IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,264,188
Granted Patent B2
US 10,264,188 · App. 14/871,724 · Granted Apr 16, 2019

Mobile zoom using multiple optical image stabilization cameras

Inventors: Scott W. Miller (Los Gatos, CA); Shashank Sharma (San Francisco, CA); Simon S. Lee (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
H04N5/23296G02B7/09H04N5/2253H04N5/2258H04N5/23216H04N5/23287
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,264,188
App. No.
14/871,724
Granted
Apr 16, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some embodiments, a first camera unit includes a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length. A second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field includes a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length, and the camera system includes a shared magnet positioned between the first camera unit and the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.

Claims (61)

1. A camera system of a multifunction device, comprising:

a first camera unit of a multifunction device for capturing a first image of a first visual field, wherein

the first camera unit comprises a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length; and

a second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field, wherein

the second camera unit comprises a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length different from the first focal length such that the first visual field is a subset of the second visual field, and

the camera system comprises a shared magnet positioned between the first camera unit and the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.

2. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder for the first actuator and the second actuator, to which are attached one or more magnets of the first camera unit and one or more magnets of the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.

3. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder for the first actuator and the second actuator, from which the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator are suspended using respective sets of control wires mounted with a pair of control wires in each corner of each respective actuator.

4. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder for the first actuator and the second actuator, from which the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator are attached using respective sets of control wires.

5. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system further comprises a first actuator lateral magnet positioned opposite the shared magnet with respect to an optical axis of the first camera unit;

the camera system further comprises a pair of first actuator transverse magnets situated opposite one another with respect to an axis between the shared magnet and the first actuator lateral magnet;

the camera system further comprises a second actuator lateral magnet positioned opposite the shared magnet with respect to an optical axis of the second camera unit; and

the camera system further comprises a pair of second actuator transverse magnets situated opposite one another with respect to an axis between the shared magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet.

6. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder to which are attached one or more side-mounted magnets of the first camera unit and one or more side-mounted magnets of the second camera unit used to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in one or more of the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.

7. The camera system of claim 1 , wherein:

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder to which are moveably articulated one or more coils of the first camera unit and one or more corner-mounted magnets of the second camera unit to create motion in one or more of the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator.

8. A camera system of a multifunction device, comprising:

a first camera unit of a multifunction device for capturing a first image of a first visual field, wherein

the first camera unit comprises a first actuator for moving a first optical package configured for a first focal length; and

a second camera unit of the multifunction device for simultaneously capturing a second image of a second visual field, wherein

the second camera unit comprises a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length different from the first focal length such that the first visual field is a subset of the second visual field, and

the camera system comprises a shared magnet holder for the first actuator and the second actuator.

9. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the camera system comprises one or more corner magnets disposed in respective corners of the first camera unit and one or more corner magnets disposed in respective corners of the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator, and

the corner magnets are attached to the shared magnet holder such that the corner magnets are held in the respective corners by the shared magnet holder.

10. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the camera system comprises one or more side magnets of the first camera unit and one or more side magnets of the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator, and

the magnets are attached to the shared magnet holder.

11. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the camera system comprises one or more magnets of the first camera unit and one or more magnets of the second camera unit to generate magnetic fields usable in creating motion in both the first camera actuator and the second camera actuator,

the magnets are attached to the shared magnet holder, and

the magnets comprise a magnet shared between the first camera unit and the second camera unit.

12. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the first camera actuator and the second actuator are attached to the shared magnet holder using respective sets of control wires mounted with a pair of control wires in each corner of each respective actuator.

13. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the first camera actuator and the second actuator are suspended from the shared magnet holder using respective sets of control wires mounted in each corner of each respective actuator.

14. The camera system of claim 8 , wherein:

the camera system further comprises a first actuator lateral magnet positioned opposite the shared magnet with respect to an optical axis of the first camera unit;

the camera system further comprises a pair of first actuator transverse magnets situated opposite one another with respect to an axis between the shared magnet and the first actuator lateral magnet;

the camera system further comprises a second actuator lateral magnet positioned opposite the shared magnet with respect to an optical axis of the second camera unit; and

the camera system further comprises a pair of second actuator transverse magnets situated opposite one another with respect to an axis between the shared magnet and the second actuator lateral magnet.

15. A camera unit of a multifunction device, comprising:

a first optical package configured for a first focal length; and

an actuator, wherein the actuator comprises:

one or more magnets arranged at multiple sides of the optical package, wherein one of the one or more magnets is shared with a second actuator for moving a second optical package configured for a second focal length different from the first focal length such that a first visual field of the first optical package is a subset of a second visual field for the second optical package, and

one or more autofocus coils arranged between respective ones of the magnets and the optical package.

16. The camera unit of claim 15 , wherein:

the one or more autofocus coils radially surround the optical package.

17. The camera unit of claim 15 , wherein:

the actuator is attached to a magnet holder of the camera using respective sets of control wires mounted with a pair of control wires in each corner of each respective actuator.

18. The camera unit of claim 15 , wherein:

the actuator is articulated to a magnet holder of the camera using respective sets of control wires mounted with a pair of control wires in each corner of the actuator, wherein the magnet holder is shared with one or more magnets of the second actuator.

19. The camera unit of claim 15 , wherein:

the actuator is attached to a magnet holder of the camera using control wires mounted in one or more corners of the actuator.

20. The camera unit of claim 15 , wherein:

the actuator is suspended from a magnet holder of the camera using control wires mounted in one or more corners of the actuator.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2015
From: MILLER, SCOTT W.; SHARMA, SHASHANK; LEE, SIMON S.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 036701/0324 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170094183A1 · Mar 30, 2017
Cited By (5)
US 12,219,226 US 12,266,984 US 12,335,591 US 12,566,357 US 12,720,177