Digital Image Stabilization via Sharpness Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image shake in digital cameras, caused by camera movement and object motion, degrades image quality and is not effectively addressed by existing technologies, which often require costly gyroscopic mounts or complex image processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that evaluates the sharpness of image frames, predicts image stability, and decides when to capture the next image based on sharpness values, using high pass filtering and subframe analysis to minimize the effects of image shake without the need for expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gyroscopic mount is used to keep the sensor array still, then image shake is reduced, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gyroscopic stabilization system with a digital image processing system. The method captures multiple sequential images, detects motion between frames, and selectively combines stable regions from different frames to create a final sharp image, eliminating the need for expensive mechanical gyroscopes while achieving similar image stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the same scene by capturing sequential images at different time points. By analyzing and comparing these copies, the system identifies stable regions across frames and reconstructs a sharp final image, replacing the need for physical stabilization mechanisms
2Reliability
If continuous imaging is performed to capture stable moments, then the chance of capturing sharp images improves, but the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple sequential images before final processing. This pre-capture of multiple frames allows the system to have multiple options to work with during processing, ensuring that stable regions are available for selection without requiring extended capture times
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the image into multiple regions and processes each region independently by tracking its motion across frames. By segmenting the image and analyzing motion characteristics of different regions separately, the system can efficiently identify stable regions and combine them, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high image quality
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for minimizing the effects of image motion in still cameras is provided. In one embodiment, a method of capturing an image in a digital camera is presented. The method includes calculating a sharpness value related to an image input. The method also includes evaluating the sharpness value to determine image motion. The method further includes capturing a next image input data from the image input responsive to evaluating the sharpness value.