JP2007104302A - Camera module, lens mounting device, focus adjusting device, and inspecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a tact time of the lens mounting, focus adjustment, and operation inspection of a camera module while suppressing costs. <P>SOLUTION: A camera module 1 is constituted by gathering and arranging test pads connected to all terminals of a connector 4 on the reverse surface of a substrate on the opposite side from a mount surface for a lens, and a plurality of camera modules 1 are constituted on one sheet substrate on a multiple-module production basis, and the sheet substrate is fitted to a lens mounting device, a focus adjusting device, and an inspecting device to perform the lens mounting, focus adjustment, and operation inspection without dividing the camera modules 1 individually. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera module provided with a test pad used for inspection or the like.

In the process of mounting the lens of the camera module, adjusting the focus, and inspecting the photographed image, the camera module is set to the lens mounting device, the focus adjustment device, and the inspection device one by one. If each camera module is set in the apparatus one by one in this way and each process is performed, a considerable amount of time is required, and tacts such as lens mounting, camera module focus adjustment, and inspection become longer. Further, if automation is performed including processes such as camera module conveyance and setting, the inspection time can be shortened, but each apparatus required for automation requires great costs. Therefore, it is important to reduce the time required for each process while suppressing the cost of the apparatus used in each process.
For example, in an imaging device composed of a flexible substrate on which a solid-state imaging device and an electronic component are mounted, a test pad portion that can be cut out from a portion on which the electronic component is mounted is provided, and electrical characteristics are measured using the test pad formed on this portion. There exists what was comprised so that it might test | inspect (for example, refer patent document 1). In this manner, inspection can be performed even during the manufacturing process in which electronic components are mounted and the flexible substrate is bent, thereby improving workability and reliability.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-146011 (pages 2, 3 and 1)

  Since the conventional camera module is configured as described above, the inspection tact takes a long time because it is installed in the inspection apparatus one by one, and when the lens is mounted and focus adjustment is performed one by one. Since it must be installed in the apparatus, there is a problem that a lot of time and manufacturing cost are required.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to shorten the tact times of camera module lens mounting, focus adjustment, and operation inspection while suppressing costs.

  In the camera module according to the present invention, a test pad is provided on a terminal wiring of a connector for connecting a signal and a power source to an external device on the back surface of a surface on which an image sensor is mounted.

  According to the present invention, since the test pad connected to the connector terminal is provided on the back surface of the surface on which the image pickup device of the substrate is mounted, each of the camera modules is divided by the sheet substrate having a plurality of camera modules. It is possible to inspect the lens mounting, the focus adjustment, and the operation by operating without any problem, and the tact can be shortened.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIGS. 1-1 and 1-2 are explanatory views showing an overview of the camera module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1-1 shows an overview of the front surface of the camera module 1, and FIG. 1-2 shows an overview of the back surface of the camera module 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the lens 2 used for imaging is mounted on the surface side of the substrate 3 of the camera module 1 using, for example, a mount member that is not illustrated in detail. Behind the lens 2, a circuit made up of an imaging element (not shown) is formed on the substrate 3. Similarly to the lens 2, a connector 4 that electrically connects the camera module 1 to an external device or the like is mounted on the surface side of the substrate 3.
As shown in FIG. 1B, a plurality of test pads 5 are provided on the back side of the substrate 3, for example, at a site behind the lens 2. The number of test pads 5 is, for example, the same as the number of terminals of the connector 4, and the circuit and connector 4 configured on the substrate 3 described above so that each signal input / output by the camera module 1 can be monitored via the connector 4. Connected with.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the camera module according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those shown in FIGS. 1-1 and 1-2. As described above, behind the lens 2, the sensor 10 such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor, for example, is disposed. The sensor 10 is connected to a correlated double sampling / gain control amplifier (hereinafter referred to as a CDS / AGC unit) 11. The CDS / AGC unit 11 is connected to an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as an ADC unit). The ADC unit 12 is connected to a signal processor (hereinafter referred to as a DSP unit) 13. A timing pulse / synchronization pulse generator (hereinafter referred to as a TG / SG unit) 14 is connected to the DSP unit 13. Further, the TG / SG unit 14 is connected to supply a drive signal for driving the sensor 10 to the sensor 10, for example.

The wiring of the power supply VDD supplied from the outside of the camera module 1 to the DSP unit 13 is connected to the DSP unit 13 from the connector 4 via the test pad 5, and the image signal DATA and the clock signal output from the DSP unit 13 to the outside. The wiring of DCLK is also connected to the connector 4 via the test pad 5.
An external clock signal EXTCLK and a reset signal RESET are input to the TG / SG unit 14 from the outside of the camera module 1. These signals are also input from the connector 4 via the test pad 5. The TG / SG unit 14 is connected and wired so that the vertical drive signal VD and the horizontal drive signal HD are output from the connector 4 to the outside via the test pad 5.

When the interface unit (hereinafter referred to as I / F unit) 15 is controlled from the outside of the camera module 1, the operation of the CDS / AGC unit 11, for example, is adjusted by an external device such as a personal computer connected externally. At this time, an input / output signal with the external device is converted into a processable signal, and for example, an input / output process such as data SDA or clock signal SCL is performed. The data SDA and the clock signal SCL are also connected to an external device via the connector 4, and the test pad 5 is provided on the wiring connecting the connector 4 and the I / F unit 15 and the like. A test pad 5 is also provided in the middle of the wiring of the power supply IOVDD such as the I / F unit 15 supplied from the outside of the camera module 1 via the connector 4.
In FIG. 2, the test pad 5 is shown as one block, but as described above, it is provided for each wiring line for each signal or the like.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the camera module according to the first embodiment. This figure shows a state in which a plurality of camera modules 1 are configured on the sheet substrate 20, and the surface of the sheet substrate 20 is viewed. A plurality of camera modules 1 are assembled on the sheet substrate 20 by mounting the above-described components, and the sheet substrate 20 is processed so that it can be divided / separated at a predetermined position. That is, a plurality of substrates 3 are formed on the sheet substrate 20. The sheet substrate 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 is obtained by forming a wiring pattern or the like of the substrate 3 so that 16 camera modules 1 can be assembled on one sheet substrate 20. For example, positioning holes 21 are provided at four corners of the sheet substrate 20 to be used for attaching each device described later to a sheet substrate fixing jig. In addition, although 16 camera modules 1 are multi-faceted on the sheet substrate 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, the number of camera modules 1 provided per sheet differs depending on the size of the camera module 1 and the like. Further, the sheet substrate 20 and the substrate 3 that is multi-faced to the sheet substrate 20 are not limited to flexible substrates.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the lens mounting apparatus according to the first embodiment. This figure shows the state when the circuit elements and the like are mounted on the above-described sheet substrate 20 and then the inside of the apparatus for mounting the lens 2 on each of the plurality of camera modules 1 configured on the sheet substrate 20 is viewed from the side. The arrangement | positioning of each part which comprises an apparatus is shown. In order to clearly express the characteristics of the present invention, for example, the mounting means for mounting the lens 2 on each camera module 1 is not shown.
Inside the lens mounting device 30, a chart 31 on which a pattern to be imaged when confirming the operation of the camera module 1 to which the lens 2 is attached and a lighting device 32 that illuminates the chart 31 are provided. The lens mounting apparatus 30 illustrated in FIG. 4 is configured to mount the above-described sheet substrate 20 on the surface of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, and the chart 31 is, for example, a lens above the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. It is arranged on the ceiling surface inside the mounting apparatus 30. The illumination device 32 is arranged so that the surface illuminance of the chart 31 is uniform, and for example, a plurality of illumination devices 32 are installed.

  The sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is provided with a plurality of positioning pins 34 to be inserted into the positioning holes 21 of the sheet substrate 20 shown in FIG. 3 on the surface side, and is supported by the jig moving mechanism portion 36 constituting the base unit portion 35. Has been. Further, when the sheet substrate 20 is mounted on the front side, that is, on the upper surface side in FIG. 4, all the test pads 5 provided in each camera module 1 of the sheet substrate 20 are fixed to the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. The back side of the jig 33 is configured to be exposed downward.

A probe 37 that is brought into contact with the test pad 5 is disposed below the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. The probe 37 is attached to, for example, the jig moving mechanism 36 or a moving mechanism independent of the jig moving mechanism 36 so as to move in the vertical direction in FIG. The signal processing unit 38 is connected to the image processing unit 38 or the image signal processing unit 38 so as to input / output a signal or the like to be input / output in a state of being in contact with the personal computer 39. The personal computer 39 is connected to the jig moving mechanism 36 that supports the probe 37 or the above-described independent moving mechanism so as to control the vertical movement of the probe 37. The personal computer 39 is connected so as to control the jig moving mechanism 36 that supports the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 when the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is moved in the vertical direction inside the lens mounting apparatus 30. Has been.
Further, the control box 40 is connected so as to control the operation of the jig moving mechanism unit 36 in accordance with the operation performed on the push button provided by itself. It is configured to control the operation of the jig moving mechanism portion 36 when moving the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 in the left and right and depth directions in the drawing.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of mounting a lens on the camera module according to the first embodiment. First, an operator operates the personal computer 39 to activate a control program used for lens mounting from software provided in the personal computer 39 (step ST101). Next, the sheet substrate 20 on which the lens 2 is mounted is set on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST102). As described above, the positioning pins 34 provided in the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 are inserted into the positioning holes 21 of the sheet substrate 20 to fix the sheet substrate 20 to the front side of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. After that, among the plurality of camera modules 1 provided on the sheet substrate 20, one that does not mount the lens 2 is input. For the designation of the camera module 1 to be excluded from the lens mounting process, for example, a number (hereinafter referred to as “No.”) is set in advance for each camera module 1 configured on the sheet substrate 20 and the lens 2 is not mounted. No. of camera module 1 Is designated by operating the push button of the control box 40 (step ST103). Thereafter, a start button among the push buttons provided in the control box 40 is pressed (step ST104), and mounting of the lens 2 on the sheet substrate 20 is started.

  As described above, when the start button of the control box 40 is operated, the jig moving mechanism unit 36 moves the sheet substrate fixing jig so that the predetermined camera module 1 of the sheet substrate 20 is positioned to perform the lens mounting process. 33 is moved. One camera module 1 is moved to a position above the probe 37. At this time, the jig moving mechanism unit 33 moves the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 in the horizontal direction, that is, in the left and right and depth directions in FIG. Thereafter, the jig moving mechanism 36 that supports the probe 37 or an independent moving mechanism moves the probe 37 upward in accordance with an instruction operation performed on the personal computer 39, and a plurality of the probes 37 are provided. The test pins are all brought into contact with the test pads 5 of the camera module 1. When performing the lens mounting process, the operator operates the personal computer 39 as necessary to drive the jig moving mechanism 36 in the vertical direction inside the lens mounting apparatus 30 shown in FIG. The jig 33 is moved to adjust the arrangement height of the sheet substrate 20 in the lens mounting apparatus 30.

  After the probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1 in this way, the personal computer 39 inputs a power source, a control signal, and the like to the camera module 1 through the probe 37 to perform an imaging operation. At this time, the image signal output from the camera module 1 is input to the image processing unit 38 via the probe 37, image processing is performed so that the display means such as an LCD of the personal computer 39 can display, and the image is displayed. (Step ST105). While viewing this display image, for example, the mounting operation of the lens 2 is performed manually or using mounting means having a mounting mechanism (step ST106). The camera module 1 on which the lens 2 is mounted is arranged at a predetermined position inside the lens mounting apparatus 30 by the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 moved as described above. From this position, for example, as shown in FIG. The chart 31 illuminated by the illumination device 32 is imaged. For example, the chart 31 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 39, and the lens 2 is attached to the camera module 1 while visually recognizing the image.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the camera module and the probe according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those shown in FIG. In this figure, the camera module 1 is shown as a single product, but when the probe 37 is in contact with the test pad 5, it is not yet separated from the sheet substrate 20. When the sheet substrate 20 is mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 as described above and the probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of any camera module 1, the probe 37 is attached to the camera module 1 as shown in FIG. Located below. Therefore, there is nothing that interferes with the angle of view range a of the camera module 1, and the lens 2 can be mounted while the camera module 1 is activated and the chart 31 is imaged as described above.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the lens mounting device for the camera module according to the first embodiment. Description will be made using the same reference numerals for the same parts as those shown in FIG.
As shown as state A in FIG. After mounting the lens 2 by bringing the probe 37 into contact with the camera module 1, the probe 37 is moved downward as indicated by the broken line arrow 41 as in the state B. The probe 37 is separated from the test pad 5 of one camera module 1. No. When the lens 2 is mounted on one camera module 1, the operator presses the end button provided in the control box 40 (step ST107). The control box 40 determines whether or not the lens 2 has been mounted on all the camera modules 1 except for all of those configured on the sheet substrate 20 in accordance with this button operation or those that do not mount the lens. The determination is made based on the number of times the end button has been pressed, the number of movements and the movement direction of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST108).

  In the process of step ST108, if it is determined that there is a lens that has not been mounted yet, the control box 40 controls the jig moving mechanism 36 so that the lens 2 is not mounted yet. 7, the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is moved in the direction indicated by the broken arrow 42, that is, the sheet substrate 20 is moved horizontally as shown in the state C of FIG. As in the state D, the probe 37 is moved in the direction indicated by the broken arrow 43, that is, the 2 is raised toward the camera module 1 and the No. 2 camera module 1 is raised. 2 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1. Thereafter, returning to the process of step ST105, the subsequent processes are processed in the same manner. For example, when the lens 2 is mounted on all the camera modules 1 as in the sheet substrate 20 shown in FIG. 3, the above steps ST105 to ST108 are repeated 16 times.

In the process of step ST108, if it is determined that the lenses 2 are mounted on all the camera modules 1, for example, the personal computer 39 notifies the operator of that fact and controls each part so as to enter a standby state. The operator removes the substrate 20 from the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST109), and the lens mounting process of the sheet substrate 20 is completed.
It should be noted that each process performed by the control box 40 may be processed using the personal computer 39 to control each operation in the same manner.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the sheet substrate 20 including the plurality of camera modules 1 is mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, and the probe 37 is attached to the test pad 5 of each camera module 1 from below. Since the camera module 1 is activated by contact and the lens 2 is mounted while visually recognizing the output image, it is possible to mount the lens properly without dividing each camera module 1. There is an effect that a required tact can be shortened. In particular, when the substrate 3 of the camera module 1 is made of a flexible material, it takes time to attach to or remove from the apparatus because it is difficult to hold the substrate 3 or the like. When such a substrate 3 is used, the required time can be effectively shortened by attaching or removing one sheet substrate 20 without dividing each camera module 1.
In addition, since the test pads 5 are provided for all the wirings connected to the connector 4 of the camera module 1, the lens can be mounted while visually recognizing the image signal output from the connector 4. There is.

In addition, since the test pad 5 is disposed on the side opposite to the surface on which the lens 2 is mounted, there is an effect that when the lens 2 is mounted, there is nothing that interferes with the image captured by the camera module 1.
Further, the use of the test pad 5 has an effect that each camera module 1 can be operated to mount a lens without dividing the camera module 1 multi-faced on one sheet substrate 20. .

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The camera module focus adjustment apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the apparatus shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts as those shown in FIG. Further, the description of the same parts as those of the lens mounting apparatus 30 described in the first embodiment is omitted, and the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is characterized as the focus adjustment apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment. The part will be explained.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a chart provided in the focus adjustment apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The chart shown in FIG. 8 is an example chart for the focus adjustment device, and the design is different from the chart used in the lens mounting device and the inspection device.
When the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is used as the focus adjustment apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment, a chart having a pattern as shown in FIG. 8 is provided as the chart 31 in FIG. Here, the chart 31 illustrated in FIG. 8 is called a tracking chart, and is used for focus adjustment during an imaging operation. The sheet substrate 20 mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 of the focus adjustment device 50 has the camera module 1 on which the lens 2 is already mounted. The camera module 1 includes a test pad 5 similar to that described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.
The illumination device 32, the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, the base unit portion 35, the jig moving mechanism portion 36, the probe 37, and the like provided in the focus adjustment device 50 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the image processing unit 38, the personal computer 39, and the control box 40 are also connected / configured in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera module focus adjusting apparatus according to the second embodiment.
The operator operates the personal computer 39 to activate a control program used for focus adjustment from software provided in the personal computer 39 (step ST201). Next, the sheet substrate 20 to be subjected to the focus adjustment process of the camera module 1 is set on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST202). As described in the first embodiment, the positioning pins 34 provided in the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 are inserted into the positioning holes 21 of the sheet substrate 20 so that the sheet substrate 20 is placed on the front side of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. To fix.

  After that, among the plurality of camera modules 1 provided on the sheet substrate 20, one that is not subjected to focus adjustment is input. For specifying the camera module 1 to be excluded from the focus adjustment process, for example, the camera module 1 of No. 1 is specified so that the lens mounting described in the first embodiment is not performed. Is designated by operating the push button of the control box 40 (step ST203). Thereafter, a start button among the push buttons provided in the control box 40 is pressed (step ST204), and focus adjustment of each camera module 1 on the sheet substrate 20 is started.

  As described above, when the start button of the control box 40 is operated, the control box 40 controls the jig moving mechanism 36, and the predetermined camera module 1 on the sheet substrate 20 becomes a position where the focus adjustment process is performed. The sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is moved as shown in FIG. One camera module 1 is moved to a position above the probe 37. At this time, the jig moving mechanism unit 33 moves the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 in the horizontal direction. Thereafter, the jig moving mechanism 36 supporting the probe 37 or an independent moving mechanism moves the probe 37 upward, for example, in accordance with an instruction operation performed on the personal computer 39, and is provided in the probe 37. A plurality of inspection pins are brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1 without exception. When performing the focus adjustment step, the operator operates the personal computer 39 as necessary to drive the jig moving mechanism 36 in the vertical direction inside the focus adjustment device 50 to move the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. Then, the arrangement height of the sheet substrate 20 in the focus adjustment device 50 is adjusted.

  After the probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1 as described above, the personal computer 39 inputs a power source, a control signal, etc. to the camera module 1 via the probe 37 and performs the imaging operation of the chart 31. At this time, the image signal output from the camera module 1 is input to the image processing unit 38 via the probe 37, image processing is performed so that the display means of the personal computer 39 can display the image, for example, and the image is displayed (step). ST205). While viewing this display image, for example, adjustment work is performed manually or using focus adjustment means such as an adjustment tool (step ST206). The camera module 1 for adjusting the focus is arranged at a predetermined position inside the lens mounting apparatus 30 by the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 moved as described above. From this position, for example, as shown in FIG. The chart 31 illuminated by the illumination device 32 is imaged.

  For example, a chart 31 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 39, and a focus adjustment unit configured on, for example, the mount of the lens 2 is adjusted while viewing this image. As in the case described in the first embodiment, in the focus adjustment device 50, when the probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1, there is nothing that interferes with the field angle range of the camera module 1. Thus, focus adjustment can be performed while imaging the chart 31.

  For example, no. After adjusting the focus of the camera module 1 set to 1, the probe 37 is moved downward to 1 away from the test pad 5 of the camera module 1. No. When the focus adjustment of one camera module 1 has been completed and the end button provided in the control box 40 is pressed by the operator (step ST207), the control box 40 is all configured on the sheet substrate 20, or Whether or not the focus of all the camera modules 1 has been adjusted except for those for which focus adjustment is not performed is determined from, for example, the number of times the end button has been pressed so far, the movement direction and the number of movements of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, etc. (Step ST208) If there is something that has not been completed yet, the jig moving mechanism 36 is controlled to move, for example, an unadjusted No. The sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is moved in the horizontal direction so that the second camera module 1 is positioned. Thereafter, returning to the process of step ST205, the subsequent processes are similarly processed. The process of steps ST205 to ST208 is repeated 16 times when, for example, 16 camera modules 1 are configured on the sheet substrate 20 and the lenses 2 are mounted as described in the first embodiment. Note that the operation of the jig moving mechanism 36 under the control of the control box 40 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIG. 7 in the first embodiment.

In the process of step ST208, when it is determined that the focus of all the camera modules 1 has been adjusted, for example, the personal computer 39 notifies the operator to that effect and controls each part to be in a standby state. The operator removes the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 from the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST209), and the focus adjustment process of the sheet substrate 20 is finished.
It should be noted that each process performed by the control box 40 may be processed using the personal computer 39 to control each operation in the same manner.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the sheet substrate 20 including the plurality of camera modules 1 is mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, and the probe 37 is attached to the test pad 5 of each camera module 1 from below. Since the camera module 1 is activated by touching and the focus adjustment is performed while visually recognizing the output image, the focus can be adjusted accurately without dividing each camera module 1, and the focus adjustment is required. There is an effect that tact can be shortened. In particular, when the substrate 3 of the camera module 1 is made of a flexible material, it takes time to attach to or remove from the apparatus because it is difficult to hold the substrate 3 or the like. When such a substrate 3 is used, the required time can be effectively shortened by attaching or removing one sheet substrate 20 without dividing each camera module 1.
In addition, since the camera module 1 includes the test pads 5 for all the wirings connected to the connector 4, it is possible to perform focus adjustment while visually recognizing the image signal output from the connector 4. There is.

Further, since the test pad 5 is disposed on the side opposite to the surface on which the lens 2 is mounted, there is an effect that there is nothing that interferes with the image captured by the camera module 1 when performing focus adjustment.
In addition, the use of the test pad 5 has an effect that the focus adjustment can be performed by operating each camera module 1 without dividing the camera module 1 multi-faced on one sheet substrate 20. .

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The camera module inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the apparatus shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as or correspond to those shown in FIG. 4, and redundant description of parts that are configured similarly to the lens mounting apparatus 30 described in Embodiment 1 is omitted. The illustrated apparatus will be described as an inspection apparatus 60 according to the third embodiment.
The sheet substrate 20 mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 of the inspection apparatus 60 has the camera module 1 that has already been mounted with the lens 2 and subjected to focus adjustment. The camera module 1 includes a test pad 5 similar to that described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.
Further, the illumination device 32, the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, the base unit portion 35, the jig moving mechanism portion 36, the probe 37, and the like provided in the inspection device 60 are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Further, the image processing unit 38, the personal computer 39, and the control box 40 are also connected / configured in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera module inspection apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
The operator operates the personal computer 39 to activate a control program used for checking the operation of the camera module 1 from the software provided in the personal computer 39 (step ST301). Next, the sheet substrate 20 to be subjected to the operation inspection of the camera module 1 is set on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST302). As described in the first embodiment, the positioning pins 34 provided in the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 are inserted into the positioning holes 21 of the sheet substrate 20 so that the sheet substrate 20 is placed on the front side of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. To fix.

  After that, one of the plurality of camera modules 1 provided on the sheet substrate 20 that is not inspected is designated / input. The designation of the camera module 1 to be excluded from the inspection process is, for example, the case where the camera module 1 No. Is specified by operating the push button of the control box 40 (step ST303). Thereafter, a start button among the push buttons provided in the control box 40 is pressed (step ST304), and inspection of each camera module 1 on the sheet substrate 20 is started.

  As described above, when the start button of the control box 40 is operated, the control box 40 or the personal computer 39 controls the jig moving mechanism 36, and the position where the predetermined camera module 1 on the sheet substrate 20 performs the inspection process. The sheet substrate fixing jig 33 is moved so that, for example, no. One camera module 1 is moved to a position above the probe 37. At this time, the jig moving mechanism unit 33 moves the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 in the horizontal direction. Thereafter, the jig moving mechanism 36 supporting the probe 37 or an independent moving mechanism moves the probe 37 upward, for example, in accordance with an instruction operation performed on the personal computer 39, and is provided in the probe 37. A plurality of inspection pins are brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1 without exception. When performing the inspection process, the operator operates the personal computer 39 as necessary to drive the jig moving mechanism 36 in the vertical direction inside the inspection apparatus 60 to move the sheet substrate fixing jig 33. The arrangement height of the sheet substrate 20 in the inspection apparatus 60 is adjusted.

  After the probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1 in this way, the personal computer 39 inputs a power source, a control signal, etc. to the camera module 1 via the probe 37 and activates the camera module 1 to activate the image signal. Is output (step ST305). At this time, the camera module 1 picks up an image of the chart 31 provided in the inspection apparatus 60, inputs this image signal to the personal computer 39 via the probe 37 and the image processing unit 38, and displays it on the display means of the personal computer 39, for example. .

As described above, the personal computer 39 running the inspection program uses an image signal input from the camera module 1 via the probe 37 or a control signal input / output by the camera module 1 during the imaging operation. Then, the presence / absence of a spot / dust reflected in the captured image, the presence / absence of defective pixels, shading, focusing performance, color reproducibility, etc. are inspected (step ST306), and the inspection result is displayed on the display means of the personal computer 39 itself. .
The camera module 1 performing the inspection is arranged at a predetermined position inside the inspection apparatus 60 by the movement of the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, and is illuminated by the illumination apparatus 32 from this position, for example, as shown in FIG. The chart 31 being taken out is imaged. At this time, in the state where the probe 37 is in contact with the test pad 5 of the camera module 1, there is nothing that interferes with the field angle range of the camera module 1 in the state where the inspection device 60 is in contact with the test pad 5. Therefore, the imaging operation can be inspected without dividing / separating the camera module 1 from the sheet substrate 20.

  The personal computer 39 is, for example, no. When the inspection of the camera module 1 of No. 1 is completed, the jig moving mechanism 36 and the like are controlled. The probe 37 is separated from the test pad 5 of one camera module 1. Here, it is determined whether or not the operations of all the camera modules 1 are inspected except for all of the sheets that are configured on the sheet substrate 20 or those that are set not to be inspected in the process of step ST303 (step ST307). ). For example, the personal computer 39 has the number of inspections in the camera module 1 configured on the sheet substrate 20 and the No. No. of the camera module 1 that was also inspected. Therefore, the presence / absence of an uninspected camera module 1 is determined using these pieces of information.

If it is determined that all the camera modules 1 have not been inspected yet, for example, No. that has not yet been inspected above the probe 37. 2 is moved so that the camera module 1 of No. 2 is arranged. The probe 37 is brought into contact with the test pad 5 of the second camera module 1. Thereafter, the process returns to the process of step ST305, and the subsequent processes are similarly processed.
In the process of step S307, if it is determined that the inspection of all the camera modules 1 has been completed, for example, the personal computer 39 notifies the operator of that fact and controls each part to be in a standby state. The operator removes the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 from the sheet substrate fixing jig 33 (step ST308), and ends the inspection process of the sheet substrate 20.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the sheet substrate 20 including the plurality of camera modules 1 is mounted on the sheet substrate fixing jig 33, and the probe 37 is attached to the test pad 5 of each camera module 1 from below. Since the personal computer 39 inspects the image signal output from the camera module 1 by touching the camera module 1, the imaging operation is inspected without dividing each camera module 1 from the sheet substrate 20. The tact required for the inspection can be shortened. In particular, when the substrate 3 of the camera module 1 is made of a flexible material, it takes time to attach to or remove from the apparatus because it is difficult to hold the substrate 3 or the like. When such a substrate 3 is used, the required time can be effectively shortened by attaching or removing one sheet substrate 20 without dividing each camera module 1.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of camera modules configured on the sheet substrate. The plurality of camera modules 1 configured on the sheet substrate 20 described so far include any of the lens mounting device 30 according to the first embodiment, the focus adjustment device 50 according to the second embodiment, and the inspection device 60 according to the third embodiment. Even when it is installed in the apparatus, it can be handled without being divided. As shown in FIG. 11, in any of the state E in which the lens 2 is mounted, the state F in which the focus adjustment is performed, and the state G in which the output image is inspected, the sheet substrate 20 is attached to each apparatus for processing. The time required for attaching and removing the camera module 1 can be shortened, and the tact time can be shortened without making each of the above devices expensive.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of the camera module by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of the camera module by Embodiment 1 of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a camera module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a camera module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a lens mounting apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of mounting a lens on a camera module according to Embodiment 1. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a camera module and a probe according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the lens mounting device for the camera module according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the chart with which the focus adjustment apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention is equipped. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the camera module focus adjustment device according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the inspection apparatus of the camera module by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the several camera module comprised by the sheet | seat board | substrate.

Explanation of symbols

  1 camera module, 2 lens, 3 substrate, 4 connector, 5 test pad, 10 sensor, 11 CDS / AGC section, 12 ADC section, 13 DSP section, 14 TG / SG section, 15 I / F section, 20 sheet substrate, 21 Positioning hole, 30 Lens mounting device, 31 Chart, 32 Illumination device, 33 Sheet substrate fixing jig, 34 Positioning pin, 35 Base unit part, 36 Jig moving mechanism part, 37 Probe, 38 Image processing part, 39 Personal computer, 40 control box, 50 focus adjustment device, 60 inspection device.

Claims (6)

In a camera module equipped with a connector and an imaging device for connecting a signal and a power source with an external device and mounted on a substrate,
A camera module comprising a test pad connected to a terminal of the connector on a back surface of a surface on which the imaging element of the substrate is mounted.   The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed on a sheet substrate on which a plurality of camera modules are chamfered.   3. The camera module according to claim 1, wherein the test pad is provided for every terminal of the connector and is gathered and arranged at a predetermined portion of the substrate. A sheet substrate moving means for moving a sheet substrate in which a plurality of camera modules are configured by multiple chamfering;
A movement control means for controlling the sheet substrate moving means to arrange each camera module configured on the sheet substrate at a predetermined position;
A probe that contacts a test pad of the camera module disposed at the predetermined position;
A lens mounting apparatus comprising camera module operation control means for performing an imaging operation when a probe is brought into contact with a test pad of the camera module to mount a lens on the camera module. A sheet substrate moving means for moving a sheet substrate in which a plurality of camera modules are configured by multiple chamfering;
A movement control means for controlling the sheet substrate moving means to arrange the camera module configured on the sheet substrate at a predetermined position;
A probe that contacts a test pad of the camera module disposed at the predetermined position;
A focus adjustment apparatus comprising: a camera module operation control unit that performs an imaging operation when a probe is brought into contact with a test pad of the camera module to perform focus adjustment of the camera module. A sheet substrate moving means for moving a sheet substrate in which a plurality of camera modules are configured by multiple chamfering;
A movement control means for controlling the sheet substrate moving means to arrange the camera module configured on the sheet substrate at a predetermined position;
A probe that contacts a test pad of the camera module disposed at the predetermined position;
An inspection apparatus comprising: a camera module inspection control unit that inspects the operation of the camera module by bringing a probe into contact with the test pad of the camera module.

Images