Handheld Gimbal Fast-Follow Control for Sudden Target Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld gimbals struggle to quickly follow the rotation of a handle, especially when the target moves suddenly and quickly, leading to potential loss of the target in photographs.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling a handheld gimbal that allows users to enter a fast following mode by updating control parameters such as maximum following rate and acceleration, and controlling the rotation of electric motors to enhance the camera component's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the common following mode is used, then the camera component can move with the rotation of the handle and photograph video stably and smoothly, but the camera component cannot quickly follow a target when the handle needs to be quickly rotated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefollowing speed of camera componentVSAvoidtarget capture reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between common following mode and fast following mode based on operational needs. The control unit adjusts the following speed parameters dynamically: in common following mode, it maintains stable video photography; in fast following mode, it increases the following speed to quickly track moving targets. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between stable photography and quick target acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameters of the camera component between different modes. Specifically, it adjusts the following speed parameter: in common following mode, the following speed is set to a normal value for stable video; in fast following mode, the following speed parameter is increased to enable quick tracking of moving targets. This parameter switching directly addresses the contradiction between stability and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the locking mode is used, then the camera component can be fixed in position, but the target may be lost if it moves suddenly and quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera component stabilityVSAvoidresponse to sudden target movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic mode switching that allows the system to transition from locking mode to fast following mode when sudden target movement is detected or anticipated. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain stability during normal operation while adapting quickly to changing conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed position stability and responsiveness to sudden movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational mode parameters from locking (fixed position) to fast following (high speed tracking). By switching the control parameters, the system can maintain the camera component in a stable locked position during normal photography, but quickly adapt to track suddenly moving targets by activating fast following mode with increased following speed parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the maximum following rate and acceleration are increased for fast following, then the camera component can quickly follow handle rotation, but the control precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera component following rateVSAvoidcamera component control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment where the system switches between different control precision levels corresponding to different modes. In fast following mode, higher speed parameters are used for quick tracking, while in common following mode, higher precision parameters are applied for stable video photography. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for speed when needed and for precision when stability is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters based on mode: in fast following mode, it increases the maximum following rate and acceleration parameters to enable quick tracking; in common following mode, it uses lower speed but higher precision parameters for stable video photography. This parameter switching strategy resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to operate at different precision levels appropriate to each operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3751837B1Method and apparatus for controlling handheld gimbal, and handheld gimbal
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 GUILIN ZHISHEN INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
  • EP3751837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3751837B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling a handheld gimbal, and a handheld gimbal. The method comprises: receiving an indication, input by a user, of entering a fast following mode; based on the indication of entering the fast following mode, updating control parameters of a camera component in one or more directions, wherein the control parameters of a camera component in one or more directions comprise the maximum following rate and acceleration of the camera component in one or more directions; and applying the updated control parameters of a camera component in one or more directions to control the rotation of one or more corresponding electric motors in a handheld gimbal, thus controlling the movement of the camera component in one or more directions. Where a gimbal handle needs to be rotated quickly for photography, the present invention can enable a camera component fixed on a handheld gimbal to quickly follow a target and perform photography smoothly.