Image-Capturing Device Reference Image Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-capturing techniques face challenges in combining images with significant positional deviations, leading to the elimination of images that cannot be matched, resulting in undesirable outcomes such as excessive gain or reduced image quality due to inappropriate reference image selection and potential overuse of the same image.
Innovation Solution
An image-capturing device and program that select a reference image to minimize positional deviations among captured images, excluding the first and last images, and using center-positioned images to reduce noise, and apply exposure correction through digital gain or pixel shifting to achieve optimal image combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If images are combined by selecting one as reference and eliminating others with large positional deviation, then the combination process becomes manageable, but the number of eliminated images increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criterion from arbitrary or simple sequential selection to selection based on minimum maximum positional deviation. This parameter-based selection ensures that the reference image is optimally chosen to minimize the number of eliminated images while maintaining combination feasibility, thus resolving the contradiction between manageable complexity and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates positional deviations between the reference image and all other images, uses this feedback information to identify and eliminate only those images with excessive deviation, and retains images within the acceptable deviation threshold. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary elimination of valid images, maintaining quality while managing complexity.
2Device complexity
If the same image is used for combination multiple times, then the combination process is simplified, but the gain component becomes too great and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a usage count parameter for each image in the combination process. By tracking and limiting how many times each image can be used as a substitute, the system prevents any single image from dominating the combination with excessive gain, thereby maintaining balanced image quality while keeping the process manageable.
3Quantity of substance
If images with large positional deviation are included in combination, then more images are utilized, but position matching fails and combination becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a predetermined deviation threshold as an intermediary criterion. This threshold acts as a mediator that determines whether an image's positional deviation is acceptable for inclusion in the combination. Images within the threshold are included, maximizing quantity, while images exceeding the threshold are eliminated, preserving position matching accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If the first or last captured image is selected as reference, then the selection process is simplified, but the maximum positional deviation from other images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from temporal position (first or last) to a calculated metric (minimum maximum deviation). This ensures the reference image is selected based on its actual positional relationship with other images, minimizing maximum deviation while maintaining an automated, operationally simple selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capturing device includes: an image-capturing unit that captures an image of a photographic subject; a selection unit that selects, as a reference image, a single image from among a plurality of images that have been captured in succession by the image-capturing unit; a calculation unit that calculates an amount of positional deviation between the reference image and each of the plurality of images other than the reference image; and a generation unit that generates a combined image by positionally aligning and then combining the reference image and those ones of the plurality of images whose amounts of positional deviation are less than or equal to a predetermined amount of deviation. The selection unit selects the reference image so that the number of images for which the amount of positional deviation is less than or equal to the predetermined amount of deviation becomes large.