Abstract: Actuators for rotating or tilting an optical element, for example an optical path folding element, comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) and a curved ball-guided mechanism operative to create a rotation or tilt movement of the optical element around a rotation axis upon actuation by the VCM. In some embodiments, an actuator includes two, first and second VCMs, and two curved ball-guided mechanisms operative to create rotation or tilt around respective first and second rotation axes.

Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining a shallow depth of field effect (DOF) and improved signal-to-noise (SNR) in an image through synthetically increase the camera aperture of a compact camera using at least one actuator included in such a camera for other known purposes, for example for providing optical image stabilization (OIS). The synthetically enlarged camera aperture enables to take a plurality of images at different aperture positions. The plurality of images is processed into an image with shallow DOF and improved SNR.

Abstract: Actuators for rotating or tilting an optical element, for example an optical path folding element, comprising a voice coil motor (VCM) and a curved ball-guided mechanism operative to create a rotation or tilt movement of the optical element around a rotation axis upon actuation by the VCM. In some embodiments, an actuator includes two, first and second VCMs, and two curved ball-guided mechanisms operative to create rotation or tilt around respective first and second rotation axes.

Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A dual-aperture camera comprising a first camera having a first sensor and a first image signal processor (ISP), the first camera operative to output a first stream of frames, a second camera having a second sensor and a second ISP, the second camera operative to output a second stream of frames, and a synchronization and operation control module configurable to control operation of one camera in a fully operational mode and operation of the other camera in a partially operational mode and to output an output of the fully operational camera as a dual-aperture camera output, whereby the partially operational mode of the other camera reduces a dual-aperture camera the power consumption in comparison with a full operational mode of the other camera.

Abstract: Folded digital camera module comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor, and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The camera module is adapted to perform optical image stabilization (OIS) involving at least one tilt motion of the OPFE tilt around an axis such that the OPFE tilt creates an image Roll movement and a shift movement, the OPFE tilt-created image Roll movement compensating for a folded camera module-induced Roll movement and the shift movement cancelable by a movement of the lens module.

Abstract: A dual-aperture camera comprising a first camera having a first sensor and a first image signal processor (ISP), the first camera operative to output a first stream of frames, a second camera having a second sensor and a second ISP, the second camera operative to output a second stream of frames, and a synchronization and operation control module configurable to control operation of one camera in a fully operational mode and operation of the other camera in a partially operational mode and to output an output of the fully operational camera as a dual-aperture camera output, whereby the partially operational mode of the other camera reduces a dual-aperture camera the power consumption in comparison with a full operational mode of the other camera.

Abstract: Folded digital camera module comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor, and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The camera module is adapted to perform optical image stabilization (OIS) involving at least one tilt motion of the OPFE tilt around an axis such that the OPFE tilt creates an image Roll movement and a shift movement, the OPFE tilt-created image Roll movement compensating for a folded camera module-induced Roll movement and the shift movement cancellable by a movement of the lens module.

Abstract: Folded digital camera module comprising an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor, and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The camera module is adapted to perform optical image stabilization (OIS) involving at least one tilt motion of the OPFE tilt around an axis such that the OPFE tilt creates an image Roll movement and a shift movement, the OPFE tilt-created image Roll movement compensating for a folded camera module-induced Roll movement and the shift movement cancellable by a movement of the lens module.

Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.

Abstract: Dual-optical module autofocus (AF) or AF plus optical image stabilization (OIS) cameras with reduced footprint and reduced mutual magnetic interference. Some AF+OIS cameras may include a single AF actuation assembly that moves two lens barrels in unison. Some AF cameras or AF+OIS cameras may have two AF actuation sub-assemblies and associated magnets for independent AF operation of each lens barrel, the magnets shared in a manner that cancels magnetic influences of one AF actuation sub-assembly on the other AF actuation sub-assembly, thereby allowing the two lens barrels to be positioned in close proximity, saving parts and fabrication costs.

Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.

Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.

Abstract: Inductance-based sensing in a digital camera in which actuation of at least one electromagnetic (EM) actuator that includes at least one stationary ferromagnetic member associated with a large air gap causes a moving ferromagnetic member mechanically coupled to an optical element to by-pass or bridge the large air gap through at least one smaller air gap. The stationary member includes at least one ferromagnetic core surrounded at least partially by a coil. An inductance value correlated with a position of the optical element may be measured using the same coil as the one used for the actuation. In some embodiments, a single EM actuator includes two coils and the actuator is driven using both coils, while a regular or a mutual inductance is measured. In some camera embodiments that include two opposite EM actuators, one actuator is used to move the optical element while the other actuator is used to measure the inductance value.

Abstract: Dual-optical module autofocus (AF) or AF plus optical image stabilization (OIS) cameras with reduced footprint and reduced mutual magnetic interference. Some AF+OIS cameras may include a single AF actuation assembly that moves two lens barrels in unison. Some AF cameras or AF+OIS cameras may have two AF actuation sub-assemblies and associated magnets for independent AF operation of each lens barrel, the magnets shared in a manner that cancels magnetic influences of one AF actuation sub-assembly on the other AF actuation sub-assembly, thereby allowing the two lens barrels to be positioned in close proximity, saving parts and fabrication costs.

Abstract: Dual-optical module autofocus (AF) or AF plus optical image stabilization (OIS) cameras with reduced footprint and reduced mutual magnetic interference. Some AF+OIS cameras may include a single AF actuation assembly that moves two lens barrels in unison. Some AF cameras or AF+OIS cameras may have two AF actuation sub-assemblies and associated magnets for independent AF operation of each lens barrel, the magnets shared in a manner that cancels magnetic influences of one AF actuation sub-assembly on the other AF actuation sub-assembly, thereby allowing the two lens barrels to be positioned in close proximity, saving parts and fabrication costs.

Abstract: Compact folded camera modules having auto-focus (AF) and optical image stabilization (OIS) capabilities and multi-aperture cameras including such modules. In an embodiment, a folded camera module includes an optical path folding element (OPFE) for folding light from a first optical path with a first optical axis to a second optical path with a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, an image sensor and a lens module carrying a lens with a symmetry axis parallel to the second optical axis. The lens module can be actuated to move in first and second orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the first optical axis, the movement in the first direction being for auto-focus and the movement in the second direction being for OIS. The OPFE can be actuated to tilt for OIS.

Abstract: Electro-magnetic actuators used to provide a displacement of an optical element such as a lens carrier comprise at least one ferromagnetic frame associated with a large air gap and at least one ferromagnetic member parallel to and separated from an elongated section of a frame by a small air gap. Actuation causes a magnetic circuit that appears in the at least one frame, the at least one member and small air gaps and by-passes or bridges the large air gap. In some embodiments, the resultant magnetic force moves the at least one member and leads to the displacement of an optical element attached thereto. In some embodiments, at least one frame and at least one member are arranged to provide a center hole and are dimensioned to enable insertion of a lens carrier in the hole. In some embodiments, the displacement is for auto-focus. In other embodiments, the displacement is for optical image stabilization.

Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.