Israeli Dual-Camera Tech Firm Alleges Apple Infringed Its Patents With iPhone Cameras

Israel-based dual-camera technology company Corephotonics sued Apple Monday for patent infringement of camera technologies in the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X. In the complaint (in Pacer), filed in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Corephotonics alleges Apple infringed “and continues to infringe” its patents for miniature telephoto lens assemblies. Corephotonics, formed in 2012 to develop next-generation mobile phone cameras, described its dual-aperture camera technology as using two fixed-focal length lenses, a wide-angle lens typical of those found in smartphones with single-aperture cameras, and a miniature telephoto lens. Traditional optical zoom is accomplished by using a variable focal length lens array, said the company, but at the size required for smartphones, “it is difficult to reliably include movable components,” leaving smartphones to use small, fixed lenses. Single-aperture smartphone cameras have had to rely on digital zoom, where a processor “digitally modifies the image to create a magnified but poorer resolution image,” said the complaint. Corephotonics claims its dual-aperture camera technology instead uses a second camera with a telephoto lens that provides “much higher optical resolution than the wide-angle camera." Images from both cameras can be processed by computational algorithms to create an effectively higher level of zoom without degrading image quality by combining digital and optical zoom, it said. In video capture, Corephotonics said its approach conserves resources and power. The company said it spent years demonstrating its technologies to Apple and discussing potential collaborations and business arrangements. “Apple, however, refused” and “has gone ahead and marketed its newest generations of iPhones with dual cameras that employ Corephotonics’ innovative designs -- without any regard to Corephotonics’ intellectual property rights,” said the complaint. Corephotonics is seeking permanent injunctive relief against Apple and damages “in an amount to be further proven at trial” along with an award of “enhanced damages,” said the complaint. Apple didn’t respond.