Camera and method with additional evaluation image capture based on scene brightness changes
First Claim
1. An imaging method for a digital camera, said method comprising the steps of:
- capturing a set of evaluation images of a scene with the camera;
computing a change in scene brightness between two or more of said evaluation images;
computing a metric of scene-to-capture mismatch in said evaluation images, when said brightness change is outside a predetermined brightness range;
shifting said camera to a second capture state prior to said capturing of one or more evaluation images of said set, when said brightness change and said metric are outside respective said ranges;
determining a final camera state using said set of evaluation images;
capturing one or more final images with said camera in said final camera state.
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Abstract
In a method and digital camera, initial evaluation images of a scene are captured with the camera. A change in scene brightness between two or more of the evaluation images is computed. When the scene brightness change is outside a predetermined brightness range, a metric of scene-to-capture mismatch in the evaluation images is determined. When the brightness change and the metric are both outside predetermined ranges, the camera is shifted to a second capture state prior to the capturing of one or more additional evaluation images. In either case, a final camera state is determined using available evaluation images and one or more final images are captured with the camera in the final camera state.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An imaging method for a digital camera, said method comprising the steps of:
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capturing a set of evaluation images of a scene with the camera;
computing a change in scene brightness between two or more of said evaluation images;
computing a metric of scene-to-capture mismatch in said evaluation images, when said brightness change is outside a predetermined brightness range;
shifting said camera to a second capture state prior to said capturing of one or more evaluation images of said set, when said brightness change and said metric are outside respective said ranges;
determining a final camera state using said set of evaluation images;
capturing one or more final images with said camera in said final camera state. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An imaging method for a digital camera, said method comprising the steps of:
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capturing a plurality of initial evaluation images of a scene with the camera;
computing a change in scene brightness between two or more of said initial evaluation images;
when said brightness change is outside a predetermined brightness range, computing scene-to-capture mismatch in said initial evaluation images;
when said brightness change is outside said predetermined brightness range and said mismatch is outside a predetermined mismatch range, shifting said camera to a second capture state and capturing one or more additional evaluation images;
determining a final camera state using said evaluation images;
capturing one or more final images with said camera in said final camera state. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 32)
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22. A digital camera comprising:
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a capture unit settable in a plurality of different capture states, said capture unit being actuable to capture a sequence of evaluation images and separately trippable to capture one or more final images, said capture unit defaulting to a predetermined one of said capture states when said capture unit is actuated;
a control unit operatively connected to said capture unit, said control unit responding when said capture unit is actuated to capture said evaluation images, said responding including;
locating one or more markers in said evaluation images, said markers each being indicative of a defect in said evaluation images, assessing brightness change in said scene using said sequence to provide an brightness change assessment, changing said camera to a second of said states and capturing one or more additional evaluation images of said scene when said brightness change assessment is outside a predetermined range, said additional evaluation images being at least partially remedial of said defect. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An imaging method for a digital camera, said method comprising the steps of:
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capturing one or more evaluation images of a scene with the camera in an initial capture state, each said evaluation image having an associated focus distance;
providing distance range information as to one or more subjects in said images;
determining one or more mismatches between said distance range information and said depth of field;
assessing brightness change in said scene using said sequence;
when said brightness change assessment is outside a predetermined range, changing said camera to a second capture state providing an altered depth of field, and capturing one or more additional evaluation images of said scene having said altered depth of field;
evaluating said evaluation images;
setting said camera in a final capture state responsive to said evaluating; and
capturing one or more final images with said camera in said final capture state. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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36. An imaging method for a digital camera, said method comprising the steps of:
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capturing one or more evaluation images of a scene with the camera in an initial capture state;
locating one or more tonality accumulations in highlights and shadows of one or more of said evaluation images;
assessing brightness change in said scene using said sequence;
when said brightness change assessment is outside a predetermined range, changing said camera to a second capture state at least partially compensatory to at least one of said tonality accumulations and capturing one or more additional evaluation images of said scene with said camera in said second capture state;
evaluating said evaluation images;
setting said camera in a final state of said plurality of capture states responsive to said evaluating; and
capturing one or more final images with said camera in said final state. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification