Image Stabilization Soft Stops Near Gimbal Hard Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stabilized imaging systems face limitations in range of motion due to over- or under-constraint, leading to undesirable footage capture when approaching hard stops, and lack effective stabilization features, especially in gimbals affected by vibrations from unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a control mechanism for image stabilization, which determines a soft stop based on device settings and configuration, reducing motor speed and alerting users through signals when approaching a hard stop, thereby preventing sudden stops and obstructions in the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the stabilization mechanism operates close to hard stops to maximize range of motion, then the range of motion is improved, but sudden stops and obstructions in the field of view occur causing undesirable footage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting when the imaging device approaches a hard stop position and preemptively reducing motor speed before the actual stop occurs. This prevents sudden stops and obstructions in the field of view, thereby maintaining image quality while still allowing the system to operate close to hard stops for maximum range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring the position of the imaging device relative to hard stops and adjusting motor speed accordingly. When the device approaches a hard stop, the system receives feedback about the approaching limit and responds by reducing speed, creating a closed-loop control system that resolves the contradiction between range of motion and image quality.
2Reliability
If the stabilization mechanism reduces motor speed before hard stops to prevent sudden stops, then image quality is improved, but the responsiveness and speed of the system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing speed reduction only in the local region near hard stops rather than throughout the entire range of motion. The motor operates at full speed during normal operation, and speed reduction is applied locally only when approaching hard stop positions, thereby maintaining overall system responsiveness while preventing image quality degradation near limits.
3Loss of information
If the system provides frequent alerts to users about approaching hard stops, then user awareness is improved, but the system complexity and user distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by providing alerts only when necessary - specifically when the imaging device approaches hard stop positions. Rather than continuously alerting the user, the system selectively provides information about approaching limits, thereby maintaining user awareness without excessive complexity or distraction.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes systems and methods for a stabilization mechanism. The stabilization mechanism may be used in conjunction with an imaging device. The method may be performed by a control system of the stabilization mechanism and includes obtaining a device setting from an imaging device. The method may also include obtaining a configuration of the stabilization mechanism. The method includes determining a soft stop based on the device setting, the configuration, or both. The soft stop may be a virtual hard stop that indicates to the stabilization mechanism to reduce speed as a field of view of the imaging device approaches the soft stop. The method may also include setting an image stabilization mechanism parameter based on the determined soft stop.