CN106444220B

CN106444220B - Camera module

Info

Publication number: CN106444220B
Application number: CN201610090331.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张仁哲; 徐尚孝; 吴承润; 李敬勋
Original assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-12
Filing date: 2016-02-18
Publication date: 2021-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-18
Also published as: CN106444220A; KR102184564B1; KR20170019753A

Abstract

The present invention provides a camera module, which may include: a first camera; a second camera; an optical anti-shake driver outputting a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals based on sensing signals of the gyro sensor, and receiving a plurality of position sensing signals; an interface unit receiving the selection signal, selectively transmitting the plurality of actuation signals and the plurality of sensor control signals to the first camera or the second camera based on the selection signal, and selectively transmitting the position sensing signal from the first camera or the second camera to the optical anti-shake driver.

Description

Camera module

This application claims the benefit of priority from korean patent application No. 10-2015-0113987, filed on 12.8.2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a camera module.

Background

The camera module generally has an auto-focus function. In addition, the camera module may have an Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) function to alleviate a resolution reduction phenomenon due to hand shake.

A camera module having an auto-focus function and an OIS function may include a lens unit, wherein the lens unit includes a lens barrel, a housing, an actuator, and other elements. The lens unit of the camera module is movable relative to the housing in the optical axis direction or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Further, in order to use the OIS function, a gyro sensor sensing jitter and an OIS driver (e.g., OIS driver controller integrated circuit) for controlling the actuator are required.

Meanwhile, recently, cameras have been mounted on the rear and front surfaces of mobile devices.

However, the OIS function of each camera mounted on the rear and front surfaces of the mobile device is limited due to an increase in manufacturing costs and a shortage of a suitable mounting area.

For example, patent document 1 discloses a camera module in the related art.

Disclosure of Invention

An aspect of the present disclosure may provide a camera module having an optical anti-shake function for both front and rear mobile device cameras by commonly using an optical anti-shake (OIS) driver and a gyro sensor for the OIS function.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module may include: a first camera; a second camera; an optical anti-shake driver outputting a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals based on sensing signals of the gyro sensor, and receiving a plurality of position sensing signals; an interface unit receiving the selection signal, selectively transmitting the plurality of actuation signals and the plurality of sensor control signals to the first camera or the second camera based on the selection signal, and selectively transmitting the position sensing signal from the first camera or the second camera to the optical anti-shake driver.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module may include: a first camera; a second camera; a gyro sensor sensing an angular velocity and outputting a sensing signal; an optical anti-shake driver outputting a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals to the first camera and the second camera based on the sensing signals and receiving a plurality of position sensing signals; an interface unit selectively transmits the plurality of actuating signals and the plurality of sensor control signals from the optical anti-shake driver to the first camera or the second camera based on a selection signal of the optical anti-shake driver, and selectively transmits the plurality of position sensing signals from the first camera or the second camera to the optical anti-shake driver.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a camera of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in detail;

fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating input and output signals of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating input and output of signals of a camera module according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Throughout the specification, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region or wafer (substrate) is referred to as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly on, connected to or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be apparent that, although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

For convenience in description, spatially relative terms (e.g., "above …," "above," "below …," and "below," etc.) may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "above" or "over" other elements would then be oriented "below" or "beneath" the other elements. Thus, the term "above …" may encompass both an orientation of "above …" and "below …" depending on the particular orientation of the figure. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms also are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the inventive concept will be described with reference to schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of the inventive concept. In the drawings, modifications to the illustrated shapes may be estimated, for example, due to manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances. Thus, embodiments of the inventive concept should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. The following embodiments may also be constituted by one or a combination thereof.

The inventive concept described below may have various configurations, and although only required configurations are set forth herein, it is not limited thereto.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 1, a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first camera 100, a second camera 200, an interface unit 300, and an optical anti-shake (OIS) driver 400.

Further, the camera module may include a gyro sensor 500 outputting the sensing signal S _ Sens to the OIS driver 400.

In detail, the gyro sensor 500 (a sensor that detects a shake of a mobile device including a camera module) may include a two-axis, three-axis, or more-axis gyro sensor and is used to detect an angular velocity of motion.

The OIS driver 400 may output a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals to the first and

second cameras

100 and 200 based on the sensing signal S _ Sens output from the gyro sensor 500 and receive a plurality of position sensing signals.

Further, the OIS driver 400 may be implemented by combining hardware such as a microprocessor and software installed in the hardware and programmed to perform predetermined operations with each other.

The hardware may include a memory and at least one processing unit. Here, the processing unit may include, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like, and has a plurality of cores. The memory may be volatile memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), etc.), non-volatile memory (e.g., Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.), or a combination thereof.

The interface unit 300 may receive the selection signal S _ Sel, and may selectively connect the OIS driver and the first camera 100 or the second camera 200 to each other based on the selection signal S _ Sel.

That is, the interface unit 300 may selectively transmit the plurality of actuating signals and the plurality of sensor control signals from the OIS driver 400 to the first camera 100 or the second camera 200 and selectively transmit the plurality of position sensing signals from the first camera 100 or the second camera 200 to the OIS driver 400 based on the selection signal S _ Sel.

Meanwhile, the selection signal S _ Sel may be output from the OIS driver 400.

Although the case where the interface unit 300 includes the first multiplexer 310 and the second multiplexer 320 has been shown in fig. 1, the number of multiplexers included in the interface unit 300 may vary in consideration of the number of signals input and output to the interface unit 300, reduction in manufacturing costs, and the like.

Since the OIS driver 400 may be selectively connected to the first camera 100 or the second camera 200 through the interface unit 300, the gyro sensor 500 and the OIS driver 400 may be commonly used in a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, so that manufacturing costs may be significantly reduced and an increase in a mounting area due to having both the first camera 100 and the second camera 200 have the OIS function may be reduced.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to fig. 2, a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first camera 100 having a first housing unit 110 and a first lens unit 120, and may include a second camera 200 having a second housing unit 210 and a second lens unit 220.

The first lens unit 120 may be mounted such that it is movable relative to the first housing unit 110 in directions perpendicular to the optical axis (X-direction and Y-direction corresponding to the first direction and the second direction, respectively).

Further, the second lens unit 220 may be mounted such that it is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis with respect to the second housing unit 210.

Although the case where the first and

second multiplexers

310 and 320, the OIS driver 400, and the gyro sensor 500 are mounted on separate substrates has been illustrated in fig. 2, the first and

second multiplexers

310 and 320, the OIS driver 400, and the gyro sensor 500 may be mounted in the form of an Integrated Circuit (IC) on a substrate of a mobile device using a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure or may be integrally mounted with the first or

second camera

100 or 200.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a camera of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in detail.

Referring to fig. 3, a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first camera 100 and a second camera 200.

Since components other than the above-described components correspond to those of the camera module described above with reference to fig. 1, a description thereof will be omitted in order to avoid a repetitive description.

The first camera module 100 may include a first lens unit 120, a first actuator 130, and a first sensor 140.

The first lens unit 120 may be mounted in the first housing unit 110 (see fig. 2), and the first actuator 130 may be actuated to move the first lens unit 120 in the first and second directions with respect to the first housing unit 110.

In addition, the first actuator 130 may receive a plurality of actuation signals through the interface unit 300, thereby being actuated to move the first lens unit 120 in the first and second directions with respect to the first housing unit.

The first sensor 140 may sense a position of the first lens unit 120 with respect to the first housing unit.

Further, the first sensor 140 may receive a plurality of sensor control signals, sense the position of the first lens unit 120 with respect to the first housing unit in the first and second directions, and output a plurality of position sensing signals.

In detail, the first sensor 140 may include at least one hall sensor sensing a change in magnetic flux and outputting a sensing signal.

The second camera 200 may include a second lens unit 220, a second actuator 230, and a second sensor 240.

The second lens unit 220 may be mounted in the second housing unit 210 (see fig. 2), and the second actuator 230 may be actuated to move the second lens unit 220 in the first and second directions with respect to the second housing unit 210.

In addition, the second actuator 230 may receive a plurality of actuation signals through the interface unit 300, thereby being actuated to move the second lens unit 220 in the first and second directions with respect to the second housing unit.

The second sensor 240 may sense a position of the second lens unit 220 with respect to the second housing unit.

In addition, the second sensor 240 may receive a plurality of sensor control signals, sense the position of the second lens unit 220 with respect to the second housing unit in the first and second directions, and output a plurality of position sensing signals.

In detail, the second sensor 240 may include at least one hall sensor sensing a change in magnetic flux and outputting a sensing signal.

Meanwhile, each of the first and

second actuators

130 and 230 may change the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force generated between the coil and the permanent magnet to enable the lens unit to move relative to the housing unit.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating input and output of signals of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The OIS driver 400 may output a plurality of actuation signals Coil X +, Coil X-, Coil Y + and Coil Y-to the first actuator 130 included in the first camera 100 (see fig. 3) and the second actuator 230 included in the second camera 200 (see fig. 3) based on the sensing signal S _ Sens of the gyro sensor 500.

IN addition, the OIS driver 400 may output a plurality of sensor control signals X _ IN +, X _ IN-, Y _ IN +, and Y _ IN-to the first sensor 140 included IN the first camera and the second sensor 240 included IN the second camera and receive a plurality of position sensing signals X _ OUT +, X _ OUT-, Y _ OUT +, and Y _ OUT-.

The interface unit 300 may include a first multiplexer 310 and a second multiplexer 320.

Although a case where a 4x 8 multiplexer is used as the first multiplexer 310 and a 6x 12 multiplexer is used as the second multiplexer 320 has been shown in fig. 4, the type of multiplexer included in the interface unit 300 may vary based on the number of input signals and output signals.

The interface unit 300 may selectively transmit a plurality of actuation signals Coil X +, Coil X-, Coil Y +, and Coil Y-and a plurality of sensor control signals X _ IN +, X _ IN-, Y _ IN +, and Y _ IN-from the OIS driver 400 to the first camera or the second camera, and may selectively transmit a plurality of position sensing signals X _ OUT +, X _ OUT-, Y _ OUT +, and Y _ OUT-from the first camera or the second camera to the OIS driver 400, based on the selection signal S _ Sel of the OIS driver 400.

Meanwhile, the plurality of actuation signals Coil X +, Coil X-, Coil Y +, and Coil Y-, the plurality of sensor control signals X _ IN +, X _ IN-, Y _ IN +, and Y _ IN-, and the plurality of position sensing signals X _ OUT +, X _ OUT-, Y _ OUT +, and Y _ OUT-may form a plurality of pairs corresponding to the plurality of actuation directions (first and second directions), and each of the plurality of pairs may include a negative signal and a positive signal.

For example, when a pair of signals X _ IN + and X _ IN-corresponding to a first direction among the plurality of actuation signals is input to the first actuator 130 through the interface unit 300, the first actuator 130 may be actuated to move the first lens unit 120 (see fig. 2) IN the first direction (X direction IN fig. 2) with respect to the first housing unit 110 (see fig. 2) based on the pair of signals X _ IN + and X _ IN-.

Similarly, when another pair of signals Y _ IN + and Y _ IN-of the plurality of actuation signals, which corresponds to the second direction, is input to the first actuator 130 through the interface unit 300, the first actuator 130 may be actuated to move the first lens unit 120 (see fig. 2) IN the second direction (Y direction IN fig. 2) with respect to the first housing unit 110 (see fig. 2) based on the another pair of signals Y _ IN + and Y _ IN-.

Meanwhile, the negative signals X _ OUT-and Y _ OUT-of the plurality of position sensing signals X _ OUT +, X _ OUT-, Y _ OUT +, and Y _ OUT-may be ground signals.

The interface unit 300 may selectively output positive signals Coil X + and Coil Y + of the plurality of actuation signals Coil X +, Coil X-, Coil Y + and Coil Y-to the first actuator 130 included in the first camera 100 (see fig. 3) or the second actuator 230 included in the second camera 200 (see fig. 3) based on the selection signal of the OIS driver.

Negative signals Coil X-and Coil Y-of the plurality of actuation signals Coil X +, Coil X-, Coil Y +, and Coil Y-may be input to the first actuator 130 included in the first camera and the second actuator 230 included in the second camera, respectively.

Since components other than the above-described components correspond to those of the camera module described above with reference to fig. 4, a description thereof will be omitted in order to avoid a repetitive description.

Since some of the plurality of actuation signals are commonly used, the camera module may use a 4x 8 multiplexer as the first multiplexer 310 and the second multiplexer 320.

Accordingly, in the camera module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the input and output signals of the OIS driver 400 are commonly used in the first and second cameras, so that the specification (specification) of the multiplexer used in the interface unit 300 may be reduced.

As described above, in the camera module according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the gyro sensor and the OIS driver integrated unit may be commonly used, thereby reducing an increase in manufacturing cost, and an increase in a mounting area caused by having both the front and rear cameras with the OIS function may be significantly reduced.

Further, in the camera module according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the input signals and the output signals of the OIS driver are commonly used in the front camera module and the rear camera module, thereby reducing the specification of the interface unit.

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising:

a first camera;

a second camera;

an optical anti-shake driver outputting a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals based on sensing signals of a gyro sensor, and receiving a plurality of position sensing signals, wherein the plurality of actuation signals, the plurality of sensor control signals, and the plurality of position sensing signals form a plurality of pairs corresponding to a plurality of actuation directions, each of the plurality of pairs including a negative signal and a positive signal;

an interface unit receiving the selection signal, selectively transmitting a positive signal of the plurality of actuation signals and the plurality of sensor control signals to the first camera or the second camera based on the selection signal, and selectively transmitting the plurality of position sensing signals from the first camera or the second camera to the optical anti-shake driver,

wherein the first camera and the second camera commonly use a negative signal of the plurality of actuation signals.

2. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the interface unit selectively outputs a positive signal of the plurality of actuation signals to the first camera or the second camera based on a selection signal of an optical anti-shake driver.

3. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the interface unit selectively outputs the plurality of sensor control signals to the first camera or the second camera based on a selection signal of the optical anti-shake driver.

4. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the first camera comprises:

a first lens unit mounted in the first housing unit;

a first actuator actuated to move the first lens unit in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the first housing unit;

and the first sensor senses the position of the first lens unit relative to the first shell unit.

5. The camera module of claim 4, wherein the first actuator receives the plurality of actuation signals to be actuated to move the first lens unit relative to the first housing unit in a first direction and a second direction.

6. The camera module of claim 4, wherein the first sensor unit receives the plurality of sensor control signals, senses a position of the first lens unit with respect to the first housing unit in first and second directions, and outputs the plurality of position sensing signals.

7. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the second camera comprises:

a second lens unit mounted in the second housing unit;

a second actuator capable of moving the second lens unit in the first direction and the second direction with respect to the second housing unit;

and a second sensor sensing a position of the second lens unit with respect to the second housing unit.

8. The camera module of claim 7, wherein the second actuator receives the plurality of actuation signals to be actuated to move the second lens unit relative to the second housing unit in the first direction and the second direction.

9. The camera module of claim 7, wherein the second sensor unit receives the plurality of sensor control signals, senses a position of the second lens unit with respect to the second housing unit in the first and second directions, and outputs the plurality of position sensing signals.

10. A camera module, comprising:

a first camera;

a second camera;

a gyro sensor sensing an angular velocity and outputting a sensing signal;

an optical anti-shake driver outputting a plurality of actuation signals and a plurality of sensor control signals based on sensing signals, and receiving a plurality of position sensing signals, wherein the plurality of actuation signals, the plurality of sensor control signals, and the plurality of position sensing signals form a plurality of pairs corresponding to a plurality of actuation directions, each of the plurality of pairs including a negative signal and a positive signal;

an interface unit selectively transmitting a positive signal of the plurality of actuation signals and the plurality of sensor control signals from the optical anti-shake driver to the first camera or the second camera based on a selection signal of the optical anti-shake driver, and selectively transmitting the plurality of position sensing signals from the first camera or the second camera to the optical anti-shake driver,

11. The camera module of claim 10, wherein a negative signal of the plurality of position sensing signals is a ground signal.

12. The camera module of claim 10, wherein the first camera comprises:

a first lens unit mounted in the first housing unit;

13. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the first actuator receives the plurality of actuation signals to be actuated to move the first lens unit relative to the first housing unit in a first direction and a second direction.

14. The camera module of claim 12, wherein the first sensor unit receives the plurality of sensor control signals, senses a position of the first lens unit with respect to the first housing unit in a first direction and a second direction, and outputs the plurality of position sensing signals.

15. The camera module of claim 10, wherein the second camera comprises:

a second lens unit mounted in the second housing unit;

16. A camera module according to claim 15, wherein the second actuator receives the plurality of actuation signals so as to be actuated to move the second lens unit relative to the second housing unit in the first and second directions.

17. The camera module of claim 15, wherein the second sensor unit receives the plurality of sensor control signals, senses a position of the second lens unit with respect to the second housing unit in the first and second directions, and outputs the plurality of position sensing signals.