Varying camera self-determination based on subject motion

Abstract

In a method and digital camera, an initial set of evaluation images are captured. A plurality of characteristics of the initial set of evaluation images are assessed to provide a first assessment. The characteristics include subject motion between the initial set of evaluation images. When the subject motion is in excess of a predetermined threshold, a final capture state of the camera is set responsive to the first assessment. When the subject motion is less than the predetermined threshold, the evaluation images are analyzed to provide analysis results and the final capture state of the camera is set responsive to the first assessment and the analysis results.

1 . A method for setting a camera for image capture, said method comprising the steps of: 
 capturing an initial set of two or more evaluation images;    assessing a plurality of characteristics of said initial set of evaluation images to provide a first assessment, said characteristics including subject motion between at least two of said initial set of evaluation images;    when said subject motion is in excess of a predetermined threshold, setting a final capture state of said camera responsive to said first assessment;    when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 (a) further analyzing said evaluation images to provide analysis results; and  
 (b) setting said final capture state of said camera responsive to said first assessment and said analysis results.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 presenting said analysis results to a user; and    accepting user input following said presenting;    wherein said final capture state is responsive to said user input.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 capturing one or more additional evaluation images after said capturing of said initial set of evaluation images;    determining said characteristics of said additional one or more images to provide a second assessment; and    analyzing said second assessment to provide analysis results; and    wherein said final capture state is responsive to all of said analysis results.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 presenting said analysis results to a user; and    accepting user input following said presenting;    wherein said final capture state is responsive to said user input.    
   
   
       5 . A method for setting a camera for image capture, said method comprising the steps of: 
 capturing an initial set of two or more evaluation images;    assessing a plurality of characteristics of said initial set of evaluation images to provide a first assessment, said characteristics including subject motion between at least two of said initial set of evaluation images;    when said subject motion is in excess of a predetermined threshold, setting a final capture state of said camera responsive to said first assessment;    when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 (a) capturing one or more additional evaluation images after said capturing of said initial set of evaluation images;  
 (b) determining said characteristics of said additional one or more images to provide a second assessment;  
 (c) analyzing both said assessments; and  
 (d) setting said final capture state of said camera responsive to said analyzing.  
   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising displaying each of said evaluation images to a user; wherein said determining and analyzing is completed following said displaying of said additional evaluation images.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said assessing further comprises determining one or more additional characteristics said initial set of evaluation images, said determining being more computationally intensive than said assessing.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said additional characteristics include differences in edge maps.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: 
 presenting results of said analyzing to a user; and    accepting user input following said presenting;    wherein said final capture state is responsive to said user input.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising: 
 receiving a trigger signal during said assessing; and    following the respective said setting, capturing one or more final images with said camera in the respective said final capture state, responsive to said trigger signal.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said evaluation and final images are frames of a continuous video segment.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said evaluation and final images are still digital images and said method further comprises archiving said final images and deleting said evaluation images, without user intervention.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said initial and final capture states differ in values of one or more of: focal length, focus distance, aperture, exposure time, and gain.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said setting is free of user intervention.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said characteristics include one or more of: depth of field, color balance, and focus.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising classifying said scene in one of a plurality of predetermined classifications based on said analyzing to provide a scene classification, and wherein said capture state is responsive to said scene classification.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said assessing of said plurality of characteristics further comprises ascertaining, exposure range, focus, white balance, and skin detection.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said camera is in a default capture state during said capturing of said initial set of evaluation images and wherein each of said capture states includes settings of a plurality of: focal length, exposure time, focus distance, aperture, white balance adjustment, and flash state.  
   
   
       19 . A method for setting a camera for image capture, said method comprising the steps of: 
 capturing an initial set of two or more evaluation images;    assessing a plurality of characteristics of said initial set of evaluation images to provide a first assessment, said characteristics including subject motion vectors between at least two of said initial set of evaluation images;    when said subject motion vectors are less than a predetermined threshold, capturing one or more additional evaluation images;    then, determining said characteristics of said additional one or more images to provide a second assessment;    then, analyzing both said assessments; and    then, setting said final capture state of said camera responsive to said analyzing.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising setting a final capture state of said camera responsive to said first assessment, when said one or more of said subject motion vectors are in excess of said predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 receiving a trigger signal during said assessing; and    following the respective said setting, capturing one or more final images with said camera in the respective said final capture state, responsive to said trigger signal.    
   
   
       22 . A digital camera comprising: 
 a capture unit settable in a plurality of different capture states, said capture unit being actuable to capture a sequence of evaluation images of a scene and separately trippable to capture one or more final images;    a control unit operatively connected to said capture unit, said control unit responding when said capture unit is actuated to capture said evaluation images and tripped to capture said one or more final images, said responding including: assessing a plurality of characteristics of an initial set of two or more of said evaluation images to provide a first assessment, said characteristics including subject motion between at least two of said initial set of evaluation images; when said subject motion is in excess of a predetermined threshold, setting a final capture state of said camera responsive to said first assessment; when said subject motion is less than said predetermined threshold: (a) capturing one or more additional evaluation images; (b) determining said characteristics of said additional one or more images to provide a second assessment; (c) analyzing both said assessments; and (d) setting said final capture state of said camera responsive to said analyzing.    
   
   
       23 . The camera of  claim 22  wherein said responding is without user intervention additional to actuating and tripping said capture unit.  
   
   
       24 . The camera of  claim 22  wherein each of said capture states includes settings of a plurality of: focal length, exposure time, focus distance, aperture, white balance adjustment, and flash state.  
   
   
       25 . The camera of  claim 22  wherein said evaluation and final images are frames of a continuous video stream.  
   
   
       26 . The camera of  claim 22  further comprising memory operatively connected to said control unit; and wherein said evaluation and final images are still digital images and said control unit archives said final images in said memory and deletes said evaluation images, without user intervention.