PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9531926-B2
Application Number: US-201414551387-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Piezoelectric actuator for camera module

Abstract:
In some embodiments, a camera component includes an annular lens holder component having a threaded interior surface for translating rotational motion of an optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component. In some embodiments, the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component includes one or more threads complementary to one or more threads of a threaded exterior surface of an optics barrel component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel component is movably mounted on the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component for rotational motion within the lens holder component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel has a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads complementary to the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component. Some embodiments include a piezoelectric motor fixedly mounted to a base component.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera component, the camera component comprising:
 an annular lens holder component having a threaded interior surface for translating rotational motion of an optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component, wherein
 the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component comprises one or more threads complementary to one or more threads of a threaded exterior surface of an optics barrel component; 
 
 the optics barrel component, wherein
 the optics barrel component is movably mounted on the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component for rotational motion within the lens holder component, and 
 the optics barrel has a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads complementary to the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component; 
 
 a piezoelectric motor fixedly mounted to a base component, wherein
 the piezoelectric motor comprises
 one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component; and 
 
 
 one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference of the optics barrel component. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera component of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
 
     
     
       3. The camera component of  claim 1 , wherein
 when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators produce a mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators; and 
 when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
 
     
     
       4. The camera component of  claim 1 , wherein
 the annular lens holder component is fixedly mounted to a base component. 
 
     
     
       5. The camera component of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component further comprise:
 one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a focal distance of the camera component. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The camera component of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component further comprise:
 one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a distance between the optics barrel component and an image sensor component. 
 
 
     
     
       7. A rotational motion actuator, comprising:
 an exterior component having a grooved interior surface, wherein
 the exterior component is fixedly mounted to a base component, and 
 the grooved interior surface of the exterior component comprises one or more grooves complementary to one or more tongues of an exterior surface of a barrel component; 
 
 the barrel component, wherein
 the barrel component is movably mounted on the grooves of the grooved interior surface of the exterior component for rotation motion within the exterior component, and 
 the barrel component has a tongued exterior surface with tongues complementary to the grooves of the interior surface of the exterior component; 
 
 a linear-motion actuator motor fixedly mounted to the base component, wherein
 the linear-motion actuator motor comprises
 one or more rotational motion linear-motion actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the barrel component; and 
 
 
 one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
 
     
     
       8. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 7 , wherein
 the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion linear-motion actuators. 
 
     
     
       9. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 8 , wherein
 when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators produce a mechanical contact with an the barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
 
     
     
       10. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 9 , wherein
 when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
 
     
     
       11. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 7 , wherein
 the linear-motion actuator motor further comprises one or more piezoelectric actuators. 
 
     
     
       12. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 7 , wherein
 the linear-motion actuator motor further comprises one or more electromagnetic actuators. 
 
     
     
       13. The rotational motion actuator of  claim 7 , wherein
 the linear-motion actuator motor further comprises one or more thermoplastic linear actuators. 
 
     
     
       14. A method of controlling the motion of a camera component, comprising:
 producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators; 
 expanding or contracting the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators, wherein
 the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component; and 
 
 eliminating the mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein
 in the contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 translating rotational motion of the optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component by rotating the optics barrel component within a movable mount mounted on threads of a threaded interior surface of a lens holder component. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein
 the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further comprises
 extending one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators that are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein
 the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further comprises
 placing in an extended state the one or more complementary pair of locking motion piezoelectric actuators.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to camera components. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     For high-end (and particularly for mobile) computing devices, it is common to incorporate miniature cameras and camera components. Such high-end mobile computing devices are referred to as multifunction devices. 
     Demands on improvements to performance of such miniature cameras and camera components are constant, as are demands for continued miniaturization, given the added features and devices added to such mobile devices. 
     In particular, demands to decrease the dimensions of camera components and demands for high image quality continue to create an ongoing desire for camera components that exhibit superior performance as measured in various ways, while consuming less space and energy. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In some embodiments, a camera component includes an annular lens holder component having a threaded interior surface for translating rotational motion of an optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component. In some embodiments, the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component includes one or more threads complementary to one or more threads of a threaded exterior surface of an optics barrel component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel component is movably mounted on the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component for rotational motion within the lens holder component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel has a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads complementary to the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component. Some embodiments include a piezoelectric motor fixedly mounted to a base component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a camera component, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts a rotational motion component, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a first state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a second state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a third state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a fourth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a fifth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a sixth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an eighth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a portable multifunction device having a camera in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a portable multifunction device having a camera in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  depicts an example computer system configured to implement aspects of the system and method for camera control, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Introduction 
     In some embodiments, a multifunction device includes a camera or camera component. In some embodiments, the camera component includes one or more lenses for directing light to an image sensor component of the camera component. In some embodiments, the camera component includes an image sensor device. In some embodiments, the camera component includes a substrate. In some embodiments, the camera component includes an annular lens holder component having a threaded interior surface for translating rotational motion of an optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component. 
     In some embodiments, the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component includes one or more threads complementary to one or more threads of a threaded exterior surface of an optics barrel component. Some embodiments include the optics barrel component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel component is movably mounted on the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component for rotational motion within the lens holder component. In some embodiments, the optics barrel has a threaded exterior surface with one or more threads complementary to the threads of the threaded interior surface of the lens holder component. 
     Some embodiments include a piezoelectric motor fixedly mounted to a base component. In some embodiments, the piezo electric motor includes one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component. Some embodiments further include one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference of the optics barrel component. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators produce a mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators, and when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the annular lens holder component is fixedly mounted to a base component. In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component further include one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a focal distance of the camera component. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component further include one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a distance between the optics barrel component and an image sensor component. 
     Some embodiments include a rotational motion actuator. In some embodiments, the rotational motion actuator includes an exterior component having a grooved interior surface. In some embodiments, the exterior component is fixedly mounted to a base component, and the grooved interior surface of the exterior component includes one or more grooves complementary to one or more tongues of an exterior surface of a barrel component. 
     Some embodiments include a barrel component. In some embodiments, the barrel component is movably mounted on the grooves of the grooved interior surface of the exterior component for rotation motion within the exterior component, and the barrel component has a tongued exterior surface with tongues complementary to the grooves of the interior surface of the exterior component. 
     Some embodiments include a linear-motion actuator motor fixedly mounted to the base component. In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor includes one or more rotational motion linear-motion actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the barrel component. 
     Some embodiments include one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators produce a mechanical contact with an the barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more piezoelectric actuators. In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more electromagnetic actuators. In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more thermoplastic linear actuators. 
     Some embodiments include a method of controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the method includes producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes expanding or contracting the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes eliminating the mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state. 
     In some embodiments, in the contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes translating rotational motion of the optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component by rotating the optics barrel component within a movable mount mounted on threads of a threaded interior surface of a lens holder component. 
     In some embodiments, the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further includes extending one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators that are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further includes placing in an extended state the one or more complementary pair of locking motion piezoelectric actuators. 
     Some embodiments include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program instructions. In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement expanding or contracting the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions are executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement eliminating the mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further include program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement extending one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators that are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, in the contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     Some embodiments further include program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement translating rotational motion of the optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component by rotating the optics barrel component within a movable mount mounted on threads of a threaded interior surface of a lens holder component. 
     In some embodiments, the program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement the producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators further include program instructions executable by one or more processors to cause a camera component to implement placing in an extended state the one or more complementary pair of locking motion piezoelectric actuators. 
     Introduction to Piezoelectric Materials 
     The piezoelectric effect is understood as the linear electromechanical interaction between the mechanical and the electrical state in crystalline materials with no inversion symmetry. The piezoelectric effect is a reversible process in that materials exhibiting the direct piezoelectric effect (the internal generation of electrical charge resulting from an applied mechanical force) also exhibit the reverse piezoelectric effect (the internal generation of a mechanical strain resulting from an applied electrical field). For example, lead zirconate titanate crystals will generate measurable piezoelectricity when their static structure is deformed by about 0.1% of the original dimension. Conversely, those same crystals will change about 0.1% of their static dimension when an external electric field is applied to the material. 
     A piezoelectric actuator converts an electrical signal into a precisely controlled physical displacement (stroke). If displacement is prevented, a useable force (blocking force) will develop. The precise movement control afforded by piezoelectric actuators is used to finely adjust machining tools, lenses, mirrors, or other equipment. Piezoelectric actuators are also used to control hydraulic valves, act as small-volume pumps or special-purpose motors, and in other applications requiring movement or force. 
     Example Embodiment Components 
       FIG. 1  depicts a camera component, according to some embodiments. Camera component  1010  includes a lens barrel  1020 , a yoke/cover  1030 , a lens holder  1040 , a piezoelectric motor  1050 , an image sensor  1060  and a substrate  1070 . In some embodiments, a multifunction device includes a camera or camera component  1010 . In some embodiments, the camera component  1010  includes one or more lenses (contained in lens barrel  1020  and not visible in  FIG. 1 ) for directing light to an image sensor  1060  component of the camera component  1010 . In some embodiments, the camera component  1010  includes an image sensor device  1060 . In some embodiments, the camera component  1010  includes a substrate  1070 . In the camera embodiments, the camera component  1010  includes an annular lens holder component  1040  having a threaded interior surface  1045  for translating rotational motion of a lens barrel or optics barrel component  1020  into motion along an optical axis  1027  of the optics barrel component  1020 . 
     In some embodiments, the threaded interior surface  1045  of the lens holder component  1040  includes one or more threads  1047  complementary to one or more threads  1027  of a threaded exterior surface  1025  of an optics barrel component  1020 . Some embodiments include the optics barrel component  1020 . In some embodiments, the optics barrel component  1020  is movably mounted on the threads  1047  of the threaded interior surface  1045  of the lens holder component  1040  for rotational motion within the lens holder component  1040 . In some embodiments, the optics barrel  1020  has a threaded exterior surface  1025  with one or more threads  1027  complementary to the threads  1047  of the threaded interior surface  1045  of the lens holder component  1040 . 
     Some embodiments include a piezoelectric motor  1050  fixedly mounted to a base component (e.g., substrate  1070 ). In some embodiments, the piezoelectric motor  1050  includes one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIG. 2  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component. Some embodiments further include one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) of the optics barrel component  1020 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) of piezoelectric motor  1050  produce a mechanical contact  1055  with the optics barrel component  1020  to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below), and when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component  1020  to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) of piezoelectric motor  1050 . 
     In some embodiments, the annular lens holder component  1040  is fixedly mounted to a base component (also called substrate  1070 ). In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component further include one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) of the optics barrel component (also called lens barrel)  1020  and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a focal distance of the camera component  1010 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component  1020  further include one or more pair of synchronized rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below) aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component  1020  and synchronized for complementary motion to adjust a distance between the optics barrel component  1020  and an image sensor component  1060 . 
     Some embodiments include a method of controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the method includes producing a mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes expanding or contracting the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. In some embodiments, the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component. 
     In some embodiments, the method includes eliminating the mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state. 
     In some embodiments, in the contracted state, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes translating rotational motion of the optics barrel component into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component by rotating the optics barrel component within a movable mount mounted on threads of a threaded interior surface of a lens holder component. 
       FIG. 1B  depicts a rotational motion component, according to some embodiments. Some embodiments include a rotational motion actuator. In some embodiments, the rotational motion actuator  1111  includes an exterior component  1140  having a grooved interior surface  1145 . In some embodiments, the exterior component  1140  is fixedly mounted to a base component or substrate  1170 , and the grooved interior surface  1145  of the exterior component  1140  includes one or more grooves  1147  complementary to one or more tongues  1127  of an exterior surface of a barrel component  1120 . 
     Some embodiments include a barrel component  1120 . In some embodiments, the barrel component  1120  is movably mounted on the grooves  1147  of the grooved interior surface  1145  of the exterior component  1140  for rotational motion within the exterior component  1140 , and the barrel component  1120  has a tongued exterior surface  1125  with tongues  1127  complementary to the grooves  1147  of the interior surface  1145  of the exterior component  1140 . 
     Some embodiments include a linear-motion actuator motor  1150  fixedly mounted to the base component  1170 . In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor  1150  includes one or more rotational motion linear-motion actuators aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the barrel component (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below). 
     Some embodiments include one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and discussed below). 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators are each aligned transverse to an axis of expansion and contraction of a respective one of the rotational motion linear-motion actuators (shown in  FIGS. 2-8 ). 
     In some embodiments, when in an extended state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators produce a mechanical contact with an the barrel component  1120  to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, when in a contracted state, the one or more locking motion linear-motion actuators do not make mechanical contact with an the optics barrel component to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of the rotational motion bridge linear-motion actuators. 
     In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more piezoelectric actuators. In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more electromagnetic actuators. In some embodiments, the linear-motion actuator motor further includes one or more thermoplastic linear actuators. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a first state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  2010  includes an optics barrel component  2060  carrying optics or a lens  2050  and having a circumference  2090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  2070   a - 2070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  2090  of the optics barrel component  2060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  2040  and  2080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  2070   a - 2070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  2040  and  2080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  2075   a  and  2075   c  with the circumference  2090  of the optics barrel component  2060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  2075   b  and  2075   d  with the circumference  2090  of the optics barrel component  2060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a second state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  3010  includes an optics barrel component  3060  carrying optics or a lens  3050  and having a circumference  3090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  3070   a - 3070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  3090  of the optics barrel component  3060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  3040  and  3080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  3070   a - 3070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  3040  and  3080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is locked in an inactive state to prevent mechanical contact with the circumference  3090  of the optics barrel component  3060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  3075   b  and  3075   d  with the circumference  3090  of the optics barrel component  3060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a third state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  4010  includes an optics barrel component  4060  carrying optics or a lens  4050  and having a circumference  4090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  4070   a - 4070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  4090  of the optics barrel component  4060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  4040  and  4080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  4070   a - 4070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  4040  and  4080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  4090  of the optics barrel component  4060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  4075   b  and  4075   d  with the circumference  4090  of the optics barrel component  4060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  is in the extended (active) state to produce a rotation  4020  of optics barrel  4060 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a fourth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  5010  includes an optics barrel component  5060  carrying optics or a lens  5050  and having a circumference  5090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  5070   a - 5070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  5090  of the optics barrel component  5060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  5040  and  5080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  5070   a - 5070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  5040  and  5080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  5075   a  and  5075   c  with the circumference  5090  of the optics barrel component  5060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 5 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  5075   b  and  5075   d  with the circumference  5090  of the optics barrel component  5060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 5 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  is in the extended (active) state. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a fifth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  6010  includes an optics barrel component  6060  carrying optics or a lens  6050  and having a circumference  6090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  6070   a - 6070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  6090  of the optics barrel component  6060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  6040  and  6080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  6070   a - 6070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  6040  and  6080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 6 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  6075   a  and  6075   c  with the circumference  6090  of the optics barrel component  6060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 6 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  6090  of the optics barrel component  6060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 6 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  is in the extended (active) state. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a sixth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A camera component  7010  includes an optics barrel component  7060  carrying optics or a lens  7050  and having a circumference  7090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  7070   a - 7070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  7090  of the optics barrel component  7060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  7040  and  7080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  7070   a - 7070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  7040  and  7080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 7 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  7075   a  and  7075   c  with the circumference  7090  of the optics barrel component  7060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 7 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  7090  of the optics barrel component  7060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 7 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  is in the contracted (inactive) state to produce rotational motion  7020  by optics barrel  7060 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an eighth state of a camera component during executing of a method for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor according to some embodiments. A camera component  8010  includes an optics barrel component  8060  carrying optics or a lens  8050  and having a circumference  8090 . Components of a piezoelectric motor include locking motion piezoelectric actuators  8070   a - 8070   d  aligned for expansion and contraction approximately radial to the circumference  8090  of the optics barrel component  8060  and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  8040  and  8080 . 
     In some embodiments, the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators  8070   a - 8070   d  are mounted at ends of respective ones of the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators  8040  and  8080 . A first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040 . A second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 8 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  8075   a  and  8075   c  with the circumference  8090  of the optics barrel component  8060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 8 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  8075   b  and  8075   d  with the circumference  8090  of the optics barrel component  8060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 8 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
       FIG. 9  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A mechanical contact is produced between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (block  9000 ). The one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are expanded or contracted, such that the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component (block  9010 ). The mechanical contact between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component is eliminated by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state (block  9020 ). 
       FIG. 10  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. A mechanical contact is produced between one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and an optics barrel component by placing in an extended state the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in preparation to produce motion in response to expansion or contraction of one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators (block  10000 ). 
     The one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators is expanded or contracted, such that the one or more rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuators are aligned for expansion and contraction along lines tangential to a circumference of the optics barrel component (block  10010 ). Rotational motion of the optics barrel component is translated into motion along an optical axis of the optics barrel component by rotating the optics barrel component within a movable mount mounted on threads of a threaded interior surface of a lens holder component (block  10020 ). The mechanical contact between the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators and the optics barrel component is eliminated by placing the one or more locking motion piezoelectric actuators in a contracted state (block  10030 ). 
       FIG. 11  is a high-level logical flowchart of a process for moving a lens barrel using a piezoelectric motor, according to some embodiments. Group 1 locking actuators are released from locked state, while retaining group 2 actuators in locked state (block  11010 ). Referring briefly to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the process described at block  10010  starts in the state depicted in  FIG. 2 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  2075   a  and  2075   c  with the circumference  2090  of the optics barrel component  2060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  2070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  2075   b  and  2075   d  with the circumference  2090  of the optics barrel component  2060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 2 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  2080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
     The process described in Block  10010  represents a transition to the state depicted in  FIG. 3 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is locked in an inactive state to prevent mechanical contact with the circumference  3090  of the optics barrel component  3060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  3070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  3075   b  and  3075   d  with the circumference  3090  of the optics barrel component  3060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 3 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  3080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , rotational motion bridge actuators are expanded to produce rotational motion in barrel (block  11020 ). Block  11020  represents the transition from  FIG. 3 , which is described above, to  FIG. 4 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 4 , in the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  4090  of the optics barrel component  4060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  4070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  4075   b  and  4075   d  with the circumference  4090  of the optics barrel component  4060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 4 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  4080  is in the extended (active) state to produce a rotation  4020  of optics barrel  4060 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , group 1 actuators are locked (block  11030 ). Block  11030  represents the transition from  FIG. 4 , which is described above, to  FIG. 5 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  5075   a  and  5075   c  with the circumference  5090  of the optics barrel component  5060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 5 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  5070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  5075   b  and  5075   d  with the circumference  5090  of the optics barrel component  5060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 5 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  5080  is in the extended (active) state. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , group 2 locking actuators are released from locked state, while retaining group 1 actuators in locked state (block  11040 ). Block  11040  represents the transition from  FIG. 5 , which is described above, to  FIG. 6 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 6 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  6075   a  and  6075   c  with the circumference  6090  of the optics barrel component  6060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 6 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  6070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  6090  of the optics barrel component  6060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 6 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6040  is in the extended (active) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  6080  is in the extended (active) state. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , rotational motion bridge actuators are contracted to produce rotational motion in barrel (block  11050 ). Block  11050  represents the transition from  FIG. 6 , which is described above, to  FIG. 7 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 7 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  7075   a  and  7075   c  with the circumference  7090  of the optics barrel component  7060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 7 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  7070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is locked in a contracted state to prevent a mechanical contact with the circumference  7090  of the optics barrel component  7060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 7 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  7080  is in the contracted (inactive) state to produce rotational motion  7020  by optics barrel  7060 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , group 1 and group 2 locking actuators are placed in a locked state (block  11060 ). Block  11060  represents the transition from  FIG. 7 , which is described above, to  FIG. 8 . Referring briefly to  FIG. 8 , the first group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators including locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   a  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   c  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  8075   a  and  8075   c  with the circumference  8090  of the optics barrel component  8060 . 
     In the state depicted in  FIG. 8 , the second group of locking motion piezoelectric actuators includes locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   b  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  and locking motion piezoelectric actuator  8070   d  attached to rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is locked in an extended state to produce a mechanical contact  8075   b  and  8075   d  with the circumference  8090  of the optics barrel component  8060 . In the state depicted in  FIG. 8 , rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8040  is in the contracted (inactive) state and rotational motion bridge piezoelectric actuator  8080  is in the contracted (inactive) state. 
     Multifunction Device 
       FIG. 12  depicts a block diagram of a portable multifunction device with a camera in accordance with some embodiments. Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices with cameras.  FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device  100  with camera  164  in accordance with some embodiments. 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. 1A  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 exemplary 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 exemplary embodiment, projected mutual capacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     Touch screen  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. 1A  shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor 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. In conjunction with imaging module  143  (also called a camera module), optical sensor  164  may capture still images or video. 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. 
     Device  100  may also include one or more proximity sensors  166 .  FIG. 1A  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. 1A  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 , arbiter module  157  and applications (or sets of instructions)  136 . Furthermore, in some embodiments memory  102  stores device/global internal state  157 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 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 that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the 30-pin connector used on iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) devices. 
     Contact/motion module  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 , optical sensor 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 , optical sensor 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, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.). 
     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. 13  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 following examples will be given with reference to optical sensor/camera  164  (on the front of a device), rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from the display may be used instead of optical sensor/camera  164 . 
     Example Computer System 
       FIG. 14  illustrates computer system  1400  that is configured to execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments, computer system  1400  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, 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 an actuator motion control system as described herein, may be executed in one or more computer systems  1400 , which may interact with various other devices. Note that any component, action, or functionality described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-20  may be implemented on one or more computers configured as computer system  1400  of  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  1400  includes one or more processors  1410  coupled to a system memory  1420  via an input/output (I/O) interface  1430 . Computer system  1400  further includes a network interface  1440  coupled to I/O interface  1430 , and one or more input/output devices  1450 , such as cursor control device  1460 , keyboard  1470 , and display(s)  1480 . In some cases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computer system  1400 , while in other embodiments multiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system  1400 , 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  1400  that are distinct from those nodes implementing other elements. 
     In various embodiments, computer system  1400  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  1410 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  1410  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  1410  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  1410  may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x814, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors  1410  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  1420  may be configured to store camera control program instructions  1422  and/or camera control data accessible by processor  1410 . In various embodiments, system memory  1420  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  1422  may be configured to implement a lens control application  1424  incorporating any of the functionality described above. Additionally, existing actuator control data  1432  of memory  1420  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  1420  or computer system  1400 . While computer system  1400  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  1430  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  1410 , system memory  1420 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  1440  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  1450 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  1430  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  1420 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  1410 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  1430  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  1430  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  1430 , such as an interface to system memory  1420 , may be incorporated directly into processor  1410 . 
     Network interface  1440  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  1400  and other devices attached to a network  1485  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  1400 . Network  1485  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  1440  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  1450  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  1400 . Multiple input/output devices  1450  may be present in computer system  1400  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  1400 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  1400  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  1400  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  1440 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , memory  1420  may include program instructions  1422 , 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  1400  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  1400  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  1400  may be transmitted to computer system  1400  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 exemplary 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: 20141124
Publication Date: 20161227
Grant Date: 20161227
Priority Date: 20141124
Inventors: LEE SIMON S.
YANG QIANG
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02N2/101", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02N2/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02N2/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2253", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02N2/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/08", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 56010029