Computer Can Control Camera Patents (Class 348/207.11)
  • Publication number: 20100245599
    Abstract: A system including a display device including a display surface. The system can include a camera to capture one or more images of the display surface. A computing device can be connected to the camera to control the camera and to recognize an object placed on the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Anthony, Michael M. Blythe, Wyatt Allen Huddlesto, Gregory W. Blythe, Jonathan J. Sandoval, Steven D. Morrow, Quinn V. Jemmott
  • Publication number: 20100245598
    Abstract: Group photographs are continuously taken with the same background, whereby at least two image frames are produced. A position of a face of each person is detected from each image frame. A combination weighting function w[p](x, y) is set such that, on the basis of the face detected in one of the two image frames, combination weights of pixels of the said one image frame to corresponding pixels of the other image frame are set, which combination weights decrease with increasing distance from the face of the person in said one image frame. The pixels of the said one image frame are laid on the corresponding pixels of the other image frame based on the combination weighting function w[p](x, y), whereby one composed image is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira HAMADA
  • Patent number: 7804520
    Abstract: A printer having a digital camera connected thereto checks whether or not a transfer button of the camera is pressed, and checks the communication mode of the camera in the case where it is pressed. In the case where the communication mode of the camera is a mass storage mode, a conversion command for ordering change to a PTP mode is sent to the camera from the printer. The camera performs a bus reset so as to redo configuration and convert the protocol to the PTP mode. In the case where the communication mode of the camera is the PTP mode or is automatically changed to the PTP mode, the image is transferred to the printer in conjunction with operation of the transfer button. Thus, a desired image is transferred to a host such as the printer according to a transfer instruction of an image by the transfer button, etc. on a device side while a user is not conscious of the state of a communication mode and mode switching of the device such as the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifillm Corporation
    Inventor: Masako Suehiro
  • Publication number: 20100238303
    Abstract: Systems and methods of memorializing a viewer's viewing experience are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment presents a program stream to the viewer, detects an occurrence of one of a plurality of event capture triggers, captures at least one image of the viewer in response to detecting the event capture trigger, and stores the image of the viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicholas Newell
  • Patent number: 7800647
    Abstract: JPEG image data captured by camera module 20 is paired with image capturing information pertaining to image capturing conducted by camera module 20 and a predetermined information area to store image capturing information pertaining to a main body unit, in a form being compliant with Exif standards to output to the main body unit, and the main body unit stores the outputted image data in memory section 16, and further stores image capturing information pertaining to the main body unit for image capturing in the predetermined information are paired with the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Keiichi Kawazu
  • Publication number: 20100231729
    Abstract: A method of capturing image file and accessing captured image file via a network is provided. The method is employed in an image capturing apparatus which has a storage and is connected to the network. The method of capturing image and accessing captured image via the network includes: receiving a network scan instruction to initialize an image capturing operation; receiving an identification code corresponding to an image file to initialize an image accessing operation. The image capturing operation includes: scanning a document to generate the image file and storing the image file in the storage; and receiving the identification code corresponding to the image file and storing the identification code in the storage. The image accessing operation includes: searching for the identification code; and transmitting the image file corresponding to the identification code via the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Hsin-Chen Robin Lee
  • Patent number: 7764307
    Abstract: A remote instruction system includes: an imaging unit that captures an image of an object; a projecting unit that projects an annotation image in the imaging area of the imaging unit, the annotation image being formed in accordance with an instruction issued based on the captured image; and an annotation adjusting unit that adjusts the conditions for projecting the annotation image, in accordance with a situation in the imaging area of the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Iyoda
  • Publication number: 20100182439
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus which communicates with another image capturing apparatus, comprises an image capturing unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an image of an object; a reception unit configured to receive image data captured by the other image capturing apparatus during communication with the other image capturing apparatus; a storage unit configured to store the image data received by the reception unit in a storage medium; and a processor configured to describe image information of the image data received by the reception unit in an information file which describes image information used to identify image data stored in the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Morita
  • Publication number: 20100182438
    Abstract: A digital camera sends an XML document to a client application executing on a computer that is remote from the digital camera. The XML document describes a physical user interface of the digital camera. Based on the XML document received from the digital camera, the client application renders and displays a visual depiction of the digital camera's user interface. A user of the client application can remotely control the digital camera from the client application by interacting with the user interface elements shown in the visual depiction. User activation of controls shown in the visual depiction causes the digital camera to perform the same operations as the digital camera would perform if the user had actually activated the corresponding physical controls on the digital camera itself. The client application is capable of receiving different XML documents from different camera models, and rendering different interfaces based on those different XML documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Soiba Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20100177160
    Abstract: A panoramic camera comprising at least one reflector and an image sensor. The camera has an integral annular to rectangular image conversion module to convert annular images received on the image sensor. The camera is remotely controllable to enable a remote user to select a portion of the resulting rectangular image or change optical properties such as exposure time using a mobile telephone having a browser interface and lacking annular to rectangular image conversion software. Images or video are automatically uploadable to an internet server. Still or video image can be encrypted, along with the measured location at which the still or video images were taken. An integral stand enables the panoramic camera to better take images of rooms when resting on the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: OTUS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Neil TOCHER, Cameron James Ure
  • Publication number: 20100165119
    Abstract: A method for capturing an image may include receiving a start command, determining whether one or more predefined conditions are satisfied, and capturing an image when the predefined conditions are satisfied. The start command and/or the predefined conditions may be dependent on an audible signal. The predefined conditions may include predetermined reception angles of the audible signal, ratios of foreground to background, and/or reception of a remote control signal. The method may also require that no visual feature is occluded. Individualized feedback may be provided which can direct a specific person within an image to correct a failed predefined condition. An apparatus and computer program product corresponding to the method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: YUEZHONG TANG, Hao Wang, Huanglingzi Liu
  • Patent number: 7738011
    Abstract: A camera control system consists of a plurality of camera apparatus, camera control units coupled to the plural camera apparatus, respectively, a transmission path connected to the camera units and a base station connected to the transmission path. The base station has a database and the database is stored with setting values concerning at least photographing direction, image quality and voice quality of the plural camera apparatus and the plural camera control units in a plurality of table formats. An arbitrary camera control unit has a memory unit. A desired setting value of those stored in the database is down loaded to the memory unit on the basis of a command from the camera control unit and the setting values of the plural camera apparatus and camera control units are modified with the down loaded setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7733386
    Abstract: A method of controlling a digital photographing device for storing an image file obtained by taking a photograph in a storage medium, and reproducing an image file stored in the storage medium to display on a display unit, the method including: marking an image file corresponding to an image last displayed on the display unit when a playback mode for displaying an image on a display unit is terminated; and loading, when a playback mode is started, an image file corresponding to an image that has been last displayed on the display unit when a previous playback mode is terminated, to display on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20100134636
    Abstract: A computer device for a digital picture taking application includes a camera having an optical system, an electronic image sensor providing raw image data, and an image data compressor, a display, a computing subsystem and a data bus interfacing the computing subsystem with the image data compressor. The image data compressor generates a compressed picture data stream from the raw image data using a variable and externally controllable compression rate. A CPU and bus bandwidth manager monitors the available CPU utilization and bus bandwidth depending on activities of the computer program applications and allocates bus bandwidth to active computer program applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventor: Fabrice Cheruel
  • Publication number: 20100135381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a video transmission system that uses an encoding/decoding technique. An object of the present invention is to refrain from using a memory for storing decoded image data, avoid a decoder input buffer problem (buffer overflow or underflow) with ease, achieve cost reduction, and provide enhanced image quality. In the video transmission system with an encoding/decoding device, a reference signal for adjusting a synchronization schedule of the entire system is generated and supplied to various sections. In addition, a timing adjustment amount for adjusting the synchronization schedule for the reference signal is generated by a decoder and supplied to a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Masaki HAMAMOTO, Masatoshi KONDO, Masatoshi TAKADA, Muneaki YAMAGUCHI, Takanobu TSUNODA, Takafumi YUASA
  • Publication number: 20100134637
    Abstract: A photographing management server is provided with a photographing request information acquiring unit for acquiring photographing request information from a photographing request device, a photographing load information transmission request unit that transmits the photographing request information and requests the transmission of photographing load information including a load amount, a photographing load information acquiring unit for acquiring photographing load information, a photographing request subject determining unit for determining a photographing device requested to photograph in accordance with the photographing load information, a photographing request unit for requesting the photographing device determined by the photographing request determining unit to photograph, an image data acquiring unit for acquiring image data from the photographing device requested by the photographing request unit and an image data provision unit for providing image data to the photographing request device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shisei cho, Katsumi Amano, Yoshikazu Takeuchi, Tsuyoshio Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7728875
    Abstract: An external I/F gives numerical information on an imaging device, input from PC or PLC, to a memory. The memory outputs the numerical information to CPU as well as retaining the numerical information. CPU transmits the numerical information through a camera to an operation control unit. The operation control unit performs correction using a correction value from a correction table. In order to correct a variation individually possessed by a lens unit or an illumination unit, the correction table is previously produced for each lens unit or illumination unit based on the numerical information from the camera. The post-correction control signals are output to a lens unit 62 and an illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Yutaka Kato
  • Patent number: 7728870
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing, logging and retrieval of face-to-face interactions characterizing walk-in environments. The system comprising a device for capturing and storing one or more face to face interactions captured in the presence of the parties to the interaction, and a database for storing data and metadata information associated with the face-to-face interactions captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nice Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Eyal Rudnik, Ilan Freedman, Yoel Goldenberg
  • Publication number: 20100123785
    Abstract: A device to provide an audio output includes a microphone array, a signal processor, and a graphic user interface (GUI). The signal processor is coupled to the microphone array to perform audio beamforming with input from the microphone array. The GUI is coupled to the signal processor to display a plurality of audio sources, to receive a selection of at least one of the plurality of audio sources from a user, and to provide the selection to the signal processor for aiming the audio beamforming toward the selected audio source. The selection may be made by touching the display. The device may further include a camera and the GUI may display an image received from the camera as the plurality of audio sources. The camera may provide a moving video image and the signal processor may provide a synchronized audio signal aimed at the selected audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Philip George Tamchina, Jae Han Lee, Chad G. Seguin, Michael Lee
  • Publication number: 20100118153
    Abstract: A camera controller includes a communication medium and a computer-readable medium. The communication medium is operable for enabling communications between a camera and a computer unit. The computer-readable medium is operable for storing a configuration data set indicative of settings of an image sensor of the camera and for storing a configuration module executed by the computer unit. The configuration module includes multiple computer-executable instructions for setting operation parameters of the image sensor according to the configuration data set via the communication medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Xiaoguang YU
  • Publication number: 20100103257
    Abstract: A method for correcting an image of a physical object first captures images of a circle and a rectangle set of a calibration plate placed on a measurement machine, and determines correction data using the images of the circle and the rectangle. The method further corrects the image of the physical object captured by the measurement machine according to the correction data, and displays a corrected image of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, XIAN-YI CHEN, XIAO-GUANG XUE, LI JIANG, ZHONG-KUI YUAN
  • Patent number: 7705888
    Abstract: The user of an objective device registers a favorite setup of the objective device in a user setup data recording device in correspondence with user information based on a physical feature. Upon detecting the physical feature of the user, the objective device sends its device ID to the user setup data recording device together with the user information based on the physical feature. The user setup data recording device sends setup data of the objective device, which is set in advance by the user, to the objective device on the basis of the received user information and device ID. The objective device changes its setup on the basis of the received setup data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruyuki Kitawaki
  • Patent number: 7701487
    Abstract: Capturing motion comprising: generating a time reference; substantially synchronizing a plurality of motion capture cameras to the time reference; transmitting a multicast signal including information derived from the time reference to enable at least one device used in motion capture to operate synchronously with the plurality of motion capture cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Song Pictures Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce E. Dobrin
  • Patent number: 7701483
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image input system which is easy to use. To achieve this object, an image input system has an image input device (camera) having a plurality of operation modes, and a computer having a plurality of software programs corresponding to the plurality of operation modes, and when the image input device is connected to the computer, when a power supply of the image input device is turned on after the image input device is connected to the computer, or when the image input device is switched to another operation mode while the image input device is connected to the computer, the software program corresponding to the operation mode of the image input device is automatically started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Takiguchi, Atsushi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7698725
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus arranged to refer to image capture limitation information to judge whether an image capture range after control includes a limitation area, the image capture limitation information defining the limitation area corresponding to an attribute of a user of a terminal, and effect control so that if it is judged that the image capture range includes the limitation area, the terminal is controlled so as to perform secure communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurosawa, Tomoaki Kawai
  • Publication number: 20100085435
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a reception unit that receives multiple captured images that are captured with a capture device in parallel from an external apparatus to which the capture device that captures an object is connected; a detection unit that detects a priority image that is included in the multiple captured images being received by the reception unit and is assigned priority information that specifies the priority image to be preferentially displayed on a display device; and a controller that controls the reception unit to stop receiving other captured images which are not detected by the detection unit and to receive the priority image detected by the detection unit and controls the display device to display the priority image on the display device when the priority image is detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiwame Tokai
  • Publication number: 20100079580
    Abstract: This is an imaging system configured and optimized for capturing two dimensional images of a desired section of body tissue and converting these images into three dimensional virtual environment images. These three dimensional virtual environment images are then viewed at multiple immersive omnidirectional viewing angles. The viewing angles are then choreographed into a desired sequence to create a fly through sequence through the cellular layers of a desired section of body tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: George O. Waring, IV
  • Patent number: 7688355
    Abstract: A method for storing images of a workpiece is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) reading an image of the workpiece from the storage; (b) reading one byte of the three bytes' color information of each pixel of the image; (c) storing one by one the read one byte of the three bytes' color information of each pixel of the image in an array allocated by the storage; (d) obtaining a coordinate value of a center point of the image from the location file; (e) storing the coordinate value of the center point of the image and the array representing the image's color information as an object in a source file; and (f) repeating the steps (a) to (e) till all the images of the workpiece are read. A related system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Zhong-Kui Yuan
  • Patent number: 7688381
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for accurately repositioning an imaging device in order to acquire or project a new image of a scene of interest. Accurate repositioning of an imaging device is necessary for generating or displaying high quality time-lapse image sequences for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Ken VanBree
  • Publication number: 20100073490
    Abstract: A robotic system that includes a mobile robot and a remote input device. The input device may be a joystick that is used to move a camera and a mobile platform of the robot. The system may operate in a mode where the mobile platform moves in a camera reference coordinate system. The camera reference coordinate system is fixed to a viewing image provided by the camera so that movement of the robot corresponds to a direction viewed on a screen. This prevents disorientation during movement of the robot if the camera is panned across a viewing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Yulun Wang, Charles S. Jordan, Keith P. Lady, Jonathan Southard, Marco Pinter, Brian Miller
  • Patent number: 7683933
    Abstract: In an image display system which has a management station for saving, in a server, management data that contains at least names, identification numbers, and connection numbers of image sensing devices, and is described in the data description language, and the display style of the management data, and a display device, and which displays a video obtained from an arbitrary one or more image sensing devices connected, the management data of the image sensing devices is read out from the server, the display style of the readout management data is read out from the server, and an image is generated and displayed by applying the management data to the display style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7683932
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes first, second and third interface units. The first interface unit has a first port for connection to a first external apparatus. The second interface unit has a second port for connection to a second external apparatus. The third interface unit is for connection to a removable storage medium. The storage apparatus sets the second port in a disabled state responsive to a determination that the first external apparatus connected to the first port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to the third interface unit. The storage apparatus sets the first port in the disabled state responsive to a determination that the second external apparatus connected to the second port is capable of accessing the removable storage medium connected to the third interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabishiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tachio Ono
  • Publication number: 20100066841
    Abstract: A method for operating an audio/video recording device is presented. In the method, an audio/video program is delivered to an output device for display. An indication of an event not associated with a recording function of the audio/video recording device is received during delivery of the audio/video program. In response to receiving the indication, a current location within the audio/video program is marked, and the audio/video program is recorded if the program was not recorded previously. The recording of the audio/video program is delivered to the output device beginning at the marked location in the audio/video program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Gavin Quail
  • Patent number: 7679643
    Abstract: A remote instruction system includes a control portion. The control portion transmits a first image to a remote terminal and controls a projection portion to project a first annotation image onto a subject according to an instruction issued from the remote terminal on the basis of the first image, and the control portion transmits a second image to the remote terminal and controls the projection portion to project a second annotation image onto the subject according to the instruction issued from the remote terminal on the basis of the second image, the first image being captured by a first image capturing portion provided for capturing the first image of the subject, the second image being captured by a second image capturing portion provided for zooming a given area of the subject to capture the second image, when the given area in the first image is selected from the remote terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Shingu
  • Patent number: 7675570
    Abstract: A device mounting apparatus that allows the orientation of a device to be easily adjusted alone. The device mounting apparatus is mounted with a device. A mount includes a seat fixed to a base, and a rotation mechanism portion that is supported by the seat and can change the orientation of the device relative to the seat. An adjustment jig is attachable to and detachable from the mount and includes a driving unit driven by operation. The rotation mechanism includes a supporting unit that supports the device, a changing unit that changes the orientation of the rotation mechanism according to driving of the adjustment jig when the adjustment jig is mounted to the mount, and brakes that fix the orientation of the rotation mechanism when the adjustment jig is detached from the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Shimada
  • Publication number: 20100045804
    Abstract: An electronic system comprising an image pickup unit 1, a computer 2, and communication terminals for connecting the unit and the computer, such as infrared communication ports 6, 10, a card slot 8, and serial communication terminals 5,9 wherein the necessary image data is allowed to be produced from the unit 1 and transmitted to the computer through the communication terminals. The computer communicates with the image pick up unit by examining the port of each communication means in order to recognize whether a connected unit is the image pickup unit or a foreign unit and to determine and store the communication speed for each communication port. The image data and memory space information is then automatically transmitted to the computer and displayed on a device connected to said computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Gaku Watanabe, Shigeki Okauchi, Hitoshi Nabetani, Yuji Koide
  • Publication number: 20100026817
    Abstract: A medical communication system includes a plurality of end-user audio/video recording and playback devices (40) disposed with recipients of medical assistance, and a medical server (10) configured to receive audio/video messages (90?) generated by the end-user audio/video devices and to generate and transmit audio/video responses (94) to targeted end-user audio/video devices. The medical server includes an audio/video recording and playback device (12) configured to playback received audio/video messages and to record audio/video responses, and the end user audio/video recording and playback devices are configured to playback audio/video responses (94?) received from the server. In some embodiments, each end-user audio/video device includes: a video recording lens (62); a microphone (64); and an automatic lens cover (63) arranged to physically block the video recording lens except during recording of audio/video content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: John C. Ryan, Ashik Uzzaman
  • Publication number: 20100026816
    Abstract: Described in detail herein are systems and methods for allowing a wireless telecommunications device, such as a cell phone, to wirelessly receive and transmit digital content, such as digital images from a camcorder. Further, the wireless telecommunications device can wirelessly command a digital content capture device. Further, a card may be inserted into a digital content capture device to permit the device to wirelessly send digital content. Further details and features are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Jonathan Bergstrom, Mark Drovdahl, Sinclair Temple
  • Publication number: 20100023316
    Abstract: A participant response system comprises a plurality of handsets for allowing a participant of an event to input a response. Each handset comprises a wireless handset having a keyboard for allowing a user to input a response. The handsets are configurable either as a participant response handset to allow a participant to enter a response, or as a base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony Knowles, Christopher Davies, Andrew Cornall
  • Publication number: 20100020183
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with an external apparatus via a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The control unit determines whether or not the communication unit is in a predetermined state, in a case where the operation mode of the image capture apparatus changed to either a playback mode or an image capture mode. The control unit does not execute a connecting process in a case where the communication unit is in the predetermined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kimoto, Isao Abe
  • Patent number: 7649548
    Abstract: A method transfers image information from a camera module (1) to an electronic device, such as a mobile station (23). In the camera module (1), an image is formed by an image sensor (2) having pixels, where the light to which the pixel (P1,1-Pm,n) is exposed is converted into an analog signal which is converted into digital image information. The image information is transferred in serial form, and the transfer of the image information is controlled by the electronic device (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarno Knuutila, Jari Toivanen, Janne Juhola, Markku Lipponen, Ari Aho, Janne Haavisto, Kaj Saarinen
  • Patent number: 7643065
    Abstract: In a system having a server and a client apparatus, the client apparatus edits image data by using a representative image of the image data stored in the server, generates play list data indicating the order of reproducing the image data, in accordance with the editing results, and the server stores the image data sent from the client apparatus, reproduces the stored image data in accordance with the play list data sent from the client, and transmits the reproduced image data to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuma Mikawa
  • Publication number: 20090322888
    Abstract: An integrated circuit processes image data of a video camera by determining the optical flow and uses this to calculate output data that are either a measure for the position and/or movement of body parts of persons, or that represent and code gestures of persons. Furthermore, an electronic data-processing system, a method, and a computer program are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Wuerz-Wessel, Jens Schick
  • Publication number: 20090316007
    Abstract: A recording media control apparatus is disclosed which includes: a host interface configured to connect recording media to a recording media unit, the recording media being subject to the writing and reading of data thereto and therefrom, the recording media unit incorporating an internal temperature sensor; an access request section configured to make either a data write request or a data read request to the recording media unit; a temperature status determination section configured to request temperature acquisition from the recording media unit in a predetermined cycle and, based on the acquired temperature, to determine temperature status of the recording media; and an access control section configured to transmit a command to the recording media unit via the host interface in response to an access request from the access request section and the temperature acquisition request from the temperature status determination section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryogo ITO, Hiroshi Shimono
  • Patent number: 7631177
    Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an information input system which can flexibly select the storage location of information input from an input apparatus. To achieve this object, in an information input system which comprises an input apparatus for inputting information, and an information processing apparatus which is connected to the input apparatus and processes information transferred from the input apparatus, the input apparatus has a storage unit for storing input information, a connection detection device for detecting whether or not the information processing apparatus is connected to the input apparatus, and a controller for controlling to transfer the input information to the information processing apparatus without storing the information in the storage unit, when the connection detection device detects that the information processing apparatus is connected to the input apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7612922
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image capture unit, a communication unit and a switch. The image capture unit captures a digital image using an image sensing device. The communication unit transmits a resume signal to an external computer, the resume signal being used by the external computer to release a suspended state. The switch enables the image sensing apparatus to capture a digital image using the image capture unit and enables the image sensing apparatus to transmit the resume signal to the external computer using the communication unit. Before the resume signal is transmitted to the external computer, the image sensing apparatus determines whether the external computer is in the suspended state. If it is determined that the external computer is in the suspended state, the image sensing apparatus enables the communication unit to transmit the resume signal to the external computer so as to release the suspended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Koide
  • Patent number: 7612798
    Abstract: A photographing system having plural image pickup units for a moving apparatus with enhanced user's visibility of images for a driver of the apparatus. A system control part controls the image pickup units. Image pickup unit picks up images ahead of the moving apparatus. Image pickup unit picks up images aback. System control unit predicts surrounding state of the moving apparatus based on map information or position information and, when the moving apparatus enters a tunnel, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of image pickup device thereof, and then, when level of output image signal of the image pickup unit enters within a specified range, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of the image pickup device thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Xanavi Informatics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiro Kinugasa, Yukio Asoh, Hiroshi Takenaga
  • Publication number: 20090262204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a notebook computer for capturing an image of a card. The notebook computer includes a base and an upper cover. The base includes a keyboard and a fixing recess for fixing the card. The upper cover is pivotally coupled to the base and includes an image sensing device and a screen for displaying a frame. If the image sensing device is disenabled to capture the image of the card, the frame on the screen has a first luminance value. Whereas, if the image sensing device is enabled to capture the image of the card, the frame on the screen has a second luminance value greater than the first luminance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Tung-Hsuan Pai, Chi-Jen Liao, Wen-Lung Chou, Wei-Chih Teng, Ming-Yueh Guu, Meng-Tsung Su
  • Patent number: 7606411
    Abstract: A gesture recognition system enabling control of a robotic device through gesture command by a user is provided, comprising a robotic unit, a video or infrared camera affixed to the robotic unit, computing means, and high and low level of control gesture recognition application code capable of enabling the system to locate points of left hand, right hand, upper torso and lower torso of the user in the video imagery and convert it to waveform data, correlate the waveform data to user command data, and form corresponding control voltage command(s) for production of electric current voltage(s) to drive one or more of the electric motors or actuators of the robotic device to thereby control same. In addition, a computer software program is provided for use in the gesture recognition system described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Larry Venetsky, Jeffrey W. Tieman
  • Patent number: RE41524
    Abstract: An electronic camera captures images representing a variety of subjects and categorizes the image according to subject matter. The camera comprises an image sensor for capturing an image, a converter stage for converting the image into digital image data, and a memory for storing a plurality of categories providing classification of the images by subject. A processor in the camera has the capability of assigning the plurality of categories to the images captured by the camera, with each category providing a subject classification for the images. A user selects one or more categories for a plurality of images prior to capture, and an output image signal is then generated including the digital image data corresponding to a captured image and the particular category selected by the user. The categories can be default identifiers stored in the memory, or can be names, text (i.e., account number), and/or graphics overlays (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Thomas A. Napoli, David M. Lewis