Dual mode image capture technique
A technique processes captured data on a device, wherein selected captured data of a given quality resolution is transferred via a communication link to a separate storage location for future availability. A storage protocol may include various storage organization categories. A possible aspect may provide an identifier record 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 having different quality characteristics and/or formats. Initial and ongoing coordination as well as correlation may be facilitated between video and still image data derived from related fields of view.
1 . (canceled)
2 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
storing the one or more still image frames as a digital object distinct from a stored version of the video data stream.
3 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
storing the one or more still image frames as a digital object associated with a stored version of the video data stream.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
operating the still image capture module having one or more of the following type of dissimilar quality capabilities: color balance, white balance, color space, depth of field, pixel capture resolution, pixel storage resolution, capture quality, storage quality, gray scale, ambient light sensor, 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 quality storage media, low quality 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.
6 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
operating the still image capture module having at least one given quality capability with an operational range of variable image capture attributes that is different as compared to an operational range of corresponding variable video capture attributes.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein said operating the still image capture module having at least one given quality capability includes:
operating the still image capture module having the operational range of variable image capture attributes that is partially overlapping with the operational range of corresponding variable video capture attributes.
8 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling a programmed or automated selection of a variable image capture attribute of the one or more still image frames.
15 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling a user-actuated selection of a variable image capture attribute of the one or more still image frames.
16 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . The method of claim 55 wherein said coordinating contemporaneous operation includes:
allowing selection of a zoom close-up field of view for the still image capture module without causing a same close-up field of view for the video capture module.
20 . (canceled)
21 . The method of claim 55 wherein said coordinating contemporaneous operation includes:
allowing selection of a zoom distant field of view for the still image capture module without causing a same distant field of view for the video capture module.
22 . (canceled)
23 . The method of claim 55 wherein said coordinating contemporaneous operation includes:
allowing selection of a wide angle or narrow angle field of view for the still image capture module without causing a same wide angle or narrow angle field of view for the video capture module.
24 . (canceled)
25 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
activating the still image module to capture the one or more still image frames incorporated in a still mode format having one or more of the following type of different visual elements as compared to the video mode format: aspect ratio, color space, resolution, dynamic range, and pixel depth.
26 . (canceled)
27 . The method of claim 25 further comprising:
enabling programmed or automated selection of one or more types of different visual elements included in the still mode format.
28 . The method of claim 25 further comprising:
enabling user-actuated selection of one or more types of different visual elements included in the still mode format.
29 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
activating a shutter speed interval for the still image capture module that is different from a concurrent frame frequency interval for the video capture module.
30 . The method of claim 29 wherein said activating the shutter speed interval includes:
providing the shutter speed interval that is greater than the concurrent frame frequency interval for the video capture module.
31 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
activating an ancillary device approximately concurrently with capturing the one or more still image frames.
32 . The method of claim 31 wherein said activating the ancillary device includes:
deactivating the video capture module during an activation interval for the ancillary device.
33 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling a display of thumbnail exemplars of the one or more still image frames.
34 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the video capture module includes:
capturing a sequence of video frames without interruption during a same time period when capturing the one or more still image frames.
39 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
activating a shutter based on a user-selected schedule.
40 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image module includes:
activating a shutter based on a programmed or automated schedule.
41 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
automatically activating an ancillary device at approximately the same time as activating a shutter to assist in generating the one or more still image frames.
42 . The method of claim 41 wherein said automatically activating the ancillary device includes:
sensing a lack of satisfactory natural light exposure as a basis for automatically activating the ancillary device.
43 . The method of claim 41 wherein said automatically activating the ancillary device includes activating one or more of the following type of devices: flash illuminator, infrared illuminator, ultraviolet illuminator, light meter, exposure controller, time stamp, date stamp, ID indicia, zoom lens actuator, sensor, monitor, and detector.
44 . The method of claim 55 wherein said operating the still image capture module includes:
enabling a manually actuated shutter to periodically capture the one or more still image frames.
45 . The method of claim 44 wherein said enabling the manually actuated shutter includes:
enabling an activation control for the manually actuated shutter, which activation control is located remotely from the still image capture module.
46 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
providing a tag that identifies at least one video frame captured at approximately the same time as the one or more still image frames.
47 . A computer program product including computer-readable media bearing instructions for executing a process that comprises:
providing coordinated operation of a video capture module having specified quality parameters with operation of a still image capture module having dissimilar quality capabilities as compared to the video capture module,
allowing ongoing capture of a video data stream incorporated in a video image format and derived from a particular field of view; and
facilitating periodic capture of one or more still image frames incorporated in a still image format and derived from a related field of view, wherein the video image format and the still image format include one or more different features, respectively.
48 . The computer program product of claim 47 wherein the process further includes:
implementing one or more of the following dissimilar quality capabilities of the still image capture module: color balance, white balance, color space, depth of field, pixel capture resolution, pixel storage resolution, capture quality, storage quality, gray scale, ambient light sensor, 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 quality storage media, low quality 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.
49 . The computer program product of claim 47 wherein the process further includes:
implementing one or more of the following different features of the still image format: aspect ratio, color space, resolution, dynamic range, and pixel depth.
50 - 54 . (canceled)
55 . A dual mode data capture method comprising:
coordinating contemporaneous operation of a video capture module and a still image capture module;
operating a video capture module having specified quality parameters to generate a video data stream derived from a particular field of view;
also operating a still image capture module to generate one or more still image frames derived from a related field of view, wherein the still image capture module includes dissimilar quality capabilities compared to the video capture module;
allowing ongoing capture of a video data stream incorporated in a video image format and also facilitating periodic capture of one or more still image frames incorporated in a still image format, wherein the video image format and the still image format include one or more different features, respectively
56 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling user selection or programmed selection or automatic selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the video capture module.
57 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling user selection or programmed selection or automatic selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the still image capture module.
58 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
enabling user coordination or programmed coordination or automated coordination of the related fields of view of the video capture module and the still image capture module.
59 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
selectively activating one or more of the following features in the still image capture module, which feature is not concurrently activated in the video capture module: zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, diminished angle view, ancillary device, added filter, omitted filter, ancillary illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, high resolution capture, high resolution storage, low resolution capture, low resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, thumbnail display, sensor, monitor, and detector.
60 . The method of claim 55 further comprising:
selectively activating one or more of the following features in the video capture module, which feature is not concurrently activated in the still image capture module: zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, diminished angle view, ancillary device, added filter, omitted filter, ancillary illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, high resolution capture, high resolution storage, low resolution capture, low resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, thumbnail display, sensor, monitor, and detector.
61 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the computer-readable media includes:
storage media and/or communication media for encoding the process instructions.
62 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
activating an ancillary device at approximately the same time as activating a shutter to assist in capturing the one or more still image frames.
63 . The computer program product of claim 62 , wherein said activating the ancillary device includes:
deactivating the video capture module during an activation interval for the ancillary device.
64 . The computer program product of claim 62 , wherein the process further includes:
activating one or more of the following types of ancillary devices to assist in capturing the one or more still image frames: flash illuminator, infrared illuminator, ultraviolet illuminator, light meter, exposure controller, time stamp, date stamp, ID indicia, zoom lens actuator, sensor, monitor, and detector.
65 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process feature allowing ongoing capture of a video data stream includes:
capturing a sequence of video frames without interruption during a same time period when capturing the one or more still image frames.
66 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process feature facilitating periodic capture of one or more still image frames includes:
activating a shutter for the still image capture module based on a programmed or automated schedule.
67 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process feature facilitating periodic capture of one or more still image frames includes includes:
providing a shutter speed interval for the still image capture module that is different from a concurrent frame frequency interval for the video capture module.
68 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process feature facilitating periodic capture of one or more still image frames includes:
providing a shutter speed interval that is greater than the concurrent frame frequency interval for the video capture module.
69 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
enabling a display of thumbnail exemplars of the one or more still image frames.
70 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
enabling user selection or programmed selection or automatic selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the video capture module.
71 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
enabling user selection or programmed selection or automatic selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the still image capture module.
72 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
enabling user coordination or programmed coordination or automated coordination of the related fields of view of the video capture module and the still image capture module.
73 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
selectively activating one or more of the following features in the still image capture module, which feature is not concurrently activated in the video capture module: zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, diminished angle view, ancillary device, added filter, omitted filter, ancillary illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, high resolution capture, high resolution storage, low resolution capture, low resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, thumbnail display, sensor, monitor, and detector.
74 . The computer program product of claim 47 , wherein the process further includes:
selectively activating one or more of the following features in the video capture module, which feature is not concurrently activated in the still image capture module: zoom in, zoom out, close-up, distant, fixed field of view, variable field of view, wide angle view, diminished angle view, ancillary device, added filter, omitted filter, ancillary illumination, higher quality image, lower quality image, high resolution capture, high resolution storage, low resolution capture, low resolution storage, ID indicia, wireless transfer, hardcopy output, thumbnail display, sensor, monitor, and detector.
75 . A dual mode image capturing system comprising:
a video capture module with specified quality parameters;
a still image capture module with given quality capabilities;
memory means operatively coupled with the video capture module and the still image capture module for storing a video data stream generated in a first format by the video capture module and for storing one or more still image frames generated in a second different format by the still image capture module; and
control means for coordinating contemporaneous operation of the video capture module and operation of the still image capture module to selectively activate one or more specified quality parameters of the video capture module and/or to selectively active one or more of the given quality capabilities of the still image capture module.
76 . The system of claim 75 further comprising:
a display module for viewing a captured or stored version of a video frame generated by the video capture module.
77 . The system of claim 75 further comprising:
a display module for viewing a captured or stored version of a still image frame generated by the still image capture module.
78 . The system of claim 75 wherein said still image capture module includes dissimilar quality capabilities as compared to the video capture module.
79 . The system of claim 75 wherein said control means is configured to enable user selection or programmed selection or automated selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the still image capture module.
80 . The system of claim 75 wherein said control means is configured to enable user selection or programmed selection or automated selection of an optional quality parameter incorporated in the video capture module.
81 . The system of 75 further comprising:
one or more shared lenses for capturing both the video data stream and the one or more still image frames.
82 . The system of 75 further comprising:
a first lens for capturing the video data stream and a second lens for capturing the one or more still image frames.