Apparatus and method for generating multi-image scenes with a camera

• US 20040201755A1
• Filed: 12/06/2001
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Norskog, Allen C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,583,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture

Abstract

An apparatus configured for use in a camera identifies appropriate times to capture optical images with the camera. The apparatus includes a motion detector for generating movement data based on movement of the camera. A controller coupled to the movement detector identifies appropriate times to capture optical images based on the movement data.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for use in a camera to identify appropriate times to capture optical images with the camera, the apparatus comprising:

a motion detector for generating movement data based on movement of the camera; and

a controller coupled to the motion detector for identifying appropriate times to capture optical images based on the movement data.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is a digital camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is an analog camera.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause optical images to be captured by the camera automatically at the identified times.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause the camera to provide a notification to the user at the identified times.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the notification is one of an audible notification and a visual notification.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the notification is an audible notification and a visual notification.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to identify an appropriate time to capture an optical image based on movement of the camera relative to the position of the camera for a previously captured optical image.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the appropriate times are identified by the controller to capture a plurality of optical images with substantially no overlap between captured images, and wherein the plurality of captured images are combinable into a single scene.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion detector is an optical motion detector.

11. A method of capturing images with a camera for a multi-image scene, the method comprising:

capturing a first image with the camera;

generating movement data with a movement detector, the movement data representative of movement of the camera;

capturing a second image with the camera based on the generated movement data, the first and the second image combinable into a multi-image scene.

12. The method of claim 11, and further comprising:

causing the camera to automatically capture the second image at an appropriate time based on the generated movement data.

13. The method of claim 11, and further comprising:

generating a notification with the camera based on the generated movement data, the notification identifying an appropriate time for a user to cause the camera to capture the second image.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of generating movement data comprises:

providing an array of photo detectors;

directing a first set of images onto the array of photo detectors;

generating digital representations of the images in the first set based on outputs of the photo detectors;

correlating the digital representations; and

generating the movement data based on the correlation.

15. A camera comprising:

a medium for capturing images directed onto the medium;

a first lens for directing images onto the medium;

a movement detector for generating movement data based on movement of the camera; and

a controller coupled to the movement detector for identifying appropriate times to capture images based on the movement data.

16. The camera of claim 15, wherein the movement detector is an optical movement detector, the camera further comprising:

a second lens for directing images onto the optical movement detector.

17. The camera of claim 15, and further comprising:

a user input device configured to allow a user to select at least one multi-image mode, the controller configured to identify appropriate times to capture images only during a multi-image mode session.

18. The camera of claim 17, wherein the at least one multi-image mode includes an automatic multi-image mode and a feedback multi-image mode, and wherein the camera is configured to automatically capture images at the identified times during an automatic multi-image mode session, and is configured to provide a notification to the user at the identified times during a feedback multi-image mode session.

19. The camera of claim 15, wherein the camera is a digital camera, and wherein the medium comprises an array of photo sensors.

20. The camera of claim 15, wherein the camera is an analog camera, and wherein the medium is film.