PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9759984-B1
Application Number: US-201615169497-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Adjustable solid film camera aperture

Abstract:
A portable electronic device has a device housing, and an electronic camera module in the device housing. The module has a focusing lens to focus light from a scene, an imaging sensor to receive the focused light, and an electro-optic variable aperture to allow different amounts of the light from the scene to reach the imaging sensor. The electro-optic variable aperture may include a first aperture stack placed on a transparent substrate and a second aperture stack placed on the first aperture stack. The first aperture stack defines a first aperture and the second aperture stack defines a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture. Each aperture stack includes a transparent conductive oxide layer that is common with the adjacent aperture stack. Alternatively the electro-optic variable aperture may include an aperture stack that has two transparent conductive oxide layer layers, where one layer is in the form of concentric annuli.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electro-optic variable aperture to control light that passes through an imaging path, the electro-optic variable aperture comprising:
 a first aperture stack that provides a first aperture; and 
 a second aperture stack placed on the first aperture stack, the second aperture stack defining a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture; 
 wherein each aperture stack includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer, a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer, an electro-chromic layer, and a second transparent conductive oxide layer; 
 wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack is deposited on a transparent substrate; 
 wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer of the second aperture stack is the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack. 
 
     
     
       2. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 1  wherein the counter electrode layer is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer is deposited on the counter electrode layer, the electro-chromic layer is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the electro-chromic layer in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       3. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 1  wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the counter electrode layer, the ion conductor layer, the electro-chromic layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       4. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 1  wherein the electro-chromic layer has an annular shape and the inside diameter of the annulus defines the aperture in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       5. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 1  wherein the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack is deposited on the electro-chromic layer of the first aperture stack. 
     
     
       6. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 5  wherein the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the second aperture stack is deposited on the electro-chromic layer of the second aperture stack. 
     
     
       7. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 1  wherein a first electrical potential is applied between the first transparent conductive oxide layer and the second transparent conductive oxide layer to make the electro-chromic layer opaque, and a second electrical potential is applied between the first transparent conductive oxide layer and the second transparent conductive oxide layer to make the electro-chromic layer transparent in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       8. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 7  wherein the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential have opposite polarities. 
     
     
       9. A portable electronic device comprising:
 a device housing; and 
 an electronic camera module in the device housing, the electronic camera module having a focusing lens with an optical axis, an imaging sensor to receive focused light, and an electro-optic variable aperture to allow different amounts of focused light to reach the imaging sensor; 
 wherein the electro-optic variable aperture includes a first aperture stack placed on a transparent substrate, the first aperture stack defining a first aperture, and a second aperture stack placed on the first aperture stack, the second aperture stack defining a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture; 
 wherein each aperture stack includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer, a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer, an electro-chromic layer, and a second transparent conductive oxide layer; 
 wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack is deposited on the transparent substrate; 
 wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer of the second aperture stack is the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack. 
 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the counter electrode layer is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer is deposited on the counter electrode layer, the electro-chromic layer is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the electro-chromic layer in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       11. The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the counter electrode layer, the ion conductor layer, the electro-chromic layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       12. The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the electro-chromic layer has an annular shape and the inside diameter of the annulus defines the aperture in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       13. The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack is deposited on the electro-chromic layer of the first aperture stack. 
     
     
       14. The portable electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the second aperture stack is deposited on the electro-chromic layer of the second aperture stack. 
     
     
       15. The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein a first electrical potential is applied between the first transparent conductive oxide layer and the second transparent conductive oxide layer to make the electro-chromic layer opaque, and a second electrical potential is applied between the first transparent conductive oxide layer and the second transparent conductive oxide layer to make the electro-chromic layer transparent in each aperture stack. 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential have opposite polarities. 
     
     
       17. An electro-optic variable aperture to control light that passes through an imaging path, the electro-optic variable aperture comprising:
 an aperture stack including
 a first transparent conductive oxide layer in form of a first annulus having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter, 
 a second transparent conductive oxide layer in form of a second annulus and a third annulus concentric with the second annulus, the second annulus having the first outer diameter and a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter, the third annulus having a second outer diameter that is smaller than the second inner diameter and the first inner diameter, 
 an electro-chromic layer, 
 an ion conductor layer, and 
 a counter electrode layer. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 17  wherein the second transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on a transparent substrate, the electro-chromic layer is deposited on the second transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer is deposited on the electro-chromic layer, the counter electrode layer is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the first transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the counter electrode layer, wherein the electro-chromic layer electrically isolates the second annulus from the third annulus in the second transparent conductive oxide layer. 
     
     
       19. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 17  wherein the first transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on a transparent substrate, the electro-chromic layer is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer is deposited on the electro-chromic layer, the counter electrode layer is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the counter electrode layer. 
     
     
       20. The electro-optic variable aperture of  claim 19  wherein the counter electrode layer, the ion conductor layer, and the electro-chromic layer are each in the form of an annulus that has the same size and shape as the first transparent conductive oxide layer.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of camera apertures; and more specifically, to a variable solid-state aperture for a camera that may be integrated within a portable consumer electronics device. 
     Background 
     Camera modules have been incorporated in a variety of consumer electronics devices, such as smart phones, mobile audio players, personal digital assistants, laptop and tablet computers, as well as desktop personal computers. A typical digital camera module is an assembly in which at least the following components have been integrated: a microelectronic imaging sensor integrated circuit chip, a printed circuit carrier such as a flexible circuit structure which carries power and signal connections between the sensor chip and other circuitry inside the consumer electronics device, and an optical system which includes a fixed focal length lens subsystem or autofocus lens subsystem. There may be additional optical elements such as infrared filters and neutral density filters. Typically, in most consumer electronics portable devices such as smart phones and tablet computers, which have a relatively thin profile (or a so-called shallow z-height), the various optical path apertures in the optical system are of the fixed variety. That is in part because conventional variable apertures that use leaflets for example are not only complex (adding to the cost of the device as a whole) and more susceptible to physical shock or damage, but they also require additional headroom in the z-height direction, thereby leading to a thicker smartphone or tablet computer. 
     There has been a suggestion to use an electro-optic aperture in an imaging system, in order to avoid the use of moving parts while at the same time achieving improved focusing and greater depth of field. The electro-optic aperture may include an electro-chromic (EC) medium that attenuates light from the scene that is passing through the aperture, in response to a voltage being applied to a pair of transparent conductor layers between which the EC medium is sandwiched. An abrupt void or gap is formed in one of the transparent conductor layers, so as to form a ring-like aperture whose inner area remains transparent when the EC medium is energized and whose outer area becomes dark, thereby yielding in effect a smaller pupil. The electro-optic aperture may be positioned between a focusing lens of the system and the scene being imaged. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the invention is a portable consumer electronics device having a hand held portable device housing, and an electronic camera module that is integrated in the housing. The module has a focusing lens to focus light from a scene, and an imaging sensor to receive the focused light. An electro-optic variable aperture is provided to allow different amounts of light from the scene to reach the imaging sensor (through the focusing lens). 
     The electro-optic variable aperture may include a first aperture stack placed on a transparent substrate and a second aperture stack placed on the first aperture stack. The first aperture stack defines a first aperture to control the amount of light that reaches the imaging sensor. The second aperture stack defines a second aperture that admits more light than the first aperture. Some or all of the layers in each aperture stack may have material removed to create an opening that defines the aperture. 
     Each aperture stack after the first includes a transparent conductive oxide layer that is common with the adjacent aperture stack. The transparent conductive oxide layer that is common with the adjacent aperture stack may have material removed to define the smaller of the two apertures. Since the common conductive oxide layer is transparent, removing material to define the smaller of the two apertures does not affect defining of the larger of the two apertures by the remaining layers of the aperture stack. 
     Alternatively the electro-optic variable aperture may include an aperture stack that has two transparent conductive oxide layer layers, where one layer is in the form of concentric annuli. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention by way of example and not limitation. In the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a portable consumer electronics device in which a camera module having an electro-optic variable aperture is integrated. 
         FIG. 2  depicts another portable consumer electronics device in which a camera module having an electro-optic variable aperture is integrated. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of camera-related elements including a camera module and associated electronics circuitry. 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  are plan views of an electro-optic variable aperture in several operational states in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are section views of the electro-optic variable aperture of  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  respectively taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture. 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are plan views of an electro-optic variable aperture in several operational states in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a section view of the electro-optic variable aperture of  FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture. 
         FIG. 8  is a section view of an electro-optic variable aperture taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a section view of an electro-optic variable aperture taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a section view of an electro-optic variable aperture taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and mechanical compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is defined only by the claims of the issued patent. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
     Several embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended drawings are now explained. Whenever the shapes, relative positions and other aspects of the parts described in the embodiments are not clearly defined, the scope of the invention is not limited only to the parts shown, which are meant merely for the purpose of illustration. Also, while numerous details are set forth, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a portable electronic device  100  in which an electronic camera module  102  is integrated. The portable electronic device  100  in this case may be a laptop or notebook computer. Of course, the electronic camera module may alternatively be integrated in other types of portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, and it may also be integrated within non-portable electronic devices such as desktop personal computers, television monitors, or any other electronic device that has a particularly short profile in the Z-axis (Z-height). 
     In the case of the laptop or notebook computer, the device  100  may have a display screen in a device housing that may provide a bezel  104  surrounding the display screen. The device housing may have a Z-height  106  in the range of 8 mm or less, thereby being particularly suited to receive therein a camera module that has a Z-height within the range of 6 mm or less. The adjustable camera apertures described herein are suitable for creating compact lens systems having a small Z-height. 
       FIG. 2  depicts another example portable electronic device  200  in use by the end user, and in which an electronic camera module  202  is integrated. In this example, the portable electronic device is a smart phone having a surface that is up against an ear of the user during a phone call that is being conducted. One surface of the device has an opening through which the camera module  202  collects light to form an image. The opening for the camera may be in the same surface that is held to the ear or a different surface. The camera module  202  may alternatively be integrated within other portable electronic devices. The camera module  202  could also be integrated in non-portable electronic devices and in particular those where the so-called thickness or z-height or depth of the external housing is limited, making it difficult to use a mechanically variable aperture. An embodiment of the invention is an electronic camera module that includes an electro-optic (EO) variable aperture. The electronic camera module may have a small Z-height that is particularly suitable for use in the tight confines of portable electronic devices. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a camera module  300  similar to those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  together with electronic circuit elements that are needed to implement the camera function. Note that there may be additional functions that are implemented in the portable electronic device as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art but that are not described here in the interest of conciseness, e.g. communication network interfaces, display screens, touch screens, keyboards, and audio transducers. The electronic camera module  300  has an imaging sensor  306  that is part of an optical system, which also includes a focusing lens  304  and an electro-optic variable aperture  302 . These optical elements are aligned to an optical axis as shown. Note however, that while in this particular example all of the optical elements are in a straight line, in other embodiments there may be a mirror or other optical deflector that allows one or more of the elements to be positioned off of a straight line. Nevertheless, those elements may still be considered “aligned with the optical axis.” What is shown in  FIG. 3  is a particularly efficient mechanism (in terms of packaging) that can fit within the tight confines of a low z-height portable electronic device such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer, where, in particular, all of the optical interfaces are positioned substantially parallel to a front or rear face of the external housing of the device. In other words, each optical element lies flat within an x-y plane with its height given in the z-direction shown. 
     The imaging sensor  306  may be any conventional solid-state imaging sensor such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor chip, which presents an interface to an exposure controller  320  to receive certain parameters for determining an exposure for taking a picture. The sensor parameters may include pixel integration time, which may be set by the exposure controller  320  in accordance with any suitable exposure control algorithm that considers various input variables (e.g., level of scene illumination and the availability of a flash or strobe illumination). The exposure controller  320  may automatically perform the algorithm to determine an appropriate exposure setting, and then signal the imaging sensor to update its parameters in response to a manual shutter release command (e.g., in response to a mechanical or virtual shutter button being fully actuated by a user of the device). The exposure controller  320  may be implemented as a programmed processor or as a completely hardwired logic state machine together with stored parameter options. Once a digital image has been captured by the imaging sensor  306  under the chosen exposure setting, it may be transferred to a digital image storage  330  (e.g., solid state volatile or non-volatile memory), prior to being further processed or analyzed by higher layer camera functions that yield for example a still picture file (e.g., in a JPEG format) or a video file (e.g., in a digital movie format). 
     Also included in the electronic camera module  300  is a focusing lens  304  which may include one or more lens elements that serve to focus light from the scene onto the imaging sensor  306  (thereby producing an optical image on an active pixel array portion of the imaging sensor  306 ). The focusing lens  304  may include either a fixed focus optical subsystem, or a variable focus subsystem. A variable focus subsystem may include an autofocus mechanism. There may also be an optical zoom mechanism, as part of the focusing lens  304 . In the case of an optical zoom lens and/or an auto focus mechanism, additional control parameters relating to lens position can be set by the exposure controller  320  for each exposure to be taken, as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The electronic camera module  300  also has the electro-optic variable aperture  302 , which for the sake of simplicity is shown as being positioned in front of the focusing lens  304 . The electro-optic variable aperture  302  effectively implements a pupil whose width or size is electrically variable. The aperture  302  may be positioned at any suitable aperture location along the optical axis in front of the imaging sensor  306 . When the aperture  302  has been electrically controlled into a small or narrow pupil, highly collimated rays are admitted by it, which results in a sharp focus at an image plane of the optical system. On the other hand, when the aperture  302  is configured into a large or wide pupil, un-collimated rays are admitted resulting in an optical image that is sharp around what the focusing lens  304  is focusing on, and may be blurred otherwise. The aperture  302  thus determines how collimated the admitted rays of light from the scene are, that ultimately come to a focus in an image plane. The aperture  302  also determines the amount of incident light or how many incoming rays are admitted, and thus how much light reaches the imaging sensor, where of course the narrower the aperture the darker the digital image that is captured by the sensor  306  (for a given integration time). Control of the effective pupil size of the aperture  302  is achieved using an electronic driver circuit  310 , which may receive a control signal or command from the exposure controller  320  that may represent the desired size of the effective pupil. The driver circuit  310  translates this input command into a drive voltage that is applied to the input transparent conductors of the aperture  302 , as described below. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  are plan views of the active portion of an embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  used in the camera module  300  shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C  are section views of the active portion of this embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  taken along diameters of  FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  respectively. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 5A , the electro-optic variable aperture  302  includes a first aperture stack  502  placed on a transparent substrate  500 . A second aperture stack  504  is placed on the first aperture stack  502 . In other embodiments additional aperture stacks may be included with each additional aperture stack being placed on a preceding aperture stack in the same way as the second aperture stack  504  is placed on the first aperture stack  502 . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 4A , each aperture stack defines a central opening or aperture to control the amount of light that reaches the imaging sensor. The first aperture stack  502  defines a first aperture  402 . The second aperture stack  504  defines a second aperture  404  that is admits more light than the first aperture  402 . In other embodiments with additional aperture stacks, each successive aperture stack defines an aperture that is admits more light than the preceding aperture. In some embodiments, the electro-chromic layer has an annular shape and the inside diameter of the annulus defines the aperture in each aperture stack. Annular is intended to be used in the broad sense of a region bounded by two concentric regular polygons as well as a region bounded by two concentric circles as shown in the Figures. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5A , each aperture stack  502 ,  504  includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer  510 ,  520 , a counter electrode layer  512 ,  522 , an ion conductor layer  514 ,  524 , an electro-chromic layer  516 ,  526 , and a second transparent conductive oxide layer  520 ,  530 . The first transparent conductive oxide layer  510  of the first aperture stack  502  is deposited on the transparent substrate  500 . The first transparent conductive oxide layer  520  of the second aperture stack  504  is also the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the first aperture stack  502 . In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the counter electrode layer, the ion conductor layer, the electro-chromic layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film in each aperture stack. The solid films may be fabricated using semiconductor fabrication methods, such as various deposition and patterning processes. 
     The thickness of the layers in the aperture stacks has been greatly exaggerated for clarity. Each of the solid films in the aperture stack may be less than 0.4 μm thick. The total thickness of all the solid film layers in the aperture stack may be less than 1 μm. When the aperture stack is built on a transparent substrate, the thickness of the substrate will be the defining factor for the total thickness of the device. Glass substrates can be 0.2 mm thick or less. The aperture can be built on top of other optical devices in a lens, so the total thickness added to the lens by the aperture stack could be less than 1 um. 
     In other embodiments with additional aperture stacks, the first transparent conductive oxide layer of each successive aperture stack is also the second transparent conductive oxide layer of the preceding aperture stack. In other words, the second and all successive aperture stacks share a common transparent conductive oxide layer with the preceding aperture stack. The transparent conductive oxide layer that is common with the adjacent aperture stack may have material removed to define the smaller of the two apertures. Since the common conductive oxide layer is transparent, removing material to define the smaller of the two apertures does not affect defining of the larger of the two apertures by the remaining layers of the aperture stack. In some embodiments, portions of a layer may be replaced by transparent material rather than being removed to define an aperture. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the second transparent conductive oxide layer  520  of the first aperture stack  502  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer  516  of the first aperture stack. Further, the second transparent conductive oxide layer  530  of the second aperture stack  504  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer  526  of the second aperture stack. In other embodiments (not shown) the second transparent conductive oxide layer of one or both stacks may be deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C , the counter electrode layer  512 ,  522  is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer  510 ,  520 , the ion conductor layer  514 ,  524  is deposited on the counter electrode layer, the electro-chromic layer  516 ,  526  is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer  520 ,  530  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer in each aperture stack. In other embodiments (not shown) the order of the layers of one or both stacks may be reversed so that the electro-chromic layer is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer is deposited on the electro-chromic layer, the counter electrode layer is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer is deposited on the counter electrode layer. 
     Electrical potentials  518 ,  528  are applied to the first transparent conductive oxide layer  510 ,  520  and the second transparent conductive oxide layer  520 ,  530  of each aperture stack  502 ,  504 . While the potentials are illustrated as being applied by batteries for simplicity and clarity, the potentials may be supplied by an appropriate electronic circuit that includes provisions for controlling the magnitude and/or polarity of the potentials being applied. 
     Applying a first electrical potential between the first transparent conductive oxide layer  510 ,  520  and the second transparent conductive oxide layer  520 ,  530  causes the electro-chromic layer  516 ,  526  to become opaque. Applying a second electrical potential between the first transparent conductive oxide layer  510 ,  520  and the second transparent conductive oxide layer  520 ,  530  causes the electro-chromic layer  516 ,  526  to become transparent. In one embodiment, the first electrical potential and the second electrical potential have opposite polarities. It will be appreciated that “opaque” is used herein to mean that at least 90% of the incident image forming light is blocked by an opaque electro-chromic layer. “Transparent” is used herein to mean that no more than 10% of the incident image forming light is blocked by a transparent electro-chromic layer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , when the electro-chromic layer  516 ,  526  in both aperture stacks  502 ,  504  is transparent, the electro-optic variable aperture  302  provides the largest aperture and the least reduction of light passing through the electro-optic variable aperture. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , when the first electro-chromic layer  516  in the first aperture stack  502  is transparent and the second electro-chromic layer  526  in the second aperture stack  504  is opaque, the electro-optic variable aperture  302  provides the second largest aperture and a moderate reduction of light passing through the electro-optic variable aperture. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4C , when the first electro-chromic layer  516  in the first aperture stack  502  is opaque, the electro-optic variable aperture  302  provides the smallest aperture and the greatest reduction of light passing through the electro-optic variable aperture. It will be appreciated that the second electro-chromic layer  526  in the second aperture stack  504  may be transparent or opaque when the first electro-chromic layer  516  in the first aperture stack  502  is opaque. In other embodiments with additional aperture stacks, additional degrees of light reduction will be provided. 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are plan views of the active portion of another embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  used in the camera module  300  shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 7  is a section view of the active portion of this embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  taken along a diameter of  FIG. 6C . 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 7 , this embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  includes a single aperture stack  702  placed on a transparent substrate  700 . The aperture stack  702  includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer  710 , an electro-chromic layer  712 , an ion conductor layer  714 , a counter electrode layer  716 , and a second transparent conductive oxide layer that is divided into two electrically isolated areas  718 ,  720 . In other embodiments (not shown), the second transparent conductive oxide layer may be divided into more than two electrically isolated areas. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the electro-chromic layer, the ion conductor layer, the counter electrode layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film layer. The thickness of the layers in the aperture stack has been greatly exaggerated for clarity. The total thickness of all the solid film layers in the aperture stack may be less than 1 μm. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 6A , the aperture stack  702  defines a central aperture  602 . The first transparent conductive oxide layer  710 , the electro-chromic layer  712 , the ion conductor layer  714 , and the counter electrode layer  716 , may each in the form of an annulus having the same size and shape. Annulus is intended to be used in the broad sense of a region bounded by two concentric regular polygons as well as a region bounded by two concentric circles as shown in the figures. 
     The second transparent conductive oxide layer is divided into two electrically isolated areas  718 ,  720  that are generally in the form of concentric annuli. As may be seen in the figures, the outer annulus  720  may be interrupted by an electrical path extending from the inner annulus  718  to an electrical connection  618  on the outer periphery of the electro-optic variable aperture  302 . Additional electrical connections  610 ,  620  may be provided on the outer periphery of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  for the first transparent conductive oxide layer and for the outer annulus  720  of the second transparent conductive oxide layer. 
     In the embodiments of the electro-optic variable aperture shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first transparent conductive oxide layer  710 ,  810  is deposited on the transparent substrate  700 ,  800 , the electro-chromic layer  712 ,  812  is deposited on the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the ion conductor layer  714 ,  814  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer, the counter electrode layer  716 ,  816  is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer  718 ,  720 ,  818 ,  820  is deposited on the counter electrode layer. 
     A gap  722 ,  822  separates the second transparent conductive oxide layer into the inner annulus  718  and the outer annulus  720 . The gap  722 ,  822  electrically isolates the inner annulus  718  from the outer annulus  720 . The gap  722 ,  822  extends through the second transparent conductive oxide layer. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the gap  822  extends into one or more of the counter electrode layer  816 , the ion conductor layer  814 , and the electro-chromic layer  812 . 
       FIG. 9  is a section view of the active portion of another embodiment of an electro-optic variable aperture  302  having a single aperture stack  902 . The section is taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 9 , this embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  includes a single aperture stack  902  placed on a transparent substrate  900 . The aperture stack  902  includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer  910 , an electro-chromic layer  912 , an ion conductor layer  914 , a counter electrode layer  916 , and a second transparent conductive oxide layer that is divided into two electrically isolated areas  918 ,  920 . In other embodiments (not shown), the second transparent conductive oxide layer may be divided into more than two electrically isolated areas. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the electro-chromic layer, the ion conductor layer, the counter electrode layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film layer. The thickness of the layers in the aperture stack has been greatly exaggerated for clarity. The total thickness of all the solid film layers in the aperture stack may be less than 1 μm. 
     In this embodiment, the divided second transparent conductive oxide layer  918 ,  920  is deposited on the transparent substrate  900 . The electro-chromic layer  912  is deposited on the second transparent conductive oxide layer  918 ,  920 . It will be seen that the electro-chromic layer  912  extends to the transparent substrate  900  in the gap between the two areas  918 ,  920  of the second transparent conductive oxide layer to provide electrical isolation of the two areas  918 ,  920  from each other and from the first transparent conductive oxide layer  910 . 
     In this embodiment, the ion conductor layer  914  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer  912 , the counter electrode layer  916  is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the first transparent conductive oxide layer  910  is deposited on the counter electrode layer. A gap is formed in the ion conductor layer  914  and the counter electrode layer  916  that corresponds to the gap between the two areas  918 ,  920  of the second transparent conductive oxide layer. The first transparent conductive oxide layer  910  extends across this gap and is deposited on the electro-chromic layer  912  in this gap. 
       FIG. 10  is a section view of the active portion of yet another embodiment of an electro-optic variable aperture  302  having a single aperture stack  1002 . The section is taken along a diameter of the electro-optic variable aperture. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 10 , this embodiment of the electro-optic variable aperture  302  includes a single aperture stack  1002  placed on a transparent substrate  1000 . The aperture stack  1002  includes a first transparent conductive oxide layer  1010 , an electro-chromic layer  1012 , an ion conductor layer  1014 , a counter electrode layer  1016 , and a second transparent conductive oxide layer that is divided into two electrically isolated areas  1018 ,  1020 . In other embodiments (not shown), the second transparent conductive oxide layer may be divided into more than two electrically isolated areas. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive oxide layer, the electro-chromic layer, the ion conductor layer, the counter electrode layer, and the second transparent conductive oxide layer are each a solid film layer. The thickness of the layers in the aperture stack has been greatly exaggerated for clarity. The total thickness of all the solid film layers in the aperture stack may be less than 1 μm. 
     In this embodiment, the divided second transparent conductive oxide layer  1018 ,  1020  is deposited on the transparent substrate  1000 . The electro-chromic layer  1012  is deposited on the second transparent conductive oxide layer  1018 ,  1020 . It will be seen that the electro-chromic layer  1012  extends to the transparent substrate  1000  in the gap  1022  between the two areas  1018 ,  1020  of the second transparent conductive oxide layer to provide electrical isolation of the two areas  1018 ,  1020  from each other and from the first transparent conductive oxide layer  1010 . 
     In this embodiment, the ion conductor layer  1014  is deposited on the electro-chromic layer  1012 , the counter electrode layer  1016  is deposited on the ion conductor layer, and the first transparent conductive oxide layer  1010  is deposited on the counter electrode layer. Each of these layers extends across the gap  1022  between the two areas  1018 ,  1020  of the second transparent conductive oxide layer. In other embodiments (not shown) only the electro-chromic layer, one of the ion conductor layer or the counter electrode layer, and the first transparent conductive oxide layer extends across the gap between the two areas of the second transparent conductive oxide layer. 
     While certain embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while the figures show a particular order for the stack up of the various layers of the aperture  14 , the positions of some of the layers can be changed while still achieving similar results. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160531
Publication Date: 20170912
Grant Date: 20170912
Priority Date: 20160531
Inventors: XU TINGJUN
GLEASON JEFFREY NATHAN
GE ZHENBIN
BIE LINSEN
WANG LIGANG
BAE WOOKYUNG
KANG SUNGGU
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/001", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/153", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2257", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B9/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/005", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/155", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B9/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/153", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/155", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02F1/153", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B9/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/005", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59752813