Abstract: A system and method for focusing an image capture device are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising moving an autofocus window in response to detected movement of the image capture device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for building up a database of known faces, the database of known faces allows the names of the people captured in an image to be added to the meta-data of the image file. The digital imaging device will ask the user to identify unknown people captured in an image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital still camera includes: an image sensor for receiving light and generating output signals representative of an image of an object or a scene of interest; a processing circuit connected to the image sensor for processing the output signals from the image sensor; and a control circuit connected to the processing circuit for successively generating a plurality of image files and for determining a remaining picture count after each image file is generated based on one of a plurality of predetermined decrement numbers corresponding to an actual image file size of each image file.

Abstract: A camera includes a light transmitter configured to transmit light pulses at a first rate, a light receiver configured to receive return signals corresponding to the light pulses transmitted by the light transmitter, and a sampler configured to sample electrical signals corresponding to the return signals received by the light receiver, wherein the sampler is configured to sample the electrical signals at a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: Digital cameras, systems, and methods for implementing a demo mode are disclosed. An exemplary method of demonstrating a digital camera to a user may comprise activating a demo mode that displays demonstrative camera display images. The method may also comprise suspending the demo mode so that a user can try various camera settings. The method may also comprise, after a time-out, resetting the camera settings to a default state.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a LCD that has a back light whose intensity level is set at a point midway between a maximum intensity setting and a minimum intensity setting. The back light level is then adjusted automatically from this default setting to a brightness level that corresponds to a measured scene level. The back light intensity level and contrast level of the LCD then change automatically thereafter to correspond to the measured scene level whereby the LCD controls are adjusted according to the lighting environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting a sensor aspect ratio to a print aspect ratio in a digital image capture device is disclosed In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for capturing digital images, comprising an image sensor including a plurality of image capture elements, each of the image capture elements configured to capture image data, an input element for communicating print size information to the apparatus, and logic for determining which of the plurality of image capture elements correspond to the print size.

Abstract: The present invention directly interfaces a digital camera to a printer for printing images stored by the digital camera. A printer that directly docks with the digital camera includes a docking port and an image magnifier. The docking port includes mechanical and data interfaces between the printer and the digital camera. The digital camera includes a display unit that is used for viewing the images magnified by the image magnifier while the digital camera is interfaced to the printer. A docking station that docks the digital camera to a printer includes a docking port and an image magnifier. The docking port includes a mechanical interface to the digital camera and a data interface to the digital camera and the printer. The printer and the docking station may include a user interface to manipulate the images stored by the digital camera.

Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a remote control. The remote control emits a light that the photographer can use to designate a subject to be photographed by pointing the remote control at the subject, casting a light spot on the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the light is generated by a laser pointer included in the remote control. The camera selects a region to photograph from its field of view, based on the location or motion of the light spot. The camera may optionally select a region that is centered on the light spot. 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 apparatus for controlling a flash that automatically selects between normal flash mode and redeye reduction flash mode is disclosed. The apparatus measures the light in the scene, and based on this measurement, chooses between the redeye reduction flash mode and the normal flash mode. The apparatus may also measure the distance to the object and use this information to help chooses which flash mode to use.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device monitor a battery of the device with respect to device operational mode in one or both of battery charge level monitoring and battery cut-off determination. Mode-based monitoring employs a mode-specific wait period prior to performing a measurement used to determine a remaining charge level of a battery. The mode-specific wait period depends on the operational mode immediately preceding the measurement and therefore, accounts for battery recovery effects on measurement accuracy. Mode-based cut-off determination employs information regarding an impending operational mode to determine whether or not a remaining charge level of the battery is sufficient to support the mode. Only those operational modes for which there is sufficient remaining charge are enabled while operational modes for which there is insufficient remaining power are disabled.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a user interface, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes a user-programmable non-volatile memory section that stores one or more non-volatile mode variables. The user interface is capable of receiving a mode input from a user and the processor is capable of overwriting a non-volatile mode variable value in the user-programmable non-volatile memory section in response to the mode input.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved digital camera has a capture mode of operation where a scene to be captured can be captured and stored in a removable memory device as a digital still image and subsequently retrieved and displayed on a LCD in a review mode of operation. Alternatively, the scene to be captured can be captured repeatedly and buffered to the LCD where the buffering rate is determined in a live view capture mode of operation allowing a user to preview the scene to be captured in various ambient lighting conditions. In one instance, under low ambient lighting conditions a control algorithm automatically adjusts the live view/preview apparent image brightness level of the displayed scene independently of any LCD brightness or contrast adjustments.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as an electronic imaging device, includes the capability of storing personalization modes for different users of the device or for different photographic situations. The personalization modes store values for all operational parameters, such as focus mode, strobe mode, and picture quality. The personalization modes may be stored in association with different user identifiers or with different photographic situation identifiers. A user of the device is able to set all of the operational parameter values of the device according to the user's preference by simply selecting the appropriate user or photographic situation identifier.

Abstract: The present invention directly interfaces a digital camera to a printer for printing images stored by the digital camera. A printer that directly docks with the digital camera includes a docking port and an image magnifier. The docking port includes mechanical and data interfaces between the printer and the digital camera. The digital camera includes a display unit that is used for viewing the images magnified by the image magnifier while the digital camera is interfaced to the printer. A docking station that docks the digital camera to a printer includes a docking port and an image magnifier. The docking port includes a mechanical interface to the digital camera and a data interface to the digital camera and the printer. The printer and the docking station may include a user interface to manipulate the images stored by the digital camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a flash that automatically selects between normal flash mode and redeye reduction flash mode is disclosed. The apparatus measures the light in the scene, and based on this measurement, chooses between the redeye reduction flash mode and the normal flash mode. The apparatus may also measure the distance to the object and use this information to help chooses which flash mode to use.

Abstract: A method of managing electronic images in an electronic imaging device includes capturing an electronic image and associating an intent attribute with the electronic image. The intent attribute directs actions to be performed with the electronic image.

Abstract: A user interface device adapted to access at least one data item stored in an electronic data storage device has at least one actuating region for actuating a switch, and a surface portion having a mark printed thereon in a predetermined positional relationship with the actuating region, the mark being associated with a respective data item. The interface device is connectable with the data storage device and adapted to access data stored on the data storage device and to initiate communication with at least one user access device, to transmit a data item to the user access device. A method of operating the interface device includes associating user-operable switch actuating regions of the interface device with data items stored in a data storage device.

Abstract: A camera has a lens focus setting procedure for use when a scene being photographed has low brightness. If the scene brightness indicates that a strobe is required, aperture may optionally be decreased, and the lens focus setting is such that the focal distance is within the range of the strobe.