Illumination systems and methods for computer imagers
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorPeter H. Mahowald
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
Claims16
A method for capturing an image by an image capturing device, the method comprising:
- capturing, with an image sensor of the image capturing device, a first image of a scene illuminated with a first light source at a first illumination level;
- dividing the first image into two or more pre-defined image portions;
- analyzing the two or more pre-defined image portions;
- designating a first portion of a display of the image capturing device as an adjustable illumination source;
- providing illumination, by the adjustable illumination source, to illuminate the scene based on results of the analysis of the two or more pre-defined image portions, with the adjustable illumination source at a second illumination level
- capturing a second image with the image sensor while illuminating the scene with the adjustable illumination source at the second illumination level;
- combining the first and second images to generate a third image;
- analyzing the third image;
- and
- adjusting the illumination of the adjustable illumination source based on the analysis of the third image.
An electronic device, comprising:
- an image sensor;
- a display;
- a memory coupled to the image sensor;
- one or more processors coupled to the display, the image sensor, and the memory and configured to execute instructions to cause the electronic device to:
- capture, with the image sensor, a first image of a scene illuminated with a first light source at a first illumination level;
- divide the first image into two or more pre-defined image portions;
- analyze the two or more pre-defined image portions;
- designate a first portion of the display of the electronic device as an adjustable illumination source;
- provide illumination, by the adjustable illumination source, to illuminate the scene based on results of the analysis of the two or more pre-defined image portions, with the adjustable illumination source at a second illumination level
- capture a second image with the image sensor while illuminating the scene with the adjustable illumination source at the second illumination level;
- combine the first and second images to generate a third image;
- analyze the third image;
- and
- adjust the illumination of the adjustable illumination source based on the analysis of the third image.
A non-transitory program storage device comprising instructions stored thereon to cause one or more processors to:
- capture, with an image sensor of an image capturing device, a first image of a scene illuminated with a first light source at a first illumination level;
- divide the first image into two or more pre-defined image portions;
- analyze the two or more pre-defined image portions
- designate a first portion of a display of the image capturing device as an adjustable illumination source;
- provide illumination, by the adjustable illumination source, to illuminate the scene based on results of the analysis of the two or more pre-defined image portions, with the adjustable illumination source at a second illumination level
- capture a second image with the image sensor while illuminating the scene with the adjustable illumination source at the second illumination level
- combine the first and second images to generate a third image;
- analyze the third image;
- and
- adjust the illumination of the adjustable illumination source based on the analysis of the third image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.