Abstract: An electronic image capture device for capturing a color image, comprising an image sensor comprised of discrete light sensitive picture elements overlaid with a color filter array (CFA) pattern to produce sensor color image data corresponding to the CFA pattern; an A/D converter for producing uninterpolated digital CFA image data from the sensor color image data; a processor for processing the uninterpolated digital CFA image data to produce interpolated image data and for forming a TIFF image file containing both the uninterpolated CFA image data and the interpolated image data; and a memory for storing the TIFF image file.

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 method provides, at an exhibition site, a promotional item. A motion picture is displayed at the exhibition site. At least one audience member is provided an order entry device for recording an order for the promotional item during the motion picture showing. The order is obtained from the order entry device.

Abstract: An electronic still camera for capturing images that can be transferred to a service provider for storage is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed; a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital images from the removable memory card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for using a display having a predetermined display resolution to show out of focus areas in an archival image having a greater resolution than the predetermined display resolution. In this method, a verification image sized for presentation on the display, is provided. Portions of the archival image that are out of focus are identified. The verification image is blurred so that portions of the verification image that correspond to out of focus portions of the archival image appear out of focus when the verification image is presented on the display. In another aspect a camera system is provided having a source of an archival image with a predetermined resolution and a verification display having an image display resolution that is lower than the predetermined resolution of the archival image.

Abstract: A digital camera having a body and a detachable hinged cover for covering at least a portion of a display on the body, the detachable hinged cover capable of being placed in a first closed position and a second position, the cover and body forming an electrical connection between the cover and the body for providing an ancillary function by the cover to the body. A docking device for receiving the digital camera may be provided wherein an electrical connection is provided with another connector on the camera body.

Abstract: A digital photography system includes a digital camera and a digital printer. The digital camera includes an image display and the digital printer includes user interface controls to control the images displayed on the camera and to select images to be printed.

Abstract: A lightmeter-remote is usable in a system with a remotely settable camera and a plurality of remotely settable photolamps. The lightmeter-remote has a body, and a lightmeter, exposure controller, and transmitter disposed in the body. The exposure controller can be selectively actuated to set aperture, exposure time, and gain parameters of the camera and to set output parameters of each of the photolamps. The transmitter operatively and wirelessly connects the camera and photolamps with the exposure controller. The lightmeter-remote can have a plurality of lighting models, each providing user instructions defining a lighting setup and requiring one or more light measurements.

Abstract: An electronic still camera for capturing images to be transferred to at least one e-mail address is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed and a plurality of e-mail addresses; a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital images from the removable memory card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image.

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: An electronic camera for capturing images that can be transferred to a service provider includes an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of scenes and for producing image signals representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce corresponding digital images; and a memory for storing a plurality of digital images. The electronic camera further includes a display coupled to the memory for displaying at least one digital image from the plurality of stored digital images; and a user interface for scrolling through the plurality of digital images stored in the memory in order to display and select a particular digital image to be transferred to the service provider and to select a user, wherein the selected user is provided permission to view the particular digital image when the particular digital image is transferred to the service provider.

Abstract: A digital printer is operationally associated with a digital storage medium interface and a graphic user interface to display and select images stored on the digital storage medium for local or remote printing. The graphical user interface includes user controls and an image display for displaying the images for printing. The graphical user interface enables a user to select, from, for example, a removable memory having images stored thereon, a subset of images to be printed. The graphical user interface is further adapted to permit communication via a network to a fulfillment center to enable remote printing and/or request photo products.

Abstract: A technique for producing a foreground mask from a digital image is based on receiving two digital images, wherein a first digital image is derived from a first original scene image including a foreground photographed against a background having arbitrary and unknown content matter, and a second digital image is derived from a second original scene image including substantially the same background but without the foreground. The second digital image is automatically aligned to the first digital image without user intervention to generate an aligned digital image including the background without the foreground. Then, using the first digital image and the aligned digital image, a foreground mask is produced relating to the spatial regions in the first digital image pertaining to the foreground, whereby the foreground mask is subsequently used to generate a composite digital image.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital imaging device includes a programmable memory for storing at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device. The method includes providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances. The user selects one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital imaging device and the programmable memory of the digital imaging device is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital camera for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital camera includes a reprogrammable memory for storing firmware which controls the operation of the digital camera and a camera graphical user interface responsive to the firmware stored in the reprogrammable memory. The method includes providing customization software executed external to the digital camera which can access a plurality of firmware components having different camera features. A user selects desired camera features to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital camera and the reprogrammable memory is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital camera.

Abstract: A camera and method are usable for capturing images of scenes illuminated by ambient light. The camera has a body and an electronic imager disposed in the body. The electronic imager captures an ambient light image as a multicolored electronic image. A color detector is disposed in the body. The color detector measures the ambient light to provide a color value. A look-up table, disposed in the body, has an assignment of the color value to one of a designated illuminant and one or more non-designated illuminants. Each non-designated illuminant has a color cast relative to the designated illuminant. A user interface, disposed on the outside of the body, shows the electronic image and an indication of the illuminant to which the color value is assigned.

Abstract: A method for determining affective information for at least one image in an imaging system includes displaying a digital image for viewing by a user; monitoring the facial expression of the user as the user views the digital image; and using the facial expression of the user to determine affective information for the digital image.

Abstract: A digital camera having a public key encryption system to establish the authenticity of digital images created by the camera, wherein the private key/public key pair is produced within the digital camera using an algorithm which ensures that it is unique, rather than being produced on a separate computer and uploaded to the camera. The private key is stored in a memory within the digital camera, so that it cannot be discovered.

Abstract: An electronic camera and system for capturing of digital images, and wireless transmission of the captured images to a recipient. The camera includes a selection device for creating an electronic content identifier to be associated with a digital image file in the camera that identifies a recipient that the associated digital image file is to be forwarded.

Abstract: The camera has a body and an electronic imager disposed in the body. The electronic imager captures an ambient light image as a multicolored electronic image. Memory is operatively connected to the imager and stores the electronic image as a stored image. The camera has a color adjuster that includes a user interface ambient light detector and color balancer. The user interface ambient light detector has a light sensor and measures ambient illumination to provide an ambient light color value. The color balancer generates a copy of the stored image and modifies the color balance of that copy, responsive to the color value, to generate a compensated image. An image display mounted on the body adjacent the sensor, shows the compensated image. A switch mounted on the body, is switchable independent of the imager, to actuate and deactuate the color adjuster.