Camera module with position detecting mechanism

A camera module, comprising:

• a lens holder;
• a lens module including a lens barrel and at least one lens received in the lens barrel, the lens barrel axially movably received in the lens holder for transmitting light from outside the camera module therethrough, at least an outer peripheral portion of the lens barrel being made of conductive material;
• a position detecting mechanism comprising:
• a plurality of conductive terminals securely arranged on an inner periphery of the lens holder parallel to each other for separately connecting with the lens barrel;
• a plurality of electrical sources, each of the electrical sources comprising a cathode and an anode, the cathode being electrically connected with a respective one of the conductive terminals;
• and
• a processor electrically connected with the anode of each electrical source for detecting a potential difference between each conductive terminal and an input terminal of the processor associated with movement of the lens module;
• and
• an image pick-up module being arranged so as to receive the light from the lens module.

A camera module, comprising:

• a lens holder;
• a lens module including a lens barrel with a lens received therein, the lens barrel being axially movably received in the lens holder for transmitting light from outside the camera module therethrough;
• a continuous conductive portion formed on one of the lens barrel and the lens holder;
• a plurality of separate conductive terminals arranged on the other of the lens barrel and the lens holder, the conductive terminals being configured for separately, slidingly, and electrically contacting the conductive portion upon movement of the lens barrel relative to the lens holder;
• an identify circuit configured for identifying those conductive terminals that are electrically contacting the conductive portion thereby detecting the position of the lens barrel relative to the lens holder.