IP Library Patent Application 13431548
Patent Application
App. No. 13/431,548

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MOTION ENHANCED IMAGE CAPTURE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/431,548
Abstract

The present disclosure provides motion enhanced image capture methods and devices. Sensed motion is used to adjust for non-motion related imaging problems, such as low light conditions and imaging stitching image alignment, to improve image capture and post-capture image processing.

Claims (43)

1 . A method for motion enhanced image capture on a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

storing an image captured by an image sensor of the portable electronic device in a buffer memory;

sensing motion of the portable electronic device;

selecting an image for capture using the image sensor in response to input;

selecting a new image from the image buffer when the sensed motion is greater than a threshold level of motion.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the new image is an image in the buffer memory with a least amount of sensed motion.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the new image is an image in the buffer memory which is closest in chronological order to the selected image and is associated with a measure of sensed motion which is less than the threshold level of motion.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storing an image captured by an image sensor includes:

displaying a real-time image captured by an image sensor;

storing the real-time image in a buffer memory.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the new image in persistent memory.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the new image is selected when the new image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is less than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured and an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the new image is selected when the new image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is less than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured, an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured, and an exposure time at which the initially selected image was captured.

8 . A method for motion enhanced image capture on a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

sensing motion of the portable electronic device;

capturing an image using an image sensor of the portable electronic when the sensed motion is less than a threshold level of motion;

storing the captured image in persistent memory.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is captured when the image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is less than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured and an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured.

10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the image is captured when the image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is less than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured, an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured, and an exposure time at which the initially selected image was captured.

11 . A method for motion enhanced image capture on a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

capturing an image captured by an image sensor of the portable electronic device;

sensing motion of the portable electronic device;

providing a warning that the image is likely blurry when the sensed motion is greater than a threshold level of motion.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the warning is a visual notification displayed on a display of the portable electronic device.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the visual notification overlays a post-capture preview image displayed on the display, wherein the post-capture preview image as a thumbnail image of the captured image.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the warning is an audible notification or a physical notification.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the warning includes a prompt to delete the captured image.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

deleting the captured image in response to input received during the display of the warning.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the image is captured when the image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is greater than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured and an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the image is captured when the image is predicted to have a level of motion blur which is greater than a threshold level of motion blur based on a magnitude of the sensed motion when the initially selected image was captured, an f-number at which the initially selected image was captured, and an exposure time at which the initially selected image was captured.

19 . A method of composing an image on a portable electronic device, the method comprising:

capturing an initial image;

displaying on a display of the portable electronic device a visual indication of a path for movement of the portable electronic device to complete a composite image based on the initial image;

changing the visual indication in response to at least one of sensed motion and changes in the orientation of the portable electronic device;

capturing additional images at set device orientations along the path.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

combining the captured images to form a composite image.

21 . An electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

a motion sensor coupled to the processor; and

an image sensor coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to: store an image captured by an image sensor of the portable electronic device in a buffer memory; sense motion of the portable electronic device; select an image for capture using the image sensor in response to input; select a new image from the image buffer when the sensed motion is greater than a threshold level of motion.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 3, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034143/0567 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2012
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION CORPORATION
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 029321/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2012
From: KEANE, JAMES ABRAHAM; LEE, YUN SUN
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028361/0108 →