Miniature camera module with MEMS-actuated autofocus

• US 9,285,654 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): HSU, AMY R
• Application Number:
  US13/792,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20130265479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,101 Days
• Field of Search: 348/345, 348/347, 348/335, 348/340
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

an image sensor;

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 the image sensor by MEMS actuation of the movable lens group to accomplish autofocus functionality;

a distorting fixed lens disposed adjacent to the image sensor; and

a processing component to estimate a zoom factor, by using the distorting fixed lens, so as to electronically zoom an image while maintaining a full resolution of the image;

wherein the at least one fixed lens group comprises at least first and second lens groups, and wherein the movable lens group is disposed between the first and second fixed lens groups.

2. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, further comprising embedded code for programming the processing component 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 autofocus functionality 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 autofocus functionality and the electronic zoom.

6. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide pin disposed in parallel with the optical axis to perform a registration between moving and fixed lenses.

7. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 6, wherein the at least one guide pin is enclosed in a movable sleeve.

8. The miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, wherein a moving lens of the movable lens group includes at least one cone on a surface of the moving lens, and a fixed lens of the at least one fixed lens group includes at least one corresponding cup on a surface of the fixed lens that is adjacent to the moving lens.

9. A method of operating the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, the method comprising:

actuating the movable lens group using a MEMS actuator coupled to the movable lens group to focus an image onto the image sensor; and

performing electronic zoom operations on the image that maintain a full resolution of the image.

10. A method of making the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1, the method comprising:

providing the first and second lens groups of the at least one fixed lens group;

providing the movable lens group; and

disposing the movable lens group between the first and second fixed lens groups.

11. A camera comprising the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1.

12. An automobile comprising the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 1.

13. 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 coupleable 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;

a distorting fixed lens to be disposed adjacent to the image sensor component and for use by a processing component to estimate a zoom factor to electronically zoom an image while maintaining a full resolution of the image, wherein the at least one fixed lens group comprises at least first and second lens groups, and wherein the movable lens group is disposed between the first and second fixed lens groups.

14. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 13, further comprising contact pads for coupling with the processing component programmed to electronically zoom the digital images.

15. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 14, wherein the electronic zoom utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

16. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 15, wherein the autofocus functionality also utilizes both electronic and optical processing elements.

17. The optical assembly for a miniature MEMS autofocus camera module of claim 16, wherein at least one lens participates as a same electronic and optical processing element used for both the autofocus functionality and the electronic zoom.