CAMERA USING MULTIPLE LENSES AND IMAGE SENSORS OPERABLE IN A DEFAULT IMAGING MODE

• US 20080218613A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Parulski, Kenneth A., Janson, Wilbert F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,729,602 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/262
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/45 for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/673 based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene

Abstract

An electronic camera includes first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, one of the stages being designated as a default imaging stage. A processor enables capture and display of the separate images, and further responds to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera. If the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period, or if the camera is actuated before the time has run out, the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit.

Claims

1. A method for operating a digital camera having first and second imaging stages for forming separate images of a scene, said method comprising the steps of:

designating one of the imaging stages as a default imaging stage;

capturing and displaying first and second images from the first and second imaging stages, respectively;

timing display of the images for a predetermined time period; and

enabling an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera, whereby the default imaging stage is automatically selected as the primary capture unit if the operator selection does not occur within the predetermined time period.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second imaging stages include zoom lenses, and wherein the method further includes the step of setting the first and second imaging stages to respective default zoom positions, whereby the step of capturing and displaying the images displays the images obtained at their respective default zoom positions.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the imaging stage not selected as the primary capture unit is designated as a secondary capture unit for influencing, adjusting analyzing or augmenting the image formed by the primary capture unit.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the secondary stage provides scene analysis data for setting the capture parameters for the primary capture unit.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the secondary capture unit provides image data for augmenting the image captured by the primary capture unit.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the camera includes a shutter button for initiating an image exposure, whereby the default imaging stage is automatically selected as the primary capture unit if the operator selection has not occurred when the shutter button is actuated.

7. An electronic camera having first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, one of said stages being designated as a default imaging stage, said electronic camera comprising:

a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor;

a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor;

a display for displaying the first and second images; and

a processor for enabling capture and display of the first and second images on the display, said processor further responsive to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera, whereby the default imaging stage is automatically selected as the primary capture unit if the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period.

8. The camera as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first and second imaging stages include zoom lenses, and wherein the first and second imaging stages are initially set to respective default zoom positions, whereby the processor enables capture and display of the images at their respective default zoom positions.

9. The camera as claimed in claim 7 wherein the camera includes a shutter button for initiating an image exposure, whereby the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit if the operator selection has not occurred when the shutter button is actuated.

10. In an electronic camera having first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, the improvement wherein one of the stages is designated as a default imaging stage, and the camera includes a processor for enabling capture and display of the separate images, said processor further responding to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera, whereby if the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period, or if the camera is actuated before the predetermined time period has run out, the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit.