Stereo Camera Shake Correction Using Reference Motion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera shake correction techniques for medical observation devices often result in deteriorated image quality, particularly when users attempt to perceive stereoscopic images, as they can lead to discomfort and fatigue due to differences in image quality between the left and right eyes.

Innovation Solution

A medical observation device and method that selects a reference camera, detects its motion, and acquires correction information to minimize camera shake, while also acquiring distinct correction information for the other camera using a different method, ensuring that both cameras adjust focus based on a common lens movement parameter to maintain image quality and comfort during stereoscopic viewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If camera shake correction is applied to both cameras using the same method, then camera shake is reduced, but image quality deteriorates and stereoscopic perception becomes uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera shake correction effectivenessVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the camera shake correction process into two separate correction paths: one for the reference camera and another for the non-reference camera. Each camera receives correction information calculated by a method suited to its role, preventing uniform correction from degrading image quality while maintaining shake reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different correction methods are applied to different cameras based on their functional roles. The reference camera receives correction based on its own motion detection, while the non-reference camera receives correction derived from the reference camera's correction information, ensuring each camera gets locally optimized correction that preserves image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a single correction method is used for all cameras, then the correction process is simple, but image quality differences between cameras increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidimage quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the correction processes by having the non-reference camera's correction derived from the reference camera's correction information. This maintains a unified correction framework while allowing differentiated treatment, ensuring image quality consistency without requiring completely independent correction systems for each camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If correction information is acquired using the same method for all cameras, then the system is easy to operate, but stereoscopic image perception becomes uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoiduser fatigue and discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reference camera's correction information serves as an intermediary for correcting the non-reference camera. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain operational simplicity through a centralized correction source while preventing the harmful effect of uniform correction degradation, thereby reducing user fatigue and improving stereoscopic perception comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3278709B1Medical observation device, information processing method, program and video microscope device
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3278709B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3278709B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3278709B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a medical observation device, information processing method, program, and video microscope device. A medical observation device including: a selection unit configured to select one reference camera from two or more cameras; a motion detection unit configured to detect a motion of the reference camera; a first correction information acquisition unit configured to acquire first correction information that lessens the motion of the reference camera; and a second correction information acquisition unit configured to acquire second correction information that lessens a motion of a camera other than the reference camera included in the two or more cameras using a method different from a method of the first correction information acquisition unit.