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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
In one embodiment a method and apparatus is provided for a digital
camera controlled by a remote computer. The remote computer commands
the digital camera as to when to take pictures, how long to pause
before taking subsequent pictures, and when to stop taking pictures.
The digital camera senses current photographic conditions, which
are later requested by the remote computer. Based upon the digital
camera's current photographic conditions, the remote computer calculates
the appropriate exposure parameters for the digital camera and commands
the digital camera to set its exposure parameters accordingly. After
a picture is taken, the picture is stored as image data in volatile
memory in the digital camera. The image data is then transferred
to the remote computer for compression and storage in the remote
computer's non-volatile memory. The remote computer subsequently
encodes the stored image data into a time-lapse video file.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A method comprising: coupling a digital camera to a controlling
device; receiving a command to take a picture at the digital camera;
and taking the picture with the digital camera in response receiving
the command to take the picture.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: storing
the picture as image data on a volatile memory device in the digital
camera; and transmitting the image data from the volatile memory
device on the digital camera to a non-volatile memory device on
the controlling device.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: transmitting
the current photographic environment of the digital camera to the
controlling device; and receiving a command from the controlling
device at the digital camera that sets exposure parameters on the
digital camera.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of providing
the controlling device with a requested set of exposure parameters.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: storing
the picture as image data on a volatile memory device in the digital
camera; transmitting the image data from the volatile memory device
on the digital camera to a non-volatile memory device on the controlling
device; transmitting the current photographic environment of the
digital camera to the controlling device; and receiving a command
from the controlling device at the digital camera that sets exposure
parameters on the digital camera.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of providing
the controlling device with a requested set of exposure parameters.
7. A method comprising: coupling a digital camera to a controlling
device; taking a picture with the digital camera; storing the picture
as image data on a volatile memory device in the digital camera;
and transmitting the image data from the volatile memory device
on the digital camera to a non-volatile memory device on the controlling
device.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: transmitting
the current photographic environment of the digital camera to the
controlling device; and receiving a command from the controlling
device at the digital camera that sets exposure parameters on the
digital camera.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of providing
the controlling device with a requested set of exposure parameters.
10. A method comprising: coupling a digital camera to a controlling
device; transmitting the current photographic environment of the
digital camera to the controlling device; and receiving a command
from the controlling device at the digital camera that sets exposure
parameters on the digital camera.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of providing
the controlling device with a requested set of exposure parameters.
12. An apparatus comprising: a controlling device comprising memory;
a digital camera coupled to the controlling device comprising non-volatile
memory, wherein the digital camera takes pictures comprising image
data at specified intervals; and wherein the image data is stored
in the memory of the controlling device without first being stored
in the non-volatile memory of the digital camera.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that encodes the image data stored in the memory
of the controlling device into a time-lapse video.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that controls exposure parameters of the digital
camera.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that encodes the image data stored in the memory
of the controlling device into a time-lapse video; and wherein the
software controls exposure parameters of the digital camera.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that controls when the digital camera takes the
pictures and the intervals between taking the pictures.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that encodes the image data stored in the memory
of the controlling device into a time-lapse video; and wherein the
software controls when the digital camera takes the pictures and
the intervals between taking the pictures.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that controls exposure parameters of the digital
camera; and wherein the software controls when the digital camera
takes the pictures and the intervals between taking the pictures.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controlling device further
comprises software that encodes the image data stored in the memory
of the controlling device into a time-lapse video; wherein the software
controls exposure parameters of the digital camera; and wherein
the software controls when the digital camera takes pictures and
the intervals between taking the pictures.
20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the digital camera takes
pictures with resolutions at least as great as 2 megapixels.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to digital cameras. More specifically,
the present invention relates to computer controlled digital cameras.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Digital cameras today have the ability to take pictures
with resolutions as high as five mega-pixels. The storage capacity
in digital cameras, however, remains limited, such that your standard
digital camera has sufficient space to store only a few high-resolution
pictures at any one time.
[0005] While high resolution video cameras currently exist that
have high storage capacities, such cameras are prohibitively expensive
to the average consumer. Affordable video cameras that record for
lengthy periods of time typically record with low quality and with
low resolution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The different embodiments described herein address the above
mentioned needs as well as other needs by providing a method and
apparatus for a computer-controlled digital camera with the capability
of remotely storing high volumes of image data.
[0007] One embodiment can be characterized as a method comprising
coupling a digital camera to a controlling device; receiving a command
to take a picture from the controlling device at the digital camera;
and taking the picture with the digital camera in response receiving
the command to take the picture.
[0008] Another embodiment can be characterized as a method comprising
coupling a digital camera to a controlling device; taking a picture
with the digital camera; storing the picture as image data on a
volatile memory device in the digital camera; and transmitting the
image data from the volatile memory device on the digital camera
to a non-volatile memory device on the controlling device.
[0009] Yet another embodiment can be characterized as a method
comprising coupling a digital camera to a controlling device; sending
a signal from the controlling device to the digital camera requesting
the current photographic environment; and sending a command from
the controlling device to the digital camera which sets exposure
parameters on the digital camera.
[0010] A subsequent embodiment includes an apparatus comprising
a controlling device comprising memory; a digital camera coupled
to the controlling device comprising non-volatile memory, wherein
the digital camera takes pictures comprising image data at specified
intervals; and wherein the image data is stored in the memory of
the controlling device without first being stored in the non-volatile
memory of the digital camera.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more apparent from the following more
particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the
following drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a laptop computer
connected to a digital camera in accordance with one embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer connected
to a digital camera in accordance with another embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of taking
pictures with a computer controlled digital camera in accordance
with one embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of storing
image data in volatile memory of a digital camera into non-volatile
memory of a controlling device in accordance with another embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using
a computer to set exposure parameters on a digital camera in accordance
with yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following description is not to be taken in the limiting
sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general
principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be
determined with reference to the claims.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective diagram is shown illustrating
a laptop computer connected to a digital camera in accordance with
one embodiment. Shown are the laptop computer 102, a connector cable
104, and the digital camera 106. The digital camera 106.is connected
to the laptop computer 102 by the connector cable 104.
[0019] The description above has been made with reference to the
connector cable 104. The connector cable 104 is a USB or fire-wire
cable, a combination thereof, or another cable or combination of
cables in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Alternatively,
wireless communication devices, adapters, interfaces, ports, or
pin connectors replace the connector cable 104. For example, in
one embodiment, the laptop computer 102 and the digital camera 106
each have antennas and exchange data wirelessly over a radio frequency.
[0020] Though the above description has been made with reference
to a laptop computer 102, many controlling devices are readily substitutable.
This includes, for example, desktop computers, personal digital
assistants and many other such devices.
[0021] Software on the laptop computer 102 sends commands via the
connector cable 104 to the digital camera 106, which the digital
camera 106 receives and interprets. These commands include, for
example, commands for taking a picture or a series of pictures at
specified times, pausing for specified time intervals before taking
successive pictures, and adjusting exposure parameters such as aperture,
shutter speed, f-stop, depth of field on the digital camera 106,
and flash settings. In one embodiment, the laptop computer 102 requests
the digital camera's 106 current photographic environment via the
connector cable 104. After the request is fulfilled, the laptop
computer 102 uses the digital camera's 106 current photographic
environment to calculate the appropriate exposure parameters that
the digital camera 106 will use in taking a picture. The digital
camera 106 receives the exposure parameters from the laptop computer
102 via the connector cable 104 and adjusts the exposure parameters
accordingly.
[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the laptop computer 102 overrides
the digital camera's 106 automatic exposure adjustment by sending
commands to the digital camera 106 that set exposure parameters.
The digital camera's 106 automatic exposure adjustment brightens
a picture taken in cloudy or dark conditions, darkens a picture
taken in sunny or bright conditions, and changes depth of field,
making certain subjects move in and out of focus as the digital
camera 106 opens and closes its iris. The digital camera's 106 automatic
exposure adjustment will normally be activated when photographic
conditions change relative to the photographic conditions corresponding
to the digital camera's 106 most recent exposure settings. For time-lapse
photography and video (i.e. taking pictures of the same subject
at regular intervals, storing each picture as a sequence of image
data, and encoding each sequence of image data as a single frame
or series of frames in a target video), the digital camera's 106
automatic exposure adjustment will often produce a frame or series
of frames which is relatively much darker or much lighter than the
other frames in the video.
[0023] For example, the laptop computer 102 and digital camera
106 are set up to take a picture of a beach scene every ten minutes.
While the beach remains sunny, each picture taken by the digital
camera 106 will be taken at exposure settings similar to the exposure
settings used by the digital camera 106 for the previous pictures.
However, when a cloud envelops the sun for ten minutes, the digital
camera's 106 automatic exposure adjustment attempts to compensate
for the dark scene by adding brightness to that particular picture.
The picture taken when the cloud enveloped the sun will not possess
the same degree of brightness as compared to the pictures taken
when the scene was sunny. When viewed as a time-lapse video, the
frame that is yielded by the sequence of image data corresponding
to the cloudy scene at the beach looks unusual or incongruous relative
to the other frames in the video.
[0024] To solve this problem, the laptop computer 102 at successive
intervals of time sends a request to the digital camera 106 for
the digital camera's 106 current photographic environment. The laptop
computer 102 uses the current and previous photographic environments
of the digital camera 106 to calculate appropriate exposure parameters
for the digital camera's 106 next picture. Next, the laptop computer
102 sends a command to the digital camera 106 via the connector
cable 104 to set the digital camera's 106 exposure parameters accordingly.
The laptop computer 102 thus prevents the digital camera from adjusting
its exposure parameters too rapidly between successive pictures.
This in turn produces time-lapse video without the disparity in
brightness between frames.
[0025] The laptop computer 102, in one embodiment, also sends a
command to the digital camera 106 to control a flash setting on
the digital camera 106. For example, the laptop computer can send
a command that causes the flash to fire. The command can also include
an intensity setting for the flash. Controlling the flash can make
a single image have a more uniform brightness and can also be used
to achieve a uniform brightness from one picture to another during
a time-lapse sequence.
[0026] Additionally, the digital camera's 106 automatic exposure
adjustment often changes depth of field, making certain subjects
move in and out of focus as photographic conditions change. For
example, if the automatic exposure adjustment of the digital camera
commands the digital camera 106 to open the digital camera's 106
iris in response to a cloud enveloping the sun, certain subjects
in the picture will not possess the same degree of sharpness as
compared to the same subjects when seen in previous pictures. When
viewed as a time-lapse video, the frame that is yielded by the sequence
of image data corresponding to the cloudy scene looks unusual or
incongruous relative to the other frames in the video.
[0027] To solve this problem, the laptop computer 102 at successive
intervals of time sends a request to the digital camera 106 for
the digital camera's 106 current photographic environment. The laptop
computer 102 uses the current and previous photographic environments
of the digital camera 106 to calculate appropriate exposure parameters
for the digital camera's 106 next picture. Next, the laptop computer
102 sends a command to the digital camera 106 via the connector
cable 104 to set the digital camera's 106 exposure parameters accordingly.
The laptop computer 102 thus prevents the digital camera from opening
the digital camera's 106 iris too rapidly between successive pictures.
This in turn produces time-lapse video without the disparity in
sharpness between the same subject as seen through successive frames.
[0028] Conventional digital cameras often have insufficient space
to store video files, particularly high-definition video files,
which typically require massive amounts of storage space. Because
of these memory constraints, a user is typically relegated to recording
videos in standard or low resolutions, which have noticeably poorer
video quality, but require less space.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the digital camera 106 stores
high-resolution pictures as image data directly to a mass storage
device in the laptop computer 102. This allows the user to subsequently
create high definition video files from the high-resolution pictures
taken from the digital camera 106.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram is shown illustrating
a computer 202 connected to a digital camera 206 by a connector
cable 204 in accordance with another embodiment. The computer 202
includes a power supply 210, a data controller 216, a data controller
interface 218, a microprocessor 222, software 214 resident on a
hard disk 212, a hard disk controller 220, and random access memory
(RAM) 224. The digital camera 206 includes a data controller 236,
a data controller interface 238, a memory controller 240, a microprocessor
242, RAM 244, non-volatile memory 232, a battery 246, a power supply
230, and a sensory circuit 248. The connector cable 204 connects
at one end with the data controller interface 218, and at the other
end with the data controller interface 238.
[0031] Referring first to the computer 202, the power supply 210
is electrically coupled to the hard disk 212, the data controller
216, the microprocessor 222, the RAM 224, and the hard disk controller
220. The data controller 218, the hard disk controller 220, and
the RAM 224 are electrically coupled to the microprocessor 222.
The hard disk 212 is electrically coupled to the hard disk controller
220 and the data controller 216. The data controller interface 218
is electrically coupled to the data controller 218.
[0032] Referring next to the digital camera 206, the power supply
230 is electrically coupled to the non-volatile memory 232, the
sensory circuit 248, the microprocessor 242, the data controller
236, the memory controller 240, and the RAM 244. The memory controller
240, the data controller 236, and the RAM 244 are electrically coupled
to the microprocessor 242. The sensory circuit 248 and the data
controller 236 are electrically coupled to the RAM 244. The data
controller interface 238 is electrically coupled to the data controller
236, the non-volatile memory 232 is electrically coupled to the
memory controller 240, and the battery 246 is electrically coupled
to the power supply 230.
[0033] Referring again to the computer 202, the power supply 210
provides power to the hard disk 212, the data controller 216, the
microprocessor 222, the hard disk controller 220, and the RAM 224.
The hard disk 212 is a non-volatile storage medium for data. Streams
of image data transmitted from the digital camera 206 via the connector
cable 204 are received at the data controller 216 and subsequently
stored on available space in the hard disk 212. The microprocessor
222 controls the central processing of data in the computer 202.
The hard disk controller 220 manages the transmission of data to
and from the hard disk 212. The RAM 224 is a volatile memory device
used by the microprocessor for quickly accessing data.
[0034] The software 214 resident on the hard disk 212 performs
many functions. These functions include requesting the current photographic
environment of the digital camera 206, computing the appropriate
exposure parameters for the digital camera's 206 next picture, sending
the appropriate exposure parameters to the digital camera 206, creating
image files from transmitted streams of image data, creating a video
file from a series of image files, providing an interface that allows
the user to browse directories and view image files, and sending
commands to the digital camera 206 specifying when to begin taking
pictures, how long to pause before taking another picture, and when
to stop taking pictures.
[0035] In one exemplary embodiment, the software 214 resident on
the hard disk 212 converts the streams of image data into compressed
image files using a conversion routine such as Joint Photographic
Experts Group (JPEG) compression. The compressed image files advantageously
require less storage space on the hard disk 212. Optionally, the
software 214 provides an interface which allows the user to browse
directories and view image files. This allows the user to see the
pictures taken on the digital camera 206 on a display screen of
the computer 204.
[0036] In another exemplary embodiment, the user creates a video
file based on customizable settings. Upon running software 214,
the user is requested to input a number of settings related to video
creation and playback. These settings include, for example, source
files (e.g., a series of pictures taken with the digital camera
106 during a time-lapse photography session), target file type,
target file size, target frame rate, and target resolution. After
receiving the user's input, the software 214 encodes the source
files into frames of a compressed video file using an algorithm
such as Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) compression. Alternatively,
the user creates the video file using default settings directly
provided by the software 214. In one embodiment, the default settings
are generated from system information provided by the computer 202.
In another embodiment, default settings are provided by data included
in the software 214.
[0037] Referring again to the digital camera 206, the power supply
230 draws power from the battery 246 and provides power to the non-volatile
memory 232, the data controller 236, the microprocessor 242, the
memory controller 240, the sensory circuit 248, and the RAM 244.
The non-volatile memory 212 is a non-volatile storage medium for
data, such as a hard disk, a flash-memory device, a memory stick,
or many other such type devices. The memory controller 240 manages
the transmission of data to and from the non-volatile memory 232.
The sensory circuit 248 senses changes in photographic conditions,
such as changes in lighting, motion, and brightness. The microprocessor
242 controls the central processing of data in the digital camera
206. The RAM 224 is a volatile memory device used by the microprocessor
for quickly accessing data and for temporarily storing image data
before the image data is transferred to, for example, the non-volatile
memory 232 of the digital camera 202 or the hard disk 212 of the
computer 202.
[0038] The data controller 236 facilitates a variety of tasks,
including: sending to the computer 202 streams of image data stored
in the RAM 244 or the non-volatile memory 232, providing the computer
202 with the current photographic environment of the digital camera
206, and receiving from the computer 202 commands to take a picture,
commands to pause for a specified interval before taking the next
picture, and commands to set the digital camera's 206 exposure parameters
to those parameters provided by the computer 202.
[0039] In one exemplary embodiment, the digital camera 206 takes
a series of high resolution pictures. After a picture is taken,
the picture is stored as image data in the RAM 244. The image data
is subsequently transferred from the RAM 244 to the computer 202
to be compressed and stored in the hard disk 212 of the computer
202. Advantageously, this allows the user to store a large number
of high-resolution pictures in the computer's 202 memory independent
of the capacity of the digital camera 206 to store high-resolution
pictures in the digital camera's 206 non-volatile memory 232.
[0040] In another exemplary embodiment, software 214 on the computer
202 creates a high definition video based upon a series of high-resolution
pictures taken by the digital camera 206. The high-resolution pictures
are 1920 pixels by 1080 in one exemplary embodiment. After the digital
camera 206 takes a picture, the picture is stored as image data
in the RAM 244. The image data is subsequently transferred from
the RAM 244 to the computer 202 to be compressed and stored as a
series of image files in the computer's hard disk 212. The software
214 encodes the series of image files into frames of a compressed
video file using an algorithm such as Motion Picture Experts Group
(MPEG) compression. The user specifies requested fields from the
software 214 related to video creation and playback, such as desired
file type, file size, frame rate, and resolution. Advantageously,
this allows the user to create time-lapse high definition video
from the series of pictures taken by the digital camera whenever
the digital camera 206 has insufficient space to store the video
in the digital camera's 206 non-volatile memory 232.
[0041] In another exemplary embodiment, the computer 202 sends
commands to the digital camera 206 as to when to begin taking pictures,
how long to pause before taking another picture, and when to stop
taking pictures. The user specifies to the software 214 parameters
such as a start time, a total number of pictures to be taken, and
an interval to pause between pictures. For example, a user requests
the software 214 to begin taking pictures at 10:00 pm, to take a
total of 1000 pictures, and to pause 30 seconds between taking each
picture. Optionally, an end-time replaces the total number of pictures
to be taken. This allows the user to take pictures with the digital
camera 206 without requiring the user to be present while the pictures
are being taken.
[0042] Alternatively, the standard shutter-release button on the
digital camera 206 commands the digital camera 206 to take the next
picture in the series. This technique is used, for example, in animation,
thus providing the user with sufficient time to align the subject
properly before taking the next picture. The computer 202 continues
to control the exposure parameters in this embodiment.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, a flow diagram is shown illustrating
a method of taking pictures with a computer-controlled digital camera
in accordance with one embodiment.
[0044] In step 302, the digital camera is electrically coupled
to the controlling device. The controlling device is a device such
as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant,
a tablet personal computer, or many other devices. In one embodiment,
the electrical coupling of the controlling device to the digital
camera is accomplished by connecting a cable such as a USB or fire-wire
cable, a combination thereof, or another cable or combination of
cables between the controlling device and the digital camera. Wireless
communication devices, adapters, interfaces, ports, or pin connectors
replace the connector cable in other embodiments. For example, in
one embodiment, the controlling device and the digital camera each
have antennas and exchange data wirelessly over a radio frequency.
[0045] In step 304, the controlling device sends a command to the
digital camera to begin taking a set of pictures. In a preferred
embodiment, the user specifies to the controlling device parameters
such as when to begin taking the set of pictures, how long to pause
before taking the next picture in the set, and the total number
of pictures in the set. Optionally, an end-time replaces the total
number of pictures in the set. In one embodiment, the controlling
device sends a single command to the digital camera containing all
of the above parameters. In another embodiment, the controlling
device sends one command or a set of commands for each picture in
the set. The controlling device pauses for the specified time before
issuing the next command, and terminates issuing commands after
all pictures in the set have been taken.
[0046] In step 306, the digital camera takes the picture. If there
are additional pictures in the set to be taken, the camera pauses
before taking the next picture for an amount of time equal to the
time specified by the command issued by the controlling device.
In an alternative embodiment, the digital camera takes one picture
per each command or set of commands received from the controlling
device.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram is shown illustrating
a method of storing image data in volatile memory of a digital camera
into non-volatile memory of a controlling device in accordance with
another embodiment.
[0048] In step 402, the digital camera is coupled to the controlling
device.
[0049] In step 404, a picture is taken. The picture is stored as
image data in the volatile memory of the digital camera, such as
RAM. In one embodiment, the image data in the volatile memory of
the digital camera is stored as a discrete image file. In another
embodiment, the image data is appended to a block of image data.
Reference indicators mark the image data corresponding to each particular
picture stored within the block.
[0050] In step 406, the image data stored in the volatile memory
of the digital camera is transmitted to the non-volatile memory
of the controlling device. The non-volatile memory of the controlling
device is a device such as a hard disk, a flash-memory device, a
memory stick, or many other such type devices. In one embodiment,
the controlling device compresses the image data before the image
data is stored in the non-volatile memory. Compression is performed
by a conversion routine such as Joint Photographic Experts Group
(JPEG) compression. In another embodiment, the image data is stored
in the non-volatile memory of the controlling device in an uncompressed
format. Alternatively, the image data stored in the volatile memory
of the digital camera is compressed before being transmitted to
the non-volatile memory of the controlling device.
[0051] In one exemplary embodiment, the digital camera takes a
series of high-resolution pictures. After a picture is taken, the
picture is stored as image data in the RAM of the digital camera.
The image data is subsequently transferred from the RAM of the digital
camera to the computer's hard disk. Advantageously, this allows
a user to store the series of high-resolution pictures in the computer's
hard disk regardless of the storage capability of the digital camera.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram is shown illustrating
a method of using a computer to set exposure parameters on a digital
camera in accordance with another embodiment.
[0053] In step 502, the digital camera is coupled to the controlling
device.
[0054] In step 504, the controlling device receives information
relating to the digital camera's current photographic environment.
In one embodiment, the information includes parameters that the
digital camera expects to use in taking the next picture. In another
embodiment, the information includes sensory data from the digital
camera, such as an amount of light, motion, or brightness that the
digital camera senses in the current photographic environment.
[0055] In step 506, the controlling device calculates appropriate
exposure parameters for the digital camera's next picture. In one
embodiment, the controlling device compares the digital camera's
expected exposure settings for the next picture with the exposure
settings used by the digital camera in previous pictures. Software
running on the controlling device adjusts the exposure parameters
provided if the comparison yields a difference exceeding a specified
threshold. The threshold is provided by data within the software.
Alternatively, the user provides the threshold through input to
the software. In another embodiment, the controlling device calculates
appropriate exposure parameters for the digital camera based on
sensory data it requests from the digital camera. Software resident
on the controlling device performs the calculation.
[0056] In step 508, the controlling device sends a command to the
digital camera containing exposure parameters. In one embodiment,
such commands are received by the digital camera at successive intervals
of time. In another embodiment, a single command or set of commands
is transmitted containing data such as the maximum allowable amount
of change in exposure parameters between each successive picture.
The digital camera then adjusts its exposure parameters accordingly.
[0057] In one exemplary embodiment, a computer coupled to a digital
camera by a connector cable, overrides the digital camera's automatic
exposure adjustment such as described above herein.
[0058] While the invention herein disclosed has been described
by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, other
modifications, variations, and arrangements of the present invention
may be made in accordance with the above teachings other than as
specifically described to practice the invention within the spirit
and scope defined by the following claims.
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