Miniature Camera Module with MEMS-Actuated Autofocus

• US 20130265479A1
• Filed: 03/10/2013
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Lipson, Ariel, Kinrot, Uri, Bahar, Dalit, Kriman, Moshe, Levy, Moshe, Ward, Ocie, Harland, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,285,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/345
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/009 having zoom function
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/09 adapted for automatic focusing or varying magnification
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/36 Autofocus systems
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0046 Movement of one or more optical elements for zooming for optical zoom lenses in general G02B7/10
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2205/0053 Driving means for the movement of one or more optical element
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 3/10 Power-operated focusing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 5/00 Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing
• 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 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming

Abstract

A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a camera module housing. Objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor. MEMS actuation of the movable lens group is performed to accomplish autofocus functionality.

Claims

1. A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module comprising a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a camera module housing within which objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor by MEMS actuation of the movable lens group to accomplish autofocus functionality.

2. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, further comprising a processor and embedded code for programming the processor to electronically zoom the image data.

3. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 2, wherein the electronic zoom utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

4. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 3, wherein the optical autofocus also utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

5. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 4, wherein at least one lens participates as a same electronic and optical processing element used for both the optical autofocus and the electronic zoom.

6. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, wherein the at least one fixed lens group comprises at least first and second lens groups, wherein the movable lens group is disposed between the first and second fixed lens groups.

7. An optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module comprising a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a housing configured to couple with an image sensor component to capture digital images of objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module that are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor portion of the image sensor component by MEMS actuation of the movable lens group to accomplish autofocus functionality.

8. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 7, further comprising contact pads for coupling with a processor programmed to electronically zoom the image data.

9. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 8, wherein the electronic zoom utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

10. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 9, wherein the optical autofocus also utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

11. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 10, wherein at least one lens participates as a same electronic and optical processing element used for both the optical autofocus and the electronic zoom.

12. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 7, wherein the at least one fixed lens group comprises at least first and second lens groups, wherein the movable lens group is disposed between the first and second fixed lens groups.