Automatic Capture Modes

• US 20100171846A1
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Wood, Kenneth, Srinivasan, James, Criminisi, Antonio, Rother, Carsten, Chiloyan, John, Hodges, Stephen, Williams, Lyndsay
• Granted Patent: US 8,587,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.990
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/212 Selecting different recording or reproducing modes, e.g. high or low resolution, field or frame
• 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

Abstract

An image capture device is described which is operable in any one of a number of capture modes. The device comprises a camera, a memory and a processor. The memory stores a plurality of sets of capture triggers, with each set of capture triggers being associated with one of the plurality of capture modes. The processor selects one of the plurality of capture modes, such that the device is operable in the selected capture mode. In the selected capture mode, an image is captured automatically when a capture trigger within the associated set of capture triggers is satisfied.

Claims

1. An image capture device operable in any one of a plurality of capture modes, the device comprising:

an image sensor;

a memory arranged to store a plurality of sets of capture triggers, wherein each set of capture triggers is associated with one of the plurality of capture modes; and

a processor arranged to select one of the plurality of capture modes, such that the device is operable in the selected capture mode, wherein an image is captured automatically when a capture trigger within the associated set of capture triggers is satisfied.

2. An image capture device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is arranged to select one of the capture modes in response to an input received.

3. An image capture device according to claim 2, wherein the memory is arranged to store a set of mode change parameters and wherein the processor is arranged to re-select a capture mode in response to an input received and in accordance with the set of mode change parameters.

4. An image capture device according to claim 3, wherein the input received comprises at least one of:

the time, a user input, a trigger from a calendar program, a signal received by a wireless receiver, a input received from a sensor, device status information and a mode sequence file.

5. An image capture device according to claim 3, wherein the input received is the time and wherein the set of mode change parameters comprises a sequence of modes and associated mode change times.

6. An image capture device according to claim 3, further comprising a user input means, and wherein the input received is received from the user input means.

7. An image capture device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor, and wherein at least one of the sets of capture triggers comprises a capture trigger defined with reference to an input of the sensor.

8. An image capture device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sets of capture triggers is user defined.

9. A method of capturing images comprising the steps of:

selecting a capture mode from a set of at least two capture modes;

accessing a set of capture triggers associated with the selected capture mode;

triggering capture of an image when an input received satisfies a capture trigger within the accessed set of capture triggers; and

selecting another capture mode from the set of at least two capture modes when mode change parameters are satisfied.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein selecting a capture mode comprises:

receiving an input; and

selecting a capture mode from a set of at least two capture modes in accordance with the input received.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein receiving an input comprises receiving an input from one of a user, a sensor, a wireless receiver and a clock.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein triggering capture of an image comprises:

receiving an input from one of a user, a sensor, a wireless receiver and a clock; and

triggering capture of an image when the input received satisfies a capture trigger within the accessed set of capture triggers.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the set of capture triggers comprises a capture trigger defined with reference to an input of a sensor.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the set of capture triggers is user-defined.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the mode change parameters define a set of user inputs.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein selecting another capture mode comprises:

detecting a user input;

identifying that the detected user input is defined in the mode change parameters; and

selecting another capture mode from the set of at least two capture modes based on the detected user input and the mode change parameters.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein selecting another capture mode comprises:

detecting a received signal via a wireless receiver; and

selecting another capture mode from the set of at least two capture modes based on the received signal and the mode change parameters.

18. A computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of claim 9, when the program is run on a computer.

19. A computer program as claimed in claim 18 embodied on a computer readable medium.