Automated Image Capture System with Motion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photographers often discard captured images due to issues like subject movement, poor lighting, or inappropriate image settings, and existing technologies do not efficiently capture both still images and video without manual mode switching or significant user intervention.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that automatically captures multiple still images and video clips around the time of a shutter command, analyzes these for quality, and presents the best images or interesting video segments to the user, with features like horizon detection and exposure enhancement, without requiring the user to switch between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple still images and video clips are automatically captured around the shutter command time, then the quality and variety of captured moments are improved, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple still images and video clips around the shutter command time before any selection or processing occurs. This ensures that the best moments are captured regardless of when the user presses the shutter button, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the capture moment itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically selects and presents the best images and video segments without requiring manual user intervention. The device serves itself by implementing automated quality assessment and selection algorithms that evaluate captured content and present only the best results to the user, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high capture quality.
2Ease of operation
If automated analysis and selection of best images is implemented, then user intervention is reduced, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by performing automated analysis only on the most relevant captured images and video segments rather than processing every single frame or image. Quality metrics are calculated selectively for key moments, and automated selection focuses on identifying the best few candidates from the captured set, reducing processing time while maintaining ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If exposure control is enhanced for low-light situations, then image quality in low-light conditions is improved, but the capture time or flash usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing continuous or frequent capture of still images and video frames around the shutter command time. This periodic sampling ensures that at least one high-quality image is captured during the low-light moment without requiring extended capture time or flash usage, as multiple rapid captures increase the probability of obtaining the best moment.
4Productivity
If both still images and video are captured simultaneously without mode switching, then productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges still image capture and video capture into a single unified operation triggered by the shutter button. Both capture modes are activated simultaneously and processed together through the automated selection system, eliminating the need for manual mode switching and improving productivity. The technical complexity is managed through integrated processing pipelines that handle both image and video data streams concurrently.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are techniques that provide a "best" picture taken within a few seconds of the moment when a capture command is received (e.g., when the "shutter" button is pressed). In some situations, several still images are automatically (that is, without the user's input) captured. These images are compared to find a "best" image that is presented to the photographer for consideration. Video is also captured automatically and analyzed to see if there is an action scene or other motion content around the time of the capture command. If the analysis reveals anything interesting, then the video clip is presented to the photographer. The video clip may be cropped to match the still-capture scene and to remove transitory parts. Higher-precision horizon detection may be provided based on motion analysis and on pixel-data analysis.