Sensor shifting optical image stabilization

Abstract

An example camera includes an image sensor, a lens attached to a lens housing and configured to image light to the image sensor, a plurality of bearings, and a bearing carrier. The bearing carrier defines a plurality of apertures each configured to receive a bearing. First portions of each of the bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, and second portions of each of the bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier. The camera includes a first guide carrier including a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the bearings, and a second guide carrier comprising a second groove along a second direction configured to receive the second portions of the bearings. The image sensor defines a plane including the first direction and the second direction and is attached to and carried by the second guide carrier.

Description

Docket No.: 1333-904W001SENSOR SHIFTING OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATIONBACKGROUND

[0001] Existing optical systems of cameras in devices perform optical image stabilization (OIS) by using actuators to move the imaging lens. Such OIS may compensate for movement of a devices, such as when a device is being held in a user’s hands or is on a moving vehicle. However, to provide better image quality with higher resolution, the size of the camera sensor may be increased, which may increase the size of optical components of the optical lens system. Such size increases may require additional performance from the actuators to move the larger and heavier optical lens system.SUMMARY

[0002] In general, cameras that perform sensor shift optical image stabilization (OIS). Example systems include an imaging lens including one or more lens elements (e.g., having optical power) attached to a lens housing, and an optical image stabilizer configured to move (i.e., shift) an image sensor relative to the housing and the lens. For example, to perform OIS, the optical image stabilizer is configured to move the relatively lighter image sensor rather than the relatively heavier imaging lens.

[0003] For example, to improve camera performance, components of the camera system may be changed and / or increased, or components may be added. For example, to improve image resolution, field of view, and / or light sensitivity, the camera sensor size may be increased, the number of pixels of the sensor may be increased, and / or the size of each pixel of the sensor may be increased, for which the size of the lens system may need to increase. Additionally, a component such as a variable aperture may be added to the lens system, for example, to function as a variable iris and / or stop to change the F-stop of the lens system in order to improve the dynamic range of the camera (e.g., from bright daylight scenes to lower light level, or night, scenes) or to improve overall image quality (e.g., by stopping down the lens to decrease the effects of aberrations, sharpen detail, and / or increase the depth of field of the camera).

[0004] Increasing the camera sensor and / or addition components may increase the mass of the lens system that needs to be moved in order to perform OIS, which may necessitate larger OIS actuators, thereby additionally increasing the overall size andDocket No.: 1333-904W001 weight of the camera system, as well as the power consumption of the OIS system needed in order to move the relatively larger lens system.

[0005] In accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, the optical image stabilizer includes a double side slide guide (e.g., a slide carrier) including one or more plain bearings configured to enable sliding motion in one direction for OIS on a first side of the slide guide and sliding motion in a second direction different from the first direction for OIS on a second, opposing side of the slide guide.

[0006] Aspects of this disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages and solve one or more technical problems. For example, aspects of this disclosure may provide for a camera including OIS that is relatively thinner and lighter than a conventional system in which the lens system is moved to perform OIS, or conventional system utilizing rolling elements, such as roller bearings. For example, the double side slide guide may replace, e.g., eliminate, a layer of bearings, reducing the thickness of the camera system. Additionally, the OIS may require relatively smaller actuators, such as voice coil motors, configured to move a relatively smaller mass, e.g., the sensor, for OIS rather than the relatively larger mass of the lens system and additional lens system components, e.g., a controllable variable aperture. Aspects of this disclosure may also provide for improved durability and OIS accuracy relative to roller bearing-based OIS systems, for example, by eliminating of bearing denting such as occurs with roller bearings.

[0007] As one example, a camera includes: an image sensor; a lens attached to a lens housing and configured to image light to the image sensor; a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the image sensor is attached to and carried by the second guide carrier, wherein the image sensor defines a plane including the first direction and the second direction.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0008] As another example, an optical image stabilizer includes: a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry an image sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0009] As another example, a method includes: capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; performing optical image stabilization (OIS) by: moving, by a first actuator and a plurality of bearings of a bearing carrier of an optical image stabilizer, the image sensor relative to the lens to scan the image in a first direction, the optical image stabilizer includes the bearing carrier including the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry a light sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0010] The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.Docket No.: 1333-904W001BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. l is a cross-sectional diagram of an example camera including slide guides, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2A is a plan view of an example double side slide guide, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2B is another plan view of the example double side slide guide of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2C is a perspective side view of the example double side slide guide of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3 A is a plan view of an example autofocus carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3B is a plan view of another example autofocus carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3C is a plan view of an example optical image stabilization (OIS) carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3D is a plan view of another example OIS carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 is an example computer system that may be used with a camera including double side slide guide, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method of optical image stabilization using a double side slide guide, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example camera 100 including double side slide guide 122, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In the example shown, camera 100 includes lens system 102, optical image stabilizer 104, sensor 106, and lens housing 108. Sensor 106 may be an image sensor, and may comprise an array of light sensitive pixels and / or detectors, e.g., a focal plane array.

[0022] In the example shown, lens system 102 includes imaging lens 112 and variable aperture 114 and is attached to lens housing 108. Imaging lens defines optical axis 120 and is configured to image light to sensor 106. Variable aperture 114 may beDocket No.: 1333-904W001 configured to open and close in order to change the clear aperture of imaging lens 112, e.g., variable aperture 114 may be a controllable iris configured to control the F-stop of imaging lens 112. Although shown as being positioned opposite imaging lens 112 from sensor 106, variable aperture 114 may be on the same side of imaging lens 112 as sensor 106, or internal to imaging lens 112, e.g., between lens elements of imaging lens 112.

[0023] In the example shown, both imaging lens 112 and variable aperture 114 are attached to lens housing 108, e.g., via a fasteners 110a and 110b (collectively, fasteners 110). In some examples, imaging lens 112 may be attached to lens housing 108 and aperture 114 may be attached to imaging lens 112, or variable aperture 114 may be attached to lens housing 108 and imaging lens 112 may be attached to variable aperture 114. In some examples, fasteners 110 may be a mechanical fastener, an adhesive, a weld, or any suitable fastener configured to attach lens system 102 to lens housing 108. In some examples, fastener 110a may be different from 110b, e.g., a different fastener type such as mechanical, adhesive, weld, or the like, and in other examples fastener 110a may be the same or of the same type. For example, fasteners 110 may be a single fastener, such as when variable aperture 114 is integrated within or onto imaging lens 112. Lens system 102 and lens housing 108 are configured to remain stable, e.g., are not configured to be moved (e.g., accelerated) to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

[0024] In the example shown, optical image stabilizer 104 includes double side slide guide 122, autofocus carrier 124, OIS carrier 126, and sensor support structure 146. Optical image stabilizer 104 may be configured to move sensor 106 relative to lens system 102 and / or lens housing 108, e.g., to perform OIS. In one example, optical image stabilizer 104 may include one or more of actuators 132-134 and yokes 138-140. In another example, lens housing 108 may include one or more of actuators 132-134 or yokes 138-140. In some examples, portions of one or more of actuators 132-134 and yokes 138-140 may be included in lens housing 108 or optical image stabilizer 104.

[0025] Actuators 132-134 may be configured to move, or to cause to accelerate, any or all of double side slide guide 122, autofocus carrier 124, and OIS carrier 126, e.g., to perform OIS. Yokes 138-140 may be configured to move, or to cause to accelerate, any or all of double side slide guide 122, autofocus carrier 124, and OIS carrier 126. As one example, yoke 138 may be configured to center autofocus carrier 124 within the rangeDocket No.: 1333-904W001 of motion of bearing 150 in the z-direction and grooves of lens housing 108 and / or autofocus carrier 124. As another example, yoke 140 may be configured to center image sensor 106 relative to lens system 102 and / or optical axis 120, e.g., by centering double side slide guide 122 and OIS carrier 126 within the x-y range of bearings 160, 162 and grooves 128, 130, 142, and 144.

[0026] Although two actuators 132-134 and yokes 138-140 are shown in FIG. 1, optical image stabilizer 104 and / or lens housing 108 may include more or fewer actuators and yokes, e.g., one actuator and yoke, or three or more actuators and yokes. For example, optical image stabilizer 104 and / or lens housing 108 may include at least three actuators, e.g., actuator 132 configured to move autofocus carrier 124, double side slide guide 122, and OIS carrier 126 in the z-direction, actuator 134 configured to move double side slide guide 122 and OIS carrier 126 in the y-direction, and another actuator (not visible in the cross-section shown in FIG. 1) configured to move OIS carrier 126 in the x-direction. In some examples, actuators 132-134 are voice coil motors. In some examples, actuator 132 may be configured to move double side slide guide 122 and OIS carrier 126 in both the x-direction and y-direction, e.g., actuator 132 may be a dual x-y actuator.

[0027] Optical image stabilizer 104 may be coupled to lens housing 108 by bearing 150. In the example shown, bearing 150 comprises one or more rollers coupling lens housing 108 and autofocus carrier 124 (e.g., a first guide carrier) and configured to allow autofocus carrier 124 (and optical image stabilizer 104) to move relative to lens housing 108 and lens system 102. Lens housing 108 may include a groove (not shown) along the z-direction and configured to receive bearing 150. In some examples, autofocus carrier 124 also includes a groove (not shown) along the z-direction and configured to receive bearing 150. Actuator 132 may be configured to cause autofocus carrier 124 to move along the z-direction by way of bearing 150. In the example shown, actuator 132 comprises a voice coil motor including coil 152 and magnet 154. Lens housing 108 may include coil 152 and autofocus carrier 124 may include magnet 154. Coil 152 may comprise an electrically conductive material, such as a conductive wire, and magnet 154 may be a permanent magnet.

[0028] Double side slide guide 122 (e.g., a slide carrier) may include bearing 160 and 162 attached to frame 168. Bearings 160, 162 may be configured to couple to both autofocus carrier 124 and to OIS carrier 126. In some examples, bearing 160, 162Docket No.: 1333-904W001 comprise plain bearings, e.g., configured to be slidable within grooves of autofocus carrier 124 and to OIS carrier 126, rather than roller bearings. For example, bearing 160, 162 comprise plain bearings are configured to facilitate sliding motion between surfaces, e.g., surfaces of bearings 160, 162 and surfaces of grooves 128, 130, 142, 144.

[0029] In the example shown, autofocus carrier 124 includes grooves 128, 130 along the y-direction. Grooves 128, 130 may be configured to receive and / or mate with at least a portion of bearings 160, 162, respectively. For example, bearings 160, 162 may each comprise a first portion 160a, 162a, respectively, each of which extends from a first surface of frame 168, e.g., each of which extends in the positive z-direction as shown. Bearings 160, 162 may also each comprise a second portion 160b, 162b, respectively, each of which extends from a second surface of frame 168 opposite the first surface of frame 168, e.g., each of which extends in the negative z-direction as shown. First portions 160a, 162a may be configured to, when received and / or mated with grooves 128, 130, respectively, slide within grooves 128, 130. In some examples, first portions 160a, 162a and / or grooves 128, 130 may include a lubricant and / or a selflubricating coating to reduce a coefficient of friction between first portions 160a, 162a and grooves 128, 130.

[0030] In some examples, the first and second portions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b of bearings 160, 162 may each be considered to be a bearing. Portions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b may be separate from each other and attached to, or integral to (e.g., made of the same material and continuous with) frame 168. In other examples, portions 160a, 160b may be attached together to form bearing 160, and portions 162a, 162b may be attached together to form bearing 162. In other examples, portions 160a, 160b may be integral with each other (e.g., made of the same material and continuous with) to form bearing 160, which is attached to, or is retained by, frame 168. Similarly, portions 162a, 162b may be integral with each other (e.g., made of the same material and continuous with) to form bearing 162, which is attached to, or is retained by, frame 168.

[0031] Double side slide guide 122 may comprise a metal, a polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a ceramic, or any suitable material. For example, bearings 160, 162 may comprise a metal such as steel, aluminum, brass, or any suitable metal, a polymer, PTFE, or any suitable material configured to slide within grooves 128, 130. Frame 168 may comprise a metal such as steel, aluminum, brass, or anyDocket No.: 1333-904W001 suitable metal, a polymer, PTFE, or any suitable material having a suitable rigidity for bearing the weight of OIS carrier 126 and sensor 106.

[0032] In the example shown, OIS carrier 126 (e.g., a second guide carrier) includes grooves 142, 144 along the x-direction. Grooves 142, 144 may be configured to receive and / or mate with at least a portion of bearings 160, 162, respectively. For example, second portions 160b, 162b of bearings 160, 162 may be configured to, when received and / or mated with grooves 142, 144, respectively, slide within grooves 142, 144. In the example shown, groove 142, 144 may be slots, e.g., extending less than half of the x- dimension length of OIS carrier 126. In some examples, second portions 160b, 162b and / or grooves 142, 144 may include a lubricant and / or a self-lubricating coating to reduce a coefficient of friction between second portions 160b, 162b and grooves 142, 144.

[0033] OIS carrier 126 may be configured to support sensor 106. In the example shown, OIS carrier 126 includes sensor support 146 and sensor 106. Sensor 106 may be attached to sensor support 146, and sensor support 146 may be attached to OIS carrier 126. In some examples, sensor support 146 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) and sensor 106 may be attached to, or integrated with, the PCB. In some examples, sensor 106 defines a plane that is substantially parallel with first and second directions that are substantially perpendicular to each other, e.g., the x- and y-directions in the example shown, and the plane may be substantially perpendicular to optical axis 120 along a third direction, e.g., the z-direction in the example shown.

[0034] Sensor support 146 may be attached to OIS carrier 126 by fasteners 148a, 148b. Fasteners 148a, 148b may be substantially similar to fasteners 110a, 110b described above. In the example shown, camera 100 includes back cover 118, e.g., to enclose optical image stabilizer 104, sensor 106, and imaging lens 112. In some examples, back cover 118 may be attached to, or integrated with, or a portion of lens housing 108.

[0035] Although two bearings 160, 162 are shown in FIG. 1, double side slide guide 122 may have fewer or more bearings, e.g., one bearing, three bearings, four bearings, or more than four bearings. Although two grooves 128, 130 of autofocus carrier 124 and two grooves 142, 144 of OIS carrier 126 are shown in FIG. 1, autofocus carrier 124 and OIS carrier 126 may have fewer or more grooves, e.g., one groove or three or more grooves.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0036] In some examples, double side slide guide 122 may be configured to have a single layer of bearings 160, 162, e.g., a single layer in the z-direction. For example, bearings 160, 162 may be used to couple to grooves along two-directions, e.g., grooves 128, 130 in the y-direction and grooves 142, 144 in the x-direction, as opposed to a conventional OIS system using multiple sets of bearings arranged in layers in the z- direction, each set configured for use in one direction. In examples where first and second portions 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b are considered to each comprise a bearing (as opposed to a portion of a bearing), the combination of upper and lower portions (in the z-direction) may be a bearing layer, e.g., upper and lower portion pairs 160a, 160b and 162a, 162b may be a bearing layer having a length in the z-direction (e.g., a thickness) substantially the same as a conventional OIS layer bearing. For example, double side slide guide 122 may be configured to replace and / or eliminate a conventional bearing layer while being configured to enable movement via bearings in at least two directions.

[0037] Actuator 134 may be configured to cause OIS carrier 126 to move along the x- direction by way of bearings 160, 162 within grooves 142, 144. In the example shown, actuator 134 comprises a voice coil motor including coil 156 and magnet 158. Lens housing 108 may include coil 156 and OIS carrier 126 may include magnet 158. Coil 156 may comprise an electrically conductive material, such as a conductive wire, and magnet 158 may be a permanent magnet. In some examples, camera 100 may include a third actuator configured to cause double side slide guide 122 and OIS carrier 126 to move along the y-direction by way of bearings 160, 162 within grooves 128, 130.

[0038] FIG. 2A is a plan view (top view) of an example double side slide guide 222, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is another plan view (bottom view) of the example double side slide guide of FIG. 2 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a perspective side view of the example double side slide guide 222 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Double side slide guide 222 may be substantially the same as double side slide guide 122 of FIG. 1, except for the differences described herein.

[0039] Double side slide guide 222 may have a rectangular shape, a circular shape, and elliptical shape, a square shape, a polygonal shape, or any suitable shape. In the example shown, double side slide guide 222 is substantially rectangular and defines aperture 270 configured to allow the light to propagate from a lens to a sensor, e.g.,Docket No.: 1333-904W001 from lens system 102 to sensor 106 of FIG. 1. In some examples, double side slide guide 222 defines aperture 270 with a size configured to allow lens system 102 (FIG. 1) to image light to the full extent of image sensor 106 (FIG. 1) for the full range of travel of double side slide guide 222 during OIS, e.g., aperture 270 may be larger than image sensor 106 in order to allow light to be focused to the full extent of image sensor 106 when double side slide guide 222 is moved to the ends of the x-y ranges of grooves 128, 138, 142, and 144 (FIG. 1).

[0040] Double side slide guide 222 may be substantially planar, e.g., having x-y lengths that are each larger than a length in the z-direction. In the example shown, double side slide guide comprises frame 268 and bearings 260-266. Frame 268 may be substantially the same as frame 168 described above, and bearings 260-264 may be substantially the same as bearings 160, 162. For example, each of bearings 260-264 may include upper and lower bearing portions, e.g., portions 260a, 260b, 262a, 262b, 264a, 264b, and 266a, 266b. In the example shown, bearings 260-264 and bearing portions 260a-266b have a spherical shape, e.g., a substantially circular cross-sectional profile shape. In other examples, each of bearings 260-264 and bearing portions 260a-266b may have any suitable cross-sectional profile shape, e.g., a T-shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a V-shape, a dovetail shape, or the like, and may be configured to mate with a cross-sectional shape of grooves 128, 130 of autofocus carrier 124 and / or grooves 142, 144 of OIS carrier 126.

[0041] In some examples, double side slide guide 222 defines a plurality of apertures, each aperture configured to receive a respective bearing 260-264. For example, frame 268 may include a plurality of apertures configured to receive and retain respective bearings 260-264 with first portions 260a, 262a, 264a, and 266a extending from first surface 272 of double side slide guide 222 and with second portions 260b, 262b, 264b, and 266b extending from second surface 274 of double side slide guide 222.

[0042] FIG. 3 A is a plan view of an example autofocus carrier 324a, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a plan view of another example autofocus carrier 324b, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Autofocus carriers 324a and 324b may be substantially the same as autofocus carrier 124 of FIG. 1, except for the differences described herein.

[0043] In the example shown, autofocus carrier 324a includes two grooves, 328a and 330a. Grooves 328a, 330a may be substantially similar to grooves 128, 130 (FIG. 1),Docket No.: 1333-904W001 respectively, and extend along the y-direction and each have a length that is at least half of the y-dimension of autofocus carrier 324a. Groove 328a may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 160a (FIG. 1) and / or bearing portions 260a, 264a (FIG. 2), and groove 330a may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 162a (FIG. 1) and / or bearing portions 262a, 266a (FIG. 2).

[0044] In the example shown, autofocus carrier 324b includes four slots 328b, 328c, 330b, and 330c. Slots 328b, 328c, 330b, and 330c may be substantially similar to grooves 128, 130 (FIG. 1), and slots 328b, 328c, 330b, and 330c extend along the y- direction and each have a length that is less than half of the y-dimension of autofocus carrier 324b. Slot 328b may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 260a (FIG. 2), slot 328c may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 264a (FIG. 2), slot 330b may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 262a (FIG. 2), and slot 330c may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 266a (FIG. 2).

[0045] FIG. 3C is a plan view of an example OIS carrier 326a, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3D is a plan view of another example autofocus carrier 326b, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. OIS carriers 326a and 326b may be substantially the same as OIS carrier 126 of FIG. 1, except for the differences described herein.

[0046] In the example shown, OIS carrier 326a includes two grooves, 342a and 344a. Grooves 342a, 344a may be substantially similar to grooves 142, 144 (FIG. 1), respectively, and extend along the x-direction and each have a length that is at least half of the x-dimension of OIS carrier 326a. Groove 342a may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 160b (FIG. 1) and / or bearing portions 260b, 262b (FIG. 2), and groove 344a may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 162b (FIG. 1) and / or bearing portions 264b, 266b (FIG. 2).

[0047] In the example shown, OIS carrier 326b includes four slots 342b, 342c, 344b, and 344c. Slots 342b, 342c, 344b, and 344c may be substantially similar to grooves 142, 144 (FIG. 1), and slots 342b, 342c, 344b, and 344c extend along the x-direction and each have a length that is less than half of the x-dimension of OIS carrier 326b. Slot 342b may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 260b (FIG. 2), slot 342c may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 262b (FIG. 2), slot 344b may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 264b (FIG. 2),Docket No.: 1333-904W001 and slot 344c may be configured to receive and / or mate with bearing portion 266b (FIG. 2).

[0048] FIG. 4 is an example computing system 400 that may be used with a camera 402 including double side slide guide 122 (FIG. 1) and / or double side slide guide 222 (FIG. 2), in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Camera 402 may be substantially similar to camera 100 described herein. Computing system 400 may implement methods for controlling operations of camera 402 using double side slide guides 122, 222 and actuators 132-134 (FIG. 1) and / or for performing image processing of images captured with the camera 402. In some examples, computing system 400 may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet or pad device, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a wireless phone, a smartphone, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device.

[0049] In the example shown, computing system 400 may include processing circuitry 410 (e.g., one or more processors) coupled to a memory 408. computing system 400 also may include a network interface 406, input / output devices 404, e.g., a cursor control device, mouse, touchpad, trackball, a keyboard, a display, or the like. Computing system 400 also may include one or more cameras 402 which may include a lens system 102 (FIG. 1).

[0050] Memory 408 may be configured to store program instructions and / or data accessible by processing circuitry 410. Memory 408 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile / flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Program instructions may be configured to implement various interfaces, methods and / or data for controlling operations of camera 402 and for capturing and processing images with camera 402 or other methods or data, for example interfaces and methods for capturing, displaying, processing, and storing images captured with camera 402. In some examples, program instructions and / or data may beDocket No.: 1333-904W001 received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory 408 or computing system 400.

[0051] Network interface 406 may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computing system 400 and other devices attached to a network (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computing system 400. Network interface 406 may include one or more networks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., the Internet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. Network interface 406 may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via telecommunications / telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and / or protocol.

[0052] Input / output devices 404 may include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by computing system 400. Multiple input / output devices 404 may be present in computing system 400 or may be distributed on various nodes of computing system 400. In some examples, similar input / output devices 404 may be separate from computing system 400 and may interact with one or more nodes of computing system 400 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface 406.

[0053] In the example shown, memory 408 may include program instructions which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action to support camera 402, including but not limited to image processing software and interface software for controlling camera 402. In some examples, images captured by camera 402 may be stored to memory 408. In addition, metadata for images captured by camera 402 may be stored using memory 408.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method of OIS using a doubled side slide guide 122 and / or 222, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Although the example method of FIG. 5 is described with respect to camera 100 of FIG. 1, the example technique of FIG. 5 may be performed using any double side slide guide configured to enable movement in at least two directions. FIG 5 is described with reference to FIGS. 1-4.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0055] Processing circuitry 410 may cause actuator 134 to move image sensor 106 in a first direction. (502). For example, processing circuitry 410 may cause actuator 134 (e.g., a magnet and coil actuator) to cause double side slide guide 122 to move in the y- direction by sliding bearing portions 160a, 162a along grooves 128, 130 of autofocus carrier 124 to scan an image along the y-axis.

[0056] Processing circuitry 410 may cause an actuator (e.g., actuator 134 or another actuator) to move image sensor 106 in a second direction. (504). For example, processing circuitry 410 may cause the actuator to cause double side slide guide 122 to move in the x-direction by sliding bearing portions 160b, 162b along grooves 142, 144 of OIS carrier 126 to scan an image along the x-axis.

[0057] In some examples, processing circuitry 410 may determine a first amount to scan the image in the first direction and a second amount to scan the image in the second direction independently of the first direction in order to stabilize the image on sensor 106 relative to a motion of the camera 100. Processing circuitry 410 may then cause an actuator to cause double side slide guide 122 to move along the y-direction to scan the image by the first amount in the first (y) direction and to cause an actuator to cause double side slide guide 122 to move along the x-direction to scan the image by the second amount in the second (x) direction.

[0058] Processing circuitry 410 may cause an actuator (e.g., actuator 132 or another actuator) to move image sensor 106 in a third direction (506). For example, processing circuitry 410 may cause the actuator to cause double autofocus carrier 124 to move in the z-direction guided by bearings 150 and grooves of one or both of lens housing 108 and autofocus carrier 124 to focus an image along the z-axis.

[0059] Computing system 400 and devices described herein may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, wireless phones, tablets, pagers, video or still cameras, and the like. Computing system 400 may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may, in some examples, be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some examples, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and / or other additional functionality may be available.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0060] Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structures or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and / or software modules. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.

[0061] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and / or firmware.

[0062] This disclosure includes the following examples:

[0063] Example 1 : A camera including: an image sensor; a lens attached to a lens housing and configured to image light to the image sensor; a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the image sensor is attached to and carried by the second guide carrier, wherein the image sensor defines a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0064] Example 2: The camera of example 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0065] Example 3 : The camera of example 1 or example 2, wherein each bearing of the plurality of bearings includes a plain bearing.

[0066] Example 4: The camera of any one of examples 1-3, further including: a first actuator configured to move the bearing carrier and second guide carrier along the first groove relative to the lens; and a second actuator configured to move the second guide carrier along the second groove relative to the lens.

[0067] Example 5: The camera of example 4 wherein at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator includes a voice coil motor.

[0068] Example 6: The camera of any one of examples 1-5, wherein each of the first portions or each of the second portions includes a cross-sectional profile having a shape, and wherein the corresponding first groove or the second groove includes a cross- sectional profile having a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-sectional profile of the each of the first portions or each of the second portions.

[0069] Example 7: The camera of any one of examples 1-6, wherein the bearing carrier is substantially rectangular and defines an aperture configured to allow the light to propagate from the lens to the sensor, wherein the plurality of bearings includes: a first bearing positioned substantially proximate to a first corner of the bearing carrier; a second bearing positioned substantially proximate to a second comer of the bearing carrier; a third bearing positioned substantially proximate to a third comer of the bearing carrier; and a fourth bearing positioned substantially proximate to a fourth comer of the bearing carrier.

[0070] Example 8: The camera of example 7, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier is configured to receive the first portions of each of the first bearing and the second bearing, wherein the first guide carrier includes a third groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guide carrier is configured to receive the second portions of each of the first bearing and the second bearing, wherein the second guide carrier includes a fourth groove along the second direction and configured to receive the second portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing.

[0071] Example 9: The camera of any of examples 7 and 8, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier includes a first slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the first bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guideDocket No.: 1333-904W001 carrier includes a first slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the first bearing, wherein the first guide carrier further includes: a second slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the second bearing; a third slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the fourth bearing; and wherein the second guide carrier further includes: a second slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the second bearing; a third slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the fourth bearing.

[0072] Example 10: The camera of any one of examples 1-9, wherein the plurality of bearings is a first plurality of bearings, the camera further including: a second bearing, wherein the first carrier is configured to be coupled to the lens housing by the second bearing, wherein the lens housing includes a third groove along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction and configured to receive the second bearing.

[0073] Example 11 : An optical image stabilizer including: a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry an image sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0074] Example 12: The optical image stabilizer of example 11, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

[0075] Example 13: The optical image stabilizer of example 11 or example 12, wherein each bearing of the plurality of bearings includes a plain bearing.Docket No.: 1333-904W001

[0076] Example 14: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 11-13, further including: a first actuator configured to move the bearing carrier and second guide carrier along the first groove; and a second actuator configured to move the second guide carrier along the second groove.

[0077] Example 15: The optical image stabilizer of example 14, wherein at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator includes a voice coil motor.

[0078] Example 16: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 11-15, wherein each of the first portions or each of the second portions includes a cross-sectional profile having a shape, and wherein the corresponding first groove or the second groove includes a cross-sectional profile having a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-sectional profile of the each of the first portions or each of the second portions.

[0079] Example 17: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 11-16, wherein the bearing carrier is substantially rectangular and defines an aperture configured to allow the light to propagate from the lens to the sensor, wherein the plurality of bearings includes: a first bearing positioned substantially proximate to a first comer of the bearing carrier; a second bearing positioned substantially proximate to a second comer of the bearing carrier; a third bearing positioned substantially proximate to a third corner of the bearing carrier; and a fourth bearing positioned substantially proximate to a fourth corner of the bearing carrier.

[0080] Example 18: The optical image stabilizer of example 17, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier is configured to receive the first portions of each of the second bearing, wherein the first guide carrier includes a third groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guide carrier is configured to receive the second portions of each of the second bearing, wherein the second guide carrier includes a fourth groove along the second direction and configured to receive the second portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing.

[0081] Example 19: The optical image stabilizer of any of examples 17 and 18, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier includes a first slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the first bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guide carrier includes a first slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the first bearing, wherein the first guide carrier further includes: a second slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion ofDocket No.: 1333-904W001 the second bearing; a third slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the fourth bearing; and wherein the second guide carrier further includes: a second slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the second bearing; a third slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the fourth bearing.

[0082] Example 20: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 11-19, wherein the plurality of bearings is a first plurality of bearings, wherein the first guide carrier includes a second bearing configured to be received in a third groove of a lens housing, the third groove extending along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction.

[0083] Example 21 : A method including: capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; performing optical image stabilization (OIS) by: moving, by a first actuator and a plurality of bearings of a bearing carrier of an optical image stabilizer, the image sensor relative to the lens to scan the image in a first direction, the optical image stabilizer includes the bearing carrier including the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier including a first groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier including a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry a light sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0084] Example 22: The method of example 21, wherein performing the OIS further includes: moving, by a second actuator and the plurality of bearings of the bearing carrier of the optical image stabilizer, the image sensor relative to the lens to scan the image in the second direction.

[0085] Various examples of the disclosure have been described. Any combination of the described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Docket No.: 1333-904W001CLAIMS:

1. A camera comprising: an image sensor; a lens attached to a lens housing and configured to image light to the image sensor; a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier comprising a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier comprising a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the image sensor is attached to and carried by the second guide carrier, wherein the image sensor defines a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

3. The camera of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each bearing of the plurality of bearings comprises a plain bearing.

4. The camera of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: a first actuator configured to move the second guide carrier in the first direction along the first groove relative to the lens; and a second actuator configured to move the second guide carrier in the second direction along the second groove relative to the lens,Docket No.: 1333-904W001 wherein the first actuator and second actuator move the second guide carrier along the first direction and the second direction to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

5. The camera of claim 4 wherein at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator comprises a voice coil motor.

6. The camera of any one of claims 1-5, wherein each of the first portions or each of the second portions comprises a cross-sectional profile having a shape, and wherein the corresponding first groove or the second groove comprises a cross- sectional profile having a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-sectional profile of the each of the first portions or each of the second portions.

7. The camera of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the bearing carrier is substantially rectangular and defines an aperture configured to allow the light to propagate from the lens to the sensor, wherein the plurality of bearings comprises: a first bearing positioned substantially proximate to a first corner of the bearing carrier; a second bearing positioned substantially proximate to a second comer of the bearing carrier; a third bearing positioned substantially proximate to a third corner of the bearing carrier; and a fourth bearing positioned substantially proximate to a fourth corner of the bearing carrier.

8. The camera of claim 7, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier is configured to receive the first portions of each of the first bearing and the second bearing, wherein the first guide carrier comprises a third groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guide carrier is configured to receive the second portions of each of the first bearing and the second bearing, wherein the second guide carrier comprises a fourth groove along the second direction andDocket No.: 1333-904W001 configured to receive the second portions of each of the third bearing and the fourth bearing.

9. The camera of claim 7, wherein the first groove of the first guide carrier comprises a first slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the first bearing, wherein the second groove of the second guide carrier comprises a first slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the first bearing, wherein the first guide carrier further comprises: a second slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the second bearing; a third slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the first direction configured to receive the first portion of the fourth bearing; and wherein the second guide carrier further comprises: a second slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the second bearing; a third slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the third bearing; and a fourth slot along the second direction configured to receive the second portion of the fourth bearing.

10. The camera of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the plurality of bearings is a first plurality of bearings, the camera further comprising: a second plurality of bearings, wherein the first carrier is configured to be coupled to the lens housing via the second plurality of bearings, wherein the lens housing comprises a third groove along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction and configured to receive the second plurality of bearings; and a third actuator configured to move the first guide carrier along the third direction to perform autofocus.

11. An optical image stabilizer comprising:Docket No.: 1333-904W001 a plurality of bearings; a bearing carrier defining a plurality of apertures, each aperture of the plurality of apertures configured to receive a bearing of the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface; a first guide carrier comprising a first groove along a first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier comprising a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry an image sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

12. The optical image stabilizer of claim 11, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

13. The optical image stabilizer of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein each bearing of the plurality of bearings comprises a plain bearing.

14. A method comprising: capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; performing optical image stabilization (OIS) by: moving, by a first actuator and a plurality of bearings of a bearing carrier of an optical image stabilizer, the image sensor relative to the lens to scan the image in a first direction, the optical image stabilizer comprising: the bearing carrier comprising the plurality of bearings, wherein first portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein second portions of each of the plurality of bearings extend from a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface;Docket No.: 1333-904W001 a first guide carrier comprising a first groove along the first direction and configured to receive the first portions of the plurality of bearings; and a second guide carrier comprising a second groove along a second direction different from the first direction and configured to receive the second portions of the plurality of bearings, wherein the second guide carrier is configured to attach to and carry a light sensor defining a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein performing the OIS further comprises: moving, by a second actuator and the plurality of bearings of the bearing carrier of the optical image stabilizer, the image sensor relative to the lens to scan the image in the second direction.

Images