Optical image stabilization for thin cameras
First Claim
1. An image stabilization system for a camera system, comprising:
- a stabilization platform configured to support a parallax free camera system including an array of at least two cameras each configured to capture a corresponding portion of at least two portions of an image, the array having a virtual optical axis defined by optical paths of the at least two cameras;
a camera housing;
a fulcrum rotationally and pivotally connecting the stabilization platform to the camera housing and aligned with the virtual optical axis, the fulcrum configured such that the stabilization platform can tilt and rotate relative to the camera housing in at least one of a pitch direction, a roll direction, and a yaw direction;
at least one gyroscope rigidly connected to the stabilization platform to move with the stabilization platform; and
at least one actuator directly coupled to the stabilization platform and configured to cause tilting or rotation of the stabilization platform in at least one of the pitch direction, the roll direction, and the yaw direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for optical image stabilization of thin cameras are disclosed. An image stabilization system for a camera system includes a stabilization platform configured to support a camera system, a camera housing, a fulcrum rotationally and pivotally connecting the stabilization platform to the camera housing, the fulcrum configured such that the stabilization platform can tilt and rotate relative to the camera housing in at least one of the pitch, roll, and yaw directions, at least one gyroscope rigidly connected to the stabilization platform, and at least one actuator coupled to the stabilization platform and configured to cause tilting or rotation of the stabilization platform in at least one of the pitch, roll, and yaw directions.
275 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An image stabilization system for a camera system, comprising:
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a stabilization platform configured to support a parallax free camera system including an array of at least two cameras each configured to capture a corresponding portion of at least two portions of an image, the array having a virtual optical axis defined by optical paths of the at least two cameras; a camera housing; a fulcrum rotationally and pivotally connecting the stabilization platform to the camera housing and aligned with the virtual optical axis, the fulcrum configured such that the stabilization platform can tilt and rotate relative to the camera housing in at least one of a pitch direction, a roll direction, and a yaw direction; at least one gyroscope rigidly connected to the stabilization platform to move with the stabilization platform; and at least one actuator directly coupled to the stabilization platform and configured to cause tilting or rotation of the stabilization platform in at least one of the pitch direction, the roll direction, and the yaw direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 29, 30)
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10. An image stabilization system for an array camera, comprising:
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a parallax free array camera having a virtual optical axis, the array camera comprising at least two cameras, each of the at least two cameras configured to capture one of a plurality of portions of a target image of a scene, the array camera having a virtual optical axis defined by optical paths of the at least two cameras; a support structure supporting the array camera; a pivot member rigidly connected to the support structure, the pivot member configured to pivot in a yaw direction, a pitch direction, and a roll direction around a center of the pivot member, the center of the pivot member aligned with the virtual optical axis of the array camera; at least one gyroscope rigidly connected to the support structure to move with the support structure, the at least one gyroscope configured to generate motion data, the motion data indicative of a motion of the support structure; and an actuator directly coupled to the support structure, the actuator configured to receive motion instructions and to rotate the support structure in the yaw direction, the pitch direction, and the roll direction around the center of the pivot member in response to the received motion instructions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for stabilizing images formed by a parallax free array camera system supported by a stabilization platform on a fulcrum, the array camera system having a virtual optical axis defined by optical paths of at least two cameras in the array camera system and the fulcrum aligned with the virtual optical axis, the method comprising:
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receiving motion data at a processor, the motion data generated by at least one gyroscope in electronic communication with the processor, the at least one gyroscope mounted on the stabilization platform; analyzing the motion data with the processor to determine that the camera system is experiencing jitter; generating instructions for an actuator to compensate for one or both of a frequency and magnitude of the jitter; providing the instructions to the actuator; and moving the stabilization platform supporting the camera system with the actuator in response to the instructions, the actuator being directly coupled to the stabilization platform. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31)
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Specification