Sound Patents (Class 396/283)
  • Patent number: 11232617
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. The camera can move to take the images from different angles and in an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product. An alternative housing apparatus is in a booth for automatically producing an imaging sequence of a self-portrait of the user integrated into a stored background or film clip, including a cash or credit card receiving device, a computer triggered by cash or credit received in the device, a movable digital camera or video camera to view the user, a video monitor for self-viewing, and the possibility of one located outside the booth for advertising or amusement purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Pamela L. Barber
  • Patent number: 10561943
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. The camera can move to take the images from different angles and in an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product. An alternative housing apparatus is in a booth for automatically producing an imaging sequence of a self-portrait of the user integrated into a stored background or film clip, including a cash or credit card receiving device, a computer triggered by cash or credit received in the device, a movable digital camera or video camera to view the user, a video monitor for self-viewing, and the possibility of one located outside the booth for advertising or amusement purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: Pamela Barber
  • Patent number: 9901829
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of site-specific background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. The camera can move to take the images from different angles and In an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product. An alternative housing apparatus is in a booth for automatically producing an imaging sequence of a self-portrait of the user integrated into a stored background or film clip, including a cash or credit card receiving device, a computer triggered by cash or credit received in the device, a movable digital camera or video camera to view the user, a video monitor for self-viewing, and the possibility of one located outside the booth for advertising or amusement purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Pamela Barber
  • Patent number: 8891953
    Abstract: A photographing method, medium, and apparatus based on face detection in a portable camera. The portable photographing apparatus may include an image input unit that receives an image, a face detection unit that detects a face from the received image, a storage unit that stores the image detected by the face detection unit as a moving image in a first mode, and a quality evaluation unit that evaluates the quality of the image detected by the face detection unit and stores the same as a still image in a second mode upon satisfaction of predetermined conditions evaluated based on the quality evaluation of the still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-bae Kim, Chan-min Park, Eui-hyeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 8358927
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive an instruction for starting a continuous shooting operation, a sound output unit configured to output a predetermined sound according to a shooting operation, and a controller configured to control output/non-output of the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to a setting of sound output, and to control the continuous shooting operation. The setting of sound output includes an ON setting for outputting the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to a start of the shooting operation and an OFF setting for non-outputting the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to the start of the shooting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Ishida
  • Patent number: 8280734
    Abstract: Generally methods for titling segments of recorded audio data are disclosed herein. An input from a voice activation module, a push button input or another user interface can provide a stimulus for a system or device to record title information. The title information can be received as an utterance, converted to text, and linked to a segment or body of recorded audio. A speech to text converter can perform the conversion from audio to text and the text can be displayed to a user. Then, the system can request and accept a confirmation from the user that the title information reflects a user's desires. In a recording retrieval mode, the system can display a plurality of titles with textual characters that represent a lingual translation of the title to the user and prompt the user for a user selection of a title. After such a selection is made, the recorded audio can be retrieved from memory and played back to the user over speakers or headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart J. Hyman, Stephen J. Watt
  • Publication number: 20120033958
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive an instruction for starting a continuous shooting operation, a sound output unit configured to output a predetermined sound according to a shooting operation, and a controller configured to control output/non-output of the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to a setting of sound output, and to control the continuous shooting operation. The setting of sound output includes an ON setting for outputting the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to a start of the shooting operation and an OFF setting for non-outputting the predetermined sound from the sound output unit according to the start of the shooting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: KEN ISHIDA
  • Patent number: 7907836
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus whose posture is easily adjustable is provided. The imaging apparatus is configured to include an inclination detector detecting a degree of inclination of one of the imaging apparatus and an image captured by the imaging apparatus relative to a horizontal direction orthogonal to a direction of gravity; a display unit; a first inclination indicator unit allowing the display unit to display an indicator to indicate the degree of inclination according to a detection result from the inclination detector; a second inclination indicator unit notifying via sound according to a detection result from the inclination detector that the degree of inclination is over a predetermined value; and a selector unit allowing at least one of the first and second inclination indicator units to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Shinohara, Koji Yokoyama, Mayu Takano, Hiroshi Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 7885531
    Abstract: A photographing method, medium, and apparatus based on face detection in a portable camera. The portable photographing apparatus may include an image input unit that receives an image, a face detection unit that detects a face from the received image, a storage unit that stores the image detected by the face detection unit as a moving image in a first mode, and a quality evaluation unit that evaluates the quality of the image detected by the face detection unit and stores the same as a still image in a second mode upon satisfaction of predetermined conditions evaluated based on the quality evaluation of the still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-bae Kim, Chan-min Park, Eui-hyeon Hwang
  • Publication number: 20110008036
    Abstract: A photographing device, which includes a photographing section; a display section that displays a photography image taken by the photographing section; a person indicator setting section that sets a person indicator prepared beforehand on the display screen; an operation section that operates a target position and/or a target size of the person indicator; a person detection section that detects a position and/or a size of a person in the photography image; a comparison section that compares the detected position and/or size of the person in the photography image with the target position and/or size; a guiding instruction section that generates an instruction for the person to be photographed to guide toward a direction coinciding with the compared result; and a control section that controls the photographing section such that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the compared result falls within a predetermined allowable error, a shutter is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Susumu TAKATSUKA, Noribumi Shibayama, Hisatoshi Suto
  • Patent number: 7725023
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as mobile terminal devices, with a photographing function, and in the case where a photographing target is a person, enhances its function for protecting the photographing target from being photographed without consent by such as spy shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaharu Tosa
  • Patent number: 7660521
    Abstract: An image pickup terminal includes an image pickup section, a data storage section which stores shutter sound setup data that sets a shutter sound generating when the image pickup section performs an imaging, a shutter sound generating section which generates a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section, a shutter sound appropriateness checking section which determines whether a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section is appropriate or not, and a control section which inhibits data setting of a shutter sound determined as being inappropriate by the shutter sound appropriateness checking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7580626
    Abstract: An image pickup terminal includes an image pickup section, a data storage section which stores shutter sound setup data that sets a shutter sound generating when the image pickup section performs an imaging, a shutter sound generating section which generates a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section, a shutter sound appropriateness checking section which determines whether a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section is appropriate or not, and a control section which inhibits data setting of a shutter sound determined as being inappropriate by the shutter sound appropriateness checking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7509044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device such as mobile terminal devices with a photographing function, and in the case where a photographing target is a person, enhances its function for protecting the photographing target from being photographed without consent by such as spy shots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaharu Tosa
  • Patent number: 7499643
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to authenticate a photo-shutter sound in a mobile station comprises a controller adapted to compare a sound level of the photo-shutter sound against a reference level, and a photo-shutter sound determination unit operatively coupled to the controller, adapted to determine whether allow use of the photo-shutter sound by the mobile station based on a result of comparison by the controller. If the sound level of the photo-shutter sound is less than the reference level, then the photo-shutter sound determination unit may determine to forbid downloading of the photo-shutter sound to the mobile station. Alternatively, if the sound level of the photo-shutter sound is less than the reference level, then the photo-shutter sound determination unit may determine to forbid storage of captured images by the mobile station using the photo-shutter sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventor: Du-Hyun Yoon
  • Publication number: 20080273870
    Abstract: An image pickup terminal includes an image pickup section, a data storage section which stores shutter sound setup data that sets a shutter sound generating when the image pickup section performs an imaging, a shutter sound generating section which generates a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section, a shutter sound appropriateness checking section which determines whether a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section is appropriate or not, and a control section which inhibits data setting of a shutter sound determined as being inappropriate by the shutter sound appropriateness checking section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080273871
    Abstract: An image pickup terminal includes an image pickup section, a data storage section which stores shutter sound setup data that sets a shutter sound generating when the image pickup section performs an imaging, a shutter sound generating section which generates a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section, a shutter sound appropriateness checking section which determines whether a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section is appropriate or not, and a control section which inhibits data setting of a shutter sound determined as being inappropriate by the shutter sound appropriateness checking section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro YAMAMOTO
  • Patent number: 7110666
    Abstract: An electronic device with a camera function, an electronic device, a photographing control method, a photographing control program, and a processor is provided with a preventive function to block inappropriate photographing such as spy shots. A photographing reporting section (54, 54A, 54B) issues a reporting information for photographing. An information detecting section (58, 58A, 58B) detects this reporting information and a judging section (image output judging section 60) judges, by using the reporting information detected at the information detecting section, whether or not the photographing is permitted, whether or not an image is stored, and whether or not the image is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yuuichi Abe, Fumihiko Yoshizawa, Muneyasu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6684130
    Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided with a photographing device for photographing subjects and a notifying device for making an advance notice of photographing with the photographing device. In addition, in a control method for the robot apparatus, an advance notice of photographing subjects is made and then photographs of the subjects are taken. As a result, a picture can be prevented from being taken by stealth, regardless of user's intention, and thus the user's privacy can be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoko Ogure, Hideki Noma
  • Patent number: 6291128
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to several embodiments in which different self-developing film formats are constructed in order to permit easy operator separation of the pod and trap from adjacent integral film units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Meschter, Richard P. Breen, Jr., Philip R. Norris
  • Patent number: 6137961
    Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted to use a film cartridge, or a unit applicable to the camera or the apparatus, includes a first member arranged to move the film cartridge at least for one of loading and unloading the film cartridge on or from the camera or the apparatus, and a second member arranged to prevent the first member from acting detrimentally at least on transportation of a film contained in the film cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6081670
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a camera to achieve sharp, clear pictures includes a sensor for determining the distance of the camera from a subject and a controller for calculating the camera's depth-of-field, determining whether the subject is within the depth-of-field, and generating various signals which are provided to control operation of the camera or convey pertinent information to the photographer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetouch National School Studies Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky J. Madsen, Jon A. Holmes, Trygve D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5835801
    Abstract: A camera equipped with a data processing device with memory to execute stored data and program instructions for a plurality of metering modes, which analyze light data input from a light metering device. The output of the data processing device is connected to a viewfinder, to an audio output device and to relevant camera settings. The processor executes instructions based on a main metering mode, such as matrix metering, to determine exposure settings of camera, and to display results in the viewfinder. The processor then executes instructions based a second auxiliary--metering mode--which is set to an available mode, such as spot metering, and associates a sequence of sound types to the resulting exposure information. The sequence is then output to the audio output device, thereby enabling a photographer to meter a scene by "listening".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Saumil A. Bhukhanwala
  • Patent number: 5822621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camera comprising means to emit a smile sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard Peter Szajewski
  • Patent number: 5737491
    Abstract: A system for digital image capture and transmission, includes a digital camera that has an electronic image sensor for sensing an image and producing a digital image; a memory for storing digital images produced by the image sensor in digital image files, the digital image files having associated information for controlling a remote image fulfillment server; a voice recorder for digitizing voice commands relating to control of the image fulfillment server; and a transmitter for transmitting the digital image file to the image fulfillment server. Either the camera or the fulfillment server includes a voice recognition module responsive to the digitized voice commands for producing control signals for the image fulfillment server. The image fulfillment server includes a receiver for receiving the digital image file and control signals; a memory for storing the received digital image file; and a file manager for managing the digital image file in response to the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Allen, Omid A. Moghadam, Donna M. Romer
  • Patent number: 5623709
    Abstract: A tripod device for holding a camera in a predetermined position has an angle detector for detecting an inclination of a pan head disposed on the tripod device, an angle setting unit for setting a working angle of the pan head, a control unit for outputting a set signal when an angle of the pan head detected by the angle detector becomes the set working angle and a notifying unit to be operated by the set signal from the control unit for notifying a user that the pan head of the tripod device is set at the working angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenobu Kaji
  • Patent number: 5580011
    Abstract: A film spool has a film-unwound verifier that produces an audible indication that a particular length of a filmstrip has been unwound from the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. Manico
  • Patent number: 5579078
    Abstract: A camera with an optical system and having a visual axis detection device includes observing structure for observing an object, and circuitry for detecting a visual axis of an observer looking into the observing structure. Circuitry is provided for detecting a focus condition of each of a plurality of different positions in a photographing field of view, and for outputting a plurality of focus signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of detected focus conditions. Circuitry is also provided for obtaining a focus result from a focus signal which corresponds to the position in the field of view looked at by observer as detected by the detecting circuitry. Circuitry is also provided for preparing a focus adjustment signal based on the focus result obtained by the obtaining circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Suzuki