Method and system for motion camera with embedded gimbal

Abstract

An imaging device includes a housing, a carrier arranged within the housing, an optical assembly supported by the carrier within the housing, and a plurality of non-optical components arranged within the housing. The carrier includes one or more frame structures that are configured to rotate relative to the housing about two or more axes of rotation. The optical assembly includes a plurality of lenses and an image sensor, and the optical assembly is movable relative to the housing via the carrier about the two or more axes of rotation. The one or more frame structures are coupled to one or more motors and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of lenses and the image sensor to move inside a limited movement space of the optical assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging device, comprising:
 a housing;   a carrier arranged within the housing, wherein the carrier comprises one or more frame structures that are configured to rotate relative to the housing about two or more axes of rotation;   an optical assembly supported by the carrier within the housing, wherein the optical assembly comprises a plurality of lenses and an image sensor, and wherein the optical assembly is movable relative to the housing via the carrier about the two or more axes of rotation; and   a plurality of non-optical components arranged within the housing, wherein:   the one or more frame structures are coupled to one or more motors and configured to actuate one or more of the plurality of lenses and the image sensor to move inside a limited movement space of the optical assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lenses are supported by a lens barrel. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of lenses are partially enclosed in the lens barrel. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of lenses are fully enclosed within the lens barrel. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging device of  claim 2 , wherein the lens barrel is operably coupled to at least one frame structure of the carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) supported by a substrate holder. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging device of  claim 6 , wherein a lens barrel supporting the plurality of lenses is operably coupled to the substrate holder, such that the plurality of lenses in the lens barrel and the PCB are movable relative to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging device of  claim 6 , wherein one or more of the plurality of non-optical components are attached to an inner surface of the housing or mounted on the PCB. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging device of  claim 7 , wherein the lens barrel is movable along an optical axis of the optical assembly to adjust a distance between the plurality of lenses and the image sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging device of  claim 7 , wherein the PCB is movable along an optical axis of the optical assembly to adjust a distance between the image sensor and the plurality of lenses. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging device of  claim 7 , wherein the PCB and the lens barrel are movable along an optical axis of the optical assembly to adjust a distance between the image sensor and the plurality of lenses. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the lens barrel or the substrate holder is rigidly attached to at least one of the one or more frame structures of the carrier. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging device of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the lens barrel or the substrate holder is movably attached to at least one of the one or more frame structures of the carrier. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging device of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate holder is integrally formed with a lens barrel supporting the plurality of lenses. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging device of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate holder is operably coupled to at least one frame structure of the carrier. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical assembly is rotatable about one or more axes of rotation relative to one or more of the non-optical components within the camera housing. 
     
     
         17 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the housing is transparent to allow a line of sight from the optical assembly to an environment external to the housing during rotation of the optical assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The imaging device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one portion of the housing comprises a removable transparent cover. 
     
     
         19 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a rotational movement of the carrier is measured using one or more sensors; and   the one or more sensors includes at least one inertial sensor attached to the carrier or the optical assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of non-optical components comprises a battery attached to an inner surface of the housing and configured to supply power to the optical assembly and the one or more of the plurality of non-optical components.