Method of taking pictures

• US 20030189647A1
• Filed: 06/13/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Kang, Beng Hong Alex
• Application Number:
  US10/170,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20030189647A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2145 of a sequence of images for selection of a single frame before final recording, e.g. from a continuous sequence captured before and after shutter-release
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

An improved method of taking pictures to capture a precise picture composition is provided. The invention is implemented in a digital camera as an operation mode or feature. When this mode is activated, the camera captures a series of images including a precise picture composition desired by the user. From the series of images describing a chronological sequence of events, the user can select a best-timed shot.

Claims

1. A method of taking pictures with a digital camera, comprising the steps of:

activating a function mode for capturing at least one first image prior to activating a mechanism for capturing at least one second image; and

activating the mechanism for capturing the at least one second image.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprises storing the at least one first image in a first buffer having a predetermined size;

and

refreshing contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein refreshing contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner includes refreshing contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner until the step of activating the mechanism.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein after activating the mechanism for capturing at least one second image, further comprises capturing at least one third image.

5. The method according to claim 4 further comprises storing the at least one first image in a first buffer having a predetermined size;

and refreshing contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein refreshing contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner includes refreshing the contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner until the step of activating the mechanism.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprises storing the at least one third image in a second buffer.

8. The method according to claim 5 further comprises storing the at least one second image and the at least one third image in the first buffer;

and refreshing the contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein refreshing the contents of the first buffer in a first-in-first-out manner ceases when the at least one third image is captured.

10. A digital camera comprising:

a function mode which is activated for capturing at least one first image; and

a mechanism which is activated for capturing at least one second image wherein the at least one first image is captured prior to activating the mechanism.

11. The digital camera according to claim 10, wherein the at least one first image is stored in a first buffer having a predetermined size, and contents of the first buffer are refreshed in a first-in-first-out manner.

12. The digital camera according to claim 11, wherein the contents of the first buffer are refreshed in a first-in-first-out manner until the mechanism is activated.

13. The digital camera according to claim 10, wherein after the mechanism is activated for capturing the at least one second image, at least one third image is captured.

14. The digital camera according to claim 13, wherein the at least one first image is stored in a first buffer having a predetermined size, and contents of the first buffer are refreshed in a first-in-first-out manner.

15. The digital camera according to claim 14, wherein the contents of the first buffer are refreshed in a first-in-first-out manner until the mechanism is activated.

16. The digital camera according to claim 15, wherein the at least one third image is stored in a second buffer.

17. The digital camera according to claim 14, wherein the at least one second image and the at least one third image are stored in the first buffer, and contents of the first buffer are refreshed in a first-in-first-out manner.

18. The digital camera according to claim 17, wherein the contents of the first buffer cease to be refreshed when the at least one third image is captured.