Abstract: The imaging apparatus comprises a retractable structure with active and inactive positions. In the inactive position the lens group resides in proximity to an image sensor, and in the active position the lens group resides at a predetermined distance from the image sensor. The lens group is moved between active and inactive positions by at least one actuator. The imaging apparatus also includes a field flattening lens with a concave shape on the side opposite to the image sensor and facing the moving lens group.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus includes an optical arrangement configured to provide an incident light beam to an image sensor; a first actuator mechanism configured to move the optical arrangement relative to the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the image sensor; a second actuator mechanism configured to move the optical arrangement relative to the image sensor in a direction parallel to the image sensor; and wherein the first and second actuator mechanisms are configured so that actuation of the second actuator mechanism does not cause movement of the first actuator mechanism.

Abstract: One example provides a near-eye display system comprising a frame configured to be supported by a head of a user, and a movable near-eye display comprising a display optic support coupled with the frame via a first arm and a second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm is pivotally coupled to the frame and to the display optic support such that the display optic support is movable with respect to the frame. The system further includes a display optic coupled to the display optic support.

Abstract: The imaging system has two lenses coupled together, wherein both lenses face different sides of the device body. Each lens has a separate image sensor; for example, the first lens is for the front side camera and the second lens is for the back side camera. A single actuator moves both lenses simultaneously. Depending on the imaging direction, either the front side image sensor or the back side image sensor is activated and an image is received through the corresponding lens system. The actuator generates autofocus or image stabilization functions for both cameras.

Abstract: A multi-part electronic device has a mode with at least two overlapped device parts comprising a first camera part mounted on a first device part and a second camera part mounted on a second device part. At least one of the first and second camera parts is resiliently mounted such that contact between the first and second camera parts when the first device part and the second device part are overlapped with each other aligns the first camera part and the second camera part within a selected angular deviation between the camera parts' respective optical axes. A camera part having a body and a flexible mount and a method of reducing tilt error are also described.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided with: an accessory lens mount configured to movably attach to a camera, the camera having an objective; a plurality of different optical elements attached to the accessory lens mount such that each of the different optical elements is movable to a co-operating position with the objective by the accessory lens mount to a corresponding position by a user; and an optical mode indicator configured to enable automatic optical mode adjustment of the camera to suit with the optics formed by the objective and the optical element that is moved to the co-operating position with the objective.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to linear magnetic actuators in camera devices. One example provides a camera device comprising an optical sensor, a lens positioned a variable distance away from the optical sensor, a linear magnetic actuator having a coil and a magnet configured for linear relative movement upon driving of current, and an actuator coupling structure. The actuator coupling structure couples the linear magnetic actuator to the lens, such that the lens moves in response to the movement of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A multi-part electronic device has a mode with at least two overlapped device parts comprising a first camera part mounted on a first device part and a second camera part mounted on a second device part. At least one of the first and second camera parts is resiliently mounted such that contact between the first and second camera parts when the first device part and the second device part are overlapped with each other aligns the first camera part and the second camera part within a selected angular deviation between the camera parts' respective optical axes. A camera part having a body and a flexible mount and a method of reducing tilt error are also described.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator comprises a dual stage action, wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic element between two ferromagnetic elements. An electric current driven through the electromagnetic element causes a magnetic field of the electromagnetic element to interact with the magnetic fields of the two ferromagnetic elements.

Abstract: A portable device comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first front surface and a first back surface. The first portion comprises an image sensor and a first imaging optical arrangement lying in imaging connection with the image sensor and defining a first field of view with a wide angle of view. The second portion comprises a second imaging optical arrangement. The first and the second portions are movably coupled to allow adjustment of the device to a closed position with the second portion lying against the first back surface, with the second imaging optical arrangement aligned with the first imaging optical arrangement, whereby the first and the second imaging optical arrangements define a second field of view, and to open positions with the second portion lying outside the first field of view.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus comprises a retractable structure with active and inactive positions. In the inactive position the lens group resides in proximity to an image sensor, and in the active position the lens group resides at a predetermined distance from the image sensor. The lens group is moved between active and inactive positions by at least one actuator. The imaging apparatus also includes a field flattening lens with a concave shape on the side opposite to the image sensor and facing the moving lens group.

Abstract: The lens arrangement has at least two lenses, wherein a first lens may be used for autofocus and optical image stabilization. The first lens is tilted to compensate for the shaking movement of the hand-held device and to stabilize the image to be captured on the image plane. The tilt action may occur in two degrees of freedom, wherein an actuator causes the first lens to tilt around a pivot. A second lens is a field flattener lens that compensates for the error caused by the difference between the image plane and the focus plane. The field flattener lens causes the focal plane of the first lens to lie in the image plane when the first lens is in a tilted position.

Abstract: A multi-part electronic device has a mode with at least two overlapped device parts comprising a first camera part mounted on a first device part and a second camera part mounted on a second device part. At least one of the first and second camera parts is resiliently mounted such that contact between the first and second camera parts when the first device part and the second device part are overlapped with each other aligns the first camera part and the second camera part within a selected angular deviation between the camera parts' respective optical axes. A camera part having a body and a flexible mount and a method of reducing tilt error are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus including two user separable and joinable clips; and a retractable clip tensioner configured to enable a user to attach the apparatus against a side of a portable device by expanding and engaging the clips against different sides of the portable device so that the retractable clip tensioner maintains the clips engaged.

Abstract: A device comprising at least two body sections is disclosed. The first body section comprises a first camera element having an optical axis, and the second body section comprises a second camera element and a mechanical flap adapted to expose and conceal the second camera element. The first body section is in a movable connection with the second body section, and the device is operable in at least two modes. In the first mode, the first and the second body sections are brought together, and the mechanical flap is adapted to expose the second camera element. In the second mode, the first and the second body sections are positioned such that the first and the second camera elements are positioned away from each other, and the mechanical flap is adapted to conceal the second camera element.

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, an alignment-sensing system configured to sense a state of alignment between the objective portion and the sensor portion, an actuator configured to move the objective or sensor portion, and a computer configured to control the actuator responsive to output of the alignment-sensing system, so as to bring the objective and sensor portions into alignment. The retaining member is configured to couple the objective portion to the sensor portion when the objective and sensor portions are aligned and when the objective portion is separated from the sensor portion.

Abstract: One example provides a near-eye display system comprising a frame configured to be supported by a head of a user, and a movable near-eye display comprising a display optic support coupled with the frame via a first arm and a second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm is pivotally coupled to the frame and to the display optic support such that the display optic support is movable with respect to the frame. The system further includes a display optic coupled to the display optic support.

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.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to linear magnetic actuators in camera devices. One example provides a camera device comprising an optical sensor, a lens positioned a variable distance away from the optical sensor, a linear magnetic actuator having a coil and a magnet configured for linear relative movement upon driving of current, and an actuator coupling structure. The actuator coupling structure couples the linear magnetic actuator to the lens, such that the lens moves in response to the movement of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A device comprising at least two body sections is disclosed. The first body section comprises a movable imaging unit and a magnet rigidly fixed to the imaging unit, and the second body section comprising an optical unit with a magnet rigidly fixed to the optical unit. The body sections are in a movable connection with each other, and the device is operable in at least two modes. In the first mode, the imaging unit and the optical unit are fixed in a set relative position due to magnetic interaction between the magnets. In the second mode, the imaging unit is positioned away from the optical unit.