Camera apparatus with saliency signal generation
First Claim
1. Camera apparatus comprising an electronic camera for producing an image signal, a user operable picture taking control for permitting the camera to take pictures, and an additional physically or mechanically operable user control for receiving an input from a user and for generating a saliency signal while the image signal is being produced, operation of at least a part of the camera apparatus being arranged to be controlled in response to the saliency signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic still, video or hybrid camera has a physically or mechanically operable user control receiving an input from a user and generates a binary, continuous or multi-level saliency signal while an image signal is being produced. The user control may be the same as or different from the picture taking control. In real time the saliency signal controls processing of the camera signal, or the camera itself, for example by controlling the frequency of still picture taking, or by optimising image storage in memory. The signal can also be stored with the image signal for later use, as in editing. The user control can be mounted on the camera or remote therefrom and include a movement or pressure sensor.
17 Citations
59 Claims
- 1. Camera apparatus comprising an electronic camera for producing an image signal, a user operable picture taking control for permitting the camera to take pictures, and an additional physically or mechanically operable user control for receiving an input from a user and for generating a saliency signal while the image signal is being produced, operation of at least a part of the camera apparatus being arranged to be controlled in response to the saliency signal.
- 21. Camera apparatus comprising an electronic camera for producing an image signal, a physically or mechanically operable user control for receiving an input from a user and for generating a saliency signal having at least three values or is continuously variable while the image signal is being produced, operation of at least a part of the camera apparatus being arranged to be controlled in response to the saliency signal.
- 40. An imaging system comprising an electronic camera for producing an image signal, at least two physically or mechanically operable user controls each for receiving an input from a user and for generating first and second saliency signals while the image signal is being produced, and saliency circuitry for combining said first and second saliency signals to provide a complex saliency signal.
- 44. An imaging system comprising an electronic camera for producing an image signal, a physically or mechanically operable user control for receiving an input from a user and for generating a first saliency signal while the image signal is being produced, saliency circuitry for generating an image related second saliency signal in response to the image signal, and circuitry for combining said saliency signals to provide a complex saliency signal.
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48. An apparatus comprising an electronic camera having a picture taking control for enabling the camera to supply picture signals, the camera further including a user operable control for generating a saliency signal;
- and a compression circuit for compressing the picture signals to an extent determined by the saliency signal.
- View Dependent Claims (49, 50)
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51. An apparatus comprising an electronic camera having a picture taking control for enabling the camera to supply picture signals, the camera further including a user operable control for generating a saliency signal;
- and a buffer for receiving the picture signals and having a length in response to the saliency signal.
- View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. An apparatus comprising an electronic camera having a picture taking control for enabling the camera to supply picture signals, the camera further including a user operable control for generating a saliency signal;
- and a picture selection circuit for selectively passing the picture signals in response to the saliency signal.
- View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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57. An apparatus comprising an electronic camera having a picture taking control for enabling the camera to supply picture signals, the camera further including a user operable control for generating a saliency signal;
- and a memory arranged for selectively retaining images associated with higher saliency levels in said memory in preference to images with lower saliency levels.
- View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
Specification