Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates generally to a device for capturing image and method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Mobile communication devices, such as wireless telephones, are increasingly used for more than just speech communication. A variety of applications like messaging services, data communication, e-mail or fax services have become available to the users of mobile communication devices. The ongoing development in digital imaging devices furthermore makes it possible today to equip mobile communication devices with digital cameras at affordable prices, giving rise to new multimedia services. In addition, a rotary-type camera that may be rotated at a predetermined angle may be mounted on a mobile terminal, thereby enabling a user to conveniently photograph a subject. The mobile terminal supports image communication using the rotary-type camera.
SUMMARY
[003] Embodiments of the present disclosure present technological improvements as solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned technical problems.
[004] Before the present subject matter relating to an image capturing device and method thereof, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular system described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the implementations or versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[005] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to an image capturing device and method thereof. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the present subject matter.
[006] In an embodiment, a portable image capturing device includes an image sensor, a lens system, a processor, and a display. The image sensor for capturing images. The lens system for focusing light onto the image sensor. The processor configured to process image data from the image sensor. The display for displaying captured images.
[007] In another embodiment, a method for capturing images using an image capturing device, the method includes the step of capturing an image using an image sensor. The method includes the step of processing image data from the image sensor. The method includes the step of displaying the captured image on a display.
[008] In another embodiment, a system for image capture and processing includes an image capturing device and a remote server. The image capturing device includes an image sensor, a lens system, a processor, and a display. The remote server is configured to receive captured images from the image capturing device, process the images, and provide processed images to the image capturing device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[009] The foregoing detailed description of embodiments is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure; however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific system or method disclosed in the document and the drawings.
[0010] The present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer various features of the present subject matter.
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic front view of one embodiment of a mobile communication device with a detachable camera module constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates exposure curves used by the camera logic to control exposure in several operating modes.
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates the camera unit is a rotary type camera, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] In the above accompanying drawings, a non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
[0015] Further, the figures depict various embodiments of the present subject matter for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present subject matter described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although an image capturing device and method thereof, similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, an image capturing device and method thereof is now described.
[0017] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. For example, although the present disclosure will be described in the context of an image capturing device and method thereof, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize an image capturing device and method thereof can be utilized in any situation. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0018] In an embodiment, a portable image capturing device includes an image sensor, a lens system, a processor, and a display. The image sensor for capturing images. The lens system for focusing light onto the image sensor. The processor configured to process image data from the image sensor. The display for displaying captured images.
[0019] In another implementation, a user interface for controlling image capture settings.
[0020] In another implementation, the processor is further configured to apply image processing techniques to enhance captured images.
[0021] In another implementation, a memory for storing captured images and image metadata.
[0022] In another embodiment, a method for capturing images using an image capturing device, the method includes the step of capturing an image using an image sensor. The method includes the step of processing image data from the image sensor. The method includes the step of displaying the captured image on a display.
[0023] In another implementation, the method includes the step of the applying image processing techniques to enhance the captured image.
[0024] In another implementation, the method includes the step of storing the captured image and image metadata in a memory.
[0025] In another embodiment, a system for image capture and processing includes an image capturing device and a remote server. The image capturing device includes an image sensor, a lens system, a processor, and a display. The remote server is configured to receive captured images from the image capturing device, process the images, and provide processed images to the image capturing device.
[0026] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic front view of one embodiment of a mobile communication device with a detachable camera module constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
[0027] In an embodiment, the mobile telephone is illustrated as being equipped with a camera module 120 attached to the main body 110. The camera module 120 is provided with a lens 122 for focusing incoming light onto an integrated image sensor for capturing digital images. In this embodiment, the camera module 120 further comprises a flash 126 and a timer (not shown), which is connected to an LED 124 for indicating the elapsing of the delay time of the timer. The camera module 120 is attached to the main body 10 by complementary interfaces: a main body interface 210 and a camera module interface 310, which can for example comprise a snap mechanism. The main body and camera module interfaces 210, 310 may be further provided with an electrical interface for exchanging digital data between the main body 110 and the camera module 120 of the device 100, thereby enabling images captured with the camera module 120 to be displayed on the display 112 integrated in the main body 110 and commands entered by the user by means of the keypad 114 to be transferred to the camera module 120. The main body and camera module interfaces 210, 310 allow the camera module 120 to be detached from the main body 110 with the camera module 120 detached from the main body 110. For exchanging digital data when the camera module 120 is detached, the main body 110 and the camera module 120 are provided with RF transceivers 220, 320 respectively. Between the RF transceivers 220, 320 an RF link 400 can be established, for example on the basis of Bluetooth or wireless USB standards. Since the camera module 120 is detachable from the main body 110 of the device 100, updating the camera module 120, for example to obtain a camera module with higher resolution, can be achieved with minimal effort.
[0028] In an embodiment, the radio frequency receiver for receiving digital control data from said device, said device having a radio frequency transmitter.
[0029] In an embodiment, for storage purposes, the main body of the mobile communication device may be provided with a non-volatile memory unit. For easy access to stored digital data, the memory unit can advantageously comprise a card reader unit adapted for use with flash memory cards like for example Compact Flash Type I or II, Smart Media, Multimedia Card or other future non-volatile memory cards. The mobile communication device may also include a memory with a stored software program and a microprocessor by which the software program can be executed. The software program and microprocessor can be adapted to control the camera module via the RF connection and to display image data received from the camera module on a display integrated in the main body of the mobile communication device.
[0030] In an embodiment, the first camera may be used mainly in image communication to photograph the user and the second camera may be used mostly to photograph a subject near the user. Therefore, the first camera has a charge-coupled device (CCD) with a relatively small number of pixels installed thereon and the second camera has a CCD with a relatively large number of pixels installed thereon. Preferably, the image captured by the first camera is displayed on the screen of the first display unit and the image captured by the second camera is displayed on the screen of the second display unit. However, the image captured by the first camera may be displayed on the screen of the second display unit and the image captured by the second camera may be displayed on the screen of the first display unit.
[0031] Figure 2 illustrates exposure curves used by the camera logic to control exposure in several operating modes.
[0032] In present embodiment, the implementation of the SEM, used by the camera logic and control, on an exposure chart where at a given Exposure Value (EV), the SEM mode favors stopping down the aperture by two f-stops over the self-timer mode and subsequently slowing the shutter speed down by two stops to maintain the equivalent EV. A benefit of the slower shutter speeds is the ability to execute a slow sync flash picture in which the addition of pleasing ambient light is allowed with the longer shutter speeds. The two stop shift shown was for demonstration purposes only and should not be construed as the limitation of the invention. The appropriate shift in aperture/shutter speeds is left to the camera hardware or systems designer. In the SEM mode, the camera logic and control also enables one or more longer focal lengths to be used than when the camera is to be operated in the hand-held mode. When in the hand held mode, the logic and control prevents the one or more longer focal lengths from being utilized.
[0033] Figure 3 illustrates the camera unit is a rotary type camera, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] In an embodiment, the camera unit 10 includes a rotary cylinder 13 rotatable installed on the hinge device 40, a bracket 14 fixed to the main body 20 for supporting the rotary cylinder 13, a camera lens 11 a installed on the rotary cylinder, and an FPCB 12 for transmitting signals by connecting the camera lens to the circuit unit. In order to photograph a subject, the user adjusts the camera lens 11 a to face the subject by rotating the rotary cylinder 13 in the circumferential direction 16 according to an image displayed on the main display panel and operates the camera via a photographing button when the subject is displayed on the main display panel in the desired position. However, when the user intends to transmit his/her image and a peripheral image to another user during image communication, the user must control the camera lens 11 a to face himself/herself by rotating the rotary cylinder 13.
[0035] Although the description provides implementations of an image capturing device and method thereof, it is to be understood that the above descriptions are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or systems. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for an image capturing device and method thereof.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A portable image capturing device comprising:
a. an image sensor for capturing images;
b. a lens system for focusing light onto the image sensor;
c. a processor configured to process image data from the image sensor; and
d. a display for displaying captured images.
2. The image capturing device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for controlling image capture settings.
3. The image capturing device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to apply image processing techniques to enhance captured images.
4. The image capturing device of claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing captured images and image metadata.
5. A method for capturing images using an image capturing device, comprising the steps of:
a. capturing an image using an image sensor;
b. processing image data from the image sensor; and
c. displaying the captured image on a display.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of adjusting image capture settings using a user interface.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of applying image processing techniques to enhance the captured image.
8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of storing the captured image and image metadata in a memory.
9. A system for image capture and processing, comprising:
a. an image capturing device comprising an image sensor, a lens system, a processor, and a display; and
b. a remote server configured to receive captured images from the image capturing device, process the images, and provide processed images to the image capturing device.