Down-sampling slim camera using a micro-lens array.

The thickness of a camera is proportional to the image distance, although the lens can be replaced by a flat optics, such as a meta lens. However, there is no suitable method to reduce this thickness for low-cost applications. Here we proposed a novel down-sampling slim camera based on a micro-lens array (MLA) and an array sensor.

Development of optical depth-sensing technology with a mechanical control lens and diffuser.

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, depth-sensing technology that enables a shallow depth of field was developed by adding a diffuser to the rear end of a mechanical control lens that can capture 2D images. The sensor in the optical depth-sensing system obtains the function curve between the motor step and the focus distance through calibration and imports the measured values into the control program's database. The optical depth-sensing system scans the visible range of an interval, and the Laplacian equation can be applied to confirm whether the interval was in focus by judging the sharpness of the contour of the objects captured in the interval and to define the outline of the objects.