Abstract: An electronic still imaging system employs an image sensor comprised of discrete light sensitive picture elements overlaid with a color filter array (CFA) pattern to produce color image data corresponding to the CFA pattern, an A/D converter for producing digital CFA image data from the color image data, and a memory for storing the digital CFA image data from a fixed number of input picture elements corresponding to a fixed image size. A user selects at least one output image size different from the fixed image size, such that the output image will have a different number of picture elements than the fixed number of picture elements in the fixed size image. A processor then interpolates full color data for each picture element and produces an interpolated output image having the selected output image size. By directly mapping the input picture elements to the desired output picture elements in a single stage that includes CFA interpolation, interpolation artifacts are minimized.

Abstract: Images are sharpened and corrected for position dependent blur by providing a sharpening function which is adapted to operate upon signals corresponding to a selected number of pixels, providing a plurality of values which are a function of the position dependent blur; and applying the plurality of values to the sharpening function to modify the sharpening function so that after the modified sharpening function is applied to the image, a sharpened image will be provided which has been corrected for the position dependent blur.

Abstract: In a digital camera having an image sensor and a lens defining an optical axis for focusing an image upon a focal plane, an image sensor mount includes the digital camera having a housing for mounting the lens and defining a first opening through which an image can be focused by the lens and transmitted along the optical axis, and an image sensor assembly including the image sensor attached to an image sensor mounting plate.

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: 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.

Abstract: An electronic camera for capturing and storing images includes an image capture section and an image processing section. The image capture section includes an image sensor for capturing an image and producing pixel data representative of the captured image, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for digitizing the pixel data, and a horizontal shift register responsive to applied vertical clock signals for receiving lines of the pixel data from the image sensor and responsive to applied horizontal clock signals for sequentially transferring the lines of pixel data to the A/D converter, the time between the application of horizontal and vertical clock signals providing for a vertical transfer interval wherein pixel data is prevented from being output from the horizontal shift register.

Abstract: A digital still camera comprises a full image processor and a rough image processor. The full image processor generates compressed full image data as primary image data, while the rough image processor generates non-compressed rough image data as secondary image data whose data volume has been reduced by limiting pixels thereof. In a reproduction mode, rough image data is read from a memory and subjected to display processing. A rough image is generated based on non-compressed rough image data with a short reproduction waiting time and displayed on an image display device. Thereafter, corresponding full image data is processed for display so that a relevant full image replaces the displayed rough image data, to be finally displayed.

Abstract: A noise elimination apparatus and method enable effective elimination of noise on each line in an image captured by a CCD provided with a Bayer-type color filter. A graduation device obtains the quantity of graduation for a target picture element by obtaining the difference between the mean value of the value of the target pixel and the value of a pixel around the target pixel and the value of the target pixel. A high frequency component detector detects the high frequency component of the target pixel using Laplacian filter based upon the target pixel and each of the pixels immediately adjacent to said target pixel are input. A high frequency component can be detected without being influenced by noise on each line by using a filter based upon each of the pixels immediately adjacent to said target pixel.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing an original image and generating image signals corresponding to the captured original image, an A/D converter for converting the image signals into original digital image data representative of the captured original image, an image processor for incrementally processing the original digital image data to generate processed image data as each increment is processed and completed, and a non-volatile memory for storing the processed image data, wherein the non-volatile memory also temporarily stores the original digital image data until the incremental processing is completed. The incremental processing of the original image data can then be interrupted in order to capture a new image, while the processed image data for the completed increments of the original image is saved in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method for selecting and arranging digital images to be printed from a group of thumbnail images is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of displaying the group of thumbnail images; selecting, from the group of thumbnail images, the number of images to be printed per page and the images which are to be printed on each page; automatically arranging the selected images for each page to be printed; and printing the arranged images.

Abstract: A focusing device includes a movable focusing lens adapted to be moved to different positions, a conversion element for converting light incident on and transmitted through the focusing lens into a signal, and a lens driving mechanism for moving the focusing lens. The focusing device further includes a focus evaluation value calculation unit for calculating a focus evaluation value for each position of the focusing lens based on the signal from the conversion element, and a lens position specifying unit for specifying a position of the focusing lens causing a maximum focus evaluation value as an in-focus lens position. The lens driving mechanism moves the focusing lens in response to the in-focus lens position specified by the lens position specifying unit.

Abstract: An electronic camera for capturing an image of an object from both hand-held and stationary positions comprises an imaging module containing an image sensor for capturing the image, a camera body capable of serving as a stand for the camera, an elongated arm for supporting the imaging module at one end and terminating at the other end in a connecting member for connecting with the camera body, and means for pivotally attaching the connecting member to the camera body such that the elongated arm and the imaging module may be seated against the camera in a first position for hand-held imaging and swung away from the camera through an arcuate path relative to the camera body, which serves as a stand, to a second position for stationary imaging. In a further variation, the imaging module is attached to the elongated arm with a flexible support that provides a wide range of imaging module adjustments.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system includes a portable electronic camera operable in a compositing mode and a separate processor for compositing images using the difference of two images.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing and manipulating electronic image data corresponding to one or more images includes a display device for generating a displayed image from the electronic image data and for displaying a first set of graphical elements oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a second set of graphical elements. A first user control is arranged so that its direction of user engagement is oriented parallel to the first set of graphical elements for initiating one or more operations represented by the first set of graphical elements, and a second user control is arranged so that its direction of user engagement is oriented parallel to the second set of graphical elements for initiating one or more operations represented by the second set of graphical elements.

Abstract: An electronic camera uses a relatively more complex digital image processing technique in a still image mode to produce high quality still images, and a relatively more simple image processing technique in a motion preview mode to produce preview images of acceptable quality prior to initiation of the still image mode. The more complex digital technique is done in software in a general purpose processor section 35, while the more simple digital technique is implemented in a fixed digital circuit in an application specific integrated circuit 27, which also implements timing and control functions. The motion preview mode uses a shorter image readout period than the still mode and further involves mapping image sensor pixels into a fewer number of color display pixels on a color LCD display 10. The mapping further converts color pixel signals from a mosaic array into a different color pattern on the color LCD display 10.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing an original image and generating image signals corresponding to the captured original image, an A/D converter for converting the image signals into original digital image data representative of the captured original image, an image processor for incrementally processing the original digital image data to generate processed image data as each increment is processed and completed, and a non-volatile memory for storing the processed image data, wherein the non-volatile memory also temporarily stores the original digital image data until the incremental processing is completed. The incremental processing of the original image data can then be interrupted in order to capture a new image, while the processed image data for the completed increments of the original image is saved in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A camera with: means for capturing an image of a real world scene as an image signal; storage means for storing captured images and from which stored images can be read; a screen; and a means for displaying on the screen a high resolution version of a stored image from a list of stored images when a location within the list is selected. The camera also has a means for displaying on the screen, when a browsing mode is selected, 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 which also allows a user to select the browsing mode. The camera can 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: The focusing lens serves to focus an image on a CCD. The image is displayed in a view finder through a different optical axis. A focus evaluation area determining circuit establishes a plurality of preset focus evaluation areas for the respective object distances on the basis of the axis offset between the optical axes of the focusing lens and the view finder. The corresponding preset object distance is compared with the object distance measured for the focus evaluation area in an object detection circuit. The result of the comparison allows the detection of an object specified in the view finder.