Image capture systems and methods

• US 20080231721A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp (HTC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp (HTC Corporation)
• Inventors: Chou, Fu-Chiang, Wang, John C.
• Application Number:
  US12/010,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20080231721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body

Abstract

Image capture systems and methods for use in a picture-taking device. The system comprises an image sensor and a processing unit. The image sensor captures at least one picture. The processing unit determines whether a specific behavior exists in the picture. If so, the processing unit drives the device to perform a photography process to take an image via the image sensor.

Claims

1. An image capture system for use in a picture-taking device, comprising:

an image sensor capturing at least one picture; and

a processing unit determining whether a specific behavior exists in the picture, and if so, driving the device to perform a photography process to take an image via the image sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the specific behavior comprises a specific gesture or a specific action.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the processing unit uses an object recognition algorithm to determine whether at least one hand is in the picture, and determine whether a gesture of the hand conforms to the specific gesture.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the processing unit uses an object tracking algorithm to determine whether at least one specific object is in the picture, and determine whether a movement of the specific object conforms to the specific action.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an operating interface for setting the specific behavior.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein after the specific behavior is determined in the picture, the processing unit further delays a specific time, and performs the photography process to take the image via the image sensor after the specific time passes.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising an operating interface for setting the specific time.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing unit further detects a focus point during the photography process, and takes the image accordingly.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing unit further sets a position corresponding to the specific behavior as a focus point, and takes the image accordingly.

10. An image capture method for use in a picture-taking device, comprising:

capturing at least one picture;

determining whether a specific behavior exists in the picture; and

if so, perform a photography process to take an image.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the specific behavior comprises a specific gesture or a specific action.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining whether at least one hand is in the picture using an object recognition algorithm; and

determining whether a gesture of the hand conforms to the specific gesture.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

determining whether at least one specific object is in the picture using an object tracking algorithm; and

determining whether a movement of the specific object conforms to the specific action.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising setting the specific behavior via an operating interface.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

when the specific behavior is determined in the picture, delaying a specific time; and

performing the photography process to take the image after the specific time passes.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising setting the specific time via an operating interface.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

detecting a focus point during the photography process; and

taking the image accordingly.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

setting a position corresponding to the specific behavior as a focus point; and

taking the image accordingly.

19. A machine-readable storage medium comprising a computer program, which, when executed, causes a device to perform an image capture method, the method comprising:

capturing at least one picture;

determining whether a specific behavior exists in the picture; and

if so, performing a photography process to take an image.

20. The storage medium of claim 19 wherein the method further comprises:

when the specific behavior is determined in the picture, delaying a specific time; and

performing the photography process to take the image after the specific time passes.