Imaging Device Stabilization Using Still Image Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices do not utilize the intended timing of a photographer as a reference for image stabilization in movie images, limiting the ability to record and playback stable slow-motion footage.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a storage unit for frame images, a movie image generation unit that generates slow-motion footage at a lower frame rate, and an image stabilization calculation unit using a still image as a reference to calculate stabilization amounts for slow-motion movie images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image stabilization is performed using automatic detection only, then the processing is simple and fast, but the stabilization reference does not align with the photographer's intended timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a still image as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between automatic detection and photographer's intended timing. The still image, captured at the photographer's intended moment, serves as a reference frame for calculating image stabilization amounts, thereby aligning the stabilization reference with the photographer's intent without requiring complex analysis of the photographer's mindset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary capture of a still image at the photographer's intended timing before generating the slow-motion movie. This still image is stored and later used as a reference for image stabilization calculation, allowing the system to prepare the stabilization reference in advance rather than computing it during movie generation.
2Reliability
If frame rate is increased for image stabilization, then stabilization effect is improved, but data amount and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary stabilization information from a single still image frame rather than processing multiple consecutive frames at high frame rates. By using the still image captured at the intended timing as a reference, the system extracts stabilization amounts for preceding and following movie frames without needing to maintain high frame rate data throughout the entire sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by calculating image stabilization amounts only for the specific preceding and following frames relative to the still image timing, rather than continuously processing all frames at high frame rates. This selective approach reduces the total quantity of data processed while maintaining stabilization effectiveness where needed.
3Measurement precision
If still image capture is used as reference timing, then photographer's intended timing is utilized, but additional capture operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the still image capture serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standalone still image product and as a reference timing marker for slow-motion movie generation. By capturing the still image at the photographer's intended moment, the system simultaneously obtains a usable still image and establishes the reference timing for stabilization, eliminating the need for separate timing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
This imaging device comprises: a storage unit that sequentially stores a plurality of frame images based on an imaging signal from an imaging sensor for capturing images of a subject light and also stores a still image corresponding to any of the plurality of frame images; a movie image generation unit that generates slow-motion movie images to be played back at a second frame rate lower than a first frame rate indicative of the number of frame images stored in the storage unit in a unit of time, on the basis of the plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit; and an image stabilization amount calculation unit that uses, as a reference, the frame image corresponding to the still image from among the plurality of frame images, to calculate an image stabilization amount for the slow-motion movie images.