Optical Image Stabilization Circuit for Face Tracking and Hand-Shake Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical image stabilization (OIS) technologies can only correct hand-shake and fail to properly follow object movement, leading to poor image quality when objects are vibrated or moved significantly, such as in extreme choreography videos or when using a tripod, as they lack object position correction signals.

Innovation Solution

An OIS circuit and device that incorporates a facial detection unit to generate face position signals and a hand-shake detector to generate hand-shake position signals, with an operation unit combining these to control a lens module for composite position correction, using a PID controller and actuator for precise adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional OIS technology is used to correct hand-shake, then hand-shake correction performance is improved, but object position correction capability deteriorates (cannot track moving objects)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand-shake correction performanceVSAvoidobject position correction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The OIS device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: both traditional hand-shake correction using gyro sensor data and new object position correction using face position signals from image processing. The control unit integrates both correction signals to drive the actuator, enabling the system to handle both hand-shake and object movement scenarios effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two previously separate correction systems into one unified OIS control system. The face position signal from image processing and the hand-shake signal from the gyro sensor are merged in the control unit to generate a composite correction signal, allowing simultaneous correction of both hand-shake and object position changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If user moves smartphone to follow object movement, then object tracking is improved, but image stability deteriorates due to vibrations from extreme movements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject tracking capabilityVSAvoidimage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically moving the smartphone with an optical/electronic solution. Instead of requiring the user to manually reposition the device to track objects, the system uses face position signals to calculate and apply optical correction through the actuator and lens module, maintaining image stability while achieving object tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes face position signals from image processing and converts them into actuator control signals. This intermediary layer translates object position information into precise lens module adjustments, enabling automatic object tracking without requiring physical smartphone movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If facial detection and face position tracking are added to OIS system, then object position correction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject position correction capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes existing image processing resources and data to generate face position signals for OIS correction. Rather than adding completely independent tracking sensors, the system repurposes image data that is already being processed for other functions, allowing the OIS module to benefit from object position information without requiring separate dedicated tracking hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 stabilization of both hand-shake and object movement, ensuring the object's face remains centered, improving image quality in dynamic environments and facilitating better self-capturing and video recording.

Implementation Method 1

a operation unit generating a composite position signal based on the face position signal and the hand-shake position signal; and a control unit controlling a position of a lens module, based on the composite position signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

a hand-shake detector generating a hand-shake position signal corresponding to hand-shake, based on a sensing signal input from a gyro sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentUS11490009B2Optical image stabilization circuit and optical image stabilization device for object position correction using face tracking

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECHANICS CO LTD

AI summary

An optical image stabilization (OIS) circuit for object position correction includes a facial detection unit generating a face position signal including coordinate information of a face, based on an image signal input from an image sensor; a hand-shake detector generating a hand-shake position signal corresponding to hand-shake, based on a sensing signal input from a gyro sensor; a operation unit generating a composite position signal based on the face position signal and the hand-shake position signal; and a control unit controlling a position of a lens module, based on the composite position signal.