US5103254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera with subject highlighting and motion detection
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1990-05-29
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Granted: 1992-04-07
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Expires: 2010-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A camera having highlighting for the subject of the photograph and detection of motion of the subject. The camera detects the scene electronically and digitally stores the scene in memory. A gradient operation is performed on elements in the image to produce an indication of the outline of the subjects witin the depth of field. This outline may then be used to highlight the subjects in the viewfinder using an LCD as a mask. The outline may also be used to determine any movement of the subject in order to prevent blur or used as a trigger in a burst exposure mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Cynthia S. Bell
- 👤 Martin A. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/67; H04N23/675; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; H04N23/635; H04N23/68; H04N23/681; H04N23/6811; H04N23/682; H04N23/684; H04N23/70; G; G03; G03B; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image to produce an outline of the subjects that are in focus; detecting the outline of the subjects that are in focus based on the output of the gradient function; and highlighting the subjects that are in focus in the viewfinder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image to produce an outline of the subjects that are in focus; detecting the outline of the subjects that are in focus based on the output of the gradient function; and highlighting the subjects that are in focus in the viewfinder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the detected image in memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of storing the output of the gradient operation in memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting movement of the image by comparing detected images at successive times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising th step of detecting movement of the subject by comparing the outline of the subject at successive times.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of enabling an indica&or light when motion is detected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of tracking the subject in response to the movement of the subject.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining the direction of motion by shifting images and measuring the amount of shift; and determining the rate of motion by measuring the time interview between images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of tracking uses the detected motion detection and motion rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein the movement of the subject through a predetermined distance triggers additional pictures in a burst exposure mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication of the subject is a superposition of a geometric symbol over the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication of the subject is by superimposing a geometric symbol over objects within the depth of field.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein the indication of the subject is by superimposing a mask over the outline of the subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication of the subject in the viewfinder is a highlighted outline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein the outline is formed by superimposing a mask on the outline of the subject.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 14, wherein the highlighting of the subject in the viewfinder is formed by a liquid crystal display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein the liquid crystal display is an encapsulated twisted nematic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 16, wherein a half-silvered mirror passes the highlighting of the subject from the liquid crystal display to overlay the direct view found in the viewfinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1, and further comprising the step of enhancing the outline of the subject by applying the function; ##EQU2## otherwise make f'(x,y)=0 wherein, x,y correspond to the coordinate position of an element of the image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication of the subject uses a gray scale image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 20, wherein the image is formed using a twisted nematic LCD.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
A camera comprising: an array of sensors for detecting an image; memory means for storing said image; means for performing a gradient function on said stored image to produce an outline of the subjects in said image that are in focus; and means for highlighting the subjects of said image that are in focus in accordance with the gradient function.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A camera comprising: an array of sensors for detecting an image; memory means for storing said image; means for performing a gradient function on said stored image to produce an outline of the subjects in said image that are in focus; and means for highlighting the subjects of said image that are in focus in accordance with the gradient function.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The camera according to claim 22, further comprising means for detecting motion of a subject.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera according to claim 23, wherein the means for highlighting includes all subjects within the depth of field of the picture.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The camera according to claim 22, further comprising a viewfinder including an encapsulated twisted nematic liquid crystal display for superimposing a mask over said image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The camera according to claim 22, further comprising a viewfinder including a half-silvered mirror for combining the highlight from the liquid crystal display with the direct view.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing the gradient operation f(x,y)=|(x,y)-(x+1,y+1)|+|(x+1,y)-(x,y+1).vertline. on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing the gradient operation f(x,y)=|(x,y)-(x+1,y+1)|+|(x+1,y)-(x,y+1).vertline. on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; detecting movement of the subject by comparing the outline of the subject at successive times; adjusting the shutter speed in response to the movement of the subject; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; detecting movement of the subject by comparing the outline of the subject at successive times; adjusting the shutter speed in response to the movement of the subject; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the shutter speed is set to a default.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; capturing data with a predetermined aperture; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; and highlighting the subject detected in the preceding step in the viewfinder.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; capturing data with a predetermined aperture; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; and highlighting the subject detected in the preceding step in the viewfinder.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; detecting movement of the subject by comparing the outline of the subject at successive times; adjusting the shutter speed in response to the movement of the camera; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of indicating the subject to be photographed in a camera having a viewfinder, comprising the steps of: detecting an image; performing a gradient operation on elements of the image; detecting the outline of the subject based on the output of the gradient function; detecting movement of the subject by comparing the outline of the subject at successive times; adjusting the shutter speed in response to the movement of the camera; and indicating the subject in the viewfinder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-07 | 1995-10-07 | 1996-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-07 | 1999-10-07 | 2000-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-10-07 | 2004-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |