Image Stabilization via Dynamic Cropping and Optical Axis Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capture devices, such as digital camcorders, struggle to accurately compensate for subtle camera shakes due to the limitations of angular velocity sensors, which fail to detect high-frequency shake components, leading to residual image shakiness that affects image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device with an optical system, an imager, and a sensor that detects device shake, using a combination of optical and electronic image stabilization methods, including cropping range adjustment and optical axis shifting, to reduce shakiness based on both device and subject motion, effectively addressing the limitations of angular velocity sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If angular velocity sensor is used to detect device shake, then low-frequency shake components can be detected, but high-frequency shake components cannot be detected accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The shake detection system is segmented into two independent parts: angular velocity sensor for low-frequency shake detection and image processing section for high-frequency shake detection. Each part handles a specific frequency range, and the results are combined to achieve comprehensive shake compensation across all frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing section acts as an intermediary that detects high-frequency shake components through image motion analysis, complementing the angular velocity sensor's low-frequency detection. This intermediary mechanism fills the detection gap and enables accurate compensation for subtle high-frequency shakes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If optical OIS function is used to compensate for shake, then large amplitude shake can be stabilized, but subtle shake cannot be compensated accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical OIS function (for large amplitude shake) with electronic OIS function (for subtle shake) into a hybrid stabilization system. The image processing section performs electronic shake compensation by adjusting cropping ranges based on detected image motion, combining both approaches to achieve comprehensive shake compensation across all amplitudes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the stabilization parameter dynamically based on shake amplitude: for large amplitude shake, optical OIS is activated; for subtle shake, electronic OIS with cropping range adjustment is activated. This parameter adaptation enables accurate compensation for both large and subtle shakes.
3Extent of automation
If electronic OIS function with angular velocity sensor is used, then shake compensation can be performed, but high-frequency shake components remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/angular velocity sensor-based detection system with an image processing-based detection system for high-frequency shake. By analyzing motion vectors from sequential images, the system can detect high-frequency shake components that the angular velocity sensor cannot capture, enhancing the automation and precision of shake compensation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes: an optical system for producing a subject image; an imager, which receives the subject image and outputs a signal representing an image including the subject image; a sensor for detecting the shake of the device itself by the movement of the device; and an image processing section, which receives the signal representing the image and crops and outputs a part of the image and which changes the cropping range of the image, thereby reducing the shakiness of the subject image in the image that has been caused by the shake of the device itself. The image processing section determines whether the cropping range of the image needs to be changed based on the shake of the device itself that has been detected by the sensor or based on the motion of the subject image.