PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11895386-B2
Application Number: US-202217808971-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Camera with folded optics and bearing suspension

Abstract:
Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a folded optics arrangement of the camera may include one or more lens elements and light path folding elements (e.g., prisms). Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
 one or more prisms; and 
 a lens group, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements; 
 
 an image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the lens group and the one or more prisms; 
 an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the lens group and the image sensor along three axes; and 
 a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings to allow for the relative movement along the three axes, wherein for motion along individual ones of the three axes, a respective set of the ball bearings is engaged, wherein the respective sets of ball bearings differ from one another. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement comprises:
 a first stage configured to move in at least a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis defined by the lens group; 
 a second stage configured to move in at least a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the optical axis; and 
 a third stage configured to move in at least a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; 
 wherein the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage are configured to move relative to a base structure. 
 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 2 , wherein the ball bearings comprise:
 a first set of ball bearings disposed between the base structure and the first stage, to allow movement of the first stage in the first direction; 
 a second set of ball bearings disposed between the first stage and the second stage, to allow movement of the second stage, together with the third stage, in the second direction; and 
 a third set of ball bearings disposed between the second stage and the third stage, to allow movement of the third stage in the third direction. 
 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator. 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 4 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement further comprises:
 ferritic components, comprising:
 a first ferritic component attached to a base structure and positioned proximate a first magnet of the VCM actuator to preload the first stage against a first set of ball bearings; 
 a second ferritic component attached to the first stage and positioned proximate a second magnet of the VCM actuator to at least one of:
 preload a second stage against a second set of ball bearings; or 
 preload a third stage against the third set of ball bearings; and 
 
 a third ferritic component attached to the first stage and positioned proximate a third magnet of the VCM actuator to at least one of:
 preload the second stage against the second set of ball bearings; or 
 preload the third stage against the third set of ball bearings. 
 
 
 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more prisms comprise a first prism and a second prism that are positioned along an optical axis defined by the lens group. 
     
     
       7. A camera, comprising:
 a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
 a first prism; 
 a second prism; and 
 a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements; 
 
 an image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism; 
 an actuator configured to move at least the lens group along multiple axes relative to the image sensor; and 
 a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings, such that the stages collectively suspend the lens group from a base structure and allow the lens group to move along the multiple axes; 
 wherein the actuator comprises:
 stationary coils attached to the base structure; and 
 magnets that are moveable relative to the stationary coils, respective ones of the magnets attached to respective ones of the stages such that the magnets and coils are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the stages, together with the lens group, along the multiple axes. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The camera of  claim 7 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement is configured to allow the lens group to move in three degrees of freedom. 
     
     
       9. The camera of  claim 7 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement comprises:
 the base structure; 
 a first stage configured to move in at least a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis defined by the lens group; 
 a second stage configured to move in at least a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the optical axis; and 
 a third stage configured to move in at least a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; 
 wherein the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage are configured to move relative to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       10. The camera of  claim 9 , wherein the ball bearings comprise:
 a first set of ball bearings disposed between the base structure and the first stage, to allow movement of the first stage in the first direction; 
 a second set of ball bearings disposed between the first stage and the second stage, to allow movement of the second stage, together with the third stage, in the second direction; and 
 a third set of ball bearings disposed between the second stage and the third stage, to allow movement of the third stage in the third direction. 
 
     
     
       11. The camera of  claim 9 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a lens carrier fixedly coupled with the lens group, wherein the lens carrier is mounted on the third stage. 
 
     
     
       12. The camera of  claim 7 , wherein the stationary coils comprise:
 a first coil attached to a first side of the base structure; 
 a second coil attached to a second side of the base structure; and 
 a third coil attached to a third side of the base structure, wherein the third side is opposite the second side relative to the lens group. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , the magnets comprising:
 a first magnet attached to the third stage and positioned proximate the first coil, such that the first magnet and the first coil are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the second stage, together with the third stage and the lens group, in the second direction; 
 a second magnet attached to the third stage and positioned proximate the second coil, such that the second magnet and the second coil are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the third stage, together with the lens group, in the third direction; and 
 a third magnet attached to the first stage and positioned proximate the third coil, such that the third magnet and the third coil are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the stages, together with the lens group, in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       14. A system, comprising:
 an actuator configured to move cause relative movement between a lens group and an image sensor along multiple axes, wherein the lens group is included in a folded optics arrangement that is configured to fold a path of light, and wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements; and 
 a bearing suspension arrangement comprising stages configured to move on ball bearings to allow for the relative movement along the multiple axes, wherein for motion along individual ones of the multiple axes, a respective set of the ball bearings is engaged, wherein the respective sets of ball bearings differ from one another; 
 wherein the actuator comprises:
 stationary coils attached to a base structure; and 
 magnets that are moveable relative to the stationary coils, respective ones of the magnets attached to respective ones of the stages such that the magnets and coils are capable of magnetically interacting with each other to produce Lorentz forces that move the stages along the multiple axes. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the folded optics arrangement, comprising:
 at least a first prism; and 
 the lens group. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the folded optics arrangement further comprises:
 a second prism, wherein the lens group is disposed between the first prism and the second prism. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the image sensor configured to capture light that has passed through the folded optics arrangement. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement comprises:
 a first stage configured to move in at least a first direction orthogonal to an optical axis defined by the lens group; and 
 a second stage configured to move in at least a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the optical axis. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the bearing suspension arrangement further comprises:
 a third stage configured to move in at least a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19 , wherein the ball bearings comprise:
 a first set of ball bearings disposed between the base structure and the first stage, to allow movement of the first stage in the first direction; 
 a second set of ball bearings disposed between the first stage and the second stage, to allow movement of the second stage, together with the third stage, in the second direction; and 
 a third set of ball bearings disposed between the second stage and the third stage, to allow movement of the third stage in the third direction.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/858,425, filed Apr. 24, 2020, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/840,309, filed Apr. 29, 2019, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to architecture for a camera with folded optics and a bearing suspension arrangement. 
     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 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of an example camera with a folded optics arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example of 3-axis movement of a lens group within a folded optics arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of an example camera with a folded optics arrangement and an example bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of an example camera with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of another example camera with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  each illustrate a respective view of an example camera with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  6 A  shows a perspective view of the camera.  FIG.  6 B  shows a front cross-sectional view of the camera, including an example magnetic arrangement (e.g., magnet(s) and coil(s) of one or more actuators for shifting one or more optical components).  FIG.  6 C  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera, including the magnetic arrangement. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a block diagram of an example portable multifunction device that may include a camera having a folded optics arrangement and and/or a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  8    depicts an example portable multifunction device that may include a camera having a folded optics arrangement and/or a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an example computer system that may include a camera having a folded optics arrangement and/or a bearing suspension arrangement, 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, sixth paragraph, 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 
     Some embodiments include camera equipment outfitted with controls, magnets, and voice coil motors to improve the effectiveness of a miniature actuation mechanism for a compact camera module. More specifically, in some embodiments, compact camera modules include actuators to deliver functions such as autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS). One approach to delivering a very compact actuator for AF and/or OIS is to use a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator. 
     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. 
     Described here are folded optics arrangements for providing a reduced-height imaging system. The arrangements discussed throughout generally comprise one or more lenses positioned between two light path folding elements, which collectively provides a dual-folded light path. The one or more lenses (and/or one or more light path folding elements) may be moveable to provide autofocus and/or image stabilization during imaging.  FIG.  1    shows a generalized example of a camera  100  with a folded optics arrangement. The example X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in  FIG.  1    is used to discuss aspects of systems and/or system components, and may apply to embodiments described throughout this disclosure. 
     In various embodiments, the camera  100  may include a lens group  102 , a first prism  104 , a second prism  106 , and an image sensor package  108 . The lens group  102  may include one or more lens elements. In some embodiments, the lens group  102  may be located between the first prism  104  and the second prism  106 , forming the folded optics arrangement. Light may follow an optical path  110  that is folded by the first prism  104  such that the light is directed towards the lens group  102 , passes through the lens group  102 , and is folded by the second prism  106  such that the light is directed towards the image sensor package  108 . In some examples, light may enter an object side of the first prism  104  along the Z-axis. The first prism  104  may redirect the light to propagate along the X-axis (which may be parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group  102 ) towards the lens group  102 . The second prism  106  may redirect the light to propagate along the Z-axis (which may be orthogonal to a plane defined by the image sensor package  108 ), e.g., such that the light exits an image side of the second prism  106  towards the image sensor package  108 . The first prism  104 , the lens group  102 , and/or the second prism  106  may be positioned along a common axis (e.g., the X-axis, the optical axis defined by the lens group  102 , etc.). According to some examples, the optical path  110  may be contained within a plane (e.g., the X-Z plane), and the image sensor package  108  may extend along a different plane (e.g., the X-Y plane). 
     In some embodiments, the object side of the first prism  104  may extend along the X-Y plane. Furthermore, the first prism  104  may include a pair of opposing lateral sides that each extend along the X-Z plane, a lens group facing side that extends along the Y-Z plane, and a reflecting surface side that is angled relative to one or more of the other sides of the first prism  104 . For example, the reflecting surface side of the first prism  104  may include a reflective surface that is angled so as to redirect light received from the object side of the first prism  104  towards the lens group  102  (via the lens group facing side of the first prism  104 ), as discussed above. 
     In some embodiments, the image side of the second prism  106  may extend along the X-Y plane, e.g., proximate the image sensor package  108 . Furthermore, the second prism  106  may include a pair of opposing lateral sides that each extend along the X-Z plane, a lens group facing side that extends along the Y-Z plane, and a reflecting surface side that is angled relative to one or more of the other sides of the second prism  106 . For example, the reflecting surface side of the second prism  106  may include a reflective surface that is angled so as to redirect light received from the lens group  102  (via the lens group facing side of the second prism  106 ) towards the image sensor package (via the image side of the second prism  106 ), as discussed above. 
     While the light path folding elements are shown in various figures as comprising prisms (e.g., the first prism  104  and the second prism  106 ), the camera systems and/or folded optics arrangements described herein may include any suitable light path folding element (e.g., a mirror or the like) or combination of elements. In some embodiments, one or more of the light path folding elements may also act as a lens element (or combination of lens elements). For example, one or more lens elements (e.g., other than those of the lens group  102 ) may be integrated with the first prism  104  (and/or the second prism  106 ) such that the prism acts as a lens element. Additionally, or alternatively, the first prism  104  (and/or the second prism  106 ) may be shaped such that the prism acts as a lens element. 
     As will be discussed in further detail below, the lens group  102  may be coupled with an actuator structure that is configured to move the lens group  102  along multiple axes, e.g., to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) functionality.  FIG.  2    shows an example of 3-axis movement of the lens group  102  to provide AF and/or OIS functionality. For example, the lens group  102  may be shifted (e.g., by an actuator structure, such as the actuator structures/arrangements discussed in further detail below) along the X-axis to provide AF movement. Additionally, or alternatively, the lens group  102  may be shifted along the Z-axis to provide OIS-X movement (e.g., movement that shifts the image projected on the image sensor package  108  in one or more directions parallel to the X-axis). Additionally, or alternatively, the lens group  102  may be shifted along the Y-axis to provide OIS-Y movement (e.g., movement that shifts the image projected on the image sensor package  108  in one or more directions parallel to the Y-axis). In some embodiments, one or more light path folding elements may also be coupled with the actuator structure. For example, the first prism  104  and the lens group  102  may be coupled with the actuator structure, and the actuator structure may move the first prism  104 , together with the lens group  102 , along multiple axes to provide AF and/or OIS functionality, e.g., as discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B . 
       FIG.  3    shows an exploded view of an example camera  300  with a folded optics arrangement and an example bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the camera  300  may include a lens group  302 , a first prism  304 , a second prism  306 , and an image sensor  308 . The lens group  302  may include one or more lens elements disposed within a lens barrel  310 . 
     In various embodiments, the camera  300  may include a bearing suspension arrangement and/or an actuator module that may be used for controlled movement of the lens group  302  and/or one or more light path folding elements (e.g., the first prism  304 ). In some embodiments, the bearing suspension arrangement may include a base structure  312 , a Z stage  314 , an X stage  316 , and/or a Y stage  318 . The base structure  312  may be in a fixed position relative to movement of the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and the Y stage  318 . The bearing suspension arrangement may be coupled with the lens group  302  and may allow the lens group  302  to move in multiple directions relative to the image sensor  308 . For example, the bearing suspension arrangement may enable movement of the lens group  302  in three degrees of freedom (3DOF). 
     In some embodiments, the Z stage  314  may rest on (or otherwise be disposed above) the base structure  312 , and may be configured to move in the Z-axis direction, e.g., along Z-movement ball bearings  320  (e.g., made of steel, ceramic, etc.) disposed between the Z stage  314  and the base structure  312 . In some embodiments, the X stage  316  may rest on (or otherwise be disposed above) the Z stage  314 , and may be configured to move in the X-axis direction, e.g., along the X-movement ball bearings  322  (e.g., made of steel, ceramic, etc.) disposed between the X stage  316  and the Z stage  314 . In some embodiments, the Y stage  318  may rest on (or otherwise be disposed above) the X stage  316 , and may be configured to move in the Y-axis direction, e.g., along the Y-movement ball bearings  324  (e.g., made of steel, ceramic, etc.) disposed between the Y stage  318  and the X stage  316 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the X stage  316  and/or the Y stage  318  may move in the Z-axis direction together with the Z stage  314  (e.g., due to movement of the Z stage  314  in the Z-axis direction). According to various embodiments, the lens group  302  may be coupled to the Y stage  318 , e.g., such that the lens group  302  moves together with the Y stage  318 . For example, the lens barrel  310  may have one or more protrusions  326  (e.g., extending from opposing sides of the lens barrel  310 ) configured to be disposed at least partially within one or more corresponding recesses  328  defined by the Y stage  318 . In some examples, an adhesive may be used to fixedly attach the protrusion(s)  326  to the corresponding recess(es)  328 , and thus fixedly attach the lens group  302  to the Y stage  318 . One or more other optical elements may also be attached to the Y stage  318 . For example, the first prism  304  may be fixedly attached to the Y stage  318  in some embodiments. 
     As indicated above, the actuator module may provide for shifting the lens group  302  along multiple axes (e.g., via movement of the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and/or the Y stage  318 , as described herein) to provide AF and/or OIS movement. In some embodiments the actuator module may comprise a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator module that includes one or more VCM actuators. For instance, the actuator module may include one or more magnets and one or more coils. The magnets and coils may magnetically interact (e.g., when electrical current is provided to the coils) to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group  302 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuator module may include an AF VCM actuator (e.g., to provide AF movement), an OIS-Y VCM actuator (e.g., to provide OIS-Y movement), and an OIS-X VCM actuator (e.g., to provide OIS-X movement). For example, the AF VCM actuator may include an AF magnet  330  and an AF coil  332 . The AF magnet  330  may be attached to the Y stage  318 . Furthermore, the AF coil  332  may be attached to the base structure  312 . In some embodiments, the OIS-Y VCM actuator may include an OIS-Y magnet  334  and an OIS-Y coil  336 . The OIS-Y magnet  334  may be attached to the Y stage  318 . Furthermore, the OIS-Y coil  336  may be attached to the base structure  312 . In some embodiments, the OIS-X VCM actuator may include an OIS-X magnet  338  and an OIS-X coil  340 . The OIS-X magnet  338  may be attached to the Z stage  318 . Furthermore, the OIS-Y coil  340  may be attached to the base structure  312 . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  300  may include a position sensor arrangement that includes one or more position sensors  342  for position sensing with respect to AF movement, OIS-Y movement, and/or OIS-X movement. The position sensor(s)  342  may be magnetic field sensors (e.g., Hall sensors, tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors, giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors, etc.) in various embodiments. In some embodiments, a respective position sensor may be located proximate each respective coil of the actuator module. For example, each position sensor may be encircled by a respective coil, as indicated in  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the base structure  312  and/or the stages of the bearing suspension arrangement may be configured to be packaged around an optical payload on multiple sides, e.g., three sides (or U-shaped) as indicated in  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the base structure  312  may form vertical corners that define grooves (e.g., extending in the Z-axis direction) within which Z-movement ball bearings  320  may be disposed. For example, each of two sets of four vertically stacked Z-movement ball bearings  320  may be disposed in a respective corner proximate the OIS-X coil  340 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  3   . The Z-stage  314  may form corresponding grooves (e.g., extending in the Z-axis direction) configured to engage the Z-movement ball bearings  320  and allow the Z-stage  314  to move in the Z-axis direction. 
     In some embodiments, the Z stage  314  may have corners at which recesses may be formed. One or more X-movement ball bearings  322  may be disposed within each of the recesses. For example, as indicated in  FIG.  3   , each of four X-movement ball bearings  322  may be disposed in a respective one of four corner recesses. A bottom portion of the X stage  316  may form corresponding grooves (e.g., extending in the X-axis direction) configured to engage the X-movement ball bearings  322  and allow the X stage  316  to move in the X-axis direction. 
     In some embodiments, the X stage  316  may have an upper portion with corners at which grooves may be formed. One or more Y-movement ball bearings  324  may be disposed within each of the grooves. For example, as indicated in  FIG.  3   , each of four Y-movement ball bearings  324  may be disposed in a respective one of the four corner grooves. A bottom portion of the Y stage  318  may form corresponding grooves (e.g., extending in the Y-axis direction) configured to engage the Y-movement ball bearings  324  and allow the Y stage  318  to move in the Y-axis direction. 
     According to some embodiments, the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and/or the Y stage  318  may be preloaded against ball bearings (e.g., the Z-movement ball bearings  320 , the X-movement ball bearings  322 , and/or the Y-movement ball bearings  324 ) of the bearing suspension arrangement. In some examples, a ferritic component  344  (e.g., iron, stainless steel, etc.) may be attached to the Z stage  314  below the AF magnet  330  to preload the X stage  316  and/or the Y stage  318  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system. In some embodiments, the ferritic component  344  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  314 . Another ferritic component  346  may be attached to the Z stage  314  below the OIS-Y magnet  334  to preload the X stage  316  and/or the Y stage  318  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system. In some embodiments, the ferritic component  346  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  314 . Another ferritic component  348  may be attached to the OIS-X coil  340  and/or to the base structure  312  (e.g., proximate the OIS-X coil  340  and/or the OIS-X magnet  338 ) to preload the Z stage  314  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  300  may include a top plate  350  disposed above the Y stage  318 . The top plate  650  may have tabs that each extend downwards at a respective corner of the top plate  650 . The tabs may be configured to be disposed within corresponding recesses that are each formed at a respective corner of the Z stage  314 . The tabs may be attached (e.g., using an adhesive) to the corresponding recesses such that the top plate  350  and the Z stage  314  sandwich the X stage  314  and the Y stage  318 . 
     According to various embodiments, the bearing suspension arrangement may provide for scaling/increasing actuator strokes, which may enable, for example, higher OIS compensation angles. Furthermore, due to high in-plane stiffness, the bearing suspension arrangement may provide for scaling/increasing the moving mass of the optic al payload, which may, for example, enable improved optical specifications). For example, in contrast to some other suspension architectures (e.g., some flexure suspension architectures), the bearing suspension arrangement may be used to move an optical payload comprising a lens group and a prism (e.g., an optically powered prism). Such an optical payload is described below with reference to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B . Some other suspension architectures may not have adequate characteristics (e.g., in-plane stiffness) to support an optical payload that may be supported by the bearing suspension arrangement described herein. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of an example camera  400  with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the camera  400  may include a lens group  402 , a first prism  404 , a second prism  406 , and an image sensor  408 . The lens group  402  may include one or more lens elements  410  disposed within a lens barrel  412 . 
     According to some embodiments, the first prism  404  and/or the second prism  406  may be considered an optically powered prism. For example, as indicated in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B , the first prism  404  maybe optically powered using one or more optical elements  414 . As a non-limiting example, an optical element  414  may be disposed proximate the first prism  404 . In some embodiments, the optical element  414  may be located adjacent a top portion of the first prism  404  and/or integrated with a top portion of the first prism  404 . According to some embodiments, the optical element  414  may comprise a lens (e.g., a concave lens). Additionally, or alternatively, the optical element  414  may comprise a deformable membrane that may be deformed (e.g., via one or more actuators and/or fluid that may be disposed to change the shape of the deformable membrane) to vary the optical power of the optical element  414  and/or the first prism  404 . 
     According to various embodiments, the camera  400  may include a bearing suspension arrangement. In some embodiments, the bearing suspension arrangement may include a base structure  416 , a Z stage  418 , an X stage  420 , and a Y stage  422 . The base structure  416 , the Z stage  418 , the X stage  420 , and/or the Y stage  422  may be similar to, or the same as, the base structure  312 , the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and/or the Y stage  318 , respectively, described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . The bearing suspension arrangement may be coupled with the lens group  402  and the first prism  404 , and may allow the lens group  402  and the first prism  404  to move together in multiple directions (e.g., in 3DOF) relative to the image sensor  408 . 
     In some embodiments, camera  400  may include a first prism holder  424  to hold the first prism  404 , and a second prism holder  426  to hold the second prism  406 . According to some examples, the first prism holder  424  and the lens barrel  412  may be attached to the Y stage  422 . For example, each of the first prism holder  424  and the lens barrel  412  may be formed of one or more respective components. Additionally, or alternatively, each of the first prism holder  424  and the lens barrel  412  may be separately attached (e.g., via an adhesive) to the Y stage  422 . In some embodiments, the first prism holder  424  and the lens barrel  412  may be formed of a single component that is attached to the Y stage  422 .  FIG.  4 B  highlights some components of the camera  400  that may be moveable in 3DOF. As indicated in  FIG.  4 B , the lens group  402  and the first prism  404  may move together (e.g., in lockstep) in multiple directions (e.g., in 3DOF). In some embodiments, moving the lens group  402  together with an optically powered first prism  404  may allow for a reduction of the overall size of the optical stack. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  400  may include an actuator module (e.g., the actuator modules described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  6 A- 6 C ). The actuator module may include an AF VCM actuator. The AF VCM actuator may include an AF magnet  428  and an AF coil  430 . The AF magnet  428  may be attached to the Y stage  422 . The AF coil  428  may be attached to the base structure  416 . The AF magnet  428  may be located proximate the AF coil  430  such that the AF magnet  428  and the AF coil  430  are capable of magnetically interacting with each other, e.g., to provide AF movement. The actuator module may also include an OIS-X VCM actuator (not shown) and/or an OIS-Y VCM actuator (not shown), such as those described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  6 A- 6 C . 
     According to some embodiments, the Z stage  418 , the X stage  420 , and/or the Y stage  422  may be preloaded against ball bearings (e.g., the Z-movement ball bearings  320 , the X-movement ball bearings  322 , and/or the Y-movement ball bearings  324  described above with reference to  FIG.  3   ) of the bearing suspension arrangement. As a non-limiting example, a ferritic component  432  (e.g., iron, stainless steel, etc.) may be attached to the Z stage  418  below the AF magnet  428  to preload the Y stage  422  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system. In some embodiments, the ferritic component  432  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  418 . While not shown in  FIGS.  4 A- 4 B , one or more additional ferritic components may be used in the camera  400  for preloading the stages of the bearing suspension arrangement against the ball bearings, e.g., as described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  400  may include a substrate  434  that may be coupled to the image sensor  408 . In some examples, a filter  436  (e.g., an infrared filter) may also be coupled to the substrate  434 . For instance, the filter  436  may be located above the image sensor  408  such that light passes through the filter  436  before reaching the image sensor  408 . 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of another example camera  500  with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing suspension arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the camera  500  may include a lens group  502 , a first prism  504 , a second prism  506 , and an image sensor  508 . The lens group  502  may include one or more lens elements  510  disposed within a lens barrel  512 . 
     According to various embodiments, the camera  500  may include a bearing suspension arrangement. In some embodiments, the bearing suspension arrangement may include a base structure  514 , a Z stage  516 , an X stage  518 , and a Y stage  520 . The base structure  514 , the Z stage  516 , the X stage  518 , and/or the Y stage  520  may be similar to, or the same as, the base structure  312 , the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and/or the Y stage  318 , respectively, described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . The bearing suspension arrangement may be coupled with the lens group  502 , and may allow the lens group  502  to move in multiple directions (e.g., in 3DOF) relative to the image sensor  508 . 
     In some embodiments, camera  500  may include a first prism holder  522  to hold the first prism  504 , and a second prism holder  524  to hold the second prism  506 . In some examples, the first prism holder  522  and the second prism holder  524  may be attached to a fixed structure of the camera  500 , such that the first prism  504  and the second prism  506  are maintained in a fixed position relative to movement of the lens group  502 . 
     According to some examples, the lens barrel  512  may be attached to the Y stage  520 , e.g., so that the lens group  502  moves, together with the Y stage  520 , in multiple directions relative to the image sensor  508 , the first prism  504 , the second prism  506 , and/or the base structure  514 .  FIG.  5 B  highlights some components of the camera  500  that may be moveable in 3DOF. As indicated in  FIG.  5 B , in contrast to the camera  400  described above with reference to  FIG.  4   , the lens group  502  may not move together with the first prism  504  in some embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, the camera  500  may include an actuator module (e.g., the actuator modules described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  6 A- 6 C ). The actuator module may include an AF VCM actuator. The AF VCM actuator may include an AF magnet  526  and an AF coil  528 . The AF magnet  526  may be attached to the Y stage  520 . The AF coil  526  may be attached to the base structure  514 . The AF magnet  526  may be located proximate the AF coil  528  such that the AF magnet  526  and the AF coil  528  are capable of magnetically interacting with each other, e.g., to provide AF movement. The actuator module may also include an OIS-X VCM actuator (not shown) and/or an OIS-Y VCM actuator (not shown), such as those described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  6 A- 6 C . 
     According to some embodiments, the Z stage  516 , the X stage  518 , and/or the Y stage  520  may be preloaded against ball bearings (e.g., the Z-movement ball bearings  320 , the X-movement ball bearings  322 , and/or the Y-movement ball bearings  324  described above with reference to  FIG.  3   ) of the bearing suspension arrangement. As a non-limiting example, a ferritic component  530  (e.g., iron, stainless steel, etc.) may be attached to the Z stage  516  below the AF magnet  526  to preload the Y stage  520  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system. In some embodiments, the ferritic component  530  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  516 . While not shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B , one or more additional ferritic components may be used in the camera  500  for preloading the stages of the bearing suspension arrangement against the ball bearings, e.g., as described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  500  may include a substrate  532  that may be coupled to the image sensor  508 . In some examples, a filter  534  (e.g., an infrared filter) may also be coupled to the substrate  532 . For instance, the filter  534  may be located above the image sensor  508  such that light passes through the filter  534  before reaching the image sensor  508 . 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  each illustrate a respective view of an example camera  600  with a folded optics arrangement and a bearing arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  6 A  shows a perspective view of the camera  600 .  FIG.  6 B  shows a front cross-sectional view of the camera  600 , including an example magnetic arrangement (e.g., magnet(s) and coil(s) of one or more actuators for shifting one or more optical components).  FIG.  6 C  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera  600 , including the magnetic arrangement. In some non-limiting embodiments, the magnetic arrangement comprises three magnet-coil pairs, with the magnets moving and the coils being stationary. Furthermore, in some non-limiting embodiments, one magnet (e.g., a dual-pole magnet) may move in 1DOF, and the other two magnets may move in 3DOF. In some embodiments, the magnetic arrangement may reduce or eliminate magnetic interference with adjacent camera modules. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  600  may include a lens group  602 , a first prism  604 , a second prism  606 , and an image sensor  608 . The lens group  602  may include one or more lens elements  610  disposed within a lens barrel  612 . 
     As indicated in  FIGS.  6 B- 6 C , the camera  600  may include a bearing suspension arrangement. In some embodiments, the bearing suspension arrangement may include a base structure  614 , a Z stage  616 , an X stage  618 , and a Y stage  620 . The base structure  614 , the Z stage  616 , the X stage  618 , and/or the Y stage  620  may be similar to, or the same as, the base structure  312 , the Z stage  314 , the X stage  316 , and/or the Y stage  318 , respectively, described above with reference to  FIG.  3   . The bearing suspension arrangement may be coupled with the lens group  602 , and may allow the lens group  602  to move in multiple directions (e.g., in 3DOF) relative to the image sensor  608 . 
     In some embodiments, camera  600  may include a first prism holder  622  to hold the first prism  604 , and a second prism holder  624  to hold the second prism  606 . In some examples, the first prism holder  622  and the second prism holder  624  may be attached to a fixed structure of the camera  600 , such that the first prism  604  and the second prism  606  are maintained in a fixed position relative to movement of the lens group  602 . 
     According to some examples, the lens barrel  612  may be attached to the Y stage  620 , e.g., so that the lens group  602  moves, together with the Y stage  620 , in multiple directions relative to the image sensor  608 , the first prism  604 , the second prism  606 , and/or the base structure  614 . 
     In various embodiments, the camera  600  may include an actuator module (e.g., the actuator module described herein with reference to  FIGS.  3 - 5 B ). The actuator module may include an AF VCM actuator (e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 C ), an OIS-X VCM actuator (e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 B ), and an OIS-Y VCM actuator (e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 B ). Referring to  FIG.  6 C , the AF VCM actuator may include an AF magnet  626  and an AF coil  628 . The AF magnet  626  may be attached to the Y stage  620 . The AF magnet  626  may be a single-pole magnet in some embodiments. However, the AF magnet  626  may be another type of magnet (e.g., a dual-pole magnet) in other embodiments. The AF coil  626  may be attached to the base structure  614 . The AF magnet  626  may be located proximate the AF coil  628  such that the AF magnet  626  and the AF coil  628  magnetically interact with each other, e.g., to provide AF movement (e.g., movement of the lens group  602  in the X-axis direction as allowed via at least the X stage  618  and X-movement ball bearings). 
     Referring to  FIG.  6 B , the OIS-X VCM actuator may include an OIS-X magnet  630  and an OIS-X coil  632 . The OIS-X magnet  630  may be attached to the Z stage  620  (e.g., to a first side of the lens group  602 ). The OIS-X magnet  630  may be a dual-pole magnet in some embodiments. However, the OIS-X magnet  630  may be another type of magnet (e.g., a single-pole magnet) in other embodiments. The OIS-X coil  632  may be attached to the base structure  614 . The OIS-X magnet  630  may be located proximate the OIS-X coil  632  such that the OIS-X magnet  630  and the OIS-X coil  632  magnetically interact with each other, e.g., to provide OIS-X movement (e.g., movement of the lens group  602  in the Z-axis direction as allowed via at least the Z stage  616  and Z-movement ball bearings). 
     Further referring to  FIG.  6 B , the OIS-Y VCM actuator may include an OIS-Y magnet  634  and an OIS-Y coil  636 . The OIS-Y magnet  634  may be attached to the Y stage  620  (e.g., to a second side of the lens group  602 ). The second side of the lens group  602  may be opposite the first side of the lens group  602 . The OIS-Y magnet  634  may be a single-pole magnet in some embodiments. However, the OIS-Y magnet  634  may be another type of magnet (e.g., a dual-pole magnet) in other embodiments. The OIS-Y coil  636  may be attached to the base structure  614 . The OIS-Y magnet  634  may be located proximate the OIS-Y coil  636  such that the OIS-Y magnet  634  and the OIS-Y coil  636  magnetically interact with each other, e.g., to provide OIS-Y movement (e.g., movement of the lens group  602  in the Y-axis direction as allowed via at least the Y stage  620  and Y-movement ball bearings). 
     According to some embodiments, the Z stage  616 , the X stage  618 , and/or the Y stage  620  may be preloaded against ball bearings (e.g., the Z-movement ball bearings  320 , the X-movement ball bearings  322 , and/or the Y-movement ball bearings  324  described above with reference to  FIG.  3   ) of the bearing suspension arrangement. As a non-limiting example, a ferritic component  638  (e.g., iron, stainless steel, etc.) may be attached to the Z stage  616  below the AF magnet  626  to preload the X stage  618  and/or the Y stage  620  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 C . In some embodiments, the ferritic component  638  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  616 . Another ferritic component  640  may be attached to the Z stage  616  below the OIS-Y magnet  634  to preload the X stage  618  and/or the Y stage  620  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 B . In some embodiments, the ferritic component  640  may be insert-molded into the Z stage  616 . Another ferritic component  642  may be attached to the OIS-X coil  632  and/or to the base structure  614  (e.g., proximate the OIS-X coil  632  and/or the OIS-X magnet  630 ) to preload the Z stage  616  against one or more of the ball bearings of the bearing suspension system, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6 B . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  600  may include a substrate  644  that may be coupled to the image sensor  608 . In some examples, a filter  646  (e.g., an infrared filter) may also be coupled to the substrate  644 . For instance, the filter  646  may be located above the image sensor  644  such that light passes through the filter  646  before reaching the image sensor  646 . 
     Multifunction Device Examples 
     Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, or tablet computers, may also be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer with a camera. In some embodiments, the device is a gaming computer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming controller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a camera. 
     In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should be understood, however, that the electronic device may include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick. 
     The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a word processing application, a website creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a workout support application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application. 
     The various applications that may be executed on the device may use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent to the user. 
     Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with cameras.  FIG.  7    illustrates a block diagram of an example portable multifunction device  700  that may include one or more cameras (e.g., the cameras described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   ), in accordance with some embodiments. Cameras  764  are sometimes called “optical sensors” for convenience, and may also be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device  700  may include memory  702  (which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller  722 , one or more processing units (CPUs)  720 , peripherals interface  718 , RF circuitry  708 , audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , touch-sensitive display system  712 , microphone  713 , input/output (I/O) subsystem  706 , other input or control devices  716 , and external port  724 . Device  700  may include multiple optical sensors  764 . These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines  703 . 
     It should be appreciated that device  700  is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device  700  may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in  FIG.  7    may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
     Memory  702  may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory  702  by other components of device  700 , such as CPU  720  and the peripherals interface  718 , may be controlled by memory controller  722 . 
     Peripherals interface  718  can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU  720  and memory  702 . The one or more processors  720  run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory  702  to perform various functions for device  700  and to process data. 
     In some embodiments, peripherals interface  718 , CPU  720 , and memory controller  722  may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip  704 . In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. 
     RF (radio frequency) circuitry  708  receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  708  converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  708  may include well-known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry  708  may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any of a variety of communications standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document. 
     Audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , and microphone  713  provide an audio interface between a user and device  700 . Audio circuitry  710  receives audio data from peripherals interface  718 , converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker  711 . Speaker  711  converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry  710  also receives electrical signals converted by microphone  713  from sound waves. Audio circuitry  710  converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface  718  for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory  702  and/or RF circuitry  708  by peripherals interface  718 . In some embodiments, audio circuitry  710  also includes a headset jack (e.g.,  812 ,  FIG.  8   ). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry  710  and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone). 
     I/O subsystem  706  couples input/output peripherals on device  700 , such as touch screen  712  and other input control devices  716 , to peripherals interface  718 . I/O subsystem  706  may include display controller  756  and one or more input controllers  760  for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers  760  receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices  716 . The other input control devices  716  may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s)  760  may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g.,  808 ,  FIG.  8   ) may include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  711  and/or microphone  713 . The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,  806 ,  FIG.  8   ). 
     Touch-sensitive display  712  provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller  756  receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen  712 . Touch screen  712  displays visual output to the user. The visual output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects. 
     Touch screen  712  has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. Touch screen  712  and display controller  756  (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory  702 ) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen  712  and converts the detected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch screen  712 . In an example embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen  712  and the user corresponds to a finger of the user. 
     Touch screen  712  may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments. Touch screen  712  and display controller  756  may detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of a variety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen  712 . In an example embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, California. 
     Touch screen  712  may have a video resolution in excess of 800 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 860 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen  712  using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired by the user. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device  700  may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen  712  or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen. 
     Device  700  also includes power system  762  for powering the various components. Power system  762  may include a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in portable devices. 
     Device  700  may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras  764 .  FIG.  7    shows an optical sensor  764  coupled to optical sensor controller  758  in I/O subsystem  706 . Optical sensor  764  may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor  764  receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module  743  (also called a camera module), optical sensor  764  may capture still images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor  764  is located on the back of device  700 , opposite touch screen display  712  on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display  712  may be used as a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user&#39;s image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display. 
     Device  700  may also include one or more proximity sensors  766 .  FIG.  7    shows proximity sensor  766  coupled to peripherals interface  718 . Alternately, proximity sensor  766  may be coupled to input controller  760  in I/O subsystem  706 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensor  766  turns off and disables touch screen  712  when the multifunction device  700  is placed near the user&#39;s ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call). 
     Device  700  includes one or more orientation sensors  768 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors  768  include one or more accelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one or more rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors  768  include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors  768  include one or more magnetometers. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors  768  include one or more of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. The GPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may be used for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device  700 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors  768  include any combination of orientation/rotation sensors.  FIG.  7    shows the one or more orientation sensors  768  coupled to peripherals interface  718 . Alternately, the one or more orientation sensors  768  may be coupled to an input controller  760  in I/O subsystem  706 . In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display  712  in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more orientation sensors  768 . 
     In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory  702  include operating system  726 , communication module (or set of instructions)  728 , contact/motion module (or set of instructions)  730 , graphics module (or set of instructions)  732 , text input module (or set of instructions)  734 , Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)  735 , arbiter module  758  and applications (or sets of instructions)  736 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  702  stores device/global internal state  757 . Device/global internal state  757  includes one or more of: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications, views or other information occupy various regions of touch screen display  712 ; sensor state, including information obtained from the device&#39;s various sensors and input control devices  716 ; and location information concerning the device&#39;s location and/or attitude. 
     Operating system  726  (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components. 
     Communication module  728  facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports  724  and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry  708  and/or external port  724 . External port  724  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector. 
     Contact/motion module  730  may detect contact with touch screen  712  (in conjunction with display controller  756 ) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module  730  includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module  730  receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module  730  and display controller  756  detect contact on a touchpad. 
     Contact/motion module  730  may detect a gesture input by a user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contact patterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event. 
     Graphics module  732  includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen  712  or other display, including components for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos, animations and the like. 
     In some embodiments, graphics module  732  stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module  732  receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to display controller  756 . 
     Text input module  734 , which may be a component of graphics module  732 , provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts  737 , e-mail  740 ,  1 M  741 , browser  747 , and any other application that needs text input). 
     GPS module  735  determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone  738  for use in location-based dialing, to camera  743  as picture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets). 
     Applications  736  may include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
         contacts module  737  (sometimes called an address book or contact list);   telephone module  738 ;   video conferencing module  739 ;   e-mail client module  740 ;   instant messaging (IM) module  741 ;   workout support module  742 ;   camera module  743  for still and/or video images;   image management module  744 ;   browser module  747 ;   calendar module  748 ;   widget modules  749 , which may include one or more of: weather widget  749 - 1 , stocks widget  749 - 2 , calculator widget  749 - 3 , alarm clock widget  749 - 4 , dictionary widget  749 - 5 , and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets  749 - 6 ;   widget creator module  750  for making user-created widgets  749 - 6 ;   search module  751 ;   video and music player module  752 , which may be made up of a video player module and a music player module;   notes module  753 ;   map module  754 ; and/or   online video module  755 .       

     Examples of other applications  736  that may be stored in memory  702  include other word processing applications, other image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , contacts module  737  may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state  757 ), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone  738 , video conference  739 , e-mail  740 , or IM  741 ; and so forth. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , microphone  713 , touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , telephone module  738  may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book  737 , modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any of a variety of communications standards, protocols and technologies. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , microphone  713 , touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , optical sensor  764 , optical sensor controller  758 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , contact list  737 , and telephone module  738 , videoconferencing module  739  includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other participants in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , e-mail client module  740  includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module  744 , e-mail client module  740  makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with camera module  743 . 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , the instant messaging module  741  includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , GPS module  735 , map module  754 , and music player module  746 , workout support module  742  includes executable instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , optical sensor(s)  764 , optical sensor controller  758 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and image management module  744 , camera module  743  includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory  702 , modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory  702 . 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , and camera module  743 , image management module  744  includes executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , browser module  747  includes executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , e-mail client module  740 , and browser module  747 , calendar module  748  includes executable instructions to create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , and browser module  747 , widget modules  749  are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget  549 - 1 , stocks widget  549 - 2 , calculator widget  749 - 3 , alarm clock widget  749 - 4 , and dictionary widget  749 - 5 ) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget  749 - 6 ). In some embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , and browser module  747 , the widget creator module  750  may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , search module  751  includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory  702  that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , RF circuitry  708 , and browser module  747 , video and music player module  752  includes executable instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen  712  or on an external, connected display via external port  724 ). In some embodiments, device  700  may include the functionality of an MP3 player. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , and text input module  734 , notes module  753  includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  708 , touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , text input module  734 , GPS module  735 , and browser module  747 , map module  754  may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  712 , display system controller  756 , contact module  730 , graphics module  732 , audio circuitry  710 , speaker  711 , RF circuitry  708 , text input module  734 , e-mail client module  740 , and browser module  747 , online video module  755  includes instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via external port  724 ), send an e-mail with a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module  741 , rather than e-mail client module  740 , is used to send a link to a particular online video. 
     Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  702  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  702  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     In some embodiments, device  700  is a device where operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device  700 , the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device  700  may be reduced. 
     The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device  700  to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on device  700 . In such embodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some other embodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or other physical input control device instead of a touchpad. 
       FIG.  8    depicts illustrates an example portable multifunction device  700  that may include one or more cameras (e.g., the cameras described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   ), in accordance with some embodiments. The device  700  may have a touch screen  712 . The touch screen  712  may display one or more graphics within user interface (UI)  800 . In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers  802  (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses  803  (not drawn to scale in the figure). 
     Device  700  may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button  804 . As described previously, menu button  804  may be used to navigate to any application  736  in a set of applications that may be executed on device  700 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button  804  is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen  712 . 
     In one embodiment, device  700  includes touch screen  712 , menu button  804 , push button  806  for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s)  808 , Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot  810 , head set jack  812 , and docking/charging external port  824 . Push button  806  may be used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device  700  also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone  713 . 
     It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are given with reference to optical sensor(s)/camera(s)  764  (on the front of a device), one or more rear-facing cameras or optical sensors that are pointed opposite from the display may be used instead of, or in addition to, an optical sensor(s)/camera(s)  764  on the front of a device. 
     Example Computer System 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an example computer system  900  that may include one or more cameras (e.g., the cameras described above with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   ), according to some embodiments. The computer system  900  may be configured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments, computer system  900  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, 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. 
     Various embodiments of a camera motion control system as described herein, including embodiments of magnetic position sensing, as described herein may be executed in one or more computer systems  900 , which may interact with various other devices. Note that any component, action, or functionality described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 - 8    may be implemented on one or more computers configured as computer system  900  of  FIG.  9   , according to various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  900  includes one or more processors  910  coupled to a system memory  920  via an input/output (I/O) interface  930 . Computer system  900  further includes a network interface  940  coupled to I/O interface  930 , and one or more input/output devices  950 , such as cursor control device  960 , keyboard  970 , and display(s)  980 . In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  900 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  900 , 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  900  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  900  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  910 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  910  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  910  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  910  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  910  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  920  may be configured to store camera control program instructions  922  and/or camera control data accessible by processor  910 . In various embodiments, system memory  920  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. In the illustrated embodiment, program instructions  922  may be configured to implement a lens control application  924  incorporating any of the functionality described above. Additionally, existing camera control data  932  of memory  920  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  920  or computer system  900 . While computer system  900  is described as implementing the functionality of functional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system. 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  930  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  910 , system memory  920 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  940  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  950 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  930  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  920 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  910 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  930  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  930  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  930 , such as an interface to system memory  920 , may be incorporated directly into processor  910 . 
     Network interface  940  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  900  and other devices attached to a network  985  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  900 . Network  985  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  940  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  950  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  900 . Multiple input/output devices  950  may be present in computer system  900  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  900 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  900  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  900  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  940 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , memory  920  may include program instructions  922 , which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action described above. In one embodiment, the program instructions may implement the methods described above. In other embodiments, different elements and data may be included. Note that data may include any data or information described above. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  900  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  900  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  900  may be transmitted to computer system  900  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: 20220624
Publication Date: 20240206
Grant Date: 20240206
Priority Date: 20190429
Inventors: MIREAULT, ALFRED N.
SMYTH, NICHOLAS D.
MILLER, SCOTT W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/51", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/021", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0065", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/1805", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/51", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 82320353