SHEMESH ZIV (IL)
PELLMAN ASAF (IL)
GOLDENBERG EPHRAIM (IL)
WO2020058697A1 | 2020-03-26 | |||
WO2020058697A1 | 2020-03-26 |
US20220004085A1 | 2022-01-06 | |||
US20160004047A1 | 2016-01-07 | |||
US20210377450A1 | 2021-12-02 | |||
KR20110071807A | 2011-06-29 | |||
US20150029603A1 | 2015-01-29 | |||
US20220004085A1 | 2022-01-06 | |||
US20160004047A1 | 2016-01-07 | |||
US20210377450A1 | 2021-12-02 | |||
KR20110071807A | 2011-06-29 | |||
US20150029603A1 | 2015-01-29 | |||
CN111781710A | 2020-10-16 | |||
TW202206874A | 2022-02-16 | |||
CN214375510U | 2021-10-08 |
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A lens system for a compact digital camera, the lens system having a pop-out state and a collapsed state and comprising: an image sensor having a sensor diagonal SD; and a lens with N≥6 lens elements L1-LN arranged along a lens optical axis (OA) starting with L1 from an object side towards an image side, each lens element Li having a respective clear aperture diameter DALi wherein 1≤ i ≤ N, and having in the pop-out state a field of view FOV < 55deg, a f number (f/#), a lens thickness TLens, a back focal length BFL, an effective focal length EFL, and a total track length TTL <20mm, wherein the lens has in the collapsed state a collapsed total track length c-TTL, wherein EFL≥10mm, wherein f/#<2, and wherein a ratio c-TTL/EFL < 0.8. 2. The lens system of claim 1, wherein the lens system is configured to switch from the pop- out state to the collapsed state and vice versa by collapsing BFL to a collapsed BFL (c-BFL). 3. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL/EFL < 0.75. 4. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL/EFL < 0.7. 5. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL ≤ TLens + 1mm. 6. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL ≤ TLens + 0.9mm. 7. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL ≤ TLens + 0.8mm. 8. The lens system of claim 1, wherein c-TTL ≤ TLens + 0.7mm. 9. The lens system of claim 1, wherein 0.9 x EFL < TTL < 1.1 x EFL. 10. The lens system of claim 1, wherein 8mm < SD < 15mm. 11. The lens system of claim 1, wherein EFL≥12mm. 12. The lens system of claim 1, wherein EFL≤20mm. 13. The lens system of claim 1, wherein TTL<15mm. 14. The lens system of claim 1, wherein f/# < 1.9. 15. The lens system of claim 1, wherein f/# < 1.8. 16. The lens system of claim 1, wherein f/# < 1.7. 17. The lens system of claim 1, wherein TLens /TTL<0.75. 18. The lens system of claim 1, wherein TLens /TTL<0.7. 19. The lens system of claim 1, wherein BFL > 0.3 x TTL. 20. The lens system of claim 2, wherein 0.04 ≤ c-BFL/BFL < 0.9. 21. The lens system of claim 1, wherein DAL1/DAL4 >1.15 and wherein DALN/DAL4 > 1.15. 22. The lens system of claim 1, wherein DAL1/DAL4> 1.25 and wherein DALN/DAL4 > 1.25. 23. The lens system of claim 1, wherein DAL1/DAL5> 1.25 and wherein DALN/DAL5 > 1.25. 24. The lens system of claim 1, wherein DAL1/DAL4> 1.35 and wherein DALN/DAL4 > 1.35. 25. The lens system of claim 1, wherein 0.9 < DAL1/DALN < 1.15. 26. The lens system of claim 1, wherein the lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length (35mm EqFL) and wherein 30mm < 35mm EqFL < 100mm. 27. The lens system of claim 1, wherein the lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length (35mm EqFL) and wherein 40mm < 35mm EqFL < 55mm. 28. The lens system of claim 1, wherein lens elements L1, L2, L3 and L4 have respective air gaps therebetween with respective widths d12, d23 and d34 along the OA, and wherein each of d12, d23 and d34 is smaller than 0.5mm. 29. The lens system of claim 1, wherein lens elements L1, L2, L3 and L4 have respective air gaps therebetween with respective widths d12, d23 and d34 along the OA, and wherein respective ratios between each of d12, d23 and d34 and the TTL, d12/TTL, d23/TTL and d34/TTL, are smaller than 5%. 30. The lens system of claim 1, wherein a thickness of L2 along the OA is larger by more than 80% than a thickness along the OA of any other lens element. 31. The lens system of claim 1, wherein a magnitude of a lens power of L1 is lower than a magnitude of a lens power of any other lens element. 32. The lens system of claim 1, wherein an air gap d34 along the OA between L3 and L4 and an air gap d45 along the OA between L4 and L5 are larger by >60% than any other air gap between lens elements. 33. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L1 and L2 form a doublet lens. 34. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L2 and L3 form a doublet lens. 35. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L4 and L5 form a doublet lens. 36. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L6 and L7 form a doublet lens. 37. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L1 and L2 have respective thicknesses T1 and T2 along the OA greater than 1mm, have respective refractive indices n1 and n2 smaller than 1.55, have respective Abbe numbers v1 and v2 greater than 50, and have each a positive lens power. 38. The lens system of claim 1, wherein the ratio of a thickness T2 of L2 along the OA and TLens fulfils T2/TLens > 0.3. 39. The lens system of claim 1, wherein pairs of lens elements L1 and L2, L3 and L4, and L6 and L7 form respective doublet lenses. 40. The lens system of claim 1, wherein L1 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 41. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=7 and wherein lens elements L1-L7 have a power sequence plus-minus-plus-minus-plus-minus-minus. 42. The lens system of claim 41, wherein a rear surface of L1 that faces the image side has a deflection point that is not located at the OA. 43. The lens system of claim 42, wherein lens elements L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 have respective air gaps therebetween with respective widths d12, d23, d34 and d45 along the OA, and wherein each of d12, d23, d34 and d45 is smaller than 0.5mm. 44. The lens system of claim 43, wherein respective ratios between each of d12, d23, d34, and d45 and the TTL are smaller than 5%. 45. The lens system of claim 44, wherein L2 has a focal length f2, and wherein a magnitude |f2| fulfils |f2|/EFL<1. 46. The lens system of claim 45, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL<0.5. 47. The lens system of claim 46, wherein L1 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 48. The lens system of claim 47, wherein f/# ≤ 1.9. 49. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=7 and wherein lens elements L1-L7 have a power sequence plus-minus-minus-plus-plus-minus-minus. 50. The lens system of claim 49, wherein a rear surface of L1 that faces the image side has a deflection point that is not located at the OA. 51. The lens system of claim 50, wherein lens elements L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 have respective air gaps therebetween with respective widths d12, d23, d34 and d45 along the OA, and wherein each of d12, d23, d34 and d45 is smaller than 0.5mm. 52. The lens system of claim 51, wherein respective ratios between each of d12, d23, d34, and d45 and the TTL are smaller than 5%. 53. The lens system of claim 52, wherein an air gap d67 between L6 and L7 along the OA fulfils d67/TLens>0.125. 54. The lens system of claim 53, wherein L2 has a focal length f2, and wherein a magnitude |f2| fulfils |f2|/EFL<1. 55. The lens system of claim 54, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL<0.5. 56. The lens system of claim 55, wherein L1 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 57. The lens system of claim 45, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL<0.75. 58. The lens system of claim 57, wherein L1 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 59. The lens system of claim 58, wherein f/# ≤ 1.9. 60. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=6 and wherein lens elements L1-L6 have a power sequence plus-plus-minus-plus-minus-minus. 61. The lens system of claim 60, wherein a ratio of a thickness T2 of L2 along the OA and a thickness Ti (i=1, 3, …, N) of any other lens element T2/Ti > 1.85. 62. The lens system of claim 61, wherein a ratio between T2 and TLens fulfils T2/TLens > 0.15. 63. The lens system of claim 62, wherein respective ratios between an air gap d12 between L1 and L2 and an air gap d23 between L2 and L3 and the TTL, d12/TTL and d23/TTL, are smaller than 5%. 64. The lens system of claim 63, wherein a magnitude of a lens power of L1 is lower than a magnitude of any lens power of any other lens element. 65. The lens system of claim 64, wherein L2 and L3 form a doublet lens. 66. The lens system of claim 65, wherein f/# ≤ 1.9. 67. The lens system of claim 66, wherein L2 has a focal length f2, and wherein a magnitude |f2| fulfils |f2|/EFL<0.75. 68. The lens system of claim 67, wherein L3 has a focal length f3, and wherein a magnitude |f3| fulfils |f3|/EFL<1. 69. The lens system of claim 68, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL>10. 70. The lens system of claim 69, wherein L1 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 71. The lens system of claim 70, wherein L2 is made of glass and has an Abbe number larger than 50. 72. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=7 and wherein a power sequence of L1-L7 is plus- plus-minus-plus-minus-plus-minus. 73. The lens system of claim 72, wherein L6 and L7 form an inverted doublet lens. 74. The lens system of claim 73, wherein both L1 and L2 have respective thicknesses T1, T2 >1mm along the OA, respective refractive indices n1, n2 < 1.55, respective Abbe numbers v1, v2 >50 and respective positive lens powers. 75. The lens system of claim 74, wherein a rear surface of L1 that faces the image side has a deflection point that is not located at the OA. 76. The lens system of claim 75, wherein a ratio of a thickness T2 of L2 along the OA and the lens thickness fulfils T2/TLens > 0.15. 77. The lens system of claim 76, wherein a rear surface of L2 that faces the image side has a deflection point that is not located at the OA. 78. The lens system of claim 77, wherein respective ratios between an air gap d12 between L1 and L2 and an air gap d23 between L2 and L3 and the TTL, d12/TTL and d23/TTL, are smaller than 5%. 79. The lens system of claim 78, wherein L2 has a focal length f2, and wherein a magnitude |f2| fulfils |f2|/EFL<1. 80. The lens system of claim 79, wherein L3 has a focal length f3, and wherein a magnitude |f3| fulfils |f3|/EFL<1. 81. The lens system of claim 80, wherein L6 has a focal length f6, and wherein a magnitude |f6| fulfils |f6|/EFL<0.75. 82. The lens system of claim 81, wherein L7 has a focal length f7, and wherein a magnitude |f7| fulfils |f7|/EFL<0.75. 83. The lens system of claim 82, wherein f/# ≤ 1.9. 84. The lens system of claim 83, wherein f/# ≤ 1.8. 85. The lens system of claim 72, wherein a ratio of a thickness T2 of L2 along the OA and the lens thickness fulfils T2/TLens > 0.2. 86. The lens system of claim 85, wherein T2/TLens > 0.3. 87. The lens system of claim 86, wherein the rear surface of L2 has a deflection point which is not located at the OA. 88. The lens system of claim 87, wherein f/#≤ 1.9. 89. The lens system of claim 88, wherein pairs of lens elements L1 and L2, L3 and L4, and L6 and L7 form respective inverted doublet lenses. 90. The lens system of claim 89, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL>50. 91. The lens system of claim 90, wherein L6 has a focal length f6, and wherein a magnitude |f6| fulfils |f6|/EFL<1. 92. The lens system of claim 91, wherein L7 has a focal length f7, and wherein a magnitude |f7| fulfils |f7|/EFL<1. 93. The lens system of claim 87, wherein respective ratios between an air gap d12 between L1 and L2 and an air gap d34 between L3 and L4 and the TTL, d12/TTL and d34/TTL, are smaller than 2.5%. 94. The lens system of claim 93, wherein L6 and L7 form an inverted doublet lens. 95. The lens system of claim 94, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL>10. 96. The lens system of claim 95, wherein L4 has a focal length f4, and wherein a magnitude |f4| fulfils |f4|/EFL<1. 97. The lens system of claim 96, wherein L6 has a focal length f6, and wherein a magnitude |f6| fulfils |f6|/EFL<1. 98. The lens system of claim 97, wherein L7 has a focal length f7, and wherein a magnitude |f7| fulfils |f7|/EFL<1. 99. The lens system of claim 98, wherein f/#≤ 1.9. 100. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=7 and wherein a power sequence of L1-L7 is minus- plus-minus-plus-minus-plus-minus. 101. The lens system of claim 100, wherein pairs of lens elements L1 and L2, L3 and L4, and L6 and L7 form respective inverted doublet lenses. 102. The lens system of claim 101, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL>10. 103. The lens system of claim 102, wherein each of lens elements L1- L7 has a respective focal length f1 – f7, and wherein a magnitude of each of the focal lengths |f1| – |f7| fulfils |f1|/EFL - |f7|/EFL >1. 104. The lens system of claim 103, wherein f/#≤ 1.9. 105. The lens system of claim 1, wherein N=7, wherein a power sequence of L1-L7 is plus- minus-plus-plus-minus-minus-minus. 106. The lens system of claim 105, wherein f/# ≤ 1.8. 107. The lens system of claim 106, wherein f/# ≤ 1.7. 108. The lens system of claim 107, wherein f/# ≤ 1.65. 109. The lens system of claim 108, wherein L1 is the thickest lens element in the lens and has a thickness T1, wherein L3 is the second thickest lens element in the lens and has a thickness T3, wherein L6 is the third thickest lens element in the lens and has a thickness T6, wherein all lens thicknesses are measured along the OA, and wherein T1/T6 > 3 and T3/T6 > 3. 110. The lens system of claim 109, wherein DAL1/DAL5> 1.75 and wherein DAL1/DALN < 1.6. 111. The lens system of claim 110, wherein DAL1≥7.5mm. 112. The lens system of claim 111, wherein L2 and L3 form an inverted doublet lens, and wherein L4 and L5 form a doublet lens. 113. The lens system of claim 112, wherein L1 has a focal length f1, and wherein a magnitude |f1| fulfils |f1|/EFL<1. 114. The lens system of claim 113, wherein L6 has a focal length f6, and wherein a magnitude |f6| fulfils |f6|/EFL>100. 115. The lens system of claim 114, wherein L7 has a focal length f7, and wherein a magnitude |f7| fulfils |f7|/EFL>20. 116. The lens system of any of the claims 1-115, wherein the lens system is integrated in a camera module, and wherein the camera module is integrated in a smartphone. 117. The lens system of claim 115, wherein the smartphone has a back surface, and wherein the OA is oriented perpendicular to the back surface. |
where {z, r} are the standard cylindrical polar coordinates, c is the paraxial curvature of the surface, k is the conic parameter, r norm is generally one half of the surface’s clear aperture (“CA”, or also “DA” for clear aperture diameter), and A n are the aspheric coefficients shown in lens data tables. The Z axis is positive towards image. Values for CA are given as a clear aperture radius, i.e. D/2. Table 2 The reference wavelength is 555.0 nm. Units in Table 2 are in mm except for refraction index (“Index”) and Abbe #. Each lens element Li has a respective focal length fi given in Table 2. The FOV is given as half FOV (HFOV). The definitions for surface types, Z axis, CA values, reference wavelength, units, focal length and HFOV are valid for all following Tables. Table 3
Table 3 cont. (1) Table 3 cont. (2) S3, i.e. the rear surface of L1, has a deflection point which is not located at the optical axis (“OA”). Each air gap between L1, L2, L3 and L4 is < 0.5mm, what allows a small T Lens and thus a small c- TTL. The ratio of an air gap between L1 and L2 (“d12”), L2 and L3 (“d23”) and L3 and L4 (“d34”) and the TTL respectively is d12/TTL, d23/TTL, d34/TTL < 5%. This is valid not only for optical lens system 300, but also for optical lens systems 400 and 500. L1 and LN (here: L7) have a DAi that is larger by >30% than a smallest DAi present in the lens (here: L5), i.e. DA L1 /DA L5 , DA L7 /DA L5 > 1.3. A smallest DAi is present at a lens element at the lens center, so that a DAi profile along the z-axis has a local maximum at L1 and LN respectively, and a minimum at the lens center. “A lens element at the lens center” is a lens element LM which is not located at the beginning or at the end of the lens. Specifically, “a lens element at the lens center” is a lens element LM which is not L1, L2, LN-1, LN. For all optical lens systems 400 – 1100 disclosed herein, M=4 or M=5 and DA L1 /DA LM , DA LN /DA LM > 1.15. This property is beneficial for achieving a pop-out Tele camera that has both a relatively large DA (i.e. a relatively low f/# <2) and a relatively large SD (e.g. SD>8mm). L1 and LN have a similar DAi. For all optical lens systems 400 – 1100 disclosed herein, the ratio of DA L1 and DA LN fulfils 0.9 < DA L1 /DA LN < 1.15. FIG.4 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 400. Lens system 400 comprises a pop-out lens 402, an image sensor 404 and, optionally, an optical element 406. Pop-out lens 402 has a lens optical axis 408. Table 4 provides surface types and Table 5 provides aspheric coefficients. An air gap or distance (“d L6-L7 ”) between L6 and L7 is relatively large, d L6-L7 =1.246mm , and a ratio of d L6-L7 and T Lens is d L6-L7 /T Lens =0.15.
Table 4
Table 5 Table 5 cont. (1) Table 5 cont. (2) FIG.5 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 500. Lens system 500 comprises a pop-out lens 502 having a lens optical axis 508, an image sensor 504 and, optionally, an optical element 506. Table 6 provides surface types and Table 7 provides aspheric coefficients.
Table 6
Table 7 Table 7 cont. (1)
Table 7 cont. (2) FIG.6 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 600. Lens system 600 comprises a pop-out lens 602 having a lens optical axis 608, an image sensor 604 and, optionally, an optical element 606. Table 9 provides surface types and Table 10 provides aspheric coefficients. A thickness of L2 is larger by >1.85 than a thickness of any other lens element in lens 602. The ratio of a thickness T2 of L2 along the OA and T Lens fulfils T2/T Lens = 0.22. A magnitude of L1’s lens power is lower than a magnitude of any of the lens powers of any other lens element in lens 602. Distances d L3-L4 and d L4-L5 between L3, L4 and L4, L5 respectively are larger by >60% than any other distance between lens elements in lens 602. L2, L3 are uniformly close to each other. Herein is defined that a lens pair L i , L i+1 is “uniformly close to each other”, if for all values between the optical axis ("OA”) and DA i/2 or DA i+1/2 (i.e. a top or bottom margin of L i or L i+1 ) along the y-axis, the lens pair fulfills all of these three criteria: 1. A maximum distance (“Max-d”) between L i and L i+1 measured along the z-axis at any position along the y-axis is Max-d Li-Li+1 <0.5mm. 2. An average of the distance between L i and L i+1 (“μ Li-Li+1 ”) measured along the z-axis is μ Li- Li+1 <0.15mm, 3. A standard deviation of the average μ Li-Li+1 (“σ Li-Li+1 ”) is σ Li-Li+1 <0.075mm. Lens pair L2, L3 is a “doublet lens”, what is beneficial for achieving low chromatic aberration. Herein, a lens pair L i , L i+1 is defined a “doublet lens” if it fulfils all of these three criteria: 1. Lens pair L i , L i+1 is uniformly close to each other according to above definition, 2. The ratio of the refractive index ("n”) of L i , L i+1 is n i+1 ≥n i +0.03, 3. The ratio of the Abbe number ("v”) is vi/v i+1 >1.3. Herein, a lens pair L i , L i+1 is defined an “inverted doublet lens”, if it fulfils all of these three criteria: 1. Lens pair L i , L i+1 is uniformly close to each other, 2. The ratio of the refractive index ("n”) of L i , L i+1 is n i ≥ n i+1 +0.03, 3. The ratio of the Abbe number ("v”) is v i+1 /v i >1.3. Table 8 shows all doublet lenses and inverted doublet lenses that are included in the optical lens system examples 300 – 1100 disclosed herein as well as values thereof (Max-d, μ, σ given in mm, n and v given without units). “Type” specifies whether the lens pair is a doublet lens ("D”) or an inverted doublet lens ("ID”). Table 8
Table 9
Table 10 Table 10 cont. (1) Table 10 cont. (2) FIG.7 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 700. Lens system 700 comprises a pop-out lens 702 having a lens optical axis 708, an image sensor 704 and, optionally, an optical element 706. Table 11 provides surface types and Table 12 provides aspheric coefficients. Both L1 and L2 have relatively large thicknesses (>1mm), low refractive indices (<1.55), a high Abbe number (>50) and a positive focal length. A ratio of T2 and the lens thickness fulfils T2/T Lens = 0.21. L6, L7 is an inverted doublet lens. This is valid not only for optical lens system 700, but also for optical lens system 800. S3 (rear surface of L1) of lens system 700 has a deflection point which is not located at the OA.
Table 11 Table 12 Table 12 cont. (1) 5
Table 12 cont. (2) FIG.8 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 800. Lens system 800 comprises a pop-out lens 802 having a lens optical axis 808, an image sensor 804 and, optionally, an optical element 706. Table 13 provides surface types and Table 14 provides aspheric coefficients. L2 has a large thickness T2 that fulfills T2/T Lens > 0.3. S4, i.e. the rear surface of L2, has a deflection point which is not located at the OA. This is valid not only for optical lens system 800, but also for optical lens systems 900 and 1000. L6, L7 is an inverted doublet lens.
Table 13 Table 14 Table 14 cont. (1)
Table 14 cont. (2) FIG.9 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 900. Lens system 900 comprises a pop-out lens 902 having a lens optical axis 908, an image sensor 904 and, optionally, an optical element 906. Table 15 provides surface types and Table 16 provides aspheric coefficients. Lens element pairs L1, L2 and L3, L4 and L6, L7 are inverted doublet lenses.
Table 15 Table 16 Table 16 cont. (1) 5
Table 16 cont. (2) FIG.10 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 1000. Lens system 1000 comprises a pop-out lens 1002 having a lens optical axis 1008, an image sensor 1004 and, optionally, an optical element 1006. Table 17 provides surface types and Table 18 provides aspheric coefficients. Lens element pairs L1, L2 and L3, L4 and L6, L7 are inverted doublet lenses.
Table 17
Table 18 Table 18 cont. (1)
Table 18 cont. (2) FIG.11 shows an example of a pop-out optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 1100. Lens system 1100 comprises a pop-out lens 1102 having a lens optical axis 1108, an image sensor 1104 and, optionally, an optical element 1106. Table 19 provides surface types and Table 20 provides aspheric coefficients. Lens element pair L2, L3 is an inverted doublet lens. Lens element pair L4, L5 is a doublet lens.
Table 19
Table 20 Table 20 cont. (1)
Table 20 cont. (2) While this disclosure has been described in terms of certain examples and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of the examples and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific examples described herein, but only by the scope of the appended claims. It is appreciated that certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate examples, may also be provided in combination in a single example. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single example, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two members of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made. It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to "a" or "an" element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element. All patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present disclosure.
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