Auxiliary Imaging Stabilization for Handheld Camera Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handheld camera movement causes unintentional changes in object position within the field-of-view, leading to blurry or out-of-focus images due to user hand shaking, which existing solutions like gimbals or stabilizers address with costly and bulky motion sensors and electronic circuits.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that captures auxiliary images of a light source at a higher frame rate than the camera, detects the light source's locations, analyzes movement to generate control signals for adjusting the camera device, thereby stabilizing image capture and mitigating hand shaking and rolling shutter effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If gimbal or stabilizer with motion sensors is used to stabilize camera device, then image stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical motion sensors (gyroscopes) with an optical-based solution using an auxiliary imaging element to capture images and detect light source positions. This substitutes mechanical sensing with optical field analysis, reducing device complexity while maintaining stabilization functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an auxiliary imaging element to capture a copy of the scene containing the light source. By analyzing the position of the light source in these captured images, the system determines camera movement without requiring direct mechanical sensing, thereby simplifying the device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Stability of the object's composition

If gimbal or stabilizer with motion sensors is used to stabilize camera device, then image stability is improved, but product size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidproduct size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces bulky mechanical motion sensors with a compact optical sensing approach using an auxiliary imaging element. This substitution significantly reduces the volume required for the stabilization system while maintaining the ability to detect and compensate for camera movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary imaging element serves multiple functions: capturing auxiliary images for movement analysis, detecting light source positions, and providing stabilization data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby minimizing product size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If higher auxiliary frame rate is used to capture auxiliary images, then measurement precision of movement is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent captures auxiliary images at a frame rate higher than the main camera frame rate. This excessive sampling provides more data points for accurate movement analysis, improving measurement precision. The system processes only the necessary information from these images to generate stabilization signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If auxiliary imaging element is rigidly coupled with camera device, then reliability of movement measurement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement measurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent rigidly couples the auxiliary imaging element with the camera device, merging them into a single integrated unit. This ensures that both elements experience the same movement, allowing reliable measurement of camera motion through the light source position changes in auxiliary images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11991445B2Camera mobile device stabilization using a high frame rate auxiliary imaging element

Publication Date: 2024.05.21 HANGZHOU TARO POSITIONING TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method to stabilize image capture for a camera device (110). The method includes capturing, at an auxiliary frame rate and using an auxiliary imaging element (112) rigidly coupled with the camera device (110), auxiliary images of a light source (143) attached to an object (142), where the auxiliary frame rate exceeds a camera frame rate of the image capture (1211); detecting each of a plurality of locations of the light source (143) in a corresponding one of the auxiliary images (1212); analyzing the plurality of locations to generate a measure of uncontrolled movement (1213); and adjusting, based at least on the measure of uncontrolled movement, the camera device (110) during the image capture of the object by the camera device (110) at the camera frame rate (1214).