PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10054763-B2
Application Number: US-201514828434-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Optical position sensing with temperature calibration

Abstract:
In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly is attached to an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a light source for emitting light in a first direction. In some embodiments, a measurement sensor is affixed for receiving light reflected from a reflector. In some embodiments, a lateral shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, a monitoring sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, a transverse shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light reflected from the reflector.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 a reflector attached to a carrier of a lens assembly, wherein the carrier is coupled to an actuator to move the lens assembly together with the reflector along at least an optical axis of the lens assembly; 
 a light source for emitting light, wherein
 the light comprises light emitted in a first direction that is a direction of a distance to be measured at least partly via a measurement sensor; 
 
 the measurement sensor, wherein
 the measurement sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source for receiving light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector; 
 a lateral shield that blocks detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector but that allows detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector, wherein the lateral shield is affixed between the measurement sensor and the light source; 
 
 a monitoring sensor affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector; and
 a transverse shield that blocks detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector but that allows detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring sensor comprises a monitoring photodetection diode. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the measurement sensor comprises a measurement photodetection diode. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a driver circuit for supplying a current having a constant value to the light source. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is a direction towards the reflector. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is parallel to the optical axis. 
     
     
       8. A method, comprising:
 emitting light from a light source, wherein
 the light comprises light emitted in a first direction that is a direction of a distance to be measured at least partly via a measurement sensor; 
 
 generating a reflected light measurement by receiving at the measurement sensor light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from a reflector and that has not been blocked by a lateral shield that blocks detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector but allows detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector; 
 generating an emitted light measurement by receiving at a monitoring sensor light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector and that has not been blocked by a transverse shield that blocks detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector but allows detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector; and 
 calculating a temperature dependent position measurement of the reflector based at least in part on the emitted light measurement and the reflected light measurement. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the reflector is attached to a carrier of a lens assembly; 
 the carrier is coupled to an actuator for moving the lens assembly together with the reflector along at least an optical axis defined by the lens assembly; and 
 the method further comprises:
 adjusting a position of the lens assembly, along the optical axis, based at least in part upon the temperature dependent position measurement. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the generating the emitted light measurement further comprises measuring light received at a monitoring photodetection diode. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein generating the reflected light measurement comprises measuring light received at a measurement photodetection diode. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the emitting light from the light source further comprises emitting light from a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a supplying a current having a constant value to the light source. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the emitting light from the light source further comprises emitting light in a direction of the reflector attached to a carrier of a lens assembly. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first direction is parallel to the optical axis. 
     
     
       16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:
 controlling emission of light from a light source, wherein
 the light comprises light emitted in a first direction that is a direction of a distance to be measured at least partly via a measurement sensor; 
 
 generating a reflected light measurement from an indication of receipt at the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from a reflector and that has not been blocked by a lateral shield that blocks detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector but allows detection by the measurement sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector; 
 generating an emitted light measurement from an indication of receipt at a monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector and that has not been blocked by a transverse shield that blocks detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has been reflected from the reflector but allows detection by the monitoring sensor of light emitted from the light source that has not been reflected from the reflector; and 
 calculating a temperature dependent position measurement of the reflector based at least in part on the emitted light measurement and the reflected light measurement. 
 
     
     
       17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the reflector is attached to a carrier of a lens assembly; 
 the carrier is coupled to an actuator to move the lens assembly together with the reflector along at least an optical axis defined by the lens assembly; and 
 the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:
 adjusting a position of the lens assembly based at least in part upon position measurement. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of  claim 16 , wherein
 the generating the emitted light measurement further comprises measuring light received at a monitoring photodetection diode. 
 
     
     
       19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of  claim 16 , wherein
 the program instructions computer-executable to implement generating a reflected light measurement comprise program instructions computer-executable to implement measuring light received at a measurement photodetection diode. 
 
     
     
       20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions of  claim 16 , wherein
 the program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light from the light source further comprise program instructions computer-executable to control emission of light from a light-emitting diode.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to camera components and more specifically to camera component motion control. 
     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 (referred to as the Z axis) of the camera to refocus the camera. In addition, high image quality is easier to achieve in small form factor cameras if lens motion along the optical axis is accompanied by minimal parasitic motion in the other degrees of freedom, for example on the X and Y axes orthogonal to the optical (Z) axis of the camera. Thus, some small form factor cameras that include autofocus mechanisms may also 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. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly is attached to an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a light source for emitting light. In some embodiments, the light includes light emitted in a first direction. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a measurement sensor. In some embodiments, the measurement sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source for receiving light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector. In some embodiments, a lateral shield is affixed between the measurement sensor and the light source. In some embodiments, the lateral shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, a monitoring sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, a transverse shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction device with a camera in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a portable multifunction device having a camera in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of a camera module or assembly equipped for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a side view of an example embodiment of a sensor for temperature-calibrated distance measurement in a camera module, according to at least some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a top view of an example embodiment of a sensor for temperature-calibrated distance measurement in a camera module, according to at least some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for operating a camera module equipped for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example computer system configured to implement aspects of the system and method for measuring temperature in a camera module, according to at least 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. 
     “Including.” 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 including one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Introduction to Relative Temperature Measurement in Camera Component Motion Control 
     In some embodiments, a sensor system measures distance along a moving axis between a reflector and a sensor apparatus. In some embodiments, a sensor system includes a sensor apparatus mounted on a base for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly attached to an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, sensor apparatus includes a light source for emitting light. In some embodiments, the light includes light emitted in a first direction. 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus includes a measurement sensor. In some embodiments, the measurement sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source for receiving light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector. 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus includes a lateral shield affixed between the measurement sensor and the light source. In some embodiments, the lateral shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, a monitoring sensor is affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, a transverse shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector. 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring sensor includes a monitoring photodection diode. In some embodiments, the measurement sensor includes a measurement or detection photodetection diode. In some embodiments, the light source includes a light-emitting diode. In some embodiments, a driver circuit, which may be included as part of an image sensor pipeline supplies a current having a constant value to the light source. In some embodiments, reflector is attached to a carrier of the lens assembly. In some embodiments, the first direction is a direction of a distance to be measured. In some embodiments, a distance is calculated by the image sensor pipeline or other driver circuit generating a corrected distance photodection diode signal from a calculation using the detection photodiode signal from measurement sensor and a monitoring photodiode signal from monitoring sensor. 
     Some embodiments further include a method for measuring distance and/or controlling motion of camera components. In some embodiments, the method includes emitting light from a light source. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes generating an emitted light measurement by receiving at a monitoring sensor light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. 
     In some embodiments, the light includes light emitted in a first direction. In some embodiments, the method includes generating a reflected light measurement by receiving at a measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector. In some embodiments, the receiving at the measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction further includes receiving the light emitted in the first direction at a measurement sensor protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. 
     In some embodiments, the receiving at the monitoring sensor the light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector further includes receiving the light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector at a monitoring sensor aligned with a transverse shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating a temperature dependent position measurement of the reflector based at least in part on emitted light measurement and the reflected light measurement. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes adjusting a position of the lens assembly based at least in part upon position measurement. In some embodiments, the generating the emitted light measurement further includes measuring light received at a monitoring photodetection diode. In some embodiments, generating a reflected light measurement by receiving at a measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction includes measuring light received at a measurement photodetection diode. In some embodiments, the emitting light from the light source further includes emitting light from a light-emitting diode. In some embodiments, the method includes supplying a current having a constant value to the light source. 
     In some embodiments, the emitting light from the light source further includes emitting light in a direction of a reflector attached to a carrier of the lens assembly. In some embodiments, the emitting light from the light source further includes emitting light in a direction of a distance to be measured. 
     Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable to implement emitting light from a light source. In some embodiments, the light includes light emitted in a first direction. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable to implement generating a reflected light measurement by receiving at a measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector. In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement the receiving at the measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction further include program instructions computer-executable to implement receiving the light emitted in the first direction at a measurement sensor protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflection. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable to implement generating an emitted light measurement by receiving at a monitoring sensor light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector. In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement receiving at the monitoring sensor the light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector further include program instructions computer-executable to implement receiving the light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector at a monitoring sensor aligned with a transverse shield is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are computer-executable to implement calculating a temperature dependent position measurement of the reflector based at least in part on emitted light measurement and the reflected light measurement. 
     In some embodiments, the generating the emitted light measurement further includes measuring light received at a monitoring photodection diode. In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement generating a reflected light measurement by receiving at a measurement sensor the light emitted in the first direction include program instructions computer-executable to implement measuring light received at a measurement photodetection diode. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light from the light source further include program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light from a light-emitting diode. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement adjusting a position of the lens assembly based at least in part upon position measurement. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement supplying a current having a constant value to the light source. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light from the light source further include program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light in a direction of a reflector attached to a carrier of the lens assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light from the light source further include program instructions computer-executable to implement emitting light in a direction of a distance to be measured. 
     Multifunction Device Examples 
     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. 
     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,” “includes,” and/or “including,” 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. 
     Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, and associated processes for using such devices are described. In some embodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as a mobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/or music player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunction devices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronic devices, such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, or tablet computers, may also be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktop computer with a camera. In some embodiments, the device is a gaming computer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming controller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but is a camera. 
     In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes a display and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should be understood, however, that the electronic device may include one or more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick. 
     The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one or more of the following: a drawing application, a presentation application, a word processing application, a website creation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, a workout support application, a photo management application, a digital camera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsing application, a digital music player application, and/or a digital video player application. 
     The various applications that may be executed on the device may use at least one common physical user-interface device, such as the touch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitive surface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device may be adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support the variety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive and transparent to the user. 
     Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with cameras.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device  100  with camera  164  in accordance with some embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for small form factor cameras with temperature measurement, as described herein. Camera  164  is sometimes called an “optical sensor” for convenience, and may also be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device  100  may include memory  102  (which may include one or more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller  122 , one or more processing units (CPU&#39;s)  120 , peripherals interface  118 , RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , touch-sensitive display system  112 , microphone  113 , input/output (I/O) subsystem  106 , other input or control devices  116 , and external port  124 . Device  100  may include one or more optical sensors  164 . These components may communicate over one or more communication buses or signal lines  103 . 
     It should be appreciated that device  100  is only one example of a portable multifunction device, and that device  100  may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in  FIG. 1  may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
     Memory  102  may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory  102  by other components of device  100 , such as CPU  120  and the peripherals interface  118 , may be controlled by memory controller  122 . 
     Peripherals interface  118  can be used to couple input and output peripherals of the device to CPU  120  and memory  102 . The one or more processors  120  run or execute various software programs and/or sets of instructions stored in memory  102  to perform various functions for device  100  and to process data. 
     In some embodiments, peripherals interface  118 , CPU  120 , and memory controller  122  may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip  104 . In some other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips. 
     RF (radio frequency) circuitry  108  receives and sends RF signals, also called electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  converts electrical signals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates with communications networks and other communications devices via the electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry  108  may include well-known circuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited to an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RF circuitry  108  may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may use any of a variety of communications standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol for e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post office protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging and presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document. 
     Audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , and microphone  113  provide an audio interface between a user and device  100 . Audio circuitry  110  receives audio data from peripherals interface  118 , converts the audio data to an electrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker  111 . Speaker  111  converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  also receives electrical signals converted by microphone  113  from sound waves. Audio circuitry  110  converts the electrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data to peripherals interface  118  for processing. Audio data may be retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory  102  and/or RF circuitry  108  by peripherals interface  118 . In some embodiments, audio circuitry  110  also includes a headset jack (e.g.,  212 ,  FIG. 2 ). The headset jack provides an interface between audio circuitry  110  and removable audio input/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headset with both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input (e.g., a microphone). 
     I/O subsystem  106  couples input/output peripherals on device  100 , such as touch screen  112  and other input control devices  116 , to peripherals interface  118 . I/O subsystem  106  may include display controller  156  and one or more input controllers  160  for other input or control devices. The one or more input controllers  160  receive/send electrical signals from/to other input or control devices  116 . The other input control devices  116  may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s)  160  may be coupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port, USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g.,  208 ,  FIG. 2 ) may include an up/down button for volume control of speaker  111  and/or microphone  113 . The one or more buttons may include a push button (e.g.,  206 ,  FIG. 2 ). 
     Touch-sensitive display  112  provides an input interface and an output interface between the device and a user. Display controller  156  receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen  112 . Touch screen  112  displays visual output to the user. The visual output may include graphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visual output may correspond to user-interface objects. 
     Touch screen  112  has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  (along with any associated modules and/or sets of instructions in memory  102 ) detect contact (and any movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen  112  and converts the detected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed on touch screen  112 . In an example embodiment, a point of contact between touch screen  112  and the user corresponds to a finger of the user. 
     Touch screen  112  may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emitting diode) technology, although other display technologies may be used in other embodiments. Touch screen  112  and display controller  156  may detect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of a variety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch screen  112 . In an example embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used. 
     Touch screen  112  may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution of approximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen  112  using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command for performing the actions desired by the user. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device  100  may include a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visual output. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch screen  112  or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by the touch screen. 
     Device  100  also includes power system  162  for powering the various components. Power system  162  may include a power management system, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in portable devices. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras  164 .  FIG. 1  shows an optical sensor coupled to actuator controller  158  in I/O subsystem  106 . Optical sensor  164  may include charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor  164  receives light from the environment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the light to data representing an image, video, and/or a depth map. In conjunction with imaging module  143  (also called a camera module), optical sensor  164  may capture still images, video, and/or depth maps. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located on the back of device  100 , opposite touch screen display  112  on the front of the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as a viewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of the device so that the user&#39;s image may be obtained for videoconferencing while the user views the other video conference participants on the touch screen display. While a temperature module is not explicitly shown in  FIG. 1 , a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain, in light of having read the present disclosure, that the methods, processes and systems described herein may be implemented in many of the hardware and software components and systems described herein without departing from the scope and intent of the present disclosure. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more proximity sensors  166 .  FIG. 1  shows proximity sensor  166  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, proximity sensor  166  may be coupled to input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turns off and disables touch screen  112  when the multifunction device is placed near the user&#39;s ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call). 
     Device  100  includes one or more orientation sensors  168 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or more accelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one or more rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers. In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or more of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. The GPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may be used for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait or landscape) of device  100 . In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include any combination of orientation/rotation sensors.  FIG. 1  shows the one or more orientation sensors  168  coupled to peripherals interface  118 . Alternately, the one or more orientation sensors  168  may be coupled to an input controller  160  in I/O subsystem  106 . In some embodiments, information is displayed on the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view based on an analysis of data received from the one or more orientation sensors. 
     In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory  102  include operating system  126 , communication module (or set of instructions)  128 , contact/motion module (or set of instructions)  130 , graphics module (or set of instructions)  132 , text input module (or set of instructions)  134 , Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)  135 , and applications (or sets of instructions)  136 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  102  stores device/global internal state  157 . Device/global internal state  157  includes one or more of: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications, views or other information occupy various regions of touch screen display  112 ; sensor state, including information obtained from the device&#39;s various sensors and input control devices  116 ; and location information concerning the device&#39;s location and/or attitude. 
     Operating system  126  (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various software components and/or drivers for controlling and managing general system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardware and software components. 
     Communication module  128  facilitates communication with other devices over one or more external ports  124  and also includes various software components for handling data received by RF circuitry  108  and/or external port  124 . External port  124  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices or indirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). In some embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin) connector. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect contact with touch screen  112  (in conjunction with display controller  156 ) and other touch sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motion module  130  includes various software components for performing various operations related to detection of contact, such as determining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determining if there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module  130  receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series of contact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may be applied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiple simultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). In some embodiments, contact/motion module  130  and display controller  156  detect contact on a touchpad. 
     Contact/motion module  130  may detect a gesture input by a user. Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contact patterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event. 
     Graphics module  132  includes various known software components for rendering and displaying graphics on touch screen  112  or other display, including components for changing the intensity of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos, animations and the like. 
     In some embodiments, graphics module  132  stores data representing graphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code. Graphics module  132  receives, from applications etc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and then generates screen image data to output to display controller  156 . 
     Text input module  134 , which may be a component of graphics module  132 , provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g., contacts  137 , e-mail  140 , IM  141 , browser  147 , and any other application that needs text input). 
     GPS module  135  determines the location of the device and provides this information for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone  138  for use in location-based dialing, to camera  143  as picture/video metadata, and to applications that provide location-based services such as weather widgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets). 
     Applications  136  may include the following modules (or sets of instructions), or a subset or superset thereof:
         contacts module  137  (sometimes called an address book or contact list);   telephone module  138 ;   video conferencing module  139 ;   e-mail client module  140 ;   instant messaging (IM) module  141 ;   workout support module  142 ;   camera module  143  for still and/or video images;   image management module  144 ;   browser module  147 ;   calendar module  148 ;   widget modules  149 , which may include one or more of: weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  149 - 3 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , dictionary widget  149 - 5 , and other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   widget creator module  150  for making user-created widgets  149 - 6 ;   search module  151 ;   video and music player module  152 , which may be made up of a video player   module and a music player module;   notes module  153 ;   map module  154 ; and/or   online video module  155 .       

     Examples of other applications  136  that may be stored in memory  102  include other word processing applications, other image editing applications, drawing applications, presentation applications, JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voice recognition, and voice replication. In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , contacts module  137  may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in application internal state  192  of contacts module  137  in memory  102  or memory  370 ), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitate communications by telephone  138 , video conference  139 , e-mail  140 , or IM  141 ; and so forth. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , telephone module  138  may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book  137 , modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation is completed. As noted above, the wireless communication may use any of a variety of communications standards, protocols and technologies. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , microphone  113 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor  164 , actuator controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , contact list  137 , and telephone module  138 , videoconferencing module  139  includes executable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user and one or more other participants in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140  includes executable instructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to user instructions. In conjunction with image management module  144 , e-mail client module  140  makes it very easy to create and send e-mails with still or video images taken with camera module  143 . 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , the instant messaging module  141  includes executable instructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit a respective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-based instant messages), to receive instant messages and to view received instant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video files and/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers to both telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) and Internet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , map module  154 , and music player module  146 , workout support module  142  includes executable instructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workout sensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , optical sensor(s)  164 , actuator controller  158 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and image management module  144 , camera module  143  includes executable instructions to capture still images or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory  102 , modify characteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image or video from memory  102 . 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and camera module  143 , image management module  144  includes executable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/or video images. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , browser module  147  includes executable instructions to browse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , calendar module  148  includes executable instructions to create, display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , widget modules  149  are mini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g., weather widget  149 - 1 , stocks widget  149 - 2 , calculator widget  1493 , alarm clock widget  149 - 4 , and dictionary widget  149 - 5 ) or created by the user (e.g., user-created widget  149 - 6 ). In some embodiments, a widget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets). 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , and browser module  147 , the widget creator module  150  may be used by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget). 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , search module  151  includes executable instructions to search for text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory  102  that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified search terms) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , and browser module  147 , video and music player module  152  includes executable instructions that allow the user to download and play back recorded music and other sound files stored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executable instructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., on touch screen  112  or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ). In some embodiments, device  100  may include the functionality of an MP3 player. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , and text input module  134 , notes module  153  includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with RF circuitry  108 , touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , text input module  134 , GPS module  135 , and browser module  147 , map module  154  may be used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particular location; and other location-based data) in accordance with user instructions. 
     In conjunction with touch screen  112 , display system controller  156 , contact module  130 , graphics module  132 , audio circuitry  110 , speaker  111 , RF circuitry  108 , text input module  134 , e-mail client module  140 , and browser module  147 , online video module  155  includes instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on an external, connected display via external port  124 ), send an e-mail with a link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module  141 , rather than e-mail client module  140 , is used to send a link to a particular online video. 
     Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to a set of executable instructions for performing one or more functions described above and the methods described in this application (e.g., the computer-implemented methods and other information processing methods described herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory  102  may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, memory  102  may store additional modules and data structures not described above. 
     In some embodiments, device  100  is a device where operation of a predefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/or a touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device  100 , the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons, dials, and the like) on device  100  may be reduced. 
     The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusively through a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between user interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user, navigates device  100  to a main, home, or root menu from any user interface that may be displayed on device  100 . In such embodiments, the touchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some other embodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or other physical input control device instead of a touchpad. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a portable multifunction device  100  having a touch screen  112  in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen may display one or more graphics within user interface (UI)  200 . In this embodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers  202  (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses  203  (not drawn to scale in the figure). 
     Device  100  may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home” or menu button  204 . As described previously, menu button  204  may be used to navigate to any application  136  in a set of applications that may be executed on device  100 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen  112 . 
     In one embodiment, device  100  includes touch screen  112 , menu button  204 , push button  206  for powering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustment button(s)  208 , Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot  210 , head set jack  212 , and docking/charging external port  124 . Push button  206  may be used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressed state for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the button and releasing the button before the predefined time interval has elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. In an alternative embodiment, device  100  also may accept verbal input for activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone  113 . 
     It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are given with reference to optical sensor/camera  164  (on the front of a device), a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from the display may be used instead of or in addition to an optical sensor/camera  164  on the front of a device. 
     Some embodiments employ an actuator using a voice coil motor. Voice coil motors (VCMs) have many applications, including serving as the focus motors in compact camera modules. In some embodiments of a camera module (as shown in  FIG. 3  and discussed below), the coil wire is wrapped around the carrier, which contains the lens. The carrier is attached to the yoke by springs which allow the lens to translate in and out. When a current is injected into the coil, a magnetic field is created that acts against the magnetic fields of one or more permanent magnets. The magnetic force displaces the lens against the springs, bringing the lens into focus. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuator module or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide camera component motion control based on relative temperature in small form factor cameras, according to at least some embodiments. Further, a camera module such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , in addition to providing camera component motion control based on relative temperature as described herein, may also use the temperature as input to functions that control components described with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 , for example for focus functions. 
     Embodiments of camera component motion control based on relative temperature may be applied within a camera, actuator package or image sensor assembly  3000  interacting with an image sensor  3050  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  to stabilize and increase control performance of an optics assembly  3002  suspended on wires  3020  within an actuator package  3000   a - c  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Details of example embodiments, implementations, and methods of operations of image sensor  3050 , micropixels  3056 , gratings and filters  3054 , optional microlenses  3052  and associated sensors such as are shown in the camera package  3000  shown are discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 4-7 . 
     In some embodiments, each position control magnet  3006  is poled so as to generate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for the autofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens, and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet  3006  proximate to the autofocus coil  3004 , and where the field for all four magnets  3006  are all either directed towards the autofocus coil  3004 , or away from it, so that the Lorentz forces from all four magnets  3006  act in the same direction along the optical axis  3080 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an actuator package  3000  may include a base assembly or substrate  3008 , an optics assembly  3002 , and a cover  3012 . Base assembly  3008  may include one or more of, but is not limited to, a base  3008 , supporting one or more position sensors (e.g., capacitor plates)  3010   a - b , and suspension wires  3020 , which control of movements of autofocus coil  3004 . 
     In at least some embodiments, there are four suspension wires  3020 . An optics assembly  3002  may be suspended on the base assembly  3008  by suspension of the upper springs  3040  of optics assembly  3000  on the suspension wires  3020 . Actuator module  3000  may include one or more of, but is not limited to, optics  3002 , optics holder (autofocus coil)  3004 , magnet(s)  3006 , upper spring(s)  3040 , and lower spring(s)  3042 . The upper and lower spring(s) may be collectively referred to herein as optics springs. In optics assembly  3000 , an optics component  3002  (e.g., a lens or lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in or by an optics holder (autofocus coil)  3004 . In at least some embodiments, the optics  3002 /optics holder (autofocus coil)  3004  assembly may be suspended from or attached to the position control magnets  3006  by upper spring(s)  3040 , and lower spring(s)  3042 , and the position control magnets  3006  may be rigidly mounted to base  3008 . Note that upper spring(s)  3040  and lower spring(s)  3042  are flexible to allow the optics assembly  3000  a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for optical focusing, wires  3020  are flexible to allow a range of motion on the XY plane orthogonal to the optical axis for optical image stabilization. 
     Note that, in some embodiments, an optics assembly  3000  or an actuator module may not include position control magnets  3006 , but may include a yoke or other structure  3006  that may be used to help support the optics assembly on suspension wires  3020  via upper springs  3030 . However in some embodiments, optics assembly  3000  may not include elements  3006 . In general, other embodiments of an optics assembly  3000  may include fewer or more components than the example optics assembly  3000  shown in  FIG. 3 . Also note that, while embodiments show the optics assembly  3000  suspended on wires  3020 , other mechanisms may be used to suspend an optics assembly  3000  in other embodiments. 
     The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s)  3006 ) acts as the support chassis structure for the autofocus mechanism of actuator  3000 . The lens carrier (optics holder  3004 ) is suspended on the autofocus yoke by an upper autofocus (AF) spring  3040  and a lower optics spring  3042 . In this way when an electric current is applied to the autofocus coil, Lorentz forces are developed due to the presence of the four magnets, and a force substantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to move the lens carrier, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative to the support structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so as to focus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier and substantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring  3040  and lower spring  4042  also resist the Lorentz forces, and hence convert the forces to a displacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown in  FIG. 3  and is typical of some embodiments, in which optical image stabilization function includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism of the actuator (supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directions orthogonal to the optical axis, in response to user handshake, as detected by some means, such a two or three axis gyroscope, which senses angular velocity. The handshake of interest is the changing angular tilt of the camera in ‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated by said linear movements of the lens relative to the image sensor. 
     At least some embodiments may achieve this two independent degree-of-freedom motion by using two pairs of optical image stabilization coils, each pair acting together to deliver controlled motion in one linear axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and each pair delivering controlled motion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the other pair. In at least some embodiments, these optical image stabilization coils may be fixed to the camera actuator support structure, and when current is appropriately applied, optical image stabilization coils may generate Lorentz forces on the entire autofocus mechanism of the actuator, moving it as desired. The required magnetic fields for the Lorentz forces are produced by the same four magnets that enable to the Lorentz forces for the autofocus function. However, since the directions of motion of the optical image stabilization movements are orthogonal to the autofocus movements, it is the fringing field of the four magnets that are employed, which have components of magnetic field in directions parallel to the optical axis. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in at least some embodiments, the suspension of the autofocus mechanism on the actuator  3000  support structure may be achieved by the use of four corner wires  3020 , for example wires with a circular cross-section. Each wire  3020  acts as a flexure beams capable of bending with relatively low stiffness, thus allowing motion in both optical image stabilization degrees-of-freedom. However, wire  3020  is in some embodiments relatively stiff in directions parallel to the optical axis, as this would require the wire to stretch or buckle, thus substantially preventing parasitic motions in these directions. In addition, the presence of four such wires, appropriately separated allows them to be stiff in the parasitic tilt directions of pitch and yaw, thus substantially preventing relative dynamic tilt between the lens and image sensor. This may be seen by appreciating that each wire  3020  is stiff in directions that require it to change in length, and hence the fixed points at the ends of each wire (eight points in total) will substantially form the vertices of a parallelepiped for all operational positions of the optical image stabilization mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, a driver circuit  3090  contains a package of processors and memory or other computer-readable medium as described herein. In some alternative embodiments, may alternatively, in some embodiments, a package of processors and memory may be omitted from actuator module  3000  and housed elsewhere in a device in which actuator package  3000  is installed. 
     In some embodiments, actuator package  3000  is installed in a camera of a mobile computing device. 
     Some embodiments include an actuator  3000  housing a voice coil motor for moving a lens assembly  3002 , including a first terminal and a second terminal (described below). In some embodiments, the first terminal is attached to a first suspension spring of the actuator (e.g.,  3030 ) housing the voice coil motor for moving the lens assembly and a second terminal of the magnetic coil of the voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the second terminal is attached to a second suspension spring (e.g.,  3042 ) of the magnetic coil  3003  of the voice coil motor for moving a lens assembly  3002 . Some embodiments include a driver circuit  3090  configured for controlling movement of and providing power to the voice coil motor, and passing a first electrical signal having a first current value and performing measurement of a distance  3092  as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, a sensor system measures distance along a moving axis  3092  between a reflector  3054  and a sensor apparatus  3052 . In some embodiments, a sensor system includes a sensor apparatus  3052  as described below with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4B  mounted on a base  3008  for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly attached to an autofocus actuator such as that present in camera module  3000 . In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  3052  includes a light source for emitting light. In some embodiments, the light includes light emitted in a first direction  3092 . 
     In some embodiments, a driver circuit  3090 , which may be included as part of an image sensor pipeline supplies a current having a constant value to the light source of sensor apparatus  3052 . In some embodiments, reflector  3054  is attached to a carrier of the lens assembly  3002  or the lens assembly  3002 . In some embodiments, the first direction is a direction of a distance to be measured  3092 ). In some embodiments, a distance is calculated by the image sensor pipeline or other driver circuit  3090  generating a corrected distance photodection diode signal from a calculation using the detection photodiode signal from measurement sensor and a monitoring photodiode signal from monitoring sensor. 
     Example Sensor Hardware Configured for Motion Control with Temperature Determination and Methods of Operation 
       FIG. 4A  depicts an example embodiment of a sensor for temperature-calibrated distance measurement in a camera module, according to at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, a sensor system  400   a  measures distance along a moving axis  412  between a reflector  414  and a sensor apparatus  410   a . In some embodiments, a sensor system  400   a  includes a sensor apparatus  410   a  mounted on a base  470  for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly attached to an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   a  includes a light source  420   a  for emitting light  422 ,  428   a  and  426   a . In some embodiments, the light  422 ,  428   a  and  426   a  includes light emitted in a first direction  422 . 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   a  includes a measurement sensor  430   a . In some embodiments, the measurement sensor  430   a  is affixed in a position relative to the light source  420   a  for receiving light  424  emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector  414 . 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   a  includes a lateral shield  450   a  affixed between the measurement sensor  430   a  and the light source  420   a . In some embodiments, the lateral shield  450   a  is affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor  430   a  of light  428   a  having been emitted from light source  420   a  but having not been reflected from the reflector  414 . 
     In some embodiments, a monitoring sensor  440   a  is affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light  426   a  having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector  414 . In some embodiments, a transverse shield  460   a  is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source  420   a  and reflected from the reflector  414 . 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring sensor  440   a  includes a monitoring photodection diode. In some embodiments, the measurement sensor  430   a  includes a measurement or detection photodetection diode. In some embodiments, the light source  420   a  includes a light-emitting diode. In some embodiments, a driver circuit (not shown) supplies a current having a constant value to the light source  420   a . In some embodiments, reflector  414  is attached to a carrier of the lens assembly (not shown). In some embodiments, the first direction is a direction of a distance to be measured  412 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a top view of an example embodiment of a sensor for temperature-calibrated distance measurement in a camera module, according to at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, a sensor system  400   b  measures distance along a moving axis (not shown) between a reflector (not shown) and a sensor apparatus  410   b . In some embodiments, a sensor system  400   b  includes a sensor apparatus  410   b  mounted on a base (not shown) for performing temperature-compensated measurement of a position of a lens assembly attached to an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   b  includes a light source  420   b  for emitting light  428   b  and  426   b . In some embodiments, the light  428   b  and  426   b  includes light emitted in a first direction (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   b  includes a measurement sensor  430   b . In some embodiments, the measurement sensor  430   b  is affixed in a position relative to the light source  420   b  for receiving light (not shown) emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from a reflector (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, sensor apparatus  410   b  includes a lateral shield  450   b  affixed between the measurement sensor  430   b  and the light source  420   b . In some embodiments, the lateral shield  450   b  is affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor  430   b  of light  428   b  having been emitted from light source  420   b  but having not been reflected from the reflector (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, a monitoring sensor  440   b  is affixed in a position relative to the light source to receive light  426   b  having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector (not shown). In some embodiments, a transverse shield  460   b  is affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source  420   b  and reflected from the reflector (not shown). 
     In some embodiments, the monitoring sensor  440   b  includes a monitoring photodection diode. In some embodiments, the measurement sensor  430   b  includes a measurement or detection photodetection diode. In some embodiments, the light source  420   b  includes a light-emitting diode. In some embodiments, a driver circuit, which may be included as part of an image sensor pipeline  480  supplies a current having a constant value to the light source  420   b . In some embodiments, reflector (not shown) is attached to a carrier of the lens assembly (not shown). In some embodiments, the first direction is a direction of a distance to be measured (not shown). In some embodiments, a distance is calculated by the image sensor pipeline  480  or other driver circuit generating a corrected distance photodection diode signal  486  from a calculation using the detection photodiode signal  482  from measurement sensor  430   b  and a monitoring photodiode signal  484  from monitoring sensor  440   b.    
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments. Light is emitted in a first direction from a light source (block  520 ). A reflected light measurement is generated by receiving at a measurement sensor (protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from a reflector) the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from the reflector (block  530 ). An emitted light measurement is generated by receiving at a monitoring sensor (aligned with a transverse shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector) light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector (block  540 ). A reflected light measurement is generated by receiving at a measurement sensor (protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from a reflector) the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from the reflector (block  550 ). 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for operating a camera module equipped for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments.  FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for temperature-calibrated distance measurement, according to at least some embodiments. Light is emitted in a first direction from a light source (block  620 ). A reflected light measurement is generated by receiving at a measurement sensor (protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from a reflector) the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from the reflector (block  630 ). An emitted light measurement is generated by receiving at a monitoring sensor (aligned with a transverse shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the monitoring sensor of light having been emitted from light source and reflected from the reflector) light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from the reflector (block  640 ). A reflected light measurement is generated by receiving at a measurement sensor (protected by a lateral shield affixed in a position blocking detection by the measurement sensor of light having been emitted from light source but having not been reflected from a reflector) the light emitted in the first direction subsequent to the light emitted in the first direction being reflected from the reflector (block  650 ). A position of the lens assembly is adjusted based at least in part upon position measurement (block  660 ). 
     Example Computer System 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example computer system  700  that 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, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     Various embodiments of a camera motion control system as described herein, including embodiments of temperature measurement, as described herein may be executed in one or more computer systems  700 , which may interact with various other devices. Note that any component, action, or functionality described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-6  may be implemented on one or more computers configured as computer system  700  of  FIG. 7 , according to various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  700  includes one or more processors  710  coupled to a system memory  720  via an input/output (I/O) interface  730 . Computer system  700  further includes a network interface  740  coupled to I/O interface  730 , and one or more input/output devices  750 , such as cursor control device  760 , keyboard  770 , and display(s)  780 . 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  710 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  710  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  710  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  710  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  710  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  720  may be configured to store camera control program instructions  722  and/or camera control data accessible by processor  710 . In various embodiments, system memory  720  may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, program instructions  722  may be configured to implement a lens control application  724  incorporating any of the functionality described above. Additionally, existing camera control data  732  of memory  720  may include any of the information or data structures described above. In some embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  720  or computer system  700 . While computer system  700  is described as implementing the functionality of functional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionality described herein may be implemented via such a computer system. 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  730  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  710 , system memory  720 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  740  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  750 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  730  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  720 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  710 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  730  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  730  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  730 , such as an interface to system memory  720 , may be incorporated directly into processor  710 . 
     Network interface  740  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  700  and other devices attached to a network  785  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  700 . Network  785  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  740  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  750  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  750  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  740 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , memory  720  may include program instructions  722 , which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action described above. In one embodiment, the program instructions may implement the methods described above. In other embodiments, different elements and data may be included. Note that data may include any data or information described above. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  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: 20150817
Publication Date: 20180821
Grant Date: 20180821
Priority Date: 20150817
Inventors: WONG, CALVIN K.
JEONG, HO SEOP
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/67", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/026", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/67", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01M11/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/23212", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/28", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D5/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01D5/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/28", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01M11/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 56926259