Abstract: An electronic display comprises a plurality of independently operable segments. Each of the plurality of independently operable segments comprises a plurality of picture elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eye-start system that includes a light source adapted to be housed within a viewfinder of a device, and a light sensor also adapted to be housed within the device viewfinder, the light sensor being configured to sense light from the light source that reflects off of a user looking into the viewfinder. With this system, light reflected off of the user is sensed by the light sensor and, upon such an occurrence, a device action is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling a display. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to monitoring the state of a computing device associated with the display, determining if pixel reduction is warranted in view of the monitoring, and, if pixel reduction is warranted, displaying a reduced-pixel, whole image that comprises fewer active pixels than an original, complete image previously presented in the display.

Abstract: Viewfinder apparatus, methods, and digital cameras that provide autofocus using retroreflected eye focus measurements. When a user looks at a part of a scene that is the intended subject of the image, his or her eye is correctly focused. The present invention measures the focus distance of the eye when the eye is focused on the desired location in the scene, and then uses the measured distance to set the focus of the camera.

Abstract: A focus lens and a zoom lens group having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens are controlled separately from one another in an internal-focus camera. The positions of the focus lens and the second zoom lens in the zoom lens group are tracked, and are controlled to approach no closer to one another than a minimum safe distance to avert collisions between the focus lens and the second zoom lens.

Abstract: A focus lens and a zoom lens group having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens are controlled separately from one another in an internal-focus camera. The positions of the focus lens and the second zoom lens in the zoom lens group are tracked, and are controlled to approach no closer to one another than a minimum safe distance to avert collisions between the focus lens and the second zoom lens.

Abstract: A digital image capture and processing system, comprising a lens coupled to a lens control element is disclosed. The image capture system includes an image sensor configured to capture images from the lens, and a memory element and a processor coupled to the lens control element. The memory element includes image capture software, where the image capture software causes the lens and the image sensor to capture at least two images, each of the at least two images captured using a varying parameter and stored as a single file where the at least two images are combined to form a new image having at least one characteristic different from corresponding characteristics of the at least two images.

Abstract: A digital camera simulates the use of fill flash. The camera takes a series of photographs of a scene at various focus distances. The photographs are stored, along with their corresponding focus distances. The photographs are analyzed to determine the distance to objects at various locations of the scene. Regions of a final photograph are selectively adjusted in brightness based on the distance information to simulate the effect that would have resulted had fill flash been used.

Abstract: A focus lens and a zoom lens group having a first zoom lens and a second zoom lens are controlled separately from one another in an internal-focus camera. The positions of the focus lens and the second zoom lens in the zoom lens group are tracked, and are controlled to approach no closer to one another than a minimum safe distance to avert collisions between the focus lens and the second zoom lens.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a lens system with a plurality of lenses, and a zoom and focus controller. The lenses include a zoom lens and a focusing lens. The zoom and focus controller controls the positions of the zoom lens and the focusing lens. The zoom and focus controller includes a plurality of focusing curves including a zoom curve and an infinity focusing curve. The zoom and focus controller is responsive to a zoom operation by determining a zoom position of the plurality of lenses, adjusting the focusing lens along the infinity focusing curve for the determined zoom position, and offsetting the focusing lens according to a difference between an actual focusing distance and an infinity focusing distance.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image lens, an image sensor, and a brightness control element. The imaging device receives an image through the image lens in the optical pathway and detects the image at the image sensor. Brightness of the light impinging on the image sensor is adjusted using the brightness control element. In one automatic focus technique, the brightness control element controls luminous flux diameter. In another automatic focus technique, the brightness control element controls light transmittance without changing the luminous flux diameter. During detection of the auto-focus (AF) signal for a bright image, a brightness controller leaves the luminous flux diameter open and inserts a neutral-density (ND) filter into the optical path to avoid saturation of the signal from the image sensor. When the neutral density filter is inserted, an auto-focus controller moves the focusing lens to the best focus position independent of the auto-focus (AF) and an automatic-exposure (AE) signals.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a scan region on an object and for providing a white level reference for a detector may comprise a light source for producing light rays and an elongate lens having a first end and a second end positioned between the light source and the scan region. The lens collects some of the light rays from the light source and directs them onto the scan region. A first spot lens is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongate lens and a second spot lens is positioned adjacent the second end of the elongate lens. The first and second spot lenses direct some of the light rays from the light source toward first and second ends of the scan line. A white level reference mark is positioned adjacent the lens and the light source so that some of the light rays from the light source are reflected by the white level reference mark to the detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting surface defects and artifacts on a transmissive image in an optical image scanner and correcting the resulting scanned image. In one scan, the image is scanned normally. Surface defects and artifacts such as dust, scratches and finger prints are detected by providing a separate scan using infrared light or by measuring light (white or infrared) that is scattered or diffracted by the defects and artifacts. Separate optical paths for illumination may be used, or separate optical paths for intensity measurement may be used. Image processing may then be used to correct areas in the normal scan corresponding to defects identified in the separate scan.

Abstract: A hand-held scanning device is disclosed in which the scanning device housing window is located such that it does not come into contact with the object being scanned while a scan is being performed. This location of the window eliminates window damage caused by contact with the object being scanned. This location also results in the window being located out of the focus area of the scanning device optical system. Accordingly, any defects occurring in the window will be out of focus and, thus, less detrimental to acquired image quality. A light source lens may be integrally formed in the same assembly as the window and this assembly may provide support for the light source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held scanning device which contacts an object to be scanned only at substantially colinear points, e.g., via a roller. This configuration allows the scanning device to scan very close to the edge of an object to be scanned while remaining fully supported by the object. In order to counteract detrimental effects caused by tilting of the scanning device during a scan, the scan region of the scanning device is located close to the roller, a relatively high f-number lens is used and a widened illumination area is employed. The scanning device is also configured to provide for easy grasping by a user and to allow the user to view the scan region during a scan.

Abstract: A color filter system for an optical system, applicable to optical systems in color image scanners, copiers, video cameras and digital cameras. The optical system includes a photosensor army, transmissive color filters on the photosensor array and a corrective reflective filter adjacent to the photosensor array. The transmissive color filters on the photosensor array are imperfect, transmitting too much visible red as well as infrared. The adjacent reflective filter compensates by suppressing longer visible red wavelengths and infrared wavelengths. The combination provides color precision with cost and manufacturing advantages relative to attempting to provide precise transmissive filters on the photosensor array or relative to providing compensation filters elsewhere in the system.

Abstract: First and second legs are pivotally mounted in a scissor-like relationship about an adjustable pivot axle, wherein an outermost end of the legs have cooperative first and second jaws having facing mirror image surfaces arranged to secure aluminum cans.

Abstract: A miniature rotary actuator optical head assembly incorporating data and servo detecting elements mounted inside a source/detector module, which is located on the rotary actuator arm adjacent to the pivot point of the rotary actuator arm. The miniature rotary actuator optical head also includes a miniature focus motor which supports a fold mirror and an objective lens and repositions the fold mirror and objective lens simultaneously whenever a focus error is received. The focus motor can be actuated by a magnetic bias field that originates external to the rotary actuator arm, particularly the magnetic bias field generated for magneto-optical recordation. The optical assembly may also include two stage tracking by mounting the light source on a pair of lateral movement flexures and supplying a fine tracking error signal to actuate the movement of the light source.

Abstract: When doing multitrack seek or a single track jump, the midpoint between the maximum and the minimum of a tracking error signal is determined. A peak detector detects the positive peak and the negative peak. These maximum and minimum values are stored in a sample and hold circuit. A summing circuit determines the midpoint between the maximum and the minimum of the tracking error signal. An operational amplifier provides a true error signal to the servo control system that provides the appropriate servo operating point. The invention is based on the fact that even though there is no absolute reference signal indicating the appropriate on-track position, the tracking servo system obtains the track error over the whole range of positions relative to track center when doing a multitrack seek or a single track jump. The appropriate servo operating point is the midpoint between the maximum and the minimum of the track error signal.