Microchip maker Intel is getting serious about digital
imagingand it is now patenting its camera ideas in 125 countries
(WO 99/12345). Patents WO 99/23817 and 99/28779 reveal that the
company is working on a digital camera with a compact lens.
Instead of using the usual six lens elements, Intel uses
fourwith a microscopic ripple etched on the surface to avoid
moiré patterns, the fringing effects that can occur when the
lens resolves fine detail. The camera can be used either to
capture still snapshots or moving video for teleconferencing. To
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