Electronic Camera Shake Correction via Charge Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional camera shake correction methods in imaging apparatuses either complicate the structure and increase size and cost with optical correction or reduce effective pixel area and light-receiving surface efficiency with electronic correction.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a time management circuit, motion detection unit, and drive circuit that electronically corrects camera shake by transferring electric charge in a predetermined direction based on detected motion, allowing for efficient use of the entire pixel sensor without mechanical actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical correction method is used with acceleration sensor and optical correction lens, then camera shake correction is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical correction system (acceleration sensor + optical correction lens) with an electronic correction system using photoelectric conversion elements and charge transfer mechanisms. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts while achieving the same camera shake correction function, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the image signal through photoelectric conversion and processes this copied signal to correct camera shake. By working with electrical signals rather than physical light paths, the system achieves correction without mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If image pickup element is shifted mechanically, then camera shake correction is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical shifting of the image pickup element with electronic charge transfer within the photoelectric conversion element array. This eliminates the need for actuators and mechanical moving parts, significantly reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining correction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the correction function from the mechanical domain and implements it in the electronic domain. By separating the correction mechanism from mechanical structures, the system achieves simpler architecture without sacrificing functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If electronic correction method is used, then device size is reduced, but effective pixel area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension (row direction) of the photoelectric conversion element array for charge transfer during correction operations. By moving charges in the row direction rather than consuming horizontal pixel area, the system maintains full effective pixel area while achieving correction, effectively adding a dimensional solution to the problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the photoelectric conversion elements by utilizing unused time periods (during exposure or between exposures) and unused spatial regions (vertical transfer paths) to perform correction operations. This parameter optimization allows correction without sacrificing effective pixel area.
4Volume of moving object
If conventional electronic correction is used, then device size is reduced, but light-receiving surface efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements correction through periodic charge transfer operations at specific time intervals (during exposure or between exposures). By using periodic action rather than continuous operation, the system minimizes interference with light reception while maintaining correction effectiveness, thereby preserving light-receiving surface efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs correction operations in advance or during idle periods (such as during exposure when charges are accumulating). By executing correction actions preliminarily or during non-critical time windows, the system avoids interfering with the primary light-receiving function, maintaining high efficiency.
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
Enables small-sized, low-power camera shake correction without reducing effective screen size, allowing for full utilization of pixel sensors and adjustable correction amounts.
Implementation Method 1
imaging device having photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an imaging apparatus capable of realizing a camera shake correction function while reducing the size and power consumption of the apparatus without deteriorating the use efficiency of an image sensor thereof. An imaging device has photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally and a transfer path for transferring electric charge converted by the photoelectric conversion element. A motion detection unit detects motion of the apparatus according to timing pulses generated by a time management circuit at shorter intervals than exposure time. A drive circuit transfers the electric charge previously read onto the transfer path for a predetermined distance according to the detected motion. Electric charge newly read out and converted by the photoelectric conversion elements at the intervals of the timing pulses is added to the previous electric charge which has been transferred on transfer path.