Camera modules with autofocus and optical image stabilization functions
First Claim
1. A camera module comprising:
- an image sensor;
a lens assembly positioned to focus an image on the image sensor and comprising a liquid lens comprising a liquid interface; and
a mechanical actuator that causes relative translation between the lens assembly and the image sensor in each of an X-direction parallel to a first lateral axis and a Y-direction parallel to a second lateral axis, the first lateral axis substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens assembly, and the second lateral axis substantially perpendicular to each of the optical axis and the first lateral axis;
wherein the lens assembly is fixed relative to the image sensor in each of a first rotational direction about the first lateral axis and a second rotational direction about the second lateral axis;
wherein a tilt of the liquid interface is adjustable to adjust a focal point of the lens assembly in at least one of the X-direction or the Y-direction to perform an optical image stabilization (OIS) function in two or more axes; and
wherein the liquid lens and the mechanical actuator cooperatively operate to perform the OIS function in four or more axes with mechanical motion limited to an X-Y plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A camera module includes an image sensor, a lens assembly, and a mechanical actuator. The lens assembly is positioned to focus an image on the image sensor and includes a variable focus lens. The mechanical actuator causes relative translation between the lens assembly and the image sensor in each of an X-direction parallel to a first lateral axis and a Y-direction parallel to a second lateral axis. The first lateral axis is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens assembly, and the second lateral axis substantially perpendicular to each of the optical axis and the first lateral axis. The lens assembly is fixed relative to the image sensor in each of a first rotational direction about the first lateral axis and a second rotational direction about the second lateral axis.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A camera module comprising:
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an image sensor; a lens assembly positioned to focus an image on the image sensor and comprising a liquid lens comprising a liquid interface; and a mechanical actuator that causes relative translation between the lens assembly and the image sensor in each of an X-direction parallel to a first lateral axis and a Y-direction parallel to a second lateral axis, the first lateral axis substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens assembly, and the second lateral axis substantially perpendicular to each of the optical axis and the first lateral axis; wherein the lens assembly is fixed relative to the image sensor in each of a first rotational direction about the first lateral axis and a second rotational direction about the second lateral axis; wherein a tilt of the liquid interface is adjustable to adjust a focal point of the lens assembly in at least one of the X-direction or the Y-direction to perform an optical image stabilization (OIS) function in two or more axes; and wherein the liquid lens and the mechanical actuator cooperatively operate to perform the OIS function in four or more axes with mechanical motion limited to an X-Y plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A camera module comprising:
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an image sensor; a lens assembly positioned to focus an image on the image sensor and comprising a variable lens that is adjustable to cause lateral adjustment of a focal point of the lens assembly; and a mechanical actuator that causes relative translation between the lens assembly and the image sensor in a lateral plane, the relative translation limited to the lateral plane; wherein the lateral adjustment of the focal point of the lens assembly caused by the variable lens and the relative translation caused by the mechanical actuator cooperatively perform an optical image stabilization (OIS) function in four axes. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A camera module comprising:
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an image sensor; a lens assembly positioned to focus an image of an object on the image sensor and comprising a variable lens that is adjustable to cause lateral adjustment of a focal point of the lens assembly; and a mechanical actuator that causes relative translation between the lens assembly and the image sensor in a lateral plane, the relative translation limited to the lateral plane; wherein the variable lens and the mechanical actuator cooperate to maintain a position of the image on the image sensor as a position of the object shifts relative to the camera module. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification