Compact imaging device

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device having a small form factor.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lens assembly including one or more lenses;   an image sensor to receive light from said lens assembly; and   an actuator to adjust a position of said lens assembly, said actuator including at least one magnet and at least one coil to produce an electromagnetic force wherein at least a portion of said actuator is disposed between said lens assembly and said image sensor, wherein said actuator is mounted on said image sensor, wherein a surface area of said actuator does not extend substantially beyond a surface area of said image sensor, and wherein said coil and said magnet are arranged substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of said lens assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus includes at least one spring. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coil is moveable with said lens assembly in response to said coil being energized. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet is moveable with said lens assembly in response to said coil being energized. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet comprises four magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coil comprises four coils. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said four coils are electrically connected in series. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least two of said four coils are electrically connected in parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coils sit on said lens assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said magnet comprises a coil to provide a path for an electric current. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said coils move with said lens assembly if said coils are energized. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said coil and said spring comprise a single component comprising a coil region and a spring region. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said spring region is adapted to provide electrical current to said coil region. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of said lens assembly is disposed between said magnet and said spring and between said coils and said spring. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said coils and said spring are separated at least by said lens assembly. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said image sensor comprises a pixilated charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said coil is attached to said lens assembly. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 mounting a lens assembly including one or more lenses to a portion of an actuator that includes at least one magnet and at least one coil to produce an electromagnetic force;   positioning an image sensor to receive light from said lens assembly; and   mounting said actuator on said image sensor, wherein a surface area of said actuator does not extend substantially beyond a surface area of said image sensor, and wherein said coil and said magnet are arranged substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of said lens assembly.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising mounting at least one spring on said image sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising mounting at least one spring on said lens assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising attaching said coil to said lens assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said coil is adapted to move with said lens assembly if said coil is energized. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said magnet is adapted to move with said lens assembly if said coil is energized. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said coil and said spring comprise a single component comprising a coil region and a spring region. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising providing electrical current to said coil region via said spring region. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising mounting at least a portion of said lens assembly between said magnet and said spring and between said coil and said spring.