Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full colour image from an image mosaic composed of a plurality of image pixels that have one of at least three colour values. The pixels are interleaved in rows and columns across the mosaic with pixels of different colour values to form the mosaic in such a way that each row and column contains pixels of at least two colours. A high spatial frequency luminance image is generated from the mosaic that extends across all pixel locations of the image mosaic. The luminance values of pixels in the high frequency image are adjusted to reduce zippering effects. The adjustment is performed on pixels generated from a particular colour value at least in a first row and/or a first column of the high frequency luminance image according to the luminance values for said pixels and the luminance values of pixels generated from another colour value. A low spatial frequency luminance image is generated from the mosaic for each colour value.

Abstract: A camera assembly comprises a lens housing 24, an objective lens 21 mounted in the lens housing, and a stop 22 located in the lens housing. The stop 22 has a first surface 25 facing towards the objective lens 21, and this first surface is adapted to present information to a user viewing the first surface through the objective lens. The information presented is therefore visible to the user, but not exposed to wear and tear or tampering. This arrangement is particularly useful in a camera with a digital sensor, particular a low cost digital camera with a sensor such as a CMOS sensor. Such an arrangement can advantageously be used for a camera provided as an eye of a toy.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a color plane in image mosaic data with correction for color aliasing artefacts, in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colors. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of interleaved image pixels of at least three color values, each of which has a luminance value. Each row and column of the mosaic contains image pixels of at least two colors. An edge strength metric is assessed at locations in the image mosaic using at least two luminance values of the same color value to determine the strength of luminance changes and hence of detected edges at said locations. A low spatial frequency image is generated for each color value in which changes in luminance values are smoothed. The smoothing for each color value is in accordance with said edge strength metric so that smoothing at the locations of detected edges is inhibited.

Abstract: Voice-controlled apparatus is provided which minimises the risk of activating more than one such apparatus at a time where multiple voice-controlled apparatus exist in close proximity. To start voice control of the apparatus, a user needs to be looking at the apparatus when speaking. Preferably, after the user stops looking at the apparatus, continuing voice control can only be effected whilst the user continues speaking without breaks longer than a predetermined duration. Detection of whether the user is looking at the apparatus can be effected in a number of ways including by the use of camera systems, by a head-mounted directional transmitter, and by detecting the location and direction of facing of the user.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: A digital camera disclosed herein comprises a lens, a digital image sensor to receive an image from the lens, and a digital image storage device. The image sensor and image storage device are packaged together as an integral imaging module, which is adapted to be assembled into and disassembled from the digital camera as an integral unit. The integral imaging module and the remaining parts of the digital camera may therefore be purchased or otherwise provided separately.

Abstract: A discount service for consumer printing of digital images stored using an authorised device recognizes identification data originating from the authorised device, to identify at least one digital image stored using the device

Abstract: Apparatus for restricting and/or prohibiting the use of a portable camera within a predetermined area, the apparatus comprising a first unit (10) mounted in or on a portable camera (not shown). The unit (10) includes a receiver (12) for receiving periodic radio signals (14) from one or more transmitters (16) located remote from the camera within the predetermined area. When the receiver (12) receives a signal (14), it activates a disable module (18) which disables one or more of the functions of the camera while it is within the predetermined areas. The apparatus may also include a GPS tracking system (20) for tracking the location of the camera and/or an alarm module (22) for emitting an alarm in response to receipt of a signal (14) from a transmitter (16).

Abstract: A raw image consists of a plurality of pixels in a plurality of colour planes giving a colour image. The raw image is split into at least a low frequency image and a high frequency image. At least the low frequency image is colour corrected to produce a colour corrected low frequency image. The colour corrected low frequency image is combined with at least the high frequency image to give a final image which is of comparable resolution to the raw image but is colour corrected.

Abstract: A digital image capture system includes an image sensor package and a powered lens element that is attached to the image sensor package. The image sensor package includes an image sensor, a package structure for holding the image sensor, and electrical connectors for creating electrical connection between the image sensor and a circuit board. The package structure and the powered lens element include complementary surfaces that enable the powered lens element to be attached to the image sensor package. Preferably, the powered lens element is glued to the package structure to create a sealed environment for the image sensor. In an embodiment, a temporary protective cover is attached to the powered lens element to protect the powered lens element during attachment of the image sensor package to the circuit board. In an embodiment of the digital image capture system, an additional powered lens element is attached to the powered lens element to create a composite lens element.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: An image is automatically transferred between a camera and a communications device over a wireless link in response to an indication of contact being established over a wireless data network between the communication device and at least one predetermined destination resource or type of destination resource. The image is transferred from the communication device on to the data network through a data network interface.

Abstract: An image capture system comprises a portable computer having a software-implemented subsystem and a connection to a sensor responsive still image digital camera including a control module and a FIFO buffer for storing more than one but less than two data image frames. When the image subsystem reaches a point during reading of a frame from the buffer where it is “safe” for the next image data frame captured by the image sensor to be stored in the buffer, the subsystem issues a “continue” signal, causing the next image data frame to be stored in the buffer. The “continue” signal is only issued if the buffer has sufficient capacity for the next frame to be completely stored. The “continue” signal minimizes frame loss, optimizes memory requirement, and sensibly drops frames when the host computer cannot handle image data at the same rate they are generated.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a color plane in image mosaic data with correction for color aliasing artifacts, in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colors. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of interleaved image pixels (13,14,15) of at least three color values (16,17,18), each of which has a luminance value. Each row and column of the mosaic contains image pixels of at least two colors. An edge strength metric is assessed at locations in the image mosaic using at least two luminance values of the same color value to determine the strength of luminance changes and hence of detected edges at said locations. A low spatial frequency image (33,34,35) is generated for each color value (16,17,18) in which changes in luminance values are smoothed. The smoothing for each color value is in accordance with said edge strength metric so that smoothing at the locations of detected edges is inhibited.

Abstract: A method processing image data captured by an image sensor at a first, relatively high, resolution prior to display of a captured image on a display or viewfinder screen at a second, substantially lower, resolution. The method comprises the steps of selecting a number of sets (28) of pixels from an image matrix (26) of pixels of captured image data, each of the sets (28) comprising at least three adjacent pixels in the imaging matrix (26), and each of the three pixels being of a different constituent colour (i.e. red, green and blue, or cyan, magenta and yellow). The pixels of each set are combined to create a single display pixel and the display pixels are used to create a display data matrix (30) of data to be displayed, the display data matrix (30) being of substantially smaller dimensions to that of the imaging matrix.

Abstract: Image capture apparatus comprising a support of flexible material, in or on which is mounted a plurality of image capture devices. Each image capture device preferably comprises an image sensor, an image buffer and a communications interface, the communications interface of each image capture device being connected to a common set of interconnection lines (or wireless links) providing clock, control and camera data. The shared line (or link) is connected to (or in communication with) a camera control box which may have connected thereto, or integrated therein, a display screen and/or storage means for storing and/or displaying images captured by the image capture devices. Each of the image capture devices has a unique identity so that it is individually addressable, accessible or operable by the camera control box.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full color image (20) from an image mosaic (13,14,15) composed of a plurality of image pixels 23,24,25) that have one of at least three color values (16,17,18). The pixels are interleaved in rows and columns across the mosaic with pixels of different color values to form the mosaic in such a way that each row and column contains pixels of at least two colors. A high spatial frequency luminance image (30) is generated from the mosaic that extends across all pixel locations of the image mosaic. The luminance values of pixels (43,44,45) in the high frequency image (30) are adjusted (53,54,55) to reduce zippering effects. The adjustment is performed on pixels generated from a particular color value (16,17,18) at least in a first row and/or a first column of the high frequency luminance image (30) according to the luminance values for said pixels and the luminance values of pixels generated from another color value.

Abstract: An active screen reflects a high contrast projected image. The screen has (1) an active layer having visible optical properties changed by an electric field provided by electrodes and (2) a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is such that the electric field across a localized area of the active layer depends on the illumination incident on the photoconductor in that area. The local reflectance of the projection screen thus depends on the intensity of light incident upon it. In one embodiment, the reflectance of the screen increases with increasing light intensity to produce a high contrast reflected image.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full colour image from image mosaic data (13,14,15), in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colours. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of image pixels (23,24,25). Each image pixel has one of at least three colour values (16,17,18) and has a luminance value representing the intensity of the colour value for that pixel in the image mosaic. The pixels (23,24,25) of each colour value (16,17,18) are interleaved across the image mosaic with pixels of different colour values to form the image mosaic. For each colour value (16,17,18), both a low spatial frequency monochrome image (33,34,35) and a high spatial frequency luminance image (43,44,45) are generated, the high spatial frequency luminance image extending only across pixels locations of the image mosaic for that colour value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a system having a plurality of video cameras. The cameras are linked to a control unit which has a motion detection apparatus for monitoring the images received from the cameras and detecting motion therein. The cameras are adapted to operate in at least two modes: a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. Under normal circumstances, cameras will be operating in low resolution mode to minimise use of system resources. If activity is detected within the field of view of one of the cameras, that camera is switched to high resolution, the other cameras remaining in the low resolution mode.