Abstract: A diffractive focusing device includes a light transmissive substrate and a plurality of selectively light opaque elements formed in the light transmissive substrate. The selectively light opaque elements are capable of being electronically activated. Particular elements of the plurality of selectively light opaque elements are selectively rendered substantially light opaque or substantially light-transmissive in order to create light transmissive channels in the light transmissive substrate with desired diffractive characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eye-start system that includes a light source adapted to be housed within a viewfinder of a device, and a light sensor also adapted to be housed within the device viewfinder, the light sensor being configured to sense light from the light source that reflects off of a user looking into the viewfinder. With this system, light reflected off of the user is sensed by the light sensor and, upon such an occurrence, a device action is activated.

Abstract: A print media having a first sheet that is elastic about a plane of its printable surface is adhered to a second sheet that is rigid about the plane of the printable surface. The two sheets are separable such that the first sheet may be separated from the second sheet after transferring a desired image to the printable surface. By transferring an image to the printable surface of the first sheet, and by subsequently removing the second sheet, a stretchable image is produced on the first sheet.

Abstract: A digital camera takes photographs of printed material upon recognition of a specified text pattern. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the process of photographing printed material based on text pattern recognition is partially manual. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the process is highly automated.

Abstract: A print media having a first sheet that is elastic about a plane of its printable surface is adhered to a second sheet that is rigid about the plane of the printable surface. The two sheets are separable such that the first sheet may be separated from the second sheet after transferring a desired image to the printable surface. By transferring an image to the printable surface of the first sheet, and by subsequently removing the second sheet, a stretchable image is produced on the first sheet.

Abstract: An electronic flash is constructed with the ability to vary both collimation and direction allowing a user to direct the flash to a portion of the subject. Collimation and direction of the flash may be displayed in the viewfinder of the camera and may be independently controlled by the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media. Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.

Abstract: A power supply adapter for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The power supply adapter has a first end portion, a second end portion, and at least one channel housing portion which is recessed from the end portions. The recessed channel housing portion forms a cord-wrapping channel which is adapted to receive a cord. The cord is wrapped around the channel housing portion within the cord-wrapping channel and is removably received by a securing device. The securing device is adapted to secure the cord to the housing.

Abstract: A device for scanning a first image on a document surface and printing a second image on the document surface comprising a mechanism operable to engage a document and drive the document along a feed path, a scanner apparatus operable to generate a scanned image of the first image on the document surface as the document is driven past the scanner apparatus during a first document traversal of the feed path, and a printer apparatus operable to print the second image on the document surface as the document is driven past the printer apparatus during the traversal of the document through the feed path is provided.

Abstract: Adaptive battery conditioning employs battery chemistry determination to establish how, when and whether to condition a battery. As a result, the conditioning is optimized for the determined battery chemistry. Further, conditioning of a battery that is not conditionable, such as a nonrechargeable battery, is prevented. A device determines battery chemistry in situ from a measurement of a characteristic of an installed battery, and conditions the installed battery in situ. The device can be a battery-powered consumer electronic device or a battery charging and conditioning system that is independent of an electronic device that uses the conditioned battery. A method of adaptive battery conditioning includes determining a chemistry of a battery from a measurement of a battery characteristic, and conditioning the battery according to the determined battery chemistry.

Abstract: A battery charger provides remote or untethered charging of a rechargeable battery. The battery charger provides untethered charging either in situ within a battery-powered device or external to the device. The battery charger comprises a power converter and an energy storage device connected to the power converter. A battery charging system comprises the battery charger and independent electrical connection devices. One connection device connects the battery charger to an external energy source to acquire energy that is stored in the storage device. Another connection device connects the battery charger to a battery for charging. The connection devices are independent and battery charging is untethered in that the battery charger need not be connected to the external energy source while the battery charger charges the battery. A method of charging the battery comprises charging the battery with energy stored in a portable energy storage device.

Abstract: A compartment interchangeably holds either a battery or a fuel cartridge for powering a portable electronic device. The compartment includes electrical contacts to access energy stored in a battery. The compartment further includes a fuel port to access fuel stored in a fuel cartridge. Either of the battery or the fuel cartridge may be installed in the compartment. A portable electronic device, which is powered interchangeably by either a battery or a fuel cell, includes the compartment. A method of powering the portable electronic device includes installing either a battery or a fuel cartridge into a compartment that interchangeably holds the battery and the fuel cartridge, and powering the device using energy stored in the respectively installed battery or energy stored in fuel contained in the respectively installed fuel cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for scanning selected portions of a document. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment projects a beam of light onto a document portion, detects reflected light from the document portion with an image capture device, and determines a location of the document portion on the document based upon information received from the image capture device.

Abstract: A method and digital camera are disclosed for capturing a complete set of image data for a three-dimensional target object by capturing image data from multiple images from different perspectives of the target object. The camera captures an image of the object from an initial perspective. Based on image data retrieved from the image, discontinuous edges of the object are identified for the initial perspective. The camera continues capturing image data for the object by capturing images from different perspectives, until complete image data is obtained. As each image is captured, the camera attempts to resolve discontinuous edges identified in any of the images. If all of the discontinuous edges cannot be resolved, then another image of the target object is captured from another perspective. When all of the discontinuous edges are resolved, the camera indicates that complete image data has been obtained, using an indicator.

Abstract: A scanning method that provides a quick start to the first scan and maintains the quality level of the final scan is disclosed. The first scan, or preview scan, is done without waiting for the lamp to stabilize. The time between the preview scan and the final high quality scan is used to stabilize the lamp.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor-based power supply (Ultracapacitor Supply) and method power a portable electronic device. The Ultracapacitor Supply includes an ultracapacitor that stores energy rapidly relative to a battery-based power supply. The stored energy is used to provide primary power to the device. The electronic device includes operational electronics that require power to operate and an integral power supply. The device uses the Ultracapacitor Supply as one or both of the integral power supply and an auxiliary power source. As an auxiliary source, the Ultracapacitor Supply provides primary power to the device operational electronics from external to the device on a temporary basis when the device integral supply is depleted or otherwise unavailable. The auxiliary source serves as an emergency or back-up power supply. As the integral source, the Ultracapacitor Supply provides primary power to the operational electronics from inside the device on a relatively regular basis.

Abstract: A battery charger provides remote or untethered charging of a rechargeable battery. The battery charger provides untethered charging either in situ within a battery-powered device or external to the device. The battery charger comprises a power converter and an energy storage device connected to the power converter. A battery charging system comprises the battery charger and independent electrical connection devices. One connection device connects the battery charger to an external energy source to acquire energy that is stored in the storage device. Another connection device connects the battery charger to a battery for charging. The connection devices are independent and battery charging is untethered in that the battery charger need not be connected to the external energy source while the battery charger charges the battery. A method of charging the battery comprises charging the battery with energy stored in a portable energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy consumption-rate meter determines an energy discharge rate of a battery installed in an electronic device. The meter further displays the battery discharge rate to a user of the device so that the user may use the device more energy-efficiently. An electronic device having the energy consumption-rate meter comprises a computer program that, when executed by a processor in the device, the program implements a method of gauging an energy consumption rate of the electronic device. The method comprises determining the battery discharge rate, and displaying an indication of the battery discharge rate as the energy consumption rate of the device. The battery discharge rate is determined one or both of directly and indirectly. The displayed indication is one or both of a relative form and an absolute form of the energy consumption rate.

Abstract: A life extending device, such as a capacitor, is optionally positioned to be electrically connected in parallel with a battery. In one embodiment, the life extending device is optionally inserted in a battery holder which is used in substitution for the original battery. The battery holder is designed for at least one AA battery and the battery being replaced is a lithium ion or lithium metal primary battery.