Method and apparatus for image capturing

• US 8,111,874 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2007
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Inventors: Chan, Cheng Che
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATNAGAR, ANAND P
• Application Number:
  US11/949,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20090141981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/181, 382/190, 382/192, 382/195, 382/115, 382/117, 382/118, 382/209, 382/203, 382/206, 348/207.99, 348/208.14, 348/208.15, 348/211.9, 348/361, 348/267, 348/700, 396/153, 396/263, 396/264
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/166 using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/67 by interactive indications to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body

Abstract

An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.

Claims

1. An image capturing method for use in a camera, comprising:

configuring a composition profile for a picture to be taken, wherein the composition profile defines a composition of the picture and the picture includes at least one object;

enabling a sensor in the camera to sense and acquire an image;

analyzing the image to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile;

generating an indication signal according to the analyzing result, wherein generation of the indication signal comprises guiding the objects to meet the composition profile when the image does not satisfy the composition profile; and

when the image satisfies the composition profile, storing the image to be the picture.

2. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indication signal comprises voice, light, screen display or combinations thereof.

3. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the objects comprise human faces; and

analysis of the image comprises employing a face detection algorithm to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile.

4. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein configuration of the composition profile comprises defining number of the at least one object, position of each object, or size of each object.

5. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 4, wherein configuration of the composition profile comprises defining tolerable error ranges of the size and position of each object.

6. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein configuration of the composition profile is performed by sketching on a touch panel.

7. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 1, wherein storage of the picture comprises:

if the determination result indicates the image satisfies the composition profile for a predetermined time, storing the image to be the picture.

8. An image capturing method for use in a camera, comprising:

configuring a composition profile for a picture to be taken, the composition profile defining a number of objects to be included in the picture, a position of each object, and a size of each object;

enabling a sensor in the camera to sense and acquire an image;

analyzing the image to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile; and

if the image satisfies the composition profile, storing the image to be the picture.

9. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the composition profile further defines tolerable error ranges of the size and position of each object.

10. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the composition profile is configured by sketching on a touch panel.

11. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the objects comprise human faces; and

analysis of the image comprises employing a face detection algorithm to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile.

12. The image capturing method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the storing storage of the picture comprises:

if the analyzing result indicates the image satisfies the composition profile for a predetermined time, storing the image to be the picture.

13. An image capturing device, comprising:

a configuration interface, for inputting a composition profile for a picture to be taken, the composition profile defining a composition of the picture and the picture includes at least one object;

a capturing module, sensing and acquiring an image when enabled;

a processor coupled to the configuration interface and capturing module, analyzing the image to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile;

a memory device coupled to the processor, storing the image in the memory device to be the picture the image satisfies the composition profile; and

an indicator module coupled to the processor, generating an indication signal, wherein if the image does not satisfy the composition profile, the processor analyzes misplaced objects in the image, and the indication signal is generated to guide the misplaced objects to meet the composition profile.

14. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

the indicator module comprises a display, a speaker or lamps; and

the indication signal is voice, light, screen display or combinations thereof.

15. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a firmware coupled to the processor to provide a face detection algorithm, wherein:

the objects comprise human faces; and

the processor employs the face detection algorithm to determine whether the image satisfies the composition profile.

16. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the composition profile defines number of the at least one object, position of each object, or size of each object.

17. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the composition profile further defines tolerable error ranges of the size and position of each object.

18. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the configuration interface is a touch panel.

19. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processor counts duration of how long the image stays in a condition of satisfying the composition profile;

and if the duration is longer than a predetermined time, the processor stores the image to be the picture.

20. The image capturing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the indication signal is generated to guide the objects to meet the composition profile.