Camera Focus Compensation Using Motion Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autofocus operations in image capture devices often determine incorrect focal lengths due to unintended camera movement, leading to blurry images and the need for repeated autofocus adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A device with a processor and motion sensors, such as a gyroscope, measures focus values at different focal lengths and detects camera motion to adjust and determine a correct focal length, compensating for movement by using weighted averages and curve fitting to estimate the correlation between focus values and focal lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional autofocus operations are performed without motion detection, then the autofocus process is simple and fast, but the determined focal length becomes incorrect due to camera movement, resulting in blurry images
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary motion detection and camera state assessment before completing the autofocus operation. By detecting camera motion during the autofocus process and identifying frames captured during movement, the system prepares compensation measures in advance, ensuring accurate focus determination even when motion occurs during the autofocus sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces motion detection data and camera state information as intermediary elements between the autofocus operation and focus determination. These intermediaries provide additional context about camera stability, allowing the system to selectively use or discard focus measurements based on motion conditions, thereby improving accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
2Reliability
If multiple autofocus operations are performed to correct focus errors, then image quality improves, but the time required for image capture increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and identifies only those focus measurements taken during stable camera conditions, separating valid measurements from those corrupted by motion. By discarding measurements taken during camera movement and using only stable-frame measurements, the system achieves reliable focus determination in a single autofocus operation, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using motion detection information to evaluate the validity of focus measurements in real-time during the autofocus process. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify and compensate for motion-affected measurements, ensuring accurate focus determination without requiring multiple autofocus cycles.
3Productivity
If focus measurements are taken during camera movement, then the autofocus operation completes faster, but the measured focus values become inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary motion detection to identify frames captured during camera movement before using those frames for focus measurement. By detecting motion in advance and flagging affected frames, the system prevents inaccurate measurements from corrupting the autofocus result, maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the selection criterion for valid focus measurements from purely temporal (first valid measurement) to motion-based (measurements taken during stable conditions). By adjusting the parameter that determines measurement validity based on camera stability, the system ensures accurate focus values are used while maintaining efficient autofocus operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures accurate focal length determination without repeating autofocus operations, reducing the likelihood of blurry images and improving user experience by minimizing camera movement impacts during image capture.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a processor and motion sensors, such as a gyroscope, measures focus values at different focal lengths and detects camera motion
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for compensating for camera motion during an autofocus operation. An example device may include a processor and a memory. The processor may be configured to measure a plurality of focus values. Each focus value is measured at a different focal length. The processor also may be configured to detect that a camera motion exists for the measurement of one or more of the plurality of focus values. The processor further may be configured to determine a focal length based on the plurality of measured focus values and the detected camera motion.