System and method for remotely performing image processing operations with a network server device

Abstract

A system and method for efficiently performing image processing operations includes a camera device that is configured to automatically capture an image sequence of related offset images that correspond to a particular selected photographic target. The camera device then transmits the captured image sequence to an image processing server through an electronic network. The image processing server perform one or more processing-intensive operations upon the received image sequence to thereby produce an enhanced image that may then be transmitted to any appropriate image destination.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for image processing, said system comprising:
 a server comprising one or more processors, said one or more processors being operable to:
 receive image data comprising a plurality of images captured by an imaging device, wherein at least one of said plurality of images is offset with respect to a preceding image of said plurality of images due to movement of said imaging device; and 
 create a high-resolution image by generating sub-pixels using one or more pixels of said at least one of said plurality of images and said preceding image of said plurality of images. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said imaging device is one of: a still camera, a video camcorder, or a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more processors is operable to perform a super-resolution process to create said high-resolution image. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of images is automatically captured in response to a single activation of an image capture button of said imaging device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of images comprises a header that specifies an origination device for said plurality of images and a destination device for said high-resolution image. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said imaging device uses wireless technology to transfer said image data to said server. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said imaging device transfers said image data to said server through an electronic network. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said electronic network is an Internet network. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server transmits said high-resolution image back to said imaging device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server transmits said high-resolution image to a remote network device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server creates said high-resolution image according to a premium service subscription. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said imaging device transfers said image data to said server after determining that said server is currently available to create said high-resolution image. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more processors are operable to perform a white balance processing operation and a red-eye processing operation for said image data. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more processors are operable to perform a smoothing operation and a format conversion operation for said image data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server creates said high-resolution image on behalf of said imaging device. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said server creates said high-resolution image without combining said image data with an image template. 
     
     
         17 . A method for image processing, said method comprising:
 in a server:
 receiving image data comprising a plurality of images captured by an imaging device, wherein at least one of said plurality of images is offset with respect to a preceding image of said plurality of images due to movement of said imaging device; and 
 creating a high-resolution image by generating sub-pixels using one or more pixels of said at least one of said plurality of images and said preceding image of said plurality of images. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising performing a white balance processing operation and a red-eye processing operation for said image data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising performing a smoothing operation and a format conversion operation for said image data. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for image processing, the at least one code section being executable by a computer for causing the computer to perform steps comprising:
 in a server:
 receiving image data comprising a plurality of images captured by an imaging device, wherein at least one of said plurality of images is offset with respect to a preceding image of said plurality of images due to movement of said imaging device; and 
 creating a high-resolution image by generating sub-pixels using one or more pixels of said at least one of said plurality of images and said preceding image of said plurality of images.