Apparatus and method for generating multi-image scenes with a camera
AssigneeAptina Imaging Corporation
InventorAllen C. Norskog
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus configured for use in a camera identifies appropriate times to capture optical images with the camera. The apparatus includes a motion detector for generating movement data based on movement of the camera. A controller coupled to the movement detector identifies appropriate times to capture optical images based on the movement data.
Claims23
An apparatus configured for use in a camera to identify appropriate times to capture images of a scene with the camera, the apparatus comprising:
- an input unit configured to accept input data including a desired amount of overlap to be included in images to be captured;
- a memory configured to changeably store the input data;
- an image sensor for capturing the images;
- an optical motion detector, separate from the image sensor, configured to capture a plurality of navigation images and to generate movement data based on correlations between successive ones of the navigation images;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motion detector for identifying appropriate times for the image sensor to capture the images based on the movement data and the desired amount of overlap if the desired amount of overlap has been provided and a default spacing between the images if no desired amount of overlap has been provided.
A method of capturing images of a scene with a camera to produce a compound image of the scene, the method comprising:
- receiving input data including a desired amount of overlap to be included in images to be captured;
- storing the input data:
- capturing a first image with an image sensor of the camera;
- generating movement data with a movement detector by capturing and correlating a plurality of navigation images separate from the images captured by the image sensor, the movement data representative of movement of the camera;
- identifying an appropriate time for the image sensor to capture a second optical image based on the movement data and the amount of overlap if the desired amount of overlap has been received and a default spacing between images if no desired amount of overlap has been received;
- and
- capturing the second optical image with the image sensor at the identified appropriate time, the first and second image combinable into a multi-image scene.
A camera comprising:
- an input unit configured to accent input data including a desired amount of overlap to be included in images to be captured;
- a memory configured to changeably store the input data;
- an image sensor for capturing optical images;
- a first lens for directing the optical images onto the image sensor via a first optical path;
- an optical movement detector separate from the image sensor configured to capture a plurality of navigation images and to generate movement data based on correlations among the navigation images;
- a second lens for directing images onto the optical movement detector via a second optical path;
- and
- a controller coupled to the movement detector for identifying appropriate times for the image sensor to capture the optical images based on the movement data and the amount of overlap if the desired amount of overlap has been provided and a default spacing between the images if no desired amount of overlap has been provided.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.