Method for image capturing using unmanned image capturing device and electronic device supporting the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017192422-A1
Application number	US-201715398287-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 4, 2017
Priority date	Jan 4, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

An unmanned image capturing device and a method of operation thereof are provided. The unmanned image capturing device includes a movement device that moves the unmanned image capturing device; a camera; a communication circuit; a location detection circuit that detects a location of the unmanned image capturing device; a processor; and a memory that stores instructions. The processor moves the unmanned image capturing device, captures a plurality of images, detects a plurality of three-dimensional locations, at which the plurality of images are respectively captured, sends at least one of the captured images and information about the respective detected location of the at least one of the captured images, receives information about a change in the at least one of the captured images or information about an image selection, and controls the movement device to move the unmanned image capturing device to a location based on the received information.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An unmanned image capturing device comprising:
a movement device that moves the unmanned image capturing device; a camera; a communication circuit; a location detection circuit that detects a location of the unmanned image capturing device; a processor; and a memory that stores instructions, which when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to:
move the unmanned image capturing device using the movement device,
capture a plurality of images using the camera,
detect, using the location detection circuit, a plurality of three-dimensional locations, at which the plurality of images are respectively captured,
send, using the communication circuit, at least one of the captured images and information about the respective detected location of the at least one of the captured images,
receive, through the communication circuit, information about a change in the at least one of the captured images or information about an image selection, and
control the movement device to move the unmanned image capturing device to a location based on the received information.

2 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to capture the plurality of images while the unmanned image capturing device moves along a preset path.

3 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to generate at least one panorama image from the plurality of images.

4 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:
generate at least one preview image from the plurality of images; and send the at least one preview image using the communication circuit.

5 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the information about the change in the at least one of the captured images comprises change information about an image changed by at least one of moving, enlarging, and reducing of the at least one of the captured images.

6 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to calculate movement of the unmanned image capturing device using a spherical coordinate system or a cylindrical coordinate system with respect to an object that is recognized by using the camera or the communication circuit, based on the received information.

7 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 6 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:
maintain a same straight line distance from the object; and move the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, in response to the received information.

8 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 6 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to:
maintain a same horizontal distance from the object; and move the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, in response to the received information.

9 . The unmanned image capturing device of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to zoom the camera in or out, or to move the unmanned image capturing device closer to or far away from a specified object, based on the received information.

10 . A method of operating an unmanned image capturing device, the method comprising:
moving the unmanned image capturing device; capturing at least one image; sending the at least one image to a controller device that operates the unmanned image capturing device; receiving information about a change in the at least one image or information about an image selection from the controller device; and moving the unmanned image capturing device based on the received information.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein capturing the at least one image comprises capturing the at least one image at a preset location.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein capturing the at least one image comprises capturing a plurality of images while the unmanned image capturing device moves along a preset path.

13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising storing at least one of location information and setting information of the unmanned image capturing device, corresponding to the captured at least one image.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein sending the at least one image comprises:
generating a preview image of the at least one image; and sending data associated with the preview image to the controller device.

15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving the information about the change in the at least one image comprises receiving at least one of movement information and expansion information of the at least one image.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises:
maintaining a same straight line distance from a specified object; and moving the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, based on the movement information.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises:
maintaining a same horizontal distance from a specified object; and moving the unmanned image capturing device at least one of up, down, left, and right, based on the movement information.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein moving the unmanned image capturing device comprises zooming a camera in or out or moving the unmanned image capturing device closer to or farther away from a specified object, based on the expansion information.

19 . An electronic device for controlling an unmanned image capturing device, the electronic device comprising:
a display; a communication circuit that communicates with the unmanned image capturing device; a processor; and a memory that stores instructions and image data from the unmanned image capturing device, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to:
receive an image captured by the unmanned image capturing device,
output the captured image to the display,
receive a user input for converting the output image, and
send information based on the converted image to the unmanned image capturing device.

20 . The electronic device of claim 19 , wherein the instructions further instruct the processor to receive a second image from the unmanned image capturing device, the second image captured based on the sent information.

Assignees

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Tae Kyun
• Kim Min Young
• Lee Young Bae
• Lee Wu Seong
• Lee Jung Jae
• Kim Seung Nyun
• Yoon Byoung Uk
• Lee So Young

Classifications

• H04N23/69

  Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming · CPC title

• H04N23/66

  Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices · CPC title

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title

• B64U2201/20

  Remote controls · CPC title

• H04N23/50 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title