Compact zoom lens unit for camera phones

We present a novel approach to the miniaturization of an imaging system with high resolution and high optical magnification for camera phones. An optical zoom system with a mechanical shutter has been designed and developed, the mechanical shutter being necessary to assure high image quality. The shutter is integrated with the zooming lens group, which allows the zoom lens unit to be downsized. Performance of the zoom lens unit accommodates an image sensor of over five-mega-pixels and fulfills all the requirements of a camera phone.