Patent Publication Number: US-2009231723-A1

Title: Wide angle projection lens system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Phase 371 Application of PCT Application No. PCT/US06/12146, filed Mar. 31, 2006, entitled “Wide Angle Projection Lens System and Method”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to video display systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to an economical wide-angle projection system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present invention that are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     As demand increases for large screen television sets (TVs), new technologies are emerging capable of delivering high performance systems at affordable costs. More importantly, as market pressures increase to reduce prices of such systems, companies have become more relentless in searching ways to improve their TV systems, while lowering their costs of manufacturing. Thus, companies are forced to market their product in an increasing competitive market without sacrificing product quality. This may be a challenging task, as today&#39;s TVs employ technologically sophisticated components whose composition and fabrication can significantly heighten the cost of the TV system. Particularly, such components may include imaging devices and image projection units. 
     Projection-based video units create video images by varying the color and shade of projected light. One example of a projection-based video unit is a digital light processing (“DLP”) system, which employs an optical semiconductor, known as a digital micro-mirror device (“DMD”) to create video images. Another example of a projection-based video unit is a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) projection system, which projects light through one or more LCD panels to create video images. Typically, projection-based video units, such as DLP and/or LCD, employ a projection lens system adapted to project an image onto a screen. Further, a wide-angle projection lens system embedded in large screen TVs comprises lens components and architecture thereof, essential for producing a desired projected imaged that is suitable for display on large screen TVs. Accordingly, fabrication of the lens components and amount thereof employed within the wide-angle projection lens system may significantly affect the overall performance and cost of a video display unit. 
     Hence, it is desirable to have wide-angle projection lens system capable of projecting high quality images on a screen, yet economical enough to be marketed competitively. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the disclosed embodiments are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to a video unit, comprising an imaging system configured to create a projected image, a lens group optically coupled to the imaging system to receive the projected image. The lens group including: a lens doublet having a first positive crown element, a negative flint element affixed to the first positive crown element, and a second positive crown element adjacent to the lens doublet and facing the imaging system. The video unit further comprises a positive flint element optically coupled to the lens group to receive the projected image from the lens group, a physical stop disposed between the positive flint element and the lens group, and a negative crown meniscus optically coupled to the positive flint element to receive the projected image from the positive flint element, the negative crown meniscus adapted to produce a wide-angle representation of the projected image. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a video unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method in accordance with exemplary an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Turning initially to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a video unit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by a reference numeral  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the video unit  10  may comprise a Digital Light Processing (“DLP”) projection television or projector or the like. In another embodiment, the video unit  10  may comprise a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) projection television or projector or the like. In still other embodiments, the video unit  10  may comprise another suitable form of projection television or display. 
     The video unit  10  includes a light engine  12 . The light engine  12  is configured to generate white or colored light that can be employed by an imaging system  14  to create a video image. The light engine  12  may include any suitable form of lamp or bulb capable of projecting white or generally white light. In one embodiment, the light engine  12  may be a high intensity light source, such as a metal halide lamp or a mercury vapor lamp. For example, the light engine  12  may include an ultra high performance (“UHP”) lamp produced by Philips Electronics. The light engine  12  may also include a component configured to convert the projected white light into colored light, such as color wheels, dichroic mirrors, polarizers, and filters. Moreover, in alternate embodiments, the light engine  12  may include components capable of generating color light, such as light emitting diodes. 
     As described above, the light engine  12  may be configured to project, shine, or focus colored light at the imaging system  14 . The imaging system  14  may be configured to employ the colored light to create images suitable for display on a screen  24 . The imaging system  14  may be configured to generate one or more pixel patterns that can be used to calibrate pixel shifting in the video unit  10 . In one embodiment, the imaging system  14  comprises a DLP imaging system that employs one or more DMDs to generate a video image using the colored light. In another embodiment, the imaging system may employ an LCD projection system. It will be appreciated, however, that the above-described exemplary embodiments are not intended to be exclusive, and that alternate embodiments, any suitable form of imaging system  14  may be employed in the video unit  10 . 
     The imaging system  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be configured to project images into a wide-angle projection lens assembly  16 . As described further below, the wide-angle projection lens assembly  16  may include one or more lenses and/or mirrors that project the image created by the imaging system  14  onto the screen  24 . As used herein, the term “wide-angle” means an angle of image projection suitable for a wide screen T.V. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral  40 . The lens system  40  is adapted to produce a wide-angle projection or representation of an image. The system  40  projects the image, so that it may be formed and viewed on the display device  24 , such as a wide screen TV. The system  40  comprises an imaging device  42 , such as a DMD, with a cover glass  44 . As described below, the DMD  42  is disposed adjacent to additional lens elements. The DMD  42  generates light components that are projected onto lens elements adapted to produce a wide angle projection of an image. In this exemplary embodiment, the DMD  42  provides a plane from which exemplary chief light rays  41 ,  43 ,  47 , and  49  originate in the lens assembly  40 . Although, only four exemplary light rays are shown in  FIG. 2  for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in actuality a bundle of light rays emanates from the imaging device  42 . 
     The system  40  further includes a total internal reflection (TIR) prism  45 , disposed adjacent to the cover glass  44 . Colored light components comprising red, green, and blue (RGB) are emitted by the DMD  42  and projected through the TIR prism  45 . In addition to the colored light components, image illumination light components (not shown) are also entering the TIR prism  45  enroute to the DMD  42  as well. The purpose of the TIR prism  45  is to direct these two different light bundles to their respective destinations. That is the illumination light is directed to the DMD  42  and the colored light components are directed into the first lens element  46 . Accordingly, the TIR  45  is adapted to separate image RGB and illumination components. 
     Next, the image is projected onto a lens group disposed adjacent to the TIR prism  45 , as depicted by exemplary light rays  41 ,  43 ,  47  and  49 . The lens group includes a positive crown element  46  and a positive doublet lens  48 . In an exemplary embodiment, the positive doublet lens  48  is further comprised of a positive crown element  48   a  affixed to a negative flint element  48   b . These later crown and flint elements may be cemented, attached, and/or disposed adjacent to one another. The positive crown element  46  is adapted to converge the light exiting the TIR prism  45 . Such convergence is employed, so that the light is maintained on a path permitting its subsequent projection and processing by additional optical elements comprising the projection lens system  40 . The positive crown element  46  effectively functions as a “formatting” lens, which preconditions the light for subsequent processing. 
     The positive doublet lens  48  is utilized for color correcting the light exiting the positive crown element  46 . The RGB light components exiting the DMD  42  are comprised of various electromagnetic wavelengths. Accordingly, each wavelength of the light refracts at a different angle, as it propagates through the positive crown element  46  and projected therefrom onto the doublet lens  48 . Hence, the doublet lens  48  assures images formed by the different colored-light components are focused appropriately. 
     The positive crown element  46  and the affixed positive crown element  48   a  are disposed relative to one another, such that a double concave lens-shaped air gap is formed there between. The surface of the element  48   a  and the later concave shaped air gap are adapted to correct higher order aberrations occurring at full aperture and large field of view. Achieving a deeply concave affixed surface, such as the affixed surface of the element  48   a , and the air gap disposed therefrom may need greater fabricating and assembling tolerances. However, affixing optical elements  48   a  to  48   b , as well as vertex-contacting element  46  with the doublet  48  eases the fabrication process of the system  40 . 
     Light projected from the doublet  48  further propagates through physical stop  50 . The physical stop  50  is disposed, in the center of gravity of the optical path formed by the light traversing throughout the system  40 . This means that the physical stop  50  is optically disposed halfway between the DMD  42  and an exit point from where the light emerges out the projection system  40 . Subsequent to the physical stop  50 , a dense flint glass element  52  of positive power is disposed at some distance from the physical stop  50 . The flint glass element  52  further attenuates the angles of the light rays exiting the physical stop  50 . This attenuation causes the light to not overshoot a folding mirror  54 . Effectively, flint glass element  52  is configured to prevent overshoot by prolonging the optical path of the light propagating from the physical stop  50  and the mirror  54 , thus ensuring it is properly projected thereon. 
     The folding mirror  54  is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal path of the chief rays  41 ,  43 ,  47 , and  49  that emerge from the positive flint element  52 . Accordingly, the mirror  54  reflects the rays  41 ,  43 ,  47 ,  49  folding, and thus, deviating the light from its horizontal direction. Absent the mirror  54 , light rays emerging from lens  54  would continue to propagate along a horizontal path, extending the length of the lens system  40 . Employing the mirror  54 , the length of the lens assembly  40  is shortened, rendering it more compact. The mirror  54  may be further adapted to wiggle synchronously with the micro mechanical mirrors of the imaging device, such as the ones employed in the DMD  42 . The synchronous wiggling between the mirror  52  and the micro-mirrors of the display device optimizes the projection of an image generated by the DMD  42 . 
     Light reflected from mirror  54  is projected onto a crown plastic meniscus element  56  of negative power. In an exemplary embodiment, the meniscus element  56  is comprised of acrylic having two eighth-order aspheric surfaces. Thus, the meniscus element  56  is configured to increase the back focal length, widen the field of view, and flatten the image produced by the system  40 . Accordingly, conic constants and aspheric coefficients of front and back surfaces of the meniscus element  56  minimize distortion and astigmatism. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral  60 . The system  60  is similar in composition and structure to the system  40  shown in  FIG. 2 . However, in the lens projection system  60  the positive flint glass element  52  is disposed between the folding mirror  54  and the meniscus element  56 . Such a configuration has the advantage of shortening the length of the projection system, with minimally increased height. It should be appreciated that although system  60  may be similar in composition and structure to the system  40 , the spatial arrangement of the optical elements given by the system  60  may require unique fabrication and positioning specifications of all the optical and other elements comprising the system  60 , as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of a projection lens system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, generally referred to by reference numeral  70 . The lens system  70  is similar both in structure and in composition to the lens system  60  shown in  FIG. 3 . However, in the system  70 , the TIR prism  45  ( FIG. 3 ) is replaced with a field lens  72 . The field lens  72  effectively functions like the TIR prism  45 , while providing a better illumination. By employing the field lens  72 , the system  70  is more efficient in producing a brighter image on a display device. It should be appreciated that replacing the TIR prism  45  with the field lens  72  in the system  70  may require unique fabrication and positioning specifications of all optical and other elements comprising the system  70 , as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the projection lens systems  40 ,  60  and  70  all have the positive lens group, comprising the lens elements  46  and  48 , as well the positive flint element  52 . In the systems  40 ,  60 , and  70 , the positive lens group and the positive flint element are arraigned somewhat symmetrically about the physical stop  50 . As previously mentioned, exemplary embodiments of the systems  40 ,  60 , and  70  also have an acrylic-made meniscus element  56  of negative power coupled to flint element  52 . The above unique configuration is advantageous in wide-angle projection because it achieves a large field of view, a large back focal length, and good aberration correction. Further, the arrangement of positive powers on both sides of a physical stop accommodates an easier large aperture requirement, and it provides a better control on lateral aberrations. The use of an acrylic-made meniscus element, such as element  56 , and the reduced number of optical elements employed in each of the systems  40 ,  60  and  70  renders these systems highly performing, yet economical. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method in accordance with exemplary an embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral  90 . The flow chart  90  shows a method for wide-angle projection of an image. The method begins at block  92 . At block  94  an image is generate and projected an imaging device. At block  96 , the projected image is received using a lens group. Thereafter, at block  98  the projected image is received from the lens group with a physical stop  50 . At block  100  the projected image is received from the physical stop  50  with a flint element  52 . At block  102  the projected image is received from the flint element  52  with a negative crown meniscus  56  that is adapted to produce a wide-angle representation of the projected image. Lastly, the method ends at block  104 . 
     An example of computer code useful for designing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given below: 
     General Lens Data: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Surfaces 
                 15 
               
               
                 Stop 
                 5 
               
               
                 System Aperture 
                 Float By Stop Size = 2.97427 
               
               
                 Glass Catalogs 
                 SCHOTT SUMITA MISC CORNING 
               
               
                   
                 SCHOTT_2000 
               
               
                 Ray Aiming 
                 Paraxial Reference, Cache On 
               
               
                 X Pupil shift 
                 2 
               
               
                 Y Pupil shift 
                 2 
               
               
                 Z Pupil shift 
                 2 
               
               
                 Apodization 
                 Uniform, factor = 0.00000E+000 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Effective Focal Length 
                 5.24246 
                 (in air at system temperature and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure) 
               
               
                 Effective Focal Length 
                 5.24246 
                 (in image space) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Back Focal Length 
                 0.5231015 
               
               
                 Total Track 
                 94.93611 
               
               
                 Image Space F/# 
                 2.639217 
               
               
                 Paraxial Working F/# 
                 2.6414 
               
               
                 Working F/# 
                 2.65 
               
               
                 Image Space NA 
                 0.1859907 
               
               
                 Object Space NA 
                 0.001613689 
               
               
                 Stop Radius 
                 2.974271 
               
               
                 Paraxial Image Height 
                 5.629782 
               
               
                 Paraxial Magnification 
                 −0.008524808 
               
               
                 Entrance Pupil Diameter 
                 1.986369 
               
               
                 Entrance Pupil Position 
                 15.47372 
               
               
                 Exit Pupil Diameter 
                 20.4766 
               
               
                 Exit Pupil Position 
                 −54.00208 
               
               
                 Field Type 
                 Object height in Millimeters 
               
               
                 Maximum Field 
                 660.3998 
               
               
                 Primary Wave 
                 0.5875618 
               
               
                 Lens Units 
                 Millimeters 
               
               
                 Angular Magnification 
                 0.09700564 
               
               
                 Fields 
                 6 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Field Type: Object Height in Millimeters 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 # 
                 X-Value 
                 Y-Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 0.000000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0.000000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 287.794000 
                 161.884000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 −489.249800 
                 −275.204000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 575.588000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 575.588000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Wavelengths: 3 
               
               
                 Units: Microns 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 # 
                 Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 0.486133 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 2 
                 0.587562 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 3 
                 0.656273 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Summary: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Surf 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Thickness 
                 Glass 
                 Diameter 
                 Conic 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 OBJ 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 600 
                   
                 1320.8 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 EVENASPH 
                 355.8713 
                 3 
                 ACRYLIC 
                 47.46676 
                 97.42966 
               
               
                 2 
                 EVENASPH 
                 7.968193 
                 36.78204 
                   
                 26.74832 
                 −1.049251 
               
               
                 3 
                 STANDARD 
                 39.22639 
                 3 
                 N-SF56 
                 20.17972 
                 0 
               
               
                 4 
                 STANDARD 
                 −314.5877 
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                 19.59733 
                 0 
               
               
                 STO 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 6.282983 
                   
                 5.948542 
                 0 
               
               
                 6 
                 STANDARD 
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                 CSK12 
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                 STANDARD 
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                 STANDARD 
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                 0 
                   
                 12.99901 
                 0 
               
               
                 9 
                 STANDARD 
                 36.12245 
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                 SK5 
                 13.87081 
                 0 
               
               
                 10  
                 STANDARD 
                 −19.89504 
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                 0 
               
               
                 11  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 11 
                 BK7 
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                 0 
               
               
                 12  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
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                 12.00212 
                 0 
               
               
                 13  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 3 
                 A87-70 
                 11.81493 
                 0 
               
               
                 14  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 0.483 
                   
                 11.37411 
                 0 
               
               
                 IMA 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                   
                   
                 11.26787 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Detail: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 OBJ 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 1 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                  1.1062054e−005 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                 −1.7594351e−008 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                  9.1390405e−012 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 2 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                  5.2743008e−005 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                  4.7336555e−007 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                 −7.1379292e−010 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 3 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 4 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 STO 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 6 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 7 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 8 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 9 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 10 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 11 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 12 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 13 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 14 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 IMA 
                   
                 STANDARD. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A further example of computer code useful for designing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given below: 
     General Lens Data: 
       
                                    Surfaces   15       Stop   5       System Aperture   Image Space F/# = 2.65       Glass Catalogs   Schott Sumita misc corning       Ray Aiming   Paraxial Reference, Cache On       X Pupil shift   2       Y Pupil shift   2       Z Pupil shift   2       Apodization   Uniform, factor = 0.00000E+000                         Effective Focal Length   5.248778   (in air at system temperature               and pressure)       Effective Focal Length   5.248778   (in image space)                     Back Focal Length   0.4391037       Total Track   109.3255       Image Space F/#   2.65       Paraxial Working F/#   2.651058       Working F/#   2.665182       Image Space NA   0.1853364       Object Space NA   0.001604225       Stop Radius   3.201898       Paraxial Image Height   5.617229       Paraxial Magnification   −0.0085058       Entrance Pupil Diameter   1.980671       Entrance Pupil Position   17.32871       Exit Pupil Diameter   42.1831       Exit Pupil Position   −111.8299       Field Type   Object height in Millimeters       Maximum Field   660.3998       Primary Wave   0.5875618       Lens Units   Millimeters       Angular Magnification   0.04695296       Fields   6                    
Field Type: Object height in Millimeters
 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 # 
                 X-Value 
                 Y-Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 0.000000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0.000000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 287.794000 
                 161.884000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 −489.249800 
                 −275.204000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 575.588000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 575.588000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Wavelengths: 3 
               
               
                 Units: Microns 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 # 
                 Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 0.486133 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 2 
                 0.587562 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 3 
                 0.656273 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Summary: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Surf 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Thickness 
                 Glass 
                 Diameter 
                 Conic 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 OBJ 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 600 
                   
                 1320.8 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 EVENASPH 
                 56.32781 
                 3 
                 ACRYLIC 
                 51.96127 
                 −61.97635 
               
               
                 2 
                 EVENASPH 
                 7.717042 
                 40.03644 
                   
                 28.90669 
                 −0.9835658 
               
               
                 3 
                 STANDARD 
                 181.0375 
                 5 
                 SFLD20 
                 22.64673 
                 0 
               
               
                 4 
                 STANDARD 
                 −65.77548 
                 21.31247 
                   
                 21.90694 
                 0 
               
               
                 STO 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 10.10311 
                   
                 6.403796 
                 0 
               
               
                 6 
                 STANDARD 
                 54.38987 
                 4.782975 
                 SK5 
                 13.92528 
                 0 
               
               
                 7 
                 STANDARD 
                 −9.597402 
                 0.9999907 
                 SFLDN3 
                 14.29757 
                 0 
               
               
                 8 
                 STANDARD 
                 −22.50471 
                 0 
                   
                 15.80909 
                 0 
               
               
                 9 
                 STANDARD 
                 25.45693 
                 5.324974 
                 SK5 
                 16.91734 
                 0 
               
               
                 10  
                 STANDARD 
                 −33.07775 
                 3.430812 
                   
                 16.83337 
                 0 
               
               
                 11  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 11 
                 BK7 
                 15.15583 
                 0 
               
               
                 12  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 0.851 
                   
                 12.50787 
                 0 
               
               
                 13  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 3 
                 A87-70 
                 12.19309 
                 0 
               
               
                 14  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 0.4837488 
                   
                 11.45625 
                 0 
               
               
                 IMA 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                   
                   
                 11.27731 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Detail: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 OBJ 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 1 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                 7.1599218e−006 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                 −8.062123e−009 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                 3.2239437e−012 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 2 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                 3.0289934e−005 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                  2.169739e−007 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                 1.1775346e−010 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 3 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 4 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 STO 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 6 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 7 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 8 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 9 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 10 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 11 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 12 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 13 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 14 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 IMA 
                   
                 STANDARD. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Yet another example of computer code useful for designing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is given below: 
     General Lens Data: 
       
                                    Surfaces   15       Stop   5       System Aperture   Image Space F/# = 2.65       Glass Catalogs   Schott Sumita misc corning       Ray Aiming   Paraxial Reference, Cache On       X Pupil shift   2       Y Pupil shift   2       Z Pupil shift   2       Apodization   Uniform, factor = 0.00000E+000                         Effective Focal Length   5.236171   (in air at system temperature               and pressure)       Effective Focal Length   5.236171   (in image space)                     Back Focal Length   0.4402165       Total Track   96.07866       Image Space F/#   2.65       Paraxial Working F/#   2.650864       Working F/#   2.668295       Image Space NA   0.1853495       Object Space NA   0.001604343       Stop Radius   3.212782       Paraxial Image Height   5.617229       Paraxial Magnification   −0.008505801       Entrance Pupil Diameter   1.975913       Entrance Pupil Position   15.8006       Exit Pupil Diameter   51.5662       Exit Pupil Position   −136.695       Field Type   Object height in Millimeters       Maximum Field   660.3998       Primary Wave   0.5875618       Lens Units   Millimeters       Angular Magnification   0.03831682       Fields   6                    
Field Type: Object height in Millimeters
 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 # 
                 X-Value 
                 Y-Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 0.000000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 2 
                 0.000000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 3 
                 287.794000 
                 161.884000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 4 
                 −489.249800 
                 −275.204000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 5 
                 575.588000 
                 0.000000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                 6 
                 575.588000 
                 323.769000 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Wavelengths: 3 
               
               
                 Units: Microns 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 # 
                 Value 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 0.486133 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 2 
                 0.587562 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                 3 
                 0.656273 
                 1.000000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Summary: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Surf 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Thickness 
                 Glass 
                 Diameter 
                 Conic 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 OBJ 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 600 
                   
                 1320.8 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 EVENASPH 
                 42.52054 
                 3 
                 ACRYLIC 
                 46.32803 
                 1.383767 
               
               
                 2 
                 EVENASPH 
                 6.826374 
                 40.00575 
                   
                 24.99873 
                 −1.56571 
               
               
                 3 
                 STANDARD 
                 69.24866 
                 5.502282 
                 SFLD66 
                 17.03269 
                 0 
               
               
                 4 
                 STANDARD 
                 −86.92522 
                 12.85154 
                   
                 15.69634 
                 0 
               
               
                 STO 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 7.602353 
                   
                 6.425564 
                 0 
               
               
                 6 
                 STANDARD 
                 46.21191 
                 4.782975 
                 SK5 
                 11.87228 
                 0 
               
               
                 7 
                 STANDARD 
                 −8.823901 
                 0.9999907 
                 SFL57 
                 12.43972 
                 0 
               
               
                 8 
                 STANDARD 
                 −24.91574 
                 0 
                   
                 13.7616 
                 0 
               
               
                 9 
                 STANDARD 
                 34.07092 
                 5.324974 
                 SK5 
                 14.56086 
                 0 
               
               
                 10  
                 STANDARD 
                 −24.70391 
                 9.973043 
                   
                 14.94001 
                 0 
               
               
                 11  
                 STANDARD 
                 89 
                 1.7 
                 KZFSN5 
                 12.71349 
                 0 
               
               
                 12  
                 STANDARD 
                 −130 
                 0.851 
                   
                 12.48532 
                 0 
               
               
                 13  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 3 
                 A87-70 
                 12.12825 
                 0 
               
               
                 14  
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                 0.4847544 
                   
                 11.41719 
                 0 
               
               
                 IMA 
                 STANDARD 
                 Infinity 
                   
                   
                 11.24931 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Surface Data Detail: 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 OBJ 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 1 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                 −1.6457662e−005 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                  2.2892123e−008 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                  −2.597088e−011 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 2 
                   
                 EVENASPH 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 4 
                 0.00034215973 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 6 
                 −1.1792122e−006 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 8 
                  5.8144252e−009 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 10 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 12 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 14 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Coeff on 
                 r 
                 16 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 3 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 4 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 STO 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 6 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 7 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 8 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 9 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 10 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 11 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 12 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 13 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 14 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                 IMA 
                   
                 STANDARD 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.