LensVector Announces Debut of Smartphones Using Liquid Crystal Autofocus Lens

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- LensVector today announced that its industry-changing high-performance, cost-effective autofocus camera has made its retail debut through a partnership with Sunny Opotech and Vital Mobile.

Unlike every other cellphone camera in use, LensVector's patented solid-state autofocus device, LV4522, does not use any moving parts or make audible noise, delivering razor-sharp images in a wide range of shooting scenes.

LV4522 uses proprietary technology to transform a liquid crystal cell into a variable focus lens, which consumes about 80 percent less power than the traditional mechanical lens currently used in mobile devices.

"Five years ago, having one camera on your smartphone was a big deal. Even modestly priced cellphones now have two cameras, and we expect the numbers to increase as devices offer enhanced functionality," said LensVector CEO Howard Earhart. "As this trend blossoms, power-consumption issues will become even more critical, and our product is perfectly positioned to solve this emerging issue."

Since the device does not use any moving parts, manufacturing LV4522 costs about half as much as it does to manufacture complex voice-coil motors and is inherently more reliable. Additionally, each module is seamlessly integrated into each smartphone, not requiring individual adjustment or tuning by the handset manufacturer.

LensVector has made initial shipments though its partnership with production partner Sunny Optical to Vital Mobile, which is currently selling LV4522-enabled phones in Taiwan, Bangladesh and India under the Karbonn brand. 

"We're constantly looking for new technology that will help us bring additional features at the most affordable price to our customers," said Vital Mobile Vice President Rich Pei. "This is critical as our customers expand around the globe to bring smartphones to the billions of consumers who will purchase their first phones over the next few years."

"LensVector's technology has the potential to simplify module manufacturing and brings unique consumer benefits to miniature cameras for the mobile market," said Sunny Opotech CEO David Wang.

As LV4522 ships, LensVector is preparing to ship its next-generation lens by year's end, which provides dramatically higher image resolution, twice the focusing speed of most mechanical lenses, and a minimum focus distance of just five centimeters, half the distance of most existing lenses used in mobile devices.

"More photos are taken on smartphones than any other device, and a growing number of apps even have a scanning function," Earhart added. "Potential applications of this technology include virtual reality displays, wearables and automotive cameras, and additional possibilities are endless."

The current lens and the next-generation lens are based on patented technology that transforms a liquid crystal cell into a variable focus lens using small electrical charges to dynamically change the refractive index of the lens material.

For more information about LensVector, visit www.lensvector.com.

About LensVector, Inc.
LensVector is a privately held company based in Sunnyvale, California that develops proprietary solid-state optics products that focus, steer and shape light with no moving parts. In addition to mobile device technology, LensVector also develops autofocus products for the ophthalmic field, and beam-forming products for LED luminaire systems. More information about LensVector is available at www.lensvector.com.

About Vital Mobile
Established in Beijing, Vital Mobile is one of the leading ODM smartphone suppliers in China. Vital Mobile engages in the design, product validation, sourcing of components, procurement of processing and assembling, providing technical know-how for manufacturing and packaging and sold to various leading branded mobile handset suppliers, telecommunication operators and trading companies in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa. More information about Vital Mobile is available at www.vital-mobile.com.

About Sunny Optical
Sunny Optical Technology Company Limited is a leading integrated optical components and products manufacturer in China. Sunny Optical researches, designs, manufactures and sells optical-related products including glass spherical and aspherical lenses, plane products, handset camera modules, smart television video modules, security cameras, microscopes and much more. More information about Sunny Opotech is available at www.sunnyoptical.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Thomas Killick, Vice President of Business Development
LensVector
[email protected] 

SOURCE LensVector

Related Links

http://www.lensvector.com