Compact imaging device having a laminated component

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including a laminated portion of an actuator or actuator support.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device including a laminated portion of an actuator or actuator support.

BACKGROUND

Many portable electronic apparatuses, such as a cellular phone and/or a personal digital assistant (PDA) for example, may comprise a compact camera module. Such a module may comprise an image sensor, an imaging lens assembly, and/or an actuator to adjust the position of the imaging lens assembly with respect to the image sensor. As designers push towards slimmer, smaller, and/or lighter portable electronic apparatuses, compact camera module manufacturers, among others, are facing a challenge of providing smaller compact camera modules that can fit into limited space of the apparatuses. In addition, a push towards increasingly lower manufacturing costs persists for compact camera modules having ever-increasing performance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” may mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with a particular embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or to any one particular embodiment described. Furthermore, it is to be understood that particular features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in various ways in one or more embodiments. In general, of course, these and other issues may vary with the particular context of usage. Therefore, the particular context of the description or the usage of these terms may provide helpful guidance regarding inferences to be drawn for that context.

As used to describe embodiments herein, terms “above”, “below”, “upper”, “lower”, and “side” describe positions relative to an optical axis of such a compact imaging module. In particular, “above” and “below” refer to positions along an optical axis, wherein “above” refers to one side of an element and “below” refers to an opposite side of the element. Relative to such an “above” and “below”, “side” refers to a side of an element that is displaced from an optical axis, such as the periphery of a lens, for example. Further, it is understood that such terms do not necessarily refer to a direction defined by gravity or any other particular orientation. Instead, such terms are merely used to identify one portion versus another portion. Accordingly, “upper” and “lower” may be equivalently interchanged with “top” and “bottom”, “first” and “second”, “right” and “left”, and so on.

Embodiments described herein include a compact imaging module that provides a mechanism and/or allows a process to adjust a distance between an imaging lens and an image sensor. As described in detail below, particular features of a compact imaging module may provide an advantage to designers incorporating such a module into increasingly slimmer, smaller, and/or lighter portable electronic apparatuses, such as a compact camera, for example.

A compact imaging module, such as a compact camera module, may provide auto-focus and/or other imaging functions. In a particular embodiment, a structure of such a compact camera module may include one or more portions that comprise laminated components. For example, one or more portions of an actuator may comprise laminated components. In one implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet and a coil to impart a magnetic force on a lens assembly. Such a magnet and/or coil may be positioned in a holder that may comprise a laminated holder, as described below. In any case, such a magnet may have a flat or planar shape, such as the shape of a flat disk, for example. Such a magnet may comprise a permanent magnet or electromagnetic field generator, such as a coil, for example. Such a coil may be a wound coil, printed coil, and/or an electroplated coil on a substrate. A compact imaging module may comprise one or more springs to provide a restoring force to the lens assembly.

In other embodiments, a compact imaging module may include an actuator having a coil that moves with a lens assembly while the coil is energized, while a magnet is stationary with respect to an image sensor. In another configuration, a compact imaging module may comprise an actuator having a coil and a magnet, wherein the magnet may move with a lens assembly if the coil is energized, while the coil remains stationary.

In one particular implementation, such an actuator may comprise one or more magnets arranged in a plane. In another particular implementation, such an actuator may comprise one or more coils arranged in a plane. Such coils may be electrically connected in series and/or parallel, for example. In another particular implementation, such coils may be mounted on and/or sit on a lens assembly of a compact imaging module.

In another embodiment, a compact imaging module may include an actuator comprising at least two sets of coils to produce an electromagnetic force, wherein each set of coils is positioned in two parallel planes. In one particular implementation, such two sets of coils may be arranged substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of a lens assembly of the compact imaging module. In another particular implementation, one set of the two sets of coils may move with the lens assembly if the two sets of coils are energized, for example. Of course, such details of a compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

In an embodiment, a compact imaging module may result from mounting and/or coupling a lens assembly including one or more lenses to a portion of an actuator, and positioning an image sensor to receive light via the lens assembly. The actuator may include one or more leaf springs that are between the image sensor and the lens assembly, and one or more leaf springs that are between a coil and a magnet of the actuator. In an implementation, via a stationary support (with respect to the image sensor), a magnet of the actuator may be mounted to the image sensor while the PCB coil is rigidly attached to the lens assembly. As mentioned above, such an actuator may drive a lens assembly vertically to adjust the position of the lens assembly with respect to an image sensor. As used herein, “vertically” refers to a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis of a compact imaging module, whereas “horizontally” refers to a direction substantially in a plane which is perpendicular to an optical axis of a compact imaging module. Of course, such details of a compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

An actuator may provide a relatively precise control of motion of a lens assembly, so that various imaging functions, such as focusing for example, may lead to improved image quality. An advantage of such a compact module is that its footprint may be substantially equal to or smaller than a footprint of an image sensor, so that a surface area of the compact module does not extend substantially beyond a surface area of the image sensor, though claimed subject matter is not so limited. Moreover, a batch manufacturing process may be applied to fabricating at least portions of such a compact module. For example, such a batch process may comprise a wafer level process to fabricate laminated portions of an actuator of a compact image sensor, such as laminated spacers, laminated magnet holders, laminated coil holders, and so on. Such a process may lead to a relatively high manufacturing efficiency, thus lowering manufacturing costs of a camera, for example, due to a focus variation function provided by the compact module. Batch process may refer to one or more manufacturing techniques of creating a group of components at a workstation before moving the group to a next step in production. For example, one or more laminated layers may contain numerous individual units. By assembling a laminated structure, such numerous individual units may be formed at the same time. Accordingly, after a process of singulation, relatively many individual units may be produced from one laminated structure, for example.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a portion of a compact imaging module100andFIG. 2is a perspective view of components that may comprise compact imaging module100, according to an embodiment. Such an imaging module may comprise an image sensor105including an active region208of an array of pixilated charge-coupled devices (CCD) and/or one or more complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, just to name a couple of examples. Image sensor105may also comprise an inactive region204at least partially surrounding active region208. Inactive region204may comprise a border or frame for active region208, and may be used to physically support other portions of compact imaging module100without interfering with light impinging on active region208. For example, a portion of actuator110(discussed below) may be mounted and/or coupled to inactive region204of image sensor105via a bottom spacer250, though claimed subject matter is not so limited.

In an embodiment, imaging module100may further comprise a lens assembly230, which may include one or more lenses to project an image onto active region208of image sensor105. Aperture120may receive light into lens assembly230. Such an image need not comprise visible wavelengths, but may also comprise infrared and/or ultraviolet wavelengths, for example. So that such an image may be focused onto active region108, actuator110may adjust a position of lens assembly230with respect to image sensor105. In a particular implementation, actuator110may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly230with respect to image sensor105. As mentioned above, such a lens assembly may comprise one or more lenses so that the vertical position of one or more of such lenses may be adjusted as a group. In a particular implementation, imaging module100may further comprise a laminated bottom spacer250and/or a laminated middle spacer140. Such laminated spacers may comprise two or more relatively thin laminating sheets of any or a combination of various materials. Different laminating sheets may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. As an example, particular variations of patterns of laminating layers forming laminated middle spacer140may result in a three-dimensional notch-like feature130. Of course, such details of imaging module100are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 3is a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module300, according to an embodiment. For example, such a compact imaging module may be similar to imaging module100shown inFIG. 1. Compact imaging module300may comprise an image sensor350, which may be similar to image sensor105shown inFIG. 1, for example. Imaging module300may further comprise a lens assembly370to provide an image onto an active region, such as active region208shown inFIG. 1for example, of image sensor350. Actuator305may adjust a position of lens assembly370with respect to image sensor350to focus an image onto image sensor350. A direction of such positioning is depicted by arrow360, for example. As mentioned above, lens assembly370may comprise one or more lenses, and the vertical position of one or more such lenses may be adjusted as a group by actuator305. In a particular implementation, compact imaging module300may further comprise a laminated bottom spacer345and/or a laminated middle spacer340. Such laminated spacers may comprise two or more laminating sheets of any or a combination of various materials. For example, laminated bottom spacer345includes laminating sheet348, which may comprise metal, fiberglass, plastic, and ceramic, just to name a few examples. Different laminating sheets may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. Of course, such details of imaging module100are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of layers410that comprise a laminated bottom spacer450of a compact imaging module, according to an embodiment. A pattern and/or thickness of individual layers may be varied and arranged to form a three-dimensional structure. Benefits of fabricating a laminated spacer (e.g., bottom and/or middle spacer) or any other component included in a compact imaging module include an ability to change materials of various laminating layers for various considerations, such as heat transfer, electrical conduction, and/or weight reduction, and so on. Another benefit includes the fact that laminating techniques may involve relatively low cost while achieving relatively high accuracy, a relatively high degree of flatness and relatively fine, small-scale features. In a particular example, referring toFIG. 4, laminated bottom spacer may comprise three laminating layers of 0.16 mm stainless steel sheet having patterns that are the same with one another. Of course, such details of laminated bottom spacer450are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of laminating layers500that comprise a laminated middle spacer600of a compact imaging module, shown inFIG. 6, according to an embodiment. A pattern and/or thickness of individual layers may be varied and arranged to form a three-dimensional structure, including a recessed region620, for example. The following description of individual laminating layers that comprise laminated middle spacer600is intended to demonstrate that such laminated components of a compact imaging module may comprise any number of various patterns, shapes, sizes, materials, thicknesses, and so on. It is to be understood, of course, that details of the following description of laminating layers are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. Laminating layers500may include a first laminating layer530having a peripheral opening520in addition to aperture510to provide an optical path. Such a peripheral opening520, for example, may result in notch-like feature620. A second laminating layer540may be similar to first laminating layer530except for a lack of a peripheral opening. A first group of laminating layers550may include one or more (e.g., four inFIG. 5) laminating layers having a tab, for example, protruding from a periphery of the one or more laminating layers. An additional laminating layer560need not include such a tab, for example. A second group of laminating layers570may include one or more (e.g., two inFIG. 5) laminating layers that comprise a relatively large opening compared to the previously-described laminating layers, for example. Accordingly, assembling (e.g. using lamination techniques) laminating layers530,540,550,560, and570may result in laminated middle spacer600, which may include three-dimensional features such as recessed regions610and620.

FIG. 7is a top view of a laminating layer700that may be used in a batch process assembly of laminated magnet holders (to be described in further detail below), according to an embodiment. As explained below, such a laminating layer may be combined with one or more additional laminating layers, which may be identical or different from one another, to form a plurality of individual laminated magnet holders. Laminating layer700may comprise any number and/or combination of materials710, such as metal, fiberglass, plastic, ceramic, and so on, as mentioned above. Laminating layer700may comprise alignment and/or register holes740to align two or more such laminating layers (which, again, may have different patterns, thicknesses, and so on) during a process of lamination. Laminating layer700may comprise multiple magnet holder laminating layers720that may be arranged in an array730. Though laminating layer700is described here as comprising laminating layers for magnet holders, such a laminating layer may be used for batch process assembly of other laminated components of a compact imaging module, such as laminated spacers, laminated coil holders (to be described in further detail below), and so on.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of laminating layers830for a laminated magnet holder fabricated in a batch process, according to an embodiment. For example, such laminating layers may comprise at least portions of the array730of magnet holders shown inFIG. 7. Laminating layers830may comprise an array of magnet holder laminating layers835. During assembly of magnet holders using a batch process, for example, layers830may be lined up relative to one another and laminated together to form an array850of individual laminated magnet holders. Subsequent to being lined up, some alignment holes740may appear for each laminated layer at the same corresponding position. For an assembly process, adhesive may be added to a laminated layer and then the laminated layer may be placed into a jig with some protrusions that guide the alignment holes of the laminated layer. Another laminated layer, which need not include adhesive, may be placed on the top of the first laminated layer. In one implementation, a mass may be added on top of the assembly of laminated layers to apply pressure to the laminated layers to improve adhesion. Subsequently, such individual laminated magnet holders820may be separated from one another by cutting substantially along edges860of the individual laminated magnet holders820. Subsequently, though not shown, separated laminated magnet holders820may be assembled into actuators and/or other portions of compact image modules. Of course, such details of a fabricating process of a compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

As mentioned above, benefits of fabricating a laminated component included in a compact imaging module include an ability to change materials of various laminating layers for various considerations, such as heat transfer, electrical conduction, and/or weight reduction, and so on. Another benefit may include the fact that fabricating laminated components may be readily performed using batch processing fabrication techniques, as discussed above. Yet another benefit includes the fact that laminating techniques may involve relatively low cost while achieving relatively high precision, a relatively high degree of flatness and relatively fine, small-scale features. In contrast, fabricating components using etching techniques may result in undesirable undercutting, over-etching, under-etching, or other etching inaccuracies of various portions of the components. As another example, fabricating components using laser cutting techniques may result in cutting inaccuracies of various portions of the components. Such inaccuracies may result from convergence and/or divergence of a laser beam, even though the laser beam may be focused on a portion of the component to be cut. For example, a relatively thick portion to be cut may experience varying laser beam diameters. Further, a relatively thick portion to be cut may experience uneven heating from the laser beam, resulting in thermal stress that may lead to dimensional changes of the cut portion. Accordingly, fabricating laminated components may result in relatively high dimensional accuracy, relative flatness, an ability to fabricate relatively fine thin wall structures, and so on. Of course, such benefits of fabricating a laminated component are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a compact imaging module900, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise a laminated magnet holder910and a laminated coil holder940. Aperture920may receive light into lens assembly1050(FIG. 10). As mentioned above, incorporating laminated layers in a compact imaging module may provide an opportunity to include three-dimensional features900, which may comprise grooves, notches, slits, recessed regions, bumps, ridges, and so on.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of components that may comprise compact imaging module900, according to an embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor such as image sensor105shown inFIG. 2, for example. Compact imaging module900may further comprise a lens assembly1050, which may include one or more lenses to project an image onto an image sensor. Aperture1010may receive light into lens assembly1050and other components of compact imaging module900. Such an image need not comprise visible wavelengths, but may also comprise infrared and/or ultraviolet wavelengths, for example. So that such an image may be focused onto an image sensor, an actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1050with respect to an image sensor. In a particular implementation, such an actuator may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly1050with respect to an image sensor. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1030, a laminated magnet holder1020, a spring1040, a coil1070, and/or a laminated coil holder1060. Laminated magnet holder1020may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1030. Laminated coil holder1060may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate coil1070. Such laminated magnet holder and/or laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Electrical leads (not shown) may provide electrical signals to coil1070. Such leads may comprise a flexible conductor, such as a ribbon, one or more wires, and so on. Though magnet1030is shown inFIG. 10to include four portions, claimed subject matter is not so limited. Also, a magnet holder or coil holder, whether laminated or not, need not be included in an embodiment of an imaging module. Imaging module900may further comprise a laminated middle spacer1080disposed between spring1090and a laminated bottom spacer1095, for example. As mentioned above, different laminating sheets of laminated spacers1080and1095may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. As an example, particular variations of patterns of laminating layers foaming laminated middle spacer1080may result in a notch-like feature1085. Of course, such details of compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 11is a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module1100, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor1150and a lens assembly1170to provide an image onto image sensor1150. An actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1170with respect to image sensor1150to focus an image onto image sensor1150. A direction of such positioning is depicted by arrow1160, for example. As mentioned above, lens assembly1170may comprise one or more lenses, and the vertical position of one or more such lenses may be adjusted as a group by an actuator. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1110, a laminated magnet holder1115, a planar spring1130, a coil1120, and/or a laminated coil holder1125. Laminated magnet holder1115may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1110. Laminated coil holder1125may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate coil1120. Such laminated magnet holder and/or laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Responsive to actuator movements, magnet1110and magnet holder1115may move with lens assembly1170substantially in a direction indicated by arrows1160. In a particular implementation, planer spring1130may comprise a portion (e.g., a circumferential portion) attached to a portion of coil1120and/or coil holder1125. Another portion (e.g., a central portion) of planar spring1130may be attached to a portion of magnet1110and/or magnet holder1115to form a movable part. Imaging module1100may further comprise a laminated middle spacer1140disposed between a bottom spring1135and coil1120. Further, imaging module1100may comprise a laminated bottom spacer1145disposed between bottom spring1135and image sensor1150. As mentioned above, different laminating sheets of laminated bottom spacer1145, laminated middle spacer1140, laminated coil holder1125, and/or laminated magnet holder1115may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. Of course, such details of compact imaging module1100are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of layers1210that comprise a laminated magnet holder1250, according to an embodiment. Such a magnet holder may be similar to laminated magnet holder1150shown inFIG. 11, for example. In a particular implementation, laminating layers1210may comprise 0.16 mm stainless steel sheets having a pattern substantially the same as one another. In another particular implementation, laminating layers1210may comprise stainless steel sheets having a range of thicknesses between 0.1 and 0.2 min with patterns different from or substantially the same as one another. As discussed above, laminating layers1210may be laminated together in a batch process, though claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of a compact imaging module1300, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise a laminated coil holder1310and a laminated magnet holder1340. Aperture1320may receive light into lens assembly1470(FIG. 14). As mentioned above, incorporating laminated layers in a compact imaging module may provide an opportunity to include three-dimensional features1330, which may comprise grooves, notches, slits, recessed regions, bumps, ridges, and so on.

FIG. 14is a perspective view of components that may comprise compact imaging module1300, according to an embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor such as image sensor105shown inFIG. 2, for example. Compact imaging module1300may further comprise a lens assembly1470, which may include one or more lenses to provide an image onto an image sensor. Aperture1410may receive light into lens assembly1470and other components of compact imaging module1300. So that such an image may be focused onto an image sensor, an actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1470with respect to an image sensor. In a particular implementation, such an actuator may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly1470with respect to an image sensor. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1460, a laminated magnet holder1450, a spring1440, a coil1420, and/or a laminated coil holder1430. Laminated magnet holder1450may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1460. Laminated coil holder1430may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate coil1420. Such laminated magnet holder and/or laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Electrical leads (not shown) may provide electrical signals to coil1420. Such leads may comprise a flexible conductor, such as a ribbon, one or more wires, and so on. Though magnet1460is shown inFIG. 14to include four portions, claimed subject matter is not so limited. Also, a magnet holder or coil holder, whether laminated or not, need not be included in an embodiment of an imaging module. Imaging module1300may further comprise a laminated middle spacer1480disposed between spring1490and a laminated bottom spacer1495, for example. As mentioned above, different laminating sheets of laminated spacers1490and1095may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. As an example, particular variations of patterns of laminating layers forming laminated middle spacer1480may result in a notch-like feature1485. Of course, such details of compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 15is a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module1500, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor1550and a lens assembly1570to project an image onto image sensor1550. An actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1570with respect to image sensor1550to focus an image onto image sensor1550. A direction of such positioning is depicted by arrow1560, for example. As mentioned above, lens assembly1570may comprise one or more lenses, and the vertical position of one or more such lenses may be adjusted as a group by an actuator. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1510, a laminated magnet holder1515, a planar spring1530, a coil1520, and/or a laminated coil holder1525. Laminated magnet holder1515may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1510. Laminated coil holder1525may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate coil1520. Such laminated magnet holder and/or laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Responsive to actuator movements, coil1520and coil holder1525may move with lens assembly1570substantially in a direction indicated by arrows1560. In a particular implementation, planer spring1530may comprise a portion (e.g., a circumferential portion) attached to a portion of magnet holder1525. Another portion (e.g., a central portion) of planar spring1530may be attached to a portion of coil1520and/or coil holder1515to form a movable part. Imaging module1500may further comprise a laminated middle spacer1540disposed between a bottom spring1535and magnet1510. Further, imaging module1500may comprise a laminated bottom spacer1545disposed between bottom spring1535and image sensor1550. As mentioned above, different laminating sheets of laminated bottom spacer1545, laminated middle spacer1540, laminated coil holder1525, and/or laminated magnet holder1515may have patterns, shapes, and/or thickness the same or different from one another. Of course, such details of compact imaging module1500are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 16is a perspective view of a compact imaging module1600, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise a laminated magnet holder1640and a laminated bottom spacer1615. Aperture1620may receive light into lens assembly1760(FIG. 17).

FIG. 17is a perspective view of components that may comprise compact imaging module1600, according to an embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor such as image sensor105shown inFIG. 2, for example. Compact imaging module1600may further comprise a lens assembly1760, which may include one or more lenses to project an image onto an image sensor. Aperture1710may receive light into lens assembly1760and other components of compact imaging module1600. So that such an image may be focused onto an image sensor, an actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1760with respect to an image sensor. In a particular implementation, such an actuator may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly1760with respect to an image sensor. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1730, a laminated magnet holder1740, a spring1720, and/or a coil1765(e.g., peripherally disposed on lens assembly1760). Laminated magnet holder1740may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1730. Such a laminated magnet holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Though magnet1730is shown inFIG. 17to include four portions, claimed subject matter is not so limited. Also, a magnet holder, whether laminated or not, need not be included in an embodiment of an imaging module. Imaging module1600may further comprise a laminated bottom spacer1780disposed between bottom spring1770and an image sensor, for example. Of course, such details of compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 18is a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module1800, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor1850and a lens assembly1870to project an image onto image sensor1850. An actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly1870with respect to image sensor1850to focus an image onto image sensor1850. A direction of such positioning is depicted by arrow1860, for example. As mentioned above, lens assembly1870may comprise one or more lenses, and the vertical position of one or more such lenses may be adjusted as a group by an actuator. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet1810, a laminated magnet holder1815, a planar top spring1830, and/or a coil1820, which may be attached circumferentially around lens assembly1870. Laminated magnet holder1815may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets1810. Such a laminated magnet holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Responsive to actuator movements, coil1820may move with lens assembly1870substantially in a direction indicated by arrows1860. In a particular implementation, bottom planar spring1835may comprise a portion attached to a portion of lens assembly1870. Another portion of bottom planar spring1835may be attached to a portion of spacer1845to form a movable part. Of course, such details of compact imaging module1800are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 19is a perspective view of a compact imaging module1900, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise a laminated coil holder1910and a laminated bottom spacer1940. Aperture1920may receive light into lens assembly2030(FIG. 20).

FIG. 20is a perspective view of components that may comprise compact imaging module1900, according to an embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor such as image sensor105shown inFIG. 2, for example. Compact imaging module1900may further comprise a lens assembly2030, which may include one or more lenses to project an image onto an image sensor. Aperture2010may receive light into lens assembly2030and other components of compact imaging module1900. So that such an image may be focused onto an image sensor, an actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly2030with respect to an image sensor. In a particular implementation, such an actuator may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly2030with respect to an image sensor. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet2040, a coil2050, a laminated coil holder2060, and/or a spring2020. Laminated coil holder2060may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more coils2050. Such a laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Though magnet2040is shown inFIG. 20to include four portions, claimed subject matter is not so limited. Also, a coil holder, whether laminated or not, need not be included in an embodiment of an imaging module. Imaging module1900may further comprise a laminated bottom spacer2080disposed between bottom spring2070and an image sensor, for example. Of course, such details of compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

FIG. 21is a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module2100, according to another embodiment. Such a compact imaging module may comprise an image sensor2150and a lens assembly2170to project an image onto image sensor2150. An actuator may adjust a position of lens assembly2170with respect to image sensor2150to focus an image onto image sensor2150. A direction of such positioning is depicted by arrow2160, for example. As mentioned above, lens assembly2170may comprise one or more lenses, and the vertical position of one or more such lenses may be adjusted as a group by an actuator. In an implementation, such an actuator may comprise a magnet2110, a planar top spring2130, a coil2120, and/or a laminated coil holder2125. Laminated coil holder2125may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more coils2120. Such a laminated coil holder may comprise two or more laminating layers, as described above, for example. Responsive to actuator movements, coil2120may move with lens assembly2170substantially in a direction indicated by arrows2160. In a particular implementation, bottom planar spring2135may comprise a portion attached to a portion of lens assembly2170. Another portion of bottom planar spring2135may be attached to a portion of spacer2135to form a movable part. Of course, such details of compact imaging module2100are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presently considered to be example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.