Image capturing device having continuous image capture

• US 9,525,797 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2014
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Brunner, Ralph, Bhogal, Nikhil, Batson, James David
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US14/322,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20150002699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/231.7, 348/248, 348/333.11, 348/350
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2137 with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/673 based on contrast or high frequency components of image signals, e.g. hill climbing method
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6811 based on the image signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/144 Movement detection for video coding H04N19/503; analysis of motion in general G06T7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/265 Mixing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems for continuous image capturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes continuously capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device. The method may further include storing a predetermined number of the sequence of images in a buffer. The method may further include receiving a user request to capture an image. In response to the user request, the method may further include automatically selecting one of the buffered images based on an exposure time of one of the buffered images. The sequence of images is captured prior to or concurrently with receiving the user request.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

continuously, after entering an image capture mode, capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device;

continuously, after entering the image capture mode, storing a predetermined number of images from the sequence of images in a buffer;

receiving a request to capture an image; and

in response to the request to capture an image,

if an exposure time of a particular buffered image of the predetermined number of buffered images meets a predetermined criteria that is based on a predetermined threshold exposure time for an image, presenting for selection the particular buffered image, and

if the exposure time of the particular buffered image fails to meet the predetermined criteria,

displaying the predetermined number of buffered images in a prioritized manner automatically based on image quality, focus scores, or blur; and

selecting, based on an input, one of the displayed buffered images.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input to select one of the displayed buffered images based on a correct subject.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprises:

determining a focus score for a focus area of each buffered image.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining a focus score for a focus area of each buffered image further comprises:

for each pixel in a previously calculated focus area, computing the absolute difference in RGB values horizontally and vertically between adjacent pixels;

combining the horizontal and vertical difference values into a single value for each pixel by either forming the sum or a maximum of those two values; and

combining these pixel values into scan line values by forming a sum or a maximum of the pixel values; and

adding the scan line values over the entire focus area to generate a focus score for each buffered image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image quality is based on image contrast or image resolution.

6. An image capturing device, comprising:

a storage device to store a plurality of captured images;

a lens coupled to the storage device, the lens to receive light associated with the captured images; and

a processing system coupled to the storage device, the processing system is configured, after entry into an image capture mode, to continuously capture images, to store a predetermined number of images from a sequence of images in a buffer, to receive a request to capture an image, and in response to the request to capture an image,

if an exposure time of a particular buffered image of the predetermined number of buffered images meets a predetermined criteria that is based on a predetermined threshold exposure time for an image, to present for selection the particular buffered image, and

if an exposure time of the particular buffered image fails to meet the predetermined criteria,

to display the predetermined number of buffered images in a prioritized manner automatically based on image quality, focus scores, or blur, and

to select one of the displayed buffered images based on an input.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the sequence of images comprise only images captured just prior to receiving the request.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the processing system is further configured:

to determine a focus score for a focus area of each buffered image.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the processing system is further configured:

to receive an input to select one of the displayed sequence of the images based on a highest image quality.

10. A method comprising:

continuously capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device;

storing a predetermined number of images from the sequence of images in a buffer;

receiving a request to capture an image;

in response to the request, presenting for selection a particular buffered image of the predetermined number of buffered images if an exposure time of the particular buffered image meets a predetermined criteria that is based on a predetermined threshold exposure time for an image; and

selecting, based on an input, one of the predetermined number of buffered images if the exposure time of the particular buffered image fails to meet the predetermined criteria.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting for selection one of the sequence of images further comprises:

determining the exposure time for one of the sequence of images; and

selecting a recently captured image, which was captured just prior to or concurrently with receiving the request, if the exposure time meets the predetermined criteria based on a predetermined threshold exposure time.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining a focus score for each captured image; and

selecting a buffered image based on the focus score.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting for selection one of the sequence of images further comprises:

generating motion information for each image of the sequence of images; and

selecting an image captured during a time with no or minimal camera shake based on the motion information.