# US 2014/0192254 A1 · Quasi-monocentric-lens-based multi-scale optical system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192254 A1 - Document ID: US20140192254A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/185,364 - Filed: 2014-02-20 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-27 - Assignees: Duke University - Applicants: Duke University - Inventors: Daniel Marks; David Jones Brady - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192254A1 ## CPC - G02B 13/06: Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" {including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces} - G02B 1/041: {Lenses} - G02B 13/001: {Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras (G02B23/243 takes precedence)} - G02B 17/0856: {comprising a refractive element with a reflective surface, the reflection taking place inside the element, e.g. Mangin mirrors} - G02B 27/0025: {for optical correction, e.g. distorsion, aberration} - G02B 27/0037: {with diffracting elements (G02B27/0056 takes precedence; holographic optical elements G02B5/32; zone systems G02B5/1876)} - G02B 27/4211: {correcting chromatic aberrations (G02B27/0056, G02B27/4222, G02B27/4227 take precedence)} - H04N 5/2624: {for obtaining an image which is composed of whole input images, e.g. splitscreen} - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums - H04N 23/951: by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Optical systems based on an objective lens comprising one or more plastic lens elements are disclosed. The inclusion of plastic lens element reduces one or more of system cost, size, weight, and/or complexity. The chromatic performance of some imaging systems in accordance with the present invention is improved by incorporation of a diffractive surface into the entry surface of the objective lens. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging system comprising an objective lens that is operative for providing a first image of a scene, the objective lens comprising: a first lens element that includes a first polymer; a first surface, wherein each point on the first surface is equidistant from a center point of the objective lens; and a second surface that is a diffractive surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 the second surface is the entry surface of the objective lens. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of microcameras, each microcamera of the plurality thereof comprising secondary optics and a sensor array, wherein the secondary optics is operative for relaying a portion of the first image onto the sensor array. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 wherein at least one microcamera of the plurality thereof is operative for correcting a first aberration in its respective relayed portion of the first image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The optical system of claim 4 wherein the first aberration is one of spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 wherein at least one microcamera of the plurality thereof is operative for correcting both spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The optical system of claim 3 wherein the objective lens includes a third surface at which the first image is provided, and wherein each of the plurality of microcameras is affixed to the third surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensor arrays, wherein the objective lens includes a third surface at which the first image is provided, and wherein each sensor array of the plurality is affixed to the third surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The optical system of claim 8 wherein each of the sensor arrays including a cover plate that is affixed to the third surface, each cover plate comprising (1) a fourth surface having a radius of curvature that is non-infinite and matches the radius of curvature of the third surface and (2) a fifth surface having a radius of curvature that is non-infinite and is operative for correcting curvature-of-field aberration at the sensor array. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 wherein the objective lens further comprises a reflective surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The optical system of claim 10 wherein the reflective surface includes the center point. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 wherein the objective lens comprises a second lens element that includes a second polymer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The optical system of claim 1 wherein the objective lens further includes a first meniscus element, the first meniscus element comprising polycarbonate, wherein the first lens element includes polymethylmethacrylate, and wherein the first meniscus element is between the scene and the first lens element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The optical system of claim 13 wherein objective lens further includes a second meniscus element, the second meniscus element comprising polycarbonate, wherein the first lens element is between the first meniscus element and the second meniscus element. ### Claim 15 An imaging system comprising an objective lens that is operative for providing a first image of a scene, the objective lens comprising: a first lens element that includes PMMA; a second lens element that includes polycarbonate, the second lens element being between the first lens element and the scene, and the second lens element including a first surface that is a diffractive surface; and a third lens element that includes PMMA, the third lens element being between the first lens element and the first image. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The optical system of claim 15 wherein the third lens element includes a second surface, and wherein the first image is provided at the second surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The optical system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of microcameras, each microcamera of the plurality thereof including a sensor array and secondary optics that are operative for relaying a portion of the first image onto the sensor array. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The optical system of claim 17 wherein at least one of the microcameras of the plurality thereof corrects an aberration in the portion of the first image relayed onto its sensor array. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The optical system of claim 17 wherein each of the plurality of microcameras is affixed to the objective lens such that a surface each of its secondary optics is at the second surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The optical system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of sensor arrays, each sensor array of the plurality thereof including a including a cover plate that is affixed to the second surface, each cover plate comprising (1) a third surface having a radius of curvature that is non-infinite and matches the radius of curvature of the second surface and (2) a fourth surface having a radius of curvature that is non-infinite and is operative for correcting curvature-of-field aberration at the sensor array. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The optical system of claim 15 wherein the objective lens further comprises a fourth lens element that includes polycarbonate, the fourth lens element being between the third lens element and the first image. ### Claim 22 An imaging system comprising an objective lens that is operative for providing a first image of a scene, the objective lens having a plurality of surfaces that are concentric about a center point, and the objective lens comprising a first surface that is reflective, the first surface including the center point. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The optical system of claim 22 wherein the objective lens includes a first material that is a first polymer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The optical system of claim 23 wherein the objective lens includes a second material that is a second polymer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The optical system of claim 24 wherein the first polymer is a polycarbonate and the second polymer is an acrylic. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The optical system of claim 22 wherein the objective lens comprises a second surface that is reflective, the second surface not including the center point. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The optical system of claim 22 further comprising a plurality of microcameras, each microcamera of the plurality thereof comprising secondary optics and a sensor array, wherein the secondary optics is operative for relaying a portion of the first image onto the sensor array. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The optical system of claim 27 wherein at least one microcamera of the plurality thereof is operative for correcting a first aberration in its respective relayed portion of the first image. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The optical system of claim 28 wherein the first aberration is one of spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The optical system of claim 29 wherein at least one microcamera of the plurality thereof is operative for correcting both spherical aberration and chromatic aberration.