SOLID STATE IMAGING MODULE, SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE

• US 20140118516A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: SUZUKI, Kazuhiro, Ueno, Risako, Kobayashi, Mitsuyoshi, Kwon, Honam, Funaki, Hideyuki
• Application Number:
  US13/827,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20140118516A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/65
• 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

Abstract

A solid state imaging module according to an embodiment can be attached to and detached from an information processing device, the solid state imaging module including: an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of pixel blocks, each of the plurality of pixel blocks having a plurality of pixels; a first optical system for imaging a subject on an imaging plane; and input and output terminals that are connectable to the information processing device, which processes information from the imaging element.

Claims

1. A solid state imaging module that can be attached to and detached from an information processing device, the solid state imaging module comprising:

an imaging element formed on a semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of pixel blocks, each of the plurality of pixel blocks having a plurality of pixels;

a first optical system for imaging a subject on an imaging plane; and

input and output terminals that are connectable to the information processing device, which processes information from the imaging element.

2. The module according to claim 1, further comprising a second optical system including a microlens array having a plurality of microlenses corresponding to the pixel blocks.

3. The module according to claim 2, wherein in the second optical system, the microlenses re-image an image formed on the imaging plane in the corresponding pixel blocks.

4. The module according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing at least one of identification information items of whether there is an object between the first optical system and the imaging element, and a distance from the first optical system to the imaging plane.

5. The module according to claim 2, further comprising a memory for storing at least one of identification information items of whether there is an object between the first optical system and the imaging element, a distance from the first optical system to the imaging plane, a distance from the imaging plane to the second optical system, and a distance from the second optical system to the imaging element.

6. A solid state imaging device comprising:

the solid state imaging module according to claim 4; and

an information processing device having terminals electrically connected to the input and output terminals of the solid state imaging module, the information processing device having an identification unit for identifying the solid state imaging module based on the identification item stored in the memory, and a processing unit for processing output signals from the solid state imaging module based on a result of identification by the identification unit and the identification information item stored in the memory.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device is a portable mobile communications terminal.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device is a digital still camera.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device is a tablet personal computer.

10. The according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device is an endoscope.

11. The device according to claim 6, wherein the information processing device is a security camera.

12. An information processing device, in which the solid state imaging module according to claim 4 can be attached and detached, the information processing device comprising:

terminals electrically connectable to the input and output terminal of the solid state imaging module;

an identification unit for identifying the solid state imaging module, in a state where the solid state imaging module is attached, based on the identification information item stored in the memory; and

a processing unit for processing an output signal from the solid state imaging module based on a result of identification by the identification unit and the identification information item stored in the memory.