Optical Image Stabilization via Dynamic Focal Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical image stabilization (OIS) systems in smartphones are ineffective due to their fixed focal length and mechanical OIS components being too large to fit within the device dimensions, leading to inadequate image clarity during device motion.
Innovation Solution
An optical image stabilization system comprising a sensor to detect disturbance signals, a processor to determine target positions, and an actuator driven by a voice coil motor to counteract displacements, utilizing offset and phase correction to generate corrected driving currents for precise positioning of the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical OIS components are used to stabilize the image sensor, then image stability is improved, but the device size increases making it unsuitable for smartphones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical OIS components (gyroscopes, actuators, moving image sensors) with a fixed focal length lens system combined with computational photography techniques. The lens itself is made movable to adjust focal length, substituting complex mechanical stabilization mechanisms with a simpler optical-mechanical system that achieves stabilization through focal length adjustment rather than sensor movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lens system serves multiple functions: it adjusts focal length for zoom capabilities, stabilizes the image by compensating for device motion through focal length variation, and maintains a compact form factor. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate OIS mechanisms, combining stabilization and focal length adjustment in a single component system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the image sensor is moved to counteract device motion, then image clarity is improved, but the mechanical complexity and device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of moving the image sensor with an optical approach of varying the focal length through lens movement. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity by eliminating the need for precision sensor positioning mechanisms, gyroscopes, and associated actuators, while achieving the same image stabilization effect through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameter of focal length dynamically to achieve stabilization. By varying the focal length in response to detected device motion, the system compensates for blur without requiring physical sensor movement. This parameter-based approach simplifies the mechanical design while maintaining image clarity.
3Volume of moving object
If a fixed focal length lens is used in smartphones, then device compactness is improved, but OIS effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic focal length adjustment capability into the smartphone camera system. The lens is made movable along the optical axis, allowing the focal length to vary dynamically in response to device motion. This dynamic adjustment maintains compactness while enabling effective OIS, as the focal length can be changed rapidly without requiring large mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal length parameter dynamically to compensate for device motion. By detecting motion and adjusting the focal length accordingly, the system maintains image stability even with a compact fixed-focal-length-based design. The focal length acts as a variable parameter that can be adjusted to achieve stabilization without increasing device volume.
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 solution effectively reduces blurring caused by device motion by accurately positioning the lens, enhancing image clarity and stability in smartphones, even with fixed focal lengths.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator can comprise a voice coil motor, and wherein the voice coil motor comprises a magnet configured to move the moving body
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide an optical image stabilization system, comprising: a sensor configured to detect a disturbance signal; a processor; an actuator; and an actuator driver. The sensor can be configured to detect a disturbance signal, wherein the disturbance signal applies a force to a moving body, and wherein the force causes the moving body to displace. The processor can be configured to determine: a target position of the moving body according to the detected disturbance signal; and a corrected driving current according to the target position. The actuator can be configured to: receive the corrected driving current receive the corrected driving current; and position the moving body in response to receiving the corrected driving current, wherein the moving body is positioned in a direction opposite to that of the displacement. The actuator driver can be configured to controllably operate the actuator according to the corrected driving current.