Automatic Image Stabilization Engagement via Exposure Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cameras with image stabilization systems consume power continuously and have moving parts that wear out quickly, requiring manual activation and potentially leading to missed opportunities for image stabilization, especially in situations where motion blur is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A digital image capture device with an image stabilization system that selectively engages based on exposure settings, reducing power consumption and mechanical wear by automatically determining when to activate the stabilization system based on exposure time and other conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image stabilization system operates continuously, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases and mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image stabilization system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time detection of camera motion and exposure parameters. The system transitions between active stabilization, inactive, and partial stabilization modes, making the system adaptable to varying shooting conditions rather than operating in a fixed continuous or completely off state
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects motion conditions and exposure settings to determine when stabilization is needed, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The camera's processor continuously monitors sensor data and exposure parameters, making intelligent decisions about stabilization engagement without user input
2Reliability
If the image stabilization system operates continuously, then image quality is maintained, but mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system dynamically engages and disengages based on detected motion conditions and exposure settings. By activating stabilization only when motion is detected and exposure time exceeds a threshold, the system significantly reduces the operational duration of mechanical components like the gyroscopic sensor and moving lens elements, thereby extending their lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors its own operational needs by detecting camera motion and evaluating exposure parameters. This self-monitoring capability allows the system to activate stabilization only when genuinely needed, preventing unnecessary mechanical operation and wear
3Use of energy by moving object
If the image stabilization system is manually activated, then power consumption is reduced, but image stabilization opportunities are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects motion conditions and exposure settings to determine when stabilization is needed, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The camera's processor continuously monitors sensor data and exposure parameters, making intelligent decisions about stabilization engagement without user input
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors camera motion through sensors and exposure parameters, using this feedback to automatically adjust stabilization engagement. This closed-loop control ensures stabilization is activated precisely when needed based on actual shooting conditions rather than manual prediction
4Illumination intensity
If the exposure time is increased to improve image brightness, then image quality improves, but motion blur increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively activates image stabilization before the exposure begins when it detects that the camera is moving and the exposure time is long. By counteracting the camera motion during the exposure period through stabilization, the system prevents motion blur from occurring in the first place, allowing long exposures to be taken without sacrificing image sharpness
Data Source
AI summary
An image stabilized digital image capture device, comprising an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; an image stabilization system; an exposure control system; a memory system; and a processor. The processor is used to perform the steps of determining exposure settings using the exposure control system; selectively engaging the image stabilization system responsive to whether the determined exposure settings satisfy a predefined condition; capturing a digital image of a scene using the image sensor and the selectively engaged image stabilization system; and storing the captured digital image in the memory system.