Patent Publication Number: US-11665413-B2

Title: Camera module with imaging sensor and light emitter

Description:
This application is a continuation under 35 USC § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/198,436, filed Mar. 11, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/027,316, filed Jul. 4, 2018, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/004600, filed Oct. 17, 2016, and claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to Japanese Application No. 2016-009588, filed Jan. 21, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a camera module including an imaging unit and a light emitter. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-297660 discloses a camera module including an imaging unit and a light emitter for illuminating illumination light. The imaging unit and the light emitter are coupled to each other through a flexible printed wiring board. 
     In the camera module according to Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-297660, the imaging unit is mounted on a first face lying at an end of the flexible printed wiring board, while the light emitter is mounted on a second face lying at another end of the flexible printed wiring board. The flexible printed wiring board is folded so that the light emitter is disposed on the imaging unit. 
     SUMMARY 
     A camera module according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an imaging unit for capturing an image of an object, a light emitter for illuminating the object with illumination light, and a circuit board having a first main face mounted with the imaging unit and the light emitter. 
     The circuit board includes, a first rigid printed wiring board mounted with the imaging unit, a second rigid printed wiring board mounted with the light emitter, and a foldable flexible printed wiring board coupling the first rigid printed wiring board and the second rigid printed wiring board. 
     Further included is a holder for holding the second rigid printed wiring board in a state in which the flexible printed wiring board is folded an even number of times, a first main face of the second rigid printed wiring board and a first main face of the first rigid printed wiring board face in an identical direction, and the second rigid printed wiring board lies at a separated position from the first main face of the first rigid printed wiring board. 
     A camera module according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an imaging unit for capturing an image of an object, a light emitter for illuminating the object with illumination light, and a circuit board having a first main face mounted with the imaging unit and the light emitter. 
     The circuit board includes, a first rigid printed wiring board mounted with the imaging unit, a second rigid printed wiring board mounted with the light emitter, and a foldable flexible printed wiring board coupling the first rigid printed wiring board and the second rigid printed wiring board. 
     Further included is a holder configured to be capable of disposing the second rigid printed wiring board in a state in which the flexible printed wiring board is folded an even number of times, a first main face of the second rigid printed wiring board and a first main face of the first rigid printed wiring board face in an identical direction, and the second rigid printed wiring board lies at a separated position from the first main face of the first rigid printed wiring board, and capable of holding the second rigid printed wiring board at the separated position. 
     With the camera module according to the present disclosure, processes for mounting the imaging unit and the light emitter can be simplified, and an illumination area into which the light emitter illuminates illumination light can appropriately be secured. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an upper face (front face) of an electronic device including a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a lower face (rear face) of the electronic device including the camera module according to the present exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the camera module (first state) according to the present exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    is a plan view of the camera module (first state) according to the present exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a view as viewed from a direction of arrow A in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged plan view of an arrangement area of the camera module, indicated by arrow B in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a view as viewed from a direction of arrow C in  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a plan view of the camera module, where a first flexible printed wiring board is folded once; 
         FIG.  9    is a view for describing a comparative example; and 
         FIG.  10    is a view for describing effects and issues of the present exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described herein in detail with reference to the drawings appropriately. However, detailed description more than necessary may be omitted. For example, in some cases, detailed description of already well-known items and repeated description with respect to substantially the same configuration will be omitted. These omissions are made to avoid unnecessary redundancy of the following description and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. 
     Note that the inventor of the present disclosure provides the accompanying drawings and the following description in order to allow those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and the accompanying drawings and the following description do not intend to limit the subject matter as described in the appended claims. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     With reference to the drawings, a description is provided hereinafter of a first exemplary embodiment. 
     1. Configuration 
     1-1. Outline of Electronic Device 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an upper face (front face) of an electronic device including a camera module according to the present exemplary embodiment. In  FIG.  1   , for purpose of convenience, a side of electronic device  100  in a thickness direction refers to an “upper face side,” and another side refers to a “lower face side.” As shown in  FIG.  1   , electronic device  100  is a tablet computer. Electronic device  100  has, on its upper face, display  101 , operation switches  102 , and indicators  103 . Display  101  is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. Display  101  is also a touch panel capable of accepting a touch operation performed by a user. Operation switches  102  are hardware switches each capable of accepting a depression operation performed by the user. Indicators  103  are display devices each capable of displaying an operating state or the like of electronic device  100 . Indicators  103  are each composed of a light-emitting diode (LED), for example. 
     Electronic device  100  is incorporated with a processing unit such as a central processing unit (CPU), storage devices (recording devices) such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a solid state drive (SSD), a battery, and other components. The ROM and the SSD stores, for example, an operating system (OS), various application programs, and various data. The CPU reads the OS, the application programs, and the various data, and executes arithmetic processing to achieve various functions according to a content of an operation performed by the user. 
       FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a lower face (rear face) of electronic device  100  including the camera module according to the present exemplary embodiment. Electronic device  100  includes a camera. Opening  130   a  for the camera is provided on lid  130  configuring a lower face of housing main body  110 . A configuration of the camera module configuring the camera will now be described herein. 
     1-2. Configuration of Camera Module 
     The configuration of the camera module will now be described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  5   .  FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the camera module according to the present exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  4    is a plan view of the camera module according to the present exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  5    is a view as viewed from a direction of arrow A in  FIG.  4   .  FIGS.  3 ,  4 , and  5    show camera module  200  in a first state, and  FIGS.  6 ,  7   , which will be described later, show camera module  200  in a second state. The first state refers to, as will be described later, as shown in  FIG.  3   , a state in which first flexible printed wiring board  233  configuring circuit board  230  is not folded, and first rigid printed wiring board  231 , second rigid printed wiring board  232 , first flexible printed wiring board  233 , and second flexible printed wiring board  234  are almost flush. The second state refers to, as will be described later, as shown in  FIGS.  6 ,  7   , a state in which first flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded, and second rigid printed wiring board  232  is disposed on first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     Camera module  200  includes imaging unit  210 , a plurality of light-emitting diodes  220 , and circuit board  230 . Light-emitting diodes  220  will appropriately be referred to as LEDs  220 . 
     Imaging unit  210  includes optical system  211  including an optical lens and other components, an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD), a controller, and other components, generates imaging data corresponding to an object image formed, via optical system  211 , on an imaging face of the imaging element, and outputs the generated imaging data to a central processing unit of electronic device  100 . 
     LEDs  220  illuminate an object with illumination light. LEDs  220  are formed from high brightness LEDs such as white LEDs. 
     Circuit board  230  is formed from a rigid flexible printed wiring board, and includes first rigid printed wiring board  231 , second rigid printed wiring board  232 , first flexible printed wiring board  233 , and second flexible printed wiring board  234 . The rigid flexible printed wiring board is a printed wiring board integrally formed with a hard, rigid printed wiring board having no flexibility (rigid printed wiring board), and a printed wiring board having flexibility (flexible printed wiring board). When circuit board  230  is in the first state, as described above, first rigid printed wiring board  231 , second rigid printed wiring board  232 , first flexible printed wiring board  233 , and second flexible printed wiring board  234  are flush. Various components including imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  are mounted over circuit board  230 , i.e., first main face  230   f . No component is mounted on a second main face lying opposite to first main face  230   f . In other words, circuit board  230  is configured to be a one-side mounting printed wiring board. 
     First rigid printed wiring board  231  is a hard printed wiring board having no flexibility. Various circuit components including imaging unit  210  and camera controlling large scale integrated circuit (LSI)  250  are mounted on first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231  (part of first main face  230   f  of circuit board  230 ). First main face  231   f  is further provided with hollow shield case  240  having an opening on a side facing first main face  231   f  so as to cover camera controlling LSI  250 . No component is mounted on second main face  231   g  lying opposite to first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     Second rigid printed wiring board  232  is a hard printed wiring board having no flexibility. Various circuit components including LEDs  220  are mounted on first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  (part of first main face  230   f  of circuit board  230 ). No component is mounted on second main face  232   g  lying opposite to first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232 . 
     First flexible printed wiring board  233  is a film-shaped printed wiring board that has flexibility and thus is foldable (can be folded). First flexible printed wiring board  233  electrically couples a circuit on first rigid printed wiring board  231  and a circuit on second rigid printed wiring board  232 . First flexible printed wiring board  233  couples first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232  in a connector-less manner. First flexible printed wiring board  233  has first portion  233   a  and second portion  233   b  respectively extending in directions approximately orthogonal to each other, and has an approximately L-shape when viewed in plan. 
     Second flexible printed wiring board  234  is a film-shaped printed wiring board that has flexibility and thus is foldable (can be folded). Second flexible printed wiring board  234  electrically couples the circuit on first rigid printed wiring board  231  and a circuit on electronic device  100 . Second flexible printed wiring board  234  is coupled to first rigid printed wiring board  231  in a connector-less manner. Terminal portion  234   a  that can be coupled to connector  150  of electronic device  100  is formed on another end of second flexible printed wiring board  234 . 
     When first flexible printed wiring board  233  is not folded, i.e., circuit board  230  is in the first state, as described above, first rigid printed wiring board  231 , second rigid printed wiring board  232 , first flexible printed wiring board  233 , and second flexible printed wiring board  234  are flush. First main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 , on which imaging unit  210  is mounted, and first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232 , on which LEDs  220  are mounted, face in an identical direction. 
     Shield case  240  disposed on first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231  is configured to be available as a holder for holding second rigid printed wiring board  232  higher than first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . Shield case  240  is configured to be capable of disposing and fixing second rigid printed wiring board  232  onto upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  in a state in which first flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded twice, as will be described later, and first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231  and first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  face in an identical direction. Specifically, upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  is formed with a plurality of projections  240   a ,  240   b ,  240   c , and second rigid printed wiring board  232  is formed with a plurality of recesses  232   a ,  232   b ,  232   c , so as to be capable of positioning second rigid printed wiring board  232  onto upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  when second rigid printed wiring board  232  is disposed onto upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  to allow the plurality of recesses  232   a ,  232   b ,  232   c  and the plurality of projections  240   a ,  240   b ,  240   c  to engage to each other. 
     1-3. Configuration of Camera Module Attached to Electronic Device 
     A configuration of camera module  200  attached to electronic device  100  will now be described herein.  FIG.  6    is an enlarged plan view of an arrangement area of the camera module, indicated by arrow B in  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  7    is a view as viewed from a direction of arrow C in  FIG.  6   . 
     When camera module  200  is attached to electronic device  100 , the plurality of recesses  232   a ,  232   b ,  232   c  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  and the plurality of projections  240   a ,  240   b ,  240   c  of shield case  240  are engaged, and second rigid printed wiring board  232  is fixed onto upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  on first rigid printed wiring board  231 . First flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded twice, and first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 , on which imaging unit  210  is mounted, and first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232 , on which LEDs  220  are mounted, face in an identical direction. Second rigid printed wiring board  232  is held by shield case  240  higher than first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     First rigid printed wiring board  231  is formed with screw holes  231   h . Screws  140  are inserted into screw holes  231   h  and screwed to lower housing main body  112   a  configuring a lower portion of housing main body  110  of electronic device  100  to fix first rigid printed wiring board  231  (camera module  200 ) onto lower housing main body  112   a  at a position facing an opening of lid  130 . 
     Terminal portion  234   a  lying at the other end of second flexible printed wiring board  234  is coupled to connector  150  of electronic device  100 . 
     1-4. Creating Camera Module in Second State 
     A procedure will now be described herein for creating camera module  200  in the second state shown in  FIGS.  6 ,  7    from camera module  200  in the first state shown in  FIGS.  3  to  5   . 
     First, in camera module  200  in the first state shown in  FIG.  4    is, first flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded at first folding line L 1  to reverse second rigid printed wiring board  232  as shown in  FIG.  8   . 
     Next, first flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded at second folding line L 2  orthogonal to first folding line L 1  to further reverse second rigid printed wiring board  232  to allow second rigid printed wiring board  232  and first rigid printed wiring board  231  to face in an identical direction as shown in  FIG.  6   . In this state, second rigid printed wiring board  232  is disposed onto upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 . At this time, the plurality of recesses  232   a ,  232   b ,  232   c  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  and the plurality of projections  240   a ,  240   b ,  240   c  of shield case  240  are engaged. Second rigid printed wiring board  232  is thus disposed at a predetermined installation position on upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 . Second main face  232   g  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  and upper face  240   f  of shield case  240  are fixed by utilizing double sided tape, for example. 
     In camera module  200  in the second state created as described above, imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  each lie closer when viewed in plan. LEDs  220  are raised away from first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     Next, camera module  200  in the second state is fixed with screws  140  onto lower housing main body  112   a  of electronic device  100 . Camera module  200  in the first state may be shifted to the second state after camera module  200  is fixed with screws  140  onto an inner wall of lower housing main body  112   a  of electronic device  100 . 
     1-5. Action 
     An action of the present exemplary embodiment will now be described herein. Issues of the present disclosure will now first be described herein with reference to a comparative example shown in  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  9    is a view for describing the comparative example. In the comparative example, imaging unit  1210  and LED  1220  are directly mounted on first main face  1231   f  of printed wiring board  1231 . In order to achieve a smaller electronic device, for example, an area of printed wiring board  1231  is limited, and as a result, imaging unit  1210  and LED  1220  often lie closer to each other. Allowing imaging unit  1210  and LED  1220  to lie closer to each other is preferable for preventing as much as possible a shadow behind an object from being generated due to illumination light. However, imaging unit  1210  is often higher than LED  1220 , and, as a result, a part of illumination area Rc into which LED  1220  illuminates illumination light, i.e., area Rs, might sometimes be blocked by imaging unit  1210 . 
     First main face  1231   f  of printed wiring board  1231  might not fully provide a component mounting area, LED  1220  cannot be disposed in a plural number, and thus an amount of light for fully illuminating an object cannot be achieved. As a result, a captured image might sometimes lower in quality in a darker situation. Components  1251  should further be mounted on second main face  1231   g , in other words, components should be mounted on both faces of printed wiring board  1231 , which in fact leads to an increased number of processes for mounting components and an increased mounting cost, compared with a case of one-side mounting. 
       FIG.  10    is a view for describing effects and issues of the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, LEDs  220  are disposed on shield case  240 . Positions at which LEDs  220  are disposed are accordingly higher than positions when LEDs  220  are disposed on first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . Even when LEDs  220  are disposed in plan under a positional condition identical to a positional condition of the comparative example, illumination area Rp into which LEDs  220  illuminate illumination light would be less likely to be blocked by imaging unit  210 . While imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  are disposed closer, illumination light of LEDs  220  can be less likely to be blocked by imaging unit  210 . 
     In the comparative example, where a problem of blocking illumination light by imaging unit  1210  can arise, first main face  1231   f  has been limited in area onto which LEDs  1220  can be disposed, and thus disposing LED  1220  in a plural number has been difficult. However, by utilizing upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 , which lies higher than first main face  231   f , as shown in the present exemplary embodiment, an area in which illumination light would be less likely to be blocked by imaging unit  210  can be increased, and thus the plurality of LEDs  220  can be disposed by utilizing this area. An amount of illumination light can thus be increased. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, shield case  240  is hollow and has an opening on a side facing first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 , and thus, by utilizing a space under upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 , various components can be disposed on first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . In the present exemplary embodiment, a camera controlling LSI is disposed in the space under upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 . As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, components can be mounted on upper face  240   f  of shield case  240 , in addition to first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     Since, in circuit board  230 , first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232  are coupled with first flexible printed wiring board  233  in a connector-less manner, and thus no connector is required, mounting areas, which are available for mounting components, can be increased on first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232 . 
     In camera module  200  in the first state, circuit board  230  may be a one-side mounting printed wiring board, and may be mounted with various components by utilizing mounting devices for one-side mounting. Processes for mounting components can thus be simplified, and a mounting cost can thus be reduced. 
     2. Effects and Other Benefits 
     Camera module  200  in the second state, according to the present exemplary embodiment, includes imaging unit  210  for capturing an image of an object, LEDs  220  (light emitter) for illuminating the object with illumination light, and circuit board  230  having first main face  230   f  ( 231   f ,  232   f ) mounted with imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  (light emitter). 
     Circuit board  230  includes first rigid printed wiring board  231  mounted with imaging unit  210 , second rigid printed wiring board  232  mounted with LEDs  220  (light emitter), and foldable first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) coupling first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232 . 
     Further included is shield case  240  (holder) for holding second rigid printed wiring board  232  in a state in which first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) is folded an even number of times, first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  and first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231  face in an identical direction, and second rigid printed wiring board  232  lies at a separated position from first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . 
     Therefore, processes for mounting imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  (light emitter) can be simplified, and an illumination area into which LEDs  220  (light emitter) illuminate illumination light can appropriately be secured. 
     Camera module  200  in the first state, according to the present exemplary embodiment, includes imaging unit  210  for capturing an image of an object, LEDs  220  (light emitter) for illuminating the object with illumination light, and circuit board  230  having first main face  230   f  ( 231   f ,  232   f ) mounted with imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  (light emitter). 
     Circuit board  230  includes first rigid printed wiring board  231  mounted with imaging unit  210 , second rigid printed wiring board  232  mounted with LEDs  220  (light emitter), and foldable first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) coupling first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232 . 
     Further included is shield case  240  (holder) configured to be capable of disposing second rigid printed wiring board  232  in a state in which first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) is folded an even number of times, first main face  232   f  of second rigid printed wiring board  232  and first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231  face in an identical direction, and second rigid printed wiring board  232  lies at a separated position from first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 , and capable of holding second rigid printed wiring board  232  at the separated position. 
     Therefore, processes for mounting imaging unit  210  and LEDs  220  (light emitter) can be simplified, and an illumination area into which LEDs  220  (light emitter) illuminate illumination light can appropriately be secured. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, shield case  240  (holder) is disposed on first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 , and formed in a case shape at least having an opening on a side facing first main face  231   f.    
     Camera controlling LSI  250  (predetermined electronic component) is disposed in a space in shield case  240  (holder). 
     Therefore, an upper face side of shield case  240  (holder) can be utilized to dispose LEDs  220  (light emitter), and the space in shield case  240  (holder) can be utilized to dispose camera controlling LSI  250  (predetermined electronic component). 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the holder is shield case  240  (shield member) for shielding electromagnetic noise emitted from camera controlling LSI  250  (predetermined electronic component). 
     Therefore, shield case  240  (shield member) for shielding electromagnetic noise emitted from camera controlling LSI  250  (predetermined electronic component) can be utilized to configure the holder. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, circuit board  230  is a rigid flexible printed wiring board in which first rigid printed wiring board  231 , second rigid printed wiring board  232 , and first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) are integrated together. 
     Therefore, smaller camera module  200  can be achieved by coupling first rigid printed wiring board  231  and second rigid printed wiring board  232  via first flexible printed wiring board  233  (flexible printed wiring board) in a connector-less manner. 
     Other Exemplary Embodiments 
     The first exemplary embodiment has been described above and exemplified as the technique of the present disclosure. However, the technique of the present disclosure is not limited to the above described first exemplary embodiment, but is applicable to other exemplary embodiments where an amendment, a replacement, an addition, or an omission has been made appropriately. 
     The other exemplary embodiments will now be described herein. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the light emitter is LEDs  220 . However, in the present disclosure, the light emitter may not be LEDs  220 , but may be any element as long as illumination light can be illuminated. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the holder is formed from shield case  240 . However, in the present disclosure, the holder is not limited to shield case  240 , but may be any member that can hold a light emitter such as LEDs  220  at a separated position from first main face  231   f  of first rigid printed wiring board  231 . For example, the holder may be a lifting up stand, or an installation plate attached to a side of imaging unit  210 , for example. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, first flexible printed wiring board  233  is folded twice to dispose second rigid printed wiring board  232  onto first rigid printed wiring board  231 . However, in the present disclosure, any number of folding may be applied, such as four times or six times, as long as the number is an even number. 
     The first exemplary embodiment has been described with an example where the camera module according to the present disclosure is applied to a tablet computer. However, the electronic device according to the present disclosure is widely applicable to electronic devices each mounted with a camera module. 
     The exemplary embodiments have been described above and exemplified as the technique of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings and detailed description have been provided for this purpose. 
     Accordingly, the components described in the appended drawings and the detailed description include not only components essential for solving the above problem, but may also include components that are not essential for solving the above problem so as to exemplify the above-mentioned technique. Therefore, it should not be immediately construed that these components that are not essential are essential even if the components are described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description. 
     Since the above described exemplary embodiments are for exemplifying the technique of the present disclosure, various modifications, replacements, additions, and omissions can be made within the scope of the appended claims or of their equivalents. 
     The present disclosure is widely usable in camera modules each including an imaging unit and a light emitter.