Abstract: A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator. The illuminator includes a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band, and a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band. The illuminator includes an array of lenses positioned in front of the light sources. The relative positions of the lens array and the first and second light sources are changeable such that the field illuminated by the first light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the first light sources, and the field illuminated by the second light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the second light sources.

Abstract: A system and method for focusing an image capture device are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising moving an autofocus window in response to detected movement of the image capture device.

Abstract: A multi-spectral variable focus illuminator. The illuminator includes a plurality of first light sources arranged in a first array, each of the first light sources capable of emitting light in a first wavelength band, and a plurality of second light sources arranged in a second array, each of the second light sources capable of emitting light in a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band. The illuminator includes an array of lenses positioned in front of the light sources. The relative positions of the lens array and the first and second light sources are changeable such that the field illuminated by the first light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the first light sources, and the field illuminated by the second light sources varies in size with the relative positions of the lens array and the second light sources.

Abstract: A method and device for adjusting white balance are disclosed herein. The method may comprise generating data representative of an image with and without the use of a strobe. The contribution of the strobe and the contribution of ambient light are on the data are calculated. Based, in part, on the contributions of the ambient light and the strobe, a weight is calculated. The weight is applied to the data in order to adjust the white balance.

Abstract: A camera includes a light transmitter configured to transmit light pulses at a first rate, a light receiver configured to receive return signals corresponding to the light pulses transmitted by the light transmitter, and a sampler configured to sample electrical signals corresponding to the return signals received by the light receiver, wherein the sampler is configured to sample the electrical signals at a second rate that is lower than the first rate.

Abstract: In the method and arrangement, a value of at least one image parameter of a liveview scene that is displayed on an imaging device display is determined. Based on the determined image parameter value, compensation value for the image parameter is determined, and the value of the image parameter is changed in accordance with the compensation value.

Abstract: Digital cameras and methods that provide for a rapid camera power-on sequence. A warm-sleep state is defined in which the camera and nearly all of its internal components are shut down, yet just enough information is retained within high speed volatile storage and processing units to rapidly return the camera to full operating state. The warm-sleep state is managed to consume a minimum amount of power to keep the vital information intact. Upon receipt of a power-on indication, the camera then transitions from the warm-sleep state to full operation by simply activating the processing units, and continuing operation from the state it was in immediately prior to the power-off request.

Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a remote control. The remote control emits a light that the photographer can use to designate a subject to be photographed by pointing the remote control at the subject, casting a light spot on the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the light is generated by a laser pointer included in the remote control. The camera selects a region to photograph from its field of view, based on the location or motion of the light spot. The camera may optionally select a region that is centered on the light spot. The photographer may optionally specify the size of the region to be selected. The camera may optionally adjust the size of the selected region to assist in photographic composition. The camera may optionally be capable of making video recordings.

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: Method and system for enabling an image capture system to respond to at least one command transmitted by a foreign remote control that is associated with a first device. The image capture system is first trained to respond to at least one command that is received from the foreign remote control. A user can then use the foreign remote control to access at least one function of the trained image capture system. For example, the foreign remote control can be used to access a first predefined function of the image capture system by transmitting a first instruction to the image capture system. The image capture system, responsive to the first instruction, performs the first predefined function.

Abstract: A digital camera has a removable nonvolatile memory for storing compressed images. The camera is capable of performing advanced image processing, and has a second nonremovable nonvolatile memory for storing intermediate results of advanced processing. The intermediate results are saved upon the nonremovable, nonvolatile, memory periodically, upon detection of low battery, or both. If batteries are replaced or external power is connected, under some conditions the camera's image processing subsystem can restart advanced processing. When advanced processing is restarted, these saved intermediate results are used to save processing time by avoiding the need to repeat some previously performed portions of advanced processing. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of storing intermediate results upon the removable nonvolatile memory also used for storing compressed images.

Abstract: An electronic camera has a battery, a battery charge-monitor circuit for monitoring battery charge, an embedded image-processing system, and a nonvolatile memory coupled to the embedded image-processing system for recording compressed images. The camera is capable of performing an initial compression and of performing advanced processing of images. The camera is capable of saving partially processed and/or intermediate images on nonvolatile memory, and suspending advanced processing, when the battery charge-monitor circuit detects that battery charge is less than a minimum or a reserve level. In an alternative embodiment, the camera is capable of reducing a clock rate at which advanced processing is performed to conserve battery charge.

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: An electronic camera capable of performing an initial compression and advanced processing of images has a user interface with an indicator that warns a user when the camera is about to write to removable nonvolatile memory. In an alternative embodiment, also provided are menus for setting an adjustable battery reserve level at which advanced processing is suspended such that battery charge is conserved for capturing new images. In another alternative embodiment, also provided are menus through which particular type of advanced processing may be selected. A variation of this embodiment has a mode where the camera holds raw data necessary for advanced processing in RAM for a few seconds to allow a user to request advanced processing of images selected by the user. In yet another alternative embodiment, the user interface can display a list of images with status of advanced processing. The user can change this list of images, including dropping images from and reordering the list.

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: 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: Disclosed are systems and methods for controlling a display. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to monitoring the state of a computing device associated with the display, determining if pixel reduction is warranted in view of the monitoring, and, if pixel reduction is warranted, displaying a reduced-pixel, whole image that comprises fewer active pixels than an original, complete image previously presented in the display.

Abstract: An auxiliary illuminating device that has an adjustable color temperature. The color temperature is adjusted by varying the light throughput of independently adjustable color filters.

Abstract: In the method and arrangement, a value of at least one image parameter of a liveview scene that is displayed on an imaging device display is determined. Based on the determined image parameter value, compensation value for the image parameter is determined, and the value of the image parameter is changed in accordance with the compensation value.

Abstract: Audio produced by an electronic appliance is selectively filtered based upon the output device selected. The destination of the audio signal is detected and filtering of the audio signal is configured based on the destination. If the frequency response of the output device is narrow, such as with an internal speaker in the electronic appliance, a bandpass filter is applied to narrow the frequency range of the audio signal to match the frequency response of the output device.