PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11539869-B2
Application Number: US-202117326226-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Camera with low-profile actuator arrangement

Abstract:
Various embodiments include a camera having an actuator arrangement with a low-profile actuator arrangement. For example, the camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move a lens group and/or an image sensor of the camera. According to some embodiments, the VCM actuator may include one or more magnet-coil groups located beside an image sensor package of the camera. In some embodiments, a magnet-coil group may be located between the image sensor package and a side wall of the camera. Additionally, or alternatively, the magnet-coil group may at least partially extend (e.g., in a direction parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group) past an upper surface of the image sensor and a bottom of the camera in some embodiments.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor package, comprising:
 a substrate; and 
 an image sensor attached to the substrate, the image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group; 
 
 a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move at least one of the lens group or the image sensor, the VCM actuator comprising:
 a magnet-coil group, comprising:
 a magnet; and 
 a coil to electromagnetically interact with the magnet; 
 
 wherein:
 the magnet-coil group is disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, between at least a portion of the image sensor package and a side wall of the camera; and 
 each of the magnet and the coil at least partially extends, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis, past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the camera; and 
 
 
 a lens carrier coupled with the lens group such that the lens carrier and the lens group are moveable together via the VCM actuator, wherein the lens carrier comprises a protrusion that extends, in the second direction parallel to the optical axis, past at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 a first portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to the protrusion; and 
 a second portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shield can that covers at least a portion of the camera, the shield can comprising:
 a top wall; and 
 the side wall of the camera, wherein the side wall is interconnected with the top wall and that is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top wall. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base structure that encircles at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 the first portion of the magnet-coil group comprises the coil; 
 the second portion of the magnet-coil group comprises the magnet; and 
 the one or more stationary structures comprise the base structure. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens carrier from the base structure and that allows movement of the lens carrier, in at least the second direction parallel to the optical axis, relative to the image sensor. 
 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 4 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises at least one of:
 an upper leaf spring that extends, in the first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, from above the magnet to the lens carrier; or 
 a lower leaf spring that extends, in the first direction, from below the magnet to the lens carrier. 
 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one of:
 one or more spacers compressed between a shield can and the upper leaf spring and configured to mount the upper leaf spring in the camera; or 
 one or more spacers compressed between the shield can and the lower leaf spring and configured to mount the lower leaf spring in the camera. 
 
     
     
       7. A device, comprising:
 one or more processors; 
 memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operations of a camera; and 
 the camera, comprising:
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor package, comprising:
 a substrate; and 
 an image sensor attached to the substrate, the image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group; 
 
 a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move at least one of the lens group or the image sensor, the VCM actuator comprising:
 a magnet-coil group, comprising:
 a magnet; and 
 a coil to electromagnetically interact with the magnet; 
 
 wherein:
 the magnet-coil group is disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, between at least a portion of the image sensor package and a side wall of the camera; and 
 each of the magnet and the coil at least partially extends, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis, past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the camera; and 
 
 
 a lens carrier coupled with the lens group such that the lens carrier and the lens group are moveable together via the VCM actuator, wherein the lens carrier comprises a protrusion that extends, in the second direction parallel to the optical axis, past at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 a first portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to the protrusion; and 
 a second portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
 
 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a shield can that covers at least a portion of the camera, the shield can comprising:
 a top wall; and 
 the side wall of the camera, wherein the side wall is interconnected with the top wall and that is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top wall. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a base structure that encircles at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 the first portion of the magnet-coil group comprises the coil; 
 the second portion of the magnet-coil group comprises the magnet; and 
 the one or more stationary structures comprise the base structure. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the camera further comprises:
 a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens carrier from the base structure and that allows movement of the lens carrier, in at least the second direction parallel to the optical axis, relative to the image sensor. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the suspension arrangement comprises at least one of:
 an upper leaf spring that extends, in the first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, from above the magnet to the lens carrier; or 
 a lower leaf spring that extends, in the first direction, from below the magnet to the lens carrier. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one of:
 one or more spacers compressed between a shield can and the upper leaf spring and configured to mount the upper leaf spring in the camera; or 
 one or more spacers compressed between the shield can and the lower leaf spring and configured to mount the lower leaf spring in the camera. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the VCM actuator comprises an autofocus (AF) actuator to move the lens group in the second direction parallel to the optical axis. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the camera is a first camera; and 
 the device further comprises:
 a second camera; 
 an outer cover that encases at least a portion of the device; and 
 a chassis to which the first camera and the second camera are attached in a fixed position relative to the outer cover. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first camera is configured with a first focal length; and 
 the second camera is configured with a second focal length different than the first focal length. 
 
     
     
       16. A system, comprising:
 a chassis for mounting multiple cameras; 
 a first camera attached to the chassis, wherein a portion of the first camera extends through a first aperture defined by the chassis; 
 a second camera attached to the chassis, wherein a portion of the second camera extends through a second aperture defined by the chassis, and wherein the second camera comprises:
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor package, comprising:
 a substrate; and 
 an image sensor attached to the substrate, the image sensor to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group; 
 
 a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move at least one of the lens group or the image sensor, the VCM actuator comprising:
 a magnet-coil group, comprising:
 a magnet; and 
 a coil to electromagnetically interact with the magnet; 
 
 wherein:
 the magnet-coil group is disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, between at least a portion of the image sensor package and a side wall of the second camera; and 
 each of the magnet and the coil at least partially extends, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis, between past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the second camera; 
 
 
 a lens carrier coupled with the lens group such that the lens carrier and the lens group are moveable together via the VCM actuator, wherein the lens carrier comprises a protrusion that extends, in the second direction parallel to the optical axis, past at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 a first portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to the protrusion; and 
 a second portion of the magnet-coil group is attached to one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
 
 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second camera further comprises:
 a shield can that covers at least a portion of the second camera, the shield can comprising:
 a top wall; and 
 the side wall of the second camera, wherein the side wall is interconnected with the top wall and that is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top wall. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second camera further comprises:
 a base structure that encircles at least a portion of the image sensor package; 
 wherein:
 the coil is attached to the protrusion; and 
 the magnet is attached to the one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the magnet-coil group is a first magnet-coil group; 
 the side wall is a first side wall of the camera; and 
 the VCM actuator further comprises:
 a second magnet-coil group disposed between the image sensor package and a second side wall of the camera, wherein the second side wall is opposite the first side wall relative to the lens group. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second camera further comprises:
 a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens carrier from the base structure and that allows movement of the lens carrier, in at least the second direction parallel to the optical axis, relative to the image sensor.

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/029,298, entitled “Camera with Low-Profile Actuator Arrangement,” filed May 22, 2020, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to architecture for a camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, small form factor cameras for integration in the devices. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby the object focal distance can be adjusted to focus an object plane in front of the camera at an image plane to be captured by the image sensor. In some such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved as a single rigid body along the optical axis of the camera to refocus the camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view and a side cross-sectional view of an example camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate perspective cross-sectional views of an example camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of an example camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a schematic side view of an example multi-camera system that may include a camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example computer system that may include a camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments include a camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement that may enable a size reduction. As used herein, the term “low-profile” (“low profile” in some contexts) may describe relatively small sizing and/or low positioning of one or more components and/or portions of the camera in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the camera. In various embodiments, the camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator to move a lens group and/or an image sensor of the camera. According to some embodiments, the VCM actuator may include one or more magnet-coil groups located beside an image sensor package (e.g., comprising an image sensor and a substrate coupled with one another) of the camera. In some embodiments, a magnet-coil group may be located between the image sensor package and a side wall of the camera. Additionally, or alternatively, the magnet-coil group may at least partially extend (e.g., in a direction parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group) past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the camera in some embodiments. In some embodiments, arranging components of the VCM actuator in this low-profile manner may enable a size reduction relative to some other cameras that have actuator components positioned above the image sensor substrate. In various embodiments, the size reduction may include a size reduction in a shoulder height dimension. Such a camera may be considered to have a low-profile shoulder relative to some other cameras that do not include the size reduction enabled by the low-profile actuator arrangement. 
     According to some embodiments, the camera may include a shield can that covers at least a portion of the camera. For example, the shield can may include a top wall and a side wall (which may form a side wall of the camera). The side wall may be interconnected with the top wall. Furthermore, the side wall may be oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the top wall. In various embodiments, the VCM actuator may include a magnet-coil group (e.g., comprising a magnet and a coil that are configured to electromagnetically interact with each other) disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis, between at least a portion of the image sensor package and the side wall of the shield can. Furthermore, each of the magnet and the coil may at least partially extend, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis, past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the camera. In some embodiments, the shoulder height dimension mentioned above may be a distance from the bottom surface of the camera to a top surface of the top wall of the shield can. 
     In some embodiments, the camera may include a lens carrier coupled with the lens group such that the lens carrier and the lens group are moveable together via the VCM actuator. The lens carrier may include a protrusion that extends, in the second direction parallel to the optical axis, past at least a portion of the image sensor package. In some embodiments, a first portion of the magnet-coil group may be attached to the protrusion, and a second portion of the magnet-coil group may be attached to one or more stationary structures of the camera. 
     According to some embodiments, the camera may be included in a device (e.g., a mobile device, a mobile multi-function device, etc.). The device may include one or more processors. Furthermore, the device may include memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operations of the camera. 
     In some embodiments, the camera may be included in a multi-camera system. Such a system may include multiple cameras and a chassis for mounting the cameras, e.g., in a fixed position relative to one another. In some embodiments, the chassis, along with the mounted cameras, may be included in the device mentioned above. According to some examples, the device may include an outer cover that encases at least a portion of the device. The cameras may be attached to the chassis in a fixed position relative to the outer cover. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view and a side cross-sectional view of an example camera  100  having a low-profile actuator arrangement. The example X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in  FIG.  1    may apply to embodiments discussed throughout this disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  100  may include a lens group  102 , an image sensor  104 , an actuator  106 , a substrate  108 , a lens carrier  110 , a suspension arrangement  112 , a base structure  114 . and/or a shield can  116 . The lens group  102  may include one or more lens elements  118  that define an optical axis  120 . The image sensor  104  may be configured to capture image data based on light that passes through the lens group  102 . In some embodiments, the image sensor  104  may be attached to the substrate  108 , which may collectively be referred to herein as an “image sensor package.” In some embodiments, the lens group  102  may be coupled with the lens carrier  110 . According to some examples, the lens group  102  may be contained within a lens barrel  122 , and the lens barrel  122  may be fixedly attached to the lens carrier  110 . The lens group  102  may be coupled with the lens carrier  110  such that the lens group  102  is moveable together (e.g., in lockstep) with the lens carrier  110 , e.g., via the actuator  106 . 
     According to various embodiments, the actuator  106  may be configured to move the lens group  102  and/or the image sensor  104 . For example, the actuator  106  may move the lens group  102  relative to the image sensor  104 . Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator  106  may move the image sensor  104  relative to the lens group  102 . In some embodiments, the actuator  106  may move the lens group  102  and/or the image sensor  104  in a direction parallel to the optical axis  120 , e.g., to provide autofocus (AF) functionality. Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator  106  (and/or one or more other actuators of the camera  100 ) may move the lens group  102  and/or the image sensor  104  in one or more directions orthogonal to the optical axis  120 , e.g., to provide optical image stabilization (OIS) functionality. 
     In various embodiments, the actuator  106  may comprise a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator. For example, the actuator  106  may include one or more magnets that electromagnetically interact with one or more coils (e.g., when current is supplied to the coil(s)) to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group  102  and/or the image sensor  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuator  106  may include one or more AF magnets  124  and one or more AF coils  126 . According to various embodiments, the AF magnet(s)  124  may be coupled with the base structure  114  and/or the shield can  116 . Furthermore, the AF coil(s)  126  may be coupled with the lens carrier  110  in various embodiments. In some examples, the AF magnet(s)  124  and the AF coil(s)  126  may be arranged so as to be in proximity with one another (e.g., in “magnet-coil group(s),” such as magnet-coil pair(s) and/or other magnet-coil grouping combination(s)) so as to be capable of electromagnetically interacting to produce Lorentz forces as discussed above. 
     As also discussed herein with reference to at least  FIGS.  2 A- 3 B , in various embodiments at least a portion of the actuator  106  may be located at one or more side portions of the camera  100 . For example, a first magnet-coil group (comprising at least one magnet and at least one coil) may be positioned within a space at a first side of the camera  100 , and a second magnet-coil group (comprising at least one magnet and at least one coil) may be positioned within a space at a second side of the camera  100 . The second side of the camera may be opposite the first side relative to the lens group  102  and/or the lens carrier  110 . 
     As indicated in  FIG.  1   , in some embodiments a magnet-coil group comprising a magnet and a coil may be disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis  120  (e.g., the X-axis direction), between at least a portion of an image sensor package (comprising the image sensor  104  and the substrate  108 ) and a side wall of the camera  100  (e.g., a side wall of the shield can  116 ). Additionally, or alternatively, each of the magnet and the coil may be positioned so as to at least partially extend, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis (e.g., the Z-axis direction), past an upper surface of the image sensor toward a bottom of the camera  100 . In some embodiments, arranging components of the actuator  106  in this low-profile manner may enable a size reduction in one or more dimensions of the camera  100 , relative to some other cameras (e.g., camera  128 ) configured with actuator components positioned above the substrate  108  (e.g., in a space that extends, in the Z-axis direction, between the substrate  108  and the shield can  116 ). In various embodiments, the size reduction may include a size reduction in a shoulder height dimension H. 
     According to various embodiments, the shield can  116  may cover a portion of the camera  100 . For example, the shield can  116  may be shaped to cover at least a top portion and one or more side portions of the camera  100 . For example, the shield can  116  may include a top wall and one or more side walls. Furthermore, the shield can  116  may include one or more bend portions that interconnect the top wall with the side wall(s). In some examples, the bend portions may be formed by folding a sheet of material (e.g., sheet metal), e.g., into a shape configured to cover at least a portion of the actuator  106 . According to some embodiments, the camera  100  may comprise a shoulder height dimension H that corresponds to the distance, in the Z-axis direction, between a bottom surface of the camera  100  and a top surface of the shield can  116 . In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the camera  100  may be a lowermost surface of the camera  100 . For example, the camera  100  may include a stiffener  130  that may form at least a portion of the bottom side of the camera  100 . In some embodiments, the shoulder height dimension H may be the distance, in the Z-axis direction, between a bottom surface of the stiffener  130  and the top surface of shield can  116 . In some embodiments, camera  128  (having a different example actuator arrangement) may have a shoulder height dimension H′, which may be taller than the shoulder height dimension H. In  FIG.  1   , a reduction in shoulder height enabled by the actuator arrangement of camera  100  may be represented by a difference (ΔH) between the shoulder height dimension H′ of camera  128  and the shoulder height dimension H of camera  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the lens carrier  110  may include a protrusion  132  that extends, in the second direction parallel to the optical axis (e.g., the Z-axis direction), past at least a portion of the image sensor package, e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  1   . A first portion of a magnet-coil group may be attached to the protrusion. Furthermore, a second portion of the magnet-coil group may be attached to one or more stationary structures of the camera  100 . In some embodiments, the one or more stationary structures may include the base structure  114 , the shield can  116 , etc. As indicated in  FIG.  1   , in some examples, the first portion of the magnet-coil group may include a coil (e.g., an AF coil  126 ) that is attached to the protrusion  132  of the lens carrier  110 , and the second portion of the magnet-coil group may include a magnet (e.g., an AF magnet  124 ) that is attached to the base structure  114 . In other embodiments, however, the first portion of the magnet-coil group may include a magnet (e.g., the AF magnet  124 ) that is attached to the protrusion  132  of the lens carrier  110 , and the second portion of the magnet-coil group may include a coil (e.g., the AF coil  126 ) that is attached to the base structure  114  (and/or one or more other stationary structures of the camera  100 ). 
     In various embodiments, the suspension arrangement  112  may be configured to suspend the lens carrier  110  from one or more stationary structures of the camera  100 . For example, the suspension arrangement  112  may suspend the lens carrier  110  from the base structure  114 . Furthermore, the suspension arrangement  112  may allow controlled movement of the lens carrier  110  (e.g., in the second direction parallel to the optical axis) relative to the image sensor  104 . As indicated in  FIG.  1   , and as discussed with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , the suspension arrangement  112  may include an upper leaf spring (e.g., upper leaf spring  228  in  FIG.  2   ) and/or a lower leaf spring (e.g., lower leaf spring  230  in  FIG.  2   ). In some embodiments, the camera  100  may include one or more spacers  134 . For example, the spacer(s)  134  may include a spring mounting spacer  134  used to mount a spring (e.g., an upper leaf spring) of the suspension arrangement. In some embodiments, such a spring mounting spacer  134  may be positioned, in the Z-axis direction, between one or more outer walls (e.g., a top wall of the shield can  116 ) of the camera  100  and a leaf spring (e.g., an upper leaf spring) of the suspension arrangement  112 . For example, the spring mounting spacer  134  may be located adjacent to and/or proximate a side wall of the shield can  116 , and the spring mounting spacer  134  may be vertically sandwiched between the shield can  116  and an upper leaf spring of the suspension arrangement  112 . 
     In various embodiments, the camera  100  may include a flex circuit  136  that may be configured to convey electrical signals (e.g., power and/or control signals). In some embodiments, the flex circuit  136  may be used to convey certain signals (e.g., signals associated with image data captured via the image sensor  104 , signals associated with position sensor data captured via one or more position sensors, etc.) to one or more components that are external to the camera  100 , such as an image signal processor (ISP) of a device (e.g., the device  402  in  FIG.  4   , the computer system  500  in  FIG.  5   , etc.). The flex circuit  136  may convey such signals to the image sensor  104  via the substrate  108  in some examples. Furthermore, the flex circuit  136  may be used to convey control signals (e.g., signals associated with actuator commands from controller(s) of the ISP) to the coil(s) of the actuator  106 . For example, the flex circuit  136  may convey control signals to the AF coils  126  via the substrate  108 , the suspension arrangement  112 , and/or the lens carrier  110 . In some embodiments, the stiffener  130  may include a bottom wall disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of the flex circuit  136 . The stiffener  130  may provide structural support to the flex circuit  136  and/or one or more other portions of the camera  100 . According to some examples, the stiffener  130  may one or more side walls (which also may be referred to as “tabs”) that are interconnected with the bottom wall of the stiffener  130 . In some embodiments, the tab(s) of the stiffener  130  may be folded up from the bottom wall of the stiffener  130 , e.g., to at least partially establish one or more sides of the camera  100 . As indicated in  FIG.  1   , in some embodiments a tab of the stiffener  130  may partially overlap with a corresponding side wall of the shield can  116 , and the overlapping tab and side wall may form a side of the camera  100 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate perspective cross-sectional views of an example camera  200  having a low-profile actuator arrangement.  FIG.  2 A  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the camera  200  where the cross-section is taken along a plane that is parallel to the Y-Z plane indicated in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2 B  shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the camera  200  where the cross-section is taken along a plane that is parallel to the X-Z plane indicated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include a lens group  202 , an image sensor  204 , an actuator  206 , a substrate  208 , a lens carrier  210 , a suspension arrangement  212 , a base structure  214 , and/or a shield can  216 . According to various embodiments, the camera  200  may be the same as, or similar to, the camera  100  described herein with reference to  FIG.  1   . For example, the lens group  202 , the image sensor  204 , the actuator  206 , the substrate  208 , the lens carrier  210 , the suspension arrangement  212 , the base structure  214 , and/or the shield can  216 , respectively, may be the same as, or similar to, the lens group  102 , the image sensor  104 , the actuator  106 , the substrate  108 , the lens carrier  110 , the suspension arrangement  112 , the base structure  114 , and/or the shield can  116 . 
     According to some embodiments, the camera  200  may include two magnet-coil groups: a first magnet-coil group positioned in a space to a first side of the lens group  202  (e.g., positioned, in the X-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and a first side wall of the camera  200 ), and a second magnet-coil group positioned in a space to a second side of the lens group  202  (e.g., positioned, in the X-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and a second side wall of the camera  200  that is opposite the first side wall of the camera  200 ). In some embodiments, the camera  200  may not have a magnet-coil group positioned in a space to a third side (e.g., no magnet-coil group positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and a third side wall of the camera  200 ) and/or a fourth side of the lens group  202  (e.g., no magnet-coil group positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and a fourth side wall of the camera  200  that is opposite the third side wall of the camera  200 ). In some embodiments, the first magnet-coil group may have a longest dimension in the Y-axis direction. Additionally, or alternatively, the first magnet-coil group may have a longest dimension that is parallel to the first side wall of the camera  200 . In some embodiments, the second magnet-coil group may have a longest dimension in the Y-axis direction. Additionally, or alternatively, the second magnet-coil group may have a longest dimension that is parallel to the second side wall of the camera  200 . Embodiments of the cameras disclosed herein are not limited to two magnet-coil groups; various embodiments may include fewer or more magnet-coil groups. 
     As indicated in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , various components of the camera  200  may have respective cross-sectional shapes that vary at different portions of the camera  200 . For example, in the cross-section shown in  FIG.  2 A , the substrate  208 , the lens carrier  210 , and/or the base structure  214  may have a respective shape that is different than shown for the same component(s) in  FIG.  2 B . 
     In some embodiments, the substrate  208  may have a cross-sectional shape that is longer in the Y-axis direction (e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  2 A ) than in the X-axis direction (e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  2 B ). The shorter dimension of the substrate  208  in the X-axis direction may provide space for positioning the magnet-coil group(s) of the actuator  206 , one or more portions of the lens carrier (e.g., protrusions  132  in  FIG.  1   ), and/or one or more portions of the base structure  214 , in the X-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and the side wall(s) of the camera  200 . 
     According to some embodiments, the protrusions of the lens carrier  210  may extend, in the Z-axis direction, at side portion(s) that have magnet-coil group(s) to a greater extent than extension(s) of the lens carrier  210  at side portion(s) that do not have magnet-coil group(s). As noted above, the shorter dimension of the substrate  208  in the X-axis direction may provide space for the protrusions of the lens carrier  210 . The longer dimension of the substrate  208  in the Y-axis direction and/or the absence of protrusions at side portions(s) that do not have magnet-coil group(s), may provide space for coupling one or more components (e.g., electrical components) to the substrate  208  (e.g., electrical component(s) mounted on a top surface of the substrate  208 , position sensor(s), and/or driver integrated circuit(s), etc.), e.g., in spaces between the image sensor  204  and the base structure  214  as indicated in  FIG.  2 A . 
     In various embodiments, the base structure  214  may at least partially encircle the image sensor package. As indicated in  FIG.  2 A , the base structure  214  may extend above the substrate  208  at side portion(s) that do not have magnet-coil group(s). As indicated in  FIG.  2 B , the base structure  214  may extend beside the substrate  208  at side portion(s) that have magnet-coil group(s), with the base structure  214  having a low profile that provides space for the magnet-coil group(s), e.g., to enable the low-profile actuator arrangement of the camera  200 . The magnet-coil group(s) may be positioned above the substrate  208 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuator  206  may include one or more magnets that electromagnetically interact with one or more coils (e.g., when current is supplied to the coil(s)) to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group  202  and/or the image sensor  204 . In some embodiments, the actuator  206  may include one or more AF magnets  218  and one or more AF coils  220 . According to various embodiments, the AF magnet(s)  218  may be coupled with the base structure  214  and/or the shield can  216 . Furthermore, the AF coil(s)  220  may be coupled with the lens carrier  210  (e.g., attached to the protrusion(s) of the lens carrier  210 ) in various embodiments. In some examples, the AF magnet(s)  218  and the AF coil(s)  220  may be arranged so as to be in proximity with one another (e.g., in magnet-coil group(s) as indicated in  FIG.  2 B ) so as to be capable of electromagnetically interacting to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group  202  and/or the image sensor  204  in the direction parallel to the optical axis. 
     As discussed above, in various embodiments at least a portion of the actuator  206  may be located at one or more side portions of the camera  200 . For example, a first magnet-coil group (comprising at least one magnet and at least one coil) may be positioned within a space at a first side of the camera  200 , and a second magnet-coil group (comprising at least one magnet and at least one coil) may be positioned within a space at a second side of the camera  200 . The second side of the camera may be opposite the first side relative to the lens group  202  and/or the lens carrier  210 . 
     As indicated in  FIG.  2 B , in some embodiments a magnet-coil group comprising a magnet and a coil may be disposed within a cavity that is located, in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis (e.g., the X-axis direction), between at least a portion of an image sensor package (comprising the image sensor  204  and the substrate  208 ) and a side wall of the camera  200  (e.g., a side wall  222  of the shield can  216 ). Additionally, or alternatively, each of the magnet and the coil may be positioned so as to at least partially extend, in a second direction parallel to the optical axis (e.g., the Z-axis direction), past an upper surface of the image sensor  204  toward a bottom of the camera  200 . In some embodiments, arranging components of the actuator  206  in this low-profile manner may enable a size reduction in a shoulder height dimension (e.g., indicated as “H” in  FIG.  1   ) that corresponds to the distance, in the Z-axis direction, between a bottom surface of the camera (e.g., a bottom surface of a stiffener  224 ) and a top surface of a top wall  226  of the shield can  216 . 
     In some embodiments, the suspension arrangement  212  may include one or more upper leaf springs  228  and/or one or more lower leaf springs  230 . For example, as indicated in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , the suspension arrangement may include upper leaf spring(s)  228  and/or lower leaf spring(s)  230  positioned at corner portions of the camera  200 . The upper leaf spring(s)  228  and/or lower leaf spring(s)  230  may extend along one or more planes that are orthogonal to an optical axis (e.g., optical axis  120  in  FIG.  1   ) in some embodiments. According to some embodiments, the upper leaf spring(s)  228  and/or lower leaf spring(s)  230  may connect the lens carrier  210  to one or more stationary structures of the camera  200 . For example, one end of a leaf spring may be attached to the lens carrier  210  and another end of the leaf spring may be attached to a magnet (e.g., the AF magnet  218 ) of the actuator and/or to a spring mounting spacer  232  of the camera  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include a flex circuit  234  disposed below the image sensor package, e.g., sandwiched between the substrate  208  and the stiffener  224 . Furthermore, the camera  200  may include one or more optical filters  236  (e.g., an infrared filter) coupled with the substrate  208  and positioned, in the Z-axis direction, between the lens group  202  and the image sensor  204 . 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  illustrate side cross-sectional views of an example camera  300  having a low-profile actuator arrangement.  FIG.  3 A  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera  300  where the cross-section is taken along a plane that is parallel to the X-Z plane indicated in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  3 B  shows a side cross-sectional view of the camera  300  where the cross-section is taken along a plane that is parallel to the Y-Z plane indicated in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  300  may include a lens group  302 , an image sensor  304 , an actuator  306  (e.g., comprising magnet(s)  308  and coil(s)  310 ), a substrate  312 , a lens carrier  314 , a suspension arrangement (e.g., suspension arrangement  212  in  FIG.  2   ), a base structure  316 , a shield can  318 , a flex circuit  320 , a stiffener  322 , one or more spacers  324 , and/or one or more optical filters  326 . According to various embodiments, the camera  300  may be the same as, or similar to, the camera  100  and/or the camera  200  described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 2 B . 
       FIG.  3 B  indicates a bond line  328  at which the base structure  316  may be bonded to the substrate  312  in some embodiments. According to some examples, the bond line  328  may comprise an active alignment bond line between a bottom surface of the base structure  316  and a top surface of the substrate  312 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a schematic side view of an example multi-camera system  400  that may include a camera (e.g., camera  100  in  FIG.  1   , camera  200  in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , and/or camera  300  in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B , etc.) having a low-profile actuator arrangement. In some embodiments, the system  400  may include a device  402  (e.g., any of various types of devices described herein with reference to  FIG.  5   ), a chassis  404  for mounting multiple cameras, a first camera  406 , and/or a second camera  408  (e.g., a camera having a low-profile actuator arrangement as described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 3 B ). The first camera  406  and the second camera  408  may be attached to the chassis  404  in some embodiments. While the system  400  in  FIG.  4    indicates that the chassis  404  has two cameras attached to it, the chassis  404  and/or the system  400  may be configured to accommodate fewer or more than two cameras. 
       FIG.  4    shows an example profile  410  associated with a camera (e.g., camera  128  in  FIG.  1   ) having an actuator arrangement that is different than the low-profile actuator arrangement of the second camera  408 . As compared with the profile  410 , the lens group and/or the lens barrel of the second camera  408  may be mounted closer to a side wall of the device  402 , e.g., so as to be placed near a cover window of an enclosure  412  (also referred to herein as an “outer cover”) that encases at least a portion of the device  402 . In some embodiments, the cover window may include an inner surface and/or an outer surface at which a black mask  414  may be applied. The black mask  414  may define a respective region (“black mask opening”) configured to allow light to pass to each of the cameras (e.g., unmasked regions aligned with apertures of the cameras), and each black mask opening may have a diameter referred to herein as a “black mask opening diameter.” In some embodiments, placement of the second camera  408  relative to the chassis  404  and/or relative to the enclosure  412  may be based, at least in part, on the second camera&#39;s  408  low-profile actuator arrangement that may enable a reduced shoulder height dimension, e.g., relative to the profile  410 . In some embodiments, closer placement of the second camera  408  to the cover window (e.g., relative to the profile  410 ) may enable a reduction, in the X-axis direction, of the black mask opening diameter for the second camera  408 , e.g., as indicated by ΔX in  FIG.  4   . Additionally, or alternatively, the placement of the second camera  408  may enable a reduction, in the Z-axis direction, of wasted space between the second camera  408  and the cover window, e.g., as indicated by AZ in  FIG.  4   . 
     According to some embodiments, the first camera  406  may be configured with a first focal length. The second camera  408  may be configured with a second focal length that is different than the first focal length. In some embodiments, the first camera  406  may have a first field of view (FOV) indicated by FOV cone  416 , and the second camera  408  may have a second FOV indicated by FOV cone  418 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an example computing device, referred to as computer system  500 , that may include or host embodiments of a camera having an actuator arrangement that may enable a size reduction, e.g., as described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 4   . In addition, computer system  500  may implement methods for controlling operations of the camera and/or for performing image processing images captured with the camera. 
     The computer system  500  may be configured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments, computer system  500  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) headset, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  500  includes one or more processors  502  coupled to a system memory  504  via an input/output (I/O) interface  506 . Computer system  500  further includes one or more cameras  508  coupled to the I/O interface  506 . Computer system  500  further includes a network interface  510  coupled to I/O interface  506 , and one or more input/output devices  512 , such as cursor control device  514 , keyboard  516 , and display(s)  518 . In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  500 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  500 , may be configured to host different portions or instances of embodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes of computer system  500  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  500  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  502 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  502  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  502  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  502  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  502  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  504  may be configured to store program instructions  520  accessible by processor  502 . In various embodiments, system memory  504  may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Additionally, existing camera control data  522  of memory  504  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some embodiments, program instructions  520  and/or data  522  may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  504  or computer system  500 . In various embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system  500 . 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  506  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  502 , system memory  504 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  510  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  512 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  506  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  504 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  502 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  506  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  506  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  506 , such as an interface to system memory  504 , may be incorporated directly into processor  502 . 
     Network interface  510  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  500  and other devices attached to a network  524  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  500 . Network  524  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  510  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  512  may, in some embodiments, include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by one or more computer systems  500 . Multiple input/output devices  512  may be present in computer system  500  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  500 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  500  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  500  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  510 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  500  is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system  500  may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of the software components may execute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computer communication. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on a computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. In some embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from computer system  500  may be transmitted to computer system  500  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: 20210520
Publication Date: 20221227
Grant Date: 20221227
Priority Date: 20200522
Inventors: BIRNBAUM, ZACHARY W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G03B30/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K41/0356", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B3/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0045", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/646", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/026", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/90", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/09", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/021", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2257", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 78608011