Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a camera. The method includes the steps of providing an array of image sensing pixels, disposing an electronic shutter in an optical path between the array of pixels and an image where the electronic shutter has a reflective state and a transmissive state and applying a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to the electronic shutter to expose the image sensing pixels to the image.

Abstract: An electronic optical zoom system (100) includes a first lens assembly (101) and a second lens assembly (102). The first lens assembly (101) and the second lens assembly (102) may be adjacently disposed or concentrically disposed. The first lens assembly (101) and second lens assembly (102), in one embodiment, have different magnification configurations. An image sensor (103) captures electronic images of a subject (109). Optical zoom capability is achieved by an alterable electronic optical device (851), such as a switchable mirror (105). The alterable electronic optical device (851) selectively redirects received light between a first optical path (107) from a reflective surface (106) to a second optical path (117) from the alterable electronic optical device (851) depending upon the state of the alterable electronic optical device (851). The electronic optical zoom system (100) thereby provides optical zoom capabilities in a compact package without the need for physically moving lens assemblies.

Abstract: A battery pack having reduced magnetic emitted noise includes a housing having an electrode assembly (700) disposed therein. The electrode assembly (700) includes a cell stack comprising a cathode (701) and an anode (702) with a separator disposed therebetween. The cell stack of the electrode assembly (700) has a first end (705) and a second end (706). A first electrical conductor (703) coupled to the anode (702) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. A second electrical conductor (704) coupled to the cathode (701) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. During discharge, current (711,712) passes through the first electrical conductor (703) and second electrical conductor (704), and across the cathode (701) and anode (702), in substantially opposite directions at a substantially similar magnitude so as to reduce magnetic field noise generated by the electrode assembly (700).

Abstract: A battery pack having reduced magnetic emitted noise includes a housing having an electrode assembly (700) disposed therein. The electrode assembly (700) includes a cell stack comprising a cathode (701) and an anode (702) with a separator disposed therebetween. The cell stack of the electrode assembly (700) has a first end (705) and a second end (706). A first electrical conductor (703) coupled to the anode (702) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. A second electrical conductor (704) coupled to the cathode (701) at the first end (705) of the cell stack. The first electrical conductor (703) and second electrical conductor (704) can be configured with different lengths, geometrical shapes, or placement locations such that during discharge, current (711,712) passes across the cathode (701) and anode (702) in substantially opposite directions at a substantially similar magnitude so as to reduce magnetic field noise generated by the electrode assembly (700).

Abstract: A system (200) and method (800) for determining whether a sample object (203) has a color that is within a predetermined range is provided. The system (200) includes a light source (201) capable of projecting lights having different light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (203). A controller (222) causes the light source (201) to project a first light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (203), then another, then another, and so forth. While each light is projecting upon the object, a monochromatic image capture device (202) captures an image having luminous intensity information. The luminous intensity information, or a subset thereof selected by an image selection tool (232) is then compared to the statistical range, which is derived from a plurality of images taken of a reference object (403).

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus (200) for focusing on images at different distances is disclosed. The method may include focusing on a first object at a first distance, capturing (320) a first image based on focusing on the first object at the first distance, focusing on a second object at a second distance, where the second distance is different from the first distance, and capturing (330) a second image based on focusing on the second object at the second distance. The method may also include compressing (340) the first image, compressing (350) the second image, and creating (360) a third image based on a combination of the compressed first image and the compressed second image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a camera. The method includes the steps of providing an array of image sensing pixels, disposing an electronic shutter in an optical path between the array of pixels and an image where the electronic shutter has a reflective state and a transmissive state and applying a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to the electronic shutter to expose the image sensing pixels to the image.

Abstract: A system (200) and method (800) for determining whether a sample object (203) has a color that is within a predetermined range is provided. The system (200) includes a light source (201) capable of projecting lights having different light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (203). A controller (222) causes the light source (201) to project a first light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (203), then another, then another, and so forth. While each light is projecting upon the object, a monochromatic image capture device (202) captures an image having luminous intensity information. The luminous intensity information, or a subset thereof selected by an image selection tool (232) is then compared to the statistical range, which is derived from a plurality of images taken of a reference object (403).

Abstract: A method and system for automatically focusing an image received by an image capturing unit (100) relative to a target is disclosed. The target is present in a sequence of one or more scanned frames. The method includes dividing (302) each frame from the sequence of one or more scanned frames in a plurality of sections. The method further includes iteratively determining (304) a relative focus of the target within each section of the plurality of sections. The method further includes adjustment (306) of a position of at least a first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for recording a color image, comprises an image sensor (22) having a plurality of pixels (24) formed in a monolithic substrate. Each of the plurality of pixels (24) includes three floating gate semiconductor devices (80, 82, 84). A color tunable filter (30) is positioned between a photosensitive semiconductor device (86) and an electromagnetic radiation source. A FET transistor (130) has a drain (134) connected to the cathode (120) of the photodiode (86), and a source (136) connected to the anode (118) of the photodiode (86) and to control gates (94, 104, 114) of each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices (80, 82, 84). The color tunable filter (30) allows all desired combinations of colors to pass while each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices (80, 82, 84) are respectively selected to store the color image.

Abstract: An on-board aircraft telecommunication exchange (32) provides communication and authentication services for M subscriber identity modules (SIMs) using N transceivers (36), where M can be greater than N. Associations between SIMs (56) and transceivers (36) are established when needed. Accordingly, a pool of transceivers 36 is provided to serve the collective needs of many subscribers. A SIM based authentication process is performed (100) using a subscriber's original SIM (56). That authentication can be extended to a temporary SIM (106) that is substituted for the original SIM throughout the remainder of a flight. Alternatively, the original SIMs (56) may be locked in place and relinquished when a subscriber provides an appropriate PIN.