Abstract: An imaging apparatus suppresses deterioration in an image quality caused by an electronic zoom. A digital camera equipped with a plurality of optical systems includes a fixed focal distance lens and a zoom lens. When a user sets a zoom position between discrete optical zoom positions within an overlapping range of the electronic zoom range of the fixed focal distance lens and the optical zoom range of the zoom lens, a control processor and timing generator sets the electronic zoom at the user's setting zoom position. Subsequently, when the zoom position of the zoom lens passes the user's setting zoom position, a photograph is taken, and an optical zoom image is stored in a memory card.

Abstract: A method and system for managing digital image media files. A server is provided for managing access to a digital image media collection stored on a remote user computer of a user. The digital image media collection has at least one digital media file having at least one image file of a predetermined resolution. The server communicates over a communication network with a user computer that provides initial authorization for managing of the digital images. The system provides automatic controlled access to the at least one digital media file in the user computer without any further authorization by the user.

Abstract: A method for capturing images using a digital camera and organizing the captured images for storage into electronic albums, comprising the steps of capturing and storing first and second groups of digital images using a digital camera; identifying favorite images for the first and second groups of digital images; storing data in the digital camera identifying the first and second groups of digital images, including data indicating the identified favorite images from the first and second group of digital images; transferring the first and second groups of digital images, and the data identifying the first and second groups of digital images and the identified favorite images, from the digital camera to a computer; producing a first electronic album including the first group of digital images and a second electronic album including the second group of digital images; and using the favorite image from the first group of digital images to represent the first electronic album, and the favorite image from the secon

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images; a processor for processing the plurality of images and producing a corresponding plurality of digital image files; a memory for storing the plurality of digital image files; and a mode control for selecting between a normal mode and an on-line sales mode.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for printing an authenticatable image having an embedded image into a receiver having a discernible physical characteristic, such that the printed image can be used to authenticate the receiver which includes scanning the receiver to produce information related to the discernible physical characteristic of the receiver, and providing a carrier which includes information related to the scanned receiver discernible physical characteristic. The method also includes combining the carrier with an input image to form the authenticatable image having the embedded image, and printing the authenticatable image having the embedded image onto the receiver.

Abstract: A method for producing a motion video image file from a motion image sequence, includes the steps of providing a first target data rate for a first image frame of the motion image sequence; compressing the first image frame using the first target data rate, and storing the compressed first image frame in a motion video image file; providing a second target data rate for subsequent image frames of the motion video sequence, the second target data rate being lower than the first target data rate; and compressing the subsequent image frames of the motion image sequence using the second target data rate. The method further includes the steps of storing the compressed subsequent image frames in the motion video image file; decompressing the compressed first image frame; and using the decompressed first image frame to provide a still image representative of the motion video image file.

Abstract: A method for customizing a camera for at least one particular demographic group is disclosed. The camera includes a programmable memory that stores at least one parameter value to control at least one operation of the camera. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one camera parameter having a preferred value for at least one demographic group that differs from the standard value for said parameter, selecting a demographic classification for the camera, and programming the programmable memory of the camera to set the parameter value to the preferred value for the selected demographic classification.

Abstract: A dual mode digital imaging system has a still processing mode that produces an output image in a first color space and a motion processing mode that produces an output image in a second color space, in particular a first color space that is RGB and a second color space that is YUV. The digital imaging system includes a dual mode digital camera for use with a computer and a processing application for running on the computer, wherein the motion mode processing is relatively less complex than the still mode processing although at least one common control parameter is used to control both modes. The motion mode processing, which is performed using algorithms and software approaches designed to minimize processing time, nonetheless produces an entirely adequate relatively low resolution YUV image appropriate for applications such as videoconferencing. The still mode processing, on the other hand, uses more elaborate algorithms to optimize the image quality of a relatively high resolution RGB output image.

Abstract: A CPU 14 drives the CCD2 by switching its driving mode between an omission readout mode and a summation readout mode. Summing the signal charge of pixels in the summation readout mode offers an increased sensitivity. The omission readout mode reduces smear. The summation readout mode calls for reading out to the vertical transfer paths all red pixel signal charges of the two-color filters aligned along each vertical transfer path. While charge readout voltages are applied to a specific system of charge readout electrode systems, vertical transfer is performed to sum pixels of a like color on each vertical transfer path. Charges of the green pixels are read to the vertical transfer paths so as not to be mixed with the red signal charges. By combining vertical transfer with selective readout, pixels of the respective same colors are summed on the vertical transfer paths or the horizontal transfer path.

Abstract: To obtain a high imaging performance even for a relatively long focal length in a zoom lens provided with an optical-path bending member for bending an optical path. The following are included: a first group of lenses G1 having a positive refracting power, a second group of lenses G2 having a negative refracting power, a third group of lenses G3 having a positive refracting power, and a fourth group of lenses G4 having a positive refracting power arranged in that order from the object side to the image surface side. Zooming is performed by moving the second group of lenses G2 and fourth group of lenses G4 along an optical axis. The first group of lenses G1 is constituted of a group of positive lenses L1 having a positive refracting power and an optical-path bending member L2 for bending an optical path arranged in that order from the object side to the image face side.

Abstract: A digital camera which captures digital images comprising: a display for displaying an image(s) captured by the digital camera; a user actuatable switch assembly having a plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions; and means for displaying a menu overlay over an image(s) displayed on the display, wherein the menu overlay displays selectable options spatially arrayed in the same pattern as the plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions, such that actuation of the switch at one of the plurality of positions selects the option displayed at a like position of the menu overlay.

Abstract: There is provided a wide angle lens system configured to obtain excellent image forming performance even in a half field angle region of 40 degrees to 50 degrees. A wide angle lens system is constituted of a first lens having a negative refractive power, a light path bending member having no refractive power, a second lens having a positive refractive power, an aperture which adjusts a light amount, a first cemented lens formed by cementing a third lens having a positive refractive power and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, a fifth lens having a positive refractive power, and an optically equivalent member which functions as a faceplate of an optical low-pass filter and a solid state imaging element.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of automatically forwarding hard copy image products to a designated recipient, comprising the steps of: analyzing a digital image and developing a unique ID with respect to the image based on the analysis; storing the unique ID and associated order informations with respect to the image in a storage database, the order informations including additional information and a designated recipient for receiving a hard copy image product made using the digital image; printing the digital image on to a medium using a first printer so as to obtain the hard copy image product; scanning the hard copy image product subsequently by a scanning device and analyzing the digital image so as to obtain the unique ID and accessing the database for obtaining the order informations using the unique ID.

Abstract: A method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images includes the steps of: providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice provider; providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate password to the unique user ID; at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate passwords; and viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the separate password.

Abstract: A flat-panel lamp and fixture having a removable flat-panel lamp having at least two externally accessible electrode contacts and a fixture for removably receiving the flat-panel lamp and providing electrical connections to the at least two externally accessible electrode contacts. At least one rotating element that rotates to hold the flat-panel lamp in alignment within the fixture such that the electrical connections are connected to the externally accessible electrode contacts.

Abstract: A system and method for the display of advertising information is provided wherein the system is able to sense the presence and obtain characteristics of individuals in the immediate environment of the display. The system then selects a specific informational content/program to improve the effectiveness of the display device based upon the obtained characteristics of one or more sensed individuals.

Abstract: A modular digital imaging system adapted to transfer digital images. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of modules which are stackable to form a customizable unit. A first one of the plurality of modules provides a first function and has a first electrical connector and at least one attachment member. A second one of the plurality of modules provides a second function different than the first function and has a second electrical connector matable with the first electrical connector. The second module further comprises at least one attachment feature complementing the attachment member whereby the at least one attachment member mates with the at least one attachment feature to securely attach the first and second modules when the first and second modules are stacked. The electrical connector is employed to transfer the digital images between modules when securely attached.

Abstract: A method for obtaining custom cut images products by an ordinary unskilled user/consumer wherein the consumer at a first location identifies a subject within a digital image for producing a cut image product. A software program automatically differentiates the selected subject from the background. The consumer then places an order over a communication network to a production facility at a second location that is remote from the first location for producing a cut image product using the selected subject on a cut sheet of media.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee.

Abstract: A method and a device for displaying images on a digital media frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a memory, a processing unit, a display, an interface circuit, and a display circuit. The interface circuit has at least one receiving port capable of identifying various types of networking protocols that are used to transfer the image data. The processing unit attaches auxiliary information to each image before images are stored in a memory. The display circuit displays images according to the image data received. The digital media frame further contains a user input device, which allows a user to alter the image display sequence. The user input device is an input device other than a keyboard or a cursor control device.