US 12,568,295 B2Granted

Control system for optical zoom and focus for miniature camera modules

AssigneeAcuvi AB

InventorHåkan Ohlgren

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Abstract

A method for driving an optical lens system having a first and a second group of optical lenses movable along a linear path parallel to an optical axis by a first and second motor, respectively, and a drive unit, comprises reading (S2, S4) of a present position of the groups and communicating (S6) it to the drive unit. In the drive unit, a command representing a requested optical zoom degree and/or a requested focusing distance is received (S10). Requested positions of the groups, corresponding to the received command, are deduced (S20) by utilizing predetermined lens positioning data available in the drive unit. The predetermined lens positioning data represents positions of the groups causing different combinations of optical zoom degree and focusing distance. The motors are driven (S30, S32) to move the groups to the respective requested positions. The driving comprises applying (S31, S33) of voltage signals over electromechanical materials.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for driving an optical lens system, said optical lens system comprising a first group of optical lenses movable along a linear path parallel to an optical axis of said optical lenses by a first motor, a second group of optical lenses movable along said linear path by a second motor, and a drive unit, said method comprising the steps of:

reading a present position of said first group of optical lenses along said linear path;
reading a present position of said second group of optical lenses along said linear path;
communicating signals representing said read present positions to said drive unit;
receiving, in said drive unit, a command representing at least one of a requested optical zoom degree and a requested focusing distance, in absolute or relative measures;
deducing, in said drive unit, requested positions of said first and second groups of optical lenses, respectively, corresponding to said received command, by utilizing predetermined lens positioning data available in said drive unit representing positions of said first group of optical lenses and said second group of optical lenses causing different combinations of optical zoom degree and focusing distance;
driving, initiated by said drive unit, said first motor to move said first group of optical lenses from said present position of said first group of optical lenses to said requested position of said first group of optical lenses;
and
driving, initiated by said drive unit, said second motor, in agreement with said driving of said first motor, to move said second group of optical lenses from said present position of said second group of optical lenses to said requested position of said second group of optical lenses;
said steps of driving said first motor and said second motor, respectively, comprises applying voltage signals over electromechanical materials.

6 more elements

An optical lens system, comprising:

a first group of optical lenses;
a first motor configured to move said first group of optical lenses along a linear path;
a second group of optical lenses, having a same optical axis as said first group of optical lenses;
a second motor configured to move said second group of optical lenses along said linear path;
said first motor and said second motor are motors driven by applying voltage signals over electromechanical materials,
a drive unit configured for operating said first motor and said second motor,
a first position sensor arranged to read a position of said first group of optical lenses along said linear path, said first position sensor being connected to said drive unit and configured to provide readings to said drive unit;
and
a second position sensor arranged to read a position of said second group of optical lenses along said linear path, said second position sensor being connected to said drive unit and configured to provide readings to said drive unit;
wherein said drive unit comprises a data storage comprising predetermined lens positioning data representing positions of said first group of optical lenses and said second group of optical lenses causing different combinations of optical zoom degree and focusing distance;
wherein said drive unit comprises a communication interface for receiving a command representing at least one of a requested optical zoom degree and a requested focusing distance, in absolute or relative measures;
and
wherein said drive unit is configured for initiating driving said first motor and said second motor to move said first group of optical lenses and said second group of optical lenses, respectively, from an original set of positions of said first group of optical lenses and said second group of optical lenses according to present readings of said first and second position sensors to a requested set of positions of said first group of optical lenses and said second group of optical lenses, said requested set of positions corresponding to said received command according to said predetermined lens positioning data.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/563,652Filed 25 May 2022
Priority: SE 2150664-726 May 2021
Published: US 2025/0056108 A113 Feb 2025
Granted: 3 Mar 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

H04N 23/55
Constructional details: optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
G02B 7/10
With mechanism for focusing or varying magnification: by relative axial movement of several lenses, e.g. of varifocal objective lens
G02B 13/009
Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras: having zoom function
G03B 3/00
Focusing arrangements of general interest for cameras, projectors or printers