Liquid lens control system and method
阅读说明:本技术 液体透镜控制系统和方法 (Liquid lens control system and method ) 是由 J·P·卡敏斯基 R·M·卡拉姆 D·皮库拉 D·O·里基茨 于 2018-04-05 设计创作,主要内容包括:液体透镜的控制系统可以使用反馈控制,该反馈控制使用指示液体透镜中的流体界面的位置的一个或多个测量参数。液体透镜中的流体和电极之间的电容可以取决于流体界面的位置而变化。电流镜可以被用于进行指示电容和/或流体界面位置的测量。可以使用当在整个工作范围内驱动电压时的指示电容和/或流体界面位置的测量校准液体透镜。控制系统可以使用脉冲宽度调制(PWM)以用于驱动液体透镜,并且可以改变PWM信号的载波频率以控制液体透镜中的功耗。转换速率可以是可调节的以控制液体透镜中的功耗。(The control system of the liquid lens may use a feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of the position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. The capacitance between the fluid in the liquid lens and the electrodes may vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. A current mirror may be used to make measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position when the voltage is driven over the entire operating range. The control system may use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for driving the liquid lens, and may vary a carrier frequency of the PWM signal to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate may be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.)
1. A method of calibrating a liquid lens, the method comprising:
applying a first voltage to a liquid lens, wherein the liquid lens comprises:
a chamber;
a first fluid contained in the chamber;
a second fluid contained in the chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are substantially immiscible to form a fluid interface between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a first electrode;
an insulating material that insulates the first electrode from the first fluid and the second fluid; and
a second electrode in electrical communication with the first fluid, wherein application of the first voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode positions the fluidic interface at a first location;
determining a first value indicative of the first position of the fluid interface;
applying a second voltage to the liquid lens to position the fluid interface at a second location, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage;
determining a second value indicative of the second position of the fluid interface, wherein the second value is different from the first value;
determining a slope based on the first voltage, the first value, the second voltage, and the second value; and
setting one or more calibration parameters based at least in part on the slope.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the first value is indicative of a first capacitance between the first fluid and the first electrode when the first voltage is applied to the liquid lens; and
the second value is indicative of a second capacitance between the first fluid and the first electrode when the second voltage is applied to the liquid lens.
3. The method of any of claims 1-2, wherein setting the one or more calibration parameters comprises setting one or more lookup table values.
4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the one or more calibration parameters comprise a gain value.
5. The method of any of claims 1-4, further comprising:
applying a third voltage to the liquid lens; and
determining a third value indicative of a third position of the fluid interface when the third voltage is applied to the liquid lens.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
determining an offset value based at least in part on the first voltage, the first value, the second voltage, the second value, the third voltage, and the third value; and
setting the one or more calibration parameters based at least in part on the offset value and the slope.
7. The method of any of claims 5-6, further comprising determining a voltage value associated with a transition point on a plot having a first axis with the first voltage, the second voltage, and the third voltage and a second axis with the first value, the second value, and the third value;
wherein the transition point is at an intersection between the first linear plot line and the second linear plot line;
wherein the first linear plot line extends through a first point representing the first voltage and the first value and through a second point representing the second voltage and the second value; and
wherein the second linear plot line is parallel to the first axis and extends through a third point representing the third voltage and the third value.
8. The method of any of claims 5-6, further comprising determining a voltage value associated with a transition point by:
changing the voltage applied to the liquid lens;
monitoring a value indicative of the capacitance between the first fluid and the first electrode; and
identifying the voltage value, wherein the value indicative of the capacitance transitions between a substantially equal value to a substantially linearly changing value.
9. The method of any one of claims 7-8, setting a calibration parameter to correlate a voltage value of the transition point with a resting state of the fluid interface of the liquid lens.
10. The method of any of claims 1-9, further comprising:
applying an additional voltage to the liquid lens, wherein the additional voltage is sufficiently high to provide a substantially saturated capacitance between the first fluid and the first electrode when the additional voltage is applied to the liquid lens;
determining an additional value indicative of a substantially saturated capacitance existing between the first fluid and the first electrode when the third voltage is applied to the liquid lens.
11. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein at least one of the first value and the second value comprises a sensor voltage output by a sensor circuit.
12. A method of calibrating a liquid lens, the method comprising:
applying a plurality of voltages to position a fluid interface of the liquid lens at a plurality of locations;
determining, using a lens sensor, a plurality of values indicative of the plurality of locations of the fluid interface of the liquid lens; and
setting one or more calibration parameters of the liquid lens based at least in part on a mathematical relationship between the plurality of voltages and the plurality of values.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein setting one or more calibration parameters comprises determining values of a look-up table.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein setting one or more calibration parameters comprises determining a transfer function.
15. The method of any one of claims 12-14, wherein the lens sensor is configured to output a voltage value indicative of a capacitance between the first fluid and the first electrode.
16. The method of any one of claims 12-15, comprising:
determining a slope and an offset based at least in part on the plurality of voltages and the plurality of values; and
determining the one or more calibration parameters based at least in part on the slope and the offset.
17. The method of any one of claims 12-16, wherein the liquid lens comprises:
a chamber;
a first fluid contained in the chamber;
a second fluid contained in the chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are substantially immiscible to form the fluid interface between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a first electrode;
an insulating material that insulates the first electrode from the first fluid and the second fluid; and
a second electrode in electrical communication with the first fluid, wherein the liquid lens is configured such that a position of the fluid interface is based at least in part on a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.
18. The method of any of claims 1-17, wherein the liquid lens comprises a plurality of first electrodes insulated from the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the plurality of electrodes are disposed at a corresponding plurality of locations in the liquid lens.
19. The method of any one of claims 1-18, wherein the voltage is a Direct Current (DC) voltage or an Alternating Current (AC) Root Mean Square (RMS) voltage.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device having computer-readable instructions configured to cause a liquid lens system to perform the method of any of claims 1-19.
21. A liquid lens system comprising the liquid lens and a controller configured to calibrate the liquid lens by performing the method of any of claims 1-19.
22. The liquid lens system of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to operate the liquid lens system and calibrate the liquid lens at initialization of the liquid lens system, at startup of the liquid lens system, at a setting change, at a user command, and/or periodically.
23. The liquid lens system of claim 21, wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the liquid lens as part of a dedicated calibration system configured to calibrate the liquid lens for use with a separate controller for operating the liquid lens system.
24. A method for calibrating a liquid lens system, the method comprising:
applying a plurality of test voltages to the liquid lens;
measuring one or more characteristics of the liquid lens at the plurality of test voltages;
determining an operating voltage range for the liquid lens based at least in part on the one or more measured characteristics;
setting an operating voltage range of a controller based at least in part on the determined operating voltage range of the liquid lens.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the liquid lens comprises:
a chamber;
a first fluid contained in the chamber;
a second fluid contained in the chamber, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are substantially immiscible to form a fluid interface between the first fluid and the second fluid;
a first electrode;
an insulating layer that insulates the first electrode from the first fluid and the second fluid; and
a second electrode in electrical communication with the first fluid, wherein the liquid lens is configured such that a position of the fluid interface is based at least in part on a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the operating voltage range of the controller is determined based at least in part on a thickness of the insulating layer.
27. The method of any of claims 25-26, wherein the insulating layer comprises a parylene material.
28. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein the operating voltage range of the controller is selected from a set of preset ranges.
29. The method of any one of claims 24-28, comprising setting a full control range of the controller to correspond to the operating voltage range of the liquid lens.
30. The method of any of claims 24-29, wherein the change in voltage causes a substantially linear change in capacitance between an electrode and the liquid in the liquid lens, wherein the voltage is within the operating voltage range and the voltage is applied to the electrode.
31. The method of any of claims 24-30, wherein setting the operating voltage range of the controller comprises adjusting a gain value.
32. The method of any of claims 24-31, wherein setting the operating voltage range of the controller comprises adjusting a voltage offset.
33. The method of any of claims 24-32, the controller configured to generate a digital control signal comprising a fixed number of bits, and wherein the full range of combinations of the bits causes a voltage generator to generate a voltage within the operating voltage range of the liquid lens.
34. The method of any one of claims 24-33, wherein the test voltage is an ac rms voltage.
35. The method of any of claims 24-34, wherein the operating voltage range of the liquid lens is determined based at least in part on a capacitance response at a zero crossing point at which the liquid lens has no optical power.
36. The method of any one of claims 24-35, wherein the operating voltage range of the liquid lens is determined based on at least one of: a ramp-up point, a start point of a linear region, and/or a transition point between the ramp-up point and the start point of a linear region.
37. The method of any of claims 24-36, wherein the plurality of test voltages comprises a plurality of differential voltage signals delivered to a plurality of electrodes at different locations in the liquid lens.
38. The method of any of claims 24-37, wherein the operating range of the liquid lens is determined from a first voltage to a second voltage, and wherein the operating range of the controller is set such that all control signals from the controller produce voltages ranging from the first voltage to the second voltage.
39. A system for electrically conditioning a liquid lens, the system comprising:
a voltage generator configured to generate a voltage signal based at least in part on the control value, the gain value, and the offset value;
one or more processors configured to determine an operating voltage range for a liquid lens based at least in part on an analysis of an indication of an amount of charge on electrodes of the liquid lens due to application of a test voltage to the electrodes, wherein the one or more processors are configured to set gain and offset values based at least in part on the determined operating voltage range for the liquid lens.
40. The system of claim 39, further comprising a lookup table storing information indicating a relationship between:
the plurality of control values; and
a plurality of voltages within the operating voltage range of the liquid lens;
41. the system of any one of claims 39-40, wherein the gain and the offset of the voltage generator are configured such that a voltage range output by the voltage generator causes the liquid lens to operate within the operating voltage range.
42. The system of any one of claims 39-41, wherein the resolution of the control signal is divided over a range of focal lengths selectable for the liquid lens through a user interface.
Technical Field
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to liquid lenses, including control systems and control methods for liquid lenses. Some embodiments relate to electrical feedback and control systems, calibration and regulation.
Background
Drawings
Certain embodiments will be discussed in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout. These drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and the embodiments are not limited to the specific implementations shown in the drawings.
Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a liquid lens shown in a first state.
Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a liquid lens in a second state in which a voltage is applied to the liquid lens.
Fig. 2A is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid lens.
Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken through two electrodes of an example embodiment of a liquid lens.
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system for lens feedback and control.
FIG. 3B is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system for lens feedback and control.
FIG. 4A illustrates an example embodiment of a lens feedback and control system for a four-electrode liquid lens.
FIG. 4B illustrates another example embodiment of a lens feedback and control system for a four-electrode liquid lens.
FIG. 5 illustrates an example timing diagram of signals in a feedback and control system.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for controlling a focal parameter of a lens.
Fig. 7 shows a graph of voltage measurements from a charge sensor coupled to a liquid lens.
FIG. 8 shows another graph of voltage measurements from a charge sensor coupled to a liquid lens.
Fig. 9 shows an example plot of measured capacitance versus input DC voltage used to drive a liquid lens.
FIG. 10A shows a flow chart of an example method for calibrating a liquid lens.
FIG. 10B shows a flow diagram of another example method for calibrating a liquid lens.
Fig. 11A shows an example graph showing values (Y-axis) indicative of fluid interface positions in a liquid lens at various applied voltages (X-axis).
Fig. 11B shows an example graph of values indicating the position of a fluid interface (e.g., using the determined capacitance) as a response to an input voltage used to drive a liquid lens.
FIG. 12A shows a flow chart of an example method for calibrating a liquid lens system.
FIG. 12B shows a flow diagram of another example method for calibrating a liquid lens system.
FIG. 13A illustrates an example system relating to calibration of a variable focus lens.
FIG. 13B illustrates another example system relating to calibration of a variable focus lens.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a mobile electronic device incorporating a camera system with a liquid lens.
FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of an example method for generating images of different quality levels.
FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of an example method for generating one or more images.
Fig. 17 shows example image parameters, device parameters, and other considerations that may be used to determine the PWM frequency, such as for a liquid lens.
Fig. 18A shows a PWM signal having a first PWM frequency and a first slew rate.
Fig. 18B shows a PWM signal having a second PWM frequency and a second slew rate.
Detailed Description
Liquid lens system
Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
A voltage may be applied between
When a voltage is applied, the
In some embodiments, the capacitance between the
In some embodiments, the
Fig. 2A shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a
Example feedback and control System
Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate example block diagrams 300, 350 of a system for lens feedback and control. Fig. 3A and/or 3B may include camera input/output ("I/O")
Referring to fig. 3A, camera I/
The setup and
The
As discussed herein, the voltage signal may be applied to the
Although a controlled voltage signal is applied to the
It may be difficult to directly measure the shape and/or position of the fluid interface in the
The
Qgeneral assembly=CLens and lens assemblyVSignalEquation 1
Wherein QGeneral assemblyIs the total amount of charge, CLens and lens assemblyIs the capacitance of an effective capacitor formed by the electrodes and the liquid in the lens, and VSignalIs the voltage of the voltage signal applied to the electrodes. When the voltage of the voltage signal is constant or set by the control signal, VSignalMay be a known amount. As discussed in more detail herein, in some embodiments, the
The
Referring to fig. 3B, an
The voltage signal may be amplified to a known signal by one or
The one or more electrode cycle signals may be provided to the
The voltage of the sampling capacitor may indicate an amount of charge on the sampling capacitor, and the amount of charge on the sampling capacitor may indicate CLens and lens assemblyE.g., the capacitance between the
Qgeneral assembly=CSamplingVGo outEquation 2
Wherein QGeneral assemblyIs the total amount of charge on the sampling capacitor, CSamplingIs the capacitance of the sampling capacitor, and VGo outIs the voltage across the sampling capacitor. The sampling capacitor may have a known CSampling. Because the same image current is provided to both the sampling capacitor and the active capacitor in the
CSamplingVGo out=CLens and lens assemblyVSignalEquation 3
Therefore, when CSamplingAnd VSignalWhen known, the output signal VGo outIndicating capacitance CLens and lens assembly。
The setup and
The feedback process may be repeated to achieve and/or maintain the target focus parameters, such as when the lens changes orientation with respect to gravity. When the setup and
In various embodiments, any combination of digital and/or analog circuitry may be used. For example, the
Example schematic diagrams
Fig. 4A shows an
The
The output of the
The output of the
The output of the
The
During the discharge period,
It will be appreciated that the teachings and disclosure regarding the first electrode voltage signal can be applied to the second, third and fourth electrode signals and, in various embodiments, to any number of differential signals with respect to any number of reference signals. The second, third and fourth differential signals may be phase shifted, amplified, provided to respective electrodes in the lens, mirrored, provided to respective charge sensors, and the voltages may be measured, respectively.
FIG. 4A shows differential voltage waveforms 425AC, 425B, 425D corresponding to the
In various embodiments, different voltage control schemes may be used. For example, the amplitude, rather than the phase, of the corresponding differential voltage signal may be adjusted. As another example, the duty cycle of the respective differential voltage signals may be adjusted. Although the example shows four signals and four electrodes, any number of signals and electrodes may be used to apply a voltage to the lens.
Fig. 4B shows a schematic diagram 450 of another exemplary embodiment of a lens feedback and control system for a four-electrode liquid lens. The embodiment of fig. 4B is similar to the embodiment of fig. 4A, but the method of fig. 4B uses a different charge sensor configuration. Although not discussed in detail herein, many of the details discussed in connection with FIG. 4A may also apply to FIG. 4B. The example embodiment of fig. 4B may use a
The capacitance of the effective capacitor on the liquid lens may be measured or otherwise determined in other ways. For example, phase-synchronous detection of the capacitance may be used. A high frequency (e.g., MHz) low amplitude voltage oscillation signal may be combined with the voltage signal provided to the electrodes of the liquid lens. By measuring the difference of the input and output oscillating signals (e.g., phase and amplitude variations in the oscillating signal), the capacitance can be determined. In some embodiments, peak detection of capacitance may be used. In some embodiments, capacitance may be determined using capacitive differential, resistive-capacitive (RC) slots, or phase shift detection methods. In some embodiments, the capacitance may be determined using an RC decay method. In some embodiments, the capacitance may be determined using spectral analysis or heterodyne methods.
Timing diagram
FIG. 5 illustrates an example timing diagram of signals in a feedback and control system. The timing diagram includes a common waveform 501A, a first voltage signal 503 provided to the first electrode, a first differential voltage 505 between the first electrode voltage signal 503 and the common signal 501A, an Nth electrode voltage signal 507 provided to the Nth electrode, an Nth differential voltage 509 between the Nth voltage signal 507 and the common signal 501A. The expanded graph 511 shows the signal during sampling of an indication of charge on the lens in time period 513. The location of time period 513 may be selected such that the voltage is low enough to avoid using a high voltage analog stage to measure capacitance. The expanded view includes a common command signal 501B, an actual common voltage 501C, a discharge signal 515, a sampling signal 517, and an interrupt signal 519.
For example, the signal control scheme illustrated in fig. 5 may be applied to the
In the expanded view 511, the common command signal 501B is decreased at the reference time 0ns, so that the actual common waveform 501C falls from the high signal to the low signal. The actual common waveform 501C transitions after a small delay.
The discharge signal 515 may be provided to control a discharge switch, such as
The sampling signal 517 may be provided to control a sampling switch, such as
After a sampling time period, the sampling signal 517 may return to an initial state to open the
In the example shown in fig. 5, the period is 200 microseconds such that approximately 5,000 (5KHz) samples are taken per second. However, the cycle may be faster or slower. In various embodiments, sampling may occur for different amounts of time, even longer than one cycle. In various embodiments, the charging/discharging/sampling may be in response to other signals, or may occur at various times during each cycle. The charging/discharging/sampling may be performed in response to a rising edge of the common signal, a falling edge of the common signal, or at other times with appropriate changes.
Example method
FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for controlling a focal parameter of a lens. For example, the lens may be a liquid lens. At block 601, target focus parameters may be determined. These target focus parameters may be determined, for example, in response to user-selected focus settings via input of the camera (such as button or touch screen selection). As another example, the user may select an autofocus function to automatically determine the focus target. For example, the target focus parameter may be determined by a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the optical image stabilization system may contribute to the target focus parameters, such as to compensate for vibrations experienced by the camera system.
At block 603, sensor measurements may be received. Example sensors may include thermometers, gyroscopes, accelerometers, distance sensors, and the like. The sensor can read a variable that affects the response of the lens to the voltage.
At block 605, an initial value of the voltage signal is determined. For example, the microprocessor may determine the initial value by referencing a look-up table of voltage values associated with the focus target. The look-up table may also include look-ups relating to other variables such as distance, humidity, temperature, acceleration, etc. Alternatively or in addition to the look-up table, the initial value may be determined and/or adjusted by an algorithm or formula. For example, when the temperature of the lens is 100 ° F, the microprocessor may receive a target focal length of 5 meters and determine 30V RMS as an initial value of the voltage signal affecting the first electrode of the lens in the first direction and cause the focal tilt, for example, to compensate for movement of the camera, by adjusting 30V RMS +5V RMS to 35V RMS.
At block 607, a voltage signal is generated. The voltage signal may have an initial value of an initial voltage. In some embodiments, the voltage signal may be a differential signal relative to the periodic signal. At block 609, a voltage signal may be provided to the lens. A voltage signal may be applied to electrodes located in the liquid lens to affect the shape and/or position of the lens. The electrodes and one or more portions of the lens, such as the first liquid, may have an effective capacitance that varies with the shape and/or position of the liquid lens.
At block 611, the current of the voltage signal may be mirrored. This may be accomplished, for example, by a current mirror (such as
At block 617, a correction value for the voltage signal may be determined. A correction value may be determined based at least in part on the sensor reading. For example, if the sensor reading is too high, it may indicate that the capacitance of the effective capacitor is too high, which may indicate that the position of the fluid interface on the sidewall is too low, and in response, the controller may decrease the value of the voltage signal. For example, if the sensor reading is too low, it may indicate that the capacitance of the effective capacitor is too low, which may indicate that the position of the fluid interface on the sidewall is too high, and in response, the controller may increase the value of the voltage signal. For example, the controller may perform the determination by comparing the value from the sensor reading to a voltage associated with the focus target in a look-up table or other similar structure stored in memory, or by using a formula or algorithm. The controller may additionally or alternatively consider other variables previously described (e.g., temperature, camera movement, etc.) through tables, formulas, and/or algorithms. In some embodiments, additional measurements from the sensor may be used at block 617 when determining a new voltage signal. In some cases, a new measurement (e.g., temperature measurement) may be taken each time a new voltage is determined, or measurements may be taken less frequently. The process of fig. 6 may be performed on more than one electrode, such as for independently driving the four electrodes 22A-d of fig. 2A-2B or the four
Block 617 may loop back to block 607 and may generate a voltage signal with the correction value. The feedback cycle may be repeated to maintain focus on the focus target even when factors such as temperature, acceleration, orientation, etc. change. The feedback loop may continue until a new focus target is received.
In some embodiments, the initial value of the voltage signal (block 605) and/or the correction value of the voltage signal (block 617) may be initially overdriven for a short period of time to move the lens more quickly toward the desired shape and/or position before the actual correction value is fixed.
Test results
Fig. 7 shows a graph of voltage measurements from a charge sensor coupled to a liquid lens. The results of fig. 7 were obtained using the system of fig. 4A. Each charge sensor is coupled to one of the four electrodes (X +, X-, Y +, Y-) of the liquid lens, such that a voltage output from the charge sensor is indicative of a capacitance of an effective capacitor formed between the electrode of the liquid lens and the fluid, which is indicative of a position of a fluid interface of the liquid lens at the electrode. In fig. 7, the output voltage is taken from the ADC and plotted as an offset from a reference 0V. In fig. 7, the four electrodes of the liquid lens are provided with an input voltage that ramps up between 24V RMS and 67VRMS at 1Hz, and the four electrodes are driven in phase with each other. The output voltage from the ADC reflects the change in position of the lens with a change in the 1Hz voltage ramp. The output voltage deviates from the reference value of 0V by about +/-2.5V, reflecting a capacitance between the electrodes of the liquid lens and the fluid from about 10pF to about 60 pF. The output voltages associated with the four electrodes in fig. 7 are in phase with each other.
Fig. 8 shows a graph of voltage measurements from a charge sensor coupled to a liquid lens. The results of fig. 7 were obtained using the system of fig. 4A. In the example of fig. 8, the target focal length of the liquid lens is fixed to a constant value. By driving the X-and Y + electrodes in phase with each other and the X + and Y-electrodes in phase with each other, but out of phase with the X + and Y-electrodes, the electrodes are driven to cause the fluid interface to scan obliquely at +/-1.2 at 1 Hz. The output voltages from the ADCs for the X-and Y + electrodes are in phase with each other, the output voltages from the ADCs for the X + and Y-electrodes are in phase with each other, and the output voltages of the X-and Y + electrodes are out of phase with the output voltages of the X + and Y-electrodes.
Fig. 9 shows an example plot of measured capacitance versus input DC voltage used to drive a liquid lens. The y-axis indicates the measured capacitance of a capacitor effectively formed between the electrode and a portion of the liquid lens (e.g., the conductive fluid). The x-axis indicates the relative DC voltage applied to the electrodes. When the voltage ranges from-40V to 0V to +40V, the measured capacitance value follows a plot having the shape of
Calibration
The calibration may be performed after the liquid lens is manufactured. Some characteristics (e.g., dimensions) of the manufactured components may vary within tolerances. For example, the thickness of the insulating layer (e.g., parylene) may be different than the target thickness due to manufacturing tolerances. These changes may affect the capacitance between the electrodes of the liquid lens and the first fluid during operation and may affect the optical power of the liquid lens. For example, two liquid lenses having slightly different thicknesses of an insulating layer (e.g., parylene layer) may have different fluid interface locations, and thus different focal lengths, even when the same voltage is applied to the two liquid lenses. The calibration of the liquid lens can account for the effects of such manufacturing differences so that the desired optical power or focal length can be achieved despite the different component sizes.
Some calibration techniques use analysis of images produced using liquid lenses to calibrate the liquid lenses. One such example method for calibrating a camera having a liquid lens includes positioning the camera at a reference distance from a target. The target may include, for example, thin lines, contrasting colors, and other visual indicators that may be analyzed in the resulting image of the target to assess the focus of the camera. Automatic image processing may be used to assess the focus of the camera. For example, when the camera is properly focused on the target, well-defined contrast between portions of the target may be identified in the resulting image of the target. One or more settings of the camera (e.g., voltage applied to the liquid lens) may be adjusted until the image is focused. In some embodiments, the process may be repeated with imaging the target at a plurality of different distances in order to calibrate the liquid lens at the different distances.
Some calibration techniques disclosed herein may calibrate a liquid lens using an electrical control system (e.g., without imaging a target and/or without performing image processing). In some embodiments, the liquid lens may be calibrated independently of the camera module that may ultimately be used with the liquid lens. Fig. 10A shows a block diagram of an
At
At
At
At
Fig. 10B shows a flowchart of an
Referring to fig. 10B and 11A, at
At block 1159, a transition voltage V may be determinedT. Transition voltage VTMay be the voltage at the transition between the
At
In some embodiments, additional values may be determined for additional applied voltages to determine or confirm that the voltages and values used in calibration are in the expected region. The slope may be determined based on 3 or more points instead of 2 points. In some embodiments, a curve fitting operation may be performed to determine a mathematical equation (e.g., a polynomial equation) that fits at least a portion of the points of the
In some embodiments, similar to the transition voltage VTThe saturation voltage V can be determinedS. A fourth voltage V4 may be applied to the liquid lens and a corresponding fourth value may be determined, which may be represented by
Fig. 11B shows an example graph of values indicating the position of a fluid interface (e.g., using the determined capacitance) as a response to an input voltage used to drive a liquid lens. The X-axis indicates the applied voltage, which may be, for example, a Direct Current (DC) voltage. The Y-axis may indicate a value output by the sensor corresponding to a capacitance between an electrode in the liquid lens and the fluid, which may indicate a fluid interface position.
Variations in the manufactured part may affect one or more characteristics of the
Dashed
In fig. 11B, dashed
The linear region of the
In some embodiments, the floor value may be determined by providing a voltage near 0V and measuring an indication of capacitance. In some embodiments, the slope may be determined by providing two or more different voltages anywhere within the linear region, measuring corresponding indications of capacitance, and determining the slope. Thus, the bottom surface and slope may be determined by providing three or more different voltages.
Manufacturing differences may affect the location of the
In some embodiments, the maximum lens curvature is determined when the capacitance of the liquid lens no longer varies significantly with increasing voltage applied to the electrodes (e.g., the response asymptotically approaches an upper limit value with increasing voltage applied to the liquid lens). Thus, the maximum voltage to be applied to achieve the maximum lens curvature may be determined based at least in part on any one or any combination of the curve at V2, the
Although the points in fig. 11 are labeled for the positive side of the graph, these points may be determined and analyzed in the negative side of the graph in addition to or instead of the calibration on the right side.
In some embodiments, a processor (such as
In some embodiments, external test equipment may be used to perform calibration and testing. For example, a voltage supplied by an external test device supplies an input to the
Controlling resolution
In some embodiments, the liquid lens may be configured to operate within an operating voltage range. For example, the physical characteristics of the liquid lens (e.g., thickness of the insulating material (such as parylene), liquid lens size, electrode material, chamber shape, fluid used, etc.) may affect how the fluid interface responds to different applied voltages. Liquid lenses with different physical characteristics may have different operating voltage ranges. For example, the first liquid lens may be configured such that the focal length of the liquid lens varies as the voltage varies between an operating voltage range of 10V and 50V. However, the focal length of the liquid lens does not respond significantly to voltage changes outside the operating voltage range. For example, if the voltage is raised from 50V to 60V, the fluid interface does not move significantly in response. Continuing with this example, the second liquid lens may have a different configuration (e.g., a different insulating layer thickness) such that the focal length of the liquid lens varies as the voltage is adjusted within the range of 20V to 80V, but the focal length of the second liquid lens does not respond significantly to voltage changes outside this operating range.
The liquid lens may be used with a controller having a defined amount of control resolution. For example, the controller may have a control resolution of 8 bits, 10 bits, 12 bits, 14 bits, 16 bits, and so on. The control resolution may determine the accuracy with which the controller can adjust the voltage used to drive the liquid lens. In some cases, the controller may be configured to apply its control resolution over a voltage range that is different from the operating voltage range of the liquid lens. Continuing with the above example, the controller may have a range of 0V to 100V, with a control resolution of 12 bits. If the example controller is used with the example first liquid lens (e.g., having an operating voltage range of 10V to 50V), then the control bits allocated to adjusting the voltage between 0V and 10V and between 50V and 100V would be wasted. The controller will have an effective control resolution much lower than 12 bits. If the second liquid lens of this example is used with this controller, the effective control resolution would be better than the first liquid lens, but control resolutions below 20V and above 80V would be wasted so that the effective control resolution of the second liquid lens would also be lower than the 12-bit capacity of the controller.
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to calibrating a liquid lens system such that the control resolution of a controller more closely maps onto the operating voltage range of the liquid lens. In some embodiments, the controller may have multiple operating ranges, and the controller may be calibrated to select one of the operating ranges to be used. Continuing with the above example, the control device may have a control resolution of 12 bits and four selectable operating ranges: 1)0V to 30V; 2)10V to 50V; 3)25V to 75V; and 4)20V to 100V. For the first liquid lens (e.g., having an operating voltage range of 10V to 50V), controller range No. 2 may be selected. A control resolution of 12 bits would be allocated to the voltage range of 10V to 50V. Since the operating voltage range of the liquid lens is the same as the selected controller range, the full 12-bit control resolution will be available to control the liquid lens.
For the second liquid lens, the 4 selectable controller ranges of this example each do not match the operating voltage range of 20V to 80V. Here, controller range No. 3 or No. 4 may be selected for use with the second liquid lens. If controller range No. 3 is selected, a control resolution of 12 bits will be allocated to the voltage range of 25V to 75V. Therefore, the controller will not be able to use the 20V to 25V and 75V to 80V portions of the operating voltage range of the second liquid lens. However, a full 12-bit control resolution would be available to control the liquid lens, albeit only between 25V and 75V. Alternatively, if controller range No. 4 is selected for use with the second liquid lens, a 12-bit resolution would be assigned to the voltage range of 20V to 100V. The controller may use the full operating voltage range of 20V to 80V but the available control resolution will be slightly lower than 12 bits because the control resolution allocated to 80V to 100V will not be available. Thus, in this example, the user may select between control range 3 and control range 4, control range 3 will provide more precise control of the liquid lens, but over a narrower range control range 4 will utilize the full range of the liquid lens, but with a smaller particle size.
In some embodiments, the controller may have a discrete number of predefined control ranges that may be selected, such as in the example above. The controller may have 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 50, or more selectable ranges, or any value therebetween, or any range limited by any combination of these values, although values outside of these ranges may be used in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the control range of the controller may be specified rather than selected. For example, a minimum voltage and a maximum voltage may be specified, and the controller may allocate its control resolution over that specified range. Using the first liquid lens in the above example, a minimum voltage of 10V and a maximum voltage of 50V can be given to the controller, and the controller will allocate its control resolution (12 bits in this example) over a range of 10V to 50V. For the second liquid lens in the above example, a minimum voltage of 20V and a maximum voltage of 80V may be given to the controller, and the controller will allocate its control resolution (12 bits in this example) over a range of 20V to 80V. In some cases, the controller may be configured to accept a specified voltage range within an acceptable range. For example, the controller may be configured to accept any specified voltage range that falls within an acceptable range of 0V to 100V. Thus, in this example, the specified ranges of 10V to 50V and 20V to 80V would be usable by the controller, but the specified ranges of 40V to 120V would not be usable by the controller.
In some embodiments, the specified range may compensate for manufacturing differences, such as those discussed elsewhere herein. For example, a liquid lens can be fabricated with a target insulation layer thickness of 1.7 microns. However, due to manufacturing tolerances, the actual insulating layer thickness may differ from the target thickness by different amounts for different liquid lenses. As discussed herein, the liquid lens may be calibrated to empirically determine a minimum operating voltage and a maximum operating voltage that account for manufacturing differences, such as differences in parylene or other insulating layers (e.g., as discussed at least in connection with fig. 10B and 11A). These minimum and maximum operating voltage values may be provided to the controller to specify the controller operating range.
In some embodiments, only one of the minimum operating voltage and the maximum operating voltage may be specified, while the other is set and unalterable in the controller. In some embodiments, the controller operating range may be dynamic. For example, if the system is configured to perform a periodic calibration procedure, the operating range of the controller may be updated (such as if the dielectric constant of the insulating layer changes over time such that the minimum and/or maximum operating voltage of the liquid lens changes).
Fig. 12A illustrates an
At
At
At
At
In some embodiments of
In some implementations of
Fig. 12B illustrates an example method 1250 for calibrating a liquid lens system. At block 1251, a liquid lens is provided and may have an operating voltage range. For example, the liquid lens may be designed to have an operating range of 25V to 60V, but may have an operating range of 26V to 58V due to manufacturing tolerances (e.g., differences in parylene or other insulating layers). As discussed herein, in some embodiments, the operating voltage range may be determined empirically. In some embodiments, the operating voltage range used in the method may be based on design parameters, regardless of manufacturing variations. For example, using the example above, the operating range used may be 25V to 60V.
At block 1253, the liquid lens may be coupled to a controller. The controller may include a driver, signal generator, etc. to operate the liquid lens. At block 1255, an operating voltage range of the controller may be set (e.g., selected or specified) based on an operating voltage range of the liquid lens, as discussed in examples herein. The controller may assign its control resolution (e.g., 8 bits, 16 bits, etc.) to the set operating range. As discussed herein, the range may be selected from a plurality of preset ranges, or may be specified (e.g., the same as the liquid lens voltage operating range). Accordingly, the operating voltage range of the controller may be determined based at least in part on the thickness of an insulating layer (e.g., parylene layer) in the liquid lens.
The calibration method disclosed herein discloses a method comprising applying a plurality of voltages. These voltages may be applied to electrodes in the liquid lens. In some embodiments, these voltages may be applied to multiple electrodes simultaneously, sequentially, or in different combinations.
The calibration methods disclosed herein may be performed by external test equipment, or the camera may be configured with built-in hardware to perform the test. In various embodiments, calibration may be performed during production, in response to camera power-up, or periodically after a certain amount of usage (e.g., a specified number of hours of usage).
Calibration example
Two more exemplary methods for calibrating a system having a lookup table and a voltage generator are disclosed in connection with fig. 13A and 13B. Fig. 13A shows an example diagram 1300A of a system involving calibration. At
At
The lookup table 1305A shows three corresponding values: control value, focus and applied voltage. The control value indicates the value of the control signal that will cause the corresponding voltage to be generated by the
Based on analysis of the capacitance indications for the different voltages (e.g., as described with respect to fig. 11A-11B and 12A-12B), the focal length of the lookup table may be populated and/or adjusted. For example, it can be determined that applying a voltage value of V1 to the electrodes will result in a focal length of AAA, applying a voltage value of V2 will result in a focal length of ZZZ, while applying an even higher vmax voltage value will still result in a focal length that is effectively ZZZ (e.g., due to the asymptotic effect).
An example three column lookup table 1305A is provided to aid clarity and understanding. Some embodiments may implement a lookup table having two columns. For example, in some embodiments of the lookup table, the voltage column in the lookup table may be omitted. Further, the example lookup table 1305A uses a digital control signal (e.g., provided by the setup and
At
At
The selected focal length fselects may be referenced in a look-up table. The correlation in the look-up table indicates that the corresponding control signal Ccorr will cause the voltage generator to generate a voltage vselect and apply the vselect to the electrodes, thus causing the fluid interface of the liquid lens to bend to a shape that can achieve the selected focal length.
A corresponding control signal Ccorr is supplied to the voltage generator. For example, in some embodiments, the control signal is generated by a
It should be noted that the focal lengths in the lookup table 1305A in fig. 13A are filled to correspond to voltages that cause the liquid lens to achieve each respective focal length. For example, the voltage generator may be configured to output a voltage having a value from V1 to V max. However, based on the analysis at
Fig. 13B shows an example diagram 1300B of a system involving calibration.
The
An example three column lookup table 1305B is provided to aid clarity. Some embodiments may implement a lookup table having two columns. For example, the control values in the look-up table are provided to aid clarity and understanding, but may be omitted in an actual memory implementation of the look-up table. Further, this example uses a digital control signal that is easily represented in discrete numbers of bits, but other examples may use an analog control signal (e.g., a phase shifted signal as discussed with respect to fig. 3B). Further, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the focal length may be expressed as a diopter value.
The
In some embodiments, the gain of the voltage generator may be calibrated based at least in part on the slope of the linear region. In some embodiments, one or more offsets of the calibration voltage generator may be indicated based on a bottom surface of the capacitance. In some embodiments, the minimum and maximum voltage values V1 and V2 may be based on V1 and V2 (and/or similar transition points) shown in fig. 11.
For example, in some embodiments, the gain may be configured by setting the gain of an amplifier, such as
Reducing power consumption
The liquid lens system may use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to drive the liquid lens. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4A, voltage pulses are applied to
In the example embodiment of fig. 4A, a carrier frequency (e.g., switching frequency) of 5kHz may be used. The
In some cases, a faster carrier frequency may provide better image quality for images taken using a liquid lens. As discussed herein, the control system may use feedback control information based on the carrier frequency. Thus, the faster the carrier frequency, the more frequently the feedback control system will provide information that can be used to adjust the voltage to accurately position the fluid interface in the liquid lens. This may be particularly useful for optical image stabilization. The voltages on the electrodes (e.g., on
Systems using higher carrier frequencies consume more power. For example, increasing the switching rate results in higher power losses. One source of switching power loss is that a small amount of current can conduct to ground when the transistor switch changes state. In particular in power-limited systems (e.g., devices operating with a battery as a power source), it may be advantageous to use a lower carrier frequency to reduce power consumption. For some mobile electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, conserving battery power may be particularly important. Thus, in some systems that include a liquid lens, there may be a suspense between using a high carrier frequency to produce a higher quality image and a lower carrier frequency to reduce power consumption.
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to liquid lens systems that can vary the carrier frequency for PWM. For example, the system may use a higher carrier frequency when performing high quality imaging and/or when the power is sufficient (e.g., when the mobile electronic device is receiving power from an external power source). The system may also use a lower carrier frequency when low quality imaging is performed and/or when power is insufficient (e.g., when battery capacity is low or a power saving mode is enabled).
Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a mobile
The mobile
FIG. 15 is an example embodiment of a
In some embodiments, the lower carrier frequency may be in the range of 0.5kHz to 5kHz or from 1kHz to 3kHz, although values outside these ranges may be used in some cases. In some embodiments, the higher carrier frequency may be in the range of 3kHz to 50kHz or from 5kHz to 15kHz, although values outside these ranges may be used in some cases.
FIG. 16 is an
Fig. 17 illustrates example image parameters, device parameters, and other considerations that may be used to determine a PWM frequency (e.g., carrier frequency or switching frequency). Any combination of these factors may be used to determine the PWM frequency. The system performs calculations based on various inputs to determine the PWM frequency to be used. In some cases, some factors may indicate a higher PWM frequency while other factors indicate a lower PWM frequency (e.g., capture a high resolution image when battery capacity is low). The system may use an algorithm, formula, look-up table, or other technique to determine the PWM frequency based on one or more factors.
In some embodiments, the image quality setting may be used in determining the PWM frequency. For example, the image request may include an image parameter indicating that the image should have as high an image quality as possible, or a low image quality, or some value in between. In some instances, a lower quality image may be required. For example, lower quality images may be smaller in size, may be more easily stored, may be more easily sent via a limited bandwidth channel (e.g., via text messaging or streaming, etc.). In some instances, the image will be compressed, so a high quality image is lost anyway, so a lower quality image is sufficient. The system may be influenced to select a lower PWM frequency when a lower quality image quality setting is specified, and may be influenced to select a higher PWM frequency when a higher quality image quality setting is specified. In some embodiments, the device controller may determine an image quality setting, for example, based on the intended use of the image, and may communicate the setting to the camera system along with the imaging request. In some embodiments, the camera system may determine an image quality setting. In some embodiments, the user may specify the image quality settings (e.g., using a user interface on the mobile device).
In some embodiments, image resolution may be used in determining the PWM frequency. For example, the image request may include image resolution parameters such as a full resolution setting, a reduced resolution setting, a pixel count size, a percentage of full resolution, and the like. When capturing lower resolution images, a lower PWM frequency may be selected. For example, at reduced resolution, the captured image may lose some or all of the additional image quality that results from using a higher PWM frequency. In some cases, the video image may use a lower image resolution than the still image. Also, a single frame in a video may have a lower image quality than a captured still image. In some embodiments, a lower PWM frequency may be applied for video imaging than for capturing still images. An image may be generated with a full resolution setting but with a low image quality setting, such as whether lossy compression is applied to the image.
In some embodiments, the image may be generated to be used as a preview (e.g., to be displayed on a display screen to help a user aim at the camera). The preview image is typically not stored in memory for long periods of time. In some embodiments, the preview images may have reduced resolution or reduced image quality, for example, because they will not be captured for later use, and/or because they will be displayed quickly to facilitate real-time aiming of the camera. The preview image may affect the system to apply a lower PWM frequency, while the image to be stored (e.g., for later use or viewing) may affect the system to apply a higher PWM frequency.
In some cases, optical image stabilization may be enabled or disabled for a particular image request. For example, a user may enable and disable this functionality for some systems. If optical image stabilization is disabled for the image, the system may be affected to reduce the PWM frequency. In some embodiments, the system may determine whether to enable or disable optical image stabilization, such as based on the type of imaging, based on information from an accelerometer (e.g., indicating whether the camera is shaking or moving).
In some embodiments, determining the PWM frequency may be based at least in part on the application used to make the image request, or on the intended use of the image. For example, an image request from a video chat application may trigger a low PWM frequency, while a still image from a camera application on a phone may trigger a higher PWM frequency.
In some embodiments, the amount of available power may be used in determining the PWM frequency. This can affect the system using a lower PWM frequency if the battery is running low, or if power is insufficient. If the battery capacity is near full, or the power is sufficient (e.g., the device is receiving power from an external power source such as a wall outlet), this may affect the system to apply a higher PWM frequency. This may affect the system using a low PWM frequency if the device is in a low power consumption mode.
In some embodiments, the controller 1010 and/or the signal generator 1012 may be configured to drive the liquid lens at a high PWM frequency (e.g., 10kHz) or a low PWM frequency (e.g., 2kHz), and the system may select between a high frequency and a low frequency. In some embodiments, the controller 1010 and/or the signal generator 1012 may be configured to provide various PWM frequencies over the entire range. For example, the system may determine that the PWM frequency for the first image is 5.5kHz, the PWM frequency for the second image is 2.6kHz, the PWM frequency for the third image is 3.1kHz, and so on.
In some embodiments, the system may be configured to vary the slew rate of the PWM signal, which may be used to further reduce power consumption. Fig. 18A shows a PWM signal having a first PWM frequency, and fig. 18B shows a PWM signal having a second PWM frequency slower than the first PWM frequency. In this example, the second PWM frequency is half of the first PWM frequency. The second PWM signal of fig. 18B may consume less power than the first PWM signal of fig. 18A. In fig. 18A and 18B, the slew rate is shown in dashed lines. The actual transition from low voltage to high voltage or from high voltage to low voltage does not occur instantaneously. Conversely, the voltage has a somewhat trapezoidal waveform due to the slew rate or rate at which the voltage changes from the first voltage level to the second voltage level. In the embodiment of fig. 18A and 18B, the slew rate of the second PWM signal is half the slew rate of the first PWM signal. The system may be configured to scale the slew rate in proportion to changes in the PWM frequency. In some embodiments, the PWM frequency may be adjusted without changing the slew rate. The same considerations of fig. 17 and the same methods of fig. 15 and 16 may be applied to reduce the slew rate to save power.
In some embodiments, the driver of the system may be configured to provide an adjustable slew rate for the driver signal. The desired slew rate may be fed to the driver as a parameter and the driver may output a signal having the desired slew rate (assuming the desired slew rate is within the capabilities of the driver used). The slew rate may be adjusted using current limiting, using variable resistors, using other active electrical component(s), or any other suitable manner.
Additional disclosure
In the disclosure provided above, apparatus, systems, and methods for feedback and control of lenses are described in connection with specific example embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the principles and advantages of the embodiments may be applied to any other system, apparatus or method requiring feedback and control in response to an indication of capacitance. Although certain embodiments have been described with reference to an example sample and hold voltage sensor, it will be understood that the principles and advantages described herein may be applied to other types of sensors. Although some disclosed embodiments may be described with reference to analog, digital, or hybrid circuits, in different embodiments, the principles and advantages discussed herein may be implemented as analog, digital, or hybrid circuits for different parts. Further, while some circuit schematics are provided for illustrative purposes, other equivalent circuits may be alternatively implemented to achieve the functionality described herein. In some of the figures, four electrodes are shown. The principles and advantages discussed herein may be applied to embodiments having more than four electrodes or less than four electrodes.
The principles and advantages described herein may be implemented in various apparatuses. Examples of such apparatus may include, but are not limited to, consumer electronics, portions of consumer electronics, electronic test equipment, and the like. The principles and advantages described herein relate to lenses. Example products with lenses may include mobile phones (e.g., smart phones), healthcare monitoring devices, vehicle electronic systems (such as automotive electronic systems), webcams, televisions, computer monitors, computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), refrigerators, DVD players, CD players, digital video cameras (DVRs), camcorders, cameras, digital cameras, copiers, facsimile machines, scanners, multifunction peripherals, wristwatches, clocks, and so forth. Further, the device may include unfinished product.
In some embodiments, the methods, techniques, microprocessors, and/or controllers described herein are implemented by one or more special-purpose computing devices. A special purpose computing device may be hard-wired to perform the techniques, may include digital electronics, such as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), that are permanently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques according to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination. The program instructions may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Such special purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to implement these techniques. A special-purpose computing device may be a desktop computer system, a server computer system, a portable computer system, a handheld device, a network device, or any other device or combination of devices that incorporate hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques.
The microprocessors or controllers described herein may be coordinated by operating system software, such as iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows server, Windows CE, Unix, Linux, SunOS, Solaris, iOS, Blackberry OS, VxWorks, or other compatible operating systems. In other embodiments, the computing device may be controlled by a proprietary operating system. Conventional operating systems control and schedule computer processes to execute, perform memory management, provide file systems, networks, I/O services, and provide user interface functions such as a graphical user interface ("GUI").
The microprocessors and/or controllers described herein may implement the techniques described herein using custom hardwired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware, and/or program logic that makes the microprocessors and/or controllers special-purpose machines. According to one embodiment, portions of the techniques disclosed herein are performed by the
Furthermore, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a machine such as a processor device, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor device may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor device may be a controller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations thereof, or the like. The processor device may include circuitry configured to process computer-executable instructions. In another embodiment, the processor device comprises an FPGA or other programmable device that performs logic operations without processing computer-executable instructions. A processor device may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Although described herein primarily with respect to digital technology, the processor device may also primarily include analog components. For example, some or all of the rendering techniques described herein may be implemented in analog circuits or mixed analog and digital circuits.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", "including", and "comprises" are to be construed in an inclusive sense rather than in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is, in the sense of "including but not limited to". As generally used herein, the terms "coupled" or "connected" refer to two or more elements that may be connected directly or through one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and similar words of introduction, when used in this application, shall refer to the application as a whole and not to any particular portions of the application. Where the context permits, words in the detailed description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in a list relating to two or more items is intended to cover all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. All numerical values provided herein are intended to include similar values within the scope of the measurement error.
Although the present disclosure includes certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the embodiments beyond that specifically disclosed extends to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the embodiments have been shown and described in detail, other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of embodiments. Any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the order recited. Therefore, it is intended that the scope not be limited by the particular embodiments described above.
Conditional language (such as "can," "might," or "may," etc.) is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, but not include, certain features, elements and/or steps of other embodiments unless expressly stated otherwise or understood otherwise in the context of usage. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether there is user input or prompting that these features, elements, and/or steps be included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. Headings are used herein for the convenience of the reader only and are not meant to limit the scope.
In addition, while the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described. Moreover, the disclosure herein in connection with any particular feature, aspect, method, characteristic, trait, quality, attribute, element, etc. of an embodiment or example may be used in all other embodiments or examples set forth herein. Any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein may include certain actions taken by the practitioner; however, the methods may also include any third party description of the operations, whether explicit or implicit.
The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlaps, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as "at most," at least, "" greater than, "" less than, "" between. Numerals preceded by a term such as "about" or "approximately" include the enumerated numbers, and should be interpreted on a case-by-case basis (e.g., as reasonably accurate as possible in this case, e.g., ± 5%, ± 10%, ± 15%, etc.). For example, "about 3.5 mm" includes "3.5 mm". Phrases such as "substantially" and the like that precede the term include the referenced phrase and should be interpreted on a case-by-case basis (e.g., as reasonably possible in such a case). For example, "substantially constant" includes "constant". Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements were made under standard conditions, including ambient temperature and pressure.
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