2M-Pixel CMOS Camera Module with Autofocus Function for Mobile Equipment

MCB770

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3-element, 3-group glass lens with AF

function

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CMOS sensor with 2.01M camera

block effective pixels

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Supports both uncompressed moving

picture and JPEG compressed still im-

age data formats

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Image expression capabilities based

on the AE and AWB technologies used

in dedicated digital still cameras

Based on Sony’s experience introducing 1.3M-pixel CCD camera mod-

ules to the marketplace, Sony has embarked on efforts to respond to

customer desires for increased pixel counts, improved functionality,

reduced power consumption, and further miniaturization and lower

mounting heights in CCD camera modules.

The MCB770 introduced here is a new product that responds to these

desires with newly-developed technologies such as a 2M-pixel CMOS

sensor and an AF function that can handle a wide range of camera to

subject distances.

This product adopts many ideas from the dedicated digital still cam-

era, which has acquired wide support in the image creation areas, to

achieve a balanced and rich set of image expression capabilities.

VOICE

This newly-developed camera

module was made possible by the

persistence of each of the persons

in charge of the various compo-

nents; the lens, sensor, DSP,

mechanism, mounting, image

quality, and plant. Our idea was to

provide more freedom and more

fun to users, we wanted our users

to experience the pleasure of be-

ing able to photograph the things

around them freely and easily. We

are committed to continuing to

develop products to the best of

our ability.

High-Performance Lens with

Wide Distance Range AF

Function

The MCB770 includes an AF system for

the first time in a Sony camera module

product. This AF system focuses over a

wide range of distances from 10 cm, a dis-

tance selected specifically for imaging QR

codes, to infinity. It also includes a focus

point prediction function to improve fo-

cusing performance. In addition to an AF

control system that takes advantage of

Sony’s experience in dedicated digital still

cameras, it also adopts a linear method.

This made it possible to create a minia-

ture low-power AF system optimal for a

camera module. The MCB770 also sup-

ports manual focus.

Sony achieved low TV distortion and high

resolution performance by combining a

lens design optimized in conjunction with

the sensor structure with a 3-element,

3-group glass lens.

High Picture Quality CMOS

Sensor for Mobile Equipment

The MCB770 includes the IMX011CQ*

diagonal 5.97 mm (Type 1/3.0) 2.13M

total pixels primary color progressive scan

CMOS sensor that was designed at the

same time as the MCB770. This device

was designed for use in mobile equipment

and achieves the high-speed progressive

scan of all pixels at 15 frames/s and the

same high picture quality as CCD sensors.

While it goes without saying that this de-

vice uses Sony’s know-how developed

over many years of CCD development as

a foundation, this device also features fur-

ther optimization of the pixel layout and

on-chip microlenses.

* IMX011CQ: See CX-NEWS Vol. 40.

Newly-Developed DSP for

Natural Image Rendition and

High-Generality Interface

The MCB770 provides three formats: draft

mode, which is intended for preview mov-

ing picture, uncompressed capture mode

for moving picture recording, and JPEG

capture mode for still images. The

MCB770 supports flexible end product

design by providing a variety of image

sizes in each of these modes.

The MCB770 provides rich image expres-

sion that will not betray our customers’

hopes for image creation. The AE and

AWB algorithms implemented in the

newly-developed DSP are based on con-

cepts from dedicated digital still cameras

and take into account the functional

balance required in a camera module. The

MCB770 thus provides imaging perfor-

mance in difficult conditions that is

equivalent to that of dedicated digital still

cameras. Furthermore, the MCB770 pro-

vides a scene selection function that can

set optimal condition for the camera mod-

ule simply by selecting a scene mode that

matches the scene being imaged.