Imaging module with color wheel

Abstract

The present application provides an imaging module with a color wheel, comprising an image sensor, a periscopic lens, a color wheel, a light shield, and a driving element. The image sensor is configured to sense a light beam from an external environment. The periscopic lens is disposed in the path of the light beam and configured to transmit the light beam to the image sensor. The color wheel is disposed in or beside the periscopic lens and in the path of the light beam. The color wheel comprises a plurality of filters with different light filtering bands. The light shield is disposed in or beside the periscopic lens and in the path of the light beam. The light shield has an aperture that exposes part of the filters. The driving element is configured to drive at least one of the color wheel and the light shield to rotate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an imaging module, and more particularly to an imaging module having a color wheel. Background Technology

[0002] The color wheel is a key component in digital light processing (DLP) technology, responsible for breaking down white light from a light source into primary colors such as red, green, and blue to generate a color image. This technology is widely used in commercial, educational, and home theater projectors because it provides excellent color reproduction and brightness.

[0003] The color wheel consists of a transparent disc divided into multiple sector-shaped areas, each covered with a filter of a different color. Common configurations include red, green, and blue. When the projector is running, the color wheel rotates at high speed, causing white light to pass through these filters sequentially, breaking the light down into monochromatic light.

[0004] These monochromatic lights sequentially illuminate the chip of a digital micromirror device (DMD). The DMD chip contains millions of tiny mirrors, each corresponding to a pixel in the image. As the light passes through the color wheel, the DMD chip adjusts the tilt angle of the micromirrors according to the color of the light, determining whether the light is reflected into the projection lens. The DMD chip can precisely control the brightness and color of each pixel, ultimately synthesizing a complete color image.

[0005] The main advantages of a color wheel lie in its cost-effectiveness and high efficiency in color projection. Compared to multi-chip DLP projectors, single-chip DLP projectors require only one DMD chip and color wheel to generate color images, significantly reducing production costs. At the same time, optimized color wheel design improves color accuracy and saturation, providing a better viewing experience.

[0006] However, there is currently no technology to apply color wheels to camera modules, so the color saturation that current camera modules can achieve needs to be improved, and the cost of current camera modules is also difficult to reduce further. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention relates to an imaging module with a color wheel that can achieve high color saturation or have a low cost and a periscope function.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention provides an imaging module with a color wheel, including an image sensor, a periscope lens, a color wheel, a light-shielding plate, and a driving element. The image sensor senses a light beam from an external source. The periscope lens is disposed in the path of the light beam, through which the light beam is transmitted to the image sensor. The color wheel is disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens, located in the path of the light beam, and includes multiple filters with different wavelengths. The light-shielding plate is disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens, located in the path of the light beam, and has a notch that exposes portions of the filters. The driving element drives at least one of the color wheel and the light-shielding plate to rotate.

[0009] In the imaging module with a color wheel in an embodiment of the present invention, a color wheel is used, disposed in or on one side of a periscope lens. The color wheel includes multiple filters with different filtering wavelengths, and a light-shielding plate disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens has a notch that exposes a portion of the filters. By driving at least one of the color wheel and the light-shielding plate to rotate, the image sensor can sequentially sense images of light in different wavelengths. These images of light in different wavelengths can be combined to form a color image, thus the image sensor can then sense a color image with high color saturation. Furthermore, in the imaging module with a color wheel in an embodiment of the present invention, since a color wheel is used to sequentially filter light in different wavelengths, a simpler image sensor can be used, thus effectively reducing the cost of the imaging module. In addition, in the imaging module with a color wheel in an embodiment of the present invention, since the color wheel and the light-shielding plate are disposed in the periscope lens, the imaging module with a color wheel in an embodiment of the present invention can achieve high color saturation or have a lower cost while having periscope functionality. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1A This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 1B It is Figure 1A A three-dimensional perspective diagram of an imaging module with a color wheel cut along the optical axis;

[0012] Figure 1C This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A frontal view of the light-blocking plate and color wheel in the diagram;

[0014] Figure 2B It is Figure 1A The diagram shows the light-blocking sheet and the color wheel, rendered using a transparent drawing technique.

[0015] Figure 3 for Figure 1A A frontal view of the color wheel in the diagram;

[0016] Figure 4A for Figure 1A A stereoscopic schematic diagram of the first magnet, first coil, second magnet, second coil, color wheel, and light-blocking plate in an imaging module with a color wheel;

[0017] Figure 4B for Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the first magnet, first coil, second magnet, second coil, color wheel and light shield in an imaging module with a color wheel;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0021] Figure 1A This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B It is Figure 1A A stereoscopic perspective diagram of an imaging module with a color wheel cut along the optical axis. Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A frontal view of the light-blocking plate and color wheel in the diagram, and Figure 2B It is Figure 1A The diagram shows a light-blocking sheet rendered using a transparent technique, depicting the light-blocking sheet and the color wheel from the front. Figure 2B In this painting, the use of a transparent technique for the light-blocking plate does not mean that the plate is translucent; rather, this technique is used to more clearly show the relationship between the notch in the light-blocking plate and the filter on the color wheel. Furthermore, Figure 3 for Figure 1A A frontal view of the color wheel. Please refer to... Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3The imaging module 100 with a color wheel in this embodiment includes an image sensor 110, a periscope lens 120, a color wheel 130, a light-blocking plate 140, and a driving element 150. The image sensor 110 senses a light beam 50 from the outside world. The periscope lens 120 is disposed in the path of the light beam 50, through which the light beam 50 is transmitted to the image sensor 110. That is, the periscope lens 120 images external objects onto the image sensor 110. The color wheel 130 is disposed within the periscope lens 120, located in the path of the light beam 50, and includes multiple filters 132 of different filtering bands (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (As shown). A light-shielding plate 140 is disposed in the periscope lens 120, located in the path of the beam 50, and has a notch 142, wherein the notch 142 exposes a portion of these filters 132.

[0022] In this embodiment, the periscope lens 120 includes a reflector 122 and a lens group 124. The lens group 124 is disposed between the reflector 122 and the image sensor 110. The light beam 50 is reflected by the reflector 122 and transmitted to the lens group 124, and then transmitted to the image sensor 110 via the lens group 124. The color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 are disposed in a configuration position, which may include between the reflector 122 and the lens group 124, on one side of the light-incident surface 1222 of the reflector 122, or between the periscope lens 120 and the image sensor 110. In this embodiment, the color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 are disposed between the reflector 122 and the lens group 124 as an example. In one embodiment, as... Figure 1A As shown, the color wheel 130 is disposed between the reflector 122 and the light-shielding plate 140. However, in another embodiment, as... Figure 1C As shown, a light-shielding plate 140 can also be disposed between the reflector 122 and the color wheel 130. In this embodiment, the reflector 122 is, for example, a reflecting prism. The light beam 50 from the outside penetrates the light-incident surface 1222 of the reflecting prism and enters the reflecting prism. It is then reflected or totally internally reflected by the reflecting surface 1224 of the reflecting prism, and then penetrates the light-exit surface 1226 of the reflecting prism to leave the reflecting prism and be transmitted to the color wheel 130. However, in other embodiments, the reflector 122 can also be a mirror, and this mirror can be disposed between... Figure 1B The position of the reflecting surface 1224 in the diagram.

[0023] A driving element 150 is used to drive at least one of the color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate. In this embodiment, the shape of the notch 142 corresponds to the shape of the filter 132, and when the driving element 150 drives at least one of the color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate, the notch 142 sequentially exposes the filters 132. In this embodiment, the filters 132 of different wavelengths include red, green, and blue filters. In one embodiment, the filters 132 of different wavelengths may include at least one of an infrared-transmitting filter and an ultraviolet-transmitting filter. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the filters 132 of different wavelengths may include at least one of a violet, yellow, and orange filter. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the filters 132 of the color wheel 130 are eight types of filters: red, green, blue, purple, yellow, orange, infrared-transmitting, and ultraviolet-transmitting. Furthermore, in this embodiment, these filters 132 are arranged in a ring around the optical axis A1 of the periscope lens 120. Additionally, in this embodiment, these filters 132 can be attached to a substrate, such as a white glass plate, and for example, a circular plate.

[0024] At a given point in time, a portion of the light 50 from an external object is filtered into a specific wavelength by the filter 132 of the color wheel 130 and then passes through the notch 142 of the filter 140. This filtered light, having passed through the notch 142, is then focused by the lens group 124 of the periscope lens 120 onto the image sensor 110, where it is imaged. When the driving element 150 rotates at least one of the color wheel 130 and the light-blocking plate 140, the notch 142 of the light-blocking plate 140 sequentially exposes the filters 132 of different wavelengths, allowing light of different wavelengths to be imaged sequentially onto the image sensor 110. By recording the timing of the color wheel 130, a controller electrically connected to the image sensor 110 and used to process the signals of the image sensor 110 can analyze which wavelength of image the image sensor 110 sensed at what time, thereby obtaining information about the color image synthesized from these different wavelength images.

[0025] In one embodiment, the driving element 150 is used to drive the color wheel 130 to rotate when the light-shielding plate 140 is stationary, or to drive the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate when the color wheel 130 is stationary. In this way, the notch 142 of the light-shielding plate 140 can sequentially expose the filters 132 of different filtering bands. In this embodiment, the driving element 150 can drive the color wheel 130 to rotate when the light-shielding plate 140 is stationary, and drive the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate when the color wheel 130 is stationary, so that the notch 142 can generate images of these different bands when rotated to different angles relative to the periscope lens 120, allowing the imaging module 100 with the color wheel to obtain complete color image information. That is, when the color wheel 130 completes one cycle of rotation, and the light-shielding plate 140 completes one cycle of rotation, the image sensor 110 can obtain complete color image information.

[0026] In this embodiment, the rotation of the color wheel 130 is the rotation of the periscope lens 120 with the optical axis A1 as the rotation axis, and the rotation of the light shield 140 is the rotation of the periscope lens 120 with the optical axis A1 as the rotation axis.

[0027] In the imaging module 100 with a color wheel in this embodiment, a color wheel 130 is used, which is disposed in the periscope lens 120. The color wheel 130 includes multiple filters 132 with different filtering bands, and a light-shielding plate 140 is disposed in the periscope lens 120, which has a notch 142 that exposes a portion of the filters 132. By driving at least one of the color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate, the image sensor 110 can sequentially sense images of light with different bands. These images of light with different bands can be combined to form a color image, so the image sensor 110 can then sense a color image with high color saturation. Furthermore, in the imaging module 100 with a color wheel in this embodiment, since the color wheel 130 is used to sequentially filter out light with different bands, a relatively simple image sensor 110 can be used, thus effectively reducing the cost of the imaging module. The pixels of the image sensor 110 do not need to be divided into sub-pixels of different colors, and the colors of the image sensed by the image sensor 110 can be determined by the filter 132 of the color wheel 130, which has a lower cost, thus effectively reducing costs. On the other hand, since the pixels of the image sensor 110 do not need to be divided into sub-pixels of different colors, the pixels of the image sensor 110 can be made smaller, or the resolution of the image sensor 110 can be made higher.

[0028] Furthermore, in the imaging module 100 with a color wheel in this embodiment, since the color wheel 130 and the light shield 140 are arranged in the periscope lens 120, the imaging module 100 with a color wheel in this embodiment can achieve high color saturation or have a low cost while having periscope function.

[0029] Furthermore, using filters 132 of different wavelengths not only improves the color accuracy of the image but also effectively reduces color cast. By precisely controlling the spectral characteristics of the filter 132, the color wheel 130 technology can achieve more realistic color reproduction. Moreover, with continuous technological advancements, the structure of the color wheel 130 is constantly being optimized, providing a wider color gamut and higher brightness.

[0030] In this embodiment, the junction B between two adjacent filters 132 is arc-shaped. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each filter 132 has an arc-shaped protruding side C1, an arc-shaped concave side C2, and an arc-shaped side C3 connecting the arc-shaped protruding side C1 and the arc-shaped concave side C2. The rotation direction D1 of the color wheel 130 is from the arc-shaped concave side C2 towards the arc-shaped protruding side C1. This allows the color wheel 130 to more effectively guide airflow during rapid rotation, reducing airflow separation and vortex generation, thereby reducing wind resistance. This design allows the filter 132 to cut through the air more smoothly during rotation, reducing energy loss.

[0031] Figure 4A for Figure 1A A stereoscopic schematic diagram of the first magnet, first coil, second magnet, second coil, color wheel, and light-blocking plate in an imaging module with a color wheel. Figure 4B for Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the first magnet, first coil, second magnet, second coil, color wheel, and light-blocking plate in an imaging module with a color wheel. Please refer to... Figure 1A , Figure 4A and Figure 4BIn this embodiment, the driving element 150 includes a plurality of first magnets 151, a plurality of first coils 152, a plurality of second magnets 153, and a plurality of second coils 154. The first magnets 151 are arranged around the edge of the color wheel 130, and the first coils 152 correspondingly surround the first magnets 151. When the first coils 152 are energized, a first magnetic force is generated, and the first magnets 151 are subjected to this first magnetic force, thus driving the color wheel 130 to rotate. That is, the first coils 152 act as stators, and the first magnets 151 act as rotors. The second magnets 153 are arranged around the edge of the light-shielding plate 140, and the second coils 154 correspondingly surround the second magnets 153. When the second coils 154 are energized, a second magnetic force is generated, and the second magnets 153 are subjected to this second magnetic force, thus driving the light-shielding plate 140 to rotate. That is, the second coils 154 act as stators, and the second magnets 153 act as rotors. In this embodiment, the drive element 150 further includes a plurality of wires 155 and 156, which are electrically connected to the first coils 152 and the second coils 154, respectively, to provide current to the first coils 152 and the second coils 154. Furthermore, by controlling the energizing sequence of the different coils, the rotor can rotate step by step.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 5 The imaging module 100a with a color wheel in this embodiment and Figure 1A The imaging module 100a with a color wheel is similar to that of the previous one, but the main differences are as follows. In the imaging module 100a with a color wheel in this embodiment, the color wheel 130 and the light-shielding plate 140 are disposed on one side of the periscope lens 120. Figure 5 The example shown is that the color wheel 130 and the light-blocking plate 140 are arranged on one side of the light-incident surface 1222 of the reflector 122 of the periscope lens 120. Figure 5 In this example, the color wheel 130 is positioned between the light-incident surface 1222 and the light-shielding plate 140. However, in another embodiment, the light-shielding plate 140 may also be positioned between the light-incident surface 1222 and the color wheel 130.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a stereoscopic perspective view of an imaging module with a color wheel according to another embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 6 The imaging module 100b with a color wheel in this embodiment and Figure 1AThe imaging module 100b with a color wheel is similar to that of the previous one, but the main differences are as follows. In the imaging module 100b with a color wheel in this embodiment, the color wheel 130 and the light-blocking plate 140 are disposed between the periscope lens 120 and the image sensor 110, for example, between the lens group 124 of the periscope lens 120 and the image sensor 110. Figure 6 In this example, the light-shielding plate 140 is positioned between the color wheel 130 and the image sensor 110. However, in another embodiment, the color wheel 130 may also be positioned between the light-shielding plate 140 and the image sensor 110.

[0034] In summary, the imaging module with a color wheel in the embodiments of the present invention employs a color wheel disposed in or on one side of a periscope lens. The color wheel includes multiple filters with different filtering bands, and a light-shielding plate disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens has a notch that exposes a portion of these filters. By driving at least one of the color wheel and the light-shielding plate to rotate, the image sensor can sequentially sense images of light in different bands. These images of light in different bands can be combined to form a color image, thus the image sensor can then sense a color image with high color saturation. Furthermore, in the imaging module with a color wheel in the embodiments of the present invention, since a color wheel is used to sequentially filter out light in different bands, a simpler image sensor can be used, thus effectively reducing the cost of the imaging module. In addition, in the imaging module with a color wheel in the embodiments of the present invention, since the color wheel and the light-shielding plate are disposed in the periscope lens, the imaging module with a color wheel in the embodiments of the present invention can achieve high color saturation or have a lower cost while having periscope functionality.

[0035] 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; 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 or all 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. An imaging module with a color wheel, characterized in that, include: An image sensor is used to sense light beams from the outside world; A periscope lens is positioned in the path of the light beam, wherein the light beam is transmitted to the image sensor via the periscope lens; A color wheel, disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens, located in the path of the light beam, and comprising multiple filters of different filtering bands; A light-shielding plate, disposed in or on one side of the periscope lens, located in the path of the light beam, and having a notch, wherein the notch exposes a portion of the plurality of filters; as well as A driving element for driving at least one of the color wheel and the light-shielding sheet to rotate.

2. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The periscope lens includes: Reflector; and A lens group is disposed between the reflector and the image sensor, wherein the light beam is reflected by the reflector and transmitted to the lens group, and then transmitted to the image sensor via the lens group.

3. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 2, characterized in that, The color wheel and the light-blocking plate are configured in a configuration position, which includes between the reflector and the lens group, one side of the light-incident surface of the reflector, or between the periscope lens and the image sensor.

4. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of the notch corresponds to the shape of the filter, and when the driving element drives at least one of the color wheel and the light-shielding sheet to rotate, the notch sequentially exposes the plurality of filters.

5. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving element includes: Multiple first magnets are arranged around the edge of the color wheel; A plurality of first coils are correspondingly surrounded by a plurality of first magnets, wherein a first magnetic force is generated in response to the energization of the plurality of first coils, and the plurality of first magnets are subjected to the first magnetic force, thereby driving the color wheel to rotate; Multiple second magnets are arranged around the edge of the light-shielding sheet; and Multiple second coils are correspondingly surrounded by multiple second magnets, wherein a second magnetic force is generated in response to the energization of the multiple second coils, and the multiple second magnets are subjected to the second magnetic force, thereby driving the light-shielding sheet to rotate.

6. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of filters for different wavelength bands includes a red filter, a green filter and a blue filter.

7. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of filters includes at least one of infrared-transmitting filters and ultraviolet-transmitting filters.

8. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of filters are arranged in a ring around the optical axis of the periscope lens.

9. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that, The boundary between two adjacent filters in the plurality of filters is arc-shaped.

10. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of filters has an arc-shaped protruding side, an arc-shaped concave side, and an arc-shaped side connecting the arc-shaped protruding side and the arc-shaped concave side, wherein the rotation direction of the color wheel is from the arc-shaped concave side to the arc-shaped protruding side.

11. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving element is used to drive the color wheel to rotate when the light-shielding sheet is stationary, or to drive the light-shielding sheet to rotate when the color wheel is stationary.

12. The imaging module with a color wheel according to claim 11, characterized in that, The rotation of the color wheel is based on the optical axis of the periscope lens, and the rotation of the light-blocking plate is also based on the optical axis of the periscope lens.

Images