公开(公告)号：US11726295B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-15

申请号：US17403118

申请日：2021-08-16

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Alfred N. Mireault ,  Scott W. Miller ,  Shashank Sharma

IPC: G02B7/09 ,  G02B7/08 ,  G02B13/00 ,  G03B17/17 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B5/00 ,  H04N23/54 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/57 ,  H04N23/68 ,  G02B27/09 ,  G03B3/10 ,  G06F9/30

CPC classification number: G02B7/09 ,  G02B7/08 ,  G02B13/0065 ,  G02B27/0972 ,  G02B27/0977 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B3/10 ,  G03B5/00 ,  G03B17/17 ,  G06F9/3004 ,  H04N23/54 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/57 ,  H04N23/685 ,  G03B2205/0015 ,  G03B2205/0053 ,  G03B2205/0069

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements, carrier arrangements, and/or suspension arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Furthermore, some embodiments include position sensor arrangements for position sensing with respect to AF and/or OIS movement.

公开(公告)号：US11709347B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-25

申请号：US17480048

申请日：2021-09-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Douglas S. Brodie ,  Scott W. Miller ,  Nicholas D. Smyth

IPC: G02B13/00 ,  G02B7/09 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G02B5/00 ,  H04N23/68

CPC classification number: G02B13/0065 ,  G02B5/00 ,  G02B7/09 ,  G03B13/36 ,  H04N23/687 ,  G03B2205/0007

Abstract: A folded camera may include folded optics arrangement positioned optically in front of an image sensor. The folded optics arrangement may include one or more light-folding elements and a lens group having one or more lens elements. Light may pass through the folded optics arrangement, within which the light be folded or redirected by the light-folding element, to focus on an image plane on the image sensor. The folded camera may include a shape-memory actuator having one or more shape-memory elements, whose lengths and/or shapes may be controlled by regulating individual temperatures of the shape-memory elements. The shape-memory actuator may move the lens group relative to the image sensor to implement various autofocus (AF) functions. The folded camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) which may be controlled to move the image sensor relative to the lens group to perform various optical image stabilization (OIS) functions.

公开(公告)号：US11595582B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17202252

申请日：2021-03-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Jian Ouyang ,  Scott W. Miller ,  Samuel M. Hyatt ,  Martin Auclair ,  Phillip R. Sommer

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/225

Abstract: Various embodiments include a dynamic flex circuit that may be used in a camera with a moveable image sensor. The dynamic flex circuit may include one or more fixed end portions, a moveable end portion, and an intermediate portion. In some embodiments, the fixed end portion may be connected to another flex circuit of the camera. The moveable end portion may be coupled with the moveable image sensor. The intermediate portion may be configured to allow the moveable end portion to move with the moveable image sensor. Some embodiments include a reinforcement arrangement that reinforces one or more portions of the dynamic flex circuit.

公开(公告)号：US11375091B1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-28

申请号：US16858425

申请日：2020-04-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alfred N. Mireault ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Scott W. Miller

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  G02B5/04

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements.

公开(公告)号：US11119333B2

公开(公告)日：2021-09-14

申请号：US16560871

申请日：2019-09-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Hao Zheng ,  Shujun Tang ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G02B7/09

Abstract: A damper arrangement may be used in a camera module that includes a first (e.g., stationary) and a second (e.g., dynamic) component. The second component may hold a lens such that the lens moves together with the second component. The damper arrangement may include an interface member that extends from the first or the second component to at least partially into a viscoelastic material within a volumetric space configured in the first component, the second component, or both. The interface member may include a mounting portion having a thickness and a viscoelastic material section, having a different thickness, that interacts with viscoelastic material to dampen motion of the second component, for example, during operation of a lens actuator to move the second component along an optical axis of the lens. The interface member may be a two-piece interface member, such as a pin soldered into a hole in a plate, for example.

公开(公告)号：US20250028228A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-23

申请号：US18223312

申请日：2023-07-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Nicholas D. Smyth

IPC: G03B17/14 ,  G02B1/10 ,  G02B7/02 ,  G03B17/56 ,  H04N23/12 ,  H04N23/57

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to camera assemblies that include a lens module, a camera housing enclosing the lens module, and an actuator module coupled to the lens module. The lens module includes at least one lens element disposed along an optical axis and a lens barrel at least partially surrounding the at least one lens element. The lens barrel includes a flange that defines, at an intersection with the at least one lens element, an input aperture through which light enters the lens module. The flange has a height that varies in a direction from the input aperture to an outer edge of the flange. The actuator module is configured to rotate the lens module around axes orthogonal to the optical axis with respect to the camera housing.

公开(公告)号：US12143703B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-12

申请号：US18124983

申请日：2023-03-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nitin Kumar Chennupati ,  Hiran R Rathnasinghe ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Kevin Garrison ,  Jeffrey P. Bosco ,  Julien C. Vittu

IPC: H04N23/55 ,  H04M1/02 ,  H04N23/51

Abstract: A camera module may have an optical assembly, an image sensor, and a frame, where the frame includes a reinforcement member and a base member that collectively form a sidewall of the frame. The reinforcement member defines a portion of the sidewall of the frame, a peripheral edge, and an opening. The base member may define another portion of the sidewall and extend through the opening and surround the peripheral edge of the reinforcement member. The optical assembly may be coupled to the sidewall of the frame.

公开(公告)号：US11994793B1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-28

申请号：US16714380

申请日：2019-12-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Brad V. Johnson ,  Nicholas D. Smyth

IPC: G03B5/00 ,  G02B7/02 ,  G02B7/04 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B13/36

CPC classification number: G03B5/00 ,  G02B7/021 ,  G02B7/04 ,  G02B27/646 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B2205/0069

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more end stop bumpers. In some embodiments, the end stop bumper(s) may be at least partially disposed between a suspension platform of a camera and a lateral end stop defined by a stationary structure of the camera. The end stop bumper(s) may be configured to cushion movement of the suspension platform as the suspension platform approaches the lateral end stop. In some embodiments, the end stop bumper(s) may be part of a suspension spring structure coupled to the suspension platform.

公开(公告)号：US20230393412A1

公开(公告)日：2023-12-07

申请号：US18452421

申请日：2023-08-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Jian Ouyang ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Scott W. Miller

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  G02B7/182 ,  G02B26/08 ,  G02B13/00

CPC classification number: G02B27/646 ,  G02B7/1828 ,  G02B26/0816 ,  G02B13/0065

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a tilt actuator. In some embodiments, the camera may include a folded optics arrangement that may include a prism and a lens group. In some embodiments, an actuator arrangement of the camera may include one or more actuators for tilting the prism about multiple axes. Furthermore, the actuator arrangement may include one or more actuators for translating the lens group along an axis. In some embodiments, the camera may include a bearing suspension arrangement that may allow for controlled movement of the prism and/or the lens group according to the motion enabled by the actuator arrangement.

公开(公告)号：US11750900B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-05

申请号：US17687497

申请日：2022-03-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Brian A. Argyres ,  Lindsay M. Alanen ,  Matthew D. Hill ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Shujun Tang

IPC: H04N23/51 ,  G03B13/36 ,  H04N23/57

CPC classification number: H04N23/51 ,  G03B13/36 ,  H04N23/57

Abstract: Various embodiments include a chassis for a multi-camera system and techniques for forming such a chassis. The chassis may comprise multiple chassis portions that define cavities for mounting cameras. Some embodiments include a chassis portion comprising an integrated shield can-chassis that may be formed as a single component. According to some embodiments, subtractive manufacturing may be used to form one or more features of the chassis.