MASS PRODUCTION MTF TESTING MACHINE

摘要

As the demand for higher quality and higher resolution optical systems has become prevalent, both designers and metrology scientists demand mass production test stations for optical elements. Consequently, this technology is expected to be standard procedure. Prior art's slow MTF measurement technique is expensive and inadequate for mass production. Current proposed art will solve this and other important drawbacks by simultaneously testing multiple cameras. The proposed parallel testing method will be fast and accurate while meeting the market requirements and fulfill the growing need.;This novel art will enable measuring MTF and other optical parameters in parallel formation within one test station.;The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is an important aid which is necessary for objective evaluation of the image-forming capability of optical systems. Not only that the MTF provides a means of expressing the imaging quality of optical systems objectively and quantitatively, but it can be calculated from the lens design data. Moreover, other parameters which are also very important, such as field of view, focal length and similar parameters can be measured by the proposed art.;This technology allows optical and systems designers to predict and test reliably the performance of the optical systems. The manufacturers can compare the image quality of the camera and lenses with the design expectations.;Thus a method and apparatus are disclosed for fast parallel testing of multiple lenses or cameras.;A unique electro optical design will be implemented to shift multiple optical elements in a synchronized matter while maintaining accuracy over a wide field of view. The movement is angular over a wide angle and in two perpendicular directions—pitch and yaw. By design, each said optical element will perform its angular movement around the lens under test from remote. The center of rotation will be the central point of each lens input aperture. The apparatus is suitable for testing both camera and lenses simultaneously. The apparatus will preferably test lenses or cameras directly on the production floor.

主权项

1. A computerized method and apparatus for testing multiple camera lenses and camera modules, comprising:
A plurality of telescopic cameras receiving a projected image from lenses under test. Converting each received image into digital data. A mechanical device capable of placing the plurality of telescopic cameras in multiple angles rotating around the center of each aperture of said lenses, without obstructing the line of sight of each other. A mechanical tray for organizing the lenses in a specific formation. An XY motorized table for said mechanical tray. A reference target array placed at the imaging plane of each lens under test. An illumination device for said targets. A computer for controlling the angle of telescopes and the relative XY position of lens tray according to the test setup and requirements, processing multiple images from different angles calculating image quality of a projected target through the lens under test. Comparing algorithms, analyzing each respective lens to its specifications and signaling a pass/fail for each lens.