METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING DIGITAL IMAGES

• US 20140347709A1
• Filed: 05/21/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics Incorporated (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: STAFFORD, Francis C.
• Application Number:
  US13/898,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20140347709A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/479
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00827 Arrangements for reading an image from an unusual original, e.g. 3-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/10 using flat picture-bearing surfaces H04N1/113, H04N1/195 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/46 Colour picture communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A method and apparatus for acquiring a corrected digital image of an object includes a digital camera operable to capture a plurality of color component images, an imager body and a support arm. The support arm is coupled to the imager body and adapted to support the digital camera. An image processor is provided to produce corrected color component images and an image combiner is provided to combine the corrected color component images to form the corrected digital image. The camera is moveable to more than one position to enable to formation of three-dimensional images or images with increased depth of focus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for acquiring a corrected digital image of an object, the apparatus comprising:

a digital camera operable to capture a plurality of color component images corresponding to a plurality of color components of light from the object;

an imager body;

a support arm, coupled to the imager body and adapted to support the digital camera;

an image processor, operable to process the plurality of color component images to produce a plurality of corrected color component images; and

an image combiner, operable to combine the plurality of corrected color component images to form the corrected digital image.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the image processor comprises an illumination correction module and a distortion correction module for each of the plurality of color component images.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the digital camera comprises a pixel sensor array and a color filter mosaic.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an illumination source operable to illuminate the object with at least one color component.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a printer substantially housed within the imager body and operable to print the corrected digital image.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support arm is coupled to the imager body via a pivot that enables the camera to be moved between first and second positions relative to the object.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support arm has an adjustable length and is operable to vary the distance between digital camera and the object.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a visual display operable to display a sequence of images that provide visual feedback to a user of the effect of changing the length of the support arm.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the image processor further comprises a module for combining corrected images acquired at different distances to produce an image with increased depth of focus.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a means for varying the perspective angle of the camera relative to the object.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the image processor further comprises a module for forming a three-dimensional image by combining corrected images acquired at different perspective angles.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a document imaging tray adapted to support an object to be imaged.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the document imaging tray is foldable along a hinge joint to enable the size of the document imaging tray to be reduced when not in use.

14. A method for forming a corrected digital image of an object, the method comprising;

capturing a first plurality of color component images of the object from a camera supported by a support arm and located at a first position relative to the object;

capturing a second plurality of color component images of the object from the camera supported by the support arm and located at one or more second positions relative to the object;

processing the first and second pluralities of color component images dependent upon the color of each color component image to produce first and second pluralities of corrected color component images; and

combining the first and second pluralities of corrected color component images to form the correct digital image.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein processing the first and second pluralities of color component images comprises correcting for distortions in the color component images.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein processing the first and second pluralities of color component images comprises correcting for non-uniformity in the illumination of the object dependent upon the color of the color component image.

17. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein combining the first and second pluralities of corrected color component images comprises selecting between a pixel region in the first plurality of corrected color component images and a corresponding pixel region in the second plurality of corrected color component images dependent upon a measure of the focus in the corresponding pixel regions.

18. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein the first plurality of color component images sensor corresponds to a plurality of interlaced color component images from a camera utilizing a color filter mosaic.

19. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein capturing the first plurality of color component images of the object comprises:

for each light color of a plurality of light colors;

illuminating the object with the light color; and

capturing an image using a monochrome camera.

20. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:

moving the camera automatically between locations of the first location and the one or more second locations.