Image Stabilization via Virtual Pivot and Internal Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact camera modules in portable electronic devices face challenges in providing high-performance image stabilization within small form factors, as existing solutions struggle to efficiently compensate for image motion due to hand-shaking and other undesired vibrations without increasing size or complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor holder platform with internally contained electrical conductors and actuators, such as electromagnetic coils, that rotate about a virtual pivot center defined by a spring system, allowing for motion compensation without the need for physical structures like ball joints, and minimizing dragging forces on conductors during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional image stabilization mechanisms with physical pivot structures are used, then image motion compensation is achieved, but device size and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical pivot structure (ball joint) from the system and replaces it with a virtual pivot center defined by magnetic field interactions. This extraction of the mechanical pivot element reduces structural complexity while maintaining the image stabilization function through electromagnetic forces between magnets and coils.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical pivot system with an electromagnetic system. Instead of physical rotation around a ball joint, the image sensor holder platform is positioned and oriented using magnetic fields generated by coils interacting with magnets, eliminating mechanical friction and structural complexity while maintaining stabilization performance.
2Ease of operation
If electrical conductors are routed externally during rotation, then electrical connection is maintained, but dragging forces increase and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts electrical conductors from the external routing path and places them inside the hollow interior region of the image sensor holder platform. This allows the platform to rotate freely around the virtual pivot center without external conductors creating dragging forces, improving rotation smoothness while maintaining electrical connectivity through internal routing.
3Volume of moving object
If compact camera module size is reduced, then portability is improved, but image stabilization performance within small form factor becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the electrical conductors inside the hollow interior region of the image sensor holder platform, similar to a nested doll structure. This allows the conductors to be contained within the existing structure without increasing external dimensions, maintaining compact size while enabling smooth rotation for effective image stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the bulky mechanical pivot structure with a compact electromagnetic field-based virtual pivot system. This substitution significantly reduces the space required for image stabilization mechanisms, allowing high-performance stabilization to be achieved within compact camera module form factors suitable for portable devices.
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 by compensating for motion about two orthogonal axes, maintaining a compact size, and reducing the impact of dragging forces on electrical conductors, thus enhancing image quality in portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
actuators, such as electromagnetic coils, that rotate about a virtual pivot center
Implementation Method 2
a virtual pivot center defined by a spring system
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an imaging device having a small form factor.