Zoom dual-aperture camera with folded lens

• US 10,509,209 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2019
• Issued: 12/17/2019
• 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, Avivi, Gal, Bachar, Gil
• Primary Examiner(s): Dagnew, Mekonnen D
• Application Number:
  US16/402,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20190258033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 228 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. A Tele sub-camera, comprising:

a) a Tele lens module;

b) a reflecting element; and

c) a Tele image sensor,

wherein the Tele lens module comprises a Tele lens with a group of lens elements along a Tele lens symmetry axis, wherein the reflecting element is operable to fold light arriving along the first optical path from an object side to a second optical path substantially parallel to the Tele lens symmetry axis toward the Tele image sensor, wherein the lens elements are designed to have respective diameters that do not substantially exceed a Tele lens aperture diameter, and wherein a height of the Tele sub-camera is smaller than 1.25×

(1+the Tele lens aperture diameter).

2. The Tele sub-camera of claim 1, wherein the lens elements are designed to have respective diameters that do not exceed the Tele lens aperture diameter.

3. The Tele sub-camera of claim 1, where the image sensor has a sensor diagonal, wherein the Tele lens has an optical height, and wherein the sensor diagonal is larger than the lens optical height.

4. The Tele sub-camera of claim 2, where the image sensor has a sensor diagonal, wherein the Tele lens has an optical height, and wherein the sensor diagonal is larger than the lens optical height.

5. A digital camera comprising:

a) a Wide sub-camera comprising 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; and

b) a Tele sub-camera comprising a Tele lens module with a Tele lens symmetry axis, a reflecting element, and a Tele image sensor,

wherein the reflecting element is operable to fold light arriving along the first optical path from an object side to a second optical path substantially parallel to the Tele lens symmetry axis toward the Tele image sensor, and wherein a height of the Tele sub-camera is smaller than 1.25×

(1+a Tele lens aperture diameter).

6. The digital camera of claim 5, wherein the Tele lens module comprises a group of lens elements designed to have respective diameters that do not substantially exceed the Tele lens aperture diameter.

7. The digital camera of claim 5, further comprising a third sub-camera that comprises a third lens module and a third image sensor, wherein the third lens module has a lens symmetry axis that is substantially parallel to the Wide lens symmetry axis between the object side and the third image sensor.

8. The digital camera of claim 6, further comprising a third sub-camera that comprises a third lens module and a third image sensor, wherein the third lens module has a lens symmetry axis that is substantially parallel to the Wide lens symmetry axis between the object side and the third image sensor.