Camera Module Lens Distortion Curve for Image Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera modules with optical image stabilizers suffer from significant distortion in captured images due to camera shake, requiring high-performance ISPs and increased power consumption, leading to higher production costs and larger device sizes.

Innovation Solution

A camera module with an optimized lens section having an image height-optical distortion curve where optical distortion is positive at intermediate image heights and decreases as it approaches maximum image heights, allowing the change in distortion from camera shake and sensor shifts to cancel each other out, reducing camera movement and distortion without the need for a special ISP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional lens section is used with image stabilization, then camera shake is corrected, but significant distortion occurs in the captured image especially in peripheral portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilization performanceVSAvoidoptical distortion control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the lens section's optical characteristics, specifically designing the lens to have a particular optical distortion characteristic where distortion is positive in intermediate regions and negative in peripheral regions. This parameter optimization allows the lens to compensate for distortion introduced during image stabilization operations, resolving the contradiction between stabilization performance and distortion control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If digital correction with high-performance ISP is applied, then distortion is suppressed, but production cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistortion correction accuracyVSAvoidISP performance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for complex digital correction systems with an optimized optical lens design. Instead of relying on high-performance ISP to correct distortion digitally, the lens itself is designed to have inherent optical characteristics that minimize distortion during image stabilization, substituting mechanical/optical optimization for complex electronic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optimized lens section performs distortion compensation automatically through its inherent optical characteristics during the imaging process itself, without requiring additional digital processing steps. The lens self-compensates for distortion by its designed optical properties, eliminating the need for complex post-processing ISP operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If digital correction with high-speed processing is applied, then distortion is corrected in real-time, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time correction capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lens is pre-designed with optimized optical characteristics that inherently minimize distortion during image stabilization operations. By performing the distortion compensation action in advance through the lens design itself, rather than requiring real-time digital correction, the system achieves distortion control without the high power consumption associated with continuous ISP processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively suppresses distortion in captured images during image stabilization at a lower cost, enabling a compact camera module with reduced power consumption and simplified device configuration.

Implementation Method 1

optical means including a lens section made of at least one optical lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

sensor means including an image pickup element converting, into an electrical signal, light that enters the image pickup element through the lens section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9001218B2Camera module and image capturing device having decreased distortion in the vicinity of the maximum image height

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 SHARP KK

AI summary

A camera module (100) of the present invention includes: an optical section (1) including a lens section (11); and an OIS section (3) correcting misalignment of an optical axis. The lens section (11) has an image height-optical distortion curve in which an optical distortion is a positive maximum value in an intermediate image height region and the optical distortion gradually decreases from the maximum value as an image height approaches a maximum image height.