U.S. patent application number 13/621028 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-10 for handheld digital camera device with motion sensing and decoding capabilities.
Invention is credited to Paul Lapstun, Kia Silverbrook.
Application Number | 20130010141 13/621028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36974522 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130010141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverbrook; Kia ; et
al. |
January 10, 2013 |
HANDHELD DIGITAL CAMERA DEVICE WITH MOTION SENSING AND DECODING
CAPABILITIES
Abstract
A handheld digital camera device including: an image sensor for
capturing images and generating image data; a two-dimensional
motion sensor for generating motion data; and an integral processor
configured for: controlling operation of the image sensor;
estimating an angular velocity of the camera device relative to an
external environment using the motion data; decoding an imaged
coding pattern printed on a substrate; and performing an action in
the handheld electronic device based on the decoded coding
pattern.
Inventors: |
Silverbrook; Kia; (Balmain,
AU) ; Lapstun; Paul; (Balmain, AU) |
Family ID: |
36974522 |
Appl. No.: |
13/621028 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13021780 |
Feb 6, 2011 |
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13621028 |
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12642831 |
Dec 20, 2009 |
7907178 |
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13021780 |
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|
11499806 |
Aug 7, 2006 |
7646403 |
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12642831 |
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09113090 |
Jul 10, 1998 |
7110024 |
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11499806 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/208.4 ;
348/E5.024 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23248 20130101;
G03B 29/00 20130101; H04N 5/23264 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/208.4 ;
348/E05.024 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/228 20060101
H04N005/228 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 1997 |
AU |
PO7991 |
Aug 11, 1997 |
AU |
PO8497 |
Claims
1. A handheld digital camera device comprising: at least one image
sensor for capturing images and generating image data; a
two-dimensional motion sensor for generating motion data; an
integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the
image sensor; estimating an angular velocity of the camera device
relative to an external environment using the motion data; decoding
an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate; and performing an
action in said handheld electronic device based on the decoded
coding pattern.
2. The handheld digital camera device of claim 1 comprising first
and second image sensors.
3. The handheld digital camera device of claim 1, wherein said
image sensor is a CCD image sensor or CMOS image sensor.
4. The handheld digital camera device of claim 1, wherein the
motion sensor is an accelerometer.
5. The handheld digital camera device of claim 1, wherein said
processor is further configured for de-blurring image data using
the estimated angular velocity.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/021,780 filed on Feb. 6, 2011, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/642,831 filed Dec. 20,
2009, issued Mar. 15, 2011 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,907,178, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/499,806 filed Aug. 7,
2006, issued Jan. 12, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,646,403, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/113,090 filed on Jul.
10, 1998, issued Sep. 19, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,024. Each of
the above identified patents and applications is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to digital image processing
and in particular discloses A Camera System Having Motion
Deblurring Means. Further the present invention relates to the
field of digital image cameras and in particular discloses a camera
system having motion blur compensating means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Motion blur in the taking of images is a common significant
problem. The motion blur normally occurs as a result of movement of
the camera while taking the picture or otherwise as a result of
movement of objects within an image. As a result of motion blur, it
is often the case that the image taken is non optimal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a camera
system for outputting deblurred still images comprises a portable
handheld camera device comprising an image sensor for recording an
image; a two-dimensional accelerometer for detecting an 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 an encoded card
inserted into the camera system, the encoded card containing
instructions for the manipulation of the image; and a processor for
receiving the image from the image sensor, receiving the angular
velocity output from the two-dimensional accelerometer, and
processing the image in accordance with the instructions sensed
from the encoded to deblur any blurred pixels present in the image
in consideration of the angular velocity output.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the
scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention
will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawing in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic implementation of the
preferred embodiment; and
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the main Artcam
electronic components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a linear image sensor 34 for
incorporation in a camera system. The linear image sensor converts
Artcard data images to electrical signals, which are communicated
to the ACP. The linear image sensor 34 is fabricated using either
CCD or APS CMOS technology. The active length of the linear image
sensor is 50 mm, equal to the width of the data array on the
Artcard.
[0009] To satisfy Nyquist's sampling theorem, the resolution of the
linear image sensor is at least twice the highest spatial frequency
of the Artcard optical image reaching the linear image sensor. In
practice, data detection is easier if the linear image sensor
resolution is substantially above this. A resolution of 4800 dpi
(189 dpmm) is chosen, giving a total of 9,450 pixels. This
resolution requires a pixel sensor pitch of 5.3 [mu]m. This can
readily be achieved by using four staggered rows of 20 [mu]m pixel
sensors.
[0010] The linear image sensor is mounted in a special package
which includes an LED to illuminate the Artcard via a
light-pipe.
[0011] The Artcard reader light-pipe can be a molded light-pipe
which has several functions:
[0012] 1. It diffuses the light from the LED over the width of the
card using total internal reflection facets.
[0013] 2. It focuses the light onto a 16 .mu.m wide strip of the
Artcard using an integrated cylindrical lens.
[0014] 3. It focuses light reflected from the Artcard onto the
linear image sensor pixels using a molded array of microlenses.
[0015] The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through
suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that
described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. P07991
filed 15 Jul. 1997 entitled "Image Processing Method and Apparatus
(ART01)", in addition to Australian Provisional Patent Application
entitled "Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01a)" filed
concurrently herewith by the present applicant, the content of
which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference.
[0016] The aforementioned patent specifications disclose a camera
system, hereinafter known as an "Artcam" type camera, wherein
sensed images can be directly printed out by an internal Artcam
portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification
discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on
images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the
production of various effects in any output image. The
manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can
be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards
having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of
images, the cards hereinafter being known as "Artcards". The Artcam
further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam
Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory
device for the storage of important data and images.
[0017] In the preferred embodiment, the Artcam device includes a
two dimensional motion sensor. The motion sensor comprises a small
micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) device or other suitable
device able to detect motion in two axes. The motion sensor is
preferably mounted on the camera device and its output monitored by
the Artcam central processor device which is disclosed in the
afore-mentioned patent specifications.
[0018] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a schematic of
the preferred arrangement of the preferred embodiment. The
accelerometer 1 outputs to the Artcard processor 2 which also
receives the blurred sensed image from the CCD device. The Artcard
processor 2 utilises the accelerometer readings so as to determine
a likely angular velocity of the camera when the picture was taken.
This velocity factor is then utilised by a suitably programmed
Artcard processor 2 to apply a deblurring function to the blurred
sensed image 3 thereby outputting a deblurred output image 4. The
programming of the Artcard processor 2 so as to perform the
deblurring can utilise standard algorithms known to those skilled
in the art of computer programming and digital image restoration.
For example, reference is made to the "Selected Papers on Digital
Image Restoration", M. Ibrahim Sezan, Editor, SPIE Milestone
series, volume 74, and in particular the reprinted paper at pages
167-175 thereof. Further, simplified techniques are shown in the
"Image Processing Handbook", second edition, by John C. Russ,
published by CRC Press at pages 336-341 thereof.
[0019] It would be therefore obvious to the person skilled in the
art that many different techniques for motion blur removal can be
utilised in the preferred embodiment. Additionally, other forms of
motion sensors may be provided. Once the input image has been
deblurred, the image is then able to be printed out by the Artcam
device in accordance with the techniques as discussed in the
afore-mentioned patent specification.
[0020] It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present
invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects
to be illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *