Imaging Apparatus Panning State Detection Using Motion Vector Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image stabilization systems in imaging apparatuses suffer from inaccurate panning determination and unnecessary movement during and after panning control due to the attenuation of low frequency components by DC cut filters, leading to unnatural image correction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a motion vector integrator and a pan/tilt determination unit that uses angular velocity, angular displacement, and vector integration data to accurately determine panning or tilting states, adjusting frequency cutoffs and time constants to prevent false triggering and ensure precise shake correction across all frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DC cut filter is used to remove low frequency components, then vibration correction is improved, but panning determination becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the angular velocity signal processing into two separate paths: one path uses the DC cut filter output for vibration correction, while another path uses the original angular velocity signal (before DC cutting) for panning determination. This segmentation allows each path to use the most appropriate signal characteristics for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between vibration correction and panning determination accuracy.
2Reliability
If low frequency components are attenuated, then shake correction performance is improved, but unnecessary movement occurs during panning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the low cutoff frequency of the HPF based on the panning state. When panning is detected, the low cutoff frequency is lowered to allow low frequency components to pass through, preventing unnecessary image movement. When panning is not detected, the low cutoff frequency is raised to improve shake correction performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between shake correction performance and image stability during panning.
3Device complexity
If the HPF low cutoff frequency is fixed, then signal processing is simplified, but correction performance degrades in different frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the HPF low cutoff frequency dynamic rather than fixed. The low cutoff frequency is adjusted based on the panning state: lowered during panning to maintain image stability, and raised during normal operation to improve shake correction performance. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between processing simplicity and correction performance across different frequency bands.
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
This approach enhances the precision of panning determination and reduces unnecessary movement, resulting in more natural and stable image correction by effectively distinguishing between panning operations and shake correction.
Implementation Method 1
In the angular velocity sensor 201 using a vibration gyro or the like, angular velocity detection properties are degraded in a low frequency of 1 Hz or less.
Implementation Method 2
A direct current (DC) cut filter 202 cuts off a DC component of an angular velocity signal output from the angular velocity sensor 201, and passes only an alternate current (AC) component, i.e., a vibration component.
Implementation Method 3
changes an optical axis of light incident on an imaging surface, to optically correct an image-shake of the picked-up image
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An imaging apparatus (100) includes first determination means configured to determine whether the imaging apparatus is in a panning state based on an output of a shake detector (101) for detecting the shake applied to the imaging apparatus, second determination means (121) configured to determine whether that the imaging apparatus is in the panning state based on an integrated value of motion vector obtained from images captured by the imaging apparatus, and a controller configured to perform a first control when at least one of the first determination means and second determination means determines that the imaging apparatus is in the panning state, and to perform a second control when both of the first determination means and the second determination means determine that the imaging apparatus is not in the panning state, after performing the first control.