KR101859380B1 - Multi-camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-camera device is disclosed. A multi-camera apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of camera modules arranged in one direction and an image processing section for processing an image photographed by the plurality of camera modules. In the first mode, the plurality of camera modules are arranged in substantially the same direction And in the second mode, the plurality of camera modules are arranged to face in different directions, and the image processing unit combines the different images captured by the plurality of camera modules to generate a combined image.

Description

[0001] MULTI-CAMERA DEVICE [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a multi-camera device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for photographing an image by interlocking a plurality of camera modules.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a multi-camera device is mounted on an electronic device. The multi-camera device means a device in which two or more camera modules are installed to implement various functions. By using two or more camera modules, various functions that one camera module can not implement can be implemented. More specifically, by using two or more camera modules, the perspective of the subject can be measured. In addition, a larger area can be photographed, and a panoramic image can be photographed. In addition, it is also possible to capture an image of a background other than the main subject focused on clearly. For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2013-0032782 (published on Apr. 02, 2013) discloses a method of implementing a wide image using a dual camera module.

As described above, there is a tendency that a multi-camera device is mounted on an electronic device, but the electronic device on which the multi-camera device is mounted tends to be thinned and shortened. Therefore, mounting a multi-camera device on an electronic device is limited by space. In particular, in some cases, two or more camera modules need to be photographed facing different directions. In such a case, it is very difficult to secure a space for installing the multi-camera device in the light and shortened electronic device.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a multi-camera module which can be mounted on an electronic device and can perform various functions while utilizing the space inside the electronic device as efficiently as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-camera device that can be accommodated while occupying a space as small as possible within an electronic device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-camera device capable of taking a wide image even in a slim electronic device because its shape can be modified.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-camera device capable of performing two or more functions as the form is changed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-camera apparatus including a plurality of camera modules arranged in one direction and an image processing section for processing an image photographed by the plurality of camera modules, wherein in the first mode, The camera module is arranged to face substantially the same direction, and in the second mode, the plurality of camera modules are arranged to look in different directions, and the image processing unit combines different images captured by the plurality of camera modules Thereby generating a combined image.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the first mode, the plurality of camera modules may be disposed on substantially the same plane.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the second mode, at least one of the plurality of camera modules is arranged to be rotated from the one arranged in the first mode, have.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of camera modules further include a circuit board mounted on one surface, wherein the circuit board is formed in a substantially planar shape in the first mode, and the plurality of cameras The intermediate portion of the module can be bent.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board may include a flexible circuit board.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the circuit board may further include a driving unit for bending the circuit board.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit may include an elastic body.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic body may be coupled to the other surface of the circuit board.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic body is compressed in the first mode, and may be deformed in the second mode to deform the circuit board.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the first mode, only a part of the plurality of camera modules is activated to take an image.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in the second mode, an area in which two adjacent camera modules of the plurality of camera modules are photographed may overlap each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the combined image may have a larger angle of view than an image captured by each of the plurality of camera modules.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first mode and the second mode may be alternately repeatedly driven.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of camera modules include a first camera module and a second camera module, and in the second mode, a portion between the first camera module and the second camera module rises , The first camera module and the second camera module may be arranged to be rotated and arranged to be disposed in the first mode.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of camera modules include a first camera module, a second camera module, and a third camera module that are sequentially arranged, and in the second mode, The first camera module and the third camera module may be arranged to be rotated in the first mode.

The multi-camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be deformed in shape and can be accommodated in the electronic device taking up as little space as possible.

In addition, the multi-camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be modified in shape, so that a wide image can be taken even in a slim electronic device.

In addition, the multi-camera device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may perform two or more functions as the mode is modified.

1 is a perspective view of a multi-camera device in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of a multi-camera apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a second mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 schematically shows a photographing range in the second mode of the multi-camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view of the multi-camera device in the first mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a first mode.
8 is a perspective view of a multi-camera apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a second mode.
9 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a second mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10 schematically shows the photographing range in the second mode of the multi-camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, if it is judged that it is possible to make the gist of the present invention obscure by adding a detailed description of a technique or configuration already known in the field, it is omitted from the detailed description. In addition, terms used in the present specification are terms used to appropriately express the embodiments of the present invention, which may vary depending on the person or custom in the relevant field. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, a multi-camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 attached hereto.

1 is a perspective view of a multi-camera device in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a first mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the multi-camera apparatus in the first mode will be described.

1 and 2, the multi-camera device includes a circuit board 200, a first camera module 110, a second camera module 120, a third camera module 130, a driver 300, (400).

The first to third camera modules 110, 120 and 130 are coupled to the circuit board 200. The first through third mounting surfaces 210, 220 and 230 are formed on one side of the circuit board 200 so that the first through third camera modules 110, 120 and 130 can be mounted. The circuit board 200 is formed to extend in one direction, and the first to third mounting surfaces 210, 220, and 230 are sequentially arranged in the one direction. In the circuit board 200, the first room scene 210 and the second room scene 220, the second room scene 220 and the third room scene 230 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, The connection portions 215 and 225 may be formed.

The first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are sequentially coupled to the first through third mounts 210, 220, and 230, respectively. The first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 and the second camera module 120 and the third camera module 130 may be spaced apart from each other on the circuit board 200 at a predetermined interval. The connection portions 215 and 225 of the circuit board 200 are positioned between the neighboring camera modules.

A mounting terminal may be formed on the first to third mounting surfaces 210, 220, and 230 so that the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 may be coupled by soldering or the like. The circuit board 200 is electrically connected to the first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 through the mounting terminals, and can receive electrical data signals. The circuit board 200 may include a connection circuit unit that can transmit the data signals received from the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 to the image processing unit 400.

The circuit board 200 may be formed of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The flexible circuit board 200 may be bent or bent by an external force. The first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are disposed at a predetermined interval on a single circuit board 200, so that the first through third camera modules 110, 120, The circuit board 200 can be bent or bent. The manner in which the circuit board 200 is bent or bent will be described in more detail below.

The first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are combined with various electrical devices and optical devices in a module form. Specifically, the first, second, and third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 have the housing 111, 121, and 131, the lens units 112, 122, and 132, and the sensor units 113, . The housings 111, 121 and 131 form an internal space and accommodate lens parts 112, 122 and 132 and sensor parts 113, 123 and 133 therein. The housings 111, 121, and 131 are formed with openings that allow light incident on the subject or reflected by the subject to enter the inner space. At the lower end of the opening, lens portions 112, 122 and 132 are located. The incident light is refracted while passing through the lenses 112, 122, and 132. The refracted light is imaged on the sensor units 113, 123, and 133, and the sensor units 113, 123, and 133 convert the sensed light into electrical signals. In some cases, an autofocus driver (not shown) may be further included to move the lens units 112, 122, 132 in the optical axis direction to focus.

The housing 111, 121, 131 of the camera module 100 is formed in a shape having an upper surface and a lower surface that are generally parallel to each other. The optical axis of the lens portions 112, 122, As shown in FIG. The sensor units 113, 123, and 133 are arranged such that the light receiving surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. That is, the sensor units 113, 123, and 133 are disposed parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the housings 111, 121, and 131, respectively. The camera module 100 photographs an area on the upper side of the camera module. Specifically, the camera module 100 photographs an area located in the field of view (FoV) range around the optical axis in the upper area. The angle of view can be determined mainly by the lens portions 112, 122, and 132.

As described above, the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are sequentially arranged and coupled to the circuit board 200 in one direction. The first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 may be spaced apart from each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

In the first mode, the first to third camera modules 110, 120 and 130 are arranged to face substantially the same direction. In addition, the circuit board 200 maintains a substantially planar form. The first, second, and third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are coupled to one surface of the circuit board 200, and protrude from the circuit board 200 by the height of the circuit board 200. This type of engagement can be in a form that minimizes the overall height of the multi-camera device.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, if the thickness of the circuit board 200 is h1, the height of the camera module is h2, and the height of the mounting portion between the circuit board 200 and the camera module 100 is neglected, The height from the lower end of the circuit board 200 to the upper end of the camera module 100 in the coupled form becomes h1 + h2.

In the first mode, the optical axes of the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are substantially parallel. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 photograph substantially the same area. In the first mode, the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are not all activated when the multi-camera device is activated and photographed, but only a part of them can be activated and photographed. For example, only the second camera module 120 is activated and photographed, and the first and third camera modules 110 and 130 may be inactivated. In addition, the second camera module 120 is activated and photographed as a main camera module, the first camera module 110 is activated as a sub camera module, and the third camera module 130 is inactivated have. With this method, the power consumed by the multi-camera device can be minimized.

3 is a perspective view of a multi-camera apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second mode. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a second mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the multi-camera apparatus in the second mode will be described.

3 and 4, in the second mode, the first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 may be modified so as to face different directions. The first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 may be deformed and deformed so as to be bent on the circuit board 200. Concretely, the connecting portions 215 and 225 between the first to third mounting surfaces 210, 220 and 230 of the circuit board 200 can be bent.

The portion of the second mounting surface 220 on the circuit board 200 rises and the first mounting surface 210 and the third mounting surface 230 are inclined. Accordingly, the second camera module 120 is elevated from the first mode, and the first and third camera modules 130 rotate at a predetermined angle in the directions opposite to each other.

The driving unit 300 may deform the circuit board 200 so that the camera module 100 faces the different directions. The driving unit 300 may be formed of, for example, an elastic body. The driving unit 300 may be coupled to the other end of the circuit board 200. Specifically, the driving unit 300 may be coupled to the other surface of the second mounting surface 220 of the circuit board 200. The driving unit 300 may be maintained in a compressed state in the first mode so that the circuit board 200 has a flat plate shape. The driving unit 300 may be extended in the second mode to raise the second mounting surface 220 of the circuit board 200. [ Accordingly, the first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 may be disposed to face each other. The driving unit 300 is compressed again in the first mode so that the circuit board 200 can be flattened again.

In the second mode, the first camera module 110, the second camera module 130, and the third camera module 130 are deformed so as to face different directions, thereby increasing the overall height of the multi-camera device.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second camera module 120 is raised by h3, the height from the lower end of the circuit board 200 to the upper end of the camera module 100 becomes h1 + h2 + h3. The overall height is increased by h3 as compared with the first mode.

The multi-camera device of the present invention is completely housed in the case of the electronic device to be mounted when in the first mode, and partly protrudes outside the case of the electronic device in the second mode. In this manner, the electronic apparatus on which the multi-camera apparatus is mounted can be made as slim as possible by selectively deforming a part of the multi-camera apparatus to protrude only in the second mode.

In the multi-camera apparatus of the present invention, the first mode and the second mode may be repeated alternately. Unless the multi-camera device is in a disabled state or a panoramic image is being photographed, the multi-camera device may be placed in the first mode and fully contained within the case of the electronic device. On the other hand, if the multi-camera device photographs a panoramic image, the second mode may be partly projected outside the case of the electronic device.

In the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, three camera modules and a second camera module 120 located at the center of the camera module 120 are shown rising and deforming, but these are merely illustrative. The number of camera modules and the shape of the deformation in the second mode may be variously modified according to the design.

5 schematically shows a photographing range in the second mode of the multi-camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the second mode, the first camera module 110 photographs the left area in the first mode, and the third camera module 130 photographs the right area in the first mode. On the other hand, the second camera module 120 does not substantially rotate, but rises as it is, so that substantially the same area is photographed. Here, the left and right directions are defined on the basis of the left and right directions of FIG. 5 for convenience of explanation, and are not absolute standards.

It is preferable that the areas photographed by two adjacent camera modules overlap each other. Specifically, the areas photographed by the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are partially overlapped and the areas photographed by the second camera module 120 and the third camera module 130 are partially overlapped It is preferable to overlap them. For this purpose, it is possible to adjust the deformation in the second mode so that overlapping areas 115 and 125 are formed in consideration of the angle of view of each camera module.

When the areas photographed by the first to third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 are merged, the range of photographing in the second mode increases beyond the range of photographing in the first mode. If the area in which the two adjacent camera modules are overlapped and photographed is minimized, the merging of the area to be photographed in the second mode can be increased to three times as much as that in the first mode.

The image processing unit 400 may combine the images captured by the first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130 to generate a combined image. The combined image may be a panoramic image having a larger angle of view than the images taken by the first through third camera modules 110, 120, and 130, respectively. In order to generate a combined image of a panoramic shape with less image distortion and higher accuracy, it is required that an adjacent camera module photograph at least a part of the overlapping area.

Hereinafter, a multi-camera device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment differs from the embodiment described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 in the number of camera modules, and the other portions are the same. Therefore, for convenience of description, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the above-described embodiments with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

6 is a perspective view of the multi-camera device in the first mode according to another embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a first mode. The multi-camera apparatus in the first mode will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. Fig.

6 and 7, the multi-camera device includes a circuit board 200, a first camera module 110, a second camera module 120, a driver 300, and an image processor 400.

The first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are coupled to the circuit board 200. The first and second mounting surfaces 210 and 220 are formed on one surface of the circuit board 200 so that the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 can be mounted and coupled. The circuit board 200 is formed to extend in one direction, and the first and second mounting surfaces 210 and 220 are sequentially arranged in the one direction. In the circuit board 200, the first mounting surface 210 and the second mounting surface 220 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and a connecting portion 215 may be formed between the first mounting surface 210 and the second mounting surface 220.

The first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are sequentially coupled to the first and second mount scenes 210 and 220. The first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 may be disposed on the circuit board 200 at a predetermined interval. The connecting portion 215 of the circuit board 200 is positioned between the first and second camera modules 110 and 120. [

In the first mode, the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are arranged to face substantially the same direction. In addition, the circuit board 200 maintains a substantially planar form. The first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are coupled to one surface of the circuit board 200 in such a planar shape and protrude from the circuit board 200 by their respective heights. This type of engagement can be in a form that minimizes the overall height of the multi-camera device.

7, if the thickness of the circuit board 200 is h1, the height of the camera module is h2, and the height of the mounting portion between the circuit board 200 and the camera module 100 is neglected, The height from the bottom of the circuit board 200 to the top of the camera module in the combined form becomes h1 + h2.

8 is a perspective view of a multi-camera apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in a second mode. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-camera device in a second mode according to another embodiment of the present invention. The multi-camera apparatus in the second mode will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in the second mode, the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 may be deformed so as to face different directions. The first and second camera modules 110 and 120 may be deformed and deformed so that the circuit board 200 is bent. Concretely, the connecting portion 215 between the first and second mounting surfaces 220 of the circuit board 200 can be bent.

The connection portions 215 and 225 between the first and second mounting surfaces 210 and 220 are raised on the circuit board 200 so that the first mounting surface 210 and the second mounting surface 220 are formed to be inclined . Accordingly, the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are rotated at a predetermined angle in opposite directions.

The driving unit 300 may deform the circuit board 200 so that the camera module 100 faces the different directions. The driving unit 300 may be maintained in a compressed state in the first mode so that the circuit board 200 has a flat plate shape. The driving unit 300 may be extended in the second mode to raise the connecting portion 215 between the first and second mounting surfaces 210 and 220 of the circuit board 200. Accordingly, the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 can be arranged to face each other. The driving unit 300 is compressed again in the first mode so that the circuit board 200 can be flattened again.

In the second mode, the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 are deformed so as to face in different directions, thereby increasing the overall height of the multi-camera device.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are raised, the height from the bottom of the circuit board 200 to the top of the camera module 100 increases.

Fig. 10 schematically shows the photographing range in the second mode of the multi-camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the second mode, the first camera module 110 photographs the left area in the first mode, and the second camera module 120 photographs the right area in the first mode. Here, the left and right directions are defined on the basis of the left and right directions in FIG. 10 for convenience of explanation, and are not absolute standards.

It is preferable that the areas photographed by two adjacent camera modules overlap each other. In particular, it is preferable that a region photographed by the first camera module 110 and the second camera module 120 overlap with each other. For this purpose, it is possible to control the deformation in the second mode so that the overlapped area 115 is formed in consideration of the angle of view of each camera module.

When the areas photographed by the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 are merged, the range for photographing in the second mode increases beyond the range for photographing in the first mode. If the area in which the two adjacent camera modules are overlapped and photographed is minimized, the merging of the region to be photographed in the second mode can be increased to nearly double that in the first mode.

The image processing unit 400 may combine the images captured by the first and second camera modules 110 and 120 to generate a combined image. The combined image may be a panoramic image having a larger angle of view than the images taken by the first and second camera modules 110 and 120, respectively. It is required that an adjacent camera module photograph at least a part of the overlapped area 115 in order to generate a combined image of a panoramic shape with high image accuracy and high distortion.

The embodiments of the multi-camera apparatus of the present invention have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the equivalents of the claims and the claims.

100: camera module 110: first camera module
120: second camera module 130: third camera module
200: circuit board 210: first room scene
220: second room scene 230: third room scene
215, 225: connection part 300:
400:

Claims (15)

A plurality of camera modules including a first camera, a second camera and a third camera sequentially arranged in one direction;
An image processing unit for processing images taken by the plurality of camera modules;
A circuit board including a first mounting surface on which the first camera module is mounted, a second mounting surface on which the second camera module is mounted, and a third mounting surface on which the third camera module is mounted; And
And a driver coupled to a lower portion of the second camera module to bend the circuit board,
In the first mode, the elastic body is compressed so that the plurality of camera modules are arranged to face substantially the same direction,
In the second mode, the elastic body is extended to elevate the second room scene, and the first room scene and the third room scene are deformed to be inclined in different directions so that the plurality of camera modules face each other And the image processing unit combines the different images captured by the plurality of camera modules to generate a combined image.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein in the first mode, the plurality of camera modules are disposed on substantially the same plane.
delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the circuit board comprises a flexible circuit board.
delete delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein in the first mode, only a part of the plurality of camera modules is activated to shoot an image.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein in the second mode, areas where the two adjacent camera modules of the plurality of camera modules photograph overlap each other.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the combined image has a larger angle of view than an image taken by each of the plurality of camera modules.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first mode and the second mode can be alternately repeatedly driven.
delete delete

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