PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11726343-B2
Application Number: US-202117481224-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement

Abstract:
Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. For example, the folded optics camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving a lens group, relative to an image sensor, in multiple directions. The folded optics camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends a lens barrel arrangement from a base structure of the camera, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). In some embodiments, the folded optics camera may include an actuator for moving a light folding element relative to the image sensor.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a folded optics arrangement, comprising:
 a light folding element to fold a path of light; and 
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 
 an image sensor to capture light that has passed through at least the light folding element and the lens group; 
 a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group; 
 an actuator arrangement, comprising:
 one or more actuators to move the light folding element relative to the image sensor; and 
 one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators, comprising:
 a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement; and 
 a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group; 
 wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to:
 move the lens group in at least a first direction that is parallel to the optical axis; 
 move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis; and 
 tilt the lens group about an axis parallel to a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein respective coils of the plurality of coils are positioned, in the third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, between respective magnets of the plurality of magnets and the base structure. 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 2 , wherein:
 light is introduced into the camera via a top of the camera; and 
 the plurality of magnets extends, in the third direction, below a center of mass of the lens group and is positioned proximate a bottom of the camera. 
 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens barrel arrangement from the base structure and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the one or more VCM actuators, wherein the suspension arrangement comprises:
 one or more springs attached to the lens barrel arrangement; and 
 a plurality of suspension wires attached to the one or more springs and to the base structure. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the one or more springs comprise a plurality of sheet springs attached to corner portions of the lens barrel arrangement; 
 respective suspension wires of the plurality of suspension wires are attached to respective sheet springs of the plurality of sheet springs; 
 the plurality of sheet springs defines a plane that is parallel to the optical axis; and 
 the respective suspension wires define respective axes that are orthogonal to the plane and orthogonal to the optical axis. 
 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to move the lens group in multiple directions along a plane that is orthogonal to an image plane of the image sensor. 
     
     
       7. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flex circuit fixedly coupled with the plurality of coils; 
 wherein the camera is configured to convey electrical current to the plurality of coils via the flex circuit. 
 
     
     
       8. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more actuators to move the light folding element comprise:
 an actuator to tilt, about a tilt axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis and parallel to the second direction, the light folding element relative to the image sensor. 
 
     
     
       9. 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 folded optics arrangement, comprising:
 a light folding element to fold a path of light; and 
 a lens group comprising one or more lens elements that define an optical axis; 
 an image sensor to capture light that has passed through at least the light folding element and the lens group; 
 
 a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group; 
 one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators to move the lens group in at least a first direction parallel to the optical axis and a second direction orthogonal to the optical axis, and wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to tilt the lens group about an axis parallel to a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the one or more VCM actuators comprising:
 a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement; and 
 a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group; 
 wherein respective coils of the plurality of coils are positioned, in the third direction, between respective magnets of the plurality of magnets and the base structure. 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 light is introduced into the camera via a top of the camera; and 
 the plurality of magnets extends, in the third direction, below a center of mass of the lens group and is positioned proximate a bottom of the camera. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 9 , further comprising one or more actuators to move the light folding element relative to the image sensor. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plurality of magnets comprises:
 a first set of magnets positioned, in the second direction orthogonal to the optical axis, between the lens group and a first side of the camera; and 
 a second set of magnets positioned, in the second direction, between the lens group and a second side of the camera that is opposite the first side relative to the lens group; 
 
 the plurality of coils comprises:
 a first set of coils positioned, in the second direction, between the lens group and the first side of the camera; and 
 a second set of coils positioned, in the second direction, between the lens group and the second side of the camera. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 each of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets comprises:
 a respective first autofocus (AF) magnet; 
 a respective second AF magnet; and 
 a respective optical image stabilization (OIS) magnet positioned, in the first direction parallel to the optical axis, between the respective first AF magnet and the respective second AF magnet; and 
 
 each of the first set of coils and the second set of coils comprises:
 a respective first AF coil; 
 a respective second AF coil; and 
 a respective OIS coil positioned, in the first direction parallel to the optical axis, between the respective first coil and the respective second AF coil. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the respective first AF magnet and the respective first AF coil are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group so as to provide AF motion of an image on the image sensor; 
 the respective second AF magnet and the respective second AF coil are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group so as to provide AF motion of the image on the image sensor; and 
 the respective OIS magnet and the respective OIS coil are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group so as to provide OIS motion of the image on the image sensor. 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 control the one or more VCM actuators to produce, using an AF magnet-coil portion, Lorentz forces that provide the AF motion, wherein the AF magnet-coil portion comprises:
 the respective first AF magnet and the respective second AF magnet of each of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets; and 
 the respective first AF coil and the respective second AF coil of each of the first set of coils and the second set of coils. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 control the one or more VCM actuators to produce, using the AF magnet-coil portion, Lorentz forces that tilt the lens group about the axis parallel to the third direction so as to compensate for forces that would cause the lens group to stray from a predetermined optical alignment, wherein, to control the one or more VCM actuators to produce the Lorentz forces that compensate for the forces that would cause the lens group to stray from the predetermined optical alignment, the one or more processors are configured to:
 control electrical current supplied to the respective first AF coil and the respective second AF coil of the first set of coils independently of electrical current supplied to the respective first AF coil and the respective second AF coil of the second set of coils, such that Lorentz forces produced by the AF portion of the first set of coils and the first set of magnets are in an opposite direction from Lorentz forces produced by the AF portion of the second set of coils and the second set of magnets. 
 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 control the one or more VCM actuators to produce, using an OIS magnet-coil portion, Lorentz forces that provide the OIS motion, wherein the OIS magnet-coil portion comprises:
 the respective OIS magnet of each of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets; and 
 the respective OIS coil of each of the first set of coils and the second set of coils. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the respective first AF magnet and the respective second AF magnet have a respective longest dimension in the second direction orthogonal to the optical axis; 
 the respective OIS magnet has as respective longest dimension in the first direction parallel to the optical axis; 
 the respective first AF coil and the respective second AF coil have a respective longest dimension in the second direction; and 
 the respective OIS magnet has a respective longest dimension in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       19. A folded optics system, comprising:
 a lens group including one or more lens elements; 
 a light folding element to redirect light to the lens group, wherein the light is to pass through the light folding element and the lens group before reaching an image sensor; 
 a lens barrel arrangement fixedly coupled with the lens group; 
 an actuator arrangement, comprising:
 one or more actuators to move the light folding element relative to the image sensor; and 
 one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators, comprising:
 a plurality of magnets fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement; and 
 a plurality of coils fixedly coupled with a base structure of the camera, wherein the base structure is stationary relative to motion of the lens group; 
 wherein the one or more VCM actuators are configured to:
 move the lens group in at least a first direction that is parallel to the optical axis; 
 move the lens group in at least a second direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis; and 
 tilt the lens group about an axis parallel to a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. 
 
 
 
 
     
     
       20. The folded optics system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the lens barrel arrangement comprises:
 a lens barrel within which the lens group is at least partially contained; and 
 a lens carrier fixedly coupled with the lens barrel, wherein the lens carrier comprises an insert molded metal element that forms a floor of the lens carrier and that is positioned proximate a bottom surface of the lens barrel; or 
 
 the lens barrel arrangement comprises:
 a lens barrel-carrier hybrid within which the lens group is at least partially contained, wherein the lens barrel-carrier hybrid is formed as a single injection molded plastic component.

Description:
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/083,018, entitled “Folded Optics Camera Actuator and Suspension Arrangement,” filed Sep. 24, 2020, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to architecture for a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, small form factor cameras for integration in the devices. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. Some small form factor cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby the object focal distance can be adjusted to focus an object plane in front of the camera at an image plane to be captured by the image sensor. In some such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved as a single rigid body along the optical axis of the camera to refocus the camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic side view of an example folded optics system that may include one or more actuators and one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate views of an example folded optics camera that may include one or more actuators and one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  2 A  shows an exploded perspective view of the folded optics camera.  FIG.  2 B  shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the folded optics camera. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  illustrate example lens motion that may be implemented using one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators that may be included in a folded optics camera, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  3 A  shows a magnet-coil arrangement of the VCM actuator(s).  FIG.  3 B  shows an example of X-translation motion (e.g., autofocus (AF) motion).  FIG.  3 C  shows an example of Y-translation motion (e.g., optical image stabilization (OIS) motion).  FIG.  3 D  shows an example of Z-tilt motion, which may be used, for example, to compensate for undesirable Z-tilt motion so as to maintain appropriate optical alignment of the lens group in some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example lens barrel arrangement that may enable a size reduction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) of a lens module that may be included in a folded optics camera, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example of another lens barrel arrangement that may enable a size reduction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) of a lens module that may be included in a folded optics camera, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a schematic representation of an example device that may include a folded optics camera having one or more actuators and/or one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example computer system that may include a folded optics camera having one or more actuators and/or one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact. 
     The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments include a folded optics camera actuator and suspension arrangement. In some embodiments, a camera having a folded optics arrangement may include a light folding element (e.g., a prism, a mirror, etc.), a lens group, and an image sensor. The camera may include an actuator arrangement that includes one or more actuators for moving the light folding element relative to the image sensor, and/or one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving the lens group relative to the image sensor. 
     In some embodiments, the VCM actuator(s) for moving the lens group may be configured to translate the lens group in at least a first direction (e.g., an X-axis direction) parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group, translate the lens group in at least a second direction (e.g., a Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the optical axis, and/or tilt the lens group about an axis that extends in a third direction (e.g., a Z-axis direction) orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. According to various embodiments, the VCM actuator(s) may include movable magnets that are attached to a lens barrel arrangement, and stationary coils that are attached to a flex circuit and/or to a base structure of the camera. Furthermore, the actuator(s) for moving the light folding element may be configured to tilt the light folding element about an axis that extends in the second direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the camera may include a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens barrel arrangement from the base structure, and that allows motion of the lens group enabled by the VCM actuator(s). For example, the suspension arrangement may include one or more springs attached to the lens barrel arrangement, and suspension wires attached to the spring(s) and to the base structure. 
     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 schematic side view of an example folded optics system  100  (e.g., a folded optics camera) that may include one or more actuators and/or one or more suspension arrangements. The example X-Y-Z coordinate system shown in  FIG.  1    may apply to embodiments discussed throughout this disclosure. 
     According to various embodiments, the folded optics system  100  may include one or more light folding elements (e.g., light folding element  102 ), a lens group  104 , and an image sensor  106 . The light folding element  102  may be an optical element that is capable of folding a path of light. In some examples, the light folding element  102  may comprise a prism, a mirror, and/or the like. The lens group  104  may include one or more lens elements (e.g., lens element(s)  210  in  FIG.  2 A ). The image sensor  106  may be configured to generate image data based on light captured by the image sensor  106 . For example, the image sensor  106  may generate image data based on light that has passed through at least a portion of the folded optics arrangement formed by the light folding element  102  and the lens group  104 . The folded optics system  100  is intended to provide an example of a system having a folded optics arrangement; various embodiments, however, may include one or more differences (e.g., with respect to number of optical elements, type(s) of optical elements, and/or positioning of components, etc.) relative to the configuration of the folded optics system  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     In some embodiments, the lens group  104  may be located between the light folding element  102  and the image sensor  106 . The light folding element  102  and the lens group  104  may form a folded optics arrangement (e.g., a single fold optics arrangement as indicated in  FIG.  1   ) through which light passes before reaching the image sensor  106 . Light may follow a light path  108  that is folded by the light folding element  102  such that the light is directed towards the lens group  102 , passes through the lens group  102 , and then reaches the image sensor  106 . In some examples, light may enter an object side of the light folding element  102  in a direction parallel to the Z-axis. The light folding element  102  may redirect the light to propagate in the X-axis direction (which may be parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group  104 ), e.g., such that the light exits a lens group-facing side of the light folding element  102 , towards the lens group  104 . The light may pass through the lens group  104  and continue propagating in the X-axis direction towards the image sensor  106  (which may be vertically oriented, e.g., such that the image sensor  106  defines a plane that is orthogonal to the X-axis and/or the optical axis defined by the lens group  104 ). The light folding element  102 , the lens group  104 , and/or the image sensor  106  may be positioned along a common axis (e.g., the X-axis, the optical axis defined by the lens group  104 , etc.). According to some examples, the light path  108  may be contained within a plane (e.g., parallel to the X-Z plane), and the image sensor  106  may extend along a different plane (e.g., parallel to the Y-Z plane). 
     In some embodiments, the object side of the light folding element  102  may extend along the X-Y plane. Furthermore, the light folding element  102  may include a pair of opposing lateral sides that each extend along the X-Z plane, a lens group facing side that extends along the Y-Z plane, and a reflecting surface side that is angled relative to one or more of the other sides of the light folding element. For example, the reflecting surface side of the light folding element  102  may include a reflective surface that is angled so as to redirect light received from the object side of the light folding element towards the lens group  104  (via the lens group-facing side of the light folding element  102 ) and the image sensor  106 , as discussed above. 
     While a prism may be shown in various figures as an example of a light folding element, the camera systems and/or folded optics arrangements described herein may include any suitable light folding element (e.g., a mirror or the like) or combination of elements. In some embodiments, a light folding element may also act as a lens element (or combination of lens elements). For example, one or more lens elements (e.g., other than those of the lens group  104 ) may be integrated with the light folding element  102  (and/or another light folding element) such that the light folding element acts as a lens element. Additionally, or alternatively, the light folding element  102  may be shaped such that the light folding element acts as a lens element. 
     In various embodiments, the light folding element  102  and/or the lens group  104  may be coupled with one or more actuators (e.g., as discussed herein with reference to at  FIGS.  2 A- 3 D ) configured to move the light folding element  102  and/or the lens group  104  to provide optical image stabilization (OIS) and/or autofocus (AF) functionality. For example, the light folding element  102  may be coupled with actuator(s) configured to tilt or otherwise move the light folding element  102 . As indicated in  FIG.  1   , in various embodiments the actuator(s) may be configured to tilt the light folding element about the Y-axis, e.g., to provide OIS-Z motion (e.g., motion that shifts the image projected onto the image sensor  106  in the Z-axis direction). Additionally, or alternatively, the actuator(s) may be configured to translate or otherwise move the lens group  104 . For example, the actuator(s) may be configured to translate the lens group  104  in the X-axis (e.g., to provide AF motion) and/or Y-axis directions (e.g., to provide OIS-Y motion that shifts the image projected onto the image sensor  106  in the Y-axis direction). In some embodiments, actuator(s) may be configured to tilt the lens group  104  about the Z axis, e.g., to compensate for undesirable Z-tilt motion so as to maintain appropriate optical alignment of the lens group  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the actuator(s) (and/or other actuator(s) of the folded optics system  100 ) may comprise one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators, e.g., as described herein with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 3 D . However, the folded optics system  100  may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more other types of actuators (e.g., a piezoelectric actuator, a comb drive actuator, etc.) in some embodiments. 
     As discussed herein with reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , the folded optics system  100  may include one or more suspension arrangements. For example, the folded optics system  100  may include a suspension arrangement for suspending the light folding element  102  from one or more stationary structures. Furthermore, the folded optics system  100  may include suspension arrangement for suspending the lens group  104  from one or more stationary structures (e.g., base structure  220  in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ). 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  illustrate views of an example folded optics camera  200  that may include one or more actuators and one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG.  2 A  shows an exploded perspective view of the camera  200 .  FIG.  2 B  shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the camera  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include a light folding element  202  (e.g., light folding element  102  in  FIG.  1   ), a lens group  204  (e.g., lens group  104  in  FIG.  1   ), and an image sensor  206  (e.g., image sensor  106  in  FIG.  1   ). The lens group may include one or more lens elements  208  that are fixedly coupled with a lens barrel arrangement that may include a lens barrel  210  and/or a lens carrier  212 . In some embodiments, the lens element  208  may be contained within the lens barrel arrangement. Lens barrel arrangements that may be used in some embodiments are also discussed herein with reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     According to various embodiments, the camera  200  may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators for moving the lens group  204 . For example, the VCM actuator(s) may include one or more autofocus (AF) coils  214 , one or more AF magnets  216 , one or more optical image stabilization (OIS) coils (e.g., OIS-Y coil(s)  218 ), and one or more OIS magnets (e.g., OIS-Y magnet(s)  220 ). In various examples, the AF coil(s)  214  and the OIS-Y coil(s)  218  may be fixedly coupled with a base structure  222 . In various embodiments, the base structure  222  may be stationary relative to motion of the lens group  204 . The AF magnet(s)  216  and the OIS-Y magnet(s)  220  may be fixedly coupled with the lens barrel arrangement (e.g., with the lens carrier  212 , as indicated in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ). The AF coil(s)  214  may electromagnetically interact with the AF magnet(s)  216  (e.g., when electrical current is supplied to the AF coil(s)  214 ) to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens barrel arrangement and the lens group  204  in one or more directions parallel to an optical axis defined by the lens group  204  (e.g., in the X-axis direction to provide AF motion). The OIS-Y coil(s)  218  may electromagnetically interact with the OIS-Y magnet(s)  220  (e.g., when electrical current is supplied to the OIS-Y coil(s)  218 ) to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens barrel arrangement and the lens group  204  in one or more directions to the optical axis (e.g., in the Y-axis direction to provide OIS-Y motion). In some embodiments, the VCM actuator(s) may be configured to move the lens group  204  in multiple directions along a plane (e.g., the X-Y plane) that is orthogonal to an image plane (which may be parallel to the Y-Z plane) of the image sensor  206 . The VCM actuator(s) that move the lens group  204  are discussed in further detail herein with reference to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 D . 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include a flex circuit  224  that is fixedly coupled with the base structure  222  and/or the coils (AF coil(s)  214  and OIS-Y coil(s)  218 ). According to some embodiments, the camera  200  may be configured to convey electrical current to the coils via the flex circuit  224 . For example, as indicated in  FIG.  2 B , one or more electrical components  226  may be mounted on the flex circuit  224 . In some embodiments, the electrical components  226  may include, for example, a driver integrated circuit used for driving the coils. It should be appreciated, however, that one or more driver integrated circuits may be located elsewhere, e.g., on the substrate  228  to which the image sensor  206  is fixedly coupled. The substrate  228  may include electrical connections (e.g., contact pads  230 ) that may be used to electrically couple the image sensor  206  and/or the substrate  228  with the flex circuit  224  (e.g., via corresponding electrical connections on the flex circuit  224 , such as contact pads  232 ). 
     In some embodiments, the respective coils (AF coil(s)  214  and OIS-Y coil(s)  218 ) may be positioned, in the Z-axis direction, between respective magnets (AF magnet(s)  216  and OIS-Y magnet(s)  220 ) and the base structure  222 . According to various embodiments, light may be introduced into the camera  200  via a top of the camera  200  (e.g., via an opening  234  (or window area) defined by a shield can  236  that at least partially encases the camera  200 , and the coils may be positioned proximate a bottom of the camera  200 . The magnets may be attached to the lens barrel arrangement such that they are set low, close to the bottom of the camera  200 . For example, the magnets may extend, in the Z-axis direction, below a center of mass of the lens group  204 . 
     According to various embodiments, the camera  200  may include a suspension arrangement that suspends the lens barrel arrangement from the base structure  222  and that allows motion of the lens group  204  enabled by the VCM actuator(s). For example, the suspension arrangement may include one or more springs  238  (e.g., sheet springs) and suspension wires  240 . The spring(s)  238  may be attached to the lens barrel arrangement and the suspension wires  240  may be attached to the spring(s)  238  and to the base structure  222  in some embodiments, e.g., as indicated in  FIGS.  2 A- 3 D . In some embodiments, the spring(s)  238  comprise sheet springs that are attached to corner portions of the lens barrel arrangement (e.g., corner portions of the lens carrier  212 ), and respective suspension wires  240  may be attached to respective sheet springs. In some embodiments, the sheet springs may define a plane that is parallel to the optical axis (e.g., the X-Y plane), and the respective suspension wires  240  may define respective axes that are orthogonal to the plane (defined by the sheet springs) and orthogonal to the optical axis. The lens barrel arrangement may define pockets  242  (and/or cavities/recesses, or the like) that at least partially encircle the suspension wires  240  in some embodiments. The pockets  242  may contain a viscoelastic material. A portion of the suspension wires  240  may be disposed within the viscoelastic material, so as to interface with the viscoelastic material to dampen motion. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include one or more actuators to move the light folding element  202  relative to the image sensor. For example, the actuator(s) may be configured to tilt the light folding element about one or more axes to provide OIS functionality. According to various embodiments, the actuator(s) may include a tilt actuator for tilting the light folding element  202  about the Y-axis to provide OIS-Z motion (e.g., motion that shifts the image projected onto the image sensor  206  in the Z-axis). In some embodiments, the actuator(s) for moving the light folding element  202  may comprise one or more VCM actuators; however, the actuator(s) may include one or more other types of actuators (e.g., a piezoelectric motor, a comb drive actuator, etc.) in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, a light folding element carrier  244  may be fixedly coupled with the light folding element  202 , such that the carrier  244  is movable (e.g., via the actuator(s)) together with the light folding element  202 , relative to a stationary structure  246  (which may be part of the base structure  222  or may be another base structure component that is attached to the base structure  222 ). A suspension arrangement may be used to suspend the carrier  244  from the stationary structure  246  and to allow motion of the light folding element  202  enabled by the actuator(s). In some embodiments, the suspension arrangement may include one or more springs (e.g., sheet spring(s)  248  and/or one or more wires (e.g., suspension wire(s)  250 ). 
     In some embodiments, the actuator(s) for moving the light folding element  202  may include one or more magnets (e.g., magnet  252 ) and one or more coils (e.g., coil  254 ) that electromagnetically interact with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the carrier  244  together (e.g., in lockstep) with the light folding element  202  relative to the stationary structure  246 . In some embodiments, the flex circuit  224  (and/or another flex circuit) may be used to convey electrical current to the coil  254 , e.g., via the suspension wire(s)  250  and sheet spring(s)  248 . 
     According to some embodiments, the camera  200  may include one or more damping pins  256  that may be configured to dampen motion of the carrier  244 , e.g., during actuation. In some embodiments, a first portion of a respective damping pin  256  may be attached to the stationary structure  246 . The damping pin  256  may extend towards a pocket  258  (and/or a cavity, a recess, or the like) within which a viscoelastic material is contained. The pocket  258  may be defined by a portion of the carrier  244 . In some embodiments, a second portion of the damping pin  256  may be disposed within the viscoelastic material contained in the pocket  258 , so as to interface with the viscoelastic material to dampen motion. 
     In some embodiments, the camera  200  may include an optical filter  260  (e.g., an infrared cut-off filter (IRCF)) that is fixedly coupled with a filter substrate  262 . The optical filter  260  may be positioned, in the X-axis direction, between the lens group  204  and the image sensor  206 , e.g., such that light that passes through the lens group  204  then passes through the optical filter  260  before reaching the image sensor  206 . Furthermore, the camera  200  may include a stiffener  264  in some embodiments. The stiffener  264  may at least partially encase the camera  200 . For example, the stiffener  264  may at least partially encase the substrate  228  for the image sensor  206  and the filter substrate  262 . 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  illustrate example lens motion that may be implemented using one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators that may be included in a folded optics camera (e.g., folded optics system  100  and folded optics camera  200  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B ).  FIG.  3 A  shows an example magnet-coil arrangement  300   a  of the VCM actuator(s).  FIG.  3 B  shows an example  300   b  of X-translation motion (e.g., autofocus (AF) motion).  FIG.  3 C  shows an example  300   c  of Y-translation motion (e.g., optical image stabilization (OIS) motion).  FIG.  3 D  shows an example  300   d  of Z-tilt motion, which may be used, for example, to compensate for undesirable Z-tilt motion so as to maintain appropriate optical alignment of the lens group in some embodiments. 
     As indicated in  FIG.  3 A , the magnet-coil arrangement  300   a  may include a first set of magnets, a second set of magnets, a first set of coils, and a second set of coils. The first set of magnets may be positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group (e.g., contained within lens barrel  210 ) and a first side of the camera (which may be defined, for example, by a first side of the shield can  236  that extends orthogonal to the top portion of the shield can  236 ). The second set of magnets may be positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group and a second side of the camera that is opposite the first side (relative to the lens group). The first set of coils may be positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group and the first side of the camera. The second set of coils may be positioned, in the Y-axis direction, between the lens group and the second side of the camera. 
     According to some embodiments, each of the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets may include a respective first AF magnet  216 , a respective second AF magnet  216 , and a respective OIS magnet  220 . The respective OIS magnet  220  may be positioned, in the X-axis direction, between the respective first AF magnet  216  and the respective second AF magnet  216 . The respective first and second AF magnets  216  may have a respective longest dimension in the Y-axis direction in some embodiments. The respective OIS magnet  220  may have a longest dimension in the X-axis direction in some embodiments. 
     According to some embodiments, each of the first set of coils and the second set of coils may include a respective first AF coil  214 , a respective second AF coil  214 , and a respective OIS coil  218 . The respective OIS coil  218  may be positioned, in the X-axis direction, between the respective first AF coil  214  and the respective second AF coil  214 . The respective first and second AF coils  214  may have a respective longest dimension in the Y-axis direction in some embodiments. The respective OIS coil  218  may have a longest dimension in the X-axis direction in some embodiments. 
     In various embodiments, the magnet-coil arrangement  300   a  may be configured to provide motion in multiple degrees of freedom, such as X-translation motion (as indicated by arrows X), Y-translation motion (as indicated by arrows Y), and/or Z-tilt motion (as indicated by arrow θz). 
     As indicated in the example  300   b  of X-translation motion in  FIG.  3 B , the respective first AF magnet  216  and the respective first AF coil  214  are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group (e.g., in Lorentz force direction  302 ) so as to provide AF motion of an image on the image sensor (e.g., image sensor  106  and/or image sensor  206  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B ). Similarly, the respective second AF magnet  216  and the respective second AF coil  214  are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group (e.g., in Lorentz force direction  302 ) so as to provide AF motion of the image on the image sensor. In this example  300   b , the VCM actuator(s) are controlled such that the Lorentz forces from these electromagnetic interactions are in the same direction, e.g., towards the image sensor or away from the image sensor. In various embodiments, one or more position sensors (e.g., position sensor  304 ) may be used to determine a position of the lens group in the X-axis direction, e.g., based on changes in magnetic field(s) that the position sensor(s) are capable of detecting. In some embodiments, the position sensor  304  may be fixedly coupled with a flex circuit (e.g., flex circuit  224  in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ). Furthermore, the position sensor  304  may be positioned within a respective inner periphery of one or more of the AF coils  214 . 
     As indicated in the example  300   c  of Y-translation motion in  FIG.  3 C , the respective OIS magnet  220  and the respective OIS coil  218  are capable of electromagnetically interacting with one another to produce Lorentz forces that move the lens group (e.g., in Lorentz force direction  306 ) so as to provide OIS motion (e.g., OIS-Y motion) of the image on the image sensor. In this example  300   b , the VCM actuator(s) are controlled such that the Lorentz forces from these electromagnetic interactions are in the same direction. In various embodiments, one or more position sensors (e.g., position sensor  308 ) may be used to determine a position of the lens group in the Y-axis direction, e.g., based on changes in magnetic field(s) that the position sensor(s) are capable of detecting. In some embodiments, the position sensor  308  may be fixedly coupled with a flex circuit (e.g., flex circuit  224  in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B ). Furthermore, the position sensor  308  may be positioned within a respective inner periphery of one or more of the OIS coils  218 . In some embodiments, position sensor  308  may have a different orientation relative to position sensor  304 . 
     As indicated in the example  300   d  of Z-tilt motion in  FIG.  3 D , the VCM actuator(s) may be controlled to produce, using the AF magnets  216  and coils  214 , Lorentz forces that tilt the lens group about the Z-axis, e.g., so as to compensate for forces that would cause the lens group to stray from a predetermined optical alignment. For example, this may be achieved by controlling electrical current supplied to the respective first AF coil  214  and the respective second AF coil  214  of the first set of coils (e.g., to produce Lorentz forces in direction  310 ) independently of electrical current supplied to the respective first AF coil  214  and the respective second AF coil  214  of the second set of coils (e.g., to produce Lorentz forces in direction  312 ). In this manner, Lorentz forces produced by the AF portion of the first set of coils/magnets may be in an opposite direction from the Lorentz forces produced by the AF portion of the second set of coils/magnets, thereby causing the lens group to tilt (or rotate) about the Z-axis. In example  300   d , the position sensor(s) include at least one position sensor  304  for the first set of coils and at least one position sensor  304  for the second set of coils, which allows for differential position sensing at opposite sides of the lens group, thus enabling Z-tilt control for compensation purposes. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example lens barrel arrangement  400  that may enable a size reduction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) of a lens module that may be included in a folded optics camera (e.g., folded optics system  100  and/or folded optics camera  200  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B ). In various embodiments, the lens barrel arrangement  400  may include a lens barrel  402  and a lens carrier  404 . In some embodiments, a lens group  406  may be fixed coupled with the lens barrel  402 . For example, the lens group  406  may be at least partially contained within the lens barrel  402 . The lens carrier  404  may be fixedly coupled with the lens barrel  402 , e.g., such that the lens barrel  402  and the lens group  406  are movable together with the lens carrier  404 . As indicated in  FIG.  4   , the lens carrier  404  may at least partially encase a lower portion of the lens barrel  402  in some embodiments. The lens carrier  404  may be formed via injection molding. In some embodiments, the lens carrier  404  may include an insert-molded metal element  408  that forms a floor of the lens carrier  404  and that is positioned proximate a bottom surface of the lens barrel  402 . The insert-molded metal element  408  may be integrated with side portions  410  formed of plastic in the injection molding process. The insert-molded metal element may have a first end partially embedded within a first side portion  410 , and a second end partially embedded within a second side portion that is opposite the first side portion relative to the lens group  406 . 
     In some embodiments, the lens barrel arrangement  400  may enable a size reduction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) compared to some other arrangements. For example, arrangement  400 ′ includes the lens barrel  402  and a different lens carrier  412  that does not have an insert-molded metal element; rather, the floor of the lens carrier  412  is the same as the sides of the lens carrier  412 , which may be formed of plastic via injection molding. The lens barrel arrangement  400  may have a Z dimension (in the Z-axis direction) that is a distance from a bottom surface of the insert-molded metal element  408  to a top surface of the lens barrel  402 . By contrast, the arrangement  400 ′ may have a Z′ dimension (in the Z-axis direction) that is a distance from a bottom surface of the lens carrier  412  to a top surface of the lens barrel  402 . The Z dimension of the lens barrel arrangement  400  may be smaller than the Z′ dimension of the arrangement  400 ′, by a difference indicated by AZ in  FIG.  4   . Furthermore, the insert-molded metal element  408  may have a higher stiffness compared to a stiffness of the floor of the lens carrier  412 . 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an example of another lens barrel arrangement  500  that may enable a size reduction (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) of a lens module that may be included in a folded optics camera (e.g., folded optics system  100  and/or folded optics camera  200  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B ). In various embodiments, the lens barrel arrangement  500  may include a lens barrel-carrier hybrid  502  within which the lens group  406  is at least partially contained. In various embodiments, the lens barrel-carrier hybrid  502  may be formed as a single injection molded plastic component, which may be formed with a smaller dimension in the Z-axis direction than some other arrangements. For example, arrangement  500 ′ includes the lens barrel  402  and the lens carrier  412  previously discussed with reference to  FIG.  4   . The lens barrel arrangement  500  may have a Z dimension (in the Z-axis direction) that is a distance from a bottom surface of the lens barrel-carrier hybrid  502  to a top surface of the lens barrel-carrier hybrid  502 , as indicated in  FIG.  5   . By contrast, the arrangement  500 ′ may have a Z′ dimension (in the Z-axis direction) that is a distance from a bottom surface of the lens carrier  412  to a top surface of the lens barrel  402 . The Z dimension of the lens barrel arrangement  500  may be smaller than the Z′ dimension of the arrangement  500 ′, by a difference indicated by AZ in  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a schematic representation of an example device  600  that may include a folded optics camera (e.g., folded optics system  100  and/or folded optics camera  200  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B , etc.) having one or more actuators and/or one or more suspension arrangements, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the device  600  may be a mobile device and/or a multifunction device. In various embodiments, the device  600  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) headset, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In some embodiments, the device  600  may include a display system  602  (e.g., comprising a display and/or a touch-sensitive surface) and/or one or more cameras  604 . In some non-limiting embodiments, the display system  602  and/or one or more front-facing cameras  604   a  may be provided at a front side of the device  600 , e.g., as indicated in  FIG.  6   . Additionally, or alternatively, one or more rear-facing cameras  604   b  may be provided at a rear side of the device  600 . In some embodiments comprising multiple cameras  604 , some or all of the cameras may be the same as, or similar to, each other. Additionally, or alternatively, some or all of the cameras may be different from each other. In various embodiments, the location(s) and/or arrangement(s) of the camera(s)  604  may be different than those indicated in  FIG.  6   . 
     Among other things, the device  600  may include memory  606  (e.g., comprising an operating system  608  and/or application(s)/program instructions  610 ), one or more processors and/or controllers  612  (e.g., comprising CPU(s), memory controller(s), display controller(s), and/or camera controller(s), etc.), and/or one or more sensors  616  (e.g., orientation sensor(s), proximity sensor(s), and/or position sensor(s), etc.). In some embodiments, the device  600  may communicate with one or more other devices and/or services, such as computing device(s)  618 , cloud service(s)  620 , etc., via one or more networks  622 . For example, the device  600  may include a network interface (e.g., network interface  610 ) that enables the device  600  to transmit data to, and receive data from, the network(s)  622 . Additionally, or alternatively, the device  600  may be capable of communicating with other devices via wireless communication using any of a variety of communications standards, protocols, and/or technologies. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a schematic block diagram of an example computing device, referred to as computer system  700 , that may include or host embodiments of a folded optics camera (e.g., folded optics system  100  and/or folded optics camera  200  in  FIGS.  1 - 2 B , etc.) having one or more actuators and/or one or more suspension arrangements, e.g., as described herein with reference to  FIGS.  1 - 6   . In addition, computer system  700  may implement methods for controlling operations of the camera and/or for performing image processing images captured with the camera. In some embodiments, the device  700  (described herein with reference to  FIG.  6   ) may additionally, or alternatively, include some or all of the functional components of the computer system  700  described herein. 
     The computer system  700  may be configured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments, computer system  700  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) headset, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  700  includes one or more processors  702  coupled to a system memory  704  via an input/output (I/O) interface  706 . Computer system  700  further includes one or more cameras  708  coupled to the I/O interface  706 . Computer system  700  further includes a network interface  710  coupled to I/O interface  706 , and one or more input/output devices  712 , such as cursor control device  714 , keyboard  716 , and display(s)  718 . In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  700 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  700 , 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  700  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  700  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  702 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  702  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  702  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  702  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  702  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  704  may be configured to store program instructions  720  accessible by processor  702 . In various embodiments, system memory  704  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  722  of memory  704  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some embodiments, program instructions  720  and/or data  722  may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  704  or computer system  700 . In various embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system  700 . 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  706  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  702 , system memory  704 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  710  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  712 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  706  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  704 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  702 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  706  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  706  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  706 , such as an interface to system memory  704 , may be incorporated directly into processor  702 . 
     Network interface  710  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  700  and other devices attached to a network  724  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  700 . Network  724  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  710  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  712  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  700 . Multiple input/output devices  712  may be present in computer system  700  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  700 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  700  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  700  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  710 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  700  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  700  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  700  may be transmitted to computer system  700  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: 20210921
Publication Date: 20230815
Grant Date: 20230815
Priority Date: 20200924
Inventors: MIREAULT, ALFRED N.
WEAVER, JASON T.
MILLER, SCOTT W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B27/646", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/17", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B30/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/687", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K41/0354", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/646", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/646", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K41/0354", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0065", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B30/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B3/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/686", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/687", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/17", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B13/36", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02K41/0354", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B5/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0069", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B2205/0007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B30/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/687", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 80739345