Abstract: Images are captured within a camera. Upon preliminary image capturing being initiated, color balancing and auto-focus is performed and a predetermined number of images are captured for storage in a first-in-first-out buffer. This is repeated until capture is terminated. Upon a final image capture being initiated, a first image is transferred from the first-in-first-out buffer to a long-term memory within the camera.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a portable telephone unit having both wireless communication capability and image capture capability, with a refocusing arrangement that is mechanically driven by operations of telephone components primarily included to enable telephone functions that are independent from camera functions. In one embodiment, the incoming call alerting device, such as the vibrator motor, is used to provide refocusing actuation. In another embodiment, the telephone unit is a “flip phone” and the hinging operations store actuation force for refocusing operations. A ratchet cam may be used in the refocusing arrangement of the image capture capability.

Abstract: Color management for extending a received color gamut for display. The received color gamut is expanded by applying a gain to color components. The applied gain varies depending on the saturation of the color component. Highly saturated colors in the received color gamut may accordingly be modified to a larger extent than less saturated colors to increase the vividness of highly saturated colors to the edges of the display's color gamut, while less saturated colors, such as memory colors, receive less gain and therefore are maintained as the same or similar to their original color.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a multifunction lens and a method for capturing an image are disclosed. The multifunction lens has an imaging lens portion adapted to focus a scene onto an image sensor array and a luminance channel portion adapted to channel luminance of the scene onto a luminance photo detector. Due to a single piece design of the multifunction lens of the present invention, compared to the prior art built-in luminance metering system, the costs of manufacture are decreased, bulk to the imaging system is decreased, and reliability of the imaging system is increased.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting images of monitored devices, such as utility meters for electricity, gas and water, captures a digital image of a monitored device and produces a difference digital image from the digital image using a reference digital image of the monitored device. The difference digital image has pixel values derived from differences between corresponding pixel values of the digital image and the reference digital image. The difference digital image is smaller in data size than the original digital image. The original digital image can be reconstructed from the difference digital image using the reference digital image.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a digital camera, comprises dispersing white light through a test device to generate a color dispersion image including a plurality of different wavelengths of light; capturing a test image of said color dispersion image; obtaining intensity values corresponding to at least two of said different wavelengths of light from said test image; and comparing the intensity values to expected intensity values. The test device may include a color dispersion medium, e.g., a variable band pass filter, and/or a light transmission medium. The method may further comprise obtaining at least two different values corresponding to an intensity pattern image containing a plurality of intensities of undispersed light transmitted through a light transmission medium.

Abstract: A meter is read. An image on a face of the meter is captured. Optical character recognition of digits of a digital display on the face of the meter is performed. At least one stored template is used to perform the optical character recognition of digits.

Abstract: A method of generating an electronic text file from a paper-based document that includes a plurality of characters includes capturing a plurality of partially overlapping digital images of the document. Optical character recognition is performed on each one of the plurality of captured digital images, thereby generating a corresponding plurality of electronic text files. Each one of the electronic text files includes a portion of the plurality of characters in the document. The plurality of electronic text files are compared with one another to identify characters that are in common between the electronic text files. The plurality of electronic text files are combined into a combined text file based on the comparison. The combined text file includes the plurality of characters in the document.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a digital camera to capture images of a fingerprint with the camera. The digital camera includes a primary lens for general photography purposes. The apparatus includes an accessory lens assembly including a first surface for supporting a finger to be imaged. The accessory lens assembly is configured to direct light reflected from the finger to the primary lens of the digital camera. A connection mechanism connects the accessory lens assembly to the digital camera. The accessory lens assembly is movable via the connection mechanism to cover the primary lens for fingerprint imaging, and is movable via the connection mechanism away from the primary lens to allow the digital camera to be used for general photography purposes.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a multifunction lens and a method for capturing an image are disclosed. The multifunction lens has an imaging lens portion adapted to focus a scene onto an image sensor array and a luminance channel portion adapted to channel luminance of the scene onto a luminance photo detector. Due to a single piece design of the multifunction lens of the present invention, compared to the prior art built-in luminance metering system, the costs of manufacture are decreased, bulk to the imaging system is decreased, and reliability of the imaging system is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a digital camera to capture images of a fingerprint with the camera. The digital camera includes a primary lens for general photography purposes. The apparatus includes an accessory lens assembly including a first surface for supporting a finger to be imaged. The accessory lens assembly is configured to direct light reflected from the finger to the primary lens of the digital camera. A connection mechanism connects the accessory lens assembly to the digital camera. The accessory lens assembly is movable via the connection mechanism to cover the primary lens for fingerprint imaging, and is movable via the connection mechanism away from the primary lens to allow the digital camera to be used for general photography purposes.

Abstract: A method of generating an electronic text file from a paper-based document that includes a plurality of characters includes capturing a plurality of partially overlapping digital images of the document. Optical character recognition is performed on each one of the plurality of captured digital images, thereby generating a corresponding plurality of electronic text files. Each one of the electronic text files includes a portion of the plurality of characters in the document. The plurality of electronic text files are compared with one another to identify characters that are in common between the electronic text files. The plurality of electronic text files are combined into a combined text file based on the comparison. The combined text file includes the plurality of characters in the document.