Dual-aperture digital cameras with auto-focus (AF) and related methods for obtaining a focused and, optionally optically stabilized color image of an object or scene. A dual-aperture camera includes a first sub-camera having a first optics bloc and a color image sensor for providing a color image, a second sub-camera having a second optics bloc and a clear image sensor for providing a luminance image, the first and second sub-cameras having substantially the same field of view, an AF mechanism coupled mechanically at least to the first optics bloc, and a camera controller coupled to the AF mechanism and to the two image sensors and configured to control the AF mechanism, to calculate a scaling difference and a sharpness difference between the color and luminance images, the scaling and sharpness differences being due to the AF mechanism, and to process the color and luminance images into a fused color image using the calculated differences.

The present embodiment relates to a dual camera module comprising: a rigid first substrate having a first image sensor arranged thereon; a rigid second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and having a second image sensor arranged thereon; a third substrate connected to the first substrate and the second substrate; and a flexible connection unit for connecting the first substrate to the second substrate, wherein the first substrate includes a first side surface, the second substrate includes a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the connection unit connects the first side surface of the first substrate to the second side surface of the second substrate.

The present embodiment relates to a dual camera module comprising: a rigid first substrate having a first image sensor arranged thereon; a rigid second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate and having a second image sensor arranged thereon; a third substrate connected to the first substrate and the second substrate; and a flexible connection unit for connecting the first substrate to the second substrate, wherein the first substrate includes a first side surface, the second substrate includes a second side surface facing the first side surface, and the connection unit connects the first side surface of the first substrate to the second side surface of the second substrate.

A driving mechanism is provided, including a polygonal base unit, a holder, a first driving assembly, a sensing magnet, and a magnetic field sensor. The polygonal base unit includes a substrate and a circuit board disposed on the substrate. The holder is movably connected to the base unit, wherein the holder is configured to hold an optical element that defines an optical axis. The first driving assembly is configured to drive the holder to move relative to the base unit. The sensing magnet is disposed on the holder. The magnetic field sensor is configured to detect the sensing magnet, wherein the magnetic field sensor is accommodated in a recess of the substrate.

An array imaging apparatus having discrete camera modules is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a substrate; and heterogeneous camera modules attached to the substrate and in a geometric relationship with each other, the heterogeneous camera modules having a substantially similar photometric response.

Multi-aperture zoom digital cameras comprising first and second scanning cameras having respective first and second native fields of view (FOV) and operative to scan a scene in respective substantially parallel first and second planes over solid angles larger than the respective native FOV, wherein the first and second cameras have respective centers that lie on an axis that is perpendicular to the first and second planes and are separated by a distance B from each other, and a camera controller operatively coupled to the first and second scanning cameras and configured to control the scanning of each camera.

Various embodiments include a chassis for a multi-camera system and techniques for forming such a chassis. The chassis may comprise multiple chassis portions that define cavities for mounting cameras. Some embodiments include a chassis portion comprising an integrated shield can-chassis that may be formed as a single component. According to some embodiments, subtractive manufacturing may be used to form one or more features of the chassis.

One embodiment provides an imaging device, including: a sparsely-filled optical aperture having a shape forming an outer portion of the optical aperture, wherein at least a portion of an inner portion formed by the outer portion of the optical aperture is not a part of the optical aperture; and imaging optics, wherein the imaging optics include at least one reflection device optically located after the optical aperture and at least one imaging sensor optically located after the at least one reflection device, wherein light entering the optical aperture reflects from the at least one reflection device onto the at least one imaging sensor. Other embodiments are described herein.

Dual-aperture digital cameras with auto-focus (AF) and related methods for obtaining a focused and, optionally optically stabilized color image of an object or scene. A dual-aperture camera includes a first sub-camera having a first optics bloc and a color image sensor for providing a color image, a second sub-camera having a second optics bloc and a clear image sensor for providing a luminance image, the first and second sub-cameras having substantially the same field of view, an AF mechanism coupled mechanically at least to the first optics bloc, and a camera controller coupled to the AF mechanism and to the two image sensors and configured to control the AF mechanism, to calculate a scaling difference and a sharpness difference between the color and luminance images, the scaling and sharpness differences being due to the AF mechanism, and to process the color and luminance images into a fused color image using the calculated differences.

An optical member driving mechanism for driving an optical member having an optical axis is provided, including a fixed portion, a movable portion, a first elastic member, and a driving assembly. The movable portion is configured to hold the optical member, and is movably connected the fixed portion via the first elastic member. The driving assembly drives the movable portion to move along the optical axis within a range of motion. The range of motion includes a first limit moving range and a second limit moving range. The first limit moving range is the maximum distance that the movable portion can move toward the light-entering side, and the second limit moving range is the maximum distance that the movable portion can move toward the light-emitting side. When the movable portion is in a predetermined position, the first limit moving range is greater than the second limit moving range.