Motion blur avoidance

• US 9,538,083 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2015
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Lammers, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey, W B
• Application Number:
  US14/945,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20160205324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/38 Releasing-devices separate from shutter integral with shutter G03B9/08
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/005 Blur detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• 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 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/684 performed by controlling the image sensor readout, e.g. by controlling the integration time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/71 Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that is configured to take a cluster of photographs and use image processing techniques to select a photograph with a lesser amount of blur than other photographs in the cluster. The wearable camera can include one or more of a gyroscope or accelerometer for ascertaining the camera'"'"'s motion. Motion data associated with the camera'"'"'s motion is utilized to ascertain when to take an automatic photograph.

Claims

1. A camera device comprising:

a housing;

a camera lens supported by the housing and configured to enable capture of image data and brightness data;

a fastening device on the housing and configured to enable the camera device to be worn by a user;

a motion detector configured to ascertain a degree of movement of the camera device;

a processor configured to;

enable the camera device to enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photographs are automatically taken at intervals, and for each photograph taken;

ascertain whether one or more conditions associated with motion data and the brightness data are satisfied; and

responsive to the one or more conditions being satisfied, adjust an exposure time of the camera device and take a photograph.

2. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the motion detector comprises an accelerometer to capture the motion data.

3. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the motion detector comprises a gyroscope to capture the motion data.

4. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the motion detector comprises both an accelerometer and a gyroscope to capture the motion data.

5. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the camera device is configured to:

receive an input to capture a photograph;

responsive to receiving the input, capture a cluster of photographs;

ascertain an amount of blur in each photograph; and

select a photograph based on an ascertained amount of blur.

6. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the fastening device is configured to enable the camera device to be mounted on clothing.

7. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the motion data indicates a high degree of motion and the brightness data indicates that an environment of the camera is bright, the adjustment of the exposure time comprises using a faster exposure time.

8. The camera device of claim 1, wherein the motion data indicates a low degree of motion and the brightness data indicates that an environment of the camera is dark, the adjustment of the exposure time comprises using a slower exposure time.

9. A computer-implemented method comprising:

enabling a wearable camera to enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photographs are automatically taken at intervals, and for each photograph taken;

ascertaining whether one or more conditions associated with motion data and brightness data are satisfied; and

responsive to the one or more conditions being satisfied, adjusting an exposure time of the wearable camera and taking a photograph.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, with the wearable camera, a user input to initiate the entering the automatic photo-capturing mode.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

responsive to receiving the input, capturing a cluster of photographs;

ascertain an amount of blur in each photograph; and

select a photograph based on an ascertained amount of blur.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected photograph has the least amount of ascertained blur.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the motion data indicates a high degree of motion and the brightness data indicates that an environment of the camera is bright, the adjusting the exposure time comprising using a faster exposure time.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the motion data indicates a low degree of motion and the brightness data indicates that an environment of the camera is dark, the adjusting the exposure time comprising using a slower exposure time.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the motion data is captured by one or more of a gyroscope or an accelerometer.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the brightness data is captured by one or more of a photo sensor or an ambient light sensor.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

responsive to the enabling, waiting for a timer to expire before capturing the motion data and brightness data.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

ascertaining whether one or more conditions associated with motion data and brightness data are not satisfied; and

capturing additional motion data and additional brightness data.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the wearable camera is configured to be mounted on a user'"'"'s clothing.

20. A system comprising:

an image sensor configured to capture image data and brightness data;

a motion sensor configured to capture motion data;

a radio transceiver; and

a processor configured to execute instructions that configure the system to;

enter an automatic photo-capturing mode in which photographs are automatically taken at intervals, and for each photograph taken;

ascertain whether one or more conditions associated with the motion data and the brightness data are satisfied;

responsive to the one or more conditions being satisfied, adjust an exposure time;

capture an image using the image sensor; and

transmit the captured image using the radio transceiver.