Camera module for combining distant image and close image into single image
First Claim
1. A camera module comprising:
- a first optical system including a first convex lens having a first focal distance, a half mirror positioned behind the first convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the first convex lens, part of light coming out from the first convex lens passing through the half mirror, and an imager positioned behind the half mirror anda second optical system including a second convex lens having a second focal distance which is different from the first focal distance and a mirror positioned behind the second convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the second convex lens, part of light coming out from the second convex lens being reflected on the mirror toward the half mirror so that the light reflected on the mirror is further reflected on the half mirror, wherein;
a single image is made on the imager by combining a first image formed by the light passing through the half mirror with a second image formed by the light reflected on the half mirror, the first image and the second image being formed at the same time.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A camera module is advantageously used in a vision system mounted on an automotive vehicle. The camera module includes a first optical system focused on distant objects such as a preceding vehicle and scenery in front of a vehicle and a second optical system focused on close objects such as raindrops on a windshield. The first optical system includes a first convex lens, a mirror or a half mirror and an imager, and the second optical system includes a second convex lens and a mirror. The distant image formed by the first optical system and the close image formed by the second optical system are combined into a combined image made on the imager in a single frame. The distant and close images are taken at the same time without adjusting the focuses in the camera module.
14 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. A camera module comprising:
-
a first optical system including a first convex lens having a first focal distance, a half mirror positioned behind the first convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the first convex lens, part of light coming out from the first convex lens passing through the half mirror, and an imager positioned behind the half mirror and a second optical system including a second convex lens having a second focal distance which is different from the first focal distance and a mirror positioned behind the second convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the second convex lens, part of light coming out from the second convex lens being reflected on the mirror toward the half mirror so that the light reflected on the mirror is further reflected on the half mirror, wherein; a single image is made on the imager by combining a first image formed by the light passing through the half mirror with a second image formed by the light reflected on the half mirror, the first image and the second image being formed at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (5, 9)
-
-
2. A camera module comprising:
-
a first optical system including a first convex lens having a first focal distance, a first mirror positioned behind the first convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the first convex lens, part of light coming out from the first convex lens being intercepted by the first mirror and the rest of the light being led ahead without being intercepted by the first mirror, and an imager positioned behind the first mirror and a second optical system including a second convex lens having a second focal distance which is different from the first focal distance and a second mirror positioned behind the second convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the second convex lens, part of light coming out from the second convex lens being reflected on the second mirror toward the first mirror so that the light reflected on the second mirror is further reflected on the first mirror, wherein; a single image is made on the imager by combining a first image formed by the light led ahead without being intercepted by the first mirror with a second image formed by the light reflected on the first mirror, the first image and the second image being formed at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (6, 10)
-
-
3. A camera module comprising:
-
a first optical system including a first convex lens having a first focal distance, a first mirror positioned behind the first convex lens at an inclination relative to an optical axis of the first convex lens, the first mirror having a center opening through which part of light coming out from the first convex lens passes, the rest of the light coming out from the first convex lens being intercepted by the first mirror, and an imager positioned behind the half mirror and a second optical system including a second convex lens having a second focal distance which is different from the first focal distance and a second mirror positioned behind the second convex lens at an inclination with respect to an optical axis of the second convex lens, light coming out from the second convex lens being reflected on the second mirror toward the first mirror so that the light reflected on the second mirror is further reflected on the first mirror other than the center opening, wherein; a single image is made on the imager by combining a first image formed by the light passing through the center opening of the first mirror with a second image formed by the light reflected on the first mirror, the first image and the second image being formed at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (7)
-
-
4. A camera module comprising:
-
a prism forming a first optical system and a second optical system therein, the first optical system having a first focal distance and passing light from the first focal distance therethrough, the second optical system having a second focal distance which is different from the first focal distance and reflecting light form the second focal distance, an interceptor positioned in front of the prism, the interceptor dividing light entering the camera module into a first part entering into the first optical system and the second part entering into the second optical system, and an imager positioned behind the prism for making an image thereon, wherein; a single image is made on the imager by combining a first image formed by the light passing through the first optical system with a second image formed by the light reflected in the second optical system, the first image and the second image being formed at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
Specification