Multi-input folded camera and mobile device including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11392012-B2
Application number	US-202016884443-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2020
Priority date	Oct 21, 2019
Publication date	Jul 19, 2022
Grant date	Jul 19, 2022

Abstract

A multi-input folded camera includes a plurality of folding devices, a common lens array, and a sensor. The folding devices change paths lights that are incident to the folding devices and output a plurality of folded lights propagating along a plurality of paths. The common lens array combines the folded lights received through an input surface of the common lens array to output a combined light through an output surface of the common lens array. The sensor is at an optical axis of the common lens array to receive the combined light. Performance of a mobile device including the multi-input folded camera is enhanced by sufficient light amounts using the multiple folding devices and combining the lights through the multiple light paths. In implementing an under display camera (UDC), an entire-region display is supported without an aperture in a display panel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-input folded camera comprising:
a plurality of folding devices configured to change paths of lights incident to the plurality of folding devices in a first direction and to output a plurality of folded lights propagating along a plurality of paths on a plane perpendicular to the first direction;
a common lens array configured to combine the plurality of folded lights through an input surface of the common lens array and to output a combined light through an output surface of the common lens array; and
a sensor at an optical axis of the common lens array, the sensor configured to receive the combined light.

2. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of paths of the plurality of folded lights cross at a cross point on the optical axis of the common lens array.

3. The multi-input folded camera of claim 2 , wherein the cross point of the plurality of folding devices coincides with a center point of the input surface of the common lens array.

4. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of folding devices is on a circumference of a circle, the circle including a center on the optical axis of the common lens array.

5. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of folding devices are disposed at an equal distance from a point on the optical axis of the common lens array.

6. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein a number of the plurality of folding devices is an odd number and the plurality of folding devices is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the common lens array.

7. The multi-input folded camera of claim 6 , wherein one path of the plurality of paths coincides with the optical axis of the common lens array, and each path of the plurality of paths, except the one path, forms an acute angle with the optical axis of the common lens array.

8. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein a number of the plurality of folding devices is an even number and the plurality of folding devices is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the common lens array.

9. The multi-input folded camera of claim 8 , wherein each path of the plurality of paths forms an acute angle with the optical axis of the common lens array.

10. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a light blocking layer disposed above the plurality of folding devices, the light blocking layer including a plurality of apertures to pass the plurality of lights incident to the plurality of folding devices.

11. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sensor lens array between the common lens array and the sensor, an optical axis of the sensor lens array coinciding with the optical axis of the common lens array.

12. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rotating actuator configured to rotate at least one of the plurality of folding devices on a rotational axis parallel to the first direction.

13. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , further comprising:
a moving actuator configured to move the common lens array along the optical axis of the common lens array.

14. The multi-input folded camera of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of folding devices, the common lens array, and the sensor are mounted on a substrate.

15. A mobile device comprising:
a housing case having an upper surface, the upper surface defining an opening;
a display panel in the opening defined by the upper surface of the housing case; and
a multi-input folded camera below the display panel, the multi-input folded camera comprising
a plurality of folding devices configured to change paths of lights that are incident to the plurality of folding devices in a first direction and to output a plurality of folded lights propagating along a plurality of paths on a plane perpendicular to the first direction;
a common lens array configured to receive, through an input surface, the plurality of folded light, combine the plurality of folded lights, and to output the combined light through an output surface; and
a sensor at an optical axis of the common lens array, the sensor configured to receive the combined light.

16. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the lights provided to the plurality of folding devices include lights penetrating the display panel.

17. The mobile device of claim 15 , further comprising:
a light blocking layer disposed between the plurality of folding devices and the display panel, the light blocking layer including a plurality of apertures configured to pass the lights provided to the plurality of folding devices.

18. The mobile device of claim 15 , wherein the display panel is configured to display an image on an entire upper surface of the display panel.

19. A multi-input folded camera comprising:
a first folding device configured to change a light path of a first light that is incident to the first folding device in a first direction and to output a first folded light propagating along a first path on a plane perpendicular to the first direction;
a second folding device configured to change a light path of a second light that is incident to the second folding device in the first direction and to output a second folded light propagating along a second path on the plane;
a third folding device configured to change a light path of a third light that is incident to the third folding device in the first direction to output a third folded light propagating along a third path on the plane;
a common lens array configured to receive the first folded light, the second folded light, and the third folded light through an input surface, combine the first folded light, the second folded light, and the third folded light and to output a combined light through an output surface of the common lens array; and
a sensor at an optical axis of the common lens array, the sensor configured to receive the combined light.

20. The multi-input folded camera of claim 19 , wherein the first path coincides with the optical axis of the common lens array, and the second path and the third path each form an acute angle with the optical axis of the common lens array.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kang Hyunjin
• Jun Hyunsu
• Jung Younggyu

Classifications

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/54

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

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• H04N23/50 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title

• G02B27/106

  for splitting or combining a plurality of identical beams or images, e.g. image replication · CPC title