Methods for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals and apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals are provided. The method and an apparatus adopting the method are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken image by correction of inter-frame and intra-frame hand movements in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. To be more specific, this method is capable of correcting distortion observed in a taken image as distortion caused by a positional change, which occurs in the horizontal and/or vertical directions of the taken image at a photographing time as a positional change of the image-taking device. In accordance with the method, in a frame period of a taken image, an inter-frame correction quantity for a positional change of the device is detected and, on the basis of the detected inter-frame correction quantity, the positional change is corrected to eliminate a displacement observed when the frame changes to the next one as a displacement of the taken image. An intra-frame correction quantity for a positional change of the image-taking device is computed for each of many locations on the screen of the taken image and, on the basis of the computed intra-frame correction quantity, distortions caused by positional changes on the screen of the taken image as distortions of the taken image are corrected.