Compact camera modules with Lavet stepping-motors as actuators
US7657167B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B7/102
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A horological motor of the Lavet motor concept is used to form an actuator to control movement of a lens system to reduce power consumption in digital camera units used in various electronic equipment, e.g. PDA's, mobile phones, digital still cameras and camcorders, and as a result increase battery life. The coils of the horological motor are driven with CMOS I/O signals eliminating the need for high current motor drivers and allowing the integration of all picture capture functions, including the light sensitive pixel array, into a single chip to form a system on chip implementation. A plurality of actuators is used to control a lens system comprising auto focus, zoom and shutter and iris functions. A gear transmission system is used to allow the motor of the actuator to move in micro step, which allows calibration of the motor against mechanical barriers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.