Abstract: A digital camera has first and second light sources for sequentially illuminating a document from two different directions in response to the camera being activated. The camera has first and second sensor portions. Only the first and second sensor portions respectively respond to images reflected from the document in response to the first and second sources illuminating the document. Images detected by the first and second sensor portions are combined to remove specular reflection from the document image. In a second embodiment, the camera has three sensor portions.

Abstract: A computing apparatus comprises a processor unit 10 and a foot control unit 13, in addition to a device for presenting information to a user such as a microdisplay. Movement of the foot, which drives operation of a selection element, provides user input to the processor unit. The foot control unit contains a position sensor 27 that detects position relative to a reference unit 26 in the processor unit 10. A stream of relative position data is used to indicate alternative options at the information presentation device. Selection may be carried out by various alternative methods in different embodiments —if the position sensor 27 is also an orientation sensor, this may be by rotation of the foot. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a wearable computing apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic image capture apparatus is disclosed comprising: an electronic camera having a detector, a lens having a field of view which is adapted to limit the radiation incident upon the detector to that within the field of view, an actuator for moving the field of view across the document, a control means for controlling the actuator to move the camera across the document so as to obtain a set of overlapping sub-images corresponding to different areas of the document, and electronic processing means adapted to receive the set of sub-images produced by the camera and to process the sub-images to form a composite image of the portion of the document covered by the set of sub-images. A set of processable sub-image files are produced which each comprise a data set of characters corresponding to characters appearing in a respective sub-image in the set and the relative location of the characters in that sub-image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system (2) for determining regions of interest in a static digital image for display on a display device, the system comprising a processor (4) configured to compare parts of an image (20, 50) with characteristics at least one region of interest specified by a user (19) and to determine at least one region of interest in an image (20, 50) based at least in part on the degree of similarity between parts of the image and the at least one user-specified region of interest in which the at least one user-specified region of interest is specified from the same image as the image in relation to which the determination is made.

Abstract: Measurement apparatus for measuring at least one of a length, surface area or volume of an object (or portion thereof) or area (22) (or portion thereof). The apparatus includes means for creating a three-dimensional map of an object or area to be measured and a touch-sensitive screen (16) for displaying the mapped image of the object or area. The user can select the area (22) of interest by drawing around it on the screen to create an outline of its shape and the apparatus then creates a virtual shape (20) which matches the outline and maps it onto the image. The user can alter the size, angle, pitch, etc. of the virtual shape (20) until it matches the area (22) exactly and the apparatus then determines the length, surface area and/or volume of the area (22), as required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the correction of planar focus in an electronic still or video camera. The camera includes: a detector array an objective lens arranged to direct optical radiation from an object plane onto the detector the lens defining an optical axis of the camera and the object plane being at an oblique angle to the optical axis movement device to change the relative orientation of the detector with respect to the lens so that the detector and lens may be moved relatively toward or away from each other along the optical axis and also tilted with respect to each other with at least one degree of freedom and focus detection device connected to the detector to detect when a portion of an image falling on the detector is in focus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer system (2) for determining regions of interest in a static digital image for display on a display device, the system comprising a processor (4) configured to compare parts of an image (20, 50) with characteristics at least one region of interest specified by a user (19) and to determine at least one region of interest in an image (20, 50) based at least in part on the degree of similarity between parts of the image and the at least one user-specified region of interest in which the at least one user-specified region of interest is specified from the same image as the image in relation to which the determination is made.

Abstract: A stand facilitates and supports the use of digital cameras including digital video cameras in performing an equivalent function to a scanner in recording digital images which may be downloaded to a computer. The stand incorporates means for automatically configuring the camera into a mode of operation for document image capture on placing said camera into said stand. Said stand is adjustable in height and includes hinge sections 201 to appropriately position said camera for use in capturing an image of a document.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting regions of interest within an image in response to a selection signal, and panning across an image so as to keep the selected region in view is disclosed, together with an image processing system employing the method.

Abstract: A computing apparatus comprises a processor unit 10 and a foot control unit 13, in addition to a device for presenting information to a user such as a microdisplay. Movement of the foot, which drives operation of a selection element, provides user input to the processor unit. The foot control unit contains a position sensor 27 that detects position relative to a reference unit 26 in the processor unit 10. A stream of relative position data is used to indicate alternative options at the information presentation device. Selection may be carried out by various alternative methods in different embodiments—if the position sensor 27 is also an orientation sensor, this may be by rotation of the foot. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a wearable computing apparatus.

Abstract: A digital camera 2 provides an infra-red signal 10 and a visible signal 15 from sensors 8, 9, wherein the sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. Analysis of the IR signal 10 provides the location of (20) and information from (13, 14) an active or passive target. Analyser 19 acts on the signal 15 in response to signals 14, 20 for composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of pictures from signal 15 for storage 18 together with signal 13 providing ancillary information such as personal details of a target wearer. Alternatively the visible and infra-red image signals may be combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing composite electronic image of a scene including at least one link to other information comprises a camera 1 for providing an image signal, link generating means responsive to the scene or the immediate environment for generating a link signal, and means for combining the image and link signals to provide said electronic image. As shown, the viewed scene includes a zoo information display 7 with a barcode which is read by the camera to provide the final part of the link information for concatenation onto a first part which loaded into the camera at entry to the zoo (or preloaded if the camera belongs to the zoo). Clicking on the display 7 on the viewed image provides a link to a zoo web page associated with the enclosure 4.

Abstract: A wearable camera arranged to be worn on a user's clothing comprises a lens section 28 which is disguised in a piece of jewellery 30. The piece of jewellery is connected to a rear electronics portion 26 by means of an electrically conducting pin 29. The rear electronics portion 26 houses control means including a semi-conductor memory 26a, power supply 26b, control circuitry 26c and circuitry 26d for controlling the gain setting of a CMOS sensor 28a in the lens section 28.

Abstract: Measurement apparatus for measuring at least one of a length, surface area or volume of an object (or portion thereof) or area (22) (or portion thereof). The apparatus includes means for creating a three-dimensional map of an object or area to be measured and a touch-sensitive screen (16) for displaying the mapped image of the object or area. The user can select the area (22) of interest by drawing around it on the screen to create an outline of its shape and the apparatus then creates a virtual shape (20) which matches the outline and maps it onto the image. The user can alter the size, angle, pitch, etc. of the virtual shape (20) until it matches the area (22) exactly and the apparatus then determines the length, surface area and/or volume of the area (22), as required.

Abstract: An electronic image capture apparatus is disclosed comprising: an electronic camera (2) having a detector (3), a lens (4) having a field of view which is adapted to limit the radiation incident upon the detector to that within the field of view, an actuator (7) for moving the field of view across the document, a control means (20) for controlling the actuator to move the camera across the document so as to obtain a set of overlapping sub-images corresponding to different areas of the document, and electronic processing means adapted to receive the set of sub-images produced by the camera and to process the sub-images to form a composite image of the portion of the document covered by the set of sub-images. A set of processable sub-image files are produced which each comprise a data set of characters corresponding to characters appearing in a respective sub-image in the set and the relative location of the characters in that sub-image.

Abstract: A digital camera configurable to obtain an image of a document, the camera comprising: first illumination means for illuminating the document in a first pass of the camera; second illumination means for illuminating the document in a second pass of the camera; image sensing means for capturing an image of the document from the passes; control means for controlling the sensing means, the control means being configured to control capture of a first portion of the image of the illuminated document during the first pass the first pass thereby resulting in a first image data, and the control means being configured to control capture of a second portion of the image of the illuminated document during the second pass the second pass thereby resulting in a second image data; means for storing the first and second image data; and means for processing the first and second image data so as to obtain a final image of the document.