1. A method for stabilizing an image by counteracting motion of the body of an image capture device, the method comprising:
using an optical sensor to provide information concerning rotational movement about an optical axis, movement about a yaw axis, and movement about a pitch axis, including generating multiple first offsets responsive to both movement in yaw and movement in pitch and generating multiple second offset responsive to both movement in yaw and movement in pitch;
using the information concerning rotational movement about the optical axis to rotate an image sensor about the optical axis, the image sensor being different than the optical sensor; and
applying information concerning movement about the yaw axis and movement about the pitch axis to a post acquisition processor configured to reduce the effects of movement about both the yaw axis and the pitch axis in an output image generated by the image capture device,
wherein applying information concerning movement about the yaw axis and movement about the pitch axis to a post acquisition processor comprises applying a non-mechanical solution that comprises acquiring image data from multiple image segment exposure intervals of a frame exposure period at the image sensor, reading each line of the image data for each image segment exposure interval from the image sensor, shifting relative location of each line of the image data for each image segment exposure interval in accordance with the respective first and second offsets for that image segment exposure interval to produce shifted image data, and writing the shifted image data for each image segment exposure interval in a frame buffer to accumulate an output image in the frame buffer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying information concerning movement about the yaw axis and movement about the pitch axis to a post acquisition processor comprises applying an algorithm over a single-frame of image information.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein applying an algorithm over a single-frame of image information comprises applying a deconvolution algorithm.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein using an optical sensor comprises using a three-axis optical sensor that comprises multiple optical arrays to provide the information concerning the rotational movement about the optical axis, the movement about the yaw axis, and the movement about a pitch axis.
5. A camera, comprising:
a body housing a frame buffer coupled to a processor, a shutter, an actuator, and a three-axis optical sensor, the processor further coupled to the shutter, the actuator and the three-axis optical sensor; and
an image sensor, the image sensor defining an optical axis, the image sensor being different than the three-axis optical sensor, the three-axis optical sensor having a roll axis that is parallel with the optical axis, a yaw axis that is orthogonal to the optical axis and a pitch axis that is orthogonal to both the optical axis and the yaw axis, the actuator configured to rotate the image sensor in accordance with information from the three-axis optical sensor responsive to rotation of the body about the optical axis, wherein the processor applies an image processing algorithm responsive to information from the three-axis optical sensor responsive to rotation of the body about the yaw axis and rotation of the body about the pitch axis,
wherein the processor is configured to generate multiple first offsets responsive to both movement in yaw and movement in pitch and to generate multiple second offset responsive to both movement in yaw and movement in pitch, and
wherein the processor is further configured to direct the image sensor to acquire image data from multiple image segment exposure intervals of a frame exposure period, to read each line of the image data for each image segment exposure interval from the image sensor, to shift relative location of each line of the image data for each image segment exposure interval in accordance with the respective first and second offsets for that image segment exposure interval to produce shifted image data, and writing the shifted image data for each image segment exposure interval in the frame buffer to accumulate an output image in the frame buffer.
6. The camera of claim 5, wherein the body further comprises one of a mobile phone, a portable computer, and a personal digital assistant.
7. The camera of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to apply a deconvolution algorithm over a single-frame of image information.
8. The camera of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to direct the frame buffer to transfer an output image to a memory store upon completion of a frame of image information.
9. The camera of claim 5, wherein the three-axis optical sensor comprises multiple optical arrays to provide the information responsive to the rotation of the body about the optical axis, the rotation of the body about the yaw axis and the rotation of the body about the pitch axis.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A chuck comprising:
moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece;
an actuating member operable to cause said jaws to move when said actuating member rotates relative to said jaws, movement of said jaws corresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws;
a first locking feature operable to selectively prevent said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws; and
a second locking feature operable to inhibit said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws, said second locking feature inhibiting loosening of said jaws after a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and a component of said second locking feature.
2. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said actuating member is manually axially moveable between first and second positions, said first position corresponding to said first locking feature allowing rotation of said actuating member relative to said jaws, and said second position corresponding to said first locking feature preventing rotation of said actuating member relative to said jaws.
3. The chuck of claim 2, further comprising a retaining feature operable to inhibit axial movement of said actuating member between said first and second positions.
4. The chuck of claim 1, further comprising:
a body around which said jaws are disposed, said body and said jaws being substantially rotationally fixed relative to one another; and
a nut disposed on said body and capable of rotation relative to said body, said nut being engaged with said jaws so that rotation of said nut relative to said jaws causes movement of said jaws,
wherein said second locking feature includes a locking member rotationally fixed relative to said nut and operable to transmit rotational force from said actuating member to said nut, said locking member being engaged with a first recess of said actuating member during tightening of said jaws and said locking member being engaged with a second recess of said actuating member when said tightening force exceeding said predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and said locking member.
5. The chuck of claim 4, wherein said actuating member is a sleeve directly engaged with said nut and said engagement between said sleeve and said nut allows a limited relative rotation therebetween.
6. The chuck of claim 5, wherein said sleeve can move axially relative to said nut and maintain said engagement between said actuating member and said nut.
7. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said actuating member has a plurality of teeth, a component of said first locking feature includes a plurality of teeth that are substantially rotationally fixed relative to said jaws, and engagement of said actuating member teeth with said teeth of said component of said first locking feature prevents rotation of said actuating member relative to said jaws.
8. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said second locking feature includes a locking member operable between a first engaged position and a second engaged position with said actuating member, said first position not inhibiting loosening of said jaws, said second position inhibiting loosening of said jaws, and said locking member moving from said first position to said second position when said tightening force exceeding said predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and said locking member.
9. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said first locking feature is operable to prevent said actuating member from rotating relative to said jaws independent of a status of said second locking feature.
10. A chuck comprising:
a body having an outer surface with a projection thereon;
a plurality of moveable jaws operable to retain a work piece, said jaws disposed around said body; and
a sleeve radially surrounding a portion of said body and capable of both axial and rotational movement relative to said body, said sleeve having an inner surface with a recess therein facing said body, and rotation of said sleeve relative to said body causing movement of said jaws,
wherein engagement between said projection on said body with said recess on said sleeve inhibits axial movement of said sleeve relative to said body.
11. The chuck of claim 10, wherein said sleeve can be axially moved relative to said body between first and second positions, said sleeve being rotationally locked relative to said body when in said first position and said sleeve being capable of rotating relative to said body when in said second position.
12. The chuck of claim 11, wherein said sleeve has a plurality of teeth facing said body, said body has a plurality of teeth facing said sleeve, said sleeve teeth and said body teeth being engaged when said sleeve is in said first position, said sleeve teeth and said body teeth being disengaged when said sleeve is in said second position, and engagement of said sleeve teeth with said body teeth rotationally locking said sleeve to said body.
13. The chuck of claim 11, wherein engagement between said projection on said body with said recess on said sleeve inhibits axial movement of said sleeve from said first position to said second position.
14. The chuck of claim 10, wherein said projection is an annular projection and said recess is an annular recess thereby allowing 360 degree engagement between said projection and said recess.
15. The chuck of claim 10, wherein said recess is a first recess, said sleeve has a second recess facing said body and axially spaced apart from said first recess, and said sleeve is axially moveable relative to said body between a first position wherein said projection is engaged with said first recess and a second position wherein said projection is engaged with said second recess.
16. A chuck comprising:
a body;
a plurality of moveable jaws operable to retain a work piece, said jaws disposed around said body;
a nut disposed on said body and engaged with said jaws, rotation of said nut relative to said body causing said jaws to move;
a sleeve radially surrounding a portion of said body and operable to transmit a rotational force to said nut such that rotation of said sleeve relative to said body causes said nut to drive movement of said jaws,
wherein said sleeve is capable of axial movement relative to said nut.
17. The chuck of claim 16, wherein said sleeve has a direct engagement with said nut, said sleeve is axially moveable relative to said nut between first and second positions, and said sleeve remains engaged with said nut in both of said first and second positions.
18. The chuck of claim 16, wherein said sleeve is capable of rotating relative to said body when in said first position and said sleeve is rotationally locked to said body when in said second position.
19. The chuck of claim 16, wherein said sleeve is an inner sleeve and further comprising an outer sleeve radially surrounding a portion of said inner sleeve, and said outer sleeve is both rotationally and axially fixed to said inner sleeve.
20. A chuck comprising:
a plurality of moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece, movement of said jaws corresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws;
a locking member operable cause said jaws to move when said locking member rotates relative to said jaws; and
an actuating member engaged with said locking member and capable of rotation relative to said jaws, said actuating member operable to rotate said locking member and drive movement of said jaws, and said actuating member being capable of axial movement relative to said locking member while maintaining engagement with said locking member,
wherein said locking member is operable between a first engaged position and a second engaged position with said actuating member, said first position not inhibiting loosening of said jaws, said second position inhibiting loosening of said jaws, and said locking member moves from said first position to said second position when a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between said actuating member and said locking member.
21. The chuck of claim 20, further comprising a nut engaged with said jaws such that rotation of said nut relative to said jaws causes said jaws to move and said nut is engaged with and rotationally fixed to said locking member
22. The chuck of claim 21, wherein said actuating member is engaged with said nut and can move axially relative to said nut, and said actuating member being engaged with said nut in both of said first and second positions.
23. The chuck of claim 20, wherein said actuating member moves axially relative to said locking member between a position corresponding to said actuating member being substantially rotationally fixed relative to said jaws and a position corresponding to said actuating member being capable of rotational movement relative to said jaws.
24. The chuck of claim 20, wherein said actuating member is a sleeve that radially surrounds a portion of said jaws and said locking member.
25. The chuck of claim 20, wherein said locking member includes a ratcheting member that provides audible sounds as said jaws are being tightened.
26. A method of securing a work piece in a chuck, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the work piece between jaws of the chuck;
(b) rotating an actuating member relative to said jaws to tighten said jaws to the work piece;
(c) automatically inhibiting loosening rotation of said actuating member with a first locking member after a tightening force exceeding a predetermined value is imparted between said actuating member and said first locking member; and
(d) rotationally locking said actuating member relative to said jaws with a second locking member.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein (d) includes axially moving said actuating member from a first position allowing said actuating member to rotate relative to said jaws to a second position that rotationally locks said actuating member relative to said jaws.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein movement of said jaws is driven by an engagement between said actuating member and said locking member, (b) is performed with said locking member engaged with a first engagement feature on said actuating member, and (c) includes moving said locking member from said first engagement feature to a second engagement feature on said actuating member as said force exceeds said predetermined value.