Lenses, cameras and devices

Abstract

The lens includes a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements including, in order from the object side to the image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, the diameter of the first refractive lens element being less than 50% of the total length of the lens.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The existing optical systems of cameras in electronic products tend to move towards lens designs with thinner total length (TTL). However, to provide better image quality with higher resolution, the number of lens elements may increase, which may increase the TTL of the optical lens system. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In general, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques, systems, and lenses having wide-angle, ultra-short TTL with high-quality imaging for high-resolution camera systems. An exemplary lens design includes multiple plastic lens elements, at least one of which has a relatively high refractive index, e.g., N d >1.68, where N d is the refractive index at the yellow spectral line of helium, which has a wavelength of about 587.56 nanometers (nm).

[0003] The techniques, systems, and lenses of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages and solve one or more technical problems. For example, the techniques, systems, and lenses provide a lens design having an ultra-wide field of view, such as a diagonal field of view (DFOV) of 120 degrees or greater, a TTL to maximum image height ratio of 1.627 or less (image height is the distance from the optical axis in the image plane at which the relative illumination is 25%), and a first lens element diameter of 38% or less of the TTL. Such a lens design provides a lens with a small aperture and a relatively short TTL with an improved ultra-wide field of view.

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a lens including a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements including, in order from an object side to an image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, wherein the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each include plastic, and a diameter of the first refractive lens element is less than 50% of a total length of the lens.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a camera, the camera including a lens including a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements including, in order from an object side to an image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each including plastic, a diameter of the first refractive lens element being less than 50% of a total length of the lens, and the camera further including a sensor arranged at an image plane of the lens.

[0006] In some aspects, the technologies described herein relate to a device including a processor, a camera, and a memory including instructions executable by the processor to control operation of the camera, the camera including a lens including a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements including, in order from an object side to an image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each including plastic, and a diameter of the first refractive lens element being less than 50% of a total length of the lens, and the camera further including a sensor positioned at an image plane of the lens and an infrared cut filter positioned between the sensor and the fifth refractive lens element.

[0007] The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lens system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a plot of a modulation transfer function of the example lens system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 2 is a plot of relative illuminance for the exemplary lens system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 2 is a plot of distortion of the exemplary lens system of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary lens system according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 6 is a plot of a modulation transfer function of the example lens system of FIG. 5 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 6 is a plot of relative illuminance for the exemplary lens system of FIG. 5, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 6 is a plot of distortion of the exemplary lens system of FIG. 5 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 6 is an exemplary computer system that may be used with a camera including the exemplary lens of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lens system 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Figures 2-4 are plots illustrating the performance and / or quality of lenses in lens system 100. Lens system 100 may include a lens 102 and a sensor 108, and lens 102 may include multiple optical elements, such as, for example, two or more lens elements.

[0010] In the illustrated example, lens 102 may include five lens elements 110, 112, 114, 116, and 118 arranged in order from object side to image side along optical axis 106, including, for example, lens element 110 as the object-side lens element and lens element 118 as the image-side lens element. Lens element 110 may be referred to as the first refractive lens element, lens element 112 may be referred to as the second refractive lens element, lens element 114 may be referred to as the third refractive lens element, lens element 116 may be referred to as the fourth refractive lens element, and lens element 118 may be referred to as the fifth refractive lens element. Lens 102 may also include a lens stop 122 located on the object side of lens element 112, for example, between lens elements 110 and 112. In other examples, lens stop 122 may be located anywhere within lens 102, such as, for example, anywhere within TTL 104. In some examples, lens stop 122 may be a mechanical aperture configured to include an opaque material and have a transparent aperture, while in other examples, lens stop 122 may be one of lens elements 110-118. In some embodiments, lens 102 may include filter 120. Filter 120 may be an optical filter, a spatial filter, a polarizing filter, etc. For example, filter 120 may be an infrared (IR) cut filter configured to reduce transmission of IR wavelengths of light or to be opaque to IR wavelengths of light. Filter 120 may be formed from a plastic material, a glass material, or any suitable material. In the illustrated example, filter 120 has no optical power (e.g., refractive power or light-gathering power). Although shown as a separate component, in some examples, filter 120 may include a coating on the surface of one or more of lens elements 110-118 and / or on the surface of sensor 108, or other methods or components may be used to provide light filtering.

[0011] For example, parameters of lens 102, such as the optical power of the entire lens 102, the optical power of lens elements 110-118, and the lens shape, thickness, geometry, position, material, spacing, and surface shape of lens elements 110-118, may be selected, at least in part, to provide an ultra-wide field of view (DFOV), such as a diagonal field of view (DFOV) greater than 90 degrees, or greater than 105 degrees, or greater than 120 degrees, and / or to provide an ultra-short total length (TTL) 104, such as a TTL 104 less than 10 millimeters (mm), or less than 5 mm, or 4.2 mm or less. The parameters of lens 102 may also be selected to reduce, compensate, or correct optical aberrations and lens artifacts, including, but not limited to, one or more of defocus, spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, distortion, field curvature or Petzval sum, vignetting, chromatic aberration, lens flare, and the like, and their effects across the field of view. The parameters of the lens 102 may also be selected to provide a high-resolution image configured for high-resolution image capture, e.g., having a modulation transfer function (MTF) corresponding to an 8 megapixel (MP), 12 MP, 16 MP, or greater camera. For example, the sensor 108 may be an array of light-sensitive pixels, and the parameters of the lens 102 may be selected such that the lens 102 has an MTF and imaging quality such that the pixel size of the sensor array 108 capturing the image limits the resolution of the captured image, rather than the MTF and / or quality of the lens 102.

[0012] The lens 102 may be configured to provide high-quality (e.g., high-resolution) imaging with an ultra-wide field of view and a relatively short TTL 104, and with a relatively small object-side lens surface. A relatively short TTL 104 and a relatively small object-side lens surface may be advantageous for use with a mobile device. For example, a relatively short TTL 104 may enable a relatively thin mobile device. In some examples, the lens 102 may have a relatively short TTL 104 such that the ratio of the TTL 104 to the maximum image height is 2.000 or less, or 1.800 or less, or 1.627 or less. The lens 102 may have a relatively small object-side lens surface, which may reduce the surface area of ​​the mobile device occupied by the lens 102 and reduce damage to the object-side first surface; for example, a smaller object-side surface exposes less of the surface to damage. In some examples, first lens element 110 may have a diameter that is 50% or less of TTL 104, or 42% or less of TTL 104, or 38% or less of TTL 104.

[0013] In some examples, lens elements 110-118 may be made of a plastic material such as polycarbonate, polyester, polystyrene, acrylic such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), or any suitable polymer, injection-molded plastic material, or transparent material (e.g., glass), and may include one or more coatings (e.g., anti-reflective coatings). In some examples, lens elements 110-118 may all include the same material, some of lens elements 110-118 may include the same material as each other, or each of lens elements 110-118 may include a different material from each other. For example, different lens elements of lens elements 110-118 may have, for example, different refractive indices (N d ) and different Abbe numbers (ν d ), where the Abbe number ν d may be defined by the following equation (1): ν d =(N d -1) / (N F -NC ) (1)

[0014] In the above equation, N F and N C are the refractive index values ​​of the material at the hydrogen F-line and C-line, respectively. In some examples, the lens element 114 may have an N of 1.68 or greater, for example. d The optical element may be made of a plastic material having a relatively high refractive index, such as PET.

[0015] The sensor 108 may be one or more chips of integrated circuit (IC) technology implemented according to any of various types of optical sensor technologies. Examples of optical sensor technologies that may be used are charge-coupled device (CCD) technology and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. In some examples, the sensor 108 may be a pixel array having a pixel size of 5 micrometers (microns) or less, or 2 microns or less, or 1 micron or less, although larger pixel sizes may be used. In some examples, the sensor 108 may have an image format of 4032 x 3024 pixels, although other pixel formats may be used. In some examples, the sensor 108 may have a diagonal image height of approximately 5.040 mm, although the sensor 108 may have a larger or smaller diagonal size, for example, with appropriate adjustment of the lens 102, lens elements 110-118, and / or lens stop 122.

[0016] In some embodiments, lens 102 may include a cover glass (not shown). For example, the cover glass may be disposed on the object side of lens element 110 and may be configured to protect lens 102, for example, from the environment and / or contact with damaging materials. In some examples, the cover glass may be hard glass, hard-coated glass and / or plastic, sapphire, or any material suitable for protecting a surface of lens 102 (e.g., the object-side surface of lens element 110). In some examples, the cover glass may have a small amount of optical power.

[0017] In the illustrated example, sensor 108 may be positioned at the image and / or focal plane of lens 102, which is configured to form an image on sensor 108. The image size of a distant object is directly proportional to the effective focal length (EFL) of lens 102. TTL 104 is the physical distance (also called the mechanical distance, as opposed to the optical distance) along the optical axis (106) between object-side vertex 130 of lens element 110 and the image and / or focal plane.

[0018] In some examples, the lens 102 may have an EFL of 4 mm or less, or 3 mm or less, or 2.3 mm or less. The lens 102 may have an F-number (F / #) between about 1.0 and 5.0, or between about 1.5 and 3.0, or between about 2.0 and 2.4. Note that the F / #, also referred to as the focal ratio, may be defined by EFL / D, where D is the diameter of the entrance pupil, which is the image of the lens stop 122 when viewed from the object side of the lens 102. In the illustrated example, the lens 102 has an EFL of about 2.2 mm, an F / # of about 2.4, a DFOV of about 120 degrees, and a TTL 104 of about 3.9 mm.

[0019] In some examples, the EFL, F / #, TTL 104, sensor 108, and / or other parameters of lens system 100 and / or lens 102 may be varied and scaled or adjusted to meet various optical specifications, imaging specifications, and / or packaging constraints. Constraints on the camera system that may be specified as requirements for lens system 100 and / or lens 102 and / or may vary for different camera system applications may include, but are not limited to, EFL, F / #, TTL 104, lens stop 122 position, DFOV, sensor 108 size, imaging performance requirements, and packaging volume or size constraints.

[0020] In some examples, lens system 100 may be adjustable. For example, lens 102 may include an adjustable lens stop 122, e.g., via an iris configured to have an adjustable clear aperture size and / or diameter. Using the adjustable lens stop 122, the F / # may be dynamically changed within a range. In some examples, lens system 100 may be used at a faster (e.g., lower) F / # by adjusting the aperture stop at the same DFOV, which may reduce or “trade off” image quality performance for an increased amount of light (brightness) captured by lens 102, thereby allowing sensor 108 time (e.g., and associated sensor noise) to be reduced, e.g., in low light conditions. In some examples, lens system 100 may be used at a slower (e.g., higher) F / # by adjusting the aperture stop at the same DFOV, which may improve image quality performance and reduce the amount of light captured by lens 102, e.g., in brighter lighting conditions.

[0021] Table 1 provides design details for lens system 100, Table 2 provides details on the performance and / or quality of lens system 100, and FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the performance and / or quality of the lenses in lens system 100. FIG. 2 is a plot of the modulation transfer function of exemplary lens system 100, FIG. 3 is a plot of the relative illumination of exemplary lens system 100, and FIG. 4 is a plot of the distortion of exemplary lens system 100. In FIG. 2 (and FIG. 4 below), the MTF at different fields of view, e.g., 40% DFOV, 70% DFOV, and 100% DFOV, is plotted for both the tangential and sagittal planes. For example, the plot designated 0.4S is the sagittal MTF at 40% DFOV, the plot designated 0.7T is the tangential MTF at 70% DFOV, and "Diff Lim" is the diffraction-limited MTF plot of the lens.

[0022] Tables 1 and 2 provide exemplary values ​​of various optical and physical parameters for lens system 100, which will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and Tables 3 and 4 provide exemplary values ​​of various optical and physical parameters for lens system 200, which will be described with reference to FIG. 5 below. In Tables 1-4, all dimensions are in millimeters (mm) unless otherwise noted. The surface numbers of elements listed in the tables are listed from the first surface (Surface 1), which is the object side of the object-side lens element, such as the object side of lens element 110 in Table 1 and the object side of lens element 210 in Table 3, to the last surface (Surface 14) at the image / focal / photosensor plane. A positive radius indicates that the center of curvature is on the right side (object side) of the surface. A negative radius indicates that the center of curvature is on the left side (image side) of the surface. "Infinity," as commonly used in optics, refers to a plane with a "center of curvature" at "infinity," for example. Thickness (or separation) is the axial distance to the next surface. F / # represents the F-number of the lens system (e.g., F / 2, F / 2.4, F / 4, etc.). HFOV represents horizontal field of view, VFOV represents vertical field of view, and DFOV represents diagonal field of view. MKOC position represents the location of the intersection of the maximum field of view with the central ray, which may be the location of the entrance pupil of the maximum field of view. EFL in Tables 1 and 3 indicates the effective focal length of each lens element 110-118 or 210-218, respectively, and EFL in Tables 2 and 4 indicates the overall effective focal length of lens 102 and lens 202, respectively. The optical total lengths in Tables 2 and 4 correspond to TTLs 104 and 204, respectively, and the mechanical total length may include, for example, the front portion of an exemplary lens housing (not shown), which may extend away from the lens on the object side. For the materials of the lens elements and filter 120, the refractive index N d and the Abbe number is the helium d-line wavelength.

[0023] Referring to the aspherical coefficients A2 to A18 in Tables 1 and 3, the aspherical equation describing the aspherical surface can be given by the following equation (2). TIFF2026500306000002.tif18170

[0024] where Z is the surface droop parallel to the z-axis (the z-axis and the optical axis are coincident in these exemplary embodiments), r is the radial distance from the vertex, c is the curvature (the reciprocal of the radius of curvature of the surface) at the surface pole or vertex, K is the conic constant, and A4 through A18 are aspheric coefficients.

[0025] It should be noted that the values ​​shown in the following tables for various parameters of exemplary lens systems 100 and 200 are provided by way of example and are not intended to be limiting. For example, one or more parameters of one or more surfaces of a lens element and one or more parameters of the material from which the element is made may be given different values ​​while still providing similar performance of the lens system. In particular, it should be noted that some of the values ​​in the tables may be scaled for larger or smaller embodiments of cameras using exemplary lens systems 100 and / or 200. [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0026] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lens system 200 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Lens system 200 of Figure 5 may be substantially similar to lens system 100 of Figure 1, but have different lens parameters, e.g., lens 202 has different lens design parameters than lens 102. Figures 6-8 are plots illustrating the performance and / or quality of the lenses of lens system 200. Lens system 200 may include lens 202 and sensor 108, and lens 202 may include multiple lens elements, e.g., two or more lens elements.

[0027] In the illustrated example, lens 202 may include five lens elements 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218 arranged in order from object side to image side along optical axis 106, including, for example, lens element 210 as the object-side lens element and lens element 218 as the image-side lens element. Lens 202 may also include a lens stop 222 arranged on the object side of lens element 212, for example, between lens elements 210 and 212. In other examples, lens stop 222 may be located anywhere within lens 202, for example, anywhere within TTL 204. In some examples, lens stop 222 may be a mechanical aperture configured to include an opaque material and have a transparent aperture, and in other examples, lens stop 222 may be one of lens elements 210-218. In some embodiments, lens 202 may include filter 120. The filter 120 may be a separate component as described above, or in some examples, the filter 120 may include a coating on one or more of the lens elements 210-218 and / or on the surface of the sensor 108, or other methods or components may be used to provide light filtering.

[0028] For example, parameters of lens 202, such as the optical power of the entire lens 202, the optical power of lens elements 210-218, and the lens shape, thickness, geometry, position, material, spacing, and surface shape of lens elements 210-218, may be selected, at least in part, to provide an ultra-wide field of view (DFOV), such as a diagonal field of view (DFOV) greater than 90 degrees, or greater than 105 degrees, or greater than 120 degrees, and / or to provide an ultra-short total length (TTL) 204, such as a TTL 204 less than 10 millimeters (mm), or less than 5 mm, or 4.2 mm or less. The parameters of lens 202 may also be selected to reduce, compensate, or correct optical aberrations and lens artifacts, including, but not limited to, one or more of defocus, spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, distortion, field curvature or Petzval sum, vignetting, chromatic aberration, lens flare, etc., and their effects across the field of view. The parameters of the lens 202 may also be selected to provide a high resolution image configured for high resolution image capture, e.g., having a modulation transfer function (MTF) corresponding to an 8 megapixel (MP), 12 MP, 16 MP, or greater camera. For example, the sensor 108 may be an array of light-sensitive pixels, and the parameters of the lens 202 may be selected such that the lens 202 has an MTF and imaging quality such that the pixel size of the sensor array 108 capturing the image limits the resolution of the captured image, rather than the MTF and / or quality of the lens 202.

[0029] The lens 202 may be configured to provide high-quality (e.g., high-resolution) imaging with an ultra-wide field of view and a relatively short TTL 204, and with a relatively small object-side lens surface. A relatively short TTL 204 and a relatively small object-side lens surface may be advantageous for use with a mobile device. For example, a relatively short TTL 204 may enable a relatively thin mobile device. In some examples, the lens 202 may have a relatively short TTL 204 such that the ratio of the TTL 204 to the maximum image height is 2.000 or less, or 1.800 or less, or 1.627 or less. The lens 202 may have a relatively small object-side lens surface, which may reduce the surface area of ​​the mobile device occupied by the lens 202 and reduce damage to the object-side first surface; for example, a smaller object-side surface exposes less of the surface to damage. In some examples, the first lens element 210 may have a diameter that is 50% or less of the TTL 204, or 42% or less of the TTL 204, or 38% or less of the TTL 204.

[0030] In some examples, the lens elements 210-218 may be made of a plastic material, an injection-molded plastic material, or a transparent material (e.g., glass) and may include one or more coatings (e.g., anti-reflective coatings). In some examples, the lens elements 210-218 may all be formed from the same material, some of the lens elements 210-218 may be formed from the same material as each other, or each of the lens elements 210-218 may be formed from a different material from each other. For example, different lens elements of the lens elements 210-218 may have, for example, different refractive indices (N d ) and different Abbe numbers (ν d ) (e.g., as defined by equation (1) above). In some examples, lens element 214 may be made of a plastic material having a relatively high refractive index, such as Nd of 1.68 or greater.

[0031] In some embodiments, lens 202 may include a cover glass (not shown). For example, the cover glass may be disposed on the object side of lens element 210 and may be configured to protect lens 202 from, for example, the environment and / or contact with damaging materials. In some examples, the cover glass may be hard glass, hard-coated glass and / or plastic, sapphire, or any material suitable for protecting a surface of lens 202 (e.g., the object-side surface of lens element 210). In some examples, the cover glass may have a small amount of optical power.

[0032] In the illustrated example, sensor 108 may be positioned at the image and / or focal plane of lens 202, which is configured to form an image on sensor 108. The image size of a distant object is directly proportional to the effective focal length (EFL) of lens 202. TTL 204 is the physical distance (also called the mechanical distance, as opposed to the optical distance) along the optical axis (106) between object-side vertex 230 of lens element 210 and the image and / or focal plane.

[0033] In some examples, the lens 202 may have an EFL of 4 mm or less, or 3 mm or less, or 2.3 mm or less. The lens 202 may have an F / # between about 1.0 and 5.0, or between about 1.5 and 3.0, or between about 2.0 and 2.4. Note that the F / #, also referred to as the focal ratio, is defined by EFL / D, where D is the diameter of the entrance pupil, which is the image of the lens stop 222 when viewed from the object side of the lens 202. In the illustrated example, the lens 202 has an EFL of about 2.1 mm, an F / # of about 2.4, a DFOV of about 120 degrees, and a TTL 204 of about 4.05 mm.

[0034] In some examples, the EFL, F / #, TTL 204, sensor 108, and / or other lens system 200 and / or lens 202 parameters may vary and may be scaled or adjusted to meet various optical specifications, imaging specifications, and / or packaging constraints. Constraints on the camera system that may be specified as requirements for lens system 200 and / or lens 202 and / or may vary for different camera system applications may include, but are not limited to, EFL, F / #, TTL 204, lens stop 222 position, DFOV, sensor 108 size, imaging performance requirements, and packaging volume or size constraints.

[0035] In some examples, the lens system 200 may be adjustable. For example, the lens 202 may include an adjustable lens stop 222, e.g., via an iris configured to have an adjustable clear aperture size and / or diameter. Using the adjustable lens stop 222, the F / # may be dynamically changed within a range. In some examples, the lens system 200 may be used at a faster (e.g., lower) F / # by adjusting the aperture stop at the same DFOV, which may reduce or “trade off” image quality performance for an increased amount of light (brightness) captured by the lens 202, thereby enabling the sensor 108 to reduce its time (e.g., and associated sensor noise), e.g., in low light conditions. In some examples, the lens system 200 may be used at a slower (e.g., higher) F / # by adjusting the aperture stop at the same DFOV, which may improve image quality performance and reduce the amount of light captured by the lens 202, e.g., in brighter lighting conditions.

[0036] Table 3 provides design details for lens system 200, Table 4 provides performance and / or quality details for lens system 200, and Figures 6-8 illustrate the performance and / or quality of the lenses in lens system 200. Figure 6 is a plot of the modulation transfer function for exemplary lens system 200, Figure 7 is a plot of the relative illuminance for exemplary lens system 200, and Figure 8 is a plot of the distortion for exemplary lens system 200. [Table 3] [Table 4]

[0037] 9 is an example computing system 900 that may be used with a camera 902 including example lens system 100 and / or example lens system 200, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Computing system 900 may implement methods for controlling the operation of camera 902 using lens system 100 or lens system 200 and / or for performing image processing of images captured by camera 902. In some examples, computing system 900 may be any of a variety of types of device, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, a desktop computer, a laptop, notebook, tablet or pad device, a slate, or netbook computer, a mainframe computer system, a handheld computer, a workstation, a network computer, a camera, a set-top box, a mobile device, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a consumer device, a video game console, a handheld video game device, an application server, a storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral such as a switch, modem, router, or generally any type of computing or electronic device.

[0038] In the depicted example, computing system 900 may include processing circuitry 910 (e.g., one or more processors) coupled to memory 908. Computing system 900 may also include a network interface 906 and input / output devices 904, such as, for example, a cursor control device, a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a keyboard, a display, etc. Computing system 900 may also include one or more cameras 902, which may include a lens system, such as, for example, lens systems 100 and / or 200.

[0039] The memory 908 may be configured to store program instructions and / or data accessible by the processing circuitry 910. The memory 908 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), non-volatile / flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. The program instructions may be configured to implement various interfaces, methods, and / or data for controlling the operation of the camera 902 and for capturing and processing images with the camera 902, or other methods or data, such as, for example, interfaces and methods for capturing, displaying, processing, and storing images captured by the camera 902. In some examples, the program instructions and / or data may be received, transmitted, or stored on different types of computer-accessible media or similar media separate from the system memory 908 or computing system 900.

[0040] Network interface 906 may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computing system 900 and other devices attached to the network (e.g., carrier devices or agent devices) or between nodes of computing system 900. Network interface 906 may include one or more networks, which may include, but are not limited to, a local area network (LAN) (e.g., an Ethernet or enterprise network), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet), a wireless data network, some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. Network interface 906 may support communication, for example, over a wired or wireless general data network such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, over a telecommunications / telephony network such as an analog voice network or a digital fiber communications network, over a storage area network such as a Fibre Channel SAN, or over any other suitable type of network and / or protocol.

[0041] The input / output devices 904 may include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for inputting or accessing data by the computing system 900. Multiple input / output devices 904 may be present within the computing system 900 or may be distributed on various nodes of the computing system 900. In some examples, similar input / output devices 904 may be separate from the computing system 900 and may interact with one or more nodes of the computing system 900 through wired or wireless connections, such as via a network interface 906.

[0042] In the illustrated example, memory 908 may include program instructions that may be processor-executable to implement any element or action to support camera 902, including, but not limited to, image processing software and interface software for controlling camera 902. In some examples, images captured by camera 902 may be stored in memory 908. Additionally, metadata for images captured by camera 902 may be stored using memory 908.

[0043] The computing system 900 and devices described herein may include any combination of hardware or software capable of performing the illustrated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless telephones, pagers, video or still cameras, etc. Computing system 900 may also be connected to other devices not shown, or may alternatively operate as a stand-alone system. Furthermore, functionality provided by the illustrated components may, in some examples, be combined into fewer components or distributed among additional components. Similarly, in some examples, some functionality of the illustrated components may not be provided, and / or other additional functionality may be available.

[0044] In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which correspond to tangible media such as data storage media, or communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another, for example, according to a communications protocol. In this manner, computer-readable media may generally correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media that is non-transitory, or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code, and / or data structures for implementing the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer program product may include computer-readable media.

[0045] By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of medium. However, it should be understood that computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transitory media; instead, these media are intended to cover non-transitory, tangible storage media. As used herein, disk and disc include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, although disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0046] The instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term "processor," as used herein, may refer to any of the foregoing structures, or any other structure suitable for implementing the techniques described herein. Furthermore, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided in dedicated hardware and / or software modules. The techniques may also be implemented entirely in one or more circuits or logic elements.

[0047] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC), or a set of ICs (e.g., a chipset). This disclosure describes various components, modules, or units to highlight functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as noted above, the various units may be combined within a hardware unit or may be provided by a collection of interoperating hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with appropriate software and / or firmware.

[0048] The present disclosure includes the following examples.

[0049] Example 1. A lens comprising a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements comprising, in order from the object side to the image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, wherein the diameter of the first refractive lens element is less than 50% of the total length of the lens.

[0050] Example 2. The lens of example 1, wherein the lens has a diagonal field of view of 120 degrees or greater.

[0051] Example 3. The lens according to Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the ratio of the total overall length to the maximum image height is 1.627 or less.

[0052] Example 4. The lens of example 3, wherein the image height is the height at the image plane relative to the optical axis of the lens at a relative illuminance of 25%.

[0053] Example 5. The lens of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the third refractive lens element comprises a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.68, and the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each comprise plastic.

[0054] Example 6. The lens of example 5, wherein at least one of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.68.

[0055] Example 7. The lens of example 5, wherein each of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) of 1.68 or less.

[0056] Example 8. The lens of any one of Examples 1-7, wherein the effective focal length of the lens is 2.3 millimeters (mm) or less.

[0057] Example 9. The lens of any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the total length of the lens is 4.2 mm or less.

[0058] Example 10. A lens described in any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the effective focal length of the first refractive lens element is between minus 4.35mm and minus 4.10mm, the effective focal length of the second refractive lens element is between 1.80mm and 1.90mm, the effective focal length of the third refractive lens element is between minus 24.00mm and minus 20.00mm, the effective focal length of the fourth refractive lens element is between 1.45mm and 1.55mm, and the effective focal length of the fifth refractive lens element is between minus 1.60mm and minus 1.50mm.

[0059] Example 11. A camera comprising the lens of claim 1 and a sensor disposed in the image plane of the lens.

[0060] Example 12. The camera of Example 11, further comprising an infrared cut filter disposed between the sensor and the fifth refractive lens element.

[0061] Example 13. The camera according to example 11 or 12, wherein the diagonal field of view of the lens is 120 degrees or more, and the ratio of the total length to the maximum image height is 1.627 or less.

[0062] Example 14. A camera as described in Example 13, wherein the image height is the height at the image plane relative to the optical axis of the lens at a relative illumination of 25%, and the third refractive lens element has a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.68.

[0063] Example 15. The camera of Example 14, wherein at least one of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements includes a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.68.

[0064] Example 16. The camera of Example 14, wherein each of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements includes a refractive index (Nd) of 1.68 or less.

[0065] Example 17. The camera of any one of Examples 11 to 16, wherein the effective focal length of the lens is 2.3 millimeters (mm) or less.

[0066] Example 18. The camera according to any one of Examples 11 to 17, wherein the total length of the lens is 4.2 mm or less.

[0067] Example 19. A camera described in any one of Examples 11 to 18, wherein the effective focal length of the first refractive lens element is between minus 4.35mm and minus 4.10mm, the effective focal length of the second refractive lens element is between 1.80mm and 1.90mm, the effective focal length of the third refractive lens element is between minus 2.40mm and minus 2.00mm, the effective focal length of the fourth refractive lens element is between 1.45mm and 1.55mm, and the effective focal length of the fifth refractive lens element is between minus 1.60mm and minus 1.50mm.

[0068] Example 20. A device comprising a processor, a camera, and a memory containing instructions executable by the processor to control operation of the camera, wherein the camera comprises a lens comprising a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements comprising, in order from the object side to the image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element, an aperture stop, a second refractive lens element, a third refractive lens element, a fourth refractive lens element, and a fifth refractive lens element, wherein the diameter of the first refractive lens element is less than 50% of the total length of the lens, and the camera further comprises a sensor arranged at the image plane of the lens and an infrared cut filter arranged between the sensor and the fifth refractive lens element.

[0069] Example 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each comprise plastic.

[0070] Various examples of the present disclosure have been described. Any combination of the described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A lens, the lens comprising: a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements being, in order from the object side to the image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element; An aperture stop, a second refractive lens element; and a third refractive lens element; and a fourth refractive lens element; and a fifth refractive lens element; and Equipped with the diameter of the first refractive lens element is less than 50% of the total length of the lens; lens.

2. The lens of claim 1 , wherein the lens has a diagonal field of view of 120 degrees or greater.

3. 3. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the total length to the maximum image height is 1.627 or less.

4. 4. The lens of claim 3, wherein the image height is the height at the image plane relative to the optical axis of the lens at a relative illuminance of 25%.

5. the first refractive lens element, the second refractive lens element, the third refractive lens element, the fourth refractive lens element, and the fifth refractive lens element each comprise plastic; the third refractive lens element comprises a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.68; The lens according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. 6. The lens of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first, the second, the fourth, or the fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.

68.

7. 6. The lens of claim 5, wherein each of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) of 1.68 or less.

8. The lens of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the effective focal length of the lens is 2.3 millimeters (mm) or less.

9. The lens of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the total length of the lens is 4.2 mm or less.

10. 10. The lens of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the effective focal length of the first refractive lens element is between minus 4.35mm and minus 4.10mm, the effective focal length of the second refractive lens element is between 1.80mm and 1.90mm, the effective focal length of the third refractive lens element is between minus 24.00mm and minus 20.00mm, the effective focal length of the fourth refractive lens element is between 1.45mm and 1.55mm, and the effective focal length of the fifth refractive lens element is between minus 1.60mm and minus 1.50mm.

11. The lens of claim 1 ; a sensor disposed in an image plane of the lens; A camera.

12. The camera of claim 11 , further comprising an infrared cutoff filter disposed between the sensor and the fifth refractive lens element.

13. 13. The camera according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the diagonal field of view of the lens is 120 degrees or more, and the ratio of the total length to the maximum image height is 1.627 or less.

14. 14. The camera of claim 13, wherein the image height is a height at the image plane relative to the optical axis of the lens at a relative illumination of 25%, and the third refractive lens element includes a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.

68.

15. 15. The camera of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first, the second, the fourth, or the fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) greater than 1.

68.

16. 15. The camera of claim 14, wherein each of the first, second, fourth, or fifth refractive lens elements comprises a refractive index (Nd) of 1.68 or less.

17. The camera of any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the lens has an effective focal length of 2.3 millimeters (mm) or less.

18. The camera of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the total length of the lens is 4.2 mm or less.

19. 19. A camera as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the effective focal length of the first refractive lens element is between minus 4.35mm and minus 4.10mm, the effective focal length of the second refractive lens element is between 1.80mm and 1.90mm, the effective focal length of the third refractive lens element is between minus 2.40mm and minus 2.00mm, the effective focal length of the fourth refractive lens element is between 1.45mm and 1.55mm, and the effective focal length of the fifth refractive lens element is between minus 1.60mm and minus 1.50mm.

20. a processor; A camera and a memory containing instructions executable by the processor to control operation of the camera; Equipped with The camera is a lens, the lens comprising: a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis, the plurality of optical elements being, in order from the object side to the image side of the lens, a first refractive lens element; An aperture stop, a second refractive lens element; and a third refractive lens element; and a fourth refractive lens element; and a fifth refractive lens element; and Equipped with a diameter of the first refractive lens element is less than 50% of a total length of the lens, and the camera further comprises: a sensor disposed in an image plane of the lens; an infrared cut filter disposed between the sensor and the fifth refractive lens element; A device comprising:

Images