Method and System for Image Stabilization
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an apparatus body;
a plurality of imaging components arranged in the apparatus body in relationship to an optical axis, the imaging components comprising an image sensor disposed in an image plane and at least a lens element for projecting an image on the image sensor, wherein the projected image is shiftable relative to the image plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis in response to a movement of the apparatus;
a bending actuator operatively connected to at least one of the imaging components, the bending actuator having a length defining an actuator axis; and
bya driving module, in response to the movement of the apparatus system, for causing at least part of the actuator to move in a direction different from the actuator axis so as to shift said at least one imaging component in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical image stabilizer for use in a camera to compensate for an unwanted movement of camera, wherein two bending actuators are used to shift a lens element or the image sensor in different directions in a plane so as to shift a projected image on the image sensor in response to the unwanted camera movement. The plane is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of camera, and longitudinal axis of each bending actuator is substantially parallel to the optical axis. The actuator can be fixedly mounted on one end so that the other end is allowed to bend. The actuator can be fixedly mounted on both ends so that the middle section is allowed to bend. Alternatively, the middle section is fixedly mounted and both ends can be used for shifting an imaging component.
32 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an apparatus body; a plurality of imaging components arranged in the apparatus body in relationship to an optical axis, the imaging components comprising an image sensor disposed in an image plane and at least a lens element for projecting an image on the image sensor, wherein the projected image is shiftable relative to the image plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis in response to a movement of the apparatus; a bending actuator operatively connected to at least one of the imaging components, the bending actuator having a length defining an actuator axis; and
bya driving module, in response to the movement of the apparatus system, for causing at least part of the actuator to move in a direction different from the actuator axis so as to shift said at least one imaging component in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for use in an imaging apparatus, said method comprising:
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operatively connecting at least one of a plurality of imaging components in the imaging apparatus to a bending actuator having a length defining an actuator axis, wherein the imaging components arranged in relationship to an optical axis, the imaging components comprising at least an image sensor and a lens element for projecting an image on the image sensor, and wherein the projected image is shiftable in an image plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis and causing at least part of the actuator to move in a direction different from the actuator axis so as to shift said at least one imaging component in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An image stabilizer module for an imaging apparatus, said image stabilizer module comprising:
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a first bending actuator operatively connected to at least one of a plurality of imaging components in the imaging apparatus, the imaging components comprising an image sensor and at least a lens element for projecting an image on the image sensor wherein the projected image is shiftable relative to the image sensor in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, wherein the first bending actuator having a length defining a first actuator axis, and wherein at least part of the first actuator is dimensioned to move in a direction different from the first actuator axis so as to shift said at least one imaging component in a first direction in the plane based on the movement of the imaging apparatus, and a second bending actuator operatively connected to said at least one imaging component, the second bending actuator having a length defining a second actuator axis, wherein at least part of the second actuator is dimensioned to move in a direction different from the second actuator axis so as to shift said at least one imaging component in a second direction in the plane also based on the movement of the imaging apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification