SPIN-OUT 360-DEGREE CAMERA FOR SMARTPHONE

Abstract

Camera modules comprising two sub-cameras included in a camera housing and a spin-out actuator. The two sub-cameras are a first sub-camera with first field of view (FOV) FOV1≥180 deg oriented along a camera module optical axis and pointing in a first direction and a second sub-camera having a second FOV, FOV2≥180 deg, the second sub-camera being oriented along the camera module optical axis and pointing in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction. Such a camera module is operational to capture a 360 degree panoramic image or video stream by combining images obtained with the first sub-camera and the second sub-camera, where the spin-out actuator is operational to rotate the camera housing around an axis perpendicular to the camera module optical axis for switching the camera between a stowed position and a spun-out/operational position.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising: a first sub-camera comprising a first lens having a first effective focal length (EFL.sub.1) and a first image sensor, the first sub-camera having a first field of view FOV1≥180 degrees and being oriented along a camera module optical axis and pointing in a first direction; a second sub-camera comprising a second lens having a second effective focal length (EFL.sub.2)=EFL.sub.1 and a second image sensor, the second sub-camera having a second field of view FOV2≥180 degrees and being oriented along the camera module optical axis and pointing in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction; and a spin-out actuator, wherein the first sub-camera and the second sub-camera are included in a camera housing, wherein the camera is operational to capture a 360 degree panoramic image or video stream by combining images obtained with the first sub-camera and with the second sub-camera, wherein the spin-out actuator is operational to rotate the camera housing around an axis perpendicular to the camera module optical axis for switching the camera between a stowed position and a spun-out position, wherein the camera module is active in the spun-out position.

2. The camera module of claim 1, wherein EFL.sub.1 and EFL.sub.2 are in the range of 0.75 mm-2.5 mm.

3. The camera module of claim 1, included in a mobile device, wherein in the spun-out operational position the camera module optical axis is perpendicular to a front surface of the mobile device.

4. The camera module of claim 1, included in a mobile device, wherein in the stowed position the camera module optical axis is parallel to a front surface of the mobile device.

5. The camera module of claim 1, included in a mobile device, wherein in the stowed position the camera module housing is flush with both a front surface and a rear surface of the mobile device.

6. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera housing is rotated by 90 degrees for switching between the stowed position and the spun-out position.

7. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor are mounted on a single printed circuit board.

8. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera module has a camera module height H.sub.M in the range of 5 mm-20 mm.

9. The camera module of claim 8, wherein H.sub.M is in the range of 7 mm-11 mm.

10. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera module has a camera module width W.sub.M in the range of 10 mm-30 mm.

11. The camera module of claim 10, wherein W.sub.M is in the range of 15 mm-20 mm.

12. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the spin-out actuator is an actuator selected from the group consisting of an electric stepper motor, a voice coil motor, and a shaped memory alloy actuator.

13. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the camera module comprises a spin-out mechanism to rotate the camera housing, wherein the spin-out mechanism includes a worm-screw and a worm wheel, and wherein the worm-screw engages with the worm wheel.

14. The camera module of claim 1, wherein EFL.sub.1 and EFL.sub.2 are in the range of 0.9 mm-1.5 mm.

15. The camera module of claim 1, wherein EFL.sub.1 and EFL.sub.2 are in the range of 1 mm-1.2 mm.

16. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the first lens and the second lens each include N=6 lens elements.

17. The camera module of claim 16, wherein a power sequence of the N=6 lens elements is negative-negative-positive-positive-negative-positive.

18. The camera module of claim 1, wherein a first lens element L.sub.1 of both the first lens and the second lens is made of glass.

19. The camera module of claim 1, wherein a last lens element L.sub.6 of both the first lens and the second lens is the strongest lens element in the lens.

20. The camera module of claim 1, wherein a last lens element L.sub.6 of both the first lens and the second lens is the strongest lens element in the lens.

21. The camera module of claim 1, wherein an f number f.sub.3 of a third lens element L.sub.3 of both the first lens and the second lens fulfills f.sub.3<2×EFL.

22. The camera module of claim 1, wherein both the first lens and the second lens have a f number lower than 3.

23. The camera module of claim 1, wherein both FOV1 and FOV2 are smaller than 200 degrees.

24. The camera module of claim 1, included in a multi-camera.

25. The camera module of claim 1, included in a smartphone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Non-limiting examples are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. Identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labelled with a same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. The drawings and descriptions are meant to illuminate and clarify examples of the subject matter disclosed herein, and should not be considered limiting in any way. In the drawings:

[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates a smartphone including a 360° camera disclosed herein in a stowed state in a front view;

[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates the smartphone and 360° camera of FIG. 1A in a spun-out state in a front view;

[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates the smartphone and 360° camera of FIGS. 1A-B in a stowed state in one side view;

[0028] FIG. 2B illustrates the smartphone and 360° camera of FIGS. 1A-B in a spun-out state in one side view;

[0029] FIG. 3A illustrates the smartphone and 360° camera of FIGS. 1A-B in a stowed state in another side view;

[0030] FIG. 3B illustrates the smartphone and 360° camera of FIGS. 1A-B in a spun-out state in another side view;

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a 360° camera disclosed herein;

[0032] FIG. 5 shows an example of an optical lens system for use in a 360° camera disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1A illustrates a smartphone 100 including a 360-degree camera 110 as disclosed herein in a “stowed” state in a front view. Hereinafter, 360° cameras described below may drop the “360°” term for simplicity. In the stowed state, camera 110 is inactive. Smartphone 100 includes a first area 102 which does not include a screen (“bezel area”), a second area 104 which includes a screen (“screen area”), and a housing (body) 106.

[0034] A front surface (or “user surface”) of smartphone 100 is visible. “Front surface” of a smartphone is defined here as the surface of the smartphone that includes a screen. Accordingly, a “rear surface” (or “world facing surface”) of a smartphone is defined here as a surface parallel to the front surface, but having a surface normal that points in an opposite direction than a surface normal of the front surface. In general, the rear surface does not include a screen. Camera 110 is included (i.e. embedded) in bezel area 102. Camera 110 includes two, first and second sub-cameras (not shown here), see 120 and 130 in FIGS. 2A-B. Optical axes of the first sub-camera and of the second sub-camera of camera 110 (not shown) are oriented parallel to the x-axis in the x-y-z coordinate system shown. In the stowed state, camera 110 is positioned so that it forms a plane surface (i.e. “is flush”) with the surrounding bezel area 102. In the stowed state, an aperture of the first sub-camera and an aperture of the second sub-camera are not exposed and are therefore protected from damage in case of a drop or an impact.

[0035] FIG. 1B illustrates smartphone 100 including camera 110 in a “spun-out” state in the same view shown in FIG. 1A. In the spun-out state, camera 110 is active. A first aperture 116 of camera 110 is visible. The optical axes of the first sub-camera and of the second sub-camera of camera 110 are now oriented parallel to the z-axis. With respect to the stowed state in FIG. 1A, camera 110 is rotated by 90 degrees around the y-axis. In this (active) spun-out state, camera 110 has an unobstructed FOV of more than 180 degrees, i.e. the FOV of lenses of camera 110 is not obstructed by housing 106 or any other component included in smartphone 100. In other embodiments for switching a camera such as camera 110 from a stowed state to a spun-out state, the camera may be rotated by 90 degrees around the x-axis.

[0036] In some examples, camera 110 may be included in a multi-camera as known in the art. In a multi-camera, two or more cameras are included that have lenses with different focal lengths to capture images of a same scene with FOVs. For example, in addition to camera 110, a multi-camera may include a Wide camera having a Wide camera FOV (“FOV.sub.W”) of e.g. 80 degrees and a Tele (or “zoom”) camera having a narrower FOV (“native FOV.sub.T” or (“n-FOV.sub.T”)) of e.g. 25 degrees and with higher spatial resolution (for example 3-5 times higher) than that of the Wide camera. Smartphone 100 may in addition include an application processor (“AP”), e.g. configured to switch between different cameras in the multi-camera, to process image data of the multi-camera, to supply control signals for switching camera 110 from a stowed state to a spun-out state and vice versa etc.

[0037] FIG. 2A illustrates smartphone 100 including 360° camera 110 of FIGS. 1A-B in a stowed state in a cross-sectional view. Smartphone 100 has a smartphone module height H.sub.M and a smartphone module width W.sub.M. Camera 110 includes a housing 112 and a pivot (or “rotation”) axis 114. For switching camera 110 between a stowed (inactive) and a spun-out (operational) state, camera 110 is rotated by 90 degrees around pivot axis 114. Pivot axis 114 is substantially parallel to the y-axis. A first aperture 116 of first sub-camera 120 and a second aperture 118 of second sub-camera 130 of camera 110 are visible. In the inactive state, both first aperture 116 and second aperture 118 are directed towards the inwards of smartphone 100, i.e. camera 110 cannot capture a scene. Camera 110 has a camera width of W.sub.C (measured along the y-axis) and a camera height H.sub.C (measured along the z-axis). In some examples, W.sub.M may be 10 mm-30 mm and H.sub.M may be 5 mm-20 mm. In some examples, W.sub.M may be 15-20 mm and H.sub.M may be 7-11 mm. In some examples, W.sub.M may be 18 mm and H.sub.M may be 9 mm. A circle 202 is defined as the smallest circle that fully encircles (or contains) camera 110.

[0038] FIG. 2B illustrates smartphone 100 including camera 110 in a spun-out state in a cross-sectional view. Both first aperture 116 and second aperture 118 are directed towards a scene, and both first sub-camera 120 and second sub-camera 130 are operational to capture the scene. A first FOV 122 of first sub-camera 120 and a second FOV 132 of second sub-camera 130 may have identical sizes (values), or may be different. First FOV 122 and second FOV 132 may each cover about 150-210 degrees, or preferably they may cover 180-210 degrees.

[0039] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate smartphone 100 including camera 110 in another cross-sectional view in, respectively, stowed and spun-out states. Camera 110 includes a spin-out mechanism 302 operational to rotate camera 110 around pivot axis 114 for switching camera 110 between the stowed and spun-out states. Spin-out mechanism 302 includes an actuator 304 that is connected to a worm screw 306. Worm screw 306 engages with a worm wheel 308 to transmit the actuation of actuator 304 so that camera 110 is rotated around the y-axis at pivot 114. Actuator 304 may for example be an electric stepper motor, a voice coil motor (VCM), or a shaped memory alloy (SMA) actuator. In the spun-out state, a free space (or volume) 312 is generated.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a 360-degree camera disclosed herein and numbered 400. Camera 400 includes a first sub-camera 420, a second sub-camera 430, and a camera module housing 402. First sub-camera 420 and second sub-camera 430 include respectively lenses 422 and 432 included in lens barrels 424 and 434 and having lens optical axes 426 and 436, image sensors 428 and 438, and apertures 429 and 439. Image sensor 428 and image sensor 438 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to optical axes 426 and 436, wherein the active regions (i.e. the regions including imaging pixels) of image sensor 428 and image sensor 438 face opposite directions. Image sensor 428 points towards (or faces) a negative z-direction, and image sensor 438 points towards (or faces) a positive z-direction. A pivot (rotation) axis 414 is substantially parallel to the y-axis. Image sensor 428 and image sensor 438 may both be mounted on a single printed circuit board (PCB) 416. In other examples, two or more PCBs may be used to mount two image sensors such as image sensor 428 and image sensor 438. To supply control signals and retrieve image data from camera 400, PCB 416 or the two or more PCBs may be electrically connected to a smartphone including camera 400 by a flexible electric cable (not shown). A worm wheel 408 may transmit the actuation required for switching camera 400 between a stowed state and a spun-out state.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows an example of an optical lens system disclosed herein and numbered 500. Optical lens system 500 comprises a lens 502, an image sensor 504 and, optionally, an optical element (“window”) 506. Optical element 506 may be for example infra-red (IR) filter, and/or a glass image sensor dust cover. Optical lens system 500 may be used in a sub-camera of a 360-degree camera such as first sub-camera 420 and second sub-camera 430.

[0042] Optical rays pass through lens 502 and form an image on image sensor 504.

[0043] Detailed optical data and surface data for lens 502 are given in Tables 1-2. Optical lens system 500 has a FOV of 191 degrees, an EFL of 1.08 mm and a f number of 2.72.

[0044] Table 1 provides surface types and Table 2 provides aspheric coefficients.

[0045] The surface types are: [0046] a) Plano: flat surfaces, no curvature [0047] b) Q type 1 (QT1) surface sag formula:

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}z\left(r\right)=\frac{{\mathrm{cr}}^2}{1+\sqrt{1-\left(1+k\right)c^2{r}^2}}+D_{\mathrm{con}}\left(u\right)D_{\mathrm{con}}\left(u\right)=u^4{.Math.}_{n=0}^N{A}_n{Q}_n^{\mathrm{con}}\left(u^2\right)u=\frac{r}{r_{\mathrm{norm}}},x=u^2\begin{array}{ccc}{Q}_0^{\mathrm{con}}\left(x\right)=1& Q_1^{\mathrm{con}}=-\left(5-6x\right)& Q_2^{\mathrm{con}}=15-14x\left(3-2x\right)\end{array}{Q}_3^{\mathrm{con}}=-\left\{35-12x\left[14-x\left(21-10x\right)\right]\right\}{Q}_4^{\mathrm{con}}=70-3x\left\{168-5x\left[84-11x\left(8-3x\right)\right]\right\}{Q}_5^{\mathrm{con}}=-\left[126-x\left(1260-11x\left\{420-x\left[720-13x\left(45-14x\right)\right]\right\}\right)\right]& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.1\right)\end{array}$ [0048] c) Even Asphere (ASP) surface sag formula:

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}z\left(r\right)=\frac{{\mathrm{cr}}^2}{1+\sqrt{1-\left(1+k\right)c^2{r}^2}}+{\alpha }_1{r}^2+{\alpha }_2{r}^4+{\alpha }_3{r}^6+{\alpha }_4{r}^8+{\alpha }_5{r}^{10}+{\alpha }_6{r}^{12}+{\alpha }_7{r}^{14}+{\alpha }_8{r}^{16}& \left(\mathrm{Eq}.2\right)\end{array}$

where {z, r} are the standard cylindrical polar coordinates, c is the paraxial curvature of the surface, k is the conic parameter, r.sub.norm is generally one half of the surface's clear aperture (“CA”, or also “DA” for clear aperture diameter), and A.sub.n are the aspheric coefficients shown in lens data tables.

[0049] The Z axis is positive towards image. Values for CA are given as a clear aperture radius, i.e. D/2. The reference wavelength is 555.0 nm. Units in Table 1 are in mm except for refraction index (“Index”) and Abbe #. Each lens element Li has a respective focal length f.sub.i, both given in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Optical lens system 500 EFL = 1.08 mm, F# = 2.72, FOV = 191 deg. Curvature Aperture Focal Surface # Comment Type Radius Thickness Radius (D/2) Material Index Abbe # Length 1 Lens 1 Standard 6.529 1.784 4.068 Glass 1.95 32.3 −4.679 2 2.303 0.222 1.725 3 Lens 2 QT1 0.824 0.763 1.358 Plastic 1.58 28.4 −5.858 4 0.436 0.783 0.697 5 A.S. Plano Infinity 0.071 0.219 6 Lens 3 QT1 −43.758 0.759 0.333 Plastic 1.53 55.7 1.607 7 −0.8509 0.058 0.675 8 Lens 4 QT1 12.013 1.052 0.986 Plastic 1.53 55.7 2.741 9 −1.624 0.041 1.024 10 Lens 5 QT1 −1.956 0.294 1.009 Plastic 1.67 19.2 −2.384 11 9.781 0.033 1.147 12 Lens 6 QT1 3.686 0.969 1.495 Plastic 1.54 55.9 1.345 13 −0.832 0.232 1.617 14 Filter Plano Infinity 0.210 — Glass 1.52 64.2 15 Infinity 0.350 — 16 Image Plano Infinity — —

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Aspheric Coefficients Surface # Norm Radius Conic A0 A1 A2 A3 3 1.352 −2.324 −0.04791 −0.05523 0.015938 −0.00196 4 0.679 −0.645 −0.318956 −0.019675 −0.010019 −0.001377429 5 (SA) 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0.544 −1.662 0.022799 0.028698 0.010205 −1.46082E−05 7 0.813 −0.098 0.07629 −0.007024 0.00877 −0.007080169 8 1.304 124.913 0.176348 −0.125627 −0.006741 −0.009985724 9 1.140 0.232 −0.217642 0.109874 −0.000286 0.001776936 10 1.431 −0.240 −0.193425 0.330347 −0.11511 −0.022503981 11 1.337 65.327 −0.075806 0.035603 −0.014417 0.005430028 12 1.362 3.497 0.304975 −0.17175 0.057573 −0.02251768 13 2.045 −2.236 1.275921 −0.720937 0.221204 −0.21164209 Aspheric Coefficients (Continued) Surface # A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 3 3.92449E−05 −0.00028 −3.4466E−05  7.11888E−05 −0.00011 4 −0.001139 −0.00034385 −0.00011 −5.09204E−06  3.11037E−06 5 (SA) 0 0 0 0 0 6 −0.007396 −0.0105359 −0.007271 −0.002404784 −9.43331E−05 7 −0.001707 0.000908346 0.002366 −0.000553186 −0.00223188 8 0.01722 0.00132032 −0.002979 −0.006638898 −0.002825671 9 −0.005606 −0.00098302 −0.001488 0.001349993 0.002046746 10 −0.019598 0.023306945 −0.006583 0.012424048 −0.009745867 11 −0.029477 0.012113887 −0.008651 0.007679978 0.003367427 12 0.006928 −0.00083061 −0.00035 0.00076921 −0.000764853 13 −0.03595 −0.05541839 0.088623 0.08797425 0.064227559
Optical lens system 500 has an effective focal length (“EFL”) of 1.08 mm. A power sequence of lenses L.sub.1-L.sub.6 included in lens 502 is negative-negative-positive-positive-negative-positive. L.sub.1 is made of glass. A focal length of lens element L.sub.i is f.sub.i, i=1-6. f.sub.3<2.Math.EFL and f.sub.6<2.Math.EFL or even f.sub.6<1.5.Math.EFL. L.sub.2 is the lens element having a largest focal length magnitude, i.e. |f.sub.2|>|f.sub.i|, i=1, 3, . . . . In other embodiments, EFL may be in the range of 0.5 mm-5 mm, or even in the range 0.75 mm-2.5 mm, for example 0.9 mm-1.5 mm or 1 mm-1.2 mm.

[0050] For the sake of clarity, the term “substantially” is used herein to imply the possibility of variations in values within an acceptable range. According to one example, the term “substantially” used herein should be interpreted to imply possible variation of 0-10% over or under any specified value.

[0051] It is to be noted that the various features described in the various embodiments can be combined according to all possible technical combinations.

[0052] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based can readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiments of the disclosure as hereinbefore described without departing from its scope, defined in and by the appended claims.