Method and Apparatus for Imaging

• US 20120007996A1
• Filed: 12/29/2010
• Published: 01/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Bilcu, Radu Ciprian
• Application Number:
  US12/981,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20120007996A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/208.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/741 by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors

Abstract

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for setting imaging parameters. Information of several images of a scene is received. The images are captured with different exposure times. Also information of motion of the apparatus is received. On the basis of the motion of the apparatus at least one of the exposure times is estimated.

Claims

1. A method in a device comprising:

receiving information of several images of a scene captured by an imaging sensor with different exposure times;

receiving information indicative of a motion of the imaging sensor; and

estimating at least one of the exposure times based on the motion of the imaging sensor.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the number of captured images is automatically selected based on the detected dynamic range of the scene and motion of the imaging sensor.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the motion of the device is detected by at least one of the following:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

4. A method according to claim 1 comprising selecting the exposure times automatically and automatically modifying the exposure times by the device according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

5. A method in a device comprising:

receiving information indicative of a motion of an imaging sensor;

estimating an exposure time based on the motion of the imaging sensor; and

providing control to the imaging sensor for using the estimated exposure time in capturing an image.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the motion of the imaging sensor is detected by at least one of the following:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

7. A method according to claim 5 comprising selecting the exposure time automatically and automatically modifying the exposure time by the device according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a first input for receiving information of several images of a scene captured by an imaging sensor with different exposure times;

a second input for receiving information of motion of the imaging sensor; and

at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to estimate at least one of the exposure times based on the motion of the imaging sensor.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to automatically select the number of captured images based on the detected dynamic range of the scene and motion of the imaging sensor.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 comprising at least one of the following to detect the motion of the imaging sensor:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to select the exposure times automatically and to automatically modify the exposure times according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising an amplifier for amplifying imaging signals captured by the imaging sensor, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to automatically modify an analog gain of the amplifier when the exposure time is modified.

13. An apparatus comprising:

an input for receiving information indicative of a motion of an imaging sensor; and

at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to estimate an exposure time based on the motion of the imaging sensor; and

providing control to the imaging sensor for using the estimated exposure time in capturing an image.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 comprising at least one of the following to detect the motion of the imaging sensor:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to automatically select the exposure times and to automatically modify the exposure times according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

16. A computer program product stored on a storage medium comprising a computer program code configured to, with at least one processor, cause an apparatus to:

receive information of several images of a scene captured by an imaging sensor with different exposure times;

receive information of motion of the imaging sensor; and

estimate at least one of the exposure times based on the motion of the imaging sensor.

17. A computer program according to claim 16 comprising computer instructions for selecting the number of captured images based on the detected dynamic range of the scene and motion of the imaging sensor.

18. A computer program according to claim 16 comprising computer instructions for receiving information of the motion of the device from at least one of the following:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

19. A computer program according to claim 16 comprising computer instructions for selecting the exposure times automatically and modifying the exposure times according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

20. A computer program product stored on a storage medium comprising a computer program code configured to, with at least one processor, cause an apparatus to:

receive information indicative of a motion of an imaging sensor;

estimate an exposure time based on the motion of the imaging sensor; and

provide control to the imaging sensor for using the estimated exposure time in capturing an image.

21. A computer program according to claim 20 comprising computer instructions for receiving information of the motion of the imaging sensor from at least one of the following:

an accelerometer sensor;

a compass sensor;

a positioning sensor.

22. A computer program according to claim 20 comprising computer instructions for selecting the exposure time automatically and for automatically modifying the exposure time by the device according to the detected motion of the imaging sensor.

23. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving information of several images of a scene captured by an imaging sensor with different exposure times;

means for receiving information of motion of the imaging sensor; and

means for estimating at least one of the exposure times based on the motion of the imaging sensor.

24. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving information indicative of a motion of an imaging sensor; and

means for estimating an exposure time based on the motion of the imaging sensor; and

means for providing control to the imaging sensor for using the estimated exposure time in capturing an image.