Method and apparatus for processing camera an image produced by a video camera to correct for undesired motion of the video camera
First Claim
1. A system for processing an image generated by a video camera, including:
- (a) an array of image sensing elements having dimensions larger than the image, wherein the array is oriented for exposure to the image so that undesired motion of the camera will cause undesired image motion relative to the array;
(b) a set of camera motion sensors attached to the camera, for generating camera motion signals indicative of the camera'"'"'s motion in at least two dimensions; and
(c) a means for processing the camera motion signals to generate control signals for extracting from the array a stabilized array signal indicative of the image, wherein the stabilized array signal exhibits reduced undesired image motion due to undesired camera motion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for processing a raw video camera signal to identify undesired multidimensional video image motion caused by rotational or translational camera motion in two or three dimensions, and to generate a corrected video camera signal in which such undesired video image motion is reduced. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a video camera having an oversized image pickup device, four accelerometers mounted in the video camera, and means for processing the accelerometer output signals and the raw video camera output signal to generate a corrected video camera signal. The processing means preferably employs selective clocking to generate a corrected video signal representing a stabilized version of the view of interest. Such a corrected video signal will exclude extraneous visual information (i.e., visual information other than the view of interest), and will be "stabilized" in the sense that it exhibits less image motion than does the draw video camera signal. The preferred embodiment of the invention is capable of efficiently correcting for undesired camera rotation about three orthogonal rotational axes, as well as for undesired camera translations in a plane orthogonal to the axis of symmetry of the camera lens.
76 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for processing an image generated by a video camera, including:
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(a) an array of image sensing elements having dimensions larger than the image, wherein the array is oriented for exposure to the image so that undesired motion of the camera will cause undesired image motion relative to the array; (b) a set of camera motion sensors attached to the camera, for generating camera motion signals indicative of the camera'"'"'s motion in at least two dimensions; and (c) a means for processing the camera motion signals to generate control signals for extracting from the array a stabilized array signal indicative of the image, wherein the stabilized array signal exhibits reduced undesired image motion due to undesired camera motion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for processing an image generated by a video camera, including the steps of:
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(a) exposing an array of image sensing elements to the image, said array having dimensions larger than the image so that undesired motion of the camera during exposure will cause undesired image motion relative to the array; (b) contemporaneously with step (a), generating camera motion signals indicative of the camera'"'"'s motion in at least two dimensions; (c) generating from the camera motion signals a set of control signals for reducing undesired image motion due to undesired camera motion; and (d) extracting a stabilized array signal from the array in response to the control signals, wherein said stabilized array signal is indicative of the image and exhibits reduced undesired image motion due to undesired camera motion. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A video signal processing system, including:
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(a) a video camera, including an oversized image pickup device for sequentially producing a set of output signals each indicative of a primary image and a secondary image, and also including a means for generating a raw video camera signal from the output signals, wherein the raw video camera signal exhibits primary image motion corresponding to undesired motion of the camera relative to a view being imaged by the camera; (b) a camera motion sensor array attached to the camera, for generating camera motion signals indicative of the camera'"'"'s motion in at least two dimensions; and (c) means for processing the camera motion signals and the raw video camera signal to generate a corrected video signal which exhibits less primary image motion than does the raw vide camera signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A video signal processing method, including the steps of:
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(a) A video signal processing method, including the steps of; (a) exposing an oversized image pickup device of a video camera to generate a set of output signals, in a manner so that each output signal includes a primary image and a secondary image; (b) generating a raw video camera signal from the output signals in a manner so that the raw video camera signal exhibits primary image motion corresponding to undesired motion of the camera during step (a); (c) during step (a), generating camera motion signals indicative of motion of the camera in at least two dimensions; (d) processing the camera motion signals and the raw video camera signal to generate a corrected video signal, where the corrected video signal exhibits less primary image motion than does the raw video camera signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification