Method for assisting in taking images for portable or on-board imaging devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assisting in taking images for portable or on-board imaging devices, referred to as the method. The method comprises a step of acquiring, by means of a portable or on-board imaging device, referred to as the portable device, at least one image, referred to as the reference image, of a scene from a position, referred to as the reference position. The method further comprises at least one iteration: - of a step, referred to as the indication step, of providing, from one or more items of information representative of the scene:  an indication of movement to be made, referred to as the indication, relative to the scene, and / or  an indicator of blocking of the scene, referred to as the indicator, and - of a step of acquiring, by means of the portable device, at least one image, referred to as the additional image, of the scene from an additional position, adopted according to the indication and / or the indicator.

Description

DESCRIPTION Image acquisition assistance method for portable or embedded imaging devices technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of portable or embedded imaging devices.

[0002] The invention relates, in particular, to the taking of images of a scene by an imaging module.

[0003] The invention aims in particular to provide assistance when taking pictures of a scene. State of the art

[0004] Stacks or streams of images acquired using state-of-the-art imaging devices do not reproduce the depth of the imaged scene.

[0005] In addition, elements of the scene, which may be of significant size and / or of significant interest in the imaged scene, are obscured.

[0006] State-of-the-art imaging devices allow the acquisition of stacks or streams of images of a scene.

[0007] We know of image processing techniques that can enhance immersion when viewing image streams of a scene, particularly when viewing image streams in a virtual or augmented reality headset. In practice, to improve immersion, the scene images are modified using a transformation matrix to create the illusion of "movement" or "displacement" of the scene during viewing.

[0008] However, these methods have limitations. They do not allow for a convincing sense of depth when viewing the scene. Furthermore, they produce inaccurate and unrealistic renderings, particularly when significant modifications are made to the acquired images, for example, to represent a major change in perspective relative to the scene. Finally, these methods require generating parts and / or elements of the scene that are obscured in the acquired images, which degrades the quality of the modified images and the resulting rendering.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to provide a method for assisting in image acquisition for portable or embedded imaging devices: - offering assistance during image capture, and / or - offering the user of a portable or embedded imaging device assistance during image acquisition, and / or - enabling the acquisition of images that enhance the experience and / or immersion when viewing images of the scene, and / or - enabling the acquisition of images that enhance the experience and / or immersion when viewing images in a virtual or augmented reality headset, and / or - enabling the acquisition of images suitable for subsequent processing, and / or - enabling the acquisition of images suitable for subsequent processing aimed at reproducing a change of viewpoint when observing the images, and / or - enabling the acquisition of images suitable for further processing aimed at restoring a depth or 3D effect when viewing the images. Description of the invention

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for assisting in image acquisition for portable or embedded imaging devices, referred to as the method.

[0012] The process includes an acquisition step, using a portable or on-board imaging device, referred to as the portable device, from a position, referred to as the reference position, of at least one image, preferably from a first stack of images, referred to as the reference image(s), of a scene.

[0013] The process includes at least one iteration: - of a stage, called the indication stage, and - of a step, called an additional acquisition step.

[0014] Preferably, the indication step consists of providing, based on one or more pieces of information representative of the scene: • an indication of movement to be made, referred to as an indication, in relation to the scene, and / or • a scene occultation indicator, called an indicator.

[0015] Preferably, the additional acquisition step consists of acquiring, by means of said portable device, from an additional position, adopted preferably following the movement of said portable device, according to, or in accordance with, the indication and / or the indicator, at least one additional image, preferably at least one stack of additional images, of the scene.

[0016] The process may include, subsequent to the indication step and prior to the additional acquisition step, a step of moving to the additional position.

[0017] The indication step may include or consist of providing the indication and / or indicator to a user of the portable device and / or providing the indication and / or indicator to the portable device, for example to a control unit of the portable device or to a control unit communicating and / or connected to the portable device.

[0018] Preferably, representative information from the scene is selected prior to the acquisition step from the additional position or prior to at least one iteration.

[0019] Preferably, the representative information, selected prior to the acquisition step from the additional position or prior to at least one iteration, is selected from a set of typical scene acquisition modes to be imaged.

[0020] Preferably, each of the typical scene acquisition modes includes at least one indication and / or at least one indicator corresponding to a typical scene to be imaged.

[0021] Preferably: - the information representing the scene includes or consists of a quantity of obscured areas and / or a location of the obscured areas, and / or - The scene occlusion indicator includes or consists of a display of a quantity of occluded areas and / or a location of the occluded areas.

[0022] Preferably: - the information representing the scene includes or consists of a composite and / or reconstructed image of the scene, and / or - The scene occultation indicator includes or consists of a display of a composite and / or reconstructed image of the scene.

[0023] Preferably, the information representative of the scene includes: - information about the depth of the scene, and / or - information on the clarity of the scene.

[0024] Preferably, at least one reference image and / or at least one additional image includes at least two images of the scene: - taken from at least two distinct points of view, and / or - exhibiting a distinct focusing distance.

[0025] Preferably, the step of acquiring at least one reference image and / or the step of acquiring at least one additional image includes the acquisition of at least two images of the scene.

[0026] Preferably, the process includes a step of calculating the information representative of the scene from at least one reference image and / or from at least one additional image.

[0027] Preferably, the calculation step includes determining a depth map of the scene.

[0028] Preferably, the calculation step includes a determination of scene sharpness information.

[0029] According to the invention, a data processing device is also proposed comprising means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0030] According to the invention, a computer program is also proposed comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the process according to the invention.

[0031] According to the invention, a computer-readable medium is also proposed comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the process according to the invention.

[0032] According to the invention, a user device, such as a smartphone or tablet, is also proposed.

[0033] Preferably, the user device comprises: at least one imaging system arranged to image a scene, and means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the method according to the invention, and / or communication means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the method according to the invention.

[0034] According to the invention, a virtual reality / augmented reality (VR / VA) headset is also proposed.

[0035] Ideally, the VR / VA headset includes: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0036] According to the invention, a device, vehicle or drone is also proposed.

[0037] Preferably, the device, vehicle or drone includes: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0038] Preferably, the data processing device and / or the user device and / or the VR / VA headset and / or the vehicle and / or drone according to the invention is suitable, preferably is particularly adapted, more preferably is designed, and particularly advantageously is specially designed, to implement the image capture assistance method according to the invention. Furthermore, any feature of the image capture assistance method according to the invention is directly transferable to the data processing device and / or the user device and / or the VR / VA headset and / or the vehicle and / or drone according to the invention, and vice versa. Brief description of the FIGURES

[0039] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the image acquisition assistance method for portable or embedded imaging devices, - FIGURE 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment, combinable with the first embodiment, of the image acquisition assistance method for portable or embedded imaging devices.

[0040] It is understood that the embodiments described below are by no means exhaustive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0041] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there are no technical obstacles to this combination.

[0042] In the figures and in the rest of the description, elements common to several figures retain the same reference. Detailed description of the FIGURES

[0043] According to the non-limiting embodiment, an example of implementation of the image acquisition assistance method for portable or embedded imaging devices, referred to as the method, is described.

[0044] According to the non-limiting embodiment, the method includes the acquisition, by means of a portable or on-board imaging device, referred to as a portable device, of images of the scene.

[0045] The portable device is mobile and / or movable and / or capable of changing position.

[0046] Depending on the embodiment, the portable device can be moved and / or maneuvered and / or set in motion. Depending on the embodiment, the portable device can be moved and / or maneuvered and / or set in motion relative to an element on which it is mounted, using any known means (for example, by pivoting on a ball joint using a motorized means or by translation and / or rotation using a mechanical arm).

[0047] Alternatively, the portable device can be moved and / or maneuvered and / or set in motion by a user holding or controlling the portable device.

[0048] Preferably, the portable device is designed for, or can be mounted on, a machine or vehicle. The machine or vehicle is suitable and / or designed to be moved.

[0049] Preferably, the portable device can be operated and / or manipulated and / or held (preferably in the hand) by a user.

[0050] The process includes an acquisition step, using the portable device, from a position, called the reference position, of at least one image of the scene.

[0051] The process also includes at least one iteration: - of an indication stage, and - a step consisting of acquiring, by means of the portable device, from an additional position, at least one additional image of the scene.

[0052] Advantageously, the method comprises an acquisition step, preferably a single acquisition step, of at least one reference image of the scene, followed by at least one iteration comprising a pointing step and an acquisition step of at least one additional image of the scene. In other words, the method comprises an iterative loop including the pointing step and the additional acquisition step.

[0053] Advantageously, for each iteration, the process includes the acquisition of at least one additional image of the scene from an additional position, preferably from a single additional position. In other words, the number of additional position(s) corresponds to or is equal to the number of iterations.

[0054] Each acquisition step (acquisition from the reference position and the acquisition(s) from the additional position(s)) is implemented from a stationary position, i.e. by keeping the portable device motionless during the acquisition.

[0055] According to the invention, the indication step consists of providing, based on one or more pieces of information representative of the scene: ■ an indication of movement to be made, called an indication, in relation to the scene, and / or ■ an indicator of scene occultation, called an indicator.

[0056] According to the invention, each additional position, from which at least one additional image of the scene is acquired, is adopted following the movement of the portable device (and / or of the observer or user, in particular manipulating the portable device) according to the indication and / or the indicator.

[0057] Advantageously, each additional position is adopted based on (or following) the indication and / or indicator.

[0058] The process may or may not include a step of moving the portable device to an additional position.

[0059] For example, when the handheld device is operated by a user, the user may choose whether or not to move the handheld device to the additional position as indicated and / or based on the provided indicator. However, the user may choose to perform the step of acquiring at least one additional image from a position other than the additional position that would have been adopted by following the movement indication.

[0060] For example, when the portable device is autonomous, automated, and / or embedded—that is, not necessarily operated and / or manipulated by a user / operator / observer—the portable device is advantageously capable and / or arranged to move (implement the movement step) autonomously. By way of non-limiting example, the portable device may include a processing and / or control unit or may cooperate with means comprising a processing and / or control unit for the portable device. The processing and / or control unit may be arranged, programmed, and / or configured to command the movement of the portable device to or into the additional position.

[0061] The indication and / or the indicator (and / or the movement to be made according to the indication and / or the indicator) aims to acquire at least one additional image from a position allowing to discover at least part of the areas previously occulted before movement or occulted in the previous position, the previous position being the reference position or an additional position.

[0062] Preferably, the indicator is suitable, preferably is particularly suited, for the case of a user handling the portable device.

[0063] Depending on the embodiment, the indication provides the user and / or the portable device with an element intended to inform, suggest and / or indicate (by (For example, by means of a direction and / or orientation) the change of viewpoint to be made, that is, the movement to be performed to position oneself at the additional position. For example, during the first iteration, the movement will be from the reference position to a first additional position. If further iterations are necessary, the movement will be from the additional position adopted during the previous iteration to a new additional position (which will preferably be different from the reference position and / or the previous additional position(s)).

[0064] Preferably, each additional position is distinct from the reference position and / or the previous additional position.

[0065] Advantageously, at least one image acquired from each position (from the reference position and from the additional position(s)) is or comprises a stack of images. Also, according to the non-limiting embodiment described, for the sake of brevity, the acquisition step from the reference position will be described as comprising the acquisition of a stack of reference images and / or the acquisition step from the additional position(s) as comprising the acquisition of one or more stacks of additional images. However, according to the invention, it is also provided that a single image is acquired during the acquisition step from the reference position and / or that a single image is acquired during the acquisition step from the additional position(s).

[0066] Each acquisition from an additional position advantageously comprises the acquisition of a single stack of images. In other words, the acquisition from a given additional position comprises the acquisition of a stack of additional images distinct from a stack of additional images acquired from a separate additional position distinct from the one given additional position.

[0067] For example, the reference image and the additional image(s) may each come from a separate image stream or from the same image stream and / or from a continuous image stream.

[0068] A stack of images can be, correspond to, or originate from, in whole or in part, an image stream.

[0069] It is provided according to the invention that the reference image stack and the additional image stack(s) can form a single image stack, for example can come from the same image stream or from a continuous image stream.

[0070] Advantageously, the portable device is fixed during the acquisition of the image stack from each of the positions (reference position and each of the additional positions).

[0071] However, the invention does not preclude the portable device from being mobile or in motion during the acquisition of the image stack from each of the positions (reference position and each of the additional positions). For example, in this case, the image stack acquisition can be performed while moving from the previous position to the additional position.

[0072] Figures 1 and 2 show two schematic illustrations of two scenes containing objects 1 to 5. Objects 1 to 3 are located in the background of the scene, while objects 4 and 5 are located in the foreground. The positions P1, P2, and P3 of an observer of the scene are also shown. The occultation zones or volumes generated by objects 4 and 5 are also illustrated for each of the observer's positions P1, P2, and P3. The occultation zones or volumes form an occultation cone; each occultation cone is illustrated by two solid or dashed lines in the 2D representation of Figures 1 and 2. Position P1 corresponds to the reference position, and positions P2 and P3 each correspond to an additional position.

[0073] A first, non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the method according to the invention. It can be seen that in the reference position P1, object 3 is completely obscured by object 4 and object 1 is partially obscured by object 5 in the reference image stack. Only object 2 is completely visible in the reference image stack.

[0074] According to the first embodiment, the indication and / or the indicator proposes, signals or marks a lateral movement (i.e. a movement to the side or perpendicular to the observation axis of the scene from the previous position (the reference position according to the example) aimed at adopting a first additional position included in a lateral plane (or frontal plane (according to the anatomical reference system)), perpendicular to the observation axis of the scene from the previous position (the reference position according to the example), located laterally to the previous position (the reference position according to the example).

[0075] Thus, according to the first embodiment, in a first iteration step, an indication and / or indicator is provided leading to the acquisition of a first stack of additional images, during a first iteration, in the first additional position P2. In position P2, object 1 is completely visible, object 2 is completely occulted and object 3 appears partially visible in the second stack of additional images.

[0076] According to the first embodiment, a second iteration step is implemented. In the second iteration step, a hint and / or indicator suggests acquiring a second stack of additional images in a second additional position P3. In position P3, object 2 is completely obscured, and objects 2 and 3 are completely visible in the third stack of additional images.

[0077] It should be noted that, according to the first embodiment, only one iteration step could have been implemented. Indeed, during the first iteration step, objects 1 and 2 are completely visible in the combination of the first and second image stacks. Object 3 is partially visible in the second image stack. Thus, only one iteration step could have been implemented. The unimaged portion of object 3 (in the reference image stack and in the first stack of additional images) could have been deduced and / or determined and / or estimated from the reference image stack and the additional image stack). If completeness and / or high image quality of the scene is desired or required, the iteration step of the process can be repeated or renewed as many times as a new object of the scene is detected in a new additional image stack.

[0078] In addition, it is planned that, as an alternative or complement to lateral movement, the indication and / or indicator will suggest, signal or mark a vertical movement.

[0079] A second, non-limiting example illustrated in Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. It can be seen that in the reference position P1, object 3 is completely obscured by object 4, and object 1 is partially obscured by object 5 in the reference image stack. Only object 2 is completely visible in the reference image stack.

[0080] According to the second embodiment, in a first iteration step, the indication and / or indicator proposes, signals, or marks a movement in the sagittal plane (according to the anatomical reference system) or parallel to the observation axis of the scene from the previous position (i.e., a movement toward or in the direction of the scene, or a movement away from or in the opposite direction to the scene) aimed at adopting a first supplementary position P2 located at a distance from the scene that is less than or greater than the distance between position P1 and the scene. In position P2, object 1 is fully visible, object 2 is fully obscured, and object 3 appears fully visible in the second stack of supplementary images.

[0081] The first and second non-limiting embodiments may be combined.

[0082] Advantageously, for each iteration, the information representative of the scene can be calculated and / or determined and / or selected.

[0083] Advantageously, the process can include, for each iteration, a step of calculation and / or determination of the information representative of the scene from at least one reference image and / or from at least one additional image.

[0084] Preferably, the indication can be calculated and / or determined and / or the indicator can be provided, from one or more representative pieces of information, to limit the number of iterations to be carried out, in other words to limit the number of additional acquisition steps to be carried out, i.e. the number of additional positions to be adopted.

[0085] Preferably, the indication can be calculated and / or determined, and / or the indicator can be selected, from the information representative of the scene.

[0086] Advantageously, the information representative of the scene is calculated, determined and / or selected prior to the acquisition step from the additional position or prior to at least one iteration.

[0087] Advantageously, the information representative of the scene is calculated, determined and / or selected from the stack of previous images.

[0088] The previous image stack can be the reference image stack or the previous supplementary image stack, i.e., the stack of images acquired during the previous iteration or the stack of images acquired from the previous supplementary position.

[0089] Advantageously, the information representative of the scene can be selected, prior to the acquisition step from the additional position or prior to at least one iteration, from a set of typical scene acquisition modes to be imaged.

[0090] Preferably, each of the typical acquisition modes includes at least one indication and / or at least one indicator corresponding to a typical scene to be imaged (by way of non-limiting examples: a landscape, a monument, a painting, a room, a group of people, etc.). Advantageously, each of the typical acquisition modes includes a series of successive indications and / or a series of successive indicators, preferably predetermined, corresponding to a typical scene to be imaged.

[0091] The indication and / or indicator provided, particularly during the iteration step, indicates a direction and / or orientation to follow to reach the additional position. When a user manipulates the handheld device, the indication and / or indicator may be displayed and / or may be an emitted sound or audio track (e.g., from the handheld device). When a handheld device is used, the control unit connected to the handheld device and / or the control unit of the handheld device is configured to move the handheld device relative to and / or according to the indication and / or indicator.

[0092] Advantageously, the information representing the scene includes a quantity of occulted areas and / or a location in the scene of the occulted areas.

[0093] The scene occlusion indicator may include a display of the number of occluded areas and / or the location of the occluded areas.

[0094] Advantageously, the information representing the scene includes a composite image and / or a reconstructed image of the scene.

[0095] Advantageously, the scene occlusion indicator includes or consists of a display of a composite and / or reconstructed image of the scene. The display of the composite and / or reconstructed scene image is particularly suitable when the portable device is being moved or handled by a user.

[0096] As an example, the displayed composite image and / or the displayed reconstructed image may include areas identified and / or marked as including or likely to include obscured scene objects.

[0097] By way of non-exhaustive examples: - Objects 4, 5 in the foreground of the scene may be indicated, marked, identified and / or designated, in the displayed composite image and / or the displayed reconstructed image, as obscuring objects in the scene, and / or - areas of the scene may be indicated, marked, identified and / or designated, in the displayed composite image and / or the displayed reconstructed image, as including obscured scene objects.

[0098] Advantageously, the information representing the scene includes: scene depth information, and / or scene sharpness information.

[0099] Thus, the quantity of occulted areas and / or the location of occulted areas can be determined and / or calculated from the depth information and / or the sharpness information of the scene.

[0100] The process may include, or the calculation step may include, determining a depth map (or disparity map) of the scene.

[0101] The process may include, or the calculation step may include, a determination of the sharpness of the scene.

[0102] By way of non-limiting example, the method may include the identification of adjacent or contiguous objects in the scene (for example, the identification of pairs of objects identified as distinct) that have distinct depth and / or sharpness (for example, the identification of two neighboring or adjacent groups of pixels with a difference in depth and / or sharpness greater than a given threshold value). For a given observation position in the scene (the reference position or an additional position), the object with the greater depth value will be identified as being partially obscured by the other object with the smaller depth value.Alternatively or in addition, a comparison of the sharpness of the two adjacent objects, where appropriate taking into account the focusing distance of the portable device used during image acquisition, may be used to determine the quantity of occulted areas and / or the location of the occulted areas.

[0103] Advantageously, the reference image stack and / or the additional image stack(s) include at least two images of the scene: - taken from at least two distinct points of view, and / or - exhibiting a distinct focusing distance.

[0104] Advantageously, the step of acquiring at least one reference image and / or the step of acquiring at least one additional image includes the acquisition of at least two images of the scene.

[0105] Advantageously, the at least two images taken from at least two distinct viewpoints are each taken by at least two imaging devices, each arranged in a distinct position.

[0106] Advantageously, several image stacks can be acquired for the reference position and / or for each additional position. Preferably, each image stack is acquired by a separate imaging device.

[0107] One or more, preferably each, of the image stacks (reference image stack(s) and / or additional image stack(s)) may exhibit the same focusing distance or may have a distinct focusing distance.

[0108] One or more, preferably each, of the image stacks (reference image stack(s) and / or additional image stack(s)) can be acquired in "focus bracketing" mode (i.e., by varying the focus distance during the acquisition of the image stack).

[0109] At least some of the images, preferably all or every image, in a given image stack (reference image stack and / or supplementary image stack) have a distinct focal length. Some or every image in a given image stack may have the same focal length as some or every image in at least one other image stack (i.e., at least one stack other than the one under consideration).

[0110] According to the invention, a device, system or apparatus comprising arranged means, for example a processing unit, comprising means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention is also proposed.

[0111] The device according to the invention can be, or can be suitable and / or intended to be integrated into, any type of device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, a calculator, a processor, a computer chip, a monitor, an intelligent phone or "smartphone", a tablet, virtual or augmented reality glasses or headset, a camera, a machine, a vehicle (land or air), or a drone.

[0112] The reconstructed and / or composite image can be displayed by the device according to the invention.

[0113] The device arranged to display the reconstructed and / or composite image may include a screen suitable and / or arranged to display the reconstructed and / or composite image.

[0114] According to the invention, a computer program is also proposed comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the process according to the invention.

[0115] According to the invention, a computer-readable medium is also proposed comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the process according to the invention.

[0116] According to the invention, a user device comprising: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0117] The imaging system can be a camera or any equivalent device.

[0118] The user device can be, for example, a screen, e.g. a television, a monitor, a computer (a laptop for example), a smart phone or "smartphone", a tablet, a camera, a video camera, a CCTV camera.

[0119] virtual or augmented reality glasses or headset,

[0120] a vehicle (including a road vehicle) or a drone

[0121] According to the invention, a virtual reality / augmented reality (VR / AV) headset or glasses or headset is also proposed, comprising: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0122] According to the invention, a device, vehicle (including, but not limited to, a road vehicle) or drone is also proposed, comprising: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to the invention.

[0123] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0124] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there are no technical obstacles to this combination.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A method for assisting in image acquisition for portable or on-board imaging devices, referred to as the method, comprises: an acquisition step, using a portable or on-board imaging device, referred to as the portable device, from a position, referred to as the reference position, of at least one image, referred to as the reference image, of a scene, - at least one iteration: • a step, called the indication step, consisting of providing, based on one or more pieces of information representative of the scene: ■ an indication of movement to be made, called an indication, in relation to the scene, and / or ■ a scene occultation indicator, called an indicator, and • a step consisting of acquiring, by means of said portable device, from an additional position, adopted according to the indication and / or the indicator, at least one image, called additional, of the scene.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein representative scene information is selected, prior to the acquisition step from the additional position or prior to at least one iteration, from a set of typical scene acquisition modes to be imaged; each of said typical scene acquisition modes comprising at least one indication and / or at least one indicator corresponding to a typical scene to be imaged.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: - the information representing the scene includes a number of obscured areas and / or a location of the obscured areas, and / or - The scene occlusion indicator includes a display of the number of occluded areas and / or the location of the occluded areas.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the information representing the scene includes a composite and / or reconstructed image of the scene, and / or - The scene occultation indicator includes a display of a composite and / or reconstructed image of the scene.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the information representing the scene includes: scene depth information, and / or scene sharpness information.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one reference image and / or the at least one additional image comprises at least two images of the scene: - taken from at least two distinct points of view, and / or - exhibiting a distinct focusing distance.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the step of acquiring at least one reference image and / or the step of acquiring at least one additional image comprises the acquisition of at least two images of the scene: - taken from at least two distinct points of view, and / or - exhibiting a distinct focusing distance.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of calculating the information representative of the scene from at least one reference image and / or from at least one additional image.

9. Method according to the preceding claim, in the calculation step includes a determination of a depth map of the scene.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the calculation step includes a determination of scene sharpness information.

11. Data processing device comprising means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. Computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. User device, such as a smartphone or tablet, comprising: at least one imaging system arranged to image a scene, means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or communication means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. Virtual reality / augmented reality (VR / AV) headset including: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

16. Device, vehicle or drone comprising: - at least one imaging system set up to image a scene, - means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and / or - means of communication arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to and / or capable of communicating with external means arranged and / or programmed and / or configured to implement the process according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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