SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CENTERING A PHOTOGRAPH WITHOUT VIEWING A PREVIEW OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

• US 20100225773A1
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US12/400,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20100225773A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/222.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• 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 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure

Abstract

Systems and methods are providing for capturing images of objects or faces without previewing the image to be captured. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using a detection algorithm to determine when a camera lens of an electronic device is properly oriented to capture an item (e.g., a face in a self-portrait). The detection algorithm can be configured to identify specific faces or objects, and can direct the electronic device to automatically store a captured image in response to detecting objects or faces of interest. In some embodiments, a motion-sensing component can be used to help align the lens.

Claims

1. A method for capturing an image without first previewing the image, comprising:

capturing an image using a camera;

detecting at least one object other than a face in the captured image using a detection algorithm; and

directing a user to move the camera to change the position of the detected at least one object in the captured image.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the position of the detected object in the captured image is appropriate; and

storing the captured image.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining further comprises:

determining that the object is positioned adjacent to an object position in a template.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein storing further comprises:

at least one of automatically storing the captured image in response to determining and receiving a user instruction to store the captured image.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of the number of objects to detect; and

determining whether the indicated number of objects was detected.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining that fewer than the indicated number of objects were detected; and

directing the user to move the electronic device until at least the indicated number of objects is detected.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein determining further comprises:

comparing the relative sizes of the detected objects; and

disregarding disproportionately small objects.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

a characteristic measurement of the disproportionately small objects is smaller than a minimum measurement.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

a characteristic measurement of the disproportionately small objects is less than a predetermined ratio of a characteristic measurement of at least one other detected object.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein directing further comprises:

providing audio instructions indicating at least one of a direction and amount by which to move the electronic device.

11. An electronic device operative to capture images, comprising:

a camera facing a first side of the device;

a preview interface positioned on a second side of the device, wherein the preview interface is not viewable when facing the camera;

a storage operative to store data; and

a processor operative to;

receive identifying information for a specific item, wherein the item comprises at least one of a face and an object;

direct the camera to capture an image;

analyze the captured image to detect at least one item;

compare the at least one item to the received identifying information for the specific item;

determine that the at least one detected item matches the received identifying information; and

direct the storage to store the captured image.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further operative to:

receive a number of items to detect; and

determine whether the number of items detected is at least equal to the received number.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further operative to:

receive a distribution of positions in an image for the items; and

determine whether the position of the detected at least one item matches a position of the received distribution of positions.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further operative to:

determine whether the detected at least one item is properly positioned within the captured image;

direct the user to move the electronic device to change the orientation of the camera in response to determining that the detected at least one items is not properly positioned; and

direct the camera to capture a revised image.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the processor is further operative to:

analyze the revised image to detect the at least one item;

determine that the position of the detected at least one item in the revised image is correct; and

direct the storage to store the revised image.

16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further operative to:

automatically direct the storage to store the image in response to determining.

17. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein:

the electronic device further comprises a motion-sensing component; and

the processor is further operative to;

receive the output of the motion-sensing component;

determine that the orientation of the electronic device is inappropriately angled in response to receiving; and

direct the user to tilt the electronic device to change the orientation of the device.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further operative to:

determine that the orientation of the electronic device is within a predetermined range from one of horizontal and vertical.

19. A method for storing an image captured by a camera facing the user without a preview mechanism visible to the user, comprising:

capturing an image of an item using a camera;

identifying at least one item in the image;

detecting the position of the identified at least one item within the image;

comparing the detected position with a template position;

determining, from a motion-sensing component output, whether the orientation of the electronic device relative to the ground is within a predetermined range; and

providing an indication to change the orientation of the camera in response to determining.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving the template, wherein the template comprises a plurality of appropriate positions for detected items.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein providing further comprises:

determining that the detected position does not match the template position;

determining a direction in which to move the camera for the detected position to match the template position;

determining an amount by which to move the camera for the detected position to match the template position; and

providing an indication reflecting the determined direction and the determined amount.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein providing further comprises:

providing at least one of audio instructions and haptic instructions.

23. Computer readable media for capturing an image without previewing the image, comprising a computer-readable instructions for:

capturing an image using a camera;

detecting at least one object other than a face in the captured image using a detection algorithm; and

directing a user to move the camera to change the position of the detected at least one object in the captured image.