US 11,985,435 B2
Compact camera incorporating microlens arrays for ultra-short distance imaging
Shih-Hsin Hsu, Taipei (TW)
Assigned to OmniVision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)
Filed by OmniVision Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/835,790.
Prior Publication US 2023/0403478 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/131 (2023.01); H04N 23/45 (2023.01); H04N 23/80 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/131 (2023.01) [H04N 23/45 (2023.01); H04N 23/80 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compact camera for ultra-short distance imaging, comprising:
an image sensor;
a transparent layer;
a microlens (ML) layer, between the image sensor and the transparent layer, forming (a) a first ML array having a plurality of first MLs, and (b) a second ML array with a plurality of second MLs interleaved with the plurality of first MLs;
a baffle layer, between the ML layer and the image sensor, forming a plurality of first aperture stops each aligned with a different one of the first MLs and a plurality of second aperture stops each aligned with a different one of the second MLs; and
each first ML of the plurality of first MLs having a first set of optical characteristics including a diameter d1, and each second ML of the plurality of second MLs having a second set of optical characteristics that differs from the first set of optical characteristics;
the first ML array having a pitch P, wherein 2<P/d1<10.