Systems and methods for automatic image capture on a mobile device

Abstract

Real-time evaluation and enhancement of image quality prior to capturing an image of a document on a mobile device is provided. An image capture process is initiated on a mobile device during which a user of the mobile device prepares to capture the image of the document, utilizing hardware and software on the mobile device to measure and achieve optimal parameters for image capture. Feedback may be provided to a user of the mobile device to instruct the user on how to manually optimize certain parameters relating to image quality, such as the angle, motion and distance of the mobile device from the document. When the optimal parameters for image capture of the document are achieved, at least one image of the document is automatically captured by the mobile device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of capturing an image of a document on a mobile device, comprising:
 initializing an image sensor on the mobile device to detect at least one image of the document;   measuring a value of at least one parameter related to quality of the at least one image being detected by the image sensor; and   capturing at least one image of the document when the value of the at least one measured parameter reaches or exceeds a threshold value.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one measured parameter is selected from at least one of: an angle of the mobile device with respect to the document; a distance of the mobile device from the document, movement of the mobile device, a lighting level of the image being detected, detection of all four corners of the document, a level of focus of the image being detected, a level of reflection of the document, and a size of the document within the image being detected. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting at least one parameter if its value does not reach the threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold value of one parameter is changed based on the measured value of a separate parameter. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a user of the mobile device is provided with feedback prior to the capturing of the at least one image which provides the user with at least one instruction for adjusting the at least one measured parameter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the feedback is visual feedback displayed on a display screen of the mobile device that is represented as a visual “icon” or “symbol,” representing how optimized the image is during the capture process. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the at least one image being detected by the image sensor in real-time on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising displaying a rectangular-shaped frame on the display screen while the image being detected by the image sensor is being displayed on the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the size of the rectangular-shaped frame corresponds to a threshold size of the document needed before the at least one image can be captured. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the rectangular-shaped frame changes color when edges of the document fit within the rectangular-shaped frame. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the rectangular-shaped frame animates when edges of the document fit within the rectangular-shaped frame. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a document-shaped outline is displayed over the probable document. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein an icon or image is displayed over the probable document, tracking the probable document per user movement. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein dynamic user feedback is also displayed on the display screen as text information. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein dynamic user feedback is also displayed on the display screen as non-text information. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein dynamic user feedback is given as audio cues. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein dynamic user feedback is also given as haptic cues. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a centering image is displayed instead of a rectangular shaped frame. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile device for capturing an image of a document, comprising:
 an image sensor which detects at least one image of the document;   a measurement unit which measures a value of at least one parameter related to the quality of the at least one image detected by the image sensor; and   an image capture unit which captures the at least one image of the document when the value of the at least one measured parameter reaches a threshold value.   
     
     
         20 . The mobile device of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one measured parameter is selected from at least one of: an angle of the mobile device with respect to the document; a distance of the mobile device from the document, movement of the mobile device, a lighting level of the image being detected, a contrast level of the image being taken, detection of all four corners of the document, a level of focus of the image being detected, a level of reflection of the document, and a size of the document within the image being detected. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile device of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one parameter is adjusted if its value does not reach the threshold value. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile device of  claim 19 , wherein the threshold value of one parameter is changed based on the measured value of a separate parameter. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile device of  claim 19 , wherein a user of the mobile device is provided with feedback prior to the capturing of the at least one image which provides the user with at least one instruction for adjusting the at least one measured parameter. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile device of  claim 23 , wherein the feedback is visual feedback displayed on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile device of  claim 23 , wherein the feedback is audio played through the speaker output of the mobile device. 
     
     
         26 . The mobile device of  claim 23 , wherein the feedback is haptic actuated through the vibration actuator of the mobile device. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile device of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one image being detected by the image sensor is displayed in real-time on a display screen of the mobile device. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile device of  claim 27 , wherein a document size detection unit displays a rectangular-shaped frame on the display screen while the image being detected by the image sensor is being displayed on the display screen. 
     
     
         29 . The mobile device of  claim 28 , wherein the size of the rectangular-shaped frame corresponds to a threshold size of the document needed before the at least one image can be captured. 
     
     
         30 . The mobile device of  claim 29 , wherein the rectangular-shaped frame changes color or animates when edges of the document fit within the rectangular-shaped frame.