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US 7,453,517 B2Granted
Image sensor module
AssigneeRohm Co., Ltd.
InventorsHisayoshi Fujimoto, Norihiro Imamura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image sensor module A1 includes a case 300, a photoelectric converter 400 positioned within the case 300, and first and second optical units 100, 200 for forming an image of a subject on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric converter 400. Imaging of the subject using the first optical unit 100, or imaging of the subject using the second optical unit 200, can be selected. It is possible to conduct a plurality of types of imaging each having a different view angle, while restricting increases in size and cost.
Claims19
An image sensor module comprising:
- a case;
- a photoelectric converter positioned within the case and having a light receiving surface;
- a first optical unit provided within the case and forming an image of a subject on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter, the first optical unit providing a first light path;
- and
- a second optical unit provided within the case and forming an image of the subject on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter, the second optical unit providing a second light path different from the first light path, the second optical unit being optically separate from the first optical unit for preventing light passing along the second light path from passing along the first light path,
- wherein switching is possible between imaging of the subject using the first optical unit and imaging of the subject using the second optical unit;
- wherein the first and second optical units include a first lens unit and a second lens unit, respectively, the second light path from the second lens unit to a second position where the image of the subject is formed is longer than the first light path from the first lens unit to a first position where the image of the subject is formed;
- and
- wherein the photoelectric converter comprises an image sensor chip, and the image sensor chip is movable to the first and second positions.
6 more elements
An image sensor module, comprising:
- a case;
- a photoelectric converter positioned within the case and having a light receiving surface;
- a first optical unit provided within the case and forming an image of a subject on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter, the first optical unit providing a first light path;
- and
- a second optical unit provided within the case and forming an image of the subject on the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter, the second optical unit providing a second light path different from the first light path, the second optical unit being optically separate from the first optical unit for preventing light passing along the second light path from passing along the first light path,
- wherein switching is possible between imaging of the subject using the first optical unit and imaging of the subject using the second optical unit;
- wherein the first and second optical units include a first lens unit and a second lens unit, respectively, the second light path from the second lens unit to a second position where the image of the subject is formed is longer than the first light path from the first lens unit to a first position where the image of the subject is formed;
- wherein the first optical unit has an optical axis extending linearly through the first lens unit to the first position, and the second optical unit has a bent optical axis extending through the second lens unit to the second position;
- wherein the second optical unit includes light-reflecting means for reflecting light an even number of times;
- and
- wherein the light reflecting means has a first light reflecting surface for causing light proceeding in a first direction from a front side of the subject towards the case to be reflected in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second light reflecting surface for causing light from the first light receiving surface to be reflected in the first direction towards the second position.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.