Zoom dual-aperture camera with folded lens

• US 10,156,706 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2017
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Shabtay, Gal, Goldenberg, Ephraim Robert, Avivi, Gal, Bachar, Gil
• Primary Examiner(s): Dagnew, Mekonnen D
• Application Number:
  US15/820,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20180095253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0065 having a beam-folding prism or mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/009 having zoom function
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/02 Telephoto objectives, i.e. systems of the type + - in which the distance from the front vertex to the image plane is less than the equivalent focal length
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/04 Reversed telephoto objectives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/09 adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/102 controlled by a microcomputer cameras with interchangeable lenses G03B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.

Claims

1. An auto-focus (AF) mechanism capable of being integrated in a Tele sub-camera configured to provide a Tele image;

the Tele sub-camera comprising a Tele lens module and a Tele image sensor and a reflecting element;

the Tele lens module having a Tele lens symmetry axis along a second optical path, the Tele lens symmetry axis positioned substantially perpendicular to a first optical path between an object side and the reflecting element;

the reflecting element is inclined to both a Tele lens symmetry axis and the first optical path and operable to provide a folded optical path between the object side and the Tele image sensor;

the auto-focus (AF) mechanism is configured to move the Tele lens along the Tele lens symmetry axis;

the AF mechanism having a height substantially not exceeding the height of a Tele lens module.

2. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism of claim 1, wherein the height of the AF mechanism≤

the height of a Tele lens module*1.1.

3. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism of claim 1 wherein the AF mechanism comprises one or more magnets coupled to respective coils, positioned laterally on one or two sides of the Tele lens module, the magnets having a height substantially not exceeding the height of the Tele lens module.

4. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism claim 3, wherein the coils are configured to be positioned laterally on one or two sides of the Tele lens module.

5. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism of claim 3, wherein the AF mechanism comprises only one magnet coupled to a respective coil.

6. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism of claim 1, wherein the height of the Tele lens module does not exceed 6.5 mm.

7. The auto-focus (AF) mechanism of claim 1, wherein the height of the Tele lens module does not exceed 5.7 mm.

8. A Tele lens module capable of being integrated, together with a Tele image sensor and a reflecting element, in Tele sub-camera;

the Tele lens module having a Tele lens symmetry axis along a second optical path, the Tele lens symmetry axis positioned substantially perpendicular to a first optical path between an object side and the reflecting element;

the reflecting element is inclined to both a Tele lens symmetry axis and the first optical path and operable to provide a folded optical path between the object side and the Tele image sensor;

wherein the Tele lens module comprises a group of lens elements and wherein the lens elements in the group are designed to have a diameter substantially not exceeding the diameter of an aperture of the Tele sub-camera; and

wherein an optical height of the Tele lens module is smaller than (1.25*(1+aperture of the Tele sub-camera)).

9. The Tele lens module of claim 8, wherein the Tele image sensor has a sensor size S, wherein:

¼

″

≥

S≥

⅓

″

.

10. A Tele lens sub camera comprising a Tele lens module and a Tele image sensor and a reflecting element;

the Tele lens module having a Tele lens symmetry axis along a second optical path, the Tele lens symmetry axis positioned substantially perpendicular to a first optical path between an object side and the reflecting element;

the reflecting element is inclined to both a Tele lens symmetry axis and the first optical path and operable to provide a folded optical path between the object side and the Tele image sensor;

wherein the Tele lens module comprises a group of lens elements and wherein the lens elements in the group are designed to have a diameter substantially not exceeding the diameter of an aperture of the Tele sub-camera; and

wherein an optical height of the Tele lens module is smaller than (1.25*(1+aperture of the Tele sub-camera)).

11. A digital camera comprising:

a Wide sub-camera and a Tele sub-camera;

the Wide sub-camera comprises a Wide lens module and a Wide image sensor, the Wide lens module having a Wide lens symmetry axis along a first optical path between an object side and the Wide image sensor;

the Wide sub-camera configured to provide a Wide image;

the Tele sub-camera comprises a Tele lens module and a Tele image sensor and a first reflecting element;

the Tele lens module having a Tele lens symmetry axis along a second optical path, the Tele lens symmetry axis positioned substantially perpendicular to the Wide lens symmetry axis, the Tele sub-camera configured to provide a Tele image;

the first reflecting element having a first reflecting element symmetry axis inclined substantially to both the Wide lens symmetry axis and the Tele lens symmetry axis and operative to provide a folded optical path between the object and the Tele image sensor;

wherein an optical height of the Tele lens module is smaller than (1.25*(1+aperture of the Tele sub-camera)).

12. The digital camera of claim 11, wherein the Tele lens module comprises a group of lens elements and wherein the lens elements in the group are designed to have a diameter substantially not exceeding the diameter of an aperture of the Tele sub-camera.

13. The digital camera of claim 11 further comprising a third sub-camera;

the third sub-camera comprises a third lens module and a third image sensor, the third lens module having a lens symmetry axis that is substantially parallel to the Wide lens symmetry axis between an object side and the third image sensor;

the third sub-camera configured to provide a respective image.