Communication devices incorporating reduced area imaging devices

• US 6,862,036 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cellect LLC (Micro-Imaging Solutions, LLC (f/k/a Micro-Imaging Solutions, Inc.; f/k/a Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Micro-Medical Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Adair, Edwin L., Adair, Jeffrey L., Adair, Randall S.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US10/198,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20020180867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 348143-163, 348 65- 76, 4555501-5759
• US Class Current: 348/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00048 Constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00163 Optical arrangements A61B1/002, A61B1/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 25/167 comprising optoelectronic devices, e.g. LED, photodiodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 : Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 : Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/531 : being rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 : Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 : for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• 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 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/745 : Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/77 : Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 : Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display

Abstract

A reduced area imaging device is provided for use with a communication device, such as a wireless/cellular phone. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining image processing circuitry. In a second configuration, all of the image processing circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion near the same location. In the first configuration, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal end of a camera module. In a second configuration, the image sensor is remote from the remaining image processing circuitry wherein available space within the phone is used to house the remaining circuitry. In any of the embodiments, the image sensor may be placed alone on a first circuit board, or timing and control circuits may be included on the first circuit board containing the image sensor. One or more video processing boards can be stacked in a longitudinal fashion with respect to the first board, or the video processing boards may be placed within the housing of the communication device. The communication device includes a miniature LCD-type monitor which is capable of viewing not only the images taken by the camera module, but also can show incoming video images. The camera module is of such small size that it can be easily stored within the housing of the communication device, and may be attached thereto as by a small retractable cable. Having a tethered camera module allows it to be pointed at any desired object within sight of the user, and without having to actually point or move the phone housing in order to take an image.

Claims

1. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board lying in a second plane and electrically coupled to said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format;

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for viewing said video images, said video monitor communicating with said first circuit board, and displaying video images processed by said first circuit board.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit board is placed adjacent said image sensor within said camera module.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit board is remote from said image sensor and placed within a housing of said telephone.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said image sensor defines a profile area in said first plane, and said first circuit board is positioned in longitudinal alignment with said image sensor such that said first circuit board does not extend substantially beyond said profile area.

5. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said first circuit board and said image sensor for further processing said pre-video signal, said second board being placed adjacent said first circuit board within said camera module.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first and second planes are offset from and substantially parallel to one another.

7. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said second circuit board lies in a third plane which is offset from and extends substantially parallel to said first and second planes.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said second circuit board includes means for digital signal processing enabling the pre-video signal conditioned by said first circuit board to be viewed by said video monitor.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first circuit board converts said pre-video signal to a post-video signal for direct reception by a remote video device, said post-video signal being of a format selected from the group consisting of a NTSC/PAL video signal and a VGA video signal.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes an array of passive CMOS pixels, wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said array of passive CMOS pixels each include a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals, and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of photoelectrically generated signals.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

individual pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each include an amplifier.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a retractable cable interconnecting said camera module to said wireless phone, said retractable cable enabling said camera module to be pulled away from said wireless telephone for selective taking of images by said camera module, and allowing said camera module to be stored within said wireless telephone by retracting said cable and securing said camera module within said wireless telephone.

13. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said wireless phone further includes a flip panel hingedly connected thereto, and wherein said video monitor is hingedly connected to said flip panel.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, further including:

adjustable linkage interconnecting said video monitor to said wireless phone.

15. A device, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a remote video device electrically coupled to said video system for further viewing said video images.

16. A device, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said remote video device is selected from the group consisting of a television and a computer monitor.

17. In a video telephone for conducting telephone communications to include transmitting video signals by a user of the phone, and receiving video signals from a party to whom a call was made, the video telephone including a housing, and a video monitor for viewing the video signals the improvement comprising:

a camera module for taking video images, said camera module communicating with circuitry within said video telephone enabling viewing on said video telephone and enabling video signals to be transmitted from said camera module for viewing by said party, said camera module including an image sensor housed therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, said image sensor further including circuitry means on said first plane and coupled to said array of said CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, a first circuit board electrically connected to said image sensor and residing on a second plane, said first circuit board including circuitry means for receiving a first signal produced by said image sensor and for converting said first signal to a desired video format.

18. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first circuit hoard is placed adjacent said image sensor within said camera module.

19. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first circuit board is placed within said housing of said telephone.

20. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said image sensor defines a profile area in said first plane, and said first circuit board is positioned in longitudinal alignment with said image sensor such that said first circuit board does not extend substantially beyond said profile area.

21. A device, as claimed in claim 17, further including:

a second circuit board electrically coupled with said first circuit board and said image sensor for further processing said first signal, said second board being placed adjacent said first circuit board within said camera module.

22. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first and second planes are offset from and substantially parallel to one another.

23. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said second circuit board lies in a third plane which is offset from and extends substantially parallel to said first and second planes.

24. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said second circuit board includes means for digital signal processing enabling the first video signal conditioned by said first circuit board to be viewed on said video monitor.

25. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said first circuit board converts said first signal to a post video signal for direct reception by a remote video device, said post-video signal being of a format selected from the group consisting of a NTSC/PAL video signal and a VGA video signal.

26. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said array of CMOS pixels includes an array of passive CMOS pixels, wherein individual passive CMOS pixels of said array of passive CMOS pixels each include a photo diode for producing photoelectrically generated signals, and an access transistor communicating with said photo diode to control the release of photoelectrically generated signals.

27. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

individual pixels within said array of CMOS pixels each include an amplifier.

28. A device, as claimed in claim 17, further including:

a retractable cable interconnecting said camera module to said video telephone, said retractable cable enabling said camera module to be pulled away from said video telephone for selective taking of images by said camera module, and allowing said camera module to be stored within said video telephone by retracting said cable and securing said camera module within said video telephone.

29. A device, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

said video telephone further includes a flip panel hingedly connected thereto, and wherein said video monitor is hingedly connected to said flip panel.

30. A device as claimed in claim 17, further including:

adjustable linkage interconnecting said video monitor to said video telephone.

31. A device, as claimed in claim 17, further including:

a remote video device electrically coupled to said video telephone for further viewing said video images.

32. A device, as claimed in claim 31, wherein:

said remote video device is selected from the group consisting of a television and a computer monitor.

33. In a wireless telephone for conducting wireless telephonic communications, the improvement comprising:

a camera module housing an image sensor therein, said image sensor lying in a first plane and including an array of CMOS pixels for receiving images thereon, circuitry means electrically coupled to said array of CMOS pixels for timing and control of said array of CMOS pixels, said circuitry means for timing and control being placed remote from said array of CMOS pixels on a second plane, said image sensor producing a pre-video signal, a first circuit board lying in a third plane and electrically coupled to said image sensor, said first circuit board including circuitry means for processing and converting said pre-video signal to a desired video format; and

a video monitor attached to said wireless phone for viewing said video images, said video monitor communicating with said first circuit board, and displaying video images processed by said first circuit board.

34. A device, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed adjacent to said image sensor in said camera module.

35. A device, as claimed in claim 33, wherein:

said circuitry means for timing and control is placed within a housing of a telephone.

36. In a method for conducting video telephone communications with a video telephone, the improvement comprising the steps of:

providing a camera module having an image sensor housed therein;

providing a means for flexibly interconnecting the camera module to the video telephone;

displacing the camera module away from the video telephone;

pointing the camera module at a targeted object, the means for flexibly interconnecting bending in response to the pointing action; and

taking video images of the targeted object by the camera module for viewing on the video telephone, and for transmission of the video images to another party.

37. A method, as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

selectively extending and selectively retracting the means for flexibly interconnecting, enabling the camera module to be pointed in a desired direction toward the targeted object.

38. A method, as claimed in claim 36, wherein:

said image sensor includes a CMOS pixel array.

39. In a method for conducting video telephone communications with a video telephone, the improvement comprising the steps of:

providing a camera module having an image sensor housed therein;

providing a means for flexibly interconnecting the camera module to the video telephone, the means for flexibly interconnecting providing power to said camera and transmission of video signals from the camera to the video telephone;

displacing the camera module away from the video telephone;

pointing the camera module at a targeted object, the means for flexibly interconnecting bending in response to the pointing action; and

taking video images of the targeted object by the camera module for viewing on the video telephone, and for transmission of the video images to another party.

40. A method, as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

selectively extending and selectively retracting the means for flexibly interconnecting, enabling the camera module to be pointed in a desired direction toward the targeted object.

41. A method, as claimed in claim 39, wherein:

said image sensor includes a CMOS pixel array.