Vision and Imaging Sensors / Detectors
Camera Module enables design of ultra-thin camera phones.
Press Release Summary:
Measuring 6 x 6 x 4.1 mm, Ultra Thin VGA Camera Module is based on CameraChip OV7670 VGA sensor with 3.6 micron pixel size. It uses 2 plastic lenses and non-linear micro lens shift technology, which allows distance between sensor and lens to be minimized, lowering module height without losing image quality or camera performance.
Original Press Release:
OmniVision Enables Next Generation of Ultra Thin Handsets
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 9 / -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:OVTI), the world's leading supplier of CMOS image sensors, today unveiled an ultra thin VGA camera module. The module solution, based on the new and improved OV7670 VGA sensor, measures just 6 x 6 x 4.1 mm.
"The hottest trend in handset designs is slim and thin," said Jess Lee, Vice President of the Mainstream Products Business Unit at OmniVision. "Constantly at the forefront of driving this trend, OmniVision was the first to introduce a very small 1.3 megapixel sensor and the first to introduce a 1/4-inch, 2 megapixel sensor. Now, we have again pushed the envelope with our OV7670, which reduces the height of camera modules significantly to enable the next wave of ultra slim camera phones."
Critical in enabling these very thin camera modules is the improved OV7670 CameraChip design. Because the OV7670 is only 1/6 inch square and has a 3.6-micron pixel size, one of the smallest in mass production today, OmniVision and its module partners were able to move to a 2P lens design. This means it uses 2 plastic lenses where other similar module designs use three. Additionally, the OV7670's unique non-linear micro lens shift technology allows a reduction in the distance between sensor and lens, lowering the module height even further without losing image quality or camera performance.
In addition to addressing the continuous demand for smaller, thinner camera phones, OmniVision believes that the ultra thin module solution may also prove popular in PC notebook applications where the camera module needs to be no thicker than the LCD housing.
The ultra slim module is now available in sample quantities.
About OmniVision
OmniVision Technologies, Inc. designs and markets high-performance semiconductor image sensors. Its OmniPixel and CameraChip products are highly integrated single-chip CMOS image sensors for mass-market consumer and commercial applications such as mobile phones, digital still cameras, security and surveillance systems, interactive video games, PCs and automotive imaging systems. Additional information is available at www.ovt.com.
NOTE: OmniVision, OmniPixel and CameraChip are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
CONTACT: Scott Foster of OmniVision Technologies, Inc., +1-408-542-3077, or sfoster@ovt.com
