Abstract:
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electromagnetic force generation for an imaging device having a small form factor.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electromagnetic force generation for an imaging device having a small form factor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments will be described with reference to the following objects, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various objects unless otherwise specified. 
           [0004]      FIGS. 1 and 2  include perspective views and a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module, according to an embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a compact imaging module, according to an embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an actuator, according to an embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of an actuator, according to an embodiment. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of an actuator, according to an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of magnets and magnet holders, according to embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of components that comprise a compact imaging module, according to another embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of an actuator, according to another embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 11  is a top view of a portion of an actuator, according to an embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a portion of an actuator, according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 13  is a top view of a portion of an actuator, according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 14-16  show various stages of a batch process to fabricate multiple actuators, according to an embodiment. I 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, or systems that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. 
         [0017]    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. 
         [0018]    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, wherein a footprint of the compact module may be the same as or less than a footprint of the image sensor, for example. In other words, a surface area of a compact imaging module need not extend beyond a surface area of an image sensor. For example, a footprint area of an image sensor may comprise a value of about 1.5 square millimeters. An area of a compact module mounted on and/or physically supported by such an image sensor may comprise a value of about 1.5 square millimeters or less. 
         [0019]    A distance between a lens assembly and an image sensor may be adjustable, at least in part, in response to an electromagnetic force generated by one or more magnets and a coil, for example, wherein the distance may be measured along an optical axis of the lens assembly. In a particular embodiment, for example, a structure of a compact imaging module, such as a compact camera module, may provide auto-focus and/or other imaging functions by adjusting such a distance. 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. 
         [0020]    As used to describe such embodiments, 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. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, a compact imaging module may comprise a lens assembly including one or more lenses, an image sensor to receive light via the lens assembly, and an actuator to adjust a position of the lens assembly. In one implementation, an actuator may include one ring-shaped magnet and one coil to produce an electromagnetic force on the magnet. In another implementation, an actuator may include one or more pairs of magnets and one coil to produce an electromagnetic force on the magnets. Magnetic poles of magnets of such pairs may comprise mirror symmetry about an optical axis of a lens assembly, as described below. 
         [0022]    In one implementation, an actuator may comprise one or more magnets and a coil to impart a magnetic force on a lens assembly. Such magnets, which may comprise permanent magnets, may have a flat or planar shape, for example. A coil may be a wound coil, printed coil, and/or an electroplated coil on a substrate. A compact imaging module may comprise a spring to provide a restoring force to the lens assembly. A surface area of an actuator need not extend substantially beyond a surface area of an image sensor. Such an actuator may be mounted on a surface of an image sensor. 
         [0023]    In other implementations, a compact imaging module may include an actuator having a coil that moves with a lens assembly if the coil is energized with an electric current, 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. 
         [0024]    In one particular implementation, an actuator may comprise one or more magnets arranged in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens assembly. In another particular implementation, such an actuator may comprise a coil in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens assembly. Such a coil may be mounted on and/or sit on a lens assembly of a compact imaging module. As discussed in further detail below, a relationship between widths of individual magnets included in an actuator and a width of a coil in the actuator may determine magnitudes of electromagnetic forces generated by the actuator. For example, a ratio of a width of a magnet to a width of a coil may comprise a value between about 0.8 and 1.6, though claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, a compact imaging module may be fabricated by 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 positioned between an image sensor and a lens assembly, and one or more leaf springs that are positioned between a coil and a magnet of the actuator. In one implementation, a lens assembly may include at least a portion disposed in a central cavity of an actuator and/or disposed between a central cavity of the actuator and an image sensor. In such embodiments, at least a portion of the actuator may be coupled to the image sensor. Of course, such details of a compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0026]    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 allow for improved image quality. An advantage of such a compact module is that its footprint may be equal to or smaller than a footprint of an image sensor, so that a surface area of the compact module may be relatively small. In contrast, a compact module that is larger than its image sensor may have a relatively large surface area. Moreover, a batch manufacturing process, described below, may be applied to fabricating such a compact module. For example, such a batch process may comprise a wafer level process to fabricate an actuator of a compact image sensor. Such a process may allow for 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. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 and 2  include perspective views and a cross-section view of components that comprise a compact imaging module  100 , according to an embodiment. Such an imaging module may comprise an image sensor  180  including an active region (not shown) comprising 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 sensor  180  may also comprise an inactive region (not shown) at least partially surrounding an active region. Such an inactive region may comprise a border or frame for an active region that may be used to physically support other portions of compact imaging module  100  without interfering with light impinging on the active region. For example, a portion of an actuator  190  (discussed below) may be mounted and/or coupled to an inactive region of image sensor  180 , though claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, imaging module  100  may further comprise a lens assembly  160 , which may include one or more lenses to provide an image onto an active region of image sensor  180 . 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 active region, actuator  190  may adjust a position of lens assembly  160  with respect to image sensor  180 . In a particular implementation, actuator  190  may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly  160  with respect to image sensor  180 . 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. Lens assembly  160  may comprise an optical axis  105 . In a particular implementation, actuator  190  may comprise one or more magnets  110 , a magnet holder  115 , a top leaf spring  120 , and/or a coil  130 . Magnet holder  115  may comprise a substantially planar holder that provides an area and/or space to accommodate one or more magnets. 
         [0029]    Coil  130  may comprise one or more conducting coils mounted on a substrate. For example, coil  130  may comprise multiple loops of wire in one or more layers of such a substrate. An electrical current travelling through such loops may induce a magnetic field to impart a force on one or more magnets, such as magnets  110 , for example. In such a case, spring  120  may provide a restoring force to counter such a magnetic force, thereby providing a mechanism to adjust a vertical position of lens assembly  160  with respect to image sensor  180 . Coil  130  may further comprise an aperture  135  to allow light along an optical axis  105  to travel past coil  130 . Electrical leads (not shown) may provide electrical signals to coil  130 . Such leads may comprise a flexible conductor, such as a ribbon, one or more wires, and so on. Though not shown, coil  130  may include electrical connection areas where electrical current may be transferred from electrical leads to coil  130  or vise versa. Of course, such details of coil  130  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0030]    In one implementation, coil  130  may comprise a PCB coil, which may or may not comprise a multi-layer flexible PCB coil. Such a PCB coil may comprise a flexible PCB coil, for example. In another implementation, coil  130  may comprise a wound coil, though claimed subject matter is not so limited. A PCB coil may provide a number of benefits or advantages over a wound coil. For example, a PCB coil may be fabricated with relatively tight dimensional tolerances and may be free-standing without a need for a fixture, frame, or host. A PCB coil may be batch processed and may be relatively thin compared to a wound coil. PCB coils may be designed in a large variety of shapes and sizes. Such PCB coils may also be relatively easily designed and/or fabricated to include multiple layers to produce sufficient magnet flux. 
         [0031]    Springs  120  and/or  150  may comprise leaf springs, which may include a central portion and an arm portion (not shown) adapted to move or flex as a spring. For example, such a central portion and an arm portion may provide a restoring force if the central portion and the arm portion are displaced from a neutral configuration. A fixed portion may comprise an outer portion of springs  120  and/or  150  which may be fixedly mounted to one or more components of compact imaging module  100 . For example, such a central portion and an arm portion may flex in a spring-like manner while the fixed portion is held in a relatively fixed position. Springs  120  and/or  150  may further comprise apertures  125  and  155  to allow light along optical axis  105  to travel past springs  120  and  150 . Of course, such details of springs  120  and  150  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0032]    Though magnets  110  are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to include four portions, claimed subject matter is not so limited. Also, magnet holder  115  may or may not be included in an embodiment of an imaging module. For example, two or more magnets may be assembled to one another without use of a magnet holder. Imaging module  100  may further comprise a spacer  170  disposed between a bottom leaf spring  150  and image sensor  180 , for example. Of course, such details of imaging module  100  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a compact imaging module  300  showing a magnet holder  315  and magnets  310 A,  310 B,  311 A, and  311 B according to an embodiment. An aperture  325  may allow light along an optical axis of module  300  to travel past magnet holder  315 . Individual magnets may comprise various shapes in different embodiments (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). In  FIG. 3 , for example, magnets  310 A,  310 B,  311 A, and  311 B may comprise a rectangular shape. Magnet holder  315 , which may comprise a non-magnetic material, may physically support magnets  310 A,  310 B,  311 A, and  311 B. Non-magnetic materials may include plastic, copper, and aluminum, just to name a few examples. Though not shown, magnet holder  315  may comprise U-shaped recessed regions where magnets  310 A,  310 B,  311 A, and  311 B may be placed. Compact imaging module  300  may comprise a first pair of magnets  310 A,B and a second pair of magnets  311 A,B. A first pair of magnets  310 A,B may have a shorter length than a second pair of magnets  311 A,B, for example. In other embodiments, a compact imaging module may comprise one magnet (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) or one pair of magnets (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ). In an embodiment, one coil may be used for one or more magnets in an actuator, as explained below. A geometric plane of magnets  310 A,  310 B,  311 A, and  311 B may be perpendicular to an optical axis of module  300 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an actuator  400 , according to an embodiment. A magnet holder  415  may include a first pair of magnets  410  and a second pair of magnets  411  above a coil  430 . A top spring  420  may be disposed between coil  430  and magnet holder  415 . An aperture  425  may allow light travelling along optical axis  405  to pass though top spring  420 , coil  430 , and magnet holder  415 . As mentioned above, such an optical axis may comprise an axis of a lens assembly, such as  160  shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. Magnetic poles of magnets of pairs  410  and  411  may comprise mirror symmetry about optical axis  405 . For example, magnets may be arranged so that relative positions of north and south poles of the magnets are located in a manner that is the same in any direction relative to optical axis  405 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , north magnetic poles of magnets of pairs  410  and  411  are closest to optical axis  405  compared to south magnetic poles. In one implementation, alignment of magnetic poles of individual magnets is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens assembly. For example, north and south magnetic poles of individual magnets of magnet pairs  410  and  411  may be aligned with respect to one another in a direction perpendicular to axis  405 . Such an arrangement of magnetic poles may provide an electromagnetic force to adjust a position of a lens assembly in response to a current in coil  430 . As discussed in further detail below, such an electromagnetic force may comprise a sum of electromagnetic forces generated in two regions. In a first region inside coil  430 , a magnetic flux produced by coil  430  may act on north poles of magnets pairs  410  and  411 . In a second region outside coil  430 , a magnetic flux produced by coil  430  may act on south poles of magnets pairs  410  and  411 . Accordingly, positions of north and south poles of magnets  410  and  411  (and thus concomitant positions and/or sizes of magnets  410  and  411 ) relative to coil  430  may be selected to provide desirable magnitudes of electromagnetic forces between the magnets and the coil. Details of such positions are described below. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cross-section of a portion of an actuator, such as actuator  400 , according to an embodiment. A magnet holder  515  may include magnets  510 . A top spring  520  may be disposed between a coil  530  and magnet holder  515 . An aperture  525  may allow light travelling along optical axis  505  to pass though top spring  520 , coil  530 , and magnet holder  515 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a magnet width  512  may be defined as a distance between first magnet edge  516  and second magnet edge  518 . Similarly, a coil width  532  may be defined as a distance between first coil edge  536  and second coil edge  538 . As mentioned above, positions and/or sizes of magnets  510  relative to coil  530  may be selected to provide desirable magnitudes of electromagnetic forces between the magnets and the coil. Magnitudes of such electromagnetic forces may be based, at least in part, on an amount of coupling (e.g. overlap) between magnetic flux of magnets and magnetic flux of a coil, for example. In one implementation, magnets  510  may be located so that center axes  560  of individual magnets  510  and coil  530  are substantially aligned with one another, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In another implementation, a ratio of magnet width  512  to coil width  532  may comprise a particular value. For a particular example, such a ratio may comprise a value from about 0.8 to about 1.6. Outside this range of values, relatively inefficient coupling between magnetic flux of magnets and magnetic flux of a coil may lead to increased rotational moments affecting portions of the actuator. For example, a rotational moment may increase a tilt angle of the optical system during operation. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of a portion of an actuator  600 , according to an embodiment. A magnet holder  615  may include a pair of magnets comprising magnets  610 A and  610 B ( FIG. 6  also includes a partial view of a magnet  611  of another magnet pair). A top spring (not shown in  FIG. 6 ), such as top spring  420  shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, may be disposed between a coil  630  and magnet holder  615 . Apertures  625  disposed in magnet holder  615  and coil  630  may allow light travelling along optical axis  605  to pass though coil  630  and magnet holder  615 . 
         [0037]    Coil  630  may comprise one or more conducting coils mounted on a substrate. For example, coil  630  may comprise multiple loops of wire in one or more layers of such a substrate. An electrical current travelling through such loops may induce a magnetic field to impart a force on magnets  610 A and  610 B (and magnet  611 ), as discussed above. As shown in cross-section in  FIG. 6 , coil  630  may comprise a portion  633  and a portion  636 . As indicated by a solid circle in portion  633 , one or more conductors in portion  633  may carry electrical current in a direction out of the drawing of  FIG. 6 . As indicated by a “X” in portion  636 , one or more conductors in portion  636  may carry the electrical current in a direction into the drawing of  FIG. 6 . Thus, in this particular example, magnetic flux produced by the current-carrying coil  630  may be directed upward, as indicated by arrow  608 . Such upward magnetic flux may be substantially located in an inside region  635  so that an upward magnetic force may be imparted on north poles (indicated by “N” in  FIG. 6 ) of magnets  610 A and  610 B (and magnet  611 ). Meanwhile, magnetic flux produced by the current-carrying coil  630  may be directed downward, as indicated by arrows  609 . Such downward magnetic flux may be substantially located outside region  635  so that an upward magnetic force may be imparted on south poles (indicated by “S” in  FIG. 6 ) of magnets  610 A and  610 B (and magnet  611 ). Upward flux inside region  635  acting on north poles of magnets may produce a magnetic force in a same (upward) direction as that of downward flux outside region  635  acting on south poles of the magnets. Accordingly, flux inside region  635  and flux outside region  635  may both contribute to a summed force on the magnets. 
         [0038]    As discussed above, positions of north and south poles of magnets relative to coil  630  may be selected to provide desirable magnitudes of electromagnetic forces between the magnets and the coil. Accordingly, positions and/or sizes of individual magnets relative to coil  630  may be selected to provide desirable magnitudes of electromagnetic forces between the magnets and the coil. As discussed above, magnitudes of such electromagnetic forces may be based, at least in part, on an amount of coupling (e.g. overlap) between north/south poles of magnets and magnetic flux of a coil, for example. As defined above in a discussion of  FIG. 5 , a ratio of magnet width  612  to coil width  632  may comprise a particular value, such as a value from about 0.8 to about 1.6. Outside this range of values, relatively inefficient coupling between poles of magnets and magnetic flux of a coil may lead to values of electromagnetic forces between the magnets and the coil that are less than desirable. 
         [0039]    An actuator may produce varying magnitudes of electromagnetic forces based, at least in part, on a varying magnitude of electrical current travelling in coil  630 . Such varying magnitudes may provide varying distances between a lens assembly and an image sensor (e.g., lens assembly  160  and image sensor  180 , shown in  FIG. 1 ) to precisely control a focus of light onto the image sensor. For example, a distance between a lens assembly and an image sensor may be based, at least in part, on a magnetic field, wherein such a distance is measured along an optical axis of a lens assembly. Of course, such details of actuator  600  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are top views of magnets and magnet holders that may be used in actuators of compact imaging modules, according to embodiments. In embodiment  700 , a magnet holder  715  may include trapezoidal-shaped magnets  710 . In embodiment  800 , a magnet holder  815  may include magnets  810  that include a notch in a corner region. Selection of such shapes of magnets  710  and  810  may arise by considering that magnetic flux generated by a current-carrying coils (not shown in  FIG. 7  or  8 ) may be distributed in substantially circular cross-sections  730  and  830 , for example. Thus, corners portions of magnets furthest from such a region of magnetic flux may have a negligible affect on electromagnetic forces between the magnets and current-carrying coils. Accordingly, magnet shapes of magnets  715  and  815  need not include such corner portions. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a side view and perspective view of components that comprise a compact imaging module  900 , according to an embodiment. Such an imaging module may be similar to imaging module  100  shown in  FIG. 1  except that relative positions of coil  130  and magnet  110  of actuator  190  may be interchanged in actuator  990 , for example. Similar to imaging module  100 , imaging module  900  may comprise an image sensor  980  comprising an active region and an inactive region (not shown) at least partially surrounding the active region. Such an inactive region may comprise a border or frame of an active region, and may be used to physically support other portions of compact imaging module  900 . For example, a portion of spacer  970  may be mounted and/or coupled to such an inactive region of image sensor  980 , though claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, imaging module  900  may further comprise a lens assembly  960 , which may include one or more lenses to project an image onto an active region of image sensor  980 . As explained above, so that such an image is focused onto image sensor  980 , actuator  990  may adjust a position of lens assembly  960  with respect to image sensor  980 . In a particular implementation, actuator  990  may adjust a vertical position of at least a portion of lens assembly  960  with respect to image sensor  980 . 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, actuator  990  may comprise magnets and magnet holder  910  below a coil  930 , and/or a top leaf spring  920 . Imaging module  900  may further comprise a spacer  970  disposed between a bottom leaf spring  950  and image sensor  980 , for example. Spacer  940  may be disposed between magnets and magnet holder  910  and lower leaf spring  950 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portion of a compact imaging module  1000  and  FIG. 11  is a top view of module  1000 , according to an embodiment. Such an imaging module may be similar to imaging module  100  shown in  FIG. 2  except that magnet  1010  comprises a single ring-shaped magnet. For example, a ring-shaped magnet may comprise a square or rectangular shape in a top view, including an open area in a central region to allow light along optical axis  1005  to travel past the ring-shaped magnet. In another example, a ring-shaped magnet may comprise a circular or triangular shape in a top view, including an open area in a central region. Of course, other ring-shaped geometries may be used, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. Magnet  1010  may be physically supported by a magnet holder  1015 . A leaf spring  1020  may be disposed between magnet holder  1015  and a coil  1030 . Compact imaging module  1000  may comprise an aperture  1025  to allow light along optical axis  1005  to travel past magnet  1010 , coil  1030 , and magnet holder  1015 . Of course, such details of compact imaging module  1000  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a portion of a compact imaging module  1200  and  FIG. 13  is a top view of module  1200 , according to an embodiment. Such an imaging module may be similar to imaging module  100  shown in  FIG. 2  except that magnet  1210  comprises a single pair of magnets. Magnet pair  1210  may be physically supported by a magnet holder  1215 . A leaf spring  1220  may be disposed between magnet holder  1215  and a coil  1230 . Compact imaging module  1200  may comprise an aperture  1225  to allow light along optical axis  1205  to travel past magnet  1210 , coil  1230 , and magnet holder  1215 . Of course, such details of compact imaging module  1200  are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 14-16  show various stages of a batch process to fabricate multiple actuators, such as actuators  190  and/or  990  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , respectively, according to an embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 14  is a perspective view of components to fabricate an actuator, according to an embodiment. Such components may comprise a PCB coil sheet  1430 , a planar spring (e.g., a leaf spring) sheet  1420 , and/or a magnet sheet  1410 . Here, “sheet” refers to a relatively thin layer that may comprise multiple components. For example, magnet sheet  1410  may comprise multiple individual magnets arranged substantially in an array, planar spring sheet  1420  may comprise multiple individual planar springs arranged substantially in an array, and PCB coil sheet  1430  may comprise multiple individual PCB coils arranged substantially in an array. In a relatively early stage of fabrication, such sheets may be lined up relative to one another and laminated together to form an array  1510  of individual actuator, as shown in  FIG. 15 . Subsequently, such individual actuators may be separated from one another by cutting actuator array  1510  substantially along edges of the individual actuators. For example,  FIG. 16  shows an array  1610  of individual actuators  1660  having edges  1620 , where such cutting may be performed to separate actuators  1660 . Subsequently, though not shown, separated actuators  1660  may be mounted and/or coupled to image sensors during a process of assembling a compact imaging module. Lens assemblies may then be mounted to actuators  1660  so that a first portion of the lens assemblies is disposed in a central cavity of the actuators and a second portion of the lens assemblies is disposed between the central cavity of the actuators and the image sensors, wherein the first portion has a smaller diameter than that of the second portion, as described above. Of course, such details of a fabricating process of a compact imaging module are merely examples, and claimed subject matter is not so limited. 
         [0046]    One skilled in the art will realize that a virtually unlimited number of variations to the above descriptions is possible, and that the examples and the accompanying figures are merely to illustrate one or more particular implementations. 
         [0047]    The terms, “and,” “and/or,” and “or” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that also is expected to depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” as well as “and/or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or may be used to describe some combination of features, structures, or characteristics. Though, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example. 
         [0048]    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.