Imaging Device Tilt Correction Using Fixed Amount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imaging devices experience discomfort due to slight changes in tilt correction caused by sensor noise during continuous shooting, affecting the stability and quality of captured images.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a processing circuitry that sets a fixed correction amount based on detected tilt and applies it uniformly to multiple images, ensuring consistent tilt correction and improved image stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If tilt correction is performed using acceleration sensor output for each image, then the tilt of each captured image is corrected, but the tilt correction amount changes due to sensor noise causing viewer discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetilt correction precisionVSAvoidimage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines whether the imaging device is in a fixed state before performing interval shooting, and based on this determination, selects whether to use fixed-exposure mode or variable-exposure mode. This preliminary determination prevents the problem of tilt correction fluctuations by pre-establishing the appropriate correction strategy based on the device's stability state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the tilt correction approach based on the detected state of the imaging device. When the device is determined to be in a fixed state, fixed-exposure mode is used to maintain consistent tilt correction. When the device is not in a fixed state, variable-exposure mode is used to adapt to changing conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between correction precision and image stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If fixed-exposure mode is used for interval shooting, then exposure value variations are reduced, but tilt correction fluctuations from sensor noise still cause viewer discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure consistencyVSAvoidtilt correction consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the output of the acceleration sensor to detect changes in the tilt of the imaging device. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether the device is in a fixed state and adjusts the tilt correction amount accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that tilt correction remains consistent even when using fixed-exposure mode for interval shooting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically determines the state of the imaging device and selects the appropriate exposure and tilt correction mode without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures that both exposure consistency and tilt correction consistency are maintained by automatically adapting to the device's state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If tilt correction amount varies for each image, then individual image tilt is corrected, but continuous captured images show tilt variations causing viewer discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveper-image tilt correctionVSAvoidcontinuous image consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines the state of the imaging device before performing interval shooting and pre-establishes the tilt correction strategy. By determining in advance whether the device is in a fixed state, the system can apply a consistent tilt correction amount across all continuously captured images, preventing tilt variations that would cause viewer discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a uniform tilt correction amount to all images captured during interval shooting when the device is determined to be in a fixed state. This homogeneous approach ensures that the tilt correction is consistent across all continuously captured images, maintaining the stability of the image composition and preventing viewer discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents viewer discomfort and enhances image quality by maintaining consistent tilt correction across multiple images, even with minor sensor fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a tilt detecting means for detecting a tilt of the imaging device with respect to a vertical direction, based on an output from the acceleration sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3644600B1Imaging device, information processing method, system, and carrier means
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3644600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3644600B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3644600B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An imaging device (110) includes an imaging optical system (20, 22) configured to capture a plurality of images of an object; a sensor (136) configured to detect a tilt of the imaging device with respect to a reference direction; and processor (112) configured to: set a fixed amount of correction to be commonly applied to the plurality of images, based on the detected tilt; and correct the tilt of each of the plurality of images using the fixed amount of correction.