Lens Drive Circuit Or Motor Structure Patents (Class 396/133)
  • Patent number: 11906811
    Abstract: A device for focusing a light beam comprises a optical assembly comprising at least one focusing lens and/or mirror, a support structure which supports the optical assembly, a magnetic actuator configured to move the optical assembly with respect to the support structure along a moving direction substantially parallel to an optical axis (X) of the optical assembly and at least one position sensor configured to provide an indication of the position of the optical assembly with respect to the support structure. The magnetic actuator comprises at least one permanent magnet integrally associated with the optical assembly and at least one first electrical winding integrally associated with the support structure and configured to cause flowing of an electric current within it, wherein the electrical current interacts with said at least one permanent magnet and causes the movement of the optical assembly along said moving direction until the optical assembly is brought to a desired focusing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Guastadini
  • Patent number: 11899273
    Abstract: An imaging lens module with auto focus function includes an imaging lens assembly, an electromagnetic driving component assembly and a lens carrier. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis. The electromagnetic driving component assembly drives the imaging lens assembly to move in a direction parallel to the optical axis by a Lorentz force. The imaging lens assembly is mounted to the lens carrier such that the imaging lens assembly can be wholly driven by the Lorentz force. The lens carrier includes an object-side part, a mounting structure and a plurality of plate portions. The object-side part includes a tip-end minimal aperture configured for light to travel through; and a tapered surface which surrounds an area tapered off from image side to object side. The mounting structure and the plate portions are configured for at least a part of the electromagnetic driving component assembly to be mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hua Tsai, Ming-Ta Chou, Ming-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 11880117
    Abstract: A camera module includes a plastic carrier, an imaging lens assembly, a reflective element and a plurality of auto-focusing elements. The plastic carrier includes an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein an inner space is defined by the inner portion, and the outer portion includes at least one mounting structure. The imaging lens assembly is disposed in the inner space of the plastic carrier. The reflective element is for folding an image light by a reflective surface of the reflective element into the imaging lens assembly. The auto-focusing elements include at least two magnets and at least one wiring element, wherein the auto-focusing elements are for moving the plastic carrier along a second optical axis of the imaging lens assembly, and the magnets or the wiring element can be disposed on the mounting structure of the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Tseng, Ming-Ta Chou, Wen-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11747715
    Abstract: A lens driving apparatus includes a housing; a bobbin; a coil disposed on the bobbin; a magnet facing the coil; a base disposed below the housing; a substrate disposed between the housing and the base; an elastic member disposed on the bobbin and coupled to the bobbin and the housing; and a support member coupled to the housing and the substrate. The elastic member includes an external part coupled to the housing, an internal part coupled to the bobbin, a connection part connecting the external part and the internal part. The bobbin includes a groove. The internal part of the elastic member includes a coupling hole. The coupling hole of the internal part includes a first area formed at a position corresponding to the groove, and a second area extending from the first area. An adhesive for fixing the elastic member to the bobbin is disposed in the coupling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Cheol Kim, Kyung Hwan Kim, Kap Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11647271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module, the module including: a PCB; an image sensor mounted on the PCB and formed with an image pickup device; a base mounted on the PCB and including a plated portion formed at a lower center with an opening mounted with an IR filter; a lower spring plate formed with a conductive material; a spacer arranged on an upper surface of the lower spring plate and forming a staircase structure by a rib wrapping a periphery of the lower spring plate to supportively apply a pressure to the lower spring plate; a lens actuator including a bobbin, and a yoke; an upper spring plate coupled to an upper surface of the lens actuator; and a cover attached to an upper surface of the upper spring plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jungsik Lee
  • Patent number: 11550117
    Abstract: A lens position adjustment device includes a lens holder, a first shape memory alloy (SMA) wire and a second SMA wire. The lens holder holds a lens. The first SMA wire is configured to move the lens holder in a first direction along an optical axis of lens. The second SMA wire is configured to move the lens holder in a second direction along the optical axis. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The lens holder is moved in the first or second direction along the optical axis through energizing the first SMA wire and the second SMA wire and controlling a force that moves the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Uno, Atsushi Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 11528394
    Abstract: An optical element driving module is provided, including a movable portion, a fixed portion, and a driving assembly. The movable portion is used for connecting an optical element. The fixed portion is movably connected to the movable portion, wherein the fixed portion includes a base and a casing. The casing is arranged with the base along a main axis, the casing includes a top wall and a side wall extended from edges of the top wall along the main axis, and the top wall includes a first surface facing the movable portion, a second surface and a third surface facing away from the first surface. The driving assembly is used for moving the movable portion relative to the fixed portion, a minimum distance between the first surface and the second surface is different from a minimum distance between the second surface and the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Shou-Jen Liu, Chia-Pin Hsu, Shang-Yu Hsu, Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 11506861
    Abstract: An imaging lens module with auto focus function includes an imaging lens assembly, an electromagnetic driving component assembly and a lens carrier. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis. The electromagnetic driving component assembly drives the imaging lens assembly to move in a direction parallel to the optical axis by a Lorentz force. The imaging lens assembly is mounted to the lens carrier such that the imaging lens assembly can be wholly driven by the Lorentz force. The lens carrier includes an object-side part, a mounting structure and a plurality of plate portions. The object-side part includes a tip-end minimal aperture configured for light to travel through; and a tapered surface which surrounds an area tapered off from image side to object side. The mounting structure and the plate portions are configured for at least a part of the electromagnetic driving component assembly to be mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hua Tsai, Ming-Ta Chou, Ming-Shun Chang
  • Patent number: 11445126
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image capture module and a base module. The image capture module is releasably connectable to the base module. The image capture module includes an integrated image sensor and optical component for capturing image data. The base module includes a processor. The processor is configured and the base module is calibrated based on identification data provided by the image capture module when releasably connected to the base module. The image information and identification data may be wirelessly transferred from the image capture module to the base module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingrid A. Cotoros, Nicholas D. Woodman, Sandor Lee Barna, Jonathan Stern
  • Patent number: 11439051
    Abstract: A grounding includes a photoelectric sensor that emits light to a detection region in which the detection target portion moves in conjunction with the grounding of the electronic component to a board and receives light from the detection region, and a grounding discrimination section that discriminates between the presence or absence of the grounding based on a signal from the photoelectric sensor. The detection target portion is disposed in the detection region in the ungrounded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenzo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11385523
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical assembly driving apparatus, an imaging apparatus and a portable electronic device, including an actuator unit and a lifting unit configured to support an optical assembly. The actuator unit includes an electromagnetic motor serving as a driving source and a transmission mechanism transmitting a driving force to the lifting unit. The transmission mechanism includes a spindle and a connecting plate sleeved on the spindle and movable along an axial direction of the spindle. The connecting plate is connected with the lifting unit, and the driving force generated by the electromagnetic motor controls lifting of the lifting unit through the connecting plate. Compared with a bending optical system in the existing technology, the optical assembly driving apparatus of the present disclosure can save a three-dimensional space of the imaging apparatus and enable a lens group to have high-resolution optical system performance in the photographing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AAC Optics Solutions Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11381727
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that provides, between itself and an accessory device, a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device, a first data communication channel used in data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus, and a second data communication channel used in data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device. An accessory control unit transmits data via the first data communication channel in response to having received a transmission request signal via the notification channel, and selectively adds, to the data, a communication standby request for keeping a transmission request signal from being transmitted from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 11226469
    Abstract: An optical driving mechanism is provided, configured to drive an optical element, including a fixed portion, a movable portion, a frame assembly, and a biasing element. The fixed portion includes a base which has a central axis. The movable portion is configured to sustain the optical element and is movable relative to the fixed portion. The frame assembly connects the fixed portion and the movable portion and includes a plurality of string arms, wherein the string arms form at least one V-shaped structure. The biasing element is disposed on the frame assembly and is configured to drive the movable portion to move along a central axis direction relative to the fixed portion, wherein the string arms surround the biasing element and the biasing element is connected to at least one end portion of the V-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsien Fan, Chao-Chang Hu
  • Patent number: 11228698
    Abstract: A camera module is provided, including a lens driving mechanism, a lens unit, a circuit board, and an image sensor. The lens unit is disposed on the lens driving mechanism. The image sensor is disposed on the circuit board. The circuit board includes a metal member, an insulation layer, and a metal wire. The insulation layer is disposed between the metal member and the metal wire, and the metal wire is electrically connected to the image sensor. The lens driving module can drive the lens unit to move relative to the image sensor. The image sensor can catch the light through the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Hsien Fan
  • Patent number: 11196910
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that provides, between itself and an accessory device, a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device, a first data communication channel used in data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus, and a second data communication channel used in data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device. An accessory control unit executes switching of communication methods while notifying the imaging apparatus of a communication standby request for keeping data communication from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device from being performed, via the notification channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 11119294
    Abstract: An optical system includes a fixed module, a movable module and a driving assembly. The movable module moves relative to the fixed module, and the movable module includes a lens unit which includes a first lens, a second lens, a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall has a first surface, which directly contacts the second lens, and the second side wall directly contacts the first lens. A portion of the driving assembly is directly disposed on the lens unit, configured to drive the lens unit to move along an optical axis of the first lens. The first side wall further has a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the second surface directly contacts the portion of the driving assembly. The thickness of the first side wall is different from the thickness of the second side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Weng, Chia-Pin Hsu, Shao-Kuang Huang, Kun-Shih Lin, Shou-Jen Liu, Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 11099458
    Abstract: A VCM is disclosed, the motor including a stator including a first driving unit, a rotor arranged inside the stator, including a second driving unit responding to the first driving unit and mounted therein with a lens, a base fixing the stator, and an elastic member coupled to the rotor to float the rotor from the base in a case a driving signal for driving the first and second driving units is not applied to the first and second driving units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Seong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11082602
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11073675
    Abstract: Camera module autofocus actuator comprising a movable lens carrier, one or more shape memory alloy wires, a first return elastic element, a second return elastic element substantially identical to the and symmetric to the first return elastic element, wherein one end of the one or more shape memory alloy is mounted to the first return elastic element and the other end to another return elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Köpfer
  • Patent number: 11039047
    Abstract: A camera module includes a housing having an internal space; a first moving body disposed in the internal space of the housing; a second moving body disposed in an internal space of the first moving body; a first driving member disposed in a space between the housing and the first moving body, and including a first driving wire formed of a shape memory alloy and a first curved elastic wire connected to both ends of the first driving wire; and a second driving member disposed in a space between the first moving body and the second moving body, and including a second driving wire formed of a shape memory alloy and a second curved elastic wire connected to both ends of the driving wire for AF. The first curved elastic wire is in contact with the first moving body and the second curved elastic wire is in contact with the second moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung Joong Min
  • Patent number: 11032464
    Abstract: A depth measuring apparatus includes a camera assembly, a position sensor, and a controller. The camera assembly is configured to capture a plurality of images of a target at a plurality of distances from the target. The position sensor is configured to capture, for each of the plurality of images, corresponding position data associated with a relative distance between the camera assembly and the target. The controller is configured to, for each of a plurality of regions within the plurality of images: determine corresponding gradient values within the plurality of images; determine a corresponding maximum gradient value from the corresponding gradient values; and determine a depth measurement for the region based on the corresponding maximum gradient and the corresponding position data captured for an image from the plurality of images that includes the corresponding maximum gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ozkan Celik, Patricia A. Schulze, Gregory J. Freeman, Paul Z. Wirth, Tommaso Vercesi
  • Patent number: 11032487
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an interchangeable lens and a method for controlling the same capable of starting shooting in consideration of mechanical fluctuations after a diaphragm is driven, a shooting apparatus, and a camera system. An interchangeable lens includes: a diaphragm; a diaphragm driving unit configured to drive the diaphragm; and a lens control unit configured to transmit diaphragm driving information including stabilization time information of the diaphragm to a shooting apparatus when the diaphragm driving unit drives the diaphragm. The present technology is applicable to lens-interchangeable digital cameras, and the like, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Doi, Jun Aoyama, Syouei Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 10983301
    Abstract: A lens driving device is provided, including: a holder member; a bobbin disposed at an inner side of the holder member; a magnet disposed at the holder member; a first coil unit disposed at the bobbin, and facing the magnet; a first support member coupled to the holder member and the bobbin; and a detection sensor disposed at the bobbin, and configured to detect magnetic force of the magnet, wherein the magnet includes a facing surface and an opposite surface disposed at an opposite side of the facing surface, wherein a polarity of the facing surface and a polarity of the opposite surface are different from each other, wherein a polarity of an upper portion of the facing surface and a polarity of a lower portion of the facing surface are different from each other. According to an embodiment, Hall output detected by the detection sensor can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 10985675
    Abstract: There is provided a drive controller including a determination part that compares a target stop position of a movable body, which is driven by a piezoelectric actuator driven by a piezoelectric element expanded and contracted in response to an applied voltage, with a real position of the movable body acquired on the basis of a position sensor, and determines whether or not the target stop position matches with the real position, and a drive control part that turns off energization of the piezoelectric actuator when the target stop position matches with the real position while the movable body is being driven by the piezoelectric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoya Takei
  • Patent number: 10930696
    Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup device; a device laminate in which a plurality of semiconductor devices are laminated; and a signal cable having a lead wire and a shield lead wire. The plurality of semiconductor devices have cutouts. A groove in parallel with an optical axis direction is configured on a side surface of the device laminate by a plurality of the cutouts which communicate with one another. On cutout surfaces of the semiconductor devices, side electrodes are arranged. The lead wire and the shield lead wire are housed in the respective cutouts which have diameters in accordance with respective diameters of the lead wire and the shield lead wire. The lead wire is bonded to the side electrode and the shield lead wire is bonded to the side electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimohata, Takatoshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 10819913
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for inhibiting AEC jump, and a terminal device. The method comprises: obtaining a target zoom multiple to which a camera apparatus is to be switched; determining whether the target zoom multiple is within a preset target range; if the target zoom multiple is within the target range, controlling to simultaneously open a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens; obtaining a first AEC value of the wide-angle lens and a second AEC value of the telephoto lens; and determining a target AEC value corresponding to the target zoom multiple according to the first AEC value and the second AEC value. In the embodiment of the method, when the target zoom multiple is within the set range, two lenses can be opened simultaneously, and the AEC values of the two lenses can be integrated in advance. Therefore, the problem of AEC brightness jump during lens switching is solved, the photographing effect is enhanced, and the user experience is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMUNNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Quan Yuan
  • Patent number: 10816874
    Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is provided for moving a lens unit along a light axis, including a frame, a base, a lens holder, and a driving assembly. The frame has plastic material and forms an opening. The base is in contact with and fixed to the frame, wherein a space is formed between the base and the frame. The lens holder is movably disposed in the space for holding the lens unit, wherein an external light enters the space through the opening to the lens unit. The driving assembly is disposed in the space and is connected to the lens holder and the frame, to impel the lens unit to move along the light axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Shang-Yu Hsu, Shou-Jen Liu, Chia-Pin Hsu
  • Patent number: 10809483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera device, comprising a mounting member and support member used for mounting a camera; the mounting member is rotationally connected to the support member, and the rotational axis of the mounting member is perpendicular to the axial direction of the camera; the mounting member is provided with magnetic body, at the magnetic body side located on the rotational axis of the mounting member, the direction of the magnetic poles of the magnetic body is parallel to the axial direction of the camera; the support member is provided with an electromagnet, and the axial direction of the electromagnet is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the mounting member; the magnetic body is located at the end of the electromagnet that is in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi Wei
  • Patent number: 10802376
    Abstract: An auto focus support section (13) of a lens driving device has a support body (41) and a reinforcing section (42). The support body has a fixed end (411) connected to an auto focus fixing section (12), free ends (413) connected to an auto focus movable section (11), and arms (412) connected to the fixed end and the free ends. The arms are made of an elastic material, with two hinge sections (412a, 412b) thinner than surrounding structures and axes orthogonal to the optical axis, that move together with the auto focus movable section towards the optical axis. The arms bend in opposite directions at the two hinge sections. The reinforcing sections are made of a material more rigid than the elastic material of the arms, and are disposed between the two hinge sections of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayoshi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10739610
    Abstract: A lens moving apparatus includes a bobbin adapted to move upward and downward in a first direction, a housing in which the bobbin is accommodated and which is movable upward and downward in the first direction, a cover member accommodating the bobbin and the housing, and a base to which a lower portion of the cover member is coupled, wherein the cover member has an opening formed in an upper face thereof, and is provided at an area thereof surrounding the opening with a first stopper for limiting a distance by which the bobbin moves upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min
  • Patent number: 10739550
    Abstract: A VCM (voice coil motor) is disclosed, the VCM including: a rotor including a cylindrical bobbin for accommodating a lens and protruded at a bottom end with a boss, and a coil block arranged at a periphery of the bobbin; a stator including a magnet facing the coil block and a yoke fixing the magnet; and an elastic member including a first elastic member formed with a through hole coupled to the boss of the bobbin and a second elastic member coupled to an upper end facing the bottom end of the bobbin; wherein the boss is formed with a disengagement prevention unit preventing the first elastic member from being disengaged from the boss, and the first elastic member is formed with a coupling unit contacting a joint where the disengagement prevention unit and the coupling unit meet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangjun Min, Sanghee Lee, Hyuneo Yoo, Seungki Kim, Jinsuk Han
  • Patent number: 10686974
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens carrier that houses a lens, electrical components of optical path modifiers positioned on the lens carrier, an image sensor, and a controller that is to generate commands for operating the optical path modifiers. A printed circuit assembly positioned on the lens carrier is electrically coupled to suspension wires. The printed circuit assembly includes a printed circuit that has installed thereon a serial bus communications interface circuit that is to receive the commands from the controller through one of the suspension wires, and a translation circuit that is to translate the commands into control signals that are to operate or drive the optical path modifiers via the electrical components and according to the commands, respectively. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Douglas S. Brodie
  • Patent number: 10670878
    Abstract: An assembly includes a support structure including attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a moving structure including attach structures and flexure arms configured to couple the moving structure to the support structure, the flexure arms are configured to enable movement of the moving structure with respect to the support structure. The suspension assembly includes optical-image stabilizer shape memory alloy wires, each coupled with and extending between one of the attach structures and one of the moving wire attach structures. The suspension assembly includes a lens holder mounted to the moving structure and a first pair of attach structures; and auto focus shape memory alloy wires, each wire coupled to the lens holder and coupled to and extending between attach structures of the first pair of attach structures configured to actuate the lens holder with respect to the moving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark A. Miller, Donald M. Anderson, Ryan N. Ruzicka, Peter F. Ladwig
  • Patent number: 10663753
    Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator arrangement for a movable element supporting a camera lens assembly comprises plural shape memory alloy actuator wires connected between a support structure and the movable element in an arrangement wherein the shape memory alloy actuator wires are arranged, on selective driving, to move the movable element relative to the support structure in any direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the at least one lens. At least one plain bearing bears the movable element on the support structure, allowing movement of the movable element relative to the support structure orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: James Howarth, Robin Eddington, Nicholas Henry Reddall
  • Patent number: 10659671
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that provides, between itself and an accessory device, a notification channel used for notification from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device, a first data communication channel used in data transmission from the accessory device to the imaging apparatus, and a second data communication channel used in data transmission from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device. An accessory control unit executes switching of communication methods while notifying the imaging apparatus of a communication standby request for keeping data communication from the imaging apparatus to the accessory device from being performed, via the notification channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kawada
  • Patent number: 10634880
    Abstract: An imaging lens module includes an imaging lens assembly and a first optical component. The imaging lens assembly has an optical axis and includes a lens element. The lens element includes an effective optical portion, which is non-circular and disposed on a center of the lens element. The first optical component has a non-circular opening hole. The effective optical portion of the lens element of the imaging lens assembly is corresponded to the non-circular opening hole of the first optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Lin, Chun-Hua Tsai, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 10638031
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 10571645
    Abstract: A multiple-lens camera system is provided, including a first lens driving module, a second lens driving module, and a shielding member. The first and second lens driving modules respectively include a frame, a lens holder movably disposed in the frame for holding a lens, a magnetic element disposed on a side of the lens holder and a driving board, wherein the driving board has a first coil corresponding to the magnetic element, to generate a magnetic force for moving the lens holder and the lens relative to the driving board. The shielding member is disposed in the first lens driving module and between the two magnetic elements of the first and second lens driving modules which are adjacent to each other, to suppress magnetic interference between the first and second lens driving modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Bing-Ru Song, Chih-Wei Weng, Shu-Shan Chen
  • Patent number: 10516826
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera system having a first camera unit and a second camera unit. The first camera unit includes an autofocus actuator. The autofocus actuator includes a first plurality of magnets for autofocus motion control of components of a first optical package. The first plurality of magnets is positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned in parallel with a first magnetic axis at a right angle to the optical axis of the first optical package. The second camera unit includes an optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator. The optical image stabilization and autofocus actuator includes a second plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a second magnet axis at 45-degrees to the first magnetic axis. The second camera unit includes a third plurality of magnets positioned to generate magnetic fields aligned along a third magnetic axis at 135-degrees to the first magnetic axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, Alfred N. Mireault, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 10488186
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a camera and a retaining member. The camera includes an objective portion configured to collect light from a subject, a sensor portion reversibly separable from the objective portion, and a computer configured to return an indication of alignment of the objective and sensor portions based on output of one or more optical sensor elements of the sensor portion. The retaining member is configured to couple the objective portion to the sensor portion when the objective and sensor portions are aligned and also when the objective portion is separated from the sensor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Eero Tuulos, Urho Konttori, Mikko Juhola, Marko Eromaki, Eero Salmelin
  • Patent number: 10488642
    Abstract: A lens structure includes an elastomer formed as a lens. The lens has a planar surface and a curved surface opposed to the planar surface. The elastomer of the lens structure may be formed of a base polymer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material. When the lens structure is applied proximate to a camera sensor array of an electronic device, such as a cell phone or a tablet, the combination can function as microscope. By altering parameters of the lens, such as the radius of curvature, it is possible to achieve a wide range of magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Cell Focus, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Larson
  • Patent number: 10437133
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module comprising: a printed circuit board having an image sensor mounted thereon; a holder member provided on the printed circuit board and having a lens barrel provided therein; an optical module arranged on the upper side of the holder member and performing an auto-focusing function and/or an image stabilization function; and an electric current applying unit for electrically connecting the printed circuit board and the optical module, wherein the electric current applying unit comprises: first and second conductive members connected to the printed circuit board; and first and second plate members which are arranged on the upper side of the holder member and are electrically connected to each of the first and second conductive members, and which are electrically connected through the optical module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Min Ha
  • Patent number: 10432077
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voice coil motor, the motor including a mover having a bobbin equipped with a lens and a coil block secured to an outer circumference of the bobbin; a stator having a magnet that is disposed in such a way as to face the coil block; elastic members coupled to a lower end of the bobbin and connected to both ends of the coil block; a base supporting the elastic members and the stator; and a cover can covering the mover, the stator and the base, with an opening being formed in the cover can to expose the lens therethrough, wherein each of the elastic members includes a terminal portion that extends between the cover can and a side surface of the base, the terminal portion including a short-circuit prevention portion so as to inhibit a short-circuit between the terminal portion and the cover can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sanghee Lee
  • Patent number: 10432834
    Abstract: A lens driving module is provided, configured to drive an optical lens to move, including a holder, a casing, a base, an electromagnetic driving assembly and a glue. The optical lens is disposed in a receiving space of the holder. The holder is disposed between the casing and the base. The casing has a plastic material. The electromagnetic driving assembly for moving the holder is disposed between the holder and the casing. The base has a plurality of protrusions extending toward the casing, and each of the protrusions has a side surface. The glue is disposed between the side surfaces and the casing, wherein the side surfaces are parallel to the central axis of the optical lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TDK Taiwan Corp.
    Inventors: Shou-Jen Liu, Chia-Pin Hsu, Shang-Yu Hsu, Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 10416532
    Abstract: A camera module is provided, including a holder, a base, a bottom, an image sensor, and a first biasing element. The holder holds an optical lens and is disposed on the base. The bottom supports the image sensor and connects to the base via the first biasing element. The bottom and the image sensor can be moved with respect to the base by the first biasing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TDK Taiwan Corp.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Hsien Fan, Yi-Liang Chan
  • Patent number: 10401589
    Abstract: A lens driving device comprising: an autofocus driving unit in which an autofocus movable part is elastically supported by an autofocus fixed part due to an elastic support part; and an auxiliary magnet which, in a reference position of the autofocus movable part, has a movement direction action force of zero relative to the autofocus movable part and which generates the movement direction action force in the opposite direction to a restoring force of the elastic support part when the autofocus movable part has moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 10365121
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method for measuring the position of a camera lens carrier moveable by an autofocus actuator. In some embodiments, the method includes generating a measurement of a magnetic field resulting at least in part from the one or more position sensor magnets. In some embodiments, the generating the measurement of the magnetic field includes measuring a magnetic field component created at least in part by the one or more position sensor magnets fixedly mounted to the camera lens carrier. In some embodiments, the camera lens carrier is moveably coupled to a substrate by the autofocus actuator to provide motion in a direction orthogonal to the substrate. In some embodiments, the generating the measurement of the magnetic field component includes measuring the magnetic field component at a sensor fixedly mounted to the substrate of the autofocus actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Calvin K. Wong, Ho Seop Jeong, Aurelien R. Hubert, Simon S. Lee
  • Patent number: 10334170
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens unit disposed in a housing unit; an actuator unit configured to drive the lens unit in first through third directions relative to the housing unit; and an actuator controller configured to control the actuator unit according to compensation amounts for moving drift in the second and third directions depending on a position of the lens unit in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoon Heo, Shin Young Cheong, Won Seok Bang, Hee Soo Yoon, Yong Joon Park, Won Seob Oh
  • Patent number: 10304605
    Abstract: A coil unit may include an even number of coils comprising a first coil and a second coil; and a coil holding member which holds the even number of the coils. An outer peripheral face of the coil holding member may include a side-face pair comprising a first side face and a second side face which are substantially parallel to each other. The first side face may be formed with a first protruded part around which the first coil is wound, the first protruded part being protruded to an outer peripheral side with respect to the coil holding member. The second side face may be formed with a second protruded part around which the second coil is wound, the second protruded part being protruded to an outer peripheral side with respect to the coil holding member. The first coil and the second coil may be structured from one conducting wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 10281736
    Abstract: A lens driving device includes a movable unit including a lens holding member, and a suspension wire configured to support the movable unit movably in a direction intersecting an optical axis direction. The movable unit has an upper leaf spring and a fixing member. The upper leaf spring has a first portion fixed to the lens holding member, a second portion fixed to the fixing member, a wire fixing portion soldered to the suspension wire, and a linking portion provided linking between the second portion and the wire fixing portion. The linking portion has two extending portions extending from two separate positions on the second portion toward the wire fixing portion side. A plate-shaped protruding portion protruding inwards from the wire fixing portion is provided between the two extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Gomyo, Akiyoshi Sarudate, Yuji Takahashi, Yuya Sakurada