Image Stabilizer for Real-Time Video Special Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for creating special effects in video footage often require complex mechanical systems or extensive digital editing, which can be cumbersome and computationally intensive.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that utilize an image stabilizer to move video image frames in the X- and Y-directions, allowing for real-time production of special effects during video capture, eliminating the need for complex camera movements and post-processing editing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mechanical systems are used to create special effects by moving the camera, then the special effects can be produced, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecial effect production capabilityVSAvoidmechanical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical camera movement systems with digital image processing. Instead of physically moving the camera to create special effects, the system captures normal video and uses software algorithms to digitally manipulate and transform the images, substituting mechanical actions with digital operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the video footage and manipulates the digital images rather than physically altering the original recording. This allows multiple special effects to be applied to copies of the video data without affecting the original capture, enabling versatile effect production with reduced mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If extensive digital editing is used to create special effects, then the special effects can be accurately timed and implemented, but the production time and computational intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecial effect timing accuracyVSAvoidpost-processing editing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs special effect processing during or immediately after the video capture process rather than requiring extensive post-processing editing. By preparing the effect data and applying transformations in advance or in real-time, the system reduces the time needed for subsequent editing while maintaining precise timing control through digital manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If digital technology is used instead of mechanical camera manipulation, then the need for complex mechanical systems is removed, but computational resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical system complexityVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical camera movement systems with computationally intensive but mechanically simple digital image processing. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while transferring the complexity to the software domain, where it can be managed through algorithmic efficiency rather than physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9398232B2Special effect video camera

Publication Date: 2016.07.19 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A method and apparatus for producing special effects with a video camera with a process including: receiving successive video image frames from an image sensor; storing motion effect data defining a special effect; and producing instructions to an image stabilizer such that the following one or more video image frames will be moved in at least one of X- and Y-directions.