Projectile Image Stabilization Using Digital Spin Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image stabilization techniques for projectiles and munitions in flight fail to effectively correct motion artifacts, particularly rotation about the optical axis, and are often costly, complex, or limited in effectiveness, especially in real-time applications.
Innovation Solution
A scalable system comprising a control actuation system (CAS) with a DC motor, planetary gear, and encoder, integrated with a sensor suite including an IMU and image sensor, and a transceiver, which applies motion vectors to stabilize image data in real-time by identifying key features and correcting motion using algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lens-based optical image stabilization is used, then angular movement compensation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lens-based OIS system with a digital image stabilization algorithm that processes image data computationally. Instead of physically moving lens elements to compensate for angular movement, the system captures multiple frames, detects motion between frames, and digitally aligns them through image processing, thereby eliminating complex mechanical components while achieving similar stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the image data and processes this copy to generate stabilization corrections. By working with digital representations rather than physical optical elements, the system avoids the complexity of mechanical OIS while maintaining the ability to compensate for angular movement through computational methods
2Device complexity
If body-based optical image stabilization is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensor shifting mechanisms with digital image processing algorithms. Instead of mechanically moving the entire image sensor assembly to counteract motion, the system uses computational methods to detect and correct stabilization quality issues, achieving high precision without complex mechanical manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter adjustment (sensor position) to digital parameter processing (image data coordinates). By manipulating pixel coordinates and transformation matrices in software rather than physical sensor positions, the system achieves manufacturing precision equivalent to or exceeding mechanical OIS without the associated manufacturing complexity
3Measurement precision
If traditional image stabilization techniques are used, then angular movement is compensated, but rotation about optical axis remains uncorrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal image stabilization algorithm that handles multiple types of motion simultaneously - both angular movement (pitch and yaw) and rotation about the optical axis (roll). The same digital processing framework that compensates for angular movement is extended to also correct rotation, making the system versatile against various motion artifacts without requiring separate correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the stabilization from two-dimensional angular movement compensation to three-dimensional motion correction by incorporating rotation about the optical axis. The algorithm processes image data in a way that accounts for rotational components in addition to angular displacement, effectively adding another dimension of motion correction to the traditional stabilization approach
4Productivity
If real-time image processing is implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective processing where the system identifies and processes only the necessary portions of image data required for stabilization. Rather than processing every pixel in every frame at full resolution, the algorithm focuses computational effort on detecting motion vectors and applying corrections to key regions, achieving real-time performance with reduced energy consumption by performing partial processing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to projectiles and munitions, and more specifically to such in flight. More particularly the present invention relates to projectiles and munitions in flight equipped with one or more image sensors adapted for acquiring image data of the environment surrounding the projection or munition in flight. The present invention further relates to systems and methods for correcting or stabilizing motion effects and artifacts present in the image data related to the movement or motion of the projectile or munition in flight, including spin or rotation of the projectile or munition.