Image processing circuit, hand-held electronic device and method for compensating for motion in an image received by an image sensor

Abstract

The present application provides an image processing circuit, a hand-held electronic device and a method for compensating for motion in an image received by an image sensor. The method includes sub-dividing an array of individual sensor cells from an image sensor adapted for receiving an image into at least a first sub-group and a second sub-group of sensor cells. Multiple timing signals are then generated for use in reading data out of the individual sensor cells of the image sensor. Data values are then read out from the individual sensor cells, wherein the data values from the individual sensor cells of the first sub-group of sensor cells are read out at a first rate using a first timing signal, and the data values from the individual sensor cells of the second sub-group of sensor cells are read out at a second rate using a second timing signal. The second rate is different than the first rate, where the sensor cells in the second sub-group of sensor cells are sampled more frequently than the sensor cells in the first sub-group of sensor cells. Motion of the image sensor is then determined from the data values read out of the individual sensor cells of the second sub-group of sensor cells. The image derived from the data values read out of the individual sensor cells of the first sub-group of sensor cells is then modified using the motion detected for producing a processed image.