Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for preventing the unauthorized use of property. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system comprises an image capture system configured to capture an image of an object and generate data corresponding to the captured image, an image key corresponding to the object, a processor configured to compare the image key with the data corresponding to the captured image, and further configured to enable use of the property only if the data corresponding to the captured image corresponds to the image key, and a security timer configured to time a period of time such that the processor compares the image key with the data corresponding to the captured image after the period of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A system for capturing an image when an amount of sclera is visible in a preview image comprises a photosensor configured to detect an image, a memory configured to store at least a sclera setting, a processor configured to determine when at least one face is present in the detected image and further configured to determine an amount of sclera present in the face so that the determined amount of sclera is compared to the sclera setting, and an actuator configured to initiate capture of the detected image such that the detected image is captured when the determined amount of sclera is at least equal to the sclera setting.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a digital camera is provided. The digital camera has a security file, the security file acts as a password. The system may be a program stored as a computer readable medium, the program comprising: logic configured to prompt a user to provide a card key, the card key including the password; logic configured to retrieve data from the card key, the logic configured to retrieve data including logic for interfacing with a memory module card of a digital camera; logic configured to determine whether the data from the card key includes the password; logic configured to enable the use of the digital camera if the data from the card key includes the password; and logic configured to disable the digital camera if the data from the card key does not includes the password.

Abstract: An imaging module and light shuttering method for a digital image capturing device. The imaging module includes an electronic imaging sensor device including a plurality of pixel elements. The imaging module further includes an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. Each shutter element substantially corresponds to at least one of the plurality of pixel elements of the image sensor device.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a focusable lens apparatus, an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel elements, and an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. A shutter element substantially corresponds to one or more pixel elements. A processor controls a focus depth of the lens apparatus and selectively actuates particular shutter elements associated with each of a plurality of focus depths during image capture.

Abstract: A still image capturing device includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel elements. An electronically actuatable shutter device includes a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. A shutter element substantially corresponds to one or more pixel elements. A memory stores an exposure threshold and one or more exposure patterns. A processor controls the plurality of shutter elements according to the exposure threshold or according to an exposure pattern.

Abstract: An imaging module and light shuttering method for a digital image capturing device. The imaging module includes an electronic imaging sensor device including a plurality of pixel elements. The imaging module further includes an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. Each shutter element substantially corresponds to at least one of the plurality of pixel elements of the image sensor device.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a focusable lens apparatus, an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixel elements, and an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. A shutter element substantially corresponds to one or more pixel elements. A processor controls a focus depth of the lens apparatus and selectively actuates particular shutter elements associated with each of a plurality of focus depths during image capture.

Abstract: An electronic shutter apparatus and light shuttering method for a still image capturing device are provided according to the invention. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a beam splitter positioned in an incoming light beam path and splitting the incoming light beam into a first light beam and a second light beam. The apparatus further includes first and second polarizing shutters respectively positioned in paths of the first and second light beams and capable of being electrically activated to transmit light and to respectively form first and second polarized light beams. A polarization orientation of light from the second polarizing shutter is in non-alignment with a polarization orientation of light from the first polarizing shutter. The apparatus further includes a beam combiner receiving and combining the first and second polarized light beams to form a substantially non-polarized resultant light beam. The resultant light beam is focused onto an image sensor.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus and method for a lens of a hand-held imaging device are provided according to the invention. The electrostatic discharge apparatus includes a main body and an optical lens mounted on the main body. A transparent conductive coating is formed on the optical lens. The device further includes a conductive pad formed on the main body. The conductive pad is in electrical contact with the transparent conductive coating. The conductive pad is located on the main body at a region contacted by a user during use of the hand-held imaging device.