Abstract: A video thumbnail for use as an icon of a digital video file and method of generating same. The video thumbnail is preferably a relatively short, low resolution, animated video thumbnail. The video thumbnail is extracted from a preferred sequence of the video file and embedded as a header of the file. The video thumbnail preferably plays automatically, and acts as a pointer to the file and the preferred point within it.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for facilitating composition of handwritten documents. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to identifying handwritten input entered in a display of a computing device, and controlling the placement of handwritten input on the display so as to enable uninterrupted handwriting on the display.

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: A portable electronic imaging device, in performing digital zoom, exploits barrel distortion in the original digital image to produce higher quality digitally zoomed images than can be obtained by simple cropping and rescaling. Such a portable electronic imaging device may be implemented using a moderately wide-angle lens of fixed focal length.

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: Autofocus methods and digital cameras employing a holographic element or hologram. The holographic element generates one or more displaced images that are processed to generate a bipolar contrast signal that provides for improved autofocus performance of the digital camera.

Abstract: An image browsing user interface provides convenient viewing of both individual images and groups of images. The user interface provides a convenient way to view both individual images and a preferred image from each group of images. The individual and preferred images may be uploaded to an external device or selectively processed by the external device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for optically transferring data. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to displaying optical data representative of underlying data to be transferred, capturing the displayed optical data, and interpreting the captured optical data to determine the underlying data that the optical data represents.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for displaying preview images to a camera user. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to displaying liveview images in a camera display when an image is being composed, and further displaying at least one preview image in the camera display, the at least one preview image providing an indication of image focus or detail.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing spatially-varied demosaicing. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to collecting color information sensed by image sensor pixels, and estimating color information as to a pixel under consideration that is not collected by the pixel by weighting color information collected by adjacent pixels that are positioned in a direction in which color is shifted due to lateral chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for facilitating composition of handwritten documents. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to identifying handwritten input entered in a display of a computing device, and controlling the placement of handwritten input on the display so as to enable uninterrupted handwriting on the display.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing tactile feedback as to device operation. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to determining whether a device function for which tactile feedback is to be provided is implicated, and, if so, actuating a mechanical actuator of the device to create tactile feedback that indicates to the user that the function is being or has been performed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for facilitating surveillance of an area. In one embodiment, a system and a method comprise capturing images of the area under surveillance using a portable digital camera, detecting motion occurring within the area under surveillance, and storing images of the area under surveillance captured by the digital camera.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying user input. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to detecting application of a force to a user interface using input sensors that are laterally spaced from the point at which the force is applied, and calculating the location at which the force is applied using information collected by the input sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining focus of an image. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertains to restricting light provided by a central portion of a camera lens so that light is primarily collected from a periphery of the lens, and evaluating the focus of the image using the light from the periphery of the lens.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for transferring data. In one embodiment, a system and method pertain to configuring a first device to send data, touching an external contact of the first device to an external contact of a second device, and transmitting data from the first device to the second device via the touching contacts.

Abstract: A digital camera and method that embodies a preview image that shows what the final image will look like, including depth of field and shutter speed temporal effects (blur). Preview images are displayed as a series of stop-action still images rather than as continuous video. Overlays or picture-in picture can be used to show live action video simultaneously for framing.

Abstract: A preview mode for a digital camera, and associated method, that displays more than one alternative interpretation of a photographic image that is to be recorded. A user selects the best of the alternatives before the photographic image is taken. Thus, the photographic image is more optimally exposed and processed.

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: A digital imaging device detects or tracks a user's direction of gaze. The detected direction of gaze may be used to set one or more functions in the digital imaging device, and the history of the user's direction of gaze may be stored with a captured digital image for later use by an automatic image post-processing apparatus.