Utilisation of Image Illumination Effects in Photographs

Abstract

A camera for the output of an image sensed by the camera. The camera includes a sensor for sensing an image and a synthetic light generator for adding lighting to the sensed image to produce an illuminated image which simulates the effect of light sources projected at the sensed image. The camera also includes a printer device for printing the illuminated image.

1 . A camera for outputting a printed still image corresponding to a still image sensed by said camera, said camera including:
 sensing means for sensing a still image;   lighting means for adding lighting effects to said sensed still image to produce an illuminated still image which simulates the effect of one or more light sources projected at said sensed still image, and wherein different portions of said illuminated still image are illuminated to different degrees; and   a printer device for printing out said illuminated still image.   
   
   
       2 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said one or more light sources include directional, omni or spot lights. 
   
   
       3 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sensed still image forms only part of said illuminated still image. 
   
   
       4 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sensed still image has an associated bump map utilised by said lighting means so as to produce 3-dimensional lighting effects as part of said lighting effects. 
   
   
       5 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lighting means is implemented in the form of a micro-programmed series of Arithmetic Logic Units. 
   
   
       6 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lighting effects include attenuations of said light sources. 
   
   
       7 . A camera as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lighting effects include diffuse contributions of said light sources. 
   
   
       8 . A method for producing a printed still image from a camera, said method comprising the steps of:
 sensing an input still image;   manipulating said input still image so as to produce an illuminated still image which simulates the effect of one or more lighting sources placed at predetermined locations around said input still image, and wherein different portions of said illuminated still image are illuminated to different degrees; and   printing said illuminated still image on a printer device housed within said camera.