Abstract: A camera includes a display device, an angular velocity sensor to sense yaw rotation, an acceleration sensor to sense lateral and fore/aft acceleration, a memory to store first and second locations, and a processor. The angular velocity sensor is at the first location and the acceleration sensor is at the second location, and both locations are away from a center of perspective. The processor determines an initial position when an initial image is captured, a target position for capturing a next image, and a current position. The current position is determined from rotation sensed by the angular velocity sensor, acceleration sensed by the acceleration sensor, and the first and second locations. The processor causes a visual indication of the target position and a visual indication of the current position to be rendered on the display device. When the target and current positions are in substantial alignment, the camera automatically captures the next image.

Abstract: A method and circuit for excluding regions from an exposure calculation is described. The method includes obtaining pre-image data representing an image of a scene and dividing the image into a plurality of regions. Regions that contain a predetermined number of bright pixels are identified, bright pixels being pixels that are brighter than a threshold level of brightness. Each region that has at least the predetermined number of bright pixels from the exposure calculation are excluded.

Abstract: A digital imaging device is operated to capture a first image in a digital format. At least two non-contiguous portions of the first image are rendered in a display of the digital imaging device. The at least two non-contiguous portions of the first image are used to align a live version of a second image in the display, wherein the second image is an extension of the first image. The second image is captured in a digital format. A corner matching algorithm is applied to determine an offset of the second image with respect to the first image, wherein the offset is required to achieve a substantially accurate alignment of the first and second images. Application of the corner matching algorithm is limited to an overlap region intervening between the at least two non-contiguous portions of the first image.

Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. Based on the orientation of a display device, an address translation system either passes the software address “as is” or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address. A refresh address generator operates alternatively in column-forward and column-reverse modes, and additionally operates alternatively in row forward and row reverse modes to selectively rotate the image.

Abstract: A method of producing an adaptive partial ink layer for a pen based computing device is described. The adaptive partial ink layer is used to form an ink trail, which follows the input pen as it moves in contact with a touch screen. This allows the user to view the input while it is being made, which allows the input to be improved through the visual observation. A three-cell block is formed to permit single character input from the pen and then the block is extended in the direction of a cursive input to accommodate a word or phrase. Whereas, a common direction for the cursive input is from left to right, any direction emanating from the three cell block can be used if the interpreter of the pen passed computing device is set up to allow such an input.

Abstract: A method for creating an ink-trail and implementing a partial ink layer in a pen based computing apparatus is described. The partial ink layer, which is smaller than a display window of a computing apparatus, is located at a starting address with a shape and size that fits within the display widow. An ink trail is created within the ink layer that simulates ink flowing from the pen to paper while a character, or several cursive characters, is formed by the pen while touching a touch screen overlaying the display screen of the computing apparatus. The ink trail is erased when the pen is removed from the touch screen. The bit depth of the pixels in the partial ink layer are less than for the pixels of the main display and can be as few as 2, which includes a transparency bit.

Abstract: A method of producing an adaptive partial ink layer for a pen based computing device is described. The adaptive partial ink layer is used to form an ink trail, which follows the input pen as it moves in contact with a touch screen. This allows the user to view the input while it is being made, which allows the input to be improved through the visual observation. A three-cell block is formed to permit single character input from the pen and then the block is extended in the direction of a cursive input to accommodate a word or phrase. Whereas, a common direction for the cursive input is from left to right, any direction emanating from the three cell block can be used if the interpreter of the pen passed computing device is set up to allow such an input.

Abstract: A method for creating an ink-trail and implementing a partial ink layer in a pen based computing apparatus is described. The partial ink layer, which is smaller than a display window of a computing apparatus, is located at a starting address with a shape and size that fits within the display widow. An ink trail is created within the ink layer that simulates ink flowing from the pen to paper while a character, or several cursive characters, is formed by the pen while touching a touch screen overlaying the display screen of the computing apparatus. The ink trail is erased when the pen is removed from the touch screen. The bit depth of the pixels in the partial ink layer are less than for the pixels of the main display and can be as few as 2, which includes a transparency bit.

Abstract: A graphics controller of the present invention is designed for use with or combined with a system that includes a display device having a plurality of pixels, each pixel being divided into a plurality of sub-pixels. A plurality of sub-pixel addresses may be stored in memory, each of the plurality of sub-pixels having an associated sub-pixel address. A processor has an anti-aliasing graphics control mode in which each of the plurality of sub-pixels may be addressed by its associated sub-pixel address. In one alternative preferred dual-mode embodiment, a plurality of pixel addresses may also be stored in memory, each of the plurality of pixels having an associated pixel address. In this dual-mode embodiment the processor also has a normal graphics control mode in which each of the plurality of pixels may be addressed by its associated pixel address. Control signals provided to the processor actuate the anti-aliasing and/or normal graphics control mode.

Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU), a display device and an address translation system. The CPU generates a software address. Based on the orientation of the display device, the address translation system either passes the software address "as is" or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address. The address translation system translates according to the functions L=in (H.sub.D)/in 2 and M=in (W.sub.D)/in 2, wherein H.sub.D is the landscape-oriented display device pixel height and W.sub.D is the landscape-oriented display device pixel width. L represents the number of least significant software address bits to translate as most significant physical address bits, and M represents the number of most significant software address bits to invert and translate as least significant physical address bits.

Abstract: A system for translating a portrait-oriented software address to a portrait-oriented yet landscape-configured display address. The system includes a central processing unit (CPU), a display device and an address translation system. The CPU generates a software address. Based on the orientation of the display device, the address translation system either passes the software address "as is" or translates the address to represent a portrait-oriented display address. The address translation system translates according to the functions L=ln(H.sub.D)/ln 2 and M=ln(W.sub.D)/ln 2, wherein H.sub.D is the landscape-oriented display device pixel height and W.sub.D is the landscape-oriented display device pixel width. L represents the number of least significant software address bits to translate as most significant physical address bits, and M represents the number of most significant software address bits to invert and translate as least significant physical address bits.