Camera and image processing method
OwnerKyle L. Baltz, John E. Carlsoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A camera system and method provide a trailing motion blur effect without the use of a flash. In one embodiment, a variable light-transmissive filter is positioned in front of an image sensor. While the light-transmissive property of the filter is lower, the blurred image of the object in motion is produced. The light-transmissive property of the filter is increased during the exposure in order to produce a clearer image of the object. In a method, a plurality of images taken in rapid succession are combined to produce a clear image of the object with a trailing blurred image of the object.
Claims14
A method for capturing an image including the steps of:
- a) receiving a user input;
- b) in response to said step a), capturing a first image containing a background and a motion blur image of a subject in motion during a first exposure time;
- c) in response to said step a), capturing a second image containing the background and a clearer image of the subject in motion during a second exposure time, wherein the second exposure time is shorter than the first exposure time;
- and
- d) after said steps a) to c) generating a final image having both the motion blur image of the subject and the clearer image of the subject and the background from only one of the first image or the second image.
A smartphone comprising:
- a first camera configured to provide a first image of a subject at a first exposure time;
- a second camera configured to provide a second image of the subject at a second exposure time different from the first exposure time;
- and
- a processor programmed to combine a portion of the first image and the second image to generate a final image having a motion blur of the subject trailing a clearer image of the subject in the final image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.