Method for image capturing using unmanned image capturing device and electronic device supporting the same

• US 10,551,833 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2017
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Tae Kyun, Kim, Min Young, Lee, Young Bae, Lee, Wu Seong, Lee, Jung Jae, Kim, Seung Nyun, Yoon, Byoung Uk, Lee, So Young
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US15/398,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20170192422A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 701 3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/13 Flying platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/006 Apparatus mounted on flying objects
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 37/02 with scanning movement of lens or cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

An unmanned image capturing device and a method of operation thereof are provided. The unmanned image capturing device includes a movement device that moves the unmanned image capturing device; a camera; a communication circuit; a location detection circuit that detects a location of the unmanned image capturing device; a processor; and a memory that stores instructions. The processor moves the unmanned image capturing device, captures a plurality of images, detects a plurality of three-dimensional locations, at which the plurality of images are respectively captured, sends at least one of the captured images and information about the respective detected location of the at least one of the captured images, receives information about a change in the at least one of the captured images or information about an image selection, and controls the movement device to move the unmanned image capturing device to a location based on the received information.

Claims

1. An unmanned image capturing device comprising:

a movement device that moves the unmanned image capturing device;

a camera;

a communication circuit;

a location detection circuit that detects a location of the unmanned image capturing device;

a processor; and

a memory that stores instructions, which when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to;

move the unmanned image capturing device using the movement device,

capture a plurality of images using the camera,

detect, using the location detection circuit, a plurality of three-dimensional locations of the unmanned image capturing device, wherein the plurality of images are respectively captured at the plurality of three-dimensional locations by the unmanned image capturing device,

send, to an external device using the communication circuit, at least one of the captured images and information about the respective detected location of the at least one of the captured images,

receive, from the external device through the communication circuit, a command based on a selection of a captured image to change location of the unmanned image capturing device to the detected location of the selected captured image of the plurality of captured images, and

control the movement device to move the unmanned image capturing device to the location of the selected captured image based on the received command;

wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to zoom the camera in or out, or to move the unmanned image capturing device closer to or far away from a specified object, based on the received command.

2. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to capture the plurality of images while the unmanned image capturing device moves along a preset path.

3. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to generate at least one panorama image from the plurality of images.

4. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:

generate at least one preview image from the plurality of images; and

send the at least one preview image using the communication circuit.

5. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the selection comprises at least one of moving, enlarging, and reducing of the at least one of the captured images.

6. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to calculate movement of the unmanned image capturing device using a spherical coordinate system or a cylindrical coordinate system with respect to an object that is recognized by using the camera or the communication circuit, based on the received command.

7. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 6, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:

maintain a same straight line distance from the object; and

move the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, in response to the received command.

8. The unmanned image capturing device of claim 6, wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:

maintain a same horizontal distance from the object; and

move the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, in response to the received command.

9. A method of operating an unmanned image capturing device, the method comprising:

moving the unmanned image capturing device;

capturing at least one image;

detecting a plurality of three-dimensional locations of the unmanned image capturing device, wherein the plurality of images are respectively captured at the plurality of three-dimensional locations by the unmanned image capturing device;

sending the at least one image to a controller device that operates the unmanned image capturing device;

receiving a command based on a selection of a captured image to change location of the unmanned image capturing device to the detected location of the selected captured image of the at least one image; and

moving the unmanned image capturing device to the location of the selected captured image based on the received command;

wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises zooming a camera in or out or moving the unmanned image capturing device closer to or farther away from a specified object, based on the received command.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein capturing the at least one image comprises capturing the at least one image at a preset location.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein capturing the at least one image comprises capturing a plurality of images while the unmanned image capturing device moves along a preset path.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising storing at least one of location information and setting information of the unmanned image capturing device, corresponding to the captured at least one image.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein sending the at least one image comprises:

generating a preview image of the at least one image; and

sending data associated with the preview image to the controller device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the selection comprises receiving at least one of movement information and expansion information of the at least one image.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises:

maintaining a same straight line distance from a specified object; and

moving the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, based on the movement selection.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises:

maintaining a same horizontal distance from a specified object; and

moving the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, based on the movement selection.