Imaging system and electronic product

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of camera shooting, and provides an imaging system and an electronic product, the imaging system is provided with a light inlet for ambient light to enter, and the imaging system comprises a camera shooting module which comprises an image sensor coaxially arranged with the light inlet; the liquid crystal module comprises a liquid crystal panel and a driving unit, the liquid crystal panel is arranged at the light inlet, the liquid crystal panel is provided with a plurality of pixel point areas, liquid crystal molecules are distributed in the pixel point areas, and the driving unit is used for controlling the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmission condition of the corresponding pixel point areas. The liquid crystal panel is provided with a light-transmitting area for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor and a non-light-transmitting area for preventing the ambient light from entering the image sensor. The imaging system provided by the utility model can effectively solve the problem that the scatter filter is inconvenient to replace due to the single shape of the existing anti-dazzling screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of camera technology, and in particular to an imaging system and an electronic product including the imaging system. Background Art

[0002] Today's bokeh filters are created by adding a shading plate to the front of the camera lens, with the center of the shading plate designed to be hollowed out in different patterns and shapes. The shading plate is essentially a specially shaped aperture blade that replaces the aperture of the lens itself, so it can constrain the outline of the bokeh. By switching between different patterns, the aperture size and shape of the lens can be changed.

[0003] Taking the bokeh filter with a heart-shaped central hollow shape as an example, when the light from the light source shines on the surface of the shading plate, the blocked part of the shading plate cannot transmit light, and only the central heart-shaped hollow part is light-transmittable. The light that transmits through is close to parallel light. When the camera is shooting, if there is a point light source in the defocused area outside the focus, the light source in the defocused area will form a diffuse heart shape, achieving the effect of the bokeh filter.

[0004] Currently, the shading plate of the bokeh filter is of a single shape and cannot be changed. When a different pattern needs to be switched, the shading plate needs to be replaced, which is inconvenient to use. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to overcome the deficiencies of the above-mentioned prior art and to provide an imaging system and an electronic product, which are intended to solve the problem of the inconvenience of replacing the existing bokeh filter.

[0006] The present application provides an imaging system having a light inlet for ambient light to enter, comprising:

[0007] A camera module, comprising an image sensor coaxially arranged with the light inlet;

[0008] The liquid crystal module comprises a liquid crystal panel and a driving unit, wherein the liquid crystal panel is arranged at the light inlet, the liquid crystal panel has a plurality of pixel areas, each of the pixel areas is distributed with liquid crystal molecules, and the driving unit is used to control the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel forms a light-transmitting area for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor and a non-light-transmitting area for blocking ambient light from entering the image sensor.

[0009] Optionally, the light-transmitting area is located in the non-light-transmitting area, the outer boundary of the non-light-transmitting area corresponds to the light inlet, and the inner boundary of the non-light-transmitting area is non-circular and has the same shape as that of the light-transmitting area.

[0010] Optionally, the inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area is a heart shape, a star shape, a flower shape or text.

[0011] Optionally, the liquid crystal panel is provided with a reflective film for reflecting infrared light.

[0012] Optionally, the liquid crystal panel includes a glass substrate, a transparent electrode layer and a liquid crystal molecule layer, and the glass substrate and a side facing the transparent electrode layer are coated with an anti-reflection film.

[0013] Optionally, a reflective film is coated on a side of the glass substrate facing away from the transparent electrode layer, and the reflective film is used to reflect infrared light.

[0014] Optionally, the camera module includes a shell, the image sensor is disposed in the shell, the liquid crystal panel is fixed to the shell, and the driving unit is disposed in the shell.

[0015] Optionally, the camera module is electrically connected to the liquid crystal module, and the driving unit is configured as follows: when the camera module is in a shooting state, the driving unit controls the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel forms a light-transmitting area for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor and a non-light-transmitting area that blocks ambient light from entering the image sensor.

[0016] Optionally, the camera module is electrically connected to the liquid crystal module, and the driving unit is configured such that when the camera module is in a non-shooting state, the entire liquid crystal panel is the non-light-transmitting area.

[0017] The present application also provides an electronic product, comprising the imaging system as described above.

[0018] The imaging system and the electronic product using the imaging system provided by the present application combine the liquid crystal module with the camera module, and realize light transmission areas of different shapes and bokeh filter effects of different diffusion shapes by controlling the light transmission of each pixel area of ​​the liquid crystal panel. Since the change of different diffusion shapes is realized through the same liquid crystal panel, it can effectively solve the problem of inconvenience in replacing bokeh filters caused by the single shape of the existing shading sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 The structure of the liquid crystal panel of the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0022] Figure 3 The structure of the liquid crystal panel of the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0023] Figure 4 It is light exposure Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a liquid crystal panel as shown;

[0024] Figure 5 It is light exposure Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a liquid crystal panel as shown;

[0025] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel in the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0027] 10. Camera module; 11. Image sensor; 12. Housing; 101. Light inlet; 21. Liquid crystal panel; 201. Light-transmitting area; 202. Non-light-transmitting area; 211. Glass substrate; 212. Transparent electrode layer; 213. Liquid crystal molecule layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0030] Please combine Figures 1 to 6 , the present application provides an imaging system and an electronic product using the imaging system.

[0031] The imaging system has a light inlet for ambient light to enter, and includes a camera module 10 and a liquid crystal module.

[0032] The camera module 10 includes an optical lens and an image sensor 11, and the opening direction of the light inlet 101 is the same as the direction of the optical axis C of the optical lens. When shooting, the ambient light passes through the light inlet 101 and is focused to the image sensor 11 through the optical lens to finally form an image. It should be noted that the light inlet 101 is the entrance for ambient light to enter the camera module 10. In the case where the imaging system is applied to a mobile phone, the light inlet 101 is opened in the through hole of the mobile phone case. In the case where the imaging system is applied to a video camera or a camera, the light inlet 101 is an opening of the lens housing. It can be understood that the camera module 10 also includes a motor, etc. The structure of the camera module 10 can refer to the existing camera structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0033] The liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel 21 and a driving unit. The liquid crystal panel 21 is arranged at the light inlet 101. The liquid crystal panel 21 has a plurality of pixel areas. Liquid crystal molecules are distributed in each pixel area. The driving unit is used to control the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel 21 forms a light-transmitting area 201 for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor 11 and a non-light-transmitting area 202 for blocking ambient light from entering the image sensor 11.

[0034] The specific structure of the liquid crystal panel 21 can adopt the existing liquid crystal panel structure, including a glass substrate 211, a transparent electrode layer 212 and a liquid crystal molecule layer 213. There are two glass substrates 211, which are arranged outside the two sides of the transparent electrode layer 212. The transparent electrode layer 212 includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, each of which corresponds to the liquid crystal molecules in each pixel area, and generates different voltages during the discharge process to control the deflection of each liquid crystal molecule, thereby controlling the light transmission of each pixel area.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Two arrangements of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal panel 21 are shown. Figure 2 In the case of arrangement, please combine Figure 4 , light cannot pass through the liquid crystal molecules; Figure 3 In the case of arrangement, please combine Figure 5 , light can pass through the liquid crystal molecules.

[0036] Each pixel region is arranged in rows and columns and covers the entire liquid crystal panel 21. Each pixel electrode is controlled individually by a driving unit. By controlling the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in each pixel region, the light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel 21 in each pixel region is controlled.

[0037] According to the light transmittance of each pixel area, the light-transmitting pixel areas are gathered to form a light-transmitting area 201, and the opaque pixel areas are gathered to form a non-light-transmitting area 202. Ambient light can pass through the light-transmitting area 201 and enter the interior of the camera module 10 (reaching the image sensor 11 through the optical lens). At the same time, ambient light cannot pass through the non-light-transmitting area 202 to enter the interior of the camera module 10. The boundary between the light-transmitting area 201 and the non-light-transmitting area 202 is the shape of the light-transmitting area 201. At this time, the liquid crystal panel 21 is equivalent to the aperture blades, and the light-transmitting area 201 is equivalent to the light-transmitting channel formed by the aperture blades. Undoubtedly, the light-transmitting area 201 is located on the optical axis C of the camera module 10 to ensure normal camera function.

[0038] It should be noted that the liquid crystal module can replace the aperture blades of the camera module 10, or can be configured together with the aperture blades.

[0039] When the liquid crystal module replaces the aperture blades of the camera module 10, the driving unit is electrically connected to the control unit of the camera module 10, and the driving unit is configured as follows: when the camera module 10 is in shooting mode, the driving unit controls the light transmittance of each pixel area according to the instructions of the control unit, so that the light transmittance area 201 of the liquid crystal panel 21 corresponds to the aperture value required by the camera module 10.

[0040] Regarding the solution of configuring the liquid crystal module and the aperture blades at the same time, considering that in general, the light-transmitting channel area corresponding to the aperture value is converted to a circle, and if the shape of the light-transmitting area 201 is non-circular, it will bring difficulty in conversion. The liquid crystal module and the aperture blades are configured at the same time, and the functions of the two are relatively independent. The setting of the liquid crystal module does not affect the setting and function of the aperture blades and other functional structures of the camera module 10, and the shape change of the light-transmitting area 201 of the liquid crystal panel 21 does not need to be converted according to the light-transmitting channel area corresponding to the aperture value. Therefore, the shape change of the light-transmitting area 201 of the liquid crystal panel 21 only needs to associate the start-up timing of the drive unit with the control unit of the camera module 10. Therefore, compared with the solution of replacing the aperture blades of the camera module 10 with the liquid crystal module, the difficulty of controlling the liquid crystal module can be reduced.

[0041] Since each pixel area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 21 can be individually controlled to be light-transmissive or light-impermeable, the shape of the light-transmissive area 201 is variable. During the shooting process, the change of different diffusion patterns of the bokeh filter is achieved by changing the shape of the light-transmissive area 201. It should be noted that the change is achieved by the function of the liquid crystal module itself, so there is no need to replace it, which effectively solves the problem of inconvenience in replacing the existing light-shielding sheet.

[0042] From the above, the imaging system provided by the present application combines the liquid crystal module with the camera module 10, and realizes light-transmitting areas 201 of different shapes by controlling the light transmittance of each pixel area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 21, thereby realizing bokeh filter effects of different diffusion shapes.

[0043] The imaging system provided in the present application can be used in electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, cameras, and camcorders, and can also be used to attach the imaging system to other functional products as an accessory, without limitation here.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present application, the camera module 10 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal module, and the driving unit is configured as follows: when the camera module 10 is in a shooting state, the driving unit controls the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel 21 forms a light-transmitting area 201 for ambient light to enter the image sensor 11 and a non-light-transmitting area 202 for blocking ambient light from entering the image sensor 11. It can be understood that when the camera module 10 is in a shooting state, the liquid crystal panel 21 forms a light-transmitting area 201 and a non-light-transmitting area 202, and the light-transmitting area 201 allows light to enter to achieve the shooting operation. At this time, the light-transmitting area 201 can cover the entire liquid crystal panel 21 area, and can also be formed in the area enclosed by the non-light-transmitting area 202, that is, the central area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 21. When the light-transmitting area 201 covers the entire liquid crystal panel 21, the liquid crystal panel 21 is equivalent to a light-transmitting plate, which basically does not affect the normal imaging of the camera module 10, and does not produce the effect of a bokeh filter of a special shape. In the case where the light-transmitting area 201 is an area enclosed by the non-light-transmitting area 202 , the specific shape of the light-transmitting area 201 is a diffuse shape of a bokeh filter.

[0045] In another embodiment of the present application, the camera module 10 is electrically connected to the liquid crystal module, and the driving unit is configured as follows: when the camera module 10 is in a non-shooting state, the liquid crystal panel 21 is a non-light-transmitting area 202 as a whole. When the camera module 10 is in a non-shooting state, the liquid crystal panel 21 is a non-light-transmitting area 202 as a whole, and ambient light cannot enter the camera module 10 through the liquid crystal panel 21. Preferably, when the camera module 10 is turned off, the liquid crystal module is also in a turned-off state, and the liquid crystal panel 21 is a non-light-transmitting area 202 as a whole. When the camera module 10 is turned on, the liquid crystal module is also turned on, and part or all of the area of ​​the liquid crystal module is light-transmitting. This setting is conducive to reducing the energy consumption of the imaging system.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 6 The light-transmitting area 201 is located in the non-light-transmitting area 202 , the outer boundary of the non-light-transmitting area 202 corresponds to the light inlet 101 , and the inner boundary of the non-light-transmitting area 202 is non-circular and has the same shape as the light-transmitting area 201 .

[0047] The shape of the liquid crystal panel 21 is adapted to the light inlet 101 , and it can cover the light inlet 101 so that ambient light can only enter the interior of the camera module 10 from the light-transmitting area 201 .

[0048] The inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area 202 is the shape of the light-transmitting area 201, and the shape of the light-transmitting area 201 is the diffuse pattern corresponding to the bokeh filter. The inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area 202 is non-circular, which means that when shooting with the bokeh filter function, the shape of the light-transmitting area 201 can be a non-circular specific pattern to achieve a specific diffuse pattern effect.

[0049] It can be understood that, in combination with the structural features of the liquid crystal panel 21, the shape of the light-transmitting area 201 can be adjusted to circular or non-circular as needed. When the light-transmitting area 201 is circular and has the same size and shape as the light inlet 101, the liquid crystal panel 21 is equivalent to a light-transmitting plate, and the liquid crystal module does not affect the shooting effect of the camera module 10, and does not produce a diffuse graphic effect of a specific shape. When the shape of the light-transmitting area 201 is non-circular, the effect of the circular diffuse image of the general camera module 10 will be changed. Therefore, when shooting, the camera module 10 can choose the normal shooting mode (circular diffuse pattern) as needed, or it can choose to add a mode of adding a bokeh filter of a specific shape.

[0050] Figure 6 In the structure shown, the inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area 202 (i.e., the shape of the light-transmitting area 201) is a five-pointed star. Correspondingly, the diffusion pattern of the imaging system corresponds to a five-pointed star. It can be understood that the inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area 202 can also be a heart shape, a cross star shape, a flower shape, or a text shape.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present application, a reflective film is attached to the side of the liquid crystal panel 21 away from the image sensor 11 to reflect infrared light. The reflective film reflects the infrared light irradiated to the surface of the liquid crystal panel 21 to reduce the infrared radiation of the liquid crystal panel 21 and prevent heat accumulation. In this embodiment, the reflective film is plated on the glass substrate 211 on the side away from the image sensor 11 and is located on the side of the glass substrate 211 facing the outside.

[0052] In another embodiment of the present application, the glass substrate 211 is coated with an anti-reflection film. It is understood that the ambient light needs to pass through the liquid crystal panel 21 to reach the inside of the camera module 10. By providing an anti-reflection film on the glass substrate 211, the transmittance of the light can be effectively improved, and the influence of the setting of the liquid crystal panel 21 on the imaging brightness can be reduced. In this embodiment, the side of the glass substrate 211 facing the image sensor 11 is coated with a multi-layer anti-reflection film. Those skilled in the art can select a suitable anti-reflection film according to actual needs, as long as the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel 21 can be increased.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 1The camera module 10 includes a housing 12, an image sensor 11 is disposed in the housing 12, a liquid crystal panel 21 is fixed to the housing 12, and a driving unit is disposed in the housing 12. The liquid crystal module is assembled in the housing 12, and the housing 12 provides fixed support and protection for the liquid crystal module. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An imaging system having a light inlet for ambient light to enter, characterized in that: include: A camera module, comprising an image sensor coaxially arranged with the light inlet; The liquid crystal module comprises a liquid crystal panel and a driving unit, wherein the liquid crystal panel is arranged at the light inlet, the liquid crystal panel has a plurality of pixel areas, each of the pixel areas is distributed with liquid crystal molecules, and the driving unit is used to control the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel forms a light-transmitting area for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor and a non-light-transmitting area for blocking ambient light from entering the image sensor.

2. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The light-transmitting area is located in the non-light-transmitting area, the outer boundary of the non-light-transmitting area corresponds to the light inlet, and the inner boundary of the non-light-transmitting area is non-circular and has the same shape as the light-transmitting area.

3. The imaging system according to claim 2, characterized in that The inner boundary shape of the non-light-transmitting area is heart-shaped, star-shaped, flower-shaped or text-shaped.

4. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid crystal panel is provided with a reflective film for reflecting infrared light.

5. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid crystal panel comprises a glass substrate, a transparent electrode layer and a liquid crystal molecule layer. The glass substrate and a side facing the image sensor are coated with an anti-reflection film.

6. The imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that A reflective film is coated on a side of the glass substrate facing away from the image sensor, and the reflective film is used to reflect infrared light.

7. The imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The camera module comprises a housing, the image sensor is arranged in the housing, the liquid crystal panel is fixed to the housing, and the driving unit is arranged in the housing.

8. The imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The camera module is electrically connected to the liquid crystal module, and the driving unit is configured as follows: when the camera module is in a shooting state, the driving unit controls the voltage of the liquid crystal molecules to change the light transmittance of the corresponding pixel area, so that the liquid crystal panel forms a light-transmitting area for allowing ambient light to enter the image sensor and a non-light-transmitting area that blocks ambient light from entering the image sensor.

9. The imaging system according to claim 8, characterized in that The driving unit is configured such that when the camera module is in a non-shooting state, the entire liquid crystal panel is the non-light-transmitting area.

10. An electronic product, characterized in that: Comprising the imaging system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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