Method and apparatus for motion-state based image acquisition

1. A method comprising:

receiving an indication from a user that the user wishes to take a picture;

receiving motion data for a camera device;

analyzing the motion data, the analyzing comprising:

identifying one or more motion elements included in the motion data;

determining a magnitude and a motion type for each of the one or more motion elements;

calculating a weighted value for each of the one or more motion elements based on that motion element's magnitude and motion type; and

calculating an overall motion level for the camera device based on a combination of the weighted values of the one or more motion elements; and

acting when the overall motion level indicates a low level of the motion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a larger weight is given to motion types that are more likely to cause image degradation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the motion types comprises inadvertent motion.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing feedback to the user of a motion state of the camera to enable the user to take a picture with an ideal motion state; and

the action comprising the feedback indicating that a good quality picture could be taken.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the feedback comprises a tone, indicative of the level of inadvertent motion detected.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein an absence of sound indicates the low level of the classified motion.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the action comprises:

taking a picture automatically when the low level of motion is detected.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

taking a second photo at a second time when the low level of motion is identified, and an additional criterion is met.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the additional criterion comprises one or more of the following: a certain time has elapsed, a certain amount of motion has been observed, a deliberate motion has been identified, a certain distance has been traveled.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion data is further for determining whether the camera is at a correct angle; and

taking a photo when the camera is at the correct angle.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

enabling a user to set an arbitrary angle as the correct angle.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein setting the correct angle comprises holding the device at the arbitrary angle while activating the tilt determination logic.

13. An improved camera system including a motion acquisition logic, an image acquisition system, and a motion state system, the motion state system comprising:

a motion analyzer to receive motion data from the motion acquisition logic, and to analyze the motion data, wherein to analyze the motion data, the motion analyzer:

separates the motion data into a plurality of motion elements;

determines a magnitude and a motion type for each of the plurality of motion elements;

calculates a weighted value for each of the plurality of motion elements based on that motion element's magnitude and motion type; and

calculates an overall motion level for the camera system based on a combination of the weighted values of the plurality of motion elements; and

a feedback logic to provide user feedback regarding an identified overall motion level.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein a larger weight is given to motion types that are more likely to cause image degradation.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the motion types comprises inadvertent motion.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein feedback logic is to provide feedback to the user of a motion state of the camera to enable the user to take a good quality picture.

17. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:

an automatic image acquisition logic to automatically take a picture when the level of motion is low, and wherein the feedback logic provides feedback when an image is acquired.

18. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a tilt logic to determine when the device is at a correct angle.

19. An improved camera system comprising:

an accelerometer to sense motion in a camera device;

a motion analyzer to perform the following:

identify one or more motion elements included in the motion;

determine a magnitude and a motion type for each of the one or more motion elements;

calculate a weighted value for each of the one or more motion elements based on that motion element's magnitude and motion type; and

calculate an overall motion level for the camera device based on a combination of the weighted values of the one or more motion elements; and

an action logic to perform an action based on an identified overall motion.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the action logic comprises a feedback logic to generate feedback indicating the overall motion level.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the feedback logic comprises one or more of: a visual feedback generator, an audio feedback generator.

22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the action logic comprises an automatic image acquisition logic to automatically take a picture when the level of motion is low.

23. The system of claim 19 , further comprising:

a tilt logic to determine whether a current angle of the device corresponds to a correct angle.