JP2006133413A - Camera module and mobile apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized, thin camera module equipped with a mechanism of varying power by optical-zooming. <P>SOLUTION: Regarding the camera module, a zoom lens group 8, a focus lens group 7 arranged so that the optical axis is aligned with that of the zoom lens group 8, a zoom lens actuator 9b for shifting the zoom lens group 8 in the optical axis direction and a focus lens actuator 9a for shifting the focus lens group 7 in the optical axis direction are arranged inside the same external lens barrel 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module or the like mounted on a mobile device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and more particularly to a camera module or the like having an optical zoom function.

  In recent years, camera systems have also been installed in mobile devices such as mobile phones and PDAs. In a camera system mounted on such a mobile device, a camera module that forms a subject image on an image sensor using a microlens is widely used. In such a camera module, focus adjustment has conventionally been mainly single focus. For example, there are cameras that change the focal length by manually switching between infinity (∞) and macro, and those that have an autofocus function. It has been put into practical use. Further, a device having a zooming mechanism by optical zoom has been proposed, and a device having a two-stage zooming optical zoom has been used in part.

  By the way, in the mobile device as described above, in order to improve its portability, downsizing of the camera module is an essential condition. For this reason, when an optical zoom is mounted on a camera module used in a mobile device, it is preferable to use an inner zoom imaging optical system suitable for reduction in size and weight. However, as a feature of such an inner-zoom imaging optical system, when zooming the subject in focus, it is necessary to move the focus lens separately (zoom trace) in conjunction with the zoom lens. is there.

  Here, as a conventional technology that moves the focus lens separately in conjunction with the zoom lens, it is a technology related to high-speed zoom tracing that performs zooming while maintaining in-focus even at a zoom speed where autofocus is difficult to follow, When performing zooming at the first speed, zoom tracing is performed with zoom trace characteristics according to the subject distance, and when performing zooming at the second speed, zoom tracing characteristics different from the zoom trace characteristics according to the subject distance are performed. There is a technique for performing zoom tracing in (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-261709 (page 3-4)

Incidentally, further downsizing and thinning of mobile devices such as the above-described mobile phones are rapidly progressing. In addition, since so-called digital zoom processing tends to cause image deterioration, there is a need for a zooming mechanism using an optical zoom similar to that mounted on a normal digital camera, digital video camera, etc. in a cellular phone or the like. It is growing. In order to respond to such market needs, an inner zoom suitable for miniaturization and weight reduction is required when a zooming mechanism using an optical zoom is provided in a camera module mounted on a mobile device that has become smaller and thinner. For example, as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for separately moving the focus lens in response to the movement of the zoom lens, using the imaging optical system of the system.
However, in a camera module mounted on a mobile device, in order to move the zoom lens and the focus lens at the same time while independently controlling the zoom lens and the focus lens, it is necessary to separately provide moving means for the zoom lens and the focus lens. Therefore, it has been very difficult to realize such a configuration by reducing the size and thickness.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a small and thin camera module having a zooming mechanism by optical zoom. .

For this purpose, a camera module according to the present invention includes a zoom lens for zooming a subject image, a focus lens for adjusting the focus of the subject image, the zoom lens being disposed with the optical axis aligned, and a zoom lens. Zoom lens moving means for moving the lens in the optical axis direction, and focus lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction, and the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving means, and the focus lens moving means In this case, they are arranged in the same lens barrel. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness of the camera module having a zooming mechanism using optical zoom.
Here, the zoom lens and the focus lens can be characterized in that they are configured by a two-group lens structure in which the focus lens is disposed on the subject side. Further, the focus lens moving means can move the focus lens so as to maintain the in-focus state in accordance with the movement of the zoom lens.

  Further, the camera module of the present invention includes a zoom lens that performs zooming of a subject image, a zoom lens that is arranged with the same optical axis, a focus lens that performs focus adjustment of the subject image, and a zoom lens in the optical axis direction. Zoom lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the direction of the optical axis, and focus lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the direction of the optical axis. It is characterized by being arranged at a position where a V-shape is formed around the center. With this configuration, each lens and each lens moving means can be simultaneously accommodated in a small space, and the camera module equipped with a zooming mechanism using optical zoom can be reduced in size and thickness.

  Here, the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit may be arranged in the same lens barrel. In particular, the zoom lens and the focus lens may be characterized by being movable along a rail formed along the optical axis on the inner surface of the lens barrel. Further, the zoom lens moving means and the focus lens moving means include a shaft having a screw groove formed on the surface thereof and arranged parallel to the optical axis, and a rotating shaft directly connected to the shaft and rotating the rotating shaft. And a motor that rotates the shaft, each of the shafts is joined to the zoom lens and the focus lens by a cam that fits into the thread groove, and the zoom lens and the focus lens are moved by the rotation of the motor. Can do.

  Furthermore, the camera module of the present invention includes a zoom lens that performs zooming of a subject image, a zoom lens that is arranged with the optical axis aligned, a focus lens that performs focus adjustment of the subject image, and a zoom lens that is used as the optical axis. Zoom lens moving means having a movable part that moves along, a drive part that drives the movable part, a movable part that moves the focus lens along the optical axis, and a focus lens that has a drive part that drives the movable part A moving unit, a zoom lens, a focus lens, a zoom lens moving unit, and a lens barrel in which the focus lens moving unit is disposed; an optical axis of the zoom lens and the focus lens; and a zoom lens moving unit; The focus lens moving means is characterized in that each arrangement position forms a substantially isosceles triangle in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. It is. With this configuration, each lens and each lens moving means can be simultaneously accommodated in a small space, and the camera module equipped with a zooming mechanism using optical zoom can be reduced in size and thickness.

  Here, the optical axes of the zoom lens and the focus lens, the zoom lens moving means, and the focus lens moving means each have a substantially equilateral triangle in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. It can be. The movable part of the zoom lens moving unit and the movable part of the focus lens moving unit are composed of a shaft having a thread groove formed on the surface thereof, and are respectively coupled to the zoom lens and the focus lens by a cam that is screwed to the shaft. It can also be characterized. Further, the driving unit of the zoom lens moving unit and the driving unit of the focus lens moving unit can be configured by a stepping motor.

Further, the present invention is regarded as a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a notebook PC, a digital camera, and a digital video camera, and the mobile device of the present invention is a mobile device capable of shooting a still image or a moving image, The zoom lens for zooming the image, the zoom lens are arranged with the same optical axis, the focus lens for adjusting the focus of the subject image, the zoom lens moving means for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction, and the focus A focus lens moving unit that moves the lens in the optical axis direction, and a zoom lens and an image sensor that converts light passing through the focus lens into an electrical signal, the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus The lens moving means is arranged in the same lens barrel. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a small and thin mobile device that can shoot a still image or a moving image and includes a zooming mechanism using an optical zoom.
Here, the zoom lens moving means and the focus lens moving means can be characterized in that they are arranged at positions where a V-shape is formed around the optical axis in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. In addition, the optical axes of the zoom lens and the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit each form a substantially isosceles triangle in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. Can also be.

  As an effect of the present invention, by realizing a small and thin camera module equipped with a zooming mechanism by optical zoom, it is possible to obtain a clear zoom image with extremely little image deterioration even in a mobile device which has been miniaturized and thinned. Became possible.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a camera module 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. A camera module 1 shown in FIG. 1 is based on an image sensor 2 that converts incident light into an image signal, an image processor (ISP) 3 that performs image processing on the image signal from the image sensor 2, and a stored software program. Control the operation of an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 4 that controls the operation of each part in the camera module 1, a lens unit 5 that focuses light from the subject on the image sensor 2, and an actuator that drives a lens group in the lens unit 5. Actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b.
The lens unit 5 includes an example of a focus lens moving unit that moves the focus lens group 7 for focusing the subject, the zoom lens group 8 for zooming, and the focus lens group 7 along the optical axis. Focus lens actuator 9a, zoom lens actuator 9b as an example of zoom lens moving means for moving the zoom lens group 8 along the optical axis, focus lens position detection mechanism 10a for detecting the position of the focus lens group 7, and zoom lens group A zoom lens position detection mechanism 10b for detecting the position 8 is provided.
The camera module 1 can be mounted on a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or a digital camera.

The image sensor 2 is a photoelectric conversion device that converts incident light into a voltage, such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor.
The ISP 3 is a device that executes various processes related to an image such as gamma correction, edge correction, white balance, and exposure adjustment on the image signal from the image sensor 2. In ISP3, it is also possible to set image processing suitable for shooting modes such as landscape, portrait, and night view. Further, when a CCD image sensor is used as the image sensor 2, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit or AGC (automatic gain control) for removing noise by adding a vertical drive clock driver or AFE (analog front end) is added. ), And a logic circuit that performs ADC (analog-digital conversion). Also, in the ISP 3, it is possible to output focus information for autofocus control.

The MPU 4 performs autofocus, optical zoom, and the like mainly by controlling the operations of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 by the stored software program. However, the MPU 4 has not only the control of the lens group but also a function of controlling the overall operation of each part in the camera module 1. In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the MPU 4 is described as being incorporated in a part of the ISP 3. However, the MPU 4 and the ISP 3 may be configured separately.
The actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b are ICs for controlling the operations of the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b that drive the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, respectively. The actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b receive control from the MPU 4 and control the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b. However, it is also possible to control the operations of the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b directly from the MPU 4, in which case the actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b are unnecessary.

  The focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b are power sources for moving the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 along the optical axis, respectively. For example, a stepping motor, a voice coil motor, and an ultrasonic wave are used as a drive unit. A small motor or the like can be used. Further, the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b are coupled to the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 by the power of the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, respectively. Are connected by a cam which will be described later.

  The focus lens position detection mechanism 10a and the zoom lens position detection mechanism 10b are disposed in the vicinity of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, respectively. Since the positions of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 are unknown when the power of the camera module 1 is reset, it is used to detect the origin position. As a method for detecting the position in the focus lens position detection mechanism 10a and the zoom lens position detection mechanism 10b, for example, a predetermined configuration of the focus lens group 7 or the zoom lens group 8 is configured by sensing a light emitting LED using a photo interrupt or the like. It is possible to use a method of detecting these positions and determining their positions.

Next, the driving structure of the lens unit 5 in the camera module 1 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a driving structure of the lens unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 is composed of a single lens or a plurality of lens balls 11, and each is supported by internal lens barrels 19a and 19b. Further, the focus lens group 7 is connected to a shaft (movable part) 12a which is a part of the focus lens actuator 9a via a cam 13a. Then, a helical thread is formed on the surface of the shaft 12a, and when the focus lens actuator 9a is driven to rotate the shaft 12a, the focus lens group 7 slides through a cam 13a fitted to the thread. It is configured to be able to move. Similarly, the zoom lens group 8 is connected to a shaft (movable portion) 12b via a cam 13b, and is configured to be slidable by driving of the zoom lens actuator 9b. Further, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 are configured such that the movement in the optical axis direction can be independently controlled by the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, respectively.

  Here, the configuration of a stepping motor as an example of drive means used for the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the stepping motor 50. As shown in FIG. 3, the stepping motor 50 includes a plurality of stators 51 fixed in a cylinder and a plurality of rotors 52 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of a rotating shaft 53 that supports a shaft 12a (shaft 12b). It is configured. In the stepping motor 50, a coil is wound around the stator 51, and a magnetic field is generated by passing a current through the coil, and the rotor 52 is rotated by the magnetic field. Thereby, the rotating shaft 53 to which the rotor 52 is fixed rotates, and at the same time, the shaft 12a (shaft 12b) can be rotated.

In FIG. 4, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 are connected to the shaft 12a of the focus lens actuator 9a and the shaft 12b of the zoom lens actuator 9b so as to be slidable via cams 13a and 13b. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the cam 13a coupled to the inner lens barrel 19a (see FIG. 2) and the cam 13b coupled to the inner lens barrel 19b (see FIG. 2) have, for example, a triangular cross section. A portion 17 is formed, and the projection 17 is fitted in a screw groove 16 between screw threads 15 formed on the shafts 12a and 12b, respectively. With such a configuration, when the shafts 12a and 12b rotate, the protrusion 17 moves along the screw groove 16, thereby controlling each of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 separately. It can be moved in the axial direction.
The directions of movement of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 in the optical axis direction are controlled by the rotation directions of the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, respectively. 2), and if it rotates in the opposite direction, it moves to the image sensor 2 side. As for the amount of movement, if the above-mentioned stepping motor that rotates in units of steps determined by applying a pulse signal is used as the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, the movement distance can be grasped from the number of steps. Is possible. Accordingly, the position control can be performed with an accuracy of about 10 μm in terms of the amount of movement of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 in the optical axis direction.

Here, the arrangement configuration of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b will be described.
FIG. 5 is a view of the inside of the lens unit 5 as viewed from the optical axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9 a, and the zoom lens actuator 9 b are disposed inside the external barrel 18 of the lens unit 5. The focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b are an isosceles triangle in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis in the external barrel 18 of the lens unit 5. Preferably, they are arranged so as to form an equilateral triangle. In other words, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 are coaxially arranged with a common optical axis, but the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b are positioned at their central axes (for example, the shaft 12a, 12b) is arranged so as to form a V-shape centered on the optical axis, and particularly when arranged in an isosceles triangle (or equilateral triangle), the base of the isosceles triangle (or equilateral triangle) It is arranged at the vertex position forming
By arranging in this way, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b can be accommodated in the external lens barrel 18 and at the same time, Since a configuration with a minimum cross-sectional area can be realized, the size of the entire lens unit 5 can be minimized. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size and thickness of the camera module 1 in which the lens unit 5 occupies a large area of the component.

In that case, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cross-sectional shape of the outer lens barrel 18 is a quadrangle, the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b are adjacent to each other inside the outer lens barrel 18, respectively. Arranged at corners. The focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 are disposed on the surface facing the corners where the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b are disposed. At that time, in the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, a rail 26 is formed along the optical axis direction on the surface facing the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b so that the optical axes are not displaced. , And is supported so as to move along the rail 26.
It is possible to configure the outer lens barrel 18 in a cylindrical shape. In this case as well, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b are in an isosceles triangle. By arranging, the radius of the cylindrical outer lens barrel 18 can be minimized. In particular, by arranging these in an equilateral triangle, the radius of the cylindrical outer barrel 18 can be minimized.

  As described above, in the camera module 1 according to the present embodiment, the lens unit 5 includes the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b. Since the lens unit 5 is arranged so as to form a V shape, particularly an isosceles triangle, more preferably an equilateral triangle, in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis in the lens unit 18, the lens unit 5 can be configured to be extremely small and thin. it can. Therefore, even a mobile device such as a cellular phone that has been reduced in size and thickness can be equipped with a camera module 1 that has a zooming function by optical zoom and that can simultaneously perform autofocus. Accordingly, in a small and thin mobile phone or the like, a clear zoomed image without image degradation as in the case of performing so-called digital zoom processing in which image data of the subject 14 is electrically processed and enlarged is performed. Can be taken. In particular, since auto-focusing can be performed at the same time, a remarkable effect can be exerted even when shooting a moving image with a mobile phone or the like.

Next, a specific configuration of the camera module 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a specific configuration of the camera module 1 of the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the image sensor 2 and ISP 3 are mounted on a substrate 20 formed of a material such as glass epoxy or ceramic by wire bonding, and various semiconductor components such as actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b, capacitors, resistors, etc. Passive components are mounted by soldering or the like. Further, a flexible substrate (flexible substrate) 21 that connects the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, and the focus lens position detection mechanism 10a and the zoom lens position detection mechanism 10b is connected to the substrate 20. It has been extended. The focus lens actuator 9a and zoom lens actuator 9b are connected to the flexible substrate 21 via an actuator contact 24. Further, the focus lens position detection mechanism 10 a and the zoom lens position detection mechanism 10 b are connected to the flexible substrate 21 through a position detection contact 25.
Further, the substrate 20 is provided with a flexible lead (flexible lead) 22 to which a connector 23 is connected, and can be connected to an external interface.
The lens unit 5 is provided with a filter 27 for removing light in the infrared region in the optical path between the zoom lens group 8 and the image sensor 2.

The lens unit 5 is arranged on the substrate 20 so that the optical axis is aligned with the surface of the image sensor 2. As described above, the lens unit 5 is configured such that the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 can be moved independently by the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b, respectively. Control of the operation at that time is performed by the actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b.
The actuator driver ICs 6a and 6b control the operations of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 as follows when performing autofocus simultaneously with zooming. As an example, the auto-focus here uses a method of performing focus adjustment using the amount of high-frequency component (focus voltage) in the image signal.
The zoom lens group 8 has a characteristic of exhibiting a low-pass filter characteristic for the subject 14 to be photographed. That is, when the subject image is focused, the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter is maximized, and the amount of focus voltage output from the ISP 3 receiving the image signal from the image sensor 2 is also maximized. On the other hand, when zooming is performed, the zoom lens group 8 is defocused as the zoom lens group 8 is moved based on the signal from the actuator driver IC 6b. As a result, the focus voltage output from the ISP 3 also tends to decrease.
Therefore, the focus voltage output from the ISP 3 is monitored while the focus lens group 7 is moved in a certain direction in accordance with the movement of the zoom lens group 8. If the focus voltage monitored while moving the focus lens group 7 is maximized, that point is the focal point. In this way, the actuator driver IC 6a performs autofocus simultaneously with zooming by moving the focus lens group 7 so as to maximize the focus voltage in accordance with the movement of the zoom lens group 8, thereby performing focus adjustment. be able to.

Next, a mobile phone 100 as an example of a mobile device equipped with the camera module 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile phone 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the mobile phone 100 includes an MPU 101 that performs various controls in the mobile phone 100, and input keys 110 for giving instructions from the user to the MPU 101, such as a telephone number and a remaining battery level at the time of outgoing and incoming calls. A state or radio wave reception state is displayed, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 105 as an example of image output means for projecting the subject 14 photographed by the camera module 1 and various information for controlling the mobile phone 100 are stored. A memory 112 and a memory card 107 as an example of a recording medium for recording image data are provided.
Further, the mobile phone 100 receives radio waves in a mobile phone band or a wireless local area network (LAN) band via an antenna 104, and performs radio communication with a server provided by a mobile phone carrier or the like. Unit 103, baseband unit 102 that generates a signal for communication, audio codec unit 108 that reproduces sound such as voice during a call or ringing melody, and outputs a ringing sound based on signals from audio codec unit 108 And a speaker 109 for notifying incoming calls by light.
In addition, the camera module 1 communicates with the MPU 101 through an interface such as IIC or SPI to transmit / receive signals.

  In the mobile phone 100, when the digital camera use mode is selected with the input key 110, the MPU 101 starts communication with the camera module 1. Then, the MPU 101 transmits a control signal to the camera module 1. Then, the light from the subject 14 that has passed through the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8 of the camera module 1 is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 2 and subjected to signal processing by the ISP 3. The image signal processed by the ISP 3 is temporarily stored in the memory 112 of the mobile phone 100 and displayed on the LCD 105 as a through image.

  At that time, when the subject 14 is zoomed, a control signal is transmitted from the MPU 101 to the actuator driver ICs 6 a and 6 b via the MPU 4 of the camera module 1 by the user performing a predetermined operation from the input key 110. . Upon receiving the control signal, the actuator driver IC 6b rotates the zoom lens actuator 9b by a specified amount. Then, the zoom lens group 8 moves by a specified amount and stops at a predetermined position. At the same time, the actuator driver IC 6a receiving the control signal rotates the focus lens actuator 9a by a specified amount. Then, for example, by the autofocus method as described above, the focus lens group 7 is moved by a specified amount to perform focus adjustment, and autofocus is executed simultaneously with zooming. While viewing the through image displayed on the LCD 105, the user can perform this operation to adjust the zoom magnification and obtain a clear image focused in a desired shooting range.

  As described above, in the camera module 1 according to the present embodiment including the zooming mechanism using the optical zoom, the lens unit 5 includes the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b. Can be configured to be extremely small and thin by disposing an isosceles triangle, more preferably an equilateral triangle, in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis in the outer lens barrel 18 of the lens unit 5. It can also be installed in mobile phones 100 that are becoming thinner and thinner. Accordingly, a clear zoomed image can be taken with the small and thin mobile phone 100.

Incidentally, photographing of the subject 14 is performed with a shutter button on the input key 110. When the shutter button is pressed, the MPU 101 stores the image data processed by the ISP 3 of the camera module 1 in the memory 112. The MPU 101 includes a compression / decompression circuit using a technique such as JPEG or MPEG, and the image data stored in the memory 112 is compressed by the MPU 101 and recorded on the memory card 107. Further, the image data recorded on the memory card 107 can be decompressed by the MPU 101, read into the memory 112, and displayed again on the LCD 105.
Note that the MPU 101 can select a shooting mode and set white balance, exposure, sensitivity, and the like by an operation from the input key 110. Further, when the image data processed by the ISP 3 of the camera module 1 is stored in the memory 112, digital zoom processing can be performed.

  As described above, in the camera module 1 of the present embodiment, in the lens unit 5, the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9 a, and the zoom lens actuator 9 b are external to the lens unit 5. It is disposed inside the lens barrel 18. The central axes of the focus lens actuator 9a and the zoom lens actuator 9b in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis in the external barrel 18 of the lens unit 5 are the optical axes of the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, respectively. It is arranged at a position that forms a V shape with the center, and in particular, it is arranged at a vertex position that forms the base of an isosceles triangle (more preferably an equilateral triangle) with the optical axis as a vertex. ing. With this arrangement, the cross-sectional area of the external lens barrel 18 that accommodates the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b is minimized. The size can be minimized. Thereby, it is possible to realize a reduction in size and thickness of the camera module 1 in which the lens unit 5 occupies a large area of the constituent parts. However, it goes without saying that a lens group including the focus lens group 7 and the zoom lens group 8, the focus lens actuator 9a, and the zoom lens actuator 9b may be arranged in a horizontal row in order to realize a thinner thickness. Yes.

  For this reason, the mobile phone 100 that has been reduced in size and thickness can be equipped with the camera module 1 that has a zooming function by optical zoom and that can simultaneously perform autofocus. Thereby, a clear zoomed image can be taken without using a digital zoom process accompanied by image degradation. In particular, since it is possible to execute autofocus simultaneously with zooming, a remarkable effect can be exhibited in shooting moving images with the mobile phone 100.

  Application examples of the present invention include application to mobile devices having an imaging function such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a notebook PC, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and the like.

It is the block diagram which showed the system configuration | structure of the camera module. It is a figure explaining the drive structure of a lens unit. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of a stepping motor. It is a cross-sectional block diagram explaining the connection part of a focus lens group and a zoom lens group, and a shaft. It is the figure which looked at the inside of a lens unit from the optical axis direction. It is the schematic block diagram which showed the specific structure of the camera module. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Camera module, 2 ... Image sensor, 3 ... Image processing processor (ISP), 4,101 ... MPU (Micro Processing Unit), 5 ... Lens unit, 6a, 6b ... Actuator driver IC, 7 ... Focus lens group, 8 Zoom lens group, 9a ... Focus lens actuator, 9b ... Zoom lens actuator, 10a ... Focus lens position detection mechanism, 10b ... Zoom lens position detection mechanism, 12a, 12b ... Shaft, 13a, 13b ... Cam, 18 ... External lens barrel 19a, 19b ... inner barrel, 20 ... substrate, 21 ... flexible substrate (flexible substrate), 22 ... flexible lead (flexible lead), 23 ... connector, 100 ... mobile phone, 102 ... baseband part, 103 ... RF ( Radio Frequency) section, 104 ... antenna, 105 ... liquid crystal display B (LCD), 106 ... LED, 107 ... memory card, 108 ... audio codec unit, 109 ... speaker, 110 ... input key, 112 ... memory

Claims (14)

A zoom lens that zooms in on the subject image,
A focus lens that is arranged with the optical axis coincident with the zoom lens and performs focus adjustment of the subject image;
Zoom lens moving means for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
A focus lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction;
The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit are disposed in the same lens barrel.   2. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens and the focus lens are configured by a two-group lens structure in which the focus lens is disposed on the subject side.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the focus lens moving unit moves the focus lens so as to maintain a focused state in accordance with the movement of the zoom lens. A zoom lens that zooms in on the subject image,
A focus lens that is arranged with the optical axis coincident with the zoom lens and performs focus adjustment of the subject image;
Zoom lens moving means for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
A focus lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction;
The zoom lens moving means and the focus lens moving means are arranged at a position where a V-shape is formed around the optical axis in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.   5. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit are arranged in the same lens barrel.   The camera module according to claim 5, wherein the zoom lens and the focus lens are movable along a rail formed along the optical axis on an inner surface of the lens barrel.   The zoom lens moving unit and the focus lens moving unit include a shaft having a thread groove formed on a surface thereof and arranged in parallel with the optical axis, and a rotating shaft directly connected to the shaft, and the rotating shaft. A motor that rotates the shaft to rotate, and each of the shafts is joined to the zoom lens and the focus lens by a cam that fits the screw groove, and the zoom lens and the focus are rotated by the rotation of the motor. The camera module according to claim 4, wherein the lens is moved. A zoom lens that zooms in on the subject image,
A focus lens that is arranged with the optical axis coincident with the zoom lens and performs focus adjustment of the subject image;
Zoom lens moving means having a movable part for moving the zoom lens along the optical axis, and a drive part for driving the movable part;
A focus lens moving means having a movable part that moves the focus lens along the optical axis, and a drive part that drives the movable part;
The zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving means, and a lens barrel in which the focus lens moving means is disposed,
The optical axes of the zoom lens and the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit each form a substantially isosceles triangle in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. A camera module characterized by that.   The optical axes of the zoom lens and the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit form a substantially equilateral triangle in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The camera module according to claim 8.   The movable portion of the zoom lens moving means and the movable portion of the focus lens moving means are each composed of a shaft having a thread groove formed on the surface thereof, and each of the zoom lens and the zoom lens by a cam that is screwed to the shaft. 9. The camera module according to claim 8, wherein the camera module is combined with a focus lens.   9. The camera module according to claim 8, wherein the drive unit of the zoom lens moving unit and the drive unit of the focus lens moving unit are configured by stepping motors. A mobile device that can shoot still images or videos,
A zoom lens that zooms in on the subject image,
A focus lens that is arranged with the optical axis coincident with the zoom lens and performs focus adjustment of the subject image;
Zoom lens moving means for moving the zoom lens in the optical axis direction;
Focus lens moving means for moving the focus lens in the optical axis direction;
An image sensor that converts light that has passed through the zoom lens and the focus lens into an electrical signal;
The mobile device, wherein the zoom lens, the focus lens, the zoom lens moving means, and the focus lens moving means are arranged in the same lens barrel.   13. The zoom lens moving unit and the focus lens moving unit are arranged at a position where a V-shape is formed around the optical axis in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The listed mobile device.   The optical axes of the zoom lens and the focus lens, the zoom lens moving unit, and the focus lens moving unit each form a substantially isosceles triangle in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The mobile device according to claim 12.

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