Pivot prism for optical image stabilization

Abstract

An example camera includes a lens defining an optical axis configured to image light to a sensor and a prism configured to fold the optical axis along an image-side direction and an object-side direction. The prism is configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and substantially parallel with a plane defined by the sensor, and the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction and substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sensor. The camera also includes a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, the roll bearing defining the roll axis, and the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, the pitch bearing defining the pitch axis.

Description

Docket No.: 1333-911WO01PIVOT PRISM FOR 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. The movement may be a lateral translation of the image in two or more directions.SUMMARY

[0002] Some optical image stabilization (OIS) systems may use a prism that rotates about pitch and yaw axes to scan an image across a sensor in two different directions. However, rotating a prism about pitch and yaw axes to perform OIS may constrain the size of the sensor in order to achieve space constraints for the OIS prism system. For example, in order to increase the size of a sensor in some OIS cameras, the lateral size of the OIS prism and imaging lens may need to increase to capture a larger image and the length of the optical system needs to increase, at least to compensate for the larger OIS prism as well as to maintain the optical quality of imaging, especially at the edges of the larger image. The larger OIS prism has a larger mass necessitating larger actuators consuming more power to generate the larger torque needed to rotate the prism. The larger mass of the prism increases the moment of inertia of the prism resulting in a slower OIS response time. Additionally, the larger prism and prism mass may decrease the mechanical reliability of the OIS system because the larger mass may cause increased wear and defects, such as ball dent, in the pitch and yaw bearings.

[0003] In general, aspects of this disclosure are directed to techniques, systems, lenses, and cameras that perform OIS. Example systems include an optical image stabilizer configured to pitch (e.g., tilt) and roll (e.g., rather than yaw) a prism to scan and / or shift an image along an image sensor for OIS. The optical image stabilizer may include a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier and a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface of the bearing carrier. The bearing carrier including a pitch bearing and a roll bearing, instead of a yaw bearing, may enable positioning of the bearings and pitch / roll axes closer to the center of the mass of the prism. Additionally,Docket No.: 1333-911WO01the camera may include a lens element positioned adjacent to an object-side surface of the prism that rolls and pitches with the prism. The lens element may be a lens element of a multi-element imaging lens of the camera, or the lens element may be a separate lens working in conjunction with an imaging lens of the camera. The object-side lens may be configured to maintain alignment of the optical axis of the optical system with the center of the image sensor while rolling the prism to perform OIS. That is, the object-side lens element may enable the optical image stabilizer to scan an on-axis portion of the object scene along the sensor for the roll direction.

[0004] As one example, a camera includes: a lens defining an optical axis configured to image light to a sensor; a prism configured to fold the optical axis along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and wherein the pitch axis is substantially parallel with a plane defined by the sensor, wherein the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction, wherein the roll axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sensor; and a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis, wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis.

[0005] As another example, an optical image stabilizer includes: a prism configured to fold an optical axis of an imaging lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and the optical axis, the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction and the optical axis; a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis, wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis; and one or more actuators configured to cause the prism to rotate about the roll axis and the pitch axis to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

[0006] As another example, a method includes: capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; and performing optical image stabilization (OIS) by at least: rotating, by a first actuator of an optical image stabilizer, a prismDocket No.: 1333-911WO01about a roll axis to scan the image in a first direction along the image sensor, wherein the prism is configured to fold an optical axis of the lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction; wherein the optical image stabilizer comprises: the prism, the first actuator, and a second actuator; and a bearing carrier includes a roll bearing extending from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis; and a pitch bearing extending from second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines a pitch axis. As another example, an optical image stabilizer includes:

[0007] 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.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 A is a cross-sectional side view of an example camera including an optical image stabilizer, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. IB is a plan view of the example camera of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of an example prism, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. ID is a top view of an example prism, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2A is a side view of an example bearing carrier that may be used with the example camera of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2B is a top view of the example bearing carrier of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2C is a side view of another example bearing carrier that may be used with the example camera 100 of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2D is a top view of the example bearing carrier of FIG. 2C, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0016] FIG. 3 A is a side view of another example bearing carrier that may be used with the example camera of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3B is a side view of the example bearing carrier of FIG. 3 A and bearings, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an example computer system that may be used with a camera including an optical image stabilizer including a bearing carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method of optical image stabilization using an optical image stabilizer including a bearing carrier, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Aspects of this disclosure are directed to techniques, systems, lenses, and cameras that perform optical image stabilization (OIS). Example systems include an optical image stabilizer configured to pitch and roll a prism to scan and / or shift an image along an image sensor for OIS. The optical image stabilizer may include a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier and a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface of the bearing carrier.

[0021] In some examples, the roll bearing defines the roll axis, and the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis. The bearing carrier may include the roll and / or pitch bearing extending from the first or second surfaces of the bearing carrier, respectively, and the prism may define a roll bearing recess (e.g., a roll bearing seat) or pitch bearing recess (e.g., pitch bearing seat) configured to receive the roll bearing or pitch bearing, and a prism support may define the other of the pitch bearing recess or roll bearing recess, the portions of the prism and prism support including the recesses being on opposite sides of the bearing carrier. In other examples, the bearing carrier may define the recesses, e.g., the roll recess and / or a pitch recess configured to receive the roll and pitch bearings, respectively, and the prism and prism support may include the roll and / or pitch bearings. In still other examples, the prism, bearing carrier, and prism support may all define recesses configured to receive roll and pitch bearings, with the roll andDocket No.: 1333-911WO01pitch bearings interfacing with the bearing carrier on opposite sides and / or surfaces of the bearing carrier.

[0022] Aspects of this disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages and solve one or more technical problems. Aspects of this disclosure may provide for improved OIS imaging, OIS performance, and reduced OIS power consumption. For example, aspects of this disclosure may provide for improved OIS imaging by reducing the degradation of the spatial frequency response (SFR) of the camera, e.g., for images shifted via OIS. Some cameras using a single-prism OIS system may cause the prism to pitch and yaw the prism to shift the image along the image sensor in different directions. Such single-prism OIS systems may include an imaging lens that is solely between the prism and sensor, and the system is necessarily configured to image an off-axis portion of the object scene to perform OIS, thereby reducing the SFR of the system by 20% for the largest portions of the range of the OIS (e.g., in the worst case scenario). In other words, some single-prism OIS may shift the image along the sensor by imaging off-axis portions of the scene. Aspects of this disclosure may use a single-prism OIS and cause the prism to pitch and roll to shift the image along the image sensor in different directions, and at least one lens element of the imaging lens is positioned along an object-side surface or plane of the prism and is configured to move with the prism. As such, according to examples disclosed herein, the system is configured to shift the image along the sensor by shifting the optical-axis on the object-side of the prism and image an on-axis portion of the object scene to perform OIS. Aspects of this disclosure may provide for an OIS system that may reduce the SFR of the system by about 2% for the largest portions of the range of the OIS.

[0023] Aspects of this disclosure may provide for improved OIS performance by reducing the moment of inertia of the prism, thereby reducing the amount of torque needed to rotate the prism (e.g., to pitch and / or roll the prism) to perform OIS. For example, the bearing carrier may be configured to enable the pitch and roll bearings to be positioned closer to the center of mass of the prism, e.g., as compared to some pitch and yaw OIS systems. Positioning the axes of rotation, defined by the pitch and roll bearings, closer to the center of mass of the prism reduces the effective lever arm of the system, thereby reducing the moment of inertia of the prism. Reducing the moment of inertia of the prism may provide for reduced OIS power consumption, e.g., via reducing the torque needed to move the prism, and / or provide for improved response time (e.g.,Docket No.: 1333-911WO01faster) and accuracy when moving the prism, e.g., via reducing the torque needed to move the prism. In some examples, the prism may be a cube prism, and a portion of the cube may be removed, cut away, or otherwise modified to allow at least a portion of the bearing carrier to be positioned within the extent of the cube, e.g., within the removed portion. Removing a portion of the cube may further reduce the moment of inertia of the prism by removing a portion of the mass of the prism cube, in addition to enabling the pitch and roll bearings to be positioned at least partially within the extent of the cube and closer to the center of mass of the cube.

[0024] Additionally, aspects of this disclosure may provide for a camera with a larger sensor without increasing, or without significantly increasing, the length and width of the packaging of the camera. For example, optical image stabilizers configured to perform OIS by pitching and rolling the prism may provide for rolling and pitching bearings (e.g., pivots) that are positioned near to or at least partially within a volume allotted to the OIS prism. For example, a portion of the prism may be cut away or removed so that the rolling and / or pitching bearings may be positioned closer to the center of the prism. In a mobile device, the width of the OIS camera may directly affect battery capacity, e.g., by taking up space that may otherwise be allocated to device battery, and aspects of this disclosure may provide for a larger sensor without reducing battery capacity. In some examples, a bearing carrier may enable the pitch and roll bearings to be positioned substantially near the same position in an x, y plane (e.g., substantially vertically aligned), but separated in the z-direction, e.g., in a different z-plane. This allows for pitch and roll bearings to be positioned such that the size of the OIS system does not need to increase due to positioning of the bearings if the size of the image sensor is increases, while still moving the pitch and roll axes closer to the center of mass of the prism.

[0025] Aspects of this disclosure may provide for improved robustness and / or mechanical reliability of the OIS system of a camera. For example, the pitch and roll bearings may comprise shafts elongated in one direction, which may have a substantially cylindrical shape. Elongating the bearings in one direction provides for a larger distribution of the weight and wear on the surfaces of the shaft bearings and pivot seats that are in contact, and may provide for reduced surface degradation such as ball denting. In some examples, the pitch and roll shaft bearings may comprise insert molded parts and may provide for simplified assembly of the OIS and camera.Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0026] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view an example camera 100 including optical image stabilizer 104, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. IB is a plan view of the example camera 100 of FIG. 1A, FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of an example prism 102 of the camera 100 of FIG. 1 A, and FIG. ID is a top view of the example prism of FIG. 1C, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 1A-1C are described together below. In the examples shown, camera 100 includes imaging lens 112, optical image stabilizer 104, sensor 106, and prism support 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. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B’ shown in FIG. IB, and FIG. IB is a plan view along the line A- A’ shown in FIG. 1 A.

[0027] In the example shown, imaging lens 112 defines optical axis 122a and is configured to image light to sensor 106, and lens element 114 defines optical axis 122b. In some examples, lens element 114 may be an element of imaging lens 112, e.g., separated by a distance with prism 102 within that distance. In some examples lens element 114 and imaging lens 112 may comprise an optical system configured to image light to sensor 106. For example, lens element 114 may be positioned adjacent to object-side surface 144 defined by prism 102 and may be configured to rotate, e.g., roll and / or pitch, with prism 102, causing optical axis 122b to roll and / or pitch. Optical axes 122a and 122b (collectively, “optical axis 122”) may be perpendicular to each other. For example, reflecting surface 150 may be at a 45-degree angle with respect to objectside surface 144 as well as image-side surface 146 defined by prism 102. Prism 102, lens element 114, and lens 112 may comprise components of a rotationally symmetric multi-element optical system of camera 100, where optical axis 122 is the axis of rotational symmetry. Prism 102 may be configured to fold the optical system along an image-side direction (e.g., optical axis 122a towards sensor 106) and an object-side direction (e.g., optical axis 122b away from reflecting surface 150), e.g., to redirect light via reflection from reflecting surface 150 to sensor 106. In some examples, imaging lens 112 and / or lens element 114 may be autofocus, zoom, or variable aperture lenses configured to autofocus, zoom, and / or change aperture (e.g., F-stop).

[0028] Optical image stabilizer 104 includes prism 102, bearing carrier 124, roll bearings 126, and pitch bearings 128. Optical image stabilizer 104 may also include prism support 108 and one or more actuators (not shown) configured to cause prism 102Docket No.: 1333-911WO01to rotate about a roll axis 140 using roll bearings 126 and / or rotate about pitch axis 142 (FIG. IB) using pitch bearings 128. Optical image stabilizer 104 may be configured to pitch prism 102, e.g., cause prism 102 to rotate about pitch axis 142 that is parallel with the y-direction and substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and optical axis 122a (the x-direction as shown), to scan an image along the sensor in the z-direction. Optical image stabilizer 104 may be configured to roll prism 102, e.g., cause prism 102 to rotate about roll axis 140 that is parallel with the image-side direction and optical axis 122a, to scan an image along the sensor in the y-direction. In some example, optical image stabilizer 104 may pitch to center an off-axis portion of an object scene on sensor 106, and may roll to center an on-axis portion of an object scene that is at a different y-position in object space. That is, lens element 114 may be configured to pitch and roll with prism 102 maintaining centering of the optical axis 122 when rotating about roll axis 140 after folding by prism 102 to scan an on-axis image of the object scene across sensor 106.

[0029] Prism 102 may be a rectangular prism, a cube prism, a wedge prism, or any suitable prism configured to fold optical axis 122. In the example shown, prism 102 is a cube prism comprising right-angle prisms 116 and 118 forming reflecting surface 150. Prism 102 may be configured to rotate about pitch axis 142 that is substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and substantially parallel with a plane defined by sensor 106, e.g., the y-z plane as shown in FIG. 1 A. Prism 102 may also be configured to rotate about roll axis 140 that is substantially parallel with the image-side direction and perpendicular to the plane defined by sensor 106, e.g., the y-z plane as shown in FIG. 1 A.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1C, a portion 152 of prism 102 may be cut away, removed, or otherwise left open so as to allow at least a portion of bearing carrier 124, roll bearing 126, and / or pitch bearings 128 to be positioned within the extent of prism 102, e.g., within portion 152 that is removed. Also as shown in FIG. 1C, prism 102 may include extension 154. Extension 154 is configured to interface with roll bearing 126 and / or pitch bearings 128. In some examples, extension 154 may be attached to prism 102. In the example shown, extension 154 is integral with, and made of the same material, as prism 102, namely, right-angle prism 118.

[0031] Bearing carrier 124, roll bearings 126, pitch bearings 128, and prism support 108 may be positioned in alignment with extension 154 of prism 102. At least a portion ofDocket No.: 1333-911WO01one or all of bearing carrier 124, roll bearings 126, pitch bearings 128, and prism support 108 may be positioned within the spatial extent of prism 102, e.g., within portion 152.

[0032] Bearing carrier 124 is configured to interface with roll bearings 126 along one surface of bearing carrier 124 and to interface with pitch bearings 128 along a second, opposing surface of bearing carrier 124. In some examples, roll bearing 126 define roll axis 140 and pitch bearings 128 define pitch axis 142. Bearing carrier 124 may be configured to interface with roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 by contacting roll and pitch bearings 126, 128. In some examples, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be attached to or integrally formed with bearing carrier 124, e.g., and are in contact with bearing carrier 124 by being a part of bearing carrier 124. In the example shown, roll bearings 126 extend from the first surface of bearing carrier 124 in a first direction (the positive z-direction) and pitch bearings 128 extend from the second, opposing surface of bearing carrier 124 in a second direction (e.g., the negative z-direction, opposite the first direction). Prism 102 and prism support 108 may be configured to receive roll and pitch bearings 126, 128. For example, extension 154 and prism support 108 may define roll and / or pitch recesses (e.g., pivot seats) configured to receive roll and / or pitch bearings 126, 128. In the example shown, prism support 108 defines pitch bearing recesses configured to receive pitch bearings 128 and guide bearing carrier 124 and prism 102 to rotate about pitch axis 142 by sliding along a rounded surface of pitch bearings 128, and prism 102, e.g., extension 154, defines roll bearing recesses configured to receive roll bearings 126 and guide prism 102 to rotate about roll axis 140 by sliding along a rounded surface of roll bearings 126. In other examples, prism support 108 defines roll bearing recesses configured to receive roll bearings 126 and guide bearing carrier 124 and prism 102 to rotate about roll axis 140 by sliding along a rounded surface of roll bearings 128, and prism 102, e.g., extension 154, defines pitch bearing recesses configured to receive pitch bearings 128 and guide prism 102 to rotate about pitch axis 142 by sliding along a rounded surface of pitch bearings 128.

[0033] In other examples, bearing carrier 124 may be configured to receive roll and pitch bearings 126, 128, e.g., within roll and / or pitch recesses (e.g., pivot seats) defined by the opposing surfaces of bearing carrier 124. For example, rather than bearing carrier 124 including roll and pitch bearings 126, 128, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be attached to or integrally formed with prism 102 and prism support 108. In stillDocket No.: 1333-911WO01other examples, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be separate from bearing carrier 124, prism 102, and prism support 108. For example, bearing carrier 124, prism 102, and prism support 108 may all define roll and / or pitch recesses configured to receive roll or pitch bearings 126, 128. Generally, roll or pitch bearings 126, 128 are configured to interface with roll and / or pitch bearings 126, 128 by defining recesses configured to receive roll or pitch bearings 126, 128 or by roll or pitch bearings 126, 128 being attached to or integrally formed with bearing carrier 124, prism 102, and prism support 108 in any combination. In the example shown, bearing carrier 124 interfaces with roll bearings 126 positioned between bearing carrier 124 and prism 102 (e.g., extension 154), and bearing carrier 124 interfaces with pitch bearings 128 positioned between bearing carrier 124 and prism support 108. In other examples, bearing carrier 124 interfaces with roll bearings 126 positioned between bearing carrier 124 and prism support 108, and bearing carrier 124 interfaces with pitch bearings 128 positioned between bearing carrier 124 and prism 102, e.g., roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be flipped to the respective other side of bearing carrier 124.

[0034] Roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be elongated shaft bearings, or may form extended rounded bearing shafts. For example, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may comprise a rounded surface along a first direction that is extended or elongated along a second direction, e.g., forming at least a portion of a cylindrical shape. In the example shown, roll bearings 126 may comprise an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along roll axis 140 and the rounded surface perpendicular to roll axis 140. Pitch bearings 128 may comprise an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along pitch axis 142 and the rounded surface perpendicular to pitch axis 142.

[0035] In some examples, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be formed via molding process, and may be molded around a strengthening component. For example, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 may be a plastic, a polymer, PTFE, or the like molded around strengthening components comprising a metal material, such as steel. In some examples, roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 including strengthening components may reduce deformations of roll and pitch bearings 126, 128 such as denting, pitting, and uneven wear, may also reduce deformations such as denting, pitting, and / or uneven wear of recesses configured to interface with roll and pitch bearings 126, 128, e.g., recess of any of prism 102, prism support 108, and bearing carrier 324 (FIGS. 3A-3B).Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0036] Prism support 108 may be configured to support optical image stabilizer 104, e.g., prism 102, lens 114, bearing carrier 124, and roll and pitch bearings 126, 128. Prism support 108 may be attached or in contact with a housing of camera 100 (not shown).

[0037] Optical image stabilizer 104 may include a plurality of actuators configured to cause prism 102 to rotate about roll axis 140 and / or pitch axis 142, e.g., to perform OIS, and one or more of yokes, such as centering yoke 130. In the example shown, prism support 108 includes centering yoke 130, and prism 102 includes magnets 132-138. Magnet 132 in extension 154 may be a centering magnet configured to interact with centering yoke 130 to maintain a neutral position of prism 102 in the absence of other actuators causing prism 102 to rotate out from the neutral position. Extension 154 may also include roll magnets 136, 138 (FIG. ID) and right-angle prism 118 of prism 102 may include pitch magnet 134. A roll actuator 139 (FIG. ID) may include roll magnets 136, 138 and a coil (not shown), and a pitch actuator 133 (FIG. 1 A) may include pitch magnet 134 and a coil (not shown). In some examples, the pitch and roll actuators 133, 139 may comprise voice coil motors including voice coils (not shown) and roll magnets 136, 138 to actuate rolling prism 102 and pitch magnet 134 to actuate pitching prism 102. Magnets 134, 136, and / or 138 may be permanent magnets.

[0038] In some examples, the neutral center position of prism 102 may be at a center of the range of both rolling rotation and pitch rotation of prism 102. For example, centering yoke 130 may be configured to center prism 102 within the range of motion of bearing carrier 124 along roll bearings and pitch bearings 126, 128.

[0039] Bearing carrier 124 and prism support 108 may comprise a metal, a polymer, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a ceramic, or any suitable material. In some examples, roll bearings and pitch bearings 126, 128 may comprise a metal such as steel, aluminum, brass, or any suitable metal, a polymer, PTFE, or any suitable material configured to roll and / or slide within recesses of extension 154, prism support 108, and / or bearing carrier 124. Although two roll bearings 126 and two pitch bearings 128 are shown in FIGS. 1-4, camera 100 may have fewer or more bearings, e.g., one roll bearing 126 and pitch bearing 128, or three or more roll bearings 126 and pitch bearings 128.

[0040] FIG. 2A is a side view of an example bearing carrier 224 that may be used with the example camera 100 of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of theDocket No.: 1333-911WO01present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a top view of the example bearing carrier 224 of FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C is a side view of another example bearing carrier 234 that may be used with the example camera 100 of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.2D is a top view of the example bearing carrier 234 of FIG. 2C, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A-2D are described together below. Bearing carriers 224 and 234 may be examples of bearing carrier 124 of FIGS. 1A-1D.

[0041] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, bearing carrier 224 includes two roll bearings 226 extending out from surface 202 of bearing carrier 224 and two pitch bearings 228 extending out from surface 204 of bearing carrier 224. Roll bearings 226 comprise elongated shafts that extend along roll axis 240 and are rounded in a direction perpendicular to roll axis 240 and parallel with a plane defined by surface 202. Roll bearings 226 define roll axis 240 and are aligned along roll axis 240 relative to each other. Pitch bearings 228 comprise elongated shafts that extend along pitch axis 242 and are rounded in a direction perpendicular to pitch axis 242 and parallel with a plane defined by surface 204. Pitch bearings 228 define pitch axis 242 and are aligned along pitch axis 242 relative to each other. Roll bearings 226, pitch bearings 228, roll axis 240, and pitch axis 242 may all be examples of, and substantially similar to, roll bearings 126, pitch bearings 128, roll axis 140, and pitch axis 142, respectively, of FIGS. 1 A-1D. Although bearing carrier 224 illustrates two roll bearings 226 and two pitch bearings 228, bearing carrier 224 may include more roll bearings 226, e.g., three of more roll bearings 226, and more pitch bearings 228, e.g., three or more pitch bearings 228. Although described as extended or elongated rounded bearing shafts, roll bearings 226 and pitch bearings 228 may have other shapes, e.g., spherical, ellipsoidal, or any suitable shape for rotating about roll axis 240 or pitch axis 242.

[0042] In the example shown, a center of roll bearings 226 along roll axis 240 is aligned with a center of pitch bearings 228 along pitch axis 242 at center position 206. For example, the centers of roll bearings 226 along roll axis 240 and pitch bearings 228 along pitch axis 242 are vertically aligned (e.g., along the z-direction as shown), and may be vertically off set from each other, e.g., by about the z-direction thickness of bearing carrier 224. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the center position 206 is a center of the plurality of roll and pitch bearings 226, 228, and is between roll and pitch bearings 226, 228. In other example, e.g., where there are additional roll andDocket No.: 1333-911WO01pitch bearings 226, 228, a roll and / or pitch bearing 226 and / or 228 may be located at center position 206.

[0043] In the examples shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, bearing carrier 234 includes a single roll bearing 226 extending from surface 202 of bearing carrier 234 and a single pitch bearing 228 extending from surface 204 of bearing carrier 234. In the example shown, a center of roll bearing 226 along roll axis 240 is aligned with a center of pitch bearing 228 along pitch axis 242 at center position 206. For example, the center of roll bearing 226 along roll axis 240 and pitch bearing 228 along pitch axis 242 are vertically aligned (e.g., along the z-direction as shown), and may be vertically off set from each other, e.g., by about the z-direction thickness of bearing carrier 234. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the center position 206 is aligned, e.g., vertically, with a center of roll bearing 226 and a center of pitch bearing 228.

[0044] FIG. 3 A is a side view of another example bearing carrier 324 that may be used with the example camera of FIG. 1 A, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3B is a side view of the example bearing carrier 324 of FIG. 3 A and roll bearings 326 and pitch bearings 328, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3 A-3B are described together below. Bearing carrier 324 may be an example of bearing carrier 124 of FIG. 1.

[0045] In the examples shown, bearing carrier 324 defines roll bearing recesses 316 extending into bearing carrier 324 from surface 302 of bearing carrier 224 and pitch recesses 318 extending into bearing carrier 324 from surface 304 of bearing carrier 324. Roll bearing recesses 316 may be configured to receive roll bearings 326 and to guide a prism, e.g., prism 102, to rotate about roll axis 340 by sliding along a rounded surface of roll bearings 326 within roll bearing recess 316. Pitch bearing recesses 318 may be configured to receive pitch bearings 328 and to guide bearing carrier 324 and a prism, e.g., prism 102, to rotate about a pitch axis (not shown, but the pitch axis may be along the y-direction in the examples shown and defined by pitch bearings 328 and may be similar to pitch axes 142 and 242) by sliding along a rounded surface of pitch bearings 328 within pitch bearing recess 318. Roll bearings 326, pitch bearings 328, roll axis 340, and the pitch axis (not shown) may all be examples of, and substantially similar to, roll bearings 126 and 226, pitch bearings 128 and 228, roll axes 140 and 240, and pitch axes 142 and 242, respectively, of FIGS. 1A-2D.Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0046] Although bearing carrier 324 illustrates two roll bearing recesses 316 and two pitch bearing recesses 318, bearing carrier 324 may include more or fewer roll bearing recesses 316, e.g., one, or three of more roll bearing recesses 316, and more or fewer pitch bearing recesses 318, e.g., three or more pitch bearing recesses 318.

[0047] In some examples, bearing carrier 324 may be configured to be used with a prism 102 including roll bearings 326 and a prism support 108 including pitch bearings 328. For example, prism 102, e.g., extension 154, may include roll bearings 326 extending towards surface 302 of bearing carrier 324, and prism support 108 may including pitch bearings 328 extending towards surface 304 of bearing carrier 324. Bearing carrier 324 may be configured to receive roll bearings 326 within roll bearing recesses 316 and guide prism 102 to rotate about the roll axis 340, and bearing carrier 324 may be configured to receive pitch bearings 328 within pitch bearing recesses 318 and guide bearing carrier 324 and prism 102 to rotate about the pitch axis (not shown).

[0048] In some examples, bearing carrier 324 may be configured to be flipped and used with a prism 102 including pitch bearings 328 and a prism support 108 including roll bearings 326. For example, prism 102, e.g., extension 154, may include pitch bearings 328 extending towards surface 304 of bearing carrier 324, and prism support 108 may including roll bearings 326 extending towards surface 302 of bearing carrier 324.Bearing carrier 324 may be configured to receive pitch bearings 328 within pitch bearing recesses 318 and guide prism 102 to rotate about the pitch axis (not shown), and bearing carrier 324 may be configured to receive roll bearings 326 within roll bearing recesses 316 and guide bearing carrier 324 and prism 102 to rotate about roll axis 340.

[0049] In some examples, bearing carrier 324 may be configured to be used with a prism 102 including roll bearing recesses or pitch bearing recesses and a prism support 108 including pitch bearings recesses or roll bearing recess. Roll bearings 326 and pitch bearings 328 may be separate from, but configured to be received within the respective roll bearing recesses and pitch bearing recesses of prism 102 and prism support 108 as well as roll bearing recesses 316 and pitch bearing recesses 318 of bearing carrier 324.

[0050] FIG. 4 is an example computing system 400 that may be used with a camera 402 including optical image stabilizer 104 including any of bearing carriers 124, 224, 234, and 324 (FIGS. 1 A-3B), in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Camera 402 may be an example of, and substantially similar to, camera 100 described herein. Computing system 400 may implement methods for controllingDocket No.: 1333-911WO01operations of camera 402 using any of bearing carriers 124, 224, 234, and 324 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.

[0051] 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 may include one or more actuators 433, which may be substantially similar to one or more of actuators 133, 139. Computing system 400 also may include one or more cameras 402 which may include a lens element 114, imaging lens 112, and prism 102 (FIG. 1A).

[0052] 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 be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory 408 or computing system 400.

[0053] 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)Docket No.: 1333-911WO01(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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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. In some examples, processing circuitry 410 may be configured to control actuators 433 to a rotate prism about a roll axis to scan an image in a first direction and to rotate the prism about a pitch axis to scan the image in a second direction, e.g., to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

[0056] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method of OIS using an optical image stabilizer 104 including any of bearing carriers 124, 224, 234, and / or 324, 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 A, the example technique of FIG. 5 may be performed using any optical image stabilizer including a bearing carrier configured to configured to interface with a roll bearing and a pitch bearing. FIG 5 is described with reference to FIGS. 1 A-4.

[0057] Processing circuitry 410 may cause a roll actuator 139 to rotate prism 102 about roll axis 140 to scan an image in a first direction (502). For example, sensor 106 mayDocket No.: 1333-911WO01capture an image that is focused by lens 112 and / or lens element 114 onto sensor 106, and processing circuitry 410 may receive the image and / or image data and determine a shift of the image to perform OIS based on the image and / or image data. The processing circuitry 410 may then cause roll actuator 139 (e.g., including magnets 136, 138) to cause prism 102 to rotate (e.g., roll) about axis roll 140 to scan an image in the first direction, e.g., the y-direction as shown in FIG. 1 A.

[0058] Processing circuitry 410 may cause a pitch actuator 133 to rotate prism 102 about pitch axis 142 to scan an image in a second direction along sensor 106 (504). For example, processing circuitry 410 may cause pitch actuator 133 (e.g., including magnet 134) to cause lens 112, and bearing carrier 124, to rotate about pitch axis 142 to scan an image in second direction, e.g., the z-direction as shown in FIG. 1 A, that is different from the first direction.

[0059] 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 roll actuator 139 to rotate prism 102 about roll axis 140 to scan the image in the y-direction by the first amount and cause pitch actuator 133 to rotate prism 102 about pitch axis 142 to scan an image in the z-direction by the second amount.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 suitableDocket No.: 1333-911WO01for 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] This disclosure includes the following examples:

[0064] Example 1: A camera includes: a lens defining an optical axis configured to image light to a sensor; a prism configured to fold the optical axis along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and wherein the pitch axis is substantially parallel with a plane defined by the sensor, wherein the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction, wherein the roll axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sensor; and a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis, wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis.

[0065] Example 2: The camera of example 1, wherein the prism includes a cube prism with a portion removed, wherein at least a portion of the bearing carrier is positioned within the removed portion.

[0066] Example 3 : The camera of example 1 or example 2, wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are formed via a molding process, and wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are molded around a strengthening component.

[0067] Example 4: The camera of any one of examples 1-3, wherein the bearing carrier includes: the roll bearing extending from the first surface of the bearing carrier; and the pitch bearing extending from the second surface of the bearing carrier.Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0068] Example 5: The camera of example 4, wherein the pitch bearing includes an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the pitch axis, wherein the roll bearing includes an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the roll axis.

[0069] Example 6: The camera of example 5, wherein the prism defines a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing.

[0070] Example 7: The camera of example 5 or example 6, further including a prism support defining a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing.

[0071] Example 8: The camera of example 4, wherein the prism defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing, wherein the camera further includes a prism support defining a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing.

[0072] Example 9: The camera of example 1, wherein the prism includes the roll bearing extending towards the first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the bearing carrier defines a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing within the roll bearing recess, wherein the camera further includes a prism support including the pitch bearing extending towards the second surface of the bearing carrier, and wherein the bearing carrier defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing within the pitch bearing recess.

[0073] Example 10: The camera of example 1, wherein the prism includes the pitch bearing extending towards the second surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the bearing carrier defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing within the pitch bearing recess, wherein the camera further includes a prism support including the roll bearing extending towards the first surface of the bearing carrier, and wherein the bearing carrier defines a roll bearing recess configured toDocket No.: 1333-911WO01receive the roll bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing within the roll bearing recess.

[0074] Example 11 : The camera of any one of examples 1-10, wherein the prism defines an object-side surface and an image-side surface, the camera further including a lens element positioned adjacent to the object-side surface and configured to rotate with the prism.

[0075] Example 12: The camera of example 11, wherein the lens includes the lens element.

[0076] Example 13: The camera of any one of examples 1-12, wherein the roll bearing includes a plurality of roll bearings, wherein the pitch bearing includes a plurality of pitch bearings.

[0077] Example 14: The camera of any one of examples 1-13, wherein a center of the roll bearing along the roll axis is aligned with a center of the pitch bearing along the pitch axis.

[0078] Example 15: An optical image stabilizer includes: a prism configured to fold an optical axis of an imaging lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and the optical axis, the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction and the optical axis; a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis, wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis; and one or more actuators configured to cause the prism to rotate about the roll axis and the pitch axis to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

[0079] Example 16: The optical image stabilizer of example 15, wherein the prism includes a cube prism with a portion removed, wherein at least a portion of the bearing carrier is positioned with the removed portion.

[0080] Example 17: The optical image stabilizer of example 15 or example 16, wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are formed via a molding process, and wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are molded around a strengthening component.

[0081] Example 18: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 15-17, wherein the bearing carrier includes: the roll bearing extending from the first surface of theDocket No.: 1333-911WO01bearing carrier; and the pitch bearing extending from the second surface of the bearing carrier.

[0082] Example 19: The optical image stabilizer of example 18, wherein the pitch bearing includes an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the pitch axis, wherein the roll bearing includes an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the roll axis.

[0083] Example 20: The optical image stabilizer of example 19, wherein the prism defines a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing.

[0084] Example 21: The optical image stabilizer of example 19 or example 20, further including a prism support defining a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing.

[0085] Example 22: The optical image stabilizer of example 18, wherein the prism defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing, wherein the camera further includes a prism support defining a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing.

[0086] Example 23: The optical image stabilizer of example 15, wherein the prism includes the roll bearing extending towards the first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the bearing carrier defines a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing within the roll bearing recess, wherein the camera further includes a prism support including the pitch bearing extending towards the second surface of the bearing carrier, and wherein the bearing carrier defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the pitch bearing within the pitch bearing recess.

[0087] Example 24: The optical image stabilizer of example 15, wherein the prism includes the pitch bearing extending towards the second surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the bearing carrier defines a pitch bearing recess configured to receive the pitch bearing and guide the prism to rotate about the pitch axis by sliding along a roundedDocket No.: 1333-911WO01surface of the pitch bearing within the pitch bearing recess, wherein the camera further includes a prism support including the roll bearing extending towards the first surface of the bearing carrier, and wherein the bearing carrier defines a roll bearing recess configured to receive the roll bearing and guide the bearing carrier and prism to rotate about the roll axis by sliding along a rounded surface of the roll bearing within the roll bearing recess.

[0088] Example 25: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 15-24, wherein the prism defines an object-side surface and an image-side surface, the camera further including a lens element positioned adjacent to the object-side surface and configured to rotate with the prism.

[0089] Example 26: The optical image stabilizer of example 25, wherein the lens includes the lens element.

[0090] Example 27: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 15-26, wherein the roll bearing includes a plurality of roll bearings, wherein the pitch bearing includes a plurality of pitch bearings.

[0091] Example 28: The optical image stabilizer of any one of examples 15-27, wherein a center of the roll bearing along the roll axis is aligned with a center of the pitch bearing along the pitch axis.

[0092] Example 29: A method includes: capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; and performing optical image stabilization (OIS) by at least: rotating, by a first actuator of an optical image stabilizer, a prism about a roll axis to scan the image in a first direction along the image sensor, wherein the prism is configured to fold an optical axis of the lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction; wherein the optical image stabilizer includes: the prism, the first actuator, and a second actuator; and a bearing carrier includes a roll bearing extending from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis; and a pitch bearing extending from second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines a pitch axis.

[0093] Example 30: The method of example 29, further includes: rotating, by a second actuator of the optical image stabilizer, the prism about the pitch axis to scan the image in a second direction along the image sensor.Docket No.: 1333-911WO01

[0094] 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.: 1333-911WO01CLAIMS:

1. A camera comprising:a lens defining an optical axis configured to image light to a sensor;a prism configured to fold the optical axis along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and wherein the pitch axis is substantially parallel with a plane defined by the sensor,wherein the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction, wherein the roll axis is substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sensor; anda bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis,wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the prism comprises a cube prism with a portion removed, wherein at least a portion of the bearing carrier is positioned within the removed portion.

3. The camera of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are formed via a molding process, and wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are molded around a strengthening component.

4. The camera of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the bearing carrier comprises: the roll bearing extending from the first surface of the bearing carrier; and the pitch bearing extending from the second surface of the bearing carrier.

5. The camera of claim 4, wherein the pitch bearing comprises an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the pitch axis, wherein the roll bearing comprises an extended rounded bearing shaft with a long dimension along the roll axis.Docket No.: 1333-911WO016. The camera of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the prism defines an object-side surface and an image-side surface, the camera further comprising a lens element positioned adjacent to the object-side surface and configured to rotate with the prism.

7. The camera of claim 6, wherein the lens comprises the lens element.

8. The camera of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the roll bearing comprises a plurality of roll bearings, wherein the pitch bearing comprises a plurality of pitch bearings.

9. The camera of any one of claims 1-8, wherein a center of the roll bearing along the roll axis is aligned with a center of the pitch bearing along the pitch axis.

10. An optical image stabilizer comprising:a prism configured to fold an optical axis of an imaging lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction, the prism configured to rotate about a pitch axis substantially perpendicular to the image-side direction and the optical axis, the prism configured to rotate about a roll axis substantially parallel with the image-side direction and the optical axis;a bearing carrier configured to interface with a roll bearing along a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis, wherein the bearing carrier is configured to interface with a pitch bearing along a second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines the pitch axis; andone or more actuators configured to cause the prism to rotate about the roll axis and the pitch axis to perform optical image stabilization (OIS).

11. The optical image stabilizer of claim 10, wherein the prism comprises a cube prism with a portion removed, wherein at least a portion of the bearing carrier is positioned with the removed portion.Docket No.: 1333-911WO0112. The optical image stabilizer of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are formed via a molding process, and wherein the roll bearing and the pitch bearing are molded around a strengthening component.

13. The optical image stabilizer of any one of claims 10-12, wherein the bearing carrier comprises:the roll bearing extending from the first surface of the bearing carrier; and the pitch bearing extending from the second surface of the bearing carrier.

14. A method comprising:capturing, by an image sensor, an image focused onto the image sensor by a lens; andperforming optical image stabilization (OIS) by at least:rotating, by a first actuator of an optical image stabilizer, a prism about a roll axis to scan the image in a first direction along the image sensor, wherein the prism is configured to fold an optical axis of the lens along an image-side direction and an object-side direction;wherein the optical image stabilizer comprises:the prism, the first actuator, and a second actuator; and a bearing carrier comprising:a roll bearing extending from a first surface of the bearing carrier, wherein the roll bearing defines the roll axis; anda pitch bearing extending from second surface of the bearing carrier that is opposite the first surface, wherein the pitch bearing defines a pitch axis.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: rotating, by a second actuator of the optical image stabilizer, the prism about the pitch axis to scan the image in a second direction along the image sensor.

Images