Image Capture Device Tracking Pixel Region for Hand Movement Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capture devices face challenges in automatically recording desired images due to subtle hand movements of the photographer, which affect the analysis and tracking of characteristic point images, leading to inconsistent results.

Innovation Solution

An image capture device with a display control unit, instruction detection units, a tracking unit, and a recording unit that allows photographers to set a pixel region within a predetermined frame on a display screen, enabling the device to track and record images automatically when the designated region is within the frame, reducing the impact of hand movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If characteristic point image tracking is used to automatically record images, then the automation of image capture is improved, but subtle hand movements of the photographer cause changes to the acquired images affecting tracking accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic image recordingVSAvoidtracking precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple blocks, and characteristic points are extracted from specific blocks rather than the entire image. This segmentation approach allows the system to focus on specific regions of interest while reducing the impact of hand movements on overall tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different blocks in the image are assigned different weights based on their importance for tracking. Blocks containing the characteristic point of interest are given higher weights, while other blocks have lower weights. This local quality differentiation enables precise tracking of the target while being less sensitive to hand movements in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Extent of automation

If characteristic point tracking with time-based analysis is used, then automatic recording of desired images is achieved, but the analysis is affected by image changes due to hand movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic image recordingVSAvoidanalysis reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the weighted sum calculation based on the position and movement of the characteristic point across different time points. By adapting the weighting scheme to the actual tracking situation, the system maintains reliable analysis even when hand movements cause image changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the position of the characteristic point and uses this feedback to adjust the weighted sum of time points for recording decisions. This feedback mechanism ensures that recording timing remains reliable despite image variations caused by hand movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire image is used for characteristic point extraction and tracking, then comprehensive image analysis is performed, but hand movements affect all areas causing tracking instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage analysis comprehensivenessVSAvoidtracking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple blocks with different weights assigned to each block. This segmentation allows comprehensive analysis of the entire image while stabilizing tracking by focusing computational resources on specific high-weight blocks containing the characteristic point of interest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the image are assigned different quality weights based on their relevance to the tracking target. This local quality approach maintains comprehensive image analysis capability while improving tracking stability by emphasizing stable, relevant regions and de-emphasizing regions more susceptible to hand movement effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2076022B1Image capture device that records image accordant with predetermined condition and program
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP2076022B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2076022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2076022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image capture device (1) sets a central vicinity of a frame (606) of a predetermined area as a focus region upon detecting a half-press operation of a shutter button (3) in a through-the-lens image displaying, designates a central vicinity pixel region of the region as a pixel region (608) to be tracked, and determines whether or not the designated pixel region is adequate as an object of tracking. If the pixel region is adequate, the pixel region is tracked until the shutter button is detected as pressed down fully. When a fully-press operation of the shutter button is detected, the frame of a predetermined area is displayed in a fixed manner on a display unit (6). Upon a detection that a change of the pixel region has occurred, or the pixel region has contacted or exceeded the frame of a predetermined area, a recording processing is started immediately by a high speed consecutive capture.