Imaging device and digital camera

• US 20060279648A1
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Misawa, Takeshi, Senba, Takehiko
• Application Number:
  US11/448,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20060279648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/294
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0018 Reflow, i.e. characterized by the step of melting microstructures to form curved surfaces, e.g. manufacturing of moulds and surfaces for transfer etching
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/14 of variable focal length
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48247 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14618 Containers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14621 Colour filter arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14627 Microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• 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

Abstract

An imaging device includes an image sensor chip and a package for containing the image sensor chip. Formed in the package is a vent hole that is connected to an air pump. In a light receiving area of the image sensor chip, there are photodiodes and microlenses above them. The microlenses are made of a gel-like transparent material. When the internal air pressure of the package is changed by the air pump, each microlens transforms in response to the change of the internal air pressure, and thereby changes the surface curvature thereof.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising:

an image sensor chip whose light receiving area has microlenses made of a gel-like material;

a package for containing said image sensor chip; and

a vent hole formed in said package and allowing a passage of air to control an internal air pressure of said package.

2. An imaging device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microlenses change curvature of their surfaces according to said internal air pressure.

3. An imaging device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said gel-like material is barium titanate.

4. An imaging device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

an air pressure regulator connected to said vent hole and controlling said internal air pressure of said package.

5. An imaging device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said air pressure regulator is an air pump which feeds air into said package.

6. An imaging device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said package including:

a package body for containing said image sensor chip;

a cover for sealing said package body; and

said vent hole formed in said package body.

7. A digital camera having an imaging device for converting images into electric signals, said imaging device comprising:

an image sensor chip whose light receiving area has microlenses made of a gel-like material;

a package for containing said image sensor chip; and

a vent hole formed in said package and allowing a passage of air to control an internal air pressure of said package.

8. A digital camera as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

an air pressure regulator connected to said vent hole and controlling said internal air pressure of said package.