Computing a higher resoultion image from multiple lower resolution images using model-based, robust bayesian estimation

Abstract

A result higher resolution (HR) image of a scene given multiple, observed lower resolution (LR) images of the scene is computed using a Bayesian estimation image reconstruction methodology. The methodology yields the result HR image based on a Likelihood probability function that implements a model for the formation of LR images in the presence of noise. This noise is modeled by a probabilistic, non-Gaussian, robust function. The image reconstruction methodology may be used to enhance the image quality of images or video captured using a low resolution image capture device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

1 . A method comprising: 
 storing user configurable image information;    capturing a plurality of low resolution images of a scene; and    transmitting the plurality of low resolution images to a computing device to create a super resolution image of the scene.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user configurable image information includes a desired resolution value.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the image information further includes a desired image processing model.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the image information further includes a number of images to capture.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing a completion file after capturing a plurality of low resolution images, wherein the completion file includes at least an actual resolution value for the low resolution images and a total number of images captured.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the completion file further includes the desired image processing model and the desired super resolution value.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising transmitting the completion file to the computing device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the super resolution image from the computing device.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting occurs over a wireless interface.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein transmitting occurs over a Bluetooth interface.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising making the plurality of low resolution images available to a file sharing service.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the file sharing service is a Samba server.  
     
     
         13 . An article of manufacture comprising a machine-accessible medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to: 
 store user configurable image information, wherein the user configurable image information includes a specified number of images to capture;    capture the specified number of images;    share the images with a file sharing service; and    transmit the images over a wireless interface to a computing device to create a super resolution image.    
     
     
         14 . The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions further cause the machine to receive the super resolution image and to store the super resolution image.  
     
     
         15 . The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the user configurable image information further includes a desired resolution value and a desired image processing model.  
     
     
         16 . The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the file sharing service is a Samba server.  
     
     
         17 . The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless interface is a Bluetooth interface.  
     
     
         18 . A system comprising: 
 an image capture device to store user configurable image information, to capture a plurality of low resolution images, and to store the low resolution images in a shared file space; and    a computing device to be coupled to wirelessly coupled to an image capturing device, the computing device to detect the low resolution images, to transfer the low resolution images from the image capturing device, and to increase the resolution of the low resolution images using Bayesian estimation image reconstruction.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the image capture device is a mobile camera phone.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the computing device is a notebook computer.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the shared file space is a Samba file server.