Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing a variable length of sensory data in association with still image data. Manipulation of the camera is detected prior to image-capture, and sensory data are generated in response to detecting the manipulation. The sensory data are stored in temporary storage. When a control signal to capture a still image is active, still image data are generated and stored in non-volatile storage. A subset of the sensory data in temporary storage is selected and stored in non-volatile storage in association with the still image data.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a mechanism for supporting a user-controlled exposure mode in which a user can control the exposure time for the picture. A user first places the camera into the user-controlled exposure mode. Then, a user initiates the picture taking process, for example, by depressing a shutter button. The user then reviews the picture on a display as the picture develops. When the picture has the desired exposure, the user terminates the picture taking process by, for example, releasing the shutter button. In this manner, the user obtains a picture with the desired exposure without the delay, additional equipment, and guesswork involved in prior art approaches.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling an image capture system to respond to at least one command transmitted by a foreign remote control that is associated with a first device. The image capture system is first trained to respond to at least one command that is received from the foreign remote control. A user can then use the foreign remote control to access at least one function of the trained image capture system. For example, the foreign remote control can be used to access a first predefined function of the image capture system by transmitting a first instruction to the image capture system. The image capture system, responsive to the first instruction, performs the first predefined function.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for optically transferring data. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to displaying optical data representative of underlying data to be transferred, capturing the displayed optical data, and interpreting the captured optical data to determine the underlying data that the optical data represents.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for transferring data. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to configuring a first device to send data, touching an external contact of the first device to an external contact of a second device, and transmitting data from the first device to the second device via the touching contacts.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing a variable length of sensory data in association with still image data. Manipulation of the camera is detected prior to image-capture, and sensory data are generated in response to detecting the manipulation. The sensory data are stored in temporary storage. When a control signal to capture a still image is active, still image data are generated and stored in non-volatile storage. A subset of the sensory data in temporary storage is selected and stored in non-volatile storage in association with the still image data.

Abstract: Audio produced by an electronic appliance is selectively filtered based upon the output device selected. The destination of the audio signal is detected and filtering of the audio signal is configured based on the destination. If the frequency response of the output device is narrow, such as with an internal speaker in the electronic appliance, a bandpass filter is applied to narrow the frequency range of the audio signal to match the frequency response of the output device.

Abstract: A strobe or flash that charges the strobe capacitor dependent on the measured light and strobe use model can improve the battery life in a portable device. The scene illumination is measured and the current charge level of the strobe capacitor is measured. If the scene needs more light than the charge can supply, then a charge process is started. The rate of charge is dependent on the amount of additional illumination needed for the scene and the difference between the current charge level and the required charge level of the strobe capacitor.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling an image capture system to respond to at least one command transmitted by a foreign remote control that is associated with a first device. The image capture system is first trained to respond to at least one command that is received from the foreign remote control. A user can then use the foreign remote control to access at least one function of the trained image capture system. For example, the foreign remote control can be used to access a first predefined function of the image capture system by transmitting a first instruction to the image capture system. The image capture system, responsive to the first instruction, performs the first predefined function.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a mechanism for supporting a user-controlled exposure mode in which a user can control the exposure time for the picture. A user first places the camera into the user-controlled exposure mode. Then, a user initiates the picture taking process, for example, by depressing a shutter button. The user then reviews the picture on a display as the picture develops. When the picture has the desired exposure, the user terminates the picture taking process by, for example, releasing the shutter button. In this manner, the user obtains a picture with the desired exposure without the delay, additional equipment, and guesswork involved in prior art approaches.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a user to control remotely a digital image capture device without wires. A docking station for receiving a digital image capture device is provided. The docking station includes a wireless receiver. A wireless remote controller for sending at least one command to the docking station is also provided. The docking station also has a communication interface for communicating with the digital image capture device when the image capture device is docked therein. The user employs the wireless remote controller to access one or more functions of the digital image capture device through the docking station.

Abstract: The image capture device detects a sudden light change event and captures images associated with the sudden light change event. Exposure values associated with the captured images are calculated. The difference between the exposure values are compared to an exposure value change criteria. If the difference is at least equal to the exposure value change criteria, the presence of a sudden light change event is determined and the most recently captured image is saved into memory. Thus, only images associated with the sudden light change event are saved, thereby more efficiently utilizing limited memory capacity. The sudden light change event is typically characterized by a relatively large, sudden and unpredictable increase in light such that the object of interest is more lighted. Also, after the onset of the sudden light change event and/or before the onset of the sudden light change event, images may be stored in memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for observing dedicated test nodes of an integrated circuit (IC) substantially simultaneously while limiting the number of necessary IC pins is provided. The apparatus utilizes time division multiplexing (TDM) to provide a plurality of signals to a logic analyzer from test nodes within an integrated circuit through a single output pin. A multiplexer receives a plurality of signals from IC test nodes and provides an interleaved stream of time slices from each signal on its output. The signals are demultiplexed and reconstructed by the logic analyzer. Sampling of the signals must be fast enough to satisfy the Nyquist criterion for sampling speed. In another embodiment, the apparatus provides a multiplexer hierarchy to increase the total number of observable test nodes. Test node signals which are known to have slow transition rates are grouped and input into a lower-level multiplexer.