Panoramic Image Deviation Correction via Optical Axis Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing apparatuses face challenges in easily obtaining a plurality of captured images for generating panoramic images, as existing hand shake correction functions are not designed for panoramic image generation and do not effectively address image deviation caused by shifting the image capturing direction.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a drive unit that displaces the lens unit and/or image capturing element along the optical axis, and a control unit that adjusts the position of these components according to the direction of image capturing direction shifts, enabling deviation correction during panoramic image generation by changing the exposure start position and moving the components during exposure to align with the image capturing apparatus's motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hand shake correction function is used to prevent image blur, then image clarity is improved, but the function cannot effectively address image deviation caused by shifting image capturing direction for panoramic generation
Solution Approach 1:
The deviation correction function is designed to serve dual purposes: it corrects image deviation during panoramic image generation by shifting the optical axis in the direction of image capturing direction change, and simultaneously functions as hand shake correction to prevent image blur during normal capture, making the system adaptable to both panoramic and standard imaging modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the optical axis position based on the operation mode: in panoramic mode, the optical axis shifts in the direction of image capturing direction change to correct deviation, while in normal mode, it corrects hand shake-induced blur, enabling the correction mechanism to adapt its behavior to different operational requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If image capturing direction is shifted to generate panoramic images, then panoramic image generation is enabled, but image deviation occurs that reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary deviation correction by shifting the optical axis in the direction of image capturing direction change before capturing panoramic images, thereby preventing image deviation from occurring in the first place rather than correcting it after capture
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the image capturing direction shift to automatically adjust the optical axis position, creating a closed-loop control mechanism where the direction of shift is detected and used to determine the correction amount and direction for maintaining image alignment precision
3Reliability
If conventional hand shake correction is used, then image blur from hand shake is prevented, but the correction range is insufficient for panoramic image generation with large direction shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The correction range is dynamically expanded by shifting the optical axis in the direction of image capturing direction change during panoramic mode, allowing the hand shake correction mechanism to cover a larger area and accommodate large direction shifts while maintaining effective correction for both hand shake and panoramic deviation
Data Source
AI summary
A panoramic image is to be easily generated.A driver 12 displaces at least one of a lens unit 11a and an image capturing element 21 with respect to an optical axis. A control unit 50 displaces, using the driver 12, at least one of the lens unit 11a and the image capturing element 21 in accordance with a motion of an image capturing apparatus 10. When generating a plurality of captured images while shifting an image capturing direction in order to generate a panoramic image from the plurality of captured images, the control unit 50 changes a position of the lens unit 11a and/or the image capturing element 21, the position being a position at the start of exposure of each of the captured images, in a direction set according to a direction in which the image capturing direction shifts, thereby performing correction of deviation caused by a motion of the image capturing apparatus.