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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
The present invention is to provide a method for taking a picture
of a subject automatically in a digital camera including an image
capturing unit, a CPU, a memory unit, a storage unit and a scanning
program, comprising the steps of giving an image capturing instruction
to the CPU for successively capturing images through the scanning
program; causing the CPU to command the image capturing unit to
successively capture at least a first image and a second image of
a subject; storing the first image and the second image in the memory
unit; causing the CPU to compare the first image and the second
image by using the scanning program; generating an activating signal
by the scanning program when contents of the first image and the
second image are different; and causing the CPU to store the second
image in the storage unit as the picture taken of the subject.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A method for taking a picture of a subject automatically in a
digital camera including an image capturing unit, a central process
unit (CPU, a memory unit, a storage unit, and a scanning program,
comprising the steps of: the scanning program giving to the CPU
an instruction to successively capture images; the CPU causing the
image capturing unit to successively capture at least a first image
and a second image of the subject according to the image capturing
instruction, wherein the two images are consecutive and the second
image is after the first image in time; storing the first image
and the second image in the memory unit; the CPU comparing, the
first image and the second image stored in the memory unit by using
the scanning program,; and if the first image is different from
the second image, the scanning program activating the CPU to store
the second image in the storage unit as the picture taken of the
subject.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit divides
the first image and the second image respectively into a plurality
of pixels, and the color of each pixel is formed by utilizing the
RGB(red (R), green (G), and blue (B)) color model; the RGB values
of each pixel of the first image and the second image are stored
in the memory unit; and the CPU compares the first image and the
second image by comparing the color values of the first image and
the second image.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the scanning program compares
a region of the first image and a corresponding region of the second
image, but does not compare the entire first image and the entire
second image.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the scanning program divides
the first image and the second image respectively into a plurality
of candidate regions, and compares one of the candidate regions
of the first image with a corresponding candidate region of the
second image.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the scanning program sets a comparison
parameter representing an image data difference between the first
image and the second image resulting from comparing the first image
and the second image by the scanning program; and when the value
of the comparison parameter is beyond an allowable range, the scanning
program activates the CPU to store the second image in the storage
unit.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of determining
whether or not the value of the comparison parameter is beyond the
allowable range.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital camera further comprises
a timer for timing a predetermined waiting duration such that the
scanning program is activated as soon as the predetermined waiting
duration ends.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein if the first image is different
from the second image after the scanning program is activated, the
scanning program activates the timer to time the predetermined waiting
duration and thereafter the scanning program activates the CPU to
store the second image in the storage unit as soon as the predetermined
waiting duration ends.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to digital cameras and more
particularly to a method for taking a picture of a subject automatically
in a digital camera without using a typical self-timer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electronics industry has known a rapid, spectacular development
in recent several decades. A variety of advanced electronic products
are commercially available due to phenomenal strides in digital
technology. This is a significant breakthrough of technology. In
response to the development and advancement of electronics industry,
consumers are more concerned about whether certain electronic product(s)
can provide features to satisfy specific needs in addition to practicability
and convenience thereof.
[0003] Conventionally, a photographer may operate a self-timer
mounted on a digital camera to take a delayed picture. The self-timer,
when enabled, gives a predetermined waiting duration between the
pressing of shutter release and shutter firing. For a typical digital
camera, the predetermined waiting duration is about 2 to 15 seconds.
However, such period of time is typically insufficient for a photographer
to walk or even run to a specific location to take a desired picture
of himself or herself after enabling the self-timer and pressing
the shutter release. Some advanced digital cameras or specific types
of digital camera may have a prolonged setting time of its self-timer.
Likewise, a picture is taken only when end of the countdown is reached.
Unfortunately, it is still often that the set period of time is
insufficient for a photographer to walk or even run to a specific
location and adjust his or her pose prior to taking a picture of
himself or herself after enabling the self-timer and pressing the
shutter release. As a result, photograph quality is poor.
[0004] Thus, it is desirable among photographers to allow them
to enable a self-timer function of a digital camera by their own
will rather than being bound by the set time of the self-timer in
picture taking. Otherwise, a poor picture may be taken with unnatural
face and ugly pose printed thereon. An infrared remote control device
for a digital camera to take a delayed picture is thus developed.
In detail, the infrared remote control device comprises an infrared
signal receiver mounted in the digital camera, and an infrared remote
control to be held by the hand of a photographer. The infrared signal
receiver is enabled when a photographer operates the infrared remote
control to send a signal to the infrared signal receiver. In response,
a self-timer function of the digital camera is enabled. However,
the infrared remote control device is high in price. This in turn
may decrease potential buyers. Further, it is highly possible of
losing the infrared remote control if sufficient care is not taken
since it is a separate device operable by wireless means. To the
worse, it is difficult of purchasing the same again after being
lost. Furthermore, it cannot meet consumer needs. Thus, so far as
the present inventor is aware, such type of digital camera incorporating
an infrared remote control device has had no market acceptance.
Hence, it is desirable among manufacturers of the art to provide
a novel method for taking a picture of a subject automatically in
a digital camera without using a typical self-timer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] After considerable research and experimentation, a method
for taking a picture of a subject automatically in a digital camera
without using a well known self-timer according to the present invention
has been devised so as to overcome the above drawbacks of the prior
art.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide in a
digital camera including an image capturing unit, a CPU, a memory
unit, a storage unit, and a scanning program. A method for taking
a picture of a subject automatically in a digital camera comprises
the steps of giving to the CPU an instruction to successively capture
images through the scanning program, causing the image capturing
unit to successively capture a first image and a second image of
a subject according to the image capturing instruction, storing
the first image and the second image in the memory unit, comparing
the first image and the second image stored in the memory unit by
using the scanning program, and activating the CPU to store the
second image in the storage unit as the picture taken of the subject
through the scanning program if the first image is different from
the second image.
[0007] The above and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according
to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view depicting a comparison region according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view depicting candidate regions and comparison
region according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown
in FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a process for taking a picture
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting another process for taking
a picture according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a method for taking a picture of a
subject automatically in a digital camera 10 without using a prior
art self-timer in accordance with the invention is shown. The digital
camera 10 comprises an image capturing unit 100, a CPU (central
processing unit) 300, a memory unit (e.g., DRAM) 400, a storage
unit (e.g., Memory Stick) 500, and a scanning program 200. The scanning
program 200, when run, may continuously send an image capturing
instruction to the CPU 300. Then the CPU 300 commands the image
capturing unit 100 to successively capture at least a first image
and a second image of a subject, wherein the two images are consecutive
and the second image is after the first image in time. Then the
first image and the second image are stored in the memory unit 400.
Next, the CPU 300 may command the scanning program 200 to compare
the first image and the second image stored in the memory unit 400.
An activating signal is generated by the scanning program 200 when
the first image is different from the second image. Next, the CPU
300 stores the second image in the storage unit as the picture taken
of the subject in response to the activating signal.
[0014] In one embodiment of the invention the image capturing unit
100 divides the first image and the second image respectively into
a plurality of pixels. Color of the pixel is represented by utilizing
the composition principles of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).
Values of R, G, and B colors are combined as a color value by substituting
them for a mathematic expression. Each of values of R, G, and B
colors is in a range of 0 to 255. For example, color value=value
of R color+value of G color.times.256+value of B color .times.65536
(i.e., 256.times.256). Values of R, G, and B colors of the pixel
in the first image and the second image are stored in the memory
unit 400 respectively. Thus, the CPU 300 may compare color values
of the first image and the second image with each other. It is determined
that the first image and the second image are different and an activating
signal is generated when their color values are different. Next,
the scanning program 200 is run for storing the second image in
the storage unit 500 in response to the activating signal. On the
contrary (i.e., when their color values are the same), the CPU 300
will continuously to compare two consecutive images in order to
determine whether their color values are the same or not.
[0015] Pictures to be taken may be not focused due to external
factors (e.g., wind, inhaling, exhaling or the like) whether avoidable
or not. And in turn, an erroneous signal may be sent to the digital
camera 10. As a result, an activating signal is generated to store
the second image in the storage unit 500 in an undesired time. This
finishes the picture taking. However, it may bring inconvenience
to photographers or render a picture of poor quality. Thus, referring
to FIG. 2, in the embodiment the scanning program 200 sets a portion
of the image as a comparison region 20. The scanning program 200
only compares the comparison region 20 (i.e., omits other regions).
For example, the scanning program 200 may take any changes above
a height or besides a width of a subject to be taken as meaningful.
The scanning program 200 may generate an activating signal when
such occurs. In operation according to the invention a photographer
may press the shutter release of the digital camera 10 to run the
scanning program 200 in which a region above the shoulder of a subject
(e.g., human being) is set as a comparison region 20 of images.
That is, any changes in regions below the shoulder will not generate
an activating signal. For example, a person shaking his or her hand(s)
besides the shoulder may change images. And in turn, an activating
signal is generated. Eventually, a picture is taken. Advantageously,
the taken picture has a high quality since the timing of taking
the picture is optimal.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, the scanning program 200 may divide
the image into a plurality of candidate regions 30 in which one
of the candidate regions 30 is taken as a comparison region 20 for
comparison and any changes in regions other than the comparison
region 20 are omitted. For example, an image is divided into 9 (3.times.3)
candidate regions 30 in which the central candidate region 30 is
taken as a comparison region 20 for comparison and other candidate
regions 30 are not taken for comparison.
[0017] For solving the problem of picture to be taken being not
focused due to undesired external factors resulting in a poor picture
taken in an undesired timing or causing inconvenience to photographer,
another embodiment of the invention is provided. In this embodiment,
the scanning program 200 sets a comparison parameter representing
an image data difference between the first image and the second
image. Next, the scanning program 200 compares the first image and
the second image. An activating signal will be generated when a
difference between the first image and the second image is beyond
a range of the comparison parameter. Based on the difference, the
comparison parameter may be set as an allowable range of color value
which is adjustable. For example, the greater the comparison parameter
is the smaller the probability of generating an activating signal
will be. On the contrary, the smaller the comparison parameter is
the greater the probability of generating an activating signal will
be.
[0018] Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 4, a plurality of picture
taking steps are performed by the invention when the shutter release
of the digital camera 10 is pressed.
[0019] In step 201, capture a first image data of a subject to
be taken and store same in the memory unit 400.
[0020] In step 202, capture a second image data of the subject
being taken and store same in the memory unit 400.
[0021] In step 203, it is determined whether there is a set comparison
region 20 in the scanning program 200. If yes, the process goes
to step 204. Otherwise, the process jumps to step 208.
[0022] In step 204, it is determined whether there is a set comparison
parameter in the scanning program 200. If yes, the process goes
to step 205. Otherwise, the process jumps to step 206.
[0023] In step 205, it is determined whether color value difference
between comparison regions 20 of the first image and the second
image is within the range of comparison parameter or not based on
the comparison parameter. If yes, the process loops back to step
202. Otherwise, the process jumps to step 207.
[0024] In step 206, it is determined whether contents of the comparison
regions 20 in the first image and the second image are the same
or not. If yes, the process loops back to step 202. Otherwise, the
process goes to process 207.
[0025] In step 207, an activating signal is generated for storing
the second image of the subject being taken. The process ends successfully.
[0026] In step 208, it is determined whether there is a set comparison
parameter in the scanning program 200. If yes, the process goes
to step 209. Otherwise, the process jumps to step 210.
[0027] In step 209, it is determined whether color value difference
between the first image and the second image is within the range
of comparison parameter or not based on the comparison parameter.
If yes, the process loops back to step 202. Otherwise, the process
loops back to step 207.
[0028] In step 210, it is determined whether contents of all regions
in the first image and the second image are the same or not. If
yes, the process loops back to step 202. Otherwise, the process
loops back-to step 207.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 again, in another embodiment of the
invention the digital camera 10 further comprises a timer 600. The
timer 600 can be set for timing a predetermined waiting duration.
Thus, the scanning program 200 will be run by the digital camera
10 after reaching the predetermined waiting duration. Hence, a photographer
has a sufficient time to walk to a specific location to take a picture
of himself or herself by means of the digital camera 10 after running
the scanning program 200. Alternatively, after running the scanning
program 200 and in response to any changes between the first image
and the second image, another activating signal is generated by
the scanning program 200 so as to enable the timer 600. The digital
camera 10 will generate an activating signal for taking a picture
after reaching the predetermined waiting duration. In such a manner,
a photographer has a sufficient time to smile or adjust pose in
order to take a picture of himself or herself prior to shutter firing.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 again, in still another embodiment of
the invention a predetermined number of picture takings is set by
the scanning program 200. The scanning program 200 can continuously
store a plurality of records of images after comparison based on
the predetermined number of picture takings in which the number
of the records of image data is equal to the predetermined number
of picture takings. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5, a plurality
of steps are performed as below by the invention after changing
the images and initializing a count (i.e., count equals to zero).
[0031] In step 301, an activating signal is generated by the scanning
program 200 by increasing the count by one. The activating signal
is adapted to store the image.
[0032] In step 302, it is determined by the scanning program 200
whether the count is equal to the predetermined number of picture
takings. If yes, the process jumps to step 304. Otherwise, the process
goes to step 303.
[0033] In step 303, capture image of a subject being taken and
store same in the memory unit 400.
[0034] In step 304, end the picture taking.
[0035] In view of above, the invention can overcome the prior art
drawback of a photographer being unable to have a sufficient time
to prepare a desired delayed shooting of himself or herself. It
is contemplated by the invention that the memory unit 400 is utilized
to compare any two consecutive records of images in order to find
any image difference therebetween. After any image difference is
found, the delayed shooting of the digital camera is performed.
By utilizing the invention, a photographer has a sufficient time
to prepare a desired delayed shooting of himself or herself in a
right time. As a result, a high quality photograph is rendered rather
than a poor one due to rush.
[0036] While the invention herein disclosed has been described
by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations
could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
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