Camera Image Stabilization Apparatus External Vibration Signal Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image stabilization systems for cameras face challenges in effectively using vibration signals from external devices without noise interference, particularly when these signals have varying noise levels, which can cause fluctuations in the anti-vibration lens even in non-vibration states.

Innovation Solution

An image stabilization apparatus that includes a vibration signal acquisition unit, a validation unit, and a noise removal unit, allowing it to acquire and validate vibration signals from external devices, and set appropriate noise cut-off frequencies to ensure stable image stabilization, even when using signals from external sources like tripods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration signals from external devices are used for image stabilization, then the effectiveness of image stabilization can be improved, but noise interference causes fluctuations in the anti-vibration lens even in non-vibration states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilization effectivenessVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring vibration signals from external devices and validating them before using them for image stabilization. The validation process checks signal quality and noise levels in advance, ensuring that only reliable signals are used to control the anti-vibration lens, thereby preventing noise-induced fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A signal validation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the external vibration signal source and the image stabilization control system. This intermediary validates the incoming signals, filtering out noise and ensuring signal quality before the signals are used to drive the anti-vibration lens, thus resolving the contradiction between utilizing external signals and avoiding noise interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If vibration signals from external devices are acquired and used, then more vibration information can be utilized for stabilization, but the system complexity increases due to validation and noise removal requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration signal utilizationVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The validation mechanism is designed to be universal and multi-functional, handling various types of vibration signals from different external devices (tripods, camera platforms, etc.) through a single integrated validation and noise removal system. This approach increases adaptability while managing system complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of separate processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the vibration detection sensor is installed in the mount board to detect mount board vibration, then the vibration detection can be performed at the source, but the sensor signal includes effects of panning/tilting operations that must be eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration detection accuracyVSAvoidsignal contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts pure vibration signals from the composite sensor output by separating and eliminating the components related to panning and tilting operations. The validation mechanism identifies and removes these unwanted signal components, leaving only the true vibration information needed for image stabilization, thus achieving precise vibration detection without signal contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective image stabilization using vibration signals from external devices while minimizing noise interference, ensuring the anti-vibration lens operates correctly without fluctuations in non-vibration states, thus improving the reliability of image stabilization systems.

Implementation Method 1

an angular velocity sensor, which detects vibration of the imaging optical system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAngular velocity sensing: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

the angular velocity signal is passed through a low-pass filter so that signals of high frequency components are removed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLow-pass filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentEP2031440B1Image stabilization apparatus for camera
Publication Date: 2011.09.28 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP2031440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2031440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2031440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image stabilization apparatus being mounted on a lens device of a television camera includes an angular velocity sensor, a HPF, a LPF, an A/D converter, a CPU, a D/A converter, a motor driving circuit, a motor, and an anti-vibration lens. The CPU acquires a sensor signal output from the angular velocity sensor, and performs image stabilization based on the angular velocity signal by driving the anti-vibration lens. The image stabilization apparatus has a connector for acquiring a vibration signal being output from a tripod for supporting the television camera. The CPU may acquire the vibration signal received from the connector through the HPF, the LPF, and the A/D converter, and perform the image stabilization based on the vibration signal by driving the anti-vibration lens. Whether the image stabilization is performed based on the sensor signal or the vibration signal can be selected with a changing-over switch.