Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An optical image capture assembly for use in an electronic camera includes 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; a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; and a zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The camera is contained within an enclosure and, in one variation of the assembly, either the first lens or the zoom lens (or both) forms its image through a folded optical system in which an optical path between the lens and its respective image sensor is folded at an angle in order to conserve space within the enclosure.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an express zoom mode for producing an expedited operation over an extended zoom range. The electronic camera includes a first zoom lens for forming a first image of the scene on a first image sensor, a first zoom positioner for adjusting the first zoom lens through a first plurality of discrete zoom positions, a second zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on a second image sensor, and a second zoom positioner for adjusting the second zoom lens through a second plurality of discrete zoom positions. A zoom controller enables an express mode when a user specifies a zoom transition from a present zoom setting within one of the plurality of discrete zoom positions to a target zoom setting within the other of the plurality of discrete zoom positions.

Abstract: A removable memory device is configured and utilized to enable digital imaging services by establishing a service account which defines at least one digital imaging service to be provided using at least one digital image file captured by a digital camera, the service account having an associated service account identifier; storing service account information in a database, the database being remotely accessible using a communications network; configuring the removable memory device by storing the service account identifier associated with the service account, the removable memory device being capable of storing a plurality of digital image files captured by the digital camera; accessing the removable memory device, at a location remote from the database, to retrieve at least one stored digital image file captured by the digital camera and the service account identifier; communicating the service account identifier over the communications network to the database; accessing the database and using the service ac

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.

Abstract: A zoom lens has first to fifth lens groups G1 to G5 having positive, negative, positive, positive, and negative refractive power, in order from an object side. The first lens groups G1 includes a prism L2 for bending a light path. Zooming is performed by adjusting a focal length by linear movement of the second lens group G2 and fourth lens group G4 and compensating an image surface position by nonlinear movement of the fifth lens group G5. Focusing is performed by moving the fifth lens group G5.

Abstract: A camera is made compact with its internal temperature adjusted to a more appropriate temperature. A temperature T is read from a temperature sensor disposed within the camera (S100) and it is judged whether or not the temperature T exceeds a threshold Tref1 (S102). When the temperature T exceeds the threshold Tref1, the operation of the camera is changed to a power-saving mode where the power consumption is lower than in the ordinary mode (S104). The threshold Tref1 is determined to be a rated temperature at which the camera can operate stably or a temperature lower than that. Thus, the temperature in the camera can be made appropriate.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously recording motion and still images, includes the steps of: capturing a motion image sequence and accompanying audio of a scene with a digital video camera adapted to record both motion and higher resolution still images; simultaneously capturing a still image sequence having a higher resolution and lower frame rate than the motion capture sequence; compressing the motion image sequence using interframe compression and the accompanying audio and storing the compressed motion image and audio data; and compressing the still images using intraframe coding and storing the compressed still image data.

Abstract: A digital information/imaging system comprising: a first display for selectively displaying images and information; a second display for selectively displaying system information; and a control for controlling the first and second displays in one or more modes in which the content displayed by each of the displays mutually support each other; wherein the control includes a user interface including at least a first switch and a second navigation switch; wherein when the first switch is not activated the second switch is operable to select items displayed on the first display and the second display displays information in support of items selected on the first display; and wherein when the first switch is activated the second switch is operable to select items displayed on the second display and the first display displays information in support of items selected on the second display.

Abstract: Provide an electronic still camera using a color filter array (CFA) and a single CCD making it possible to simultaneously execute the processing for color signal interpolation and the processing for resizing. In the electronic still camera according to the present invention, an R signal, a G signal, and a B signal are output from each pixel of an image sensor 12 having a CFA. A processor 16 simultaneously executes processing for interpolation and processing for resizing by computing (R, G, B) values at a given pixel position according to the color signals. Low frequency components Rlow, Glow, Blow of the color signal at the given pixel position are computed from signals from adjoining pixels, and the high frequency component Shigh is computed from a brightness value Y. The image data interpolated and changed to a desired size is stored in a memory 18, or is output via an interface I/F 20 to an external device such as a computer or a printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a sensor for highlights and for processing highlights is described. In an embodiment, a method includes identifying highlight regions in an image of a scene. The method further includes calculating flare intensity values for the image using the locations of the highlight regions. The method also includes subtracting the flare intensity values from the image.

Abstract: An electronic still camera for capturing images that can be transferred to a service provider for storage is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed; a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital images from the removable memory card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image.

Abstract: A camera is configured to capture an image of a real world scene as an image signal and to store captured images. The camera includes a screen suitable for displaying a high resolution version of a stored image from a list of stored images when a location within the list is selected. When a browsing mode is selected, the screen displays a scrolling strip of low resolution versions of stored images from the list. A single control allows a user to select the location within the list and also allows a user to select the browsing mode. The camera can allow a user to move between full screen display of stored images and the browsing mode multiple times, with little repetitive finger and/or hand motion, without blocking viewing of the screen, and while allowing the hands to be retained in a convenient picture taking position.

Abstract: An electronic still camera for capturing images to be transferred to at least one e-mail address is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed and a plurality of e-mail addresses; a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital images from the removable memory card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital imaging device includes a programmable memory for storing at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device. The method includes providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances. The user selects one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital imaging device and the programmable memory of the digital imaging device is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital camera for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital camera includes a reprogrammable memory for storing firmware which controls the operation of the digital camera and a camera graphical user interface responsive to the firmware stored in the reprogrammable memory. The method includes providing customization software executed external to the digital camera which can access a plurality of firmware components having different camera features. A user selects desired camera features to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital camera and the reprogrammable memory is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital camera.

Abstract: An electronic printing system for printing images stored on a removable memory card. The electronic printing system includes a memory card interface for receiving the removable memory card, the removable memory card having stored thereon a plurality of digital image files and a print utilization file, wherein the print utilization file including the names of at least two digital image files stored on the removable memory card to be printed. The electronic printing system further includes a processor coupled to the memory card interface for reading the print utilization file stored on the removable memory card and the digital image files identified in the print utilization file; and a print engine coupled to the processor for producing prints of the at least two stored digital image files identified in the print utilization file.

Abstract: A digital imaging device captures an image and generates a color signal from the image for application to an output device having specific color sensitivities, the imaging device further being one of many devices of the same type useful with the output device. The digital imaging device, for example a digital camera, includes a color sensor for capturing the image and generating a color signal from the captured image, the color sensor having predetermined spectral sensitivities, and an optical section that is interposed in the image light directed to the color sensor, the optical section also having predetermined spectral characteristics. The combination of the spectral sensitivities of the color sensor and the spectral characteristics of the optical section uniquely distinguish this particular imaging device from other imaging devices of the same type.