PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12075142-B2
Application Number: US-202217741925-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Moveable flex circuit for cameras with moveable image sensors

Abstract:
A flex circuit that may accommodate movement of an image sensor within a camera. The flex circuit generally includes a plurality of planar segments between a first end that is fixed relative to the image sensor and a second end that is fixed relative to one or more camera components. One or more of the planar segments twists when the image sensor is moved within the camera.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a lens; 
 an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens; 
 an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera; and 
 a flex circuit, the flex circuit comprising:
 a plurality of planar segments comprising a first segment connected to a second segment via a first bend, and a third segment connected to the second segment via a second bend; 
 a first end; and 
 a second end, 
 wherein the plurality of planar segments connect the first end to the second end; 
 wherein the first end is fixed relative to the image sensor and moveable relative to the second end when the image sensor moves along the first direction, and 
 wherein the flex circuit is positioned such that the first segment twists around a length of the first segment when the image sensor moves along the first direction. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the first direction and the third segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       3. The camera of  claim 2 , wherein the first segment is parallel to the third segment. 
     
     
       4. The camera of  claim 2 , wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
       5. The camera of  claim 2 , wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       6. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the flex circuit further comprises a fourth segment, wherein the fourth segment is connected to the first segment at a third bend. 
     
     
       7. The camera of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth segment is connected to the first end at a fourth bend. 
     
     
       8. The camera of  claim 7 , wherein the third segment is connected to the second end at a fifth bend. 
     
     
       9. The camera of  claim 6 , wherein the flex circuit further comprises a fifth segment, wherein the fifth segment is connected to the third segment at a fourth bend. 
     
     
       10. The camera of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera. 
     
     
       11. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the second segment is positioned between the sensor carrier and the lens holder. 
     
     
       12. The camera of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the sensor carrier is positioned between the second segment and the lens holder. 
     
     
       13. A camera, comprising:
 a lens; 
 an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens; 
 an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera; and 
 a flex circuit comprising a plurality of planar segments connected via one or more bends, wherein the flex circuit is connected to and positioned relative to the image sensor such that at least one of the plurality of planar segments twists along a length thereof during movement of the image sensor along the first direction. 
 
     
     
       14. The camera of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of planar segments comprises a first segment,
 wherein a length of the first segment is oriented perpendicular to the first direction and a width of the first segment is oriented parallel to the first direction, and 
 wherein the first segment twists around the length of the first segment during movement of the image sensor along the first direction. 
 
     
     
       15. The camera of  claim 14 , wherein the flex circuit comprises a first end fixed relative to the image sensor, and wherein the first segment is connected to the first end at a first bend. 
     
     
       16. The camera of  claim 13 , wherein the wherein the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera. 
     
     
       17. An arrangement comprising:
 an image sensor having an optical axis; and 
 a flex circuit comprising:
 a first end fixed relative to the image sensor; 
 a second end; and 
 a plurality of planar segments connecting the first end to the second end and comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment, 
 wherein the first segment is connected to the second segment at a first bend and the second segment is connected to the third segment at a third bend, 
 wherein the first segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor and the third segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor; and 
 wherein the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the optical axis of the image sensor. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The arrangement of  claim 17 , wherein the first segment is parallel to the third segment. 
     
     
       19. The arrangement of  claim 17 , where the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/241,163, filed Sep. 7, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments generally relate to flex circuits that accommodate movement of an image sensor within a camera. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cameras continue to be an important feature of consumer electronics devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. Space is at a premium in these devices, and there is a need for cameras that provide for high quality imaging in a small form factor. Some cameras may be configured to move a camera image sensor relative to other components of the camera (e.g., a lens and/or a housing) to provide for autofocus and/or image stabilization capabilities. In these cameras, there is a need to communicate image data and other signals from the image sensor to other device components. A moving image sensor may make this communication difficult, as the component carrying the signals from the image sensor would ideally need to be able to accommodate this movement. 
     SUMMARY 
     Described here are cameras with moveable image sensors and flex circuits that may be used with these cameras. In general, the flex circuit may include a plurality of planar segments that are connected via one or more bends. The flex circuit may be fixed relative to the image sensor, and may be positioned within the camera such that movement of the image sensor along a first direction causes twisting in one or more of the plurality of segments. 
     Some embodiments may include a camera comprising a lens, an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens, and an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera. The camera may further comprise a flex circuit, the flex circuit comprising a first end, a second end, and plurality of planar segments comprising a first segment connected to a second segment via a first bend, and a third segment connected to the second segment via a second bend. The plurality of planar segments may connect the first end to the second end, the first end may be fixed relative to the image sensor and moveable relative to second end when the image sensor moves along the first direction, and the flex circuit may be positioned such that the first segment twists when the image sensor moves along the first direction. 
     In some variations, the first segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the first direction and the third segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the first direction. In some of these variations, the first segment is parallel to the third segment. In some variations, the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the first direction. In other variations the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     In some variations the flex circuit further comprises a fourth segment, wherein the fourth segment is connected to the first segment at a third bend. The fourth segment may be connected to the first end at a fourth bend. The third segment is connected to the second end at a fifth bend. In some variations where the flex circuit comprises a fourth segment the flex circuit further comprises a fifth segment, wherein the fifth segment is connected to the third segment at a fourth bend. 
     The camera may be configured such that the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera. The camera may comprise a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the second segment is positioned between the sensor carrier and the lens holder. In other variations the camera may comprise a sensor carrier fixed relative to the image sensor and a lens holder connected to the lens, wherein the sensor carrier is positioned between the second segment and the lens holder. 
     Other embodiments may include a camera, comprising a lens, an image sensor positioned to receive light through the lens, an actuator assembly configured to move the image sensor along a first direction within the camera, and a flex circuit comprising a plurality of planar segments connected via one or more bends. The flex circuit may connected to and positioned relative to the image sensor such that at least of the plurality of planar segments twists during movement of the image sensor along the first direction. 
     In some of these variations, the at least one of the plurality of planar segments comprises a first segment, wherein a length of the first segment is oriented perpendicular to the first direction and a width of the first segment is oriented parallel to the first direction, and wherein the first segment twists around the length of the first segment during movement of the image sensor along the first direction. The flex circuit may comprise a first end fixed relative to the image sensor, wherein the first segment is connected to the first end at a first bend. In some variations, the first direction is parallel to an optical axis of the camera. 
     Another embodiment describes an arrangement comprising an image sensor having an optical axis, and a flex circuit comprising a first end fixed relative to the image sensor, a second end, and a plurality of planar segments connecting the first end to the second end and comprising a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The first segment may be connected to the second segment at a first bend and the second segment is connected to the third segment at a third bend, and the first segment may oriented such that a normal vector of the first segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor and the third segment may be oriented such that a normal vector of the third segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor. In some of these variations, first segment is parallel to the third segment. In some variations, the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is parallel to the optical axis of the image sensor. In other variations, the second segment is oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment is perpendicular to the optical axis of the image sensor. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  shows a perspective view of an example camera with a moveable image sensor and a flex circuit.  FIG.  1 B  shows a schematic block diagram of example components of the camera of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show an exploded view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of an example camera that includes a flex circuit and an image sensor that is moveable along an optical axis of the camera; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show perspective views of a flex circuit for use with the cameras described here; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  shows cross-sectional views of variations of a first flex circuit and a second flex circuit respectively; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  shows a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a flex circuit having a reinforcement layer; 
         FIG.  6 A  shows a perspective view of a variation of a flex circuit for use with the cameras described here.  FIGS.  6 B and  6 C  show top views of two configurations of how the flex circuit of  FIG.  6 A  may be integrated into the illustrative variation of camera of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ; 
         FIG.  7 A  shows a perspective view of a variation of a flex circuit for use with the cameras described here.  FIG.  7 B  shows a top view of how the flex circuit of  FIG.  7 A  may be used with the illustrative variation of camera of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ; 
         FIG.  8 A  shows a perspective view of a variation of a flex circuit for use with the cameras described here.  FIG.  8 B  shows a top view of how the flex circuit of  FIG.  8 A  may be used with the illustrative variation of camera of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ; 
         FIG.  9 A  shows a perspective view of a variation of a flex circuit for use with the cameras described here.  FIG.  9 B  shows a top view of how the flex circuit of  FIG.  9 A  may be used with the illustrative variation of camera of  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     Directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “over”, “under”, “above”, “below”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, etc. is used with reference to the orientation of some of the components in some of the figures described below, and is not intended to be limiting. Because components in various embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting. The directional terminology is intended to be construed broadly, and therefore should not be interpreted to preclude components being oriented in different ways. Also, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Described here are flex circuits that may be used in a camera with a moveable image sensor. In general, the flex circuit may include a plurality of planar segments that are connected via one or more bends. The flex circuit may be fixed relative to the image sensor, and may be positioned within the camera such that movement of the image sensor along a first direction causes twisting in one or more of the plurality of segments. This twisting may allow the flex circuit to accommodate the movement of the image sensor along the first direction while having a negligible impact on the camera&#39;s overall footprint. 
     The flex circuits described here may be used in any suitable camera having a moveable image sensor.  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show a perspective view and a schematic block diagram of a camera  100  that may utilize a flex circuit  102  as described here. As shown there, the camera may comprise the flex circuit  102 , an image sensor  104 , lens  106 , an actuator assembly  108 , and a housing  110 . The housing  110  may be configured to at least partially enclose the various components of camera  100 , and in some variations may act to shield internal camera components from electromagnetic interference (as well as to shield other components or devices external to the housing from electromagnetic interference originating within the camera). The lens  106  comprises one or more lens elements  116  configured to direct light received by the camera toward the image sensor  104 . The lens  106  may further comprise a lens barrel  118  that houses some or all of the lens elements. In some instances, the camera  100  may be configured to have a folded optics arrangement, where the camera  100  further comprises one or more mirrors or prisms to redirect the light captured by the camera. It should be appreciated that in a folded optics arrangement, the optical axis of the lens  106  and camera  100  may extend along multiple directions (i.e., a light folding element such as a prims or mirror may change the direction of the optical axis). For the purpose of this application, the optical axis of a camera is considered to be the portion of optical axis of a lens as light exits the lens toward an image sensor. Additionally, for the purpose of this application the optical axis of an image sensor is considered to a vector normal to the plane of the image sensor, which is typically parallel to the optical axis of a lens as light exits the lens toward the image sensor. 
     The image sensor  104  may receive light through the lens  106 , and may generate one or more signals that may convey information about the light received during imaging (which are conveyed off the image sensor  104  using flex circuit  102 ). The image sensor may be any suitable sensor, such as a CCD, CMOS sensor, or the like. As mentioned above, the image sensor  104  may be configured to move within the camera (e.g., relative to at least the housing  110 ). For example, the image sensor  104  may be moved relative to the lens  106  along the optical axis of the camera  100  to adjust the camera&#39;s focus, which may allow the camera  100  to provide autofocus capabilities. Additionally or alternatively, the image sensor  104  may be moved relative to the lens in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera  100 , which may allow the camera  100  to provide optical image stabilization capabilities. 
     It should be appreciated that the cameras described may be configured to perform both autofocus and optical image stabilization, or it may be configured to perform only one of these operations. Furthermore, in some instances, the camera  100  may be further configured to adjust the position or optical power of the lens  106  to assist with autofocus and/or optical image stabilization operations. This may be achieved by moving one or more lens elements of the lens  106  relative to the image sensor  104 . Additionally or alternatively, the lens  106  may comprise a variable focus lens element (e.g., a liquid lens), which may be actuated to adjust the optical power and/or optical axis of the lens element. 
     Autofocus and optical image stabilization operations may be performed by any suitable combination of image sensor  104  movement and lens  106  adjustments. As a couple non-limiting examples, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US2019/0141248 and US2021/0080807, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, respectively describe i) a camera that moves an image sensor perpendicular to an optical axis of the camera (for optical image stabilization) and that moves a lens along an optical axis (for autofocus), and ii) a camera that moves the image sensor in three dimensions (for both autofocus and image stabilization). For the purpose of this application, it is assumed that the image sensor  104  is moveable within the camera along at least one direction. 
     Returning to  FIG.  1   , the camera may further comprise an actuator assembly  108  configured to move the image sensor within the camera  100 . The actuator assembly  108  typically comprises an actuator  112  and a suspension arrangement  114 . The actuator  112  is configured to generate the forces to needed to move the image sensor, and may comprise a voice coil motor, a comb drive, or the like. In embodiments where the actuator  112  comprises a voice coil motor, the voice coil motor may comprise a magnet and a coil, one of which may be fixed relative to the image sensor  104  (either via a direct connection to the image sensor, or via indirect connection via one or more intervening components) and the other of which may be fixed within the camera in a manner that allows the image sensor  104  to move relative thereto. The coil may be positioned within the magnetic field of the magnet such that when current is driven through the coil, a Lorentz force is generated that can create relative movement between the coil and magnet, which in turn may move the image sensor within the camera. It should be appreciated that some embodiments may include an actuator  112  with a plurality of voice coil motors, each of which may be used to generate Lorentz forces as discussed above. U.S. Patent Publication No. US2019/0141248, which was previously incorporated by reference, describes a non-limiting example of an actuator that utilizes voice coil motors to move an image sensor within a camera. 
     The suspension arrangement  114  may be configured to suspend the image sensor  104  (as well as one or more other components connected thereto) within the camera  100 , and may allow the image sensor  104  to move within camera  100  along one or more directions. As a couple of non-limiting examples, the suspension arrangement  114  may comprise one or more suspension elements, such as flexures (e.g., leaf spring(s), suspension wire(s), flexure arms(s), or the like) and/or one or more bearings (e.g., ball bearing(s), roller bearing(s), or the like. In instances where the suspension arrangement  114  comprises one or more flexures, the flexures may provide a moveable connection between the image sensor (for example, via a holding structure that carries the image sensor) and one or more additional structures in the camera. In instances where the suspension arrangement  114  comprises one or more bearings, the bearings may be positioned between the moving image sensor  104  (e.g., via a holding structure that carries the image sensor) and one or more additional structures in the camera, and may guide image sensor movement. 
       FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  show an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of an example camera  200  that may use the flex circuits described here. As shown there, camera  200  may comprise a flex circuit  202 , an image sensor  204 , and a lens  206  having a lens barrel  208  and lens element  210  (a single lens element  210  is shown in  FIG.  2 A , but it should be appreciated that the lens  206  may comprise a plurality of lens elements), each of which may be configured as described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . Camera  200  may further comprise a housing  212  (which may be made from a plurality of housing elements), a lens holder  214  which may hold the lens  206  relative to the rest of camera  200 , a sensor carrier  216  that may be fixed relative to the image sensor  204 , and an actuator assembly  218 . 
     This embodiment of camera  200  shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  may be configured to move image sensor  204  only along an optical axis  220  of camera  200  (e.g., to provide autofocus capabilities), though it should be appreciated that different embodiments of the cameras described here may be configure to move the image sensor  204  along multiple directions. Specifically, the actuator assembly  218  may be configured to move the sensor carrier  216  relative to the lens holder  214  along a first direction (e.g., optical axis  220 ). The sensor carrier  216  is fixed with respect to the image sensor  204 , such that movement of the sensor carrier  216  along the optical axis  220  also moves the image sensor  204  along the optical axis  220 . The sensor carrier  216  may be directly connected to the image sensor  204 , or may be indirectly connected to the image sensor  204  via one or more intervening components (e.g., via a substrate  222 , which may be connected to both the image sensor  104  and the sensor carrier  216 ). The sensor carrier  216  may be further fixed relative to a first end of the flex circuit  202  (via a direct connection and/or an indirect connection via one or more intervening components such as substrate  222 ), such that movement of the sensor carrier  216  also moves the first end of the flex circuit  202 . 
     In the variation of camera  200  shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the actuator assembly  218  may comprise voice coil motor actuator  224  that includes coil  226  and magnet  228  and a suspension arrangements  230  comprising ball bearings  232  (though actuator assembly  218  may include any combination of actuators and suspension elements described above). As shown there, lens holder  214  may hold coil  226  and sensor carrier  216  may hold magnet  228 , and current may be driven through the coil  226  to control movement between the coil  226  and magnet  228  along the optical axis  220  (which thereby controls movement of the sensor carrier  216  and image sensor  104  along the optical axis  220 ). In other embodiments, the sensor carrier  216  may hold the coil  226  while the lens holder  214  may hold the magnet  228 . In some of these variations, the flex circuit  202  may be configured to carry one or more signals (e.g., power and/or control signals) that may be used to control the current through the coil  226  (e.g., via a driver (not shown) that may be carried by the sensor carrier  216 ). 
     Ball bearings  232  may be positioned between, and in contact with, respective surfaces of the lens holder  214  and the sensor carrier  216 . The ball bearings  232  may allow the sensor carrier  216  to slide relative to the lens holder  214 , and may also constrain the movement of the sensor carrier  216  so that the sensor carrier only move in a single direction (e.g., along the optical axis  220 ). While shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  as having ball bearings  232 , it should be appreciated that the suspension arrangement  230  may comprise any suitable flexure elements (or combination of flexure elements) such as those described above. 
     While lens holder  214  is shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  as a single structure holding lens  206 , holding magnet  228 , and being in contact with ball bearings  232 , it should be appreciated that the functions need not be performed by a plurality of individual structures. For example, lens holder  214  may instead be divided into multiple discrete components, each of which performs a different function (or combination of functions). 
     In some variations, camera  200  may comprise an end stop  234 . Generally, an end stop is a structure that is configure to limit the movement of a component within the camera  200  (which may prevent that component from contacting or otherwise interacting with other structures within the camera). In some instances, an end stop may be a separate insert that is placed within the camera  200  for the purpose of providing an end stop (such as end stop  234  shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B ), while in other instances one camera component may act as an end stop for another camera component (as will be described in more detail below). It should be appreciated that for a given camera component (e.g., a flex circuit), the camera  200  may comprise multiple end stops, each of which is configured to limit that component movement in a given direction. Similarly, a given end stop may act as an end stop for a plurality of components. 
     For example, the end stop  234  shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  may be configured to limit downward movement (i.e., movement away from the lens  206 ) of the flex circuit  202 . Specifically, the end stop  234  may be positioned between a portion of the flex circuit  202  and the housing  212 . Movement of the portion of flex circuit  202  shown in  FIG.  2 B  will eventually cause the flex circuit  202  to come into contact with end stop  234 , which may prevent (or otherwise limit) further movement of flex circuit  202  in that direction. Optionally, end stop  234  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  may be configured to act as an end stop for sensor carrier  216 . As shown there, end stop  234  may be positioned between the sensor carrier  216  and the housing  212  in one more directions perpendicular to the optical axis  220  (the embodiment of end stop  234  is shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  as positioned between sensor carrier  216  and housing  212  in multiple directions), such that movement in any of these directions will eventually cause the sensor carrier  216  to contact the end stop  234  (and prevent or otherwise limit further movement of the sensor carrier  216 ). 
     In general, it may be preferable to the flex circuit  202  to not contact any end stops during normal operation of the device, so that these end stops limit unintended movement of the flex circuit  202  during unexpected events (e.g., shock events that may occur when the camera is dropped or otherwise experiences a significant motion not expected from normal device usage). For example, the camera  200  and actuator assembly  218  may be able to move the sensor carrier  216  (and image sensor  204 ) through a predetermined range of positions (an “operating range”) during operation of the camera  200 . In the absence of external forces, movement of the sensor carrier  216  across the operating range will not result in the flex circuit  202  contacting the end stop(s). In a shock event, however, additional forces applied to the camera may cause additional movement of the flex circuit  202  within the camera, and the end stop(s) may constrain this additional movement. 
     As mentioned above, the flex circuits described here may be configured to connect a moving image sensor The flex circuit may be fixed relative to the image sensor, and may be positioned within the camera such that movement of the image sensor along a first direction causes torsional strain (i.e., twisting around a and twisting in one or more of the plurality of segments. This twisting may allow the flex circuit to accommodate the movement of the image sensor along the first direction while having a minor impact on the overall camera size. For example, in variations where the first direction is parallel to the optical axis of the camera, some of the flex circuits described below may not require any additional clearance (or camera growth) along the optical axis, which may especially be beneficial when a camera is incorporated into a thin device where space along the optical axis is especially limited. 
     In general, the flex circuits described here may be made from a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), and may be formed in a flat sheet, which may be folded to create the various shapes shown in the following embodiments. Folding the flex circuit may form a bend that acts an interface between two adjoining planar segments of the flex circuit (each of which will have a different planar orientation). Accordingly, a plurality of bends may be formed in the flex circuit to create a plurality of planar segments, such as those described throughout this application, where each bend forms the boundary between adjacent planar segments. Additionally, the flex circuit may comprise one or more turns, which for the purpose of this application refers to a change in direction within the plane of the flex circuit. In other words, turns are positioned within a segment while bends are positioned between different segments. The bends and turns help define the shape and position of the various segments of the flex circuit, and in turn sets the overall shape of the flex circuit. 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show perspective views of a flex circuit  300  for use with the cameras described here. As shown there, the flex circuit  300  comprises a first end  302 , a second end  304  and a plurality of planar segments connecting the first end  302  to the second end  304 . As shown there, the plurality of planar segments may comprise a first segment  306 , a second segment  308 , and a third segment  310 . The first segment  306  may be connected to the second segment  308  at a first bend  312 , while the second segment  308  may be connected to the third segment  310  at a second bend  314 . Also shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are electrical connection pads  320  at the first end  302  (which may allow for the image sensor to make electrical connections to the flex circuit  300 , either via direct connection with the image sensor or via direct connection to a component such as a substrate that is electrically connected to the image sensor) and optional reinforcement layers  316 , which will be described in more detail below. 
     It should be appreciated that the first end  302  and second end  304  (and the first ends and second ends of the various embodiments of flex circuits described here) may each be formed as a respective planar segment, each of which may be connected to the plurality of planar segments at a corresponding bend. The planar segment corresponding to the first end  302  may be used to connect the first end  302  to an image sensor (and may be positioned such that a normal vector of that planar segment is to a normal vector of the image sensor). Similarly, the planar segment corresponding to the second end  304  may be used to connect the second end  304  to another camera component (e.g., the camera housing or another structure housed therein). It should also be appreciated that the second end  304  of the flex circuit  300  is intended to encompass the portion of the flex circuit  300  that is fixed relative to the camera (or a component therein), to provide a fixed point relative to the moving first end  302  of the flex circuit  300 . In any variations of the flex circuits described here, the second ends of those flex circuits may extend beyond what is shown there, and may comprise additional turns and/or bends (e.g., after the flex circuit exits the camera). While three segments (first segment  306 , second segment  308 , and third segment  310 ) have been discussed above, it should be appreciated that the flex circuits described here may optionally include more than three segments between the first end and the second end of the flex circuit, such as will be described in more detail below. Indeed, flex circuit  300  is depicted in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  as having additional planar segments  326  and bends  328  both between the first segment  306  and the first end  302  and between the third segment  310  and the second end  304 . 
     When the camera is configured to move an image sensor (not shown) along a first direction (depicted in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  as arrow  318 ), at least the first segment  306  and the third segment  310  may be vertically oriented, such that the normal vector of the segment is perpendicular to the first direction  318 . Preferably, the first segment  306  and the third segment  310  are also parallel to each other. While the second segment  308  is also shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  as being vertically oriented relative to the first direction  318 , in some variations the second segment  308  may be horizontally oriented relative to the first direction  318 , such that the normal vector of the second segment  308  is parallel to the first direction  318 . It should be appreciated that when the segments of the flex circuits described here are described as having a particular orientation, it is assumed that the flex circuit is at a neutral position (i.e., unmoved), and that the orientation of particular sections may temporarily change during motion of the image sensor away from the neutral position. 
     When the image sensor (not shown) is moved along the first direction  318 , the first end  302  (which may be fixed relative to the image sensor) will move away from the second end  304  (which may be fixed relative to a housing of the camera), as shown in  FIG.  3 B . This in turn may place the first segment  306  and/or the third segment  310  under torsional strain (both the first segment  306  and the third segment  310  are shown in  FIG.  3 B  as twisting), and this twisting may accommodate the relative movement between the first end  302  and the second end  304  (and with it, the relative movement between the image sensor and the camera housing) with a relatively low overall resistance to movement. The second segment  308  may rotate (e.g., around a first axis  322  perpendicular to the first direction, which in the variation shown in  FIG.  3 B  is also normal to the second segment  308 ) and act as a lever arm to facilitate twisting in the first segment  306  and the third segment  310 . In some instances, depending on the flex circuit design and the amount of movement along the first direction, the first segment  306  and/or the third segment  310  may each rotate around a respective axis that is perpendicular to the first direction  318  and the first axis  322  (e.g., a parallel to the second axis  324  show in  FIG.  3 B ). It should be appreciated that the deformation shown in  FIG.  3 B  is exaggerated for the purpose of illustration, and that depending on the design on the camera the relative movement between the first end  302  and the second end  304  along the first direction during normal operation may be small relative to the height of the flex circuit in the first direction. 
     Generally, the stiffness of different regions of the flex circuit may be dependent on the dimensions of the various planar segments of the flex circuit, as well as the thickness (and selection of materials) of the flex circuit. For example, it may be desirable for at least the first segment  306  and the third segment  310  to have relatively high aspect ratios where one dimension is longer than the other. These segments may be positioned where the length (i.e., the longer dimension) of a respective segment is oriented perpendicular to the first direction  318  and the width (i.e., the shorter dimension) is oriented parallel to the first direction  318 . This may promote twisting around the length of the segment, which may in turn reduce the amount of force required to move the image sensor along the first direction. Additionally, a longer length of the flex circuit  300  between the first end  302  and the second end  304  may also reduce the force required to move the image sensor along the first direction. 
     The choice of materials and thicknesses of layers of the stackup of the flex circuit may also impact the stiffness of the flex circuit.  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  show cross-sectional views of variations of a first flex circuit  400  and a second flex circuit  402  respectively. As shown in  FIG.  4 A , the first flex circuit  400  may comprise a base layer  404 , one or more electrical traces  406  (which may be used to route signals to and from an image sensor), and adhesive layer  408 , and a coverlay  410 . The base layer  404 , adhesive layer  408 , and coverlay  410  collectively act to insulate the electrical traces  406 . These layers may be made from any suitable materials as known in the area of flexible printed circuit board manufacturing. As a non-limiting example, the base layer  404  may be made from a dielectric material such as polyimide or polyester, the electrical traces  406  may be formed from a conductive material such as copper, the coverlay may also be made from a dielectric material. The adhesive layer  408  may be made from any adhesive suitable to bond the base layer  404  to the coverlay  410 . It should be appreciated that the first flex circuit  400  need not contain both an adhesive layer  408  and a coverlay  410 , but instead may comprise a single material is coated over the electrical traces  406  and the base layer  404  (e.g., a dielectric coating layer such as a photosensitive liquid polyimide layer). The second flex circuit  402  is shown in  FIG.  4 B  and may include the same layers as the first flex circuit  400  (which are labeled the same), but further comprising a shield layer  412 , which may be formed from a material (e.g., silver, copper) capable of shielding the electrical traces  406  from electromagnetic interference. While the flex circuits are shown in  FIG.  4 A  as having a single layer of electrical traces  406 , it should be appreciated that the flex circuit may comprises multiple layers of electrical traces  406 , each of which may be separated from other layers of electrical traces  406  via one or more additional layers (e.g., a dielectric layer). 
     In some variations, the flex circuits described here may comprise one or more additional reinforcement layers that locally increase the stiffness of a region of the flex circuit. The reinforcement layers may locally increase the thickness (and thereby the stiffness), and may be made from any suitable material or materials (e.g., a plastic, a metallic alloy or the like). For example, in the variation of flex circuit  300  shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the flex circuit  300  may comprise a reinforcement layer  316  attached to the first end  302 . When an image sensor (not shown) is fixed relative to the first end  302 , the image sensor may at least partially overlap the reinforcement layer  316 . In turn, the reinforcement layer  316  may provide additional structural support to the image sensor. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the flex circuit may comprise one or more reinforcement layers  316  positioned at some or all of the bends in the flex circuit. For example, in the variation of flex circuit  300  shown in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the flex circuit  300  may comprise a reinforcement layer  316  at each of the first bend  312  and at the second bend  314 . Placement of a reinforcement layer  316  at a given bend may reduce the concentration of stresses that may occur in that bend during twisting of an adjacent segment of the flex circuit (or other movement that occurs near that bend). 
     Additionally, in some variations, a reinforcement layer may extend past an edge of remaining layers of the flex circuit. For example,  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  shows a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a flex circuit  500  having a reinforcement layer  502  at a bend  504 . As shown there, the reinforcement layer  502  may extend past the edge of the rest of the flex circuit  500  such that a portion of the reinforcement layer  502  does not overlap with other layers of the flex circuit  500 . In variations where the flex circuit may contact one or more end stops (e.g., during a drop event such as described above), the reinforcement layer  502  may contact the end stop and act as a bumper, which in turn may reduce the likelihood that the remaining layers of the flex circuit get damaged. For example, if the reinforcement layer  502  extends beyond the remaining layers of the flex circuit  500  in a first direction, movement of the flex circuit  500  in the first direction may cause the reinforcement layer  502  to contact an end stop (not shown) first. Indeed, a flex circuit and camera may preferably be designed such that any contact between the flex circuit and end stops occurs between reinforcement layer(s) and respective end stop(s). 
     While the flex circuits described above as having first, second, and third segments, it should be appreciated that the flex circuits described here may have more than three planar segments. For example,  FIG.  6 A  shows one variation of a flex circuit  600  that has at least five segments connecting a first end to a second end of the flex circuit  600 . As shown there, the flex circuit  600  may comprise a first end  602  (which may be fixed relative to an image sensor), a second end  604  (which may be fixed relative to another component of the camera), and a plurality of segments comprising a first segment  606 , a second segment  608 , and a third segment  610 . The plurality of segments may connect the first end  602  to the second end  604 . The first segment  606  may be connected to the second segment  608  at a first bend  612 , while the second segment  608  may be connected to the third segment  610  at a second bend  614 . As shown there, the first segment  606 , second segment  608 , and third segment  610  may each be vertically oriented, such that the normal vector of each respective segment is perpendicular to a common direction (e.g., perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera at the image sensor). Preferably, the first segment  606  and the third segment  610  are also parallel to each other. The first segment  606  and third segment  610  may twist, with the second segment  608  acting as a lever arm, as the first end  602  moves away from the second end  604  along a first direction  628 , such as described above in relation to flex circuit  300  of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . Additionally, the flex circuit  600  may comprise one or more reinforcement layers  634 , which may be positioned at any suitable parts of the flex circuit  600 , such as described in more detail above. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the flex circuit  600  may further comprise a fourth segment  616  and a fifth segment  620 . The fourth segment  616  may be connected to the first segment  606  at a third bend  618 , and may further be connected to the first end  602  at a fourth bend  622 . The fifth segment  620  may be connected to the third segment  610  at a fifth bend  624 , and may further be connected to the second end  604  at a sixth bend  626 . In some variations, the fourth segment may comprise a turn (e.g., a first turn  630  shown in  FIG.  6 A ) between the third bend  618  and the fourth bend  622 , such that the third bend  618  and fourth bend  622  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. Additionally or alternatively, the fifth segment  620  may comprise a turn (e.g., a second turn  632  shown in  FIG.  6 A ) between the fifth bend  624  and the sixth bend  626 , such that the fifth bend  624  and sixth bend  626  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. 
     In the variation shown in  FIG.  6 A , the fourth segment  616  and the fifth segment  620  may be vertically oriented such that the normal vector of each respective segment is perpendicular to the first direction  628 . The fourth segment  616  and fifth segment  620  may be parallel to each other, and may further be co-located in a common plane (though it should be appreciated that the fourth segment  616  and the fifth segment  620  may be positioned in different planes). 
     In some variations, the fourth segment  616  and fifth segment  620  may each be designed to have sufficient stiffness such that at least a portion of the fourth segment  616  is fixed in position relative to the first end  602  and at least a portion of the fifth segment  618  is fixed in position relative to the second end  604  for movement of the flex circuit across the operating range of the actuator assembly. By acting as a fixed extension of the first end  602  and second end  604  respectively, the fourth segment  616  and fifth segment  620  may promote twisting of the first segment  606  and third segment  610 . 
       FIGS.  6 B and  6 C  show top views of two configurations of how flex circuit  600  may be integrated into the illustrative variation of camera  200  described above with respect to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Common components from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  will share the same labels, and certain components of camera  200  or portions thereof (e.g., the lens holder  214  and a top portion of housing  212 ) are omitted from the figures to better illustrate other camera components. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , the first end  602  of the flex circuit  600  may be fixed relative to image sensor  204  and may be fixed relative to sensor carrier  216 . The fourth segment  616  and the fifth segment  620  may be positioned on a common side of the camera, and the plurality of segments of the flex circuit may wrap around or otherwise surround the sensor carrier  216  on all sides of the sensor carrier  216 . Additionally, the flex circuit may wrap around the portion of the lens holder (not shown) that holds coil  226 . 
     In the variation shown in  FIG.  6 B , the camera  200  may need to be sized with sufficient space to accommodate the flex circuit  600  on each side of the camera  200 . In other variations, at least one segment of the plurality of segments of the flex circuit  600  may overlap with the sensor carrier  216 , which may allow for further reduction in the footprint of the camera  200 . For example, in the variation shown in  FIG.  6 C , one of the segments (the second segment  608  as shown there, but it may be a different segment in other variations) may cross over a section of the sensor carrier  216 . In other words, that segment may be positioned between the sensor carrier  216  and the lens holder, and may be further positioned such that the flex circuit is not positioned between the coil  226  and an adjacent wall of the housing (not shown). This may allow the flex circuit  600  to take advantage of an otherwise existing space between the sensor carrier  216  and the lens holder  214 . It should be appreciated that the camera  200  and flex circuit  600  may be configured such that the flex circuit  600  does not contact the lens holder  214  or the sensor carrier  216  during normal operation (e.g., across the operating range), but that may be further configured that lens holder and/or the sensor carrier  216  may act as end stops for the flex circuit  600 . 
     While the second segment  608  is shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  as being vertically oriented, it should be appreciated that in some instances the second segment of a flex circuit may be horizontally oriented such that a normal vector to the second segment is parallel to direction of motion of the image sensor.  FIG.  7 A  shows a perspective one such variation of a flex circuit  700 . As shown there, the flex circuit  700  may include a plurality of segments comprising a first segment  702 , a second segment  704 , and a third segment  706 . The first segment  702  may be connected to the second segment  704  at a first bend  708 , while the second segment  704  may be connected to the third segment  706  at a second bend  710 . As shown there, the first segment  702 , and third segment  706  may each be vertically oriented, such that the normal vector of each respective segment is perpendicular to a first direction (e.g., a direction of motion of the image sensor as discussed above). Preferably, the first segment  702  and the third segment  706  are also parallel to each other. The second segment  704  is horizontally oriented such that a normal vector of the second segment  704  is parallel to the first direction. To facilitate the change in orientation between the first segment  702  and the second segment  704 , the first segment  702  may comprise a turn (shown in  FIG.  7 A  as turn  714 ) which may result in the first bend  708  bending around an axis perpendicular to an axis around which the first bend  612  bends in the flex circuit  600  of  FIG.  6 A . Similarly, the third segment  706  may comprise a turn (shown in  FIG.  7 A  as turn  712 ), which will also change the direction of the axis around which the second bend  710  bends. 
     The first segment  702  and third segment  706  may still twist, with the second segment  704  acting as a lever arm during image sensor movement, but the second segment  704  may be positioned beneath a portion of the image sensor and/or sensor carrier, such that the image sensor and/or sensor carrier is positioned between the second segment  704  and the lens. This may allow for a reduction in the width or length of a camera at the cost of camera height. By way of illustration,  FIG.  7 B  shows a top view of how flex circuit  700  may be integrated into the illustrative variation of camera  200  described above with respect to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Common components from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  will share the same labels, and certain components of camera  200  or portions thereof (e.g., the lens holder  214  and a top portion of housing  212 ) are omitted from the figures to better illustrate other camera components. As shown there the second segment  704  may be positioned underneath a portion of both the image sensor  204  and sensor carrier  216 , such that the image sensor  204  and sensor carrier  216  are positioned between the second segment  704  and the lens  206  and/or lens holder  214  along a direction of motion of the image sensor  204 . 
     The flex circuit  700  may comprise a fourth segment that may comprise a turn and may be connected to the first segment at a third bend and connected to a first end of the flex circuit at a fourth bend, a fifth segment that may comprise a turn and may be connected to the third segment at a fifth bend and connected to a second end of the flex circuit at a sixth bend, and may comprise one or more reinforcement layers. These elements may be configured the same as the corresponding elements from the variation of flex circuit  600  of  FIG.  6 A , and accordingly are labeled using the same figure labels as used in  FIG.  6 A . 
       FIG.  8 A  shows a perspective another variation of a flex circuit  800  that has at least four planar segments positioned connecting a first end to a second end of the flex circuit. As shown there, the flex circuit  800  may comprise a first end  802  (which may be fixed relative to an image sensor), a second end  804  (which may be fixed relative to another component of the camera), and a plurality of segments comprising a first segment  806 , a second segment  808 , and a third segment  810  that connect the first end  802  to the second end  804 . The first segment  806  may be connected to the second segment  808  at a first bend  812 , while the second segment  808  may be connected to the third segment  810  at a second bend  814 . As shown there, the first segment  806 , second segment  808 , and third segment  810  may each be vertically oriented, such that the normal vector of each respective segment is perpendicular to a common first direction (e.g., along a direction motion of the image sensor), however, it should be appreciated that the first segment  806 , second segment  808 , and third segment  810  may be configured such that the second segment  808  is horizontally orientated (as described above with respect to the flex circuit  700  of  FIG.  7 A ). Preferably, the first segment  806  and the third segment  810  are also parallel to each other. The first segment  806  and third segment  810  may twist, with the second segment  808  acting as a lever arm, as the first end  802  moves away from the second end  804  along a first direction, such as described above in relation to flex circuit  300  of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . Additionally, the flex circuit  800  may comprise one or more reinforcement layers  828 , which may be positioned at any suitable parts of the flex circuit  800 , such as described in more detail above. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8 A , the flex circuit  800  may further comprise a fourth segment  816 . The fourth segment  816  may be connected to the first segment  806  at a third bend  818 , and may further be connected to the first end  802  at a fourth bend  820 . In some variations, the fourth segment may comprise a turn (e.g., a first turn  824  shown in  FIG.  8 A ) between the third bend  818  and the fourth bend  820 , such that the third bend  818  and fourth bend  820  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. The third segment  810  may be connected to the second end  804  at a fifth bend  822 , and may comprise a turn (e.g., a second turn  826  shown in  FIG.  8 A ) between the second bend  814  and the fifth bend  822 , such that the second bend  814  and fifth bend  822  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. 
     In these variations, it may also be possible for the second segment  808  and fourth segment  816  to twist (e.g., with the first segment  806  acting as a lever arm) during relative movement between the first end and the second end along the first direction. It some of these variations, however, the flex circuit  800  may be configured such that the first segment  806  and the third segment  810  twist more easily than the second segment  808  and the fourth segment  816 . If the operating range of the camera actuator assembly is small enough, the flex circuit  800  may experience twisting in the first segment  806  and third segment  810 , but not in the second segment  808  or the fourth segment  816  when the flex circuit  800  moves within the operating range. While the first segment  806  and third segment  810  are shown in  FIG.  8 A  as being connected to the fourth segment  816  and second end  804  respectively, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments that third segment  810  may be connected to the fourth segment  816  (and with it, the first end  802 ) while the first segment  806  may be connected to the second end  804 . 
       FIG.  8 B  shows a top view of how flex circuit  800  may be integrated into the illustrative variation of camera  200  described above with respect to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Common components from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  will share the same labels, and certain components of camera  200  or portions thereof (e.g., the lens holder  214  and a top portion of housing  212 ) are omitted from the figures to better illustrate other camera components. As shown there the plurality of segments of the flex circuit  800  may wrap around or otherwise surround the sensor carrier  216  on all sides of the sensor carrier  216 . Additionally, the flex circuit  800  may wrap around the portion of the lens holder (not shown) that holds coil  226 . Each of the four segments of the flex circuit  800  may be positioned adjacent to a different respective wall of the camera housing (not shown). In other instances, one or more segments of the flex circuit  800  may be positioned to overlap at least a portion of the image sensor  204  and/or sensor carrier  216 , such as discuss above with respect to  FIG.  6 B . 
       FIG.  9 A  shows a perspective another variation of a flex circuit  900  that has at three segments connecting a first end to a second end of the flex circuit  900 , two of which are connected respectively to the first end and the second end at respective bends. As shown there, the flex circuit  900  may comprise a first end  902  (which may be fixed relative to an image sensor), a second end  904  (which may be fixed relative to another component of the camera), and a plurality of planar segments comprising a first segment  906 , a second segment  908 , and a third segment  910  that connect the first end  902  to the second end  904 . The first segment  906  may be connected to the second segment  908  at a first bend  912 , while the second segment  908  may be connected to the third segment  910  at a second bend  914 . As shown there, the first segment  906 , second segment  908 , and third segment  910  may each be vertically oriented, such that the normal vector of each respective segment is perpendicular to a common first direction (e.g., along a direction motion of the image sensor), however, it should be appreciated that the first segment  906 , second segment  908 , and third segment  910  may be configured such that the second segment  908  is horizontally orientated (as described above with respect to the flex circuit  700  of  FIG.  7 A ). Preferably, the first segment  906  and the third segment  910  are also parallel to each other. The first segment  906  and third segment  910  may twist, with the second segment  908  acting as a lever arm, as the first end  902  moves away from the second end  904  along the first direction, such as described above in relation to flex circuit  300  of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . Additionally, the flex circuit  900  may comprise one or more reinforcement layers  924 , which may be positioned at any suitable parts of the flex circuit  900 , such as described in more detail above. 
     As mentioned above, the first segment  906  may be connected to the first end  902  (which in turn may be connected to an image sensor) at a third bend  916 . In some of these variations, the first segment  906  may comprise a turn (e.g., a first turn  920 ) such that the first bend  912  and the third bend  916  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. Similarly, the third segment  910  may be connected to the second end  904  at a fourth bend  918 . In some of these variations, the third segment  910  may comprise a turn (e.g., a second turn  922 ) such that the second bend  914  and the fourth bend  918  bend around different (e.g., perpendicular) axes. 
     When the variation of flex circuit  900  shown in  FIG.  9 A  is placed in a camera, the flex circuit  900  may be positioned adjacent to three sides of the camera, which may allow for a reduction in camera footprint relative to other embodiments of flex circuits described above where the flex circuit are positioned adjacent to four sides of the camera. For example,  FIG.  9 B  shows a top view of how flex circuit  900  may be integrated into the illustrative variation of camera  200  described above with respect to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B . Common components from  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B  will share the same labels, and certain components of camera  200  or portions thereof (e.g., the lens holder  214  and a top portion of housing  212 ) are omitted from the figures to better illustrate other camera components. As shown there the plurality of segments of the flex circuit  900  may wrap around or otherwise surround the sensor carrier  216  on three sides of the sensor carrier  216 . While the flex circuit  900  is positioned in  FIG.  9 B  such that the flex circuit  900  is not positioned between the coil  226  and an adjacent wall of the camera, it should be appreciated that it may be a different side of the camera  200  at which the flex circuit  900  is not present. Because the camera does not require a minimum spacing at that side to accommodate the flex circuit  900 , the footprint of the camera  200  may be reduced relative to designs in which the flex circuit is present at that side of the camera  200 . 
     It should be appreciated that the flex circuits and cameras described here may be integrated into any suitable system. In some instances, a camera may be made as a standalone device. In other embodiments, the cameras described here may be incorporated into other electronic device, such as mobile telephones (e.g., smart phones), computers, tablets, gaming devices, peripherals thereof, or the like. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art, after reading this description, that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, after reading this description, that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20220511
Publication Date: 20240827
Grant Date: 20240827
Priority Date: 20210907
Inventors: MILLER, SCOTT W.
BIRNBAUM, ZACHARY W.
JOZEFOV, ANDREW S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/056", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0281", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/57", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85226436