Abstract: An image capturing device includes a processor, at least one interface, and a memory. The memory is capable of storing a plurality of records. A record includes image storage data, date/time data, and status data. The processor determines whether any of the images in the memory have been archived as indicated by the status information in the status storage cell of the records, and replaces one or more archived images with newly captured images as the device is used.

Abstract: In a digital camera, images are stored in chronological order in an image storage queue, and the ability of the camera to add additional images to the queue is related to the archival status of the images already in the queue.

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: A dataconferencing system comprises an imaging device adapted to generate an image of a document. The system also comprises a light source adapted to generate light proximate to the document for generating the image. A monitor application accessible by a processor is adapted to detect a change corresponding to the document. A lighting application accessible by the processor is adapted to automatically activate the light source in response to the detected change.

Abstract: A method and system for browsing a virtual environment provides the user simultaneously with both a standard and a rear or side view of the virtual environment. The invention facilitates locating items of interest in a wide variety of virtual reality applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing and scoring media in a printing system. In one embodiment a scoring pattern is based upon input by the user on a graphical user interface. The system typically incorporates a controller that drives a scoring printer having a scoring head with one or more pins or wires that impact the surface of media and weaken the media. By creating a predetermined pattern of impacts, the media is weakened along a region or line for subsequent separation.

Abstract: A peripheral device comprising a memory. The peripheral device also comprises a driver stored in the memory and transferable to a computer. The driver is adapted to interface the peripheral device with the computer.

Abstract: A digital camera, a user interface for use in a digital camera and a method of file identification employ user-designated file identification of an image recorded by the digital camera. The user-designated file identification provides for a user of the camera to enter file identification data into the camera corresponding to the image. The user-designated file identification receives the data, encodes the data into a filename, and associates the filename with a particular image file. The user-designated file identification comprises voice-based entry and/or button-based entry of the data by the user. For voice-based entry, the user interface comprises a microphone and a voice recognition system. For button-based entry, the user interface comprises a set of preprogrammed alphanumeric strings and associated buttons. Each preprogrammed string corresponds to different preprogrammed data. The user presses a button to select corresponding preprogrammed data to be encoded into the filename.

Abstract: A security lockout method for an electronic device and a portable electronic device having security lockout facilitate returning a lost or stolen device to an owner. The method comprises displaying owner information on an interface of the device when a security lockout disables the device. The security lockout disables the device if a security lockout bypass input either is invalid when received or is expected but is not received. Owner information can be direct contact information for the owner or can be contact information for a lost and found service or other contact. The electronic device having return-to-owner security lockout comprises a controller, a user interface, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory. The computer program preferably implements the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes at least one acceleration sensor, a display that includes a graphical selection indicator, such as a cursor, and a processor. The at least one acceleration sensor detects an acceleration along at least one axis of the image capturing device and generates an acceleration signal. The processor receives the acceleration signal and moves the graphical selection indicator in response to the acceleration signal.

Abstract: An electronic information retrieval device includes a time source, a communication interface capable of communicating with one or more external devices, and at least one I/O device. The electronic information retrieval device further includes a memory storing a plurality of time values and storing a corresponding plurality of time-based initialization default values. The electronic information retrieval device obtains a current time value from the time source upon initialization of the device, compares the current time value to the plurality of time values, retrieves a corresponding particular time-based initialization default value from the plurality of time-based initialization default values, and uses the particular time-based initialization default value in the initialization.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a body including a lens barrel and a two-axis user selection device affixed to the lens barrel. The user selection device includes a contact surface and a center positional detent. An included horizontal displacement sensor is capable of generating an electronic signal related to a horizontal displacement of the user selection device and an included vertical displacement sensor is capable of generating an electronic signal related to a vertical displacement. An included depression sensor is capable of generating a select signal when the user selection device is depressed.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises an audio transducer, a processor, and a memory. The memory receives an audio signal produced by the audio transducer and gated by the processor. The memory includes an audio buffer capable of continuously accumulating the audio signal until the buffer becomes full, and thereafter storing a predetermined time amount of the most recent audio signal. The memory further includes one or more audio storage cells capable of storing at least a portion of the audio signal held in the audio buffer. The processor is capable of storing at least a portion of the audio signal from the audio buffer into an audio storage cell of the one or more audio storage cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for the correction of user induced inadvertent orientation errors in captured digital images before the digital image is saved to a storage media or memory. A system of the present invention checks a user-selectable input to determine if the orientation correction has been enabled, enables a tilt determining mechanism which senses orientation errors when the feature is enabled, corrects the orientation errors in the viewed image, displays a corrected digital image to the user and allows the user to store a digital representation of the corrected image into a memory. The method of the present invention includes receiving a digital representation of an image, identifying vertical or horizontal lines contained within the image, determining an orientation error, rotating the digital representation of the image to reduce the orientation error and displaying a corrected digital image.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system of and method for creating localization data which is used to update instruction manuals, books, and user interfacing portions of computer programs to contain words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs in local languages when the product is purchased by an individual who desires to look at the information in a language other than the language in which it was created. The invention also includes a system for and a method of tracking and highlighting changes in the localization data to ensure the word or words in the foreign languages remain synchronized with the word or words in the base or original language.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for and method of highlighting portions of the displayed image in a camera which are in focus to the photographer. Included in the highlighted portion are all focused portions of objects within the depth of field.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to body casings for portable devices, wherein the body casing has at least one viewable chamber for holding a material. The present invention also relates to portable devices which comprise a functional unit having a housing which is configured to include at least one viewable chamber for holding a material. Portable devices according to the invention include a functional unit having a housing surrounding at least a portion of the functional unit. The housing comprises mating inner and outer walls which define a fluid-tight chamber for holding a material. The outer wall has a transparent section to allow a viewer to perceive the contents of the chamber. Body casings for portable devices according to the invention include mating top and bottom portions which are configured to define a casing chamber for holding a portable device.

Abstract: A support socket is built incorporating a sensor capable of detecting when the support socket is being used. When the sensor detects the use of a support utilizing the support socket, the imaging device is notified of the support allowing the device to change its mode of operation accordingly.

Abstract: An image without use of a flash is taken, along with an image using a flash. A difference image is generated by subtracting the flash-less image from the flash image. A threshold is applied to the difference image such that only large differences in intensity remain in the difference image. This artifact image is then subtracted from the flash image, thereby removing flash artifacts such as specular reflections and red-eye. The threshold used may be automatically calculated or may be set by the user. For some applications it may be desirable to set separate thresholds for each dimension of the color space (such as red, green, and blue) used. Once again these separate thresholds may be automatically calculated or may be set by the user.

Abstract: A camera system uses a “focus attracting” remote control. The remote control signals its position in the camera's field of view a by emitting a distinguishable light signal. The camera selects a focus region at the position indicated by the remote control and performs its automatic focus function. Objects in the vicinity of the remote control are sharply focused in the resulting photograph. The photograph can thus include the photographer, who is also a photographic subject, in good focus even though the photographer is positioned in the scene away from the center of the camera's field of view.