Image capture system for applications in vehicles

• US 8,917,323 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Seger, Ulrich, Apel, Uwe, Hoellt, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Jimmy H
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCKENZIE, MARCUS A
• Application Number:
  US12/302,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20100026805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,720 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0056 arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14627 Microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

In an image capture system for use in vehicles as well as an optical system for use in the automotive sector, the image capture system has at least one image sensor element having a plurality of image sensors situated in an image plane and at least one micro-lens system having a plurality of micro-lenses. Optionally, at least one aperture mask having a plurality of openings is situated between the micro-lens system and the at least one image sensor element. One image sensor, one micro-lens and one opening respectively define a pick-up direction of the image sensor. The totality of the pick-up directions defines a main viewing direction, which together with the image plane encloses an angle α of less than 80°.

Claims

1. An image capture system for use in a vehicle, comprising:

at least one image sensor element having a plurality of image sensors arranged in an image plane and at least one micro-lens system having a plurality of micro-lenses, one image sensor and one micro-lens respectively defining a pick-up direction of the image sensor, a totality of the pick-up directions defining a main viewing direction, and the image plane being defined by a surface of the at least one sensor element, to which surface the image sensors are mounted;

wherein an angle measured from the main viewing direction to the image plane is positive and less than 80°

;

wherein the mounting is such that the image plane is situated substantially in parallel with respect to at least one of (a) a window pane and (b) a region of a window pane adjacent to the image capture system.

2. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein at least one aperture mask having a plurality of openings is arranged between the micro-lens system and the at least one image sensor element, each micro-lens being shifted with respect to a corresponding opening in the at least one aperture mask.

3. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein the angle is at least one of (a) between 15°

and 40° and

(b) between 20° and

35°

.

4. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein the micro-lenses are arranged in at least one lens plane, the at least one lens plane and the image plane being situated substantially in parallel.

5. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) a thickness of the image capture system and (b) a distance between a lens plane arranged farthest on an object side and the at least one image sensor element is at least one of (a) less than 20 mm and (b) no more than 10 mm.

6. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein at an edge of the at least one image sensor element, the at least one image sensor has a pick-up direction, which deviates by at least 10°

with respect to the main viewing direction.

7. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein a maximum deviation in a horizontal direction of the at least one image sensor is at least one of (a) between 5°

and 50° and

(b) between 10° and

40°

, and in a vertical direction of the at least one image sensor at least one of (a) between 2° and

40° and

(b) between 5° and

20°

.

8. The image capture system according to claim 1, further comprising a scattered light suppression device adapted to prevent light passing through a micro-lens from reaching an image sensor not to the micro-lens.

9. The image capture system according to claim 1, wherein each micro-lens has a pillar of an optical material, a longitudinal axis of the pillar extending at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the image plane and the pillar including at least one circumferential surface having a light-suppressing property.

10. An optical system for use in an automotive sector, comprising:

a window pane of a motor vehicle; and

an image capture system including at least one image sensor element having a plurality of image sensors arranged in an image plane and at least one micro-lens system having a plurality of micro-lenses, one image sensor and one micro-lens respectively defining a pick-up direction of the image sensor, a totality of the pick-up directions defining a main viewing direction, the image plane being defined by a surface of the at least one sensor element, to which surface the image sensors are mounted, an angle measured from the main viewing direction to the image plane being positive and less than 80°

, the image capture system at least one of (a) mounted in the vehicle and (b) mounted on the window pane;

wherein the mounting is such that the image plane is situated substantially in parallel with respect to at least one of (a) the window pane and (b) a region of the window pane adjacent to the image capture system.

11. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein the main viewing direction of the image capture system deviates by an angle of at least one of (a) maximally 20°

and (b) maximally 5°

from horizontal.

12. The optical system according to claim 10, wherein a space between the image capture system and the window pane is filled with at least one of (a) an optical material and (b) an optical cement.