Abstract: An approach is provided to adjust a camera shutter lag. In the approach, data is collected that corresponds to an ambient light found in a physical environment with the ambient light being controlled using a pulse-width modulation (PWM). The pulse-width modulation corresponds to a PWM timing model. When an exposure request is received, the camera shutter lag is calculated using the PWM timing model. The calculated shutter lag is based on a future point in time at which the ambient light of the physical environment is predicted to be at a selected light output level, such as a power level selected by the user of a camera. When the calculated camera shutter lag has expired, a shutter of the camera is opened causing a camera lens to be exposed that results in a captured exposure.

Abstract: A system for photographic exposure via real-time broadcast of lighting parameters. The system includes a light source that emits light at different color temperatures and intensities controlled by a controller. The controller generates light source data that is transmitted to a digital imaging device. The digital imaging device includes a receiver for receiving the signal from the light source and a processor processing the light source data for determining color temperature, intensity, and timing of light emitted by the light source for generating exposure data. The exposure data determines when to commence capturing an image of a desired exposure and color temperature for achieving a desired exposure. The digital imaging device includes a display for displaying the exposure data to a user for allowing the user to select when to actuate the shutter release for capturing the image with the desired color temperature and exposure.

Abstract: A system comprises a digital imaging system for capturing digital images. The system includes a controller that captures at least one digital image, determines a brightness level of at least one bright region of the digital image, and generates brightness data representing the brightness level of the at least one bright region. The brightness data is compared with compositional information for determining a maximum brightness level of the at least one bright region of the digital image. The maximum brightness level comprises a level of brightness where information about the at least one bright region remains. The controller then determines an exposure value of a final digital image, where at least one region of the final digital image has a brightness level equal to or less than the maximum brightness level. At least one final digital image is then captured.

Abstract: A system for photographic exposure via real-time broadcast of lighting parameters. The system includes a light source that emits light at different color temperatures and intensities controlled by a controller. The controller generates light source data that is transmitted to a digital imaging device. The digital imaging device includes a receiver for receiving the signal from the light source and a processor processing the light source data for determining color temperature, intensity, and timing of light emitted by the light source for generating exposure data. The exposure data determines when to commence capturing an image of a desired exposure and color temperature for achieving a desired exposure. The digital imaging device includes a display for displaying the exposure data to a user for allowing the user to select when to actuate the shutter release for capturing the image with the desired color temperature and exposure.

Abstract: A photographic flash unit comprises a direct flash unit and a bounce flash unit rotatably connected to the direct flash unit. Status and control lines coupled between a hot shoe and each flash unit enable independent triggering and control of each flash unit. The direct and bounce flash units may be a part of a digital camera adapted to make a first test exposure using direct flash illumination and second test exposure using bounce flash illumination, then computing an attenuation factor for compensating a selected flash exposure parameter by dividing the selected parameter by the attenuation factor. Steps in a method embodiment include making a first test image, making a second test image, selecting regions in the first and second test images, computing an attenuation factor from luminosity values for the first and second test images, and compensating settings for a final bounce flash image by the attenuation factor.

Abstract: A photographic flash unit comprises a direct flash unit and a bounce flash unit rotatably connected to the direct flash unit. Status and control lines coupled between a hot shoe and each flash unit enable independent triggering and control of each flash unit. The direct and bounce flash units may be a part of a digital camera adapted to make a first test exposure using direct flash illumination and second test exposure using bounce flash illumination, then computing an attenuation factor for compensating a selected flash exposure parameter by dividing the selected parameter by the attenuation factor. Steps in a method embodiment include making a first test image, making a second test image, selecting regions in the first and second test images, computing an attenuation factor from luminosity values for the first and second test images, and compensating settings for a final bounce flash image by the attenuation factor.

Abstract: Calibrating color (such as adjusting color balance) for an image may include capturing a set of calibration images of a calibration target. The calibration target includes at least one color reference region illuminated by a light source having a distribution of frequencies that cycles over a fixed time period. The calibration images are captured over a calibration period that is greater than or equal to the fixed time period over which the distribution of frequencies cycles. Each of the calibration images is associated to a time identifier. A color balance adjustment is calculated for each of the calibration images, for forming a time-dependent color spectrum model of the color balance adjustments. The color spectrum model models changes in the light source over the fixed time period. In one embodiment, a subject image of a subject is captured for a determined exposure time. In the subject image, the subject is illuminated by the light source. Exposure time data is associated to the subject image.

Abstract: A system includes a display control module, a cursor control device, a graphical user interface comprising a plurality of graphical control elements such as sliders, and a human interface device with keys. A mapping of individual keys or simultaneously selected combinations of keys to sliders is stored by the display control module. A slider is adjustable by the cursor control device while the key mapped to the slider is activated and is disassociated from the cursor control device when the mapped key is deactivated. A computer program product embodiment includes a computer readable medium having computer usable program code for mapping a slider to a corresponding key, activating the slider for adjustment, adjusting the slider with a cursor control device while maintaining a key or combination of keys in the active state, and terminating adjustment of the slider by placing the key in an inactive state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for locating and retrieving specified data content in a database. The data comprises compressed digital audio or video data files associated with the recorded speech. Retrieval of the specified content requires decompression of only a portion of the compressed data. A method for locating specified content of the above type is provided. A compressed audio file comprising recorded speech is converted into a corresponding text file. A searchable index is constructed from the text file. One or more specified search arguments are used to search respective elements of the searchable index in order to detect one or more text segments. The identifiers of respective detected segments are then used to locate the specified content in the audio file. Only portions of the audio file that contain specified content require decompression, in order to retrieve the content.

Abstract: Calibrating color (such as adjusting color balance) for an image may include capturing a set of calibration images of a calibration target. The calibration target includes at least one color reference region illuminated by a light source having a distribution of frequencies that cycles over a fixed time period. The calibration images are captured over a calibration period that is greater than or equal to the fixed time period over which the distribution of frequencies cycles. Each of the calibration images is associated to a time identifier. A color balance adjustment is calculated for each of the calibration images, for forming a time-dependent color spectrum model of the color balance adjustments. The color spectrum model models changes in the light source over the fixed time period. In one embodiment, a subject image of a subject is captured for a determined exposure time. In the subject image, the subject is illuminated by the light source. Exposure time data is associated to the subject image.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting electronic devices having a flexible cable bus housing containing a plurality of same or different communication and power channels extending along a length thereof and a plurality of bus ports at different locations along the bus housing length. Each bus port is capable of being operatively connected to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus further includes a plurality of device connectors adapted to connect to a bus port at one end thereof and to a discrete device at another end thereof. Each connector at the device end has a different plug conforming to one of the communication or power channels. The apparatus preferably further includes a switch for connecting each bus port to the communication or power channel conforming to the device end plug when a device connector is connected to the bus port on the bus housing.

Abstract: Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: A design structure for an apparatus for connecting electronic devices having a flexible cable bus housing containing a plurality of same or different communication and power channels extending along a length thereof and a plurality of bus ports at different locations along the bus housing length. Each bus port is capable of being operatively connected to one of the communication or power channels. There is further included a plurality of device connectors adapted to connect to a bus port at one end thereof and to a discrete device at another end thereof. Each connector at the device end has a different plug conforming to one of the communication or power channels. There is preferably further included a switch for connecting each bus port to the communication or power channel conforming to the device end plug when a device connector is connected to the bus port on the bus housing.

Abstract: Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. The discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.

Abstract: Systems to improve autofocus in digital imaging systems, such as digital cameras, are disclosed. Embodiments may include systems for, in response to locking of lens focus on a subject image, determining an initial subject focus distance and an initial attitude, and in response to a request for an exposure, determining a final attitude. System embodiments may also include determining a final target subject distance based on the initial subject focus distance and a focus correction distance, where the focus correction distance is based on the difference between the initial attitude and the final attitude. System embodiments may also include focusing the lens at the final target subject distance. Further system embodiments may include after focusing the lens at the final target subject distance, exposing an image. Other system embodiments may include determining the initial and final attitude with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based sensor or other sensor.

Abstract: Methods to improve autofocus in digital imaging systems, such as digital cameras, are disclosed. Embodiments may include, in response to locking of lens focus on a subject image, determining an initial subject focus distance and an initial attitude, and in response to a request for an exposure, determining a final attitude. Embodiments may also include determining a final target subject distance based on the initial subject focus distance and a focus correction distance, where the focus correction distance is based on the difference between the initial attitude and the final attitude. Embodiments may also include focusing the lens at the final target subject distance. Further embodiments may include after focusing the lens at the final target subject distance, exposing an image. Other embodiments may include determining the initial and final attitude with a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS)-based sensor or other sensor.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements to methods and arrangements to attenuate electrostatic discharges of a cable are disclosed. Embodiments may include connectors with discharge elements integrated into the connectors to interconnect conductors of a cable to attenuate or discharge an electrostatic charge built up on the conductors. In some embodiments, the conductors are momentarily connected to ground as the connector couples with another connector to interconnect a cable with, e.g., a computer. In further embodiments, the discharge elements interconnect the conductors of a cable to redistribute an electrostatic charge and thereby minimize the impact of a discharge when the cable couples with an electronic system such as a computer. Another embodiment comprises a male connector with discharge elements, which ground conductors of the cable as the cable is being inserted into the connector. The discharge elements are pushed out of the way of the conductors as the conductors couple with the connector.