公开(公告)号：US20220191356A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-16

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: H04N5/225 ,  G03B13/36

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.

公开(公告)号：US20210405387A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-30

申请号：US17472437

申请日：2021-09-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  H04N5/225

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：US11092773B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-17

申请号：US16258377

申请日：2019-01-25

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 ,  H04N5/225 ,  G03B5/00 ,  G02B27/09 ,  G03B3/10 ,  G06F9/30 ,  H04N5/232

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：US20210218896A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-15

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：US20210044727A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-11

申请号：US16984334

申请日：2020-08-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Shashank Sharma ,  Alfred N. Mireault ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/232 ,  G02B7/09 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G02B27/64 ,  G03B5/02

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera having one or more bumper arrangements to cushion lateral movement of one or more camera components. In some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may cushion lateral movement of a moveable platform as the moveable platform approaches a stationary structure. According to some embodiments, the bumper arrangement(s) may include one or more bumper features attached to (and/or defined by) the moveable platform and/or the stationary structure.

公开(公告)号：US20200096782A1

公开(公告)日：2020-03-26

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. Birnhaum

IPC: G02B27/64 ,  H04N5/225

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：US20190212632A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-11

申请号：US16244030

申请日：2019-01-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Alfred N. Mireault ,  Brad V. Johnson ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Rummel R. Adriano ,  Shashank Sharma ,  Steven Webster

IPC: G03B5/04 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B17/17 ,  H02K41/035

CPC classification number: G03B5/04 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B17/17 ,  G03B2205/0015 ,  G03B2205/0069 ,  H02K41/0356

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements.

公开(公告)号：US12206989B2

公开(公告)日：2025-01-21

申请号：US17951670

申请日：2022-09-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nitin Kumar Chennupati ,  Nicholas D. Smyth ,  Hiran R. Rathnasinghe

IPC: H04N23/68 ,  G03B5/02 ,  H04N23/54 ,  H04N23/55

Abstract: A camera including a camera enclosure; an optomechanical assembly fixedly coupled to the camera enclosure; a sensor assembly having an image sensor and an electronic component mounted to a substrate that is movably coupled to the camera enclosure; a voice coil motor having a base coupled to the optomechanical assembly and a carrier coupled to the sensor assembly that is operable to cause a displacement of the sensor assembly relative to the optomechanical assembly; and a displacement limiter coupled to the base or the carrier to limit an unintended displacement of the sensor assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20240121495A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-11

申请号：US18545974

申请日：2023-12-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

IPC: H04N23/55 ,  G02B5/04 ,  H04N23/51 ,  H04N23/54

CPC classification number: H04N23/55 ,  G02B5/045 ,  H04N23/51 ,  H04N23/54

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 to move at least a portion of the optics arrangement along multiple axes.

公开(公告)号：US11762217B1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-19

申请号：US17187416

申请日：2021-02-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

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

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

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.