Image Stabilization via Motion Vector Reliability Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image blurring correction methods using motion vectors suffer from discontinuous anti-shake effects due to varying motion vector reliability, especially in low-contrast or featureless images, leading to repeated execution and non-execution of blurring correction.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing apparatus and method that includes a motion vector detection unit, a reliability evaluation unit, a blurring correction amount determination unit, and a correction amount reduction unit, which continuously adjust the blurring correction amount based on the reliability evaluation value and zoom position to ensure smooth and natural image stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blurring correction is executed based on motion vector detection, then image blurring is corrected, but discontinuous anti-shake effects occur due to varying motion vector reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblurring correction effectivenessVSAvoidcontinuity of anti-shake effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the correction amount based on the reliability evaluation value of motion vectors. When reliability is high, full correction is applied; when reliability is low, correction is reduced or suspended. This dynamic adjustment prevents discontinuous anti-shake effects while maintaining correction effectiveness under reliable conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the correction parameter (correction amount) based on the reliability evaluation value. By modulating the correction amount according to motion vector reliability, the system achieves continuous anti-shake effects without abrupt transitions between correction and non-correction states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If motion vector detection is performed on low-contrast or featureless images, then blurring correction can be applied, but motion vector reliability decreases leading to discontinuous correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion vector reliabilityVSAvoidblurring correction precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces feedback by evaluating motion vector reliability and using this evaluation to adjust the correction amount. The reliability evaluation value serves as feedback that informs the correction strength, allowing the system to adapt to varying image conditions including low-contrast or featureless images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

When motion vector reliability is low (as in low-contrast images), the system applies partial correction rather than full correction or complete suspension. This partial action maintains some level of correction precision while accounting for the reduced reliability of motion vectors in challenging image conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If blurring correction is continuously adjusted based on reliability evaluation, then continuous anti-shake effects are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuity of anti-shake effectVSAvoidcomplexity of correction control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous anti-shake effects by adjusting a single key parameter (correction amount) based on reliability evaluation, rather than implementing complex multi-parameter control. This approach maintains system continuity while limiting the increase in device complexity to essential evaluation and adjustment functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8319842B2Image capturing apparatus to prevent image blurring and control method therefor

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus includes a motion vector detection unit which detects a motion vector on the basis of the correlation between image signals continuously captured by an image capturing unit, a reliability evaluation value calculation unit which calculates the reliability evaluation value of the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection unit, a blurring correction amount determination unit which determines the image blurring correction amount on the basis of the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection unit, a correction amount reduction unit which reduces the image blurring correction amount on the basis of the reliability evaluation value calculated by the reliability evaluation value calculation unit, and a blurring correction unit which corrects image blurring on the basis of the image blurring correction amount reduced by the correction amount reduction unit.