Voice coil motor optical image stabilization
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsRichard J. Topliss, Douglas S. Brodie, Anthony J. Rossetti, Richard H. Tsai, Richard L. Baer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some embodiments provide an apparatus for controlling the motion of a camera component. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an actuator module. The actuator module includes a plurality of magnets. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets is poled with magnetic domains substantially aligned in the same direction throughout each magnet. The apparatus further includes a coil rigidly disposed around a lens. Each magnet of the plurality of magnets contributes to the forces to adjust focus of the lens based on Lorentz forces generated from the coil.
Claims20
A device, comprising:
- a lens;
- an image sensor;
- and
- an actuator module, comprising:
- a plurality of actuators positioned around a periphery of the actuator module and each comprising a coil and a magnet, wherein respective actuators of the plurality of actuators are configured to be driven independently with respective coils receiving separate electrical currents different from each other and through different respective terminals to control tilt positioning of the lens relative to the image sensor, wherein the coils of the plurality of actuators are attached to a moving component of the actuator module for tilting the lens relative to the image sensor.
A method, comprising:
- determining electrical currents for respective coils of a plurality of actuators of a device for controlling a lens of the device to a position relative to an image sensor of the device, wherein the actuators respectively comprise a coil and a magnet and are positioned around a periphery within a camera, wherein the respective coils of the actuators are able to be driven independently with separate electrical currents different from each other and through different respective terminals to control tilt positioning of the lens relative to the image sensor, and wherein the coils of the plurality of actuators are attached to a moving component for tilting the lens relative to the image sensor;
- and
- providing the determined electrical currents to drive the coils to control the lens to the position relative to the image sensor.
A device, comprising:
- a lens;
- an image sensor configured to generate one or more signals based on light that passes through the lens;
- an actuator module, comprising:
- a plurality of actuators positioned around a periphery of the actuator module and each comprising a coil and a magnet, wherein respective actuators of the plurality of actuators are configured to be driven independently with respective coils receiving separate electrical currents different from each other and through different respective terminals to control tilt positioning the lens relative to the image sensor, and wherein the coils of the plurality of actuators are attached to a moving component of the actuator module for tilting the lens relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a processor configured to process the signals generated from the image sensor to generate an image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.