# US 7,609,323 B2 · Camera module for mobile communication device, mobile communication device using the same, and method for controlling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,323 B2 - Document ID: US7609323B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/104,405 - Filed: 2005-04-13 - Published: 2006-01-12 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-12 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Tae Kyu Choi; Wan Joong Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609323B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/67: Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals - G02B 7/02: for lenses {(supports for magnifying lenses G02B25/002)} - G02B 13/001: {Miniaturised objectives for electronic devices, e.g. portable telephones, webcams, PDAs, small digital cameras (G02B23/243 takes precedence)} - H04B 1/38: Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving - H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof - H04M 2250/52: including functional features of a camera - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A camera module for a mobile communication terminal enabling to control a focal point, a mobile communication terminal using the same, and a method of controlling the same are provided. The camera module includes a camera housing, a lens provided in the camera housing, an elastic member for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing, and a lens transformer including a first member supported by the camera housing and a second member supporting the lens, the lens transformer moving the lens together with the second member by generating an attractive force or repulsive force when power is supplied. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera module for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a camera housing; a lens provided in the camera housing; means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing; and a lens transformer including a first member supported by the camera housing and a second member supporting the lens, the lens transformer configured to move the lens together with the second member by generating an attractive force or repulsive force when power is supplied. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera housing comprises: a first housing hanging the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing ; and a second housing supporting the first member, and being separated from the first housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera housing comprises a ridge protruded along an inner circumferential surface thereof for supporting a lower end of the first member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, further comprising: an image processor provided at the camera housing for receiving and processing light passed through the lens. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The camera module of claim 4, wherein the image processor comprises: a camera sensor provided in the camera housing, and receiving the light passed through the lens and converting the light into image data; and a digital signal processor coupled with the camera housing and converting the image data from the camera sensor into a digital signal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The camera module of claim 4, wherein the camera housing comprises: a first space for receiving the first member; a second space provided under the first space for receiving at least a part of the image processor; and a ridge protruded along an inner circumferential surface of the camera housing, dividing a certain space of the camera housing into the first space and the second space, and supporting a lower end of the first member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing comprises: an outer circumferential portion coupled with an inner circumferential surface of the camera housing; and an inner circumferential portion coupled with at least one of the lens and the first member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing, has a flat form. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing has a folded form along a radius direction of the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing has a ring configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the second member is formed in a ring form, and the lens is fixed on an inner circumferential surface of the second member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein one of the first member and the second member comprises an electromagnet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member have different diameters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The camera module of claim 13, wherein one of the first and second members is inserted into the other one when an attractive force acts between the first member and the second member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera housing comprises: a first housing hanging the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing; a second housing receiving the second member and a part of an image processor; and a third housing supported on the second housing and supporting the first housing. ### Claim 16 A mobile communication terminals comprising: a terminal housing having a signal input/output system, a display, a memory, a controller, and a mobile communication signal processor; a battery pack detachably mounted at the terminal housing; and a camera module including a camera housing mounted at the terminal housing, a lens provided in the camera housing, a means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing, and a lens transformer configured to move the lens by generating an attractive force or repulsive force when power is supplied. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The mobile communication terminal of claim 16, wherein the camera module further comprises an image processor including: a camera sensor provided in the camera housing for converting lights passed through the lens into image data; and a digital signal processor coupled with the camera housing for converting the image data received from the camera sensor into a digital signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The mobile communication terminal of claim 16, wherein the lens transformer comprises: a first member supported by the camera housing; and a second member mounted to be geared with the lens and moving together with the lens when the power is supplied to the lens transformer and the attractive force or repulsive force is generated. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The mobile communication terminal of claim 18, wherein one of the first member and the second member comprises an electromagnet, and the other one of the first and second members comprises a magnetic body, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The mobile communication terminal of claim 18, wherein the first member and the second member have different diameters, such that at least a part of one of the first member and the second member is inserted into the other one when the attractive force is generated between the first member and the second member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The mobile communication terminal of claim 18, wherein the camera housing comprises: a first space for receiving the first member; a second space provided under the first space for receiving at least a part of an image processor; and a ridge protruded along an inner circumferential surface of the camera housing, dividing a certain space of the camera housing into the first space and the second space, and supporting a lower end of the first member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The mobile communication terminal of claim 18, wherein the means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing comprises; an outer circumferential portion coupled with an inner circumferential portion of the camera housing; and an inner circumferential portion coupled with at least one of the lens and the first member. ### Claim 23 A method for controlling a camera module for a mobile communication terminal, comprising steps of: (a) supplying an initial voltage to a lens transformer and thereby moving a lens of the camera module, the camera module including means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing; (b) determining whether a focal point of a subject projected on a camera sensor of the camera module is wrong after the lens is moved in response to the initial voltage; and (c) automatically and continuously adjusting a strength of a voltage supplied to the lens transformer until a correct focal point is established. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the step (a) is performed only in a half shutter mode. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the voltage currently supplied to the lens transformer is maintained if the correct focal point is obtained. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the step (c) comprises the step of: incrementally increasing or decreasing the voltage supplied to the lens transformer after checking a current focal point condition each time the voltage supplied to the lens transformer is changed. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the increasing/decreasing step is an increase step and the voltage currently supplied to the lens transformer is maintained if the correct focal point is obtained. ### Claim 28 A method of assembling a camera module usable in a communication device, comprising: providing a camera housing including first, second and third housing parts; inserting a portion of a transformer within an upper portion of the second housing part; inserting a portion of the third housing part within the upper portion of the second housing part; suspending a lens within the first housing part placed on the third housing part with a means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing; and inserting a potion of an image processor within a lower portion of the second housing part. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, wherein in the step of inserting the transformer, the inserted position of the transformer is fixed by a ridge protruding on an inner surface of the second housing part. ### Claim 30 A controllable camera module for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: means for supplying an initial voltage to a lens transformer and thereby moving a lens of the camera module; means for elastically supporting the lens in a camera housing; means for determining whether a focal point of a subject projected on a camera sensor of the camera module is wrong after the lens is moved in response to the initial voltage; and means for automatically and continuously adjusting a strength of a voltage supplied to the lens transformer until a correct focal point is established. ### Claim 31 A controllable camera module for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a camera housing; a lens provided in the camera housing; means for elastically supporting the lens in the camera housing; and means for moving the lens by generating an attractive force or repulsive force when power is supplied.