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US 12,353,119 B2Granted
Camera with folded optics having moveable lens
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsScott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Brad V. Johnson, Nicholas D. Smyth, Rummel R. Adriano, Shashank Sharma, Steven Webster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments include a camera with folded optics and lens shifting capabilities. Some embodiments include voice coil motor (VCM) actuator arrangements to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. Some embodiments include suspension arrangements. The suspension arrangements may include leaf springs attached to a carrier structure for the lens.
Claims20
A camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
- a first prism;
- a second prism;
- and
- a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
- an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
- a carrier structure that at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with the lens group such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to the image sensor;
- an actuator to move the lens group along multiple axes;
- and
- a suspension arrangement to suspend the carrier structure and allow movement of the lens group along the multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising one or more leaf springs attached to the carrier structure and extending along a plane that is parallel to a light receiving side of the image sensor and parallel to the optical axis.
7 more elements
A device, comprising:
- one or more processors;
- memory storing program instructions executable by the one or more processors to control operation of a camera;
- and
- the camera, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement to fold a path of light, the folded optics arrangement comprising:
- a first prism;
- a second prism;
- and
- a lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
- an image sensor to capture light that has passed through the first prism, the lens group, and the second prism;
- a carrier structure that at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with the lens group such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to the image sensor;
- an actuator to move the lens group along multiple axes;
- and
- a suspension arrangement to suspend the carrier structure and allow movement of the lens group along the multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising one or more leaf springs attached to the carrier structure and extending along a plane that is parallel to a light receiving side of the image sensor and parallel to the optical axis.
11 more elements
A folded optics system, comprising:
- a folded optics arrangement comprising:
- a first prism to redirect light to a lens group;
- a second prism to receive the light from the lens group and redirect the light to an image sensor;
- and
- the lens group disposed between the first prism and the second prism, wherein the lens group includes one or more lens elements that define an optical axis;
- a carrier structure that at least partially encircles the folded optics arrangement, wherein the carrier structure is coupled with the lens group such that the carrier structure and the lens group are moveable together relative to the image sensor;
- and
- a suspension arrangement to suspend the carrier structure and allow movement of the lens group along multiple axes, the suspension arrangement comprising one or more leaf springs attached to the carrier structure and extending along a plane that is parallel to a light receiving side of the image sensor and parallel to the optical axis.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.