Modular Optical Image Stabilization via Digital Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical image stabilization (OIS) systems in mobile devices are costly and complex due to the integration of motion sensors, actuators, and processing resources within the camera unit, requiring expensive calibration processes and being susceptible to damage during lens cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A modular OIS system where the motion sensor, OIS controller, and actuator circuit are implemented separately or in a single package, with a digital interface, allowing for independent calibration and utilizing existing motion sensors and processing resources in the mobile device for image stabilization, reducing the burden on the camera unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a completely integrated OIS system is implemented in the camera unit, then image stabilization capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to calibration requirements and susceptibility to damage during lens cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The OIS system is divided into separate functional modules: the motion sensor is integrated with the mobile device's main processor rather than the camera unit, while the actuator remains in the camera unit. This segmentation allows independent calibration of each module and eliminates the need for complex integrated calibration, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining stabilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion sensor and its processing functions are extracted from the camera unit and placed in the mobile device's main processor. This extraction removes the problematic integration while preserving the OIS functionality, as the main processor can still receive motion data and control the camera unit's actuator through a digital interface.
2Reliability
If motion sensors and processing resources are integrated within the camera unit, then image stabilization is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase due to specialized calibration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device's main processor, which already exists for general computing tasks, is made multi-functional by adding OIS processing capabilities. This universal approach eliminates the need for dedicated OIS processing hardware in each camera unit, significantly reducing manufacturing and calibration costs while maintaining effective image stabilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a digital interface is used to couple the actuator circuit and OIS controller, then system modularity is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional analog or complex communication interfaces between the OIS controller and actuator circuit are replaced with a simplified digital interface. This substitution reduces communication overhead and simplifies the interface complexity while maintaining full modularity, as digital communication is more efficient and easier to implement than analog alternatives.
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
This design simplifies the camera unit, reduces manufacturing and calibration costs, and enhances image quality by leveraging existing motion sensors and processing resources, while maintaining effective image stabilization capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor separate from the first camera unit including a gyroscope configured to sense angular velocity of the first camera unit on at least the two orthogonal axes
Implementation Method 2
an actuator for moving the lens relative to the image sensor along at least two orthogonal axes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing optical image stabilization (OIS) in a mobile device. One or more functions associated with OIS may be performed by hardware and/or processing resources that are provided independently of a camera unit.