Camera Module Gyro Data Read Interval Synchronization

Solution Overview

Problem

In camera modules with multiple lens barrels, performance variations in optical image stabilization (OIS) occur due to differences in gyro sensor characteristics, leading to inconsistent image stabilization across different lens barrels.

Innovation Solution

A dual-camera module system where each lens barrel is connected to a shake corrector through a common data output port from a gyro sensor, with timing control signals managing the gyro data-read intervals to prevent conflicts and ensure synchronized operation of the shake correctors, allowing each to read gyro data during designated intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common gyro sensor is shared by multiple lens barrels, then device complexity is reduced, but performance variations in OIS occur due to differences in gyro sensor characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of gyro sensorsVSAvoidOIS performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the gyro sensor data output is alternately allocated to different lens barrels in regular time intervals. Each lens barrel receives gyro data during its designated time slot, creating a periodic action pattern that resolves the conflict between sharing a common sensor and maintaining consistent OIS performance across multiple lens barrels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If individual actuators are provided for each lens barrel to enable OIS, then OIS function is provided for each lens barrel, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOIS function availabilityVSAvoidnumber of actuators and gyro sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes a single gyro sensor serve multiple functions by allocating its data output to multiple lens barrels through time-division multiplexing. Instead of requiring separate gyro sensors for each lens barrel, the common gyro sensor is universally utilized across all lens barrels by sequentially providing data to each one during its designated time slot, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining OIS functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the gyro sensor data output is alternately allocated to different lens barrels in regular time intervals. Each lens barrel receives gyro data during its designated time slot, creating a periodic action pattern that resolves the conflict between sharing a common sensor and maintaining consistent OIS performance across multiple lens barrels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If gyro data is continuously provided to multiple shake correctors, then real-time OIS is achieved, but data conflicts and interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOIS response speedVSAvoiddata reading stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the gyro sensor data output is alternately allocated to different lens barrels in regular time intervals. Each lens barrel receives gyro data during its designated time slot, creating a periodic action pattern that resolves the conflict between sharing a common sensor and maintaining consistent OIS performance across multiple lens barrels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes predetermined time slots for each lens barrel to read gyro data before actual image capture or movement occurs. This preliminary allocation of data reading intervals ensures that each shake corrector has advance notice and dedicated access to gyro data, preventing data conflicts while maintaining real-time OIS capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10887518B2Camera module

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

A camera module includes a gyro sensor including a data output port and configured to provide gyro data through the data output port, a first camera module including a first lens barrel, and a first shake corrector configured to provide an optical image stabilization (OIS) function to the first lens barrel and including a first communication pad configured to receive the gyro data, and a second camera module including a second lens barrel, and a second shake corrector configured to provide an OIS function to the second lens barrel and including a second communication pad configured to receive the gyro data, wherein the first communication pad of the first shake corrector and the second communication pad of the second shake corrector are connected in common to the data output port.