PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10373992-B1
Application Number: US-201715672249-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Compact camera module

Abstract:
Compact camera modules that may be used in small form factor devices. The camera module may include a lens holder configured to receive one or more lens elements and a photosensor. In some embodiments, the lens holder may define a first recess for receiving the lens elements and a second recess for receiving one or more other components, such as the photosensor. In some embodiments, the photosensor may be configured to communicate with a flex circuit board without coupling the photosensor to a substrate to form a flip chip that communicates with the flex circuit board. The photosensor may be optically aligned with the lens elements and bonded to the lens holder such that the photosensor is fixed in an aligned position and at least partially enclosed by the lens holder.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera module, comprising:
 a lens holder configured to hold one or more lens elements of a camera; and 
 an image sensor configured to capture light projected onto a first side of the image sensor, the image sensor disposed at least partially within the lens holder and fixed to the lens holder such that the image sensor is oriented in an optically aligned position relative to at least one of the one or more lens elements. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera module of  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor includes:
 a second side that is opposite the first side of the image sensor; and 
 one or more electrical connections disposed at least partially between the first side of the image sensor and the second side of the image sensor, the one or more electrical connections being configured to transmit image signals from the first side of the image sensor to the second side of the image sensor. 
 
     
     
       3. The camera module of  claim 2 , further comprising a flex circuit board that is bonded to the image sensor, the flex circuit board configured to receive the image signals from the second side of the image sensor. 
     
     
       4. The camera module of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the image sensor includes one or more image sensor contact elements on the second surface that is opposite the first surface; 
 the flex circuit board includes one or more flex contact elements; and 
 the flex circuit board is bonded to the image sensor such that at least one of the one or more flex contact elements is in electrical communication with at least one of the one or more image sensor contact elements. 
 
     
     
       5. The camera module of  claim 1 , wherein the lens holder further includes:
 a barrel portion defining a first recess, the barrel portion being configured to hold the one or more lens elements within the first recess; and 
 a base portion defining a second recess, the base portion extending from the barrel portion; 
 wherein the image sensor is disposed within the second recess and bonded to the base portion. 
 
     
     
       6. The camera module of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the barrel portion of the lens holder further defines an aperture configured to allow light to pass through the lens holder and to the one or more lens elements. 
 
     
     
       7. The camera module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an adhesive disposed between at least a portion of the image sensor and at least a portion of the lens holder, wherein the adhesive is configured to fix the image sensor to the lens holder. 
 
     
     
       8. A mobile device, comprising:
 a lens holder configured to hold one or more lens elements of a camera; and 
 a photosensor fixed to the lens holder, the photosensor including:
 a first side for capturing light projected onto the first side; and 
 a second side that is opposite the first side; 
 wherein the photosensor is configured to transmit image signals from the first side to the second side; and 
 
 a flex circuit board that is bonded to the photosensor, the flex circuit board configured to receive the image signals from the second side of the photosensor. 
 
     
     
       9. The mobile device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the second side of the photosensor includes one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board and transmit the image signals from the second side of the photosensor to the flex circuit board. 
 
     
     
       10. The mobile device of  claim 8 , wherein the photosensor further includes:
 at least one vertical interconnect access (VIA) within the photosensor for transmitting the image signals from the first side of the photosensor to the second side of the photosensor. 
 
     
     
       11. The mobile device of  claim 8 , wherein the photosensor is oriented such that it is optically aligned with an optical axis of the one or more lens elements. 
     
     
       12. The mobile device of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one of:
 an optical filter disposed between the one or more lens elements and the photosensor; or 
 an optical filter coating applied to at least one of the one or more lens elements. 
 
     
     
       13. The mobile device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a stiffener substrate disposed proximate the flex circuit board, the stiffener substrate being bonded to at least one of the lens holder or the flex circuit board; 
 wherein the flex circuit board is disposed between the photosensor and the stiffener substrate. 
 
     
     
       14. The mobile device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the photosensor is disposed such that a back focal length (BFL) between the one or more lens elements and the photosensor is between about 100 micrometers and about 200 micrometers. 
 
     
     
       15. The mobile device of  claim 8 , wherein the lens holder includes:
 a first portion defining a first recess that extends from a first surface of the lens holder to a second surface of the lens holder, the first portion configured to hold the one or more lens elements within the first recess; and 
 a second portion defining a second recess that extends from the second surface of the lens holder to a third surface of the lens holder; 
 wherein the photosensor is disposed within the second recess and bonded to the second portion proximate the second surface. 
 
     
     
       16. The mobile device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first portion of the lens holder defines an aperture configured to allow light to pass through the lens holder and to the one or more lens elements; 
 the first surface defines a first plane; 
 the second surface defines a second plane that is parallel to the first plane; 
 the third surface defines a third plane that is parallel to the first plane and to the second plane; and 
 the one or more lens elements define an optical axis that intersects the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane. 
 
     
     
       17. The mobile device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a height of the lens holder is defined by a distance from the first surface of the lens holder to the third surface of the lens holder; and 
 the height of the lens holder is between about 1.4 millimeters and about 3.9 millimeters. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of manufacturing a camera module, comprising:
 receiving a lens holder that defines a first recess and a second recess, wherein the lens holder holds one or more lens elements within the first recess; and 
 applying an adhesive to at least one of a photosensor or the lens holder; 
 placing the photosensor within the second recess of the lens holder such that the adhesive is in contact with at least a portion of the photosensor and at least a portion of the lens holder; 
 performing active alignment to orient the photosensor to an aligned position relative to the one or more lens elements, wherein the photosensor is optically aligned with the one or more lens elements when the photosensor is oriented in the aligned position; and 
 curing the adhesive to bond the photosensor to the lens holder and to fix the photosensor in the aligned position. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the performing active alignment includes:
 monitoring at least one optical parameter that is based at least in part upon the photosensor receiving light that has passed through the one or more lens elements; and 
 iteratively adjusting positioning of the photosensor relative to the one or more lens elements until the at least one optical parameter satisfies at least one optical threshold. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 bonding a flex circuit board to the photosensor such that at least one contact element of the flex circuit board is in contact with at least one contact element of the photosensor.

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/372,717, filed Aug. 9, 2016, titled “Compact Camera Module”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to camera modules, and more specifically to small form factor, or compact, camera modules. 
     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 camera modules, however, are designed such that certain limitations are encountered with respect to reducing form factor. For instance, some camera modules may include a stack of components that are coupled to a lens holder that contains lens elements. In other words, the stack of components may significantly add to the z dimension of such camera modules. Furthermore, some camera modules may include an image sensor that is designed to be coupled to a substrate to form a flip chip that allows the image sensor to communicate with another component (e.g., a flex circuit board). The image sensor-substrate combination is but one example of the limitations that may be encountered with respect to form factor of some camera modules. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide camera modules in small package sizes, referred to as small format factor, or compact, camera modules. In some embodiments, a camera module may include a lens holder and a photosensor. The lens holder may be configured to hold one or more lens elements of a camera. In some examples, the lens holder may include a first portion (e.g., a barrel portion) that defines a first recess. The first recess may extend from the first surface of the lens holder to a second surface of the lens holder. In some embodiments, the first portion of the lens holder may be configured to hold the one or more lens elements within the first recess. Furthermore, the first portion may define an aperture. The aperture may be configured to allow light to pass through the lens holder and to the one or more lens elements. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor may be disposed at least partially within the lens holder. Furthermore, the photosensor may be fixed to the lens holder. In some examples, the lens holder may include a second portion (e.g., a base portion) that defines a second recess. The second recess may extend from the second surface of the lens holder to a third surface of the lens holder. In some examples, the photosensor may be disposed proximate the second surface and between the second surface and the third surface. Additionally or alternatively, the photosensor may be disposed within the second recess and bonded to the second portion proximate the second surface. In some embodiments, the first surface defines a first plane, the second surface defines a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the third surface defines a third plane that is parallel to the first plane and to the second plane. Furthermore, the one or more lens elements may define an optical axis that intersects the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor may include a first side for capturing light projected onto the first side. Furthermore, the photosensor may include a second side that is opposite the first side. The photosensor may be configured to transmit image signals from the first side to the second side. For example, the photosensor may include at least one vertical interconnect access (VIA) within the photosensor for transmitting the image signals from the first side of the photosensor to the second side of the photosensor. 
     In some embodiments, an adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the photosensor and at least a portion of the lens holder. For instance, the adhesive may be disposed between the first side of the photosensor and the second surface of the lens holder. The adhesive may bond the photosensor to the lens holder. 
     In various embodiments, the camera module may further include a flex circuit board. The flex circuit board may be bonded to the photosensor. The flex circuit board may be configured to receive image signals from the photosensor. For instance, the flex circuit board may be configured to receive the image signals from the second side of the photosensor. In some examples, the second side of the photosensor may include one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board and transmit the image signals from the second side of the photosensor to the flex circuit board. Furthermore, flex circuit board may include one or more contact elements, and the flex circuit board may be bonded to the photosensor such that at least one contact element of the flex circuit board is in contact with and/or in electrical communication with at least contact element of the photosensor. 
     According to various embodiments, the camera module may include a flex circuit board. The flex circuit board may be coupled to at least one of the photosensor or the lens holder. The flex circuit board may be configured to receive data/information from the photosensor and transmit the data/information to one or more other components. In some examples, the flex circuit board may be at least partially disposed within the second recess. The flex circuit board may be disposed proximate the photosensor. For example, the photosensor may include a first side and a second side. The first side of the photosensor may be proximate the one or more lens elements. The second side of the photosensor may, in some cases, be located opposite the first side of the photosensor. The flex circuit board may be disposed proximate the second side of the photosensor. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the flex circuit board may be in contact and/or electrical communication with the photosensor. For instance, the second side of the photosensor may include one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board and transmit data from the photosensor to the flex circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, the camera module may include a substrate. For instance, the substrate may be a stiffener that is coupled to the lens holder and/or the flex circuit board. The substrate may function to structurally support and/or protect the flex circuit board. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, the camera module may include a filter (e.g., an optical filter). In some examples, the filter may be disposed between the one or more lens elements and the photosensor. In other examples, the optical filter may be a coating that is applied to at least one of the lens elements. 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method of manufacturing a camera module. The method may include receiving a lens holder. The lens holder may define a first recess and a second recess. The lens holder may hold one or more lens elements within the first recess. The method may further include applying an adhesive to a photosensor and/or the lens holder. The photosensor may be placed within the second recess of the lens holder such that the adhesive is in contact with at least a portion of the photosensor and at least a portion of the lens holder. 
     In some embodiments, the method may include performing active alignment to orient the photosensor to an aligned position relative to the one or more lens elements. The photosensor may be optically aligned with the one or more lens elements when the photosensor is in the aligned position. In some cases, performing the active alignment may include monitoring at least one optical parameter that is based at least in part upon the photosensor receiving light that has passed through the one or more lens elements. Furthermore, performing the active alignment may include iteratively adjusting positioning of the photosensor relative to the one or more lens elements until at least one optical parameter satisfies at least one optical threshold. 
     Furthermore, the method may include curing the adhesive to bond the photosensor to the lens holder and to fix the photosensor in the aligned position. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further include bonding a flex circuit board to the photosensor. For example, the flex circuit board may be bonded to the photosensor such that at least one contact element of the flex circuit board is in contact with at least one contact element of the photosensor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of an example camera module, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 1  includes a top view of the example camera module to provide context for the cross-sectional illustration. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an example camera module, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another exploded view of an example camera module, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an example method for manufacturing a camera module, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an example method for performing active alignment for a camera module, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of an example portable multifunction device that may include or host one or more camera modules, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example portable multifunction device that may include or host one or more camera modules, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example computer system that may include or host one or more camera modules, 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. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide camera modules in small package sizes, referred to as small format factor, or compact, camera modules. Embodiments of the camera modules may be used in cameras with a small package size, referred to as small form factor cameras. As will be discussed in further detail below, the camera modules disclosed herein may be designed to have fewer components and/or a smaller form factor than other camera modules. Moreover, the camera modules described herein may be designed to have a simpler assembly process and/or a simpler manufacturing process than other camera modules. As non-limiting examples, some processes for assembling and/or manufacturing the camera modules disclosed herein may include fewer steps, fewer components to assemble, fewer components to manufacture, less expensive assembly costs, and/or less expensive manufacturing costs, as compared to other camera modules. 
     In some embodiments, an example camera module may include a lens holder, one or more lens elements, and a photosensor (e.g., an image sensor). The lens holder may be configured to hold the lens elements and the photosensor. In some examples, the lens holder may include a first portion (e.g., a barrel portion) that defines a first recess. The first recess may extend from the first surface of the lens holder to a second surface of the lens holder. In some embodiments, the first portion of the lens holder may be configured to hold the one or more lens elements within the first recess. Furthermore, the first portion may define an aperture. The aperture may be configured to allow light to pass through the lens holder and to the one or more lens elements. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor may be disposed at least partially within the lens holder. Furthermore, the photosensor may be fixed to the lens holder. In some examples, the lens holder may include a second portion (e.g., a base portion) that defines a second recess. The second recess may extend from the second surface of the lens holder to a third surface of the lens holder. In some examples, the photosensor may be disposed proximate the second surface and between the second surface and the third surface. Additionally or alternatively, the photosensor may be disposed within the second recess and bonded to the second portion proximate the second surface. In some embodiments, the first surface defines a first plane, the second surface defines a second plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the third surface defines a third plane that is parallel to the first plane and to the second plane. Furthermore, the one or more lens elements may define an optical axis that intersects the first plane, the second plane, and the third plane. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor may include a first side for capturing light projected onto the first side. Furthermore, the photosensor may include a second side that is opposite the first side. The photosensor may be configured to transmit image signals from the first side to the second side. For example, the photosensor may include at least one vertical interconnect access (VIA) within the photosensor for transmitting the image signals from the first side of the photosensor to the second side of the photosensor. 
     In some embodiments, an adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the photosensor and at least a portion of the lens holder. For instance, the adhesive may be disposed between the first side of the photosensor and the second surface of the lens holder. The adhesive may bond the photosensor to the lens holder. 
     In various embodiments, the camera module may further include a flex circuit board. The flex circuit board may be bonded to the photosensor. The flex circuit board may be configured to receive image signals from the photosensor. For instance, the flex circuit board may be configured to receive the image signals from the second side of the photosensor. In some examples, the second side of the photosensor may include one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board and transmit the image signals from the second side of the photosensor to the flex circuit board. Furthermore, flex circuit board may include one or more contact elements, and the flex circuit board may be bonded to the photosensor such that at least one contact element of the flex circuit board is in contact with and/or in electrical communication with at least contact element of the photosensor. 
     According to various embodiments, the camera module may include a flex circuit board. The flex circuit board may be coupled to at least one of the photosensor or the lens holder. The flex circuit board may be configured to receive data/information from the photosensor and transmit the data/information to one or more other components. In some examples, the flex circuit board may be at least partially disposed within the second recess. The flex circuit board may be disposed proximate the photosensor. For example, the photosensor may include a first side and a second side. The first side of the photosensor may be proximate the one or more lens elements. The second side of the photosensor may, in some cases, be located opposite the first side of the photosensor. The flex circuit board may be disposed proximate the second side of the photosensor. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the flex circuit board may be in contact and/or electrical communication with the photosensor. For instance, the second side of the photosensor may include one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board and transmit data from the photosensor to the flex circuit board. 
     In some embodiments, the camera module may include a substrate. For instance, the substrate may be a stiffener that is coupled to the lens holder and/or the flex circuit board. The substrate may function to structurally support and/or protect the flex circuit board. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, the camera module may include a filter (e.g., an optical filter). In some examples, the filter may be disposed between the one or more lens elements and the photosensor. In other examples, the optical filter may be a coating that is applied to at least one of the lens elements. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional illustration of an example camera module  100 , according to some embodiments. The camera module  100  may include a lens holder  102 , one or more lens elements  104 , and a photosensor  106  (e.g., an image sensor). The lens holder  102  may be configured to receive the lens elements  104  and the photosensor  106 . For instance, the lens holder  102  may include a first portion  108  (e.g., a barrel portion) and a second portion  110  (e.g., a base portion). The first portion  108  of the lens holder  102  may define a first recess  112  configured to receive the lens elements  104 . In some embodiments, the first portion  108  may define an aperture  113 . The aperture  113  may be configured to allow light rays to pass through the lens holder and to the lens elements  104 . Furthermore, the first portion  108  of the lens holder  102  and/or the second portion  110  of the lens holder  102  may define a second recess  114  configured to receive the photosensor  106 . Although  FIG. 1  depicts three lens elements  104 , it should be understood that the camera module  100  may include fewer or more lens elements. 
     One or more of the lens elements  104  may be of different shapes, geometries, sizes, or materials (e.g., plastics, glass, etc.) with different optical properties (e.g., refractive index, Abbe number, etc.). Spacing between the lens elements  104  may be different than shown, and various power orders for the lens elements  104  may be used. For example, in an example where the camera module  100  includes five lens elements, the power order, from the first lens element to the fifth lens element, may be PNNP, PNPNP, or some other order, where P indicates a lens with positive refractive power, and N represents a lens with negative refractive power. In some embodiments, parameters of the lens elements  104  including but not limited to lens shape, size, geometry, position, and materials may be selected at least in part to reduce, compensate, or correct for lens artifacts and effects including one or more of, but not limited to, vignetting, chromatic aberration, the field curvature or Petzval sum, and lens flare. For example, the lens elements  104  may be selected and arranged such that mechanical vignetting is reduced or eliminated. 
     In some embodiments, the first recess  112  may extend, in the z dimension, from a first surface  116  of the lens holder  102  to a second surface  118  of the lens holder  102 . The first surface  116  may, in some cases, define a first plane (not shown) that extends along the x-y dimensions. Likewise, the second surface  118  may define a second plane (not shown) that extends along the x-y dimensions. The lens elements  104  may be disposed between the first surface  116  and the second surface  118 , e.g., between the first plane and the second plane. 
     In some embodiments, the lens elements  104  may be coupled to the lens holder  102  and/or to one another. For instance, at least a portion of a lens element  104  may be bonded to at least a portion of the lens holder  102  and/or to at least a portion of another lens element  104  using an adhesive. In some examples, the lens elements  104  may be coupled to the lens holder  102  and/or to one another by mechanical means. For instance, the lens elements  104  may be configured to press fit to the lens holder  102  and/or to one another. 
     According to some embodiments, the second recess  114  may extend, in the z dimension, from the second surface  118  to a fourth surface. The second surface  118  may, in some cases, define a second plane (not shown) that extends along the x-y dimensions. Likewise, the third surface  120  may define a third plane (not shown) that extends along the x-y dimensions. In some embodiments, the photosensor  106  may be disposed proximate the second surface  118  and between the second surface  118  and the third surface  120 . Accordingly, the lens holder  102  may at least partially enclose the photosensor  106 . For instance, one or more side walls of the lens holder  102  may completely surround the photosensor  106  in the z dimension. As such, the lens holder  102  may protect the photosensor  106  from mechanical contact with other components. Similarly, one or more other components described herein (e.g., the flex circuit board, the stiffener substrate, etc.) may be at least partially enclosed by the lens holder  102 . 
     As will be discussed in further detail below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the photosensor  106  may be oriented such that the photosensor  106  is substantially optically aligned with one or multiple lens elements  104 . For instance, the photosensor  106  may be positioned in an aligned position via active alignment, and the photosensor  106  may be coupled to the lens holder  102  in the aligned position. The active alignment may include monitoring at least one optical parameter that is based on the photosensor  106  receiving light that has passed through the lens elements  104 . Furthermore, the active alignment may include iteratively adjusting positioning of the photosensor  106  relative to the lens elements  104  until the optical parameter satisfies at least one optical threshold. 
     In some embodiments, an adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the photosensor  106  and at least a portion of the lens holder  102 . For instance, the adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the photosensor  106  and at least a portion of the third surface  118  of the lens holder  102 . In a non-limiting example, the adhesive may be disposed along one or more portions of a first bond line  122 . The adhesive may bond the photosensor  106  to the lens holder  102 . Additionally or alternatively, the adhesive may function as a seal. For example, the adhesive may provide a light seal and/or a dust seal between the photosensor  106  and the lens elements  104 . The bond lines illustrated in  FIG. 1 , such as the first bond line  122 , indicate example regions where the adhesive or other coupling means may be disposed. It should be understood, however, that the adhesive or other coupling means may be disposed in different regions than those illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     According to various embodiments, the camera module  100  may include a flex circuit board  124 . The flex circuit board  124  may be coupled to the photosensor  106  and/or the lens holder  102 . The flex circuit board  124  may be configured to receive data/information (e.g., image data) from the photosensor  106  and transmit the data to one or more other components. In some examples, the flex circuit board  124  may be at least partially disposed within the second recess  114 . For instance, the flex circuit board  124  may be disposed proximate the photosensor  106 . For example, the photosensor  106  may include a first side  126  and a second side  128 . The first side  126  of the photosensor  106  may be proximate the lens elements  104 . The second side  128  of the photosensor  106  may, in some cases, be located opposite the first side  126 . The flex circuit board  124  may be disposed proximate the second side  128  of the photosensor  106 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of the flex circuit board  124  may be in contact and/or electrical communication with the photosensor  106 . For instance, the second side  128  of the photosensor  106  may include one or more contact elements configured to contact the flex circuit board  124  and transmit data from the photosensor  106  to the flex circuit board  124 . 
     In some embodiments, an adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the flex circuit board  124  and at least a portion of the photosensor  106  and/or the lens holder  102 . In a non-limiting example, the adhesive may be disposed along one or more portions of a second bond line  130 . The adhesive may bond the flex circuit board  124  to the photosensor  106  and/or the lens holder  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the camera module  100  may include a substrate  132 . For instance, the substrate  132  may be a stiffener that is coupled to the lens holder  102  and/or the flex circuit board  124 . The substrate  132  may function to structurally support and/or protect the flex circuit board  124 . In some embodiments, an adhesive may be disposed between at least a portion of the substrate  132  and at least a portion of the flex circuit board  124  and/or the lens holder  102 . In a non-limiting example, the adhesive may be disposed along one or more portions of a third bond line  134 . The adhesive may bond the substrate  132  to the flex circuit board  124  and/or the lens holder  102 . 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, the camera module  100  may include a filter  136  (e.g., an infrared filter). In some examples, the filter  136  may be disposed between one or more of the lens elements  104  and the photosensor  106 . For instance, the filter  136  may be disposed between the photosensor  106  and the lens element  104  that is closest to the photosensor  106 . In other examples, the filter  136  may be a coating that is applied to at least one of the lens elements  104 . For instance, a filter coating (e.g., an infrared filter coating) may be applied to the lens element  104  that is closest to the photosensor  106 . However, in other embodiments, one or more other lens elements  104 , or all of the lens elements  104 , may be coated with the filter coating. 
     The camera module  100  may be designed to have fewer components and/or a smaller form factor than other camera modules. For instance, some other camera modules may include a stack of components (e.g., a filter, a sensor, a flex circuit board, etc.) that are coupled to, but not enclosed within a lens holder that contains lens elements. In other words, the stack of components significantly adds to the z dimension of those camera modules. Furthermore, some of the other camera modules may include an image sensor that is designed to be coupled to a substrate to form a flip chip that allows the image sensor to communicate with another component (e.g., the flex circuit board). The image sensor-substrate combination may have a z dimension that is greater than the z dimension of the photosensors of the camera modules described herein. 
     The camera module  100 , on the other hand, may be designed such that one or more components may be disposed within the lens holder, which reduces certain dimensions as compare to other camera modules. For instance, the photosensor  106  may be a flat, stand-alone component. That is, the photosensor  106 , in some embodiments, may not need to be coupled to a substrate to form a flip chip, in contrast to some other camera module designs. Rather, the photosensor  106  may be configured to communicate directly with the flex circuit board  124 . For example, the photosensor  106  may include conductive material that allows information to flow from the first side  126  of the photosensor  106  to the second side  128  of the photosensor  106  and to the flex circuit board  124 . Thus, the photosensor  106  may be designed to allow for a reduction in the z dimension of the camera module  100  as compared to that of some other camera modules. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor  106  may be disposed such that a back focal length (indicated as the bfl dimension in  FIG. 1 ) between the lens elements  104  and the photosensor  106  is between about 100 micrometers and about 200 micrometers. In some instances, the bfl dimension may be less than about 110 micrometers. The bfl dimension may be a distance, in the z dimension, between at least one of the lens elements  104  and the photosensor  106 . Due to the design of the photosensor  106  and/or the camera module  100 , the bfl dimension may, in some cases, be reduced by about 65% as compared to that of some other camera module designs. 
     In some embodiments, the camera module  100  may have a z1 dimension. The z1 dimension may be a height (in the z dimension) of the camera module  100 . The z1 dimension may be between about 1.5 millimeters and about 4 millimeters. In some instances, the z1 dimension may be less than about 1.8 millimeters. 
     Furthermore, in some embodiments, the camera module may have a z2 dimension. The z2 dimension may be a height (in the z dimension) of the lens holder  102 . For instance, the z2 dimension may be a distance from the first surface  116  to the fourth surface  120 . The z2 dimension may be between about 1.4 millimeters and about 3.9 millimeters. In some instances, the z2 dimension may be less than about 1.7 millimeters. Due to the design of the camera module  100 , the z2 dimension may, in some cases, be reduced by about 200 micrometers as compared to that of some other camera module designs. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view  200  of the example camera module  100 , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 3  illustrates another exploded view  300  including some of the components of the example camera module  100 , according to some embodiments. The exploded view  200  of  FIG. 2  shows components of the camera module  100  according to a first perspective view, while the exploded view  300  of  FIG. 3  shows components of the camera module  100  according to a second perspective view that is different than the first perspective view.  FIG. 2  shows the lens holder  102 , the photosensor  106 , the flex circuit board  124 , and the substrate  132 .  FIG. 3  shows the lens holder  102 , the photosensor  106 , and the flex circuit board  124 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the lens holder  102  includes a first portion  108  that is a barrel for receiving one or more lens elements (e.g., lens elements  104  in  FIG. 1 ). Although the first portion  108  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as being cylindrical, the first portion  108  may be any other suitable shape. For instance, the first portion  108  may have a rectangular cross-section in other embodiments. Furthermore, as depicted, the lens holder  102  includes a second portion  110  that is a base structure for receiving one or more other components (e.g., the photosensor  106 , the flex circuit board  124 , the substrate  132 , etc.) of the camera module  100 . Although the second portion  110  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as being rectangular, the second portion  110  may be any other suitable shape. For instance, the second portion  110  may have a circular cross-section in other embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the lens holder  102  may be constructed of plastics, metals, alloys, and/or any other suitable material(s). For example, the lens holder  102  may be integrally formed of a plastic, e.g., via injection molding. As such, the first portion  108  and the second portion  110  may be a singular component. In other instances, however, the lens holder  102  may be assembled from multiple components. For example, the first portion  108  and the second portion  110  may not be integrally formed, but rather individually formed and then assembled to form at least a portion of the lens holder  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor  106  may include a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). However, the photosensor  106  may be constructed from any suitable material(s). For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the photosensor  106  may be constructed of one or more plastics. 
     In some embodiments, the photosensor  106  may include a light or image sensing portion  202  and a coupling portion  204 . The light sensing portion  202  may be at the first side  126  ( FIG. 1 ) of the photosensor  106 . The light sensing portion  202  may be configured to capture light that passes through the aperture  113 . For instance, light rays may pass through the aperture  113  and the lens elements and to the light sensing portion  202  of the photosensor  106 . The photosensor  106  may be configured to transmit signals from the light sensing portion  202  to the flex circuit board  124 . For instance, the photosensor  106  may include one or more contact elements  302  ( FIG. 3 ) that may be in electrical contact with one or more contact elements  206  of the flex circuit board  124 . The one or more contact elements  302  may be disposed on the second side  128  ( FIG. 1 ) of the photosensor  106 . The photosensor  106  may include conductive material that provides for conveying the signals from the light sensing portion  202  to the contact elements  302 , which may themselves include conductive material that provides for conveying the signals to the flex circuit board  124 . In some examples, the photosensor  106  may include at least one vertical interconnect access (VIA) within the photosensor  106  for transmitting the signals from the first side  126  to the second side  128 . 
     In various embodiments, the photosensor  106  may be configured to transmit signals directly from the first side  126  to the second side  128 . That is, the photosensor  106  may be configured to transmit signals from the first side  126  to the second side  128  without routing the signals through an external, separate, and/or intervening component. Furthermore, the photosensor  106  and/or the flex circuit board  124  may be configured such that signals may be transmitted directly from the photosensor  106  to the flex circuit board  124 . That is, the signals may be transmitted from the photosensor  106  to the flex circuit board  124  without routing the signals through an external, separate, and/or intervening component. For instance, the photosensor  106  does not need to be coupled to a substrate through which signals are routed from the light sensing portion  202  to the flex circuit board  124 . Without such an intervening component, certain dimensions (e.g., the BFL, z1, and z2 dimensions discussed above) may be reduced, thus resulting in a smaller form factor. 
     The coupling portion  204  of the photosensor  106  may indicate a portion of the photosensor  106  that is bonded to the lens holder  102 . For instance, at least a portion of the coupling portion  204  may be bonded to coupling portion  304  ( FIG. 3 ) of the lens holder  102 . In some examples, an adhesive may be placed on at least a portion of the coupling portion  204  of the photosensor  106  and/or at least a portion of the coupling portion  304  of the lens holder  102 . In this manner, the photosensor  106  may be bonded to the lens holder  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the substrate  132  may include a first portion  208  and a second portion  210 . The first portion  208  may be configured to receive the flex circuit board  124 . That is, at least a portion of the flex circuit board  124  may sit on, or proximate to, the first portion  208 . The second portion  210  may be a lip formed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the first portion  208 . In some examples, the second portion  210  may be coupled to the lens holder  102 . For instance, at least a portion of the second portion  210  may be bonded to at least a portion of the third surface  120  ( FIG. 1 ) of the lens holder  102 . Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the substrate  132  may be bonded to at least a portion of the flex circuit board  124 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an example method for manufacturing a camera module, according to some embodiments. For instance, the example method may be used for manufacturing and/or assembling the camera modules described herein, e.g., in the discussion above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     At  400 , one or more lens elements may be inserted into a lens holder. For instance, the lens holder may include a first portion that defines a first recess for receiving the lens elements. The lens elements may be placed at least partially within the first recess and bonded to the first portion, to another portion of the lens holder, and/or to one another. For example, glue (or another adhesive) may be used to bond the lens elements in a desired position within the lens holder. In some embodiments, the camera module may be a fixed focus camera module. Accordingly, the lens elements may be coupled to the lens holder such that they are fixed in a desired position relative to a photosensor. In this manner, the positioning of some components of the camera module may not be dynamically adjusted for optical focusing purposes after assembly. In other embodiments, however, the camera module may be an autofocus (AF) camera module that includes components capable of being dynamically adjusted for optical focusing purposes after assembly. 
     At  402 , one or more filters may be inserted into the lens holder. For instance, one or more filters may be placed at least partially within the first recess and bonded to the first portion, to another portion of the lens holder, to one or more lens elements, and/or to one another. In some cases, glue (or another adhesive) may be used to bond the filter in a desired position within the lens holder. 
     According to some implementations, the method may include receiving the lens holder with the lens elements and/or other components (e.g., a filter) already coupled to the lens holder. 
     At  404 , the method may include performing active alignment of an image sensor with the one or more lens elements. For instance, the active alignment may include positioning the photosensor relative to the one or more lens elements. The active alignment process is discussed in further detail below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     At  406 , the photosensor may be coupled to the lens holder. For instance, the lens holder may include a second portion that defines a second recess for receiving the photosensor. The photosensor may be placed at least partially within the first recess and bonded to the second portion, to the first portion, and/or to another portion of the lens holder. For example, glue (or another adhesive) may be used to bond the photosensor in a desired position within the lens holder. In some examples, the photosensor may be glued to at least a portion of an inner surface of the lens holder. For instance, the inner surface may define a plane that extends in the x-y dimensions. The first recess may be located above the plane, and the second recess may be located below the plane. In some instances, the plane may define a transition, in the z dimension, from the first recess to the second recess. 
     In various embodiments, an adhesive may be placed between at least a portion of the photosensor and at least a portion of the lens holder. The photosensor may be placed in an aligned position via active alignment prior to the adhesive being cured. After performing the active alignment, the adhesive may be cured to fix the photosensor in the aligned position. 
     The adhesive may be placed between the photosensor and the lens holder such that the adhesive functions as a seal. For instance, the adhesive may function as a light seal that prevents light from passing between the photosensor and the lens holder and to the lens elements during active alignment, which may provide for improved alignment and thus improved optical performance. 
     Furthermore, the method may provide for fewer opportunities for dust particles to reach the light sensing portion of the photosensor and/or the lens elements as compared to some methods for manufacturing other camera modules. The camera modules described herein may be designed to have fewer components to assemble, a simpler assembly method and/or a simpler manufacturing method than other camera modules. For example, as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 , the photosensor may be configured to transmit signals directly to the flex circuit board without routing the signals through an intervening component. Some other camera module designs include a photosensor that is coupled to substrate through which the signals are routed to the flex circuit board. Those other camera module designs do not allow for fixing the photosensor directly to the lens holder. Rather than applying an adhesive between the photosensor and the lens holder before the active alignment and curing the adhesive after the active alignment, those other camera module designs require underfilling a gap between the lens holder and the photosensor-substrate combination after the photosensor-substrate combination is oriented in a desired position. The additional components and additional steps involved in manufacturing and/or assembling the other camera module designs provide opportunities for dust particles to be shed and possibly affecting optical performance. 
     At  408 , the flex circuit board may be coupled to the photosensor and/or the lens holder. In some cases, the flex circuit board may be placed at least partially within the second recess. In some embodiments, the flex circuit board may be placed proximate the photosensor and bonded to the photosensor and/or the lens holder such that the flex circuit board is fixed proximate the flex circuit board. For example, glue (or another adhesive) may be used to bond the flex circuit board in a desired position. 
     In some embodiments, the flex circuit board may be disposed such that at least a portion of the flex circuit board is in contact with at least a portion of the photosensor. For instance, the photosensor may include one or multiple contact elements that may be in electrical contact with at least a portion of the flex circuit board. In this manner, the flex circuit board may be capable of receiving image information from the photosensor. The flex circuit board may be configured to transmit the image information to one or more other components (e.g., one or more components of a device hosting the camera module). 
     In some implementations, the flex circuit board may be coupled to the photosensor and/or the lens holder during a time period after the photosensor is coupled to the lens holder. However, in other implementations, the flex circuit board may be coupled to the photosensor during a time period before the photosensor is coupled to the lens holder. That is, the flex circuit board may be coupled to the photosensor to produce a subassembly. The subassembly may then be coupled to the lens holder. 
     At  410 , a stiffener substrate may be coupled to the flex circuit board and/or the lens holder. The stiffener substrate may function to provide structural support and/or protection to the flex circuit board, the lens holder, and/or another component of the camera module. In some examples, the stiffener substrate may be placed proximate the flex circuit board and bonded to the flex circuit board and/or the lens holder such that the stiffener substrate is fixed proximate the flex circuit board. For example, glue (or another adhesive) may be used to bond the stiffener substrate in a desired position. In some implementations, the stiffener substrate may be disposed at least partially within the lens holder. For example, the stiffener substrate may be disposed at least partially within the second recess. In other examples, however, the stiffener substrate may wholly be disposed outside the lens holder. 
     In some embodiments, at least some of the components of the camera module may be manufactured and/or assembled by different entities (e.g., vendors for the different components) at different locations, and assembly of components and/or subassemblies of the camera module may be performed by an entity at a facility that assembles a device (e.g., a mobile device) that includes the camera module. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an example method for performing active alignment for a camera module, according to some embodiments. For instance, the example method may be used for aligning the photosensor of the camera modules described herein, e.g., in the discussion above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     At  500 , an adhesive may be applied to a lens holder and/or a photosensor, as discussed in further detail above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . At  502 , the method may include performing active alignment of the photosensor with one or more lens elements. For instance, at  504 , the active alignment may include positioning the photosensor relative to the one or more lens elements. At  506 , at least one optical parameter (e.g., focus of an image) may be monitored. In some implementations, the at least one optical parameter may be based on the photosensor receiving light that has passed through the one or more lens elements. Furthermore, the active alignment may include iteratively adjusting the positioning of the photosensor relative to the one or more lens elements. The positioning of the photosensor may, in some cases, be iteratively adjusted until a triggering event occurs. For example, the positioning of the photosensor may be iteratively adjusted (e.g., along 5 or 6 degrees of freedom) until at least one optical parameter satisfies at least one optical threshold. The triggering event may indicate that the photosensor is in an aligned position relative to the one or more elements. In some cases, the one or more lens elements may define an optical axis. The photosensor, when in the aligned position, may be oriented such that it is substantially optically aligned with the optical axis. In some embodiments, the active alignment may insure that the alignment and relative position of the photosensor to the lens elements in the x, y, and/or z dimensions is correct according to specifications and within tolerances of the camera module, and to maximize camera system performance and yield. In some embodiments, the active alignment includes doing z alignment of the photosensor to find optimal focus, and then performing x and y tilt of the image plane to find optimal field performance. 
     At  508 , the method includes determining whether the photosensor is in the aligned position. If, at  508 , it is determined that the photosensor is not in the aligned position, then the positioning of the photosensor may be adjusted, at  504 , as part of the iterative adjustment discussed above. 
     If, at  508 , it is determined that the photosensor is in the aligned position, then the adhesive may be cured to fix the photosensor in the aligned position, at  510 . 
     Example Portable Multifunction Devices 
     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. 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 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. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction device  600  that may include or host embodiments of one or more camera modules disclosed herein, e.g., in the discussion above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . For example, device  600  may include cameras  664   a - b , which may include one or more camera modules, in some embodiments. Cameras  664   a - b  are sometimes called “optical sensors” for convenience, and may also be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device  600  may include memory  602  (which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller  622 , one or more processing units (CPUs)  620 , peripherals interface  618 , RF circuitry  608 , audio circuitry  610 , speaker  611 , touch-sensitive display system  612 , microphone  613 , input/output (I/O) subsystem  606 , other input or control devices  616 , and external port  624 . Device  600  may include optical sensors  664   a - b . These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines  603 . 
     It should be appreciated that device  600  is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device  600  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 various of the figures 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  602  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  602  by other components of device  600 , such as CPU  620  and the peripherals interface  618 , may be controlled by memory controller  622 . 
     Peripherals interface  618  can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU  620  and memory  602 . The one or more processors  620  run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory  602  to perform various functions for device  600  and to process data. 
     In some embodiments, peripherals interface  618 , CPU  620 , and memory controller  622  may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip  604 . In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. 
     RF (radio frequency) circuitry  608  receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  608  converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  608  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  608  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  610 , speaker  611 , and microphone  613  provide an audio interface between a user and device  600 . Audio circuitry  610  receives audio data from peripherals interface  618 , converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker  611 . Speaker  611  converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry  610  also receives electrical signals converted by microphone  613  from sound waves. Audio circuitry  610  converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface  618  for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory  602  and/or RF circuitry  608  by peripherals interface  618 . In some embodiments, audio circuitry  610  also includes a headset jack (e.g.,  712 ,  FIG. 7 ). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry  610  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  606  couples input/output peripherals on device  600 , such as touch screen  612  and other input control devices  616 , to peripherals interface  618 . I/O subsystem  606  may include display controller  656  and one or more input controllers  660  for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers  660  receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices  616 . The other input control devices  616  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)  660  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.,  708 ,  FIG. 7 ) may include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  611  and/or microphone  613 . The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,  706 ,  FIG. 7 ). 
     Touch-sensitive display  612  provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller  656  receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen  612 . Touch screen  612  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  612  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  612  and display controller  656  (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory  602 ) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen  612  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  612 . In an example embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen  612  and the user corresponds to a finger of the user. 
     Touch screen  612  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  612  and display controller  656  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  612 . 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, Calif. 
     Touch screen  612  may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen  612  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 calculated by the user. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device  600  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  612  or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen. 
     Device  600  also includes power system  662  for powering the various components. Power system  662  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  600  may also include optical sensors or cameras  664   a - b . Optical sensors  664   a - b  may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensors  664   a - b  receive light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module  643 , optical sensors  664   a - b  may capture still images or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the back of device  600 , opposite touch screen display  612  on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display 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. In embodiments in which multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  are supported, each of the multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  may include its own photosensor(s), or the multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  may be supported by a shared photosensor. Likewise, in embodiments in which multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  are supported, each of the multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  may include its own image processing pipeline of processors and storage units, or the multiple cameras or optical sensors  664   a - b  may be supported by an image processing pipeline of processors and storage units. 
     Device  600  may also include one or more proximity sensors  666 .  FIG. 6  shows proximity sensor  666  coupled to peripherals interface  618 . Alternately, proximity sensor  666  may be coupled to input controller  660  in I/O subsystem  606 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensor  666  turns off and disables touch screen  612  when the multifunction device is placed near the user&#39;s ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call). 
     Device  600  includes one or more orientation sensors  668 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors 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 include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors 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  600 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include any combination of orientation/rotation sensors.  FIG. 6  shows the one or more orientation sensors  668  coupled to peripherals interface  618 . Alternately, the one or more orientation sensors  668  may be coupled to an input controller  660  in I/O subsystem  606 . In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more orientation sensors. 
     In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory  602  include operating system  626 , communication module (or set of instructions)  628 , contact/motion module (or set of instructions)  630 , graphics module (or set of instructions)  632 , text input module (or set of instructions)  634 , Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)  635 , arbiter module  657  and applications (or sets of instructions)  636 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  602  stores device/global internal state  657 . Device/global internal state  657  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  612 ; sensor state, including information obtained from the device&#39;s various sensors and input control devices  616 ; and location information concerning the device&#39;s location and/or attitude. 
     Operating system  626  (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  628  facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports  624  and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry  608  and/or external port  624 . External port  624  (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 that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices. 
     Contact/motion module  630  may detect contact with touch screen  612  (in conjunction with display controller  656 ) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module  630  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  630  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  630  and display controller  656  detect contact on a touchpad. 
     Contact/motion module  630  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  632  includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen  612  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  632  stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module  632  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  656 . 
     Text input module  634 , which may be a component of graphics module  632 , provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts  637 , e-mail  640 , IM  641 , browser  647 , and any other application that needs text input). 
     GPS module  635  determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone  638  for use in location-based dialing, to camera  643  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  636  may include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
         contacts module  637  (sometimes called an address book or contact list);   telephone module  638 ;   video conferencing module  639 ;   e-mail client module  640 ;   instant messaging (IM) module  641 ;   workout support module  642 ;   dual camera module  643  for still and/or video images;   image management module  644 ;   browser module  647 ;   calendar module  648 ;   widget modules  649 , which may include one or more of: weather widget  649 - 1 , stocks widget  649 - 2 , calculator widget  649 - 3 , alarm clock widget  649 - 4 , dictionary widget  649 - 5 , and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets  649 - 6 ;   widget creator module  650  for making user-created widgets  649 - 6 ;   search module  651 ;   video and music player module  652 , which may be made up of a video player module and a music player module;   notes module  653 ;   map module  654 ; and/or   online video module  655 .       

     Examples of other applications  636  that may be stored in memory  602  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  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , contacts module  637  may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state  692  of contacts module  637  in memory  602  or memory  670 ), 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  638 , video conference  639 , e-mail  640 , or IM  641 ; and so forth. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  608 , audio circuitry  610 , speaker  611 , microphone  613 , touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , telephone module  638  may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book  637 , 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  608 , audio circuitry  610 , speaker  611 , microphone  613 , touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , optical sensors  664   a - b , optical sensor controller  658 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , contact list  637 , and telephone module  638 , videoconferencing module  639  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  608 , touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , e-mail client module  640  includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module  644 , e-mail client module  640  makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with dual camera module  643 . 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  608 , touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , the instant messaging module  641  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  608 , touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , GPS module  635 , map module  654 , and music player module  646 , workout support module  642  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  612 , display controller  656 , optical sensor(s)  664 , optical sensor controller  658 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and image management module  644 , dual camera module  643  includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory  602 , modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory  602 . 
     In conjunction with touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , and dual camera module  643 , image management module  644  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  608 , touch screen  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , browser module  647  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  608 , touch screen  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , e-mail client module  640 , and browser module  647 , calendar module  648  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  608 , touch screen  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , and browser module  647 , widget modules  649  are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget  649 - 1 , stocks widget  649 - 2 , calculator widget  6493 , alarm clock widget  649 - 4 , and dictionary widget  649 - 5 ) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget  649 - 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  608 , touch screen  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , and browser module  647 , the widget creator module  650  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  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , search module  651  includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory  102  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  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , audio circuitry  610 , speaker  611 , RF circuitry  608 , and browser module  647 , video and music player module  652  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  612  or on an external, connected display via external port  624 ). In some embodiments, device  600  may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  612 , display controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , and text input module  634 , notes module  653  includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  608 , touch screen  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , text input module  634 , GPS module  635 , and browser module  647 , map module  654  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  612 , display system controller  656 , contact module  630 , graphics module  632 , audio circuitry  610 , speaker  611 , RF circuitry  608 , text input module  634 , e-mail client module  640 , and browser module  647 , online video module  655  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  624 ), 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  641 , rather than e-mail client module  640 , 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  602  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  602  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     In some embodiments, device  600  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  600 , the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device  600  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  600  to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on device  600 . 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. 7  illustrates a portable multifunction device  600  that may include or host embodiments of one or more of the camera modules disclosed herein, e.g., in the discussion above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . Device  600  may include a touch screen  612 . The touch screen  612  may display one or more graphics within user interface (UI)  700 . 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  702  (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses  703  (not drawn to scale in the figure). 
     Device  600  may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button  704 . As described previously, menu button  704  may be used to navigate to any application  636  in a set of applications that may be executed on device  600 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen  612 . 
     In one embodiment, device  600  includes touch screen  612 , menu button  704 , push button  706  for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s)  708 , Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot  710 , head set jack  712 , and docking/charging external port  624 . Push button  706  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  600  also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone  613 . 
     It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are given with reference to optical sensors/cameras  664   a - b  (on the front of a device), a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from the display may be used instead of or in addition to an optical sensors/cameras  664   a - b  on the front of a device. 
     Example Computer System 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example computing device, referred to as computer system  800 , that may include or host embodiments of camera modules disclosed herein, e.g., in the discussion above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . In addition, computer system  800  may implement methods for controlling operations of the camera and/or for performing image processing of images captured with the camera. In different embodiments, computer system  800  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet or pad device, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a wireless phone, a smartphone, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  800  includes one or more processors  810  coupled to a system memory  820  via an input/output (I/O) interface  830 . Computer system  800  further includes a network interface  840  coupled to I/O interface  830 , and one or more input/output devices  850 , such as cursor control device  860 , keyboard  870 , and display(s)  880 . Computer system  800  may also include one or more cameras  890 , for example one or more cameras that include one or more camera modules as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , which may also be coupled to I/O interface  830 , or one or more cameras that include one or more camera modules as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5  along with one or more other cameras such as wide-field and/or telephoto cameras. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  800  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  810 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  810  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  810  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  810  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  810  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  820  may be configured to store program instructions  822  and/or data  832  accessible by processor  810 . In various embodiments, system memory  820  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  822  may be configured to implement various interfaces, methods and/or data for controlling operations of camera  890  and for capturing and processing images with integrated camera  890  or other methods or data, for example interfaces and methods for capturing, displaying, processing, and storing images captured with camera  890 . 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  820  or computer system  800 . 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  830  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  810 , system memory  820 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  840  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  850 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  830  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  820 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  810 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  830  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  830  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  830 , such as an interface to system memory  820 , may be incorporated directly into processor  810 . 
     Network interface  840  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  800  and other devices attached to a network  885  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  800 . Network  885  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  840  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  850  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 computer system  800 . Multiple input/output devices  850  may be present in computer system  800  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  800 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  800  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  800  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  840 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , memory  820  may include program instructions  822 , which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action to support integrated camera  890 , including but not limited to image processing software and interface software for controlling camera  890 . In some embodiments, images captured by camera  890  may be stored to memory  820 . In addition, metadata for images captured by camera  890  may be stored to memory  820 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  800  is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, video or still cameras, etc. Computer system  800  may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of the software components may execute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated computer system  800  via inter-computer communication. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on a computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. In some embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from computer system  800  may be transmitted to computer system  800  via transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium or memory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as network and/or a wireless link. 
     The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Boundaries between various components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170808
Publication Date: 20190806
Grant Date: 20190806
Priority Date: 20160809
Inventors: HSU, YA WEN
BRODIE, DOUGLAS S.
WEBSTER, STEVEN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/022", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L27/14685", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L31/02327", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L27/14625", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01L27/14618", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F77/413", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F39/806", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F39/024", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F39/806", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F39/804", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H10F39/804", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 67477489