Camera with an image sensor generating an image signal based on input light reflected by a prism apparatus and passing through lens apparatus, and terminal including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10884237-B2
Application number	US-201916421275-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 23, 2019
Priority date	May 23, 2018
Publication date	Jan 5, 2021
Grant date	Jan 5, 2021

Abstract

A camera and a terminal including the same are disclosed. The camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first prism apparatus to reflect a first input light input in a first direction to a second direction; a second prism apparatus to reflect a second input light input in a third direction opposite to the first direction to the second direction, and output the reflected second input light to the first prism apparatus; a lens apparatus to receive the first input light from the first prism apparatus or the second input light from the second prism apparatus; and an image sensor configured to generate an image signal based on the first input light or the second input. Accordingly, it is possible to implement a slim camera that can use a single image sensor at the time of front photographing and rear photographing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A camera comprising:
a first prism apparatus configured to reflect a first input light input in a first direction to a second direction;
a second prism apparatus configured to reflect a second input light input in a third direction opposite the first direction to the second direction, and output the reflected second input light to the first prism apparatus;
a lens apparatus including a plurality of lenses adjustable for variable focus, and configured to receive the first input light from the first prism apparatus or the second input light from the second prism apparatus; and
an image sensor configured to:
generate an image signal based on the first input light or the second input light passing through the lens apparatus;
generate a first image signal based on the first input light passing through the lens apparatus in a first period; and
generate a second image signal based on the second input light passing through the lens apparatus in a second period after the first period,

wherein a resolution of a first image based on the first image signal is higher than a resolution of a second image based on the second image signal.

2. A camera comprising:
a first prism apparatus configured to reflect a first input light input in a first direction to a second direction;
a second prism apparatus configured to reflect a second input light input in a third direction opposite the first direction to the second direction, and output the reflected second input light to the first prism apparatus;
a lens apparatus including a plurality of lenses adjustable for variable focus, and configured to receive the first input light from the first prism apparatus or the second input light from the second prism apparatus; and
an image sensor configured to generate an image signal based on the first input light or the second input light passing through the lens apparatus,
wherein the first prism apparatus comprises:
a first prism configured to reflect the first input light input in the first direction; and
a second prism configured to reflect the first input light reflected from the first prism and transmit the second input light output from the second prism apparatus.

3. A camera comprising:
a first prism apparatus configured to reflect a first input light input in a first direction to a second direction;
a second prism apparatus configured to reflect a second input light input in a third direction opposite the first direction to the second direction, and output the reflected second input light to the first prism apparatus;
a lens apparatus including a plurality of lenses adjustable for variable focus, and configured to receive the first input light from the first prism apparatus or the second input light from the second prism apparatus; and
an image sensor configured to generate an image signal based on the first input light or the second input light passing through the lens apparatus,
wherein the first prism apparatus comprises:
a prism configured to reflect the first input light input in the first direction; and
a beam splitter or a rotating mirror configured to reflect the first input light reflected from the prism and transmit the second input light output from the second prism apparatus.

4. The camera of claim 1 , wherein, in the lens apparatus, a movement of lens in the lens apparatus during the first period is different from a movement of lens in the lens apparatus during the second period.

5. The camera of claim 1 , further comprising a lens disposed between the first prism apparatus and the second prism apparatus.

6. The camera of claim 2 , wherein the first prism apparatus further comprises:
a first actuator configured to change an angle of the first prism about a first rotation axis so as to change a first reflection direction, based on an input first control signal; and
a second actuator spaced apart from the first actuator, and configured to change an angle of the second prism about a second rotation axis so as to change a second reflection direction, based on an input second control signal.

7. The camera of claim 6 , wherein:
the first prism receives an input light through a first entry prism surface and outputs the input light reflected from a first internal reflection surface through a first exit prism surface; and
the second prism receives the reflected input light through a second entry prism surface and outputs the reflected light reflected from a second internal reflection surface through a second exit prism surface.

8. The camera of claim 7 , wherein the first exit prism surface of the first prism and the second entry prism surface of the second prism face each other.

9. The camera of claim 6 , wherein the first rotation axis of the first prism is perpendicular to the second rotation axis of the second prism.

10. The camera of claim 6 , wherein, in response to a movement causing rotation of the first prism about the first rotation axis by a first angle and rotation of the second prism about the second rotation axis by a second angle:
the first actuator is further configured to rotate the first prism in the third direction by a third angle in response to the first control signal; and
the second actuator is further configured to rotate the second prism in a fourth direction opposite the second direction by a fourth angle in response to the second control signal,
wherein the third angle is half of the first angle, and
wherein the fourth angle is half of the second angle.

11. The camera of claim 6 , wherein the first prism apparatus further comprises:
a first hall effect sensor configured to sense the changed angle of the first prism based on a first magnetic field; and
a second hall effect sensor configured to sense the changed angle of the second prism based on a second magnetic field.

12. The camera of claim 11 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first drive magnet and a first drive coil.

13. The camera of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first prism holder configured to secure the first prism;
a first yoke coupled to a rear of the first prism holder, the first drive magnet coupled to a rear of the first yoke; and
a first coil holder including a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the first prism holder,
wherein:
each of the plurality of protrusions comprises an opening;
the opening defines the first rotation axis;
the first drive coil is disposed between the first coil holder and the first yoke; and
the first prism holder comprises a plurality of bosses coupled with the openings of the plurality of protrusions so as to rotate the first prism about the first rotation axis.

14. The camera of claim 13 , wherein the second actuator comprises a second drive magnet and a second drive coil.

15. The camera of claim 14 , further comprising:
a second prism holder configured to secure the second prism;
a second yoke coupled to a rear of the second prism holder, the second drive magnet coupled to a rear of the second yoke; and
a second coil holder including a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the second prism holder,
wherein:
each of the plurality of protrusions of the second coil holder comprises an opening;
the opening of the protrusion of the second coil holder defines the second rotation axis;
the second drive coil is disposed between the second coil holder and the second yoke; and
the second prism holder comprises a plurality of bosses coupled with the openings of the plurality of protrusions of the second coil holder so as to rotate the second prism about the second rotation axis.

16. The came

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Cho Sunho
• Kim Kwanhyung
• Lee Dongryeol
• Kang Hyungjoo
• Ji Salkmann
• Hong Samnyol

Classifications

• G02B27/646 Primary

  compensating for small deviations, e.g. due to vibration or shake (movement of one or more optical elements for control of motion blur in cameras, projectors or printers G03B2205/0007; image stabilisation in cameras peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor H04N23/68) · CPC title

• H04N23/681

  Motion detection · CPC title

• H04N23/54

  Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils · CPC title

• H04N23/687

  by shifting the lens or sensor position · CPC title

• H04N23/6812

  based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors · CPC title