# US 10,321,069 B2 · System and method for photographic effects > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,321,069 B2 - Document ID: US10321069B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/496,353 - Filed: 2017-04-25 - Published: 2018-10-25 - Granted: 2019-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-25 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Alan B. Dawson; James P. Hodgson; Gordon D. Hutchison; Matthew B. White - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10321069B2 ## CPC - H04N 5/2621: {Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability} - H04N 5/2628: {Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation} - H04N 23/69: Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Disclosed embodiments provide techniques for implementation of a photographic effect. An image is acquired while in a zoom configuration. The image is divided into pixel groups. A distance is determined for each group of pixels. The groups of pixels are based on the detected distance of the group of pixels from the camera. The detected distance can be based on the autofocus module within the camera. The detected distance can be a relative distance or an absolute distance. An expansion factor is determined for each group of pixels based on the corresponding determined distance. Expanded pixel groups are created for each pixel group based on the expansion factor. The expanded pixel groups are composited together to create the processed image. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for creating a photographic effect, comprising: dividing an acquired image into multiple groups of pixels; determining a group distance for a first group of pixels, wherein the first group of pixels represents a first object depicted in the acquired image; determining a group distance for a second group of pixels, wherein the second group of pixels represents a second object depicted in the acquired image; assigning a first expansion factor to the first group of pixels based on the group distance for the first group of pixels; assigning a second expansion factor to the second group of pixels based on the group distance for the second group of pixels, wherein the second expansion factor is a value different from a value of the first expansion factor; resizing the first group of pixels based on the assigned first expansion factor; resizing the second group of pixels based on the assigned second expansion factor; and creating a processed image based on the acquired image, wherein the processed image comprises the first resized group of pixels and the second resized group of pixels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion factors include expansion factors greater than or equal to 1. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the expansion factors range from 1 to 2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion factors include expansion factors greater than zero and less than 1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the expansion factors range from 0.5 to 2. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising computing a scale factor based on received user input. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the received user input comprises a slide control. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing a contrast analysis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing an ultrasonic distance measurement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing a parallax analysis using multiple images. ### Claim 11 An electronic device for creating a photographic effect, comprising: a processor; a camera; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the steps of: acquiring an image from the camera; dividing the acquired image into multiple groups of pixels; determining a group distance for a first group of pixels, wherein the first group of pixels represents a first object depicted in the acquired image; determining a group distance for a second group of pixels, wherein the second group of pixels represents a second object depicted in the acquired image; assigning a first expansion factor to the first group of pixels based on the group distance for the first group of pixels; assigning a second expansion factor to the second group of pixels based on the group distance for the second group of pixels, wherein the second expansion factor is a value different from a value of the first expansion factor; resizing the first group of pixels based on the assigned first expansion factor; resizing the second group of pixels based on the assigned second expansion factor; and creating a processed image based on the acquired image, wherein the processed image comprises the first resized group of pixels and the second resized group of pixels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the memory further contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the step of assigning expansion factors greater than or equal to 1. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the memory further contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the step of assigning expansion factors ranging from 1 to 2. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the memory further contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the step of assigning expansion factors greater than zero and less than 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the memory further contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the step of assigning expansion factors ranging from 0.5 to 2. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the memory further contains instructions, that when executed by the processor, perform the step of computing a scale factor based on received user input. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing a contrast analysis. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing an ultrasonic distance measurement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the determining the group distance comprises performing a parallax analysis using multiple images. ### Claim 20 A computer program product for creating a photographic effect on an electronic computing device, the electronic computing device comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the electronic computing device to: divide an acquired image into multiple groups of pixels; determine a group distance for a first group of pixels, wherein the first group of pixels represents a first object depicted in the acquired image; determine a group distance for a second group of pixels, wherein the second group of pixels represents a second object depicted in the acquired image; assign a first expansion factor to the first group of pixels based on the group distance for the first group of pixels; assign a second expansion factor to the second group of pixels based on the group distance for the second group of pixels, wherein the second expansion factor is a value different from a value of the first expansion factor; resize the first group of pixels based on the assigned first expansion factor; resize the second group of pixels based on the assigned second expansion factor; and create a processed image based on the acquired image, wherein the processed image comprises the first resized group of pixels and the second resized group of pixels.