Resolution adjustment for miniature camera

1. A method for enhancing resolution of a camera, the method comprising:

placing one of a movable single lens and a movable lens assembly at a predetermined position, the other of the single lens and the lens assembly being movable so as to optimize resolution;

adjusting a position of the other of the single lens and the lens assembly so as to enhance resolution; and

wherein the single lens and the lens assembly are independently movable with respect to one another.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single lens is placed at the predetermined position and the position of the lens assembly is adjusted.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the predetermined position of the single lens is a position of maximum focus distance.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the predetermined position of the single lens is a position for focus at infinity.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

index of refraction: 1.525279;

V-Number: 55.95076;

radius of curvature of first surface: −2.504 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.500 mm;

k value of first surface: 0;

A 4 value of first surface: 3.52151500E-03;

A 6 value of first surface: −4.62830000E-02;

A 8 value of first surface: 4.96300000E-02;

A 10 value of first surface: −2.89420000E-02;

A 12 value of first surface: 8.34182000E-03;

A 14 value of first surface: −9.42837700E-04;

radius of curvature of second surface: 9.888 mm;

diameter of second surface: 6.000 mm;

k value of second surface: 0;

A 4 value of second surface: 4.19450000E-02;

A 6 value of second surface: −3.09500000E-02;

A 8 value of second surface: 8.35002200E-03;

A 10 value of second surface: −1.21351200E-03;

A 12 value of second surface: 9.26702600E-05; and

A 14 value of second surface: −2.91798000E-06.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

index of refraction: 1.525279;

V-Number: 55.95076;

radius of curvature of first surface: −2.566 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.260 mm;

k value of first surface: 0;

A 4 value of first surface: −2.09300000E-02;

A 6 value of first surface: −6.59600700E-03;

A 8 value of first surface: 8.80660000E-04;

A 10 value of first surface: 2.78659600E-03;

A 12 value of first surface: −2.91791200E-03;

A 14 value of first surface: 8.01475900E-04;

radius of curvature of second surface: −10.795148 mm;

diameter of second surface: 4.800 mm;

k value of second surface: 0;

A 4 value of second surface: 1.61070000E-02;

A 6 value of second surface: −1.64070000E-02;

A 8 value of second surface: 3.60662900E-03;

A 10 value of second surface: −2.86705600E-04;

A 12 value of second surface: −2.62229600E-05; and

A 14 value of second surface: 4.73510400E-06.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises three lenses.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a negative power lens disposed intermediate two positive power lenses.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

first lens:

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 2.664 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −14.091 mm;

diameter of second surface: 3.000 mm;

second lens:

index of refraction: 1.69895;

V-Number: 30.0505;

radius of curvature of first surface: −3.895 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: 2.830 mm;

diameter of second surface: 3.000 mm;

third lens;

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 6.128 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −3.319 mm; and

diameter of second surface: 3.000 mm.

11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

first lens:

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 2.390 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −14.108 mm;

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm;

second lens:

index of refraction: 1.69895;

V-Number: 30.0505;

radius of curvature of first surface: −3.837 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: 2.371 mm;

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm;

third lens;

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 4.544 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −3.068 mm; and

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm.

12. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein light passes through the single lens before passing through the lens assembly.

13. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein light passes through the lens assembly before passing through the single lens.

14. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein adjusting a position of a lens assembly so as to enhance resolution comprises adjusting the position of the lens assembly so as to provide enhanced resolution using a modulation transfer function.

15. A method for focusing a miniature camera, the method comprising:

maintaining one of a movable single lens and a movable lens assembly at a fixed position that enhances a resolution of the miniature camera;

moving the other of the single lens and the lens assembly so as to focus the miniature camera; and

wherein the single lens and the lens assembly are independently movable with respect to one another.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the lens assembly is maintained at the fixed position and the single lens is moved so as to enhance resolution.

17. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein moving the single lens comprises moving the single lens via an auto focus mechanism.

18. A compact auto focus system for a miniature camera comprising:

first movable means for refracting light, the first means being moved and then fixed in a position that enhances a resolution of the camera;

second movable means for refracting light, the second means being movable so as to effect focusing of the camera; and

wherein the first movable means and the second moveable are independently movable with respect to one another.

19. An optical system for a miniature camera comprising:

a movable lens assembly comprising a plurality of lens elements;

a movable single movable lens;

wherein one of the lens assembly and the single lens is moved and then fixed in a position that enhances a resolution of the camera and the other of the lens assembly and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera; and

wherein the single lens and the lens assembly are independently movable with respect to one another.

20. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the lens assembly is fixed in a position that enhances resolution of the camera and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera.

21. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens.

22. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

index of refraction: 1.525279;

V-Number: 55.95076;

radius of curvature of first surface: −2.504 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.500 mm;

k value of first surface: 0;

A 4 value of first surface: 3.52151500E-03;

A 6 value of first surface: −4.62830000E-02;

A 8 value of first surface: 4.96300000E-02;

A 10 value of first surface: −2.89420000E-02;

A 12 value of first surface: 8.34182000E-03;

A 14 value of first surface: −9.42837700E-04;

radius of curvature of second surface: 9.888 mm;

diameter of second surface: 6.000 mm;

k value of second surface: 0;

A 4 value of second surface: 4.19450000E-02;

A 6 value of second surface: −3.09500000E-02;

A 8 value of second surface: 8.35002200E-03;

A 10 value of second surface: −1.21351200E-03;

A 12 value of second surface: 9.26702600E-05; and

A 14 value of second surface: −2.91798000E-06.

23. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the single lens comprises an aspheric lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

index of refraction: 1.525279;

V-Number: 55.95076;

radius of curvature of first surface: −2.566 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.260 mm;

k value of first surface: 0;

A 4 value of first surface: −2.09300000E-02;

A 6 value of first surface: −6.59600700E-03;

A 8 value of first surface: 8.80660000E-04;

A 10 value of first surface: 2.78659600E-03;

A 12 value of first surface: −2.91791200E-03;

A 14 value of first surface: 8.01475900E-04;

radius of curvature of second surface: −10.795148 mm;

diameter of second surface: 4.800 mm;

k value of second surface: 0;

A 4 value of second surface: 1.61070000E-02;

A 6 value of second surface: −1.64070000E-02;

A 8 value of second surface: 3.60662900E-03;

A 10 value of second surface: −2.86705600E-04;

A 12 value of second surface: −2.62229600E-05; and

A 14 value of second surface: 4.73510400E-06.

24. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the lens assembly comprises three lenses.

25. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a negative power lens disposed intermediate two positive power lenses.

26. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

first lens:

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 2.664 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −14.091 mm;

diameter of second surface: 3.000 m;

second lens:

index of refraction: 1.69895;

V-Number: 30.0505;

radius of curvature of first surface: −3.895 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: 2.830 mm;

diameter of second surface: 3.000 mm;

third lens;

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 6.128 mm;

diameter of first surface: 3.000 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −3.319 mm; and

diameter of second surface: 3.000 mm.

27. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the lens assembly comprises a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens having parameters that are approximate to the following:

first lens:

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 2.390 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −14.108 mm;

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm;

second lens:

index of refraction: 1.69895;

V-Number: 30.0505;

radius of curvature of first surface: −3.837 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: 2.371 mm;

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm;

third lens;

index of refraction: 1.755;

V-Number: 52.3228;

radius of curvature of first surface: 4.544 mm;

diameter of first surface: 2.900 mm;

radius of curvature of second surface: −3.068 mm; and

diameter of second surface: 2.900 mm.

28. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein light passes through the single lens before passing through the lens assembly.

29. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein light passes through the lens assembly before passing through the single lens.

30. The optical system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the single movable lens moves in response to an auto focus of the camera.

31. A miniature camera comprising:

a movable lens assembly comprising a plurality of lens elements;

a movable single lens;

wherein one of the lens assembly and the single lens is moved and then fixed in a position that enhances a resolution of the camera and the other of the lens assembly and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera; and

wherein the single lens and the lens assembly are independently movable with respect to one another.

32. The miniature camera as recited in claim 31 , wherein the lens assembly is fixed in position and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera.

33. A personal electronic device comprising:

a movable lens assembly comprising a plurality of lens elements;

a movable single lens;

wherein one of the lens assembly and the single lens is moved and then fixed in a position that enhances a resolution of a camera and the other of the lens assembly and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera; and

wherein the single lens and the lens assembly are independently movable with respect to one another.

34. The personal electronic device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the lens assembly is fixed in position and the single lens moves so as to effect focusing of the camera.

35. The personal electronic device as recited in claim 33 , wherein the personal electronic device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular telephone;

a personal digital assistant (PDA);

a laptop computer;

a notebook computer; and

a pocket personal computer.