Capturing selected image objects

• US 8,964,054 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Jung, Edward K. Y., Levien, Royce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhan, Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US11/702,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,945 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231.99, 348/231.6, 348/207.1, 348/207.99, 348/362, 348/345, 348/221.1, 348/240.99, 348/218.1, 348/33.2, 348/157, 348/159, 348/143, 348/333.2, 348/222.1, 725/751, 725/526, 725/737, 345/326
• US Class Current: 348/220.1
• 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 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/743 Bracketing, i.e. taking a series of images with varying exposure conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2621 Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments provide a technique that processes captured images derived from selected targeted objects in a field of view. The captured images may be transferred via a communication link to a Storage location for future availability. A possible aspect may provide a cross-reference association between saved multiple exposures having different quality characteristics. In some instances an identifier record is provided to enable future accessibility to selected captured data by one or more authorized parties or approved devices or authorized recipients. In some embodiments the captured data may include both a video data stream and one or more still image frames derived from related fields of view. Stored versions of the captured images may be provided in original or altered form to be incorporated in a composite visual work.

Claims

1. A system for image correlation, comprising:

(a) circuitry for providing an identification of one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view of an image capture device;

(b) circuitry for enabling a selection from among at least one or more targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest;

(c) circuitry for implementing operation of the image capture device for obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection, including at least circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures;

and

(d) circuitry for providing a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple video image exposures.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for enabling a selection from among at least one or more targeted objects includes:

circuitry for enabling a selection of two or more different targeted objects incorporated in the same field of view.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for implementing operation of the image capture device for obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection includes:

circuitry for obtaining multiple still image exposures of the selection.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for initiating operation of the image capture device for obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection; and

circuitry for obtaining at least one still image exposure and at least one video image exposure of the selection.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for incorporating the selection as a component element in a composite work.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said circuitry for incorporating the selection includes:

circuitry for incorporating the selection as a component element in a composite video image frame.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said circuitry for incorporating the selection includes:

circuitry for incorporating the selection as a component element in a composite still image frame.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for providing a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for providing the cross-reference association that facilitates future accessibility for alteration or searching or retrieval of the at least some of the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for providing the cross-reference association includes:

circuitry for establishing the cross-reference association contemporaneously with obtaining the at least some of the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for providing the cross-reference association includes:

circuitry for establishing the cross-reference association subsequent for obtaining the at least some of the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for providing the cross-reference association includes:

circuitry for establishing an identifier tag as at least a partial basis for implementing the cross-reference association.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said circuitry for establishing the identifier tag includes:

circuitry for establishing one or more of the following types of identifier tags;

time stamp, date stamp, background, view location, project name, topic, client, video component, still component, component specification, storage media, storage location, component operator, participant, indicia ID, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said circuitry for providing the cross-reference association includes:

circuitry for incorporating a cross-reference identifier with the at least some of the multiple video image exposures to facilitate one or more of the following type of accessibility;

view, display, forward, create thumbnail, alter, search, retrieve, copy, edit, change resolution, increase resolution, decrease resolution, change format, combine images, distribute, delete, print, collate, restricted access, access security, modify identifier, delete identifier, add identifier, access right, usage right, limited license, transfer of rights, and ownership assignment.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for storing the multiple video image exposures in one or more of the following;

localized media integrated with or operably coupled to the image capture device;

removable media that can be transported separate and apart from the image capture device; and

a remote storage location separate and

apart from the image capture device.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for creating a stored version of the multiple video image exposures; and

circuitry for storing one of more stored versions of the multiple video image exposures in removable storage media or in a local storage location or in a remote storage location with respect to the image capture device.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

circuitry for creating an altered form of the stored version of one or more of the multiple video image exposures.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said circuitry for creating an altered form of the stored version includes:

circuitry for implementing one or more of the following type of alteration techniques;

data compression, resolution enhancement, reduced resolution, increased resolution, object obfuscation, object deletion, object addition, object substitution, algorithmic processing, Image aggregation, cropping, color balancing, colorizing, and grayscale implementation.

18. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

circuitry for incorporating one or more of the following type of different quality attributes in the stored version of the multiple video image exposures;

aspect ratio, color space, color value, color intensity, image intensity, resolution, pixel density, dynamic range, pixel depth, shutter speed, exposure frequency, fidelity, obfuscation level, object deletion, object substitution, and transformation.

19. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for providing one or more of the following type of features in order to obtain multiple video image exposures having different quality characteristics;

color balance, white balance, color space, depth of field, pixel capture resolution, pixel storage resolution, capture quality, storage quality, gray scale, ambient light sensor, wavelength setting, infra-red illumination, flash illumination, aperture opening, focal point, filter, shutter speed, automated shutter, manual shutter, still frame frequency, preview display, post-capture display, high Q storage media, low Q storage media, removable storage media, programmed quality attribute, automated quality attribute, user-selected quality attribute, ownership right, transfer right, volatile memory, permanent memory, post-capture editing, and meta-data.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for enabling a programmed or automated coordination of related fields of view of the image capture device for obtaining the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

circuitry for allowing a user-actuated override to change the programmed or automated coordination of the related fields of view.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for enabling user-actuated coordination of related fields of view of the image capture device for obtaining the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

23. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for activating a still image capture component approximately concurrently with activating a video image capture component to obtain the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for selectively activating one or more of the following features associated with the image capture device in order to obtain multiple video image exposures with different qualities;

zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, narrow angle view, diminished field of view, add filter, omit filter, shutter speed, exposure parameter, supplemental illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, higher resolution capture, higher resolution storage, lower resolution capture, lower resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, and thumbnail display.

25. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for activating one or more of the following type of ancillary image capture features;

flash illuminator, infrared illuminator, ultraviolet illuminator, light meter, exposure controller, time stamp, date stamp, ID indicia, zoom lens actuator, sensor, monitor, and detector.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for enabling a selection from among at least one or more targeted objects includes:

circuitry for facilitating the selection or identification of the targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition.

27. The system of claim 1 wherein circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a usage right attribute associated with the targeted object.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a privacy right attribute associated with the targeted object.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein circuitry for providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for providing one or more different quality characteristics that are at least partially determined by a proprietary right attribute associated with the targeted object.

30. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for implementing operation of the image capture device includes:

circuitry for activating the image capture device in response to a received instruction from another digital device.

31. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

circuitry for making a data record that identifies the selection identified as the point of interest.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry for providing a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple video image exposures includes:

circuitry for providing a record that includes cross-reference identifiers for the at least some of the multiple video image exposures.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising:

circuitry for providing limited access to the record that includes the cross-reference identifiers.

34. An image selection system, comprising:

(a) an image capture module with specified quality parameters for capturing one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view, wherein said image capture module includes at least;

(i) a video capture component for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames of a designated targeted object, wherein at least some of the multiple video frames have one or more different quality characteristics;

(b) a user-interface for facilitating selection of the designated targeted object;

(c) a data record that identifies the designated targeted object as a point of interest;

(d) a controller operatively coupled to the data record and to the image capture module to activate the image capture module to take multiple video frames of the designated targeted object; and

(e) a program module configured to provide a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple video frames of the designated targeted object.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein said image capture module includes:

a still image capture component for taking multiple still image frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple still image frames each have one or more different quality characteristics.

36. The system of claim 34 wherein said program module is configured to provide one or more of the following type of cross-reference associations between the at least some of the multiple video frames of the designated targeted object:

time stamp, date stamp, background, view location, project name, topic, client, video component, still component, component specification, storage media, storage location, component operator, participant, indicia ID, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

37. The system of claim 36 further comprising:

an interface linked to storage media retaining a stored version of one or more streams of the multiple video frames, wherein the interface enables accessibility for alteration or search or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the one or more streams of multiple video frame of the designated object.

38. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for programmed or automated activation of the image capture module to take one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object.

39. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for user-activation of the image capture module to take one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object.

40. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration to take one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object based on different fields of view of the image capture module.

41. The system of claim 34 wherein said image capture module includes one or more of the following component features for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames, wherein at least some of the multiple video frames have one or more different quality characteristics:

zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, narrow angle view, diminished field of view, add filter, omit filter, shutter speed, exposure parameter, supplemental illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, higher resolution capture, higher resolution storage, lower resolution capture, lower resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, and thumbnail display.

42. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for incorporating one or more of the following type of different quality attributes in the stored version of the one or more streams of multiple video frame;

aspect ratio, color space, color value, color intensity, image intensity, resolution, pixel density, dynamic range, pixel depth, shutter speed, exposure frequency, fidelity, obfuscation level, object deletion, object substitution, and transformation.

43. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration to create an altered form of one or more streams of multiple video frames to be retained by the storage media, which altered form is a modified version of the one or more streams of multiple video frames initially captured by the image capture module.

44. The system of claim 34 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for implementing one or more of the following alteration techniques for creating an altered form of the one or more streams of multiple video frames;

data compression, resolution enhancement, reduced resolution, increased resolution, object obfuscation, object deletion, object addition, object substitution, algorithmic processing, image aggregation, cropping, color balancing, colorizing, and grayscale implementation.

45. The system of claim 34 further comprising:

one or more ancillary components for providing input information to the controller based on a monitored or sensed or detected event in the field of view of the image capture module regarding the designated target object, wherein said controller activates the image capture module in response to the input information.

46. The system of claim 34 further comprising:

a program module configured to facilitate selection of the designated targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition.

47. The system of claim 34, wherein the video capture component for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein at least some of the multiple video frames have one or more different quality characteristics, comprises:

a video capture component for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, a stream of multiple video frames having a first portion having a first quality and a second portion having a second quality.

48. The system of claim 34, wherein the video capture component for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein at least some of the multiple video frames have one or more different quality characteristics, comprises:

a video capture component for taking one or more streams of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, the one or more streams of multiple video frames including at least a first stream having a first quality and a second stream having a second quality.

49. An image selection system, comprising:

(a) an image capture module with specified quality parameters for capturing one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view, wherein said image capture module includes at least;

(i) a still image capture component for taking multiple still image frames of a designated targeted object; and

(ii) a video capture component for taking a stream of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein at least one of the multiple video frames have one or more different quality characteristics compared to at least one of the multiple still image frames;

(b) a user-interface for facilitating selection of a designated targeted object;

(c) a data record that identifies the designated targeted object as a point of interest;

(d) a controller operatively coupled to the data record and to the image capture module, the controller configured to activate the image capture module to take multiple still image frames and multiple video frames of the designated targeted object; and

(e) a program module configured to provide a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple still image frames and at least some of the multiple video frames of the designated targeted object.

50. A computer program product comprising:

one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media including at least;

one or more instructions for creating a visual display that represents a field of view of an image capture device;

one or more instructions for enabling an identification of possible targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view;

one or more instructions for enabling a selection of one or more particular targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest;

one or more instructions for implementing operation of the image capture device for obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least two or more of the multiple video image exposures; and

one or more instructions for providing a cross-reference association between at least some of the multiple video image exposures of the selection.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for creating a data record that identifies the selection as the point of interest.

52. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for creating a stored version of the multiple video image exposures of the selection for future reference.

53. The computer program product of claim 52, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for enabling accessibility for alteration or search or retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the video image multiple exposures.

54. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for activating the image capture module in response to input information based on a monitored or sensed or detected event in the field of view of the image capture module.

55. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for facilitating selection of the designated targeted object as the point of interest with one or more of the following techniques;

pull-down menu, cursor placement, directional pointer, area outline, area fill, object labeling, screen touching, voice activation, identifier tag, editing code, manual activation, bodily movement, device movement, gesture, motion sensor, item naming, item confirmation, preview selection, usage right attribute, and usage right recognition.

56. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for activating the image capture module to take one or more of the following type of exposures;

visual image, audio image, combination audio-visual image, still image, video image stream, or combination of still image/video image stream.

57. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the one or more non-transitory signal-bearing media further includes:

one or more instructions for providing one or more of the following type of cross-reference associations between at least some of the multiple exposures of the designated targeted object;

time stamp, date stamp, background, view location, project name, topic, client, video component, still component, component specification, storage media, storage location, component operator, participant, indicia ID, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.