Camera module

Abstract

A camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a lens driving unit for driving a plurality of lenses; a position sensor unit including a position sensor for detecting the positions of the plurality of lenses, and a sensor driving unit for applying a bias to the position sensor; and a control unit for applying a sensing operation signal to the position sensor unit. The position sensor unit outputs a first signal and a second signal, sensed by the position sensor, at different times. The sensor driving unit applies the bias to the position sensor during a first time interval in which the first signal is output, and applies the bias to the position sensor during a second time interval in which the second signal is output. The first time interval and the second time interval are discontinuous.

Description

camera module

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera module.

[0002] Camera modules perform the function of taking pictures of subjects and saving them as images or videos, and are installed in mobile devices such as cell phones, laptops, drones, and vehicles.

[0003] Meanwhile, portable devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops are equipped with tiny camera modules, which can perform an auto focus (AF) function that automatically adjusts the gap between the image sensor and the lens to align the focal length of the lens.

[0004] The autofocus function is essential for capturing clear still images or videos within the camera module. The autofocus function detects the position of the lens barrel, which is equipped with a magnet, using a position sensor. Based on the detected position of the lens barrel and the input target position, a driving signal is provided to the driving unit. This generates a driving force between the coil of the driving unit and the magnet mounted on the lens barrel, causing the lens barrel to move to the focus position, thereby performing the autofocus function.

[0005] When AF, OIS, and zoom are enabled, bias current must always be applied to the position sensor for sensing operation. Even when AF, OIS, and zoom are not in use, current is constantly flowing to the position sensor, resulting in high overall power consumption. Furthermore, this high power consumption can lead to self-heating of the position sensor.

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a camera module.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problem, a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens driving unit for driving a plurality of lenses; a position sensor unit including a position sensor for detecting positions of the plurality of lenses and a sensor driving unit for applying a bias to the position sensor; and a control unit for applying a sensing operation signal to the position sensor unit, wherein the position sensor unit outputs a first signal and a second signal sensed by the position sensor at different times, and the sensor driving unit applies the bias to the position sensor during a first time period in which the first signal is output, and applies the bias to the position sensor during a second time period in which the second signal is output, and the first time period and the second time period are discontinuous.

[0008] In response to the sensing operation signal, the sensor driving unit can be turned on or off.

[0009] The position sensor unit can output the first signal and the second signal only while the sensing operation signal is applied.

[0010] The above sensing operation signal may not be provided to the position sensor unit during a time when the first signal and the second signal are not output.

[0011] During a third time period between the first time period and the second time period, the sensor driving unit may not apply the bias to the position sensor.

[0012] The above position sensor unit includes an amplifier connected to the position sensor and an analog-to-digital converter connected to the amplifier, and the analog-to-digital converter can output the first signal and the second signal.

[0013] The above position sensor includes a plurality of position sensors connected to each other, and the bias can be commonly applied to the plurality of position sensors.

[0014] The above position sensor unit may include a plurality of position sensors and a plurality of sensor driving units that apply biases to each of the plurality of position sensors.

[0015] The above plurality of position sensors include first and second position sensors, and a section in which a bias is applied to the first position sensor and a section in which a bias is applied to the second position sensor may not overlap.

[0016] The lens driving unit includes a first lens driving unit that drives a first lens group among the plurality of lenses and a second lens driving unit that drives a second lens group among the plurality of lenses, the position sensor includes a first position sensor that detects a position of the first lens group and a second position sensor that detects a position of the second lens group, the sensor driving unit includes a first sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the first position sensor and a second sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the second position sensor, and the position sensor unit outputs a third signal sensed by the first position sensor and a fourth signal sensed by the second position sensor at different times, the first sensor driving unit applies the bias to the first position sensor during a third time period in which the third signal is output, and the second sensor driving unit applies the bias to the second position sensor during a fourth time period in which the fourth signal is output, and the third time period and the fourth time period may be discontinuous.

[0017] The lens driving unit includes an AF driving unit that drives the plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis and an OIS driving unit that drives the plurality of lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the position sensor includes an AF position sensor that detects positions of the plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis and an OIS position sensor that detects positions of the plurality of lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, the sensor driving unit includes an AF position sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the AF position sensor and an OIS position sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the OIS position sensor, and the position sensor unit outputs a fifth signal sensed by the AF position sensor and a sixth signal sensed by the OIS position sensor at different times, the AF position sensor driving unit applies the bias to the AF position sensor during a fifth time period in which the fifth signal is output, and the OIS position sensor driving unit applies the bias to the OIS position sensor during a sixth time period in which the sixth signal is output, and the fifth time period and the sixth time period may be discontinuous.

[0018] According to the present embodiments, power consumption can be reduced by applying the bias current applied to the position sensor only to the sensing section.

[0019] Additionally, the temperature characteristics can be improved by reducing self-heating of the position sensor.

[0020] Additionally, by applying a higher voltage or current than before, the noise characteristics of the position sensor can be improved.

[0021] In addition, when configured with multiple position sensors such as continuous zoom, they can be sequentially driven and applied without changing the bias capacity of the driver IC.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the internal configuration of a camera module according to the present embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the existing sensor driving unit.

[0025] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the sensor driving unit according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the connection relationship of the position sensor of the sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] However, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited to some of the embodiments described, but can be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, one or more of the components between the embodiments can be selectively combined or substituted for use.

[0032] In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this embodiment may be interpreted as having a meaning that can be generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this embodiment belongs, unless explicitly and specifically defined and described, and terms that are commonly used, such as terms defined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0033] Additionally, the terms used in this embodiment are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] In this specification, the singular may also include the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase, and when it is described as “A and / or at least one (or more) of B, C”, it may include one or more of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, C.

[0035] Additionally, in describing the components of this embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0036] And, when a component is described as being 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' to another component, it may include not only cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' directly to the other component, but also cases where the component is 'connected', 'coupled', or 'connected' by another component between the component and the other component.

[0037] Additionally, when described as being formed or arranged "above" or "below" each component, "above" or "below" includes not only cases where the two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or arranged between the two components. Furthermore, when expressed as "above" or "below," the meaning may include not only the upward direction but also the downward direction based on one component.

[0038] The 'optical axis direction' used below is defined as the optical axis direction of the lens and / or image sensor coupled to the lens driving device.

[0039] The 'vertical direction' used below may be a direction parallel to or the same direction as the optical axis direction. The vertical direction may correspond to the 'z-axis direction'. The 'horizontal direction' used below may be a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the horizontal direction may be a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Therefore, the horizontal direction may include the 'x-axis direction' and the 'y-axis direction'.

[0040] The 'auto focus (AF) function' used below is defined as a function that automatically focuses on a subject by adjusting the distance from the image sensor by moving the lens in the optical axis direction according to the distance of the subject so that a clear image of the subject can be obtained on the image sensor. In addition, 'closed-loop auto focus (CLAF) control' is defined as a function that detects the distance between the image sensor and the lens and provides feedback control of the position of the lens in real time to improve the accuracy of focus adjustment.

[0041] The term "optical image stabilization (OIS) function" used below is defined as a function that moves or tilts the lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to compensate for hand shake in order to prevent images or videos from shaking due to the user's hand shake. In addition, "closed-loop auto focus (CLAF) control" is defined as a function that detects the position of the lens with respect to the image sensor and provides real-time feedback control of the lens position to improve the accuracy of hand shake correction.

[0042]

[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the internal configuration of a camera module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a conventional sensor driving unit, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a sensor driving unit according to the present embodiment.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, the camera module may include an image sensor (110), an image signal processing unit (120), a display unit (130), a lens driving unit (140), a position sensor unit (170), a storage unit (160), and a control unit (150).

[0045] The image sensor (110) processes the optical image of the subject captured through the lens. To this end, the image sensor (110) can preprocess the image acquired through the lens. In addition, the image sensor (110) can convert the preprocessed image into electrical data and output it. The image sensor (110) is a type in which a plurality of photodetectors are integrated as individual pixels, and converts the image information of the subject into electrical data and outputs it. The image sensor (110) accumulates the amount of input light and outputs the image captured by the lens according to the accumulated amount of light in accordance with the vertical synchronization signal. At this time, the image acquisition is performed by the image sensor (110) which converts the light reflected from the subject into an electrical signal.

[0046] The image signal processing unit (120) processes the image output through the image sensor (110) on a frame-by-frame basis. At this time, the image signal processing unit (120) may also be referred to as an ISP (Image Signal Processor).

[0047] The display unit (130) displays an image captured under the control of the control unit (150), and displays a setting screen required for taking a photo or a screen for selecting a user's action.

[0048] The control unit (150) controls the overall operation of the camera module. The control unit (150) can control the lens driving unit (140) and the position sensor unit (170) to provide AF function, OIS function, and zoom function.

[0049] The storage unit (160) stores data required for the camera module to operate. The storage unit (160) may store information on the zoom position and focus position according to the distance from the subject. The focus position may be the position of the focus lens for accurately focusing on the subject. The focus position may vary depending on the zoom position of the zoom lens and the distance from the subject. The storage unit (160) stores data on the zoom position and the focus position corresponding to the zoom position according to the distance.

[0050]

[0051] The lens driving unit (140) can drive a plurality of lenses. The lens driving unit (140) can drive the plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The lens driving unit (140) can include a lens driving actuator. The lens driving actuator can include a fixed part and a moving part. The fixed part can be a part that is relatively fixed when the moving part moves. The moving part can move with respect to the fixed part. The moving part can be movably arranged on the fixed part. The moving part can move with respect to the fixed part by the driving part. The moving part can move when the AF is driven. The moving part can move when the OIS is driven. A lens can be coupled to the moving part.

[0052] A lens drive actuator may include a housing, a bobbin disposed within the housing and for mounting a lens module, a coil disposed on the bobbin, a magnet disposed on the housing and facing the coil, an upper elastic member coupled to an upper portion of the bobbin and an upper portion of the housing, a lower elastic member coupled to a lower portion of the bobbin and a lower portion of the housing, and a base. In another embodiment, the coil may be disposed on the housing, and the magnet may be disposed on the bobbin. In another embodiment, a ball member may be disposed between the housing and the bobbin, excluding the upper elastic member and the lower elastic member. In yet another embodiment, a support member made of a wire may be disposed between the housing and the base.

[0053] The lens driving unit (140) can drive the lens driving actuator by receiving a signal generated from the control unit (150). The lens driving unit (140) can apply a driving signal to the lens driving actuator to move the moving unit in at least one direction among the optical axis direction (first axis direction (z-axis)), the direction perpendicular to the optical axis (second axis direction (x-axis), third axis direction (y-axis)).

[0054] The lens driving unit (140) may include an AF driving unit that drives a plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis and an OIS driving unit that drives the plurality of lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The lens driving unit (140) may include a zoom driving unit. The lens driving unit (140) may include a first lens driving unit that drives a first lens group among the plurality of lenses and a second lens driving unit that drives a second lens group among the plurality of lenses. Here, the plurality of lenses may include a fixed group that is fixed to the camera module in addition to the first and second lens groups that drive in the direction of the optical axis or in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

[0055] The position sensor unit (170) may include a position sensor (171) and a sensor driving unit (172), and may include an amplifier (173) and an analog-to-digital converter (174).

[0056] The position sensor (171) can detect the positions of multiple lenses. The position sensor (171) may be a Hall sensor (Hall IC). The position sensor (171) may be an MR sensor. The position sensor (171) may be implemented as a single configuration with a lens driving unit (140) composed of a driver IC. The lens driving unit (140) and the position sensor (171) may be implemented as separate configurations. The position sensor (171) can detect the movement of the magnet. The movement amount or position of the magnet detected by the position sensor (171) can be used for feedback of AF driving, OIS driving, and zoom driving. The control unit (150) can determine whether to perform additional movement of the moving unit based on the detection value received from the position sensor (171), and this process can occur in real time.

[0057] The position sensor (171) may include an AF position sensor that detects the positions of the plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis and an OIS position sensor that detects the positions of the plurality of lenses in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The position sensor (171) may include a first position sensor that detects the position of the first lens group and a second position sensor that detects the position of the second lens group. This is merely exemplary, and the plurality of position sensors (171) may include position sensors in addition to the first position sensor and the second position sensor.

[0058] The sensor driving unit (172) can apply a bias to the position sensor (171) according to the driving signal generated by the control unit (150). The sensor driving unit (172) can be referred to as a bias provider that applies a bias current or a bias voltage to the position sensor (171). The sensor driving unit (172) can be implemented as a driver IC (Integrated Circuit) like the lens driving unit (140). The sensor driving unit (172) can be mounted on a substrate and electrically connected to the position sensor (171) through the substrate.

[0059] The control unit (150) can apply a sensing operation signal to the position sensor (171). The control unit (150) can apply a driving signal to the sensor driving unit (172) according to the sensing operation signal applied to the position sensor (171). The sensor driving unit (172) can be turned on or off in response to the sensing operation signal. The control unit (150) can first apply a driving signal to the sensor driving unit (172) before applying the sensing operation signal to the position sensor (171). Through this, a bias can be applied to the position sensor (171) before the position sensor (171) performs a sensing operation. The control unit (150) can control whether the driving signal is turned on or off according to whether the sensing operation signal is turned on or off. The sensor driving unit (172) can apply a bias to the position sensor (171) only when the position sensor (171) performs sensing operation and the analog-to-digital converter (174) reads the sensing signal.

[0060] The position sensor unit (170) can output a signal sensed by the position sensor (171) to the control unit (). The position sensor unit (170) can output the first signal and the second signal sensed by the position sensor (171) at different times. The first signal and the second signal can be output to the control unit (150) by an analog-to-digital converter.

[0061] The sensor driving unit (172) can apply a bias to the position sensor (171) during a first time interval in which a first signal is output, and can apply a bias to the position sensor (171) during a second time interval in which a second signal is output. Here, the first time interval and the second time interval may be discontinuous.

[0062] The position sensor unit (170) may output the first signal and the second signal only while the sensing operation signal is applied. The sensing operation signal may not be provided to the position sensor unit (170) during a time period during which the first signal and the second signal are not output. The sensor driving unit (172) may not apply a bias to the position sensor (171) during a third time period between the first time period and the second time period.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 3, the existing sensor driving unit (172) had a problem of high current consumption because it always maintained a state of applying bias regardless of the operation of the position sensor (171). Referring to Fig. 4, the sensor driving unit (172) according to the present embodiment can minimize current consumption by applying bias current only during the sensing operation of the position sensor (171).

[0064] Compared to the conventional method of always applying a bias to the position sensor, in the present embodiment, when a bias is applied only during the sensing operation of the position sensor (171), a higher current or voltage can be applied than in the past, thereby minimizing the occurrence of signal noise. In addition, when sequentially driving multiple position sensors, such as continuous zoom, it can be applied without changing the bias capacity of the driver IC.

[0065] One end of the position sensor (171) may be connected to a sensor driving unit (172), and the other end of the position sensor (171) may be connected to an amplifier (173). One end of the position sensor (171) may be connected to a sensor driving unit (172), and the other end of the position sensor (171) may be connected to an analog-to-digital converter (174). Here, one end may be referred to as an input end, and the other end may be referred to as an output end. The amplifier (173) may amplify a signal for a detection signal from the position sensor (171). When the amplifier (173) is connected to a plurality of position sensors (171), a sum signal for the detection signals detected by each position sensor (171) may be input.

[0066] The amplifier (173) includes a non-inverting terminal (+) and an inverting terminal (-). The amplifier (173) differentially amplifies a signal input to the non-inverting terminal (+) and a signal input to the inverting terminal (-) and outputs the signal to the analog-to-digital converter (174). The output signal for the plurality of sensor units (310) has a size of several mV, which is a size that does not match the input range of the analog-to-digital converter (174). Therefore, the amplifier (173) differentially amplifies and outputs the signal input through the non-inverting terminal (+) and the inverting terminal (-) in order to match the input range of the analog-to-digital converter (174).

[0067] The analog-to-digital converter (174) receives an analog signal from the amplifier (173), and converts the received analog signal into a digital signal and outputs it accordingly. The analog-to-digital converter (174) receives an analog signal from the amplifier (173) and outputs it as a multi-bit digital signal. At this time, the output signal of the analog-to-digital converter (174) can be expressed as values ​​of 0 and 1.

[0068]

[0069] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the connection relationship of a plurality of position sensors of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 5, the position sensor (171) may include a plurality of position sensors (171) that are connected to each other. The plurality of position sensors may include a first position sensor (171-1) and a second position sensor (171-2). The first position sensor (171-1) and the second position sensor (171-2) may be connected in series.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, each position sensor may include four terminals, two of which may be input terminals, and the remaining two may be output terminals. Two of the input terminals may be power input terminals, and two of the output terminals may be output terminals of a detection signal.

[0072] A bias is applied to the first terminal (INPUT+) of the first position sensor (171-1), and the second terminal (OUT+) can be connected to an amplifier (173) to output a signal. The fourth terminal (OUT-) of the first position sensor (171-1) can be connected to the sixth terminal (OUT+) of the second position sensor (171-2), and the third terminal (INPUT-) can be connected to a current control circuit or ground. A bias is applied to the fifth terminal (INPUT-) of the second position sensor (171-2), and the sixth terminal (OUT+) can be connected to the fourth terminal (OUT-) of the first position sensor (171-1). The seventh terminal (INPUT-) of the second position sensor (171-2) can be connected to a current control circuit or ground, and the eighth terminal (OUT-) can be connected to an amplifier (173) to output a signal.

[0073] The first position sensor (171-1) and the second position sensor (171-2) may be connected to one sensor driving unit (172), one amplifier (173), and an analog-to-digital converter (174). The position sensor unit (170) implemented so that the same bias is applied to multiple position sensors at the same timing may mean that it is implemented as one channel. The control unit (150) may control the driving signal so that the sensor driving unit (172) applies the same bias to multiple position sensors according to the sensing operation signal. The bias may be applied in common to multiple position sensors.

[0074]

[0075] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a sensor driving unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] A position sensor unit (170) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of position sensors and a plurality of sensor driving units that apply biases to each of the plurality of position sensors. Referring to FIG. 7, the position sensor unit (170) may include a first sensor driving unit (172-1), a first amplifier (173-1), and a first analog-to-digital converter (174-1) connected to a first position sensor (171-1), and may include a second sensor driving unit (172-2), a second amplifier (173-2), and a second analog-to-digital converter (174-2) connected to a second position sensor (171-2). The position sensor unit (170) implemented so that different biases are applied to each position sensor at different timings may mean implemented with a plurality of channels. The position sensor unit (170) including two sensor driving units illustrated in FIG. 7 may mean implemented with two channels.

[0077] The control unit (150) can control the plurality of sensor driving units to apply bias to the plurality of position sensors, respectively, according to the sensing operation signals of each of the plurality of position sensors. The control unit (150) can control the first sensor driving unit (172-1) and the second sensor driving unit (172-2) to apply bias to the position sensors to which they are connected, respectively, according to the different sensing operation signals of the first position sensor (171-1) and the second position sensor (171-2).

[0078] The position sensor unit (170) can output a first signal sensed by the first position sensor (171-1) and a second signal sensed by the second position sensor (171-2) at different times. The first sensor driving unit (172-1) can apply a bias to the first position sensor (171-1) during a first time period in which the first signal is output. The second sensor driving unit (172-2) can apply a bias to the second position sensor (171-2) during a second time period in which the second signal is output. The first time period and the second time period may be discontinuous.

[0079] The position sensor unit (170) may output the first signal and the second signal only while the sensing operation signal is applied. The sensing operation signal may not be provided to the position sensor unit (170) during a time period during which the first signal and the second signal are not output. During a third time period between the first time period and the second time period, the sensor driving unit (172) may not apply a bias to the plurality of position sensors.

[0080] The control unit (150) can control the on or off signal of the first drive signal applied to the first sensor drive unit (172-1) according to the on or off of the first sensing operation signal that operates the first position sensor (171-1). The control unit (150) can control the on or off signal of the second drive signal applied to the second sensor drive unit (172-2) according to the on or off of the second sensing operation signal that operates the second position sensor (171-2).

[0081] The section in which a bias is applied to the first position sensor (171-1) and the section in which a bias is applied to the second position sensor (171-2) may not overlap. At least a portion of the section in which a bias is applied to the first position sensor (171-1) and the section in which a bias is applied to the second position sensor (171-2) may overlap.

[0082]

[0083] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described description. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is set forth in the claims, not the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being encompassed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A lens driving unit that drives multiple lenses; A position sensor unit including a position sensor that detects the positions of the plurality of lenses and a sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the position sensor; and It includes a control unit that applies a sensing operation signal to the above position sensor unit, The above position sensor unit outputs the first signal and the second signal sensed by the position sensor at different times, The sensor driving unit applies the bias to the position sensor during a first time period in which the first signal is output, and applies the bias to the position sensor during a second time period in which the second signal is output. The above first time section and the above second time section are discontinuous camera modules.

2. In paragraph 1, A camera module in which the sensor driving unit is turned on or off in response to the sensing operation signal.

3. In paragraph 1, A camera module in which the position sensor unit outputs the first signal and the second signal only while the sensing operation signal is applied.

4. In paragraph 3, A camera module in which the sensing operation signal is not provided to the position sensor unit during a time when the first signal and the second signal are not output.

5. In paragraph 1, A camera module in which the sensor driving unit does not apply the bias to the position sensor during a third time period between the first time period and the second time period.

6. In paragraph 1, The above position sensor unit includes an amplifier connected to the position sensor and an analog-to-digital converter connected to the amplifier, The above analog-to-digital converter is a camera module that outputs the first signal and the second signal.

7. In paragraph 1, The above position sensor includes a plurality of position sensors connected to each other, The above bias is a camera module that is commonly applied to the plurality of position sensors.

8. In paragraph 1, The above position sensor unit includes a plurality of position sensors and a plurality of sensor driving units that apply bias to each of the plurality of position sensors, The above plurality of position sensors include first and second position sensors, A camera module in which a section in which a bias is applied to the first position sensor and a section in which a bias is applied to the second position sensor do not overlap.

9. In paragraph 1, The lens driving unit includes a first lens driving unit that drives a first lens group among the plurality of lenses and a second lens driving unit that drives a second lens group among the plurality of lenses. The position sensor includes a first position sensor that detects the position of the first lens group and a second position sensor that detects the position of the second lens group, The sensor driving unit includes a first sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the first position sensor and a second sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the second position sensor, The above position sensor unit outputs the third signal sensed by the first position sensor and the fourth signal sensed by the second position sensor at different times, The first sensor driving unit applies the bias to the first position sensor during the third time period in which the third signal is output, The second sensor driving unit applies the bias to the second position sensor during the fourth time period in which the fourth signal is output, The above third time section and the above fourth time section are discontinuous camera modules.

10. In paragraph 1, The lens driving unit includes an AF driving unit that drives the plurality of lenses in the direction of the optical axis and an OIS driving unit that drives the plurality of lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. The position sensor includes an AF position sensor that detects the positions of the plurality of lenses in the optical axis direction and an OIS position sensor that detects the positions of the plurality of lenses in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, The sensor driving unit includes an AF position sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the AF position sensor and an OIS position sensor driving unit that applies a bias to the OIS position sensor. The above position sensor unit outputs the fifth signal sensed by the AF position sensor and the sixth signal sensed by the OIS position sensor at different times, The AF position sensor driving unit applies the bias to the AF position sensor during the fifth time period in which the fifth signal is output, The OIS position sensor driving unit applies the bias to the OIS position sensor during the sixth time period in which the sixth signal is output, The above 5th time section and the above 6th time section are discontinuous camera modules.

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