Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for processing images, and particularly to a method and system for combining images. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    When using digital camera taking images, wide angle lens are often needed to shoot wide angle scenes. However, normal cameras often do not equip with wide angle lens which limits the normal camera&#39;s ability to shoot wide angle scenes. Even if some advanced cameras are equipped with wide angle lens, it is not convenient to carry the wide angle lens. Furthermore, the wide angle lens are precision components and difficult to maintain. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a block view of an embodiment of a system for combining images. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a sketch view of a gravity sensor module according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a system of combining images. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a block view of another embodiment of a system for combining images. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         [0012]    In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will be appreciated that modules may comprise connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of computer-readable medium or other computer storage device. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system for processing images includes a camera device  10 . The camera device  10  includes a mode selection module  11 , a gravity sensor module  13 , a comparison module  15 , an image combing module  17 , and a viewfinder  19 . 
         [0014]    The mode selection module  11  defines a plurality of image capturing work modes of the camera device  10 , which includes different image combining modes. When the camera device  10  works in a combining mode, the camera  10  can capture several images in succession and combine them into a wide angle image such as would normally be captured using a wide-angle lens. The mode selection module  11  defines different combining modes according to the number of images the user desires to combine, such as a two image mode, a four image mode, and so on. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the gravity sensor module  13  is capable of sensing an inclination angle of the camera device  10 . The gravity sensor module  13  is positioned in the camera device  10  for converting inclination angle changes to voltage signals. When the camera device  10  is deviated from the true horizontal orientation, parallel to the ground, the gravity sensor module  13  outputs a corresponding voltage signal, different from that of when the camera device  10  is properly horizontally orientated, which represents inclination angle of the camera device. 
         [0016]    The gravity sensor module  13  includes a mass block  132  and a voltage output pressure transmitter  135  supporting and attaching the mass block  132  thereon. When the pressure transmitter  135  is in a horizontal position and the mass block  132  is stationary on the pressure transmitter  135 , the pressure transmitter  135  outputs a corresponding voltage V 1 . When the pressure transmitter  135  and the mass block  132  are vertically located, the pressure transmitter  135  outputs a corresponding voltage V 2 . When the pressure transmitter  135  inclines at an angle A 1  and the mass block  132  is located on the pressure transmitter  135 , the pressure transmitter  135  outputs a corresponding voltage V. Therefore, a relation between the angle A 1  and voltage V is: A 1 =arccos[V/(V 1 −V 2 )]. Inclination angle of the camera device  10  can be calculated according to output voltage of the pressure transmitter  135 . 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the comparison module  15  is capable of comparing an image with a view of the viewfinder  19  of the camera device  10 . 
         [0018]    The image combining module  17  is capable of combining images in the camera device  10  and overlapping the same parts of different images. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a method for combining images in the camera device  10 . Depending on the embodiment, certain steps described below may be removed, while others may be added, and the sequence of the steps may be altered. In one embodiment, the method for combining images in the camera device  10  includes the following steps: 
         [0020]    S 01 , a user sets the mode selection module  11  to choose a combining mode of taking images. Then, go to step S 02 . 
         [0021]    S 02 , the viewfinder  19  of the camera device  10  finds a first view which is a first part of a wide scene as determined by the user. The camera device  10  takes a first image to record the first view. The gravity sensor module  13  senses and records a first inclination angle of the camera device  10  taking the first image. 
         [0022]    S 03 , the viewfinder  19  of the camera device  10  finds next view which is next part of the wide range scene. 
         [0023]    S 04 , the gravity sensor module  13  senses a current inclination angle of the camera device  10  and compares the current inclination angle with the first inclination angle. If the current inclination angle is not equal to the first inclination angle, go to step S 05 ; if equal, go to step S 06 . 
         [0024]    S 05 , the gravity sensor module  13  notifies users to adjust the camera device  10  until the current inclination angle is equal to the first inclination angle. 
         [0025]    S 06 , the comparison module  15  compares the previous image with the view of the viewfinder  19  of the camera device  10  to find if there is repeated part in the previous image and the view of the viewfinder  19 . If there is not, go to step S 07 ; if there is, go to S 08 . 
         [0026]    S 07 , the comparison module  15  notifies users to adjust the camera device  10  on the first angle until there is repeated part in the previous image and the view of the viewfinder  19 . 
         [0027]    S 08 , the camera device  10  takes a image to record the view of the viewfinder  19 . 
         [0028]    S 09 , the camera device  10  checks if it is the last image. For example, if the mode module  11  chooses a four image mode in step S 01 , check if it is the fourth image. If it is the last image, go to step S 10 ; if it is not, go to step S 03 . 
         [0029]    S 10 , the image combining module  17  combines images in the camera device  10  and overlaps the repeated parts of different images to generate a wide angle image. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a motor  23  can be mounted in the camera device  10  and connected to the gravity sensor module  13  and the comparison module  15 . The motor  23  is capable of rotating to automatically adjust an angle and position of the camera device  10 . The gravity sensor module  13  controls the motor  23  rotating to have the camera device  10  located in a same inclination angle when take different images, or in a predetermined angle. The comparison module  15  controls the motor  23  rotating to have the view of viewfinder  19  and the previous image having repeated parts. Therefore, the camera device  10  is capable of automatically capturing image when the inclination is right and repeated parts are found. 
         [0031]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
         [0032]    It is also to be understood that the above description and the claims drawn to a method may include some indication in reference to certain steps. However, the indication used is only to be viewed for identification purposes and not as a suggestion as to an order for the steps.

Technology Category: h