Abstract: Described are imaging devices that employ patchworks of diffractive structures as focusing optics. Each diffractive structure best focuses light over a relatively narrow cone of incident angles, and provides suboptimal focusing for incident angles outside that cone. Different diffractive structures best focus different angular ranges, with the patchwork thus providing an overall focusable response for the relatively broad range of angles required to image a scene. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.

Abstract: Described are imaging devices that employ patchworks of diffractive structures as focusing optics. Each diffractive structure best focuses light over a relatively narrow cone of incident angles, and provides suboptimal focusing for incident angles outside that cone. Different diffractive structures best focus different angular ranges, with the patchwork thus providing an overall focusable response for the relatively broad range of angles required to image a scene. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A system that provides rapid detection of modifications to content on a removable storage device. The system includes a removable storage device having a code for indicating that modifications were made to the content on the removable storage device. The system also includes a media processor for reading the code of the removable storage device, comparing the code to a previously stored code in a memory, and mounting a pre-established file system database structure for the removable storage device when the value of the code of the removable storage device equals the value of the previously stored code.

Abstract: A system that provides rapid detection of modifications to content on a removable storage device. The system includes a removable storage device having a code for indicating that modifications were made to the content on the removable storage device. The system also includes a media processor for reading the code of the removable storage device, comparing the code to a previously stored code in a memory, and mounting a pre-established file system database structure for the removable storage device when the value of the code of the removable storage device equals the value of the previously stored code. More specifically, following power-on, or insertion of the removable storage device into the processing device, the processing device compares the one or more codes read from the removable storage device to the last stored value of the one or more codes in the processing device to determine if the contents of the removable storage device were changed since it was last used by the processing device.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing and viewing images transmitted from a remote location to a portable imaging device, wherein each of the transmitted images having associated geographic information. The method comprises the steps of: providing the portable imaging device adapted to receive images transmitted from the remote location; determining a geographic location of the portable imaging device; and transmitting at least one image to the portable imaging device in an order dependent on the location of the portable imaging device.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.

Abstract: A portable imaging device for accessing and viewing image wherein each of the images has associated aspect ratio information. The imaging device comprises: a memory for storing at least one image and associated aspect ratio information; a display for displaying at least one of the images stored in the memory and simultaneously displaying a user interface control window; and user controls for selecting commands displayed in the user interface control window; wherein a location of the user interface control window displayed in the display is dependent upon the aspect ratio information.

Abstract: A method for enhanced viewing of images transmitted from a remote location to a portable imaging device.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing and viewing images transmitted from a remote location to a portable imaging device, wherein each of the transmitted images having associated geographic information. The method comprises the steps of: providing the portable imaging device adapted to receive images transmitted from the remote location; determining a geographic location of the portable imaging device; and transmitting at least one image to the portable imaging device in an order dependent on the location of the portable imaging device.

Abstract: A computer system, which includes a host computer and at least one programmable slave processor, boots the slave processor simply and inexpensively by using a first in first out (FIFO) memory connected between the host computer and the slave processor. Specifically, the computer system includes a host computer, a programmable microprocessor (the slave processor) controlled by the host computer, a FIFO memory connected between the host computer and the microprocessor, and means for providing a boot program and/or boot data from the host computer to the microprocessor through the FIFO memory. When the boot program functions, operating instructions for the microprocessor are read into the microprocessor's own random access memory (RAM).

Abstract: A digital camera, which captures images and transfers the captured images to a host computer, includes an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data; a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer; means for controlling the image sensor in at least two different camera configurations, each configuration including configuration information defining a plurality of camera parameters; and means for communicating at least part of the configuration information along with the digitized image data to the computer via the digital interface.

Abstract: A digital camera is designed to capture images and transfer the captured images to a host computer. The camera includes an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; a timing generator, incorporating a line request control signal, for controlling the readout of lines of photosites from the image sensor; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digital image data; a digital memory for storing at least one line of digital image data; and a digital interface for providing the digital image data read from the digital memory to the host computer. By initiating a new line readout in response to the line request control signal indicating the fullness of the digital memory, the camera is able to use the image sensor as an analog frame memory, instead of having a full digital frame memory in the camera, so that only a small line store is required.