Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211941 | DIGITAL CAMERA USING MULTIPLE IMAGE SENSORS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED TEMPORAL SAMPLING - A method and apparatus for capturing image data from multiple image sensors and generating an output image sequence are disclosed. The multiple image sensors capture data with one or more different characteristics, such as: staggered exposure periods, different length exposure periods, different frame rates, different spatial resolution, different lens systems, and different focal lengths. The data from multiple image sensors is processed and interleaved to generate an improved output motion sequence relative to an output motion sequence generated from an a single equivalent image sensor. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218611 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A DUAL LENS CAMERA TO AUGMENT AN IMAGE - An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The sensor output from the first imaging stage is used as a primary output image for forming the captured image signal and the sensor output from the second imaging stage is used as a secondary output image for modifying the primary output image, thereby generating an enhanced, captured image signal. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218613 | CAMERA USING MULTIPLE LENSES AND IMAGE SENSORS OPERABLE IN A DEFAULT IMAGING MODE - An electronic camera includes first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, one of the stages being designated as a default imaging stage. A processor enables capture and display of the separate images, and further responds to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera. If the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period, or if the camera is actuated before the time has run out, the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit. | 09-11-2008 |
20080219654 | CAMERA USING MULTIPLE LENSES AND IMAGE SENSORS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED FOCUSING CAPABILITY - An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage either (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage as the captured image signal and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal for the selected imaging stage, or (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage as the captured image signal and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal for the selected imaging stage. | 09-11-2008 |
20080231740 | CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE DISPLAYS - The present disclosure relates to a digital camera including a first image display formed on the surface of the camera body. The digital camera also includes a second image display mounted to the camera body and deployable to at least one viewing position in which the first and second image displays provide a combined display area. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231741 | CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE DISPLAYS - The present disclosure relates to a digital camera including a first image display formed on the surface of the camera body. The digital camera also includes a second image display mounted to the camera body and deployable to at least one viewing position in which the first and second image displays provide a combined display area. | 09-25-2008 |
20090076964 | PROVIDING MULTIPLE PAYMENT SCHEDULES FOR STORING IMAGS AND UTILIZING THE STORED IMAGES - A method of selecting images from a plurality of images previously stored by a user in a memory location of a service provider and ordering services to be provided utilizing the images includes establishing a service account for the user with the service provider to permit the user to have access to ordered services, receiving and storing a plurality of images along with a designated date in the memory location, and displaying image designators for at least a subset of the images for viewing by the user. The method also includes the user selecting at least one image to be utilized after viewing the displayed images, and selecting a service, receiving payment for the selected service for the selected image based upon a payment schedule that depends upon the designated date associated with the selected image, and providing the selected service using the selected image. | 03-19-2009 |
20090284637 | REVISED RECAPTURE CAMERA AND METHOD - In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration. | 11-19-2009 |
20090297065 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING AFFECTIVE INFORMATION IN A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM - An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values. | 12-03-2009 |
20100073489 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE FOR SELECTIVELY TRANSMITTING IMAGES OVER A CELLULAR PHONE NETWORK AND A WIRELESS LAN NETWORK TO A DESTINATION - Digital camera includes an image sensor receiving incident light of a scene, the digital camera captures an image corresponding to the incident light; display displays the plurality of captured images and displays a menu of destinations; at least one user input for selection of at least one image from the plurality of captured images and a destination from the menu of destinations displayed on the display; communications interface transmits the at least one selected image to the selected destination over one of a plurality of networks, the plurality of networks including at least two different types of wireless networks; memory; and processor coupled to the image sensor, the display, the at least one user input, the communications interface, and the memory, the processor controlling the transmission of the at least one selected image to the selected destination using either one of the at least two different types of wireless networks. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079619 | Automatically transmitting images from an electronic camera to a service provider using a network configuration file - A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password. | 04-01-2010 |
20100110205 | Transmitting digital images to a plurality of selected receivers over a radio frequency link - An electronic camera system includes a programmable transmission capability for selectively transmitting electronic image data to a plurality of remote base units. In one embodiment, a camera module is detachably coupled to a portable computer including a display screen and a data entry device. The electronic image data generated by the camera module is supplied to the portable computer for display on the display screen. The data entry device is used by an operator to select which of the plurality of base units are to receive the digital image data. The digital image data is supplied by the portable computer to a radio-frequency transmitter module for transmission to the selected base units. The radio-frequency transmitter module is formed either integral with the portable computer or, like the camera module, is detachably coupled to the portable computer. In a further embodiment, a combined telephone/camera unit is provided that includes a camera module for generating electronic image data representative of a scene to be imaged, a memory unit for storing the electronic image data generated by the camera module, a display screen for displaying the electronic image data stored in the memory unit, a mechanism for selecting which of the plurality of base units is to receive the digital image data, and a cellular transceiver for transmitting the digital image data to the base units selected by the selection mechanism. | 05-06-2010 |
20100245625 | IDENTIFYING COLLECTION IMAGES WITH SPECIAL EVENTS - A method for associating event times or time periods with digital images in a collection for determining if a digital image is of interest, includes storing a collection of digital images each having an associated capture time; comparing the associated capture time in the collection with a special event time to determine if a digital image in the collection is of interest, wherein the comparing step includes calculation of a special event time associated with a special event based on the calendar time associated with the special event and using such information to perform the comparison step; and associating digital images of interest with the special event. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251171 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE WHICH ADAPTS TO VIEWING DISTANCE - A viewing system includes a display screen; a processor for providing pictorial images and a graphical user interface menu to be displayed on the display screen; a user interface control for enabling a user to select particular items from the graphical user interface menu in order to control the pictorial images displayed on the display screen; and means for automatically determining the proximate distance between the display screen and the user; wherein the graphical user interface menu is modified responsive to the proximate distance. | 09-30-2010 |
20100277616 | IMAGE FILE FOR STORING DIGITAL IMAGES AND ANCILLARY DATA VALUES USING MULTIPLE ENCODING METHODS - An image format for storing digital images within a baseline DCT compatible bitstream comprises entropy coded image data, a first application marker storing a first data value using a first encoding method to convey a first information value related to the image, and a second application marker storing a second data value using a second encoding method to convey the same said first information value related to the image. More specifically, the first application marker uses TIFF tags within an Exif application marker and the second application marker uses a FlashPix compatible structured storage stream, while the entropy coded data includes restart markers to define tile boundaries within the entropy coded image data. | 11-04-2010 |
20110025713 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A system and method for creating an electronic icon containing information unique to a particular user including information allowing access with respect to a particular digital media file having the icon associated therewith over a communication network by a third party. | 02-03-2011 |
20110032388 | DIGITAL VIDEO SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING VIDEO SEQUENCES - An image processing system ( | 02-10-2011 |
20110099478 | IDENTIFYING COLLECTION IMAGES WITH SPECIAL EVENTS - A method for associating event times or time periods with digital images in a collection for determining if a digital image is of interest, includes storing a collection of digital images each having an associated capture time; comparing the associated capture time in the collection with a special event time to determine if a digital image in the collection is of interest, wherein the comparing step includes calculation of a special event time associated with a special event based on the calendar time associated with the special event and using such information to perform the comparison step; and associating digital images of interest with the special event. | 04-28-2011 |
20110169968 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE FOR SELECTIVELY TRANSMITTING IMAGES OVER A CELLULAR PHONE NETWORK AND A WIRELESS LAN NETWORK TO A DESTINATION - A digital camera for capturing images and transmitting captured images over a wireless network includes a sensor for capturing images; a display for displaying at least one captured image; at least one user input for selection of at least one captured image and for selection of a wireless network; a communication interface capable of transmitting the at least one selected image over the selected wireless network; a memory for storing a password needed to utilize the selected wireless network; and a processor for controlling the transmission of the at least one selected image over the selected wireless network utilizing the stored password. | 07-14-2011 |
20110216209 | IMAGING DEVICE FOR CAPTURING SELF-PORTRAIT IMAGES - A digital camera for capturing an image containing the photographer, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system for forming an image of a scene on the image sensor; a processor for processing the output of the image sensor in order to detect the presence of one or more faces in a field of view of the digital camera; a feedback mechanism for providing feedback to the photographer while the photographer is included within the field of view, responsive to detecting at least one face in the field of view, and a means for initiating capture of a digital image of the scene containing the photographer. | 09-08-2011 |
20110228074 | UNDERWATER CAMERA WITH PRESSSURE SENSOR - A digital image capture device for use in capturing underwater digital images, comprising a watertight housing; an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; a means for sensing a pressure outside the watertight housing; and a processor. The processor performs the steps of determining a sensed pressure; capturing a digital image of a scene using the image sensor; using the sensed pressure to determine an indication of whether the digital image capture device is being operated underwater and selecting an underwater photography mode or a normal photography mode accordingly; processing the captured digital image according to the selected photography mode; and storing the processed digital image in a processor accessible memory. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228075 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH UNDERWATER CAPTURE MODE - A digital image capture device for use in capturing underwater digital images, comprising: a watertight housing; an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; a means for setting the digital image capture device to operate in an underwater photography mode or a normal photography mode; and a processor. The processor performs the steps of: capturing a digital image of a scene using the image sensor; controlling a color reproduction of the captured digital image responsive to whether the digital image capture device is operating in an underwater photography mode or a normal photography mode; and storing the captured digital image in a processor accessible memory. | 09-22-2011 |
20110270813 | DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM EMPLOYING USER PERSONALIZATION AND IMAGE UTILIZATION PROFILES - A computer or computer system stores digital images, user personalization profiles, and image usage profiles. The image usage profiles contain information identifying how often and by what user a digital image was viewed, shared, printed or otherwise used by a user. The user personalization profiles include information identifying the digital images that are viewed, shared, printed or otherwise used by a user. The system automatically generates and stores a preferred product or service associated with a user personalization profile based on the information in the user profile and on information in an image usage profile. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270947 | DIGITAL IMAGING METHOD EMPLOYING USER PERSONALIZATION AND IMAGE UTILIZATION PROFILES - A method for creating image products and services for users connected to and in communication with a server through a computer network. User personalization profiles are generated and stored for each of the users and each personalization profile contains personal preferences for the plurality of users. Digital images are received from the plurality of client computers and are stored in a storage system on the digital image server. In response to a particular user selecting an image product or service using a stored digital image, the server automatically provides over the network a customized offering of a second product or service to the particular user. The offering is customized in response to at least one of the image usage profiles and in response to at least one of the user personalization profiles. | 11-03-2011 |
20110285865 | TRANSMITTING DIGITAL IMAGES TO A PLURALITY OF SELECTED RECEIVERS OVER A RADIO FREQUENCY LINK - A cellular transmission device includes an image capture device, a display, a selection mechanism, and a processor. The device also includes a memory in which at least one still image captured by the image capture device is stored; and a cellular transceiver coupled to an antenna; wherein the processor is configured to cause the display of at least one still image stored in the memory on the display; cause the display of a transmission selection menu on the display in response to operation of the selection mechanism, thereby enabling selection of a plurality of receiver units from the selection menu to receive the at least one displayed still image; and cause the transmission of the at least one displayed still image by the cellular transceiver for receipt by each selected receiver unit. | 11-24-2011 |
20110320457 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING AFFECTIVE INFORMATION IN A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM - An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values. | 12-29-2011 |
20120011017 | System And Method For Providing Image Products And/Or Services - A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee. At the end of the plan, the consumer could have the option of returning the camera, exchanging the camera for a different camera, or keeping the camera at no cost or for a reduced price. The photographic products and/or services provided by the plan could be products and/or services such as film developing, printing, image products, scanning, photo CDs, image storage, etc. | 01-12-2012 |
20120011022 | System And Method For Providing Image Products And/Or Services - A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee. At the end of the plan, the consumer could have the option of returning the camera, exchanging the camera for a different camera, or keeping the camera at no cost or for a reduced price. The photographic products and/or services provided by the plan could be products and/or services such as film developing, printing, image products, scanning, photo CDs, image storage, etc. | 01-12-2012 |
20120019687 | AUTOMATIC DIGITAL CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY MODE SELECTION - A digital camera having a plurality of photography modes, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system for imaging a scene onto the image sensor; an image capture control for initiating an image capture operation; a photography mode user interface for selecting between a plurality of photography modes, the photography modes having associated image capture and image processing settings; a power control for turning the digital camera on or off, wherein when the camera is in an off state and the power control is activated with a first activation pattern the digital camera is turned on and set to operate in a default photography mode and when the power control is activated with a second activation pattern the digital camera is turned on and set to operate in a previously selected photography mode. | 01-26-2012 |
20120033102 | Image File For Storing Digital Images And Ancillary Data Values Using Multiple Encoding Methods - An image format for storing digital images within a baseline DCT compatible bitstream comprises entropy coded image data, a first application marker storing a first data value using a first encoding method to convey a first information value related to the image, and a second application marker storing a second data value using a second encoding method to convey the same said first information value related to the image. More specifically, the first application marker uses TIFF tags within an Exif application marker and the second application marker uses a FlashPix compatible structured storage stream, while the entropy coded data includes restart markers to define tile boundaries within the entropy coded image data. | 02-09-2012 |
20120102431 | DIGITAL MEDIA FRAME PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED CONTENT - A digital image display device for displaying a collection of digital media assets, comprising: a display screen; a processor; a real-time clock providing a date and time; an interface for accessing a collection of digital media assets stored on a processor-accessible asset memory, wherein at least some of the digital media assets are associated with one or more specified ranges of dates; and a processor-accessible program memory. The processor-accessible program memory stores executable instructions for causing the processor to execute the steps of determining a date from the real-time clock; identifying one or more digital media assets associated with a range of dates including the determined date; and preferentially displaying the identified one or more digital media assets on the display screen. | 04-26-2012 |
20120131465 | DIGITAL IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE WITH REMOTE VIEWING INTERFACE - A method for remotely viewing digital images provided to a digital image display device, the digital image display device including an image memory for storing a plurality of digital images, a display screen, and a network interface for communicating with a network, the method comprising: providing a remote viewing interface for the digital image display device, the remote viewing interface being accessible over the network from a location remote from the digital image display device; displaying one of the plurality of stored digital images on the display screen; and simultaneously displaying, on the remote viewing interface, information indicating which of the plurality of stored digital images is currently displayed on the display screen. | 05-24-2012 |
20120230542 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING AFFECTIVE INFORMATION IN A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM - An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values. | 09-13-2012 |
20140086498 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND USING AFFECTIVE INFORMATION IN A DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM - An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values. | 03-27-2014 |
20140106739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING IMAGES OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A cellular transmission device includes an image capture device, a display, a selection mechanism, and a processor. The device also includes a memory in which at least one still image captured by the image capture device is stores; and a cellular transceiver coupled to an antenna; wherein the processor is configured to cause the display of at least one still image stored in the memory on the display; cause the display of a transmission selection menu on the display in response to operation of the selection mechanism; thereby enabling selection of a plurality of receiver units from the selection menu to receive the at least one displayed still image; and cause the transmission of the at least one display still image by the cellular transceiver for receipt by each selected receiver unit. | 04-17-2014 |
20140160315 | IDENTIFYING COLLECTION IMAGES WITH SPECIAL EVENTS - A method for associating event times or time periods with digital images in a collection for determining if a digital image is of interest, includes storing a collection of digital images each having an associated capture time; comparing the associated capture time in the collection with a special event time to determine if a digital image in the collection is of interest, wherein the comparing step includes calculation of a special event time associated with a special event based on the calendar time associated with the special event and using such information to perform the comparison step; and associating digital images of interest with the special event. | 06-12-2014 |