IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES USING DEVICE LOCATION INFORMATION TO ADJUST IMAGE DATA DURING IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING

• US 20110102630A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rukes, Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/610,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20110102630A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/223.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/88 for colour balance, e.g. white-balance circuits or colour temperature control

Abstract

Several methods and apparatuses for adjusting image data during image processing based on device specific information (e.g., location, orientation) for image capturing devices are described. In one embodiment, after having powered on the device and placing it in image capture mode, a location function determines location data of the device including a regional location. Next, an image capture function begins execution which captures one or more images of a scene that is before the camera lens. Next, adaptive image signal processing can occur based on the location data. For example, color adjustments (e.g., white balance, hue, saturation), sharpening, and contrast parameters for a given region may be adjusted during the image processing.

Claims

1. A method to adjust image parameters for an image capturing device, the method comprising:

determining data regarding location of the device during image capture; and

based on that data, adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing an image based on the adjusted image capture data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data further comprises adjusting at least one of the following parameters:

color saturation, white balance, sharpening, noise, frame rate, and contrast.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining data regarding orientation of the device and time of day during image capture; and

based on that data, further adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

5. A machine readable medium containing executable computer program instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause said system to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining data regarding location of the device during image capture; and

based on that data, adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

6. The medium of claim 5, further comprising:

capturing an image based on the adjusted image capture data.

7. The medium of claim 5, wherein adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data further comprises adjusting at least one of the following parameters:

color saturation, white balance, sharpening, noise, frame rate, and contrast.

8. The medium of claim 5, further comprising:

determining data regarding orientation of the device and time of day during image capture; and

based on that data, further adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

9. An image capturing device, comprising:

a storage device to store a plurality of captured images;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver to generate GPS data; and

a processing system coupled to the storage device and the GPS receiver, the processing system is configured to capture image data, to receive GPS data from the GPS receiver during image capture; and

to adjust image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data based on the GPS data.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further configured to capture an image based on the adjusted image capture data.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further configured to adjust at least one of the following parameters:

color saturation, white balance, sharpening, noise, frame rate, and contrast during signal processing of the image capture data.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising an orientation detector to detect orientation data, wherein the processing system is further configured to determine data regarding orientation of the device during image capture;

and

based on that data, further adjust image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

13. A method to adjust image parameters for an image capturing device, the method comprising:

determining data regarding location of the device upon initial operation of the device; and

based on that data, adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining data regarding time of day and orientation of the device during image capture; and

based on that data, further adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data and wherein the data regarding location is stored for subsequent operations of the device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data further comprises adjusting at least one of the following parameters:

color saturation, white balance, sharpening, noise, frame rate, and contrast.

16. A machine readable medium containing executable computer program instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause said system to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining data regarding location of the device upon initial operation of the device; and

based on that data, adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

17. The medium of claim 16, further comprising:

determining data regarding time of day and orientation of the device during image capture; and

based on that data, further adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

18. The medium of claim 16, wherein adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data further comprises adjusting at least one of the following parameters:

color saturation, white balance, sharpening, noise, frame rate, and contrast.

19. A data processing system, comprising:

a storage device to store a plurality of captured images;

a global positioning system (GPS) to detect GPS data; and

a processing unit coupled to the storage device and the GPS, the processing unit is configured to capture image data, to receive GPS data from the GPS upon initial operation of the device; and

to adjust image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data based on the GPS data.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an orientation detector to detect orientation data, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine data regarding orientation of the device during image capture;

and

based on that data, further adjust image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the orientation detector further comprises a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a motion detector, a tilt sensor, a compass, or any combination thereof.

22. A method to adjust image parameters for an image capturing device, the method comprising:

determining data regarding location of the device upon powering the device; and

based on that data, adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein location of the device is determined with a global positioning system integrated with the device.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

determining data regarding time of day and orientation of the device during image capture; and

based on that data, further adjusting image capture data during signal processing of the image capture data.

25. A method to adjust settings for an image capturing device, the method comprising:

determining data regarding regional location of the device;

determining one or more regulations associated with the regional location of the device; and

based on the one or more regulations, adjusting visual or audible settings during image capture of one or more images.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein regional location of the device is determined with a global positioning system integrated with the device.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein adjusting a visual setting further comprises flashing a light during image capture of one or more images.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein adjusting an audible setting further comprises generating an audible noise during image capture of one or more images.

29. A method to capture images with an image capturing device, the method comprising:

determining location data and orientation data of the device during image capture;

capturing one or more images with the device using image settings;

saving the image settings and associated location data and orientation data to build a database in the device;

determining current location data and orientation data for the device for a current frame or upon initiation of image capture mode;

comparing the current location data and orientation data with the previously saved location data and orientation data.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining if the current location data and orientation data approximately match any of the previously saved location data and orientation data;

applying image settings associated with previously saved location data and orientation data if this data approximately matches the current location data and orientation data.