Method and apparatus for image stabilization

A device configured for stabilization of image data, the device comprising:

• an image sensor configured to detect image data for a first and second frame;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and the image sensor wherein processor is configured to:
• perform motion estimation to determine one or more motion vectors associated with global frame motion for image data of the first frame;
• perform an outlier rejection function to select at least one of the one or more motion vectors, wherein the outlier rejection function employs a sparse set of selected and weighted image locations within the first frame to select the one or more motion vectors;
• determine a global transformation for image data of the first frame based, at least in part, on motion vectors selected by the outlier rejection function and on a confidence measure that the global transformation will exclude non-global estimations;
• determine a stabilization transformation for image data of the first frame by refining the global transformation to correct for unintentional motion, wherein the refining employs recursive filtering to smooth at least a portion of the global transformation that is separate from at least a rolling shutter artifact included with the global transformation;
• and
• apply the stabilization transformation to image data of the first frame to stabilize the image data of the first frame.

A method for stabilization of image data by an imaging device, the method comprising the acts of:

• detecting image data for a first frame;
• detecting image data for a second frame;
• performing motion estimation based on image data for the first and second frames to determine one or more motion vectors;
• performing an outlier rejection function to select at least one motion vector associated with global frame motion, wherein the outlier rejection function employs a sparse set of selected and weighted image locations within the first frame to select the at least one motion vector;
• determining a global transformation for image data of the first frame based, at least in part, on motion vectors selected by the outlier rejection function;
• determining a stabilization transformation for image data of the first frame by refining the global transformation to correct for unintentional motion, wherein the refining employs recursive filtering to smooth at least a portion of the global transformation that is separate from at least a rolling shutter artifact included with the global transformation;
• and
• applying the stabilization transformation to image data of the first frame to stabilize the image data of the first frame.

A device configured for stabilization of image data, the device comprising:

• an image sensor configured to detect image data for a first and second frame;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and the image sensor wherein processor is configured to:
• perform motion estimation to determine one or more motion vectors;
• perform an outlier rejection function to select at least one motion vector associated with global frame motion, wherein the outlier rejection function employs a sparse set of selected and weighted image locations within the first frame to select the at least one motion vector;
• determine a global transformation for image data of the first frame based, at least in part, on motion vectors selected by the outlier rejection function;
• determine a stabilization transformation for image data of the first frame by refining the global transformation to correct for unintentional motion, wherein the refining employs recursive filtering to smooth at least a portion of the global transformation that is separate from at least a rolling shutter artifact included with the global transformation;
• and
• apply the stabilization transformation to image data of the first frame to stabilize the image data of the first frame.