Patent ID: 7813043

Claim:
A method of forming a lens module array for an image sensor array comprising a plurality of image sensors on a sensor substrate, the image sensor being spaced apart by a spacing distance, the method comprising: (a) providing an alignment tool comprising an array of alignment holes that are separated from one another by the spacing distance of the image sensors; (b) placing at least one lens in each alignment hole of the alignment tool to form a lens filled alignment tool, each lens having an outer circumference; (c) providing a spacer plate comprising: (i) first and second surfaces, and (ii) an array of lens barrels that each comprise a lens opening extending inward from the first surface of the spacer plate, and a sensor cavity extending inward from the second surface of the spacer plate to meet the lens opening; (d) aligning the lens filled alignment tool onto the first surface of the spacer plate such that each lens is aligned to a lens opening of a lens barrel in the spacer plate; (e) attaching the outer circumferences of the lenses to the first surface of the spacer plate; and (f) removing the alignment tool from the spacer plate to form a lens module array comprising a plurality of lens modules that each comprise a lens in a lens barrel of the spacer plate.