What is claimed is:
1. A camera which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a detection unit which detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images;
a coordinate conversion unit which applies coordinate conversion to the other images based on the results of detection of the detection unit; and
a synthesis unit which synthesizes the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image.
2. The camera according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit divides the reference image into at least two regions and detects the amounts of displacement based on a specific point included in one of the regions.
3. The camera according to claim 1, wherein
the coordinate conversion unit applies coordinate conversion to the other images after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished.
4. The camera according to Clam 1, wherein
the detection unit detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished.
5. The camera according to claim 1, wherein
the synthesis unit synthesizes the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished.
6. The camera according to claim 2, wherein
one of the regions is a region other than a central region in the reference image.
7. The camera according to claim 2, wherein
one of the regions is a region other than a focused region in the reference image.
8. The camera according to claim 2, wherein
one of the regions is a region other than a region corresponding to a focus detection region provided within the image-taking plane.
9. A camera which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a detection unit which detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images;
an image selection unit which selects images suitable for synthesis among the other images based on the results of detection of the detection unit; and
a synthesis unit which synthesizes the images selected by the image selection unit and the reference image.
10. The camera according to claim 9, further comprising:
a coordinate conversion unit which applies coordinate conversion to the images selected by the image selection unit based on the results of detection of the detection unit, wherein
the synthesis unit synthesizes the images subjected to coordinate conversion by the coordinate conversion unit and the reference image.
11. The camera according to claim 9, wherein
the image selection unit judges whether or not the amounts of displacement based on the results of detection of the detection unit are equal to or less than a reference amount, and selects images whose amounts of displacement are equal to or less than the reference amount.
12. The camera according to claim 11, further comprising:
a selection control unit which controls the selection operation of the image selection unit and can change the reference amount.
13. The camera according to claim 12, wherein
the selection control unit changes the reference amount according to image-taking conditions.
14. The camera according to claim 9, wherein
the detection unit divides the reference image into at least two regions, and detects the amounts of displacement based on a specific point included in one of the regions.
15. The camera according to claim 14, wherein
the detection unit also detects the amounts of displacement based on a specific point included in the other region of at least the two regions.
16. The camera according to claim 15, wherein
the other region corresponds to a focus detection region provided within the image-taking plane in the reference image.
17. A program for obtaining a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a detection step in which, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images are detected;
a coordinate conversion step in which coordinate conversion is carried out for the other images based on the results of detection of the detection step; and
a synthesis step in which the other images subjected to coordinate conversion in the coordinate conversion step and the reference image are synthesized.
18. The program according to claim 17, wherein
in the detection step, the reference image is divided into at least two regions, and based on a specific point included in one of the regions, the amounts of displacement are detected.
19. The program according to claim 17, wherein
in the coordinate conversion step, coordinate conversion for the other images is carried out after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished.
20. The program according to claim 17, wherein
in the detection step, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images are detected after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished.
21. The program according to claim 17, wherein
in the synthesis step, after image-taking of all the plurality of images is finished, the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image are synthesized.
22. A program for obtaining a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a detection step in which, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images are detected;
an image selection step in which images suitable for synthesis are selected among the other images based on the results of detection of the detection step; and
a synthesis step in which the images selected in the image selection step and the reference image are synthesized.
23. The program according to claim 22, further comprising:
a coordinate conversion step in which coordinate conversion is carried out for the images selected in the image selection step based on the results of detection of the detection step, wherein
in the synthesis step, the images subjected to coordinate conversion in the coordinate conversion step and the reference image are synthesized.
24. The program according to claim 22, wherein
in the image selection step, it is judged whether or not the amounts of displacement based on the results of detection of the detection step are equal to or less than a reference amount, and images whose amounts of displacement are equal to or less than the reference amount are selected.
25. The program according to claim 24, further comprising:
a selection control step in which the selection operation of the image selection step is controlled and the reference amount can be changed.
26. The program according to claim 25, wherein
in the selection control step, the reference amount is changed according to image-taking conditions.
27. The program according to claim 22, wherein
in the detection step, the reference image is divided into at least two regions, and the amounts of displacement are detected based on a specific point included in one of the regions.
28. The program according to claim 27, wherein
in the detection step, the amounts of displacement are also detected based on a specific point included in the other region of at least the two regions.
29. A camera which can carry out image-taking in a first image-taking mode in which a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, and in a second image-taking mode in which an image correspond to the synthesized image is obtained through one time of image-taking, comprising:
an image pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image into an electric signal,
a control unit which can be set into either image-taking mode of the first image-taking mode or the second image-taking mode according to image-taking conditions.
30. A camera according to claim 29, further comprising:
a display unit which displays information on image-taking;
wherein the control unit controls driving of the display unit,
and makes the display unit display information on the set image-taking mode.
31. A camera according to claim 29, wherein
in the first image-taking mode, the control unit changes an image-taking period of each image according to image-taking conditions.
32. A camera according to claim 29, wherein
in the first image-taking mode, the control unit changes the number of times of image-taking according to image-taking conditions.
33. The camera according to claim 29, further comprising:
a detection unit which detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on plurality of other images,
a coordinate conversion unit which applies coordinate conversion to the other images based on the results of detection of the detection unit; and
a synthesis unit which synthesizes the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image.
34. A camera which can carry out image-taking in a first image-taking mode in which a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, and in a second image-taking mode in which an image correspond to the synthesized image is obtained through one time of image-taking, comprising:
an image pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image into an electric signal:
a sound production unit which makes sounds; and
a control unit which controls driving of the sound production unit, wherein
the control unit drives the sound production unit in timing with the first image-taking and the last image taking during image-taking in the first image-taking mode, and in timing with image-taking start and image-taking completion during image-taking in the second image-taking mode.
35. A camera which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a first detection unit which detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images;
a coordinate conversion unit which applies coordinate conversion to the other images based on the results of detection of the first detection unit;
a synthesis unit which synthesizes the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image;
a second detection unit which detects vibration applied to the main body; and
a control unit which controls the camera operation, wherein
the control unit temporarily ends image-taking and restarts it according to the results of detection of the second detection unit and image-taking conditions.
36. A program which enables image-taking in a first image-taking mode in which a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, and in a second image-taking mode in which an image correspond to the synthesized image is obtained through one time of image-taking, comprising:
a control step in which either image-taking mode of the first image-taking mode or the second image-taking mode can be set according to image-taking conditions.
37. A program according to claim 36, further comprising:
a display step in which information on image-taking mode set in the control step is displayed.
38. A program according to claim 36, wherein
in the control step, when the first image-taking mode is set, an image-taking period for each image is changed according to image-taking conditions.
39. A program according to claim 36, wherein
in the control step, when the first image-taking mode is set, the number of times of image-taking is changed according to image-taking conditions.
40. The program according to claim 36, further comprising:
a detection step in which, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images are detected;
a coordinate conversion step in which coordinate conversion is carried out for the other images based on the results of detection of the detection step; and
a synthesis step in which the other images subjected to coordinate conversion in the coordinate conversion step and the reference image.
41. A program which enables image-taking in a first image-taking mode in which a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected is obtained by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, and in a second image-taking mode in which an image correspond to the synthesized image is obtained through one time of image-taking, comprising:
a sound production step in which sounds are made, wherein
in the sound production step, sounds are made in timing with the first image-taking and the last image-taking during image-taking in the first image-taking mode, and sounds are made in timing with image-taking start and image-taking completion during image-taking in the second image-taking mode.
42. A program for obtaining a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising:
a first detection step in which, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images are detected;
a coordinate conversion step in which coordinate conversion is carried out for the other images based on the results of detection of the first detection step;
a synthesis step in which the other images subjected to coordinate conversion in the coordinate conversion step and the reference image are synthesized;
a second detection step in which vibration applied to the main body is detected; and
a control step in which the camera operation is controlled, wherein
in the control step, image-taking is temporarily ended and image-taking is restarted according to the results of detection of the second detection step and image-taking conditions.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system for detecting and responding to a potential emergency event occurring in respect of a user in or near a designated area, the system comprising:
one or more sensors disposed in or near the area;
a controller operatively coupled to said one or more sensors to receive sensor data therefrom indicative of the user’s condition, said controller further operatively coupled to a designated device in or near the area, operation of said designated device previously identified to effect capture of said sensor data, said controller operating on stored statements and instructions to:
process said sensor data in automatically identifying the event therefrom;
communicate a command to said designated device to alter operation thereof based on said previously identified effect so to improve capture of additional sensor data; and
process said additional sensor data to determine a level of assistance required by the user in response to the event.
2. The system of claim 1, said one or more sensors comprising an audio sensor for capturing audio data, said designated device comprising an audio device previously identified to cause audio interference with said audio sensor during operation, said command comprising at least one of a volume reduction command and a power-off command to automatically reduce said audio interference upon identifying the event and thus improve capture of said audio data in determining said level of assistance required.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a prompting device for prompting the user, upon identifying the event, to provide a verbal response indicative of said level of assistance required, said verbal response captured by said audio sensor, said additional data comprising said captured verbal response.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising an automated speech recognition module, said module operated to recognize and compare said verbal response with preset responses classified as a function of respective levels of assistance required.
5. The system of claim 4, said one or more sensors comprising a video sensor for capturing video data of the user, the system further comprising a video processing module for processing said video data in identifying the event.
6. The system of claim 1, said controller directly communicatively linked to said designated device for communicating said command directly thereto.
7. The system of claim 1, said controller communicatively linked to said designated device via an intermediary device, said command being communicated to said intermediary device to alter operation of said designated device.
8. The system of claim 7, the system further comprising said intermediary device.
9. The system of claim 7, said intermediary device comprising a relay operatively coupled between said designated device and a power source for said designated device, wherein said command comprises a power-off command and wherein said relay is preconfigured to interrupt power to said designated device upon receipt of said command.
10. The system of claim 9, said one or more sensors comprising an audio sensor for capturing audio data, said designated device comprising an audio device previously identified to cause audio interference with said audio sensor during operation, said power-off command thus eliminating said audio interference emanating from said audio device upon the system identifying the event, thus improving capture of said audio data thereafter in determining said level of assistance required.
11. The system of claim 1, said one or more sensors comprising a video sensor for capturing video data representative of the event, said one or more designated devices comprising a light source previously identified to effect video capture by said video sensor, said command comprising a lighting adjustment command predefined to improve said video capture.
12. The system of claim 1, the event comprising a fall of the user, said sensor data comprising video data, said controller comprising a video processing module for automatically identifying the fall from said video data.
13. A method for detecting and responding to a potential emergency event occurring in respect of a user in or near a designated area, the method automatically implemented by a computing device having access to stored statements and instructions to be processed thereby, the method comprising:
monitoring sensor data captured from one or more sensors disposed in or near the designated area and indicative of the user’s condition;
identifying the event from said monitored sensor data;
communicating a preset command to a designated device in or near the area, the device previously identified to effect capture of said sensor data, said command altering operation of said designated device in a manner previously identified to reduce said effect and thus optimize capture of additional sensor data; and
processing said additional data to determine a level of assistance required by the user in response to the event.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising prompting the user to provide a verbal response indicative of said level of assistance required, said additional data comprising audio data representative of said verbal response, said designated device comprising an audio device, said command comprising one of a device volume reduction command and a device turn off command.
15. The method of claim 14, said additional data processing comprising automatically recognizing and comparing said verbal response with preset responses classified as a function of respective levels of assistance required.
16. The method of claim 13, said communicating step comprising communicating said command to said device via an intermediary device.
17. The method of claim 16, said intermediary device comprising a relay operatively coupled between said designated device and a power source for said designated device, wherein said communicating step comprises turning off said designated device via said relay in response to detecting said potential emergency event.
18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
selecting a response protocol as a function of said determined level; and
implementing said selected response protocol.
19. A computer readable medium having statements and instructions stored thereon for operation by a processor of a computing device to automatically detect and respond to a potential emergency event occurring in respect of a user in or near a designated area by:
monitoring sensor data captured from one or more sensors disposed in or near the designated area and indicative of the user’s condition;
identifying the event from said monitored sensor data;
causing communication of a preset command to a designated device in or near the area, the device previously identified to effect capture of said sensor data, said command altering operation of said designated device in a manner previously identified to reduce said effect and thus optimize capture of additional sensor data; and
processing said additional data to determine a level of assistance required by the user in response to the event.
20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising statements and instructions for causing prompting of the user to provide a verbal response indicative of said level of assistance required, said additional data comprising audio data representative of said verbal response, said designated device comprising an audio device, said command comprising one of a device volume reduction command and a device turn off command.
21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, said additional data processing comprising automatically recognizing and comparing said verbal response with preset responses classified as a function of respective levels of assistance required.
22. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising statements and instructions for causing communication of said command to said device via an intermediary device.
23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, said intermediary device comprising a relay operatively coupled between said designated device and a power source for said designated device, said statements and instructions further for turning off said designated device via said relay in response to detecting the event.
24. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising statements and instructions for selecting a response protocol as a function of said determined level; and causing implementation of said selected response protocol.
25. A system for detecting and responding to a user having a fall in or near a designated area, the system comprising:
a detection module operatively coupled to one or more sensors disposed in or near the area to capture sensor data and detect the fall therefrom, said one or more sensors comprising at least one video sensor;
a controller operatively coupled to said detection module to implement a designated response protocol upon the fall being detected, said controller further operatively coupled to a designated device in or near the area, said response protocol comprising automatically:
evaluating a level of assistance required from said sensor data;
dispatching a request for assistance in accordance with said level of assistance required; and
communicating a command to said designated device to alter operation thereof based on stored preset home automation rules associated with said response protocol.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein operation of said designated device was previously identified to effect capture of said sensor data, said command altering operation of said designated device based on said previously identified effect so to improve capture of additional sensor data; said controller further processing said additional sensor data to evaluate said level of assistance required.
27. The system of claim 26, said one or more sensors comprising an audio sensor, the system further comprising a prompting device for prompting the user to provide a verbal response indicative of his condition, said verbal response captured by said audio sensor and automatically compared by said controller with preset responses indicative of said level of assistance required, said designated device comprising an audio device previously identified to produce audio interference with said audio sensor.