Rifle Scope Video Stabilization via Digital Frame Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Jitter in optical systems, particularly in handheld devices like rifle scopes and binoculars, significantly degrades image quality and accuracy due to human movement, which is exacerbated at high magnification, leading to potential misses in targeting and discomfort from motion sickness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating image processing circuitry that captures video frames and aligns visual elements within adjacent frames to stabilize the background relative to a target, using optical sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and accelerometers to differentiate between intentional and unintentional movement, thereby reducing or eliminating jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical transducers and structures are introduced to actively stabilize the optical device, then jitter is reduced, but the device weight and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stabilization systems (gyroscopes, moving mirrors, mechanical transducers) with a digital image processing system. The image processor analyzes sequential video frames, detects motion between frames, and applies digital transformation to stabilize the image, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while achieving comparable or superior stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the visual scene through video capture, then processes this digital replica to remove jitter. By working with digital copies rather than physically moving optical components, the system achieves stabilization without mechanical complexity or weight
2Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical transducers and structures are introduced to actively stabilize the optical device, then jitter is reduced, but the device complexity and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stabilization systems (gyroscopes, moving mirrors, mechanical transducers) with a digital image processing system. The image processor analyzes sequential video frames, detects motion between frames, and applies digital transformation to stabilize the image, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical components while achieving comparable or superior stabilization效果
Solution Approach 2:
The image processor serves multiple functions: capturing video frames, detecting motion between frames, calculating stabilization parameters, and applying digital transformation. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate mechanical systems into a single integrated digital processor
3Measurement precision
If high magnification is used in telescopic devices, then viewing detail is improved, but jitter is magnified and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures sequential video frames at high magnification, compares each frame to the previous one to detect motion and jitter, then uses this feedback information to apply corrective digital transformation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high magnification while actively compensating for jitter in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary stabilization by detecting motion between frames and calculating the required correction before displaying the final stabilized image. This preliminary analysis and correction process ensures that high-magnification viewing remains stable without requiring physical stabilization of the optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A rifle scope including a display, at least one optical sensor to capture video of a view area, and image processing circuitry coupled to the display and the at least one optical sensor. The image processing circuitry is configured to select visual elements within a sequence of frames of the video and to align the visual elements within adjacent frames of the sequence of frames to produce a video output corresponding to the view area that is stabilized relative to a target. The image processing circuit is configured to provide the video output to the display.