Single-aperture low f number zoom cameras

Abstract

Camera systems comprising Wide or Tele cameras, each such camera comprising a lens with a plurality of N lens elements L1 – LN and having a total track length TTL, an effective focal length EFL, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD, each camera having a full field-of-view F-FOV camera state with a respective F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV, and a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state with a respective a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV. In both Wide and Tele cameras, for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAF-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV ≥ 1.2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDZ ≤ 0.8x SD, and wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ > 1.5x DAF-FOV / SD.

Description

[0001] SINGLE-APERTURE LOW F NUMBER ZOOM CAMERAS

[0002] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application is related to and claims priority from US Provisional Patent Applications 63 / 515,841 filed July 27, 2023 and 63 / 592,928 filed October 25, 2023, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The presently disclosed subject matter is related generally to the field of digital cameras used in mobile electronic devices (or simply “mobile devices”) and in particular to optical designs in such cameras.

[0006] DEFINITIONS

[0007] In this application and for optical and other properties mentioned throughout the description and figures, the following symbols and abbreviations are used, all of which are known in the art:

[0008] - Total track length (TTL): the maximal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the optical axis, between a point of the front surface Si of a first lens element Li of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and an image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.

[0009] - Back focal length (BFL): the minimal distance, measured along a direction parallel to the first optical axis, between a point of the rear surface S2N of a last lens element LN of a lens (or “lens assembly”) and the image sensor, when a camera system including the lens is focused to an infinity object distance.

[0010] - Effective focal length (EFL): the distance between a rear principal point P' and a rear focal point F of a lens assembly of lens elements Li to LN.

[0011] - f-number (f / #): the ratio of the EFL and the aperture diameter DA of the camera’ s entrance pupil: f / # = EFL / DA.

[0012] - Aperture diameter (DA): represents an entrance pupil diameter of an optical lens system.

[0013] - The entrance pupil is the optical image of the aperture stop, as 'seen' through the front aperture of the lens system. The front aperture is the object-side aperture of the lens. - The optical lens system comprises an image sensor and a lens including a plurality of lens elements. Each lens element has two surfaces, a front surface (facing an object side) and a back surface (facing a sensor side).

[0014] - Clear aperture diameter (CA): represents an optically active aperture diameter of a surface of a lens element.

[0015] BACKGROUND

[0016] Dual-cameras or triple-cameras (or multi-cameras in general) for mobile electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, headsets, smartwatches etc. are known. In a typical triple-camera, one camera has an Ultra- Wide (UW) field of view (FOV) FOVuw, another camera has a Wide field of view FOVw narrower than FOVuw and yet another camera has Tele field of view FOVT narrower than FOVw. These cameras are also referred to herein as, respectively, an Ultra-Wide (or UW) camera, a Wide (or W) camera and a Tele (or T) camera. In general, the Wide camera is considered to be a smartphone’s main camera.

[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a dual-camera 150 that comprises a folded zoom T camera 100 together with a W camera 130. T camera 100 comprises an optical path folding element (OPFE) 102 e.g. a prism or mirror, a lens 110 and an image sensor 106. OPFE 102 folds an optical path from a first optical path 112 (perpendicular to a back surface of a mobile device) to a second optical path 114 (parallel to a back surface of a mobile device) In general, the back side of the mobile device is a side opposing a screen. W camera 130 comprises a lens 134 with an optical axis 136 parallel to first optical path 112, and an image sensor 138. W camera 130 is a nonfolded (or “upright” or “regular”) camera.

[0018] FIG. IB illustrates a known camera 160 that comprises a lens 162 having an EFE and an image sensor 164 having an image sensor diagonal (“SD”) in a side view. FIG. 1C illustrates known camera 160 of FIG. IB in a top view. Camera 160 images light from a FOV 166 onto entire image sensor 164, as indicated by a light cone 168. As the entire image sensor 164 is used for imaging, this represents a “full-FOV” (or “F-FOV”) state of camera 160. In the F- FOV state, camera 160 has an aperture diameter DAF-FOV, a f / #F-pov = EFL / DAF-FOV, and a F- FOV 166 indicated by angle a.

[0019] In some examples, camera 160 may be a Wide camera having a f / #F-FOv = 1.25 - 3 or f / #F- FOV = 1.5 - 2.5 that fulfils a ratio SD / TTL = 0.5 - 1 referred to as ’’slim factor” or “SF”. SD may be in the range of 5mm to 25mm, e.g. SD=I 6.3mm (“1 ” sensor”) or SD=14.6mm (“1 / 1.12” sensor”). For a Wide camera, DAF-FOV may be in the range of 2 - 8mm and a ratio of SD / DAF- FOV may be in the range of about 0.2 - 0.5. Table 1 gives typical values for Wide cameras included in recent smartphones. EFL, TTL, SD and DA are given in mm.

[0020] Table 1

[0021] In other examples, camera 160 may be a Tele camera having a f / #F-FOv = 1.75 - 5 that in general fulfils a Telephoto ratio TTL / EFL = 0.7 - 1. EFL may be in the range of 6mm to 50mm. For a Tele camera, DAF-FOV may be in the range of 2 - 10mm and a ratio of SD / DAF-FOV may be in the range of about 0.2 - 2 or 0.2 - 1 or 0.5 - 1. A Tele camera included in a dual-camera such as dual-camera 150 has a zoom factor ("ZF”) with respect to a Wide camera. The ZF is given by the ratio of a 35mm equivalent focal length of the Tele camera and a 35mm equivalent focal length of the Wide camera, and may be in a range of 2x - 15x.

[0022] Table 2 gives typical values for Tele cameras included in recent smartphones. EFL, SD and DA are given in mm. In Table 2, the 3x Tele camera is a non-folded camera and the 5x Tele camera is a folded camera.

[0023] Table 2

[0024] Recently, the spatial (or “pixel”) resolution of image sensors included in multi-cameras has increased significantly, reaching 200 Megapixel (MP) in 2022. In general, image sensors that have a resolution of about 30MP or more are configured to perform “pixel binning” as known in the art (FIGS. 1D-E). Such image sensors are referred to herein as “binning sensors”. Pixel binning is a technique where multiple adjacent or “neighbouring” (smaller) pixels on an image sensor are combined (or “binned’”, “grouped”, or “merged”) to work together as one (larger) pixel.

[0025] FIG. ID shows a segment of an image sensor 170 that includes four pixels numbered 1-4 in a first configuration. The four pixels capture scene information independently from each other. That is, when capturing an image, each of the four pixels 1- 4 provides a different pixel value. We refer to this configuration as “full resolution mode”.

[0026] FIG. IE shows the segment of image sensor 100 in a second configuration. The four pixels are combined into one pixel That is, when capturing an image, the four combined pixels together provide one pixel value. We refer to such a configuration as “binning mode”. Specifically, we refer to the second configuration that combines 4 pixels into one pixel as “4- binning”. In other examples, nine pixels (“9-binning”), 16 pixels (“16-binning”) or even 1 / 36 (“36-binning”) or more pixels may be combined into one pixel.

[0027] In general, a segment of a binning sensor such as segment 170 is covered by a single (or homogeneous) colour filter. That is, all pixels included in the segment are operational to receive light of a specific colour, or in other words, all pixels included in the segment are operational to receive light of a particular wavelength range. For example, the segment may be covered by a single Red colour filter ("R”), by a single Green colour filter ("G”), by a single Blue colour filter ("B”), or by a single “White” or “Clear” colour filter ("W” or “C”) which transmits all colours. Specifically, this means that a plurality of adjacent pixels are covered by a same colour filter. We note that in image sensors which are not binning sensors, this is in general not the case. There, adjacent pixels are in general covered by different colour filters.

[0028] In binning mode, the spatial resolution of a binning sensor is reduced with respect to its full resolution mode. For example, in 4-binning (FIG. IE), the spatial resolution is 1 / 4 of the spatial resolution obtained in the full resolution mode (FIG. ID). In the other examples, in binning mode a spatial resolution is 1 / 9 (9-binning), 1 / 16 (16-binning) or 1 / 36 (36-binning) of the spatial resolution obtained in full resolution mode. In the following, we refer to a “binning resolution” when the binning sensor is operated in binning mode and to a “full resolution” when the binning sensor is operated in full resolution mode. In some examples, further binning steps may be present. For example, in a binning sensor operational to perform 16-binning and having a pixel resolution of 200 megapixel ("MP”), 4-binning may be performed in a first step, so that the resolution is 50MP, i.e. a quarter of the full resolution. Another 4-binning may be performed in a second step, so that the resolution is 12.5MP, i.e. 1 / 16 of the full resolution. For the sake of simplicity, in the following we refer to a “binary” option for binning only, i.e. we differentiate only between a “binning resolution” and a “full resolution”. This means that with reference to above example, a pixel resolution of 200MP is always referred to as “full resolution" and a pixel resolution of 12.5MP is always referred to as “binning resolution". However, a pixel resolution of 50MP may be referred to as “full resolution" in a first example when a transition to (or from) a lower pixel resolution (12.5MP) is discussed, and it may be referred to as “binning resolution" in a second example when a transition to (or from) a higher pixel resolution (200MP) is discussed.

[0029] By changing a mode of a binning sensor from binning resolution to full resolution, a zoom effect is achieved, as a same camera FOV segment is captured (or “imaged”) by a larger number of pixels. For example, a zoom effect of 2x, 3x, 4x and 6x is achieved by changing respectively from 4-binning, 9-binning, 16-binning and 36-binning to full resolution.

[0030] A low f / # is desired for a smartphone camera, since such a low f / # has 3 major advantages: good low light sensitivity, strong “natural” Bokeh effect and high image resolution, discussed next:

[0031] 1. Low light sensitivity is a major performance drawback of today ’ s mobile device compatible cameras when compared to e.g. digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. This is largely due to their relatively small DA. As an example, halving a camera’ s f / # (for same EFL) by increasing its DA by a factor of 2 increases the aperture area by a factor of 4, meaning that 4 times more light enters the camera.

[0032] 2. Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus segments of an image, and it is a highly demanded feature for today’s smartphones. The Bokeh effect correlates inversely with the depth of field (DOF) of an image, wherein DOF ~ f / #. A low f / # is beneficial for supporting strong “natural” Bokeh effects.

[0033] 3. For translating pixel resolution to image resolution, a camera must support the spatial pixel frequency kpixei of an image sensor. For a well-designed (diffraction-limited) camera lens, the resolvable spatial frequency of the lens k[ _cndepends inversely on the f / #: ki.cns~ 1 / f / #, i.e. a higher pixel resolution requires a lower f / #.

[0034] A major challenge in low f / # cameras is the design of lenses that correct for strong optical aberrations imposed by the large front apertures required, e.g. for correction of chromatic aberration. A lower f / # can be achieved with a more complex lens design, which for example includes a larger number of lens elements. However, this generally leads to larger total track length (TTL) and thus larger camera height, which is undesired in slim mobile devices. Therefore, for f / # there is a “de-facto” lower limit given defined by a height of a mobile device including the camera and a particular camera FOV requirement, as shown in the examples of Tables 1-2. It is noted that in general, optical aberrations are lower (or “weaker”) in a center of a camera’s FOV, and they are higher (or “stronger”) towards a margin of a camera’s FOV.

[0035] There is need and it would be beneficial to dynamically achieve a lower f / # by adapting a DA of a camera according to a scene condition. Optical lens systems and methods for such cameras are disclosed herein.

[0036] SUMMARY

[0037] In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided camera systems comprising a Wide camera and a processor, the Wide camera comprising a lens with a plurality of N lens elements LI - LN and having a total track length TTL, an effective focal length EFL, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD in the range of 5mm to 25mm, wherein the Wide camera is a zoom camera, wherein a ratio TTL / SD <0.8, wherein the Wide camera has a full field-of-view (F-FOV) camera state and a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV, wherein a ratio of DA F-FOV / SD is in the range 0.2 - 0.5, wherein the Wide camera has a zoom field-of- view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z-FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV and a zoom sensor diagonal SDz < SD, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAF-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > L2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDz < 0.8x SD, and wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ > L5x DAF-FOV / SD.

[0038] In some examples, N=8.

[0039] In some examples, a Wide camera has an f number f / #F-FOv in the F-FOV camera state given by f / #F-rov = EFL / DAF-FOV, and f / #F-rov is in the range of 1.5 - 8. In some examples, f / #F- FOV is in the range of 1.5 - 2.5.

[0040] In some examples, 2mm< EFL< 15mm. In some examples, 2mm < EFL< 10mm. In some examples, 2mm< EFL< 7.5mm.

[0041] In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1 -4x DAF-FOV. In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1 -5x DAF-FOV.

[0042] In some examples, TTL / SD <0.75. In some examples, TTL / SD <0.7.

[0043] In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 2x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ- FOV > 3x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 4x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 5x DAF-FOV / SD.

[0044] In some examples, a Wide camera has a f number 17#F-FOV in the F-FOV camera state and a f number f / #z-rov in the Z-FOV camera state, and f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.25. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv> 1.4. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.5. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z- FOV > 1.6.

[0045] In some examples, 7.5mm < SD< 20mm. In some examples, 7.5mm < SD< 15mm.

[0046] In some examples, a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and the Wide camera is a 2-state virtual zoom camera. In some examples, a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and the Wide camera is a multi-state virtual zoom camera. In some examples, a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is continuous, and the Wide camera is a continuous virtual zoom camera.

[0047] In some examples, the image sensor is a binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

[0048] In some examples, in the F-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

[0049] In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 12.5MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

[0050] In some examples, the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements. In some examples, the AA is located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements. In some examples, the AA is located between L3 and L4.

[0051] In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided camera systems comprising a Tele camera and a processor, the Tele camera comprising a lens with a plurality of N lens elements LI - LN and having a total track length TTL and an effective focal length EFL in the range of 6mm to 50mm, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD, wherein the Tele camera is a zoom camera, wherein a ratio TTL / EFL <1.1, wherein the Tele camera has a full field-of-view F-FOV camera state and a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV, wherein a ratio of DAF-FOV / SD is in the range 0.2 - 1, wherein the Tele camera has a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z-FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV and a Z-FOV sensor diagonal SDZ-FOV < SD, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAF-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > 1.2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDZ-FOV < 0.8x SD, and wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > L5x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, N=8.

[0052] In some examples, a Tele camera has an f number f / #F-pov in the F-FOV camera state given by f / #F-pov = EFL / DAF-FOV, and f / #F-pov is in the range of 1.5 - 8. In some examples, f / #F- FOV is in the range of 2 - 5.

[0053] In some examples, TTL / EFL< 1.05. In some examples, TTL / EFL< 1.

[0054] In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1.3x DAF-FOV. In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1 -4x DAF-FOV.

[0055] In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1.5x DAF-FOV. In some examples, DAZ-FOV > 1.6x DAF-FOV-

[0056] In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDF-FOV > 2x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ- FOV > 3x DAF-FOV / SD. In some examples, DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 3.5x DAF-FOV / SD.

[0057] In some examples, a Tele camera has a F-FOV f number f / #F-pov in the F-FOV camera state and a Z-FOV f number f / #z-i ov in the Z-FOV camera state, and f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.25. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov> 1.4. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.6. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.7.

[0058] In some examples, 7.5mm< EFL< 25mm. In some examples, 7.5mm< EFL< 15mm.

[0059] In some examples, 5mm< SD< 17mm. In some examples, 5mm< SD< 14mm.

[0060] In some examples, a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and the Tele camera is a 2-state virtual zoom camera. In some examples, the transition is discrete, and the Tele camera is a multi-state virtual zoom camera. In some examples, In some examples, the transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is continuous, and the Tele camera is a continuous virtual zoom camera.

[0061] In some examples, the image sensor is a binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

[0062] In some examples, in the F-FOV camera state, the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

[0063] In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution> 12.5MP. In some examples, in the Z- FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

[0064] In some examples, the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements. In some examples, the AA is located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements.

[0065] In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided camera systems comprising a camera and a processor, the camera comprising a lens with a plurality of lens elements and having a total track length TTL and an effective focal length EFL in the range of 2.5mm to 50mm, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD in the range of 5mm to 25mm, wherein the camera is a virtual zoom camera, wherein the camera has a full field-of- view F-FOV camera state, a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV and a F-FOV f number f / #F- FOV that fulfills f / #F-pov = EFL / DAF-FOV, wherein f / #F-rov is in the range of 1.2 - 8, wherein the camera has a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z-FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV, a Z-FOV sensor diagonal SDZ-FOV and a Z-FOV f number f / #z- FOV that fulfills f / #z-FOv = EFL / DAZ-FOV, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAZ-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > 1.2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDZ-FOV < 1.2x SD, and wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.25.

[0066] In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.4. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.5. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.6. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.6. In some examples, f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.75.

[0067] In some examples, 2.5mm < EFL< 15mm. In some examples, 7.5mm< EFL< 30mm.

[0068] In some examples, 7.5mm< SD< 15mm.

[0069] In some examples, the virtual zoom camera is a Wide camera, and SD / TTL <0.8. In some examples, SD / TTL <0.7.

[0070] In some examples, the virtual zoom camera is a Tele camera, and EFL / TTL < 1.

[0071] In some examples, DAZ-FOV > L5x DAF-FOV. In some examples, DAZ-FOV > L6x DAF-FOV.

[0072] In some examples, the image sensor is a binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor. In some examples, the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

[0073] In some examples, in the F-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution> 12.5MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP. In some examples, in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

[0074] In some examples, the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements. In some examples, the AA is located between two lens elements of the plurality of lens elements.

[0075] In various exemplary embodiments, there are provided cameras comprising a lens including a plurality of lens elements arranged along a lens optical axis and having an effective focal length EFL in the range of 1mm - 50 mm; an image sensor; an adaptive aperture AA for receiving light from a scene, the AA having an adaptive aperture diameter DA; and an adaptive aperture actuator comprising an actuator and a diaphragm with a concentric hole with a hole diameter HD that defines the AA, wherein the camera has a f number f / # = EFL / DA, and wherein the actuator is configured to respectively stretch and relax the diaphragm to increase or decrease the HD such as to control the f number.

[0076] In some examples, 5mm <EFL<30mm.

[0077] In some examples, the diaphragm has a L-shape. In some examples, the diaphragm includes a plurality of wires. In some examples, the plurality of wires define a static region and an expanding region, and the expanding region defines the HD.

[0078] In some examples, the actuator includes at least one voice coil motor (VCM), for example l, 2 or 4 VCMs.

[0079] In some examples, the actuator includes a stamp.

[0080] In some examples, the DA is adaptable continuously. In some examples, the DA is adaptable discretely. In some examples, the DA is adaptable symmetrically. In some examples, the DA is adaptable asymmetrically.

[0081] In some examples, the HD has a minimal size HDMIN in the range 0.25mm - 5mm. In some examples, 0.5mm < HDMIN < 2.5mm.

[0082] In some examples, the HD has a maximal size HDMAX in the range 2.5mm - 15mm. In some examples, 4mm< HDMAX < 12mm. In some examples, the AA is located at an object side of the lens. In some examples, the AA is located between two lens elements of the plurality of lens elements.

[0083] In some examples, f / #MiN 1.0 <f / #MiN <5.0. In some examples, 1.4<f / #MiN <2.5.

[0084] In some examples, 2.5< f / #MAx <50.

[0085] In some examples, the image sensor has a full image sensor diagonal SD, and TTL / SD < 0.8. In some examples, TTL / SD < 0.7.

[0086] In some examples, TTL / EFL < 1. In some examples, TTL / EFL < 0.9.

[0087] In some examples, TTL is in the range of 2.5mm - 15mm. In some examples, TTL is in the range of 5mm - 10mm.

[0088] In some examples, a camera has a camera height HC M in the range of 3mm - 20mm. In some examples, HCAM is in the range of 5mm - 12.5mm.

[0089] In various embodiments, any of the cameras and / or camera systems as above or below may be included in a mobile device, for example a smartphone.

[0090] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Non-limiting examples of embodiments disclosed herein are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify embodiments disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. Like elements in different drawings may be indicated by like numerals. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0092] FIG. 1A illustrates a known dual camera that includes a folded camera together with an “upright” (non-folded) camera;

[0093] FIG. IB illustrates a known camera in a cross-sectional view;

[0094] FIG. 1C shows the known camera of FIG. IB in a top view;

[0095] FIG. ID shows a segment of a known image sensor in full resolution mode;

[0096] FIG. IE shows a segment of a known image sensor in binning mode;

[0097] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a binning sensor;

[0098] FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a low f / # virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view;

[0099] FIG. 2C shows the low f / # virtual zoom camera of FIG. 2B in a top view;

[0100] FIG. 2D shows steps of a method disclosed herein; FIG. 3A shows a camera operational as virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0101] FIG. 3B shows the camera of FIG. 3 A in a second camera state;

[0102] FIG. 3C shows another camera operational as virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0103] FIG. 3D shows the another camera of FIG. 3C in a second camera state;

[0104] FIG. 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a mobile device configured to perform methods disclosed herein;

[0105] FIG. 5A shows an optical lens system operational as 3x virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0106] FIG. 5B shows the optical lens system of FIG. 5A in a second camera state;

[0107] FIG. 6A shows an optical lens system operational as 4x virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0108] FIG. 6B shows the optical lens system of FIG. 6 A in a second camera state;

[0109] FIG. 7A illustrates schematically a camera including an adaptive aperture actuator (“AAA”) as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view;

[0110] FIG. 7B illustrates schematically a diaphragm as disclosed herein in a top view.

[0111] FIG. 7C illustrates schematically another camera including an adaptive aperture actuator (“AAA”) as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view;

[0112] FIG. 7D illustrates a slider as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view;

[0113] FIG. 7E illustrates schematically yet another camera including an AAA as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view;

[0114] FIG. 7F illustrates yet another camera with a diaphragm in its unexpanded state;

[0115] FIG. 7G illustrates the yet another camera of FIG. 7F with a diaphragm in its expanded state;

[0116] FIGS. 8A shows an adaptive aperture actuator (“AAA”) as disclosed herein in a perspective view;

[0117] FIGS. 8B shows the AAA of FIG. 8 A in a cross-sectional perspective view in a first state;

[0118] FIGS. 8C shows parts of the AAA of FIG. 8A in a perspective view;

[0119] FIGS. 8D shows the AAA of FIG. 8A in a perspective view in a second state;

[0120] FIGS. 8E shows the AAA of FIG. 8D in a cross-sectional perspective view;

[0121] FIGS. 8F shows other parts of the AAA of FIG. 8D in a perspective view;

[0122] FIGS. 8G shows yet other parts of the AAA of FIG. 8D in a perspective view;

[0123] FIGS. 8H shows yet other parts of the AAA of FIG. 8 A in a perspective view; FIG. 9A shows an optical lens system operational as 2x virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0124] FIG. 9B shows the optical lens system of FIG. 9 A in a second camera state;

[0125] FIG. 10A shows another optical lens system operational as 2x virtual zoom camera as disclosed herein in a first camera state;

[0126] FIG. 10B shows the optical lens system of FIG. 10A in a second camera state.

[0127] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0128] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0129] It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0130] FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a binning sensor 200. In a first, “binning resolution” sensor segment 202 (or “SBinned”, here exemplarily covering the entire binning sensor 200), binning sensor 200 is captured in binning resolution. In first sensor segment 202, binning sensor 200 is used in binning mode. In a second, “full resolution” sensor segment 204 (or “SFU11”, here exemplarily located at a center of binning sensor 200), a segment of binning sensor 200 is captured in full resolution. In second sensor segment 204, binning sensor 200 is used in full resolution mode. Binning sensor 200 may be operational to switch any sensor segment from binning mode to full resolution mode and vice versa. A single camera including binning sensor 200 may be configured to capture images (or video streams of images) in different binning modes sequentially or simultaneously. For example, the single camera may be configured to capture in binning resolution an image or a video stream of images of SBinned, these being referred to as “binned image” and “binned video stream” respectively. The single camera may also be configured to capture an image or a video stream of images of SFUII in full resolution, referred to as “full resolution image” and “full resolution video stream” respectively. In some examples, not just one sensor segment such as second sensor segment 204 may be operated (or read out) to provide a full resolution image, but more than one (e.g. 2 or 3 or even more) different sensor segments may be simultaneously operated-to provide full resolution images. In some examples, a size of second sensor segment 204 may be constant (or fixed). In other examples, a size of second sensor segment 204 may be variable. The camera may also be configured to capture both an image or a video stream of images of Signed in binning resolution, and, in addition and simultaneously or sequentially, an image or a video stream of images of SFUII in full resolution, this yielding “dual resolution images” and “dual resolution video stream” respectively. In some examples where a particular pixel resolution is requested alongside a variable size of second sensor segment 204, an image may be up-sampled or down-sampled according to a size of second sensor segment 204, so that the particular pixel resolution is achieved. Referring to above example, this may for example be achieved according to the following:

[0131] 1. When second sensor segment 204 corresponds to entire binning sensor 200, the image sensor is operated in 16-binning mode. An image output e.g. to a user is a binning resolution image having a pixel resolution of 12.5MP.

[0132] 2. When second sensor segment 204 represents an area larger than 1 / 4 of binning sensor 200, the image sensor may be used in 4-binning mode. An image output e.g. to a user may be down-sampled so that a pixel resolution of 12.5MP is achieved.

[0133] 3. When second sensor segment 204 represents an area smaller than 1 / 4 of binning sensor 200 and larger than thanl / 16 of binning sensor 200, the image sensor may be used in full resolution mode. An image output e.g. displayed to a user may be down- sampled so that a pixel resolution of 12.5MP is achieved.

[0134] We note that although the changes in binning mode are discrete, for a user an appearance (or a feeling) of a continuous zoom-in action is obtained.

[0135] Typical ranges for a full sensor pixel resolution are:

[0136] 30MP - 60MP for 4-binning sensors.

[0137] 75MP - 130MP for 9-binning sensors.

[0138] 150MP - 250MP for 16-binning sensors.

[0139] 250MP - 500MP or more for 36-binning sensors.

[0140] An image or a video stream of images may be output at one or more fixed (or constant) particular pixel resolutions. For example, a particular pixel resolution for stills photography may be around 12MP, i.e. it may be in the range of 1 IMP - 13MP, or it may be around 50MP, i.e. it may be in the range of 48MP - 52MP. A particular pixel resolution for video photography may be around 33MP for “8k video”, i.e. it may be in the range of 32MP - 34MP, or it may be around 8MP for “4k video”, i.e. it may be in the range of 7MP - 9MP, or it may be around 2MP for “2k video”, i.e. it may be in the range of 1.5MP - 2.5MP. In video photography, each frame (or single image) of a video stream has the said particular resolution. A frame rate of the video stream may be in the range of 5 frames per second (“fps”) and 500 fps. Typically, a video frame rate may be in the range of 15fps to 60 fps.

[0141] FIG. 2B illustrates schematically a low f / # virtual zoom camera 210 as disclosed herein including a lens like lens 162 and an image sensor like image sensor 164 and having a “zoom” sensor diagonal SDz in a cross-sectional view. FIG. 2C illustrates camera 210 of FIG. 2B in a top view. Image sensor 164 is used for imaging only partially, and this represents a “zoom- FOV” (or “Z-FOV”) state of a camera like camera 160. In the Z-FOV state, camera 210 represents another camera state of camera 160, i.e. camera 160 and camera 210 represent two different states of a same (single) camera. This same camera can be switched between (states) camera 160 and camera 210 by using an adaptive aperture (“AA”, FIGS. 3A-D, FIGS. 7A-G, FIGS. 8A-H) and by cropping image sensor 164, as discussed re. FIG. 2C. To clarify, also camera 210 images light from FOV 166 onto entire image sensor 164. However, only a center part (or “segment”) of image sensor 164 corresponding to FOV 216 may be used for imaging, as indicated by a light cone 218. A diagonal size of this center part represents image sensor SDz. In some examples, SDZis given by SDZ= SD / ZF, wherein ZF corresponds to a zoom factor with respect to the F-FOV state.

[0142] Camera 210 has a DAZ-FOV, a f / #z-FOv = EFL / DAZ-FOV, and a FOV 216 indicated by an angle p. In comparison with camera 160, camera 210 may satisfy the following conditions: EFL is identical, FOV 216 < FOV 166 (i.e. < a), SDZ-FOV < SDF-FOV and DAZ-FOV > DAF-FOV, so that f / #z-FOv < f / #F-FOv- As discussed, a smaller f / # is desired. Specifically, camera 210 and camera 160 may satisfy the following ranges: SDF-FOV / SDZ-FOV = 1.2 10 and DAZ-FOV / DAF- FOV = 1.2 — 3 or more, DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 1.5x DAF-FOV / SDF-FOV, SO that f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv = 1.2 - 4. As FOV 216 < FOV 166, one may refer to camera 160 as regular camera and to camera 210 as zoom camera or “virtual” zoom camera. Camera 210 thus represents a low f / # virtual zoom camera.

[0143] As discussed above, optical aberrations are lower in the center of a camera’s FOV, and they are higher towards a margin of a camera’s FOV. Since in the Z-FOV state SDZ-FOV < SDF- FOV, lens 162 must correct for less (or lower) optical aberrations. This fact allows for DAZ-FOV > DAF-FOV, while not necessarily compromising optical performance in the relevant FOV. By limiting a FOV of camera 210, lens 162 must not correct for aberrations at a margin of FOV 166, but it must correct only for aberrations present in FOV 216 < FOV 166. Therefore, camera 210 can achieve a lower f / # as compared to camera 160, without detrimental effects on camera 210‘s image quality. In other words, there is a first de-facto lower f / # limit for camera 160, and there is a second de-facto lower f / # limit for camera 210, wherein the second de-facto lower f / # limit is lower than the first de-facto lower f / # limit.

[0144] Low f / # virtual zoom camera 210 may be a Wide camera or a Tele camera. In some Wide camera examples, camera 210 may have a f / # = 1.5 - 2.5 or even 1.2 - 3. For a Wide camera, DAZ-FOV may be in the range of 2.5 - 12.5mm. In Tele camera examples, camera 210 may be a Tele camera having a f / # = 1.75 - 5 or even 1. - 6 and DAZ-FOV may be in the range of 2.5 - 15mm or even more.

[0145] In some examples, the single (same) camera may be switched discretely (or “non- continuously”) between camera 160 and camera 210. That is, camera 160 and camera 210 are operational to capture images and video streams of images in two distinctive camera states, namely using f / #F-pov as well as image sensor 164 in the F-FOV state or using f / #z-FOv as well as image sensor 214 in the Z-FOV state. The camera in such examples is referred to as being a “2-state virtual zoom camera”.

[0146] In other examples, the single (same) camera may be switched discretely between states of camera 160 and camera 210, but there may be one or more additional intermediate camera states between the two distinctive camera states. The camera in such examples is referred to as “multi-state virtual zoom camera”.

[0147] In yet other examples, the single (same) camera may be switched continuously between states of camera 160 and camera 210. That is, any intermediate state between the two distinctive camera states may be operational. The camera in such examples is referred to as “continuous virtual zoom camera”.

[0148] FIG. 2D shows steps of an embodiment of a method for implementing a low f / # virtual zoom camera disclosed herein. Method 220 may be performed in a mobile device such as mobile device 400 (FIG. 4) that includes at least one camera having an AA, a processor such as an application processor (“AP”) 430, and (optionally) a binning sensor. Method 220 is referred to as a method for “low f / # virtual zoom capturing”.

[0149] In step 222, a user points the mobile device towards a scene, i.e. the user “targets” a scene. The camera captures image data, e.g. a continuous stream of images (or “video stream”) or a single image. For binning sensors and in general, in step 222 the camera sensor is used in binning mode, so that we refer to the captured image data as “binned image data”. The user may input (or “transmit” or “select”) a desired zoom scenario of the scene, in general by touching (or “pinching”, or “sliding” on) a touchscreen. In other examples, a user may use a voice command, a gesture command, a command by eye gazing, etc., to input a desired zoom scenario of the scene.

[0150] In an optional step 224, the processor is configured to analyze the image data of the desired zoom scenario of the scene to obtain scene information. Examples for such scene analysis may include detection of brightness, depth, etc. In other examples, the scene analysis may include detection of objects, detection of persons, calculation of a saliency map, detection of faces, detection of object motion, detection of an aesthetic image composition, etc. In some examples, the processor may be configured to suggest (or “propose”) to the user an aesthetic image composition, which is related to a zoom scenario. In some examples, the processor may be configured to suggest (or “propose”) to the user an aesthetic image composition, which is related to a zoom scenario.

[0151] In some examples referred to as “automated Bokeh photography”, based on the scene analysis, the processor may be configured to define (or suggest) a beneficial DA (i.e. f / #) and optionally a beneficial zoom region (i.e. SD) for Bokeh photography. As known, a low f / # is beneficial for supporting strong “natural” Bokeh. In addition, in general image quality at a margin of a camera’s FOV, where optical aberrations that may be induced by a lower f / # are higher than at a center of a camera’s FOV, is of less importance in Bokeh photography. This especially when used in conjunction with a known method referred to as “artificial Bokeh” or “Portrait mode”, where image regions not including a target object are artificially blurred. For example, in the scene analysis an image size and an image location of a target object onto the image sensor may be estimated. The size and location estimation may be used to define a beneficial DA, wherein a larger image size may correspond to a smaller DA and vice versa.

[0152] In some examples referred to as “Action videography”, based on the scene analysis, the processor may be configured to define a beneficial DA and optionally a beneficial zoom region for capturing a tracking video of a moving object. As of the higher amount of light per unit time, a low f / # is beneficial for supporting a high relatively frame rate. In addition, when a user tracks a moving object with a mobile device, i.e. a user “pans” the mobile device to keep the moving object in the camera’s FOV, the background is blurred. Consequently, a high image quality at a margin of a camera’s FOV is in general not required.

[0153] In some examples referred to as “All-in-focus Macro photography”, based on the scene analysis, the processor may be configured to define a beneficial DA (i.e. f / #) and optionally a beneficial zoom region (i.e. SD) for Macro (or “close-up”) photography. In Macro photography, in general relatively small target objects are captured from a relatively small object-lens distance “u” of e.g. 2.5cm to 50cm. As DOF ~ u2, often in Macro photography it is challenging to capture a target object so that the entire target object is in focus. To overcome this challenge, the processor may be configured to suggest a DA so that the entire target object is in focus, while still providing a relatively large DA to obtain a relatively high SNR or to obtain a relatively strong Bokeh effect.

[0154] In some examples referred to as “Eye tracking focus”, the processor may be configured to focus the camera mainly on an eye region of a person when capturing Portrait images with a relatively low f / #. A relatively shallow DOF can cause some (depth) ranges of a face to be slightly out of focus. The scene analysis may include detecting the eyes of a person.

[0155] . In step 226, a desired zoom scenario is selected. The selection is according to an input of the user (step 222) or according to a suggestion of the processor (step 224, if implemented).

[0156] In step 228, the processor is configured to configure the AA of the camera. By configuring the AA of the camera, the camera can be switched between the two camera states, i.e. between camera 160 and camera 210 (FIGS. 3A-D). The switching may be as described for a 2-state virtual zoom camera, multi-state virtual zoom camera, continuous virtual zoom camera.

[0157] For binning sensors, in step 232, the processor is configured to configure the binning sensor of the camera. When switching between camera 160 and camera 210, the camera sensor may be switched between binning mode and full resolution mode. We note in this context two considerations, both related to a size of a single pixel and to a f / # of the camera. A first consideration relates to a maximum achievable image resolution (or a “diffraction limit”) of the camera, as discussed also in background. A second consideration relates to a signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) of the camera.

[0158] Diffraction limit of the camera

[0159] In some examples when the camera is operational as camera 160, a f / # may be sufficient to resolve (or “make use of’) the combined bigger pixel. However, the f / # of the camera may be insufficient to resolve the single smaller pixel. By switching to camera 210, the associated lower f / # may allow to resolve the single smaller pixel.

[0160] In some examples, when the camera is operational as camera 160, the camera may be used in binning resolution mode only. This for example, because the full pixel resolution cannot be resolved anyway. Only when operational as camera 210, the camera may be used in full resolution mode.

[0161] SNR of the camera It is noted that in full resolution mode, the areal size (or “area”) of a single pixel is reduced. The area reduction of a single smaller pixel compared to a bigger combined pixel is according to number of pixel combined in the respective binning mode. In 4-binning, the area reduction is x4, in 9-binning it is 9x, in 16-binning it is 16x and in 36-binning it is 36x. The area reduction causes a reduction in terms of an amount of light that enters (or “is harvested by”) a single smaller pixel, e.g. measured by a number of photons that enters the single smaller pixel per unit time. The light reduction of a single smaller pixel scales according to the pixel area of the single smaller pixel.

[0162] It is noted that the lower f / # achieved when switching from camera 160 and camera 210 can partially compensate (or “mitigate”) the light reduction per pixel. This is beneficial especially in relatively low-light (or “dark”) scenes, such as many indoors scenes or night scenes. In general, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a single image sensor pixel exhibits different behaviors in low-light scenes and bright scenes. In low-light scenes, the SNR increases approximately linearly with an amount of light. A dominant noise in low- light scenes is referred to as “random noise” or “readout noise”. In bright scenes, the SNR increases approximately according to a square root of an amount of light. A dominant noise in bright scenes is referred to as “Shot noise”.

[0163] In a first example, we assume that a 4-binned combined big pixel is switched to 4 single small pixels, so that an amount of light entering a single small pixel is reduced by 4x with respect to the combined big pixel. Without change in camera, in a low-light scene this would amount to a SNR reduction of 4x. Increasing the DA of the camera by a factor of about 1.4 (i.e. DAZ-FOV / DAF FOV = 1.4) leads to an increase of an aperture area by a factor of 2, meaning that 2x more light enters the camera. Overall the amount of light entering a single small pixel is reduced by only 2x with respect to the combined big pixel. In a low-light scene this would amount to a SNR reduction of only 2x. In a bright scene, this would amount to a SNR reduction of 2.8x. In a second example, a 4-binned combined big pixel is switched to 4 single small pixel, and the DA of the camera may be increased by a factor of about 1.7 (i.e. DAZ-FOV / DAF-FOV = 1.7), so that an aperture area of the camera is increased by a factor of 3. Overall, the amount of light entering a single small pixel is reduced by only 1.3x with respect to the combined big pixel. In a low-light scene this would amount to a SNR reduction of only 1.3x. In a bright scene, this would amount to a SNR reduction of 2.3x. Consequently, in a third example, a 4-binned combined big pixel is switched to 4 single small pixels, and the DA of the camera may be increased by a factor of about 2 (i.e. DAZ-FOV / DAF-FOV = 2.0). This would mean no SNR reduction at all with respect to the combined big pixel. Step 232 is optional. It is noted that also for a “regular” image sensor not operational to perform pixel binning, the lowering of the f / # by increasing DA is beneficial for a SNR of a pixel included in the regular image sensor. Referring to the first example (DAZ-FOV / DAF-FOV = 1.4), an increase of 2x and 1.4x in terms of a SNR of a pixel is achieved in a low-light scene and a bright scene respectively.

[0164] In step 234, the mobile device is configured to use the camera to capture the desired zoom scenario of the scene. For binning sensors, in general the desired zoom scenario of the scene is captured in full resolution.

[0165] FIG. 3A illustrates schematically a camera 300 including an adaptive aperture (“AA”) mechanism, the camera operative to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Camera 300 comprises a lens 302 including a plurality of lens elements LI - L5 and having an EFL, an image sensor 304 having an image sensor diagonal (“SD”) and an AA 310. Camera 300 is shown in a first camera state, where AA 310 is relatively closed, so that an aperture diameter such as DAF-FOV is achieved. An entire SD image sensor 304 is used and a f / # is f / #i, given by f / #i = EFL / DAF-FOV-

[0166] FIG. 3B illustrates schematically camera 300 of FIG. 3A in a second camera state. AA 310 is relatively opened, so that an aperture diameter such as DA210 > DAF-FOV is achieved. Only a center part of SD210 of image sensor 304 is used and a f / # is f / #2, which is given by f / #2 = EFL / DA210 < f / #i.

[0167] As visible, AA 310 is located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements. Here, exemplarily AA 310 is located between L2 and L3.

[0168] FIG. 3C illustrates schematically another camera 320 including an AA mechanism as disclosed herein and operative to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Camera 320 is shown in a first camera state having f / #i. FIG. 3D illustrates schematically camera 320 of FIG. 3C in a second camera state. In the second camera state, camera 320 has a f / #2 < f / #i . As visible, AA 322 is located on an object side of lens 302.

[0169] FIG. 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a mobile device (for example, a smartphone) numbered 400 configured to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing disclosed herein. Mobile device 400 comprises a first camera 410 having a FOVi and including a first lens 412, a first image sensor 414 and an AA mechanism 416. First Image sensor 414 may be a binning sensor. Optionally, mobile device 400 further comprises a second camera 420 having a FOV2 and including a second lens 422 and a second image sensor 424. In some examples, first camera 410 may be a Wide camera with FOV|= 60-100 degrees and an effective focal length (“EFL”) of EFLi = 3mm-15mm and a SD in the range of 5mm to 25mm. In other examples, first camera 410 may be a Tele camera with FOV|= 5 - 60 degrees and an EFLi = 7mm-50mm. Optional second camera 420 may be an Ultra-Wide camera with FOV2= 100-180 deg and an of EFL2 = 1.5mm-7.5mm, or it may be a Tele camera.

[0170] Mobile device 400 further includes an AP 430. AP 430 includes an (optional) scene analyzer 432, e.g. configured to analyze image data of a scene to provide scene information as detailed in step 224, a zoom selector 434, configured to perform a zoom region selection as detailed in step 226, an aperture control 436 configured to control AA 416 as detailed in step 228 and an (optional) sensor control 438, configured to configure a binning sensor as detailed in step 232.

[0171] Mobile device 400 further includes a screen 440 for displaying information to a user and receiving a user input. Screen 440 may be a touchscreen, configured to detect a particular location that a user touches or to detect a particular touch pattern of a user. Mobile device 400 further includes a memory 450, e.g. for storing image data of an image gallery, or for storing calibration data between first camera 410 and second camera 420.Mobile device 400 may further include several additional sensors to capture additional information. For example, an additional sensor may be a microphone or even a directional microphone, a location sensor such as GPS, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) etc.

[0172] All optical lens systems disclosed in the following are operational to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein, and a resulting low f / # virtual zoom camera can be used in a mobile device such as mobile device 400. To clarify, all examples of optical lens systems disclosed herein are beneficial to be used in a smartphone, a tablet etc. Values and dimensions of a camera and a mobile device including optical lens systems used in Wide cameras are disclosed herein are presented in Table 3, and optical lens systems used in Tele cameras are disclosed herein are presented in Table 4.

[0173] “N” gives the number of lens elements of a lens.

[0174] SD is the sensor diagonal of an image sensor (in mm).

[0175] “DA” gives the aperture diameter (in mm).

[0176] A (diagonal) field-of-view (“FOV”) is given in degrees.

[0177] “ZF” gives a zoom factor.

[0178] “di.3-1.4” is a minimum distance between a third and a fourth lens element.

[0179] “d-onL3-L4” is an on-axis distance between a third and a fourth lens element.

[0180] DA, EFL, TTL, SD, dL3-L4 are given in mm.

[0181] AL gives a difference in an amount of light entering a center part of image sensor 504 in the first camera state compared to the second camera state. AL = (f / #i / f / #2)2.

[0182] Table 3

[0183] Table 4

[0184] FIG. 5A shows an optical lens system 500 operational to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Optical lens system 500 includes a lens 502 including a plurality of N = 8 lens elements LI - L8 and having an EFL, an image sensor 504 and an optional optical element 506, for example an infrared (“IR”) filter. Optical lens system 500 includes an AA 510 located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements. Specifically, AA 510 is located between L3 and L4. Camera 500 is shown in a first camera state (such as camera 160), where AA 510 is relatively closed, so that an aperture diameter such as DAF-FOV is achieved. A FOV 508 of optical lens system 500 is indicated by angle a. In the first camera state, an entire SD of image sensor 504 is used. I.e. optical lens system 500 images light from FOV 508 onto entire image sensor 504, as indicated by light cone 512. In the first camera state, a f / # is f / #i, which is given by f / #i = EFL / DAF-FOV.

[0185] A minimum distance between L3 and L4 (“dL3-L4”) is relatively large, e.g. dm-u > 0.3mm. A relatively large di.3-1.4 is beneficial for implementing an AA such as AA 510, which requires a certain physical distance between the lens elements.

[0186] FIG. 5B shows optical lens system 500 of FIG. 5A in a second camera state. A FOV 514 of optical lens system 500 in the second camera state is indicated by angle . With respect to the first camera state of FIG. 5A: AA 510 is relatively opened, so that an aperture diameter such as DA210 > DAF-FOV is achieved. Only a center part of image sensor 504 is used. Specifically, here only a third of a SD of image sensor 504 is used. I.e. optical lens system 500 images light from FOV 514 onto a center region of image sensor 504, as indicated by light cone 516. In the second camera state, a f / # is f / #2, given by f / #2 = EFL / DA210 < f / #i. A difference in an amount of light (“AL”) entering a center part of image sensor 504 in the first compared to the second camera state is given by AL. For optical lens system 500, AL = 2.38. In the second camera state, a center part of image sensor 504 receives more than two times the amount of light as compared with the first camera state.

[0187] In case image sensor 504 is a binning sensor, image sensor 504 may be operational to perform 9-binning. In the first camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in binning mode. In the second camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in full resolution mode. We note that when using 9-binning mode in the first camera state and full resolution mode in the second camera state that uses a third of a SD, a same output resolution is achieved. With respect to a combined larger pixel in the first camera state, a single smaller pixel in the second camera state receives 2.38 / 9 « 26% of an amount of light. Without changing the aperture, the single smaller pixel in the second camera state would only receive 1 / 9 ~ 1 1 % of an amount of light compared to a combined larger pixel.

[0188] As a third of a SD of image sensor 504 is used, we refer to a camera including optical lens system 500 as a “low f / # 3x virtual Wide zoom camera”. Detailed optical data and surface data of optical lens system 500 are given in Tables 5 - 7 for the example of the lens elements in FIGS. 5A-B. The values provided for these examples are purely illustrative and according to other examples, other values can be used.

[0189] Surface types are defined in Table 5 and the coefficients for the surfaces are defined in Table 6. Table 7 lists characteristics that are different in the first camera state and in the second camera state. The surface types are: a) Plano: flat surfaces, no curvature b) Q type 1 (QT1) surface sag formula: where {z, r} are the standard cylindrical polar coordinates, c is the paraxial curvature of the surface, k is the conic parameter, rnOrm is generally one half of the surface’s clear aperture, and Anare the polynomial coefficients shown in lens data tables. The Z axis is positive towards image. Values for CA are given as a clear aperture radius, i.e. CA / 2. The reference wavelength is 555.0 nm. Units are in mm except for refraction index (“Index”) and Abbe #. Each lens element L; has a respective focal length ft, given in Table 5. The FOV is given as half FOV (HFOV). The definitions for surface types, Z axis, CA values, reference wavelength, units, focal length and HFOV are valid also for all following Tables.

[0190]

[0191] Table 5

[0192]

[0193] Table 6 All conic constants are zero

[0194] Table 6 (cont.) All conic constants are zero “CA7 / 2” in Table 7 gives a CA of surface 7 (“S7”) as mechanically defined by AA 510. “DA” gives an entrance pupil diameter as used for calculating f / #. DA is determined by S7 in both the first and the second camera state.

[0195] Table 7

[0196] FIG. 6A shows another optical lens system 600 operational to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Optical lens system 600 includes a lens 602 including a plurality of N = 8 lens elements LI - L8 and having an EFL, an image sensor 604 and an optional optical element 606. Optical lens system 600 includes an AA 610 located between L3 and L4. Camera 600 is shown in a first camera state, where AA 610 is relatively closed and an aperture diameter such as DAF-FOV is achieved. A FOV 608 of optical lens system 600 is indicated by angle a. In the first camera state, an entire SD of image sensor 604 is used. That is, optical lens system 600 images light from FOV 608 onto entire image sensor 604, as indicated by light cone 612. In the first camera state, a f / # is f / #i, given by f / #i = EFL / DAF- FOV- dt3-L4 is relatively large.

[0197] FIG. 6B shows optical lens system 600 of FIG. 6A in a second camera state. A FOV 614 of optical lens system 600 in the second camera state is indicated by angle . With respect to the first camera state of FIG. 6A: AA 610 is relatively opened and an aperture diameter such as DAZ-FOV > DAF-FOV is achieved. Only a center part of image sensor 604 is used. Specifically, here only a fourth of a SD of image sensor 604 is used. I.e. optical lens system 600 images light from FOV 614 onto a center region of image sensor 604, as indicated by light cone 616. In the second camera state, a f / # is f / #2, which is given by f / #2 = EFL / DAZ-FOV < f / #i . For optical lens system 600, AL = 2.59.

[0198] In case image sensor 604 is a binning sensor, image sensor 604 may be operational to perform 16-binning. In the first camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in binning mode. In the second camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in full resolution mode. We note that when using 16-binning mode in the first camera state and full resolution mode in the second camera state that uses a fourth of a SD, a same output resolution is achieved. With respect to a combined larger pixel in the first camera state, a single smaller pixel in the second camera state receives 2.59 / 16 « 16% of an amount of light. Without changing the aperture, the single smaller pixel in the second camera state would receive 1 / 16 « 6% of an amount of light compared to a combined larger pixel. In other examples, image sensor 604 may be operational to perform 4-binning.

[0199] As a fourth of a SD of image sensor 604 is used, we refer to a camera including optical lens system 600 as a “low f / # 4x virtual Wide zoom camera”. Detailed optical data and surface data of optical lens system 600 are given in Tables 8 - 9 for the example of the lens elements in FIGS. 6A-B. Table 10 lists characteristics that are different in the first camera state and in the second camera state.

[0200]

[0201] Table 8

[0202]

[0203] All conic constants are zero

[0204] Table 9

[0205] Table 9 (cont.)

[0206] Table 10

[0207] “CA7 / 2” in Table 10 gives a CA of surface 7 (“S7”) as mechanically defined by AA 610. DA is determined by S7 in both the first and the second camera state.

[0208] FIG. 7A illustrates schematically a camera 700 including an adaptive aperture actuator (“AAA”) as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view. Camera 700 includes a lens 702 has a lens optical axis (“OA”) parallel to the z-axis. Fens 702 includes a plurality of lens elements Li - L5, an image sensor 704 and an AAA 706 as disclosed herein. AAA 706 controls an A A 710, and AA 710 defines an aperture diameter (DA). I.e., AAA 706 is operational to change DA, and thus to define a f / # of camera 700. Lens 702 may be included in a lens barrel (not shown), and the lens barrel may be included in a lens carrier 712. In some examples, lens 702 may be axially and / or radially moved within lens carrier 712 and relative to image sensor 704, e.g. for performing focusing (“lens-shift focusing”) and / or optical image stabilization (OIS), specifically lens-shift OIS. In some examples, image sensor 704 may be axially and / or radially moved relative to lens 702, e.g. for performing focusing (“sensor-shift focusing”) and / or OIS (sensor-shift OIS).

[0209] AAA 706 includes a diaphragm (or “membrane”) 708. Diaphragm 708 may be made of any stretchable material known in the art. A first side 708-1 and a second side 708-2 of diaphragm 708 is visible. Diaphragm 708 includes a hole (or void) 707 with a hole diameter (“HD”) which defines (or ’’forms”) AA 710. Diaphragm 708 has a “L-shape”, i.e. a first part of diaphragm 708 is parallel to the y-axis and a second part of diaphragm 708 is parallel to the z-axis. In fact, the L-shape of diaphragm 708 is formed similar to a shape of lens carrier 712, so that the L-shape of diaphragm 708 follows (or “is guided by”) the shape of lens carrier 712. AAA 706 is operational to change HD by stretching and relaxing diaphragm 708, so that hole 707 expands or contracts as indicated by arrow 709 and arrow 711 respectively. Specifically, when diaphragm 708 is in its unexpanded (or “contracted”, or “relaxed”) state, HD and with it a DA of camera 700 has a minimum size, corresponding to a maximum f / #. A minimum size of HD (HDMIN) may be in the range HDMIN = 0.25 - 5mm. When diaphragm 708 is in maximal expanded state, HD and with it a DA of camera 700 has a maximum size, corresponding to a minimum f / #. A maximum size of HD (HDMAX) may be in the range HDMAX = 2.5 - 15mm. AAA 706 may include an actuator (not shown) operational to stretch and relax diaphragm 708. Camera 700 has a TTL that may be in the range of 5 - 20mm and beneficially in the range 5 - 15mm or even 5 - 10mm, a camera height ("HCAM”) that may be in the range of 5.25 - 25mm and beneficially in the range 5.25 - 15mm or even 5.25 - 10mm. A penalty ("p”) between the optical TTL and the mechanical HCAM may be in the range of 0.25 - 5mm, preferably p < 1mm or even p < 0.5mm. As visible, AA 710 is located on an object side of lens 702. In other examples, an AA may be located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements. In some of these examples, HCAM may not be increased by including the AA.

[0210] FIG. 7B illustrates schematically a diaphragm 720 as disclosed herein in a top view. Diaphragm 720 is operational to be used in an AAA such as AAA 706. Diaphragm 720 exemplarily includes eight wires 722a - 722h in a first region 724. Wires 722a - 722h are not stretchable, i.e. they have a constant wire length. As of wires 722a - 722h, first region 724 does not expand when a radial force is applied ("static region”). In addition, wires 722a - 722h ensure that a force is distributed uniformly (or “evenly”) along a radial axis. A second region 726 of diaphragm 720 does not include wires, and it expands when a radial force is applied ("expanding region”). Expanding region 726 causes hole 728 included in diaphragm 720 to expand or contract. This expansion or contraction changes HD, and thus a f / # of a camera including diaphragm 720. In other examples, a diaphragm may include four to forty un- stretchable wires.

[0211] FIG. 7C illustrates schematically a camera 730 including an AAA 732 as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view. Camera 730 includes all components of camera 700. In addition, camera 730 includes an actuator 732. Actuator 732 is operational to apply a force to diaphragm 708, so that diaphragm 708 expands and contracts, changing HD as described for camera 700. Actuator 732 includes a first voice coil motor (“VCM”) 740 and a second VCM 750 as well as a first slider 742 and a second slider 752. First VCM 740 and second VCM 750 may include identical components. First VCM 740 and second VCM 750 include respectively a magnet 744 and a magnet 754 fixedly attached to slider 742 and slider 752 respectively, As well as a coil 746 and a coil 756. Coil 746 and coil 756 do not move with respect to a mobile device including camera 730. Slider 742 and slider 752 are both fixedly attached to diaphragm 708. Slider 742 and slider 752 move with respect to a mobile device including camera 730, e.g. slider 742 and slider 752 move with respect to lens 702. When Slider 742 and slider 752 move in a direction as indicated by arrow 748 and arrow 758, diaphragm 708 is stretched and HD increases as indicated by arrow 734 and arrow 736. It is noted that a symmetry axis of first VCM 740 and second VCM 750 respectively is parallel to the y-axis. First VCM 740 and second VCM 750 respectively provide an actuation force parallel to the z-axis and parallel to the OA. HD changes along the y-axis. In other examples, only one VCM may be included, which is located at only one side of lens barrel 712. In yet other examples, three to eight VCMs may be included.

[0212] In some examples, an AA 710 may be changed symmetrically, i.e. a same force may be applied to first side 708-1 and second side 708-2 of diaphragm 708 respectively. In other examples, an AA 710 may be changed asymmetrically, i.e. a different force may be applied to first side 708-1 and second side 708-2 of diaphragm 708 respectively.

[0213] FIG. 7D illustrates slider 742 in a cross-sectional view. Slider 742 includes an outer ring 743, an inner ring 745 and an air gap between outer ring 743 and inner ring 745. Outer ring 743 moves relative to, and concentrically within inner ring 745, i.e. along an axis parallel to the z-axis. A relative movement between outer ring 743 and inner ring 745 may be actuated by first VCM 740. A diaphragm such as diaphragm 708 may be fixedly attached to outer ring 743.

[0214] FIG. 7E illustrates schematically another camera 760 including an AAA 762 as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view. Camera 760 includes all components of camera 700. However, camera 760 includes a different diaphragm 762 and, in addition, camera 760 includes an AAA 770. AAA 770 is operational to apply a force to diaphragm 762, so that diaphragm 762 expands and relaxes, changing HD as described for camera 700. Diaphragm 762 has a linear (or “straight’) shape, i.e. entire diaphragm 762 is oriented parallel to the y-axis. AAA 770 includes a first VCM 772 and a second VCM 776. First VCM 772 and second VCM 776 may include identical components. First VCM 772 and second VCM 776 respectively include a magnet 774 and a magnet 778 respectively that are fixedly attached to a first side 762-1 of diaphragm 762 and to a second side 762-2 of diaphragm 762 respectively. In some examples, magnet 774 and magnet 778 may be embedded (or “integrated”) into first side 762-1 and second side 762-2 respectively, as shown. First VCM 772 and second VCM 776 include a coil 775 and a coil 779 respectively. Coil 775 and a coil 779 do not move with respect to a mobile device including camera 760. When magnet 774 and magnet 778 move, diaphragm 762 expands or contracts as indicated by arrow 764 and arrow 765, and HD changes as described for camera 700. It is noted that a symmetry axis of first VCM 772 and second VCM 776 respectively is parallel to the z- axis. First VCM 772 and second VCM 776 provide an actuation force parallel to the y-axis, which changes HD along the y-axis and perpendicular to the OA. HD changes along the y-axis.

[0215] FIGS. 7F-G illustrate schematically parts of yet another camera 780 including an AAA 782 as disclosed herein in a cross-sectional view. Only one side of AAA 782 is shown. AAA 782 includes a diaphragm 784 and a stamp 786 including a moving stamp 786-1 and a static (or “base”) stamp 786-2. Moving stamp 786-1 moves with respect to a mobile device including camera 760. Diaphragm 784 has a stamp region 788 where stamp 786 is located. Static stamp 786-2 does not move with respect to a mobile device including camera 760.

[0216] FIG. 7F illustrates camera 780 with diaphragm 784 in its unexpanded (or “relaxed’) state, corresponding to a minimum HD and to a maximum f / #. In the unexpanded state, stamp 786 does not apply any force to diaphragm 784. In other examples, stamp 786 may apply a relatively weak preload force to diaphragm 784.

[0217] FIG. 7G illustrates camera 780 with diaphragm 784 in an expanded state, corresponding to a larger HD and to a lower f / # compared to the unexpanded state. In the expanded state, stamp 786 applies a force to diaphragm 784. Specifically, when lowering (or “moving downwards”) moving stamp 786-1 as indicated by arrow 787, diaphragm 784 is stretched and aperture 710 expands as indicated by arrow 789, what lowers a f / # of camera 780. A stamp region 788 of diaphragm 784 is deformed, amplifying (or “increasing”) a degree of stretching of diaphragm 784. In some examples, moving stamp 786-1 and base stamp 786-2 may have holes to prevent vacuum locking of diaphragm 784 to moving stamp 786-1 and base stamp 786-2 respectively. “Vacuum locking” means that diaphragm becomes fixedly attached to moving stamp 786-1 or base stamp 786-2 as of contact forces, what is undesired.

[0218] FIGS. 8A-8H show another AAA 800 as disclosed herein. AAA 800 includes a lens carrier 806 as well as a diaphragm 802 having a hole 804 with a HD and defining an AA. FIGS. 8A-8C as well as FIG. 8G show AAA 800 in configurations where diaphragm 802 is in its unexpanded state, so that a HD of a camera including AAA 800 has a minimum size, corresponding to a maximum f / # (“f / #MAx”). f / #MAx may be in the range of 2.5 - 50, or 2.5 - 8 or only 2.5 - 4. FIGS. 8D-8F as well as FIG. 8H show AAA 800 in configurations where diaphragm 802 is in its maximal expanded state, so that a HD of a camera including AAA 800 has a maximum size, corresponding to a minimum f / # (“f / #MiN”). f / #MiN may be in the range of 1.0 - 5.0, or 1.25 - 3 or only 1.4 - 2.5. A transition (or “switching”) between the unexpanded state and the maximal expanded state may be continuous or discrete.

[0219] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8D show AAA 800 in a perspective view. Diaphragm 802 includes twenty-four wires, of which exemplarily a first wire 808 and a second wire 809 are marked. A larger HD is visible in FIG. 8D compared to FIG. 8A.

[0220] FIG. 8B and FIG. 8E show AAA 800 in a perspective cross-sectional view. AAA 800 includes a lens carrier 806 and four VCMs (FIG. 8C), wherein here a first VCM 810 and a second VCM 820 are visible. All four VCMs may include identical components. First VCM 810 and second VCM 820 include a magnet 812 and a magnet 822 respectively which are both fixedly attached to a moving ring 816. Moving ring 816 is fixedly attached to diaphragm 802 and moves relative to lens carrier 806, which does not move with respect to a mobile device including AAA 800. First VCM 810 and second VCM 820 include a coil 814 and a coil 824 respectively which are both fixedly attached to lens carrier 806. With respect to the z-axis, a lower position of moving ring 816 with respect to lens carrier 806 is visible in FIG. 8E compared to FIG. 8C, so that diaphragm 802 is stretched.

[0221] FIG. 8C and FIG. 8F show the four VCMs included in AAA 800 in a perspective view. First VCM 810, second VCM 820 as well as a third VCM 830 and a fourth VCM 840 are visible. Third VCM 830 and fourth VCM 840 include a magnet 832 and a magnet 842 respectively which are both fixedly attached to moving ring 816. Third VCM 830 and fourth VCM 840 include a coil 834 and a coil 844 respectively which are both fixedly attached to lens carrier 806. With respect to the z-axis, a lower position of the four magnets 812 - 842 with respect to the four coils 814 - 844 is visible in FIG. 8F compared to FIG. 8C.

[0222] FIG. 8G shows AAA 800 without diaphragm 802 and lens carrier 806 in a perspective view. At an inner side, moving ring 816 includes four rails, whereof a first rail 818 and a second rail 826 are visible. An angular distance between two consecutive rails is 90 degrees.

[0223] FIG. 8H shows AAA 800 without diaphragm 802, lens carrier 806 and moving ring 816 in a perspective view. At an outer side, lens carrier 806 includes four rails, whereof a third rail 828 and a fourth rail 829 are visible. An angular distance between two consecutive rails is 90 degrees. The four rails included in lens carrier 806 are aligned with the four rails included in moving ring 816, so that four voids (or “spaces”) are formed. In each of the four voids, one or more balls may be included, so that four ball-bearings are formed. The four ball-bearings are operational to translate a force generated by VCMs 810 - 840 into an axial movement for controlling a state of diaphragm 802.

[0224] FIG. 9A shows yet another optical lens system 900 operational to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Optical lens system 900 may be used in a non- folded zoom Tele (“T”) camera such as camera 160 or in a folded zoom T camera such as folded zoom T camera 100. The same holds for optical lens system 1000. For Optical lens system 900 includes a lens 902 including N = 8 lens elements LI - L8 and having an EFL, an image sensor 904 and an optional optical element 906. Optical lens system 900 includes an AA 910 located between L3 and L4. Camera 900 is shown in a first camera state, where AA 910 is relatively closed and an aperture diameter such as DAF-FOV is achieved. A FOV 908 of optical lens system 900 is indicated by angle a. In the first camera state, optical lens system 900 images light from FOV 908 onto entire image sensor 904, as indicated by light cone 912. In the first camera state, a f / # is f / #i, given by f / #i = EFL / DAF-FOV. Optical lens system 900 represents a T camera, and lens 902 is divided into a first lens group (“Gl”) including LI - L3 and a second lens group (“G2”) including L4 - L8. An air gap between Gl and G2 (“do”) is relatively large. In general, Gl has a positive lens power and G2 has a negative lens power.

[0225] FIG. 9B shows optical lens system 900 of FIG. 9A in a second camera state. A FOV 914 of optical lens system 900 in the second camera state is indicated by angle . With respect to the first camera state of FIG. 9A: AA 910 is relatively opened, so that an aperture diameter such as DAZ-FOV > DAF-FOV is achieved. Only a center part of image sensor 904 is used. Specifically, here only half of a SD of image sensor 904 is used so that we refer to a camera including optical lens system 900 as a “low f / # 2x virtual Tele zoom camera”. Optical lens system 900 images light from FOV 914 onto a center region of image sensor 904, as indicated by light cone 916. In the second camera state, a f / # is f / #2, which is given by f / #2 = EFL / DAz- FOV < f / #i. For optical lens system 900, AL = 3.06.

[0226] In case image sensor 904 is a binning sensor, image sensor 904 may be operational to perform 4-binning. In the first camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in binning mode. In the second camera state, the binning sensor may be operated in full resolution mode. We note that when using 4-binning mode in the first camera state and full resolution mode in the second camera state that uses half of SD, a same output resolution is achieved. With respect to a combined larger pixel in the first camera state, a single smaller pixel in the second camera state receives 3.06 / 4 ~ 77% of an amount of light. Without changing the aperture, the single smaller pixel in the second camera state would receive 1 / 4 of an amount of light compared to a combined larger pixel.

[0227] Detailed optical data and surface data of optical lens system 900 are given in Tables 11- 12. Table 13 lists characteristics that are different in the first camera state and in the second camera state.

[0228]

[0229] Table 11

[0230]

[0231] All conic constants are zero

[0232] Table 12

[0233] Table 13

[0234] “CA7 / 2” in Table 13 gives a CA of surface 7 (“S7”) as mechanically defined by AA 910. DA is determined by S7 in the first camera state and by LI in the second camera state.

[0235] FIG. 10A shows yet another optical lens system 1000 operational to perform low f / # virtual zoom capturing as disclosed herein. Optical lens system 1000 includes a lens 1002 including N = 8 lens elements LI - L8, an image sensor 1004 and an optional optical element 1006. Optical lens system 1000 includes an AA 1010 located between L4 and L5. Camera 1000 is shown in a first camera state, where AA 1010 is relatively closed and an aperture diameter DAF-FOV is achieved. A FOV 1008 of optical lens system 1000 is indicated by angle a. In the first camera state, optical lens system 1000 images light from FOV 1008 onto entire image sensor 1004, as indicated by light cone 1012. In the first camera state, a f / # is f / #i, given by f / #i = EFL / DAF-FOV- Optical lens system 1000 represents a T camera. Lens 1002 is divided into G1 including LI - L4 and G2 including L5 - L8. do is relatively large. G1 has a positive lens power and G2 has a negative lens power. FIG. 10B shows optical lens system 1000 of FIG. 10A in a second camera state. A FOV 1014 of optical lens system 1000 in the second camera state is indicated by angle p. With respect to the first camera state of FIG. 10A: AA 1010 is relatively opened, so that an aperture diameter DAZ-FOV > DAF-FOV is achieved and only half of a SD of image sensor 1004 is used. I.e. optical lens system 1000 images light from FOV 1014 onto a center region of image sensor 1004, as indicated by light cone 1016. We refer to a camera including optical lens system 1000 as a “low f / # 2x virtual Tele zoom camera”. In the second camera state, a f / # is f / #2, given by f / #2 = EFL / DAZ-FOV < f / #i . For optical lens system 1000, AL = 3.06. In case image sensor 1004 is a binning sensor, image sensor 1004 may be operational to perform 4-binning as described for image sensor 904.

[0236] Detailed optical data and surface data of optical lens system 1000 are given in Tables 14- 15. Table 16 lists characteristics that are different in the first camera state and in the second camera state.

[0237] For optical lens systems 900 and 1000 included in a non-folded (upright) camera, a penalty ("p”) between the optical TTL and the mechanical HCAM may be in the range of 0.25 - 5mm, preferably p < 2mm or even p < 1mm.

[0238] For optical lens systems 900 and 1000 included in a folded camera, a penalty ("p”) between the optical clear aperture value (CA) and the mechanical HCAM may be in the range of 0.25 - 5mm, preferably p < 2mm or even p < 1mm. In some examples, one or more of the lens elements included in optical lens systems 900 and 1000 may be cut as known in the art, so that image sensor 904 and image sensor 1004 respectively may define a height of the folded camera. Also in these examples, a p between the sensor height and the mechanical HCAM may be in the range of 0.25 - 5mm, preferably p < 2mm or even p < 1mm.

[0239]

[0240] Table 14

[0241]

[0242] All conic constants are zero

[0243] Table 15

[0244] Table 16 “CAi / 2” in Table 16 gives a CA of surface 1 (“SI”) as mechanically defined by AA 1010. DA is determined by LI in both the first and the second camera state.

[0245] It is noted that optical lens systems such as optical lens systems 600, 700, 900 and 1000 can be linearly scaled, as known in the art. A FOV and especially a f / # etc. do not change when scaling. For example, using a smaller image sensor reduces a TTL and thus a height of a camera including the optical lens system, and vice versa. Table 17 includes exemplarily examples of TTL values for optical lens systems 600 and 700 including smaller (1 / 1.57”) and larger (1 / 1.12”, 1”) image sensors. In other examples, optical lens systems 600 and 700 may be scaled so that a SD is in the range of 7.5mm < SD < 25mm.

[0246] Table 17

[0247] Table 18 includes exemplarily examples of TTL values for optical lens system 900 including smaller (1 / 1.7”, 1 / 2”, 1 / 2.5”, 1 / 3”, 1 / 3.5”) image sensors.

[0248] Table 18

[0249] Table 19 includes exemplarily examples of TTL values for optical lens system 900 including smaller (1 / 1.7”, 1 / 2”, 1 / 2.5”, 1 / 3”, 1 / 3.5”) image sensors.

[0250] Table 19

[0251] In other examples, optical lens systems 900 and 1000 may be scaled so that an EFL is in the range of 6mm < EFL < 30mm.

[0252] Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and / or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made.

[0253] It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element.

[0254] All patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A camera system, comprising: a Wide camera and a processor, the Wide camera comprising a lens with a plurality of N lens elements LI - LN and having a total track length TTL, an effective focal length EFL, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD in the range of 5mm to 25mm, wherein the Wide camera is a zoom camera, wherein a ratio TTL / SD <0.8, wherein the Wide camera has a full field-of-view (F-FOV) camera state and a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV, wherein a ratio of DA F-FOV / SD is in the range 0.2 - 0.5, wherein the Wide camera has a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z- FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV and a zoom sensor diagonal SDz < SD, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAF-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > 1 -2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDz < 0.8x SD, and wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ > 1.5x DAF FOV / SD.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein N=8.

3. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the Wide camera has an f number f / #F-rov in the F-FOV camera state given by f / #F-pov = EFL / DAF-FOV, and wherein f / #F-rov is in the range of 1.5 - 8.

4. The camera system of claim 3, wherein 17#F-FOV is in the range of 1.5 - 2.5.

5. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the EFL is in the range of 2mm - 15mm.

6. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the EFL is in the range of 2mm - 10mm.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the EFL is in the range of 2mm -7.5mm.

8. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.4x DAF-FOV.

9. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.5x DAF-FOV.

10. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.6x DAF-FOV.

11. The camera system of claim 1, wherein TTL / SD <0.75.

12. The camera system of claim 1, wherein TTL / SD <0.7.

13. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 2x DAF-FOV / SD.

14. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 3x DAF-FOV / SD.

15. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 4x DAF-FOV / SD.

16. The camera system of claim 1, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 5x DAF-FOV / SD.

17. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the Wide camera has a f number 17#F-FOV in the F- FOV camera state and a f number f / #z-rov in the Z-FOV camera state, and wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z- FOV > 1.25.

18. The camera system of claim 17, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv> 1.4.

19. The camera system of claim 17, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.5.

20. The camera system of claim 17, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.6.

21. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the SD is in the range of 7.5mm - 20mm.

22. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the SD is in the range of 7.5mm - 15mm.

23. The camera system of claim 1, wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and wherein the camera is a 2-state virtual zoom camera.

24. The camera system of claim 1, wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and wherein the Wide camera is a multi-state virtual zoom camera.

25. The camera system of claim 1, wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is continuous, and wherein the Wide camera is a continuous virtual zoom camera.

26. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the image sensor is a binning sensor.

27. The camera system of claim 26, wherein the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor.

28. The camera system of claim 26, wherein the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor.

29. The camera system of claim 26, wherein the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

30. The camera system of claim 26, wherein in the F-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

31. The camera system of claim 30, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 12.5MP.

32. The camera system of claim 30, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP.

33. The camera system of claim 30, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP.

34. The camera system of claim 30, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP.

35. The camera system of claim 30, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

36. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements.

37. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein the AA is located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements.

38. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the AA is located between L3 and L4.

39. The camera system of any of the claims 1-38, wherein the camera system is included in a mobile device.

40. The camera system of claim 39, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.

41. A camera system, comprising: a Tele camera and a processor, the Tele camera comprising a lens with a plurality of N lens elements LI - LN and having a total track length TTL and an effective focal length EFL in the range of 6mm to 50mm, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD, wherein the Tele camera is a zoom camera, wherein a ratio TTL / EFL <1.1, wherein the Tele camera has a full field-of-view F-FOV camera state and a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV, wherein a ratio of DAF-FOV / SD is in the range 0.2 - 1 , wherein the Tele camera has a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z- FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV and a Z-FOV sensor diagonal SDZ-FOV < SD, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAF-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > 1.2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDZ-FOV < 0.8x SD, and wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > L5X DAF FOV / SD.

42. The camera system of claim 41, wherein N = 8.

43. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the Tele camera has an f number f / #F-pov in the F-FOV camera state given by f / #F-rov = EFL / DAF-FOV, and wherein f / #F-rov is in the range of 1.75 - 8.

44. The camera system of claim 43, wherein f / #F-rov is in the range of 2 - 5.

45. The camera system of claim 43, wherein TTL / EFL< 1.05.

46. The camera system of claim 43, wherein TTL / EFL< 1.

47. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.3x DAF-FOV-48. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.4x DAF-FOV.

49. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.5x DAF-FOV.

50. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.6x DAF-FOV-51. The camera system of claim 41 , wherein DAZ-FOV / SDF-FOV > 2x DAF-FOV / SD.

52. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 3x DAF-FOV / SD.

53. The camera system of claim 41, wherein DAZ-FOV / SDZ-FOV > 3.5x DAF-FOV / SD.

54. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the Tele camera has a F-FOV f number f / #F-rov in the F-FOV camera state and a Z-FOV f number f / #z-rov in the Z-FOV camera state, and wherein f / #F-FOV / f / #Z-FOV > 1.25.

55. The camera system of claim 54, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov> 1.4.

56. The camera system of claim 54, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.6.

57. The camera system of claim 54, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.7.

58. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the EFL is in the range of 7.5mm - 25mm.

59. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the EFL is in the range of 7.5mm - 15mm.

60. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the SD is in the range of 5mm - 17mm.

61. The camera system of claim 60, wherein the SD is in the range of 5mm - 14mm.

62. The camera system of claim 41 , wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and wherein the Tele camera is a 2-state virtual zoom camera.

63. The camera system of claim 41, wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is discrete, and wherein the Tele camera is a multi-state virtual zoom camera.

64. The camera system of claim 41 , wherein a transition between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state is continuous, and wherein the Tele camera is a continuous virtual zoom camera.

65. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the image sensor is a binning sensor.

66. The camera system of claim 65, wherein the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor.

67. The camera system of claim 65, wherein the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor.

68. The camera system of claim 65, wherein the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

69. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the F-FOV camera state, the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

70. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution> 12.5MP.

71. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP.

72. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP.

73. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP.

74. The camera system of claim 65, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a pixel resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

75. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements.

76. The camera system of claim 41, wherein the AA is located between two lens elements out of the plurality of lens elements.

77. The camera system of any of the claims 41-76, wherein the Tele camera is included in a mobile device.

78. The camera system of claim 77, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.

79. A camera system, comprising: a camera and a processor, the camera comprising a lens with a plurality of lens elements and having a a total track length TTL and an effective focal length EFL in the range of 2.5mm to 50mm, an adaptive aperture AA, and an image sensor having a full sensor diagonal SD in the range of 5mm to 25mm, wherein the camera is a virtual zoom camera,wherein the camera has a full field-of-view F-FOV camera state, a F-FOV lens aperture diameter DAF-FOV and a F-FOV f number f / #F-rov that fulfills f / #F-rov = EFL / DAF-FOV, wherein f / #F-FOv is in the range of 1.2 - 8, wherein the camera has a zoom field-of-view Z-FOV camera state that fulfills Z-FOV < F-FOV, a Z-FOV lens aperture diameter DAZ-FOV, a Z-FOV sensor diagonal SDZ-FOV and a Z- FOV f number f / #z-i ov that fulfills f / #z-FOv = EFL / DAZ-FOV, wherein for switching between the F-FOV camera state and the Z-FOV camera state, the AA is operational to switch between DAZ-FOV and DAZ-FOV such that DAZ-FOV > 1.2x DAF-FOV, wherein the processor is operational to crop the image sensor such that SDZ-FOV < 1.2x SD, and wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.25.

80. The camera system of claim 79, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.4.

81. The camera system of claim 79, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.5.

82. The camera system of claim 79, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.6.

83. The camera system of claim 79, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-FOv > 1.6.

84. The camera system of claim 79, wherein f / #F-FOv / f / #z-rov > 1.75.

85. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the EFL is in the range of 2.5mm - 15mm.

86. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the EFL is in the range of 7.5mm - 30mm.

87. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the SD is in the range of 7.5mm- 15mm.

88. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the virtual zoom camera is a Wide camera, and wherein SD / TTL <0.8.

89. The camera system of claim 88, wherein SD / TTL <0.7.

90. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the virtual zoom camera is a Tele camera, and wherein EFL / TTL < 1.

91. The camera system of claim 79, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.5x DAF-FOV-92. The camera system of claim 79, wherein DAZ-FOV > 1.6x DAF-FOV-93. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the image sensor is a binning sensor.

94. The camera system of claim 93, wherein the image sensor is a 4-binning sensor.

95. The camera system of claim 93, wherein the image sensor is a 9-binning sensor.

96. The camera system of claim 93, wherein the image sensor is a 16-binning sensor.

97. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the F-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a first pixel resolution, and wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

98. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution> 12.5MP.

99. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 50MP.

100. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 100MP.

101. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 200MP.

102. The camera system of claim 93, wherein in the Z-FOV camera state the image sensor is operated in a resolution corresponding to a full sensor pixel resolution > 300MP.

103. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the AA is located at an object side of the plurality of lens elements.

104. The camera system of claim 79, wherein the AA is located between two lens elements of the plurality of lens elements.

105. The camera system of any of the claims 79-104, wherein the virtual zoom camera system is included in a mobile device.

106. The camera system of claim 105, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.

107. A camera, comprising: a lens including a plurality of lens elements arranged along a lens optical axis and having an effective focal length EFL in the range of 1mm - 50 mm; an image sensor; an adaptive aperture AA for receiving light from a scene, the AA having an adaptive aperture diameter DA; and an adaptive aperture actuator comprising an actuator and a diaphragm with a concentric hole with a hole diameter HD that defines the AA, wherein the camera has a f number f / # = EFL / DA, and wherein the actuator is configured to respectively stretch and relax the diaphragm to increase or decrease the HD such as to control the f number.

108. The camera of claim 107, wherein the EFL is in the range of 5mm - 30mm.

109. The camera of claim 107, wherein the diaphragm has a L-shape.

110. The camera of claim 107, wherein the diaphragm includes a plurality of wires.

111. The camera of claim 110, wherein the plurality of wires define a static region and an expanding region, and wherein the expanding region defines the HD.

112. The camera of claim 107, wherein the actuator includes at least one voice coil motor (VCM).

113. The camera of claim 112, wherein the at least one VCM includes two VCMs.

114. The camera of claim 112, wherein the at least one VCM includes four VCMs.

115. The camera of claim 107, wherein the actuator includes a stamp.

116. The camera of claim 107, wherein the DA is adaptable continuously.

117. The camera of claim 107, wherein the DA is adaptable discretely.

118. The camera of claim 107, wherein the DA is adaptable symmetrically.

119. The camera of claim 107, wherein the DA is adaptable asymmetrically.

120. The camera of claim 107, wherein the HD has a minimal size HDMIN in the range HDMIN - 0.25mm - 5mm.

121. The camera of claim 120, wherein HDMIN is in the range HDMIN = 0.5mm - 2.5mm.

122. The camera of claim 107, wherein the HD has a maximal size HDMAX, and wherein HDMAX is in the range HDMAX - 2.5mm - 15mm.

123. The camera of claim 122, wherein HDMAX is in the range HDMAX = 4mm - 12mm.

124. The camera of claim 107, wherein the AA is located at an object side of the lens.

125. The camera of claim 107, wherein the AA is located between two lens elements of the plurality of lens elements.

126. The camera of claim 107, wherein f / #MiN is a minimum f / #, and wherein f / #MiN is in the range f / #MiN = 1.0 - 5.0.

127. The camera of claim 126, wherein f / #MiN is in the range f / #MiN = 1.4 - 2.5.

128. The camera of claim 107, wherein f / #MAx is a maximum f / #, and wherein f / #MAx is in the range f / #MAx = 2.5 - 50.

129. The camera of claim 107, wherein the image sensor has a full image sensor diagonal SD, and wherein TTL / SD < 0.8.

130. The camera of claim 129, wherein TTL / SD < 0.7.

131. The camera of claim 107, wherein TTL / EFL < 1.

132. The camera of claim 107, wherein TTL / EFL < 0.9.

133. The camera of claim 107, wherein TTL is in the range of 2.5mm - 15mm.

134. The camera of claim 107, wherein TTL is in the range of 5mm - 10mm.

135. The camera of claim 107, wherein the camera has a camera height HCAM, and wherein HCAM is in the range of 3mm - 20mm.

136. The camera of claim 107, wherein the camera has a camera height HCAM, and wherein HCAM is in the range of 5mm - 12.5mm.

137. The camera of any of the claims 107-136, wherein the camera is included in a mobile device.

138. The camera of claim 137, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.

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