Abstract: A strobe body including a photodetector, a flash tube, and a flash controller is built with the photodetector configured to detect a flash of light. The flash controller is electrically coupled with the photodetector and the flash tube and is configured to measure the length of the flash of light. The controller then fires the flash tube for a controlled length of time after the flash of light has ended.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing Z-buffer generation in a camera are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise exposing a plurality of pixels on an image capture device to a modulated light signal reflected from different regions of a scene adjacent a camera after different delays. The method may also comprise correlating intensity of the modulated light signal received by the image capture device for each the different delays to determine a flight time of the modulated light signal. The method may also comprise generating a Z-buffer corresponding to the different regions of the scene based on the correlation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing Z-buffer generation in a camera are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise actuating a light sensor after various delays to receive a plurality of modulated light signals reflected from different regions of a scene adjacent a camera. The method may also include determining distance information for the different regions of the scene based on brightness values for the plurality of modulated light signals reflected from the scene for the various delays. The method may also include storing the distance information in a Z-buffer at the camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing exposure restart in cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise starting image exposure in response to user input to photograph a scene. The method may also comprise characterizing camera shake based at least in part on motion of the camera. The method may also comprise restarting the image exposure based at least in part on the characterized camera shake.

Abstract: Systems and method for implementing anti-aliasing with image stabilizing subsystems for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing motion of a camera, characterizing aliasing for an image being photographed by the camera, and moving at least one optical element in the camera during exposure of the image for both stabilizing and anti-aliasing the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing programmable anti-aliasing in cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing at least one image for existing aliasing, and characterizing existing blur in the at least one image. The method may also include introducing blur during image capture operations by the camera based on the aliasing and existing blur in the at least one image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for selecting a starting time, and ending time, or both for a photographic exposure such that camera motion that occurs during the exposure is amenable to compensation by digital image processing. In one example embodiment, a camera includes logic configured to monitor motion of the camera. The logic selects, based on the camera motion, a starting time that is a time when the camera has recently exhibited substantially linear motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reducing motion blur in photographs. In one example embodiment, a camera includes logic configured to monitor motion of the camera. The logic selects, based on the camera motion, a starting time, and ending time, or both for a photographic exposure such that extreme motion blur is avoided. The logic applies digital image processing to the resulting photograph to compensate for any residual motion blur that occurs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring distance from a camera to parts of a scene using a characterization of perspective distortion in a photograph of the scene. In one example embodiment, a first distance measurement is obtained from the camera to a first point in the scene, the perspective distortion is characterized, and the distance to at least one other point on a plane in the scene is computed based on the first distance measurement and the perspective characterization.

Abstract: A camera selects different photographic settings when image stabilization is enabled than when image stabilization is not enabled. Preferably, for a particular photographic mode, a set of at least two separate exposure program tables is provided, a different table being used when image stabilization is enabled than when image stabilization is not enabled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described wherein the composition responsiveness of a camera comprising an image stabilization system is adjusted. In example embodiments, the composition responsiveness may be adjusted in response to a particular photographic situation, including a scene condition, a camera optical configuration, a camera mode setting, or any combination of these. In another embodiment of the invention, the composition responsiveness is adjusted during a capture sequence used to take a photograph.

Abstract: A method and device for adjusting white balance are disclosed herein. The method may comprise generating data representative of an image with and without the use of a strobe. The contribution of the strobe and the contribution of ambient light are on the data are calculated. Based, in part, on the contributions of the ambient light and the strobe, a weight is calculated. The weight is applied to the data in order to adjust the white balance.

Abstract: A method of capturing images in an imaging device in a burst zoom operation includes zooming the imaging device from a first zoom setting to a second zoom setting, and automatically capturing a plurality of still images during the zooming, each of the plurality of still images being captured at a different zoom setting.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital imaging device comprises an imaging subsystem for capturing video frames, a motion sensor for detecting movement of the device, and encoding logic for encoding video frames from the imaging subsystem according to a motion compensation compression algorithm, wherein the encoding logic determines motion vectors by displacing interframe search areas using information from the motion sensor.

Abstract: A digital camera is equipped with signal processing circuits that achieve white balance by calibrating CCD detector outputs to a non-standard target, such as the palm of a person's hand or a camera lens cover. The calibration technique avoids the necessity of using a standard target to calibrate the digital camera under field use conditions.

Abstract: A digital camera automatically sends digital images captured in a particular operating mode to a specified electronic address. The digital camera facilitates sharing of the device among multiple users or the use of the device for multiple purposes by a single user.

Abstract: A device that monitors the way in which the device is being used is disclosed. When an accessory is available for the device that would complement the use detected, the availability of the accessory is communicated to the user.

Abstract: The present invention recommends a battery type to use with a battery-powered device based on a use model determined for the device. The recommended battery type has a constructive effect on one or both of device performance and battery performance or life during device usage according to the use model. The present invention further monitors the device usage to determine the use model. Both the use model and the recommended battery type are adaptive based on the monitored device usage. The battery-powered device has a use model-based adaptive battery type selection that includes a monitor that determines the use model, a controller, a memory and a computer program stored in the memory and controlled by the controller. The computer program includes instructions that recommend a battery type based on a determined use model. A method of recommending a battery type is implementable by the computer program.

Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a remote control whose location can be detected by the camera. The remote control includes a control for causing the camera to take a photograph. The camera selects a region to photograph from its field of view, based on the location of the remote control. The selected region may include the entire field of view of the camera or a portion thereof. The camera may optionally select a region that places the remote control in the center of the region. The photographer may optionally specify the size of the region to be selected. The camera may optionally adjust the size of the selected region to assist in photographic composition. The camera may optionally be capable of making video recordings.

Abstract: A method and device for generating image data are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the method comprises focusing an image of an object onto a two-dimensional photosensor array, wherein an optical element is located between the object and the two-dimensional photosensor array. The optical element is moved, wherein the moving causes the image focused on the two-dimensional photosensor array to move parallel to the two-dimensional photosensor array. Data representative of the image is generated by the two-dimensional photosensor array while the optical element is moving.