.11041 0.532417 1.535 55.63452 F52R -0.82053 -1.21872 0.510314
Lens 3 0.812678 1.230499 0.361281 1.535 55.63452 F52R 1.308748
0.764089 0.36 filter Infinity 0.210 1.52 64.2 Infinity 0.385 Image
plane Infinity
[0062] In the first embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
2.5616 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 36.1 degrees. The F
number is 2.22. The image height is 1.87 mm. The BFL is 0.955 mm.
The entire length of the optical system 100 measured from the
object-side surface of the first lens element to the image plane is
3.166 mm. The angular magnification is 1.303. The diameter of the
aperture stop is 1.14 mm. The diameter of the filter is 3.374
mm.
[0063] The aspheric surface of the lens elements can be expressed
using the following expression:
Z ( Y ) = Y 2 R / ( 1 + 1 - ( 1 + K ) Y 2 R 2 ) + i = 1 n a i
.times. Y i ##EQU00001##
where Y is the perpendicular distance between the point of the
aspherical surface and the optical axis, Z(Y) is the depth of the
aspheric surface of the lens element (the height of a point on the
aspheric surface at a distance Y from the optical axis relative to
the tangential plane at the aspheric surface vertex), R is the
radius of curvature in millimeters (mm) from the optical axis to
the lens surface, K is a conic constant, and a(i) is an aspheric
surface coefficient of i-th level (or order term).
[0064] Table 1B shows numeric lens data of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients as for each of the lens surfaces of
optical lens system 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. All three lens elements are made of the plastic
material F52R.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 0.580299398 0 0
-0.067839721 0.044054737 -0.762442363 R2 0.642096093 0 0
-0.180210174 -0.755286781 1.110817088 R3 0.635116852 0 0
-0.170304259 -1.774214489 10.65840905 R4 0.785121131 1.097413 0
-0.123411613 1.169170197 -2.025499469 R5 1.268930266 -0.65339 0
-1.112804329 1.164130931 -0.789364157 R6 1.489447156 -3.58075 0
-0.534342342 0.635678424 -0.53439723 Surface # 10th order term 12th
order term 14th order term 16th order term R1 1.398532503
-9.682710644 35.71081656 -55.82129617 R2 -1.677479594 -1.557681967
0 R3 -23.70906044 26.70690794 -16.200458 R4 5.905125575 -6.30895851
3.199135509 R5 0.259769069 0.006464826 -0.016099134 R6 0.275980253
-0.080064437 0.009235139 0.000289327
[0065] FIGS. 2B and 2C are graphs illustrating the respective
astigmatic field curvatures and distortion for a wavelength of 940
nm in optical lens system 100 of FIG. 2A. The sagittal (denoted
"S") and tangential (denoted "T") astigmatic curvatures are less
than .+-.0.10 mm and the distortion is less than +2.0 percent.
Second Embodiment
[0066] Table 2A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 100 according to a second embodiment of the
present invention. All three lens elements are made of the
polycarbonate plastic material SP3810.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2A Curvature Radius Radius Thickness/air gap
Refractive (1/mm) (mm) (mm) index Abbe # material Object Infinity
14400 Aperture stop Infinity -0.1275 Lens 1 8.40E-01 1.190429 0.51
1.639753 23.35202 SP3810 8.69E-02 11.50411 0.25357 Lens 2 -7.97E-01
-1.25471 0.524634 1.639753 23.35202 SP3810 -6.66E-01 -1.50217
0.572298 Lens 3 7.85E-01 1.274121 0.35 1.639753 23.35202 SP3810
1.16E+00 0.859237 0.36 filter Infinity 0.21 1.52 64.2 Infinity 0.3
Image plane Infinity 0
[0067] In the second embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL)
is 2.5631 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 36.1 degrees. The F
number is 2.19. The image height is 1.87 mm. The BFL is 0.87 mm.
The entire length of the optical system 100 measured from the
object-side surface of the first lens element to the image plane is
3.081 mm. The angular magnification is 1.317. The diameter of the
aperture stop is 1.16 mm. The diameter of the filter is 3.375
mm.
[0068] Table 2B shows numeric lens data of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients as for each of the lens surfaces of
optical lens system 100 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention. All three elements are made of the polycarbonate
plastic material SP3810.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 0.590114194 0
0.00E+00 -5.40E-02 2.94E-02 -6.62E-01 R2 0.645377793 0 0.00E+00
-2.05E-01 -8.69E-01 1.55E+00 R3 0.626322157 0 0.00E+00 -2.57E-01
-1.43E+00 1.01E+01 R4 0.760416577 2.402905 0.00E+00 -1.52E-01
1.41E+00 -2.79E+00 R5 1.268108848 -0.62102 0.00E+00 -9.82E-01
9.59E-01 -6.71E-01 R6 1.464402246 -4.03413 0.00E+00 -5.11E-01
5.91E-01 -5.08E-01 Surface # 10th order term 12th order term 14th
order term 16th order term R1 1.39E+00 -1.01E+01 3.76E+01 -5.78E+01
R2 -3.56E+00 1.05E+00 R3 -2.97E+01 4.70E+01 -3.53E+01 R4 6.42E+00
-5.40E+00 2.34E+00 R5 2.46E-01 -6.59E-03 -1.21E-02 R6 2.71E-01
-8.23E-02 1.05E-02 1.79E-04
[0069] In one embodiment, the three lens elements L1, L2, and L3
are made of the same plastic material that is capable of absorbing
visible light. In other words, light with a wavelength below 900 nm
will not be able to pass through the lens elements. In one
embodiment, the three lens elements have the same refractive index
of about 1.53 and an Abbe number of about 55.6. In another
embodiment, the three lens elements have the same refractive index
of about 1.63 and an Abbe number of about 23.35.
Four-Element Lens System
Third Embodiment
[0070] FIG. 3A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 200 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 200 includes an aperture
stop AS, a first lens element L1, a second lens element L2, a third
lens element L3, and a fourth lens element L4, in order from the
object side to the image side along the optical axis. Each lens
element L1-L4 can be rotationally symmetric above the optical
axis.
[0071] First lens element L1 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface, a convex image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a concave image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Second lens element L2 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, a concave object-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, a concave image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a concave image side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Third lens element L3 has a
positive refractive power, a concave object-side along the optical
axis, a concave object-side surface in the outer circumferential
region, a convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential
region, and a convex surface on the image side along the optical
axis. Fourth lens element L4 has a negative refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, and
a concave image side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis
and a convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential
region.
[0072] Optical lens system 200 also includes a filter configured to
block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. In some
embodiments, the filter filters out wavelengths below about 700 nm.
The optical filter blocks shorter wavelengths of the visible
spectrum and passes through wavelengths above about 700 nm. The
filter improves the infrared performance of the imaging lens system
200 by reducing interference from other light sources. Although the
filter is shown as a single filter disposed between the third lens
element and the image plane, the filter can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 3A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L1. R3 and R4 are
the respective object side and image side surface of second lens
element L2. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective object-side and
image-side surface of third lens element L3. Likewise, R7 and R8
are the respective object-side and image-side surface of fourth
lens element L4.
[0074] In one embodiment, lens elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 each are
made of the same material, which passes near infrared light having
a wavelength about 900 nm. In another embodiment, the material of
the lens elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 has a high absorption for
visible light and a high transmission for near infrared light
longer than 900 nm, preferably at 940 nm.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 3A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L1, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L2, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L3, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L4. Thicknesses T1-T4 are each
measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between the
first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0076] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0077] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a positive refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has an
absorption spectrum of visible light in the range from 400 nm to
700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths above 850
nm.
[0078] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L1, L2, L3, and
L4 can be made of the same plastic material and coated with an
antireflective material optimized for near-infrared radiation. In a
preferred embodiment, the antireflective material has a
transmission peak at about 940 nm.
[0079] Table 3A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 200 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same plastic
material to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the
manufacturing costs.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3A Curvature Radius Radius Thickness/air gap
Refractive (1/mm) (mm) (mm) index Abbe # material Object Infinity
10000 Aperture stop Infinity -0.12476 Lens 1 9.12E-01 1.096272
0.489626 1.5441 55.8 plastic 1.06E-01 9.392786 0.114955 Lens 2
-1.85E-01 -5.3966 0.24 1.5441 55.8 plastic 3.23E-02 30.94121
0.304479 Lens 3 -8.37E-01 -1.19525 0.455357 1.5441 55.8 plastic
-1.62E+00 -0.6169 0.136123 Lens 4 3.47E-01 2.878439 0.309657 1.5441
55.8 plastic 1.40E+00 0.713182 0.514822 filter Infinity 0.21 1.52
64.2 Infinity 0.3 Image plane Infinity 0
[0080] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
2.4818 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 37.08 degrees. The F
number is 2.199. The image height is 1.876 mm. The BFL is 1.025 mm.
The total length from the object-side surface of the first lens
element to the image plane is 3.075 mm. The angular magnification
is 1.151. The diameter of the aperture stop is 1.12 mm. The
diameter of the filter is 3.361 mm.
[0081] Table 3B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 3B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 0.583316716 0
-7.49E-02 4.45E-01 -2.53E+00 R2 0.631494381 0 -2.57E-01 -5.99E-01
-3.33E+00 R3 0.626133161 0 -2.48E-01 -1.72E+00 2.75E+00 R4
0.661635554 0 3.88E-02 4.13E-01 -4.23E+00 R5 0.686552237 0 1.59E-01
-5.61E-01 2.47E-01 R6 0.848811908 -0.77041 8.59E-01 -2.08E+00
4.19E+00 R7 1.205435147 3.352184 -4.83E-01 1.39E-01 3.60E-01 R8
1.432267496 -5.69912 -3.51E-01 3.56E-01 -2.96E-01 Surface # 10th
order term 12th order term 14th order term 16th order term R1
4.22E+00 2.12E-01 -1.32E+01 R2 1.32E+01 -2.25E+01 1.56E+01 R3
-8.25E-01 3.75E+00 R4 1.92E+01 -3.45E+01 2.64E+01 R5 1.68E+00
-9.22E-01 -2.76E+00 R6 -5.20E+00 5.27E+00 -2.48E+00 R7 -5.23E-01
2.85E-01 -5.68E-02 R8 1.55E-01 -4.56E-02 4.41E-03 4.71E-04
[0082] FIGS. 3B and 3C are graphs illustrating the respective
astigmatic field curvatures and distortion for a wavelength of 940
nm in optical lens system 200 of FIG. 3A. The sagittal (denoted
"S") and tangential (denoted "T") astigmatic curvature are less
than .+-.0.06 mm and the distortion is less than .+-.2.0
percent.
Four Lens Element Telecentric Lens System 300
Fourth Embodiment
[0083] FIG. 4 is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 300 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 300 is a telecentric
lens system including a first lens element L1, a second lens
element L2, a third lens element L3, and a fourth lens element L4,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L1-L4 can be rotationally symmetric
above the optical axis. In an embodiment, optical lens system 300
further includes an aperture stop AS disposed between the first
lens element L1 and the second lens element L2.
[0084] First lens element L1 has a positive refractive power, a
planar object-side surface, a convex image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a convex image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Second lens element L2 has a
negative refractive power, a convex object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, a convex object-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, a concave image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a concave image side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Third lens element L3 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side along the optical
axis, a concave object-side surface in the outer circumferential
region, a convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential
region, and a convex surface on the image side along the optical
axis. Fourth lens element L4 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a
convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential region, and
a convex image side surface in the vicinity of the optical
axis.
[0085] As shown in FIGS. 4, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L1. R3 and R4 are
the respective object side and image side surface of second lens
element L2. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective object-side and
image-side surface of third lens element L3. Likewise, R7 and R8
are the respective object-side and image-side surface of fourth
lens element L4.
[0086] In one embodiment, lens elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 each are
made of the same material, which passes near infrared light having
a wavelength about 900 nm and have a high absorption for visible
light. In a specific embodiment, the material of lens elements L1,
L2, L3, and L4 has a transmission peak at 940 nm.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 4, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L1, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L2, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L3, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L4. Thicknesses T1-T4 are each
measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between the
first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0088] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0089] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a positive refractive
power. The air gap between the first and second lens elements is
about 0.02 mm. The air gap between the second and third lens
elements is about 0.196 mm. The air gap between the third and
fourth lens elements is about 0.05 mm.
[0090] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L1, L2, L3, and
L4 can be made of the same plastic material and coated with an
antireflective material optimized for near-infrared radiation. In a
preferred embodiment, the antireflective material has a
transmission peak at about 940 nm.
[0091] Table 4A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 300 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same plastic
material to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the
manufacturing costs.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 4A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe
Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10000 Lens
1 Infinity 0.35 1.639753 23.35202 -9.77E-01 -1.02391 0.02 Lens 2
1.65E+00 0.604434 0.3 1.639753 23.35202 2.72E+00 0.367997 0.195861
Lens 3 -1.89E+00 -0.52892 0.3 1.639753 23.35202 -1.31E+00 -0.76577
0.05 Lens 4 1.31E+00 0.76423 0.5 1.639753 23.35202 -7.10E-01
-1.40872 0.4
[0092] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
1.0588 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 18.11 degrees. The F
number is 2.07. The image height is 0.346 mm. The BFL is 0.398 mm.
The total length from the object-side surface of the first lens
element to the image plane is about 2.116 mm. The angular
magnification is 0.0622. The diameter of the aperture stop is about
0.498 mm and the thickness is 0.02 mm. All four lens elements are
made of the same high quality material having an index of
refraction of 1.6397. The chief ray angle is smaller than 1 degree
across the field.
[0093] Table 4B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 4B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 0.338471742 0 R2
0.276312851 0 1.19E+00 -4.80E+00 1.36E+01 R3 0.26533854 0 2.08E-01
R4 0.241014398 0 -3.58E+00 R5 0.258098858 0 2.80E-02 R6 0.371279568
0 3.64E-02 R7 0.469899148 0 -3.73E-01 3.84E-02 R8 0.451692498 0
5.29E-01 -4.75E-01 2.67E-01
[0094] All order terms higher than the 8th order term are zeros.
The conic constant is zero for all even aspheric surface of the
four lens elements.
Four Lens Element Telecentric Lens System 400
Fifth Embodiment
[0095] FIG. 5A is a simplified cross-sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 400 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 400 is a telecentric
lens system including a first lens element L1, a second lens
element L2, a third lens element L3, and a fourth lens element L4,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L1-L4 can be rotationally symmetric
above the optical axis.
[0096] First lens element L1 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a
convex image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential region.
Second lens element L2 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a convex
object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
concave image side surface in the outer circumferential region.
Third lens element L3 has a negative refractive power, a concave
object-side in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
concave surface in the outer circumferential region. Fourth lens
element L4 has a positive refractive power, a convex object-side
surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a convex object-side
surface in the outer circumferential region, a convex image-side
surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex
image-side surface in the outer circumferential region.
[0097] Optical lens system 400 further includes an aperture stop AS
disposed in front of the first lens element L1, where the optical
axis intersects the center of the aperture stop.
[0098] Referring to FIGS. 5, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L1. R3 and R4 are
the respective object side and image side surface of second lens
element L2. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective object-side and
image-side surface of third lens element L3. Likewise, R7 and R8
are the respective object-side and image-side surface of fourth
lens element L4.
[0099] In one embodiment, lens elements L1, L2, L3, and L4 each are
made of the same material, which passes near infrared light having
a wavelength about 900 nm and have a high absorption for visible
light. In a specific embodiment, the material of lens elements L1,
L2, L3, and L4 has a transmission peak at 940 nm. In some
embodiments, lens elements may be made of Ultem 1010, Ultem XH6050,
Extem XH1005, and Extem UH1006.
[0100] Still referring to FIG. 4, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L1, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L2, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L3, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L4. Thicknesses T1-T4 are each
measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between the
first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0101] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0102] Table 5A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 400 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same plastic
material to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the
manufacturing costs.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 5A Curvature Thickness/ Radius Radius air gap
Refractive Abbe (1/mm) (mm) (mm) index # Object Infinity 1E+08
Aper- Infinity -0.3176 ture stop Lens 1 9.50E-01 1.052815 0.52
1.639753 23.35202 -2.00E-02 -50.0992 0.04 Lens 2 1.12E+00 0.89579
0.32 1.639753 23.35202 1.95E+00 0.513552 0.801427 Lens 3 -8.36E-01
-1.19688 0.28 1.639753 23.35202 2.24E+00 0.445971 0.184473 Lens 4
9.80E-01 1.020037 0.4 1.639753 23.35202 -1.60E+00 -0.62529 0.1
[0103] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.614 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 4.896 degrees. The F
number is 2.3. The image height is 0.3096 mm. The BFL is 0.1 mm.
The total length from the object-side surface of the first lens
element to the image plane is about 2.678 mm. The angular
magnification is -0.3587. The diameter of the aperture stop is
about 1.57 mm and the thickness of is 0.35 mm. All four lens
elements are made of the same high quality material having an index
of refraction of 1.6397.
[0104] According to this embodiment, the air gap between the first
and second lens elements is about 0.04 mm, the air gap between the
second and third lens elements is about 0.80 mm, and the air gap
between the third and fourth lens elements is about 0.18 mm.
[0105] Table 5B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 5B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term 10th order term R1
0.338471742 0.009547 -3.09E-02 -1.23E-01 1.20E-01 -1.35E-01 R2
0.276312851 0 R3 0.26533854 -0.38324 R4 0.241014398 -0.17923 R5
0.258098858 3.536838 R6 0.371279568 0 7.22E-01 R7 0.469899148 0
-1.04E+00 R8 0.451692498 0 4.08E-01 -1.76E+00
[0106] All order terms higher than the 10th order term are
zeros.
[0107] FIG. 5B is a MTF graph for the optical lens system 400.
[0108] Various materials having an absorption spectrum of visible
light and high transmission for near infrared wavelengths are
known. For example, Ultem XH6050, Extem XH1005, Extem UH1006 are
suitable materials for making lens elements of the present
disclosure.
Sixth Embodiment
[0109] FIG. 6A is a simplified cross-section view of a four-element
optical lens system 500 according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention. Optical lens system 500 comprises a first lens
element L11, a second lens element L12, a third lens element L13,
and a fourth lens element L14, arranged in order from the object
side to the image side along the optical axis. Each lens element
L11-L14 can be rotationally symmetric above the optical axis.
[0110] First lens element L11 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, and
a concave image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Second lens element L12 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a convex
object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
concave image side surface in the outer circumferential region.
Third lens element L13 has a negative refractive power, a concave
object-side in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side surface in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
concave surface in the outer circumferential region. Fourth lens
element L14 has a positive refractive power, a concave object-side
surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave object-side
surface in the outer circumferential region, a convex image-side
surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex
image-side surface in the outer circumferential region.
[0111] Optical lens system 500 further includes a filter F11
disposed between fourth lens element L14 and an imaging sensor. In
an embodiment, filter F11 may be made of glass.
[0112] Optical lens system 500 further includes an aperture stop AS
disposed between first lens element L11 and second lens element
L12, where the optical axis intersects the center of the aperture
stop.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 6A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L11. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L12. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L13.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L14.
[0114] In one embodiment, lens elements L11, L12, L13, and L14 each
are made of the same material, which passes near infrared light
having a wavelength about 900 nm and have a high absorption for
visible light. In a specific embodiment, the material of lens
elements L11, L12, L13, and L14 has a transmission peak at 940 nm.
In some embodiments, lens elements may be made of Ultem 1010, Ultem
XH6050, Extem XH1005, and Extem UH1006.
[0115] Still referring to FIG. 6A, T1 is the thickness of first
lens element L11, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element
L12, T3 is the thickness of the third lens element L13, and T4 is
the thickness of the fourth lens element L14. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements and includes the distance AC1S
between the image-side surface of first lens L11 and the center of
the aperture stop AS and the distance ACS2 between the center of
the aperture stop AS and the object-side surface of second lens
element L12. AC23 is the air gap between the second and third lens
elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the third and fourth lens
elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are each measured along the
optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal length, which is the
distance between the image side of the fourth lens element and the
image plane along the optical axis. BFL includes the thickness of
the optical filter if the filter is disposed between the fourth
lens element and the image plane. EFL denotes the effective focal
length, which is also known as focal length.
[0116] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0117] Table 6A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 500 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same plastic
material to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the
manufacturing costs.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 6A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe
Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 1E+08 Lens
11 1.32E+00 7.60E-01 T1 = 6.08E-01 1.639753 23.35202 1.51E-01
6.61E+00 AC1S = 8.00E-02 ACS2 = 2.00E-02 Lens 12 8.32E-01 1.20E+00
T2 = 2.82E-01 1.639753 23.35202 1.76E+00 5.67E-01 AC23 = 2.74E-01
Lens 13 -1.09E+00 -9.21E-01 T3 = 2.81E-01 1.639753 23.35202
1.90E+00 5.25E-01 AC34 = 2.37E-01 Lens 14 -6.75E-03 -1.48E+02 T4 =
4.19E-01 1.639753 23.35202 -1.27E+00 -7.89E-01 AC4F = 1.00E-01
filter 0.00E+00 TF = 3.00E-01 1.5168 64.16 Image plane ACFP =
1.00E-01
[0118] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.7999 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 5.387 degrees. The F
number is 2.3. The image height is 0.358 mm. The BFL is 0.5 mm. The
total length from the object-side surface of the first lens element
to the image plane is about 2.701 mm. The angular magnification is
1.422. The diameter of the aperture stop is about 1.05 mm. All four
lens elements are made of the same high quality material having an
index of refraction of 1.6397.
[0119] According to this embodiment, the air gap AC12 between the
first and second lens elements is the sum of the air gap AC1S and
ACS2 and is about 0.1 mm, where AC1S is the distance between the
image-side surface of first lens element L11 and the aperture stop
AS, and ACS2 is the distance between the aperture stop AS and the
object-side surface of second lens element L12 along the optic
axis. The air gap AC23 between the second and third lens elements
is about 0.274 mm, and the air gap between the third and fourth
lens elements is about 0.237 mm along the optical axis. The filter
may be made of glass and has a thickness of about 0.3 mm. The
filter has a refractive index of 1.5168 and an Abbe number of
64.16. The filter is disposed at about 0.1 mm from the image-side
of fourth lens element L14 and 0.1 mm from the image plane along
the optical axis. The telephoto ratio is about 0.71058. In an
embodiment, the sum of all air gaps AAG between the first through
the fourth lens elements is 0.611. The ratio of AAG/T3 is
2.174.
[0120] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and the
third lens element is designed to have a positive refractive power.
In order to increase the production yield and reduce manufacturing
costs all three lens elements can be made of the same material. In
one embodiment, the optical lens material has an absorption
spectrum of visible light with a wavelength in the range between
400 nm and 700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths
above 850 nm.
[0121] According to the first embodiment, all four lens elements
L11, L12, L13, and L14 can be made of the same material and coated
with an antireflective material optimized for near-infrared
radiation. The first lens element has a positive refractive power,
a convex surface on the object-side in the vicinity of the optical
axis, and a concave surface on the image-side in the vicinity of
the optical axis. The second lens element has a negative refractive
power, the third lens element has a concave surface on the object
in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave surface near the
outer circumference, and the fourth lens element has a convex
image-side surface. The object-side and image-side surfaces of the
four lens elements are even aspheric. The combination of these four
lens elements provides the desired lens system quality. Making the
four lens elements of the same material can lower the manufacturing
costs and simplify the manufacturing process.
[0122] Table 6B shows numeric lens data of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients as for each of the lens surfaces of
optical lens system 100 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 6B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term 10th order term R1
6.93E-01 -3.32E-01 1.88E-02 -8.85E-02 2.99E-01 -2.65E-01 R2
5.65E-01 0 8.43E-02 -5.34E-02 3.59E-03 R3 4.53E-01 3.12E+00
3.19E-01 -8.40E-01 R4 2.93E-01 1.67E+00 6.75E-01 4.41E+00 R5
2.52E-01 8.23E+00 5.64E-01 R6 2.51E-01 0 8.28E-03 -3.63E+00
2.60E+01 R7 3.13E-01 0 -1.44E+00 2.44E-01 R8 3.98E-01 0 -2.05E+00
6.47E+00 -2.27E+00
[0123] All order terms higher than the 10th order term are
zeros.
[0124] FIGS. 6B-6O are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 500 shown in FIG. 6A.
FIGS. 6B and 6C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 6D and 6E illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 6F and 6G illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 6H and 6I illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
three and one half degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 6J and 6K illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 6L and 6M illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four and one half degrees off axis in the y-plane and
the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 6N and 6O illustrate transverse
ray fan plots for an object 5.387 degrees off axis in the y-plane
and the x-plane, respectively.
Seventh Embodiment
[0125] FIG. 7A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 600 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 600 includes, a first
lens element L21, an aperture stop AS, a second lens element L22, a
third lens element L23, and a fourth lens element L24, arranged in
order from the object side to the image side along the optical
axis. Each lens element L21-L24 can be rotationally symmetric above
the optical axis.
[0126] First lens element L21 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface, a convex image-side surface in the
outer circumferential region, and a concave image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Second lens element L22 has a
negative refractive power, a convex object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave image side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis. Third lens element L23 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side along the optical
axis, and a concave surface on the image side along the optical
axis. Fourth lens element L24 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a convex image side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis and
a convex image-side surface in the outer circumferential
region.
[0127] Optical lens system 600 also includes a filter F21
configured to block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. In
some embodiments, the filter filters out wavelengths below about
700 nm. The optical filter blocks shorter wavelengths of the
visible spectrum and passes through wavelengths above about 700 nm.
The filter improves the infrared performance of the imaging lens
system 600 by reducing interference from other light sources.
Although filter F21 is shown as a single filter disposed between
the fourth lens element and the image plane, filter F21 can be
disposed in any other locations and can have one or more filter
elements. Filter F21 can be similar to filter F11 described
above.
[0128] As shown in FIG. 7A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L21. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L22. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L23.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L24.
[0129] In one embodiment, lens elements L21, L22, L23, and L24 each
are made of the same material, which passes near infrared light
having a wavelength about 900 nm. In another embodiment, the
material of the lens elements L21, L22, L23, and L24 has a high
absorption for visible light and a high transmission for near
infrared light longer than 900 nm, preferably at 940 nm.
[0130] Referring to FIG. 7A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L21, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L22, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L23, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L24. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC1S is the distance between
the first lens element and the aperture stop AS, ACS2 is the
distance between the aperture stop AS and the object-side surface
of the second lens element, so that the sum of AC1A and ACA2 is the
air gap AC12 between the first and second lens elements. AC23 is
the air gap between the second and third lens elements, and AC34 is
the air gap between the third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps
AC12, AC23, and AC34 are each measured along the optical axis. BFL
denotes the back focal length, which is the distance between the
image side of the fourth lens element and the image plane along the
optical axis. BFL includes the thickness of the optical filter if
the filter is disposed between the fourth lens element and the
image plane. EFL denotes the effective focal length, which is also
known as focal length.
[0131] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34. In an
embodiment, AAG is 0.9308 mm. The ratio of AAG/T3 is 3.324. The
ratio of EFL/T4 satisfies the relation of 7.0.ltoreq.EFL/T4. The
ratio of AC34/T3 satisfies the relation 0.8.ltoreq.AC34/T3.
[0132] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a positive refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a positive refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has an
absorption spectrum of visible light in the range from 400 nm to
700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths above 850
nm.
[0133] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L21, L22, L23,
and L24 can be made of the same material and coated with an
antireflective material optimized for near-infrared radiation. In a
preferred embodiment, the antireflective material has a
transmission peak at about 940 nm.
[0134] Table 7A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 600 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same material to
simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the manufacturing
costs.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 7A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe
Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10000 Lens
1 1.08E+00 9.26E-01 T1 = 0.46 1.639753 23.35202 -1.17E-01 -8.56E+00
AC1S = 0.014829 0.00E+00 ACS2 = 0.02 Lens 2 5.36E-01 1.87E+00 T2 =
0.300369 1.639753 23.35202 1.13E+00 8.87E-01 AC23 = 0.615285 Lens 3
-1.33E+00 -7.51E-01 T3 = 0.28 1.639753 23.35202 1.65E+00 6.06E-01
AC34 = 0.281892 Lens 4 4.08E-01 2.45E+00 T4 = 0.231201 1.639753
23.35202 -8.95E-01 -1.12E+00 AC4F = 0.1 filter 0.00E+00 TF = 0.3
1.5168 64.16 0.00E+00 ACFP = 0.1 Image plane 0.00E+00 0
[0135] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.798 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 5.469 degrees. The F
number is 2.2. The image height is 0.3636 mm. The BFL is 0.51 mm.
The total length TTL from the object-side surface of the first lens
element to the image plane is 2.7018 mm. The telephoto ratio is
0.71147. The angular magnification is 1.5316. The diameter of the
aperture stop is 1.38 mm. The diameter of the filter is 0.75
mm.
[0136] Table 7B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 7B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term 10th order term R1
7.51E-01 1.46E-03 -3.02E-02 -2.91E-01 2.73E-01 -3.98E-01 R2
7.03E-01 0.00E+00 1.11E-01 -3.06E-02 R3 6.21E-01 3.47E+00 1.99E-02
3.78E-01 5.58E-03 R4 4.69E-01 -9.10E-01 3.01E-01 1.49E-01 R5
2.92E-01 -2.85E+01 -3.34E+00 -3.11E+00 R6 2.88E-01 0.00E+00
6.75E+00 -5.32E+01 R7 3.99E-01 0.00E+00 1.34E+00 8.28E+00 -1.60E+01
R8 3.89E-01 0.00E+00 -1.45E+00 1.48E+01 3.31E+00
[0137] All order terms higher than the 10th order term are
zeros.
[0138] FIGS. 7B-7O are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 600 shown in FIG. 7A.
FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 7D and 7E illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 7F and 7G illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 7H and 7I illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
three and one half degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 7J and 7K illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 7L and 7M illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four and one half degrees off axis in the y-plane and
the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 7N and 7O illustrate transverse
ray fan plots for an object 5.4697 degrees off axis in the y-plane
and the x-plane, respectively. FIG. 7P is graph illustrating the
modulus of the optical transfer function as a function of the
spatial frequency (cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 7A.
Eighth Embodiment
[0139] FIG. 8A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 700 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 700 includes, an
aperture stop AS, a first lens element L31, a second lens element
L32, a third lens element L33, and a fourth lens element L34,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L31-L34 can be rotationally
symmetric above the optical axis.
[0140] First lens element L31 has a positive refractive power. The
object side surface of first lens element L31 has a convex portion
in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in the
outer circumferential region. The image-side surface of first lens
element L31 has a convex portion in the vicinity of the optical
axis. Second lens element L32 has a negative refractive power, a
convex object-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a concave image side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Third lens element L33 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side along the optical axis, and a concave surface on the
image side along the optical axis. Fourth lens element L34 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave image side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis.
[0141] Optical lens system 700 also includes a filter F31
configured to block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. In
some embodiments, the filter filters out wavelengths below about
700 nm. The optical filter blocks shorter wavelengths of the
visible spectrum and passes through wavelengths above about 700 nm.
The filter improves the infrared performance of the imaging lens
system 700 by reducing interference from other light sources.
Although filter F31 is shown as a single filter disposed between
the fourth lens element and the image plane, filter F31 can be
disposed in any other locations and can have one or more filter
elements. Filter F31 can be similar to filter F11 of filter F21
described above.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 8A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L31. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L32. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L33.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L34.
[0143] In one embodiment, lens elements L31, L32, L33, and L34 each
are made of the same material, which passes near infrared light
having a wavelength about 900 nm. In another embodiment, the
material of the lens elements L31, L32, L33, and L34 has a high
absorption for visible light and a high transmission for near
infrared light longer than 900 nm, preferably at 940 nm.
[0144] Referring to FIG. 8A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L31, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L32, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L33, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L34. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0145] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0146] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a positive refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a positive refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has an
absorption spectrum of visible light in the range from 400 nm to
700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths above 850
nm.
[0147] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L31, L32, L33,
and L34 can be made of the same material and coated with an
antireflective material optimized for near-infrared radiation. In a
preferred embodiment, the antireflective material has a
transmission peak at about 940 nm.
[0148] Table 8A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 700 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same material to
simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the manufacturing
costs.
TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 8A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe
Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10000
Aperture stop 0.00E+00 -3.17E-01 Lens 1 9.20E-01 1.09E+00 T1 =
5.86E-01 1.639753 23.35202 -9.92E-02 -1.01E+01 AC12 = 5.00E-02 Lens
2 5.92E-01 1.69E+00 T2 = 3.15E-01 1.639753 23.35202 8.72E-01
1.15E+00 AC23 = 3.82E-01 Lens 3 5.93E-03 1.69E+02 T3 = 2.40E-01
1.639753 23.35202 1.40E+00 7.16E-01 AC34 = 2.78E-01 Lens 4
-6.88E-01 -1.45E+00 T4 = 2.40E-01 1.639753 23.35202 5.28E-02
1.89E+01 AC4F = 1.00E-01 filter 0.00E+00 TF = 2.10E-01 1.5168 64.16
0.00E+00 ACFP = 3.00E-01 Image plane 0.00E+00
[0149] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.9999 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 5.3 degrees. The F
number is 2.4. The image height is 0.3715 mm. The total length TTL
from the object-side surface of the first lens element to the image
plane is 2.703 mm. The telephoto ratio is 0.675. The angular
magnification is 3.0447. The diameter of the aperture stop is 1.666
mm. The diameter of the filter is 0.678 mm. AAG is 0.71 mm. The
ratio of AAG/T3 is greater than 2.0.
[0150] In this embodiment, the first lens element has a curvature
radius R1 of 0.920 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R2 of -0.0992
mm.sup.-1. The second lens element has a curvature radius R3 of
0.592 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R4 of -0.872 mm.sup.-1. The
third lens element has a curvature radius R5 of 0.00593 mm.sup.-1
and a curvature radius R6 of 1.40 mm.sup.-1. The fourth lens
element has a curvature radius R7 of -0.688 mm.sup.-1 and a
curvature radius R8 of 0.0528 mm.sup.-1.
[0151] Table 8B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 8B Surface # Semi-diameter K 2nd order term
4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 8.33E-01 0.00E+00
-3.89E-03 -3.24E-01 1.65E-01 R2 7.79E-01 0.00E+00 -1.82E-01
3.05E-01 R3 7.03E-01 0.00E+00 -4.29E-01 1.03E+00 R4 5.79E-01
0.00E+00 -6.64E-01 4.64E-01 R5 4.04E-01 0.00E+00 -2.18E+00 5.19E+00
R6 3.22E-01 0.00E+00 -3.57E+00 8.84E+00 R7 2.76E-01 0.00E+00
-6.90E+00 -8.21E+00 R8 3.23E-01 0.00E+00 -4.59E+00 1.53E+01
-2.65E+01
[0152] All order terms higher than the 8th order term are
zeros.
[0153] FIGS. 8B-8O are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 700 shown in FIG. 8A.
FIGS. 8B and 8C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 8D and 8E illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 8F and 8G illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 8H and 8I illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
three degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 8J and 8K illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 8L and 8M illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object five degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 8N and 8O illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object 5.300 degrees off axis in the y-plane and the
x-plane, respectively. FIG. 8P is graph illustrating the modulus of
the optical transfer function (OTF) as a function of the spatial
frequency (cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8Q is
graph illustrating the modulus of the optical transfer function
(OTF) as a function of the field in the embodiment of FIG. 8A.
[0154] Various materials having an absorption spectrum of visible
light and high transmission for near infrared wavelengths are
known. For example, Ultem XH6050, Extem XH1005, Extem UH1006 are
suitable materials for making lens elements of the first, second,
and third embodiments described above.
[0155] The following embodiments differ from the first, second, and
third embodiments described above in that they are designed for
visible light having wavelengths in the range between 400 nm and
700 nm whereas the first, second, and third embodiments are
designed for wavelengths of about 700 nm or longer.
Ninth Embodiment
[0156] FIG. 9A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 800 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 800 includes, an
aperture stop AS, a first lens element L41, a second lens element
L42, a third lens element L43, and a fourth lens element L44,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L41-L44 can be rotationally
symmetric above the optical axis.
[0157] First lens element L41 has a positive refractive power. The
object side surface of first lens element L41 has a convex portion
in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in the
outer circumferential region. The image-side surface of first lens
element L41 has a convex port in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Second lens element L42 has a negative refractive power and a
concave image side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Third lens element L43 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side along the optical axis, and a concave surface on the
image side along the optical axis. Fourth lens element L44 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis.
[0158] Optical lens system 800 also includes a filter F41
configured to pass light at visible wavelengths. Although filter
F41 is shown as a single filter disposed between the fourth lens
element and the image plane, filter F41 can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements.
[0159] Referring to FIG. 9A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L41. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L42. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L43.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L44.
[0160] In one embodiment, lens elements L41, L42, L43, and L44 each
are made of a material, which passes visible light having
wavelengths in the range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.
[0161] Referring to FIG. 9A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L41, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L42, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L43, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L44. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0162] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0163] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a negative refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has
high transmission of visible light having for wavelengths in the
range from 400 nm to 700 nm.
[0164] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L41, L42, L43,
and L44 can be made of the same material and coated with an
antireflective material. In certain embodiments, lens elements L41,
L42, L43, and L44 may be made with different materials. In some
specific embodiments, first and third lens elements L41, L43 may be
made of the same first material, and second and fourth lens
elements L42, L44 may be made of the same second material.
[0165] Table 9A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 800 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 9A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe
Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10000
Aperture stop 0.00E+00 -2.79E-01 Lens 1 1.05E+00 9.53E-01 T1 =
6.10E-01 1.544102 5.61E+01 -3.54E-01 -2.83E+00 AC12 = 5.00E-02 Lens
2 5.23E-02 1.91E+01 T2 = 2.40E-01 1.639753 23.35202 8.11E-01
1.23E+00 AC23 = 6.48E-01 Lens 3 2.83E-01 3.54E+00 T3 = 2.40E-01
1.544102 5.61E+01 1.20E+00 8.32E-01 AC34 = 3.63E-01 Lens 4
-4.53E-01 -2.21E+00 T4 = 2.40E-01 1.544102 5.61E+01 -8.91E-02
-1.12E+01 AC4F = 1.00E-01 filter 0.00E+00 TF = 2.10E-01 1.5168
64.16 0.00E+00 ACFP = 3.00E-01 Image plane 0.00E+00 0.00E+00
[0166] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.9999 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 7 degrees. The F number
is 2.80. The image height is 0.4916 mm. The total length TTL from
the object-side surface of the first lens element to the image
plane is 3.0414 mm. The telephoto ratio is 0.75. The angular
magnification is 2.4854. The diameter of the aperture stop is 1.666
mm. The diameter of the filter is 0.892 mm. AAG is 1.061 mm. The
ratio of AAG/T3 is greater than 4. The ratio of AC23/T3 is greater
than 2.
[0167] In this embodiment, the first lens element has a curvature
radius R1 of 1.05 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R2 of -0.364
mm.sup.-1. The second lens element has a curvature radius R3 of
0.0523 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R4 of 0.811 mm.sup.-1. The
third lens element has a curvature radius R5 of 0.283 mm.sup.-1 and
a curvature radius R6 of 1.20 mm.sup.-1. The fourth lens element
has a curvature radius R7 of -0.453 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature
radius R8 of -0.0891 mm.sup.-1.
[0168] Table 9B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 9B Semi-diameter Surface # (mm) K 2nd order
term 4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 7.14E-01
0.00E+00 -3.16E-02 -5.23E-02 -4.19E-01 R2 6.74E-01 0.00E+00
-1.14E-01 1.49E-01 R3 6.11E-01 0.00E+00 -4.18E-01 9.29E-01 R4
5.01E-01 0.00E+00 -1.80E-01 7.58E-01 R5 3.87E-01 0.00E+00 -4.42E-01
-2.45E+00 R6 3.60E-01 0.00E+00 -8.90E-01 -4.12E-01 R7 3.64E-01
0.00E+00 -3.81E+00 2.65E+00 R8 4.31E-01 0.00E+00 -3.48E+00 7.53E+00
-9.47E+00
[0169] All order terms higher than the 8th order term are
zeros.
[0170] FIGS. 9B-9Q are a set of graphs illustrating the transverse
ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 800 shown in FIG. 9A.
FIGS. 9B and 9C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 9D and 9E illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 9F and 9G illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
FIGS. 9H and 9I illustrate transverse ray fan plots for an object
three degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 9J and 9K illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 9L and 9M illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object five degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 9N and 9O illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object six degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 9P and 9Q illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object seven degrees off axis in the y-plane and the
x-plane, respectively.
[0171] FIG. 9R is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9S is graph
illustrating the modulus of the optical transfer function (OTF) as
a function of the field in the embodiment of FIG. 9A.
Tenth Embodiment
[0172] FIG. 10A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 900 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 900 includes, an
aperture stop AS, a first lens element L51, a second lens element
L52, a third lens element L53, and a fourth lens element L54,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L51-L54 can be rotationally
symmetric above the optical axis.
[0173] First lens element L51 has a positive refractive power. The
object side surface of first lens element L51 has a convex portion
in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in the
outer circumferential region. The image-side surface of first lens
element L51 has a convex port in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Second lens element L52 has a negative refractive power and a
concave image side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis.
Third lens element L53 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side along the optical axis, and a concave surface on the
image side along the optical axis. Fourth lens element L54 has a
negative refractive power, a concave object-side surface in the
vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex image-side surface in
the vicinity of the optical axis.
[0174] Optical lens system 900 also includes a filter F51
configured to pass light at visible wavelengths. Although filter
F51 is shown as a single filter disposed between the fourth lens
element and the image plane, filter F51 can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements.
[0175] Referring to FIG. 10A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L51. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L52. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L53.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L54.
[0176] In one embodiment, lens elements L51, L52, L53, and L54 each
are made of a material, which passes visible light having
wavelengths in the range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.
[0177] Referring to FIG. 10A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L51, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L52, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L53, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L54. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0178] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0179] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a negative refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has
high transmission of visible light having for wavelengths in the
range from 400 nm to 700 nm.
[0180] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L51, L52, L53,
and L54 can be made of the same material and coated with an
antireflective material. In certain embodiments, lens elements L51,
L52, L53, and L54 may be made with different materials. In some
specific embodiments, first and third lens elements L51, L53 may be
made of a same first material, and second and fourth lens elements
L52, L54 may be made of a same second material.
[0181] Table 10A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 900 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 10A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive
Abbe Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10000
Aperture stop 0.00E+00 -2.79E-01 Lens 1 1.06E+00 9.47E-01 T1 =
6.06E-01 1.544102 5.61E+01 -3.48E-01 -2.87E+00 AC12 = 5.00E-02 Lens
2 7.69E-02 1.30E+01 T2 = 2.40E-01 1.639753 23.35202 8.18E-01
1.22E+00 AC23 = 6.30E-01 Lens 3 1.87E-01 5.35E+00 T3 = 2.40E-01
1.639753 23.35202 1.03E+00 9.73E-01 AC34 = 3.84E-01 Lens 4
-4.09E-01 -2.45E+00 T4 = 1.544102 5.61E+01 -9.64E-02 -1.04E+01 AC4F
= 1.00E-01 filter 0.00E+00 TF = 2.10E-01 1.5168 64.16 0.00E+00 ACFP
= 3.00E-01 Image plane 0.00E+00 0.00E+00
[0182] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.9999 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 7 degrees. The F number
is 2.802. The image height is 0.4916 mm. The total length TTL from
the object-side surface of the first lens element to the image
plane is 3.0414 mm. The telephoto ratio is 0.75. The angular
magnification is 2.4597. The diameter of the aperture stop is 1.428
mm. The diameter of the filter is 0.916 mm. AAG is 1.064 mm. The
ratio of AAG/T3 is greater than 4. The ratio of AC23/T3 is greater
than 2.
[0183] In this embodiment, the first lens element has a curvature
radius R1 of 1.06 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R2 of -0.348
mm.sup.-1. The second lens element has a curvature radius R3 of
0.0769 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature radius R4 of 0.818 mm.sup.-1. The
third lens element has a curvature radius R5 of 0.187 mm.sup.-1 and
a curvature radius R6 of 1.03 mm.sup.-1. The fourth lens element
has a curvature radius R7 of -0.409 mm.sup.-1 and a curvature
radius R8 of -0.0964 mm.sup.-1.
[0184] Table 10B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 10B Semi-diameter Surface # (mm) K 2nd order
term 4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 7.14E-01
0.00E+00 -4.00E-02 -6.83E-02 -4.03E-01 R2 6.74E-01 0.00E+00
-1.01E-01 1.49E-01 R3 6.11E-01 0.00E+00 -3.94E-01 9.39E-01 R4
5.02E-01 0.00E+00 -2.19E-01 7.31E-01 R5 3.82E-01 0.00E+00 -7.77E-01
-2.24E+00 R6 3.65E-01 0.00E+00 -1.16E+00 -6.59E-01 R7 3.67E-01
0.00E+00 -3.44E+00 1.73E-01 R8 4.33E-01 0.00E+00 -3.14E+00 5.57E+00
-5.71E+00
[0185] All order terms higher than the 8th order term are
zeros.
[0186] FIGS. 10B-10Q are a set of graphs illustrating the
transverse ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 900 shown in
FIG. 10A. FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for
an object zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 10D and 10E illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 10F and 10G illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 10H and 10I illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object three degrees off axis in the y-plane and the
x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 10J and 10K illustrate transverse ray
fan plots for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and
the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 10L and 10M illustrate transverse
ray fan plots for an object five degrees off axis in the y-plane
and the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 10N and 10O illustrate
transverse ray fan plots for an object six degrees off axis in the
y-plane and the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 10P and 10Q illustrate
transverse ray fan plots for an object seven degrees off axis in
the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
[0187] FIG. 10R is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 10A. FIG. 10S is graph
illustrating the modulus of the optical transfer function (OTF) as
a function of the field in the embodiment of FIG. 10A.
Eleventh Embodiment
[0188] FIG. 11A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 1000 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 1000 includes, an
aperture stop AS, a first lens element L61, a second lens element
L62, a third lens element L63, and a fourth lens element L64,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L61-L64 can be rotationally
symmetric above the optical axis.
[0189] First lens element L61 has a positive refractive power. The
object side surface of first lens element L61 has a convex portion
in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex portion in the
outer circumferential region. The image-side surface of first lens
element L61 has a convex portion in the vicinity of the optical
axis. Second lens element L62 has a negative refractive power; the
image-side surface of second lens element L62 has a concave portion
in the vicinity of the optical axis. Third lens element L63 has a
negative refractive power, the object-side surface of third lens
element L63 has a convex portion in the proximity of the optical
axis, and the image-side surface of third lens element L63 has a
concave portion in the proximity of the optical axis. Fourth lens
element L64 has a negative refractive power, a concave object-side
surface in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex
image-side surface in the vicinity of the optical axis.
[0190] Optical lens system 1000 also includes a filter F61
configured to pass light at visible wavelengths. Although filter
F61 is shown as a single filter disposed between the fourth lens
element and the image plane, filter F61 can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements.
[0191] Referring to FIG. 11A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L61. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L62. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L63.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L64.
[0192] In one embodiment, lens elements L61, L62, L63, and L64 each
are made of a material, which passes visible light having
wavelengths in the range from about 400 nm to about 700 nm.
[0193] Referring to FIG. 11A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L61, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L62, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L63, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L64. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. AC12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements, AC23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and AC34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps AC12, AC23, and AC34 are
each measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal
length, which is the distance between the image side of the fourth
lens element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL
includes the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is
disposed between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL
denotes the effective focal length, which is also known as focal
length.
[0194] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=AC12+AC23+AC34.
[0195] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a negative refractive
power. In order to increase the production yield and reduce
manufacturing costs all fourth lens elements can be made of the
same material. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has
high transmission of visible light having for wavelengths in the
range from 400 nm to 700 nm.
[0196] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L61, L62, L63,
and L64 can be made of the same material and coated with an
antireflective material. In certain embodiments, lens elements L61,
L62, L63, and L64 may be made with different materials. In some
specific embodiments, first and third lens elements L61, L43 may be
made of a first material and second and fourth lens elements L62,
L64 may be made of a second material.
[0197] Table 11A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
TABLE-US-00021 TABLE 11A Curvature Radius Thickness/ Refractive
Abbe Radius (1/mm) (mm) air gap (mm) index # Object Infinity 10,000
Aperture stop -2.79E-01 Lens 1 1.05E+00 9.51E-01 T1 = 6.08E-01
1.544102 56.1 -3.52E-01 -2.84E+00 AC12 = 5.00E-02 Lens 2 6.34E-02
1.58E+01 T2 = 2.40E-01 1.639753 23.35202 8.13E-01 1.23E+00 AC23 =
6.38E-01 Lens 3 1.97E-01 5.08E+00 T3 = 2.40E-01 1.544102 56.1
1.07E+00 9.38E-01 AC34 = 3.74E-01 Lens 4 -5.61E-01 -1.78E+00 T4 =
2.40E-01 1.639753 23.35202 -1.93E-01 -5.18E+00 AC4F = 1.00E-01
filter TF = 2.10E-01 1.5168 64.16 ACFP = 3.00E-01 Image plane
0.00E+00
[0198] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is
3.9999 mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 7 degrees. The F number
is 2.802. The image height is 0.4916 mm. The total length TTL from
the object-side surface of the first lens element to the image
plane is 3.00 mm. The telephoto ratio (TTL/EFL) is 0.75. The
angular magnification is 2.4877. The diameter of the aperture stop
is 1.428 mm. The diameter of the filter is 0.894 mm. AAG is 1.062
mm. The ratio of AAG/T3 is greater than 4. The ratio of AC23/T3 is
greater than 2.
[0199] Table 11B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00022 TABLE 11B Semi-diameter Surface # (mm) K 2nd order
term 4th order term 6th order term 8th order term R1 7.14E-01
0.00E+00 -3.44E-02 -5.86E-02 -4.09E-01 R2 6.74E-01 0.00E+00
-1.06E-01 1.45E-01 R3 6.10E-01 0.00E+00 -4.01E-01 9.20E-01 R4
5.00E-01 0.00E+00 -1.77E-01 7.64E-01 R5 3.87E-01 0.00E+00 -3.88E-01
-2.40E+00 R6 3.61E-01 0.00E+00 -7.36E-01 -6.49E-01 R7 3.62E-01
0.00E+00 -3.43E+00 1.47E+00 R8 4.32E-01 0.00E+00 -3.02E+00 6.15E+00
-7.76E+00
[0200] All order terms higher than the 8th order term are
zeros.
[0201] FIGS. 11B-11Q are a set of graphs illustrating the
transverse ray fan plot of the optical imaging system 1000 shown in
FIG. 11A. FIGS. 11B and 11C illustrate transverse ray fan plots for
an object zero degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 11D and 11E illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object one degree off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 11F and 11G illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object two degrees off axis in the y-plane and the x-plane,
respectively. FIGS. 11H and 11I illustrate transverse ray fan plots
for an object three degrees off axis in the y-plane and the
x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 11J and 11K illustrate transverse ray
fan plots for an object four degrees off axis in the y-plane and
the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 11L and 11M illustrate transverse
ray fan plots for an object five degrees off axis in the y-plane
and the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 11N and 11O illustrate
transverse ray fan plots for an object six degrees off axis in the
y-plane and the x-plane, respectively. FIGS. 11P and 11Q illustrate
transverse ray fan plots for an object seven degrees off axis in
the y-plane and the x-plane, respectively.
[0202] FIG. 11R is graph illustrating the modulus of the optical
transfer function (OTF) as a function of the spatial frequency
(cycles/mm) in the embodiment of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11S is graph
illustrating the modulus of the optical transfer function (OTF) as
a function of the field in the embodiment of FIG. 11A.
Twelfth Embodiment
[0203] FIG. 12A is a simplified cross-section view of a
four-element optical lens system 1100 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. Optical lens system 1100
comprises an aperture stop AS, a first lens element L11, a second
lens element L12, a third lens element L13, and a fourth lens
element L14, arranged in order from the object side to the image
side along the optical axis. Each lens element L11-L14 can be
rotationally symmetric above the optical axis.
[0204] First lens element L11 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a
concave image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a convex image-side portion in the outer circumferential region.
Second lens element L12 has a negative refractive power, a concave
object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a convex
image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
convex image side portion in the outer circumferential region.
Third lens element L13 has a positive refractive power, a concave
object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a convex
image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
convex image side portion in the outer circumferential region.
Fourth lens element L14 has a negative refractive power, a convex
object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
convex image-side portion in the outer circumferential region.
[0205] Optical lens system 1100 further includes a filter F11
disposed between fourth lens element L14 and an imaging sensor. In
an embodiment, filter F11 may be made of glass that is opaque to
visible light and transparent to infrared radiation.
[0206] Optical lens system 1100 further includes an aperture stop
AS disposed in front of first lens element L11.
[0207] Referring to FIG. 12A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L11. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L12. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L13.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L14.
[0208] In one embodiment, lens elements L11, L12, L13, and L14 each
are made of the same material, which passes near infrared light
having a wavelength in a range about 900 nm to about 980 nm and
have a high absorption for visible light. In a specific embodiment,
the material of lens elements L11, L12, L13, and L14 has a
transmission peak at 940 nm. In some embodiments, lens elements may
be made of plastic.
[0209] Still referring to FIG. 12A, T1 is the thickness of first
lens element L11, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element
L12, T3 is the thickness of the third lens element L13, and T4 is
the thickness of the fourth lens element L14. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. G12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements. G23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and G34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps G12, G23, and G34 are each
measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal length,
which is the distance between the image side of the fourth lens
element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL includes
the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is disposed
between the fourth lens element and the image plane. EFL denotes
the effective focal length, which is also known as focal length.
MBFL denotes the distance between the highest protruding point M of
the image side of the fourth lens element and the image plane along
the optical axis.
[0210] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=G12+G23+G34.
[0211] Table 12A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 1100 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same plastic
material to simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the
manufacturing costs.
TABLE-US-00023 TABLE 12A Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe Focal
(mm) air gap (mm) index # length Aper. Stop infinity -0.091 Lens 11
1.607 T1 = 0.550 1.54 49.9 3.144 R1 R2 30.068 G12 = 0.186 Lens 12
-12.787 T2 = 0.300 1.63 23.3 -34.242 R3 R4 -33.168 G23 = 0.345 Lens
13 -1.002 T3 = 0.453 1.63 23.3 2.093 R5 R6 -0.658 G34 = 0.080 Lens
14 1.844 T4 = 0.462 1.54 49.9 -2.572 R7 R8 0.720 G4F = 0.501 filter
infinity TF = 0.500 Filter to infinity GFP = 0.298 image plane
Image plane infinity
[0212] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is 2.5
mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 39.5 degrees. The F number is
2.0. The MBFL is 0.973 mm. The total length from the object-side
surface of the first lens element to the image plane is about 3.675
mm. The object-side and image-side surfaces of the four lens
elements are even aspheric.
[0213] According to this embodiment, the air gap G12 between the
first and second lens elements is about 0.186 mm along the optic
axis. The air gap G23 between the second and third lens elements is
about 0.345 mm, and the air gap G34 between the third and fourth
lens elements is about 0.08 mm along the optical axis. The filter
may be made of glass and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm. The
filter is disposed at about 0.501 mm from the image-side of fourth
lens element L14 and 0.298 mm from the image plane along the
optical axis. In the embodiment, the sum of all air gaps AAG
between the first through the fourth lens elements is 0.611 mm. The
total thickness ALT of the first to fourth lens elements is 1.765
mm.
[0214] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a negative refractive power, and the
third lens element is designed to have a positive refractive power.
In order to increase the production yield and reduce manufacturing
costs all three lens elements can be made of the same material. In
one embodiment, the optical lens material has an absorption
spectrum of visible light with a wavelength in the range between
400 nm and 700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths
above 850 nm, preferably between 900 nm and 980 nm, and more
preferably between 930 nm and 950 nm.
[0215] According to the twelfth embodiment, the first lens element
has a positive refractive power, a convex portion on the
object-side in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave
portion on the image-side in the vicinity of the optical axis. The
second lens element has a negative refractive power, a concave
portion on the object-side in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a convex surface on the image-side in the vicinity of the optical
axis. The third lens element has a positive refractive power, a
concave portion on the object-side in the vicinity of the optical
axis, and a convex portion in the vicinity of the optical axis. The
fourth lens element has a negative a refractive power, a convex
image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a
convex image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis. The
object-side and image-side surfaces of the four lens elements are
even aspheric. The combination of these four lens elements provides
the desired lens system quality.
[0216] Table 12B shows numeric lens data of the conic constant K
and aspheric surface coefficients as for each of the lens surfaces
of optical lens system 1100 according to the twelfth embodiment of
the present invention.
TABLE-US-00024 TABLE 12B Surface # K a4 a6 a8 a10 a12 a14 a16 R1
0.00E+00 -7.16E-02 2.19E-01 -1.50E+00 3.83E+00 -5.47E+00 2.28E+00
0.00E+00 R2 0.00E+00 -1.90E-01 -4.84E-01 3.70E-01 -2.33E-01
0.00E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 R3 0.00E+00 -3.15E-01 -1.14E-01
-1.78E+00 4.07E+00 -1.95E+00 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 R4 0.00E+00
-6.93E-02 7.66E-02 -1.05E+00 2.20E+00 -2.10E+00 8.74E-01 0.00E+00
R5 0.00E+00 2.70E-01 -7.99E-02 4.74E-01 -1.33E+00 1.86E+00
-7.59E-01 0.00E+00 R6 -8.98E-01 5.34E-01 -1.27E+00 2.83E+00
-4.12E+00 3.55E+00 -1.20E+00 0.00E+00 R7 0.00E+00 -2.44E-01
9.75E-02 -2.58E-02 -3.57E-03 4.44E-03 -8.67E-04 0.00E+00 R8
-5.22E+00 -1.09E-01 7.43E-02 -5.12E-02 2.54E-02 -8.35E-03 1.56E-03
-1.24E-04
[0217] All order terms higher than the 16th order term are
zeros.
[0218] FIG. 12B is a set of graphs illustrating the astigmatism for
the sagittal and tangential image surface in the embodiment of FIG.
12A.
[0219] FIG. 12C is the optical distortion of the embodiment of FIG.
12A.
Thirteenth Embodiment
[0220] FIG. 13A is a simplified cross sectional view of a
four-element optical lens system 1200 according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Optical lens system 1200 includes an
aperture stop AS, a first lens element L21, a second lens element
L22, a third lens element L23, and a fourth lens element L24,
arranged in order from the object side to the image side along the
optical axis. Each lens element L21-L24 can be rotationally
symmetric above the optical axis.
[0221] First lens element L21 has a positive refractive power, a
convex object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a
convex object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a
concave image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and
a convex image-side portion in the outer circumferential region.
Second lens element L22 has a positive refractive power, a convex
object-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave
object-side portion in the outer circumferential region, a concave
image-side portion in the vicinity of the optical axis and a convex
image side portion in the outer circumferential region. Third lens
element L23 has a positive refractive power, a concave object-side
portion along the optical axis, a concave object-side portion in
the outer circumferential region, a convex image-side portion in
the vicinity of the optical axis, and a concave image side portion
on the image side in the outer circumferential region. Fourth lens
element L24 has a negative refractive power, a convex object-side
portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, a concave object-side
portion in the outer circumferential region, a concave image-side
portion in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a convex
image-side portion in the outer circumferential region.
[0222] Optical lens system 1200 also includes a filter F21
configured to block the passage of light at visible wavelengths. In
some embodiments, the filter filters out wavelengths below about
700 nm. The optical filter blocks shorter wavelengths of the
visible spectrum and passes through wavelengths above about 700 nm,
preferably wavelengths in the range between 900 nm and 980 nm. The
filter improves the infrared performance of the imaging lens system
1200 by reducing interference from other light sources. Although
filter F21 is shown as a single filter disposed between the fourth
lens element and the image plane, filter F21 can be disposed in any
other locations and can have one or more filter elements. Filter
F21 can be similar to filter F11 described above.
[0223] As shown in FIG. 13A, R1 and R2 are the respective object
side and image side surface of first lens element L21. R3 and R4
are the respective object side and image side surface of second
lens element L22. Similarly, R5 and R6 are the respective
object-side and image-side surface of third lens element L23.
Likewise, R7 and R8 are the respective object-side and image-side
surface of fourth lens element L24.
[0224] In one embodiment, lens elements L21, L22, L23, and L24 each
pass near infrared light having a wavelength about 900 nm. In
another embodiment, the material of the lens elements L21, L22,
L23, and L24 has a high absorption for visible light and a high
transmission for near infrared light longer than 900 nm, preferably
at 940 nm.
[0225] Referring to FIG. 13A, T1 is the thickness of first lens
element L21, T2 is the thickness of the second lens element L22, T3
is the thickness of the third lens element L23, and T4 is the
thickness of the fourth lens element L24. Thicknesses T1-T4 are
each measured along the optical axis. G12 is the air gap between
the first and second lens elements. G23 is the air gap between the
second and third lens elements, and G34 is the air gap between the
third and fourth lens elements. Air gaps G12, G23, and G34 are each
measured along the optical axis. BFL denotes the back focal length,
which is the distance between the image side of the fourth lens
element and the image plane along the optical axis. BFL includes
the thickness of the optical filter if the filter is disposed
between the fourth lens element and the image plane. MBFL denotes
the distance between the highest protruding point M of the image
side of the fourth lens element and the image plane along the
optical axis. EFL denotes the effective focal length, which is also
known as focal length.
[0226] In the following sections, ALT denotes the total thickness
of the first to fourth lens elements, i.e., ALT=T1+T2+T3+T4. AAG
denotes the total width of the air gaps of the first to fourth lens
elements along the optical axis, i.e., AAG=G12+G23+G34. In an
embodiment, AAG is 0.545 mm. The ratio of AAG/T3 is 0.971. The
ratio of EFL/T4 satisfies the relation of 6.0.ltoreq.EFL/T4. The
ratio of G34/T3 satisfies the relation 0.01.ltoreq.AC34/T3.
[0227] According to certain embodiments of the present invention,
in order to reduce the total length of the optical lens system, the
following measures can be taken: reducing the thickness of the lens
elements and the air gaps between them. However, it is difficult to
reduce the total thickness of the lens elements while maintaining
adequate optical performance. Accordingly, the first lens element
is designed to have a positive refractive power, the second lens
element is designed to have a positive refractive power, the third
lens element is designed to have a positive refractive power, and
the fourth lens element is designed to have a negative refractive
power. In one embodiment, the optical lens material has an
absorption spectrum of visible light in the range from 400 nm to
700 nm, while having high transmission for wavelengths above 850
nm, preferably between 900 nm and 980 nm, and more preferably
between 930 nm and 950 nm.
[0228] In one embodiment, all fourth lens elements L21, L22, L23,
and L24 can be made of a material and coated with an antireflective
material optimized for near-infrared radiation. In a preferred
embodiment, the antireflective material has a transmission peak at
about 940 nm.
[0229] Table 13A shows numeric lens data of the lens elements of
optical lens system 1200 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. All four lens elements are made of the same material to
simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the manufacturing
costs.
TABLE-US-00025 TABLE 13A Radius Thickness/ Refractive Abbe Focal
(mm) air gap (mm) index # length Aper. stop infinity -0.071 Lens 21
1.830 T1 = 0.550 1.54 49.9 3.656 R1 R2 24.489 G12 = 0.146 Lens 22
6.577 T2 = 0.300 1.63 23.3 25.663 R3 R4 11.131 G23 = 0.319 Lens 23
-1.032 T3 = 0.561 1.63 23.3 2.069 R5 R6 -0.685 G34 = 0.080 Lens 24
1.603 T4 = 0.407 1.54 49.9 -2.586 R7 R8 0.678 G4F = 0.595 filter
infinity TF = 0.500 Filter to infinity GFP = 0.298 image plane
Image plane infinity
[0230] In this embodiment, the effective focal length (EFL) is 2.51
mm, the half field of view (HFOV) is 39.5 degrees. The F number is
2.0. The BFL is 1.067 mm. The total length TTL from the object-side
surface of the first lens element to the image plane is 3.756
mm.
[0231] Table 13B shows numeric values of the conic constant K and
aspheric surface coefficients for each of the aspheric lens
surfaces of the four lens elements.
TABLE-US-00026 TABLE 13B Surface # K a4 a6 a8 a10 a12 a14 a16 R1
0.00E+00 0.00E+00 1.71E-01 -1.22E+00 -1.22E+00 -4.01E+00 1.54E+00
0.00E+00 R2 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 -4.95E-01 7.46E-01 7.46E-01 0.00E+00
0.00E+00 0.00E+00 R3 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 -7.41E-01 3.04E-01 3.04E-01
-6.52E-01 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 R4 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 -5.73E-01 7.11E-01
7.11E-01 2.20E-01 -1.13E-01 0.00E+00 R5 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 -5.59E-02
-3.58E-01 -3.58E-01 -1.57E+00 5.20E-01 0.00E+00 R6 -9.90E-01
-9.90E-01 -1.23E+00 2.18E+00 2.18E+00 1.88E+00 -6.10E-01 0.00E+00
R7 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 1.07E-02 1.21E-01 1.21E-01 4.75E-02 -7.28E-03
0.00E+00 R8 -4.82E+00 -4.82E+00 3.18E-02 3.54E-03 3.54E-03 3.97E-03
-6.74E-04 4.07E-05
[0232] All order terms higher than the 16th order term are
zeros.
[0233] FIG. 13B is a set of graphs illustrating the astigmatism for
the sagittal and tangential image surface in the embodiment of FIG.
13A.
[0234] FIG. 13C is the optical distortion of the embodiment of FIG.
13A.
Fourteenth Embodiment
[0235] FIG. 14 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a camera
lens system 1300 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Camera lens system 1300 is shown as including a housing
unit 401, in which a barrel 402 and a holder 404 are integrally
formed (a broken line delineates barrel 402 and holder 404).
Housing unit 401 has an opening 406 to let light enter a lens group
408. Lens group 408 is mounted within barrel 402, which is the
front portion of housing unit 401. Lens group 408 may include four
lens elements L1 through L4, which may be lens elements L11-L14 of
FIG. 12A or lens elements L21-L24 of FIG. 13A. Housing unit 401 may
also include a filter 410 mounted between lens element L4 and an
image sensor 422 along the optical axis. Camera lens system 400
also includes a substrate 420 on which image sensor 422 mounted on
substrate 420. Housing unit 401 is attached to substrate 420 during
manufacture. In an embodiment, housing unit 401 can be coupled to
substrate 420 with an adhesive. Lens barrel 402 and holder 404 can
be integrally formed as housing unit 401 along the optical
axis.
Fifteenth Embodiment
[0236] FIG. 15 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a camera
lens system 1400 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Camera lens system 1400 is shown as including a housing
unit 501, which contains an integrally formed barrel 502 and holder
504. Housing unit 501 may include a concave portion 505 for
accommodating a light source 512. Housing unit 501 may also include
a protection cover 514 disposed in front of concave portion 505 to
protect light source 512. In an embodiment, concave portion 505 may
be integrally formed with holder 504 so that barrel 502, holder 504
and concave portion 505 are integrally formed. Although concave
portion 505 is shown to be positioned above lens group 08, it is to
be understood that concave portion 505 can be positioned at any
location in relation to the lens group, such as to the right, to
the left, to the bottom, and any other locations. In an embodiment,
light source 512 can be an infrared light or a near-infrared light
to take a clear picture of an object even in the night. Protection
cover may be a diffusion lens to diffuse light emitting from light
source 512. Since diffused light is near infrared (NIR) rays, it is
not visible to people when an object is illuminated by light source
512. Barrel 502, holder 504 and concave portion 505 are formed with
an opaque material to prevent illuminating light from radiating
lens group 508 from the side. Housing unit 501 has an opening 506
to let light enter a lens group 508. Lens group 508 is mounted
within barrel 502, which is the front portion of housing unit 501.
Lens group 508 may include lens elements L11-L14 of FIG. 2A or lens
elements L21-L24 of FIG. 3A. Housing unit 501 may also include a
filter 510 mounted along the optical axis to absorb visible light
in wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm and pass though
wavelengths in the range between 900 nm and 980 nm. Camera lens
system 500 also includes a substrate 520 and an image sensor 522
mounted on substrate 520.
[0237] In other embodiment, light source 512 may be a lens system
having a light source structure of a projector or a LED structure
having a predetermined light-projecting angle, that is not a part
of housing unit 501. In other words, light source 512 can be an
independent illuminating structure that is separated from housing
unit 501 and lens group 508. In some specific embodiments, light
source 512 can be an illuminating structure that is not even part
of optical lens system 500. In an exemplary embodiment, light
source 512 can be directional infrared light or near-infrared light
that illuminates an object to enhance visibility of buried
structure beneath the surface of the illuminated object.
[0238] In some specific embodiments, an object whose image is to be
captured is illuminated by a specific light source. The surface of
the object is scanned to produce 3-dimensional (3D) image
information including depth, location and other information.
According to the present invention, the surface of the object can
be scanned under a first scanning angle with regard to the
near-infrared (NIR) rays to obtain a first 3D image information A,
then the object is rotated and the surface of the object is scanned
anew under a second scanning angle with regard to the NIR rays to
obtain a second 3D image information B. The object can be further
rotated and its surface is scanned under a third angle, a fourth
angle, and so forth with regard to the NIR rays to obtain
respective 3D image information C, D, and so forth. The obtained 3D
image information can be used to construct a 3D image of the object
to be scanned. The above NIR rays can be other light forms, such as
laser, or specially processed light rays. It shall be appreciated
that the use of near infrared radiations is advantageous over other
light radiations because infrared radiations are invisible to human
eyes. Although ultraviolet (UV) light is also invisible to human
eye, UV light can cause harm and damage to human eyes and to the
structure of the radiated or illuminated object. Furthermore, the
wavelengths of near infrared light are longer than those of UV
light and visible light, the near infrared light is less prone to
scatter in and absorption by plant or animal tissue.
[0239] In an embodiment, a method of forming an image includes
illuminating an object to be scanned using a light source,
capturing light reflected by the object, collecting information
data from the captured light, and forming an image in response to
the collected information data.
[0240] In some embodiments, the first and third lens elements may
be made of the same first material while the second and the fourth
lens elements may be made of the same second material. The half
field of view (HFOV) is between 36 degrees and 45 degrees,
preferably between 39 degrees and 41 degrees. The obtained optical
distortion is less than .+-.5%, preferably less than .+-.0.5%. The
total length from the object-side surface of the first lens element
to the image plane is less than 4.5 mm. The RI (relative
illumination) is 40% or more, preferably between 40%-60%. The first
and fourth lens elements have an abbe number about 49.9, and the
second and the third lens elements have an abbe number of about
23.3. The combination of lens elements provides good image quality
in infrared wavelengths. By having appropriate thicknesses of the
lens elements, the air gaps between them, and a simple housing
design, the present invention provides an easy and efficient
production with good yield.
[0241] Furthermore, images obtained by the optical image system
according to embodiments of the present invention not only have low
optical distortion of less than .+-.0.5%, but also low TV
distortion of less than -5%. FIG. 16A is a graph illustrating the
TV distortion and FIG. 16B is a simplified diagram of an example
raster TV distortion.
[0242] While the invention has been described with reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be
construed in a limiting sense. For example, in some embodiments,
the aperture stop is disposed in front of the first lens element to
improve the lens system performance. In other embodiments, the
aperture strop is disposed between the first and second lens
elements as in the telecentric lens, as shown in FIG. 4. The
optical lens system has only either three or four lens elements
that have a refractive power. All lens elements are made of the
same material having absorption in visible light, i.e., in
wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. All lens elements in the
same lens system are made of the same material having a high
transmission for near infrared radiation. In certain embodiments,
the object-side and image-side surfaces of the lens elements are
coated with an antireflective coating that is optimized for near
infrared light, i.e., in wavelengths above 800 nm.
[0243] It will be appreciated that, although an optical filter is
shown in embodiments described above, the optical filter may be
omitted if desired.
[0244] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments. The invention is intended to cover all modifications
and equivalents within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *