Abstract: An actuator that operates by electrostatic attraction and repulsion and can have fixed and moving electrodes is disclosed for one or more embodiments. The fixed and moving electrodes can be inclined relative to each other at an acute angle. The actuator can be radially symmetric and mirrored about the moving electrode. The moving electrode can have a central aperture over which is placed an optical element such as a lens. The optical element can be part of an optical train that permits the focus of an electronic camera to be modified by changing the displacement of the lens along the optical axis of the camera.

Abstract: An autofocus zoom miniature MEMS camera module includes a housing defining an aperture, one or more lenses that are fixed relative to the housing, a MEMS actuator, and one or more movable optical elements coupled to the MEMS actuator. An object disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module is automatically focused at a determined zoom onto the image sensor by MEMS actuation of the one or more movable optical elements.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes an image sensor and an optical assembly including a movable lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is coupled to a MEMS actuator such that the movable lens group is movable relative to the image sensor, the optical assembly further including at least a first fixed lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is fixed relative to the image sensor. In operation of the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module, a registration of de-center between the one or more fixed lenses and the one or more moving lenses comprises approximately seven microns or less.

Abstract: A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS-actuated camera module includes one or both of a camera module housing or a rigid substrate that either defines an aperture or is coupled to an aperture, or both. An image sensor is coupled to the one or both of the camera module housing or rigid substrate. A first lens group is coupled to the housing and fixed relative to the image sensor or coupled directly to the image sensor or both. A MEMS actuator is coupled to the housing or rigid substrate. A second lens group is coupled to the actuator and movable relative to the image sensor.

Abstract: A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a camera module housing. Objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor. MEMS actuation of the movable lens group is performed to accomplish autofocus functionality.

Abstract: An autofocus zoom miniature MEMS camera module includes a housing with an aperture for capturing digital images, an image sensor, and an optical assembly. The optical assembly includes at least one fixed lens group, at least one movable lens group, and a MEMS actuator that is configured to move the movable lens group along an optical axis of the camera module relative to the image sensor and the fixed lens group. The MEMS actuation of the movable lens group automatically focuses an object at a determined zoom disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module onto the image sensor.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a housing, an image sensor coupled to the housing, and an autofocus optical module coupled within the housing and including a MEMS actuator that is configured to move one or more movable lenses relative to one or more fixed lenses along an optical axis of the camera module to adjust a focusing distance of the autofocus optical module to automatically focus an object disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module onto the image sensor. The autofocus optical module includes one or more pairs of adjacent lens surfaces that include abutting registration features to aid in alignment.

Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes an image sensor and an optical assembly including a movable lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is coupled to a MEMS actuator such that the movable lens group is movable relative to the image sensor. The optical assembly further includes at least a first fixed lens group that comprises one or more lenses and that is fixed relative to the image sensor. A processor is programmed to control an autofocus method designed to adjust a focus distance to an object disposed an arbitrary distance from the miniature MEMS autofocus camera module by actuating the MEMS actuator that is coupled with the movable lens group.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (26) is provided for use with an image sensor (24). The apparatus includes a non-linear mapping circuit (42), which is configured to receive a raw stream of input pixel values generated by the image sensor and to perform a non-linear mapping of the input pixel values. to generate a mapped stream of mapped pixel values, and a linear convolution filter (44), which is arranged to filter the mapped stream of mapped pixel values to generate a filtered stream of filtered pixel values. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes receiving an input image that includes a matrix of pixels (32) having input pixel values. The input pixel values are processed so as to detect a region of saturation in the input image. A first image filtering operation is applied to the input pixel values of at least the pixels that are outside the region of saturation, so as to generate first filtered pixel values. A second image filtering operation is applied to the input pixel values of at least the pixels that are within the region of saturation, so as to generate second filtered pixel value. An enhanced output image is generated by stitching together the first and second filtered pixel values.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and addressing image flicker are disclosed. An imaging device that senses a distorted image and subsequently removes the distortion during processing can utilize an analysis module that obtains statistics indicative of image flicker prior to removing the distortion. An imaging device that features a diode for illuminating a field of view can utilize the diode as a photosensor to determine one or more flicker statistics to determine whether ambient lighting conditions are of the type that cause image flicker.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and addressing image flicker are disclosed. An imaging device that senses a distorted image and subsequently removes the distortion during processing can utilize an analysis module that obtains statistics indicative of image flicker prior to removing the distortion. An imaging device that features a diode for illuminating a field of view can utilize the diode as a photosensor to determine one or more flicker statistics to determine whether ambient lighting conditions are of the type that cause image flicker.

Abstract: An image enhancement circuit (26, 60, 190, 260) includes an input interface (64, 262), which is operative to accept a stream of input pixel values belonging to pixels (32) of an input image. The input image includes a plurality of different input sub-images including respective subsets of the pixels, such that the input pixel values of the pixels in the different input sub-images are interleaved in the stream. A plurality of filter cells (92, 144, 206, 222, 238, 364) are connected in a two-dimensional array configuration and are arranged to separately filter the input pixel values of each of the input sub-images with respective two-dimensional deconvolution kernels so as produce respective output sub-images that include output pixel values. A multiplexer (88, 332) is coupled to multiplex together the output pixel values of the output sub-images so as to produce a filtered output image.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a mosaic image sensor (24), which is configured to generate a stream of input pixel values belonging to a plurality of input sub-images, each sub-image responsive to light of a different, respective color that is incident on the mosaic image sensor. An image restoration circuit (26) is coupled to receive and digitally filter the input pixel values in each of the input sub-images so as to generate a corresponding plurality of enhanced output sub-images. An image signal processor (ISP) (28) is coupled to receive and combine the plurality of the output sub-images in order to generate a color video output image.

Abstract: A method for calibration of an imaging device that includes a sensor and optics for forming an image on the sensor. The method includes making a first image quality measurement, based on an output of the sensor, while imaging a first target at a first distance from the device and varying an offset between the optics and the sensor. A second image quality measurement is made while imaging a second target at a second distance from the device, which is different from the first distance, and varying the offset between the optics and the sensor. A working point of the optics is set relative to the sensor responsively to the first and second image quality measurements.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a mosaic image sensor, which is configured to generate a stream of input pixel values belonging to a plurality of input sub-images, each sub-image responsive to light of a different, respective color that is incident on the mosaic image sensor. An image restoration engine (IRE) is coupled to receive and digitally filter the input pixel values in each of the input sub-images so as to generate a corresponding plurality of enhanced output sub-images, and to extract auxiliary information from the input sub-images prior to digitally filtering the input pixel values. An image signal processor (ISP) is coupled to receive the plurality of the output sub-images and the auxiliary information from the IRE, and to combine the output sub-images in order to generate a color video output image while enhancing the color video output image using the auxiliary information.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes receiving an input image that includes a matrix of pixels (32) having input pixel values. The input pixel values are processed so as to detect a region of saturation in the input image. A first image filtering operation is applied to the input pixel values of at least the pixels that are outside the region of saturation, so as to generate first filtered pixel values. A second image filtering operation is applied to the input pixel values of at least the pixels that are within the region of saturation, so as to generate second filtered pixel value. An enhanced output image is generated by stitching together the first and second filtered pixel values.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (26) is provided for use with an image sensor (24). The apparatus includes a non-linear mapping circuit (42), which is configured to receive a raw stream of input pixel values generated by the image sensor and to perform a non-linear mapping of the input pixel values. to generate a mapped stream of mapped pixel values, and a linear convolution filter (44), which is arranged to filter the mapped stream of mapped pixel values to generate a filtered stream of filtered pixel values. Other embodiments are also described.