Digital Imaging Stabilization Using Reference Camera Frame Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital imaging systems face challenges in stabilizing images due to unwanted motion caused by user movement, vehicle vibrations, and atmospheric effects, which affects the accuracy of target tracking and pointing in applications using multi-spectral and hyper-spectral sensors.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a digital imaging stabilization system that uses a reference camera, processor, and memory to calculate frame shifts based on target region changes between image frames, allowing for real-time adjustment of movable targeting devices to maintain focus on a target region, even in the presence of environmental motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If guidance systems are used to reduce unwanted motion between digital frames, then image stabilization is improved, but data acquisition accuracy is reduced due to insufficient real-time rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage stabilizationVSAvoidposition data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/guidance systems with a digital image processing system. Instead of using physical sensors and mechanical adjustment mechanisms to stabilize images, the invention uses software-based frame-to-frame comparison and digital image registration techniques to achieve stabilization while maintaining real-time performance and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses one image frame as a reference copy to stabilize subsequent frames. By comparing and aligning consecutive frames against a reference frame, the system achieves real-time stabilization without requiring external guidance systems, thereby maintaining both accuracy and real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Stability of the object's composition

If digital image processing is used to stabilize images, then motion between frames is reduced, but processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe-to-frame stabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image stabilization process into discrete frame-by-frame processing steps. Each frame is independently compared and aligned with the reference frame, allowing for efficient parallel processing and reducing overall computational burden while maintaining real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by focusing processing only on regions of interest or key feature points within frames rather than processing every pixel. This selective approach reduces computational complexity and processing time while still achieving effective image stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7773116B1Digital imaging stabilization

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP

AI summary

One apparatus embodiment includes a target tracking apparatus. The apparatus includes a reference camera, a processor to receive image data from the reference camera, and memory connected to the processor. The apparatus includes instructions storable in the memory and executable by the processor to process the image data to determine a target region within a first frame of the image data. The device also includes instructions that can be executed to compare image data of the first frame with image data of a second frame to locate the target region in the second frame.