Image Sequence Processing for Tripod-Free Slow Shutter Photography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photography technologies struggle to produce high-quality images with slow shutter effects without the need for a tripod, as camera shake during long exposures leads to blurred static objects.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that analyzes a series of images to separate static and dynamic objects, removes dynamic object content, and generates a motion trajectory, allowing for the creation of a final image with slow shutter effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If slow shutter speed is used to achieve long exposure effects, then dynamic effects such as light trails and water flow are improved, but camera shake causes static objects to become blurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexposure timeVSAvoidimage clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing into multiple stages: first identifying static and dynamic objects, then processing them separately. Static objects are sharpened while dynamic objects are handled through trajectory generation, allowing long exposure effects to be achieved without blurring static content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts dynamic object content from the image sequence and generates motion trajectories separately. This allows the static object regions to be processed independently with sharpening algorithms, eliminating the blurring effect caused by camera shake during long exposures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If tripod is used to prevent camera shake, then image clarity of static objects is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage clarityVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tripod system with a software-based image processing system. By using algorithms to identify static objects and generate motion trajectories, the system achieves sharp static objects without requiring physical stabilization equipment, thereby improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If dynamic object content is removed from image, then static object clarity is improved, but loss of information about dynamic objects occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic object clarityVSAvoiddynamic object information

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces motion trajectories as an intermediary representation of dynamic objects. Instead of completely removing dynamic object content, the system creates trajectory data that preserves dynamic information while allowing static objects to be processed independently for enhanced clarity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12483787B2Photographic image processing method and device

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Provided is an electronic device for processing a series of images, the series of images being obtained by shooting a scene containing a static object and a dynamic object, the electronic device comprises a processing circuit which is configured to: select a particular image containing the static object among the series of images; generate a motion trajectory of the dynamic object in at least some of the series of images; and obtain a final image on the basis of both of the particular image and the generated motion trajectory of the dynamic object.