Solve the problem of iPhone's camera protrusion, Apple gets a patent for ultra-thin and high quality cameras using "spherical photosensor"

Appeared in the iPhone 6 series,It became a controversial issue among iPhone fansProblem of protrusion of rear cameraTechnologies that are likely to solve the problem were developed. In the patents newly acquired by Apple, it seems that it has become possible to make the thickness of the entire camera unit extremely thin by changing the flat photosensor (optical element) to a spherical shape, and to further improve the image quality is.

Apple invention uses spherically curved photosensor for smaller, better iPhone camera
http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/26/apple-camera-invention-uses-spherically-curved-photosensor-to-save-space-boost-quality-

Patent Images


The patent acquired by Apple is "Small form factor · high resolution camera(Small form factor high-resolution camera) ", that is, to improve the resolution while miniaturizing the entire camera unit. In the published document, there is written a structure diagram showing how the ray entering from the left passes through the three lenses and reaches the curved photosensor to be shot.


The photo sensor has a spherically curved shape like a parabolic antenna, and it seems that it is designed to receive light rays inside the curved surface.


It is also necessary to check that the number of lenses seems to be drastically reduced by using a curved sensor. This makes it possible to make the thickness thinner, as well as merit of improving the f value by becoming so-called "bright lens" by decreasing the number of lenses through which light passes, improving photographing performance in dark places maybe.

However, as the sensor bends, "distortion" of the image appears to occur. It seems that this point is also taken into consideration, and it seems that the content of patent also includes a mechanism to correct image distortion with software.


Many people were surprised at the existence of the lens which protruded from the back with Pocon in Apple's iPhone series which has been told that "Design is high". It seems that development of such new technology was proceeding whether Apple could not overlook that point indeed.

It is unknown when a terminal equipped with this patent will appear. Apple has adopted the Sony camera sensor so far, it seems necessary to watch over the future development whether products based on patented technology will be manufactured.