ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGES

An image capturing method includes obtaining a group of reference parameters of an electronic device and obtaining a group of current parameters of the electronic device. Parameter differences between the group of reference parameters and the group of current parameters are calculated. A user is guided to move and rotate the electronic device according to the parameter differences. The user is reminded to capture an image when the parameter differences fall within a predetermined range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 104137278 filed on Nov. 12, 2015 in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to image capturing technology, and particularly to an electronic device and a method for capturing images.

BACKGROUND

Photography seizes the moment of opportunity. When the time, location, and angle settings are right, a memorable image may be captured. Reproducing a picture similar to the memorable one is a challenging task, as the view-finding process for the subsequent photo may only be done by tracing through memory. For instance, the photo taker may need to continuously recall and repeatedly apply adjustments in the hope of regaining the correct angles and camera placement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of one exemplary embodiment of an electronic device1including an image capturing system10. Depending on the embodiment, the electronic device1can be a portable device with a function of capturing images. For example, the electronic device1may be a cellular phone, a digital camera, a flat panel computer, or a tablet computer device. The electronic device1can include, but is not limited to, a capturing device11, a sensor12, at least one processor13, a storage device14, and a display device15. The capturing device11can be a camera or a lens that is capable to capture images. The sensor12can detect capturing posture and movement information of the electronic device1. The sensor12can be a gravity sensor, a gyroscope, or a combination of the gravity sensor and the gyroscope. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing posture of the electronic device1can include a capturing orientation and a capturing mode of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing orientation of the electronic device1can be defined to be an orientation of the capturing device11when directly facing a center of a target scene. A capturing zone of the electronic device1can be defined to be a predetermined zone whose center is the capturing orientation of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing mode of the electronic device1can be defined to be a rotation angle relative to the capturing orientation of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing mode of the electronic device1can include, but is not limited to, a landscape orientation mode, a portrait orientation mode, or a slanting orientation mode.

The at least one processor13can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other data processor chip that performs functions of the electronic device1.

The storage device14can be used to store all kinds of data of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the storage device14can be an internal storage device, such as a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM) for temporary storage of information, and/or a read-only memory (ROM) for permanent storage of information. The storage device14can also be an external storage device, such as an external hard disk, a storage card, or a data storage medium.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the image capturing system10can obtain a group of reference parameters of the electronic device1. The group of reference parameters can include a capturing position and a capturing posture of an image. It should be noted that a capturing position of one image is defined to be a capturing position of an electronic device when the electronic device captures the one image. Similarly, a capturing posture of the one image is defined to be the capturing posture of the electronic device when the electronic device captures the one image. The image capturing system10can further obtain a group of current parameters of the electronic device1. The group of current parameters can include a current capturing position and a current capturing posture of electronic device1. The image capturing system10can calculate parameter differences between the group of reference parameters and the group of current parameters. The image capturing system10can guide a user of the electronic device1to move and rotate the electronic device1according to the parameter differences. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the parameter differences falling within a predetermined range, the image capturing system10can use a predetermined method to remind the user to capture an image at that moment. In other exemplary embodiments, when the parameter differences equal to zero, the image capturing system10can control the capturing device11to automatically capture an image without reminding the user.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the image capturing system10can include computerized instructions in the form of one or more programs that can be stored in the storage device14and executed by the at least one processor13. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the image capturing system10can be integrated with the at least one processor13. In other exemplary embodiments, the image capturing system10can be independent from the at least one processor13. InFIG. 1, the image capturing system10can include one or more modules, for example, a first obtaining module101, a second obtaining module102, a display module103, and a prompt module104.

FIG. 2illustrates a flowchart of one exemplary embodiment of a method of capturing an image. The exemplary method200is provided merely as an example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method200described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated inFIG. 1, for example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining exemplary method200. Each block shown inFIG. 2represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, carried out in the exemplary method200. Additionally, the illustrated order of blocks is by example only and the order of the blocks can be changed according to the present disclosure. The exemplary method200can begin at block S21. Depending on the embodiment, additional steps can be added, others removed, and the ordering of the steps can be changed.

At block S21, the first obtaining module101can obtain a group of reference parameters of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the first obtaining module101can obtain an image from a predetermined storage location. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the group of reference parameters includes a capturing position and a capturing posture of an obtained image. The obtained image may be an image obtained by the electronic device1or another electronic device. The first obtaining module101can obtain the capturing position and the capturing posture of the obtained image from the predetermined storage location. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined storage location can be the storage device14, a designated website, or a designated server.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the predetermined storage location is the storage device14, the storage device14can pre-store at least one image captured by the electronic device1. A capturing position and a capturing posture of the at least one image are also stored in the storage device14. The capturing position of the at least one image can be defined to be position information of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The capturing posture of the at least one image can include a capturing orientation and a capturing mode of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. For example, the capturing orientation of the obtained image is in due east and the capturing mode of the obtained image is the landscape orientation mode.

In a first exemplary embodiment, the capturing position of the at least one image includes movement information of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captures the at least one image. For example, after the electronic device1has captured an image “A”, the electronic device1can record movement “AM” of the electronic device1using the sensor12. For example, the movement “AM” represents that the electronic device1moves towards due east by 2 meters, then moves down by 0.5 meter, and then moves toward south by 1 meter. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device1further establishes a relationship between the movement “AM” and the image “A”. The movement “AM” can be used to determine a movement path of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the image “A”. For another example, after the electronic device1has captured an image “B”, the electronic device1can record movement “BM” of the electronic device1using the sensor12. The electronic device1can further establish a relationship between the movement “BM” and the image “B”. The movement “BM” can be used to determine a movement path of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captures the image “B”. Thus, the movements “AM” and “BM” can dynamically vary with movements of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device1can further record the capturing posture of the electronic device1using a gyroscope of the electronic device1, and establish a relationship between the capturing posture and the at least one image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing posture includes rotation information of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the at least one image. The capturing posture of the electronic device1can dynamically vary with rotations of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing posture of the electronic device1can include rotation information of a capturing orientation and rotation information of a capturing mode of the electronic device1.

In other exemplary embodiments, the capturing posture of the electronic device1can include angle information of the capturing orientation of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The capturing posture can further include angle information of a capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. That is, the capturing posture of the at least one image recorded using this method cannot vary with rotations of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the at least one image.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the capturing position of the at least one image includes relative movement information of the movement of the electronic device1from a first predetermined position to a second position where the electronic device1captures the at least one image. For example, when the electronic device1arrives at the first predetermined position, the electronic device1begins to record movement information of the electronic device1using the sensor12, and records movement information of the electronic device1till the electronic device1arrives at the second position. That is, the movement information during the electronic device1moves from the first predetermined position to the second position can be obtained. For example, the movement information includes the electronic device1moves toward east by2 meters, then moves down by 0.5 meter, and then moves toward south by 1 meter. When the electronic device1captures the at least one image at the second position, the electronic device1establishes a relationship between the movement information and the at least one image. That is, the recorded movement information cannot vary with movements of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the at least one the image. For example, the first predetermined position is a center of a table located at a particular scenic spot, when the electronic device1arrives at the center of the table, the electronic device1begins to record movement information of the electronic device1. That is, the recorded movement information actually is movement information relative to the center of the table. When the electronic device1captures the at least one image at a particular position, the electronic device1establishes a relationship between the recorded movement information and the at least one image captured at the particular position. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device1can further record a capturing posture of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The electronic device can further establish a relationship between the capturing posture of the electronic device1and the at least one image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing posture of the electronic device1can include angle information of a capturing orientation of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The capturing posture of the electronic device1can further include angle information of a capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. That is, the capturing posture of the at least one image recorded using this method, cannot vary with rotations of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the at least one image.

In a third exemplary embodiment, the capturing position of the at least one image can be a position of the electronic device1based on a predetermined positioning system when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined positioning system can accurately track a position of the electronic device1in three dimensions. For example, a plurality of wireless transmitters can be configured around the position where the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The plurality of wireless transmitters can be Bluetooth transmitters or Wi-fi transmitters. The electronic device1can include a positioning device. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the positioning device is capable of receiving signals from the wireless transmitters, and is capable of analyzing such received signals for determining the geographical position of the electronic device1. In other exemplary embodiments, the positioning device can receive signals transmitted by a global positioning satellite (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), or a BEIDOU navigation satellite system (BDS), and can analyze such received signals for determining the position of the electronic device1. When the electronic device1captures the at least one image, the positioning device can utilize the received signals to obtain a current position of the electronic device1. The processor13can establish a relationship between the at least one image and the current position of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the at least one image is captured, the electronic device1further records the capturing posture of the electronic device1, and establishes a relationship between the capturing posture of the electronic device1and the at least one image. The capturing posture of the electronic device1includes angle information of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the capturing posture of the electronic device1can include angle information of a capturing orientation of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The capturing posture of the electronic device1can further include angle information of a capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. That is, the capturing posture of the at least one image recorded using this method does not vary with subsequent rotations of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the at least one image.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the predetermined storage location is the storage device14of the electronic device1, the electronic device1further includes a predetermined button for activating a predetermined mode. When the predetermined mode is activated, the electronic device1reminds the user that each image captured thereafter can record movement information and rotation information of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the predetermined button can be a physical or a virtual button. In other exemplary embodiments, the predetermined mode can be activated automatically when the electronic device1is booted.

In other exemplary embodiments, when the predetermined storage location is at other designated location(s), such as the designated website or server, the predetermined storage location stores at least one image, and stores a capturing position and a capturing posture of the at least one image. The capturing position of the at least one image can be defined to be a position of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image.

The capturing posture of the at least one image can include a capturing orientation of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. The capturing posture of the at least one image can further include a capturing mode of the electronic device1when the electronic device1captures the at least one image. For example, the capturing orientation of the at least one image is in due east, the capturing mode of the at least one image is the landscape orientation mode. The capturing position and the capturing posture of the at least one image can be those described in the second or third exemplary embodiment.

At block S22, the second obtaining module102can obtain a group of current parameters of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the group of current parameters includes a current capturing position and a current capturing posture of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second obtaining module102can calculate parameter differences between the group of reference parameters and the group of current parameters. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the parameter differences include relative movement information and relative rotation information of the electronic device1. The second obtaining module102can calculate relative movement information of the electronic device1using the current capturing position of the electronic device1and the capturing position of the obtained image. The second obtaining module102can calculate relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the current capturing posture of the electronic device1and the capturing posture of the obtained image.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the capturing position of the obtained image was recorded using the method described in the first exemplary embodiment, i.e., the capturing position of the obtained image includes the movement information of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the obtained image, the second obtaining module102obtains the recorded movement information, then the second obtaining module102can calculate the relative movement information using the recorded movement information and the current capturing position of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the capturing posture of the obtained image includes rotation information of the electronic device1after the electronic device1captured the obtained image, the second obtaining module102obtains the recorded rotation information, then calculates the relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the recorded rotation information and the current capturing posture of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the capturing posture of the obtained image includes the angle information relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth, the second obtaining module102first obtains angle information of a current capturing orientation of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth, and obtains angle information of a current capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth. The second obtaining module102then calculates relative rotation information using the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and the capturing orientation of the obtained image, and calculates relative rotation information using the current capturing mode of the electronic device1and the capturing mode of the obtained image.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the capturing position of the obtained image was recorded using the method described in the second exemplary embodiment, i.e., the capturing position of the obtained image includes movement information of the electronic device1relative to the first predetermined position of the movement from the first predetermined position to the second position where the electronic device1captures the obtained image. The second obtaining module102can first obtain relative movement information of the electronic device1using the current capturing position of the electronic device1and the predetermined position, and then the second obtaining module102calculates second relative movement information of the electronic device1using the current capturing position of the electronic device1and the position wherein the obtained image is captured. For example, when the electronic device1arrives at the predetermined position, the second obtaining module102begins to record movement information of the electronic device1using the sensor12, that is, the relative movement information of the electronic device1relative to the position where the obtained image is captured is obtained. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second obtaining module102first obtains angle information of the capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth. The second obtaining module102then calculates relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and the capturing orientation of the obtained image, and calculates relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the current capturing mode of the electronic device1and the capturing mode of the obtained image.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the capturing position of the obtained image was recorded using the method described in the third exemplary embodiment, i.e., the capturing position of the obtained image includes the position of the electronic device1in the predetermine positioning system when the electronic device1captures the obtained image, the second obtaining module102first obtains a current position of the electronic device1in the predetermined positioning system. The second obtaining module102then calculates relative movement information of the electronic device1using the current position of the electronic device1and the capturing position of the obtained image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second obtaining module102further obtains a current capturing posture of the electronic device1. The second obtaining module102first obtains angle information of the current capturing posture of the electronic device1relative to the coordinate axes of a coordinate system based on Earth. The second obtaining module102then calculates relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and the capturing orientation of the obtained image, and calculates relative rotation information of the electronic device1using the current capturing mode of the electronic device1and the capturing mode of the obtained image.

The display module103can adjust a size of the first visual cue in accordance with change of the relative movement information of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when a distance between the current capturing position of the electronic device1and the capturing position of the obtained image becomes smaller, the display module103can enlarge the size of the first visual cue correspondingly. When the distance becomes larger, the display module103can reduce the size of the first visual cue correspondingly. In other exemplary embodiments, when the distance becomes smaller, the display module103can reduce the size of the first visual cue correspondingly. When the distance becomes larger, the display module103can enlarge the size of the first visual cue correspondingly.

The display module103can adjust a shape of the first visual cue and rotate the first visual cue in accordance with change of the relative rotational information of the electronic device1. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the display module103can adjust the shape of the first visual cue by compressing or extending the first visual cue. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when an angle between the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and the capturing orientation of the obtained image becomes larger, the display module103can compress the first visual cue. When the angle becomes smaller, the display module103can extend the first visual cue. In other exemplary embodiments, when the angle becomes larger, the display module103can extend the first visual cue. When the angle becomes smaller, the display module103can compress the first visual cue. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the display module103can set a direction that is perpendicular to the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and further to the capturing orientation of the obtained image as a first reference direction. The display module103can compress or extend the first visual cue along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first reference direction. The first visual cue can be rotated in accordance with change of an angle between the current capturing mode of the electronic device1and the capturing mode of the obtained image. Each of the first and the second visual cues may include a marking sign (e.g., in the form of a notch) to further enhance for the user the visual identification of rotation of the first visual cue.

The display module103can further adjust a position of the first visual cue on the display device15in accordance with a relationship between the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1and the capturing position of the obtained image. For example, when the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1is pointed toward the capturing position of the obtained image, the display module103can display the first visual cue at the central region of the display device15. When the capturing position of the obtained image is within the capturing zone of the electronic device1, the position of the first visual cue can be adjusted correspondingly. When the capturing position of the obtained image is outside the capturing zone of the electronic device1, the display module103can display the first visual cue at an edge region of the display device15. In other exemplary embodiments, when the capturing position of the obtained image is outside the capturing zone of the electronic device1, the display module103does not display the first visual cue on the display device15.

FIGS. 3A-3Dillustrates an example of moving an electronic device. The current capturing posture of the electronic device1is same as the capturing posture of the obtained image. Under such condition, the shape of the first visual cue is not changed and the first visual cue is not rotated. The second visual cue is displayed at the center region of the display device15. FromFIG. 3AtoFIG. 3B, it represents that the first visual cue can be moved to the center region of the display device15, i.e., the capturing orientation of the electronic device1can be changed to be coincided with the capturing position of the obtained image by moving the electronic device1in an up-down direction, a left-right direction, and/or a front-back direction. FromFIG. 3BtoFIG. 3C, it represents the electronic device1moves toward the capturing position of the obtained image, the first visual cue becomes larger.FIG. 3Crepresents the current position of the electronic device1is same with the capturing position of the obtained image. Under this circumstance, a centre of the first visual cue substantially coincides with a centre of the second visual cue.FIG. 3Dshows a new image captured using the capturing position and capturing posture of the obtained image. The new image is same with the obtained image.

FIGS. 4A-4Dillustrates an example of adjusting the capturing posture of an electronic device.FIG. 4Ashows that the current position of the electronic device1is same with the capturing position of the obtained image, the first visual cue is displayed at the center region of the display device15, and a size of the first visual cue is not adjusted, two end points of a long axis of the first visual cue substantially coincides with two end points of a long axis of the second visual cue. FromFIG. 4AtoFIG. 4B, it represents that the electronic device1rotates around a longer axis of the first visual cue, to enable the capturing orientation of the electronic device1being same with the capturing orientation of the obtained image. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the longer axis can be a horizontal axis of the first visual cue that is longer than a vertical axis of the first visual cue. FromFIG. 4BtoFIG. 4C, it represents that the electronic device1rotates around the current capturing orientation of the electronic device1to enable the notch of the first visual cue coincides with the notch of the second visual cue. That is, the capturing mode of the electronic device1is same with the capturing mode of the obtained image.FIG. 4Dshows an image captured using the capturing position and capturing posture of the obtained image.

At block S24, the reminding module104can guide the user to move and rotate the electronic device1according to the parameter differences. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the reminding module104can guide the user via a first predetermined method. The reminding module104can further remind the user to capture an image via a second predetermined method when the parameter differences fall within a predetermined range. In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the parameter differences equal to zero, the reminding module104can automatically capture an image.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when each of the relative movement information of the electronic device1and the relative rotation information of the electronic device1falls within the predetermined range, the reminding module104can automatically capture an image without reminding the user using the second predetermined method. In some other exemplary embodiments, when each of the relative movement information of the electronic device1and the relative rotation information of the electronic device1equal to zero, the reminding module104can automatically capture an image without reminding the user using the second predetermined method.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the first predetermined method includes zooming in, zooming out, enlarging, reducing, and/or rotating the first and the second visual cues. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the second predetermined method includes displaying a reminder message on the display device15or providing audible cues. In other exemplary embodiments, the first and second predetermined methods may be used in suitable combination.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, when the relative movement information and the relative rotation information of the electronic device1are equal to zero, the first visual cue completely coincide with the second visual cue.