Abstract: A method of calibrating a digital camera includes dispersing white light through a test device to generate a color dispersion image including a plurality of different wavelengths of light; capturing a test image of the color dispersion image; obtaining intensity values corresponding to at least two of the different wavelengths of light from the test image; and comparing the intensity values to expected intensity values. The test device may include a color dispersion medium, e.g., a variable band pass filter, and/or a light transmission medium. The method may further include obtaining at least two different values corresponding to an intensity pattern image containing a plurality of intensities of undispersed light transmitted through a light transmission medium.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus and a method of image processing. The apparatus includes an image sensor array which receives light that has been reflected by a scene, a luminance photodetector which receives light from a luminance channel, a multifunction lens, and a processor. The multifunction lens includes an imaging lens portion and the luminance channel. The imaging lens portion directs the light that has been reflected in a first direction onto the image sensor array. The luminance channel includes an optical element which directs the light from the luminance channel in a second direction different from the first direction onto the luminance photodetector. The image sensor array and the luminance photodetector each convert the light they receive to image data electrical signals and luminance data electrical signals, respectively. The processor processes the image data electrical signals to form an image of the scene using the luminance data electrical signals.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling any of a variety of permanent magnet motors includes normalizing motor parameters with respect to demagnetization current of a motor and developing a torque-per-current relationship using the normalized motor parameters at approximately maximum torque. Using the developed torque-per-current relationship, it is possible to control any of a variety of permanent magnet motors without the need for extensive configuration of a motor control unit for a specific motor.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus and a method of image processing. The apparatus includes an image sensor array which receives light that has been reflected by a scene, a luminance photodetector which receives light from a luminance channel, a multifunction lens, and a processor. The multifunction lens includes an imaging lens portion and the luminance channel. The imaging lens portion directs the light that has been reflected in a first direction onto the image sensor array. The luminance channel includes an optical element which directs the light from the luminance channel in a second direction different from the first direction onto the luminance photodetector. The image sensor array and the luminance photodetector each convert the light they receive to image data electrical signals and luminance data electrical signals, respectively. The processor processes the image data electrical signals to form an image of the scene using the luminance data electrical signals.

Abstract: Images are captured within a camera. Upon preliminary image capturing being initiated, color balancing and auto-focus is performed and a predetermined number of images are captured for storage in a first-in-first-out buffer. This is repeated until capture is terminated. Upon a final image capture being initiated, a first image is transferred from the first-in-first-out buffer to a long-term memory within the camera.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a portable telephone unit having both wireless communication capability and image capture capability, with a refocusing arrangement that is mechanically driven by operations of telephone components primarily included to enable telephone functions that are independent from camera functions. In one embodiment, the incoming call alerting device, such as the vibrator motor, is used to provide refocusing actuation. In another embodiment, the telephone unit is a “flip phone” and the hinging operations store actuation force for refocusing operations. A ratchet cam may be used in the refocusing arrangement of the image capture capability.

Abstract: Color management for extending a received color gamut for display. The received color gamut is expanded by applying a gain to color components. The applied gain varies depending on the saturation of the color component. Highly saturated colors in the received color gamut may accordingly be modified to a larger extent than less saturated colors to increase the vividness of highly saturated colors to the edges of the display's color gamut, while less saturated colors, such as memory colors, receive less gain and therefore are maintained as the same or similar to their original color.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a multifunction lens and a method for capturing an image are disclosed. The multifunction lens has an imaging lens portion adapted to focus a scene onto an image sensor array and a luminance channel portion adapted to channel luminance of the scene onto a luminance photo detector. Due to a single piece design of the multifunction lens of the present invention, compared to the prior art built-in luminance metering system, the costs of manufacture are decreased, bulk to the imaging system is decreased, and reliability of the imaging system is increased.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting images of monitored devices, such as utility meters for electricity, gas and water, captures a digital image of a monitored device and produces a difference digital image from the digital image using a reference digital image of the monitored device. The difference digital image has pixel values derived from differences between corresponding pixel values of the digital image and the reference digital image. The difference digital image is smaller in data size than the original digital image. The original digital image can be reconstructed from the difference digital image using the reference digital image.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a digital camera, comprises dispersing white light through a test device to generate a color dispersion image including a plurality of different wavelengths of light; capturing a test image of said color dispersion image; obtaining intensity values corresponding to at least two of said different wavelengths of light from said test image; and comparing the intensity values to expected intensity values. The test device may include a color dispersion medium, e.g., a variable band pass filter, and/or a light transmission medium. The method may further comprise obtaining at least two different values corresponding to an intensity pattern image containing a plurality of intensities of undispersed light transmitted through a light transmission medium.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling any of a variety of permanent magnet motors includes normalizing motor parameters with respect to demagnetization current of a motor and developing a torque-per-current relationship using the normalized motor parameters at approximately maximum torque. Using the developed torque-per-current relationship, it is possible to control any of a variety of permanent magnet motors without the need for extensive configuration of a motor control unit for a specific motor.

Abstract: A meter is read. An image on a face of the meter is captured. Optical character recognition of digits of a digital display on the face of the meter is performed. At least one stored template is used to perform the optical character recognition of digits.

Abstract: A method of generating an electronic text file from a paper-based document that includes a plurality of characters includes capturing a plurality of partially overlapping digital images of the document. Optical character recognition is performed on each one of the plurality of captured digital images, thereby generating a corresponding plurality of electronic text files. Each one of the electronic text files includes a portion of the plurality of characters in the document. The plurality of electronic text files are compared with one another to identify characters that are in common between the electronic text files. The plurality of electronic text files are combined into a combined text file based on the comparison. The combined text file includes the plurality of characters in the document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a controller that supplies voltages to an induction machine via supply lines, the voltages including a fundamental voltage component and an injected voltage component, the line voltages also including harmonic voltage components where the harmonic voltage components include at least a high frequency first harmonic component having a frequency substantially equal to the sum of the fundamental component frequency and the injected component frequencies, the method for identifying the high frequency first harmonic component and comprising the steps of sensing the line voltages, identifying a zero sequence voltage component of the line voltages, rectifying the zero sequence voltage component to generate a rectified signal and using the rectified signal to identify the high frequency first harmonic component.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a digital camera to capture images of a fingerprint with the camera. The digital camera includes a primary lens for general photography purposes. The apparatus includes an accessory lens assembly including a first surface for supporting a finger to be imaged. The accessory lens assembly is configured to direct light reflected from the finger to the primary lens of the digital camera. A connection mechanism connects the accessory lens assembly to the digital camera. The accessory lens assembly is movable via the connection mechanism to cover the primary lens for fingerprint imaging, and is movable via the connection mechanism away from the primary lens to allow the digital camera to be used for general photography purposes.

Abstract: A communications link for a cellular communications system (10) includes a first airplane (35) for flying in a first pattern (86) and including a first antenna for transmitting RF beams (92) to form a first footprint (96) on a first target geographic area (98) to provide cellular phone users (18) within the footprint with a first communications link. A second airplane (35?) flies in a second pattern (86) and includes a second antenna for transmitting RF beams (92) to form a second footprint (96) on a second target geographic area (98) to provide cellular phone users (18) within the second footprint with a second communications link. The first and second airplanes each fly at an altitude that is below a high altitude level and that is varied to enable continuous uninterrupted coverage to be provided to a service area below in a weather pattern-independent and geographic feature-independent manner.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a multifunction lens and a method for capturing an image are disclosed. The multifunction lens has an imaging lens portion adapted to focus a scene onto an image sensor array and a luminance channel portion adapted to channel luminance of the scene onto a luminance photo detector. Due to a single piece design of the multifunction lens of the present invention, compared to the prior art built-in luminance metering system, the costs of manufacture are decreased, bulk to the imaging system is decreased, and reliability of the imaging system is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a digital camera to capture images of a fingerprint with the camera. The digital camera includes a primary lens for general photography purposes. The apparatus includes an accessory lens assembly including a first surface for supporting a finger to be imaged. The accessory lens assembly is configured to direct light reflected from the finger to the primary lens of the digital camera. A connection mechanism connects the accessory lens assembly to the digital camera. The accessory lens assembly is movable via the connection mechanism to cover the primary lens for fingerprint imaging, and is movable via the connection mechanism away from the primary lens to allow the digital camera to be used for general photography purposes.

Abstract: A method of generating an electronic text file from a paper-based document that includes a plurality of characters includes capturing a plurality of partially overlapping digital images of the document. Optical character recognition is performed on each one of the plurality of captured digital images, thereby generating a corresponding plurality of electronic text files. Each one of the electronic text files includes a portion of the plurality of characters in the document. The plurality of electronic text files are compared with one another to identify characters that are in common between the electronic text files. The plurality of electronic text files are combined into a combined text file based on the comparison. The combined text file includes the plurality of characters in the document.

Abstract: Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) provides a portable and repeatable method for protecting assemblies during various stages of a manufacturing process. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) is light weight and can be deployed manually. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) is simple to use and shortens the time required for a manufacturing process. The invention provides a simple, accurate, low-cost, and repeatable method for using a portable EMI shielding apparatus for protecting a component or large subassembly during various stages of a manufacturing process. A portable collapsible frame is provided along with a removable protective covering which is mounted over the collapsible frame to create an EMI shield around the component or subassembly. Protective shield tent (100, 300, 400) can easily be moved from one location to another facilitating re-use.