Process for automatically determining a probability of image capture with a terminal using contextual data

1. A process to automatically determine with a mobile terminal comprising a first image data sensor and at least one contextual data sensor, at least one probability that a capture of an image or of a sequence of images occurs within a time interval, the probability of capture being calculated from at least one response provided by one of the image data and/or contextual data sensors when said sensor is activated.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the probability of capture is calculated according to a sequence according to which the response provided by at least one of the activated contextual data or image data sensors exceeds a pre-established value, preferably numerical, of the output signal of said sensor.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the calculation of the probability of capture and the pre-established value are automatically modified according to a dataset related to a history of the sensor responses and of the capture moments.

4. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the probability of capture is expressed as a numerical value comprised between 0 and 1.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the data captured by the image data and/or contextual data sensors have a capture quality and an acquisition frequency that are determined according to a value of probability of capture.

6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the data captured by the image data and/or contextual data sensors have a capture quality and an acquisition frequency that increase, before the moment of the capture, with the probability of capture.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the data captured by the image data and/or contextual data sensors have a capture quality and an acquisition frequency that increase, before the moment of the capture, all the more that the interval that maximizes the probability of capture is close to the instant at which the capture probability calculation has taken place.

8. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the data captured by the image data and/or contextual data sensors have a data capture quality and an acquisition frequency that both decrease after the moment of the capture.

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the data captured by the contextual data sensor is a physical measurement operated continually when the sensor is activated.

10. The process according to any one of claims 5 to 8 , wherein the data capture quality is a pixels resolution value for the image captured, expressed by a pixel density per unit of length.

11. The process according to any one of claims 5 to 8 , wherein the data capture quality is a value for a number of images captured per second.

12. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a tilt sensor placed on the terminal.

13. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is an acceleration sensor placed on the terminal, such as an accelerometer, for measuring a movement transmitted to the terminal.

14. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a pressure sensor cooperating with an images capture release button of the terminal.

15. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a sound sensor, such as a microphone, placed on the terminal.

16. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a temperature sensor placed on the terminal.

17. The process according to claim 16 , wherein the temperature sensor is comprised into the images capture release button.

18. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a resistivity sensor placed on the terminal, for measuring an emotional state of a person who exerts a touch on the resistivity sensor during a prehension of the terminal.

19. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is an RFID or NFC type sensor placed on the terminal, for detecting people or objects present within the action field of the sensor.

20. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a geographical localization sensor, such as a GPS sensor, placed on the terminal for measuring the position of the terminal in the space.

21. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the contextual data sensor is a second image data sensor preferentially placed on the rear of the terminal, said second image sensor cooperating with detection means built into the terminal to detect a number of human faces present outside the capture field of the first image sensor and/or information inherent to the individual faces of these detected people.

22. The process according to claim 21 , wherein the information inherent to the faces are an emotional state; a position, for example horizontal, of the face; a speed of motion of the face in relation to the terminal.

23. The process according to claim 2 , wherein the terminal has a means for selecting an images capture mode, such as a portrait mode, or landscape mode, or panoramic mode, or sport mode, the value of the signal emitted by the contextual data sensor defining the exceeding being pre-established or calculated according to the selected images capture mode.

24. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile terminal is a digital camera phone comprising a CCD or CMOS image sensor and a display screen.

25. The process according to claim 5 , wherein the contextual data are captured and stored with a flash memory card, for example a SD (Secure Digital) or micro SD card, that is inserted into the mobile terminal.