A previewing system has a remote control that is detachably fixed to an image-capturing device. The remote control comprises a display panel and a control panel. A user can detach the remote control from the image-capturing device and use the control panel of the remote control to remotely control functionality of the image-capturing device. Furthermore, with the display panel, the user can preview an image that the image-capturing device will capture.

Remote control unit with previewing device for an image-capturing device

A compact camera module is coupled at an image sensor end to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and an FPC extension segment and is configured such that, upon folding the FPC onto the housing, one or more electrical contact pads disposed on the subject side of the optical train are coupled electrically with contact pads on the FPC extension segment from which MEMS actuator control signals are transmittable directly from the FPC to the MEMS lens actuator.

Auto-focus camera module with flexible printed circuit extension

A camera housing positionably coupled to an electronic appliance is disclosed. Preferably, the camera housing is positionable in two discrete positions such that the camera can be positioned to face towards or away from the user. The appliance includes a recess sized to receive the camera housing. A cellular telephone includes a camera housing which is positionable in two discrete positions. In the first position, the camera faces the user. In the second position, the camera faces away from the user. The camera housing is coupled to the cellular telephone by a hinge mechanism that latches the camera into one of the two positions.

Discreetly positionable camera housing

A digital video camera system may utilize a joint video and still image pipeline that simultaneously acquires, processes, transmits and/or stores digital video and high resolution digital still image photographs. The joint pipeline may include a video pipeline optimized for digital video frames and a high resolution still image pipeline optimized for high resolution digital still images. The digital video camera system may also concurrently acquire and process video frames and high resolution still image in burst mode using delayed encoding technology.

Delayed encoding based joint video and still image pipeling with still burst mode

A disclosed example camera module includes a substrate, an integrated circuit image capture device (ICD) mounted on the substrate, the image capture device having an array of light sensors on its top surface, a first lens unit rigidly fixed to the top surface of the image capture device, a second lens unit, and a lens actuator mounted on the substrate The lens actuator adjustably supports the second lens unit over the first lens unit The first lens unit includes a stacked plurality of lenses Optionally, the second lens unit also includes a stacked plurality of lenses Movement of the second lens unit with respect to the first lens unit provides a focus and/or zoom function

Auto focus/zoom modules using wafer level optics

A compact through-the-lens digital camera (1) comprising an objective lens unit (10), an image sensing device (20), an internal display device (30), an eye lens unit (40), an optical system (51, 53, 97, 97, 99), control and processing circuitry (60), function select controls (70), and an external interface (90). The optical system is switchable between an image framing mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the objective lens unit to the eye lens unit (40), an image capture mode optical path (56), where light is directed from the objective lens unit to the image sensing device, and an image review mode optical path, wherein light is directed from the display device to the eye lens unit. The control and processing circuitry switches the optical system between the optical paths and controls the image capture, processing, storage and display on the display device, the operation of the zoom and auto focus functions and function select controls and external communication through the external interface.

Compact through-the-lens digital camera

Optical systems for use in digital cameras are provided. The systems can be switched between three optical paths (1, 2, 3): a first path (1) for through-the-lens (TTL) viewing; a second path (2) for recalling previously taken pictures from a microdisplay (16); and a third path (3) in which pictures are taken using an electronic sensor (15), e.g., a CMOS sensor. The optical systems employ a zoom objective lens unit (10), e.g., a 3:1 zoom, an erector lens unit (12), and an eye lens unit (13). They can also employ an image size adjusting lens unit (11) for equalizing the TTL and recalled images presented to the user. To facilitate integration with the electronic components of a digital camera and to provide a 'book' format for the camera, the first and second optical paths (1, 2) lie in a single plane and each includes two folding mirrors (17, 20 for the first path; 18, 20 for the second path) and the third path (3) has a single folding mirror (19) so that a portion of that path is in the single plane and a portion is orthogonal to that plane.

Optical systems for digital cameras

A pop up prism camera (10) having a pop up prism lens assembly (11). A first lens assembly (14), a second lens assembly (18), and a prism assembly (21) are moved in relationship to a camera housing (12) controlled by a cam tube (20). The prism assembly (21) projects outside the camera housing (12) when the pop up prism camera (10) is in an operational configuration. A prism (100) of the prism assembly (21) redirects an optical path (48). A non-angled portion (44) of a first cam groove (30) causes the prism assembly (21) to remain fixed relative to the camera housing (12) while continued rotation of the cam tube (20) allows the first lens assembly (14) and the second lens assembly (18) to continue to move to accomplish a lens zoom function.

Pop up prism lens assembly

An optical module includes a first optics group (400), a second optics group (500), and an image sensor (14), wherein the first op group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lea screw (200, 300) so that translation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw, and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first screw In some embodiments of the present invention a second optics assembly includes a second optical group coupled to a thread portion of a second lead screw so that translation of the second lead screw results in translation of the second optics group along an of the second lead screw, a second actuator for rotating the second lead screw, and second means for sensing configured to detect rotation of the second lead screw.

Zoom module using rotational actuator with anti-lock feature, even force distribution and shock damage prevention methods

An optical device for viewing distant objects. The device includes an objective system and at least one ocular and achieves a magnifying power of greater than O.6mrn-1 times the entrance pupil diameter in millimeters with an exit pupil of at least 2 mm. Images from the objective system are detected by a sensor, processed and recorded. The images are displayed on a display which is observed by the user through one or more oculars. The optical device works well at low light levels. The device also has a slide mechanism for adjusting the interpupillary distance between the oculars.

Klaus Raschke

Papers

Compact through-the-lens digital camera

Optical systems for digital cameras

Pop up prism lens assembly

Zoom module using rotational actuator with anti-lock feature, even force distribution and shock damage prevention methods

Improved binocular viewing device