Imaging Apparatus Orientation Correction via Image Straight Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras with miniaturized and reduced weight often experience unstable orientations during photography due to mounting errors between the image sensor and orientation detection sensor, leading to inaccurate detection of horizontal or intended tilt angles.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with an orientation detection unit, a display unit, and a straight line extraction unit that allows users to correct the relative angle between the imaging unit and orientation detection unit by extracting straight lines from captured images and adjusting the correction value accordingly, enabling accurate orientation detection and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the imaging apparatus is miniaturized and reduced in weight, then portability and ease of use are improved, but mounting errors between sensors increase causing orientation detection accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts straight lines from captured images and uses them to calculate correction values that are fed back to adjust the orientation detection results. This feedback loop compensates for mounting errors between sensors, allowing accurate orientation detection even in miniaturized cameras where such errors are more common.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the correction value parameter based on the extracted straight lines from images. By adjusting this parameter according to actual image content and detected straight line orientations, the system compensates for hardware mounting variations without requiring higher manufacturing precision.
2Measurement precision
If a correction value is used to compensate for mounting errors, then orientation detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging apparatus performs self-correction by automatically extracting straight lines from its own captured images and calculating correction values without external intervention. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system compared to manual calibration or complex hardware correction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing unit serves multiple functions: it processes images for normal photography purposes and simultaneously extracts straight lines for orientation correction. This multi-functionality avoids adding dedicated correction hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If automatic correction is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but processing time increases due to straight line extraction and correction value calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs straight line extraction and correction value calculation in advance during image processing, before the orientation result is needed. This preliminary action allows the correction to be ready when needed, reducing the perceived processing time for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation correction process is merged with the normal image processing pipeline. Straight line extraction and correction value calculation are performed alongside other image processing tasks, utilizing existing processing resources and time slots, thereby minimizing additional time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus selects and extracts a longest straight line from a captured image, and superimposes the straight line on the captured image to display it by a display device. An orientation detection unit including an acceleration sensor detects a roll angle. An X axis indicating a roll angle 0° and a Y axis indicating a roll angle 90° of the acceleration sensor are superimposed on the captured image, and an original point of the X and Y axes is matched with a center value of the extracted straight line to be displayed by the display device. A user rotates, by a predetermined operation, the image until the X and Y axes match the gradient of the extracted straight line. Thus, a system control unit corrects a roll angle output value of the orientation detection unit by an amount equal to a corrected rotational angle.