WO2006085717A1 - Auto-focusing camera module - Google Patents

Auto-focusing camera module Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006085717A1
WO2006085717A1 PCT/KR2005/004473 KR2005004473W WO2006085717A1 WO 2006085717 A1 WO2006085717 A1 WO 2006085717A1 KR 2005004473 W KR2005004473 W KR 2005004473W WO 2006085717 A1 WO2006085717 A1 WO 2006085717A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
control unit
motor
sensor
driving
camera module
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2005/004473
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Sung Su Lee
Original Assignee
Pixelplus Co., Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pixelplus Co., Ltd filed Critical Pixelplus Co., Ltd
Publication of WO2006085717A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006085717A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/67—Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/57—Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to cameras and, more particularly, to an auto-focusing camera module, which performs the auto-focusing function of a camera.
  • FlG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a conventional Auto-Focusing (AF) camera module.
  • the AF camera module includes an AF actuator 10, an image sensor 20, an AF control unit 30, a motor current-driving Integrated Circuit (IC) 40, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 50 and a main board 60.
  • IC Integrated Circuit
  • PCB Printed Circuit Board
  • the AF actuator 10 is comprised of a lens and a motor, and is adapted to perform a focusing function.
  • the image sensor 20 is a device for measuring the brightness of light, emitted from a subject that is captured by the lens, and converting the light brightness into an electrical signal.
  • the AF control unit 30 receives the image of the subject, captured by the image sensor 20, and outputs a motor control signal to adjust the focus of the subject.
  • the motor current-driving IC 40 operates the motor in response to the motor control signal output from the AF control unit 30.
  • the main board 60 is provided with the AF control unit 30 and the motor current-driving IC 40, and is connected to the Flexible PCB (FPCB) 50 to receive a signal transmitted by the image sensor 20, transmit the signal to the AF control unit 30, and supply power to the motor current-driving IC 40.
  • FPCB Flexible PCB
  • the AF actuator 10 and the image sensor 20 are connected to both the AF control unit 30 and the motor current-driving IC 40 through the FPCB 50.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an AF camera module, in which an AF control unit and a motor-driving IC are integrated with an image sensor.
  • Focusing (AF) camera module for automatically adjusting focus of a subject, comprising a sensor/control unit into which an AF control unit for controlling an AF actuator, having a lens and a motor, and a motor-driving IC for driving the motor of the AF actuator are integrated with an image sensor; and a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) for performing signal transmission between the sensor/control unit and a main board, the FPCB including a power supply line for supplying power to the motor- driving IC of the sensor/control unit.
  • FPCB Flexible Printed Circuit Board
  • the present invention provides an AF camera module, which is advantageous in that it can be implemented to have a simplified design, a smaller size and a lower price.
  • FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a conventional Auto- Focusing (AF) camera module
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing the construction of an AF camera module according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing the construction of an AF camera module according to the present invention.
  • the AF camera module includes an AF actuator 210, a sensor/ control unit 220, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 230, and a main board 240.
  • PCB Printed Circuit Board
  • the AF actuator 210 is a module that is comprised of a lens 211 and a motor (not shown) and is adapted to adjust the focus of a subject.
  • the sensor/control unit 220 is implemented so that an AF control unit 223 and a motor-driving IC 225, together with an image sensor 221, are included in the sensor/ control unit 220 at predetermined locations and are integrated into the sensor/control unit 220.
  • the image sensor 221 is a device for measuring the brightness of light, emitted from the image of the subject that is captured by the lens 211 of the AF actuator 210, and converting the light brightness into an electrical signal.
  • the AF control unit 223 receives the captured image of the subject from the image sensor 221 and outputs a motor control signal used to precisely adjust the focus of the subject.
  • the motor-driving IC 225 receives the motor control signal from the AF control unit 223 and drives the motor of the AF actuator 210 to correspond to the motor control signal.
  • the PCB 230 is provided with a transmission line for transmitting a signal, output from the sensor/control unit 220, to the main board 240 and a power supply line 235 for supplying power to the motor-driving IC 225, and is implemented using a Flexible PCB (FPCB).
  • FPCB Flexible PCB
  • a connector 237 is attached to the PCB 230 to connect to the main board 240.
  • the main board 240 is provided with an interface 245 connected to the connector 237 so as to transmit or receive a signal to or from the sensor/control unit 220 and supply power to the motor-driving IC 225.
  • the sensor/control unit 220 into which the AF control unit 223 and the motor-driving IC 225 are integrated with the image sensor 221, is implemented, so that an AF camera module having a smaller size can be manufactured.
  • the present invention provides an AF camera module, which is advantageous in that it can be implemented to have a simplified design, a smaller size and a lower price.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Studio Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to an Auto-Focusing (AF) camera module, which performs the AF function of a camera used in a mobile communication terminal, such as a mobile phone. The AF camera module of the present invention automatically adjusts focus of a subject. The AF camera module includes a sensor/control unit and a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB). The sensor/control unit is implemented so that an AF control unit for controlling an AF actuator, having a lens and a motor, and a motor-driving IC for driving the motor of the AF actuator are integrated with an image sensor into the sensor/control unit. The FPCB (230) performs signal transmission between the sensor/control unit and a main board, and includes a power supply line for supplying power to the motor-driving IC of the sensor/control unit.

Description

Description
AUTO-FOCUSING CAMERA MODULE
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates, in general, to cameras and, more particularly, to an auto-focusing camera module, which performs the auto-focusing function of a camera.
Background Art
[2] FlG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a conventional Auto-Focusing (AF) camera module. The AF camera module includes an AF actuator 10, an image sensor 20, an AF control unit 30, a motor current-driving Integrated Circuit (IC) 40, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 50 and a main board 60.
[3] The AF actuator 10 is comprised of a lens and a motor, and is adapted to perform a focusing function.
[4] The image sensor 20 is a device for measuring the brightness of light, emitted from a subject that is captured by the lens, and converting the light brightness into an electrical signal.
[5] The AF control unit 30 receives the image of the subject, captured by the image sensor 20, and outputs a motor control signal to adjust the focus of the subject.
[6] The motor current-driving IC 40 operates the motor in response to the motor control signal output from the AF control unit 30. The main board 60 is provided with the AF control unit 30 and the motor current-driving IC 40, and is connected to the Flexible PCB (FPCB) 50 to receive a signal transmitted by the image sensor 20, transmit the signal to the AF control unit 30, and supply power to the motor current-driving IC 40.
[7] Further, the AF actuator 10 and the image sensor 20 are connected to both the AF control unit 30 and the motor current-driving IC 40 through the FPCB 50.
[8] In order for the AF camera module shown in FIG. 1 to be mounted in a communication terminal, such as a mobile phone, an AF camera module having a smaller size and a lower price is required. Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an AF camera module, in which an AF control unit and a motor-driving IC are integrated with an image sensor.
Technical Solution
[10] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an Auto-
Focusing (AF) camera module for automatically adjusting focus of a subject, comprising a sensor/control unit into which an AF control unit for controlling an AF actuator, having a lens and a motor, and a motor-driving IC for driving the motor of the AF actuator are integrated with an image sensor; and a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) for performing signal transmission between the sensor/control unit and a main board, the FPCB including a power supply line for supplying power to the motor- driving IC of the sensor/control unit.
Advantageous Effects
[11] As described above, the present invention provides an AF camera module, which is advantageous in that it can be implemented to have a simplified design, a smaller size and a lower price.
Description of Drawings
[12] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[13] FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a conventional Auto- Focusing (AF) camera module; and
[14] FIG. 2 is a view showing the construction of an AF camera module according to the present invention.
Best Mode
[15] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[16] FIG. 2 is a view showing the construction of an AF camera module according to the present invention. The AF camera module includes an AF actuator 210, a sensor/ control unit 220, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 230, and a main board 240.
[17] The AF actuator 210 is a module that is comprised of a lens 211 and a motor (not shown) and is adapted to adjust the focus of a subject.
[18] The sensor/control unit 220 is implemented so that an AF control unit 223 and a motor-driving IC 225, together with an image sensor 221, are included in the sensor/ control unit 220 at predetermined locations and are integrated into the sensor/control unit 220.
[19] In this case, the image sensor 221 is a device for measuring the brightness of light, emitted from the image of the subject that is captured by the lens 211 of the AF actuator 210, and converting the light brightness into an electrical signal. The AF control unit 223 receives the captured image of the subject from the image sensor 221 and outputs a motor control signal used to precisely adjust the focus of the subject. The motor-driving IC 225 receives the motor control signal from the AF control unit 223 and drives the motor of the AF actuator 210 to correspond to the motor control signal. [20] The PCB 230 is provided with a transmission line for transmitting a signal, output from the sensor/control unit 220, to the main board 240 and a power supply line 235 for supplying power to the motor-driving IC 225, and is implemented using a Flexible PCB (FPCB).
[21] A connector 237 is attached to the PCB 230 to connect to the main board 240.
[22] Further, the main board 240 is provided with an interface 245 connected to the connector 237 so as to transmit or receive a signal to or from the sensor/control unit 220 and supply power to the motor-driving IC 225.
[23] Therefore, the sensor/control unit 220, into which the AF control unit 223 and the motor-driving IC 225 are integrated with the image sensor 221, is implemented, so that an AF camera module having a smaller size can be manufactured.
[24] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Industrial Applicability
[25] As described above, the present invention provides an AF camera module, which is advantageous in that it can be implemented to have a simplified design, a smaller size and a lower price.

Claims

Claims
[1] 1. An Auto-Focusing (AF) camera module for automatically adjusting focus of a subject, comprising: a sensor/control unit into which an AF control unit for controlling an AF actuator, having a lens and a motor, and a motor-driving IC for driving the motor of the AF actuator are integrated with an image sensor; and a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) for performing signal transmission between the sensor/control unit and a main board, the FPCB including a power supply line for supplying power to the motor-driving IC of the sensor/control unit.
2. The AF camera module according to claim 1, wherein the sensor/control unit receives an image signal of the subject, output from the image sensor, outputs a motor control signal through the AF control unit to adjust the focus of the subject, and drives the motor of the AF module through the motor-driving IC to correspond to the motor control signal.
PCT/KR2005/004473 2005-02-14 2005-12-22 Auto-focusing camera module WO2006085717A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2005-0011790 2005-02-14
KR1020050011790A KR20060091097A (en) 2005-02-14 2005-02-14 Auto focusing camera module

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006085717A1 true WO2006085717A1 (en) 2006-08-17

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/KR2005/004473 WO2006085717A1 (en) 2005-02-14 2005-12-22 Auto-focusing camera module

Country Status (2)

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KR (1) KR20060091097A (en)
WO (1) WO2006085717A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104052932A (en) * 2014-07-03 2014-09-17 深圳市世尊科技有限公司 Rapidly-focusing mobile phone camera shooting module

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100772586B1 (en) * 2006-10-20 2007-11-02 삼성전기주식회사 Camera module
KR100835068B1 (en) 2007-01-02 2008-06-03 삼성전기주식회사 Flexible pcb of camera module
KR100836133B1 (en) * 2007-02-05 2008-06-09 삼성전기주식회사 Camera module
KR100982266B1 (en) 2008-04-24 2010-09-14 삼성전기주식회사 Lens actuating module
KR100927420B1 (en) 2008-04-24 2009-11-19 삼성전기주식회사 Lens drive module

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05344403A (en) * 1992-06-10 1993-12-24 Sony Corp Image pickup device
JPH07177527A (en) * 1993-12-16 1995-07-14 Sony Corp Auto focus adjustment device for multi-ccd electronic camera
KR970068496A (en) * 1996-03-06 1997-10-13 이데이 노부유키 Video pickup device
US6614560B1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2003-09-02 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Integrated camera circuit including image sensor, image processing, and printer drive circuits

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH05344403A (en) * 1992-06-10 1993-12-24 Sony Corp Image pickup device
JPH07177527A (en) * 1993-12-16 1995-07-14 Sony Corp Auto focus adjustment device for multi-ccd electronic camera
KR970068496A (en) * 1996-03-06 1997-10-13 이데이 노부유키 Video pickup device
US6614560B1 (en) * 1997-07-15 2003-09-02 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Integrated camera circuit including image sensor, image processing, and printer drive circuits

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104052932A (en) * 2014-07-03 2014-09-17 深圳市世尊科技有限公司 Rapidly-focusing mobile phone camera shooting module

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KR20060091097A (en) 2006-08-18

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