Periscopic camera device

Abstract

The utility model provides a periscopic camera device, including prism, lens group and image sensor, the prism includes the light inlet surface, the lens group is located in the prism, including electrically controlled mirror and n mirror lens, the electrically controlled mirror can be through adjusting voltage and reflect or transmit light, wherein, n >=1, wherein one mirror lens is located in the electrically controlled mirror side away from the image sensor, the light of the light inlet surface into the prism is shot to the image sensor through the lens group. The utility model through single sensor can satisfy two different shooting mode's demand, has replaced traditional multi -sensor architecture, has reduced the occupied space significantly, and effectively reduced manufacturing cost and assembly difficulty, has simplified production process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of optical imaging, and more specifically, relates to a periscope camera device. Background Technology

[0002] Smartphone camera designs are rapidly evolving towards higher zoom capabilities, compact structures, and higher image quality, with periscope lenses becoming an industry trend (e.g., Huawei Mate 60 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro). By folding the optical path, periscope modules place the lens at the top of the phone and the sensor at the bottom, achieving a slim design and high zoom. However, existing technologies face the following challenges: Traditional periscope modules equip each lens (such as wide-angle and telephoto) with an independent sensor, resulting in high manufacturing costs and complex assembly. Furthermore, the multi-sensor architecture occupies significant space, making it difficult to adapt to ultra-thin phones and limiting the flexibility of the device design. Additionally, due to the presence of multiple sensors, the different light paths received by each sensor require complex algorithms for fusion, increasing the burden of post-processing and impacting the shooting experience and image quality consistency. While some periscope modules employ a single-sensor solution, they still require rotating or translating a prism to switch light paths to adapt to different shooting modes. This method necessitates the design of mechanical components to assist prism movement, leading to poor reliability, increased wear risk, and impacting long-term use. Moreover, traditional periscope modules typically use single-reflection imaging, resulting in a limited light path length, making it difficult to support ultra-high magnification zoom and limiting long-distance shooting capabilities. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a single-sensor periscope camera device to solve the problems existing in the background art.

[0004] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0005] A periscope camera device includes: a prism with a light-receiving surface; a lens group disposed within the prism, including an electrically controlled reflector and n reflective lenses, wherein the electrically controlled reflector can reflect or transmit light by adjusting voltage; and an image sensor; wherein n≥1, and one of the reflective lenses is disposed on the side of the electrically controlled reflector away from the image sensor, and light entering the prism from the light-receiving surface is directed to the image sensor through the lens group.

[0006] In the above scheme, light enters through the phone's lens, reaches the light-emitting surface of the prism, passes through the light-emitting surface, and is reflected by the lens group inside the prism before reaching the image sensor. The image sensor receives the light and completes the image formation. During shooting, the position of the light reaching the light-emitting surface can be controlled by switching different shooting modes and lenses according to the shooting scene. Taking wide-angle and telephoto shooting modes as examples, in wide-angle mode, the light passes through the light-emitting surface through the wide-angle lens and reaches the electronically controlled mirror horizontally. At this time, the electronically controlled mirror switches to a reflection mode under voltage regulation, reflecting the light directly. The light is then reflected by several mirrors before reaching the image sensor to complete the image formation. In telephoto mode, the electronically controlled mirror switches to a transmission mode under voltage regulation, transmitting the light horizontally through the light-emitting surface through the telephoto lens to the mirror on the side of the electronically controlled mirror away from the image sensor. After reflection, the light is transmitted through the electronically controlled mirror and then reaches the image sensor along the same optical path as in wide-angle mode. This mode has a longer optical path, which can meet the needs of telephoto shooting.

[0007] This camera device can be used for two different shooting modes with a single image sensor. Compared with the traditional multi-sensor architecture, it can effectively simplify the structure, reduce thickness and volume, thereby reducing the space occupied inside the phone. At the same time, it can also significantly reduce manufacturing and assembly costs and simplify the production process.

[0008] In one example of this invention, when n=1, the electrically controlled reflector is located between the reflective lens and the image sensor, and the mirror surface of the reflective lens is parallel to the mirror surface of the electrically controlled reflector.

[0009] In the above scheme, only one reflector is set. In two different shooting modes, the light passing through the light-inlet surface shines on the reflector and the electronically controlled reflector respectively, and then reflects onto the image sensor to complete the image formation.

[0010] In one example of this utility model, the angle between the mirror surface of the reflective lens and the light-incoming surface is 45°, the image sensor is disposed inside the prism, and the electrically controlled reflector is located between the reflective lens and the image sensor.

[0011] In the above solution, the image sensor is placed inside the prism, which avoids taking up space inside the phone. After the light shines on the mirror surface of the reflective lens or the electronically controlled reflector, it is reflected vertically to the image sensor on one side, and the light path is L-shaped.

[0012] In one example of this utility model, when n=2, the two reflecting mirrors are symmetrically arranged about the normal direction of the light-incoming surface, and the angle between the mirror surface of the two reflecting mirrors and the light-incoming surface is 45°; the electrically controlled reflecting mirror is disposed between the two reflecting mirrors, and the angle between the electrically controlled reflecting mirror and the light-incoming surface is 45°.

[0013] In the above scheme, two reflective mirrors are symmetrically arranged. One mirror receives the light entering the prism, and the other reflects the reflected light to the image sensor. In this case, the optical path is U-shaped and longer, which can support higher magnification zoom shooting.

[0014] In one example of this invention, the image sensor is located on the outside of the prism, near the light-incoming surface.

[0015] In the above solution, with the U-shaped optical path, the image sensor can be placed outside the prism, that is, on the same side as the lens, thereby making use of the empty area on the same side of the lens, optimizing space utilization, without adding extra thickness, and without affecting the internal space of the phone, and can adapt to different phone structures.

[0016] In one example of this utility model, when n≥3, the n reflecting lenses of the lens group consist of one incident lens, one exiting lens, and n-2 intermediate lenses; the electronically controlled reflector and the intermediate lenses are located between the incident lens and the exiting lens.

[0017] In the above scheme, the light entering the prism through the light-inlet surface is reflected by the incident lens or the electronically controlled mirror, and then continuously reflected between several intermediate lenses before finally hitting the exit lens. The exit lens then reflects the light to the image sensor, thereby further extending the optical path based on the U-shaped optical path, which can support ultra-high magnification zoom shooting.

[0018] In one example of this utility model, the image sensor is disposed on the outside of the prism, near the light-inlet surface, and is correspondingly disposed with the exiting lens. After being reflected by the exiting lens, the light passes through the light-inlet surface and is directed to the image sensor.

[0019] In the above scheme, the image sensor is set outside the prism, that is, on the same side as the lens, and corresponding to the exiting lens, so as to receive the light reflected by the exiting lens.

[0020] In one example of this utility model, a lens assembly is also included. The lens assembly is disposed on the outside of the prism near the light-incoming surface. The lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens is disposed corresponding to the electrically controlled reflector, and the second lens is disposed corresponding to the reflective lens on the side of the electrically controlled reflector away from the image sensor.

[0021] In the above scheme, the first lens and the second lens correspond to different shooting modes. The light entering from the first lens passes through the light-inlet surface and reaches the electronically controlled reflector, while the light entering from the second lens passes through the light-inlet surface and reaches the reflector.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention combines an electronically controlled reflector and a reflective lens, and utilizes the mode switching of the electronically controlled reflector to change the length of the optical path without affecting the optical path. This allows two different shooting modes to be achieved with a single sensor, eliminating the need for complex algorithm fusion, reducing the burden of post-processing, and enhancing practicality. Furthermore, since there are no differences in optical path reception with a single sensor, it ensures that the image quality and shooting effect remain highly consistent across different shooting modes, thus improving the user experience. This invention uses a single sensor to meet the needs of multiple shooting modes, replacing the traditional multi-sensor architecture, significantly reducing the space occupied, avoiding impact on the internal structure of the phone, increasing the flexibility of phone design, and effectively reducing manufacturing costs and assembly difficulty, thus simplifying the production process. This invention can significantly extend the optical path by adjusting the number of reflective lenses, supporting high-magnification zoom and strong long-distance shooting capability; This invention eliminates the need for mechanical parts to move the prism, thus avoiding wear and tear risks, extending service life, and making it suitable for long-term use. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of this utility model (wide-angle mode).

[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention (telephoto mode).

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of area A in the middle.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention (wide-angle mode).

[0028] Figure 5This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention (long focal length mode).

[0029] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention (wide-angle mode).

[0030] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention (telephoto mode).

[0031] Explanation of the reference numerals in the figure: 1-Prism; 2-Electrically controlled reflector; 3-Reflecting lens; 4-First reflecting lens; 5-Second reflecting lens; 6-Incident lens; 7-Transfer lens; 8-Outgoing lens; 9-Image sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To facilitate understanding of this invention, a more comprehensive description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. However, this invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0033] It should be noted that the arrows in the attached diagram represent the direction of the light rays. Example 1

[0034] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a periscope camera device, including a prism 1, a lens group, and an image sensor 9. The prism 1 includes a light-incoming surface; the lens group is disposed inside the prism 1 and includes an electrically controlled reflector 2 and a reflective lens 3. The electrically controlled reflector 2 can reflect or transmit light by adjusting the voltage; wherein the light entering the prism 1 from the light-incoming surface is directed to the image sensor 9 through the lens group.

[0035] It should be noted that the electrically controlled reflector 2 is an existing electrically controlled variable reflector. By changing the applied voltage, it can adjust whether it reflects or transmits light. The specific principle and structure will not be introduced here.

[0036] Specifically, after light enters through the lens of the mobile phone, it reaches the light-emitting surface of the prism 1, then passes through the light-emitting surface, and is reflected by the lens group inside the prism 1 before being directed to the image sensor 9. The image sensor 9 receives the light and completes the imaging work. During shooting, different shooting modes and lenses can be switched according to the shooting scene to adjust the position of the light reaching the light-emitting surface.

[0037] Furthermore, the image sensor 9 is located inside the prism 1, and the electrically controlled reflector 2 is located between the reflector 3 and the image sensor 9. The mirror surface of the reflector 3 is parallel to the mirror surface of the electrically controlled reflector 2, and the angle between them and the light-incoming surface is 45°.

[0038] By placing the image sensor 9 inside the prism 1, the internal space of the phone can be avoided. The angle between the reflective lens 3 and the electronically controlled reflector 2 and the light-incoming surface is 45°. When light shines horizontally on the mirror surface of the reflective lens 3 or the electronically controlled reflector 2, its incident angle and exit angle are both 45°, achieving the effect of vertical reflection. This makes the light path simple L-shaped, which is convenient for vertical and compact arrangement inside the phone and is suitable for shooting in standard zoom scenarios.

[0039] To facilitate understanding, the following uses wide-angle and telephoto shooting modes based on the L-shaped optical path as examples to illustrate the optical path paths in different shooting modes.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the light path in wide-angle mode. In this mode, the electronically controlled reflector 2 switches to a reflection mode to reflect light under voltage regulation. The light enters horizontally from the wide-angle lens, passes through the light-incoming surface, and reaches the electronically controlled reflector 2. The electronically controlled reflector 2 reflects the light to the image sensor 9. In this mode, the light path and focal length are short, the sense of space is strong, and the near objects appear larger than the distant ones. It is usually used as the main camera of a mobile phone and is suitable for shooting landscapes or portraits.

[0041] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the optical path in telephoto mode. In this mode, the electronically controlled mirror 2 switches to a transmission mode under voltage regulation, allowing light to pass through. The light enters horizontally from the telephoto lens, passes through the light-incoming surface, and reaches the reflecting mirror 3. The reflecting mirror 3 reflects the light back to the electronically controlled mirror 2. Since the electronically controlled mirror 2 is in transmission mode, the light passes through the electronically controlled mirror 2 and reaches the image sensor 9. This mode has a longer optical path, which meets the needs of telephoto shooting. In this mode, the optical path and focal length are longer, supporting high-magnification zoom shooting.

[0042] Understandably, by setting up the electronically controlled reflector 2, the light path can be extended while avoiding light path deviation, maintaining the consistency of the light path in different shooting modes, ensuring that the light is always accurately projected onto the center of the sensor, ensuring that the image quality and shooting effect remain highly consistent in different shooting modes, reducing the burden of post-processing images, and effectively applicable to shooting in low-light environments and complex scenes.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, when the electrically controlled reflector 2 is switched to transmission mode, the direction of light will not change after passing through the electrically controlled reflector 2, so as to ensure that the light falls on the image sensor 9.

[0044] In this embodiment, a lens group (not specifically shown in the figure) is also included. The lens group is located on the side of the prism 1 near the light-inlet surface. The lens group includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens is correspondingly arranged with the electronically controlled reflector 2, and the second lens is correspondingly arranged with the reflector 3. As mentioned above, the first lens is a wide-angle lens, and the second lens is a telephoto lens. The light entering from the first lens passes through the light-inlet surface and reaches the electronically controlled reflector 2, and the light entering from the second lens passes through the light-inlet surface and reaches the reflector 3. Example 2

[0045] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 A periscope camera device is provided, which is basically the same in principle as Embodiment 1, except that there are two reflective lenses in this embodiment.

[0046] In this embodiment, the two reflective mirrors are symmetrically arranged about the normal direction of the light-incoming surface. The angle between the mirror surface of the two reflective mirrors and the light-incoming surface is 45°. The electrically controlled reflector 2 is located between the two reflective mirrors. The angle between the electrically controlled reflector 2 and the light-incoming surface is also 45°. The image sensor 9 is located on the outside of the prism 1 near the light-incoming surface.

[0047] Specifically, two reflective mirrors are symmetrically arranged. One mirror receives the light entering the prism 1, and the other mirror reflects the light to the image sensor 9. For ease of understanding, the reflective mirror that receives the light entering the prism 1 is defined as the first reflective mirror 4, and the other mirror is defined as the second reflective mirror 5. The electrically controlled reflector 2 is arranged parallel to the first reflective mirror 4. The light entering the prism 1 is reflected by the first reflective mirror 4 or the electrically controlled reflector 2 to the second reflective mirror 5, and then reflected by the second reflective mirror 5 to the image sensor 9. In this case, the optical path is U-shaped and longer, which can support high-magnification zoom shooting and is suitable for shooting distant buildings or wildlife.

[0048] In addition, with the U-shaped optical path configuration, the image sensor 9 can be placed outside the prism 1, i.e., on the same side as the lens, thereby utilizing the unused area on the same side as the lens, optimizing space utilization, without adding extra thickness, and without affecting the internal space of the phone, thus adapting to different phone structures.

[0049] To facilitate understanding, the following uses wide-angle and telephoto shooting modes based on the U-shaped optical path as examples to illustrate the optical path paths in different shooting modes.

[0050] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the optical path in wide-angle mode. At this time, the electronically controlled reflector 2 switches to a reflection mode to reflect light under voltage regulation. The light enters horizontally from the wide-angle lens, passes through the light-inlet surface, and reaches the electronically controlled reflector 2. The electronically controlled reflector 2 reflects the light to the second reflector 5, and the second reflector 5 reflects the light again. The light passes through the light-inlet surface and reaches the image sensor 9.

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path in telephoto mode. At this time, the electronically controlled reflector 2 switches to the transmission mode for transmitting light under voltage regulation. The light enters horizontally from the telephoto lens, passes through the light-incoming surface, and reaches the reflector. The reflector reflects the light, and the light passes through the electronically controlled reflector 2 to reach the second reflector 5. The second reflector 5 reflects the light again, and the light passes through the light-incoming surface to reach the image sensor 9. Example 3

[0052] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 A periscope camera device is provided, which is basically the same in principle as Embodiment 2, except that there are 3 reflective lenses in this embodiment.

[0053] In this embodiment, the lens group includes one electrically controlled reflector 2 and three reflective lenses. For ease of understanding, as shown in the figure, the three reflective lenses are named from left to right as incident lens 6, intermediate lens 7 and exit lens 8, respectively. Incident lens 6 and exit lens 8 are symmetrical about the normal direction of the light-incident surface, and intermediate lens 7 is parallel to the light-incident surface.

[0054] Specifically, the light entering the prism 1 through the light-inlet surface is reflected by the incident lens 6 or the electronically controlled mirror 2 and falls on the intermediate lens 7. The intermediate lens 7 reflects the light to the exit lens 8, and then the exit lens 8 reflects it to the image sensor 9. This further extends the light path based on the U-shaped light path, which can support ultra-high magnification zoom shooting (such as 15x-20x), making it easy to capture distant details and suitable for shooting sports competitions or concerts.

[0055] In addition, the image sensor 9 is located on the outside of the prism 1, close to the light-inlet surface, that is, on the same side as the lens, and is set in accordance with the exit lens 8. After the light is reflected by the exit lens 8, it passes through the light-inlet surface and shines on the image sensor 9.

[0056] What is understandable is that Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the optical path in wide-angle mode. After entering the wide-angle lens, the light rays are directed towards the electrically controlled mirror 2. At this time, the electrically controlled mirror 2 is in reflection mode. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path in telephoto mode. After the light enters the telephoto lens, it is directed towards the incident lens 6. At this time, the electronically controlled reflector 2 is in transmission mode.

[0057] It should be noted that the positions of the incident lens 6 and the exit lens 8, as well as the angle between them and the light-entry surface, can be adjusted according to actual needs. It is only necessary to ensure that the light, after being reflected by the incident lens 6, the intermediate lens 7 and the exit lens 8, exits the light-entry surface in the same direction as when it entered the light-entry surface. Example 4

[0058] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 3 in principle. The difference is that the lens group in this embodiment includes n reflective lenses, where n>3. In this case, the n reflective lenses of the lens group consist of 1 incident lens 6, 1 exiting lens 8, and n-2 intermediate lenses 7. The electrically controlled reflector 2 and the intermediate lenses 7 are located between the incident lens 6 and the exiting lens 8.

[0059] Specifically, the light entering the prism 1 through the light-incoming surface is reflected by the incident lens 6 or the electrically controlled reflector 2, and then continuously reflected between n-2 intermediate lenses 7 before finally hitting the exit lens 8, and then reflected by the exit lens 8 to the image sensor 9. Compared with embodiment 3, this setting has a longer optical path, which meets the user's high demand for shooting at a greater distance, such as shooting the surface of the moon.

[0060] Understandably, the angles of each intermediate lens 7 can be adjusted as needed, as long as it ensures that the light is reflected horizontally by the exiting lens 8 and then directed towards the image sensor 9.

[0061] It should be noted that the L-shaped optical path, U-shaped optical path, and the pseudo-U-shaped optical path in embodiments 3 and 4 of this utility model can be flexibly selected according to the mobile phone model.

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0063] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0064] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The various embodiments can be combined as needed, and the same or similar parts can be referred to each other.

[0065] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A periscope camera device, characterized in that, include: A prism, including its light-gathering surface; The lens group, located inside the prism, includes an electrically controlled reflector and n reflective lenses. The electrically controlled reflector can reflect or transmit light by adjusting the voltage. Image sensor; Where n≥1, one of the reflecting mirrors is located on the side of the electronically controlled reflecting mirror away from the image sensor, and the light entering the prism from the light-incoming surface is directed to the image sensor through the lens group.

2. The periscope camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When n=1, the electrically controlled reflector is located between the reflective lens and the image sensor, and the mirror surface of the reflective lens is parallel to the mirror surface of the electrically controlled reflector.

3. The periscope camera device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The angle between the mirror surface of the reflective lens and the light-incoming surface is 45°. The image sensor is located inside the prism, and the electrically controlled reflector is located between the reflective lens and the image sensor.

4. The periscope camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When n=2, the two reflecting mirrors are symmetrically arranged about the normal direction of the light-incoming surface, and the angle between the mirror surface of the two reflecting mirrors and the light-incoming surface is 45°. The electrically controlled reflector is disposed between the two reflector lenses, and the angle between the electrically controlled reflector and the light-incoming surface is 45°.

5. The periscope camera device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The image sensor is located on the outside of the prism, near the light-gathering surface.

6. The periscope camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When n≥3, the n reflecting mirrors of the lens group consist of one incident mirror, one exiting mirror, and n-2 intermediate mirrors; The electrically controlled reflector and the intermediate mirror are located between the incident mirror and the exit mirror.

7. The periscope camera device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The image sensor is located on the outside of the prism, near the light-inlet surface, and is positioned corresponding to the exiting lens. Light is reflected by the exiting lens and passes through the light-inlet surface to reach the image sensor.

8. The periscope camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a lens assembly, which is located on the outside of the prism near the light-incoming surface. The lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens is correspondingly arranged with the electrically controlled reflector, and the second lens is correspondingly arranged with the reflective lens on the side of the electrically controlled reflector away from the image sensor.

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