IP Library Granted Patent US 9,031,355
Granted Patent B2
US 9,031,355 · App. 13/729,302 · Granted May 12, 2015

Method of system for image stabilization through image processing, and zoom camera including image stabilization function

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,031,355
App. No.
13/729,302
Granted
May 12, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for image stabilization through image processing, and a zoom camera including an image stabilization function. The method includes: determining whether an input image comprises a representative feature portion; sampling the representative feature portion to generate a sampled image if it is determined that the input image comprises the representative feature portion; enlarging the input image by an optical zooming, matching the enlarged input image with the sampled image, and obtaining a central coordinate of the enlarged input image and a central coordinate of the sampled image; and aligning an optical axis by calculating a difference between the central coordinate of the enlarged input image and the central coordinate of the sampled image.

Claims (25)

1. A method of image stabilization, the method comprising:

determining whether an input image comprises a representative feature portion;

sampling the representative feature portion to generate a sampled image if it is determined that the input image comprises the representative feature portion;

enlarging the input image optically by a magnification factor and matching the enlarged input image with the sampled image or a resized sample image to obtain central coordinates of the enlarged input image, wherein the resized sample image is obtained by the magnification factor; and

aligning an optical axis by calculating a difference between the central coordinates of the enlarged input image and the central coordinates of the sampled image.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the representative feature portion has a luminance level higher than a predetermined level or comprises a predetermined shape, and is selected from among a plurality of feature portions in the input image.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining whether the input image comprises a representative feature portion comprises:

extracting a plurality of feature portions from the input image;

selecting a candidate feature portion having a predetermined feature from among the extracted plurality of feature portions; and

determining that the input image comprises the representative feature portion if the enlarged input image comprises the candidate feature portion, and determining that the input image does not comprise the representative feature portion if the enlarged input image does not comprise the candidate feature portion.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matching the enlarged input image with the sample image comprises performing scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) matching if the magnification factor is equal to or less than 2.5.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matching the enlarged input image with the resized sample image comprises performing template matching if the magnification factor is greater than 2.5.

6. An image stabilization system comprising:

a zoom camera;

an image preprocessor that converts an analog input signal input from the zoom camera into a digital signal;

the system is further configured to:

determine whether an input image comprises a representative feature portion;

sample the representative feature portion to generate a sample image if it is determined that the input image comprises the representative feature portion;

enlarge the input image optically by a magnification factor and match the enlarged input image with the sample image or a resized sample image to obtain central coordinates of the enlarged input image, where said resized sample image is obtained by resizing the sample image by said magnification factor; and

align an optical axis by calculating a difference between the central coordinates of the enlarged input image and the central coordinates of the sample image.

7. The image stabilization system of claim 6 , wherein the representative feature portion has a luminance level higher than a predetermined level or comprises a predetermined shape, and is selected from among a plurality of feature portions in the input image.

8. The image stabilization system of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining that the input image comprises the representative feature portion if the enlarged input image comprises a candidate feature portion, and determining that the input image does not comprise the representative feature portion if the enlarged input image does not comprise the candidate feature portion, wherein the candidate feature portion has a predetermined feature and is selected from a plurality of feature portions extracted from the image.

9. The image stabilization system of claim 6 , wherein the enlarged input image is matched with the sample image by scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) matching if the magnification factor is equal to or less than 2.5.

10. The image stabilization system of claim 6 , wherein the enlarged input image is matched with the resized sample image by template matching if the magnification factor is greater than 2.5.

Assignments (7)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 10, 2023
From: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD.
To: HANWHA VISION CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 064549/0075 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2019
From: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
To: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 049013/0723 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NUMBER 10/853,669. IN ADDITION PLEASE SEE EXHIBIT A PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 046927 FRAME 0019. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 17, 2019
From: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD.
To: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048496/0596 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 24, 2018
From: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD
To: HANWHA AEROSPACE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 046927/0019 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 036714 FRAME: 0757. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Nov 9, 2015
From: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
To: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 037072/0008 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 29, 2015
From: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
To: HANWHA TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 036714/0757 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2012
From: CHON, JE-YOUL
To: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 029539/0116 →