PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11750924-B2
Application Number: US-202117483709-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Camera with sensor-shifting autofocus mechanism

Abstract:
Various embodiments include a camera having a sensor-shifting mechanism. For example, the camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move an image sensor, relative to a lens group, to provide autofocus (AF) functionality. According to some embodiments, the VCM actuator may include one or more coils attached to a coil carrier, and one or more magnets attached to a stationary structure of the camera. The coil carrier may be attached to an image sensor package such that the image sensor is movable together with the coil carrier, in at least one direction parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group. In some embodiments, the camera may include one or more suspension arrangements to suspend the coil carrier and/or the image sensor package from one or more stationary structures of the camera.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor package, comprising:
 an image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group; and 
 a substrate to which the image sensor is attached; 
 
 a coil carrier fixedly coupled with the image sensor package, such that the image sensor package is movable together with the coil carrier; and 
 a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the image sensor in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis, the VCM actuator comprising:
 one or more magnets attached to a stationary structure of the camera; and 
 one or more coils fixedly coupled with the coil carrier and positioned proximate the one or more magnets between the one or more magnets and the optical axis, such that the one or more coils are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the one or more magnets to produce Lorentz forces that move the image sensor in the direction parallel to the optical axis. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an optical element attached to the coil carrier and positioned along the optical axis, wherein the optical element allows at least a portion of the light that passes through the lens group to reach the image sensor; 
 wherein the image sensor is entirely encapsulated within a chamber defined by the substrate, the coil carrier, and the optical element. 
 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a suspension arrangement to suspend the coil carrier from at least one of:
 the one or more magnets; or 
 a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is positioned below the one or more magnets; 
 
 wherein the suspension arrangement is configured to allow motion of the coil carrier enabled by the VCM actuator. 
 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 3 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises at least one of:
 an upper leaf spring that is attached to the coil carrier and to the one or more magnets; or 
 a lower leaf spring that is attached to the coil carrier and to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a flexure arrangement, comprising:
 an inner platform attached to the substrate; 
 an outer platform attached to the base structure; 
 one or more flexure arms attached to the inner platform and to the outer platform; and 
 one or more electrical traces on the one or more flexure arms for routing electrical signals between the inner platform and the outer platform. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the VCM actuator is controllable to provide autofocus (AF) of an image on the image sensor. 
     
     
       7. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stationary structure comprises:
 a yoke that at least partially encases the coil carrier; 
 the camera further comprises:
 a lens barrel to which the lens group is fixedly attached; and 
 
 the lens barrel is fixedly attached to the yoke. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a position sensor to detect a position of the image sensor in the at least one direction parallel to the optical axis, wherein the position sensor is fixedly attached to a bottom side of the substrate that faces towards a bottom of the camera; and 
 a probe magnet fixedly attached to an inner surface of a bottom cover of the camera, wherein the probe magnet is positioned proximate the position sensor such that the position sensor is capable of sensing changes of a magnetic field of the probe magnet as the image sensor moves in the at least one direction. 
 
     
     
       9. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the stationary structure comprises a yoke that at least partially encases the coil carrier; and 
 the camera further comprises: 
 a position sensor to detect a position of the image sensor in the at least one direction parallel to the optical axis, wherein the position sensor is fixedly attached to a top side of the substrate that faces towards a top of the camera; and 
 a probe magnet fixedly attached to the yoke, wherein the probe magnet is positioned proximate the position sensor such that the position sensor is capable of sensing changes of a magnetic field of the probe magnet as the image sensor moves in the at least one direction. 
 
     
     
       10. A device, comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operations of a camera; and 
 the camera, comprising:
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor package, comprising:
 an image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group; and 
 a substrate to which the image sensor is attached; 
 
 a coil carrier fixedly coupled with the image sensor package, such that the image sensor package is movable together with the coil carrier; 
 an optical element attached to the coil carrier and positioned along the optical axis, wherein the image sensor is entirely encapsulated within a chamber defined by the substrate, the coil carrier, and the optical element; and 
 a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move the image sensor in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis, the VCM actuator comprising:
 one or more magnets attached to a stationary structure of the camera; and 
 one or more coils fixedly coupled with the coil carrier and positioned proximate the one or more magnets such that the one or more coils are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the one or more magnets to produce Lorentz forces that move the image sensor in a direction parallel to the optical axis. 
 
 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the optical element comprises:
 an optical filter. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a base structure that at least partially encircles the substrate; 
 a suspension arrangement to suspend the coil carrier from:
 the one or more magnets; and 
 the base structure; 
 
 wherein the suspension arrangement is configured to allow motion of the coil carrier enabled by the VCM actuator. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
 an upper leaf spring that is attached to the coil carrier and to the one or more magnets; and 
 a lower leaf spring that is attached to the coil carrier and to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a flexure arrangement, comprising:
 an inner platform attached to the substrate; 
 an outer platform attached to the base structure; 
 one or more flexure arms attached to the inner platform and to the outer platform; and 
 one or more electrical traces on the one or more flexure arms for routing electrical signals between the inner platform and the outer platform. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to control the VCM actuator to provide autofocus (AF) of an image on the image sensor. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the stationary structure comprises:
 a yoke that at least partially encases the coil carrier; 
 
 the camera further comprises:
 a lens barrel to which the lens group is fixedly attached; and 
 
 the lens barrel is fixedly attached to the yoke. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more magnets comprise corner magnets mounted at corners of the yoke. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the image sensor package further comprises:
 one or more electrical components on the substrate. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the substrate comprises an organic substrate; 
 the image sensor package further comprises:
 one or more electrical components on a bottom side of the organic substrate; and 
 
 the image sensor is connected to the organic substrate in wire bond configuration. 
 
     
     
       20. A voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module, comprising:
 a coil carrier to fixedly couple with an image sensor substrate of a camera, wherein the coil carrier defines an opening configured to allow light to pass from a lens group of the camera, along an optical axis defined by the lens group, to an image sensor attached to the image sensor substrate; 
 one or more coils attached to the coil carrier; 
 a yoke that at least partially encases the coil carrier; 
 one or more magnets attached to the yoke, wherein the VCM actuator module is configured such that the one or more coils are to be positioned between the one or more magnets and the optical axis and are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the one or more magnets to produce Lorentz forces that move the coil carrier, relative to the yoke, in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis; and 
 a suspension arrangement that suspends the coil carrier from one or more stationary components of the VCM actuator module and that allows motion of the coil carrier in the at least one direction.

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/083,626, entitled “Camera with Sensor-Shifting Autofocus Mechanism,” filed Sep. 25, 2020, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to architecture for a camera that includes a sensor-shifting autofocus (AF) mechanism. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, small form factor cameras for integration in the devices. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby the object focal distance can be adjusted to focus an object plane in front of the camera at an image plane to be captured by the image sensor. In some such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved as a single rigid body along the optical axis of the camera to refocus the camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  illustrate views of an example camera having a sensor-shifting autofocus (AF) mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  1 A  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera.  FIG.  1 B  shows a perspective view that includes some suspension and actuator components of the camera.  FIG.  1 C  shows a top view of an example flexure arrangement that may be included in the camera.  FIG.  1 D  shows a bottom perspective view that includes some external components and some electrical components mounted on an underside of a substrate that may be included in the camera. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a partially exploded view of an example camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate views of an example magnet-coil arrangement of a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that may be included in a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  3 A  shows a perspective view that includes the magnet-coil arrangement.  FIG.  3 B  shows a cross-sectional view that includes the magnet-coil arrangement. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate examples of AF motion that may be implemented in a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  4 A  shows an example of an upward AF stroke.  FIG.  4 B  shows an example of a downward AF stroke. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a partially exploded cross-sectional view of an example camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, where the camera includes electrical components mounted on a top side of a ceramic substrate, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a partially exploded cross-sectional view of another example camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, where the camera includes electrical components mounted on a bottom side of an organic substrate, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a schematic representation of an example device that may include a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example computer system that may include a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments include a camera having a sensor-shifting mechanism. For example, the camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move an image sensor, relative to a lens group, to provide autofocus (AF) functionality. According to some embodiments, the VCM actuator may include one or more coils attached to a coil carrier, and one or more magnets attached to a stationary structure of the camera. The coil carrier may be attached to an image sensor package such that the image sensor is movable together with the coil carrier, in at least one direction parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group. In some embodiments, the camera may include one or more suspension arrangements to suspend the coil carrier and/or the image sensor package from one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 D  illustrate views of an example camera  100  having a sensor-shifting autofocus (AF) mechanism.  FIG.  1 A  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera  100 .  FIG.  1 B  shows a perspective view that includes some suspension and actuator components of the camera  100 .  FIG.  1 C  shows a top view of an example flexure arrangement that may be included in the camera  100 .  FIG.  1 D  shows a bottom perspective view that includes some external components and some electrical components mounted on an underside of a substrate that may be included in the camera  100 . The example X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in  FIG.  1 A  may apply to embodiments discussed throughout this disclosure. 
     In various embodiments, the camera  100  may include a lens group  102 , an image sensor  104 , and the sensor-shifting AF mechanism (which may be used to move the image sensor  104  relative to the lens group  102 ). The lens group  102  may include one or more optical elements that define an optical axis  106 . The lens group  102  may be fixedly coupled with a lens barrel  108 . For example, the lens group  102  may be contained within the lens barrel  108 , as indicated in  FIG.  1 A . The image sensor  104  may be configured to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group  102 . The image sensor  104  may be fixedly coupled with a substrate  110 , e.g., such that the image sensor  104  is movable together with the substrate  110 . According to various embodiments, the image sensor  104 , the substrate  110 , and/or one or more other components may be included in an image sensor package. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor-shifting AF mechanism may include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator and one or more suspension arrangements. The VCM actuator may include one or more magnets  112  and one or more coils  114 . The magnet(s)  112  may be attached to a stationary structure of the camera  100 . For example, the magnet(s)  112  may be attached to a yoke  116  that at least partially encases the VCM actuator. In some embodiments, the yoke  116  may serve as both a magnet holder and an enclosure (e.g., a shield can). The magnet(s)  112  may comprise corner magnet(s) in some non-limiting embodiments. For example, as indicated in  FIG.  1 B , the magnet(s)  112  may be four corner magnets. The corner magnets may be mounted at corners of the yoke  116  (which may also correspond to corners of the camera  100 ). In various embodiments, the coil(s)  114  may be attached to a coil carrier  118  that is fixedly coupled with the image sensor package. The coil carrier  118  may be attached to the substrate  110  (e.g., via an adhesive at bond line  120  in  FIG.  1 A ). According to various embodiments, the coil(s)  114  may be positioned proximate the magnet(s)  112 , such that the coil(s)  114  are capable of electromagnetically interacting with the magnet(s)  112  to produce Lorentz forces that move the image sensor in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis  106  (e.g., in the Z-axis direction), as also discussed herein with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 4 B . 
     In various embodiments, the suspension arrangement(s) may include a spring suspension arrangement  122  and/or a flexure arrangement  124 . For example, the spring suspension arrangement  122  may be configured to suspend the coil carrier  118  from one or more stationary structures of the camera  100 , such as the magnet(s)  112 , the yoke  116 , and/or a base structure  126 . Furthermore, the spring suspension arrangement  122  may be configured to allow motion of the coil carrier  118  enabled by the VCM actuator. In some examples, the spring suspension arrangement  122  may include an upper leaf spring  128  and/or a lower leaf spring  130 , as indicated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B . The upper leaf spring  128  may be attached to the coil carrier  118  and to the magnet(s)  112  (and/or to the yoke  116 ). The lower leaf spring  130  may be attached to the coil carrier  118  and to the magnet(s)  112  (and/or to the base structure  126 ). 
     In some embodiments, the flexure arrangement  124  may be used for suspension and/or for routing electrical signals. As indicated in  FIG.  1 C , the flexure arrangement  124  may include an inner platform  132 , an outer platform  134 , and one or more flexure arms  136 . The inner platform  132  may be connected to the substrate  110 , e.g., via electrical connections  138 . The outer platform  134  may be connected to the base structure  126  (e.g., via an adhesive at bond line  140  in  FIG.  1 A ). The flexure arm(s)  136  may be connected to the inner platform  132  and to the outer platform  134 . In some embodiments, the flexure arm(s)  136  may have sufficient stiffness to provide at least some support in the suspension functions of the suspension arrangement(s). Furthermore, the flexure arm(s)  136  may have sufficient compliance in at least the Z-axis direction, to allow motion enabled by the VCM actuator. In some embodiments, the flexure arm(s)  136  may have sufficient in-plane stiffness (e.g., in the X-Y plane) so as to limit undesired motion in directions orthogonal to the optical axis  106 . However, it should be understood that in some embodiments the flexure arrangement  124  may be designed to allow controlled motion in directions orthogonal to the optical axis  106 , e.g., in an embodiment of the camera  100  that includes a sensor-shifting optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism. 
     According to various embodiments, the flexure arrangement  124  may include one or more electrical traces  140  for routing electrical signals (e.g., drive signals, image signals, and/or power signals). In some embodiments, electrical traces  142  may form a conductive path between the inner platform  132  and the outer platform  134 . This may be achieved, for example, by including electrical traces  142  on and/or in the flexure arm(s)  136 . As indicated in  FIG.  1 D , a portion of the flexure arrangement (e.g., a portion of the outer platform  134 ) may extend from inside the camera  100  to one or more external components that are external to the camera  100  (e.g., one or more processors of a device in which the camera  100  is included), and the electrical traces  142  may be used convey electrical signals between the camera  100  and the external component(s). 
     According to various embodiments, the camera  100  may include an optical element  144  attached to the coil carrier  118 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  1 A . The optical element  144  may allow at least a portion of the light that passes through the lens group  102  to reach the image sensor  104 . The optical element  144  may be positioned along the optical axis  106 , e.g., between the lens group  102  and the image sensor  104 . In some examples, the optical element  144  may comprise an optical filter (e.g., an infrared cut-off filter (IRCF)). In various embodiments, the image sensor  104  may be entirely encapsulated within a chamber  146  defined by the substrate  110 , the coil carrier  118 , and the optical element  142 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  1 A . The chamber may be a dust seal chamber that protects the image sensor  104  from dust and/or other debris that may undesirably impact image quality, camera performance, and/or user experience. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  100  may include one or more position sensors  148  and/or one or more other electrical components  150  mounted on the substrate  110 . For example, as indicated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 D , the position sensor(s)  148  and/or the electrical component(s)  150  may be mounted on a bottom side of the substrate  110  that faces towards a bottom of the camera  100 . Furthermore, the camera  100  may include one or more probe magnets  152  attached to an inner surface of a bottom cover  154  that at least partially encases a bottom portion of the camera  100 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  1 A . The position sensor(s)  148  may be used to detect a position of the image sensor  104  in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis  106  (e.g., the Z-axis direction). For example, a position sensor  148  and a corresponding probe magnet  152  may be positioned proximate one another such that the position sensor  148  is capable of sensing changes in a magnetic field of the probe magnet  152  as the position sensor moves (together with the image sensor package) in the Z-axis direction, relative to the probe magnet  152 . In some embodiments, the electrical component(s)  150  may include one or more drivers for providing a drive current to the coil(s)  114 , e.g., via a conductive path that includes the substrate  110 , the coil carrier  118 , and/or the suspension arrangement(s). In some embodiments, the driver(s) may receive actuator command signals from one or more controllers (e.g., a controller inside the camera  100  and/or a controller that is external to the camera  100 ), which may be conveyed to the driver(s) via the flexure arrangement  124 . 
     In some embodiments, the bottom cover  154  may at least partially encase a bottom of the camera  100  and one or more sides of the camera  100 . As indicated in  FIG.  1 A , the yoke  116  may have a lower portion that is attached to the base structure  126 , and the bottom cover  154  may have an upper portion that at least partially overlaps with the lower portion of the yoke  116 , e.g., as generally indicated by dashed region  156  in  FIG.  1 A . As such, the yoke  116  and the bottom cover  154  may collectively form one or more sides of the camera  100  in some embodiments. 
     According to various embodiments, the lens barrel  108  may be fixedly attached to the yoke  116 . For example, the lens barrel  108  may include a flange  158  that protrudes radially (e.g., with respect to the optical axis  106 ) outward, away from the lens group  102 . An underside of the flange  158  may be fixedly attached (e.g., via an adhesive at bond line  160  in  FIG.  1 A ) to a top surface of the yoke  116 , e.g., as generally indicated by dashed region  162  in  FIG.  1 A . As such, in various non-limiting embodiments, the lens group  102  may be a fixed, stationary component of the camera  100 . 
     As indicated in  FIG.  1 A , the coil carrier  118  may define an upper end stop  164  (e.g., with the yoke  116 ) and/or a lower end stop  166  (e.g., with the base structure  126 ). In some embodiments, the coil(s)  114  are at least partially embedded within a recess and/or pocket of the coil carrier  118 . The coil carrier  118  may include a first portion that is attached to the substrate  110 , a second portion that extends from the first portion towards the optical axis  106 , and a third portion that extends from the first portion away from the optical axis. The optical element  144  may be attached to the second portion. The third portion may define the upper end stop  164 , the lower end stop  166 , and the recess (within which the coil  114  may be at least partially embedded). The recess may be positioned, in the Z-axis direction, between the upper end stop  164  and the lower end stop  166 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a partially exploded view of an example camera  200  having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism. In various embodiments, the camera  200  may include a lens assembly  202 , a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly  204 , a substrate and flexure assembly  206 , and/or a bottom cover  208  (e.g., bottom cover  154  in  FIG.  1 A ). These assemblies may also be referred to herein as sub-assemblies (and/or modules) of an overall assembly of the camera  200 . The lens assembly  202  may include, for example, the lens group  102  and the lens barrel  108  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . The VCM actuator assembly  204  may include, for example, magnet(s)  112 , the yoke  116 , the coil(s)  114 , the coil carrier  118 , the optical element  144 , the spring suspension arrangement  122 , and/or the base structure  126  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . The substrate and flexure assembly  206  may include the image sensor  104 , the substrate  110 , and/or the flexure arrangement  124  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . 
     In some embodiments, the VCM actuator assembly  204  and/or the substrate and flexure assembly  206  may be assembled at one or more locations and/or business entities (e.g., manufacturer, vendor, etc.) than that of a location and/or business entity for the overall assembly of the camera  200 , which may include coupling the VCM actuator assembly  204  with the substrate and flexure assembly  206  (e.g., via glue bonding), coupling the lens assembly  202  with the VCM actuator assembly  204  (e.g., using an adhesive in an active alignment process), and attaching the bottom cover  208  to the base structure  154  and/or the yoke  116 . 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate views of an example magnet-coil arrangement  300  of a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that may be included in a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism.  FIG.  3 A  shows a perspective view that includes the magnet-coil arrangement  300 .  FIG.  3 B  shows a cross-sectional view that includes the magnet-coil arrangement  300 . In various embodiments, the magnet-coil arrangement may include one or more magnets  302  (e.g., magnet(s)  112  in  FIG.  1 B ) and one or more coils  304  (e.g., coil(s)  114  in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B ). In some embodiments, the magnet(s)  302  may comprise trapezoidal corner magnets, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  3 A . Furthermore, the coil(s)  304  may comprise a coil with chamfered corner portions proximate respective corner magnets, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  3 A , in some non-limiting embodiments. 
       FIG.  3 B  indicates example magnetic field lines  306  associated with magnetic field(s) of the magnet(s)  302 . The coil(s)  304 , when supplied with a drive current, may be driven to magnetically interact with the magnet(s)  302  to produce Lorentz forces that move the image sensor package  308 . 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate examples of AF motion that may be implemented in a camera having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  4 A  shows an example of an upward AF stroke, where the Lorentz forces discussed above generally have an upward direction, as indicated by arrow  402   a .  FIG.  4 B  shows an example of a downward AF stroke, where the Lorentz forces discussed above generally have a downward direction, as indicated by arrow  402   b . The dashed lines in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  indicate an initial position of certain components (e.g., including the image sensor package  306 ) that move in the AF strokes, and the corresponding solid lines indicate a subsequent position of those movable components resulting from the AF strokes. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a partially exploded cross-sectional view of an example camera  500  having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, where the camera  500  includes electrical components mounted on a top side of a ceramic substrate. In various embodiments, the camera  500  may include a lens assembly  502 , a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly  504 , a substrate and flexure assembly  506 , and/or a bottom cover  508 . These assemblies may also be referred to herein as sub-assemblies (and/or modules) of an overall assembly of the camera  500 . The lens assembly  502  may include, for example, the lens group  102  and the lens barrel  108  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . 
     In some embodiments, the VCM actuator assembly  504  may include a yoke  510  with a protrusion  512  that extends downwards from a top of the yoke  510 . A probe magnet  514  (e.g., for position sensing) may be attached to the yoke  510 . For example, the probe magnet  514  may be attached to the protrusion  512 , such that the probe magnet  514  is positioned beside an inner surface of the coil carrier  516  (to which coil  518  may be attached). A base structure  520  may be attached to a bottom portion of the yoke  510 . 
     In some embodiments, the substrate and flexure assembly  506  may include electrical components  522 , including a position sensor  524 , mounted on a top side of the ceramic substrate  526 . The position sensor  524  may be positioned below the probe magnet  514 , so as to detect changes in the magnetic field of the probe magnet  514  as the position sensor  524  moves relative to the probe magnet  514 . Furthermore, an optical element  528  (e.g., an optical filter such as an IRCF) may be attached to the top side of the ceramic substrate  526 . The image sensor  530  may be attached to the ceramic substrate  526  at a position below the optical element  528 , e.g., in a flip chip configuration. Furthermore, the substrate and flexure assembly  506  may include a flexure arrangement  532  (e.g., flexure arrangement  124  in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D ) attached to a bottom side of the ceramic substrate  526 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a partially exploded cross-sectional view of another example camera  600  having a sensor-shifting AF mechanism, where the camera includes electrical components mounted on a bottom side of an organic substrate. In various embodiments, the camera  600  may include a lens assembly  602 , a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly  604 , a substrate and flexure assembly  606 , and/or a bottom cover  608 . These assemblies may also be referred to herein as sub-assemblies (and/or modules) of an overall assembly of the camera  600 . The lens assembly  602  may include, for example, the lens group  102  and the lens barrel  108  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . 
     The VCM actuator assembly  604  may include, for example, magnet(s)  112 , the yoke  116 , the coil(s)  114 , the coil carrier  118 , the optical element  144 , the spring suspension arrangement  122 , and/or the base structure  126  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D . The substrate and flexure assembly  606  may include the image sensor  104  and the flexure arrangement  124  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , and the organic substrate  610 . Furthermore, the substrate and flexure assembly  606  may include electrical components  612 , including a position sensor  614 , mounted on a bottom side of the organic substrate  610 . The image sensor  104  may be attached to a top side of the organic substrate  610 , e.g., in a wire bond configuration using wires  616 . A probe magnet  618  may be attached to an inner surface of the bottom cover  608 . The probe magnet  618  may be positioned below the position sensor  614 , such that the position sensor  614  is capable of detecting changes in the magnetic field of the probe magnet  618  as the position sensor  614  moves relative to the probe magnet  618 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a schematic representation of an example device  700  that may include a camera (e.g., camera  100  in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , camera  200  in  FIG.  2   , camera  500  in  FIG.  5   , camera  600  in  FIG.  6   , etc.) having sensor-shifting AF mechanism, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the device  700  may be a mobile device and/or a multifunction device. In various embodiments, the device  700  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) headset, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, the device  700  may include a display system  702  (e.g., comprising a display and/or a touch-sensitive surface) and/or one or more cameras  704 . In some non-limiting embodiments, the display system  702  and/or one or more front-facing cameras  704   a  may be provided at a front side of the device  700 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  7   . Additionally, or alternatively, one or more rear-facing cameras  704   b  may be provided at a rear side of the device  700 . In some embodiments comprising multiple cameras  704 , some or all of the cameras may be the same as, or similar to, each other. Additionally, or alternatively, some or all of the cameras may be different from each other. In various embodiments, the location(s) and/or arrangement(s) of the camera(s)  704  may be different than those indicated in  FIG.  7   . 
     Among other things, the device  700  may include memory  706  (e.g., comprising an operating system  708  and/or application(s)/program instructions  710 ), one or more processors and/or controllers  712  (e.g., comprising CPU(s), memory controller(s), display controller(s), and/or camera controller(s), etc.), and/or one or more sensors  716  (e.g., orientation sensor(s), proximity sensor(s), and/or position sensor(s), etc.). In some embodiments, the device  700  may communicate with one or more other devices and/or services, such as computing device(s)  718 , cloud service(s)  720 , etc., via one or more networks  722 . For example, the device  700  may include a network interface (e.g., network interface  710 ) that enables the device  700  to transmit data to, and receive data from, the network(s)  722 . Additionally, or alternatively, the device  700  may be capable of communicating with other devices via wireless communication using any of a variety of communications standards, protocols, and/or technologies. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example computing device, referred to as computer system  800 , that may include or host embodiments of a camera (e.g., camera  100  in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 D , camera  200  in  FIG.  2   , camera  500  in  FIG.  5   , camera  600  in  FIG.  6   , etc.) having sensor-shifting AF mechanism, e.g., as described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 7   . In addition, computer system  800  may implement methods for controlling operations of the camera and/or for performing image processing images captured with the camera. In some embodiments, the device  700  (described herein with reference to  FIG.  7   ) may additionally, or alternatively, include some or all of the functional components of the computer system  800  described herein. 
     The computer system  800  may be configured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments, computer system  800  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) headset, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  800  includes one or more processors  802  coupled to a system memory  804  via an input/output (I/O) interface  806 . Computer system  800  further includes one or more cameras  808  coupled to the I/O interface  806 . Computer system  800  further includes a network interface  810  coupled to I/O interface  806 , and one or more input/output devices  812 , such as cursor control device  814 , keyboard  816 , and display(s)  818 . In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  800 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  800 , may be configured to host different portions or instances of embodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes of computer system  800  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  800  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  802 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  802  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  802  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  802  may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors  802  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  804  may be configured to store program instructions  820  accessible by processor  802 . In various embodiments, system memory  804  may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Additionally, existing camera control data  822  of memory  804  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some embodiments, program instructions  820  and/or data  822  may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  804  or computer system  800 . In various embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system  800 . 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  806  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  802 , system memory  804 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  810  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  812 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  806  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  804 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  802 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  806  may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O interface  806  may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface  806 , such as an interface to system memory  804 , may be incorporated directly into processor  802 . 
     Network interface  810  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  800  and other devices attached to a network  824  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  800 . Network  824  may in various embodiments include one or more networks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., the Internet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface  810  may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol. 
     Input/output devices  812  may, in some embodiments, include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by one or more computer systems  800 . Multiple input/output devices  812  may be present in computer system  800  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  800 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  800  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  800  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  810 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  800  is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system  800  may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of the software components may execute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computer communication. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on a computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. In some embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from computer system  800  may be transmitted to computer system  800  via transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium or memory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as network and/or a wireless link. 
     The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Boundaries between various components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210923
Publication Date: 20230905
Grant Date: 20230905
Priority Date: 20200925
Inventors: HSU, YA-WEN
DENG, HUA
QUINES, Raymond A.
LEE, YU MIN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/67", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B3/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/67", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N25/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B30/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 78302957