In this article we’re trying to connect the dots behind DJI’s new intriguing pictures which emerged recently, showing a gimbal apparatus combined with a camera and lens. Now it’s time to refer to DJI’s patent application from 2020, titled “Control device, support system, camera system, and control method and program”. Let’s investigate it a bit.

A new sophisticated gimbal on the horizon (?)

We’ve reported here previously regarding new pictures that emerged, suggesting a new gimbal-camera hybrid. At first sight, the design demonstrates possible capabilities of stabilized z-axis that could take other lenses like cine prime glass. This looks like a kind of hybridization of ZENMUSE X7, with bigger lenses, and even a sensor separated from the body (read: What DJI is up to Next? Some Intriguing Pictures Emerged). The structure reminds us of the LETUS Helix gimbal. However, it seems that this device is well described in a DJI patent application titled “Control device, support system, camera system, and control method and program”. Let’s explore the application below.

DJI’s hybrid gimbal: Patent application from 2020

The pictures on the application are very similar to the pictures of the more mature product (prototype?) published on the web. As stated in the Abstract: “The present disclosure provides a control device. The control device is configured to control a rotation mechanism to rotatably hold a camera device. The control device includes a processor configured to execute a program to: determine a mounting state of a mounting member mounted on a support mechanism supporting the rotation mechanism; determine a rotation range of the camera device coupled to the rotation mechanism based on the mounting state of the mounting member; and control a rotation of the camera device based on the rotation range”.

The gimbal: Camera+ lens+ handheld units+ display

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a camera system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera system includes a gimbal, a camera device, a support mechanism, a pair of handheld units, a handheld device, and a display device.

Camera device

The camera device may be an imaging camera for acquiring images of an object included in the desired camera range. The gimbal may be used to support the camera device in a rotatable manner. In some embodiments, the gimbal may be an example of a rotating mechanism and a support mechanism. For example, the gimbal can rotatably support the camera device centering on the yaw axis by using an actuator. Further, using the actuator, the gimbal can further rotatably support the camera device centering on the pitch axis and the roll axis, respectively. In some embodiments, the gimbal can change the attitude of the camera device by rotating the camera device around at least one of the yaw axis, the pitch axis, and the roll axis.

Recording media included

As the patent says: “The memory may be a computer-readable recording medium, and may include at least one of flash memories such as an SRAM, a DRAM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and a USB memory. In some embodiments, the memory may be disposed of on the support mechanism. In other embodiments, the memory may be configured to be detachable from the support mechanism”. 

The lens unit

Zooming function

As shown in FIG. 4, the camera device includes a camera unit and a lens unit. The camera unit includes a camera controller, a camera element, a memory, and a position sensor. The camera controller may include a microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor (MPU), or a microcontroller (MCU), or the like. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the lens unit includes a lens controller and a plurality of lenses that may be disposed of inside a lens barrel of the lens unit. In some embodiments, the plurality of lenses may function as a zoom lens or a focus lens. At least a portion or all of the plurality of lenses may be configured to be movable along an optical axis.

Interchangeable lens function

In some embodiments, the lens unit may be an interchangeable lens that may be detachable with respect to the camera unit. In some embodiments, the lens controller may cause one or more lenses to move along the direction of the optical axis based on a lens control instruction from the main controller. For example, a lens control instruction maybe a zoom control instruction or a focus control instruction.

Touch screen

As shown in FIG. 4, the display device includes a touch screen display. The display device may be configured to display an image captured by the camera device on the touch screen display. The display device can display a setting screen for setting various operating conditions of the gimbal and the camera device on the touch screen display. In addition. The user can instruct the operation of the gimbal and the camera device through the touch screen display.

The handheld units

In the camera system described above, the attitude of the pair of handheld units can be adjusted based on a shooting mode.

Explore the whole application below:

[pdf-embedder url=”https://ymcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/US20200154054A1.pdf” title=” DJI patent application: Control device, support system, camera system, and control method and program”]

Discussion

According to the data above (pictures and application), we can make a solid assumption that DJI is aiming to launch a very capable gimbal, which includes a camera unit (probably with a large sensor like Super 35), a detachable lens unit that can accept zoom lens as well, and a stabilization mechanism with handheld units and a touch screen. At this stage, it’s hard to determine if the camera can be replaced. There’s a probability that the major strength of this gimbal is in its lens options. The ability to replace lenses and control the zoom with an in-house built-in mechanism can be very useful for independent shooters.

Feel free to throw your thoughts in the comments section below.

Products List

• Gimbal: Letus Helix. Price: $1,400 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/VymqzR” ]
• Gimbal: DJI Osmo Pocket. Price: $200 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/ZdQ9nR” ]
• Gimbal: DJI Zenmuse X7. Price: $2,900 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/zaNLZm” ]