Actively select the lens used for the camera focusing process

Abstract

The technology of the present disclosure relates to actively selecting lenses for the camera focusing process. Test equipment can check lenses by dry-fitting them to a specific set of production parts to align them. If minimum focus performance cannot be achieved, the lens will not be used in the final camera assembly. In some cases, the unused lens group is salvageable for use in another camera assembly. Advanced CMAT equipment can calculate and apply rotations to the unused lenses to improve their focus performance the next time they are used in the final assembly. The maximum number of attempts to rotationally fix a set of lenses can be observed to avoid trying the same lens over and over again, possibly never succeeding. In this way, since actively selected lenses can also be rotated during the production process, a final camera assembly can be produced that is likely to pass EOLT and minimize waste.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Cameras are common in vehicles and are used for a variety of purposes; images can be used alone or in combination with other sensor data to implement advanced safety features and semi-autonomous or even fully autonomous control. The modulation transfer function (MTF) is a performance measurement of a camera system. A camera's MTF depends on the ability of its lens to focus. Achieving a specific MTF performance can be a critical requirement for final camera assembly. Camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) rigs can be used to check the focusing ability of a set of lenses before they are used in production. However, the focusing ability of a lens can vary from one camera to the next due to minor variations in adhesives or other subtle final assembly conditions that alter the lens's focusing ability. Even if a lens meets the initial MTF check, the MTF performance measured by an end-of-line tester (EOLT) may be insufficient due to variations that occur during the final assembly process (e.g., integration of the lens with production components). Summary of the Invention

[0002] This document describes one or more aspects of actively selecting a lens for a camera focusing process. In one example, a method includes identifying, by a processor of a camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) equipment, a set of camera components and a corresponding set of lenses to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for use in producing a portion of a final camera assembly. The method further includes controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to: dry-fit assemble the lens with the camera component and perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring an initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the lens when dry-fitted with the camera component. The method further includes determining, by the processor, whether the initial MTF performance satisfies an MTF threshold, and in response to determining that the initial MTF performance satisfies the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: apply an adhesive material to an interface on a surface of the camera component; dry-fit assemble the lens with the camera component after the adhesive material is applied; and perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check, the subsequent five-axis lens alignment check measuring a subsequent MTF performance of the lens when dry-fitted with the camera component after the adhesive material is applied. The method further includes controlling the CMAT equipment to cure the adhesive material for outputting a portion of a final camera assembly if the subsequent MTF performance satisfies the MTF threshold.

[0003] In another example, a method includes: identifying, by a processor of a CMAT equipment, a set of camera components and a corresponding set of first lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring an initial MTF performance of the first lens when dry-fitted with the camera component; and determining, by the processor, whether the initial MTF performance of the first lens meets an MTF threshold. The method further includes: in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the first lens does not meet the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: use a set of second lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly having the camera components; calculating a rotation to be applied to the first lens for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having a different camera component; and storing the first lens in the CMAT equipment so that the portion of the other final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation.

[0004] The techniques described herein (including any described processes and methods) can be performed by hardware or a combination of hardware and software executed thereon. For example, a computer-readable storage medium can have instructions stored thereon, and the instructions, when executed, configure a processor to perform the described processes, methods, and techniques. A system may include devices for performing the described methods, processes, and techniques. A processor or processor unit may be part of a system configured to perform the methods, processes, and techniques described herein.

[0005] This summary is provided to introduce various aspects of actively selecting a lens for a camera focusing process, which are further described below in the detailed description and in the accompanying figures. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] This document describes details of actively selecting a lens for a camera focusing process with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may use the same numerals to refer to similar features and components and hyphenated numbers to designate variations of these similar features and components. The drawings are organized as follows:

[0007] Figures 1-1 to 1-4 A conceptual diagram illustrating an example camera assembly for which a lens may be actively selected for the camera focusing process, in accordance with techniques of this disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2-1 、 Figure 2-2 and Figure 2-3A conceptual diagram illustrating a manner in which a camera assembly may be focused based on the position and / or orientation of a lens relative to an image sensor, in accordance with techniques of this disclosure;

[0009] Figure 3 A flow chart illustrating a prior art computer controlled process for focusing a camera assembly without active lens selection in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure;

[0010] Figure 4-1 and Figure 4-2 A flow chart illustrating a computer controlled process for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting a lens in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure;

[0011] Figure 5-1 and Figure 5-2 a flow chart illustrating another computer controlled process for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting a lens in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure; and

[0012] Figure 6-1 、 Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3 Details of incorporating rotation into an active selection lens according to the techniques of this disclosure are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] introduction

[0014] Using high-quality lenses or other high-quality components does not guarantee a high-quality camera. Proper camera assembly is crucial to ensuring the desired MTF, resulting in high-quality imaging. Finding ways to produce high-quality camera assemblies with less waste and in less time could reduce costs, allowing more vehicles to adopt these high-quality camera assemblies for improved driving and safety. High-quality camera assemblies can minimize corner-to-corner image variation while maintaining a balance between center and corner image values and / or ensure camera focus quality to maintain image quality over long-term use. High-quality camera assemblies that incorporate these and other characteristics are desirable for vehicle use.

[0015] To achieve high quality, care must be taken when selecting components for camera assemblies. Inspecting and selecting lenses for proper function can be a complex and time-consuming task. For example, lenses can be inspected through a process known as dry-fit testing. Each lens is inspected using a common test fixture that simulates the production lens barrel and production printed circuit board (PCB) assembly of a production camera assembly. The test fixture is input into a testing machine (such as a CMAT rig), which, when positioned within the test fixture, performs a computer-controlled inspection of the lens's focusing ability. This process requires manual (e.g., operator) loading of the CMAT each time a camera component (e.g., a lens assembly) is put under test. Nearly one-third of lenses typically fail this dry-fit test. Lenses that pass this inspection are approved for use in the final assembly. Lenses that fail the test are discarded or returned to the manufacturer. Often, the results of dry-fit testing do not correlate with data from the lens supplier. Dry-fitting lenses before camera production or final assembly maximizes the likelihood that the resulting camera assembly will meet EOLT requirements.

[0016] EOLT checks every final camera assembly that is ultimately produced using lenses that pass the initial CMAT testing. While CMAT checks lens performance according to the minimum requirements established by EOLT, passing EOLT is not guaranteed simply by utilizing a dry fit with CMAT. Differences within the production lens barrel or production PCB assembly can cause certain camera assemblies to fail EOLT requirements when compared to the test fixture, even though they meet CMAT checks. Lens orientation, PCB mounting to the lens barrel, PCB variations, and pallet variations can shift in the final assembly. Production variations in lens position and / or orientation (e.g., tilt-orientation, height-orientation) can degrade MTF and ultimately result in failures when tested by EOLT.

[0017] Failures at the EOLT are unrecoverable; if a camera assembly fails to meet the minimum EOLT requirements, the entire camera assembly may be scrapped. If the EOLT fails, the camera components (including the PCB) cannot be saved; replacement parts can be very expensive and difficult to obtain. If the final camera assembly and its internal components are forced to be scrapped at a high rate, it will be difficult to achieve consistent production of camera assemblies.

[0018] This document describes a technique for proactively selecting lenses for the camera focusing process. Rather than manually pre-sorting lenses using a CMAT rig before production to dry-fit test them against a common test fixture, the described technique involves proactively selecting each lens set to be used during final assembly based on whether its pairing with a specific production component set can meet the MTF performance criteria for EOLT. For example, as part of the camera assembly process, a CMAT rig may be loaded with lenses, lens barrels, and other camera components to assemble a camera assembly. The CMAT rig can inspect the lens set dry-fitted with a specific production component set. If the minimum MTF performance cannot be achieved through pairing, the lens is not used to complete the camera assembly; instead, a different lens set already loaded into the CMAT rig is dry-fitted with the specific production component set to produce the final camera assembly for EOLT. In this way, because lenses are proactively selected during production to achieve satisfactory MTF performance with the actual production components of the final camera assembly, each final camera assembly is likely to pass the EOLT focus inspection, thereby improving production output.

[0019] In some cases, when lenses fail MTF performance checks, they are simply discarded. For example, if two or more angular MTF performance checks or the center MTF performance check fail to meet the MTF performance requirements, the lens is removed from the CMAT system. However, in some cases, lenses can be salvaged by rotating them with the CMAT system. To this end, advanced CMAT systems are used that can apply rotation to lenses and store the rotated lenses for subsequent use in assembly. By rotating previously failed lens sets in a specific manner, they can meet the MTF performance standards of another camera assembly using a different set of production components. For example, if at least two angular positions and the center target position meet the MTF performance, the lens set can be rotationally salvaged. After the lenses are rotated, they can be tested with another camera assembly using the CMAT system. Advanced CMAT systems can install lenses with these different rotations; existing CMAT systems cannot perform this movement. To prevent excessive salvage attempts on a particular lens set, a maximum number of attempts to rotate a fixed lens set can be observed. If the MTF performance check fails twice, for example, after calculating and applying two rotations, the lens may be discarded rather than being rotated again and again, perhaps never successfully.

[0020] Sample Camera Component

[0021] Figures 1-1 to 1-4 A conceptual diagram of an example camera assembly for which a lens can be actively selected for the camera focusing process is shown, in accordance with techniques of this disclosure. Figure 1-1, an exploded view of camera assembly 100 is shown. Camera assembly 100 is formed of multiple parts, including a barrel 102 configured to hold one or more lenses 112, an adhesive material 104 configured to join barrel 102 to housing 106 to provide structural and environmental protection to the components of camera assembly 100, and a gasket 108 configured to connect housing 106 to a PCB assembly 110 that includes an image sensor 116 disposed on a PCB 114.

[0022] Figure 1-2 An assembled view of camera assembly 100 is shown, with the various parts arranged in their final assembly. Lens barrel 102 is partially inserted into an opening in housing 106. When adhesive material 104 cures, it secures lens barrel 102 to housing 106, which, in combination with gasket 108, protects the components of PCB assembly 110 disposed therein.

[0023] Figure 1-3 A cross-sectional view of camera assembly 100 is shown. Within lens barrel 102, one or more lenses 112 (e.g., lens assemblies) are stacked above PCB assembly 110. PCB assembly 110 includes PCB 114, and among the components on PCB 114, PCB assembly 110 includes image sensor 116 (e.g., imager). Lens 112 is positioned above image sensor 116, and a processing unit (e.g., hardware and / or software) executed on PCB 114 controls image sensor 116 to capture objects in a field of view.

[0024] Figure 1-4 A close-up cross-sectional view of camera assembly 100 is shown. Lens barrel 102 includes lens 112, which is positioned above image sensor 116 on PCB 114 of PCB assembly 110. Lens barrel 102 is adhered to housing 106 using a cured adhesive material 104. Lens barrel 102 may have attached optical filters (e.g., infrared filters). Gasket 108 seals lens barrel 102 (including any optical filters) within housing 106.

[0025] It is important that the components of camera assembly 100 are precisely fitted and assembled. Otherwise, camera assembly 100 may fail at EOLT. If camera assembly 100 does not pass EOLT, it cannot be recovered and the entire camera assembly 100 may be scrapped. If camera assembly 100 fails to pass EOLT, image sensor 116, PCB 114, lens 112, gasket 108, housing 106, adhesive material 104, and lens barrel 102 may be wasted, resulting in a considerable waste of time and resources. Obtaining replacement parts to build new replacement camera assemblies for those camera assemblies that fail testing can be difficult and expensive; many of these parts are expensive or in short supply. Ensuring precise assembly and matching of the components of camera assembly 100 prior to EOLT can ensure that camera assembly 100 passes, which is important for achieving consistent production output with low scrap rates.

[0026] Lens Positioning for Improved MTF

[0027] Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-3 A conceptual diagram illustrating how a camera assembly may be focused based on the position and / or orientation of the lens relative to the image sensor is shown. Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-3 In each of the figures, lens 112 of camera assembly 100 is shown in a different position and orientation relative to image sensor 116 and PCB 114.

[0028] Figure 2-1 Scene 200-1 is shown, in which the amount of tip or tilt associated with lens 112 can affect focus and MTF performance to produce images 202-1, 202-2, or 202-3. In scene 200-1, lens 112 is oriented above image sensor 116 at different tilt angles relative to the Z axis, which is perpendicular to the XY plane corresponding to the surface of image sensor 116. When lens 112 is oriented at zero tilt or zero tip relative to image sensor 116, image 202-1 is slightly out of focus. In contrast, with a positive tilt relative to the Z axis, lens 112 causes image 202-2 to appear more out of focus than image 202-1. However, with a negative tilt relative to the Z axis, lens 112 causes image 202-3 to appear more focused than either image 202-1 or image 202-2.

[0029] Figure 2-22 shows different scenes 200-2, where the amount of separation between lens 112 and image sensor 116 is also shown to vary the focus and MTF performance to generate images 202-4, 202-5, or 202-6. Lens 112 is oriented above image sensor 116 at a first distance from the surface of image sensor 116, and image 202-4 is out of focus. When lens 112 is oriented above image sensor 116 at a distance shorter than the first distance from the surface of image sensor 116, image 202-5 is even more out of focus than image 202-4. However, at a second position above the imager, which is neither as far as the first distance nor as close as the shorter distance, lens 112 causes image 202-6 to appear in focus.

[0030] exist Figure 2-3 A third scene 200-3 is depicted in FIG. Scene 200-3 illustrates how the offset between the centerline 204 of the lens 112 and the image sensor 116 may affect focus and MTF performance when generating images 202-7, 202-8, or 202-9. In scene 200-3, the lens 112 is oriented above the image sensor 116 at a first distance offset from the image sensor 116, and image 202-7 is missing a portion 206-1 of the field of view. When the lens 112 is oriented above the image sensor 116 with the centerline 204 aligned with the image sensor 116 (e.g., zero offset), image 202-8 is improved compared to image 202-7; however, portion 206-2 is still omitted, thereby limiting what is otherwise observable in the field of view. However, with a smaller offset between the centerline 204 of the lens 112 and the image sensor 116, the lens 112 causes the image 202-9 to capture the entire field of view without omitting either of the portions 206-1 or 206-2 that were omitted from images 202-7 and 202-8.

[0031] Scenes 200-1 to 200-3 illustrate that the positioning and orientation of lens 112 relative to image sensor 116 are important for ensuring adequate focus and satisfactory MTF for passing EOLT. This also demonstrates that when manufacturing camera assembly 100, adjusting the orientation and positioning of lens 112 relative to image sensor 116 during assembly can significantly improve EOLT pass rates.

[0032] No existing assembly process for active lens selection

[0033] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a prior art computer controlled process 300 for focusing a camera assembly without the described active lens selection according to the techniques of the present disclosure. Figures 1-1 to 1-4 and Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-2300 is described in the context of, as performed by, test equipment including at least one processor configured to perform the steps of process 300 and / or means for performing the steps of process 300 .

[0034] The process 300 includes an initial lens sorting step 302, followed by a subsequent camera production step 304. In the lens sorting step 302, the storage 308 of lenses for subsequent production is preceded by an MTF check 306.

[0035] During MTF inspection 306 , the focusing performance of lens 112 is individually inspected using CMAT equipment and a static test structure. For example, lens 112 is inspected by moving lens 112 relative to image sensor 116 as depicted in scenes 200 - 1 to 200 - 3 .

[0036] A static test structure is constructed to replicate the camera assembly 100 or portions thereof for testing the fit and function of different batches of lenses 112 with production components in final assembly. Each set of lenses 112 is manually loaded into the test structure (e.g., individually by an operator). The static test structure may be a production version of the camera assembly 100, excluding the lenses 112. Components of the test structure may be locked in place (e.g., using adhesives, mechanical interfaces), but no adhesive is used for the lenses 112. Unlike a true production version of the camera assembly 100, in which the lenses 112 are fixed, the static test structure is configured to allow the lenses 112 to be removed and replaced from one test to the next.

[0037] The static test structure replicates the operating environment of lens 112 so that the CMAT equipment can consistently check focusing capabilities. Included in the static test structure can be a replica of at least a portion of lens barrel 102, in which the lens 112 being tested is located. Below lens barrel 102 is a replica of at least a portion of PCB assembly 110, including image sensor 116, and some or all of PCB 114. The relative positions of the components of the static test structure can be moved during testing, for example, to check for improved or degraded MTF of lens 112 when it is in different positions or orientations relative to image sensor 116. For example, Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-3 As shown, the MTF check 306 may include repositioning or reorienting the lens 112 to determine whether the lens 112 is likely to meet the MTF requirements when mated with a production part during final assembly.

[0038] During the MTF check 306, the CMAT equipment tests each set of lenses 112 mounted on the test structure according to the MTF performance requirements determined by the EOLT. The results of the MTF check 306 can be used to separate lenses 112 that do not meet the minimum MTF performance requirements from lenses 112 that pass the MTF check 306, taking into account the dry fit inspection of the lenses 112. For example, using a five-axis lens alignment mode for MTF performance testing, an acceptable MTF performance measurement at the center MTF_0 of the lens 112 can be greater than 70%, and an acceptable MTF performance measurement at corners MTF_1 to MTF_4 of the lens 112 can be greater than 50%.

[0039] The result of the MTF check 306 is lens storage 308, where lenses 112 that pass the MTF check 306 are maintained until they are ready to be assembled and focused for production. The lens storage 308 can attempt to maintain the exact position and orientation of the lenses 112 as they were during the MTF check 306; this allows the same lens positioning or orientation to be applied to the production of the camera assembly 100, increasing the likelihood that the camera assembly 100 can withstand the scrutiny of the EOLT during the camera production step 304.

[0040] During the camera production step 304, plasma treatment 310 of the components is followed by epoxy dispensing 312, five-axis lens alignment 314, and finally UV curing 316 before undergoing EOLT 318. At this stage, the production components for building the camera assembly 100, including the lens 112 and at least a portion of the housing 106 (including the lens barrel 102 and the PCB assembly 110), are loaded into the CMAT equipment. The adhesive material 104 is also loaded into the CMAT equipment.

[0041] Plasma treatment 310 cleans any interfacing surfaces of components loaded into the CMAT equipment. Cleaning uses a plasma cleaning process.

[0042] Epoxy dispense 312 applies adhesive material 104 to the interface between lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110 to configure the portion of PCB assembly 110 that interfaces with the lens (eg, image sensor 116 ) to be operable when lens 112 is installed.

[0043] Five-axis lens alignment 314 involves positioning lens 112 within lens barrel 102 and above PCB assembly 110, and then stepping through a CMAT focusing process until the MTF requirements are met. For example, this process involves using the position and orientation measurements taken during lens sorting step 302 to guide the repositioning and reorientation of the lens during CMAT inspection. If the MTF requirements are not met after a maximum number of attempts, lens 112 and housing 106, including PCB assembly 110 and lens barrel 102, are rejected and scrapped.

[0044] If the camera assembly 100 passes the five-axis lens alignment 314, UV curing is performed 316. UV radiation at this stage is applied to the camera assembly 100 to harden the adhesive material 104 and hold the lens 112 in place relative to the PCB assembly 110.

[0045] After curing, EOLT 318 occurs. Each of the production camera assemblies is tested according to the MTF requirements. If a camera assembly 100 fails this test, the entire unit is discarded.

[0046] Thus, process 300 and other existing assembly processes that do not utilize the techniques of the present disclosure to actively select lenses have several disadvantages or limitations. The lens sorting step 302 is labor- and time-intensive (e.g., it increases manufacturing costs), however, it is an important requirement for the camera production step 304 because it minimizes waste. Often, the measurements performed by the manufacturer of the lens 112 do not correlate with the expected MTF performance measured during MTF inspection 306, five-axis lens alignment 314, or EOLT 318. Without sorting, process 300 may result in a high rate of unusable camera assemblies or unusable parts thereof. Even so, due to variations in test configurations and production parts, the lens sorting step 302 may not be a reliable way to obtain high-quality camera assemblies at the camera production step 304, and wasted assemblies due to EOLT 318 may be quite common. Obtaining replacement parts to manufacture further assemblies may be difficult, which may result in delays and inconsistent production rates and / or production costs.

[0047] Example assembly process including active lens selection

[0048] Figure 4-1 A flow chart of a computer controlled process 400 for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting a lens according to the techniques of this disclosure is shown. Figures 1-1 to 1-4 and Figure 2-1 to Figure 2-3The steps of process 400 are described in the context of, as performed by, test equipment that includes at least one processor configured to perform the steps of process 400 and / or means for performing the steps of process 400. The operations (also referred to as steps) of process 400 are numbered, however, the numbering does not necessarily imply a particular order of operations. The steps of process 400 may be performed in the same order as Figure 4-1 The specific manner shown in the figure may be rearranged, skipped, repeated or performed in a different manner.

[0049] The process 400 includes a plasma treatment 402, followed by an initial five-axis lens alignment 404. After the initial five-axis lens alignment 404, a determination is made 406 as to whether the lens 112 is acceptable. If the lens 112 is acceptable, epoxy is dispensed 408 prior to the subsequent five-axis lens alignment 404. UV curing then occurs 410 before the final assembly is inspected at the EOLT 412.

[0050] For example, similar to the camera production step 304, the CMAT equipment can be loaded with production parts to build the camera assembly 100. In other words, instead of pre-sorting the lenses or camera parts and manually loading them one at a time for inspection using a test fixture, the CMAT equipment can be loaded with multiple sets of camera parts and multiple sets of corresponding lenses. This can include multiple trays loaded with lenses 112, portions of the housing 106 containing the lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110, and the adhesive material 104. Plasma treatment 402 cleans any interface surfaces of the parts loaded into the CMAT equipment. Cleaning uses a plasma cleaning process. Next, unlike process 300, where the five-axis lens alignment 314 was preceded by epoxy dispensing 312, the five-axis lens alignment 404 of process 400 occurs before any adhesive is applied; the five-axis lens alignment 404 is dry-fit.

[0051] At time 1, a five-axis lens alignment 404 may be performed by the CMAT equipment to measure the MTF performance of a specific set of lenses 112 installed in a production version of the camera assembly 100 using a specific lens barrel 102 and a specific PCB assembly 110. For example, the CMAT equipment loads the specific set of lenses 112 into a specific production version of the lens barrel 102 to check their combined focusing ability when paired with a specific production version of the PCB assembly 110 (or a portion thereof). The CMAT equipment is then configured to reposition the lenses 112 and / or the lens barrel 102 relative to the PCB assembly 110. Repositioning the lenses 112 and / or the lens barrel 102 may include adjusting the distance (e.g., height) separating the PCB assembly 110 from the lenses 112 and / or the lens barrel 102, adjusting the offset between the PCB assembly 110 and the respective centerlines of the lenses 112 and / or the lens barrel 102, or adjusting the amount of tilt applied to the lenses 112 and the lens barrel 102 relative to the inspection plane of the PCB assembly 110. By performing a five-axis lens alignment 404 and testing different positions and tilts of the lenses 112 to maximize MTF performance, the proper position and tilt angle of the set of lenses 112 relative to the PCB assembly 110 can be inferred by the CMAT equipment.

[0052] The position and / or tilt of the lens 112 can be adjusted incrementally during the five-axis lens alignment 404. The adjustments may begin with a relatively large step size (e.g., 12 microns). In response to obtaining satisfactory MTF performance by adjusting the position and / or tilt in large steps, the CMAT equipment can further adjust the position and / or tilt in small steps (e.g., 4 microns). This enables the optimal position and tilt of the lens 112 to be determined for this particular lens barrel 102 and this particular PCB assembly 110.

[0053] Next, at time 2, a determination is made 406 as to whether the MTF performance of the lens 112 in combination with the particular lens barrel 102 and the particular PCB assembly 110 meets the MTF requirements for the final assembly. If the minimum MTF performance can be achieved during the five-axis lens alignment 404 (e.g., dry-fit), the parameters for the final assembly using the lens 112 are stored. This includes storing the distance (e.g., height) between the lens 112 and the PCB assembly 110, the offset or orientation (e.g., tilt) of the lens 112 relative to the PCB assembly 110, and other parameters.

[0054] The lenses 112 that pass the determination 406 are accepted and are advanced to the assembly stage using their parameters and the matching lens barrel and PCB assembly. Lenses 112 that do not meet the MTF performance requirements can be discarded. The five-axis lens alignment 404 can be repeated until the MTF performance requirements are met or the maximum adjustment or number of attempts is reached. Since process 400 includes this dry-fit lens alignment check, if the lens 112 cannot be redirected or repositioned to achieve satisfactory MTF performance using another set of production components, the waste of the lens barrel 102 and / or PCB assembly 110 may be less. If a lens 112 is rejected, a different set of lenses 112 can be tried using the lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110.

[0055] Epoxy dispense 408 occurs based on decision 406. Lens 112 is moved out of position, and the CMAT equipment applies adhesive material 104 to mating surfaces of lens barrel 102 and / or PCB assembly 110. Lens 112 is reinstalled in lens barrel 102, now mated with PCB assembly 110. Lens 112 is positioned and oriented relative to PCB assembly 110 using the appropriate positioning and tilt angles inferred from the five-axis lens alignment 404 that occurred earlier at time 1.

[0056] However, at time 3, five-axis lens alignment 404 is performed again. Because lens 112 can be aligned starting from the position and orientation inferred earlier, five-axis lens alignment 404 can occur more quickly than the five-axis lens alignment 404 that occurred at time 1. Lens 112 can be positioned above PCB assembly 110 to perform the five-axis lens alignment and focus performance process. The position and orientation of lens 112 can be fine-tuned to quickly step through the focus process until the MTF requirement is achieved, or the maximum number of steps is reached. When camera assembly 100 fails this test, lens 112 and the components used to test lens 112 are rejected and scrapped. This may occur less frequently due to the dry fit of the components that occurred at time 1.

[0057] At time 4, if camera assembly 100 passes five-axis lens alignment 404, UV curing 410 is performed. UV radiation is applied to camera assembly 100 during this stage to harden the interface adhesive material 104 applied to the surface of camera assembly 100 during epoxy dispensing 408, for example, to hold lens 112 and the lens barrel in place relative to PCB assembly 110. Following UV curing 410, EOLT 412 occurs. Camera assembly 100 is ultimately tested according to MTF requirements. If the final camera assembly 100 fails EOLT 412, the entire unit is discarded.

[0058] Thus, by using the CMAT equipment to proactively select lenses 112 that are likely to pass the MTF test and ensure that the parts remain aligned before curing, process 400 can result in less waste and take less time than other processes (such as process 300). When compared to existing camera assembly techniques, process 400 can achieve a significant reduction in production cost and time and / or an improvement in quality. Process 400 omits the labor- and time-intensive lens sorting step 302, yet still results in less waste and improved quality. The CMAT equipment checks the MTF performance of the lens 112 as part of the assembly process of the camera assembly 100; the focusing ability of the lens 112 is tested using the specific production parts that will be used with the lens 112. Compared to process 300, process 400 can result in a lower rate of unusable camera assemblies or a higher rate of usable camera assemblies, thereby improving production quality.

[0059] Figure 4-2 A flow chart of a computer-controlled process 414 for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting lenses in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure is shown. Process 414 illustrates the active selection of lenses for the camera focusing process, including lenses to be used during camera assembly, which are selected based on whether they can meet focus performance criteria for end-of-line testing when paired with a specific set of production parts. Test equipment can execute process 414 to inspect the lenses by dry-fitting and aligning them with a specific set of production parts. If minimum MTF performance cannot be achieved, a different set of lenses and that set of production parts are used to produce the final camera assembly. In this way, because lenses are actively selected during production to achieve satisfactory MTF performance for EOLT, each final camera assembly is more likely to pass the EOLT from process 414, thereby improving camera production output.

[0060] Process 414 may be executed by a processor of a CMAT device that is configured to control a portion of the CMAT device to produce a final camera assembly, such as camera assembly 100. The processor may retrieve instructions maintained by the CMAT device in a memory or computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the instructions configure the processor to perform process 414 by controlling components of the CMAT device, as described below.

[0061] At 416, the lens and camera components that have been loaded into the CMAT equipment configured to produce the final camera assembly are identified. For example, in addition to lens 112, the processor of the CMAT equipment may identify lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110, each of which is loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of camera assembly 100.

[0062] At 418, the CMAT equipment is controlled to dry-fit the lens and camera components. For example, the processor of the CMAT equipment causes the components of the CMAT equipment to dry-fit the lens 112 and camera components (including the lens barrel 102, the image sensor 106, the PCB 114, or other components of the camera assembly 100). No adhesive material or epoxy is used at this time.

[0063] At 420, an initial five-axis alignment check measures the initial MTF performance of the lens when dry-fitted with the camera component. For example, the processor of the CMAT equipment may perform a first dry-fit alignment (e.g., five-axis lens alignment 404) that measures the initial MTF performance of the lens 112 by making coarse adjustments to the position or orientation of the lens 112 or the camera component (e.g., the lens barrel 102, the PCB assembly 110). The first dry-fit alignment may be followed by a second dry-fit alignment performed by the processor of the CMAT equipment. The second dry-fit alignment further changes the position or orientation of the lens 112 or the camera component by making fine adjustments to the position or orientation of the lens 112 or the camera component, thereby measuring the initial MTF performance of the lens 112. Each fine adjustment is made by a smaller amount than each coarse adjustment. Prior to applying the adhesive material 104, alignment parameters derived from the second dry-fit alignment may be maintained by the processor of the CMAT equipment, including the position or orientation of the dry-fitted assembled lens and camera component that achieves an MTF performance that meets an MTF threshold.

[0064] In some examples, as a result of step 420, the processor of the CMAT equipment maintains alignment parameters for the dry-fit assembled lens 112 that meet the MTF threshold. These alignment parameters may include the height of the lens 112 relative to the image sensor 116 of the camera assembly and the tilt relative to the lens 112 and the image sensor 116. At step 428, the processor can use the alignment parameters to perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check.

[0065] Although not shown for simplicity, in some examples, the processor controls the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check after first controlling the CMAT equipment to clean the interface on the camera component surface and before dry-fitting the lens to the camera component. For example, the processor can cause the plasma treatment 402 to occur before step 420.

[0066] At 422, a determination is made as to whether the initial MTF performance meets the MTF threshold. For example, a "no" result from step 422 results in the lens being discarded and another set of lenses being tried with camera assembly 424. A "yes" result from step 422 results in the lens 112 being used to produce the final camera assembly 100 by executing step 426.

[0067] At 424, in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the lens does not meet the MTF threshold, the processor can discard the lens 112 from the CMAT equipment to prevent the lens 112 from being used to produce part of the final camera assembly. The processor 414 returns to step 418, where the processor controls the CMAT equipment to replace the lens 112 with a second set of lenses 112 for use in producing the final camera assembly 100.

[0068] At 426, in response to determining that the initial MTF performance satisfies the MTF threshold, the processor can control the CMAT equipment to apply an adhesive material to an interface on a surface of the camera component and dry-fit the lens to the camera component after applying the adhesive material. For example, the processor controls the CMAT equipment to apply adhesive material 104 to the lens barrel 102 and the PCB 114, as well as other components of the PCB assembly 110.

[0069] At 428, a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check is performed that measures the subsequent MTF performance of the lens when dry-fitted with the camera component after the adhesive material is applied. For example, the processor of the CMAT equipment can perform a dry-fit alignment (e.g., five-axis lens alignment 404) with the adhesive material 104 applied, which changes the position or orientation of the lens 112 or the camera component (e.g., the lens barrel 102, the PCB assembly 110) by making coarse and / or fine adjustments to the position or orientation of the lens 112 or the camera component, thereby measuring the initial MTF performance of the lens 112.

[0070] The alignment parameters generated by the initial five-axis alignment performed at step 420 can be used in the context of this subsequent five-axis lens alignment. The alignment parameters may include previously successful positions or orientations of the dry-fit assembled lens 112 and camera components that achieved MTF performance before the adhesive material 104 was applied. When input into a subsequent five-axis alignment check, the alignment parameters can be used as initial settings for stepping through adjustments to the positions or orientations of the dry-fit assembled lens 112 and camera components after the adhesive material is applied to quickly achieve the final assembled MTF performance.

[0071] At 430, a determination is made as to whether the subsequent MTF performance meets the MTF threshold. For example, the processor of the CMAT equipment checks whether the result of step 428 meets the final production MTF threshold. A "no" result from step 430 leads to step 432, and a "yes" result proceeds to step 434.

[0072] At 432, in response to determining that the MTF performance of the lens 112 and the camera assembly does not meet the MTF threshold, the lens and the camera assembly are discarded. For example, in the case where an adhesive material is applied to the camera assembly and the lens 112, they are no longer suitable for reuse (e.g., without reconditioning or further cleaning) and are removed from the CMAT equipment.

[0073] However, in response to determining that the MTF performance of the lens 112 and camera components does meet the MTF threshold, the adhesive material is cured for outputting part of the final camera assembly at 434 . The adhesive material 104 secures the lens 112 to the lens barrel 102 and the PCB assembly 110 .

[0074] In some cases, after causing the CMAT equipment to cure the adhesive material 104, the processor may check whether the subsequent MTF performance meets the MTF threshold, and process 414 further includes checking whether the final MTF performance of the lens 112 meets the MTF threshold. The portion of the final camera assembly 100 produced by process 414 may be discarded. In response to determining that the final MTF performance of the lens does not meet the MTF threshold, the processor may cause the CMAT equipment to refrain from outputting the portion of the final camera assembly for final production.

[0075] Example assembly process including active lens selection and rotation

[0076] Figure 5-1 FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another computer controlled process 500 for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting a lens according to the techniques of the present disclosure. Figure 4-1 Process 500 is based on process 400 and can further improve quality and reduce assembly failure rates. Process 500 is performed to maximize the likelihood that the camera assembly 100 can pass EOLT and be output from production with minimal time and waste. Although existing CMAT equipment can perform process 300 and / or process 400, advanced CMAT equipment is used to perform process 500. Instead of only being able to change the tilt angle, height and / or lateral offset between the lens 112 and the image sensor 116, the advanced CMAT equipment can also rotate the lens 112 to change the rotation angle between the lens 112 and the image sensor 116. By leveraging the ability of the advanced CMAT equipment to change the lens rotation for focusing ability testing, process 500 can achieve higher camera quality and lower production failure rates than process 400.

[0077] Process 500 includes some steps similar to process 400, however, several steps are modified or new. Process 500 begins with plasma treatment 502. For example, the advanced CMAT equipment may be loaded with production parts to build camera assembly 100. This may include multiple trays loaded with lenses 112, portions of housing 106 containing lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110, and adhesive material 104. At this stage, the advanced CMAT equipment cleans the interfaces between the components loaded into the system.

[0078] Next, at time 1, an initial five-axis lens alignment 504 is performed by the advanced CMAT equipment. Using a specific lens barrel 102 and a specific PCB assembly 110, the MTF performance of a specific set of lenses 112 to be installed in a production version of the camera assembly 100 is tested. The position and / or tilt of the lenses 112 can be incrementally adjusted during the five-axis lens alignment 504. In response to obtaining satisfactory MTF performance by adjusting the position and / or tilt in large steps, the advanced CMAT equipment can further adjust the position and / or tilt in small steps (having a small step size). By performing the five-axis lens alignment 504 and testing different positions and tilts of the lenses 112 to maximize the MTF performance, the appropriate position and tilt angle of the lenses 112 relative to the PCB assembly 110 can be inferred by the advanced CMAT equipment.

[0079] Next, at time 2, a decision is made as to whether the MTF performance of the lens 112 combined with the particular lens barrel 102 and the particular PCB assembly 110 meets the MTF requirements for the final assembly 506. If the minimum MTF performance can be achieved during the five-axis lens alignment 504 (e.g., dry-fit), the parameters for final assembly using the lens 112 are stored. Lenses 112 that pass the decision 506 are accepted and used with their parameters and the matching lens barrel and PCB assembly to produce the camera assembly 100.

[0080] Some of the lenses 112 that do not meet the MTF performance requirements may be immediately discarded, as is done when a lens 112 fails to meet the MTF performance requirements in process 400. For example, if the minimum MTF output at the center target position is not met, the lens 112 is immediately rejected and a new set of lenses 112 is selected and tried with the lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110 combination.

[0081] Some of the lenses 112 may be salvaged if they are rotated only to achieve satisfactory performance during subsequent testing using different camera components (e.g., a different lens barrel 102 and / or PCB assembly 110). If the minimum MTF output for the center target position is met, but the minimum MTF output for the corner target positions is not met, the process of applying the rotation is performed outside of decision 506. That is, in response to a lens 112 failing decision 506, the lens 112 with acceptable center target position MTF performance undergoes further testing before being used again.

[0082] Advanced CMAT equipment configured to perform process 500 includes additional components (e.g., circuitry, actuators, motors) to manipulate the rotation of lens 112 when lens 112 is reinstalled and reused with lens barrel 102 during subsequent dry-fitting. Existing CMAT equipment is unable to rotate lens 112 in this manner. At 514, when lens 112 meets the center target position MTF but fails the test at one or more of the angular target positions, the advanced CMAT equipment is configured to calculate a rotation 514 to be applied to lens 112 in an attempt to improve the MTF performance the next time lens 112 is used. For example, using the MTF performance at different angular target positions, the advanced CMAT equipment can calculate the optimal rotation for lens 112. Figure 6-1 to Figure 6-3 The description provides more details on this step and how the rotation is calculated.

[0083] At 516, the advanced CMAT equipment is configured to rotate the lens 112 according to the rotation calculated at 514. For example, the arm rotates the lens 112 based on the calculated rotation, and the lens 112 is then returned to the tray for reuse in another production run of the camera assembly 100. Existing CMAT equipment is unable to perform the rotating lens 516 step of process 500, which is why the advanced CMAT equipment is used. The rotation of the lens 112 is preserved at 516, thereby increasing the likelihood that the lens 112 will pass the MTF performance check the next time it is used to produce the camera assembly 100.

[0084] In some examples, advanced CMAT equipment maintains a counter (e.g., zero to two) that is indexed each time a set of lenses 112 is rotated, so that lenses 112 are not tried more than two or three times. However, even if a lens 112 is rotated once or twice before being discarded, waste can be minimized and production quotas can be improved.

[0085] Epoxy dispense 508 occurs based on a positive result from decision 506. At time 3, five-axis lens alignment 504 is performed again. Lens 112 can be positioned above PCB assembly 110 to perform five-axis lens alignment 504 and the focus performance process. The position and orientation of lens 112 can be fine-tuned to rapidly step through the focus process until the MTF requirement is achieved, or the maximum number of steps is reached. When camera assembly 100 fails this test, lens 112 and the components used to test lens 112 are rejected and scrapped. This may occur less frequently due to dry mating of components that occurred at time 1 and / or at 514 and 516.

[0086] At time 4, if camera assembly 100 passes five-axis lens alignment 504, UV curing 510 is performed. UV radiation at this stage is applied to camera assembly 100 to harden the adhesive material 104 applied during epoxy dispensing 508 to hold lens 112 in place relative to PCB assembly 110. Following UV curing 510, EOLT 512 occurs. Camera assembly 100 is ultimately tested according to MTF requirements. If the final camera assembly 100 fails EOLT 512, the entire unit is discarded.

[0087] Thus, the technology of the present disclosure provides a way to actively select lenses for the camera focusing process. Test equipment can check lenses by dry-fitting them to a specific set of production parts. If the minimum MTF performance cannot be achieved, the lens will not be used in the final camera assembly. The unused lens group may be salvageable and can be used in another camera assembly. Advanced CMAT equipment can calculate and apply rotations to the unused lenses to improve their MTF performance the next time they are used in the final assembly. The maximum number of attempts to rotationally fix a set of lenses can be observed to avoid trying the same lens over and over again, possibly never succeeding. In this way, since the actively selected lenses can also be rotated during the production process, a final camera assembly can be produced that is likely to pass EOLT and minimize waste.

[0088] Figure 5-2A flow chart is shown of a computer-controlled process 518 for focusing a camera assembly by actively selecting lenses in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure. Process 518 illustrates how lenses are actively selected for the camera focusing process, including applying rotations to try again in another assembly if one set of lenses fails to achieve minimum MTF performance. The lenses are stored along with the rotations for later use, and a different set of lenses is used to complete the final assembly. The rotated lenses are then reused with another set of camera components, and due to the rotations, they can meet the MTF performance for producing another camera assembly. In this way, because lenses are actively selected and potentially rotated during the production process to achieve satisfactory MTF performance for the EOLT, each final camera assembly is more likely to pass the EOLT from process 518, thereby improving camera production output and minimizing waste (e.g., waste from discarding lenses rather than attempting to rotate them in the first place).

[0089] Process 500 can be performed by a processor of an advanced CMAT equipment that is configured to apply rotation to a lens stored within the CMAT equipment when the lens fails a test during a five-axis alignment check. Unlike existing CMAT equipment, the advanced CMAT equipment includes motors, arms, actuators, and logic to enable a set of lenses to be repositioned to have different amounts of rotation relative to the image sensor when performing an alignment test. The processor of the advanced CMAT equipment controls the components of the advanced CMAT equipment to produce a portion of a final camera assembly (such as camera assembly 100). The processor can retrieve instructions maintained by the advanced CMAT equipment in a memory or computer-readable storage medium. When the instructions are executed, the instructions configure the processor to perform process 518 by controlling the components of the advanced CMAT equipment, as described below.

[0090] At 520, the camera component group and the corresponding first lens group are identified and loaded into the advanced CMAT equipment for use in producing a portion of the final camera assembly. For example, similar to step 416 from process 414, the processor of the advanced CMAT equipment identifies the production version of the first lens group 112, the lens barrel 102, and other camera components including the image sensor 116 and the PCB 114 to be used as the camera assembly 100.

[0091] At 522, the advanced CMAT equipment is controlled to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check that measures the initial MTF performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the camera assembly. For example, similar to steps 418 and 420 of process 414, the processor controls the advanced CMAT equipment to dry-fit and assemble the lens 112 with the camera assembly before performing the initial five-axis alignment check to measure the MTF performance of the assembled parts.

[0092] At 524, a determination is made as to whether the initial MTF performance meets an MTF threshold. For example, the processor of the advanced CMAT equipment is configured to determine whether the initial MTF performance of the lens meets the MTF threshold. A "no" result results in execution of steps 526 and 528, while a "yes" result from step 524 proceeds to step 538.

[0093] For example, consider the case where the MTF performance of lens 112 does not meet the MTF threshold. At 526, another set of lenses 112 is identified for trial use with the camera assembly. For example, the processor of the advanced CMAT equipment pairs a different, corresponding set of lenses 112 with the previously used lens barrel 102 and PCB assembly 110. Instead, a different set of lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment is used. Because adhesive has not yet been applied, the camera assembly, including lens 112, can be reused. The processor attempts to salvage lens 112 by rotating it, rather than immediately discarding it.

[0094] At 528, further in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the first lens does not meet the MTF threshold, the CMAT equipment increments a count recording the number of rotation attempts using the first lens. For example, the processor of the advanced CMAT equipment stores a flag associated with the first lens to indicate whether the first lens has exceeded a maximum number of rotation corrections. The flag represents the count.

[0095] At 530, a determination is made as to whether the count exceeds the maximum number of rotation attempts. For example, if the flag and / or count remain fixed for more than two rotations, the lens 112 may not be suitable for the attempted correction. A "yes" result in step 530 leads to step 532, while a "no" result proceeds to step 534.

[0096] At 532 , in response to determining that the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotation corrections, the first lens is discarded to prevent it from being used in the production of any final camera assembly. For example, a processor of the advanced CMAT equipment can cause the first lens to be discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used in the production of another version of the camera assembly 100 .

[0097] At 534, a rotation to be applied to the first lens is calculated for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having different camera components. Figure 6-1 As shown, the initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a center MTF performance and four different corner MTF performances. The processor of the advanced CMAT equipment can initially determine whether the minimum conditions for applying the rotation correction are met. If the minimum conditions (exceeding the number of rotation attempts) are not met, the processor can execute step 532 to discard the lens and prevent it from being used in any other final camera assembly.

[0098] The first condition includes center MTF performance. In response to determining that the center MTF performance does not meet the center MTF threshold, the processor can refrain from calculating the rotation at step 534. The second condition includes center MTF performance. In response to determining that at least two of the four different angular MTF performances do not meet the corresponding MTF threshold, the processor can refrain from calculating the rotation at step 534. If either of these two conditions is not met, the processor can execute step 532 to discard the first lens from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used in the production of any part of any final camera assembly. Next, when calculating the rotation at step 534, consideration is given to which of the four different angles are associated with the highest MTF performance and which are associated with the lowest MTF performance, as well as the number of low-performing angles.

[0099] If only two of the four different angular MTF performances meet the corresponding MTF thresholds, the processor may determine the rotation direction based on a sequence of four angular positions comprising a highest sequence position of the four different angular MTF performances relative to a lowest sequence position of the four different angular MTF performances. Figure 6-1 to Figure 6-3 As described, if the highest performance angles are positioned sequentially in a clockwise order, a one-hundred-eighty degree rotation is applied. If the situation is reversed, and the highest MTF performance angles are interspersed with the lowest MTF performance angles in the sequence, a ninety degree (e.g., clockwise) or negative ninety degree (e.g., counterclockwise) rotation is appropriate. If the highest performance angle precedes the lowest performance angle in a clockwise order, the rotation is positive or clockwise. If the situation is reversed, and the lowest performance angle precedes the highest performance angle in the sequence, a counterclockwise or negative rotation is appropriate.

[0100] If three of the four different angular MTF performances meet the corresponding MTF thresholds and only one of the MTF performances is low, a different approach is used to calculate the rotation. For example, if only three of the four different angular MTF performances meet the corresponding MTF thresholds, the processor can determine the rotation direction based on the highest angular position of the four different angular MTF performances and the lowest angular position of the four different angular MTF performances. For example, if the highest and lowest performance angles are diagonally opposite, a one-hundred-eighty-degree rotation may be appropriate. If the order is clockwise from highest to lowest, a ninety-degree (e.g., clockwise) rotation is appropriate, and if the order is counterclockwise from highest to lowest, a negative (e.g., counterclockwise) rotation is applied.

[0101] At 536, the first lens is stored within the CMAT equipment so that another portion of the final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation. For example, to make lens 112 usable in a subsequent assembly process, the processor controls the advanced CMAT equipment to return lens 112 with the rotation or information specifying the rotation of lens 112 for subsequent dry-fitting and alignment checking with other camera components. With the rotated lens 112 returned to the advanced CMAT equipment for reuse, the process returns to step 520.

[0102] When step 520 is repeated to produce another final camera assembly with different camera components, a second set of camera components is loaded into the CMAT equipment to produce a portion of another final camera assembly with first lens 112, which has been stored along with the applied rotation. The processor of the advanced CMAT equipment dry-fits the rotated lens 112 to the new lens barrel 102 and PCB 114. Then, step 522 occurs, in which the CMAT equipment is controlled to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, which measures the initial MTF performance of first lens 112 when dry-fitted with the second camera component. Because lens 112 was rotated at step 534, the initial MTF performance of first lens 112, this time dry-fitted with a different camera component, may meet the MTF threshold.

[0103] The process 518 continues to step 524 to determine whether the initial MTF performance is satisfactory for final assembly. If not, steps 528 and 526 are performed again. However, a "yes" result from step 524 results in the use of lens 112 in final assembly.

[0104] At 538, in response to determining that another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies the MTF threshold, the CMAT equipment is further controlled to use the first lens to produce a portion of another final camera assembly having a second camera assembly. This may include performing a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check of the first lens and the second camera assembly using the alignment parameters maintained during the initial five-axis lens alignment at step 522. The alignment parameters include the height of the first lens relative to the image sensor of the second camera assembly and the tilt of the first lens and image sensor relative to the dry-fit assembled first lens that meets the MTF threshold. When used for a subsequent five-axis lens alignment that occurs after the adhesive material is applied, the check can be performed more quickly because the coarse adjustment can begin from the optimal position calculated before the adhesive material is applied.

[0105] Example Calculating Rotation

[0106] Figure 6-1 to Figure 6-3 Details of incorporating rotation into an active selection lens according to the techniques of this disclosure are shown. Figure 6-1 to Figure 6-3 This is described in the context of process 500 of FIG. 5 .

[0107] Figure 6-1 A lens target 600 is shown for testing the MTF performance of a set of lenses 112. For example, during five-axis lens alignment 504, advanced CMAT equipment is configured to check focusing capabilities relative to target positions on the lens target 600 while the lens target is positioned within the field of view of the lens barrel 102 and image sensor 116 being tested. The lens target 600 is rectangular and includes a plurality of target positions 602 arranged around the rectangle. The MTF performance at each of the target positions 602 can be uniquely dependent on the MTF performance at each of the other target positions in the target positions 602. The target positions 602 each have an MTF performance that can be altered (e.g., improved) by rotating the lens 112.

[0108] Target positions 602 include target position 602-0 through target position 602-4. Target position 602-0 is the center of lens target 600. Target positions 602-1 through 602-4 are arranged at each of the corners of lens target 600, including target position 602-1 at the upper right corner, target position 602-2 at the lower right corner, target position 602-3 at the lower left corner, and target position 602-4 at the upper left corner. When performing five-axis lens alignment 504, the CMAT equipment manipulates the camera assembly 100 under test to check the MTF performance at each of the plurality of target positions 602.

[0109] After the five-axis lens alignment 504, a decision 506 is made to accept or reject the lens based on the MTF performance at the plurality of target positions 602. For example, if the MTF performance at each of the target positions 602 meets the corresponding minimum MTF threshold for that target position, then the lens 112 is used for production. However, if the MTF performance at any of the target positions 602 does not meet the minimum MTF requirement, then the decision 506 will reject the lens 112 for use with the existing lens barrel 102 and the remainder of the camera assembly 100. Alternatively, a different set of lenses 112 is used.

[0110] At the calculate rotation 514 step, lens 112 can be salvaged. Before completely rejecting lens 112, lenses 112 are examined to see if they can be improved by rotation. Generally speaking, rotation can improve the MTF performance of lens 112 at each corner of lens target 600 (i.e., target positions 602-1 through 602-4). However, there are some situations where MTF performance cannot be improved via lens rotation.

[0111] If the MTF performance of lens 112 at the center (i.e., target position 620-0) does not meet the minimum MTF threshold, then the lens 112 cannot be improved via rotation. In this case, regardless of the MTF performance at the corners of the lens target 600, the lens 112 is immediately rejected and no attempt is made to rotate the lens 516. Furthermore, if the MTF performance of lens 112 at more than two angular positions (i.e., at least three of the target positions 602-1 to 602-4) does not meet the minimum MTF threshold, then the lens 112 cannot be improved via rotation. Regardless of the MTF performance at the center or the remaining corners of the lens target 600, the lens 112 is immediately rejected and no attempt is made to rotate the lens 516.

[0112] However, if the MTF performance of lens 112 at the center of lens target 600 meets the minimum MTF threshold for the center position, and at least two angular positions meet the minimum MTF threshold, then lens 112 may be improved via rotation. To perform the calculate rotation 514 step, two different cases may be considered.

[0113] The first case is when two of the corners of lens target 600 have insufficient MTF performance while the other corners of lens target 600 have sufficient MTF performance. If two corners have low MTF values and two corners have high MTF values, the amount and direction of rotation of lens 112 to improve the low MTF value depends on the sequence of their relative positions.

[0114] For example, Figure 6-2 The case 604 where two lower corners (i.e., target positions 602-2 and 602-3) are in sequence is shown. For this case, a one hundred eighty degree rotation can provide the most improved MTF performance. Figure 6-3 The case where the two lower corners are not in order is shown 606. For this case, a rotation of plus or minus ninety degrees can improve the MTF performance. The direction of the rotation (i.e., positive or negative) depends on which corner has the highest MTF performance relative to the corner with the lowest MTF performance.

[0115] However, if only one angle needs to be improved, the degree and direction of rotation depends on the relative positioning of the angle with the lowest MTF performance and the angle target with the highest MTF performance. If only one angle is low relative to the other angles; then the degree of rotation depends only on the relative position of the highest and lowest MTF performance angles. The degree or amount of rotation angle is indicated by the following guidelines. If the highest MTF performance angle and the lowest MTF performance angle are arranged in a counterclockwise sequence, the lens 112 will be rotated minus ninety degrees (i.e., ninety degrees counterclockwise). Otherwise, if the highest MTF performance angle and the lowest MTF performance angle are arranged opposite each other on a diagonal line of the lens target 600, the lens 112 will be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees. Finally, if the highest MTF performance angle and the lowest MTF performance angle are arranged in a clockwise sequence, the lens 112 will be rotated positive ninety degrees (i.e., ninety degrees clockwise).

[0116] After calculating the rotation 514 as described above, rotate lens 516 occurs to apply the calculated rotation to lens 112, and lens 112 is returned for use in another build of camera assembly 100. In some cases, the advanced CMAT equipment maintains a variable associated with each of lenses 112 that indicates the number of rotation attempts resulting from rejected decisions 506. In some cases, each group of lenses 112 may receive only two rotation attempts. If a group of lenses 112 results in a third rejected decision 506, then the lenses 112 are rejected and no further attempts to salvage the lenses are made.

[0117] Further examples

[0118] Some further examples given the above techniques include:

[0119] Example 1. A method comprising: identifying, by a processor of a camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) equipment, a set of camera components and a corresponding set of lenses to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; controlling, by a controller, the CMAT equipment to: dry-fit assemble the lenses with the camera components; and performing an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring an initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the lenses when dry-fit assembled with the camera components; determining, by the processor, whether the initial MTF performance meets an MTF threshold; and in response to determining that the initial MTF performance meets the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: apply an adhesive material to an interface on a surface of the camera component; dry-fit assemble the lenses with the camera components after the adhesive material is applied; performing a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check, the subsequent five-axis lens alignment check measuring a subsequent MTF performance of the lenses when dry-fit assembled with the camera components after the adhesive material is applied; and curing the adhesive material for outputting the portion of the final camera assembly if the subsequent MTF performance meets the MTF threshold.

[0120] Example 2. The method of Example 1, further comprising: identifying a set of second camera components and a corresponding set of second lenses to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a second final camera assembly; controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring an initial MTF performance of the second lens when dry-fitted assembled with the second camera component; and in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the second lens does not meet an MTF threshold, controlling, by the controller, the CMAT equipment to replace the second lens with a third lens for the second final camera assembly.

[0121] Example 3. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising: controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check that measures an initial MTF performance of the third lens when dry-fit assembled with the second camera component; and in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the third lens meets an MTF threshold, controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to: dry-fit assemble the third lens with the second camera component after a second adhesive material is applied to an interface on a surface of the second camera component; and performing a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check that measures a subsequent MTF performance of the third lens when dry-fit assembled with the second camera component after the second adhesive material is applied; and curing the second adhesive material for use in producing part of a second final camera assembly if the subsequent MTF performance of the third lens meets the MTF threshold.

[0122] Example 4. The method of any preceding example, further comprising: further responsive to determining that the initial MTF performance of the second lens does not meet the MTF threshold, discarding the second lens from the CMAT equipment to prevent the second lens from being identified for use in producing part of a third final camera assembly.

[0123] Example 5. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising: further in response to determining that the initial MTF performance satisfies an MTF threshold, maintaining, by the processor, alignment parameters of the dry-fit assembled lens that satisfies the MTF threshold, wherein the alignment parameters are used by the processor to perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check.

[0124] Example 6. The method of any preceding example, wherein the alignment parameters include a height of the lens relative to the image sensor of the camera assembly and a tilt relative to the lens and the image sensor.

[0125] Example 7. A method of any of the preceding examples, wherein controlling the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check includes: performing a first dry-fit alignment, the first dry-fit alignment changing the position or orientation of the lens or camera component by making coarse adjustments to the position or orientation of the lens or camera component, thereby measuring the initial MTF performance of the lens; performing a second dry-fit alignment, the second dry-fit alignment further changing the position or orientation of the lens or camera component by making fine adjustments to the position or orientation of the lens or camera component, thereby measuring the initial MTF performance of the lens, each of the fine adjustments including a smaller adjustment amount than each of the coarse adjustments; and maintaining alignment parameters obtained from the second dry-fit alignment, the alignment parameters including the position or orientation of the dry-fit assembled lens and camera component that achieves MTF performance to meet an MTF threshold before the adhesive material is applied.

[0126] Example 8. A method of any of the preceding examples, wherein controlling the CMAT equipment to perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check includes: obtaining alignment parameters resulting from a second dry-fit alignment; and controlling the CMAT equipment to perform a third dry-fit alignment, the third dry-fit alignment measuring a subsequent MTF performance of the lens when dry-fit assembled with a camera component after the adhesive material is applied, the third dry-fit alignment being performed by using the alignment parameters as an initial setting for stepping through adjustments to the position or orientation of the dry-fit assembled lens and camera component to achieve MTF performance to meet an MTF threshold after the adhesive material is applied.

[0127] Example 9. The method of any preceding example, wherein controlling the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check comprises controlling the CMAT equipment to clean an interface on a surface of the camera component prior to dry-fitting the lens to the camera component.

[0128] Example 10. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein after curing the adhesive material if the subsequent MTF performance satisfies the MTF threshold, the method further comprises: checking whether the final MTF performance of the lens satisfies the MTF threshold; and in response to determining that the final MTF performance of the lens does not satisfy the MTF threshold, refraining from outputting the portion of the final camera assembly for final production.

[0129] Example 11. A method comprising: identifying, by a processor of a camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) equipment, a set of camera components and a corresponding set of first lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring an initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the camera components; determining, by the processor, whether the initial MTF performance of the first lens meets an MTF threshold; and in response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the first lens does not meet the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: use a set of second lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly having the camera components; calculating a rotation to be applied to the first lens for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having a different camera component; and storing the first lens within the CMAT equipment so that the portion of the other final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation.

[0130] Example 12. The method of any preceding example, wherein controlling the CMAT device to store the first lens within the CMAT device includes incrementing a flag associated with the first lens to indicate whether the first lens exceeds a maximum number of rotational corrections.

[0131] Example 13. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising: determining whether the first lens exceeds a maximum number of rotational corrections based on a flag associated with the first lens; and in response to determining that the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotational corrections, discarding the first lens from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

[0132] Example 14. The method of any preceding example, wherein the initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a center MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and in response to determining that the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances do not meet the corresponding MTF thresholds: refraining from calculating the rotation to be applied to the first lens; and discarding the first lens from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

[0133] Example 15. The method of any preceding example, wherein: the initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a center MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and further controlling the CMAT device to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and in response to determining that the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances meet the corresponding MTF thresholds, determining a rotation direction based on a sequence of four angular positions, the sequence of the four angular positions including a sequential position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances relative to a sequential position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

[0134] Example 16. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein: the initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a center MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and three of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and in response to determining that the center MTF performance and only three of the four different angular MTF performances meet the corresponding MTF thresholds, determining a direction of the rotation based on an angular position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances and an angular position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

[0135] Example 17. The method of any of the preceding examples, wherein: the initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a center MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: in response to determining that the center MTF performance does not meet a center MTF threshold, avoiding calculating the rotation to be applied to the first lens; and discarding the first lens from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

[0136] Example 18. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising: identifying a set of second camera components that are loaded into a CMAT device for producing a portion of another final camera assembly having a first lens stored with an applied rotation; controlling, by a processor, the CMAT device to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check that measures another initial MTF performance of the first lens when dry-fitted with the second camera component; and in response to determining that the another initial MTF performance of the first lens meets an MTF threshold, further controlling, by the processor, the CMAT device to use the first lens to produce a portion of another final camera assembly having the second camera component.

[0137] Example 19. The method of any of the preceding examples, further comprising: further responsive to determining that another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies an MTF threshold, maintaining, by the processor, alignment parameters of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with a second camera component, wherein further controlling the CMAT equipment to use the first lens to produce a portion of another final camera assembly having the second camera component includes: using the alignment parameters to perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check on the first lens and the second camera component.

[0138] Example 20. The method of any preceding example, wherein the alignment parameters include a height of the first lens relative to the image sensor of the second camera assembly and a tilt relative to the first lens and the image sensor.

[0139] Example 21. The method of any preceding example, wherein the method is performed to facilitate manufacturing the camera assembly before performing end-of-line testing.

[0140] Example 22. The method of any preceding example, wherein the method further comprises outputting the camera assembly after performing the end-of-line test.

[0141] Example 23. A system comprising means for performing the method of any preceding example.

[0142] Example 24. A system comprising a processor configured to perform the method of any preceding example.

[0143] Example 25. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform the method of any preceding example.

[0144] Conclusion

[0145] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto but may be implemented into practice in various ways within the scope of the claims that follow. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims that follow. In addition to camera systems, similar problems associated with assembling other types of sensors may also occur. Therefore, although described as being used to improve camera assembly performance, the technology of the foregoing description may be adopted and applied to other problems to efficiently assemble high-precision sensor devices at low cost.

[0146] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the use of "or" and grammatically related terms denotes unlimited, non-exclusive alternatives. As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one" of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including individual members. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to encompass: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination with multiple identical elements (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

Claims

1. A method for controlling a camera, the method comprising: identifying, by a processor of a camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) equipment, a set of camera components and a corresponding set of first lenses to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; Controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, wherein the initial five-axis lens alignment check measures an initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the camera component; determining, by the processor, whether the initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies an MTF threshold; as well as In response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the first lens does not meet the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: using a set of second lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing the portion of the final camera assembly having the camera component; calculating a rotation to be applied to the first lens for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having different camera components; as well as The first lens is stored within the CMAT equipment such that the portion of the further final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Controlling the CMAT device to store the first lens within the CMAT device includes incrementing a flag associated with the first lens to indicate whether the first lens exceeds a maximum number of rotation corrections.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining, based on the flag associated with the first lens, whether the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotational corrections; as well as In response to determining that the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotational corrections, the first lens is discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used in producing any part of any final camera assembly.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and Further controlling the CMAT device to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and In response to determining that the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances do not satisfy the respective MTF thresholds: avoiding calculating the rotation to be applied to the first lens; and The first lens is discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and Further controlling the CMAT device to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and In response to determining that the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances satisfy the respective MTF thresholds, determining the direction of the rotation based on a sequence of four angular positions, the sequence of four angular positions including a sequential position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances relative to a sequential position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and Further controlling the CMAT device to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: determining whether the center MTF performance and three of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and In response to determining that the center MTF performance and only three of the four different angular MTF performances satisfy the respective MTF thresholds, the direction of the rotation is determined based on an angular position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances and an angular position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and Further controlling the CMAT device to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes: refraining from calculating the rotation to be applied to the first lens in response to determining that the center MTF performance does not satisfy a center MTF threshold; and The first lens is discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a set of second camera components to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing the portion of the another final camera assembly having the first lens stored with the rotation applied; controlling, by the processor, the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, the initial five-axis lens alignment check measuring another initial MTF performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the second camera component; and In response to determining that the another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies the MTF threshold, the processor further controls the CMAT equipment to use the first lens to produce the portion of the another final camera assembly having the second camera component.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: further responsive to determining that the another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies the MTF threshold, maintaining, by the processor, alignment parameters of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the second camera component, Wherein further controlling the CMAT equipment to use the first lens to produce the portion of the another final camera assembly having the second camera component comprises: using the alignment parameters to perform a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check on the first lens and the second camera component.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The alignment parameters include a height of the first lens relative to the image sensor of the second camera assembly and a tilt relative to the first lens and the image sensor.

11. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a processor of a camera modular alignment and testing (CMAT) equipment to produce a portion of a final camera assembly by: identifying a set of camera components and a corresponding set of first lenses to be loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; controlling the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check, wherein the initial five-axis lens alignment check measures an initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the camera component; determining whether the initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies an MTF threshold; and In response to determining that the initial MTF performance of the first lens does not meet the MTF threshold, further controlling the CMAT equipment to: using a set of second lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing the portion of the final camera assembly having the camera component; calculating a rotation to be applied to the first lens for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having different camera components; as well as The first lens is stored within the CMAT equipment such that the portion of the further final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation.

12. A system for controlling a camera, the system comprising: means for identifying a set of camera components and a corresponding set of first lenses to be loaded into a camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) apparatus for producing a portion of a final camera assembly; means for controlling the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check that measures initial modulation transfer function (MTF) performance of the first lens when dry-fitted and assembled with the camera component; means for determining whether the initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies an MTF threshold; as well as means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to: using a set of second lenses loaded into the CMAT equipment for producing the portion of the final camera assembly having the camera component; calculating a rotation to be applied to the first lens for use in producing a portion of another final camera assembly having different camera components; as well as The first lens is stored within the CMAT equipment such that the portion of the further final camera assembly includes the first lens with the applied rotation.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The means for controlling the CMAT equipment to store the first lens within the CMAT equipment includes means for incrementing a flag associated with the first lens to indicate whether the first lens exceeds a maximum number of rotation corrections.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: means for determining whether the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotational corrections based on the flag associated with the first lens; as well as Means for discarding the first lens from the CMAT equipment in response to determining that the first lens exceeds the maximum number of rotational corrections to prevent the first lens from being used in producing any portion of any final camera assembly.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and The means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes means for: determining whether the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; In response to determining that the center MTF performance and at least two of the four different angular MTF performances do not satisfy the respective MTF thresholds: avoiding calculating said rotation to be applied to said first lens; as well as The first lens is discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and The means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes means for: determining whether the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and In response to determining that the center MTF performance and only two of the four different angular MTF performances satisfy the respective MTF thresholds, determining the direction of the rotation based on a sequence of four angular positions, the sequence of four angular positions including a sequential position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances relative to a sequential position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and The means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes means for: determining whether the center MTF performance and three of the four different angular MTF performances meet corresponding MTF thresholds; and In response to determining that the center MTF performance and only three of the four different angular MTF performances satisfy the respective MTF thresholds, the direction of the rotation is determined based on an angular position of a highest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances and an angular position of a lowest angular MTF performance among the four different angular MTF performances.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein: The initial MTF performance of the first lens includes a central MTF performance and four different angular MTF performances, and The means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to calculate the rotation to be applied to the first lens includes means for: refraining from calculating the rotation to be applied to the first lens in response to determining that the center MTF performance does not satisfy a center MTF threshold; and The first lens is discarded from the CMAT equipment to prevent the first lens from being used to produce any part of any final camera assembly.

19. The system of claim 12, further comprising: means for identifying a set of second camera components to be loaded into said CMAT equipment for producing said portion of said further final camera assembly having said first lens stored with said rotation applied; means for controlling the CMAT equipment to perform an initial five-axis lens alignment check that measures another initial MTF performance of the first lens when dry-fitted assembled with the second camera component; as well as for further controlling the CMAT equipment to produce the portion of the another final camera assembly having the second camera component using the first lens in response to determining that the another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies the MTF threshold.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising: means for maintaining alignment parameters of the first lens when dry-fitted assembled with the second camera component, further in response to determining that the another initial MTF performance of the first lens satisfies the MTF threshold, wherein the means for further controlling the CMAT equipment to use the first lens to produce the portion of the further final camera assembly having the second camera component comprises: means for performing a subsequent five-axis lens alignment check on the first lens and the second camera component using the alignment parameters, and The alignment parameters include a height of the first lens relative to an image sensor of the second camera component and a tilt relative to the first lens and the image sensor.

Images