IP Library Granted Patent US 9,113,090
Granted Patent B2
US 9,113,090 · App. 13/958,719 · Granted Aug 18, 2015

Imaging device and imaging method for combining plural captured images into single image

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,113,090
App. No.
13/958,719
Granted
Aug 18, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging device is configured so that the user can select either automatic determination mode or selection mode. In automatic determination mode, when a first combination imaging mode is selected for capturing and combining a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific first number of combinations. In selection mode, when a second combination imaging mode is selected for capturing a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific second number of combinations. The first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.

Claims (24)

1. An imaging device comprising:

an imaging component configured to capture a subject image and output image data;

an imaging mode input component configured to select an automatic determination mode in which one of a plurality of imaging modes is automatically decided on, and a selection mode in which one of a plurality of imaging modes is selectively decided on;

an imaging mode selector configured to select a first combination imaging mode or a first non-combination imaging mode based on whether or not the imaging mode decided in the automatic determination mode is a specific imaging mode, or select a second combination imaging mode or a second non-combination imaging mode based on whether or not the imaging mode decided in the selection mode is the specific imaging mode, each of the first combination imaging mode and second combination imaging mode being a mode in which plural sets of image data are captured and combined, each of the first non-combination imaging mode and second non-combination imaging mode being a mode in which plural sets of image data are not combined; and

a number decision component configured to set a number of sets of image data to be combined to a specific first number of combinations if the first combination imaging mode is selected, and set the number of sets of image data to be combined to a specific second number of combinations if the second combination imaging mode is selected, the first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first number of combinations is set to be less than the second number of combinations.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein,

if the automatic determination mode is selected, a first number of image captures is greater than or equal to the first number of combinations, the first number of image captures being a number of image data captured in the first combination imaging mode.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3 , wherein

the first number of image captures is the same as the first number of combinations.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein,

if the selection mode is selected, a second number of image captures is greater than or equal to the second number of combinations, the second number of image captures being a number of image data captured in the second combination imaging mode.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5 , wherein

the second number of image captures is the same as the second number of combinations.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a combination processor configured to combine image data, a number of the image data to be combined is the first number of combinations of image data set by the number decision component.

8. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of image modes in each of the automatic determination mode and the selection mode is a backlight mode and the specific image mode is the backlight mode.

9. An imaging method comprising:

capturing a subject image and outputting image data;

selecting an automatic determination mode in which one of a plurality of imaging modes is automatically decided on, or a selection mode in which one of a plurality of imaging modes is selectively decided on;

selecting a first combination imaging mode or a first non-combination imaging mode based on whether or not the imaging mode decided in the automatic determination mode is a specific imaging mode, or selecting a second combination imaging mode or a second non-combination imaging mode based on whether or not the imaging mode decided in the selection mode is the specific imaging mode, each of the first combination imaging mode and second combination imaging mode being a mode in which plural sets of image data are captured and combined, each of the first non-combination imaging mode and second non-combination imaging mode being a mode in which plural sets of image data are not combined; and

setting a number of sets of image data to be combined to a specific first number of combinations if the first combination imaging mode is selected, and setting the number of sets of image data to be combined to a specific second number of combinations if the second combination imaging mode is selected, the first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.

10. The imaging method according to claim 9 , wherein one of the plurality of image modes in each of the automatic determination mode and the selection mode is a backlight mode and the specific image mode is the backlight mode.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2014
From: ABE, MITSUO; ISHII, HIROFUMI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032085/0184 →