Translation Correction For Optical Image Stabilization

A device for optically stabilizing an image obtained using a camera unit, comprising:

• a lens positioned in the camera unit and capable of obtaining optical image information corresponding to an image;
• an image sensor positioned in the camera unit and in optical communication with the lens and capable of converting the optical image information into electrical image information;
• a first motion sensor positioned in the camera unit and capable of generating a signal related to rotational movement of the camera unit when the camera unit is rotated;
• a second motion sensor positioned in the camera unit and capable of generating a signal related to translational movement of the camera unit when the camera unit undergoes translational movement;
• and
• an actuator capable of adjusting a relative position between the lens and the image sensor based on a corrected translation signal obtained from the signal related to translational movement and the signal related to rotational movement to thereby adjust the relative position of the lens and image sensor based on rotation and translation experienced by the camera unit.

A system for optically stabilizing an image obtained using a camera unit, comprising:

• a programmed processor;
• a memory containing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the following steps:
• use a lens to obtain optical image information corresponding to an image;
• provide the optical image information to an image sensor to convert the optical image information into electrical image information;
• generate a signal related to rotational movement of the camera unit using a first motion sensor capable of providing a signal related to rotation when the camera unit is rotated;
• generate a signal related to translational movement of the camera unit using a second motion sensor capable of providing a signal related to translation when the camera unit undergoes translational movement;
• modify the signal related to translational movement of the camera unit using the signal related to rotational movement of the camera to generate a corrected translation signal which compensates for movement of the lens which is different from movement of the second motion sensor;
• and
• apply the corrected translation signal as input to control an actuator capable of adjusting a relative position of the lens with respect to the image sensor based on rotation and translation experienced by the camera unit.