|
Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A testing system (200) for digital camera modules (100) includes
a first testing module (50), an assembling mechanism (60), a focusing
module (62), a second testing module (70), a carrying mechanism
(80), and a main processor (90). The carrying mechanism supports
and transports subassemblies of the digital camera modules and the
digital camera modules between the first testing module, the assembling
mechanism, the focusing module and the second testing module. The
first testing module, the assembling mechanism, the focusing module,
the carrying mechanism, and the second testing module are all electronically
connected with the main processor.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A testing system for digital camera modules, comprising:a first
testing module;an assembling mechanism;a focusing module;a second
testing module;a carrying mechanism configured for transporting
subassemblies of the digital camera modules and the digital camera
modules between the first testing module, the assembling mechanism,
the focusing module, and the second testing module; anda main processor
operatively connected with the first testing module, the assembling
mechanism, the focusing module and the second testing module.
2. The testing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
testing module includes an electrical testing module and an image
dark-point testing module.
3. The testing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
testing module includes a brightness testing module, an image distortion
testing module, an image color testing module and an image defect
testing module.
4. The testing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrying
mechanism includes a containing tray and a plurality of testing
trays, each testing tray defining a corresponding bar code.
5. The testing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first
testing module, the assembling mechanism, the focusing module, and
the second testing module evaluate the assemblies of the digital
camera modules and the camera modules and transfers resulting data
to the main processor, the main processor records the data, and
each group of data recorded by the main processor corresponds to
a bar code of a corresponding testing tray.
6. A method for testing digital camera modules, each digital camera
module including an image sensing module, a sleeve barrel, and a
lens module, the method comprising the steps of:providing a testing
system including a first testing module, an assembling mechanism,
a focusing module, a second testing module, a carrying mechanism,
and a main processor, the carrying mechanism being configured for
transporting subassemblies of the digital camera modules and the
digital camera modules between the first testing module, the assembling
mechanism, the focusing module, and the second testing module, the
first testing module, the assembling mechanism, the focusing module,
and the second testing module all being connected with the main
processor;mounting each respective image sensing module into a corresponding
sleeve barrel to thereby form respective subassemblies;placing each
subassembly into the carrying mechanism;using the carrying mechanism
to transfer the subassemblies to the first testing module;evaluating
the subassemblies with the first testing module and transferring
data generated by the first testing module to the main processor;transporting
the subassemblies to the assembling mechanism via the carrying mechanism,
the assembling mechanism mounting respective lens modules and subassemblies
together in order to yield respective digital camera modules;transferring
the digital camera modules to the focusing module using the carrying
mechanism, the focusing module generating data regarding a focusing
ability of the respective digital camera modules and transferring
such focusing data to the main processor;carrying the digital camera
modules to the second testing module via the carrying mechanism,
the second testing module testing at least one performance aspect
of the digital camera modules and transferring the testing data
regarding the at least one performance aspect of each digital camera
module to the main processor; andjudging, via the main processor,
whether each digital camera module is of sufficient quality according
to the data received therefor.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first testing
module includes an electrical testing module and an image dark-point
testing module.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second testing
module includes a brightness testing module, an image distortion
testing module, an image color testing module, and an image defect
testing module.
9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the carrying mechanism
includes a containing tray and a plurality of testing trays, each
testing tray defines a corresponding bar code.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein each digital camera
module is respectively placed in a testing tray and carried therewith.
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first testing
module, the focusing module, and the second testing module monitor
one of the subassemblies and the camera modules, generate the testing
data, and transfer the testing data to the main processor, the main
processor recording the testing data, each group of the testing
data recorded by the main processor corresponding to a bar code
of a given testing tray.
12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein each subassembly
is respectively placed in a testing tray and thus carried thereby,
each respective digital camera module being carried in the testing
tray of the subassembly corresponding thereto.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the main processor
judges whether each digital camera module is of sufficient quality
by checking the bar code of the testing tray in which the digital
camera module is placed.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001]1. Field of the Invention
[0002]The present invention relates generally to testing systems
for digital camera modules and, more particularly, to an automatic
testing system for digital camera modules.
[0003]2. Description of Related Art
[0004]With the ongoing development of microcircuitry and multimedia
technologies, digital cameras are now in widespread use. High-end
portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones and personal
digital assistants (PDAs), are being developed to be increasingly
multi-functional. Many of these portable electronic devices are
now equipped with a digital camera module.
[0005]Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera module 100 includes
an image sensing module 10, a sleeve barrel 20, and a lens module
30. The sleeve barrel 20 is a hollow cylinder with a closed end.
The lens module 30 includes a plurality of lenses 302 and a lens
barrel 304. In assembly, the image sensing module 10 is mounted
in the sleeve barrel 20 at the closed end. The lenses 302 are mounted
in the lens barrel 304, and the lens module 30 is mounted in the
sleeve barrel 20 and aligned with the image sensing module 10. Finally,
the digital camera module 100 is focused via adjusting a distance
between the lens module 30 and the image sensing module 10.
[0006]A first typical testing system of digital camera modules
includes an electrical testing module, a focusing module, and an
image testing module. When using the typical testing system to test
digital camera modules, each digital camera module is placed in
the electrical testing module for electrical testing and then focused
by the focusing module. Finally, the digital camera module is placed
in the image testing module for image testing. Because each digital
camera needs to be manually placed in and taken away from the electrical
testing module, the focusing module, and the image testing module,
the typical testing system wastes much time.
[0007]A second typical testing system of digital camera modules
includes an testing machine in which a testing program for testing
many functions of the digital camera modules is installed. When
monitoring the digital camera modules, the digital camera modules
are placed in the testing machine, and the testing machine evaluates
the digital camera modules, in accordance with the testing program.
This typical testing system needs less time in manually placing
and removing the digital camera modules than the first typical testing
system, but this system needs more time in controlling the testing
machine to transform some parameters for testing for various functions.
Altogether, this system also wastes much time in an overall testing
process.
[0008]Therefore, a new testing system for digital camera modules
is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.
SUMMARY
[0009]In a preferred embodiment thereof, a testing system for digital
camera modules includes a first testing module, an assembling mechanism,
a focusing module, a second testing module, a carrying mechanism,
and a main processor. The carrying mechanism facilitates a transfer
of subassemblies of the digital camera modules and the digital camera
modules between the first testing module, the assembling mechanism,
the focusing module, and the second testing module. The first testing
module, the assembling mechanism, the focusing module, and the second
testing module are all electronically connected with the main processor.
[0010]A method is available for testing digital camera modules,
each digital camera module incorporating an image sensing module,
a sleeve barrel and a lens module. The method includes the steps
of:
[0011]providing a testing system including a first testing module,
an assembling mechanism, a focusing module, a second testing module,
a carrying mechanism, and a main processor; the carrying mechanism
facilitating a transfer of subassemblies of the digital camera modules
and the digital camera modules between the first testing module,
the assembling mechanism, the focusing module and the second testing
module; the first testing module, the assembling mechanism, the
focusing module and the second testing module all being electronically
connected with the main processor;
[0012]mounting each respective image sensing module into a corresponding
sleeve barrel and placing each subassembly formed by an image sensing
module and a sleeve barrel into the carrying mechanism;
[0013]transporting the subassemblies to the first testing module
via the carrying mechanism, the first testing module testing the
subassemblies and transferring data to the main processor;
[0014]moving the subassemblies to the assembling mechanism using
the carrying mechanism, the assembling mechanism mounting the lens
modules and the subassemblies together to thereby form digital camera
modules;
[0015]conveying the digital camera modules to the focusing module
via the carrying mechanism, the focusing module focusing the digital
camera modules and transferring data to the main processor;
[0016]carrying the digital camera modules to the second testing
module using the carrying mechanism, the second testing module monitoring
the digital camera modules and transferring the testing data of
each digital camera module to the main processor; and
[0017]using the main processor to judge whether each digital camera
module is of sufficient quality, according to the data collected.
[0018]Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019]Many aspects of the testing system and method for evaluating
digital camera modules can be better understood with reference to
the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily
drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating
the principles of the present testing system and method. Moreover,
in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding
parts through out the several views.
[0020]FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a conventional digital camera
module; and
[0021]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a testing system, in accordance with
a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022]Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 (Related
Art) shows a digital camera module 100 including an image sensing
module 10, a sleeve barrel 20, and a lens module 30. FIG. 2 shows
a testing system 200, in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
The testing system 200 is used to evaluate a digital camera, such
as the digital camera module 100.
[0023]The testing system 200 includes a first testing module 50,
an assembling mechanism 60, a focusing module 62, a second testing
module 70, a carrying mechanism 80, and a main processor 90. The
carrying mechanism 80 supports and transports the digital camera
modules 100 between the first testing module 50, the assembling
mechanism 60, the focusing module 62, and the second testing module
70. The first testing module 50, the assembling mechanism 60, the
focusing module 62, the second testing module 70, and the carrying
mechanism 80 are all electronically connected with the main processor
90.
[0024]The first testing module 50 includes an electrical testing
module 502 and an image dark-point testing module 504. The electrical
testing module 502 is used to test the quality of an electrical
connection of the image sensing module 10. The image dark-point
testing module 504 is used to check for potential dark points of
the image sensing module 10.
[0025]The assembling mechanism 60 is used to mount the lens module
30 into the sleeve barrel 20. The focusing module 62 is used to
focus the digital camera module 100, thus allowing the digital camera
module 100 to capture clear pictures.
[0026]The second testing module 70 includes a brightness testing
module 702, an image distortion testing module 704, an image color
testing module 706, and an image defect testing module 708. The
brightness testing module 702 is used to test a brightness achievable
with the digital camera module 100. The image distortion testing
module 704 is used to evaluate the degree of image distortion produced
using the digital camera module 100. The image color testing module
706 is used to monitor the color quality of the digital camera module
100. The image defect testing module 708 is used to check for image
defects created in employing the digital camera module 100.
[0027]The carrying mechanism 80 is an automatic transfer mechanism
including a containing tray 802, a plurality of testing trays 804,
and the motors (not shown) or transfer means (not shown) needed
to facilitate the movement of the trays 802, 804 with the subassemblies/camera
modules 100 therein. Each testing tray 804 defines a corresponding
bar code or another known registry mark. Additionally, the electrical
testing module 502, the image dark point testing module 504, the
brightness testing module 702, the image distortion testing module
704, the image color testing module 706, and the image defect testing
module 708 all include individual testing boards (not shown), detectors
(not shown), and subsidiary processors (not shown), as needed, to
achieve the functionality associated with each respective module.
Further, all subsidiary processors are operatively connected with
the main processor.
[0028]A method for testing a plurality of digital camera modules
100, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, includes multiple
steps, to be described, as follows.
[0029]A testing system 200 is provided, and each image sensing
module 10 is respectively mounted into a corresponding sleeve barrel
20 to thereby form a respective subassembly. Each subassembly, formed
by an image sensing module 10 and a sleeve barrel 20, is placed
into a containing tray 802 of the carrying mechanism 80.
[0030]The carrying mechanism 80 moves each subassembly from its
containing tray 802 into a testing tray 804. The testing trays 804,
containing the subassemblies, are carried to the first testing module
504 by the carrying mechanism 80, and the first testing module 50
tests the subassemblies. Firstly, the testing board of the electrical
testing module 502 evaluates an electrical connection quality between
the image sensing modules 10 and the sleeve barrels 20 of the respective
subassemblies. The detector of the electrical testing module 502
receives testing data regarding the electrical connection quality
of the respective subassemblies and transfers the testing data to
the subsidiary processor of the electrical testing module 502. The
subsidiary processor, in turn, processes the data and transfers
the testing data to the main processor 90. The main processor 90
records the testing data and correlates testing data of each subassembly
with the bar code of the testing tray 804 in which the subassembly
is placed.
[0031]After electrical testing, the subassemblies are transferred
to the image dark-point testing module 504 by the carrying mechanism
80. Similarly to the electrical testing module 502, the testing
board of the image dark-point testing module 504 evaluates the subassemblies
but does so in relation to any dark points that may produced by
the image sensing modules 10 thereof. The detector of the image
dark-point testing module 504 receives testing data for the subassemblies
and transfers such data to the subsidiary processor of the image
dark-point testing module 504, and the subsidiary processor processes
and transfers the testing data to the main processor 90. The main
processor 90 records the testing data and correlates the testing
data of each subassembly with the bar code of the testing tray 804
in which the subassembly is placed.
[0032]After being tested by the image dark-point testing module
504 of the first testing module 50, the testing trays 804 containing
the subassemblies are transported to the assembling mechanism 60.
The assembling mechanism 60 mounts the lens modules 30 into the
subassemblies, so that each subassembly becomes a digital camera
module 100. Each such digital camera 100 is then placed in its corresponding
testing tray 804.
[0033]The carrying mechanism 80 transports the testing trays 804
containing the digital camera modules 100 to the focusing module
62 and the second testing module 70. The focusing module 62 generating
data regarding a focusing ability of the respective digital camera
modules 100 and transfers the focusing data of each digital camera
module 100 to the main processor 90. Additionally, the second testing
module 70, via the brightness testing module 702, the image distortion
testing module 704, the image color testing module 706, and the
image defect testing module 708 thereof, evaluates/monitors at least
one performance aspect of the respective digital camera modules
100 and transfers the testing data of each digital camera module
100 to the main processor 90. The main processor 90 records the
focusing data and the testing data and correlates the focusing data
and the testing data of each digital camera module 100 with the
bar code of the testing tray 804 in which the digital camera module
100 is placed.
[0034]After being tested, the digital camera modules 100 are carried
to the containing tray 802 again. Because each group of data recorded
by the main processor 90 corresponds with a bar code of a testing
tray 804, the main processor can judge whether each digital camera
module 100 is of sufficient quality by checking the bar code of
the testing tray 804 in which the digital camera module 100 is placed.
Digital camera modules 100 of sufficient quality are removed from
the carrying mechanism 80 for use, and digital camera modules 100
of insufficient quality are sent for repair.
[0035]Additionally, in the testing method, if a faulty digital
camera module 100 or subassembly is found by a testing module of
the testing system, the main processor can prevent the latter testing
modules from testing the unqualified subassembly or unqualified
digital camera module 100 and thus save time. Faulty digital camera
modules 100 and subassemblies can, potentially, be removed from
the testing system 200 at any stage of the process. The subsidiary
processors of the electrical testing module 502, the image dark-point
testing module 504, the brightness testing module 702, the image
distortion testing module 704, the image color testing module 706
and the image defect testing module 708 can be omitted, and data
received by these components can be processed directly by the main
processor 90. It is further understood that further testing modules
could be added to evaluate other factors and/or that the number
of testing modules could be reduced, depending on the level of quality
assurance desired.
[0036]It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been
set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative
only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of
shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the
lens module with grating to the full extent indicated by the broad
general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
|