JP2000341566A - Small camera - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a miniaturized camera which maintains accuracy with respect to light. SOLUTION: In a small camera having an image sensor 101 as an image pickup means, an image sensor and an infrared filter 102 are mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board 103, and the three-dimensional printed circuit board is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board 104. The imaging element, the infrared filter, and the circuit integrated printed board are integrally connected via the three-dimensional printed board, and the miniaturization and high precision of the camera are realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small camera, and more particularly to a small camera capable of taking a high-precision image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a camera using a CCD as an image pickup device,
After the video output of the image sensor is amplified by the video amplifier, it can be taken out of the camera and processed as a signal, so that the shape of the camera itself can be reduced in size.

[0003] Further, the CCD and the lens are integrated with metal components to further reduce the size of the camera.

[0004]

However, when the CCD is supported by metal components, there is a problem in the electrical connection between the CCD terminal and the image amplifying device, and it is difficult to reduce the size.

[0005] In a camera, it is required that a lens and an image pickup element be maintained with high accuracy with respect to light. In particular, a camera mounted on a moving body such as an automobile requires mechanical accuracy that does not cause fluctuations in accuracy even when subjected to vibration. If only this precision is pursued, it can be realized by stably supporting the lens and the image sensor with the strongest support components as much as possible, but the size of the camera will be correspondingly large and the camera must be downsized. Cannot be achieved.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera which maintains accuracy with respect to light and is downsized.

[0007]

Therefore, in the compact camera of the present invention, an image sensor and an infrared filter for lowering the sensitivity of the image sensor in the infrared region are mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board. It is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board.

Therefore, the image pickup device and the infrared filter are integrated on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the three-dimensional printed circuit board and the circuit integrated printed circuit board are integrated by mounting the three-dimensional printed circuit board on the circuit integrated printed circuit board. The image sensor, the infrared filter, and the circuit integrated printed circuit board are integrally connected via the three-dimensional printed circuit board, thereby realizing the miniaturization and high accuracy of the camera.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a small camera having an image sensor as an image pickup means, wherein the image sensor and an infrared filter are mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board. Is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board.
The imaging element, the infrared filter, and the circuit integrated printed circuit board are integrally connected, so that downsizing and high accuracy of the camera are realized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image pickup device is mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the three-dimensional printed circuit board is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board. The size and the accuracy of the camera can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printed conductor is provided on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the printed conductor is electrically connected to a terminal portion of an image sensor mounted on the three-dimensional printed circuit board. The video output of the image sensor is derived through this printed conductor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printed conductor extends from the image pickup element mounting surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board to the opposite surface through the side mounted on the circuit integrated printed circuit board. Yes, by arranging the three-dimensional printed circuit board on the circuit integrated printed circuit board, the printed conductor of the three-dimensional printed circuit board contacts the conductive pattern of the circuit integrated printed circuit board.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup device is fixed to the three-dimensional printed circuit board by soldering, and the terminal portion of the image pickup device and the printed conductor are electrically connected by the solder. In addition, reliable electric connection between the imaging element and the printed conductor of the three-dimensional printed circuit board can be achieved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image pickup device is press-fitted into the image pickup device support portion of the three-dimensional printed circuit board and fixed to the three-dimensional printed circuit board. Since the connection is made and does not involve the generation of heat unlike the solder connection, it is possible to avoid adverse effects on surrounding electric components due to heating.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an image sensor and an infrared filter are supported on a three-dimensional printed circuit board around the entire periphery thereof, and the image sensor and the infrared filter are integrated with the three-dimensional printed circuit board. The infrared filter can be held with high accuracy for light.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the entire periphery of the image pickup device is supported by a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the image pickup device is integrated with the three-dimensional printed circuit board. Light can be held with high precision.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional printed circuit board is made of a black material, so that unnecessary reflection of light is suppressed and deterioration of image quality can be prevented.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional printed circuit board is provided with a surface having a large number of irregularities.
Unnecessary light reflection can be suppressed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a surface having a large number of irregularities is formed by spraying a sand on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and a surface for suppressing light reflection can be formed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board is roughened with a chemical to form a surface having a large number of irregularities, and a surface for suppressing light reflection can be formed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the outer surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board is formed by a curved surface, and the illuminating light is diffused, so that the influence on the imaging light can be minimized.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the three-dimensional printed circuit board is soldered to the circuit integrated printed circuit board, and the printed conductor of the three-dimensional printed circuit board and the conductor pattern of the circuit integrated printed circuit board are electrically connected by soldering. Connection can be made securely.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional printed circuit board and a circuit integrated printed board which are soldered together are further fixed with an adhesive. This can prevent the occurrence of poor contact.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a circuit component is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board, and a circuit for processing a video output signal of an image sensor, a circuit for supplying a clock to the image sensor, and the like are mounted. .

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a lens for focusing an incident light on an image pickup device is held by a lens holder,
This lens holder is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board, and all important components can be mounted on the circuit integrated printed circuit board and integrated.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a lens for focusing incident light on the image pickup device is held by a lens holder,
This lens holder is mounted on a camera base on which a circuit integrated printed board is mounted. Even if the thickness of the circuit integrated printed board is small, the lens holder can be stably mounted.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the circuit integrated printed circuit board is held by a lead wire mounted on a camera base, and the lead wire for transmitting a signal from the circuit integrated printed circuit board is used for the circuit integrated printed circuit board. The number of parts can be reduced by also holding.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, input and output of signals to and from a circuit integrated printed circuit board are performed through a lead wire hermetically sealed to a camera base. And can be fixed while maintaining insulation.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a center boss is provided on a camera base on which a circuit integrated printed circuit board is mounted. When the camera is assembled, the center boss is fixed to a jig or the center boss is provided. Can be set based on the reference.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the center position of the image sensor is set in accordance with the center boss, and the image sensor can be installed so as not to deviate from the optical axis.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the position of the lens is set with reference to the center boss, and the lens can be installed so as not to deviate from the optical axis.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the confidential housing for covering the camera is constituted by a camera base on which a circuit integrated printed board is mounted, and a camera case having a glass window. Can be configured.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the camera is covered with a confidential housing, and the internal air pressure in the housing is set lower than the outside air pressure. The inside becomes cloudy due to the humidity, and it can be quickly found that the inside is defective during the inspection process at the manufacturing stage.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the camera is assembled and the casing is sealed in a high-temperature environment, and the internal pressure in the casing at room temperature is set to be lower than the external pressure. Since the air that has expanded under the environment contracts at room temperature, the internal pressure of the housing decreases.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the camera is covered with a confidential housing, and the internal air pressure in the housing is set higher than the external air pressure, thereby preventing the invasion of air or moisture from the outside. be able to.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, a non-volatile gas is sealed in the housing, and the inside of the housing can be kept stable.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, an inlet is provided in the housing, and air is injected into the housing from the inlet to set the internal air pressure in the housing higher than the external air pressure. The internal pressure inside the housing can be easily increased.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, an injection port is provided in a center boss of a camera base on which a circuit integrated printed board is mounted, which constitutes a part of a housing, and the injection port is sealed after injection. Can be easily performed.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, an adhesive surface parallel to the camera base is provided at an end of the camera case, and the adhesive surface and the camera base are bonded and sealed. And the camera base can form a sealed housing.

According to the invention described in claim 32, the bonding portion between the camera case and the camera base is sandwiched and fixed by the case clip, and the bonding portion can be firmly fixed.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, the casing clip has a cowling structure, and the camera case and the camera base can be firmly fixed.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the camera case is mounted on the camera base in a cowling structure, and the camera case can be fixed to the camera base without using an adhesive.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the lens holder attached to the camera base contacts the camera case,
This is a function to support the cowling, and it is possible to apply a sufficient force at the time of cowling, so that the camera case and the camera base can be firmly fixed.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the camera case is formed of iron, nickel, a cobalt alloy, or an alloy of iron, nickel, or soft iron. The size can be reduced, and peeling of the glass portion due to distortion due to temperature change can be prevented.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the glass of the glass window provided in the camera case is formed of sapphire, borosilicate glass, or glass containing soda, barium, or the like, and is similar to metal. The thermal expansion coefficient can be given.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the glass is fixed to the camera case by brazing, and the glass can be fixed without air leakage.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, a housing cover with a lens is mounted on a camera case, and the imaging angle can be changed by mounting the housing cover. By mounting a housing cover with a camera and a fisheye lens, it is possible to capture a narrow range image or a wide angle image.

According to a forty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the housing cover is engaged with the camera case with a screw. By rotating the housing cover with respect to the camera case, the housing cover is moved along the optical axis. Direction to focus on a magnifying lens or the like.

According to the invention described in claim 41, the housing cover is provided with a prism as a lens so that an image in a direction of 90 degrees with respect to the optical axis of the camera can be taken, and the direction of the camera is fixed. The video in the horizontal direction can be projected while keeping the image.

The invention according to claim 42 is such that the housing cover is rotatable with respect to the camera case and the prism is rotatable. By rotating the housing cover, an image in a 360-degree direction is captured. can do.

According to a forty-third aspect of the present invention, a suction cup is provided on the front of a camera, and the camera can be mounted on a transparent glass or the like by the suction cup. Thus, it is possible to photograph the front of the vehicle.

According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, a curved reflecting mirror is mounted on the front of the camera to capture an image reflected by the reflecting mirror. Can be projected.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the ratio of the height and width of the image represented by the video output of the camera is measured, and the video data is converted so that the ratio becomes a predetermined ratio. It is designed to process video data, and can correct and display video captured by a small camera.

According to a forty-sixth aspect of the present invention, when the video output of the camera represents a curved image, the distortion of the contour of the image due to the curvature is measured, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the image are determined based on the measurement result. The image data is corrected so that the right angle is set at a right angle, and an image photographed with a curved reflecting mirror placed in front of a small camera can be corrected and displayed as a normal image.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 1, a small camera according to a first embodiment has a camera case 111 on which a light incident glass 108 is attached, and a camera case 111. A camera base 109 to be bonded 118 is provided, and the camera case 111 and the camera base 109 constitute a confidential housing.

The camera base 109 has a center support 115 at the center, and the center support 115 is provided with a hole 117 reaching the inside of the housing. This hole 117 is used as an exhaust port when depressurizing the inside of the housing, and is sealed with an adhesive or the like after decompression.

The camera base 109 has signal lines 114,
A hermetic seal 110 is provided, and a printed circuit board 104 is directly fixed to the ends of the signal lines 114 and 120 protruding into the housing. An electric component 119 is mounted on the back surface of the printed circuit board 104, a lens holder 112 for holding a lens 107 is mounted on the front surface, and a three-dimensional printed circuit board 103 for holding an image sensor 101 and an infrared filter 102. Is solder 10
5 and the fixing agent 106.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 (a) and the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 (b), the three-dimensional printed circuit board is formed of a rectangular frame, and the cross section of the frame portion has a shape similar to that of an egg. And the outside of the frame portion has a curved surface. Further, from the frame, an image sensor base 209 for fixing the image sensor 206 and the infrared filter 218 protrudes inward, and an infrared filter 218 is provided above the image sensor base 209 and below the image sensor base 209. Image sensors 206 are fixed on the sides.

A conductive pattern 205 is formed so as to extend from the inside of the frame below the image pickup device base 209 to the bottom of the outside. The electric signal from the image sensor 206 fixed to the lower side of the image sensor base 209 is derived by this conductive pattern, and the conductive pattern portion formed on the curved surface at the bottom of the frame becomes the printed circuit board contact 217. Is transmitted to the conductive pattern 214 on the printed board 216 to which the solder 215 is attached.

The three-dimensional printed circuit board 201 is made of a molding material mainly composed of an epoxy resin having good electric performance and, if necessary, mixed with glass or other materials in order to improve strength and electric performance. And is formed by molding or cutting.

The conductive pattern 214 is formed on the three-dimensional printed circuit board 201 in accordance with the electric signal terminals of the image sensor 206. The imaging element 206 has a large number of electric signal terminals for driving the imaging element or for outputting a signal. Around the three-dimensional printed circuit board 204, conductive elements corresponding to these many electric signal terminals are provided. A pattern 202 is provided.

The image sensor 206 is mounted on the image sensor base 209 of the three-dimensional printed circuit board 201, and the terminals of the image sensor 206 are
The solder 207 is attached to the corresponding conductive pattern 214 of 210.

It is to be noted that the structural dimensions of the joint portion 210 of the three-dimensional printed circuit board 201 and the image pickup element 206 are adjusted so that the image pickup element 206
Is press-fitted into the joint 210 until the terminal of the image sensor 206 is brought into contact with the conductive pattern 214 until the image sensor base 209 is reached, so that the solder 207 becomes unnecessary. Since the temperature of the solder that enables stable electrical bonding is about 170 degrees, there is a risk that peripheral components may be subjected to temperature distortion or the like during soldering. Will be resolved. The effect of the temperature distortion increases as the combination of small components increases, and serious damage is caused if the expansion rates of the components with respect to the temperatures do not match.

The infrared filter 218 is adhered to the infrared filter mounting location 212 of the three-dimensional printed circuit board, or is pressed into the infrared filter mounting location 212 and fixed to the three-dimensional printed circuit board.

As described above, by providing the infrared filter mounting place 212 on the three-dimensional printed circuit board, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated support component for the infrared filter, and the size of the camera can be reduced.

This infrared filter acts to lower the sensitivity of the infrared region inherent to the CCD and to allow light in the visible light region to enter the CCD under optimal conditions. A camera dedicated to night use or a camera that captures images using light in the infrared region is used with the infrared filter removed.

The light input from the glass 108 of the camera is collected by the lens 107, passes through the infrared filter 102, and enters the image pickup device 101. The light is irregularly reflected by the lens 107 and the infrared filter 102 due to distortion and impurities. Then, light leaked from the converged optical axis is generated. If the leaked light is diffusely reflected and input to the image sensor 101, the captured image will be seriously deteriorated. In order to prevent this irregular reflection, the components inside the housing need to be blackened.

In particular, the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103 holding the image sensor 101 is made black and its surface is made rough so that light is not reflected. for that reason,
Sand (sand) is sprayed on the three-dimensional printed circuit board or treated with a chemical to make the surface rough. Without such processing, a good image cannot be obtained.

In particular, the infrared filter device location 212 of the three-dimensional printed circuit board is an important location where measures for preventing reflection are absolutely necessary.

Further, by making the surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board 204 a curved surface structure and eliminating a flat surface, even if light leaks, the light is diffused by the irregular reflection and the curved surface structure, and the influence on the imaging light is reduced. Can be minimized.

After attaching the image sensor 101 and the infrared filter 102 to the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103, the three-dimensional printed circuit board 1
03 conductive pattern 202 and printed circuit board 104 conductive pattern
3D printed circuit board 103 along with 214
Fix to 104. In this compact camera, the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103
Is fixed to the printed circuit board 104 using a fixing material 106 for reinforcement, in addition to bonding with the solder 105, so as to provide for vibration and the like.

On the other hand, the printed circuit board 104 for fixing the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103 has a multilayer board structure and an image amplifying device for amplifying the image output of the image sensor 101, a transmitting circuit for generating a clock signal of the image sensor, or An LSI such as a resistor / capacitor or an inductance is mounted. By doing so, it is possible to stably transmit the video output signal of the small camera to the main body and receive the signal from the main body.

Further, a lens holder 112 is provided on the printed circuit board 104 so that the light of the lens 107 is appropriately focused on the image sensor 101. If the light of the lens 107 is obliquely incident on the image sensor 101 or the optical axis is shifted, the quality of the image is extremely deteriorated. In this camera, the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103 holding the image sensor 101 and the lens 107 are held. Lens holder 11
2 is fixed on the same printed circuit board 104, and if the three-dimensional printed circuit board 103 and the lens holder 112 are fixed on the printed circuit board 104 in an optimal state, the optical axis shifts in a subsequent assembly process or the like. It is possible to manufacture a high-precision product with a low risk of occurrence of such problems.

As described above, in this camera, all of the important parts are integrally assembled on the basic printed circuit board 104, so that the assembling accuracy can be improved.
In addition, assembly becomes easy.

On the other hand, signal lines 114 and 120 are fixed to a camera base 109 for fixing the printed circuit board 104 by a hermetic seal 110 having an insulating structure made of a glass material as a basic material. The printed circuit board 104 assembled by integrating all of the components is directly fixed. Hermetic seal 110 connects signal lines 114 and 120 to camera base 109.
It can be held stably and firmly, and the insulation performance is also stable.

Camera base 1 to which printed circuit board 104 is fixed
At 09, a camera case 111 to which a glass 108 is brazed 116 is hermetically bonded 118.

When the printed circuit board 104 and the camera case 111 are mounted on the camera base 109, the camera base 109 is fixed to a jig, and the printed circuit board 104 and the camera case 111 are mounted on the center support 115 of the camera base 109.
4 and the camera case 111 can be fixed at the correct positions.

After the housing is air-tight, the center support 11
The housing is sealed by injecting an adhesive into the hole 117 of No. 5.

Although there is a method of performing this sealing at one atmosphere,
When sealed at one atmosphere, if the outside air pressure during use of the camera is higher than 1 atmosphere, the air pressure inside the housing will be lower than the outside air pressure. The atmospheric pressure is higher than the external pressure, and it is not stable to the usage environment. By setting the internal air pressure inside the housing higher or lower than one atmosphere, the inside of the housing can always be kept at a state lower or higher than the outside air pressure, and the stability to the outside air pressure is improved. Can be.

When the internal pressure of the small camera is set to be lower than the atmospheric pressure in any use environment, the small camera is assembled and sealed in an environment much higher than room temperature, for example, at 100 degrees Celsius, and is closed at room temperature. If it is lowered, the pressure inside the camera is automatically reduced by reducing the expanded air.

If the internal pressure of the small camera is lowered, if the confidentiality deteriorates and the outside air enters, the inside becomes cloudy due to the humidity of the outside air, and it is immediately understood that the insulation from the outside air is incomplete. Therefore, the airtightness can be easily inspected at the manufacturing stage, and a stable supply of commodities becomes possible.

The hole 1 of the center support 115 of the small camera
The inside of the housing may be decompressed by sucking the air inside the housing from 17. In this case, by connecting the suction device to the center support 115, the pressure inside the housing can be easily reduced, and even when the hole 117 is sealed with an adhesive or the like, the stroke of the hole 117 can be reduced. Since the length is long, even if there is some variation in the amount of the adhesive and the like, the adhesive does not enter the camera housing, and the control of the adhesive and the like is easy.

On the contrary, when air or an inert gas is injected from the hole 117 of the center support 115 to make the internal pressure of the small camera higher than 1 atm, the invasion of air and moisture from the outside is prevented. Can be prevented.

Since the small camera is used for various purposes, it is necessary to lower or raise the internal pressure of the camera in accordance with the purpose.
The provision of 17 makes it possible to easily cope with any of them.

The glass 108 for transmitting light is fixed to the camera case 111 by brazing 116. However, if the glass 108 and the camera case 111 are not bonded so that air leakage does not occur, the inside of the camera is You cannot raise or lower the pressure.

Therefore, in this camera, the camera case
111 is an alloy structure of iron, nickel, and cobalt, and the camera case 111 has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the glass 108 so that the junction does not separate due to the distortion of the temperature change. Further, by including cobalt in the glass 108, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass can be approximated to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the metal, and the adhesive performance can be improved.

As described above, in the miniature camera of this embodiment, the infrared filter, the image sensor, and the printed board are
By integrally connecting the three-dimensional printed circuit boards, the camera shape can be reduced in size while maintaining high accuracy with respect to light.

Here, an example in which the three-dimensional printed circuit board is formed in a square shape has been described. However, the shape is not limited, and another shape such as a circular shape can be used. The point is that the image sensor 101, the infrared filter 102, and the printed circuit board 104 may be formed into a shape that can enhance the effect in reducing the size.

(Second Embodiment) In a miniature camera according to a second embodiment, a lens holder is directly fixed to a camera base.

This camera has a lens as shown in FIG.
The lens holder 312 to which 307 is fixed is directly fixed to the camera base 309, and the edge of the camera case 311 bonded to the camera base 309 318 and the camera base 309 are sandwiched and fixed by the housing clip 317. . Other configurations are first
There is no difference from the embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2).

When a thick printed circuit board 304 can be used in a small camera, the lens holder 312 can be fixed to the printed circuit board 304 as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, when the thickness of the printed board 304 is small, when the lens holder 312 is fixed to the printed board 304, the lens holder 312 becomes unstable. In this case, as shown in FIG.
Mechanical stability by installing directly on

However, in this case, the image pickup device 301 and the lens 3
07, a three-dimensional printed circuit board 303 to which the image sensor 301 is fixed, and a printed circuit board 30 to which the three-dimensional printed circuit board 303 is fixed.
4, the signal line 314 with the printed circuit board 304 attached, the signal line 314
Since the camera base 309 has the camera base 309 fixed and the lens holder 312 attached to the camera base 309, slight variations in the mounting of the components overlap each other, resulting in large variations, which may cause deterioration in the quality of the captured image. Become.

Therefore, at the time of assembling, in order to suppress these variations and secure a good image, the camera base 30
9 is mechanically fixed to a jig, and all parts are mounted on the camera base 309 with reference to the center support 315.
By doing so, it is possible to minimize variations in component attachment.

Also, as in the first embodiment, the internal pressure of the housing is set to be higher or lower than 1 atm. The housing must have a strong structure.

Therefore, in this camera, the camera base 30
When bonding 9 and camera case 311 with adhesive 318,
In order for the bonding performance to be sufficiently exhibited, a bonding surface having a wide bonding width 320 is prepared on the camera case 311 so that the camera case 311 is securely bonded.

In order to further strengthen this bonding,
Both the camera case 311 and the camera base 309 are sandwiched between the housing clips 317. Therefore, the integration between the camera base 309 and the camera case 311 is strengthened by bonding and mechanical forcing.

Also, the housing clip 317 is mechanically pinched and squeezed by a cowling structure to mechanically
9 and the camera case 311 can be integrated.

(Third Embodiment) In a compact camera according to a third embodiment, a camera base and a camera case are fixed without bonding.

As shown in FIG. 4, this camera is provided with a cowling 516 at the lower end of a camera case 511 and a camera base 50.
The camera case 511 is fixed to 9. Further, the tip of the lens holder 512 installed on the camera base 509 is extended so as to abut the inside of the top surface 517 of the camera case. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment (FIG. 3). When assembling this camera, the camera case 511 is put on the camera base 509 on which the printed circuit board 504 and the lens holder 512 are mounted. At this time, the tip of the lens holder 512 contacts the inside of the top surface 517 of the camera case. In this state, the camera base 509 and the camera case 511 are strongly pressed, the lower end of the camera case 511 is cowled, and the camera case 511 is fixed to the camera base 509.

As described above, by extending the tip of the lens holder 512 and abutting the inside of the camera case top surface 517, the camera base 509 and the camera case 511 can be strongly pressed during cowling. And a strong cowling can be implemented. As a result, the camera case 511 and the camera base 509 can be mechanically integrated without requiring bonding.

(Fourth Embodiment) The miniature camera of the fourth embodiment can be equipped with a magnifying lens and a fisheye lens.

As shown in FIG. 5, the camera has a cover 4 to which a lens 418 such as a magnifying lens or a fisheye lens is fixed.
17 are provided. A screw 419 is cut inside the cover 417, and is screwed with a screw cut outside the camera case 411. Therefore, when the cover 417 is rotated, the lens 418 fixed to the cover 417 is rotated according to the rotation direction.
Approach or move away from the glass 408. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

When a small camera is used, sometimes not only a standard image but also an image using a magnified or fisheye lens is required. In such a case, by covering the camera cover 417 on the camera case 411, it becomes possible to take an image other than the standard lens. At this time, cover 41
By rotating the lens 7 and adjusting the amount of projection of the lens 418 from the camera, the enlarged screen can be focused.

(Fifth Embodiment) The miniature camera of the fifth embodiment can take a picture in the horizontal direction.

This camera has a cover as shown in FIG.
618 has a prism 616 instead of a lens.
Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 5).

In this compact camera, when a cover 618 having a prism 616 is attached, light 617 that has entered from a direction different from the front of the camera, that is, a direction shifted from the front by 90 degrees or another angle. Then, the direction is changed by the prism 616 and the light enters the image pickup device 601 from the front. Therefore, by attaching this cover 618, it is possible to take a picture in the lateral direction of the camera.

When this small camera is mounted on the side of a car, images of the front and rear of the car can be viewed only by projecting a small prism.

(Sixth Embodiment) The miniature camera of the sixth embodiment can take a wide range of images.

This camera has a cover as shown in FIG.
819 is provided with a reflecting mirror 818 having a convex reflecting surface. Other configurations are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

In this camera, the reflecting mirror 818 captures a wide range of video in the same manner as a rearview mirror, and this video is captured by the image sensor 801.

However, since the image projected on the convex curved surface of the reflecting mirror 818 is distorted, the image signal of the image sensor 801 is processed,
It is necessary to convert to a video with a normal contour.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a correction device for correcting a distorted image.

This device comprises a CCD (image pickup device) 901 of a small camera for outputting a video signal, a video amplification unit 902 of the small camera for amplifying the video signal, and a digital video signal transmitted from the video amplification unit 902. A / D converter for converting to signal
903, a contour recognition unit 904 for recognizing the distortion of the contour of the video sent from the video amplification unit 902, a CPU 906 for correcting the distortion of the image based on the recognition result of the contour recognition unit 904, and a CPU 906.
And a memory 905 used as a work area for converting the image data corrected for distortion into an analog video signal.
An A conversion unit 907, a video amplification unit 908 for amplifying an analog video signal, and a monitor 909 for displaying video are provided.

In this apparatus, a video signal of a distorted image captured by a CCD 901 of a small camera and amplified by a video amplification unit 902 is sent to an A / D conversion unit 903 and a contour recognition unit 904. The A / D converter 903 converts the video signal into digital data and outputs the digital data to the CPU 906. Also, the contour recognition unit 9
04 identifies contour distortion of the image, calculates contour correction data 911 for correcting the contour to a normal contour, and calculates the CP.
Output to U906.

The CPU 906 corrects the data of the distorted image input from the A / D conversion unit 903 to the data of the normal image using the outline correction data sent from the outline recognition unit 904.

The corrected image data is converted into an analog video signal, amplified, and displayed on the monitor 909.

In this way, by correcting the image of the small camera with the correction device, a normal image showing a wide range can be observed on the monitor 909.

By rotating the cover 819, all the surrounding images can be obtained.

(Seventh Embodiment) In the seventh embodiment,
A configuration for facilitating the attachment of the small camera will be described.

This camera has a cover as shown in FIG.
718 has a suction cup 715. Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment (FIG. 5).

By sucking the suction cup 715 at the place where the small camera is to be installed, it is possible to easily mount the small camera. Then, it is possible to obtain an image outside the vehicle, or to attach it to a bread bakery to see the state of the inside baked.

[0123]

As is apparent from the above description, the miniature camera of the present invention can be miniaturized while maintaining the accuracy with respect to light.

Further, it is possible to assemble with high precision in the production.

Further, according to the purpose, by mounting a housing cover provided with a magnifying lens, a fish-eye lens, a prism, a curved reflecting mirror, and the like, images at various angles and directions can be taken.

In a small camera having a suction cup on the front of the camera, it can be easily attached to or detached from a windshield of an automobile.

Therefore, this small camera can be used in a wide range of fields, such as monitoring of safe driving of an automobile.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (a) and a sectional view (b) of a three-dimensional printed circuit board in the miniature camera according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an image distortion correction device according to a sixth embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a small camera according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 206, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801 Image sensor 102, 218, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802 Infrared filter 103, 201, 204, 211, 303, 403, 503, 603 , 703,803
Three-dimensional printed circuit board 104, 213, 216, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704, 804 Printed circuit board 105, 207, 215, 305, 405, 505, 605, 705, 805 Solder 106, 306, 406, 506, 606, 706, 806 Fixative 107, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707, 807 Lens 108, 308, 408, 508, 608, 708, 808 Glass 109, 309, 409, 509, 609, 709, 809 Camera base 110, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810 Hermetic seal 111, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811 Camera case 112, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712, 812 Lens holder 113, 313, 413, 513, 613, 713, 813 Printed conductor 114, 120, 314, 414, 514, 614, 714, 814 Signal line 115, 315, 415, 515, 615, 718, 815 Center support 116, 316, 518 Brazing 117, 319, 416, 519, 619, 816 holes 118 bonding 119 electrical components 202, 203, 205, 214 conductive pattern 208 cross section 209 tangential element base 210 joint 212 infrared filter device location 217 printed circuit board contact 317 housing clip 318 contact Adhesive 320 Adhesion width 417, 618, 717 Cover 418, 716 Lens 419 Screw 516 Cowling 517 Camera case top surface 616 Prism 617, 817 Image 715 Sucker 818 Reflector 901 CCD 902 Image amplifier 903 A / D converter 904 Outline recognition unit 905 Memory 906 CPU 907 D / A converter 908 Video amplifier 909 Monitor 910 Contour distortion 911 Contour correction data 912 Corrected image 913 Distorted image

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/262 H04N 5/262 (72) Inventor Masami Takahashi 4-3 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa No. 1 Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takahisa Suzuki 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Osamu Sugawara Tsunashima-Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 4-3-1, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshio Adachi 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuichi Takenaga Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoru Masuda 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture Shimo Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Oguchi 4-3-1 Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Matsushita Communication Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sato 4-Chome Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture No. 3 No. 1 Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H083 AA04 AA26 AA32 CC07 2H100 AA31 AA41 BB11 CC07 EE06 5C022 AA00 AC42 AC54 AC55 AC70 AC78 5C023 AA02 AA03 AA07 AA37 CA01

Claims (46)

[Claims] 1. A compact camera comprising an image sensor as an image pickup means, wherein the image sensor and an infrared filter are mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the three-dimensional printed circuit board is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board. camera. 2. A small camera comprising an image sensor as an image pickup means, wherein the image sensor is mounted on a three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the three-dimensional printed circuit board is mounted on a circuit integrated printed circuit board. 3. The three-dimensional printed circuit board includes a printed conductor, and the printed conductor is electrically connected to a terminal of an image sensor mounted on the three-dimensional printed circuit board. A small camera according to claim 1. 4. The printed conductor extends from an imaging element mounting surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board to an opposite surface through a side mounted on the circuit integrated printed circuit board. 3. The small camera according to 3. 5. The image pickup device is fixed to the three-dimensional printed circuit board by solder, and a terminal portion of the image pickup device and the printed conductor are electrically connected by the solder. Item 7. A small camera according to item 3. 6. The image sensor is press-fitted into an image sensor support portion of the three-dimensional printed circuit board and fixed to the three-dimensional printed circuit board, and a terminal portion of the image sensor and the printed conductor are press-contacted and electrically connected. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein
Or the small camera according to 4. 7. An image sensor and an infrared filter are supported by the three-dimensional printed circuit board around the entire circumference thereof, and the image sensor and the infrared filter are integrated with the three-dimensional printed circuit board. A small camera according to claim 1. 8. The compact camera according to claim 2, wherein the entire periphery of the image sensor is supported by the three-dimensional printed circuit board, and the image sensor is integrated with the three-dimensional printed circuit board. 9. The compact camera according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional printed circuit board is made of a black material. 10. The miniature camera according to claim 9, wherein the three-dimensional printed circuit board has a surface having a number of irregularities. 11. The miniature camera according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional printed circuit board has a surface having a number of irregularities formed by spraying sand. 12. The miniature camera according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional printed circuit board has a surface having a number of irregularities formed by roughening with a chemical. 13. The small camera according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the three-dimensional printed circuit board is formed of a curved surface. 14. The three-dimensional printed circuit board is soldered to the circuit integrated printed circuit board, and a printed conductor of the three-dimensional printed circuit board and a conductor pattern of the circuit integrated printed circuit board are electrically connected by the solder. The compact camera according to claim 3, wherein: 15. The miniature camera according to claim 14, wherein the soldered three-dimensional printed circuit board and the circuit integrated printed circuit board are further fixed with an adhesive. 16. The small camera according to claim 1, wherein a circuit component is mounted on the circuit integrated printed circuit board. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein a lens that focuses incident light on the image sensor is held by a lens holder, and the lens holder is mounted on the circuit integrated printed circuit board. A small camera as described. 18. A lens which focuses incident light on the image pickup device is held by a lens holder, and the lens holder is mounted on a camera base on which the circuit integrated printed circuit board is mounted. The compact camera according to claim 1. 19. The small camera according to claim 17, wherein the circuit integrated printed board is held by a lead wire mounted on a camera base. 20. The miniature camera according to claim 1, wherein input / output of signals to / from the circuit integrated printed board is performed through lead wires hermetically sealed to a camera base. 21. The small camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera base on which the circuit integrated printed circuit board is mounted has a center boss. 22. The small camera according to claim 21, wherein a center position of the image sensor is set in accordance with the center boss. 23. The small camera according to claim 21, wherein the position of the lens is set with reference to the center boss. 24. The camera according to claim 24, wherein the camera is covered with a confidential housing, and the housing includes a camera base on which the circuit integrated printed circuit board is mounted, and a camera case having a glass window. 3. The small camera according to 1 or 2. 25. The compact camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is covered with a confidential housing, and an internal pressure in the housing is set lower than an external pressure. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the assembling of the camera and the sealing of the casing are performed in a high-temperature environment, and the internal pressure in the casing at normal temperature is set to be lower than the external pressure. Small camera. 27. The compact camera according to claim 1, wherein the camera is covered with a confidential housing, and an internal pressure in the housing is set higher than an external pressure. 28. The small camera according to claim 27, wherein a non-volatile gas is sealed in the housing. 29. The compact device according to claim 27, wherein the housing has an inlet, and air is injected into the housing through the inlet to set an internal pressure in the housing higher than an external pressure. camera. 30. The camera base according to claim 29, wherein a camera base on which the circuit integrated printed circuit board is mounted forms a part of the housing, and the injection port is provided in a center boss of the camera base. Small camera. 31. The camera case according to claim 24, wherein an adhesive surface parallel to the camera base is provided at an end of the camera case, and the adhesive surface and the camera base are bonded and sealed.
A small camera according to claim 1. 32. The small-sized camera according to claim 31, wherein a bonding portion between the camera case and the camera base is sandwiched and fixed by a housing clip. 33. The small camera according to claim 32, wherein the housing clip has a cowling structure. 34. The miniature camera according to claim 24, wherein the camera case is mounted on the camera base in a cowling structure. 35. The miniature camera according to claim 34, wherein the lens holder attached to the camera base contacts the camera case to support the cowling. 36. The camera case, comprising: iron, nickel,
25. The small camera according to claim 24, wherein the camera is made of a cobalt alloy, or an alloy of iron, nickel, or soft iron. 37. The small camera according to claim 24, wherein the glass of the glass window provided in the camera case is made of sapphire, borosilicate glass, or glass containing soda, barium, or the like. 38. The miniature camera according to claim 37, wherein the glass is fixed to the camera case by brazing. 39. The small camera according to claim 24, wherein a housing cover with a lens can be mounted on the camera case, and the imaging angle can be changed by mounting the housing cover. . 40. The miniature camera according to claim 39, wherein the housing cover is engaged with the camera case with a screw. 41. The small camera according to claim 39, wherein the housing cover has a prism as the lens, and can capture an image in a direction at 90 degrees to the optical axis of the camera. . 42. The small camera according to claim 41, wherein said housing cover is rotatable with respect to said camera case, and said prism is rotatable. 43. The small camera according to claim 1, wherein a suction cup is provided on a front surface of the camera, and the camera is attached to a transparent glass or the like by the suction cup. 44. The compact camera according to claim 1, wherein a curved reflecting mirror is mounted on a front surface of the camera, and an image reflected by the reflecting mirror is taken. 45. A method for measuring video data of a small camera, comprising: measuring a vertical / horizontal ratio of an image represented by a video output of the camera; and converting the video data so that the ratio becomes a predetermined ratio. Processing method. 46. When the image output of a camera represents a curved image, the distortion of the contour of the image due to the curvature is measured, and based on the measurement result, the vertical and horizontal directions of the image are set at right angles. A method for processing video data of a small camera, wherein the video data is corrected.