Dual Loop Stabilization of Video Camera Images

• US 20080158371A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Trescott, Patrick J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/208.7
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 39/00 High-speed photography
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/681 Motion detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/682 Vibration or motion blur correction

Abstract

Dual loop stabilization of video images is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a video camera having a first image stability control component configured to stabilize a video image in a first motion environment. A second image stability control component is coupled between the video camera and a moveable platform and is configured to stabilize the video image in a second motion environment. A motion sensing device detects movement of the video camera and transmits a control signal to adjust a stabilization response of the second image stability control component according to the movement. In some embodiments, a first amplitude range of the first motion environment is at least partially lower than a second amplitude range of the second motion environment, and a first frequency range of the first motion environment is at least partially higher than a second frequency range of the second motion environment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing video images using dual loop image stabilization, comprising:

a video camera positioned on a moveable platform and configured to provide a video image of a scene, the video camera including a first image stability control component configured to at least partially stabilize the video image when the video camera is subjected to a first motion environment including a first amplitude range and a first frequency range;

a second image stability control component coupled between the video camera and the moveable platform and configured to at least partially stabilize the video image when the video camera is subjected to a second motion environment including a second amplitude range and a second frequency range; and

a motion sensing device coupled to the video camera and configured to detect movement of the video camera relative to the scene and to transmit a control signal to the second image stability control component to adjust a stabilization response of the second image stability control component according to the movement of the video camera.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first image stability control component includes digital image stabilization.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second image stability control component includes a biasing member and a dampening member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion sensing device includes a gyro, and at least one of the biasing member and dampening member are controlled by the control signal from the motion sensing device.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the biasing member and the dampening member includes an electromechanical component.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moveable platform comprises an aircraft, and wherein the video camera includes a wide angle lens configured to capture at least part of an environment surrounding the aircraft.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first amplitude range of the first motion environment is at least partially lower than the second amplitude range of the second motion environment, and wherein the first frequency range of the first motion environment is at least partially higher than the second frequency range of the second motion environment.

8. A method of providing a video image from a moveable platform, comprising:

recording a view from the moveable platform using a video camera;

stabilizing the video camera with first and second stabilization devices configured to reduce an adverse effect of one or more movements of the moveable platform on the video image;

adjusting a frame delivery of the video image to at least partially improve stabilization of the video image; and

delivering the video image to a video display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting a frame delivery of the video image includes removing unstable frames from a sequence of frames prior to delivering the video image to a video display.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein adjusting a frame delivery of the video image includes at least one of:

cropping the video image;

reducing a resolution of the video image; and

replacing an unstable video image with a stable video image.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first stabilization device is configured to at least partially stabilize the video image when the video camera is subjected to a first motion environment including a first amplitude range and a first frequency range, and wherein the second stabilization device is configured to at least partially stabilize the video image when the video camera is subjected to a second motion environment including a second amplitude range and a second frequency range, and wherein the first amplitude range is at least partially lower than the second amplitude range, and wherein the first frequency range is at least partially higher than the second frequency range.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the second stabilization device includes a sensing device configured in the video camera to detect movement of the video camera, wherein the second stabilization device receives a signal from the sensing device to make adjustments to stabilize the movements of the video camera.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein delivering the video image to a video display includes delivering the video image to a video display disposed on a back of a passenger seat within the moveable platform.

14. A method of delivering video image stabilization to a viewer, comprising:

stabilizing a video image by internal video camera controls;

sensing a motion of a video camera;

communicating a control signal characteristic of the sensed motion to one or more external video camera controls, the control signal being configured to adjust the external video camera controls to reduce an affect of the sensed motion on the video image;

stabilizing the video image by external video camera controls; and

distributing the video image to the viewer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein sensing a motion of a video camera includes receiving information from a gyro integrated with the video camera.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein stabilizing a video image through internal controls includes digital stabilization.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein stabilizing the video image through external controls includes mounting the video camera to a moveable platform with a biasing member and a dampening member.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling a frame delivery of the video camera.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the distributed video image depicts an environment external of an aircraft, the video image being captured by a wide angle lens.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein

stabilizing a video image by internal video camera controls includes stabilizing a video image by internal video camera controls when the video camera is subjected to a first motion environment including a first amplitude range and a first frequency range;

and wherein stabilizing the video image by external video camera controls includes stabilizing the video image by external video camera controls when the video camera is subjected to a second motion environment including a second amplitude range and a second frequency range;

and wherein the first amplitude range is at least partially lower than the second amplitude range, and wherein the first frequency range is at least partially higher than the second frequency range.