Abstract: Upon correcting blur of image capture data of an image capturing device by coded exposure processing, an exposure time and aperture value, which are set by a photometry unit of the image capturing device according to an object, are input, and the exposure time or aperture value is adjusted based on a ratio of shutter open periods in an opening and closing pattern of a shutter used in the coded exposure processing. Then, a gain adjustment value of the image capture data corresponding to a deficiency of an exposure amount by the adjusted exposure time or aperture value is set, image capture by an image capturing unit of the image capturing device is controlled based on the opening and closing pattern, exposure time, and aperture value.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes an imaging section, a selection section, and a shake correction section. The imaging section includes an imaging optical system and an imaging element, and captures images. The selection section selects shake correction parameter information from a plurality of pieces of shake correction parameter information based on the observation state of the imaging section. The shake correction section performs a shake correction process on the captured images based on the shake correction parameter information selected by the selection section.

Abstract: An image blur correcting unit allows the optical axis of a lens system to coincide with the center of an imager, thus correcting an image blur. The unit includes a stationary member and a holder member. The holder member holds either one of the elements of the lens system or the imager and moves relative to the stationary member in a first direction and a second direction, the first and second directions being orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The unit further includes a first guide section and a second guide section for guiding the holder member in the first and second directions during movement, and a driving section moving the holder member in the first and second directions. The one of the elements of the lens system or the imager is disposed outside an area surrounded by the first and second guide sections.

Abstract: An image capturing system for capturing and transmitting digital video images comprises an image sensor for acquiring digital image data at a particular time, a position control configured to control a position of at least one of the image sensor and the image capturing system based on a mechatronic model, at least one motion sensor configured to acquire position changes of the at least one of the image sensor and the image capturing system, and an output interface via which the acquired image data and associated metadata can be transmitted to an image data processing system, the metadata comprising the following data: up-to-date control data for position control at the particular time of the image data acquisition, an up-to-date parameter set of the mechatronic model at the particular time of the image data acquisition, and accumulated output data of the at least one motion sensor between the particular time of the image data acquisition and a time of a previous image data acquisition.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes an extracting part extracting feature points in each of plural images sequentially generated by an image pickup apparatus, a calculating part calculating motion vectors at the feature points in each of the plural images, a clustering part performing clustering processing on the motion vectors calculated at the feature points, a determining part determining, among plural clusters, a specific cluster including a motion vector indicating motion of the image pickup apparatus. The apparatus further includes an estimation detecting part detecting, by using an estimation method which uses information relating to the specific cluster of a first image, the specific cluster of a second image generated after generation of the first image, and a processing part performing image stabilization processing on the second image based on the motion vector included in the specific cluster of the second image.

Abstract: A recognition object detecting portion detects a recognition object existing in each of images which are captured in series at different time points by a camera. Images of the detected recognition object are stored in a memory. A recognition object condition judging portion determines whether image areas of the recognition object are recognizable. A movement amount detecting portion detects a movement amount of the recognition object by using the image areas of the recognition object stored in the memory. A sub-area detecting portion detects a sub-area to be recognized, by using the image areas of the recognition object read out from the memory, in accordance with the movement amount of the recognition object. A recognition portion performs recognition processing on the sub-areas. A recognition result integration portion integrates recognition results of the sub-areas including recognized characters and/or recognized patterns and the corresponding reliabilities, respectively.

Abstract: Video data that includes a plurality of images acquired over time are processed in an apparatus immediately after acquiring the video data, or during some later post-processing of the video data, to reduce the effects of unintended motion in the acquired images. Coarse and fine compensation for motion is performed on video frames that correspond to the acquired images. A coarse compensation value is employed to compress each video frame that is both coarse and fine motion compensated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program is provided. The apparatus includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing a computer program including computer program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause at least the following to be performed: determining at least one area of interest in a scene imaged by an image sensor; initiating capture of a image, including the at least one area of interest, by causing the image sensor to be exposed to light conveyed by an optical arrangement; detecting movement of the apparatus during capture of the image; and controlling movement of at least one of: the image sensor and the optical arrangement, in dependence upon the detected movement of the apparatus and the at least one area of interest, in order to mitigate the perspective error, at the at least one area of interest, in the image being captured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing an image in a plurality of video frames consisting of a current frame and at least one previous frame. The position of at least one pixel in each of the plurality of frames is determined to provide respective determined positions. An adjusted position of the at least one pixel in the current frame is calculated based on the determined positions.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method of preventing image degradation due to shaking of an image photographing device. An apparatus for preventing image degradation due to shaking of an image photographing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image acquiring unit to acquire a plurality of images of a predetermined subject using a second exposure time shorter than a first exposure time, a scale adjusting unit to adjust scales of the plurality of acquired images, and an image restoring unit to restore images of the subject using the plurality of images whose scales are adjusted.

Abstract: An optical unit and image pickup apparatus capable of performing “auto focus function” and “image shake correction function” and characterized by easy assembling, compact configuration, high performance and reduced costs is provided. The optical unit and image pickup apparatus are provided with a polymer actuator to move an optical device, whereby performing auto focus function and image shake correction function can be performed. The polymer actuator is provided with electric wirings for image pickup device, thereby reducing the number of circuit board used for electric wiring of the image pickup device, with the result that an optical unit and image pickup apparatus characterized by easy assembling, compact configuration, high performance and reduced costs are provided.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an imaging/focus detection element, in which focus detection pixel rows are incorporated in a two-dimensional array of a plurality of imaging pixels, that outputs image signals and focus detection signals, a focus detection unit that detects a state of focal adjustment at a photographic optical system based upon the focus detection signal, an image blur detection unit that detects an image blur quantity, a reliability judgment unit that judges, based upon the blur quantity, whether or not the state of focal adjustment detected in correspondence to a focus detection pixel row disposed along a direction different from a rolling shutter scanning direction among the focus detection pixel rows is reliable, and a focal adjustment unit that executes focal adjustment for the photographic optical system based upon the state of focal adjustment judged to be reliable by the reliability judgment unit.

Abstract: A direction instructing operation unit instructs a control unit to change a direction of a change in the photographic screen range. First motor drives a compensation optical system and second motor drives a compensation optical system in accordance with the control command given by the control unit. When the direction along which framing adjustment has been instructed by the direction instructing operation unit matches neither the drive direction of the first motor nor the drive direction of the second motor for driving the compensation optical system, the control unit matches a drive start time and a drive end time of both the first motor and the second motor, and then controls the ratio of the speed of the second drive unit to the speed of the first drive unit at a constant level to thereby control the moving direction of the photographic screen range.

Abstract: Method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to restoration of corrupted images using spatial-domain image-processing methods that can effectively employ spatial-domain information both in order to avoid various types of artifacts and distortions produced by frequency-domain image-processing operations and to achieve computational efficiency. The various method and system embodiments of the present invention employ a family of penalty functions to constrain iterative restoration images corrupted by both deterministic corruptions, such as motion-induced blur and blurring due to optical misalignment, incorrect positioning of optical components, and defective optical components as well as essentially non-deterministic noise corruption introduced at various stages of image acquisition, image encoding, image storage, and image transmission.

Abstract: An optical unit with shake correcting function may include a movable module having a lens, a fixed body supporting the movable module, a shake detection sensor for detecting shake of the movable module, and at least one pair of magnetic drive mechanism for shake correction which is structured on both sides of the movable module so that the movable module is swung with respect to the fixed body on the basis of detection result of the shake detection sensor to correct the shake of the movable module. The magnetic drive mechanism for shake correction is disposed so that a shake correction magnet is held by the fixed body and a shake correction coil is held by the movable module.

Abstract: A lens actuator includes a housing, a loading plate, a moving unit, four magnetic elements, and an elastic plate. The housing and the loading plate cooperatively form an accommodating room. The housing includes a top panel having four fixing portions. The moving unit is movably received in the accommodating room. The four magnetic elements are received in the accommodating room around the moving unit, and are fixed on four inner sidewalls of the housing. The elastic plate is disposed between the top panel and the moving unit, and the four fixing portions of the housing firmly press the elastic plate on the four magnetic elements.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which photo-electrically converts an object image, a memory which stores foreign substance area information associated with a foreign substance adhering to an optical member disposed in front of the image sensor, a positional shift detection unit which detects the mutual positional shifts between a plurality of images generated by sensing almost the same object by the image sensor, an image composition unit which positions and composites the plurality of images on the basis of the detection result obtained by the positional shift detection unit, and an image correction unit which corrects at least parts of the plurality of images on the basis of the detection result obtained by the positional shift detection unit and the foreign substance area information stored in the memory.

Abstract: To provide an image including no blur from a plurality of images acquired by a camera array image capturing device. An image processing device of the present invention is characterized by including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of images captured by a camera array image capturing device having a plurality of image capturing units the exposure conditions of which are different from one another, an overlap region calculation unit configured to calculate an overlap region in which field angles overlap in the plurality of image capturing units from the acquired plurality of images, and a blurred image detection unit configured to detect an image including a blur using a region image of the plurality of images corresponding to the overlap region calculated by the overlap region calculation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for obtaining a motion adaptive high dynamic range image, in which a motion degree of a first image and a second taken using different exposure times is calculated. The motion calculation intensity is adjusted based on the calculated motion degree. The motion compensation intensity involves a global motion compensation and/or a location motion compensation. Images subjected to compensation are synthesized and output, so that an image having high dynamic range is obtained.

Abstract: A method of improving a video image by removing the effects of camera vibration comprising the steps of, obtaining a reference frame, receiving an incoming frame, determining the frame translation vector for the incoming frame, translating the incoming frame to generate a realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the reference frame, determining the absolute difference between the filtered pixels in the reference frame and the filtered pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the temporal domain on the pixels in the realigned frame to generate the output frame if the absolute difference is less than a predetermined threshold, and providing the realigned frame as the output frame if the absolute difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a section that detects a local motion vector for each block forming an image from a standard image and a reference image; a section that executes motion compensation on the reference image employing the local motion vector to generate a local motion-compensated image; a section that calculates a single global motion vector for the entire standard image and the entire reference image employing the local motion vector and that executes motion compensation on the reference image employing the global motion vector to generate a global motion-compensated image; and a section that calculates respective reliabilities of the local motion-compensated image and the global motion-compensated image in units of image regions and that executes a process to synthesize pixel values of the local motion-compensated image and pixel values of the global motion-compensated image in accordance with the reliabilities to generate a blended motion-compensated image.

Abstract: Conventional apparatuses did not pay enough attention to assisting operations when the user is in a state differing from the normal, state. Therefore, provided is a photography lens that comprises a first biometric detection apparatus that is capable of detecting change in biometric information of a photographer, or a photographing apparatus that captures an image and comprises a holding section, an operating section for performing an image capturing operation, and a second biometric detection apparatus that is capable of detecting change in biometric information of a photographer and that is disposed in at least one of the holding section and the operating section.

Abstract: The described implementations relate to deblurring images. One system includes an imaging device configured to capture an image, a linear motion detector and a rotational motion detector. This system also includes a controller configured to receive a signal from the imaging device relating to capture of the image and to responsively cause the linear motion detector and the rotational motion detector to detect motion-related information. Finally, this particular system includes a motion calculator configured to recover camera motion associated with the image based upon the detected motion-related information and to infer imaging device motion induced blur of the image and an image deblurring component configured to reduce imaging device induced blur from the image utilizing the inferred camera motion induced blur.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals are provided. The method and an apparatus adopting the method are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken image by correction of inter-frame and intra-frame hand movements in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. To be more specific, this method is capable of correcting distortion observed in a taken image as distortion caused by a positional change, which occurs in the horizontal and/or vertical directions of the taken image at a photographing time as a positional change of the image-taking device. In accordance with the method, in a frame period of a taken image, an inter-frame correction quantity for a positional change of the device is detected and, on the basis of the detected inter-frame correction quantity, the positional change is corrected to eliminate a displacement observed when the frame changes to the next one as a displacement of the taken image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup device, a device that obtains an image from the image pickup device, a sensor that detects a roll angle of the sensor, wherein the sensor detects a reference roll angle of the sensor when the imaging apparatus is disposed at a predetermined roll angle, a device that calculates a reference roll angle of the image pickup device by using a reference image from the image pickup device when the imaging apparatus is disposed at the predetermined roll angle and a device that corrects a roll angle of the sensor by calculating a relative roll angle from the reference roll angle of the image pickup device and the reference roll angle of the sensor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a still/motion determining unit and a motion blur adder. The still/motion determining unit makes a still/motion determination for each region of respective unit images constituting motion image data. The motion blur adder then adds motion blur to the motion image data on the basis of the still/motion determination and imaging information expressing parameters whereby the motion image data was generated as a result of imaging by an imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing device (200) according to the present invention includes: a shooting period obtaining unit (205) configured to obtain a shooting period; an imaging unit (202) which includes a plurality of pixels each converting light into an electrical signal, and which has a first mode in which a low-resolution image signal is outputted and a second mode in which a high-resolution image signal is outputted, the low-resolution image signal including electrical signals converted by a first number of pixels among the plurality of pixels, the high-resolution image signal including electrical signals converted by a second number of pixels among the plurality of pixels, and the second number being greater than the first number; a control unit (210) configured to cause the imaging unit (202) to operate in the first mode during the shooting period, and to operate in the second mode during a period other than the shooting period; and a super-resolution unit (203) configured to generate a super-resolution image si

Abstract: A first calculating section calculates an amount of camera-shake correction based on an amount of shaking of the image pickup apparatus which has been detected, when each of a first capturing and a second capturing is carried out. A second calculating section calculates at least an amount of optical tilt-displacement between the image pickup element and an object for the first capturing, which is necessary for the second capturing, and the second calculating section calculates one of an amount of shift by which some of the image pickup lenses and the interchangeable image pickup lenses are to be shifted in a predetermined direction, and an amount of change by which an angle of an image pickup surface of the image pickup element with respect to the optical axial direction is to be changed, while the first capturing and the second capturing are being carried out.

Abstract: An image-blur correction device includes a vibration detection unit which detects vibrations of two different detection axes in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, a correction unit which corrects vibration using a correction optical system which is displaced in directions of at least two correction axes different from the detection axes in the plane, a calculation unit that calculates amounts of displacements used to drive the correction optical system so that image-blur generated due to the vibrations is corrected based on amounts of vibrations obtained using the vibration detection unit, a coordinate conversion unit which rotates amounts of vibrations in the two detection axes relative to the corresponding at least two correction axes for conversion through calculations, and a restriction unit which restricts a driving range of the correction unit based on a displacement-amount restriction value obtained from a performance limitation region of the correction optical system.

Abstract: The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an intermediate image generating unit configured to input an image which has been shot with differing exposure times set by region, generates a plurality of exposure pattern images corresponding to differing exposure times based on the input image, and generates a plurality of timing images which are difference images of the plurality of exposure pattern images; and a distortion correction processing unit configured to generate a corrected image equivalent to an exposure processing image at a predetermined exposure time by synthesizing processing of the plurality of timing images.

Abstract: An image blur correcting unit allows the optical axis of a lens system to coincide with the center of an imager, thus correcting an image blur. The unit includes a stationary member and a holder member. The holder member holds either one of the elements of the lens system or the imager and moves relative to the stationary member in a first direction and a second direction, the first and second directions being orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The unit further includes a first guide section and a second guide section for guiding the holder member in the first and second directions during movement, and a driving section moving the holder member in the first and second directions. The one of the elements of the lens system or the imager is disposed outside an area surrounded by the first and second guide sections.

Abstract: An ocular motor controller for preventing an image blur by using the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex in response to translational movement. The ocular motor controller comprises an image pickup section (20) used as an ocular device, an ocular drive section (30) for rotating the image pickup section, a distance information acquisition section (40) for acquiring information concerning the distance from the image pickup section (20) to a visual target (1), a translational movement sensor (50) for measuring the variation due to the translational movement of a moving object, and a correction section (60) for utilizing the rotational movement driven by the ocular drive section.

Abstract: A video camera includes an image sensor which repeatedly outputs an object scene image produced on an imaging surface by an exposure operation of a focal-plane electronic shutter system in a raster scanning manner. A post-processing circuit extracts a partial object scene image belonging to an extraction area, out of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor. A moving image based on the extracted partial object scene image is displayed on an LCD monitor by an LCD driver. A motion detecting circuit detects motion of the imaging surface in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis. A position of the extraction area is changed by a CPU so that the motion detected by the motion detecting circuit is compensated. The CPU also changes a shape of the extraction area so that a focal plane distortion is restrained, based on the motion detected by the motion detecting circuit.

Abstract: An image stabilization system includes an optical assembly configured to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by a target and produce focused image of the target; a focal plane array, the focal plane array being configured to receive the image and integrate at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation making up the image to produce an electrical representation of the image; sensors configured to provide kinematic data; a control system receiving the kinematic data and estimating jitter-induced motion of the image on the focal plane and outputting a control signal; and piezo-electric actuators configured to receive the control signal and to translate the focal plane along two orthogonal axes and rotate the focal plane about a third orthogonal axis such that jitter-induced motion of the image on the focal plane is reduced.

Abstract: Evaluation of multi-dimensional high order polynomials at high speed requires complex computing resources. This invention comprises a computing apparatus which allows the efficient and high speed calculation of such polynomials with a relatively simple computing resource. The computing resource consists entirely of adders and latches. There are no multipliers. The invention has particular application for the removal of low frequency image distortion due to kinetic heating in IR imaging missiles.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized image sensor device having high precision of moving an object to be moved. The image sensor device includes: a fixed unit; a movable unit including an image sensor; a beam unit fixed to the fixed unit and movably supporting the movable unit; a driving unit for applying a driving force for moving the movable unit; and a wire unit provided for the beam unit and electrically connecting the image sensor and an external circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for correcting image artifacts in a high dynamic range image formed by combining a plurality of exposures taken at different integration periods. A determination is made as to whether there is motion between the exposures. If motion is detected, pixel signal values chosen are replaced with pixel signal values from another exposure.

Abstract: A digital camera system has integrated accelerometers for determining static and dynamic accelerations of the digital cameral system. Data relating to static and dynamic accelerations are stored with recorded image data for further processing, such as for correcting image data for roll, pitch and vibrations and for displaying recorded images with a predetermined orientation using information about, e.g., roll. Data may also be used on-the-fly for smear suppression caused by vibrations.

Abstract: An image processing device that produces a restored image that gives people natural feeling when a shot image with longer exposure time on the way to image blurring due to hand jiggling or an end portion is restored. The image processing device comprises an image processing unit that produces a restored image approximated to an original image from an object image to be processed, which is fluctuated against the original image due to movement of an image shooting device during exposure. The image processing unit produces the restored image while making the restored image correspond to a position having the longest exposure time for an object image to be processed.

Abstract: A portable device includes an imaging unit that captures an image of an object and generates image data of the object, a display unit that displays an image of the image data, an input unit that receives input of an operation instruction on an operation performed by the portable device, a moving-state determining unit that determines a moving state of the portable device when the potable device captures an image, and a control unit that changes a content of the operation instruction received by the input unit, depending on a determination result of the moving-state determining unit.

Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera is configured for making it possible to reduce deterioration in image quality due to a camera shake or an object movement and to easily pick up an image with a good image quality. In a digital single-lens reflex camera (1), when an object speed is detected on the basis of a detected object movement, a body microprocessor (12) judges if the object speed is equal to a threshold value (A) or more and, if it is smaller than the threshold value (A), controls a conversion lens camera shake correcting device (82) in a conversion lens (2) or a camera body shake correcting device (75) in a camera body (3) to carry out the camera shake correction.

Abstract: Upon correcting blur of image capture data of an image capturing device by coded exposure processing, an exposure time and aperture value, which are set by a photometry unit of the image capturing device according to an object, are input, and the exposure time or aperture value is adjusted based on a ratio of shutter open periods in an opening and closing pattern of a shutter used in the coded exposure processing. Then, a gain adjustment value of the image capture data corresponding to a deficiency of an exposure amount by the adjusted exposure time or aperture value is set, image capture by an image capturing unit of the image capturing device is controlled based on the opening and closing pattern, exposure time, and aperture value.

Abstract: Electronic devices may include image sensors and processing circuitry. Image sensors may be used to capture multiple exposure images. Processing circuitry may be used to combine multiple exposure images into high-dynamic-range images. A motion correction method is provided that detects motion between multiple exposure images without using a frame buffer. A noise model is used to separate noise from motion for more accurate motion detection. A dilation operator may be used to enlarge a motion mask generated by the motion detector. Motion-corrected images may be generated from the multiple exposure images using a soft switch based on the motion strength. Motion-corrected multiple exposure images may be combined to generate a motion-corrected HDR image. A smoothing filter may be applied to the motion region of the motion-corrected HDR image. A blooming correction may be used to eliminate color artifacts in the motion-corrected HDR image.

Abstract: Provided is an image shake correction apparatus including: an image taking optical system for taking an image of a subject; an angular velocity detection unit for detecting an angular velocity applied to the apparatus and outputting a first signal; an acceleration detection unit for detecting an acceleration applied to the apparatus and outputting a second signal; an axial rotation angular velocity calculation unit for calculating an axial rotation angular velocity component about a principal point of the image taking optical system based on the first signal; a revolution angular velocity calculation unit for calculating a revolution angular velocity component about the subject based on the second signal and a result of the calculating by the axial rotation angular velocity calculation unit; and a control unit for performing image shake correction control based on a difference between the axial rotation angular velocity component and the revolution angular velocity component.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method are provided. The digital photographing apparatus includes: a data obtainer that obtains long exposure first data about a first image of a subject and short exposure second data about a second image of the subject; a third data generator that generates third data about a third image by warping the first data so that the subject of the first image and the subject of the second image match each other; and a second data amender which, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, amends the second data so that the second data value S(x, y) at the pixel (x, y) of the second image has the third data value W(x, y) at the pixel (x, y) of the third image.

Abstract: Simulating a long exposure-time image from a sequence of short exposure-time images captured at slightly different times. The sequence of images is combined in a temporal integration process to create a long exposure image that simulates the output from a still camera, steadied by a tripod, whose light-sensitive material has been exposed to the same scene from the time of the beginning of the first input image of the sequence to the last image of the input sequence. The method overcomes limitations of hand-held video and image recording devices, allowing the user to easily create effects normally associated with high-end digital still cameras under expert control.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of preventing photographing sensitivity from being increased more than necessary, reducing image quality degradation caused by camera shake or object shake and easily photographing images in good image quality.

Abstract: A multi-mode digital photography method including generating an output image of a location L at a specific time t which is identified as a function of a user-selected photography task, the method including generating an output image of a particular scene which is built up from a plurality of images thereof, as another function of a user-selected photography task.

Abstract: A device to take photographs and a photographing control method are provided. The device includes a processor to response to user operation to direct a distance sensor to sense a distance between the device and an object which the user intends or might want to shoot. The processor further directs a speed sensor to sense a movement speed of the device, and directs a timer to record time passing. The processor determines the photographing range of an image capturing unit according to the sensed distance and the field of view of the image capturing unit, and calculates a movement distance of the device in real time according to the sensed speed and the recorded time. The processor automatically directs the taking of a photograph when it determines that the movement distance has reached an integer multiple of the photographing range.