JPWO2004040365A1 - Imaging module with zoom for portable devices - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an imaging module for a portable device that is easy to use, is small and has sufficient performance, has a relatively simple structure, and is inexpensive. The imaging module 130 incorporated in the portable information terminal includes different lens systems 131 and 132 for providing a zoom function, and moves the lens systems in a direction crossing the optical path direction, and sets the lens system to an appropriate focal length. It has a configuration that can be arranged. A suitable number of lens systems are prepared so that wide-angle (wide) shooting, narrow-angle (tele) shooting, or shooting at an intermediate capture angle between them can be performed. These lens systems can be handled together with a module including the imaging device 150.

Description

  The present invention relates to a small imaging module used in an information terminal device typified by a mobile phone, and more particularly to an imaging module or a camera module having a zoom function.

Along with the widespread use of mobile phones, proposals have been made to reduce the size and increase the functionality of built-in imaging modules for information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs, and it has also been proposed that cameras have a zoom function. ing. As a typical configuration for realizing the zoom function, an optical system having a plurality of lenses is assembled, and the distance between them is adjusted using a mechanical or electrical feedback system.
For example, an imaging module device configured to be provided separately from the mobile phone body is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-27304. The disclosed module device includes a zoom mechanism using an optical system in which a lens unit is movable so as to change a distance with respect to an imaging unit.
Furthermore, the imaging module disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-277713 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-77841 is built in the main body of a mobile phone. Since the mobile phone body is small, the size of the imaging module is large in the case of a structure in which the zoom mechanism is housed inside the entire imaging module, as in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-27304. It cannot be stored inside the main body. Therefore, the zoom mechanism of the imaging module described in the above-mentioned publication has a structure in which a part projects from the main body to the outside.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-277713 describes details of such a mechanism. The imaging module has two lens systems operated by a cam. That is, the two lens systems are configured to be operated simultaneously to determine the distance from the imaging device and the relative position of the lens system. The cam is operated by an operation unit located on the side surface of the mobile phone. Accordingly, the user can move the lens system by moving the operation unit to change the capture angle at the time of shooting.
On the other hand, JP-A-2001-223924 describes an example of an imaging module that switches between wide-angle and narrow-angle imaging by switching optical paths. By using a liquid crystal switch, the optical path can be switched. Such a configuration meets the demands for miniaturization and thinning of cellular phones and the like, and has the advantage that the entire imaging module can be arranged inside the cellular phone body and has excellent impact resistance.
However, according to the former example, the proposed imaging module with a zoom function has two or three individual lenses in its optical system, and the distance between them is a mechanical or electrical mechanism. I am trying to realize the zoom function by changing the lens, but in this case, the length of the entire optical system becomes longer due to the need for multiple lenses, and a special lens drive function must be added Therefore, a complicated mechanism must be prepared, and further, an electrical feedback system for controlling the mechanism is required, which is technically difficult and expensive.
On the other hand, according to the latter example, although the configuration is relatively simple as a whole, the shooting direction of the wide angle and the narrow angle is reversed between the front and back of the mobile phone, which is inconvenient for the user.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging module for a portable device that is easy to use for a user, is small and has sufficient performance, and has a relatively simple structure and is inexpensive.

The present invention is an imaging module incorporated in a portable information terminal, and includes a different lens system for providing a zoom function, and moves the lens system in a direction crossing the optical path direction. A module configured to be arranged at an optical distance is provided. A suitable number of lens systems are prepared so that wide-angle (wide) shooting, narrow-angle (tele) shooting, or shooting at an intermediate capture angle between them can be performed. These lens systems are configured such that they can be handled integrally with a module including an imaging device.
The present invention prepares two or more types of lens systems for wide-angle image shooting and narrow-angle image shooting separately in advance, and switches them as necessary, so that one imaging device can be used. Enables shooting of multiple types of angle of view using. Thereby, a complicated lens driving function and a feedback system are not required, and when a lens system having at least the shortest optical distance is used, the dimensions can be accommodated in the portable device body. Furthermore, by making the length of the optical system of the narrow area image longer than in the case of the wide area, it becomes easy to design the lens, and it is possible to prevent deterioration of the picked-up image quality by designing the optical length to be short. .
That is, according to the present invention, in an imaging module incorporated in a portable information terminal, a plurality of lens systems that define predetermined different image capturing angles of wide angle or narrow angle can be switched to each other by moving in a direction intersecting the optical path. At the time of switching, each of the plurality of lens systems is moved so as to define a predetermined optical distance with respect to the imaging device.
Preferably, the plurality of lens systems are linearly slid in a direction along one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching, and only a member including a desired lens system moves in a direction away from the imaging device. Thereby being configured to define a predetermined optical position.
Preferably, the plurality of lens systems are configured to define a predetermined optical position by being linearly slid in an inclined direction with respect to one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching.
Preferably, the plurality of lens systems are rotatable along one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching.
Preferably, the plurality of lens systems are fixed to a single member, and the single member is moved so that the lens system selected with respect to the imaging device has a desired distance as it rotates.
Preferably, the lens system selected from among the plurality of lens systems is configured to demarcate a predetermined optical position by moving in a direction away from a member to which the other lens system is fixed as the lens system rotates.
Preferably, the lens system for wide-angle shooting is always placed inside the casing of the portable information terminal, and the lens system for narrow-angle shooting is configured to protrude outside the casing when selected. .
Preferably, the plurality of lens systems have a focal length or an optical distance of the same size, and are moved and switched in one plane intersecting an optical path formed by the imaging device and the lens system aligned therewith.

FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a perspective view for explaining the arrangement of the imaging module according to the present invention in a mobile phone.
2 is a schematic diagram for explaining wide-angle shooting and narrow-angle shooting using the imaging module of the present invention.
Fig. 3 (Fig. 3) is a plan view showing the imaging module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (a) is a so-called wide-angle shooting (wide) in which the lens system is aligned with the imaging device. It is a figure which shows a state, (b) is a figure which shows the state of what is called narrow-angle imaging | photography (tele) in which the lens system was aligned with the imaging device.
Fig. 4 (Fig. 4) is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an example in which the imaging module according to the first embodiment of the present invention is embodied, (a) is a state of wide-angle shooting, (c () Is a state of narrow-angle shooting, and (b) is a diagram showing an intermediate state of transition.
Fig. 5 (Fig. 5) is a schematic plan view showing the imaging module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a state of wide-angle shooting and (b) shows a state of narrow-angle shooting. FIG.
FIG. 6 (FIG. 6) is a schematic plan view showing an imaging module according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 (Fig. 7) is a diagram showing an example in which the imaging module according to the third embodiment of the present invention is embodied. (A) and (b) are states of wide-angle shooting and narrow-angle shooting, respectively. (C) is a partial perspective view of the mobile phone showing the arrangement of the imaging module in the mobile phone.
Fig. 8 (Fig. 8) is a diagram showing an example of a mold in which the imaging module according to the third embodiment of the present invention is further applied, (a) and (b) are schematic sectional views, and (c). , (D) is a perspective view showing a part of a mobile phone, (a), (c) is a state of narrow-angle shooting, (b), (d) is a view showing a state of wide-angle shooting, respectively. is there.
Fig. 9 (Fig. 9) is a diagram showing an imaging module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) and (d) are wide-angle imaging, and (b) and (e) are intermediate angles. (C), (f) is a view showing the state of narrow-angle shooting, (a), (b), (c) are plan views, (d), (e), (f) are imaging. It is the side view which took out only the module and was seen from the D, E, and F directions, respectively. Furthermore, (g) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning in the mobile telephone of an imaging module.
Fig. 10 (Fig. 10) is a diagram showing a modification of the imaging module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (c) show the state of wide-angle shooting, and (b), ( d) is a diagram showing a state of narrow-angle shooting.

Hereinafter, an imaging module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the arrangement of an imaging module according to the present invention in a mobile phone. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining wide-angle shooting and narrow-angle shooting using the imaging module of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the imaging module 30 is placed and built near the top end of the mobile phone 10. In the figure, reference numeral 21 indicates a liquid crystal device for display, reference numeral 23 indicates a numeric keypad on which numerals are displayed, and reference numeral 22 indicates a pointing device.
In this example, the imaging module 30 is directed toward the back surface of the mobile phone. The imaging module 30 includes two lens systems 31 and 32 and an imaging device 50 that constitutes an optical system for imaging in combination with any of them. The focal lengths of the two lens systems 31 and 32 are different. For example, one is used for wide-angle (wide) shooting and the other is used for narrow-angle (tele) shooting. These wide and narrow angles can be changed by mutual switching by moving the lens systems 31 and 32 combined with the imaging device 50 in the X2 direction. This switching is possible by moving the lever 25 in the X1 direction, for example. It becomes. FIG. 2 shows differences in the dimensions of the focal lengths FLa and FLb or the optical distances TLa and TLb when the lens systems 31 and 32 are used.
3A and 3B are plan views showing the imaging module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a so-called wide-angle shooting (wide) state, and FIG. 3B is a so-called narrow angle. It is a figure which shows the state of imaging | photography (tele).
The imaging module 130 includes a first frame 141 slidably placed in the lateral direction, that is, the length direction of the imaging module 130. A second frame 142 is attached to the first frame 141 so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction. The lens system 131 is fixed to the first frame 141, and the lens system 132 is fixed to the second frame 142.
3A, the lens system 131 is placed so as to have an appropriate focal length with respect to the imaging device 150. When the user changes from wide-angle shooting in FIG. 3A to narrow-angle shooting in FIG. 3B, the first frame 141 is moved in the direction of arrow A1. This movement is performed by a lever 25 accessible from the outside as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Normally, the second frame 142 is disposed inside the first frame 141 as shown in FIG. However, when the first frame 141 is moved and the second frame 142 moves to a position where it overlaps the imaging device 50, the second frame 142 moves in a direction protruding from the first frame 141 (see arrow B1). At this protruding position, the lens system 132 is placed at an appropriate focal length with respect to the imaging device 150.
An embodiment for mechanically realizing the structure shown in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. (A) is a state of wide-angle shooting, (c) is a state of narrow-angle shooting, and (b) is a diagram showing an intermediate state of transition. In FIG. 4, the imaging module 180 is movable relative to the imaging device 150, the first frame 191 including a lens system for wide-angle shooting, and the first frame 191. A second frame 192 is included.
FIG. 4A shows a state of wide-angle shooting, and the first frame 191 is placed such that a lens system for wide-angle shooting is aligned with the imaging device 150. The user moves the first frame 191 in the direction of arrow A1 in the drawing in order to change from this state to the state of narrow-angle shooting. As described above, this movement is manually performed by the user by a lever fixed to the first frame 191 and accessible from the outside. Since the first frame 191 is provided with a spring member S1 that urges the first frame 191 in the right direction in the drawing, that is, in the direction opposite to the arrow A1 direction, the user's lever operation is performed against the spring force. It is.
Further, the first frame 191 includes a spring member S2 that urges the second frame 192 upward in the drawing, that is, in the direction of the arrow B1. Therefore, when the first frame 191 is pulled out to a predetermined position shown in FIG. 4B, a lock mechanism (not shown) that maintains the second frame 192 in the first frame 191 is released. The second frame 192 passes through the window 187 formed in the box 186 of the imaging module 180 and protrudes outside (in the direction of the arrow B1), and as a result, as shown in FIG. The angular lens system is maintained at a predetermined focal length with respect to the imaging device. At this time, the second frame 192 passes through the outer side surface (not shown) of the mobile phone and protrudes to the outside. The first frame 191 can be maintained at the position shown in FIG. 4C by another lock mechanism (not shown).
In order to return from the narrow-angle shooting state to the wide-angle shooting state, the user pushes the second frame 192 protruding from the surface of the mobile phone against the force of the spring member S2, and from the state of FIG. The state shown in FIG. At this time, a lock mechanism (not shown) that maintains the first frame 191 is released, and is moved in the right direction in the drawing, that is, in the direction opposite to the arrow B1 direction by the spring means S1 that biases the first frame 191. As a result, the first frame 191 and the second frame 192 return to the wide-angle shooting state shown in FIG.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an imaging module according to the second embodiment, in which FIG. 5A illustrates a state of wide-angle shooting, and FIG. 5B illustrates a state of narrow-angle shooting. The second imaging module 280 also has a first frame 291 and a second frame 292 that can be moved relative to the first frame 291, and supports wide-angle and narrow-angle lens systems 281 and 282, respectively. The The movement of the first frame 291 is the same as in the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the second frame 292 is guided with respect to the first frame 291 by a cam mechanism.
That is, a cam groove 270 is formed on the inner wall of the imaging module 280, and cam protrusions 261 and 262 that are received in the cam groove 270 are provided on the second frame 292. (The cam groove for receiving the cam protrusion 262 is not shown.) In order to change from the wide-angle shooting state of FIG. 5A to the narrow-angle shooting state of FIG. When the second frame 292 is moved in the direction of the arrow A1 in the middle, the cam protrusions 261 and 262 are guided by the cam grooves 270, and thus the second frame 292 protrudes from the imaging module 280 as indicated by the arrow A2. To move. When the second frame 292 reaches a predetermined position, that is, when it reaches the position shown in FIG. 4B, the first frame 291 is fixed by a lock mechanism (not shown), and this narrow-angle shooting state is maintained. When returning from the narrow-angle shooting state of FIG. 4B to the wide-angle shooting state of FIG. 4A, the user can operate the lever or directly push the protruding second frame 292. .
FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an imaging module according to the third embodiment. In the imaging module 330, the wide-angle and narrow-angle lens systems 331 and 332 are both fixed to a common frame 340. The frame 340 moves in the tilt direction as indicated by an arrow A3 with respect to the main body 336 of the imaging module 330 including the imaging device 350. That is, when the frame 340 at the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing is placed, the wide-angle shooting state is entered, and when the frame 340 moves in the direction of the arrow A3 and reaches the broken line position, the narrow-angle shooting state is entered. As described above, the frame 340 may be moved by operating a lever (not shown). However, as shown in the drawing, the frame end 348 protruding from the imaging module 330 is arranged so as to protrude from the mobile phone body. However, it is also possible to perform an operation of pushing this inward, and an operation of projecting the state frame end 349 of the narrow-angle shooting from the mobile phone body and pushing it.
An example in which the imaging module according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 is embodied is shown in FIG. FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic plan views showing a state of wide-angle shooting and narrow-angle shooting, respectively, and FIG. 7C is a partial perspective view of the mobile phone showing the arrangement of the imaging module in the mobile phone. It is. As illustrated, the imaging module 430 is disposed in the vicinity of the corner of the mobile phone 410. Both a lens system 431 for wide-angle shooting and a lens system 432 for narrow-angle shooting are fixed to the frame 440. In the state of wide-angle shooting in (a), the lens system 431 is aligned with the imaging device 450, and in the state of narrow-angle shooting in (b), the lens system 432 is aligned with the imaging device 450. The moving direction of the frame 440 is an inclination direction, and an appropriate optical distance or focal length corresponding to each lens system 431 and 432 is set in each state. The frame 440 is provided with a pillar portion 446, which is guided by a groove 411 provided in the mobile phone main body 410, and the frame is moved between the two states. In this example, the frame 440 is moved by the user operating the lever 447, but other means may be used.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of molds obtained by further applying the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic cross-sectional views, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state of narrow-angle shooting in (a) and (c) and a state of wide-angle shooting in (b) and (d), respectively. 8A and 8C, the lens system 431 is aligned with the imaging device 450 with an appropriate optical distance or focal length, and is used for narrow-angle shooting in (b) and (d). In the state, the lens system 432 is aligned with the imaging device 450 with an appropriate optical distance or focal length. As illustrated, also in this example, the frame 490 including the wide-angle and narrow-angle lens systems 431 and 432 is movable in the tilt direction with respect to the main body 486 including the imaging device 450. The difference from the example shown in FIG. 7 is that the frame 490 is integrally provided with the LED 481 for illumination. 8A and 8C, the illumination LED 481 is positioned inside the window 485. However, in the narrow-angle photography of FIGS. 8B and 8D, the illumination LED 481 is used for illumination. The LED 481 is exposed to the outside.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing an imaging module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9D are wide-angle shooting, FIGS. 9B and 9E are shooting at an intermediate angle, and FIGS. ), (F) are diagrams showing the state of narrow-angle shooting, (a), (b), (c) are plan views, and (d), (e), (f) are taken out of only the imaging module. It is the side view seen from D, E, and F direction, respectively. Furthermore, (g) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning in the mobile telephone of an imaging module.
The imaging module 530 includes a substantially circular frame 540 to which a narrow-angle lens system 531, a wide-angle lens system 533, and a lens system 532 of an intermediate level are fixed. The frame 540 is also substantially circular and is configured to rotate in a screw (spiral) direction with respect to the main body 536 containing the imaging device 550. Although not shown, a convex line or a convex groove extending in the screw direction is formed on the outer side surface of the main body 536, and a concave part or a convex part engaged with the convex part or a convex reference numeral 511 in the figure is provided on the inner side surface of the frame 540. Shows the surface of the phone.
As illustrated, the surface 541 of the frame 540 substantially coincides with the surface 511 when the narrow-angle lens system 531 is aligned with the imaging device 550 and has an appropriate focal length. When the user changes the take-in angle from this state, the frame 540 is screw-rotated. The direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow R in the figure. As a result, the lens system 532 having a medium capture angle is aligned with the imaging device 550 instead of the wide-angle lens system 531, and at the same time, the surface 541 of the frame 540 protrudes from the surface 511 of the mobile phone to the lens system 532. An appropriate focal length or optical distance is realized. The frame 540 can be maintained in that position by locking means (not shown). In order to change to shooting at a narrower angle, the frame 540 can be further rotated in the direction of arrow R. Accordingly, the lens system 533 is aligned with the imaging device 550, and the frame 540 further protrudes, so that the lens system 533 has an appropriate focal length or optical distance with respect to the imaging device 550. Other locking means suitable for maintaining this position may be provided. The user can return to the intermediate angle shooting state or the wide angle shooting state by rotating the frame 540 in the direction opposite to the arrow R direction.
In this embodiment, a lens for macro photography can be used instead of a lens system provided for intermediate angle photography. According to macro photography, photographing at a position relatively close to a camera module that cannot be photographed with a wide-angle lens system and a narrow-angle lens system is possible. The user can realize setting for macro photography only by rotating the frame 540.
FIG. 10 shows a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. (A), (c) shows the state of wide-angle photography, (b), (d) shows the state of narrow-angle photography. The frame 640 also includes a wide-angle lens system 631 and a narrow-angle lens system 632, and can be rotated with respect to a main body 636 including the imaging device 650. 9 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 9 in that the frame 640 is housed inside the main body 636. A screw rotation protrusion 646 is formed on the side wall of the frame 640, and a screw groove 647 that receives the screw rotation protrusion 646 is formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the main body 636.
In order to shift from the wide-angle shooting state to the narrow-angle shooting state, the frame 640 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R1. In this embodiment, since the lens systems 631 and 632 are eccentrically placed on one side, the rotation track length is longer than that of the example shown in FIG. 9, and the frame 640 is rotated while being moved in the protruding direction. Is advantageous in that it can be realized more smoothly. As a result, the surface 641 of the frame 640 is projected from the main body 636, and is maintained in a predetermined position by a lock mechanism (not shown) in this state. In order to facilitate the rotation operation, for example, an operation unit that can be operated with a finger may be provided on the surface 641 of the frame 640. When returning from the narrow-angle shooting to the wide-angle shooting state, the frame 640 is rotated in the R2 direction opposite to R1.
As described above, the imaging module according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, this is merely an example, does not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. .
For example, when switching lens systems from wide angle to narrow angle by setting lens systems with different capture angles to the same focal length or the same optical distance as in wide angle shooting and narrow angle shooting, It is possible to realize a configuration that moves only within one intersecting plane. In this case, it is not necessary to project the predetermined lens system in a direction away from the imaging device. That is, in the first or second embodiment described above, there is no need to provide a second frame that is relatively movable with respect to the first frame, and both lens systems are fixed to a single frame and slid. It becomes possible to switch the lens system only. In the fourth embodiment, the frame is rotatable in the same plane.
Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the frame shape is not necessarily circular, and may be a fan shape or a similar shape. Similarly, in the fourth embodiment, the frame is movable in the protruding direction with respect to the first frame including a lens system for wide-angle shooting, and the lens system for narrow-angle shooting. A second frame that includes the second frame, and only the second frame may protrude when the first frame is rotated.
For the macro photography described above, as shown in the fourth embodiment, a lens system is not provided for macro photography separately, but a frame that supports the lens system at each capture angle. May be provided that slides linearly in a direction away from the imaging device. For example, the frame can be moved by a manual cam operation. In this case, an additional operation unit for macro photography can be provided.

Claims (8)

In an imaging module incorporated in a portable information terminal,
A plurality of lens systems that define predetermined different image capture angles of wide angle or narrow angle are moved in a direction intersecting the optical path and can be switched to each other, and each of the plurality of lens systems is imaged at the time of switching. An imaging module, wherein the imaging module is moved so as to define a predetermined optical distance with respect to the imaging device. The plurality of lens systems are linearly slid in a direction along one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching, and only a member including a desired lens system moves in a direction away from the imaging device. The imaging module of claim 1, wherein the imaging module is configured to define the predetermined optical position. The plurality of lens systems are configured to demarcate the predetermined optical position by sliding linearly in an inclined direction with respect to one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching. The imaging module according to claim 1. The imaging module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lens systems are rotatable along one main surface of the portable information terminal for switching. The plurality of lens systems are fixed to a single member, and the single member is moved so that the lens system selected with respect to the imaging device becomes a desired distance with the rotation. The imaging module according to claim 4, wherein: A lens system selected from the plurality of lens systems is configured to demarcate the predetermined optical position by moving in a direction away from a member to which another lens system is fixed as the lens system rotates. The imaging module according to claim 4, wherein the module is an imaging module. The lens system for wide-angle shooting is always placed inside the casing of the portable information terminal, and the lens system for narrow-angle shooting is configured to protrude outside the casing when selected. The imaging module according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of lens systems have the same focal length or optical distance, and are switched by moving in a plane intersecting the optical path of the imaging device and the lens system aligned therewith. The imaging module according to claim 1.

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