Samsung may be working on developing a new camera technology that offers optical image stabilization (OIS) using a different process. The new technology was spotted in a patent filing and describes an actuator that would allow the sensor base plate to be moved. The patent is believed to focus on image stabilization using sensor-shift technology, similar to what Apple uses in recent iPhone models. Notably, Samsung has yet to incorporate any form of sensor-shift OIS into its smartphones.
Samsung patent shows sensor-shift-like OIS technology
The patent application was filed by Samsung Electro-Mechanics with the Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) and is titled (translated by Google) “Optical image stabilization actuator and camera module including the same”.
Samsung patents OIS technology
Photo Credit: Korean Intellectual Property Office
In the patent application, Samsung describes an actuator (a device that converts energy into mechanical movement) used for “shake correction.” A movable part is also added to the sensor base plate, likely referring to the Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.
This actuator will move this base plate on a moving frame that will support the movement, according to the patent. The application claims that this movement will allow the camera system to provide stabilization despite being moved. Additionally, multiple bridges were also attached around the perimeter of the moving part, which supports the entire system.
Normally, OIS reduces image blurring caused by camera shake in smartphones. It works by using a tiny gyroscope controlled by a motor in the camera system to move the lens in the opposite direction to the movement, adjusting the angle to keep the image feed steady. With sensor-shift technology, seen in iPhone 12 and later, the image sensor moves instead of the lens to provide the stabilization.
The sensor-shift OIS technology offers more stabilization in a smaller form factor. This technology also reduces the risk of lens distortion and aberration and the lens itself does not move. It also reduces blur in low light conditions, where lens movement can reduce the amount of light entering the CMOS. This results in sharper videos in such conditions.
