Capturing selected image objects

• US 20070274563A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC A Limited Liability Corporation of The State of Delaware
• Inventors: Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,621,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00392 Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a technique that processes captured images derived from selected targeted objects in a field of view. The captured images may be transferred via a communication link to a storage location for future availability. A possible aspect may provide a cross-reference association between saved multiple exposures having different quality characteristics. In some instances an identifier record is provided to enable future accessibility to selected captured data by one or more authorized parties or approved devices or authorized recipients. In some embodiments the captured data may include both a video data stream and one or more still image frames derived from related fields of view. Stored versions of the captured images may be provided in original or altered form to be incorporated in a composite visual work.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining an image comprising:

creating a visual display that represents a field of view of an image capture device configured to enable an identification of one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view;

enabling a user to make a selection via a user interface from among the at least one or more targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest;

implementing operation of the image capture device for taking multiple exposures of the selection; and

,

providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the user to make the selection from among the at least one or more targeted objects includes;

enabling the user to make the selection of two or more different targeted objects incorporated in the same field of view.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said implementing operation of the image capture device for taking multiple exposures of the selection includes:

obtaining multiple still image exposures of the selection.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said implementing operation of the image capture device for taking multiple exposures of the selection includes:

obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said implementing operation of the image capture device for taking multiple exposures of the selection includes:

obtaining at least one still image exposure and at least one video image exposure of the selection.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

incorporating the selection as a component element in a composite work.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a cross-reference association between the multiple exposures, which cross-reference association facilitates future accessibility.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

establishing the cross-reference association contemporaneously with taking the multiple exposures of the selection.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

establishing the cross-reference association subsequent to taking the multiple exposures of the selection.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

establishing an identifier tag as at least a partial basis for implementing the cross-reference association.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the multiple exposures in one or more of the following;

localized media integrated with or operably coupled to the image capture device;

removable media that can be transported separate and apart from the image capture device; and

a remote storage location separate and apart from the image capture device.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

creating an altered form of one or more of the multiple exposures.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said creating an altered form includes:

implementing one or more of the following type of alteration techniques;

data compression, resolution enhancement, reduced resolution, increased resolution, object obfuscation, object deletion, object addition, object substitution, algorithmic processing, image aggregation, cropping, color balancing, colorizing, and grayscale implementation,

21. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

providing one or more of the following type of features in order to obtain multiple exposures having different quality characteristics;

color balance, white balance, color space, depth of field, pixel capture resolution, pixel storage resolution, capture quality, storage quality, gray scale, ambient light sensor, wavelength setting, infra-red illumination, flash illumination, aperture opening, focal point, filter, shutter speed, automated shutter, manual shutter, still frame frequency, preview display, post-capture display, high Q storage media, low Q storage media, removable storage media, programmed quality attribute, automated quality attribute, user-selected quality attribute, ownership right, transfer right, volatile memory, permanent memory, post-capture editing, and meta-data.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

enabling a programmed or automated coordination of related fields of view of the image capture device for obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

incorporating one or more of the following type of different quality attributes in the multiple exposures;

aspect ratio, color space, color value, color intensity, image intensity, resolution, pixel density, dynamic range, pixel depth, shutter speed, exposure frequency, fidelity, obfuscation level, object deletion, object substitution, and transformation.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

activating a still image capture component approximately concurrently with activating a video image capture component to obtain the multiple exposures of the selection.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

selectively activating one or more of the following features associated with the image capture device in order to obtain multiple exposures with different qualities;

zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, narrow angle view, diminished field of view, add filter, omit filter, shutter speed, exposure parameter, supplemental illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, higher resolution capture, higher resolution storage, lower resolution capture, lower resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, and thumbnail display.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein said providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

activating one or more of the following type of ancillary image capture features;

flash illuminator, infrared illuminator, ultraviolet illuminator, light meter, exposure controller, time stamp, date stamp, ID indicia, zoom lens actuator, sensor, monitor, and detector.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the user to make the selection includes:

facilitating the selection or identification of the targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition,

30. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a usage right attribute associated with the targeted object.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a privacy right attribute associated with the targeted object.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for each exposure includes:

providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a proprietary right attribute associated with the targeted object.

7-8. -8. (canceled)

13-14. -14. (canceled)

16-18. -18. (canceled)

23-24. -24. (canceled)

33. An image selection system comprising:

an image capture module with specified quality parameters for capturing one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view;

a user-interface for facilitating selection of a designated targeted object, wherein the user-interface includes a data record that identifies the designated targeted object as a point of interest; and

a controller operatively coupled to the data record and configured to activate the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple exposures each have different quality characteristics.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein the image capture module includes:

a still image capture component for taking multiple still image frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple still image frames each have one or more different quality characteristics.

35. The system of claim 33 wherein said image capture module includes:

a video capture component for taking a stream of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple video frames each have one or more different quality characteristics.

36. The system of claim 33 wherein said image capture module includes:

a still image capture component for taking multiple still image frames of the designated targeted object; and

a video capture component for taking a stream of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple video frames each have one or more different quality characteristics compared to the multiple still image frames.

37. The system of claim 33 further comprising storage media for retaining a stored version of the multiple exposures that includes one or more of the following type of cross-reference associations between the multiple exposures of the designated targeted object:

time stamp, date stamp, background, view location, project name, topic, client, video component, still component, component specification, storage media, storage location, component operator, participant, indicia ID, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

38. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

an interface linked to the storage media to enable access or alteration or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures of the designated object.

39. The system of claim 37 further comprising:

an interface linked to the storage media to enable access or alteration or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures of the designated object for incorporation in a composite still image frame or a composite video image frame.

40. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for programmed or automated activation of the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

41. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for user-activation of the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

42. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes;

a controller configuration to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object based on different fields of view of the image capture module.

43. The system of claim 33 wherein said image capture module includes one or more of the following component features for taking multiple exposures having different quality characteristics:

zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, narrow angle view, diminished field of view, add filter, omit filter, shutter speed, exposure parameter, supplemental illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, higher resolution capture, higher resolution storage, lower resolution capture, lower resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, and thumbnail display.

44. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for incorporating one or more of the following type of different quality attributes in the stored version of the multiple exposures;

aspect ratio, color space, color value, color intensity, image intensity, resolution, pixel density, dynamic range, pixel depth, shutter speed, exposure frequency, fidelity, obfuscation level, object deletion, object substitution, and transformation.

45. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration to create an altered form of one or more multiple exposures to be retained by the storage media, which altered form is a modified version of the multiple exposures initially captured by the image capture module.

46. The system of claim 33 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for implementing one or more of the following alteration techniques for creating an altered form of the one or more multiple exposures data compression, resolution enhancement, reduced resolution, increased resolution, object obfuscation, object deletion, object addition, object substitution, algorithmic processing, image aggregation, cropping, color balancing, colorizing, and grayscale implementation.

47. The system of claim 33 further comprising:

one or more ancillary components for providing input information to the controller based on a monitored or sensed or detected event in the field of view of the image capture module regarding the designated target object, wherein said controller activates the image capture module in response to the input information.

48. A computer program product having one or more computer programs for executing the following process;

creating a visual display that represents a field of view of an image capture device;

enabling via a user-interface an identification of possible targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view;

enabling a user to make a selection of one or more particular targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest via the user-interface; and

implementing operation of the image capture device for taking multiple exposures of the selection, wherein each exposure has at least one different quality characteristic.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said process further includes:

creating a data record that identifies the selection as the point of interest.

50. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said process further includes:

creating a stored version of the multiple exposures of the selection for future reference.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the process further includes:

enabling access or alteration or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures.

52. The computer program product of claim 48 further comprising:

storage media and/or signal communication media for encoding instructions for executing the process.

53. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said process further includes:

enabling access or alteration or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in a stored version of the multiple exposures of the designated object.

54. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said process feature implementing operation of the image capture module includes:

activating the image capture module in response to input information based on a monitored or sensed or detected event in the field of view of the image capture module.

55. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said process feature enabling a user to make a selection includes:

facilitating selection of the designated targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition.

56. A method of image selection comprising:

implementing via a user interface a selection of one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view of an image capture module;

creating a data record that identifies a designated targeted object as a point of interest; and

activating the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple exposures each have different quality characteristics.

57. The method of claim 56 further comprising:

facilitating selection of the designated targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition.

58. The method of claim 56 wherein said activating the image capture module includes:

activating the image capture module in response to a received instruction from another digital device.

59. The method of claim 56 wherein said activating the image capture module includes:

activating the image capture module to take one or more of the following type of exposures;

visual, audio, combination audio-visual, still, video stream, and combination still-video image stream.

60. The method of claim 56 further comprising:

retaining a stored version of the multiple exposures that includes one or more of the following type of cross-reference associations between the multiple exposures of the designated targeted object;

time stamp, date stamp, background, view location, project name, topic, client, video component, still component, component specification, storage media, storage location, component operator, participant, indicia ID, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

61. The method of claim 56 wherein said activating the image capture module includes:

providing programmed or automated activation of the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

62. The method of claim 56 wherein said activating the image capture module includes:

taking multiple exposures of the designated targeted object based on different fields of view of the image capture module.

63. The method of claim 56 further comprising:

creating an altered form of the one or more multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.