Camera module and electronic device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of camera devices, and disclose a camera module and an electronic device. The camera module comprises a prism, a first image sensor and a second image sensor. The prism has an incident surface, a first side surface and a second side surface; along a set direction, the second side surface and the first side surface are close to each other. The first image sensor is used for receiving light entering the prism through the incident surface and reflected by the first side surface. The second image sensor is used for receiving light entering the prism through the incident surface and reflected by the second side surface. The fields of view of the first image sensor and the second image sensor partially overlap, and the two fields of view jointly constitute the field of view of the camera module. Since the field of view range jointly acquired by the first image sensor and the second image sensor is larger than the field of view range acquired by a current wide-angle camera module through a single image sensor and a single lens, the camera module can improve the current situation that the field of view of the camera module is relatively small.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of camera device technology, and in particular to a camera module and electronic device. [Background Technology]

[0002] A camera module is a device used to acquire information about the external environment. Currently, camera modules are widely used in many electronic products such as cameras, mobile phones, and tablets. In recent years, most mobile terminal products, such as mobile phones, are equipped with wide-angle camera modules so that users can obtain a wider field of view when taking pictures.

[0003] In the process of realizing this invention, the inventors discovered that most wide-angle camera modules on the market are composed of a single image sensor and a wide-angle lens, but the field of view of such camera modules is still relatively small, which is difficult to meet the user's needs for wide-angle photography. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a camera module and electronic device to improve the current situation where the field of view of camera modules on the market is relatively small.

[0005] The technical solutions adopted by the embodiments of the present invention to solve their technical problems are as follows:

[0006] A camera module includes a prism, a first image sensor, and a second image sensor. The prism has an incident surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; along a predetermined direction, the first side surface gradually approaches the second side surface, and the second side surface gradually approaches the first side surface. The first image sensor receives light rays that enter the prism via the incident surface and are reflected by the first side surface. The second image sensor receives light rays that enter the prism via the incident surface and are reflected by the second side surface. The first field of view acquired by the first image sensor and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor partially overlap, and the first field of view and the second field of view together constitute the field of view of the camera module. The predetermined direction is perpendicular to the incident surface and points from the incident surface towards the interior of the prism.

[0007] As a further improvement to the above solution, the first image sensor is located on the side of the second side opposite to the first side. Light received by the first image sensor enters the prism via the incident surface, is reflected by the first side, and then exits the prism via the second side. The second image sensor is located on the side of the first side opposite to the second side. Light received by the second image sensor enters the prism via the incident surface, is reflected by the second side, and then exits the prism via the first side.

[0008] As a further improvement to the above solution, the prism also has two opposing end faces, the incident surface, the first side face, and the second side face all extending from one end face to the other end face. The prism is a prism-shaped structure, the end face is the bottom surface of the prism-shaped structure, and the incident surface, the first side face, and the second side face are all side faces of the prism-shaped structure.

[0009] As a further improvement to the above solution, both the edge of the incident surface and the end face are provided with a light-shielding material layer to prevent light transmission. The light-shielding material layer is printed on the surface of the prism by screen printing.

[0010] As a further improvement to the above solution, the incident surface is provided with an anti-reflection film.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above solution, the first side and the second side form an acute angle, the acute angle being between 50° and 70°. Alternatively, the included angle between the incident surface, the first side, and the second side is 60°.

[0012] As a further improvement to the above solution, the camera module further includes a first flexible circuit board, one end of which is connected to the first image sensor, and the other end of which extends toward the second image sensor. The camera module also includes a second flexible circuit board, one end of which is connected to the second image sensor, and the other end of which extends toward the first image sensor.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above solution, along the predetermined direction, the first flexible circuit board is located between the two ends of the first image sensor. Along the predetermined direction, the second flexible circuit board is located between the two ends of the second image sensor.

[0014] As a further improvement to the above solution, along the predetermined direction, the first flexible circuit board is at least partially located on the side of the first image sensor facing away from the incident surface. Similarly, along the predetermined direction, the second flexible circuit board is at least partially located on the side of the second image sensor facing away from the incident surface.

[0015] As a further improvement to the above solution, an image synthesis element is also included. The image synthesis element is connected to both the first image sensor and the second image sensor, and is used to synthesize the image generated by the first image sensor and the image generated by the second image sensor.

[0016] The technical solutions adopted by the embodiments of the present invention to solve their technical problems are as follows:

[0017] An electronic device comprising the aforementioned camera module.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] The camera module provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a prism, a first image sensor, and a second image sensor. The prism has an incident surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface; and along a predetermined direction, the second side surface and the first side surface face each other. The first image sensor is used to receive light rays that enter the prism through the incident surface and are reflected by the first side surface. The second image sensor is used to receive light rays that enter the prism through the incident surface and are reflected by the second side surface. The first field of view acquired by the first image sensor and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor partially overlap, and the first field of view and the second field of view together constitute the field of view of the camera module.

[0020] Since the field of view obtained by the first image sensor and the second image sensor together is larger than the field of view obtained by the current wide-angle camera modules on the market through a single image sensor and a single lens, the camera module provided by the present invention can improve the current situation of relatively small field of view of the current camera modules. [Attached Image Description]

[0021] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a camera module provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the central camera module;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A projected view of the central camera module from one direction;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electrical connections of the components within the camera module;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In the picture:

[0028] 1. Camera module;

[0029] 100. Prism; 110. End face; 120. Incident surface; 130. First side face; 140. Second side face;

[0030] 200. First image sensor; 210. First flexible circuit board;

[0031] 300. Second image sensor; 310. Second flexible circuit board;

[0032] 400. Image composition element;

[0033] 500. First shot;

[0034] 600. Second shot;

[0035] 2. Electronic equipment.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0036] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to," "attached to," or "mounted to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and similar expressions used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0039] In this specification, "installation" includes fixing or restricting a component or device to a specific position or place by means of welding, screwing, snapping, bonding, etc. The component or device may remain stationary in the specific position or place or may move within a limited range. After the component or device is fixed or restricted to the specific position or place, it may or may not be disassembled. No restrictions are imposed in the embodiments of this invention.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 3The diagrams show a perspective view, an exploded view, and a projection view of a camera module 1 provided in one embodiment of the present invention. The camera module 1 includes a prism 100, a first image sensor 200, a second image sensor 300, and an image combining element. The prism 100 has an incident surface 120, a first side surface 130, and a second side surface 140; the first side surface 130 and the second side surface 140 are close to each other along a predetermined direction Z. The first image sensor 200 receives light rays that enter the prism 100 through the incident surface 120 and are reflected by the first side surface 130. The second image sensor 300 receives light rays that enter the prism 100 through the incident surface 120 and are reflected by the second side surface 140. The first field of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor 300 partially overlap, and the first and second fields of view together constitute the field of view of the camera module 1. The image synthesis element is connected to both the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300, and is used to synthesize the image formed by the first image sensor 200 and the image formed by the second image sensor 300. Specifically, the "set direction" mentioned in this application means a direction perpendicular to the incident surface 120 and pointing from the incident surface 120 into the interior of the prism 100. Furthermore, it is worth noting that... Figure 3 The dashed line in the middle shows the path of light propagation.

[0041] For details regarding the aforementioned prism 100, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 1 to 3 A prism 100 is disposed between the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300. It is an element used to guide light from the outside of the camera module 1 towards the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300, respectively. In this embodiment, the prism 100 specifically has two end faces 110, an incident surface 120, a first side face 130, and a second side face 140. Specifically, the two end faces 110 are arranged opposite to each other, forming the two bottom surfaces of the prism 100. The incident surface 120 extends from one end face 110 to the other end face 110 and is the surface through which light passes when it is transmitted into the prism 100. The first side face 130 and the second side face 140 are both located on the same side of the incident surface 120, and both are inclined relative to the incident surface 120. Along the aforementioned set direction Z, the first side face 130 gradually approaches the second side face 140, and the second side face 140 also gradually approaches the first side face 130; this arrangement causes the main area of ​​the first field of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 to face towards... Figure 3 As shown, the left side is tilted, and the main area of ​​the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor 300 faces towards... Figure 3The tilt to the right, as shown, allows the total field of view acquired by the two image sensors to be larger than that acquired by a single image sensor. Specifically, the first side surface 130 is a surface that reflects a portion of the light rays after they enter the prism 100, directing the reflected light rays toward the first image sensor; the second side surface 140 is a surface that reflects a portion of the light rays after they enter the prism 100, directing the reflected light rays toward the second image sensor 300.

[0042] Preferably, the first side surface 130 and the second side surface 140 form an acute angle, which is between 50° and 70°. In this embodiment, the included angle between any two of the incident surface 120, the first side surface 130, and the second side surface 140 is 60°, that is, the aforementioned acute angle is 60°; of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, the included angle between the first side surface 130 and the second side surface 140 can also be adaptively adjusted within the aforementioned angle range.

[0043] Preferably, the prism 100 has a prism-shaped structure, with the two end faces 110 forming the base of the prism-shaped structure, and the incident surface 120, the first side face 130, and the second side face 140 forming the side faces of the prism-shaped structure. The prism-shaped structure ensures that the first side face 130 and the second side face 140 have the same area, which facilitates the alignment of the first field of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor 300 along a direction perpendicular to the end face 110. Optionally, the prism 100 is a triangular prism, meaning that the incident surface 120, the first side face 130, and the second side face 140 intersect each other in pairs. It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the prism 100 may also be a prism with more than 3 sides; for example, in some other embodiments of the present invention, the prism 100 is a quadrangular prism structure. Specifically, a connecting surface is provided between the incident surface 120 and the first side surface 130, and the connecting surface connects the first side surface 130, the second side surface 140 and the two end surfaces 110 respectively.

[0044] For more information on the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 1 to 3A first image sensor 200 is disposed near the prism 100 and located on the second side 140 opposite to the first side 130. Light received by the first image sensor 200 enters the prism 100 through the incident surface 120, is reflected by the first side 130, and then exits the prism 100 through the second side 140. The first image sensor 200 is used to receive light emitted from the second side 140 of the prism 100 and to form an image based on the received light. Similarly, a second image sensor 300 is also disposed near the prism 100 and located on the first side 130 opposite to the second side 140. Light received by the second image sensor 300 enters the prism 100 through the incident surface 120, is reflected by the second side 140, and then exits the prism 100 through the first side 130. The second image sensor 300 is used to receive light emitted from the first side 130 of the prism 100 and to form an image based on the received light. The first field of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor 300 partially overlap. The first field of view and the second field of view constitute a continuous field of view of the camera module 1, thereby ensuring that the image formed by the camera module 1 is continuous and complete.

[0045] Furthermore, to orderly guide the light emitted from the second side 140 towards the first image sensor 200, the camera module 1 also includes a first lens 500. Specifically, please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first lens 500 is located between the prism 100 and the first image sensor 200; the first lens 500 is a combination of several lenses, which is used to guide the light emitted from the second side 140 to be presented on the first image sensor 200.

[0046] Furthermore, to orderly guide the light emitted from the first side 130 to the second image sensor 300, the camera module 1 also includes a second lens 600. Specifically, please continue to combine... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The second lens 600 is located between the prism 100 and the second image sensor 300; the second lens 600 is a combination of several lenses, which is used to guide the light emitted from the first side 130 to be presented on the second image sensor 300.

[0047] In some embodiments, the edges of the incident surface 120 and the end face 110 are provided with a light-shielding material layer (not shown) to block light transmission. This light-shielding material layer specifically covers the entire end face 110, the edge area of ​​the incident surface 120, and the edges where the incident surface 120 intersects with other surfaces. This prevents external light from passing through the area covered by the light-shielding material layer and falling on the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 when the camera module 1 is installed in an electronic device, thus preventing excessive noise during image formation by the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300. Optionally, the light-shielding material layer includes ink, and it is printed on the corresponding surface of the prism 100 by screen printing. It is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the light-shielding material layer may also be selected from other materials such as opaque metal foil or insulating adhesive paper. The light-shielding material layer may also be applied to the corresponding surface by means other than printing; these are not limited here. Furthermore, the materials used for the light-shielding material layers on different surfaces of the prism 100 may be the same or different; the present invention does not specifically limit this, as long as the light-shielding material layer on each surface can prevent light from passing through. Further, the incident surface 120 is provided with an anti-reflection film to increase the proportion of light transmitted through the surface and reduce the proportion of light reflected. Considering that the edge of the incident surface 120 is provided with a light-shielding material layer, the anti-reflection film provided on the incident surface 120 is located within the area surrounded by the light-shielding material layer. Of course, in other embodiments of the present invention, if the incident surface 120 is not provided with a light-shielding material layer, the anti-reflection film can cover the entire surface of the incident surface 120. The materials and molding methods of the anti-reflection film are well-known in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] Furthermore, to facilitate the installation of the camera module 1 on an electronic device, the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 can communicate with the circuit board and the image synthesis element in the electronic device. The camera module 1 also includes a first flexible circuit board 210 and a second flexible circuit board 310. In this embodiment, one end of the first flexible circuit board 210 is connected to the first image sensor 200, and the other end extends toward the second image sensor 300; one end of the second flexible circuit board 310 is connected to the second image sensor 300, and the other end extends toward the first image sensor 200. Therefore, when the camera module 1 is installed on the circuit board of the electronic device, its overall area occupied on the circuit board is relatively small. In other embodiments of the present invention, the end of the first flexible circuit board 210 away from its connection with the first image sensor 200 extends toward the side opposite to the second image sensor 300, and the end of the second flexible circuit board 310 away from its connection with the second image sensor 300 extends toward the side opposite to the first image sensor 200. Compared with the above method, this arrangement will occupy a larger surface area of ​​the circuit board, thereby reducing the area on which other components can be arranged on the circuit board.

[0049] In this embodiment, along the aforementioned set direction Z, the entire first flexible circuit board 210 is located between the two ends of the first image sensor 200; that is, the end of the first flexible circuit board 210 away from its connection point with the first image sensor 200 extends from the side of the first image sensor 200 ( Figure 2 As shown, the second flexible circuit board 310 extends outward and towards the second image sensor 300. Along the aforementioned defined direction Z, the second flexible circuit board 310 is located between the two ends of the second image sensor 300; that is, the end of the second flexible circuit board 310 away from its connection point with the second image sensor 300 extends from the side of the second image sensor 300 (as shown). Figure 2 As shown, the first flexible circuit board 210 extends towards the first image sensor 200. Furthermore, along the direction from one end face 110 to the other end face 110, the first flexible circuit board 210 and the second flexible circuit board 310 are disposed on the same side of the first image sensor 200; it is understood that in other embodiments of the present invention, the first flexible circuit board 210 and the second flexible circuit board 310 may also be located on opposite sides of the first image sensor 200 along this direction.

[0050] Of course, other embodiments of the present invention can be adapted and modified from the above embodiments. For example, in some other embodiments of the present invention, along the above-mentioned setting direction Z, the first flexible circuit board 210 is at least partially located on the side of the first image sensor 200 opposite to the incident surface 120; along the above-mentioned setting direction Z, the second flexible circuit board 310 is at least partially located on the side of the second image sensor 300 opposite to the incident surface 120. That is, the end of the first flexible circuit board 210 away from its connection with the first image sensor 200 extends beyond the bottom of the first image sensor 200 (see reference). Figure 2 The second flexible circuit board 310 extends toward the second image sensor 300; the end of the second flexible circuit board 310 away from its connection with the second image sensor 300 extends beyond the bottom of the second image sensor 300 (see reference). Figure 2 It extends toward the first image sensor 200.

[0051] For the image composition element 400 mentioned above, please refer to Figure 4 It shows a schematic diagram of the electrical connection between the image synthesis element 400, the first image sensor 200, and the second image sensor 300, and in conjunction with... Figures 1 to 3 The image compositing element 400 is connected to both the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300, and is used to combine the images obtained by the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 into a complete image. In some embodiments, the image compositing element 400 is an ISP (Image Sensor Processor), which may be integrated into one of the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300, or it may be integrated on a circuit board in the aforementioned electronic device. The present invention does not specifically limit its placement. The image compositing element 400 stitches together the images obtained by the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 by running a preset program. It is worth mentioning that, since the fields of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 partially overlap, when stitching the images obtained by the two image sensors, the image compositing element 400 needs to perform processing such as layering or cropping on the same image areas to make the resulting image consistent with the actual external scene. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present invention, the image synthesis element 400 may also be a DSP (Data Signal Processor), a microprocessor, a processor, or other components with image synthesis processing functions.

[0052] The camera module 1 provided in this embodiment of the invention includes a prism 100, a first image sensor 200, a second image sensor 300, and an image synthesis element. The prism 100 has an incident surface 120, a first side surface 130, and a second side surface 140; and along the aforementioned predetermined direction Z, the first side surface 130 and the second side surface 140 are close to each other. The first image sensor 200 is used to receive light entering the prism 100 through the incident surface 120 and reflected by the first side surface 130. The second image sensor 300 is used to receive light entering the prism 100 through the incident surface 120 and reflected by the second side surface 140. The first field of view acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second field of view acquired by the second image sensor 300 partially overlap, and the first and second fields of view together constitute the field of view of the camera module.

[0053] Since the field of view jointly acquired by the first image sensor 200 and the second image sensor 300 is larger than that acquired by wide-angle camera modules on the market through a single image sensor and a single lens, the camera module 1 provided in this embodiment of the invention can improve the current situation where the field of view of camera modules is relatively small.

[0054] Based on the same inventive concept, the present invention also provides an electronic device 2, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5 It shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device 2 provided in one embodiment of the present invention, and in conjunction with Figures 1 to 4 The electronic device 2 includes the camera module 1 described in the above embodiments.

[0055] Since it includes the aforementioned camera module 1, the electronic device 2 can improve the current situation where the market for electronic devices with camera modules is relatively small.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; under the concept of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the present invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A camera module, characterized in that, include: A prism has an incident surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. Along a predetermined direction, the first side surface gradually approaches the second side surface, and the second side surface gradually approaches the first side surface. The prism also has two oppositely arranged end faces. The incident surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface all extend from one end face to the other end face. The prism is a prism-shaped structure, and the end face is the bottom surface of the prism-shaped structure. The incident surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface are all sides of the prism-shaped structure. A first image sensor is used to receive light that enters the prism via the incident surface and is reflected by the first side. The first image sensor is located on the second side opposite to the first side. The light received by the first image sensor enters the prism via the incident surface, is reflected by the first side, and then exits the prism via the second side. as well as The second image sensor is used to receive light that enters the prism through the incident surface and is reflected by the second side. The first field of view obtained by the first image sensor and the second field of view obtained by the second image sensor partially overlap. The first field of view and the second field of view together constitute the field of view of the camera module. The second image sensor is located on the side of the first side away from the second side. The light received by the second image sensor enters the prism through the incident surface, is reflected by the second side, and then exits the prism through the first side. Wherein, the set direction is perpendicular to the incident surface and points from the incident surface toward the interior of the prism; The camera module further includes a first flexible circuit board, which is located between the two ends of the first image sensor along the set direction. One end of the first flexible circuit board is connected to the first image sensor, and the other end extends toward the second image sensor. The camera module also includes a second flexible circuit board, which is located between the two ends of the second image sensor along the set direction. One end of the second flexible circuit board is connected to the second image sensor, and the other end extends toward the first image sensor. The camera module is used to be installed in an electronic device.

2. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edges of the incident surface and the end face are provided with a light-shielding material layer to prevent light from passing through; The light-shielding material layer is printed onto the surface of the prism by screen printing.

3. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The incident surface is provided with an anti-reflection coating.

4. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first side and the second side form an acute angle, the acute angle being between 50° and 70°; or, The angle between any two of the incident surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface is 60°.

5. The camera module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the set direction, the first flexible circuit board is at least partially located on the side of the first image sensor opposite to the incident surface; Along the set direction, the second flexible circuit board is at least partially located on the side of the second image sensor opposite to the incident surface.

6. The camera module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes image compositing elements; The image synthesis element is connected to the first image sensor and the second image sensor respectively, and the image synthesis element is used to synthesize the image formed by the first image sensor and the image formed by the second image sensor.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that, Includes the camera module as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images