Abstract: A method, of selectively reading less than all information from an image sensor for which member-pixels of a subset of the entire set of pixels are individually addressable, may include: sampling information from a targeted member-pixel of the subset without having to read information from the entire set of pixels; and adaptively reading information from another one or more but fewer than all member pixels of the entire set based upon the sampling information without having to read all pixels on the image sensor. A related digital camera may include features similar to elements of the method.

Abstract: A castor wheel assembly, alone or in combination with a patient support platform or mobile support cart, is provided. The mobile support cart includes a stop mode in which the castor wheels are prevented from rolling across the floor by a braking mechanism. The platform is capable of supporting devices that may be attached or associated with a patient throughout their stay at a healthcare facility. The castor wheel assembly can incorporate a braking mechanism operated by a cable that extends through a mounting plate.

Abstract: A patient support platform or mobile support cart is provided. The mobile support cart includes a transmission system that allows the patient and/or medical staff member to choose a stop, walk or roll mode. In the stop mode, the castor wheels are prevented from rolling across the floor by a braking mechanism. In the walking mode, the transmission causes a tracking wheel to engage the floor for providing tracked or guided motion to the mobile support cart. In a roll mode, the tracking wheel is raised and is disengaged from the floor, and the castor wheels are free to rotate. The platform is capable of supporting devices that may be attached or associated with a patient throughout their stay at a healthcare facility. The braking mechanism can include a cable and an associated brake arm, with the cable positioned to allow braking without inhibiting the ability of the castor wheel to swivel with respect to a castor mounting plate.

Abstract: A power management method and associated apparatus allows a device to make maximum use of its battery before replacement or recharging. After a battery failure, the device may be shut down properly and disabled until the battery is replaced or recharged. An exemplary embodiment is described in the context of a digital camera.

Abstract: A patient support platform or mobile support cart is provided. The mobile support cart includes a transmission system that allows the patient and/or medical staff member to choose a stop, walk or roll mode. In the stop mode, the castor wheels are prevented from rolling across the floor by a braking mechanism. In the walking mode, the transmission causes a tracking wheel to engage the floor for providing tracked or guided motion to the mobile support cart. In a roll mode, the tracking wheel is raised and is disengaged from the floor, and the castor wheels are free to rotate. The platform is capable of supporting devices that may be attached or associated with a patient throughout their stay at a healthcare facility. The braking mechanism can include a cable and an associated brake arm, with the cable positioned to allow braking without inhibiting the ability of the castor wheel to swivel with respect to a castor mounting plate.

Abstract: A scanning method that provides a quick start to the first scan and maintains the quality level of the final scan is disclosed. The first scan, or preview scan, is done without waiting for the lamp to stabilize. The time between the preview scan and the final high quality scan is used to stabilize the lamp.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor, a memory, and a processor. The memory includes a motion detect routine, a predetermined image interval, and at least one predetermined motion threshold. The processor conducts the capturing of images separated by the predetermined image interval, compares a current image to one or more previous images, determines when motion between the current image and the previous image is below the at least one predetermined motion threshold, and stores the current image as a final image when the current image is stable.

Abstract: Adaptive battery conditioning employs battery chemistry determination to establish how, when and whether to condition a battery. As a result, the conditioning is optimized for the determined battery chemistry. Further, conditioning of a battery that is not conditionable, such as a nonrechargeable battery, is prevented. A device determines battery chemistry in situ from a measurement of a characteristic of an installed battery, and conditions the installed battery in situ. The device can be a battery-powered consumer electronic device or a battery charging and conditioning system that is independent of an electronic device that uses the conditioned battery. A method of adaptive battery conditioning includes determining a chemistry of a battery from a measurement of a battery characteristic, and conditioning the battery according to the determined battery chemistry.

Abstract: A device for scanning a first image on a document surface and printing a second image on the document surface comprising a mechanism operable to engage a document and drive the document along a feed path, a scanner apparatus operable to generate a scanned image of the first image on the document surface as the document is driven past the scanner apparatus during a first document traversal of the feed path, and a printer apparatus operable to print the second image on the document surface as the document is driven past the printer apparatus during the traversal of the document through the feed path is provided.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor and a memory including a dark frame buffer that stores one or more dark frames generated by the electronic image sensor. A processor controls the electronic image sensor to substantially continuously capture and store a newest dark frame from the electronic image sensor when the electronic image sensor is not performing an image capture. The processor subtracts the newest dark frame from an image upon an image capture.

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: Image capture device control marks are automatically generated within a computer or printer and automatically printed on pages output from the printer. The control marks when detected by a control mark capable image capture device communicate information to the image capture device such as which areas of the printed page are text that require optical character recognition, which areas of the page are photos that require high-resolution full-color, which areas of the page are line drawings that require medium-resolution black and white, and which areas of the page are not to be scanned. Image capture device control marks may be configured in a wide range of sizes, styles, and locations on the printed page.

Abstract: A method and a battery powered electronic device incorporate use-adaptive fuel gauging. The use-adaptive fuel gauging adapts a fuel gauge algorithm to an average use model for the device. The adaptation accounts for the effects that variations in average use by a user of the device have on a total available energy or charge capacity of a battery. Accordingly, use-adaptivity can improve the fuel gauging accuracy by improving an estimate of the total energy available. The method and device optionally account for different battery chemistries yielding further increases in fuel gauging accuracy compared to conventional fuel gauging approaches.

Abstract: A photoelectric imaging sensor and method that provide for electronic shuttering and frequency filtering. An exemplary sensor includes a biased conductive frame disposed adjacent to an electron emitting plate that is coupled by way of a reset field effect transistor to ground. A metallized plate is insulated from (capacitively coupled to) the electron emitting plate and is coupled by way of a charge isolation field effect transistor (to ground. Electronic shuttering and frequency filtering in the photoelectric imaging sensor is implemented is as follows. The conductive frame is biased by predetermined amounts to control the surface work function of the electron emitting plate and set the incident light frequency at which photoelectrons are emitted by the electron emitting plate, thus providing for frequency filtering and electronically shuttering of the photoelectric imaging sensor. Electronic shuttering is provided by gating the metallized plate using the charge isolation field effect transistor.

Abstract: A method and digital camera are disclosed for capturing a complete set of image data for a three-dimensional target object by capturing image data from multiple images from different perspectives of the target object. The camera captures an image of the object from an initial perspective. Based on image data retrieved from the image, discontinuous edges of the object are identified for the initial perspective. The camera continues capturing image data for the object by capturing images from different perspectives, until complete image data is obtained. As each image is captured, the camera attempts to resolve discontinuous edges identified in any of the images. If all of the discontinuous edges cannot be resolved, then another image of the target object is captured from another perspective. When all of the discontinuous edges are resolved, the camera indicates that complete image data has been obtained, using an indicator.

Abstract: A photoelectric imaging sensor comprising a bias frame and electron collector and an electron emissive photosensitive material disposed on a first side of the bias frame and electron collector. A piezoelectric variable color filter is disposed on a second side of the bias frame and electron collector, piezoelectric separation control circuitry is coupled to the piezoelectric variable color filter that controls separation of colors thereby, and a current switch connected to the electron collector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for event triggering an electronic device utilize an AC adaptor port as a trigger source interface port. The apparatus for triggering the device comprises an AC adaptor port, a mode control element, and an event monitor. While in a trigger mode, the AC adaptor port is the trigger source interface port and, while not in trigger mode, the AC adaptor port is a power source port. The method of triggering comprises the steps of setting a mode of operation, wherein trigger mode is either enabled or disabled, and while trigger mode is enabled, monitoring a parameter of a signal applied to the AC adaptor port, comparing the parameter to a threshold to determine if a trigger event has occurred, and if so, triggering the device to perform an action.

Abstract: A compartment interchangeably holds either a battery or a fuel cartridge for powering a portable electronic device. The compartment includes electrical contacts to access energy stored in a battery. The compartment further includes a fuel port to access fuel stored in a fuel cartridge. Either of the battery or the fuel cartridge may be installed in the compartment. A portable electronic device, which is powered interchangeably by either a battery or a fuel cell, includes the compartment. A method of powering the portable electronic device includes installing either a battery or a fuel cartridge into a compartment that interchangeably holds the battery and the fuel cartridge, and powering the device using energy stored in the respectively installed battery or energy stored in fuel contained in the respectively installed fuel cartridge.

Abstract: A camera is adjustable such that the force required to actuate one or more of the camera's controls can be adjusted by a camera user. In a preferred embodiment, the force required to depress the camera's shutter release button is adjustable. The force may be adjusted to accommodate changing photographic situations, to accommodate a physical disability of the photographer, or simply to accommodate the camera user's taste. Mechanical and electromechanical embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A digital camera takes photographs of printed material upon recognition of a specified text pattern. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the process of photographing printed material based on text pattern recognition is partially manual. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the process is highly automated.