Camera system for with velocity sensor and de-blurring processor

• US 7,907,178 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2009
• Issued: 03/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Kia Silverbrook
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, LUONG TRUNG
• Application Number:
  US12/642,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20100097480A1
• Time in Patent Office: 450 Days
• Field of Search: 3482082-2085
• US Class Current: 348/208.99
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/682 Vibration or motion blur correction

Abstract

A camera system for outputting deblurred still images includes a portable handheld camera device having an image sensor adapted to capture a still image including at least one blurred pixel; a velocity detector adapted to determine the angular velocity of the camera system relative to an external environment and to produce an angular velocity output indicative thereof; a linear image sensor for sensing data provided on at least one encoded card inserted into the camera system, the at least one encoded card containing instructions for the manipulation of the blurred images; and a processor adapted to receive the image from the image sensor and the angular velocity output from the angular velocity detector and to process the blurred image under programme control determined from data sensed by the linear image sensor from the at least one encoded card. The programme control utilizes the velocity output to deblur the at least one blurred pixel of the blurred image to output the deblurred still image.

Claims

1. A camera system for outputting deblurred still images, said camera system comprising:

a portable handheld camera device comprising an image sensor adapted to capture a still image comprising at least one blurred pixel;

a velocity detector adapted to determine the angular velocity of the camera system relative to an external environment and to produce an angular velocity output indicative thereof;

a linear image sensor for sensing data provided on at least one encoded card inserted into the camera system, the at least one encoded card containing instructions for the manipulation of blurred images; and

a processor adapted to receive said still image from said image sensor and said angular velocity output from said velocity detector and to process a blurred image under programme control determined from data sensed by the linear image sensor from the at least one encoded card, the programme control utilising the angular velocity output to deblur said at least one blurred pixel of said blurred image to output a corresponding deblurred still image.

2. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein the velocity detector includes a two dimensional motion sensor for detecting motion along two axes.

3. A camera system according to claim 1, wherein the linear image sensor includes an LED for illuminating the at least one encoded card via a light-pipe, and a molded array of microlenses for focusing light reflected from the at least one encoded card.