A control apparatus configured to perform image stabilization using a first image stabilization unit and a second image stabilization unit includes a determining unit configured to determine a correction ratio between the first image stabilization unit and the second image stabilization unit. The determining unit determines the correction ratio between the first image stabilization unit and the second image stabilization unit such that a proportion of the second image stabilization unit in the correction ratio increases as a distance to a movable end of the first image stabilization unit decreases.

A control apparatus configured to perform image stabilization using a first image stabilization unit and a second image stabilization unit includes a determining unit configured to determine a correction ratio between the first image stabilization unit and the second image stabilization unit. The determining unit determines the correction ratio between the first image stabilization unit and the second image stabilization unit such that a proportion of the second image stabilization unit in the correction ratio increases as a distance to a movable end of the first image stabilization unit decreases.

A lens driving device includes a carrier; and an image stabilization unit including a lens holder for a lens barrel, and a support frame having a quadrangular frame structure including four corner regions and supporting the lens holder. The lens holder is disposed in the carrier. The image stabilization unit is configured to move the lens holder in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction. The support frame includes a first sub-frame including a connection-type molded portion connecting three corner regions of the quadrangular frame structure, and an island-type molded portion separated from the connection-type molded portion and disposed in a fourth corner region of the quadrangular frame structure, and a second sub-frame made of a material stronger than a material of the first and connecting the four corner regions of the quadrangular frame structure and being combined with the connection-type molded portion and the island-type molded portion.

A lens driving device includes a carrier; and an image stabilization unit including a lens holder for a lens barrel, and a support frame having a quadrangular frame structure including four corner regions and supporting the lens holder. The lens holder is disposed in the carrier. The image stabilization unit is configured to move the lens holder in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction. The support frame includes a first sub-frame including a connection-type molded portion connecting three corner regions of the quadrangular frame structure, and an island-type molded portion separated from the connection-type molded portion and disposed in a fourth corner region of the quadrangular frame structure, and a second sub-frame made of a material stronger than a material of the first and connecting the four corner regions of the quadrangular frame structure and being combined with the connection-type molded portion and the island-type molded portion.

A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.

A method for designing an optical system for providing reliable, robust and successful realization of a distortion variation function is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the proposed distortion variation optical system includes at least two non-symmetrical elements, which are moving in the transverse direction. The proposed freeform lens contains two transmissive refractive surfaces. The freeform elements designed with this method have preferably a flat surface and a non-symmetrical freeform surface. The two plano-surfaces are preferably made to face each other, so that a miniature camera can be offered. The value of the non-symmetrical freeform surface is used to produce variable optical power when the two freeform elements undergo a relative movement in the vertical direction. Using this method, an optical system with an active distortion, smaller form factor, and better imaging quality can be obtained.

In one embodiment, a gimbal adjustment system and an associated method for adjusting the position of an object. The system comprises a base, a plate and a shaft including a pivot attached to the plate. The pivot has a point of contact with the plate in a joint about which the plate is rotatable. Magnetic elements are positioned on the base and the plate to stabilize or rotate the plate. The object may be an optical unit attached to the plate. A combination comprising the plate, optical unit and magnetic elements may form a gimbaled assembly having a center of mass in the joint.

The present invention relates to a lens driving apparatus, comprising: a cover member which comprises an upper plate and a side plate extending downwardly from the upper plate; a housing which is located in an inner space formed by the upper plate and the side plate; a base which is positioned below the housing; a first driving unit which is positioned in the housing; a second driving unit which is located in the base and has an electromagnetic interaction with the first driving unit; and a side support member which elastically supports the housing with respect to the base, wherein the cover member comprises a first round portion formed to be rounded in at least a part of portion at which the upper plate and the side plate meet, and the housing comprises a second round portion which is formed in a part of the housing corresponding to the first round portion and has a curvature radius which is smaller than or equal to a curvature radius of the first round portion.

The present invention relates to a lens driving apparatus, comprising: a cover member which comprises an upper plate and a side plate extending downwardly from the upper plate; a housing which is located in an inner space formed by the upper plate and the side plate; a base which is positioned below the housing; a first driving unit which is positioned in the housing; a second driving unit which is located in the base and has an electromagnetic interaction with the first driving unit; and a side support member which elastically supports the housing with respect to the base, wherein the cover member comprises a first round portion formed to be rounded in at least a part of portion at which the upper plate and the side plate meet, and the housing comprises a second round portion which is formed in a part of the housing corresponding to the first round portion and has a curvature radius which is smaller than or equal to a curvature radius of the first round portion.

A camera module includes a lens holder accommodating a lens module therein, a housing accommodating the lens module and the lens holder therein, a shake correction unit including first and second magnets, disposed in the lens holder, and first and second coils disposed to face the first and second magnets, a focusing unit including a third magnet, disposed in the lens module, and a third coil disposed on a first substrate disposed on the lens holder, and a plurality of ball members configured to support movement of the lens module in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The lens module, the lens holder, the third magnet, and the third coil are moved together in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, by driving force of the shake correction unit.