# US 2012/0069141 A1 · Multimodal camera and a method for selecting an operation mode of a camera > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0069141 A1 - Document ID: US20120069141A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/319,799 - Filed: 2010-04-19 - Published: 2012-03-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-05-11 - Assignees: Creative Technology Ltd - Inventors: Wong Hoo Sim; Toh Onn Desmond Hii - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120069141A1 ## CPC - H04N 23/64: {Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image} - H04N 23/667: Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/741: by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors - H04N 23/951: by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio - G03B 35/02: by sequential recording - G03B 37/02: with scanning movement of lens or cameras - H04N 13/296: Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof - H04N 23/6811: {based on the image signal} - H04N 23/6812: {based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A multimodal camera and a method for selecting an operation mode of a camera, the method comprising: sensing scene lighting; detecting movement of the camera including detection of rotational movement for Panorama photography; detecting selection of a selector of the camera, the selector being for selecting between a first set of one or more operation modes based on scene lighting and a second set of one or more operation modes based on movement of the camera; and selecting one of the operation modes from the first and second sets of one or more operation modes based on conditions defined by data associated with the movement of the camera, the scene lighting, and the selection of the selector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for selecting an operation mode of a camera, the method comprising: sensing scene lighting; detecting movement of the camera including detection of rotational movement for Panorama photography; detecting selection of a selector of the camera, the selector being for selecting between a first set of one or more operation modes based on scene lighting and a second set of one or more operation modes based on movement of the camera; and selecting one of the operation modes from the first and second sets of one or more operation modes based on conditions defined by data associated with the movement of the camera, the scene lighting, and the selection of the selector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: detecting duration of hold time on the selector, wherein the data associated with the selection of the selector comprises data associated with the duration of hold time on the selector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: determining state of the selector, wherein the data associated with the selection of the selector comprises data associated with the state of the selector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: facilitating capturing of more than one images under the operation mode, the operation mode being one of a group consisting of: Panorama photography mode, Stereoscopic photography mode, Burst photograph taking mode, High Dynamic Range imaging mode, and Super Resolution photography mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: selecting the first set of one or more operation modes through a first button of the selector; and selecting the second set of one or more operation modes through a second button of the selector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: alarming and guiding a user of the camera to fulfil conditions for image capturing under the operation mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: the method further comprising: determining shutter speed of the camera; and selecting the operation mode based on further conditions defined by data associated with the shutter speed of the camera. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detecting the movement of the camera comprises comparison between images captured by the light sensor at predetermined time intervals. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detecting the movement of the camera comprises using a digital compass, an inertial sensor or both. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conditions defined by data associated with the movement of the camera, the selection of the selector, and scene lighting, are fixed or evolved and adapt to user selection patterns. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprising: displaying one or more selectable options in a display; and selecting the one or more selectable options to select or exit an operation mode. ### Claim 12 A multimodal camera comprising: a light sensor for sensing scene lighting; movement detection means for detecting movement of the camera including detection of rotational movement for Panorama photography; a selector for selecting between a first set of one or more operation modes based on scene lighting and a second set of one or more operation modes based on movement of the camera; and a processing unit for selecting one of the operation modes from the first and second sets of one or more operation modes based on conditions defined by data associated with the movement of the camera, the scene lighting, and the selection of the selector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, the multimodal camera further comprising: a timer for counting duration of hold time on the selector, wherein the data associated with the selection of the selector comprises data associated with the duration of hold time on the selector. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the data associated with the selection of the selector comprising data associated with state of the selector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the operation mode facilitates capturing of more than one images, the operation mode being one of a group consisting of: Panorama photography mode, Stereoscopic photography mode, Burst photograph taking mode, High Dynamic Range imaging mode, and Super Resolution photography mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the selector comprising two buttons, one of which is for selecting the first set of one or more operation modes, and the other is for selecting the second set of one or more operation modes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein alarming means are provided to alarm and guide a user of the camera to fulfil conditions for image capturing under the operation mode. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processing unit being used in determining shutter speed of the camera, the selected operation mode being selected by the processing unit based on further conditions defined by data associated with the shutter speed of the camera. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the movement of the camera is detected based on comparison between images captured by the light sensor at predetermined time intervals. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the movement detection means comprises a digital compass, an inertial sensor or both. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the conditions defined by data associated with the movement of the camera, the selection of the selector, and scene lighting, are fixed or evolved and adapt to user selection patterns. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The multimodal camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein the selector comprising: one or more selectable options presented graphically in a display of the camera wherein selecting the one or more selectable options select or exit an operation mode.