Generation of simulated long exposure images in response to multiple short exposures
First Claim
1. An apparatus for simulating a long exposure-time image, comprising:
- means for capturing a sequence of images which are digital images;
a computer with memory coupled to said computer; and
programming adapted for execution on said computer for;
receiving a sequence of normal exposure images at a normal exposure time setting from said means for capturing, in which image capture duration of said normal exposure time setting is less than a desired long exposure interval over which a simulated long exposure time image is to be obtained;
selecting a set of sequential images, from within said sequence of images, which span the desired long exposure interval;
performing global motion estimation and compensation wherein camera motion arising between each of said sequential images is eliminated by post processing;
identifying regions of independent motion from a background in the set of sequential images; and
performing artificial motion blurring on said regions of independent motion, prior to combining the set of sequential images through temporal integration, to create at least one long exposure image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Simulating a long exposure-time image from a sequence of short exposure-time images captured at slightly different times. The sequence of images is combined in a temporal integration process to create a long exposure image that simulates the output from a still camera, steadied by a tripod, whose light-sensitive material has been exposed to the same scene from the time of the beginning of the first input image of the sequence to the last image of the input sequence. The method overcomes limitations of hand-held video and image recording devices, allowing the user to easily create effects normally associated with high-end digital still cameras under expert control.
70 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for simulating a long exposure-time image, comprising:
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means for capturing a sequence of images which are digital images; a computer with memory coupled to said computer; and programming adapted for execution on said computer for; receiving a sequence of normal exposure images at a normal exposure time setting from said means for capturing, in which image capture duration of said normal exposure time setting is less than a desired long exposure interval over which a simulated long exposure time image is to be obtained; selecting a set of sequential images, from within said sequence of images, which span the desired long exposure interval; performing global motion estimation and compensation wherein camera motion arising between each of said sequential images is eliminated by post processing; identifying regions of independent motion from a background in the set of sequential images; and performing artificial motion blurring on said regions of independent motion, prior to combining the set of sequential images through temporal integration, to create at least one long exposure image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A camera configured for automatically creating still images having a simulated exposure time spanning a desired time period, comprising:
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an electronic imaging element within a camera adapted for capturing a sequence of digital images; a computer with memory coupled to said computer, said computer configured for controlling said electronic imaging element of said camera; and programming adapted for execution on said computer for; capturing, within said memory, a sequence of images spanning a desired time period, which temporally span a desired long exposure interval; compensating for camera motion among said sequence of images; converting pixel values in said sequence of set of sequential images into linear light values; identifying regions of independent motion from a background in the sequence of images; and performing artificial motion blurring on said regions of independent motion prior to combining the sequence of images through temporal integration to create one or more simulated long exposure images. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of creating a long exposure time still photograph from a captured sequence of short exposure images, comprising:
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capturing a set of sequential images with a digital image capturing device, said set of sequential images spanning a desired time frame for a long exposure time still photograph; compensating for motion of the digital image capturing device among said set of sequential images wherein camera motion arising between each of said sequence of digital images is eliminated by post processing; identifying regions of independent motion from a background in the set of sequential images; performing artificial motion blurring on said regions of independent motion prior to combining said set of sequential images through temporal integration to create at least one long exposure time still photograph having said desired time frame. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification