US6324010B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical assembly and a method for manufacturing lens systems
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 2000-02-29
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Granted: 2001-11-27
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Expires: 2020-02-29
Abstract
Abstract According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of making a lens assembly with a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, includes the steps of (i) arranging at least two lens arrays and the spacer, such that the spacer is located between the two lens arrays and the lenslets of one of the two lens arrays overlay the lenslets of another one of the two lens arrays and, the holes of the spaces are located between the corresponding lenslets of the two lens arrays; (ii) fixedly attaching the lens arrays and the spacer to one another to form an array assembly; and (iii) dividing the array assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems. According to another aspect of the present invention, the optical assembly includes at least two lens arrays and at least one spacer with a plurality of holes. The spacer is located between the two lens arrays and is fixedly attached to the two lens arrays. The spacer has a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm. The lens arrays have a plurality of lenslets of no more than 1 mm in diameter. It is preferred that the lens arrays have a largest dimension of at least 5 mm.
Inventors
- 👤 John P. Bowen
- 👤 Michael K. Budinski
- 👤 Paul D. Ludington
- 👤 Paul O. McLaughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/0062; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/00278; B29D11/00307; B29D11/00403; B29D11/0073; G02B13/00; G02B13/001; G02B13/0085; G02B3/0075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method making a lens assembly using a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, said method comprising the steps of: (i) arranging at least two lens arrays and said spacer such that said spacer is located between said two lens arrays such that said lenslets of one of said two lens arrays overlays said lenslets of another one of said two lens arrays and such that said holes are located between said lenslets; (ii) fixedly attaching said lens arrays and said spacer to one another to form an array assembly; and (iii) singulating said assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method making a lens assembly using a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, said method comprising the steps of: (i) arranging at least two lens arrays and said spacer such that said spacer is located between said two lens arrays such that said lenslets of one of said two lens arrays overlays said lenslets of another one of said two lens arrays and such that said holes are located between said lenslets; (ii) fixedly attaching said lens arrays and said spacer to one another to form an array assembly; and (iii) singulating said assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said elements are arranged in a rectangular grid pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein an alignment between said lens arrays and at least one spacer is accomplished through the use of kinematic features or fiducials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least two spacers and three lens arrays are bound into a single assembly prior to singulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said singulation steps divides the assembled structure and creates at least one duplet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the spacer is made of silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said spacer is made of a ceramic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said spacer is plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the spacer is made of a glass with a coefficient of thermal expansion T 1 similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion T 2 for said lens arrays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said coefficient of expansion of said spacer is 0.8T 2 ≦T 1 ≦1.2T 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 9 , wherein 0.9T 2 ≦T 1 ≦1.1T 2 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein 0.95T 2 ≦T 1 ≦1.05T 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the spacer is fabricated by one of the following method: laser machining, photolithography etching, electrical discharge machining, or ultrasonic machining.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3 , wherein adhesive is used to attach at least one of said lens arrays to said spacer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3 , wherein an oxide film is melted in order to attach said lens array to said spacer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 3 , wherein the attachment method includes the use of adhesive deposited by jet spray.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3 , wherein the attachment method includes one of the following: thermal bonding, laser welding, or sonic bonding.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the singulation step includes cutting with a laser.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the singulation step includes sawing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein the singulation step includes scribing and breaking said assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein said singulation step utilizes a coring saw.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical assembly comprising: a first lenslet; a second lenslet; and a spacer positioned between the first lenslet and the second lenslet, wherein the first lenslet, the second lenslet, and the spacer are divided from at least two lens arrays with a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer, said spacer being located between said two lens arrays and being fixedly attached to said two lens arrays, said spacer having a thickness of 0.02 mm to 0.5 mm; each of said plurality of lenslets being no more than 1 mm in diameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical assembly comprising: a first lenslet; a second lenslet; and a spacer positioned between the first lenslet and the second lenslet, wherein the first lenslet, the second lenslet, and the spacer are divided from at least two lens arrays with a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer, said spacer being located between said two lens arrays and being fixedly attached to said two lens arrays, said spacer having a thickness of 0.02 mm to 0.5 mm; each of said plurality of lenslets being no more than 1 mm in diameter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical assembly according to claim 22 , wherein said lens arrays have a largest dimension of at least 5 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical assembly according to claim 22 , wherein said spacer has multiple features aligning said spacer with respect to said lens arrays.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical assembly according to claim 24 , wherein said lens arrays have complimentary features engaging said multiple features of said spacer at least during alignment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical assembly according to claim 25 , wherein said alignment is a kinematic alignment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens array containing a plurality of lens elements, said array further including alignment fiducials.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lens array containing a plurality of lens elements, said array further including alignment fiducials.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A lens array according to claim 26 , wherein said lens elements are no larger than 1 mm in diameter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly comprising: a lens array with a plurality of lenslets and a spacer with a plurality of through holes, said lens array and said spacer having complimentary structures capable of engaging each other and kinematically aligning said lens arrays to said spacer, such that said plurality of lenslets are aligned with said plurality of through holes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
An assembly comprising: a lens array with a plurality of lenslets and a spacer with a plurality of through holes, said lens array and said spacer having complimentary structures capable of engaging each other and kinematically aligning said lens arrays to said spacer, such that said plurality of lenslets are aligned with said plurality of through holes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least some of said lenslets have positive optical power.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein at least some of said lenslets have negative optical power.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of making a lens assembly using a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least two lens arrays, each of the at least two lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets; providing at least one spacer; positioning the at least one spacer between the at least two lens arrays such that the lenslets of one of the at least two lens arrays overlays the lenslets of another one of the at least two lens arrays, the holes of the at least one spacer being located between the lenslets of the at least two lens arrays; attaching the at least two lens arrays to the at least one spacer forming an array assembly; and dividing the array assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems, each of the individual lens systems having one lenslet from each of the at least two lens arrays.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of making a lens assembly using a plurality of lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets and at least one spacer having a plurality of holes, said method comprising the steps of: providing at least two lens arrays, each of the at least two lens arrays having a plurality of lenslets; providing at least one spacer; positioning the at least one spacer between the at least two lens arrays such that the lenslets of one of the at least two lens arrays overlays the lenslets of another one of the at least two lens arrays, the holes of the at least one spacer being located between the lenslets of the at least two lens arrays; attaching the at least two lens arrays to the at least one spacer forming an array assembly; and dividing the array assembly to create a plurality of individual lens systems, each of the individual lens systems having one lenslet from each of the at least two lens arrays.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 32 , wherein attaching the at least two lens arrays to the at least one spacer includes bonding the at least two lens arrays to the at least one spacer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of making a lens system comprising the steps of: providing a first lens array having at least one lens element and a second lens array having at least one lens element; providing a spacer; aligning the spacer with respect to the first lens array and the second lens array; attaching the spacer to the first lens array and the second lens array, thereby forming an array assembly; and dividing the array assembly into an individual lens system having one of the at least one lens elements of the first lens array and one of the at least one lens elements of the second lens array.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of making a lens system comprising the steps of: providing a first lens array having at least one lens element and a second lens array having at least one lens element; providing a spacer; aligning the spacer with respect to the first lens array and the second lens array; attaching the spacer to the first lens array and the second lens array, thereby forming an array assembly; and dividing the array assembly into an individual lens system having one of the at least one lens elements of the first lens array and one of the at least one lens elements of the second lens array.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein attaching the spacer to the first lens array and the second lens array includes bonding the spacer to the first lens array and the second lens array.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein aligning the spacer with respect to the first lens array and the second lens array includes positioning the spacer between the first lens array and the second lens array such that a lenslet of the first lens array overlays a lenslet of the second lens array and a hole of the spacer is located between the lenslet of the first lens array and the lenslet of the second lens array.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 34 , wherein dividing the array assembly includes singulating the array assembly.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
79 words
An individual optical assembly comprising: a first lens lenslet; a second lens element; and a spacer positioned between the first element and the second lens element, wherein the first element, the second lens element, and the spacer are divided from an array assembly including a first lens array having at least one lens element and a second lens array having at least one lens element, and a spacer attached to the first lens array and the second lens array.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
79 words
An individual optical assembly comprising: a first lens lenslet; a second lens element; and a spacer positioned between the first element and the second lens element, wherein the first element, the second lens element, and the spacer are divided from an array assembly including a first lens array having at least one lens element and a second lens array having at least one lens element, and a spacer attached to the first lens array and the second lens array.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-26 | 2005-05-28 | 2005-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | 2009-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | 2013-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |