DE102016004674A1 - Drive system for an image sensor and its optical accompanying elements of an image or video recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drive system for the image sensor and its optical accompanying elements, within a device which is equipped with a camera. The drive system is capable of quickly and silently rotating the image sensor and its optics elements in almost any direction, enabling fast moving targets to be captured without the need for the entire housing of the device in which the camera is mounted is built to move. The drive system finds application in devices of all kinds, which have an image sensor, such. B. Digital cameras of all kinds (including video cameras), smartphones, notebooks, smartwatches, tablet PCs, as well as webcams, drone cameras, vehicle cameras or surveillance cameras, data glasses, etc .. The camera is almost like a human eye moved or rotated.

Description

The invention relates to a drive system for the image sensor and its optical accompanying elements (virtually image capture devices and cameras of all kinds), within a device that is equipped with a camera. The drive system is able to rotate the image sensor and its optics elements (its complete lens system) in almost any direction and thus also to detect moving targets without the need to cover the entire housing of the device which the camera is installed to move.

The drive system is used in all devices that have an image capture sensor, such. B. Digital cameras of all kinds (video cameras, Kleibildkameras, digital SLR cameras), notebook, smartwatch (a kind of wristwatch with PC-like or smartphone functions), tablet PC, as well as webcams, drone cameras, vehicle cameras or security cameras, data glasses, mobile phone, among other smartphone, endoscopy camera, medical devices of all kinds, which have a camera, etc. The drive system is able to move or rotate the camera sensor and its optics in all these devices and controlled in any Direction. Not all the camera's gadget is being moved or rotated, just the image sensor with its optics inside the gantry, almost like a human eye.

In particular, the system is perfectly suited for small devices that have a camera such. Mobile phones (smartphone), tablet PCs, notebooks / netbooks, data glasses, smartwatch, unmanned remote-controlled drones, robots, endoscopes, etc.

Almost every tablet PC, notebook or mobile phone / smartphone today has a built-in camera, usually even two.

Two cameras are sometimes necessary for one to take pictures of the environment or to make videos, and for the other camera to make a video conversation about providers offering such services (eg Facebook, Skype, Tanga, Viber, X8, Cobra, Aquila , etc.). Because the installation of a camera is complex and also because the parts are not very cheap, a weaker, inferior front camera and a better rear camera are usually installed. The installation of two cameras has other disadvantages. The space in a smartphone is getting pretty tight for more extensions or technical news. As a rule, most of the space in a smartphone occupies the battery. But even the cameras and their controls are not completely negligible. The installation of a weaker, inferior front camera has other disadvantages. The transmitted video quality via video chat programs is pretty bad on the front camera. While the rear camera can usually take good pictures or videos, the front camera is usually inferior. With the internet getting faster and faster nowadays, it is in the interest of users to transfer high quality images or videos. In addition, many people photograph themselves (so-called selfies), a good image quality of the front camera is desirable. For the film / video or image recording, a mobile phone uses an image sensor, which also determines the image resolution. Due to the small dimensions of the optical lens as well as very small sensors, the image acquisition is particularly susceptible to image noise. Even in good light conditions only moderately high-quality images can be generated, compared to conventional digital cameras. It is also clear that with such extremely small image sensors and mini lenses only little light from the environment, or image motif arrives and the lack of light information is compensated via electrical paths. In addition, the sensor micro-components are arranged in a very small space, resulting in field interactions and in the data signals no "clean transport. can be ensured, which leads to image noise. Only when organic photo sensor technology on the rise, then the pictures are largely better.

The installation of two cameras in a smartphone requires not only the installation of two camera sensors, or image sensors, but also the optical accompanying elements that belong in an image-taking optical system, such as the optical lenses, image correction elements, image stabilizers, and a controller to. The software must be able to control the two cameras separately, which also makes the operation of a smartphone more or less complicated.

The invention incorporated in a smartphone (mobile phone with PC features), virtually completely replaces the second camera because it is electrically rotatable and can take pictures or record video from both the back and the front. Especially for small devices, such. As aircraft drones, data glasses, tablet PC, the invention is perfectly suitable.

There are numerous drive systems that are suitable for moving a camera. Mostly electric motors (usually stepper motors) and often also small gears are used, which can swing the camera back and forth. However, the electric motors and transmissions are associated with some disadvantages. These are not infinitely small, bring corresponding weight themselves, may be susceptible to interference (eg, dust or moisture), are not absolutely silent, and are not super fast moving, if a quick panning of the camera is to be achieved.

The registration GB 2439346 describes a suspension (gimbal) for a ball, which takes place without mechanical contact, purely electromagnetic. There, a ball is held in a solenoid cage, which can then be rotated. In the ball, a camera can be installed. Both the rotatable body and the stator shell are here equipped with a large number of electromagnetic coils that need to be powered. Due to the interactivity between the fields of the coils, a rotational movement is generated. The camera sensor and electromagnets are coupled to electrical leads, which in turn are coupled to the stator, resulting in susceptibility to movement of the camera and electromagnets. This arrangement is too complicated and economically uninteresting for small devices, such. As mobile phones, webcams, vehicle cameras, or drone cameras.

To turn a ball, numerous methods are described.

The registration JP 080272446 describes a device used to move figures on a sphere. The movement can take place in any direction, within physical constraints or fixed parameters.

Application US 5413010 describes an electric motor having a spherical rotor.

The application US 5280225 describes an apparatus which is designed as a drive system for a spherical body. Here, a sphere is rotated in several axes in the principle of a stepper motor. Rather, this method is used in robotics.

Application U.S. Pat. Pat. 3178600 indicates a structure with spherically arranged coils, allowing rotation of a body on an axis.

Application U.S. Pat. Pat. No. 3260475 shows a special electric motor whose rotor is spherical and designed for spacecraft. The resulting torque can be deployed in different directions, thus driving in different directions, without special steering devices or gear possible.

There is a web camera on the market for laptops that are rotatable. However, the rotation is done by hand, purely mechanical (direct touching the webcam housing by hand).

A kind of webcam that is also on the market, can move electrically, but is powered by electric motors and a small gear. The motion reaction rate is not particularly high.

It describes camera systems for smartphones, even those that are rotatable, but almost all mechanical. Several smartphone manufacturers have designed smartphones that have a rotatable camera, which is mechanically rotated by hand and thus can take pictures from behind or front images. Such cameras were also used in some laptops, such. B. older series from ASUS (model ASUS W5000). The camera here is mounted on a rotatable frame and is rotated by hand backwards or forwards. However, this camera can only be rotated on one axis. Theoretically, one could also design a multi-directional camera mounted in a gimbal. An electrically rotatable camera in the traditional sense for notebooks but in the case associated with several problems: z. For example, the conventional drive (mostly via stepper motors and gears) would be too large, vulnerable, would nullify the aesthetics of the carrier device, and also the cabling would have to be designed so that it does not come off when the camera is rotated back and forth.

In the applications listed, where a ball is rotated, the systems described therein are quite complicated, not to be obtained in a very small scale without great effort and also relatively vulnerable.

There are similar principles that are theoretically transferable even on a mobile phone, laptop, tablet PC, and so on.

There are also ways to easily swivel an image sensor into the camera in and out. The optical elements remain static. Image stabilization is done with such methods, but the field of view change is very small, so no great effects can be expected. In addition, physical limits are set here: the further the image sensor moves, the more distorted the image becomes, because the sensor moves on the field of view or focus point of the incident light rays. The optical elements do not follow the sensor movement. Similarly, a method works where only one of the lenses (or a group of them) can pivot back and forth. Again, there are disadvantages, in the form of image distortion at large swing amplitudes. Here the incident light beam becomes more or less distorted, depending on how large the swing amplitude of the lens is.

The well-known manufacturers (eg SONY, Panasonic, etc.) are building electromagnetically movable lenses in smartphone cameras or other high-quality devices. The lens is movable back and forth along the optical axis. In this way, the automatic autofocus setting works on high quality cameras.

As described, there are enough electric drives for cameras (surveillance cameras, IP webcams, etc.), but there are mainly used for the drive electric motors and gear. The drive systems are too coarse, too slow and it is almost impossible or very expensive to reduce these to rice grain size.

For better understanding, I will call every device that has a camera carrier device from here on. This can z. Eg a video camera, small picture camera, SLR camera, notebook, smartwatch (wristwatch with PC function and / or built-in mobile phone features), tablet PC, webcam, drone, vehicle, plane, rocket, robot, surveillance camera, data glasses, mobile phone Phone - be among other Smartphone, Extreme Sports Camera, TV Studio / Cinema Movie Camera, SteadyCam, etc.

The invention specified in the claims 1 to 19 is based on the problem to provide a drive system for cameras of all kinds, which is able to the camera within a carrier device liquid and silent, with the motion effect almost like that of the human eye, to turn.

This problem is solved with the features listed in the claims 1 to 19.

• – die Kamera dreht sich innerhalb des Träger-Geräts (also z. B. keine Schwenkung eines Smartphone notwendig, um ein Zielobjekt, das etwas links oder rechts beim Fotografieren liegt),
• – macht recht fließende Bewegung,
• – lautlos in Bewegung
• – bringt kaum Zusatz-Gewicht mit,
• – extrem gut für kleine Geräte, vorzugsweise Smartphone/Mobiltelefone geeignet,
• – keine Verschleißteile, daher sehr langlebig,
• – eine recht flotte Änderung der Drehrichtung der Kamera möglich,
• – optimale Verwendung auch auf bewegende/fliegende Träger-Geräte, wie Fahrzeuge, Hubschrauber, Raketen, Drohnen, Tablett-PC-s,
• – optimal für Video-Überwachungs-Geräte,
• – optimal auch für Film-/TV-Studio-Zwecke
• – Verfolgung eines beweglichen Objektes
• – günstiges System in der Herstellung und einfache Vorrichtung.

Advantages of the invention are:

• The camera rotates within the carrier device (eg, no need to swivel a smartphone to get a target that is slightly to the left or right when photographing),
• - makes a very fluid movement,
• - silently on the move
• - hardly brings extra weight,
• - extremely well suited for small devices, preferably smartphones / mobile phones,
• - no wear parts, therefore very durable,
• - a fairly brisk change in the direction of rotation of the camera possible,
• - Optimal use also on moving / flying carrier devices, such as vehicles, helicopters, rockets, drones, tablet PCs,
• - optimal for video surveillance devices,
• - Optimal for film / TV studio purposes
• - Tracking a moving object
• - Convenient system in the production and simple device.

The invention is a drive system for the camera, or rather for the image sensor and its optical accompanying elements, which is able to track a target to be photographed, to take a video shot of a mobile object or person, or an automatic rotation of the image sensor and to achieve its optics elements to realize images or video recordings from behind and / or from the front (with only one image sensor). An extremely small mobile camera system that is also capable of being integrated in a small camera-carrier device, especially in a mobile phone (smartphone), tablet PC, webcam, wristwatch, etc. that is capable of being similar to that A human's eye or even faster to move and dynamically capture the field of view within existing parameters. The drive system is quite fast, noiseless, and can rotate or rotate within the camera-carrier device to move, rotate, or rotate the camera so that you can capture images from different angles, as well as the back and front of the carrier device ,

Incidentally, the invention may be designed to be able to automatically detect whether the image sensor and its optical elements should be directed forward or backward within the carrier apparatus.

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS 1 to 17 explained. Show it:

1 a variant wherein the ball camera is simply attached to bimetallic coil springs,

2 shows a variant having a gimbal.

3 a variant with several bimetallic spiral springs,

4 shows a variant, wherein not only the image sensor but also a kind of lighting, which illuminates the field of view of the sensor, is movably installed.

5 a simplified part gimbal suspension, with only two axes

6 is a variant with bimetallic elements, in the form of ribbons or strips

7 a special variant with a built-in electroactive plastic light window,

8th a 3D camera

9 an easily removable camera

10 shows a variant that is equipped with a sound source detection system.

11 a concave image sensors,

12 a variant, wherein the stopping of the ball camera takes place in a certain position via an electromagnetically removable pin,

13 a variant that is installed in a smartphone, the ball camera is also rotatable in the optical axis.

14 (a, b, c, d) some examples of use of the invention,

15 a smartphone with the ball camera installed at the edge or at the corner,

16 a variant in which fine and very small heating coils (heating coil) heat the bimetallic elements,

17 the heating coil or filament, each equipped with a diode.

The camera sensor 1 and its optical accompanying elements 2 are preferably in a small spherical housing 3 attached (from here the housing is called ball camera) that in a hollow sphere housing 4 (from now on this is called only hollow sphere), which is only slightly bigger than the ball camera, is appropriate. The ball camera can easily be placed loosely and freely rotatable in the hollow sphere, using one or more bimetallic spiral spring 5 connected to the sphere camera at one end and to the hollow sphere at the other end ( 1 ). Or she can in a simple gimbal 8th be attached, in which case, the ball camera 3 no longer (or only rarely) touches the hollow sphere wall ( 2 ). The hollow sphere 4 is static mounted in some variants, so immobile, only the camera ball moves in it.

Specifically, a camera in a tablet PC, I-PAD, I-Phone, smartphone, or other mobile phone may be installed so as to be electrically rotatable in the housing in the rear or front and both for rear views and for front shots suitable is. Also in a mobile phone, the camera is preferably constructed in the form of a sphere and placed in a hollow sphere, much like the human eye is in its cavity, which is transparent or at least in part has a window through which the sphere camera the light gets from the environment. The ball camera is complete with image sensor 1 , Electronic components and accompanying optics elements 2 (eg lenses, mini prism, etc.). The globe camera 3 is not rotated as usual by gear or electric motors (not manually by touch), but by one or more bimetallic coil springs 5 or bimetal strips 33 electrically controlled rotated or swiveled in a targeted direction. The rotation, or the rotation can be in one or more axes 7 respectively. Multi-axis rotation can be achieved by a gimbal suspension 8th be realized if the ball camera 3 should not touch the hollow sphere wall ( 2 ). However the simplest variant provides that the ball camera, in particular with small devices, into the hollow sphere 4 simply freely movable in it, whereby this by bimetallic spiral spring 5 held and also turned. The globe camera 3 does not necessarily have to be stored. It can touch the walls of the hollow sphere, however, its weight is very small and thus hardly friction arises when it is rotated back and forth by bimetallic coil springs. The material that makes up the sphere camera housing and the hollow sphere should be scratch resistant (at least the surface coatings that will rub against each other) and possibly also be self-lubricating (at least in some areas). The current signal transfer to the image sensor is effected by a flexible line 9 Although the camera can also have other shapes (such as an egg, oval-shaped) or provided with small edges, but the shape of a ball is best suited for this purpose. The ball camera is coupled with bimetallic spiral springs, which are also connected at the other end with the hollow sphere. It is pivoted or rotated in any direction, solely by expansion of the coil spring with temperature increase, in the center of which a torque is generated. Once a bimetallic coil spring is energized, it is quickly heated by the internal current resistor and a torque is built up on the center point of the spiral. The bimetallic coil spring is very thin because it needs to be heated quickly and with very little power and also cool down quickly when the power is turned off. Finally, only a small amount of torque is needed to move a very small camera in a mobile phone. The ball camera is rotated quickly and silently by the bimetal spirals, depending on which of the spirals is active, in any direction. Depending on which of the bimetallic coil springs is active or under power, a pivoting of the ball camera is carried out in the direction corresponding to the torque of the active bimetallic coil spring. Because the bimetallic coil springs / strips can only turn the ball camera when heated in one direction, and turn back when cooled, are for each axis 7 at least two of them working against each other bimetal coil spring 5 / strips 33 necessary to actively swing the ball camera 3 to reach in the desired direction. If one of them is activated, the ball-camera is also turned in the direction, despite the slight resistance of the mechanical tension of the counter-spiral. When the bimetallic coil spring cools down, the ball camera returns to its original position. If the other spiral spring-shaped bimetallic element is activated, the ball camera then turns in the other direction. A controller 6 Ensures that the heating of the bimetallic coil spring / strip takes place exactly and that the specific position of the ball camera also holds. Because two oppositely working bimetallic spiral spring / strip always on a pivot axis 7 are built-in, the temperature fluctuations are automatically compensated from the outside, because both elements in the de-energized state (inactive) evenly hot or cold. Although the drive with bimetallic spiral springs / strips is not suitable for extremely fast swiveling, it can also be controlled quite precisely, it is maintenance-free and reliable. Of course, with such bimetallic elements no great movements to achieve, because they eventually interfere with each other, but a pivoting about dozens of degrees is thus achievable. The thinner and smaller the bimetallic elements are, the faster the reaction is and also less the power consumption. Maintaining a position of the ball camera is achieved by constant, precisely controlled heating of the particular bimetallic elements, or by the maintenance of electrical current flow. Increases the voltage and thus of course the current flow, the temperature in the bimetallic element is increased, thus a stronger torque is generated. Due to the fact that the bimetal elements are very thin and have only low mass, a reaction inertia is barely noticeable. This method is relatively simple and also works very reliable and completely maintenance free. Above all, no further installation measures are necessary here: just install the bimetal elements (eg bimetallic spiral spring on the rotary axes, with power cables 10 at the control 6 couple and the drive is ready. As soon as fine, precisely controlled currents flow through the bimetallic elements, they are more or less heated and undergo an expansion. Because they are spiral-shaped, a torque is created that accomplishes a rotation of the ball-type camera (similar to the earlier simple bi-metal bimetal thermo-spring thermometers in there). Of course, the bimetallic coil spring does not need to be heated hotly, but a temperature of 10-40 ° is sufficient above the ambient temperature to produce reasonable torques. The ball camera is so small devices, such. As mobile phones (smartphone), notebook or tablet PC-s very small, weighs only a few grams and this can be rotated with very little force. The bimetallic elements also charge little or hardly the battery of the camera carrier device, because the power consumption is very low. The very thin coil spring can be heated with low voltages (eg lower than 3.7 V) and currents below 10 mA. The task of the evaluation unit or the controller, which supplies the coil spring with power, it is dependent on the necessary rotation of the camera to release a certain voltage to the corresponding bimetallic coil spring, so that they heat to the desired temperature. The heating is lightning fast, because the coil spring is very thin, has a high electrical resistance and has only a small mass. Cooling takes place just as quickly when the current flow is interrupted. This allows relatively fast movements of the ball camera. The ball camera is coupled via several bimetal spiral spring with the hollow sphere ( 3 ), at the center of which the axes of rotation for the ball camera are located. Several such bimetallic coil springs 5 which are arranged in two-dimensional axes or even three-dimensional, thereby enabling two- or three-dimensional rotary movements of the ball-camera housing. A movement of the sphere camera in two axes would be perfectly sufficient for our purposes. The less mass the coil spring has, the faster its reaction or movement. In order to achieve a pivoting in any direction in two axes, at least four such bimetal elements are necessary (two per axis of rotation, arranged mutually working). On the 6 a simple variant has been shown, wherein the ball-mounted camera simply hangs on bimetallic spiral spring and excited by their activation in certain directions of rotation. Through interaction of the software, which also controls the drive system control unit, the ball camera will perform smooth movements while tracking a target.

Assisted by the software (mainly that of the carrier device), the target to be photographed can be captured and tracked if it does not move too fast, with images always near the center of the video recording, even for single-frame images. So-called face tracking can be realized because the camera could track the face of a moving person by their rotation and always place the face in the center of the captured images. The attempt of the object to be photographed to move out of the central area of the image sensor detection angle is fully compensated for by pivoting the ball camera until the end of the entire field of view is reached. This is similar, just as a human being pursues a moving object with his eyes without turning his head to turn. The ball camera can also be rotated completely backwards, with an additional rear camera would be omitted (especially interesting for mobile phones).

The camera of the invention here has clear advantages over the prior art. This camera is rotated within the carrier device via bimetallic spiral spring or bimetal strips, the rotation being relatively quick and silent. The camera here is not only rotated back and forth, but also realizes a target tracking (an automatic target tracking can thus be easily realized). Because not all the camera-carrier case here 11 turns, but only the part, or the compact extra housing 3 in which the image sensor 1 and its appearance 2 are located, a relatively fast swing is possible. The globe camera 3 would look like an eye of a human here and there.

For the rotation of the ball camera, the different expansions produced by heating by bimetal spirals, which are converted into torque, are applied. Of course, there is no 360 ° rotation that stops continuously, like an electric motor, but rather, these are slight pivotal movements. The bimetallic coil springs consist of at least two metals or alloys that have different stretching capabilities at specific temperatures. The phenomenon has long been known and was previously used in mechanical thermometers. They were equipped with a bimetallic spiral spring that rotated when the temperature fluctuated and thus the temperature was determined. The rotation takes place, as already known, by the different expansion coefficient of the two metal layers that make up the coil spring. Because the bimetallic coil spring used there was quite thick, it took a bit longer, even with rapid temperature differences, until the correct value was displayed, because the bimetallic spring has a somewhat sluggish effect, or must first be heated (or cooled down). The same principle is used here for the rotation of the camera of a smartphone or other camera-carrier device. Here you can use several bimetallic spiral springs that can rotate the ball camera in any direction. In addition, you can use two bimetallic spiral springs per axis of rotation, which generate mutual torques. In addition, it is not waited until ambient temperature differences arise, but the bimetallic coil springs are selectively energized and actively heated with it. The internal current resistance of the bimetallic coil spring is used for heating. You can also add a fine heating coil / Wedel 12 However, it is not absolutely necessary to install as with bulbs, which touches the bimetallic coil spring and this warms up when activated. A rotation of the ball camera in two axes would be fully sufficient and would require only two or four bimetallic coil spring. A simplified partial gimbal suspension 13 , with only two axes can be very suitable for this. This suspension 13 exists, as in the picture 5 shown, consisting of only a quarter circle long arm 14 , which at both ends, each with a swivel joint 15 Is provided. At one swivel joint, the ball camera is attached and at the other the hollow sphere is coupled. At the swivel joints a bimetallic spiral spring is ever installed, which can cause a rotation of the body attached to the joint in current flow. The current flow is ensured separately for each spiral spring by separate flexible cables.

The two working bimetallic coil springs 5 , which are mounted on the same axis of rotation, can be electrically connected to each other at both ends, being easily coupled to a respective semiconductor diode, which are electrically connected in counter-current direction with bimetallic coil springs. The current which should flow simultaneously on both spiral springs is selected by the semiconductor diodes and, depending on the current flow direction, selected on one or the other bimetallic spiral spring. In order to achieve the heating of only one of them, a small semiconductor diode is installed in each case, which is directed counter to the semiconductor diode of the other bimetallic spiral, wherein the heating of the individual bimetallic spiral spring by current-flux Umpolung is achievable. In the case, for. For example, the current flow from A to B, would via the coil spring 5A flow and then over the semiconductor diode 16A to the opposite pole. When the current flows from B to A, then via the coil spring 58 and via semiconductor diode 16B to the opposite pole. Since the bimetallic coil springs have a larger current resistance than the semiconductor diode in the current flow direction, hardly any current flows through the second coil spring, which is short-circuited by the semiconductor diode, but via this. For pivoting in the vertical axis 7A becomes the bimetallic spiral spring 5A activated. To a swing in the horizontal axis 7B To realize, the bimetal coil spring 5B energized and thereby heated.

The incorporation of four bimetallic coil springs (in pairs and in opposite directions of rotation) allows more accurate rotation of the ball camera.

Because the ball camera is rotatable within the hollow sphere, it can be used both as a rear camera and a front camera. Of course, the ball camera does not rotate uncontrolled, but this is very accurately positioned on the desired field of view via the control of the bimetallic spirals. Stopping in the desired position can be achieved by maintaining the Temperature of the active bimetallic spiral spring and possibly carried out by brief activation of the opposite bimetallic spiral spring. The hollow sphere can be built completely transparent, or it can reach certain places with large windows of light 17 equipped, through which the light arrives from the motifs, or environment in the camera ball and its sensor also reached. Small additional optics elements (lenses) can successfully correct for slight image distortion caused by the spherical windows. The camera can also be more or less moved out of the carrier device to increase the viewing angle. In that case, another bimetallic spiral or bimetal strip would be necessary, which would more or less extend the hollow sphere or a hollow cylinder in which the ball camera would be mounted, out of the carrier device.

The conductor connections between the bimetal coil spring / strip, as well as moving ball camera 3 and a signal processing unit 34 which is outside the encapsulated sphere are slightly longer, flexible conduits 9 that do not interfere with the ball camera's movements. These conductors or micro-cables have to withstand many swings and always allow a perfect signal transmission. Interweaving micro-cables, as known from loudspeaker membranes, can withstand a great many vibrations. Although not only vibrating the ball camera, but also rotating it back and forth, such cables can withstand a few years of daily use. You can theoretically also use the bimetallic coil spring for power signal transport. As described, the ball camera can simply be loosely installed in the hollow sphere without any bearings. Optimal and a bit more expensive would be a gimbal (it is enough a much simplified gimbal, with only a small arm, as in the 5 is shown to install). A controller 6 can generate a counterforce quickly when reaching a certain rotational position of the ball camera on opposite bimetallic coil spring until the active coil spring has cooled down a bit and the strain / torque has decreased, which counteracts a further rotation of the ball camera.

When using gimbal suspension 8th , or in variants where the ball camera is simply loose in the hollow sphere, no further oscillations are to be expected as soon as the desired positioning is achieved and the active bimetallic spiral spring is supplied with power evenly. Because the camera can also rotate around the optical axis, it is possible to photograph or create perfect images even when tilting the carrier device. The picture would always be perfectly straight, no matter how you tilt the camera. Using the control unit and, of course, software support for the carrier device, the camera image sensor can automatically be rotated to take widescreen pictures for video recordings. For single-frame shooting, if desired, the photos can be vertically aligned.

In the 6 is a variant with bimetallic elements, in the form of ribbons or strips 33 represented, with a pivoting of the ball camera is thus achievable. Here are bimetal elements installed, which can be heated by small currents, quickly heated or even heated and thereby bending, causing a pivoting movement of the ball camera.

In a variant that in the 7 is shown, the surface of the plastic window 17 of the camera-carrier device that protects the visual field of the image sensor, made of a special plastic 18 (eg, electroactive plastic), which is capable of being temporarily or electrically controlled, electrically or thermally controlled 19 to form outward, in which the Spherical Camera slips in and thereby significantly widens the viewing angle, such as when the carrier device (eg the mobile phone) is on the table and one wishes to remotely monitor the whole room from that position. Due to the rotation of the camera, and the creation of the dome, the field of view would be monitored almost semi-spherically. With a sound control coupled to the drive system, the camera could then be automatically directed to where the sound or voice is coming from. In this case, the camera-carrier device should have a stereo microphone or directional microphone, which is also the case with mobile phones (smartphone). An electronic coupling of the two systems, so audio and optical detection systems can control the drive system and thereby the movement of the camera can be automated, which are directed exactly in the direction of voice / sound source for image capture / video recording.

The rotatable ball camera can be equipped with a return spring 20 or a rest position permanent magnet 21 that has a ferromagnet area or ferromagnet body 22 (preferably iron or nickel) in a rest position, be equipped. The return actuator spring or the rest position permanent magnet ensures that when the active rotation of the ball camera is switched off, a certain restoring force turns the ball camera to a certain position. Another permanent magnet built into the hollow sphere wall attracts the ferromagnetic body or other permanent magnet incorporated into the ball camera.

The electrical and signal transmission from the sensor to the evaluation unit is done by very thin and extremely flexible cable 9 which is ideally shaped like a spring. The fine signal lines are intertwined, much like the leads of a magnetic coil in a speaker membrane. This method has proven itself for a long time to protect the lines from damage. It is well-known that the loudspeaker membrane during its entire "life" undergoes a very high number of oscillations (several hundreds of billions !!), whereby the power lines between the housing and the loudspeaker coil undergo innumerable movements and oscillations, even after years remain intact. The same technique could be used here as well. This would ensure long-lasting, flawless signal and power transmission between the image sensor and the carrier device (eg, a smartphone) despite the movement of the image sensor. If one uses a longer line, which is finely entwined, and which also more or less like a spring. spirally shaped, can allow almost complete rotation of the image sensor and its optical elements. The inner diameter of the hollow sphere is only slightly larger than the sphere in which the image sensor and its accompanying elements are installed. By generating torques over the bimetallic coil spring, one can achieve any rotation of the ball camera.

Likewise the lighting elements 23 Whether they emit radiation in the spectrum of visible light or in the infrared range, they can be moved with the camera. This allows optimal illumination that tracks the movement of the field of view of the ball camera. A flashlight, preferably a strong LED built into the camera ball, can also be used for this ( 4 ). It is also conceivable the use of laser diodes as lighting means. The laser diodes radiate very intensively and can perfectly illuminate the subject. A combination of three basic light colors (RGB), or the installation of at least three laser diodes, at least one of which emits a red, the second blue and the third green laser light, a total white light can be generated, which illuminates the field of view.

In the 4 is a variant with bimetallic coil spring, which are installed in a gimbal mounted shown. The coil springs are small bimetallic elements, which are heated by small currents, heated quickly or even heated, causing a movement of the camera housing.

You can put the ball camera in a full-gimbal suspension 8th (Three-axis torsional freedom) or partial gimbal suspension 13 with only two axes of rotation, with the axes of rotation coupled with bimetallic spring ( 5 ). Depending on which of them is active, a swing of the ball camera is completed. Because the bimetallic elements can only rotate the ball camera in one direction when heated (and turn back when cooled), at least two of them working against each other bimetallic elements are necessary for an active pivoting of the ball camera in the desired direction to reach. If one of them is activated, the Bullet Camera will be turned in the direction as well, despite the slight resistance of the counteracting spiral. If the bimetallic spiral spring cools down, then it pulls off and turns the ball camera back to its original position. When the other bimetallic element is activated, the ball camera will turn in the other direction. A control ensures that the heating and thus the expansion of the bimetallic elements takes place exactly and also keeps the specific position of the ball camera. Because two opposing bimetallic elements are always mounted on a pivot axis, the temperature fluctuations are automatically compensated from the outside, because both elements are evenly hot or cold when de-energized (inactive). Although the version with bimetallic elements is not suitable for extremely fast swiveling, it is also very precisely controllable and works maintenance-free and very reliable. The thinner and smaller the bimetallic coil spring / stripe, the faster the reaction is and also the smaller the power consumption. The maintenance of a position of the ball camera is achieved by constant heating or controlled current flow through the particular bimetallic element. As the electrical voltage increases, the temperature of the bimetallic coil spring is also increased, producing more torque. This method is relatively simple and also works reliably. Above all, no further installation measures are necessary here: just install the bimetallic elements (eg bimetallic spiral spring on the rotary axes, couple them with power lines from the control and the drive is ready. Elements flow, are more or less heated, and undergo expansion, and because they are spiral-shaped, they produce a torque that causes the ball camera to rotate (similar to the earlier simple bi-metal bimetal thermo-spring thermometers in there).

For a 3D image capture, two such cameras and systems are needed, which are best built at a distance from each other ( 8th ).

In all variants, the camera will be installed like an eye of a human in a hollow sphere and also be equipped with a tracking mechanism that is controlled by a software that then automatically tracks detected person or face.

The camera can be designed to be easily lifted out of the cellphone or tablet PC electromagnetically or electrically, so it will look a bit out if the device stays in place ( 9 ). The cover lens or dome or a transparent hollow cylinder 24 in which the camera is located, can be easily moved out in this case. Ideal would be a transparent hollow cylinder with dome-shaped ends, which also Blicklichtfenstern 17 for the image sensor. The hollow cylinder could be made with a ferromagnetic ring 25 be equipped in the middle, by an externally statically mounted electromagnetic coil 26 is tightened, the hollow cylinder, depending on how the mobile phone is raised or the camera moves forward or backward. Instead of the ferromagnetic ring, can also be a permanent magnet or permanent magnet ring 27 installed, which then moves, depending on how the electromagnetic coil is poled. The dome-shaped ends, of course, are transparent and each form a window through which the camera sensor "look out". can. Through the knoll hardly arises, or a slight distortion of the image, which is predictable and software moderately easily correctable. The use of a correction lens in the optical system of the image sensor can also cancel the distortion.

The 10 shows a variant that is equipped with a sound source detection system. Here is a stereo microphone 28 used to a sound source 29 to locate. Once this is done, the drive system is controlled via a control system that directs the camera right where the sound source is located. That would be handy if you record videos and the recorded person also speaks. The camera would automatically track the sound source in this case.

The tracking of moving objects can be supported by the software of the carrier device. On the control screen of the carrier device, one can mark an object by finger-touch and that would then always automatically track the camera, no matter how it moves or how the camera-carrier device is held. However, the main task is done by the drive system, which allows the rotation of the image sensor.

When taking pictures or recording video using conventional mobile phones (smartphones), you notice that the objects that are on the edge are often slightly distorted. This is because the image sensor is built flat and the optics correction elements that could fix the problem barely find room in a smartphone. The image sensor should not necessarily be flat, but can be made slightly concave to better mimic the retina of the human eye. In this case, hardly any distortions of the image motif would be perceptible ( 11 ). For the manufacturing process of such concave image sensors 30 For example, a dome-shaped plastic micro-mat with a memory effect can be used very well. Once the doping is complete and the physical strength of the sensor is achieved, the dome-shaped plastic part will flex flat again and thus detach from the sensor.

On the 12 a variant has been shown, wherein the stopping of the ball camera in a certain position via an electromagnetically movable pen 31 he follows. Once the desired position of the ball camera is reached, it should then be stopped immediately in position and held so. Stopping can be done by a small pin that passes through an electromagnetic coil 32 from the hollow sphere wall 4 in the direction of the sphere camera 3 is moved out and then this stops touching.

The ball camera does not necessarily have to turn completely, but it is sufficient for many applications, just a slight tilt in two axes (two-dimensional movement - up, down, right, left, and thus any combination between these four directions), on many Ways can be achieved. Like an eye, they would follow the object and always shoot sharp photos, even if objects were moving. If you build two such spherical cameras on a carrier device (eg smartphone, laptop, tablet PC, webcam, etc.) at a small distance from each other, you can achieve stereo images or 3D images.

The 13 shows a variant that is installed in a smartphone, the ball camera is also rotatable in the optical axis. This variant is interesting, because no matter how straight or oblique one holds the smartphone when taking pictures, always good even images are created when this function is activated. In video mode, the ball camera is rotated so that the images are perfectly horizontal, so you make no more mistakes with the different attitudes of the Smartphone with video or picture taking. For rotation, a simple center of gravity shift down or a small electrically movable or tilting weight 35 which is built into the ball camera, which always aligns the ball camera so that the images are perfectly recorded in a vertical position. In the case that you want to record videos when you turn on in video mode, the weight piece becomes 35 electrically rotated about the optical axis 36 by 90 ° and then you can make video recordings with the video always taken in a horizontal position, even when turning the smartphone in any direction.

On the 14 (a, b, c, d), some examples of use of the invention are shown.

The 15 shows a smartphone 37 where the ball camera 3 on the edge or even better on the corner 38 is installed, with a rotation from front to back allows a more than 180 ° image recording. The detection angle can be up to 300 °, considering that the camera can also be directed downwards, both at the front and at the back (if, for example, the smartphone is held vertically).

16 shows a variant, wherein the bimetal elements are not directly under power, but indirectly by a fine and very small heating spiral (heating coil) 12 to be heated. This method is a bit more complicated, but works just as reliable. The fine heating coil is very thin and is similar to the heating coil of a glow plug designed in microformat. Even a filament can be used for it. The heating coil can surround the bimetallic element, touch or simply be installed in the immediate vicinity. Other heating elements, such. As electrical ceramic heating elements are well suited.

Like in the 17 can also be the heating elements, heating coil or filament, each with a diode 16 be arranged, which are then arranged so that at a current flow one of the coil is heated or heated and with reverse current flow, the other. This has the advantage that in the case two bimetal heating elements are coupled with only two instead of four lines. Only the current flow Umpolung determines which of the bimetallic elements is heated or heated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Camera sensor / image sensor

2

optical accompanying elements

3

spherical housing / sphere camera

4

Hollow spheres housing

5

Bimetal coil spring

6

control

7

axis

8th

Gimbal assembly

9

flexible line

10

Power lines Power line for bimetallic spiral spring

11

Camera support housing

12

Heating coil / Wedel

13

simplified gimbal with only two axles

14

Arm (suspension part)

15

swivel

16

Semiconductor diode (also 16A and 16B )

17

light window

18

Electroactive plastic

19

knoll

20

Re spring

21

Rest position permanent magnet

22

Ferromagnet area or ferromagnet body

23

Lighting elements / diodes / LEDs

24

hollow cylinder

25

ferromagnetic ring

26

Electromagnetic coil

27

Permanent magnet ring

28

Stereo Microphone

29

Sound source

30

Concave image sensors

31

pen

32

Electromagnetic coil for the pen

33

Bimetal elements in the form of bands / strips

34

Signal processing unit

35

Weight piece

36

optical axis

37

Mobile phone / smartphone

38

Corner of the mobile phone

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• GB 2439346 [0009]
• JP 080272446 [0011]

Claims (19)

Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device, characterized in that it is with the camera, which is freely rotatable / movable within the camera-carrier device in a separate housing is installed, wherein the drive system of - at least one bimetallic coil spring / bimetal element, which is constructed in the form of a spiral and which is coupled at one end to the freely movable camera and at the other end to the carrier device that generates torque when heated or heated, - power lines coupled to the bimetallic element, - an evaluation unit or controller that is coupled to the bimetal element and energizes it and thereby heats or heats it , Propulsion system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera is installed in a separate housing, which is preferably spherical in construction and within the camera carrier. Device is rotatable, which is placed in a hollow sphere with light windows, which is part of the housing of the camera-carrier device. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of bimetallic elements are installed in the form of bimetal spirals / bimetallic spiral spring, the so are arranged so that they can rotate the camera in different axes. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two mutually-working bimetal spirals are installed per axis of rotation, which are supplied separately with power. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more lighting elements, preferably light-emitting diodes or laser diodes whose light in the visible light spectrum or in the infrared Area is located, are integrated with the rotatable camera and is movable with / are. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stopping of the camera in a certain position via a built in the hollow sphere electromagnetically herausfahrbaren pen and the associated solenoid coil that touches the camera and prevents further rotation takes place. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is duplicated and is designed for 3D image acquisition. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera from the camera-carrier device is easily moved out electromagnetically. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit or the controller is coupled to a sound source detection system, which is designed is that the corresponding bimetallic spirals are activated, whereby the camera rotates in the sound source direction. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera is mounted in a gimbal on whose axes at least one bimetallic coil spring is installed , Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera is controlled rotatable within the carrier device in the optical axis. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring which is coupled to the camera and the hollow sphere, is installed as a return spring. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Camera is installed on the edge or at the corner of the camera-carrier device. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the camera is rotatable only on one axis with two image-motif detection main positions of 0 ° and 180 °, where 0 ° is for front image / video shooting and 180 ° for image / video shooting from the back of the camera carrier. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera-carrier device according to claim 14, characterized in that further image-capture intermediate positions can take up from 0 ° to 180 °. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image sensor of the camera is not flat, but rather curved / concave. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bimetallic element or the bimetallic spiral spring not directly by a current flow, but indirectly by a Heating element / fine heating coil / heating coil or an incandescent filament similar to bulbs that touches the bimetallic element or the bimetallic spiral spring or is placed in its immediate vicinity and this is heated when activated, is installed. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to claim 17, characterized in that the heating element is a semiconductor or ceramic heating element. Drive system for a camera of an image and / or video recording device / camera carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bimetallic elements or the heating elements provided for this purpose are coupled to semiconductor diodes which carry a current redirect to a specific bimetallic element or its heating element, depending on the current flow direction.

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