Facial Expression Detection for Automatic Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image capture methods on mobile devices do not provide an intuitive way to capture consecutive images based on changing facial expressions, often resulting in blurred images due to vibration and requiring multiple manual entries into image capture mode.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with an image capture unit, processor unit, and storage unit that periodically refreshes a preview image, detects facial expressions, and automatically captures target images when a change in facial expression is detected, allowing for continuous image capture without the need for repeated manual activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual image capture mode is used, then image capture can be performed, but multiple manual entries into image capture mode are required and vibration-induced blur occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture operationVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects facial expressions and triggers image capture without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device serves itself by monitoring preview images, identifying facial expressions, and automatically capturing images when expression changes are detected, eliminating the need for repeated manual activation and reducing vibration-induced blur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors preview images for facial expression changes and uses this feedback to automatically trigger image capture. By establishing a feedback loop between facial expression detection and capture control, the system responds intuitively to user expressions while maintaining device stability and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If automatic capture based on facial expression is implemented, then consecutive images with varying expressions can be captured, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage capture functionalityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device's existing camera and processor are utilized to perform multiple functions: capturing preview images, detecting facial expressions, and triggering automatic capture. By making the existing system multi-functional rather than adding dedicated specialized components, the patent achieves adaptive consecutive image capture while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2993891B1Electronic device and image capture method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 HTC CORP
  • EP2993891B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2993891B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2993891B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An electronic device and an image capture method thereof are disclosed herein. The image capture method is suitable for an electronic apparatus including an image capture unit. The image capture method includes steps of: providing a first preview image by the image capture unit; detecting a first facial expression from the first preview image; providing a second preview image by the image capture unit after the first preview image; detecting the second facial expression from the second preview image; determining whether the second facial expression is matched to the first facial expression; and, automatically generating a second target image in response to the second facial expression is not matched to the first facial expression.