Auto focus and optical image stabilization in a compact folded camera

• US 10,656,396 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2020
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Goldenberg, Ephraim, Shabtay, Gal, Avivi, Gal, Dror, Michael, Bachar, Gil, Jerby, Itay, Yedid, Itay
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavarias, Arnel C
• Application Number:
  US16/739,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20200150403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 130 Days
• Field of Search: 359554, 359557, 2502011, 2502012, 2502014, 34820899, 3482082, 34820812, 396 52, 396 55
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0065 having a beam-folding prism or mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/16 for use in conjunction with image converters or intensifiers , or for use with projectors, e.g. objectives for projection TV
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0816 by means of one or more reflecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/646 compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/08 adapted to co-operate with a remote control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/09 adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
• 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 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position

Abstract

Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.

Claims

1. A folded camera module, comprising:

a) an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path to a second optical path, the first optical path being along a first optical axis and the second optical path being along a second optical axis; and

b) a lens module carrying a lens assembly with a symmetry axis along the second optical axis,

wherein the lens module is designed to move in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first and second directions being in a first plane containing the second optical axis, the first plane being perpendicular to a second plane containing the first and second optical paths,

wherein the OPFE is designed to tilt about an axis that is perpendicular to both the second optical axis and the second plane,

wherein the lens module movement in the first plane in a direction perpendicular to the second optical path is for optical image stabilization (OIS) to compensate for tilt of the camera module around the second optical axis,

wherein the lens module movement in the first plane in the direction of the second optical path is for auto-focus (AF), and

wherein the tilting of the OPFE is for OIS to compensate for undesired tilt of the camera module about, at least, the axis that is perpendicular to both the second optical axis and the second plane.

2. The folded camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

c) a lens actuation sub-assembly configured to cause the lens module movement for AF and OIS; and

d) an OPFE actuation sub-assembly configured to cause tilting movement of the OPFE.

3. The folded camera module of claim 2, wherein each of the lens actuation and OPFE actuation sub-assemblies includes a plurality of flexible hanging members, wherein the flexible hanging members of the OPFE are tilted, and wherein the flexible hanging members of the lens actuation sub-assembly are parallel to each other.

4. The folded camera module of claim 2, further comprising at least one actuation controller configured to receive data input indicative of tilt of the camera module in at least one direction, and data input from position sensors coupled to one or both of the lens actuation sub-assembly and the OPFE actuation sub-assembly, and wherein the at least one actuation controller is further configured to generate, based on the received data inputs, instructions to the lens actuation sub-assembly, the OPFE actuation sub-assembly, or both, to cause movement thereof for OIS.

5. The folded camera module of claim 3, further comprising at least one actuation controller configured to receive data input indicative of tilt of the camera module in at least one direction, and data input from position sensors coupled to one or both of the lens actuation sub-assembly and the OPFE actuation sub-assembly, and wherein the at least one actuation controller is further configured to generate, based on the received data inputs, instructions to the lens actuation sub-assembly, the OPFE actuation sub-assembly, or both, to cause movement thereof for OIS.

6. The folded camera module of claim 4, wherein the at least one actuation controller is configured to receive a data input and to move the lens module along the second optical axis for AF based on the received data input.

7. The folded camera module of claim 2, wherein the lens actuation sub-assembly includes a plurality of coil-magnet pairs for actuating the lens module movement along at least one of the two directions defining the first plane.

8. The folded camera module of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of coil-magnet pairs is arranged to allow active compensation of undesired tilt of the lens module around at least one axis that is perpendicular to the second optical axis.

9. The folded camera module of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of coil-magnet pairs is positioned between the lens module and an image sensor.

10. The folded camera module of claim 7, further comprising one or more position sensors associated with a coil-magnet pair, wherein the one or more position sensors enable measurement of a position of the lens module along at least one of the two axes spanning the first plane containing the second optical axis and/or measurement of a position of the lens module in a tilt around at least one axis that is perpendicular to the second optical axis.

11. The folded camera module of claim 10, wherein the one or more position sensors are coupled to the lens actuation sub-assembly and to the at least one actuation controller to allow movement of the lens module in the first plane for AF or OIS while preventing pivoting of the lens module around an axis perpendicular to the first plane.

12. The folded camera module of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of coil-magnet pairs is arranged to passively reduce or minimize torque forces which can cause undesired lens module tilt.

13. A dual-aperture camera, comprising:

a folded camera module as in claim 1 and a non-folded camera module comprising a non-folded camera image sensor and a non-folded camera lens module with a lens axis along a first optical axis perpendicular to the second optical axis.

14. A dual-aperture camera, comprising:

a folded camera module as in claim 2 and a non-folded camera module comprising a non-folded camera image sensor and a non-folded camera lens module with a lens axis along a first optical axis perpendicular to the second optical axis.

15. A method of compensating for tilt in a folded camera module comprising an image sensor, an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path to a second optical path, the first optical path being along a first optical axis, and a lens module carrying a lens assembly having a symmetry axis along a second optical axis, the second optical axis being along the second optical path, the method comprising:

a) moving the lens module in a first direction and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first and second directions being in a first plane containing the second optical axis and perpendicular to a second plane containing the first and second optical paths, wherein the lens module movement in direction of the second optical axis is for auto-focus (AF), and wherein the lens module movement in the first plane in a direction perpendicular to the second optical path is for optical image stabilization (OIS) to compensate for tilt of the camera module around the second optical axis; and

b) tilting the OPFE about an axis that is perpendicular to both the second optical axis and the second plane, wherein the tilting of the OPFE is for OIS to compensate for undesired tilt of the camera module about, at least, the axis that is perpendicular to both the second optical axis and the second plane.