DESC:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“Method and an imaging device for candid shot mode”

APPLICANTS:

Name Nationality Address
SAMSUNG R&D Institute India - Bangalore Private Limited India # 2870, Orion Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park, Outer Ring Road, Doddanekundi Circle, Marathahalli Post, Bangalore-560 037, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to field of imaging device technology and more particularly to the imaging device technology for capturing images in an imaging device.

BACKGROUND
[002] Candid photography is more about spontaneously capturing of images rather than focusing on technique of photography. The captured images are generally simple photos that are shot unplanned. The candid photography may even be useful for monitoring a subject or an activity without interference or disturbance to the subject or to the activity performed. Conventionally, capturing candid images of an object of interest is performed by another person handling and controlling an imaging device such as the camera. Further, capturing candid images of oneself is bit difficult task as one cannot control the camera functions without being aware of the pictures being taken.
[003] An existing method enables each imaging device, in proximity to each other and belonging to a single predefined group, to automatically capture images of other people (other than the user of the device). The captured images are then processed to identify persons captured in the image and the image is forwarded to one or more users on their imaging devices based on the identified persons. However, with the existing method, a person cannot candidly capture his/her own pictures or record a video. Moreover a group of devices in proximity are needed for such automatic image capture.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method and an imaging device for candid shot mode, wherein the candid shot mode enabled on the imaging device triggers capture of one or more candid shots (one or more images) of an object of interest, wherein one or more candid shots are captured in a substantially serial fashion.
[005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for identifying the object of interest in a captured image by comparing features of the images against a predefined set of features.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to identify a storage location for the images, where the storage location is identified based on the identified object of interest in the images.
[007] Another object of the embodiments herein is to transfer the images to the storage location using a secure transfer mode.
[008] Another object of the embodiments here is to capture the images without notifying a user of the imaging device or the object of interest and delete the images from a local memory of the imaging device upon transfer to the storage location.
SUMMARY
[009] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device. The method includes detecting an object of interest and triggering capture of at least one candid shot of the object of interest, wherein the at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
[0010] An embodiment herein provides a method for providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device. Further, the method includes triggering capture of at least one candid shot, wherein the at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion. Further, the method includes identifying an object of interest in the at least one candid shot.
[0011] Embodiments further disclose an imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein the imaging device comprises an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor and at least one memory having a computer program code within the circuit. Further, the at least one memory and the computer program code with the at least one processor cause a candid shot module in the imaging device to detect an object of interest and trigger capture of at least one candid shot of the object of interest. The at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
[0012] Embodiments further disclose an imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein the imaging device comprises an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor and at least one memory having a computer program code within the circuit. Further, the at least one memory and the computer program code with the at least one processor cause a candid shot module in the imaging device to trigger capture of at least one candid shot, wherein the at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion, and identify an object of interest in the at least one candid shot.
[0013] Embodiments further disclose a computer program product comprising a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is configured to store computer program instructions, that when executed by the processor, are operable to cause the processor to perform actions including detecting an object of interest; and triggering capture of at least one candid shot of the object of interest, wherein the at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
[0014] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0015] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, through out which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging device providing a candid shot mode, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method providing the candid shot mode in an imaging device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode when the a mobile phone (imaging device) automatically captures images of an object of interest and utilizes the images for updating photos of a user on one or more websites, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode of a tablet (imaging device) where the captured images of a e-book reader are provided as a e-feedback to a publisher device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 5a illustrates example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a kid and a old age patient (object of interest) are captured by the imaging device (watch gear) and are are transferred securely to a device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 5b illustrates example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a baby (object of interest) are automatically captured by the watch gear and transferred to the device (storage location), according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where images of a customer (object of interest) are automatically captured by a smart table at a restaurant (imaging device) to provide the e-feedback of the customer, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an example use case of candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a person (object of interest) are automatically captured and transferred to a device mapped to the person identified in the image captured, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a computing environment implementing the method for providing the candid shot mode in the imaging device, as disclosed in the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0026] The embodiments herein achieve a method and an imaging device for providing a candid shot mode. The method includes automatically triggering capture of one or more candid shots (one or more images) of an object of interest, wherein one or more candid shots are captured in a substantially serial fashion. The captured images may be temporarily stored in a local memory of the imaging device. The trigger may be based on a context such as a location, a time or an event.
[0027] In an embodiment, the object of interest is detected in the camera preview. Further, based on the detected object of interest, capture of one or more images of the object of interest is triggered.
[0028] In an embodiment, one or more images are captured based on the trigger. Further, once the images are captured, the method includes identifying an object of interest in the captured images by comparing features of the images against a predefined set of features.
[0029] The object of interest may be a user of the imaging device or another object (other than the user). Another object may be a living thing or a non-living thing.
[0030] Further, the method includes identifying a storage location for the images and securely transferring the images to the storage location. The storage location can be identified based on the identified object of interest in the images. In an embodiment, mapping of a corresponding storage location for a particular object of interest may be pre-defined in the imaging device. Once the images are transferred, the images from the local memory are deleted to provide privacy and security against unauthorized access of the images. The captured images for the candid shot mode may be still images or video images.
[0031] Various example uses cases of the method are described in conjunction with figures.
[0032] In an embodiment, the imaging device can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop, a wearable device, a dedicated camera, a tablet, and the like that is equipped with a camera and provides a network connectivity.
[0033] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging device 100 providing a candid shot mode, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the imaging device 100 includes a candid shot module 102, a camera module 104, a memory module 106, and a communication interface module 108.
[0035] The imaging device 100 provides a candid shot mode for capturing candid pictures of the object of interest. Whenever, the candid shot mode of the imaging device 100 is enabled, the candid shot module 102 can be configured to trigger the camera module 104 to capture images, wherein one or more images (candid shots) are captured in the substantially serial fashion. The trigger is based on the context. The context may be the location of the imaging device 100. For example, the trigger may be received when the imaging device 100 is at a preset location such as a party venue. The context may be a predefined time interval or any other event. The event may be like detection of a particular face by the camera module 104. Further, the images captured may be the still images or the video images.
[0036] In an embodiment, the object of interest is detected in the camera preview. Further, on detection of the object the candid mode module 102 can be configured to trigger the camera module 104 to capture images. The captured images may be stored in the local memory in the memory module 106. Further, the candid shot module 102 can be configured to identify the object of interest in the captured images by comparing features of the images against a predefined set of features. For example a face detection algorithm or similar can be used to identify a person's face (wherein face detection algorithm defines the predefined set of features to be considered during face detection). In another example, plurality of other sensors of the imaging device such as a microphone may be used to record sound during the capture of the images. The recorded sound can then be compared with the stored sound features (pre-defined set) of a person (object of interest) for identification. The object of interest may be a user of the imaging device, another object (other than the user), where another object may be a living thing or a non-living thing. The candid shot module 102 can be configured to discard the image if the predefined set of features is not identified in a particular image.
[0037] Further, the candid shot module 104 can be configured to identify the storage location for the images and securely transfer the images to the storage location. The secure transfer is performed through the communication interface module 108 that can provide the network connectivity to external storage location such as a server, cloud storage or another device.
[0038] The storage location corresponding to the captured images is identified based on the identified object of interest in the images. In an embodiment, information for the corresponding storage location for a particular object of interest may be preset in the imaging device 100. Once the images are transferred, the images from the local memory are deleted to provide privacy and security against unauthorized access of the images. The secure transfer mode includes verifying the storage location before initiating the transfer. Further, the images are transferred to the storage location by setting up a secure channel between the imaging device 100 and the storage location.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a limited overview of the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 may include plurality of other components or modules or units that directly or indirectly interact with the components or modules shown in FIG. 1. However, other components are not described here for brevity. Further, the names of the components of the imaging device 100 are illustrative and need not be construed as a limitation.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 providing the candid shot mode in the imaging device 100, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0041] In candid shot mode of the imaging device 100, at step 202, the method 200 includes allowing the candid shot module 102 to detect the object of interest in the camera preview. Further, at step 204, the method 200includes allowing the candid shot module to trigger capturing of the images of the detected object of interest. On detection of the object of interest, the method 200 allows the candid shot module 104 to trigger the camera module 104 to capture images for the candid shot mode of the imaging device 100. The images (candid shots) are captured in the substantially serial fashion. The images captured may be the still images or the video images. The candid shot mode may be indicated to the user using a display icon and so on. The method 200 includes capturing the images without providing any indication to the user. For example, no on-screen preview or any sound or notification icon is displayed to the user or to the object of interest being captured.
[0042] The trigger is based on the context such as predefined logic or a predefined time interval. The context may be the location of the imaging device. The context may be a predefined time interval or an event such as detection of preset features of a face.
[0043] In an embodiment, based on the trigger such as the time or location, the candid shot module can be configured to capture the images. Once the images are captured, then the object of interest may be identified in each of the captured image.
[0044] The object of interest in the images can be identified by comparing the images against the predefined set of features. The images that do not match with the predefined features can be discarded. The examples of the predefined set are as explained in the FIG. 1 and not repeated for brevity.
[0045] Further, the method 200 includes allowing the candid shot module to store the captured images in the local memory in the memory module 106.
[0046] At step 206, the method 200 includes allowing the candid shot module 102 to identify the storage location for transferring the images. The storage location is identified by. mapping of the storage location against the object of interest. The mapping can be preset in the imaging device 100.
[0047] At step 208, the method 200 includes allowing the candid shot module 102 to transfer the images to the storage location using the secure transfer mode as described in FIG. 1. The storage location can be a server, cloud storage or other storage device.
[0048] Further, the method 200 includes allowing the candid shot module 102 to delete the images from the local memory to maintain privacy of the images captured and avoid any unauthorized access. Example use cases of the candid shot mode are explained in conjunction with FIG. 3 to FIG. 6
[0049] The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode when the a mobile phone 300 (imaging device) automatically captures images of the object of interest and utilizes the images for updating photos of the user on one or more websites, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG. 3 depicts a mobile phone 300 with candid shot mode enabled by the user (as indicated by a logo on the display screen). On reception of the trigger (such as a preset time), the candid shot module in the mobile phone 300 captures the images of the user using the front camera in substantially serial fashion. These captured images are stored at a server (storage location). At a later point in time the candid shot module can retrieve the images and present it to the user. The user can then select the images for profile pictures for one or more websites such as social networking sites or matrimonial sites. The user may choose the images, and candid shot module can be configured to automatically change the profile pictures of the social networking sites or the matrimonial sites. The feature enhances the user experience, specifically for the users interested in frequently updating their profile pictures with candid snap shots.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode of a tablet 400 (imaging device) where the captured images of an e-book reader are provided as an e-feedback to a publisher device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG. 4 illustrates images 402 of the user captured while reading the e-book on the tablet 400 with the candid shot mode of the tablet 400 activated. The images may be captured in substantially serial fashion. The images 402 are transferred to the server or the device of the publisher (storage location) along with screen shots of the tablet for each picture captured. The publisher can access the pictures and relate to the user feedback (reader’s feedback) on the various plots, twists and turns in the content being read from the e-book. The captured images can be displayed on to the publisher’s device (another device) as a collage of images with different expressions.
[0052] FIG. 5a illustrates example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a kid and an old age patient (object of interest) are captured by the imaging device (watch gear) and are transferred securely to a device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG 5a depicts an owner of the wearable gear is at a remote location, whereas the wearable gear is wore by the kid and the patient. The wearable devices equipped with cameras (imaging devices) candidly capture the images of the kid 502a in the substantially serial fashion and the patient 504a and securely transfer the images to the owner on his/her mobile phone 500a ( another device) without any notification to the kid or the patient.
[0053] FIG. 5b illustrates example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a baby (object of interest) are automatically captured by the watch gear and transferred to the device (storage location), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The example use case of the FIG. 5b depicts the image 502b of the baby at the rear side of a car being captured by the watch gear 500b worn by the baby in the substantially serial fashion. The images are then securely transferred to the storage location (such as the car driver’s mobile phone). Simultaneously an indication is sent on a dashboard 504b of the car indicating the driver about the received images.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates an example use case of the candid shot mode of the imaging device where images of a customer (object of interest) are automatically captured by a smart table 600 at a restaurant (imaging device) to provide the e-feedback of the customer, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG.6 illustrates the smart table 600 enabled with the candid shot mode. The candid shot module of the smart table 600 is triggered to capture one or more images 602 of the customer on detecting food intake by the customer. The images that may be captured in substantially serial fashion and sent to a server. The restaurant owner can later analyze the images to identify the reaction of the customer for the food order he/she placed. The analysis may be used as a feed back during a repeat order of the customer of the same menu anytime later. For example, a reaction may convey that the food served was too hot and spicy. Thus, during next food service to the customer the spice content in the specific food order may be reduced.
[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates an example use case of candid shot mode of the imaging device where the images of a person (object of interest) are automatically captured and transferred to a device mapped to the person identified in the image captured, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG. 7 illustrates a wearable gear 700 (imaging device) enabled for the candid shot mode. The candid shot module of the wearable gear 700 is triggered to capture one or more images 702 of the person in the substantially serial fashion. In this case, the trigger can be face detection of the person when the camera view is analyzed. Once the person in the image 702 is identified, the candid shot module of the wearable gear 700 is configured to map the image 702 with a stored device address corresponding to a device 704 of the person preconfigured in the wearable gear 700. Further, the wearable device 700 can securely transfer the image along with meta data such as time of capture, location, event etc. to the device 704 using any authorized communication device in the vicinity. For example, the wearable gear 700 can use an authorized Google glass in the vicinity to transfer the images to the device 704.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates a computing environment implementing the method for providing the candid shot mode in the imaging device, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. As depicted, the computing environment 802 comprises at least one processing unit 804 that is equipped with a control unit 806 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) 808, a memory 810, a storage unit 812, plurality of networking devices 814 and a plurality Input output (I/O) devices 816. The processing unit 804 is responsible for processing the instructions of the algorithm. The processing unit 804 receives commands from the control unit 806 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU 808.
[0057] The overall computing environment 802 can be composed of multiple homogeneous and/or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. The processing unit 804 is responsible for processing the instructions of the algorithm. Further, the plurality of processing units 804 may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.
[0058] The algorithm comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory unit 810 or the storage 812 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory 810 and/or storage 812, and executed by the processing unit 804. In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices 814 or external I/O devices 816 may be connected to the computing environment to support the implementation through the networking unit and the I/O device unit.
[0059] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in FIG. 1 and FIG 3 through FIG. 8 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0060] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device, the method comprising:
detecting, by a candid shot module of said imaging device, an object of interest; and
triggering, by said candid shot module, capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said triggering is based on a context, wherein said context comprises a location, a time, and an event.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one candid shot is securely transferred to a storage location that is identified based on said object of interest, wherein said object of interest is identified based on a predefined set of features.
4. A method providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device, the method comprising:
triggering, by a candid shot module, capture of at least one candid shot, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion; and
identifying, by said candid shot module, an object of interest in said at least one candid shot.
5. An imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein said imaging device comprises:
an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor;
at least one memory having a computer program code within said circuit;
said at least one memory and said computer program code with said at least one processor cause a candid shot module in said imaging device to:
detect an object of interest; and
trigger capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
6. The imaging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said triggering is based on a context, wherein said context comprises a location, a time, and an event.
7. The imaging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said candid shot module is configured to securely transfer said at least one candid shot to a storage location that is identified based on said object of interest, wherein said object of interest is identified based on a predefined set of features.
8. An imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein said imaging device comprises:
an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor;
at least one memory having a computer program code within said circuit;
said at least one memory and said computer program code with said at least one processor cause a candid shot module in said imaging device to:
trigger capture of at least one candid shot, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion; and
identify an object of interest in said at least one candid shot.
9. A computer program product comprising:
a processor; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store computer program instructions, that when executed by the processor, are operable to cause the processor to perform actions including:
detecting an object of interest; and
triggering capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.

Dated this 08th October 2015
Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy
Patent Agent

ABSTRACT
A method and an imaging device for providing a candid shot mode are described. The method includes detecting an object of interest and triggering capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
FIG. 2

,CLAIMS: STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device, the method comprising:
detecting, by a candid shot module of said imaging device, an object of interest; and
triggering, by said candid shot module, capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said triggering is based on a context, wherein said context comprises a location, a time, and an event.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one candid shot is securely transferred to a storage location that is identified based on said object of interest, wherein said object of interest is identified based on a predefined set of features.
4. A method providing a candid shot mode in an imaging device, the method comprising:
triggering, by a candid shot module, capture of at least one candid shot, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion; and
identifying, by said candid shot module, an object of interest in said at least one candid shot.
5. An imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein said imaging device comprises:
an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor;
at least one memory having a computer program code within said circuit;
said at least one memory and said computer program code with said at least one processor cause a candid shot module in said imaging device to:
detect an object of interest; and
trigger capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.
6. The imaging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said triggering is based on a context, wherein said context comprises a location, a time, and an event.
7. The imaging device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said candid shot module is configured to securely transfer said at least one candid shot to a storage location that is identified based on said object of interest, wherein said object of interest is identified based on a predefined set of features.
8. An imaging device for a candid shot mode, wherein said imaging device comprises:
an integrated circuit further comprising at least one processor;
at least one memory having a computer program code within said circuit;
said at least one memory and said computer program code with said at least one processor cause a candid shot module in said imaging device to:
trigger capture of at least one candid shot, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion; and
identify an object of interest in said at least one candid shot.
9. A computer program product comprising:
a processor; and
a non-transitory computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store computer program instructions, that when executed by the processor, are operable to cause the processor to perform actions including:
detecting an object of interest; and
triggering capture of at least one candid shot of said object of interest, wherein said at least one candid shot is captured in a substantially serial fashion.

Dated this 08th October 2015
Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy
Patent Agent