Patent Application
20150355780
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for image management, and, more particularly to methods and systems for intuitively refocusing images.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable devices, such as handheld devices, have become more and more technically advanced and multifunctional. For example, a handheld device may have telecommunications capabilities, e-mail message capabilities, image capture capabilities, an advanced address book management system, a media playback system, and various other functions. Due to increased convenience and functions of the devices, these devices have become necessities of life.
As described, a handheld device may have image capture capabilities. Currently, a function called ‘Focus Adjustment’ is provided on the portable devices, such as cameras. In an example, several images with the same scene are captured during the image capture process, wherein respective images have respective focuses at different positions corresponding to objects on the image. When the images are viewed, the image can be refocused to any position where the user selected on the image.
Additionally, a touch-sensitive screen can be equipped on the portable devices. Users can directly input data, such as controls or commands to the portable devices via the touch-sensitive screen. For example, when an image is viewed, a user can directly perform a zoom-in command via the screen, such that the image is magnified, and the magnified image is displayed on the screen.
Conventionally, if users want to see more details in the image with the capability of focus adjustment, users need to do two steps. At first, users need to zoom in the image. Secondly, users need to tap the interested area on the screen to refocus the image. It would take two steps to accomplish the user's request.
Methods and systems for intuitively refocusing images are provided.
In an embodiment of a method for intuitively refocusing images, an image is displayed on a touch-sensitive display unit, wherein the image is provided with a capability of focus adjustment. It is determined whether a contact event on the touch-sensitive display unit is detected. When a contact event is detected, the image is magnified according to a specific position where the contact event indicated on the image, and the image is refocused to the specific position.
An embodiment of a system for intuitively refocusing images comprises a touch-sensitive display unit and a processing unit. The touch-sensitive display unit displays an image, wherein the image is provided with a capability of focus adjustment. The processing unit determines whether a contact event on the touch-sensitive display unit is detected. When a contact event is detected, the processing unit magnifies the image according to a specific position where the contact event indicated on the image, and refocuses the image to the specific position.
In some embodiments, when a contact event is detected on the touch-sensitive display unit, the specific position of the magnified image is displayed at the center of the touch-sensitive display unit.
In some embodiments, the step of refocusing the image to the specific position comprising retrieving the image with a focus on the specific position from a plurality of the images, wherein the respective images have respective focuses at different positions.
In some embodiments, the contact event comprises a zoom-in gesture. In some embodiments, the zoom-in gesture can comprise a tap, a double tap, and/or a pinch on the touch-sensitive display unit.
Methods for intuitively refocusing images may take the form of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method.
The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Methods and systems for intuitively refocusing images are provided.
The system for intuitively refocusing images 100 comprises a touch-sensitive display unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130. The touch-sensitive display unit 110 may be a screen integrated with a touch-sensitive device (not shown). The touch-sensitive device has a touch-sensitive surface comprising sensors in at least one dimension to detect contact and movement of an input tool, such as a stylus or finger on the touch-sensitive surface. That is, users can directly input related data via the touch-sensitive display unit 110. Further, the touch-sensitive display unit 110 can display related figures and interfaces, and related data, such as images. The storage unit 120 comprises at least one image 121. It is noted that, in the embodiment, the image 121 is provided with a capability of focus adjustment. It is understood that, in some embodiments, a plurality of the images with the same scene are captured during the image capture process, wherein respective images have respective focuses at different positions corresponding to objects on the image. In some embodiments, focus information corresponding to respective objects in the image can be stored during the image capture process. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the system for intuitively refocusing images 100 can also comprise an image capture unit (not shown in
In step S210, an image is displayed on a touch-sensitive display unit. It is noted that, in the embodiment, the image is provided with a capability of focus adjustment. It is understood that, in some embodiments, a plurality of the images with the same scene are captured during the image capture process, wherein respective images have respective focuses at different positions corresponding to objects on the image. In some embodiments, focus information corresponding to respective objects in the image can be stored during the image capture process. The focus information can be used for the focus adjustment of the image. In step S220, it is determined whether a contact event on the touch-sensitive display unit is detected. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the contact event may comprise a zoom-in gesture, such as a tap, a double tap, and/or a pinch on the touch-sensitive display unit. It is understood that, the above contact events are examples of the embodiment, and the present invention is not limited thereto. If no contact event is detected (No in step S220), the procedure remains at step S220. When a contact event is detected on the touch-sensitive display unit (Yes in step S220), in step S230, the image is magnified according to a specific position where the contact event indicated on the image, and in step S240, the image is refocused to the specific position. It is understood that, in some embodiments, when a contact event is detected on the touch-sensitive display unit, the specific position of the magnified image is displayed at the center of the touch-sensitive display unit. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the step of image refocusing of step S240 is performed by retrieving the image with a focus on the specific position from a plurality of the images, wherein the respective images have respective focuses at different positions. In some embodiments, the step of image refocusing of step S240 is performed by generating the image with a focus on the specific position according to the focus information corresponding to respective objects in the image, which are recorded during the image capture process.
It is understood that, in some embodiments, before the step of image refocusing of step S240, it is further determined whether the image is provided with a capability of focus adjustment. If the image is not provided with a capability of focus adjustment, the procedure is terminated. If the image is provided with a capability of focus adjustment, the step of image refocusing of step S240 is performed.
An example follows.
Therefore, the methods and systems for intuitively refocusing images of the present invention can help users to magnify and refocus the image in a simple and intuitive step, thereby improving the efficiency of image process, and saving related resources, such as battery power of the electronic device.
Methods for intuitively refocusing images, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalent.
