Camera modules with liquid optical elements
First Claim
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1. A camera module comprising:
- (a) an optoelectronic sensor including a body having a front surface and an array of optically sensitive elements arranged so that light impinging on said front surface will pass to said optically sensitive elements; and
(b) a lens assembly including a first liquid in contact with said front surface of said body.
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Abstract
An electronic camera module includes a lens or refractive element formed by a pair of immiscible liquids and having optical properties which can be varied by applying a voltage so as to deform the meniscus. One of the two liquids extends from the meniscus all the way to the front surface of the sensor, so that light passing through the meniscus does not encounter further changes in refractive index enroute to the sensor.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A camera module comprising:
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(a) an optoelectronic sensor including a body having a front surface and an array of optically sensitive elements arranged so that light impinging on said front surface will pass to said optically sensitive elements; and
(b) a lens assembly including a first liquid in contact with said front surface of said body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A camera module comprising:
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(a) a structure including;
(i) an optoelectronic sensor including a body having a front surface and an array of optically sensitive elements arranged so that light impinging on said front surface will pass to said optically sensitive elements, said sensor further including circuitry connected to said optically sensitive elements; and
(ii) a container including two immiscible liquids having different indices of refraction and electrodes in proximity to said liquids, said electrodes and said liquids being arranged so that the curvature of said meniscus can be altered by varying an electrical potential between said electrodes, said container being aligned with said sensor so that light passing to said sensor passes through said meniscus; and
(b) terminals mounted to said structure, at least some of said terminals being electrically connected to said electrodes and at least some of said terminals being electrically connected to said circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of manufacturing a plurality of camera modules comprising:
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(a) assembling a container element including a plurality of containers with a wafer element including a plurality of image sensor chips so that said containers are aligned with sensing elements of said chips; and
(b) filling each of said containers with two immiscible liquids having different indices of refraction to thereby form a meniscus, said meniscus defining a refractive interface; and
(c) severing said container element and said wafer element to thereby form a plurality of individual units, each including one of said image sensor chips and one of said containers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification