Abstract: A method of processing a digital image having a predetermined color pattern, includes converting the predetermined color pattern of the digital image into a converted digital image having a different desired color pattern; and using algorithms adapted for use with the desired color pattern for processing the converted digital image.

Abstract: A method for forming a video summary for a digital video having a time sequence of video frames, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: determining a set of key video frames for the digital video; ranking the key video frames responsive to a predefined criterion; forming key video snippets corresponding to one or more highest-ranked key video frames according to a predefined set of criteria, including a criterion which specifies the total time duration for the video summary and a criterion which specifies the minimum time duration for each of the key video snippets; assembling the key video snippets to form a video summary; and storing a representation of the video summary in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A method for determining key video frames for a digital video having a time sequence of video frames, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: analyzing the digital video to determine an importance value as a function of time; forming a warped time representation by temporal relocation of the video frames responsive to the importance value as a function of time; subdividing the warped time digital video sequence representation into a set of equal intervals; selecting a key video frame for each interval by analyzing the video frames within each interval; and storing an indication of the key video frames in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A viewable image for selecting one or more digital images from a collection of digital images includes a plurality of representative images representing corresponding digital images in the collection, each corresponding digital image stored in an electronic storage and retrieval system and a plurality of machine-readable codes, each machine-readable code associated with one of the representative images so that a viewer can readily identify a desired digital image and a corresponding machine-readable code in the viewable image, wherein each machine-readable code can be photographed to select its corresponding digital image, and wherein the machine-readable code encodes a reference to the corresponding digital image stored in the electronic storage and retrieval system.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a digital image for user assessment of an output image product intended to be generated using the digital image. The method comprises the steps of: (a) accessing the digital image using an imaging device having a viewing member; (b) selecting the output image product intended to include the digital image; (c) digitally modifying at least a portion of the digital image using the imaging device to produce a substantially accurate representation of at least a portion of the output image product; and (d) displaying, using the viewing member, for assessment by the user, the substantially accurate representation of the at least a portion of the output image product.

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: Portable communication devices transmit digital images and their location information to a central server. If a particular location is often photographed it can be designated as a hot spot. Thereafter, if a communication device is currently transmitting from within a vicinity of the hot spot, based on the location data received from the communication device, notification data can be transmitted to the communication device for notifying the user of the hot spot. The notification data can include directional information for the user to access on the communication device for enabling the user to find the hot spot.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for preserving preferred customer digital collage layouts is disclosed. A group of digital images is received from a customer. A compatibility score is calculated for a plurality of the digital collage layouts, where each of the digital collage layouts has a plurality of openings and the openings are populated with some or all of the group of digital images. The customer selects one of the populated digital collage layouts. These steps are repeated with subsequent customers and the selection of the digital collage layouts is tracked. The digital collage layouts are stored and ranked based on how often they are selected by customers.

Abstract: A method for identifying digital images having matching backgrounds from a collection of digital images, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: determining a set of one or more feature values for each digital image in the collection of digital images, wherein the set of feature values includes an edge compactness feature value that is an indication of the number of objects in the digital image that are useful for scene matching; determining a subset of the collection of digital images that are good candidates for scene matching by applying a classifier responsive to the determined feature values; applying a scene matching algorithm to the subset of the collection of digital images to identify groups of digital images having matching backgrounds; and storing an indication of the identified groups of digital images having matching backgrounds in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A method of accessing an image database containing location data and determining one or more clusters of the digital images based on their location data. A hotspot location is determined for representing the cluster of the digital images and the results are stored for later access. The computer is connected to a network and receives data from a device including data identifying a current location. After determining that the device is within a selected notification distance from the hotspot location, a notification is transmitted over the network.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image, comprising: providing a switchable imaging apparatus including a display screen having a first display state and a second transparent state, an optical beam deflector switchable between a first non-deflecting state and a second deflecting state, a camera positioned in a location peripheral to the display screen, and a controller; setting the switchable imaging apparatus to the image capture mode by using the controller to set the display screen to the second transparent state and the optical beam deflector to the second deflecting state; using the camera to capture an image of the scene; setting the switchable imaging apparatus to the image display mode by using the controller to set the display screen to the first display state and the optical beam deflector to the first non-deflecting state; and displaying an image on the display screen.

Abstract: A computer system coupled to a digital image database with images having image attributes. The image attributes are automatically evaluated in order to find a compatible digital template from a digital template database. The templates each include a plurality of windows for displaying the digital images and each of the template include template attributes to automatically select a template whose attributes are compatible with at least one of the image attribute. The data base of digital images is also automatically searched for additional images having an attribute compatible with the template attributes and with the first one of the image attributes. A display screen coupled to the computer system displays the selected template and at least one other image.

Abstract: A method of making an ordered element list includes providing a plurality of machine-readable codes, each machine-readable code encoding a corresponding element or a reference to a corresponding element, and wherein each element of the plurality of elements forms a portion of a plurality of different ordered lists, each ordered list enabling a function having one or more operations; using a receiver to receive in order a digital image of each of a plurality of the machine-readable codes; using a processor to extract the elements received or referenced by the received digital images of the machine-readable codes; arranging the extracted elements in the received order to form an ordered list; and using a processor to perform the function enabled by the ordered list.

Abstract: A method of computing at least one photogenic route from a starting location to a destination location, including; computing photogenic values for images in a large collection representing a geographic region that includes the starting location and the destination location; computing a photogenic index for each route segment based on computed photogenic values of images taken along the route segment; computing at least one photogenic route from the starting location to the destination location and presenting the route(s) to a user.

Abstract: A method of using an image capture device to identify range information for objects in a scene includes providing an image capture device having an image sensor, at least two coded apertures, and a lens; storing in a memory a set of blur parameters derived from range calibration data for each coded aperture; capturing images of the scene having a plurality of objects using each of the coded apertures; providing a set of deblurred images using the captured images from each coded aperture and each of the blur parameters from the stored set; and using the set of deblurred images to determine the range information for the objects in the scene.

Abstract: A method for storing a video summary for a digital video sequence captured with a digital video capture device, comprising: capturing a digital video sequence with the digital video capture device, wherein the digital video sequence includes a plurality of video frames; storing the digital video sequence in a processor-accessible memory; identifying one or more key video snippets, each key video snippet corresponding to a set of video frames from the stored digital video sequence; assembling the key video snippets to form a video summary; and storing the video summary in a processor-accessible memory by storing metadata associated with the stored digital video sequence, wherein the metadata provides an indication of the video frames corresponding to the video summary.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.

Abstract: A digital image file includes an image portion including a first digital image, an information portion including a second digital image of a digital code encoding information associated with or derived from the first digital image. When rendered visible the second digital image is a machine-readable optical code.

Abstract: A method of displaying a video of a scene on a display with reduced motion blur includes: providing the video of a scene having first subframes that have a first input rate and second subframes that have a second input rate, wherein the first subframes correspond to a first region of the display and the second subframes correspond to a second region of the display; and selectively providing the first and second subframes to corresponding regions in the display, and providing the first region of the display with a first update rate and the second region of the display with a second update rate, wherein the first update rate is greater than the second update rate, so that the displayed image has reduced motion blur.

Abstract: An image format for storing digital images within a baseline DCT compatible bitstream comprises entropy coded image data, a first application marker storing a first data value using a first encoding method to convey a first information value related to the image, and a second application marker storing a second data value using a second encoding method to convey the same said first information value related to the image. More specifically, the first application marker uses TIFF tags within an Exif application marker and the second application marker uses a FlashPix compatible structured storage stream, while the entropy coded data includes restart markers to define tile boundaries within the entropy coded image data.