IMAGE STABILIZATION RELATED METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

Methods and apparatus for processing images captured by a camera device including multiple optical chains, e.g., camera modules, are described. Three, 4, 5 or more optical chains maybe used. Different optical chains capture different images due to different perspectives. Multiple images, e.g., corresponding to different perspectives, are captured during a time period and are combined to generate a composite image. In some embodiments one of the captured images or a synthesized image is used as a reference image during composite image generation. The image used as the reference image is selected to keep the perspective of sequentially generated composite images consistent despite unintentional came movement and/or in accordance with an expected path of travel. Thus, which camera module provides the reference image may vary over time taking into consideration unintended camera movement. Composite image generation may be performed external to the camera device or in the camera device.

主权项

1. A method of generating images, the method comprising:
detecting an amount of motion, said detected amount of motion being a detected amount of motion of a camera device including multiple optical chains or a detected amount of motion between an image corresponding to a second time period and an image corresponding to a first time period; producing a second reference image, from a first plurality of images captured by different optical chains of said camera device during the second time period, producing a second reference image including at least one of: i) selecting a reference image from images captured by different optical chain modules during said second time period based on the detected amount of motion or ii) synthesizing a reference image from at least two of said multiple images captured by different optical chain modules during said second time period based on the detected amount of motion; and using the second reference image and at least one other image in said first plurality of images to generate a composite image corresponding to said second time period.