Patent Description:
Electronic devices, for example, portable electronic devices, have been developed to be applied to various fields sticking to our lives. Such electronic devices have been released with various sizes in accordance with their functions and user preferences, and may include large-screen touch displays for securing of wide visibility and convenience of operations. An electronic device may include at least one camera module (e.g., camera device). The image quality of the camera module is the most important basic performance indicator, and various technologies have been sought to suppress a ghost phenomenon, a flair phenomenon, or a light burst phenomenon (e.g., inner reflection phenomenon) being generated by unnecessary inner light reflection, as one of representative factors hindering the image quality.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the invention. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the invention.

<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose conventional lens modules and electronic devices using the same.

Aspects of the invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is to provide an electronic device including a camera module capable of photographing a subject and displaying the photographed subject through a display. The camera module may include a plurality of lenses disposed to be aligned with the center of an image sensor in an inner space of a barrel member. Each of the plurality of lenses may be structurally combined with the barrel member or may be fixed through an attachment process, such as bonding, taping, or fusion, in the inner space of the barrel member. The lens may include an effective area through which light for generating an image through imaging by an image sensor passes and an ineffective area (e.g., flange) extending from the effective area to fix or mold the lens onto the barrel member regardless of the imaging performance.

The electronic device may have a camera module disposition structure disposed under the display to detect an external environment through at least a part of an opening (e.g., through hole) formed on the display. In this case, in order to reduce the size of the opening of the display as seen from outside, the size of the barrel member should also be reduced, and through this, the size of the ineffective area can also be reduced. However, due to the ineffective area having a relatively reduced size, the light incident from the outside may flow into the ineffective area having a partially reduced size, and a bad influence may be exerted on the image quality performance by the unnecessary inner reflection.

In order to prevent the inner reflection occurring in the ineffective area, a light absorbing material may be applied through the ineffective area of the lens. Such a light absorbing material may be formed on the ineffective area of the lens through a process of painting, deposition coating, or double-shot injection. However, the painting method may cause tilting of the lens due to an inconsistent thickness of the paint, and may require a shape structurally preventing the paint from overflowing. Also, it may be difficult to apply the painting method with respect to an inclined surface, and it may be difficult to accurately control the amount or viscosity of the paint being applied, resulting in the yield deterioration. Further, the deposition coating method may require separate precise deposition jig and deposition equipment, and it may be difficult to apply the deposition coating method with respect to the side surface of the lens. Further, the double-shot injection method may cause a very complicated mold structure and a very high molding difficulty, and thus it may be difficult to obtain desired precision.

The present invention is directed to subject matter as defined in the appended set of claims.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module configured to reveal a uniform performance in response to various shapes of an ineffective area.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module capable of making massive production possible with relatively low costs and helping the improvement of product reliability.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module capable of helping the size reduction of a barrel member by variously changing the structure of an ineffective area.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, and a camera module disposed in an inner space of the housing, wherein the camera module includes an image sensor, and a plurality of lenses aligned with the image sensor, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lenses includes a first area formed to transfer at least a part of an external light to the image sensor, and a second area including a light absorbing layer formed to absorb the at least a part of the external light and to penetrate from an outer surface of the lens into an inner space with a predetermined depth.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, and a camera module disposed in an inner space of the housing, wherein the camera module includes: an image sensor, and at least one lens including a first area formed to pass at least a part of an external light of the electronic device to the image sensor and a second area disposed to surround the first area at least partly, and wherein the at least one lens includes a first surface, a second surface directed in an opposite direction to the first surface, a lens side surface surrounding an inner space between the first surface and the second surface, an anti-reflection coating layer formed on the first surface and/or the second surface at least in the first area, and a light absorbing layer formed from the first surface and the second surface to at least a part of the inner space with a predetermined penetration depth in the second area.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a camera module is provided. The camera module includes an image sensor, and at least one lens including a first area formed to pass at least a part of an external light of an electronic device to the image sensor and a second area disposed to surround the first area at least partly, wherein the at least one lens includes a first surface, a second surface directed in an opposite direction to the first surface, a lens side surface surrounding an inner space between the first surface and the second surface, an anti-reflection coating layer formed on the first surface and/or the second surface at least in the first area, and a light absorbing layer formed from the first surface and the second surface to at least a part of the inner space with a predetermined penetration depth in the second area.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the invention.

According to various embodiments of the invention, it is possible to form the light absorbing layer in the ineffective area without any complicated mold structure in a state that the shape of the ineffective area of the lens is not restricted, and thus it is helpful to provide a camera module having an improved image quality performance by effectively suppressing the inner reflection. Further, the lenses according to various embodiments of the invention can flexibly cope with the complicated lens support structure of the barrel member, and mass production becomes possible at low costs.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing a front surface of a mobile electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing a rear surface of the mobile electronic device shown in <FIG> according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that includes a first surface (or front surface) 110A, a second surface (or rear surface) 110B, and a lateral surface 110C that surrounds a space between the first surface 110A and the second surface 110B. The housing <NUM> may refer to a structure that forms a part of the first surface 110A, the second surface 110B, and the lateral surface 110C. The first surface 110A may be formed of a front plate <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate or polymer plate coated with a variety of coating layers) at least a part of which is substantially transparent. The second surface 110B may be formed of a rear plate <NUM> which is substantially opaque. The rear plate <NUM> may be formed of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or any combination thereof. The lateral surface 110C may be formed of a lateral bezel structure (or "lateral member") <NUM> which is combined with the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> and includes a metal and/or polymer. The rear plate <NUM> and the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed and may be of the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum).

The front plate <NUM> may include two first regions 110D disposed at long edges thereof, respectively, and bent and extended seamlessly from the first surface 110A toward the rear plate <NUM>. Similarly, the rear plate <NUM> may include two second regions 110E disposed at long edges thereof, respectively, and bent and extended seamlessly from the second surface 110B toward the front plate <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> (or the rear plate <NUM>) may include only one of the first regions 110D (or of the second regions 110E). The first regions 110D or the second regions 110E may be omitted in part. When viewed from a lateral side of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, the lateral bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) on a lateral side where the first region 110D or the second region 110E is not included, and may have a second thickness, being less than the first thickness, on another lateral side where the first region 110D or the second region 110E is included.

The mobile electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM>, audio modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM>, camera modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, a light emitting device, and connector holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one (e.g., the key input device <NUM> or the light emitting device) of the above components, or may further include other components.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a substantial portion of the front plate <NUM>, for example. At least a part of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the front plate <NUM> that forms the first surface 110A and the first region 110D of the lateral surface 110C. Outlines (i.e., edges and corners) of the display <NUM> may have substantially the same form as those of the front plate <NUM>. The spacing between the outline of the display <NUM> and the outline of the front plate <NUM> may be substantially unchanged in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display <NUM>.

A recess or opening may be formed in a portion of a display area of the display <NUM> to accommodate at least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, and the light emitting device. At least one of the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, a fingerprint sensor (not shown), and the light emitting element may be disposed on the back of the display area of the display <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be combined with, or adjacent to, a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the touch strength (pressure), and/or a digitizer for detecting a stylus pen. At least a part of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> and/or at least a part of the key input device <NUM> may be disposed in the first region 110D and/or the second region 110E.

The audio modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may correspond to a microphone hole <NUM> and speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The microphone hole <NUM> may contain a microphone disposed therein for acquiring external sounds and, in a case, contain a plurality of microphones to sense a sound direction. The speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be classified into an external speaker hole <NUM> and a call receiver hole <NUM>. The microphone hole <NUM> and the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) may be provided without the speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may generate electrical signals or data corresponding to an internal operating state of the mobile electronic device <NUM> or to an external environmental condition. The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor) and/or a fourth sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the second surface 110B as well as the first surface 110A (e.g., the display <NUM>) of the housing <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 110A of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and a second camera device <NUM> and/or a flash <NUM> disposed on the second surface 110B. The camera module <NUM> or the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include, for example, a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (infrared cameras, wide angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be disposed on one side of the mobile electronic device <NUM>.

The key input device <NUM> may be disposed on the lateral surface 110C of the housing <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the key input device <NUM> described above, and the key input device <NUM> which is not included may be implemented in another form such as a soft key on the display <NUM>. The key input device <NUM> may include the sensor module disposed on the second surface 110B of the housing <NUM>.

The light emitting device may be disposed on the first surface 110A of the housing <NUM>. For example, the light emitting device may provide status information of the mobile electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. The light emitting device may provide a light source associated with the operation of the camera module <NUM>. The light emitting device may include, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), an IR LED, or a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first connector hole <NUM> adapted for a connector (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole <NUM> adapted for a connector (e.g., an earphone jack) for transmitting and receiving an audio signal to and from an external electronic device.

Some sensor modules <NUM> of camera modules <NUM> and <NUM>, some sensor modules <NUM> of sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM>, or an indicator may be arranged to be exposed through a display <NUM>. For example, the camera module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, or the indicator may be arranged in the internal space of a mobile electronic device <NUM> so as to be brought into contact with an external environment through an opening of the display <NUM>, which is perforated up to a front plate <NUM>. In another embodiment, some sensor modules <NUM> may be arranged to perform their functions without being visually exposed through the front plate <NUM> in the internal space of the electronic device. For example, in this case, an area of the display <NUM> facing the sensor module may not require a perforated opening.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view showing a mobile electronic device shown in <FIG> according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a lateral bezel structure <NUM>, a first support member <NUM> (e.g., a bracket), a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an electromagnetic induction panel (not shown), a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a second support member <NUM> (e.g., a rear case), an antenna <NUM>, and a rear plate <NUM>. The mobile electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one (e.g., the first support member <NUM> or the second support member <NUM>) of the above components or may further include another component. Some components of the mobile electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to those of the mobile electronic device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, thus, descriptions thereof are omitted below.

The first support member <NUM> is disposed inside the mobile electronic device <NUM> and may be connected to, or integrated with, the lateral bezel structure <NUM>. The first support member <NUM> may be formed of, for example, a metallic material and/or a non-metal (e.g., polymer) material. The first support member <NUM> may be combined with the display <NUM> at one side thereof and also combined with the printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> at the other side thereof. On the PCB <NUM>, a processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communications processor (CP).

The memory may include, for example, one or more of a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory.

The interface may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a USB interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may electrically or physically connect the mobile electronic device <NUM> with an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, an SD card/multimedia card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM> is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the PCB <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed within the mobile electronic device <NUM>, and may be detachably disposed from the mobile electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, a first support plate (e.g., first support member <NUM>) of a side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM>) may include a first surface <NUM> directed toward a front plate <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> directed in an opposite direction (e.g., rear plate direction) to the first surface <NUM>. According to an embodiment, a camera module <NUM> (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) may be disposed between the first support member <NUM> and a rear plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may project or may be disposed to project in a direction of the front plate <NUM> through a first through-hole <NUM> connected from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> of the first support member <NUM>. According to an embodiment, a portion projecting through the first through-hole <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> may be disposed to approach or contact the rear surface of the front plate <NUM> through a second through-hole <NUM> formed in a location corresponding to a display <NUM>. As another embodiment, in case that the camera module <NUM> is disposed between the display <NUM> and the first support member <NUM>, the first through-hole <NUM> may not be necessary. As another embodiment, in case that the camera module <NUM> is disposed between the display <NUM> and the first support member <NUM>, the second through-hole <NUM> formed on the display <NUM> (e.g., display panel) may not be necessary. In this case, a corresponding area of the display <NUM> (e.g., display panel) corresponding to the camera module <NUM> may be formed as an area having a relatively higher permeability than that of the surroundings by re-disposing the structure of pixels or electrical wirings.

According to various embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may be disposed to detect an external environment through a camera exposure area <NUM> formed in a corresponding location of the front plate <NUM> to penetrate through the first through-hole <NUM> and the second through-hole <NUM> at least partly in an inner space of a mobile electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the camera exposure area <NUM> may actually include a transparent area facing a first area (e.g., effective area) of at least one lens (e.g., first lens <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in a barrel member (e.g., barrel member <NUM> of <FIG>) of the camera module <NUM>. As another embodiment, the camera exposure area <NUM> may include a print area surrounding the transparent area with a predetermined width.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of a disposition structure of the camera module <NUM> in the mobile electronic device <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view of an electronic device, taken aong line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the invention.

The mobile electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the mobile electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> at least partly, or may include other embodiments of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, a mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM> (e.g., front cover, first cover, first plate, or front window) directed in a first direction (Z-axis direction), a rear plate <NUM> (e.g., rear cover, second cover, second plate, or rear window) directed in an opposite direction to the front plate <NUM>, and a side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM> or side member) surrounding a space <NUM> between the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a first waterproof member <NUM> disposed between the display <NUM> and the side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the mobile electronic device <NUM> may include a second waterproof member <NUM> disposed between the side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM>) and the rear plate <NUM>. The first waterproof member <NUM> and the second waterproof member <NUM> may prevent external foreign substances or moisture from flowing into the inner space <NUM> of the mobile electronic device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM>) may further include a first support member <NUM> (e.g., first support plate of <FIG>) at least partly extending toward the inner space <NUM> of the mobile electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> may be formed by a structural combination with the side frame (e.g., lateral bezel structure <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> may include a first through-hole <NUM> formed to accommodate the barrel member <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the first support member <NUM> may include a support structure for fixing the location thereof as at least a part of the barrel member <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> penetrates through the first through-hole <NUM>. As another embodiment, in case that the camera module <NUM> is disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the front plate <NUM>, the first through-hole <NUM> may not be necessary.

According to various embodiments, the display <NUM> may include the second through-hole <NUM> formed in a location facing the first through-hole <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the barrel member <NUM> of the camera module <NUM> may be disposed to approach or contact the rear surface of the front plate <NUM> through the second through-hole <NUM>. As another embodiment, in case that the camera module <NUM> is disposed between the first support member <NUM> and the front plate <NUM>, the second through-hole <NUM> of the display <NUM> may not be necessary at least partly. For example, the second through-hole <NUM> may be formed only on a subsidiary material layer (e.g., cushion layer, embossed layer, or metal sheet layer) disposed under the display panel, excluding the display panel of the display <NUM>. In this case, the area corresponding to the camera module <NUM> of the display panel may be formed to have a higher permeability than that of the surroundings by changing the disposition structure (e.g., disposition density) of the pixels or electrical wirings.

According to various embodiments, the camera module <NUM> may include a camera housing <NUM>, a barrel member <NUM> projecting at least partly from the camera housing <NUM>, a plurality of lenses <NUM>: <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> disposed at predetermined intervals in an inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM>, and/or at least one image sensor <NUM> disposed so that the center thereof is aligned with the plurality of lenses <NUM> in the inner space <NUM> of the camera housing <NUM>. As another embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may not include the camera housing <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the barrel member <NUM> may penetrate through the first through-hole <NUM> of the first support member <NUM> and the second through-hole <NUM> of the display <NUM>, and may be disposed close to the rear surface of the front plate <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the plurality of lenses <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM> so that the location thereof is supported through the structural shape thereof. According to an embodiment, the plurality of lenses <NUM> may be disposed to face the camera exposure area (e.g., camera exposure area <NUM> of <FIG>) of the front plate <NUM> through an opening <NUM> formed on the barrel member <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when the camera module <NUM> (e.g., fixed focus camera (FF camera)) performs focusing of an image, a relative distance between the barrel member <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> may be fixed. According to an embodiment, when the camera module <NUM> (e.g., auto focus camera (AF camera)) performs focusing of an image, the barrel member <NUM> may be disposed in the camera housing <NUM> so that the relative distance with the front plate <NUM> is varied. For example, the camera module <NUM> may include a driving motor (e.g., voice coil motor (VCM)) (not illustrated) for moving the barrel member <NUM>, and through the driving motor, the relative distance between the barrel member <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> may be varied.

According to various embodiments of the invention, each of the plurality of lenses <NUM> may include a first area (e.g., effective area) (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) passing light for generating an image being formed by the image sensor <NUM>, and a second area (e.g., ineffective area) (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) extending from the first area and being fixed at least partly in the inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the plurality of lenses <NUM> may be fixed through a combination structure, such as structural combination (e.g., fitting), bonding, fusion, or taping, inside the barrel member <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the light passing through the first area may cause unnecessary inner reflection to occur due to the second area, and a part of the light by such inner reflection may cause image forming through the image sensor <NUM>, resulting in that a bad influence may be exerted on the image quality.

According to various embodiments, in order to prevent the above-described inner reflection, each of the plurality of lenses <NUM> may include a light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) (e.g., opaque layer) formed in the second area. According to an embodiment, the light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) may be formed in a manner that a colored dye penetrates into the second area of the lens formed of a polymer material with a predetermined depth through dipping or immersion.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a lens according to an embodiment of the invention.

Although the lens <NUM> of <FIG> is illustrated and described as one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>, it is not limited thereto. For example, the lens <NUM> of <FIG> may be replaced by at least one of a plurality of remaining lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>.

The lens <NUM> of <FIG> may be replaced by any one of not only a general circular lens but also a light fixture part, such as various types of non-circular type lenses (e.g., D-cut type lenses), filters, prisms, or films.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may be formed through polymer material molding (e.g., molding). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may include a first surface <NUM>, a second surface <NUM> directed in an opposite direction to the first surface <NUM>, and a lens side surface <NUM> surrounding an inner space <NUM> (e.g., inner area between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>) between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may include a first area A1 and a second area A2 extending from the first area A1. According to an embodiment, the first area A1 may include an effective area through which light for generating an image through imaging by an image sensor (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) passes. According to an embodiment, the second area A2 may include an ineffective area extending from the effective area in order for the lens <NUM> to be fixed or molded onto a surrounding structure (e.g., barrel member) regardless of the imaging performance of the image sensor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the second area A2 may extend at least partly outward along a border of the first area A1. According to an embodiment, the extended length of the second area A2 may be determined in accordance with a disposition structure in which the lens <NUM> is disposed on the surrounding structure. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may include an anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> formed on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> at least in the first area A1. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed to maintain the permeation performance without degrading the permeability of the lens in the first area A1 of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed at least on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> through a deposition process using SiO2, TiO2, or ZrO2.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may include the light absorbing layer <NUM> formed in the second area A2. According to an embodiment, through dipping or immersion, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed in the second area A2 of the lens <NUM> through a coloring liquid (e.g., dyeing or dye) penetrating from surfaces of the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, and the lens side surface <NUM> into the inner space <NUM> of the lens <NUM> with a designated depth t. According to an embodiment, the penetration depth t of the coloring liquid may be the depth enough to prevent the occurrence of the inner reflection. For example, the penetration depth t of the coloring liquid may be at least <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the penetration depth t of the coloring liquid may be in the range of about <NUM> to <NUM>. According to an embodiment, in case of applying the dipping or immersion, the surfaces of the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, and/or the lens side surface <NUM> in the second area A2 of the lens <NUM> may be surface-treated to reduce the penetration time of the coloring liquid and to improve the penetration force. For example, the surface process may be formed through roughness adjustment.

According to various embodiments, the penetration depth t of the coloring liquid may be adjusted by the density, ingredient, temperature, or dipping or immersion time of the coloring liquid, or the ingredient of a base material.

According to various embodiments, as the color of the light absorbing layer <NUM>, black is generally effective in preventing the inner reflection, but the coloring liquid of various colors may be used to obtain an intentional color. For example, in the second area A2 of the lens <NUM>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> of various colors can be obtained in accordance with the color of the coloring liquid, such as red, blue, green, or yellow.

According to various embodiments, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may extend from the first area A1 to at least a part of the second area A2. In this case, partial permeability deterioration of the first area A1 due to the light absorbing layer <NUM> formed on a boundary portion between the first area A1 and the second area A2 can be prevented.

<FIG> and <FIG> are graphs illustrating the permeability of a first area A1 and a second area A2 in a comparative manner according to various embodiments of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the first area A1 including the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of the lens <NUM> reveals a high permeability both before and after the dipping or immersion is applied, but the second area A2 reveals a relatively low permeability of about <NUM>% (black) in an effective wavelength band (area <NUM>). This means that the first area A1 maintains an excellent permeability since the coloring liquid is unable to penetrate by the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> even after the dipping or immersion is applied, whereas the second area A2 having no anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> can help suppressing of the inner reflection since the permeability is remarkably lowered due to the dyeing through the coloring liquid.

According to various embodiments, the permeability of the light absorbing layer <NUM> of the second area A2 may be adjusted by the density, ingredient, temperature, or dipping or immersion time of the coloring liquid, or the ingredient of a base material.

Referring to <FIG>, the first area A1 including the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of the lens <NUM> reveals the high permeability both before and after the dipping or immersion is applied, but the second area A2 reveals a relatively low permeability of about <NUM>% (black) in the effective wavelength band (area <NUM>). This means that it is possible to adjust the permeability in the second area A2 of the lens <NUM> by making different penetration depths t of the coloring liquid in accordance with the density, ingredient, temperature, or dipping or immersion time of the coloring liquid, or the ingredient of the base material.

<FIG> are views illustrating a cross-sectional structure of a lens according to various embodiments of the invention.

According to various embodiments, light absorbing layers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> provided to the second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area) to reduce the inner reflection may have various shapes.

Referring to <FIG>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to be all filled from the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> through an inner space <NUM> of the lens <NUM>, excluding an anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, in the second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area). For example, the corresponding structure can be obtained by increasing the temperature of a dye or sufficiently lengthening the dyeing time.

Referring <FIG>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed from the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> to the inner space <NUM> with a predetermined depth, excluding the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> and a lens side surface <NUM>, in the second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area).

Referring to <FIG>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to be filled from a part of the first surface <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> through the inner space <NUM> with a predetermined width, excluding the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, in the second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area). In this case, an external light passes through the light absorbing layer <NUM> formed from the first surface <NUM> of the lens <NUM> to the second surface <NUM> through the inner space <NUM>, and the inner reflection phenomenon can be prevented in the second area A2.

Referring to <FIG>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to be cut off at least once on the second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area) by removing a part of the anti-reflection coating layer 4311a or by preventing the anti-reflection coating layer from being partially formed through a special surface process.

Referring to <FIG>, it is possible to form the light absorbing layer <NUM> only on an intended region by differently forming a diameter AD <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer 4311a of the first surface <NUM> and a diameter AD2 of the anti-reflection coating layer 4311b of the second surface <NUM>. Through this, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to have different inner diameters formed on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to include a plane section <NUM> formed in a partial area A2' of the second area (e.g., ineffective area) due to a gate cutting process on the lens side surface.

<FIG> and <FIG> are plan views of a lens illustrating various shapes of a first area A1 through a second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area) according to various embodiments of the invention.

Although the lens <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> is illustrated and described as one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>, it is not limited thereto. For example, the lens <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be replaced by at least one of a plurality of remaining lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to various embodiments, the shape of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be variously determined through the light absorbing layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a circle through the light absorbing layer <NUM> when the lens <NUM> is viewed from above. For example, the shape of the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be variously determined through the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape (e.g., rectangular or square shape) through the light absorbing layer <NUM> when the lens <NUM> is viewed from above. According to an embodiment, an area of the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be increased through the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of the rectangular shape, and thus it may help suppression of the inner reflection. As another embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed to have a polygonal or elliptical shape through the light absorbing layer <NUM> when the lens <NUM> is viewed from above. As another embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the image sensor (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed to have the same center as the lens center when the lens <NUM> is viewed from above.

<FIG> is a process chart illustrating the order of manufacturing a lens according to an embodiment of the invention.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram according to the process chart of <FIG> according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, at operations <NUM> and <NUM>, a plurality of lens base materials <NUM> may be formed through a molding process and a gate cutting process. As illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, the lens base material <NUM> formed through the molding process <NUM> and the gate cutting process <NUM> may be formed in a shape being divided into the first area A1 (e.g., effective area) and a second area A2 (e.g., ineffective area) illustrated in <FIG>. According to an embodiment, a polymer material may include polyethylene (PE), [carbon polymer composite (CPC)], cyclo olefin polymer (COP), cyclo olefin co-polymer (COC), poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC).

At operations <NUM> and <NUM>, for the plurality of lens base materials <NUM>, with reference to (b) of <FIG>, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of <FIG>) may be formed on parts of the first area A1 and the second area A2, and may be cleaned. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed through the deposition process using SiO2, TiO2, or ZrO2. As illustrated in <FIG>, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed on the first surface (e.g., first surface <NUM> of <FIG>) and the second surface (e.g., second surface <NUM> of <FIG>) in the first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) of the lens base material <NUM>. As another embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed only on the first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) of the lens base material <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, for the lens base materials <NUM> having been cleaned, with reference to (c) of <FIG>, the dipping or immersion process may be performed, in which the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) is colored through a coloring liquid (e.g., dyeing liquid) <NUM>. In this case, the lens base materials may be immersed into a coloring tank <NUM> (e.g., dyeing tank) in which the coloring liquid <NUM> prepared with a coloring condition of a predetermined temperature and a predetermined density through a coloring agent is dipped, and if a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) of the lens base material <NUM> may be colored to have the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) through the coloring liquid <NUM>.

At operation <NUM>, the lens base materials <NUM> having been cleaned may be formed as the lenses <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> is exposed on the first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>), and the light absorbing layer <NUM> is formed on the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>).

As another embodiment, although not illustrated, if the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> is not included in the lens base material <NUM>, parts of the first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) and the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) of the lens corresponding to the anti-reflection coating layer may be preprocessed to form a hard coating layer (e.g., silicone resin layer), and after the light absorbing layer <NUM> is formed on the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) through the dipping, a lens having only the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be provided through peeling and cleaning processes for removing the hard coating layer so as to expose the parts of the first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) and the second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) of the lens base material <NUM> corresponding to the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> through a peeling liquid again.

As another embodiment, after the process of peeling the hard coating layer in the above example, the reflectivity may be reduced by forming the anti-reflection coating layer on the parts of the first area A1 and the second area A2 again.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a camera module according to an embodiment of the invention.

The camera module <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the camera module <NUM> of <FIG> at least partly, or may include other embodiments of the camera module.

Referring to <FIG>, the camera module <NUM> (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) (e.g., camera device) may include a camera housing <NUM> (e.g., camera housing <NUM> of <FIG>), a barrel member <NUM> (e.g., barrel member <NUM> of <FIG>) (barrel) projecting at least partly from the camera housing <NUM>, a plurality of lenses <NUM>: <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed at predetermined intervals in the inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM>, and/or at least one image sensor <NUM> (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed so that the center thereof is aligned with the plurality of lenses <NUM> in the inner space <NUM> of the camera housing <NUM>. As another embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may not include the camera housing <NUM>. In this case, the image sensor <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space <NUM> of the barrel member <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, in order to reduce the size of the second through-hole <NUM> of the display <NUM> as viewed from the outside, it may be advantageous that the overall diameter BD of an upper end portion B1 of the barrel member <NUM> is relatively smaller than that of a lower end portion B2 through at least one inclined portion <NUM> and step portions <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the upper end portion B1 of the barrel member <NUM> may be formed to have a relatively small diameter by reducing the size RD of the ineffective area (e.g., flange) of the lens in comparison to the effective area of the lens. In this case, due to the reduced size of the ineffective area, unintended inner reflection caused by a light inflow from the outside may occur through at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM>. Accordingly, the corresponding lens, in which the inner reflection occurs, may include the light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed through the dipping as described above in the ineffective area.

In an embodiment of the invention, in order to prevent the inner reflection occurring due to the reduced ineffective area (e.g., flange) of the lens, at least one lens, in which the light absorbing layer should be included through the dipping, may be determined. For example, the lens, to which the light absorbing layer by the dipping is applied, may be determined as at least one lens, in which the light (e.g., light source) incident from the outside with an angle that is larger than the viewing angle θ of the plurality of lenses <NUM> arrives at the ineffective area (e.g., flange).

For example, in case of the lens having the viewing angle θ of <NUM> degrees, if the light incident with an incident angle (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM> degrees) that is larger than the half viewing angle D-FOV is incident to the ineffective area (e.g., flange) of the corresponding lens, it may be necessary to apply the dipping for forming the light absorbing layer. According to an embodiment, because the viewing angle θ of the camera module <NUM> is determined by the lens focal length EFL and the image sensor size (e.g., diagonal length), the incident ray of light that is larger than tan-<NUM>((image sensor size/<NUM>)/EFL) generates flare, and thus the light absorbing layer through the dipping may be applied.

<FIG> are plan views of lenses including an anti-reflection coating layer and a light absorbing layer according to various embodiments of the invention.

Lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be at least partly similar to at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG> and/or at least one of the plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>, or may further include other embodiments of the lenses.

According to various embodiments, the lenses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> including anti-reflection coating layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and/or light absorbing layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have various shapes through the light absorbing layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to be formed through the dipping regardless of the shape or size thereof. Further, in explaining the drawings below, it is apparent that the permeability of the anti-reflection coating layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is higher than the permeability of the light absorbing layers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view of lenses including an anti-reflection coating layer and a light absorbing layer according to an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape, and the light absorbing layer <NUM> may have the same center C as the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, and may be formed in a circular shape that is larger than that of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is smaller than the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer to the lens end portion) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A/D) of the maximum distance A of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may include two facing straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> and two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> connecting both ends of the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed to have the same curvature as or a different curvature from that of the light absorbing layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the straight portion <NUM> to the lens end portion) and the minimum length A' (e.g., distance from the curved portion <NUM> to the lens end portion). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is smaller than the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the minimum length A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer to the lens end portion) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A'/D) of the minimum length A' of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed substantially in a rectangular shape through four straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may include cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> connecting the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> at corner portions where the respective straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> meet together. According to an embodiment, the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed in a curve or in a straight line. According to an embodiment, the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed to have the same curvature as or a different curvature from that of the light absorbing layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the straight portion <NUM> to the lens end portion), the middle length A" (e.g., distance from the straight portion <NUM> to the lens end portion), and the minimum length A' (e.g., distance from the cutting portion <NUM> to the lens end portion). In a certain embodiment, the maximum length A and the middle length A" may be the same or may be changed to each other. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is smaller than the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the minimum length A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the lens end portion) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A'/D) of the minimum length A' of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape. According to an embodiment, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may include two facing straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> and two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> connecting both ends of the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to have the same curvature as or a different curvature from that of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the curved portion <NUM>) and the minimum length A' (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the straight portion <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the maximum outer diameter D (e.g., distance between the curved portions) and the minimum outer diameter D' (e.g., distance between the straight portions). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is smaller than the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the minimum length A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the lens end portion) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A'/D') of the minimum length A' of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A/D) of the maximum length A of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the maximum outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape. According to an embodiment, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed substantially in a rectangular shape through four straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may include cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> connecting the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> at corner portions where the respective straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> meet together. According to an embodiment, the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed in a curve or in a straight line. According to an embodiment, the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be formed to have the same curvature as or a different curvature from that of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the cutting portion <NUM>), the middle length A" (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the first straight portion <NUM>), and the minimum length A' (e.g., distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the second straight portion <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the maximum outer diameter D (e.g., distance between the cutting portions <NUM> and <NUM>), the middle outer diameter D" (e.g., distance between the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>), and the minimum outer diameter D' (e.g., distance between the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is smaller than the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the minimum length A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the lens end portion) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A'/D') of the minimum length A' of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A/D) of the maximum length A of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the maximum outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. For example, the lens <NUM> may be formed through cutting of at least a part of the lens <NUM> of <FIG> up to a part of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may include two facing straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> and two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> connecting both ends of the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may include two facing straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> and two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> connecting both ends of the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> and the two curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> may be disposed to face each other, and may be formed to have the same curvature or different curvatures. Accordingly, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the light absorbing layer <NUM> through the curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the area facing the curved portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, and may not substantially have the light absorbing layer in the area facing the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. For example, the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> facing the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may include dye layers dipped from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to side surfaces of the lens.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the curved portion <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the curved portion <NUM> of the light absorbing layer) and the minimum length -A' (e.g., distance removed through cutting from the circular anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the straight portion <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the maximum outer diameter D (e.g., distance between the curved portions <NUM> and <NUM>) and the minimum outer diameter D' (e.g., distance between the straight portions <NUM> and <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is larger than the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that an absolute value of the minimum length -A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the lens end portion removed through cutting) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM> multiple of the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A/D) of the maximum length A of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the maximum outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lens <NUM> may include the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> (e.g., effective area) and the light absorbing layer <NUM> (e.g., ineffective area) formed to surround only a part of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may be formed substantially in a rectangular shape through four straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may include cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> connecting the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> at corner portions where the respective straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> meet together. According to an embodiment, the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be formed in a curve or in a straight line. According to an embodiment, the light absorbing layer <NUM> may surround the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, and may be formed to have four straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> being substantially in a rectangular shape. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the light absorbing layer <NUM> at corners <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> where the four straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> meet each other in the area facing the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>, and may not substantially have the light absorbing layer <NUM> in the area facing the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. For example, the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> facing the straight portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> may include dye layers dipped from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to side surfaces of the lens. According to an embodiment, the corners <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer may be formed to have the same curvature as or a different curvature from that of the cutting portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the light absorbing layer <NUM> has the maximum length A (e.g., distance from the cutting portion <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the corner where the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> meet each other), the middle distance A" (e.g., distance from the straight portion <NUM> of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the straight portion <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM>), and the minimum length -A' (e.g., distance removed through cutting from the circular anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the straight portion <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed to have the maximum outer diameter D (e.g., distance from the first corner where the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the light absorbing layer <NUM> meet each other to the second corner where the remaining straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> meet each other), the middle outer diameter D" (e.g., distance between the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> forming short sides of the light absorbing layer <NUM>), and the minimum outer diameter D' (e.g., distance between the two straight portions <NUM> and <NUM> forming long sides of the light absorbing layer <NUM>). According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> passing through the center C is larger than the minimum outer diameter D' of the lens <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that an absolute value of the minimum length -A' (e.g., minimum distance from the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> to the lens end portion removed through cutting) of the light absorbing layer <NUM> does not exceed <NUM> multiple of the maximum length E of the anti-reflection coating layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the lens <NUM> may be formed so that the ratio (A/D) of the maximum length A of the light absorbing layer <NUM> to the maximum outer diameter D of the lens <NUM> does not exceed <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., housing <NUM> of <FIG>), and a camera module (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in an inner space of the housing (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>), wherein the camera module includes an image sensor (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>), and a plurality of lenses (e.g., plurality of lenses <NUM> of <FIG>) aligned with the image sensor, and wherein at least one of the plurality of lenses may include a first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) formed to transfer at least a part of an external light to the image sensor, and a second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) including a light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed to absorb the at least a part of the external light and to penetrate from an outer surface of the lens into an inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>) with a predetermined depth.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include an anti-reflection coating layer (e.g., anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed in at least a part of the first area.

According to various embodiments, the anti-reflection coating layer may extend to a part of the second area.

According to various embodiments, the anti-reflection coating layer may be formed in a circle or a rectangle through the light absorbing layer when the at least one lens is viewed from above.

According to various embodiments, the anti-reflection coating layer may be formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the image sensor through the light absorbing layer when the at least one lens is viewed from above.

According to various embodiments, the second area may be formed to surround at least a part of the first area.

According to various embodiments, the lens may include a first surface (e.g., first surface <NUM> of <FIG>), a second surface (e.g., second surface <NUM> of <FIG>) directed in an opposite direction to the first surface, and a lens side surface (e.g., lens side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding the inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>) between the first surface and the second surface, and the light absorbing layer may be formed from the first surface and the second surface and/or the lens side surface into the inner space in the second area.

According to various embodiments, the light absorbing layer may be formed to be filled from a part of the first surface to the second surface through the inner space in the second area.

According to various embodiments, the light absorbing layer may be formed to be cut off at least once on the first surface, the second surface, and/or the lens side surface in the second area.

According to various embodiments, the light absorbing layer may be formed with different inner diameters on the first surface and the second surface.

According to various embodiments, the at least one lens may be determined as at least one lens including the second area being reached by the external light being incident with an angle larger than a viewing angle of the plurality of lenses.

According to various embodiments, the at least one lens may be formed so that a minimum length from the first area to an end portion of the lens including the second area does not exceed <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the at least one lens may be formed so that a ratio of a maximum outer diameter of the at least one lens to the minimum length does not exceed <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the penetration depth of the light absorbing layer may be equal to or larger than <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the penetration depth of the light absorbing layer may be in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may include a housing (e.g., housing <NUM> of <FIG>), and a camera module (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in an inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>) of the housing, wherein the camera module includes an image sensor (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>), and at least one lens (e.g., lens <NUM> of <FIG>) including a first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) formed to pass at least a part of an external light of the electronic device to the image sensor and a second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) disposed to surround the first area at least partly, and wherein the at least one lens includes a first surface (e.g., first surface <NUM> of <FIG>), a second surface (e.g., second surface <NUM> of <FIG>) directed in an opposite direction to the first surface, a lens side surface (e.g., lens side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding an inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>) between the first surface and the second surface, an anti-reflection coating layer (e.g., anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed on the first surface and/or the second surface at least in the first area; and a light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed from the first surface and the second surface to at least a part of the inner space with a predetermined penetration depth in the second area.

According to various embodiments, a camera module (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>) may include an image sensor (e.g., image sensor <NUM> of <FIG>), and at least one lens (e.g., lens <NUM> of <FIG>) including a first area (e.g., first area A1 of <FIG>) formed to pass at least a part of an external light of an electronic device to the image sensor and a second area (e.g., second area A2 of <FIG>) disposed to surround the first area at least partly, wherein the at least one lens includes a first surface (e.g., first surface <NUM> of <FIG>), a second surface (e.g., second surface <NUM> of <FIG>) directed in an opposite direction to the first surface; a lens side surface (e.g., lens side surface <NUM> of <FIG>) surrounding an inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> of <FIG>) between the first surface and the second surface, an anti-reflection coating layer (e.g., anti-reflection coating layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed on the first surface and/or the second surface at least in the first area, and a light absorbing layer (e.g., light absorbing layer <NUM> of <FIG>) formed from the first surface and the second surface to at least a part of the inner space with a predetermined penetration depth in the second area.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>); and
a camera (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in an inner space (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the camera (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises:
an image sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
a plurality of lenses (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) aligned with the image sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
wherein at least one lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the plurality of lenses (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises:
a first area (A1) formed to transfer at least a part of an external light to the image sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), and
a second area (A2) including a light absorbing layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) formed to absorb the at least a part of the external light and to penetrate from an outer surface of the at least one lens (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) into an inner space (<NUM>) with a predetermined depth (t);
a first surface (<NUM>);
a second surface (<NUM>) directed in an opposite direction to the first surface (<NUM>); and
a lens side surface (<NUM>) surrounding the inner space (<NUM>) between the first surface (<NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>),
wherein the light absorbing layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is formed from the first surface (<NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>) and/or the lens side surface (<NUM>) into the inner space (<NUM>) in the second area (A2).