公开(公告)号：US12075142B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-27

申请号：US17741925

申请日：2022-05-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Andrew S. Jozefov

IPC: H04N23/54 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/57

CPC classification number: H04N23/54 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/57

Abstract: A flex circuit that may accommodate movement of an image sensor within a camera. The flex circuit generally includes a plurality of planar segments between a first end that is fixed relative to the image sensor and a second end that is fixed relative to one or more camera components. One or more of the planar segments twists when the image sensor is moved within the camera.

公开(公告)号：US20250102821A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-27

申请号：US18473121

申请日：2023-09-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Andrew S. Jozefov ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum

IPC: G02B27/64

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera system that includes one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators having curved electromagnetics. In various embodiments, the VCM actuator(s) may include an optical image stabilization (OIS) VCM actuator configured to tilt/rotate a lens group, together with an image sensor, about multiple axes orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera system. Additionally, or alternatively, the VCM actuator(s) may include a theta-Z correction VCM actuator configured to rotate the lens group, together with the image sensor, about an axis parallel to the optical axis. The OIS VCM actuator and/or the theta-Z correction VCM actuator may have curved electromagnetics.

公开(公告)号：US20250097556A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-20

申请号：US18369319

申请日：2023-09-18

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Andrew S. Jozefov

IPC: H04N23/55 ,  H04N23/90

Abstract: A camera module may include a housing, a first optical assembly, a second optical assembly, a carrier, and an actuator. The first and second optical assemblies may be positioned within the camera module to receive light in opposite directions. The carrier may be positioned within the housing and include a first portion coupled to a first component of the first optical assembly and a second portion coupled to a second component of the second optical assembly. An actuator may be configured to simultaneously generate relative movement (i) between the first lens module and the first image sensor; and (ii) between the second lens module and the second image sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20240040218A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-01

申请号：US18361351

申请日：2023-07-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Andrew S. Jozefov ,  Scott W. Miller

IPC: H04N23/54 ,  H02K49/04 ,  H02K41/035 ,  H04N23/68

CPC classification number: H04N23/54 ,  H02K49/046 ,  H02K41/0354 ,  H04N23/687

Abstract: Various magnetic camera brake embodiments are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the magnetic camera brakes leverage a magnetic attraction (or repulsion) force between an iron and magnetic body to hold the moving camera components at a desired focus position—even under high amplitude acceleration loads. When high disturbance rejection is desired, the magnet attracts the camera to the desired focus position (e.g., an infinity focus position) with enough force to overcome approximately 10 g's of external acceleration. In some embodiments, ball bearings may be used to provide constraints in up to 5 degrees of freedom (e.g., all but z-axial translation along the optical axis), so there is no rocking of the image sensor (or lens barrel). When “macro” photos are desired of subjects closer than the hyperfocal distance, an actuator mechanism may be configured to pull the image sensor out of the desired focus position and into the macro focus region.

公开(公告)号：US11831969B1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-28

申请号：US17586631

申请日：2022-01-27

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alfred N. Mireault ,  Andrew S. Jozefov ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Scott W. Miller

IPC: H04N23/54 ,  G03B13/36 ,  H04N23/55 ,  H02K41/035

CPC classification number: H04N23/54 ,  G03B13/36 ,  H02K41/0354 ,  H04N23/55

Abstract: Small form factor cameras that may include one or more voice coil motor actuators, one or more springs and/or one or more motion damping mechanisms. Multiple cameras or camera modules may be positioned close together within a device. Multiple camera modules may be placed closely adjacent to one another by utilizing a recessed portion of the respective perimeters, such as by having one corner removed from rectangular perimeters. By aligning two such recessed portions two camera modules may be more placed more closely together, thereby reducing the distance between the apertures of the respective camera modules. Within asymmetric camera modules, individual components, such as magnets, coils, damping pins, gel pockets, etc., may be asymmetrically placed to correspond with, or in response to the reduced space resulting from the asymmetry of the camera module outline.

公开(公告)号：US20230069902A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-09

申请号：US17741925

申请日：2022-05-11

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Scott W. Miller ,  Zachary W. Birnbaum ,  Andrew S. Jozefov

IPC: H04N5/225

Abstract: A flex circuit that may accommodate movement of an image sensor within a camera. The flex circuit generally includes a plurality of planar segments between a first end that is fixed relative to the image sensor and a second end that is fixed relative to one or more camera components. One or more of the planar segments twists when the image sensor is moved within the camera.