Optimized image stabilization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9456140-B2
Application number	US-201214394169-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 16, 2012
Priority date	Apr 16, 2012
Publication date	Sep 27, 2016
Grant date	Sep 27, 2016

Abstract

A system for optimized image stabilization, wherein a focus lock of a camera unit having an image stabilizer is detected and in response to this detection, the image stabilization is suspended. A target position for the image stabilizer is determined and the image stabilizer is driven to the target position. In response to a detected shutter release, the image stabilization is continued.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a camera unit, the camera unit having an image stabilizer capable of image stabilization;
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform the following:
detect focus lock of the camera unit;
determine that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
cause suspending of image stabilization in response to determining that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
determine a target position for the image stabilizer;
cause driving of the image stabilizer to the target position; and
cause continuing of the image stabilization during exposure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to detect shutter release, and to cause the continuing of the image stabilization in response to the shutter release.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the image stabilizer is one of optical, sensor shift, mirror shift or software image stabilizer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the focus lock comprises detecting that focal length of optics of the camera unit is locked.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the target position is a position anticipating the stabilizing movement needed at shutter release.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to detect an orientation of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to recognize a user of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to detect a configuration of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to detect movement of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to determine the target position using at least one anticipation parameter chosen according to the prevailing conditions.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to maintain a user history.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the user history contains information about movements caused by the user on taking photographs with the camera unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to calculate the at least one anticipation parameter from the user history.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to provide a notification for a user of a suitable moment of framing a desired image.

15. A method comprising:
detecting focus lock of a camera unit, the camera unit having an image stabilizer capable of image stabilization;
determining that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
suspending image stabilization in response to determining that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
determining a target position for the image stabilizer;
driving the image stabilizer to the target position; and
continuing image stabilization during exposure.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising detecting shutter release and continuing the image stabilization in response to shutter release.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the image stabilization is one of optical, sensor shift, mirror shift or software image stabilization.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the detecting of the focus lock comprises detecting that focal length of optics of the camera unit is locked.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the target position is a position anticipating the stabilizing movement needed at shutter release.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting an orientation of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising recognizing a user of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

22. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting a configuration of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising detecting movement of the camera unit prior to the determining of the target position.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the target position is determined using at least one anticipation parameter chosen according to prevailing conditions.

25. The method of claim 15 further comprising maintaining a user history.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the user history contains information about movements caused by the user on taking photographs with the camera unit.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the at least one anticipation parameter is calculated from the user history.

28. The method of claim 15 , further comprising notifying a user of a suitable moment of framing a desired image.

29. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising code for performing comprising:
detecting focus lock of a camera unit, the camera unit having an image stabilizer capable of image stabilization;
determining that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
suspending image stabilization in response to determining that image stabilization compensation shift is in use;
determining a target position for the image stabilizer;
driving the image stabilizer to the target position; and
continuing image stabilization during exposure.

Assignees

• Koskinen Samu
• Alakarhu Juha
• Muukki Mikko
• Nokia Corp

Inventors

• Koskinen Samu
• Alakarhu Juha
• Muukki Mikko

Classifications

• H04N23/6812 Primary

  based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors · CPC title

• H04N23/687

  by shifting the lens or sensor position · CPC title

• H04N23/683

  performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory · CPC title

• G03B2205/00

  Adjustment of optical system relative to image or object surface other than for focusing · CPC title

• G03B2217/005

  Blur detection · CPC title