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: 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 system and method for allowing a user to control remotely a digital image capture device without wires. A docking station for receiving a digital image capture device is provided. The docking station includes a wireless receiver. A wireless remote controller for sending at least one command to the docking station is also provided. The docking station also has a communication interface for communicating with the digital image capture device when the image capture device is docked therein. The user employs the wireless remote controller to access one or more functions of the digital image capture device through the docking station.

Abstract: A battery management system and method for an electronic device that may be powered by an AC source (using an AC adapter), or by a battery. The battery management system includes firmware configured to determine whether a battery coupled to the electronic device is rechargeable. The firmware is also coupled to and configured to control a charge switch. When the battery and an AC source are both coupled to the device, activating the charge switch causes a charging current to be applied from the AC source to the battery. The charge switch and firmware are configured to cause the charging current to not be applied to the battery if it is determined that the battery is not rechargeable.

Abstract: A battery management system and method for an electronic device that may be powered by an AC source (using an AC adapter), or by a battery. The battery management system includes firmware configured to determine whether a battery coupled to the electronic device is rechargeable. The firmware is also coupled to and configured to control a charge switch. When the battery and an AC source are both coupled to the device, activating the charge switch causes a charging current to be applied from the AC source to the battery. The charge switch and firmware are configured to cause the charging current to not be applied to the battery if it is determined that the battery is not rechargeable.

Abstract: A method for color imaging using a photosensor array having multiple rows of charge-coupled-device cells. The exposure times for each color channel are adjusted to provide improved signal-to-noise. The overall cycle time is determined by the channel having the weakest signal. A sufficient number of shift pulses are added to ensure that the weakest signal can still result in a full scale output. Once the total number of shift pulses per cycle is determined, the exposure times for the remaining channels are determined as a fraction of the weakest signal's required exposure (if possible). Each row has a separate transfer gate control input. The timing of the transfer gate pulses is then determined, preferably centering the exposure times to reduce color misregistration.

Abstract: An optical scanner that employs a pulsed light source that is synchronized to the scan position by a position encoder and a pulse control system. Such a scanner has an improved image sharpness and improved image registration. Moreover, a pulsed light source in a scanner of the present invention is more efficient and uses less power, which results in various cost and power savings. Such a scanner is capable of operating off a smaller power source (battery) and is capable of running for longer periods of time off a battery than scanners with a light source that is on during the entire scanning process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system, called an autochanger, having two control systems to provide the six motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges from storage holding cells to an optical drive. The system uses shaft encoders on two motors of the two control systems, and current or voltage feedback from the motors, for all positioning, and for detecting the location of the mechanisms during, and at the end of, moves. An optical drive interface connects the electronics of the autochanger and the optical drive, and includes electrical signals to emulate an eject pushbutton on the optical drive and an indicator lamp on the optical drive. The autochanger monitors the on and off state of the lamp signal as well as the duration of the on and off cycles to determine which operation is being performed by the optical drive. The autochanger uses the lamp signal and the eject signal to control all operations with the optical drive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system having two control systems to provide the motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges form storage holding cells to an optical drive. During initialization, the cartridge handling system uses shaft encoders, along with current or voltage feedback from the motors, to calibrate the home locations of the mechanisms. The system determines the home position for vertical movement of the transport as well as the top and bottom positions used for the translate operation. The system then calibrates the plunge movement, the flip movement, and the translate movement. Finally, the system determines whether the path for all the movements is free of obstructions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system, called an autochanger, having two control systems to provide the six motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges from storage holding cells to an optical drive. Whenever the mechanisms are being moved, the control systems monitor the progress of the movement, and should the control system detect an error conditon, a state update flag is changed to prevent further updates of the state of the system. With state updates disabled, the control system will stop all mechanisms and prevent further movement of the mechanisms. When the operation appears complete, an error recovery software function is called. When the error recovery software detects that the state update flag is in an error condition, error recovery is initiated. After the mechanism's state has been established, error recovery movement is started, based on the operation that was being performed at the time of the error, and the state of the machine at the time of the error.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system having two control system to provide the motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges from storage holding cells to an optical drive. During initialization, the cartridge handling system uses shaft encoders, along with current or voltage feedback from the motors, to calibrate the home locations of the mechanisms. The system determines the home position for vertical movement of the transport as well as the top and bottom positions used for the translate operation. The system then calibrates the plunge movement, the flip movement, and the translate movement. Finally, the system determines whether the path for all the movements is free of obstructions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk handling system, called an autochanger, having two control systems to provide the six motions necessary to move optical disk cartridges from storage holding cells to an optical drive. The system uses shaft encoders on the motors of the two control systems, and current or votlage feedback from the motors, for all positioning, and for detecting the location of the mechanisms during and at the end of moves. The shaft encoders are used to position a mechanism close to the eventual move location, then motor current or voltage feedback is used to determine opposition to the movement to the mechanism, which informs the control system as to whether the mechanism has reached its destination. An important aspect of the invention is that the motor current or voltage feedback is used by one control system to provide five of the six motions.