In July, Apple obtained a patent for a folding camera that can provide superior zoom functions in future iPhones. Figure in Apple's patent. In Figure 1A below, Apple shows the components of a folding camera with two lightweight folding elements and a separate lens system; fig. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a folding camera having five refractive lens elements in a lens system.

On October 22, Patently Apple released a report titled "It is reported that LG Innotek and Apple have reached a deal with the future iPhone periscope lens, while advancing the liquid lens technology." In that report, we pointed out the legal dispute between Apple and LG and Corephotonics, which prevented Apple from providing folding or periscope lenses for the iPhone. LG was able to cancel the patent of Corephotonics in South Korea, which opened the door and cooperated with Apple to produce the periscope lens for the future iPhone.

Last Thursday, the U.S. Patent Office announced a key continuation patent, which contains 20 new patent requirements to advance the protection of the patent for future use. The patent statements are very detailed, and camera engineers and professionals may like to review them. Below are 6 of the 20 claims for your quick review.

Added claim #1: "An optical system comprising: a first light folding element; a second light folding element; and a lens system located between the first light folding element and the second light folding element, wherein the lens system includes Front aperture diaphragm and lens group, including one or more refractive lens elements; wherein the first light folds the lens system that redirects the light from the object field from the first axis to the second axis; wherein the lens elements in the lens group Receiving through the aperture stop and refracting the light to the second light folding element; wherein the second light folding element redirects the light from the second axis to the third axis to form an image of the object field at the image plane; and wherein the lens system is Movable on two or more axes independent of the first and second light folding elements."

Added claim #7: "The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the lens group is composed of four lens elements with refractive power, from the object side of the lens system to the image side of the lens system: the first lens has a positive refractive power. Element for converging light; a second lens element with positive refractive power for converging light; a third lens element with negative refractive power and aspherical shape to correct chromatic aberration and field curvature; and a fourth lens element with a meniscus shape to correct field Curve; where the F-number of the lens system is less than or equal to 2.4, and where the lens system provides a long back focal length to accommodate the second light folding element."

Added claim #8: "The optical system of claim 1, wherein the lens group is composed of five lens elements with refractive power, from the object side of the lens system to the image side of the lens system: the first lens has a positive Refractive power is used to converge light; a second lens element with positive refractive power to converge light; a third lens element with negative refractive power and an aspheric shape to correct chromatic aberration and field curvature; configure a fourth lens element with an aspheric shape as An air-space doublet lens having a third lens element for correcting chromatic aberration and field curvature; and a fifth lens element having a meniscus shape to correct field curvature; wherein the F value of the lens system is less than or equal to 2.4, and wherein the lens system Provides a long back focus to accommodate the second light folding element."

Added claim #9: "The optical system of claim 1, wherein the lens group is composed of four lens elements with refractive power, from the object side of the lens system to the image side of the lens system: the first lens has positive refractive power and An element with aspherical shape to control spherical aberration; a second lens element with negative refractive power and an Abbe number less than 30; a third lens element with a meniscus whose object-side surface is a paraxial region that is concave into the object-side surface And the convex image side surface of the paraxial region of the image side surface; and a fourth lens element having a meniscus shape to correct curvature of field; wherein the F value of the lens system is smaller than or equal to 2.4, and wherein the lens system provides a long back focal length Accommodate the second optical folding element."

Added claim #10: "A camera comprising: a photosensor configured to capture light projected on the surface of the photosensor; a first light folding element to redirect light received from the object field from a first axis To the second axis; the lens system includes a front aperture stop and a lens group, the lens group includes one or more refractive lens elements that refract light on the second axis; the second light folding element refracts the lens system The light is redirected from the second axis to the third axis to form an object field image on the image plane on or near the photo sensor surface; and configured to be independent of the first and second light folding elements on two or more axes The actuator assembly of the moving lens system."

Added claim #17: "The camera of claim 10, wherein the lens group is composed of four lens elements with refractive power, in the order from the object side of the lens system to the image side of the lens system: the first lens element A second lens element with a positive refractive power and an aspherical shape to control spherical aberration; a second lens element with negative refractive power and an Abbe number less than 30; a third lens element with a meniscus shape with a paraxial concave object-side surface area on the object side surface and The convex image side surface of the paraxial area of ​​the image side surface; and a fourth lens element having a meniscus shape to correct curvature of field; wherein the F number of the lens system is less than or equal to 2.4, and the lens system provides a long back focal length to accommodate the second Optical folding element." To view the remaining 14 new patent claims, please view Apple’s continuation patent 20210333529 here. Advanced zoom lens will become the main new feature of iPhone Pro in the future.

To view the remaining 14 new patent claims, please view Apple's continuation patent 20210333529 here. Advanced zoom lens will become the main new feature of iPhone Pro in the future.

If you are interested in this topic, then you can also check our another folding camera patent report published in February for more detailed information and possible alternative designs. The following is one of the patent data in this patent application.

Posted by Jack Purcher on November 1, 2021 at 05:17 PM in 1B. Continuation of patents | Permalink | Comments (0)

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