Abstract:
Camera modules include a lens, a lens stack and/or an array of lenses. One or more of the lenses have a non-circular shape, which in some cases can provide greater flexibility in the dimensions of the module and can result in a very small camera module.
Abstract:
Various optoelectronic modules are described and include one or more optoelectronic devices. Each optoelectronic module includes one or more optoelectronic devices. Sidewalls laterally surround each optoelectronic device and can be in direct contact with sides of the optoelectronic device or, in some cases, with an overmold surrounding the optoelectronic device. The sidewalls can be composed, for example, of a vacuum injected material that is non-transparent to light emitted by or detectable by the optoelectronic device. The module also includes a passive optical element. Depending on the implementation, the passive optical element can be on a cover for the module, directly on a top surface of the optoelectronic device, or on an overmold surrounding the optoelectronic device. Methods of fabricating such modules are described as well, and can facilitate manufacturing the modules using wafer-level processes.
Abstract:
Various features can be provided to help reduce or alleviate the effects of thermal expansion/contraction of a lens array material. Such features include stress release cuts in the surface(s) of the lens array, a frame having a low constant of thermal expansion (CTE) embedded within the lens array, or polymer fibers wrapped around the lens array or around the lens array housing. The features can be used alone or in conjunction with one or more of the other features for reducing or alleviating the effects of the thermal expansion/contraction. In addition, one or more parts of a housing for the lens array can be composed of a material having a relatively low CTE. The lens array package can be incorporated into a camera or other image capturing device.
Abstract:
Opto-electronic modules include conductive wiring and connections that can facilitate integrating the modules into an external device. Some opto-electronic modules include an opto-electronic stack that includes at least one lens and an opto-electronic element. Conductive paths can extend from the bottom to the top of the module. The conductive paths can include conductive pads on the surface of the opto-electronic element, as well as wiring at least partially embedded in a substrate and walls of a housing for the opto-electronic stack. Conductive connections can be disposed between a top surface of the substrate and the bottom surface of the walls such that the conductive connections electrically connect the second wiring to the first wiring and to the conductive pads on the surface of the opto-electronic element. The modules can be fabricated, for example, in wafer-level processes so that multiple opto-electronic modules can be manufactured at the same time.
Abstract:
Optoelectronic modules include a silicon substrate in which or on which there is an optoelectronic device. An optics assembly is disposed over the optoelectronic device, and a spacer separates the silicon substrate from the optics assembly. Methods of fabricating such modules also are described.
Abstract:
An optoelectronic module includes a transceiver operable to transmit data optically. The transceiver includes a light emitter to emit light from the module, and a light detector to detect light entering the module. The light detector is disposed at a rotationally symmetric position with respect to a central axis of the module. Such modules can help facilitate the exchange of data optically between two devices.
Abstract:
Image sensor modules include primary high-resolution imagers and secondary imagers. For example, an image sensor module may include a semiconductor chip including photosensitive regions defining, respectively, a primary camera and a secondary camera. The image sensor module may include an optical assembly that does not substantially obstruct the field-of-view of the secondary camera. Some modules include multiple secondary cameras that have a field-of-view at least as large as the field-of-view of the primary camera. Various features are described to facilitate acquisition of signals that can be used to calculate depth information.
Abstract:
Fabricating optical devices can include mounting a plurality of singulated lens systems over a substrate, adjusting a thickness of the substrate below at least some of the lens systems to provide respective focal length corrections for the lens systems, and subsequently separating the substrate into a plurality of optical modules, each of which includes one of the lens systems mounted over a portion of the substrate. Adjusting a thickness of the substrate can include, for example, micro-machining the substrate to form respective holes below at least some of the lens systems or adding one or more layers below at least some of the lens systems so as to correct for variations in the focal lengths of the lens systems.
Abstract:
An optoelectronic module includes first and second optical channels having respective active optoelectronic components. A transparent encapsulation is over the active optoelectronic components, and opaque encapsulation is on the transparent encapsulation. The opaque encapsulation has a first opening over a first active optoelectronic component and a second opening over a second optoelectronic component. The opaque encapsulation forms a ledge in an area of the second opening, and an optical assembly is disposed on the ledge within the second opening over the second optoelectronic component.
Abstract:
The present disclosure describes modules operable to perform optical sensing. The module can be operable to distinguish between signals indicative of reflections from an object or interest and signals indicative of a spurious reflection such as from a smudge (i.e., a blurred or smeared mark) on the host device's cover glass. Signals assigned to reflections from the object of interest can be used to for various purposes, depending on the application (e.g., determining an object's proximity, a person's heart rate or a person's blood oxygen level).