JP2007025312A - Imaging module and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a compact configuration in the direction of the thickness of an imaging element even with an imaging module having two imaging lenses, to obtain a sharp image whichever of the lenses is used for imaging, and to eliminate the need for a reflecting plate, etc., other than the module. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging module includes: an imaging element 206 formed in the shape of a chip and having one side serving as a light receiving face 206a and the other side connected to a substrate 220; a first lens 204 disposed so as to face the light receiving face 206a of the imaging element 206 and used to image a subject image onto the light receiving face 206a; a second lens 202 disposed so as to be different from the first lens 204 in light incident path and used to image a subject image onto the light receiving face 206a of the imaging element 206; a reflecting plate 208 positioned on the incident path of the first lens 204 and used to reflect light made incident from the second lens 202 toward the imaging element 206. The reflecting plate 208 is composed so as to freely retract from the incident path of the first lens 204. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging module having two lenses having different light incident paths, and a portable terminal including the imaging module.

  Currently, in mobile phones, two cameras for front and back are often mounted. However, as the size of mobile phones progresses, it is difficult to secure a mounting space for mounting the two cameras. It has become. As a factor that makes it difficult to secure the mounting space, it is necessary to control two cameras, and therefore, it is necessary to provide camera wiring and parts for each camera. In addition, since an image sensor, a DSP, and the like are required for each of the two cameras, there is a problem that the cost increases.

  In order to solve this problem, an imaging module has been proposed in which imaging on the front side and the back side is performed with one imaging element (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this imaging module, the lenses are arranged on the front side and the back side so that the optical axes thereof coincide with each other, and the reflecting plate is rotatably provided on the incident path of each lens. Is selectively reflected to the image sensor. The chip-shaped imaging device is arranged so as to be parallel to the incident path of the front lens and the incident path of the rear lens, and is arranged to be perpendicular to the light incident from the reflector. That is, it is arranged so as to extend in the thickness direction of the casing, and the thickness direction of the image sensor and the casing is not matched.

  Patent Document 1 also discloses an imaging module in which the imaging element and the casing have the same thickness direction. This imaging module includes a half mirror that transmits the light of one lens and reflects the light of the other lens once reflected by the total reflection plate to the imaging element side.

Further, an imaging module has been proposed in which the imaging lens and the imaging element correspond one-to-one, and a reflection mechanism is provided on the housing side to enable imaging on the front side and the back side (for example, Patent Documents). 2).
JP 2004-260413 A JP 2005-17569 A

  However, when the imaging module in which the reflecting plate described in Patent Document 1 is rotated is mounted in a thin casing such as a mobile phone, the imaging element is arranged in an orientation extending in the thickness direction of the casing. I must. As a result, although the space inside the housing is limited in the thickness direction, the imaging element occupies the space in the housing in the thickness direction at the mounting position, and the degree of freedom in design is reduced. There was a problem. Further, in many cases, a substrate is arranged in parallel with the front surface and the back surface in the housing, and if the image sensor extends in the thickness direction in the housing, it is disadvantageous in terms of layout.

  Moreover, since the imaging module using the half mirror described in Patent Document 1 transmits the half mirror in one imaging state and forms an image, the light is attenuated by entering from the lens when the half mirror is transmitted, There is a problem that a clear image cannot be obtained.

  Furthermore, since the mobile phone described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a reflecting plate having a moving mechanism on the housing side outside the module, the housing becomes large in size and increases in weight and cost, and supports the downsizing of the housing. Difficult to do.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if it has two imaging lenses, it is compactly configured in the thickness direction of the image sensor, and is imaged by any lens. The present invention also provides an imaging module that can obtain a clear image and does not require a reflector or the like outside the module, and a portable electronic device including the imaging module.

  In the present invention that solves the above problem, an imaging device that is formed in a chip shape, one surface is a light receiving surface and the other surface is connected to a substrate, and is arranged to face the light receiving surface of the image sensor, A first lens for forming a subject image, a second lens for forming a subject image on a light receiving surface of the image sensor, the second lens being arranged so that a light incident path is different from that of the first lens, and the first lens A reflecting plate that is positioned on the incident path of one lens and reflects the light incident from the second lens toward the image sensor, and the reflecting plate is configured to be retractable from the incident path of the first lens. And imaging is performed using the second lens in a state where the reflecting plate is positioned on the incident path of the first lens, and the reflecting plate is retracted from the incident path of the first lens. Special feature is that image formation using one lens is performed. Imaging modules that are provided.

  According to the imaging module of the present invention, since the first lens is disposed so as to face the light receiving surface of the image sensor, the incident light from the first lens is directly connected to the light receiving surface when the reflecting plate is retracted. Imaged. Accordingly, the incident path of the first lens and the light receiving surface can be made substantially vertical, and the imaging element can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the incident path of the first lens. As a result, the entire module can be made smaller in the thickness direction of the image sensor than the conventional one that reflects both light incident from each imaging lens.

  Further, by positioning the reflecting plate in the incident path of the first lens, incident light from the second lens is imaged on the light receiving surface via the reflecting plate. At this time, the incident light is not attenuated by the time it reaches the image sensor, unlike the conventional one using a half mirror at the time of image formation using one of the lenses. Even a clear image can be obtained. In addition, since it is possible to image a subject located in different directions using two lenses with one image sensor, it is possible to share peripheral devices such as a DSP in addition to the image sensor. Cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the reflector is provided in the module, the structure of a portable terminal or the like to which the module is attached does not increase in size as in the case where the reflector is provided outside the module.

  As mentioned above, although the structure of this invention was demonstrated, this invention is not restricted to this, Various aspects are included. For example, according to the present invention, the imaging module and the imaging module are disposed inside, and a first opening formed corresponding to the first lens and a second formed corresponding to the second lens. There is provided a portable terminal comprising a housing having an opening.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a reflection plate or the like outside the module, even if it has two imaging lenses, and it is compactly configured in the thickness direction of the image sensor. A clear image can be obtained even if an image is formed by a lens.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a mobile phone, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional explanatory view of the mobile phone showing an attached state of an imaging module. 3 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the imaging module in a state where the internal structure is shown and an image is formed by the second lens, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the imaging module in a state where the internal structure is shown and an image is formed by the first lens.
2 to 4 relate to the AA cross section of FIG. Here, the AA cross section of FIG. 1 is set so that the left and right positions of the cut face are different on the left side and the right side in the drawing so that the lenses separated in the left and right direction are shown in cross section (see FIG. 1). .

  As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile phone 100 as a mobile terminal includes a first housing 102 and a second housing 104 that are foldably coupled. In addition, the mobile phone 100 includes an imaging module 200 described later. The first housing 102 and the second housing 104 each have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and are formed thin. As shown in FIG. 1, operation keys 106 are arranged on the first housing 102, and a display surface 108 is formed on the second housing 104. The operation key 106 and the display surface 108 can be used in a state in which the housings 102 and 104 are expanded.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an imaging module 200 including a front imaging lens 202 as a second lens and a rear imaging lens 204 as a first lens is disposed inside the second housing 104. The second housing 104 corresponds to the front imaging lens 202, and the front opening 110 as the first opening formed in the front surface 104 a of the second housing 104 and the second housing corresponding to the rear imaging lens 204. 104, and a rear opening 112 as a second opening formed on the rear surface 104b. As shown in FIG. 1, the front opening 110 appears when the housings 102 and 104 are expanded. The front imaging lens 202 is mainly used when the user of the mobile phone 100 takes a picture of himself / herself, and the rear imaging lens 204 is mainly used when the user of the mobile phone 100 takes a picture of something other than himself / herself.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a main board 114 that extends substantially parallel to the front surface 104 a and the rear surface 104 b is disposed inside the second housing 104. The imaging module 200 described above is mounted on the main board 114.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging module 200 is formed in a chip shape, one surface is a light receiving surface 206 a and the other surface is connected to a sub-substrate 220, and an object image is formed on the light receiving surface. A front imaging lens 202 and a rear imaging lens 204. The front imaging lens 202 is arranged to face the light receiving surface 206a of the imaging element 206, and the rear imaging lens 204 is arranged so that the light incident path is different from that of the front imaging lens 202.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging module 200 includes a reflection plate 208 that is located on the incident path of the front imaging lens 202 and reflects light incident from the rear imaging lens 204 toward the imaging element 206. . The reflection plate 208 is configured to be retractable from the incident path of the front imaging lens 202 and is driven by a motor or the like (not shown). Imaging is performed using the rear imaging lens 204 in a state where the reflecting plate 208 is positioned on the incident path of the front imaging lens 202 as shown in FIG. 3, and the reflecting plate 208 is moved to the front imaging lens 202 as shown in FIG. Imaging using the front imaging lens 202 is performed in a state in which it has left the incident path.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear imaging lens 204 and the front imaging lens 202 have opposite incident paths, and the auxiliary reflector 210 reflects light incident from the front imaging lens 202 toward the reflector 208. Is provided. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, light incident from the back side is once reflected in the direction parallel to the light receiving surface 206 a of the image sensor 206 using the auxiliary reflector 210, and this light is further reflected using the reflector 208. It is reflected to the image sensor 206. In FIG. 3, the same cross section is illustrated, but in the left and right sides in the drawing, cross-section cuts are set at positions separated from each other. Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear imaging lens 204 and the front imaging lens are set. 202 is spaced from side to side.

  The imaging module 200 includes openings 212 and 214 to which the front imaging lens 202 and the rear imaging lens 204 are fixed, and a housing 216 in which the imaging element 206 and the reflection plate 208 are arranged. Further, the imaging module 200 includes a light shielding plate 218 that shields incident light from the rear imaging lens 204 into the housing 216 when the reflecting plate 208 is positioned on the incident path of the front imaging lens 202. The light shielding plate 218 is also driven by a motor or the like (not shown) in the same manner as the reflection plate 208.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the reflector 208 is configured to shield incident light from the front imaging lens 204 into the housing 216 when positioned on the incident path of the front imaging lens 202. Then, by driving a motor or the like, as shown in FIG. 4, it moves backward in the housing 216 and moves away from the incident path of the front imaging lens 202. In FIG. 4, the reflector 208 and the auxiliary reflector 210 overlap in a side view. However, as described above, the reflector 208 and the auxiliary reflector 210 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. Even if they move backward, they do not interfere with each other.

  Here, the image sensor 206 is, for example, a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like, and a DSP 222 is mounted on the side opposite to the image sensor 206 on the sub-substrate 220. An infrared light shielding filter 224 is disposed above the image sensor 206.

  The imaging module 200 configured as described above is configured such that the user can select either the front-side camera or the rear-side camera, and the reflector 208 and the light-shielding plate 218 are selected by the control unit (not shown). Accordingly, the movement is controlled to an appropriate position. That is, when there is an input from the operation key 106 or the like by the user and the front camera is selected, the front imaging lens 202 is used with the reflector 208 positioned on the incident path of the rear imaging lens 204. Imaging is performed. In addition, when the rear camera is selected, image formation using the rear imaging lens 204 is performed in a state where the reflector 208 is retracted from the incident path of the rear imaging lens 204.

  As described above, according to the imaging module 200 of the present embodiment, since the rear imaging lens 204 is disposed so as to face the light receiving surface 206a of the imaging element 206, the reflecting plate 208 is retracted as shown in FIG. Then, the incident light from the rear imaging lens 204 forms an image directly on the light receiving surface 206a. As a result, the incident path of the rear imaging lens 204 and the light receiving surface 206a can be made substantially vertical, and the imaging element 206 can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the incident path of the first lens. As a result, the entire module can be made smaller in the thickness direction of the image sensor 206 than the conventional one that reflects both light incident from each imaging lens.

  Further, by positioning the reflecting plate 208 in the incident path of the rear imaging lens 204, incident light from the front imaging lens 202 is imaged on the light receiving surface 206a via the reflecting plate 208. At this time, the incident light is not attenuated by the time it reaches the image sensor 206 unlike the conventional one using a half mirror at the time of image formation using one lens. Even a clear image can be obtained. In addition, since it is possible to pick up images of subjects located in different directions using the two lenses 202 and 204 with one image pickup device 206, the periphery of the DSP 222, the infrared light shielding filter 224, etc. in addition to the image pickup device 206 Equipment can be shared and costs can be greatly reduced.

  Further, when the reflecting plate 208 is positioned on the incident path of the rear imaging lens 204, the incident light from the rear imaging lens 204 into the housing 216 is shielded. There is no need to provide it, and the number of components can be reduced to reduce the manufacturing cost, and the housing 216 can be downsized.

  In addition, since the mobile phone 100 according to the present embodiment includes the reflection plate 208 in the imaging module 200, the second casing 104 to which the imaging module 200 is attached is like a reflection plate provided outside the imaging module 200. Does not increase in size.

  In the embodiment, the mobile phone 100 is exemplified as the mobile terminal. However, the same operation effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained even with another mobile terminal such as a PDA or a notebook personal computer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rear imaging lens 204 and the front imaging lens 202 are shown with the incident paths opposite to each other. However, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the incident paths of the lenses 302 and 304 are substantially orthogonal. You may do. FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the auxiliary reflecting plate 210 is not provided and the light is directly incident on the reflecting plate 208 from the side lens 304.

  In addition, the driving method and driving timing of the reflecting plate 208 and the light shielding plate 218 can be arbitrarily set according to the specifications of the mobile phone 100, and other specific detailed structures can be changed as appropriate. Of course.

1 is a schematic external perspective view of a mobile phone showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the imaging module in a state where the internal structure is shown and the second lens forms an image with respect to the AA cross section of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the imaging module in a state where the internal structure is shown and the first lens forms an image with respect to the AA cross section of FIG. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the imaging module which shows a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mobile phone 102 1st housing | casing 104 2nd housing | casing 104a Front 104b Back 106 Operation key 108 Display surface 110 Front opening 112 Back opening 114 Main board 200 Imaging module 202 Front imaging lens 204 Rear imaging lens 206 Imaging element 206a Light reception Surface 208 Reflecting plate 210 Auxiliary reflecting plate 212 Opening 214 Opening 216 Housing 218 Shading plate 220 Sub-substrate 224 Infrared light shielding filter 302 Lens 304 Lens

Claims (4)

An imaging element formed in a chip shape, one surface forming a light receiving surface and the other surface connected to a substrate;
A first lens arranged to face the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and for forming a subject image on the light receiving surface;
A second lens for forming a subject image on a light receiving surface of the image sensor, wherein the first lens and the light incident path are different from each other;
A reflector that is located on an incident path of the first lens and reflects light incident from the second lens toward the image sensor;
The reflecting plate is configured to be movable away from the incident path of the first lens,
Imaging is performed using the second lens in a state where the reflector is positioned on the incident path of the first lens, and the first lens is in a state where the reflector is retracted from the incident path of the first lens. An imaging module characterized in that image formation is performed. A housing having an opening to which the first lens and the second lens are fixed; and the imaging element and the reflection plate disposed therein;
A light shielding plate that shields incident light from the second lens into the housing when the reflecting plate is positioned on the incident path of the first lens;
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured to shield incident light from the first lens into the housing when positioned on an incident path of the first lens. module. The first lens and the second lens have opposite incident paths,
The imaging module according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary reflection plate that reflects the light incident from the second lens toward the reflection plate. The imaging module according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The imaging module is disposed inside, and includes a housing having a first opening formed corresponding to the first lens and a second opening formed corresponding to the second lens. A mobile terminal characterized by.

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