Tessera Technologies wants to improve the way cameraphones are used. The company is making its OptiML Zoom technology available for licensing.

OptiML Zoom combines unique lens design with specialized algorithms to replace traditional mechanical zoom capabilities, enabling 3X optical zoom capabilities in a compact camera module without moving parts, the company says.

While the technology is not yet licensed by anyone, Tessera plans to make it available to suppliers in the handset manufacturing chain. For the mobile market, it adds value on two fronts – the customer and the manufacturer, according to spokesman Chris Aubuchon. Both customers and manufacturers are interested in reduced costs, increased quality and smaller size. “We want to deliver what the customer wants, which is the best images at the best price,” he said.

Tessera’s technology allows end-users to be fairly close to their subject but still keep it in focus without moving any lenses. If cameraphone users have the technology in their phones, they could take a picture, crop it and blow it up, and it wouldn’t lose crispness, he explained.