Abstract: A movement control apparatus includes: an actuator that causes a driven body connected to a driving coil to perform reciprocating movement; a signal generation unit that generates a velocity command signal which indicates a target velocity of the driven body; a driving unit that supplies electric current corresponding to a driving signal to the driving coil; a voltage detection unit that detects induced voltage generated in the driving coil, and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the induced voltage; a signal correction unit that corrects, based on the driving signal and the voltage signal, the voltage signal to adjust a shift of a resistance value from a reference resistance value of the driving coil, thereby generating a velocity signal; and a control unit that generates the driving signal based on the velocity command signal and the velocity signal, and outputs the driving signal to the driving unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module having an auto focus function, the module including a lens unit having at least one lens, a barrel into which the lens unit is inserted, and connected by a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) actuator, and an image sensor discretely positioned from the lens unit to convert light having passed the lens unit to an electrical signal, where the VCM actuator includes a gap of a reference distance position value which is a position of an object catering to a lens focal length according to the camera module, and information on a focus-met lens position value, and adjusts an initial position of the lens by using the gap of reference distance position value of the lens position value during operation of the camera module.

Abstract: A driver circuit for electro-active polymer (EAP) device has a shared, voltage boost circuit that is coupled to drive a common terminal of first and second EAP devices to a given voltage. A first voltage boost circuit is coupled to drive a respective terminal of the first EAP device to an opposite polarity voltage, while a second voltage boost circuit is coupled to drive a respective terminal of the second EAP device to an opposite polarity voltage. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A lens barrel comprises a first zoom/focus lens group and a second zoom/focus lens group configured to respectively vary a focal distance and imaging distance by moving in an optical axis, a first actuator configured to drive the first zoom/focus lens group, a second actuator configured to drive the second zoom/focus lens group, and a drive controller configured to independently control the first actuator and the second actuator. The drive controller is configured to wobble the first zoom/focus lens group by reciprocating only the first zoom/focus lens group out of the first and second zoom/focus lens groups in a optical axis direction.

Abstract: There is provided a camera module including: a lens; an image pickup device arranged on an optical axis of the lens; and an actuator section configured to reciprocate the image pickup device in an optical axis direction of the lens, wherein the actuator section includes a movable joint section on which the image pickup device is fixed, a parallel link mechanism section having a movable end section attached to the movable joint section and a mounting end section, and a movable element that is configured to perform displacement motion by a displacement amount depending on a level of a voltage to be applied and that is coupled to a coupling region between the movable joint section and the movable end section of the parallel link mechanism section in such a manner that the displacement motion is transmittable.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a heat sink radiating the image sensor, a cooling fan unit configured to cool the heat sink, and a first lens barrel including a hollow portion configured to guide light to the image sensor. The first lens barrel holds the cooling fan unit and house the holder unit movably in the hollow portion in an optical axis direction of the image pickup optical system. The holder unit includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The first lens barrel includes a second inlet for taking in external air and a second outlet for exhausting the external air taken in through the second inlet. The first inlet is connected to the second inlet and the first outlet is connected to the second outlet when the holder unit is positioned in the hollow portion of the first lens barrel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module including a substrate which is provided with an electrode pad and an image sensor; a housing which is stacked on the substrate and of which an upper portion is opened so that light is incident to the image sensor; a MEMS actuator which is installed at the housing and has an electrode terminal at one side thereof, and a conductive pattern which is formed at the housing, wherein a lower end of the conductive pattern is connected with the electrode pad of the substrate, and an upper end thereof is connected with the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator, whereby it is possible to improve electrical reliability between the electrode terminal of the MEMS actuator and the electrode pad of the substrate and facilely form the electrical connection therebetween, thereby reducing the number of processes.

Abstract: A camera system includes a single pixel photo-sensor disposed in or on a substrate to acquire image data. A micro-lens is adjustably positioned above the single pixel photo-sensor to focus external scene light onto the single pixel photo-sensor. An actuator is coupled to the micro-lens to adjust a position of the micro-lens relative to the single pixel photo-sensor to reposition the micro-lens to focus the external scene light incident from different angles onto the single pixel photo-sensor. Readout circuitry is coupled to readout the image data associated with each of the different angles from the single pixel photo-sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.

Abstract: A lens controller of a camera device includes: a driving amount calculator that samples, for each first time period, a lens position signal indicating a lens position detected by a lens position detector and a target position signal indicating a target position of a focus lens on an optical axis transmitted from a control unit and calculates a driving amount output of the focus lens based on the sampled lens position signal and target position signal; an up-sampling unit that performs up-sampling on the driving amount output obtained by the driving amount calculator at a second time period which is a period obtained by dividing the first time period by an integer; and a resonance suppression calculator that performs calculation on a result obtained by sampling the driving amount output at the second time period to suppress a higher-order resonant frequency component in a specified resonant frequency band.

Abstract: An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide concomitant mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution for actuator modules, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based optical actuators adapted to move and/or orient one or more lenses and/or optical devices of a camera module. A mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution system may include one or more flexible snubber structures disposed substantially adjacent a MEMS structure and between the MEMS structure and another component of a camera module. Each flexible snubber structure may be implemented with one or more electrical traces, flexible films, snubber films, and/or mechanical stabilizers adapted to route electrical signals to or from the MEMS structure and/or to inhibit mechanical motion of at least a portion of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A driving member, a linear driving device using the driving member, a camera device and an electronic device are provided. The driving member (10) includes a deformable thin plate (16) having a flexible thin plate (12) capable of expanding and contracting itself under the applied voltage and an elastic thin plate (14) having at least one side thereof rigidly fixed to the flexible thin plate (12) and a driving shaft (30) having its one axial end rigidly fixed to the deformable thin plate (16) and being capable of undergoing displacements that are operatively associated with the deformation of the deformable thin plate (16), wherein the driving shaft (30) has the lateral side portion (32) of the one axial end thereof rigidly fixed to the corresponding inner side portion of a through hole formed on the deformable thin plate (16).

Abstract: An auto-focus method to determine an optimum position of a lens module includes defining search boundaries and an allowable difference, randomly sampling current values within the search boundaries d1, d2 and d3, and obtaining sharpness m1, m2 and m3. A parabola is determined where a vertex of the parabola is used as a next input current value where three larger values of the sharpness are used along with corresponding current values to re-determine a new parabola. Three current values are sampled and a corresponding current value is used to re-determine a new parabola and according to a comparison of the sharpness values, the lens module is driven to auto-focus.

Abstract: A lens holder driving device includes a lens holder in which a lens assembly is mounted, a driving coil fixed to the lens holder at outside circumference thereof, a magnet opposite to the driving coil, a yoke including the magnet, an elastic member supporting the lens holder in a direction of an optical axis shiftably, and a base disposed at a lower side of the lens holder. The elastic member includes a lower elastic member which is disposed at a lower side of the lens holder and which includes first and second leaf spring pieces. The first and the second leaf spring pieces have first and second side portions which are electrically connected to first and second end portions of the driving coil by soldering, respectively. Each of the first and the second side portions has a side edge forming portion having a surface in which edges are formed.

Abstract: A wafer level camera module can be easily connected to a host device via mounting surface contacts. The module includes an electrically controllable active optical element and a flexible printed circuit that provides electrical connection between the optical element and surface conductors on a mounting surface of the module. The surface conductors can be a group of solder balls, and the module can have another group of solder balls that make connection to another electrical component of the module, such as an image sensor. All of the solder balls can be coplanar in a predetermined grid pattern, and all of the components of the device can be surrounded by a housing such that the camera module is an easily mounted ball grid array type package.

Abstract: An imaging device and method of providing an increased depth-of-field of an electronic image. The image sensor and the optical lens assembly are selectively repositionable along the optical axis of the lens using electronic actuator elements such as piezo-electric actuator elements, A plurality of images of a scene are captured while the image sensor, the optical lens assembly, or both are positioned at predetermined locations along the optical axis. Selected elements of each of the images captured using different focal planes are electronically combined to define a final image having an increased depth-of-field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens device, a drive method, a recording medium, and an image capturing device. According to an aspect of the present invention, in an one-sided drive mode which allows the lens to move beyond a target position, and then to move in a reverse direction and stop at the target position, the control part controls the lens on the basis of the brake ON/OFF information so that when the lens is temporarily stopped, braking by the brake part is not applied, and only when the lens is stopped at a final target position, braking by the brake part is applied.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens and a lens holder. The lens has a connecting barrel. The lens holder includes a base plate, a number of claws extending up from the base plate and sleeving on the connecting barrel, a fixing block extending up from the base plate and defining a fixing hole, a tightening ring sleeving on the claws and having two end sections sandwiching the fixing block. The tightening ring also includes a tightening screw for threadedly passing the threaded holes to tightening the tightening ring such that the claws deforms and grasps the connecting barrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-electromechanical (MEMS) actuator mounted camera module having sag compensation and a sag compensation method using the same, the camera module including a MEMS actuator mounted with a lens; a MEMS actuator moving unit outputting electrostatic capacity information corresponding to position of the lens changed by displacement move and outputting a displacement move signal to the MEMS actuator for controlling the displacement moving force; a memory unit stored with reference signal information corresponding to a maximum displacement move in the displacement move; and a signal compensation unit calculating a step range corresponding to the displacement move of the MEMS actuator based on the electrostatic capacity information outputted from the MEMS actuator moving unit and the reference signal information stored in the memory unit and compensating the displacement moving force of the MEMS actuator based on the calculated step range.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit, an aperture stop, a positive third lens unit, and a positive fourth lens unit. The third lens unit includes, in that order, a positive first lens sub-unit, and a negative second lens sub-unit. The second lens sub-unit is movable in a direction having a component perpendicular to an optical axis to change an image forming position in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis. A distance on the optical axis between the aperture stop and the third lens unit at a wide-angle end, a composite focal length of the first lens unit and the second lens unit at the wide-angle end, a focal length of the first lens sub-unit, and a focal length of the second lens sub-unit are appropriately set.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus for performing a focus detection on the basis of pixel data of an object obtained from an imaging unit having pupil dividing means of a photographing optical system, Sets a focus detection area divided into division areas and a plurality of different first areas for deciding a focus state in the focus detection area, arithmetically operates first correlation data from the pixel data with respect to the object image of each division area to hold into a memory, adds the first correlation data of the division areas included in each first area read out from the memory, generates second correlation data of each first area, And discriminates focus states of a plurality of first areas in predetermined order on the basis of the second correlation data of each first area.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of contacts that include different portions angled with respect to one another and methods of manufacturing devices that include such contacts. In some embodiments, a module may include a first portion of a contact that is disposed within a housing and a second portion that is disposed outside of the housing, with the second portion angled with respect to the first portion. Manufacturing such devices may include depositing a conductive material to electrically connect the contact to a contact pad of a substrate. In some embodiments, a deposition process for depositing the conductive material may have a minimum dimension, which defines a minimum dimension of a conductive material once deposited. In some such embodiments, a distance between a terminal end of the contact pin and the contact pad may be greater than the minimum dimension of the deposition process.

Abstract: Surveillance networks are used to observe large areas, like public places, streets, public buildings or private houses, privates premises etc. The surveillance networks often comprise a plurality of surveillance cameras. Such surveillance cameras should be small, robust, trouble-free and have low-maintenance requirements.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with shape memory structures. The shape memory structures may be used to form actuators for a camera shutter, an actuator for moving an optical filter, or other actuators in an electronic device. A camera shutter may have an opaque shutter member that is movable between a first position in which the shutter is closed and blocks light from a digital image sensor and a second position in which the shutter is open and allows light to reach the digital image sensor. The camera shutter may have an associated color filter structure. Shape memory wire may be configured to form a loop that heats upon application of a signal or may be configured to form a twisting or linear actuator. The camera shutter may be provided with a controllable aperture.

Abstract: A MEMS-actuated autofocus camera module configured for continuous capacitance measurement includes a bridge balance detector coupled to a MEMS actuator driver. The MEMS actuated autofocus camera module is configured to permit online MEMS actuator capacitance measurements to automatically focus images of objects disposed at arbitrary distances from autofocus camera module.

Abstract: In an imaging device having a driving device using a stepping motor, improvement in recovery speed after a step out of the motor is realized. An imaging device having a driving device which carries out lens driving, diaphragm driving or pan-tilt-zoom driving with a stepping motor, includes: a motor driving unit which controls a current or voltage supplied to an exciting coil of the stepping motor; a system control unit which outputs a motor driving stop instruction to the motor driving unit; and a detection unit which detects a current or voltage flowing through the exciting coil after the stop instruction is outputted. The system control unit finds a direction of correction and an amount of correction to recover from a movement of a rotor due to a step out of the stepping motor, based on the current or voltage detected by the detection unit, and moves the stepping motor based on the direction of correction and the amount of correction.

Abstract: A drive unit includes: a holding member holding an object to be driven; a polymer actuator device provided on one side of the object to be driven; one or more supporting members provided on the other side of the object to be driven; and a fixing member directly or indirectly fixing a first end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members. A second end of each of the polymer actuator device and the supporting members is directly or indirectly connected to an end of the holding member.

Abstract: Provided is a focusing apparatus for an optical device, the focusing apparatus including a lead screw rotatably installed in the optical device, a carriage screw-coupled to the lead screw to move in a longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw, a lens barrel receiving at least one lenses and moving along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw, and a bridge extending from an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel to enclose the carriage, in which the bridge moves the lens barrel in response to movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A motor control device includes a DC motor, a power source configured to supply power to each of the DC motor and a load unit, and a controller configured to control power supply to the DC motor and the load unit. When reducing the power to be supplied to the DC motor, the controller increases the power to be supplied to the load unit during a predetermined period of time including a timing at which the power to be supplied to the DC motor is reduced.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided that includes an image sensor that receives light from an object through an imaging lens, a lens driver that moves the imaging lens, and an automatic focus detector that determines an in-focus lens position based on imaging data obtained from the image sensor, the automatic focus detector being capable of performing a focus detection operation with a second switch that is different from a release switch in that it includes a dynamic-image focus detector and a still-image focus detector, and the dynamic-image focus detector further including a focus detection operation selector that varies a focus detection operation controlled by the second switch in accordance with whether a video is being recorded.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a camera voice coil motor (VCM) is described. A first power switch selectively conducts current from a VCM node to a power supply node, and a second power switch selectively conducts current from the VCM node to a power return node. A pulse width modulation circuit controls the first and second power switches. In another embodiment, a switch mode current control circuit sources VCM current alternately from the power supply node and the power n node, into the VCM node. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A device for transporting an optical element so that inclination of the optical element is substantially prevented to more precisely control the position of the optical element, including: a base; a transporting member that supports the optical element and is movably disposed along a predetermined direction with respect to the base; a magnet extending from the base along a movement direction of the transporting member; a coil that is coupled to the transporting member and generates a magnetic field when an electrical signal is applied thereto; and a magnetic substrate that is disposed on the transporting member and applies a force to the transporting member toward the magnet due an action of a magnetic force between the magnet and the magnetic substrate.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes zoom and focus units, zoom, and focus position detectors, a focus driver, an in-focus distance unit, used to input a command, a memory storing a table representing a focus position associated with the zoom position and the in-focus distance, and a controller controlling the focus driver based on the command and performing periodically first operation of determining a zoom number based on the zoom position, second operation of determining an in-focus-distance number based on the command, third operation of calculating a provisional target for the command based on data extracted from the table with reference to the zoom and in-focus-distance numbers, fourth operation of calculating a target associated with the zoom position from the provisional target, fifth operation of driving the focus unit to the target. Between the first and fifth operations, the fourth operation is performed but the second and third operations are not.

Abstract: A camera module includes a body having recesses in a first datum surface. A filleted edge may join the recesses to the first datum surface. An image sensor is coupled to the body at a known distance from the first datum surface. A movable lens mechanism includes a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is coupled to the body. The movable portion includes a lens assembly and protrusions arranged to fit within the recesses in the first datum surface and to define a second datum surface. A resilient stop plate covers the recesses in the first datum surface with an elastic sheet material. A spring may hold the protrusions in contact with the resilient stop plate when the movable lens mechanism is unpowered. The resilient stop plate may include a rigid support plate coupled to the body by heat staking. The elastic sheet material may be viscoelastic.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes: an optical system including a focus lens unit; a camera platform apparatus driving the optical system to pan and tilt; a measuring unit measuring a distance to an object, the measuring unit operable to be driven independently from the pan/tilt-driving of the optical system; and a controller storing panning/tilting positions of the optical system as pre-set positions, and controls driving of the optical system to the pre-set positions, wherein upon input of a drive command for driving the optical system to the stored pre-set positions, the controller drives the measuring unit so that a panning position of the measuring unit and the stored panning position correspond to each other and starts measurement by the measuring unit before completion of the driving of the optical system to the stored panning/tilting positions.

Abstract: A small camera apparatus includes a base, a lens barrel, a lens driving assembly, and a first flexible printed circuit board. The lens barrel is disposed to be spaced apart from the image sensor in an optical axis direction and has at least one lens. The lens driving assembly has a supporting frame, a first moving frame supported on the supporting frame to be movable in the optical axis direction, and a second moving frame loaded with the lens barrel and supported on the first moving frame to be movable in directions perpendicular to to the optical axis direction. The first flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) provides an electrical signal, for driving the second moving frame, to the first moving frame. At least a portion of the first FPCB is bent and is disposed between the base and the first moving frame. At least a portion of the bent portion is bonded to reduce a bending tension that occurs in a direction opposite to a bending direction when the first FPCB is bent.

Abstract: A method for focusing a miniature camera includes providing a current through a coil, moving a lens of a camera based on the current to adjust a focus of the camera, and limiting movement of the lens along an optical path of the camera.

Abstract: A MEMS actuator for a compact auto-focus camera module is configured to measure physical values and to estimated values each indicative of position or motion or both of a MEMS component. A smart logic component determines a set of MEMS driver control values based on analyzing the measured physical values and substituting estimated values to more accurately position the MEMS component. A MEMS driver component receives the set of MEMS driver control values and controls the position or motion, or both, of the MEMS component based on the MEMS driver control values.

Abstract: There are provided a drive device and the like that are capable of suppressing characteristic degradation according to ambient environment. The drive device includes one or a plurality of polymer actuator devices each configured using an ion-exchange resin, and the ion-exchange resin contains operating ions that have activation energy equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold. Degradation in ion conductivity in the ion-exchange resin is suppressed even in environment with low humidity, high temperature, and the like.

Abstract: An image capture module includes a liquid lens having a first and a second electrode, and a first and a second conductor element in electrical contact with the first and second electrode, respectively, the first and second conductor elements being each intended for connection with a voltage generator for driving the liquid lens. The first conductor element includes an electrically conductive body having a peripheral region for contact with the first electrode of the liquid lens with a light diaphragm aperture in a central region thereof.

Abstract: An auto-focus method to determine an optimum position of a lens module includes defining search boundaries and an allowable difference, randomly sampling current values within the search boundaries d1, d2 and d3, and obtaining sharpness m1, m2 and m3. A parabola is determined where a vertex of the parabola is used as a next input current value where three larger values of the sharpness are used along with corresponding current values to re-determine a new parabola. Three current values are sampled and a corresponding current value is used to re-determine a new parabola and according to a comparison of the sharpness values, the lens module is driven to auto-focus.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and a computer program are provided. An apparatus comprises: one or more optical elements, a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator may be configured to drive the one or more optical elements from a rest position across a first displacement, and configured to drive the one or more optical elements from the rest position across a second displacement. The second actuator may be configured to assist the first actuator in controlling movement of the one or more optical elements across a portion, and not all, of the first displacement, and configured to assist the first actuator in controlling movement of the one or more optical elements in the second direction across a portion, and not all, of the second displacement. The first and second actuators may be biased such that, when no electrical power is supplied to the first and second actuators, they bring the one or more optical elements to a rest position from which the one or more optical elements are driven.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable terminal and method for detecting posture of the portable terminal, the portable terminal including a lens of a camera capturing an object, an actuator moving the lens for focus adjustment, a electrostatic capacity measuring unit measuring an electrostatic capacity of the actuator, and a controller for detecting a posture of the camera in response to the electrostatic capacity measured by the electrostatic capacity measuring unit.

Abstract: The lens barrel is a lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a focus lens unit, a zoom mechanism, and a focus actuator. The focus lens unit is movably supported by the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The operating force inputted to the zoom control is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The focus actuator is fixed to the second lens unit and electrically drives the focus lens unit relative to the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The second lens unit or the focus lens unit is disposed nearest to the image plane in the optical system including the first lens element, the second lens element, and the focus lens.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first member including a holding member, the retaining member holding a lens; a second member surrounding the first member; an imaging device arranged opposite to the first member and the lens; and a driving member arranged in a region adjacent to the first member driving the first member in the vertical direction relative to the imaging device. The first member includes at least a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first outer diameter and the second portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter, the first and second portions respectively having a first corner and a second corner, the first and second corners respectively having a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion. At least a portion of the driving member is disposed at a region corresponding to the second portion.

Abstract: A driver circuit for a camera voice coil motor (VCM) is described. A first power switch selectively conducts current from a VCM node to a power supply node, and a second power switch selectively conducts current from the VCM node to a power return node. A pulse width modulation circuit controls the first and second power switches. In another embodiment, a switch mode current control circuit sources VCM current alternately from the power supply node and the power return node, into the VCM node. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A camera system is provided. The camera system includes a first housing, a lens module accommodated in an inner space of the first housing, a support panel engaged to a side surface of the first housing, a magnet which is mounted on the lens module and confronts the support panel, and a drive portion which is arranged on the support panel and linearly moves the lens module in a direction of an optical axis, wherein the drive portion comprises a hall sensor portion for detecting displacement of the lens module, a coil fixed on a circuit board of the drive portion, and a controller for controlling current applied to the coil according to output of the hall sensor portion, and wherein the controller and the hall sensor portion are integrated in one chip.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes a detector which detects that a resistance value of an actuator, made of shape memory alloy, is maintained within a predetermined range. The image-capturing device moves a lens step by step from a place corresponding to a first field in order to obtain image data from each one of the fields provided in a focus region. The image-capturing device also calculates a target place, where the lens should be finally positioned, by using the obtained image data, and then positions the lens at the calculated target place. The foregoing structure allows obtaining reliable and stable data.

Abstract: Electromagnetic actuators for digital cameras, in particular miniature cell-phone and tablet cameras, include an electromagnet with a first elongated ferromagnetic member surrounded coaxially in part by a conductive coil along a first longitudinal axis, and a elongated second ferromagnetic member with a second longitudinal axis. The first and second ferromagnetic members have respective first and second operative surfaces and are aligned such that their longitudinal axes are parallel and such that respective operative surfaces overlap each other across a gap. The two members are mechanically coupled to respective frames. A frame hinge connects the frames and enables a relative tilt motion between the ferromagnetic members when current passes through the coil. The tilt motion is convertible into a linear displacement along an optical axis of an optical element coupled to the actuator. Two actuators can be combined into an assembly capable of providing double-axis tilt.