Flextronics Ap, LLC

Medtronic Minimed, Inc.

Digital Optics Corporation

Other

Nan Chang O-Film Optoelectronics Technology Ltd

Lothar R Westerweck

Wolfram Grziwa

Albert John Y Chua

Russel L Moore

Ian B Hanson

Paul F Bente, Iv

Stephen C Arnold

John W Toor

John D Griffith

Heidi Leising Hall

Jacques L Favreau

Bahram Afshari

Klaus G Raschke

Abhijit Limaye

Srinivas T Rao

Elaine B Bogue

Alexander Raschke

Dennis R Berube

Albert Chua

Paul F Bente

A motor may be configured to drive a drive shaft and an engagement member supported on the drive shaft. A detectable feature comprising a rotary member may be supported on the drive shaft such that movement of the drive shaft by the motor changes a state of the detectable feature. At least one sensor may be arranged to detect the state of the detectable feature. Circuitry may be configured to provide a signal in response to a change in the state of the detectable feature detected by the at least one sensor.

Motor assembly sensor capture systems and methods

An optical navigation device that can sense the movement of an object, such as a user's finger, so that the movement can control a feature of a consumer digital device such as a cursor on a display screen. The device includes a substrate to which an LED, reflector, and image sensor are attached. Light from the LED is directed by the elliptical reflector toward and through a window that is transparent to the light from the LED and then is reflected off of the user's finger back through the window, through a lens, and onto the image sensor. The reflector is positioned to direct light toward the window at an oblique angle, in the range of 65 to 70 degrees from an angle normal to the window. Further, the reflector is curved to gather light across a large solid angle in the vicinity of the LED. The curved shape of the reflector may be a portion of an ellipsoid and the LED may be located at one of the foci of the ellipsoid, with the window located at the other foci of the ellipsoid.

Optical navigation device with non-spherical ellipsoidal reflector

The present invention relates to methods of manufacturing ultra-compact camera modules, adjusting them, post production, to precise focal point settings, and sealing the precisely aligned assembly to maintain the focal point. Also, the invention specifically relates to ultra-compact camera module apparatuses.

Camera module back-focal length adjustment method and ultra compact components packaging

Optical navigation device with image sensor and inner housing

An optical module includes a first optics group, a second optics group, and an image sensor, wherein the first optics group and second optics group are configured to provide an image having a focus and a magnification to the image sensor. In some embodiments of the present invention, a first optics assembly includes a first optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a first lead screw so that rotation of the first lead screw results in translation of the first optics group along an axis of the first lead screw, a first actuator for rotating the first lead screw; and a first sensing target configured to permit detection of rotation of the first lead screw. In some embodiments of the present invention a second optics assembly includes a second optics group coupled to a threaded portion of a second lead screw so that rotation of the second lead screw results in translation of the second optics group along an axis of the second lead screw, a second actuator for rotating the second lead screw, and second means for sensing configured to detect rotation of the second lead screw.

System for stabilizing an optics assembly during translation

A miniature camera module comprising: a module frame comprising a surface with a conduit passing through the surface, thereby allowing light to pass through the surface via the conduit; a first blade coupled to the module frame and configured to rotate about a first axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first blade does not eclipse the conduit at all when in the open position and the first blade at least partially eclipses the conduit when in the closed position; a first solenoid coupled to the module frame; and a first pin coupled to the first solenoid, wherein an actuation of the first solenoid causes the first pin to rotate the first blade from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, the module includes additional blades, solenoids and pins.

AF/zoom shutter with two blades function

Backlash prevention system and method

A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit including a body, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a contaminant trap formed by an isolated annular space between the lens unit and the opening of the housing. In a particular embodiment, the opening of the housing includes surfaces having at least two different perimeters, the smaller of which slidably engages the outer surface of the lens unit. The contaminant trap collects and contains any contaminants before they reach vulnerable components such as the image capture device and/or other optical components within the camera module.

Camera module with contamination reduction feature

The present invention is a miniature camera module for use in miniature camera applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide the miniature camera module with solenoid controlled blades in order to alter the amount and quality of light passing through a conduit disposed on the surface of the module. In some embodiments of the present invention, the blade comprises a shutter to completely block light. In other embodiments, the blade comprises an aperture, a neutral-density filter, a monochromatic filter, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the miniature camera module is positioned within a more elaborate miniature camera chassis.

Miniature camera shutter and filter/aperture

The present invention is a miniature camera shutter module for use in miniature camera applications. It is an object of the present invention to provide the miniature camera shutter module with solenoid controlled blades in order to alter the amount and quality of light passing through a conduit disposed on the surface of the module. In some embodiments of the present invention, the blade comprises a shutter to completely block light. In other embodiments, the blade comprises an aperture, a neutral-density filter, a monochromatic filter, and the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, the miniature camera shutter module is positioned within a more elaborate miniature camera chassis.

Camera blade shutter module

A novel digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit, a housing including an opening for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a boot coupled the lens unit and the housing. In a particular embodiment, the boot includes an upper end and a lower end, each of which has a different outer perimeter. In another particular embodiment, a portion of the inner surface of the boot remains free of contact from the outer surface of the lens unit. In another particular embodiment, the lower end of the boot extends beyond the lower end of the lens unit.

Camera module contamination reduction gasket

Systems for positioning a functional element, such as an optical lens, include a housing, a primary guide pin coupled to the housing, a functional group that includes the functional element, and a vibrational actuator assembly. The functional group is movably coupled with the primary guide pin and includes a first friction surface and a second friction surface. The first and second friction surfaces are oriented relative to one another at one of an obtuse angle and a straight angle. The vibrational actuator assembly is substantially registered relative to the housing and includes a first drive element and a second drive element. The first drive element is configured to interact with the first friction surface and the second drive element is configured to interact with the second friction surface. The vibrational actuator assembly operates to translate the functional group. Some embodiments include position sensing elements configured to detect position(s) of the functional element(s), and control system(s) configured to operate the actuators based on feedback from the position sensing system(s).

Auto-focus and zoom module with vibrational actuator and position sensing method

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods of position sensing that use a sensing target with a pattern of features thereupon, and to positioning modules and systems that position functional elements using such position sensing systems. A position sensing system includes an encoding module and a processing module. The encoding module has an active encoding region through which the sensing target is configured to move. Further, the encoding module is configured to generate a signal based on a portion of the sensing target within the active encoding region. The active encoding region has a dimension greater than the average critical dimension of the pattern of features. The processing module is configured to convert the signal generated into a position data based on an input range condition and an initial position condition.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Lothar R Westerweck