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: 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: Apparatus and methods for disabling a USB or other interface connection between a personal computer and a docking cradle or device until the instant such a connection is actually needed. When the docking cradle is empty, the exposed pins are connected to a conductive ground path or is isolated. When a device is inserted into the docking cradle, the electrical signals that are connected to the personal computer by way of the interface are then switched on.

Abstract: An electrically variable optical filter includes a first optical element including a first angled face and a second optical element including a second angled face. The second angled face is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first angled face. At least one separation actuator is affixed between the first optical element and the second optical element and is operable to change a separation distance D between the first angled face and the second angled face. Light waves transmitted through the first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from the second optical element as a function of wavelength and the separation distance D.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an imaging device. The imaging device comprises a near-eye viewfinder that is operable to display an image using image data associated with the imaging device; and a viewing structure that is adapted to be placed over the near-eye viewfinder, wherein the viewing structure comprises a screen member that is operable to partially scatter light associated with the displayed image thereby permitting the image to be viewed from a greater field of view than the near-eye viewfinder provides.

Abstract: An image capture system is designed with the capability of recording multiple images at varying exposures. Areas of saturation within the final exposure are determined, and color channel ratios are calculated from underexposed images and used to set pixels within the areas of saturation to maximum magnitude while retaining the color channel ratios of the corresponding pixels within the underexposed images.

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: A battery shield and method protect a battery-powered device from contamination and potentially deleterious effects of electrolyte leakage from a battery employed by the device. The battery shield comprises a nonconductive body and a plurality of conductive portions that are electrically isolated from one another by the nonconductive body. The nonconductive body encloses at least terminals of the battery. A conductive portion makes electrical contact with each terminal of the battery. An electronic device comprises a removable battery shield. The method comprises inserting a battery into a battery shield that physically separates at least the terminals of the battery from electrical contacts of the device while providing electrical connectivity. The battery shield is one or both of disposable or reusable. A reusable battery shield is cleanable, such that leaked electrolyte is removed before reuse.

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: An image capturing device includes a memory, a communications device, and a processor. The processor receives an enable/disable communication from the communication device, interprets the enable/disable communication using a set of enable commands stored in the memory, and sets an enable state variable in the memory in response. The image capturing device is disabled for image capturing device operations when the enable state variable is set to a disable state and is enabled when the enable state variable is set to an enable state.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor, a memory, and a processor. The memory includes a motion detect routine, a predetermined image interval, and at least one predetermined motion threshold. The processor conducts the capturing of images separated by the predetermined image interval, compares a current image to one or more previous images, determines when motion between the current image and the previous image is below the at least one predetermined motion threshold, and stores the current image as a final image when the current image is stable.

Abstract: Image capture device control marks are automatically generated within a computer or printer and automatically printed on pages output from the printer. The control marks when detected by a control mark capable image capture device communicate information to the image capture device such as which areas of the printed page are text that require optical character recognition, which areas of the page are photos that require high-resolution full-color, which areas of the page are line drawings that require medium-resolution black and white, and which areas of the page are not to be scanned. Image capture device control marks may be configured in a wide range of sizes, styles, and locations on the printed page.

Abstract: Image capture device control marks are automatically generated within a computer or printer and automatically printed on pages output from the printer. The control marks, when detected by a control mark capable image capture device communicate information to the image capture device such as which areas of the printed page are text that require optical character recognition, which areas of the page are photos that require high-resolution full-color, which areas of the page are line drawings that require medium-resolution black and white, and which areas of the page are not to be scanned. Image capture device control marks may be configured in a wide range of sizes, styles, and locations on the printed page.

Abstract: An electrically variable optical filter includes a first optical element including a first angled face and a second optical element including a second angled face. The second angled face is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first angled face. At least one separation actuator is affixed between the first optical element and the second optical element and is operable to change a separation distance D between the first angled face and the second angled face. Light waves transmitted through the first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from the second optical element as a function of wavelength and the separation distance D.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor, a memory including a frame buffer, and a processor. The processor conducts an image capture of a digital image frame and extracts predetermined events in the digital image frame.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor and a memory including a dark frame buffer that stores one or more dark frames generated by the electronic image sensor. A processor controls the electronic image sensor to substantially continuously capture and store a newest dark frame from the electronic image sensor when the electronic image sensor is not performing an image capture. The processor subtracts the newest dark frame from an image upon an image capture.

Abstract: A cover adapted for use with a display screen of an image capturing device includes a cover capable of being positioned over the display screen. The cover is also capable of being retracted away from the display screen, such as by sliding the cover. A guide device retains the cover against a surface of the image capturing device.