Camera Shake Image Stabilization via Sharpness Metric Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld device cameras face challenges in image stabilization due to size, weight, expense, and power consumption constraints, making it difficult to implement optical or mechanical image stabilization techniques, and existing digital image stabilization methods are not robust or efficient for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine image sharpness metric information for a set of images captured during camera shake, selecting a final image based on the most favorable sharpness metric to stabilize images, which reuses auto-focus image statistics logic and minimizes hardware and memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical image stabilization (OIS) is implemented, then hand shake blur is reduced, but device size, weight, expense and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical image stabilization systems (OIS with gyroscopic sensors and floating lens elements) with a digital processing approach. The system captures multiple images during camera shake and uses image processing algorithms to reduce blur, eliminating the need for mechanical components while achieving similar stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures multiple copies (multiple images) of the same scene during camera shake and processes them together to produce a single stabilized image. By taking multiple images at different moments during the shake and combining them through processing, the system reconstructs a sharper image without requiring mechanical stabilization
2Reliability
If mechanical image stabilization is implemented, then hand shake blur is reduced, but device size, weight, expense and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical image stabilization systems (with angle speed sensors, drive motors, and DSP chips) with a digital processing approach. The system uses the existing camera's image capture capability and applies digital algorithms to reduce blur, eliminating complex mechanical components while achieving similar stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the existing image capture function of the camera for dual purposes: both for normal photography and for gathering multiple images during camera shake to create a stabilized image. This multi-functional use of the image capture system eliminates the need for separate mechanical stabilization components
3Reliability
If shorter exposure intervals are used, then hand shake blur is reduced, but image noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent continuously captures multiple images during the camera shake period rather than using a single short exposure. This continuous capture allows the system to gather sufficient light across multiple frames and process them together to reduce blur while maintaining acceptable noise levels through the combination of multiple images
4Reliability
If digital image stabilization with high frame rate is implemented, then hand shake blur is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing frame rate capability of mobile device cameras without requiring excessive frame rates. The system works with the available frames from normal camera operation and applies processing algorithms to achieve stabilization, avoiding the high power consumption associated with high frame rate capture and processing
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for camera shake effect image stabilization determines a most favorable image sharpness metric out of image sharpness metrics from a plurality of images that were captured at a same lens position. A final image is selected based on the most favorable image sharpness metric.