Camera handling system

A method for handling and testing miniature digital camera modules, comprising:

• a) loading a tray with a plurality of digital camera modules,
• b) moving said tray near a robot of a handler,
• c) loading a first module of said plurality of modules into a first test station, then
• d) starting focus and test routines on said first module, then
• e) loading a second module of said plurality of modules into a second test station, then
• f) ending said focus and test routines on said first module, then
• g) starting said focus and test routines on said second module, then
• h) unloading said first module from said first station and loading said first test station with a third module of said plurality of modules, then
• i) ending said focus and test routines on said second module and starting said focus and test routines on said third module, then
• i) continuing an overlapped load and test of said plurality of modules until said plurality of modules on said tray are focused and tested, then
• j) generating a test map of said plurality of modules, then
• k) moving said tray to a “tray out” area of said handler,
• l) fixing said focus of said modules having a manual focus,
• m) sorting said modules into part number bins.

A method for focusing a manual focus digital camera module, comprising:

• a) loading a digital camera module into a test station,
• b) making electrical contact to said module,
• c) aligning said module under an optical unit,
• d) selecting a focus target,
• e) contacting an adjustable lens cap of said module with a focus apparatus,
• f) adjusting a focus of said module by turning said lens cap with said focus apparatus,
• g) measuring brightness of an analog picture image,
• h) controlling a direction of said focus apparatus to turn said lens cap past a point of maximum brightness,
• i) reversing said direction and turning said lens cap back to a point of maximum brightness.

A method of transporting miniature digital camera modules, comprising:

• a) carrying untested digital camera modules to a test handler in a carrying tray,
• b) transferring said untested modules to a handler tray,
• c) transporting said handler tray populated with untested modules to an alignment mark near a robot within said test handler using a conveyor,
• d) selecting untested modules from said handler tray using said robot,
• e) returning tested modules to said handler tray using said robot,
• d) transporting said handler tray with tested modules to a lens fixing and binning area,
• e) transferring said tested modules that are sorted to said carrying trays in said binning area.

A handler for testing miniature digital camera modules, comprising:

• a) a carrying tray
• b) a handler tray,
• c) a tray in area,
• d) a conveyor,
• e) an alignment mark,
• f) a tray out area,
• g) a lens fixing area,
• h) a binning area,
• i) said carrying tray transports untested digital camera modules to a test handler from where said untested modules are transferred to said handler tray,
• j) said conveyer transports said handler tray from said tray in area to said alignment mark,
• k) said conveyer transports said handler tray containing tested digital camera modules from said alignment mark to said tray out area, and wherefrom said lens are fixed and said modules are sorted into said carrying tray in said binning area.

A test fixture for holding a miniature digital camera for focus and test operations, comprising:

• a) a digital camera module,
• b) a test fixture platform,
• c) a clamp,
• d) an electrical probe,
• e) a connector,
• f) a pad,
• g) said digital camera module clamped into position on said test fixture platform by said clamp,
• h) said connector contacted by said electrical probe, holding said connector in place insulated from said platform by said pad.

A focus apparatus for focusing a digital camera module with a manual focus, comprising:

• a) a digital camera module with a manually adjustable lens cap,
• b) an optical unit,
• c) a focusing apparatus with an access hole,
• d) a stepper motor,
• e) said optical unit contained within a test station of a focus and test handler,
• e) said focusing apparatus driven by said stepper motor contacts said lens cap and adjusts a focus of the digital camera module by turning said lens cap.