Abstract: An image cropping system utilizes memory, an object detector, and an image cropper. A set of digital data that defines a graphical image is stored in the memory. The object detector analyzes the set of digital data and automatically identifies a portion of the digital data that defines an image of a particular object. The image cropper then uses the identified portion to determine a position of the object image within the graphical image. Based on the position of the object image within the graphical image, the image cropper automatically crops the digital data. In this regard, the position of the object image within the graphical image serves as a reference for determining which portions of the set of digital data should be cropped.

Abstract: A graphical system enables users to edit graphical images. The graphical system utilizes memory for storing graphical data and an image manager. The image manager is configured to render a first set of the graphical data based on a first setting of an editing parameter. The first graphical data set defines a first image. The image manager is also configured to render a second set of the graphical data based on a second setting of the editing parameter in response to a user input and to render a third set of the graphical data based on a third setting of the editing parameter in response to the user input. The second setting is different than the third setting thereby enabling a user to comprehend, by visually comparing an image defined by the second graphical data set to an image defined by the third graphical data set, an effect of updating the editing parameter for the first image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for customizing a software application interface. A method for modifying a software application contains the following steps: identifying the operator; acquiring an operator profile; setting a threshold value; monitoring the operator's use of the software; and modifying a functional interface when the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A digital imaging system includes a color appearance handling capability that utilizes a database including actual image data and information relating to the actual image data to control illumination and color in digital images. The digital imaging system controls illumination and color with a color-by-correlation technology that includes an illuminant detection training algorithm that bases control of illumination and color on a database storing actual illuminants, scenes, and subjects from representative image acquisition devices such as digital cameras and scanners. In one example, illuminant detection training is accurately rendered for a variety of illuminants, scenes, and subjects that are expected to be of interest to users of a particular camera or group of cameras. In the example, the database is formed by user-group submissions from users of a particular camera or group of cameras.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for color correcting for the presence, in a scene, of artificial illumination that is powered by alternating current is disclosed. By sampling the light in a scene at a periodic rate the presence of artificial illumination can be detected and then color corrected.

Abstract: A digital camera has a removable nonvolatile memory for storing compressed images. The camera is capable of performing advanced image processing, and has a second nonremovable nonvolatile memory for storing intermediate results of advanced processing. The intermediate results are saved upon the nonremovable, nonvolatile, memory periodically, upon detection of low battery, or both. If batteries are replaced or external power is connected, under some conditions the camera's image processing subsystem can restart advanced processing. When advanced processing is restarted, these saved intermediate results are used to save processing time by avoiding the need to repeat some previously performed portions of advanced processing. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of storing intermediate results upon the removable nonvolatile memory also used for storing compressed images.

Abstract: An electronic camera has a battery, a battery charge-monitor circuit for monitoring battery charge, an embedded image-processing system, and a nonvolatile memory coupled to the embedded image-processing system for recording compressed images. The camera is capable of performing an initial compression and of performing advanced processing of images. The camera is capable of saving partially processed and/or intermediate images on nonvolatile memory, and suspending advanced processing, when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a minimum or a reserve level. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of reducing a clock rate at which advanced processing is performed to conserve battery charge.

Abstract: An electronic camera capable of performing an initial compression and advanced processing of images has a user interface with an indicator that warns a user when the camera is about to write to removable nonvolatile memory. In an alternative embodiment, also provided are menus for setting an adjustable battery reserve level at which advanced processing is suspended such that battery charge is conserved for capturing new images. In another alternative embodiment, also provided are menus through which particular type of advanced processing may be selected. A variation of this embodiment has a mode where the camera holds raw data necessary for advanced processing in RAM for a few seconds to allow a user to request advanced processing of images selected by the user. In yet another alternative embodiment, the user interface can display a list of images with status of advanced processing. The user can change this list of images, including dropping images from and reordering the list.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for displaying preview images to a camera user. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to displaying liveview images in a camera display when an image is being composed, and further displaying at least one preview image in the camera display, the at least one preview image providing an indication of image focus or detail.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing spatially-varied demosaicing. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to collecting color information sensed by image sensor pixels, and estimating color information as to a pixel under consideration that is not collected by the pixel by weighting color information collected by adjacent pixels that are positioned in a direction in which color is shifted due to lateral chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining focus of an image. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertains to restricting light provided by a central portion of a camera lens so that light is primarily collected from a periphery of the lens, and evaluating the focus of the image using the light from the periphery of the lens.

Abstract: A digital camera and method that embodies a preview image that shows what the final image will look like, including depth of field and shutter speed temporal effects (blur). Preview images are displayed as a series of stop-action still images rather than as continuous video. Overlays or picture-in picture can be used to show live action video simultaneously for framing.

Abstract: A preview mode for a digital camera, and associated method, that displays more than one alternative interpretation of a photographic image that is to be recorded. A user selects the best of the alternatives before the photographic image is taken. Thus, the photographic image is more optimally exposed and processed.

Abstract: A digital imaging device detects or tracks a user's direction of gaze. The detected direction of gaze may be used to set one or more functions in the digital imaging device, and the history of the user's direction of gaze may be stored with a captured digital image for later use by an automatic image post-processing apparatus.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus automatically alters a digital image based on metadata stored with the digital image. The metadata may comprise one or more dwell locations on which a user's gaze lingered as the user was composing the digital image.

Abstract: A method of local contrast mapping that changes the dynamic range of an original image to more closely match the dynamic range of the medium used for the reproduction. The method variably compresses large contrast differences between different areas of an image while variably modifing small contrast differences between different areas of an image.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for changing the dynamic range of an original input image to more closely match the dynamic range of the medium used for a reproduction. The method includes creating an output image by preserving small contrast differences between different areas of the original input image and limiting the maximum contrast differences between different areas of the original input image. The method also includes creating a mask by subtracting the original input image from the output image, scaling the mask, and creating a new output image by adding the scaled mask to the original input image.

Abstract: A method of local contrast mapping that changes the dynamic range of an original image to more closely match the dynamic range of the medium used for the reproduction. The method compresses large contrast differences between different areas of an image while preserving small contrast differences between different areas of an image.

Abstract: A method of local contrast mapping that changes the dynamic range of an original image to more closely match the dynamic range of the medium used for the reproduction. The method compresses large contrast differences between different areas of an image while preserving small contrast differences between different areas of an image.

Abstract: An auxiliary illuminating device that has an adjustable color temperature. The color temperature is adjusted by varying the light throughput of independently adjustable color filters.