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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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

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

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

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:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic implementation of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the main Artcam electronic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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.

The linear image sensor is mounted in a special package which includes an LED to illuminate the Artcard via a light-pipe.

The Artcard reader light-pipe can be a molded light-pipe which has several functions:

1. It diffuses the light from the LED over the width of the card using total internal reflection facets.

2. It focuses the light onto a 16 μm wide strip of the Artcard using an integrated cylindrical lens.

3. It focuses light reflected from the Artcard onto the linear image sensor pixels using a molded array of microlenses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.