Method, Apparatus and Computer Program for Capturing Images

• US 20150015736A1
• Filed: 03/15/2012
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Muukki, Mikko, Sokeila, Tomi, Gren, Juuso
• Granted Patent: US 9,621,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/741 by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/589 with different integration times, e.g. short and long exposures

Abstract

The Figures illustrate an apparatus, method, computer program and apparatus wherein the method includes detecting an input; and in response to detecting the input, causing an image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of images; wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a first set of parameters to capture a first subset of the plurality of images such that the first subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a first image processing algorithm and the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a second set of parameters to capture a second subset of the plurality of images such that the second subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a second image processing algorithm.

Claims

1. A method comprising;

detecting an input; and

in response to detecting the input, causing an image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of images;

wherein

the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a first set of parameters to capture a first subset of the plurality of images such that the first subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a first image processing algorithm and the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a second set of parameters to capture a second subset of the plurality of images such that the second subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a second image processing algorithm.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to capture more than two subsets of images where for each of the subsets of images the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a different set of parameters to enable each of the subsets of images to be used with a different image processing algorithm.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the subsets of images are captured in a sequence where the order of the sequence is determined by the image processing algorithms associated with each subset of images.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sequence in which the images are captured is determined by a user input.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sequence in which the images are captured is determined by a detected physical condition.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the detected physical condition comprises a physical condition of the image capturing apparatus.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the detected physical condition comprises at least one of a distance to an object to be imaged, motion of the image capturing apparatus.

8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the detected physical condition comprises a physical condition of an object to be imaged.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the detected physical condition comprises at least one of lux level, contrast of a scene to be imaged, dimensions of object, type of object, motion of the object.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detected input comprises a user input.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the detected input comprises a user selecting at least one image processing algorithm.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method further comprises storing the plurality of images such that the image processing algorithms may be performed on the stored images.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image processing algorithms are performed in response to a user input.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the image processing algorithms are performed automatically.

15. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, enable the apparatus to;

detect an input; and

in response to detecting the input, cause an image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of images;

wherein

the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a first set of parameters to capture a first subset of the plurality of images such that the first subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a first image processing algorithm and the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a second set of parameters to capture a second subset of the plurality of images such that the second subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a second image processing algorithm.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to capture more than two subsets of images where for each of the subsets of images the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a different set of parameters to enable each of the subsets of images to be used with a different image processing algorithm.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to capture the subsets of images in a sequence where the order of the sequence is determined by the image processing algorithms associated with each subset of images.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sequence in which the images are captured is determined by a user input.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the sequence in which the images are captured is determined by a detected physical condition.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. A non-transitory physical entity embodying computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, enable an apparatus at least to perform:

detecting an input; and

in response to detecting the input, causing an image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of images;

wherein

the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a first set of parameters to capture a first subset of the plurality of images such that the first subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a first image processing algorithm and the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a second set of parameters to capture a second subset of the plurality of images such that the second subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a second image processing algorithm.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)