Camera Device Systems and Methods

Abstract

Disclosed are various systems and methods implemented in a camera device. An image sensor is configured to capture image data of a target scene from a lens system and a subject feedback mechanism generates framing feedback associated with the image data that includes information about a current framing of an image associated with the image data. Video capture logic also obtains motion information from motion sensors integrated into the camera device and skip frame capture when motion levels exceed a threshold.

1 . A camera device used within an environment having at least one surface, the camera device being operable to capture visual content associated with a target scene that includes at least one human target, the camera device operating in a hands-free mode, the camera device comprising:
 an imager that captures the visual content;   a visual frame indicator;   processing circuitry configured to receive a first signal relating to the visual content captured by the imager;   the visual frame indicator being configured to deliver a visual framing indication for the human target; and   the processing circuitry being configured to respond to gesture information relating to a gesture of the human target by delivering a second signal to the visual frame indicator to cause an adjustment to the visual framing indication, the adjustment corresponding to a change in a field of view associated with the target scene.   
     
     
         2 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the visual frame indicator delivers the visual framing indication via a projection onto the at least one surface. 
     
     
         3 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the visual framing indication is visible to the human target depending on whether or not the human target is within the target scene. 
     
     
         4 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the visual frame indicator comprises a projector component, and the visual framing indication comprises a visual image corresponding at least in part to the visual content. 
     
     
         5 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein the visual framing indication comprises an indication of a frame boundary. 
     
     
         6 . The camera device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one characteristic of the at least one surface of the environment comprises an orientation characteristic relative to that of the visual frame indicator. 
     
     
         7 . A processing system used within an environment having at least one surface, the processing system supporting an imager and a visual indicator, the imager being operable to capture visual content associated with a target scene that includes a human target, the processing system comprising:
 processing circuitry;   first interface circuitry that couples the processing circuitry with the imager;   second interface circuitry that couples the processing circuitry and the visual indicator; and   the processing circuitry configured to deliver at least one control signal to the visual indicator via the second interface circuitry to cause the visual indicator to provide a visual framing indication for the human target.   
     
     
         8 . The processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the first interface circuitry is configured to support receipt by the processing circuitry of a first signal relating to the visual content captured by the imager, and wherein the delivery of the at least one control signal by the processing circuitry to the visual indicator is based at least in part on the first signal received. 
     
     
         9 . The processing system of  claim 8 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to deliver visual information to the visual indicator, the visual information being adjusted to correspond to an orientation characteristic associated with the at least one surface. 
     
     
         10 . The processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one control signal from the processing circuitry to the visual indicator is configured to direct the visual indicator to provide a visual projection onto the at least one surface. 
     
     
         11 . The processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one control signal from the processing circuitry to the visual indicator is configured to direct the visual indicator to provide a visual indication that is visible to the human target depending on whether or not the human target is within the target scene. 
     
     
         12 . The processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to assist in a process of recognizing at least a portion of the human target. 
     
     
         13 . The processing system of  claim 7 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to respond to gesture information relating to a gesture of the human target by causing an adjustment to framing of the target scene. 
     
     
         14 . A camera device used within an environment having at least one surface, the camera device being operable to capture visual content associated with a target scene that includes at least one human target, the camera device comprising:
 an imager that captures the visual content associated with the target scene;   a visual frame indicator;   a lens system having a current configuration;   processing circuitry configured to deliver a framing signal to the visual frame indicator; and   the visual frame indicator configured to respond to the framing signal by providing a visual framing indication for the human target, the visual framing indication being determined at least in part by the current configuration of the lens system.   
     
     
         15 . The camera device of  claim 14 , wherein the visual frame indicator is configured to deliver the visual framing indication via a projection onto the at least one surface. 
     
     
         16 . The camera device of  claim 14 , wherein the visual framing indication is visible to the human target depending on whether or not the human target is within the target scene. 
     
     
         17 . The camera device of  claim 14 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to respond to gesture information relating to a gesture by the human target by causing an adjustment to a framing of the visual content associated with the target scene. 
     
     
         18 . The camera device of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment to the framing of the visual content is implemented via a change to the current configuration of the lens system. 
     
     
         19 . The camera device of  claim 17 , wherein the imager comprises an array of imager elements, the adjustment to the framing of the visual content involving a selection of only a portion of the array of imager elements to construct an image, and the visual framing indication being based at least in part on the selection. 
     
     
         20 . The camera device of  claim 14 , wherein the lens system comprises an adjustable lens assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The camera device of  claim 14 , wherein the lens system is configured to crop at least a portion of the visual content captured by the imager.