System and Method for Image Selection and Capture Parameter Determination

1 . A method in a user device including a processor for identifying image capture opportunities, the method comprising:

periodically, by the processor, polling sensors;

processing, by the processor, data associated with the polled sensors;

determining, by the processor, an image capture opportunity at the user-device based upon processing of the data associated with the polled sensors.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polling and processing are executed without capturing an image.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein

the sensors include a receiver, and the polling includes receiving data associated with another user device.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further including generating a plurality of image capture recommendations, and determining comprises filtering the plurality of composite recommendations according to pre-defined criteria to produce the image capture opportunity selection.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

producing a set of extrapolated metadata characterizing extrapolated visual content based upon information contained within a captured image, the metadata being produced by processing the visual content of the captured image,

wherein the determining the image capture opportunity selection is further based upon the extrapolated metadata.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the set of extrapolated metadata comprises spatially extrapolated metadata determined by processing of the captured image and temporally extrapolated metadata determined by processing of the captured image.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

collecting environmental data associated with the captured image; and

producing a set of environmentally extrapolated metadata characterizing extrapolated visual content based upon the environmental data,

wherein the determining the image capture opportunity selection is further based upon the environmentally extrapolated metadata.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the set of environmentally extrapolated metadata comprises spatially extrapolated metadata determined by processing of the captured image and temporally extrapolated metadata determined by processing of the captured image.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the periodically polling includes polls at least one sensor to detect sound.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the periodically polling includes polls at least one sensor to detect acceleration.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the periodically polling includes polls at least one sensor to detect location.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the polling obtains at least one expert photo agent from a sharable library from another user-device.

13 . An image capture opportunity detector, comprising:

a memory;

a transceiver; and

a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver, the processor adapted to obtain data collected from user devices and received through the transceiver and determining an image capture opportunity at a user device based upon processing of the data collected from the other devices.

14 . The image capture opportunity detector of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further adapted to:

periodically poll sensors;

processing, by the processor, data associated with the polled sensors;

determining the image capture opportunity at the user-device based upon processing of the data associated with the polled sensors.

15 . The image capture opportunity detector of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further adapted to:

generate a plurality of image capture recommendations and filtering the plurality of composite recommendations according to pre-defined criteria to produce an image capture opportunity selection.

16 . The image capture opportunity detector of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further adapted to:

periodically instruct the capturing of a plurality of images.

17 . The image capture opportunity detector of claim 13 , further comprising:

at least one environmental sensor adapted to collect environmental data associated with the captured image, and

wherein the processor is further adapted to:

producing a set of environmentally extrapolated metadata characterizing extrapolated visual content based upon the environmental data; and

determine the image capture opportunity selection is based further upon the environmentally extrapolated metadata.

18 . An image capture opportunity image capturing device, comprising:

a camera;

a plurality of environmental sensors;

a memory;

a processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the camera, and the environmental sensor, the processor adapted to:

periodically, by the processor, polling the plurality of sensors;

processing, by the processor, data associated with the polled sensors;

determining, by the processor, an image capture opportunity at the user-device based upon processing of the data associated with the polled sensors.

19 . The image capture opportunity image capturing device of claim 18 , further comprising:

a data transceiver, communicatively coupled to the memory, the data transceiver adapted to receive data from another image capturing device.

20 . The image capture opportunity image capturing device of claim 18 , wherein the processor is adapted to generate a plurality of image capture recommendations, and filtering the plurality of composite recommendations according to pre-defined criteria to produce the image capture opportunity selection.