Capturing selected image objects

• US 9,041,826 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• 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: Levien, Royce A., Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A., Rinaldo, Jr., John D., Jung, Edward K. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhan, Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US11/506,760
• Publication Number:
  US 20070040928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,203 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231.99, 348/231.6, 348/220.1, 348/221.1, 348/223.1, 348/231.5, 348/333.05, 348/333.09, 348/333.11, 348/207.99, 348/241, 348/222.1, 348/362, 348/218, 348/239, 348/333.01, 345/326
• US Class Current: 348/221.1
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/32 on separate auxiliary tracks of the same or an auxiliary record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00251 with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2166 for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2187 with image input from a plurality of different locations or from a non-central location, e.g. from one or more users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/472 End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content end-user interfaces for retrieving video data from a database G06F16/739; network services for supporting unicast streaming H04L65/612
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/212 Selecting different recording or reproducing modes, e.g. high or low resolution, field or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/214 Checking or indicating the storage space
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/216 Arrangements for recording on different types of storage medium, e.g. IC card or magnetic tape; Recording on a plurality of storage media
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0122 the input and the output signals having different aspect ratios
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

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 method of capturing an image comprising:

creating a visual display that represents a field of view of at least one image capture device;

providing a user-interface that enables an identification of one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, wherein data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least audio data;

enabling a user to make a selection from among the at least one or more targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest via the user-interface;

initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure;

creating a stored version of at least some of the multiple exposures; and

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

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the user to make the selection from among the at least one or more targeted objects includes;

enabling the user to make the selection of two or more different targeted objects incorporated in the same field of view.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection includes:

obtaining multiple still image exposures of the selection.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection includes:

obtaining multiple video image exposures of the selection.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection includes:

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

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said incorporating the selection includes:

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

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said incorporating the selection includes:

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

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a cross-reference association between the multiple exposures, which cross-reference association facilitates future user accessibility for incorporating one of the multiple exposures of the selection as a component element in a composite work.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

establishing the cross-reference association contemporaneously with obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

establishing the cross-reference association subsequent to obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

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

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said establishing the identifier tag includes;

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 10, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said providing the cross-reference association includes:

incorporating a cross-reference identifier with the multiple exposures to facilitate one or more of the following type of accessibility;

view, display, forward, create thumbnail, 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.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating the stored version of the multiple exposures includes:

storing the multiple exposures in removable media that can be transported separate and apart from the image capture device.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating the stored version of the multiple exposures includes:

storing the multiple exposures in a remote storage location separate and apart from the image capture device.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating the stored version of the multiple exposures includes:

storing one of more versions of the multiple exposures in a local storage location and in a remote storage location with respect to the image capture device.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein said creating the stored version of the multiple exposures includes:

creating an altered form of the stored version of one or more of the multiple exposures.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said creating an altered form of the stored version includes:

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.

21. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

color balance, white balance, color space, 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.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

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

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

incorporating one or more of the following type of different quality attributes in the stored version of the multiple 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.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selectively activating one or more of the following features associated with the image capture device in order to obtain multiple 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.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the multiple exposures having different quality characteristics includes;

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.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein said enabling the user to make the selection includes:

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.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure includes:

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

30. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure includes:

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

31. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure includes:

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

32. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a user-interface that enables an identification of one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, wherein data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least audio data comprises:

providing a user-interface that enables an identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, wherein the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least the audio data, the audio data includes at least data acquired by voice activation.

33. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure comprises:

initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing the different quality characteristic for the at least one exposure, the different quality characteristics includes at least color balance.

34. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure comprises:

initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing the different quality characteristic for the at least one exposure, the different quality characteristics includes at least depth of field.

35. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure comprises:

initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining the multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing the different quality characteristic for the at least one exposure, the different quality characteristics includes at least focal point.

36. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view comprises:

controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view by one or more automatic controls.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view comprises:

controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view by one or more programmed controls.

39. The method of claim 36 wherein controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view comprises:

controlling to keep the one or more targeted objects within the field of view by one or more user activated controls.

41. The system of claim 10 wherein the 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 different quality characteristics.

42. The system of claim 10 wherein said image capture module includes:

a video capture component for taking a stream of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple video frames each have different quality characteristics.

15. The method of 1 wherein said creating the stored version of the multiple exposures includes:

storing the multiple exposures in localized media integrated with or operably coupled to the image capture device.

40. An image selection system comprising:

an image capture module with one or more specified quality parameters for capturing one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view, wherein data representing identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least audio data;

a user-interface for facilitating selection of a designated targeted object, wherein the user-interface includes at least a data record that identifies the designated targeted object as a point of interest;

a controller operatively coupled to the data record and configured to activate the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple exposures each have different quality characteristics; and

storage media for retaining a stored version of the multiple exposures for future reference, wherein the stored version includes at least a cross-reference association between the multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

43. The system of claim 40 wherein said image capture module includes:

a still image capture component for taking multiple still image frames of the designated targeted object; and

a video capture component for taking a stream of multiple video frames of the designated targeted object, wherein the multiple video frames each have different quality characteristics compared to the multiple still image frames.

44. The system of claim 40 wherein said storage media includes one or more of the following type of cross-reference associations between 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 10, sequence numeral, thumbnail link, index listing, acronym, abbreviation, pointer link, hyper-link, icon, and barcode.

45. The system of claim 44 further comprising:

an interface linked to the storage media to enable access and retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures of the designated object for incorporation in a composite work.

46. The system of claim 44 further comprising:

an interface linked to the storage media to enable access and retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures of the designated object for incorporation in a composite still image frame or a composite video image frame.

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

a controller configuration for programmed or automated activation of the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

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

a controller configuration for user-activation of the image capture module to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object.

49. The system of claim 40 wherein said controller includes;

a controller configuration to take multiple exposures of the designated targeted object based on different fields of view of the image capture module.

50. The system of claim 40 wherein said image capture module includes one or more of the following component features for taking multiple exposures having 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.

51. The system of claim 40 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 multiple 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.

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

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

53. The system of claim 52 wherein said controller includes:

a controller configuration for implementing one or more of the following alteration techniques for creating the altered form of the one or more multiple exposures to be retained by the storage media;

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.

54. The system of claim 40 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.

55. The system of claim 40 wherein an image capture module with one or more specified quality parameters for capturing one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in a field of view, wherein data representing identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least audio data comprises:

an image capture module with one or more quality parameters for capturing the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, wherein the data representing identification of the one or more targeted objects includes at least the audio data, the audio data includes at least voice activation data.

56. A computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory signal-bearing medium 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 providing a user-interface that enables an identification of possible targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, wherein data representing the identification of the possible targeted objects includes at least audio data;

one or more instructions for enabling a user to make a selection of one or more particular targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest via the user-interface;

one or more instructions for initiating operation of the image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, wherein at least one exposure has at least one different quality characteristic;

one or more instructions for creating a stored version of the multiple exposures of the selection for future reference; and

one or more instructions for activating a still image capture device approximately concurrently with activating a video image capture device to obtain the multiple exposures of the selection.

57. The computer program product of claim 56 further including:

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

58. The computer program product of claim 56 further including:

one or more instructions for enabling access and retrieval of visual elements incorporated in the stored version of the multiple exposures for incorporation in a composite work.

59. The computer program product of claim 56 further comprising:

one or more instructions for a non-transitory storage media and/or a non-transitory signal communication media for encoding instructions for executing the process.

60. The computer program product of claim 56 further including:

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.

61. A method of capturing an image comprising:

creating a visual display that represents a field of view of at least one image capture device;

providing a user-interface that enables an identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data;

enabling a user to make a selection from among the at least one or more targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest via the user-interface;

initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure;

creating a stored version of at least some of the multiple exposures; and

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

62. The method of claim 61 wherein providing a user-interface that enables an identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data comprises:

providing the user-interface that enables the identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data identifying unique surface features of the one or more targeted objects.

63. An image selection system comprising:

circuitry for creating a visual display that represents a field of view of at least one image capture device;

circuitry for providing the user-interface that enables an identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data;

circuitry for enabling a user to make a selection from among the at least one or more targeted objects, which selection is identified as a point of interest via the user-interface;

circuitry for initiating operation of the at least one image capture device for obtaining multiple exposures of the selection, including at least providing a different quality characteristic for at least one exposure;

circuitry for creating a stored version of at least some of the multiple exposures, and

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

64. The system of claim 63 wherein circuitry for providing the user-interface that enables an identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data comprises:

circuitry for providing the user-interface that enables the identification of the one or more targeted objects that may be incorporated in the field of view, the data representing the identification of the one or more targeted objects including at least audio data identifying unique surface features of the one or more targeted objects.