Methods and apparatus for using optical chains, e.g., camera modules, with different lens configurations to support a wide range of focal lengths are described. In some embodiments a camera device includes a plurality of optical chains. In at least some embodiments non-circular outer lenses are used for optical chains with large focal lengths while optical chains of the same camera device which have smaller focal lengths use round outer lenses. Thus an exemplary camera device supports a number of different focal lengths.

Methods and apparatus relating to controlling optical chains (OCs) of a camera device to scan a scene area of interest, thereby capturing images of the scene area, in a synchronized manner are described. In various embodiments a synchronized rolling shutter read out of two or more image sensors included in two or more corresponding OCs is implemented controlling the sensors to read out rows of pixel values corresponding to a portion of the scene at the same time, e.g., concurrently. While two or more of the OCs are controlled to read out at the same time, some other OCs in the camera maybe controlled not to read out pixel values while other image sensors are reading out. In various embodiments the read out rate of the two or more sensors corresponding to two or more optical chains is controlled as a function of the focal lengths of the corresponding OCs.

An image compensation device and a prism carrying mechanism thereof. The prism carrying mechanism comprises a base and a pair of prism carrying members. The base comprises a base body, a light passing hole disposed at the base body, and a plurality of first sliding assembling parts integrally formed on the same side of the base body. Each of the prism carrying members comprises a carrying member body, a prism assembling part disposed at the carrying member body and corresponding to the light passing hole, and a plurality of second sliding assembling parts integrally formed on the same side of the carrying member body. The prism assembling parts of the pair of prism carrying members are oppositely and alternately disposed in an axial direction. The plurality of second sliding assembling parts are slidably assembled to the plurality of first sliding assembling parts respectively.

The present disclosure relates to a prism apparatus, and a camera apparatus including the same. The prism apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a prism configured to reflect input light toward a first reflected direction; a first actuator configured to change an angle of the prism about a first rotation axis to change the first reflected direction based on a first control signal; a lens configured to output the light reflected by the prism toward a second reflected direction; and a second actuator configured to change an angle of the lens about a second rotation axis to change the second reflected direction based on a second control signal. Accordingly, it is possible to implement the optical image stabilization (OIS) for the prism.

Methods and apparatus relating to capturing images of a scene area in a synchronized manner using a plurality of optical chains are described. In various embodiments image sensors corresponding to the plurality of optical chains of a camera are operated in rolling shutter mode to read out rows of pixel values corresponding to a current scan position when the image sensors have a row of pixel values corresponding to the current scan position. In some embodiments a scene area of interest is captured by initiating a scan and thus image capture of the scene area by one or more optical chains which are operated in a coordinated manner. In some embodiments a controller controls the plurality of image sensors to perform a read out of pixel values in a synchronized manner, e.g., with rows of pixel values being read out sequentially in accordance with operation of a rolling shutter implementation.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including a movable part, a fixed part, a driving assembly, and a first supporting assembly. The movable part is used for connecting an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly is used for driving the movable part to move relative to the fixed part. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part through the support of the first supporting assembly. There is a gap between the movable part and the fixed part.

An optical module includes a housing; a guide member disposed in the housing and configured to be rotatable about a first rotational axis; an optical member configured to be rotatable about the first rotational axis together with the guide member; a first ball member disposed between the housing and the guide member and including a plurality of balls; and a protrusion disposed on the housing or the guide member and protruding in a direction of the first rotational axis, wherein the plurality of balls of the first ball member are configured to roll while being in contact with an outer surface of the protrusion.

A driving mechanism for moving an optical element is provided. The driving mechanism includes a fixed part, a movable part, and a driving assembly. The movable part is movably connected to the fixed part for holding the optical element. The driving assembly is configured for moving the movable part relative to the fixed part.

The technology disclosed relates to enhancing the fields of view of one or more cameras of a gesture recognition system for augmenting the three-dimensional (3D) sensory space of the gesture recognition system. The augmented 3D sensory space allows for inclusion of previously uncaptured of regions and points for which gestures can be interpreted i.e. blind spots of the cameras of the gesture recognition system. Some examples of such blind spots include areas underneath the cameras and/or within 20-85 degrees of a tangential axis of the cameras. In particular, the technology disclosed uses a Fresnel prismatic element and/or a triangular prism element to redirect the optical axis of the cameras, giving the cameras fields of view that cover at least 45 to 80 degrees from tangential to the vertical axis of a display screen on which the cameras are mounted.

Embodiments of this application provide a lens carrying device, a camera module, and an electronic device. The lens carrying device includes: where the rotating support may be rotatably connected to the base; a first driver, disposed between the base and the rotating support and configured to drive the rotating support to rotate around a first axis; where the swinging support may be rotatably connected to the rotating support, and the swinging support includes a third accommodation portion; a second driver, disposed between the rotating support and the swinging support and configured to drive the swinging support to rotate around a second axis; where the lens support may be rotatably connected to the swinging support; and a third driver, disposed between the swinging support and the lens support and configured to drive the lens support to rotate around the first axis or a third axis.