Abstract: One example of the present disclosure includes performing a comparison operation in memory using a logical representation of a first value stored in a first portion of a number of memory cells coupled to a sense line of a memory array and a logical representation of a second value stored in a second portion of the number of memory cells coupled to the sense line of the memory array. The comparison operation compares the first value to the second value, and the method can include storing a logical representation of a result of the comparison operation in a third portion of the number of memory cells coupled to the sense line of the memory array.

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.

Abstract: A method for customizing a camera for at least one particular demographic group is disclosed. The camera includes a programmable memory that stores at least one parameter value to control at least one operation of the camera. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one camera parameter having a preferred value for at least one demographic group that differs from the standard value for said parameter, selecting a demographic classification for the camera, and programming the programmable memory of the camera to set the parameter value to the preferred value for the selected demographic classification.

Abstract: A captured image is processed with one or more correction processes selected from a plurality of such processes, each associated with correction of a specific type of image defect, in order to improve the appearance of a viewed image generated from the captured image. Preliminary to the image processing, meta data related to image capture is obtained that is unique to each captured image, where the meta data is capable of indicating whether the specific types of image defects are likely to be present in the viewed image generated from the captured image.

Abstract: A captured image is processed with one or more correction processes selected from a plurality of such processes, each associated with correction of a specific type of image defect, in order to improve the appearance of a viewed image generated from the captured image. Preliminary to the image processing, meta data related to image capture is obtained that is unique to each captured image, where the meta data is capable of indicating whether the specific types of image defects are likely to be present in the viewed image generated from the captured image.

Abstract: A method for customizing a camera for at least one particular demographic group is disclosed. The camera includes a programmable memory that stores at least one parameter value to control at least one operation of the camera. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one camera parameter having a preferred value for at least one demographic group that differs from the standard value for said parameter, selecting a demographic classification for the camera, and programming the programmable memory of the camera to set the parameter value to the preferred value for the selected demographic classification.

Abstract: A digital image processor that establishes a boundary level of acceptable hardcopy print quality level based on selected image print size and printing magnification and provides a warning to the user prior to generation of the hardcopy print that alerts the user when the determined print image quality will be unsatisfactory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing of filmstrip contained in a film cartridge. The apparatus having at least one processing tank for holding a processing solution, a holding mechanism for holding and retaining a film cartridge containing a filmstrip having a leading edge and trailing edge, the trailing edge being secured to the cartridge, a transport mechanism for moving the holding mechanism along the apparatus so that the holding mechanism can be located at a workstation located at one of said at least one processing tank, and a film drive mechanism for moving the film out of or back into the film cartridge while the end of the film is still attached to the cartridge.

Abstract: A camera system incorporates an autofocus system of simple and inexpensive design that provides improved photospace coverage. The autofocus system utilizes both a measurement of the intensity level of ambient light and a determination of whether the ambient light is natural or artificial to set lens focus position, aperture opening, shutter time and operation of a flash unit.

Abstract: Exposure control apparatus, and various accompanying methods, for use in a photographic camera for improving the overall quality of photographed images, i.e. increasing the number of acceptable and higher quality images, that are produced by the camera for user-selected non-standard display sizes and/or different focal length photographing modes over that obtainable by adherence to ISO/ANSI exposure standards. The quality improvement is attained through user selection of a desired display size and/or focal length photographing mode for each image to be captured followed by an optimization, for that size and mode, of various photographic exposure parameters (exposure settings and, where appropriate, flash parameters). The invention violates the ISO/ANSI exposure standards where necessary to improve image quality, for the desired display size and focal length photographing mode, beyond that which would result from adherence to these standards.

Abstract: Exposure control apparatus, and various accompanying methods, for use in a photographic camera for improving the overall quality of photographed images, i.e. increasing the number of acceptable and higher quality images, that are produced by the camera for user-selected non-standard display sizes and/or different focal length photographing modes over that obtainable by adherence to ISO/ANSI exposure standards. The quality improvement is attained through user selection of a desired display size and/or focal length photographing mode for each image to be captured followed by an optimization, for that size and mode, of various photographic exposure parameters (exposure settings and, where appropriate, flash parameters). The invention violates the ISO/ANSI exposure standards where necessary to improve image quality, for the desired display size and focal length photographing mode, beyond that which would result from adherence to these standards.

Abstract: Exposure control apparatus, and various accompanying methods, for use in a photographic camera for improving the overall quality of photographed images, i.e. increasing the number of acceptable and higher quality images, that are produced by the camera for user-selected non-standard display sizes and/or different focal length photographing modes over that obtainable by adherence to ISO/ANSI exposure standards. The quality improvement is attained through user selection of a desired display size and/or focal length photographing mode for each image to be captured followed by an optimization, for that size and mode, of various photographic exposure parameters (exposure settings and, where appropriate, flash parameters). The invention violates the ISO/ANSI exposure standards where necessary to improve image quality, for the desired display size and focal length photographing mode, beyond that which would result from adherence to these standards.

Abstract: A flash system and method for providing artificial illumination for image capture wherein a source of flash illumination operates selectively in a first mode for projecting light in a first direction toward an indirect reflecting surface to illuminate a subject indirectly and in a second mode for projecting light in a second direction to illuminate the subject directly, electromagnetic radiation reflected directly from the indirect reflecting surface is sensed directly to provide a signal containing information about the indirect reflecting surface, and the information contained in the signal is utilized to control the selective projection of light in the first and second directions to control the quantities of indirect and direct light which illuminate the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for selecting a lens aperture setting for a full flash exposure of a scene based upon re-assessed depth-of-field requirements for that scene. Specifically, full flash lighting will cause the exposure of both the primary and background subjects in a scene to increase. Inasmuch as increased background illumination attributable to the full flash will render the background subject increasingly visible in the flash exposure, a lens will need to provide additional depth-of-field in order to sharply photograph the entire scene including not only the primary subject but also the background subject.

Abstract: A dedicated electronic flash unit for automatically varying flash spread based on camera-to-subject distance. Specifically, in one embodiment, a light source includes a flash tube mounted adjacent a reflector. An actuator comprises an electric stepper motor for controlling the movement of a pair of opposed diffusion plates. The actuator includes a pair of armatures that are energized, in response, to the output of the camera's rangefinding system. When a photograph is to be taken, the diffusion plates are pivoted by the actuator to one of three different positions. In one position, the neutral position, the diffusion plates are positioned on opposite sides of the reflector. In a second position, the actuator pivots the diffusion plates such that one of the plates covers the light output of the reflector to create wide-angle illumination of the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in illustratively a photographic camera for selecting shutter speed and lens aperture values to provide a given exposure level in a captuerd image, e.g. a photograph, of a scene. Specifically, first an appropriate shutter speed value is initially selected as that which sufficiently reduces image blur attributable to camera shake. The shutter speed selection is based upon lens focal length and, where appropriate, camera shake data obtained through either accessing stored camera shake data or measuring actual real-time shake data. Once the shutter speed has been selected, then the lens aperture value is initially chosen as that, which in conjuction with the selected shutter speed, provides a baseline, typically an ISO normal, exposure of the scene. If the chosen lens aperture provides a greater depth-of-field than that required by the scene, i.

Abstract: Apparatus, and various accompanying methods, for use in a photographic camera for selecting a lens aperture setting and/or flash output configuration for a full flash exposure. Specifically, the lens aperture setting and/or flash output configuration are selected based upon a difference existing between a first parameter, i.e. a guide number, that indicates the amount of output power that the flash is capable of producing and a second parameter, i.e. a depth number, that indicates the amount of flash illumination required to photograph a scene with a pre-defined depth-of-illumination about a subject situated therein. The flash output configuration can be a spread flash with a selected one of a number of different spread angles, a bounce flash or, if the flash unit is an energy saving type, a reduction in (throttling back) the flash output power.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for use in a photographic camera for determining whether to utilize fill flash illumination in photographing a current scene. Specifically, fill flash illumination is used if both an initial value of the scene lighting contrast, based upon measured near primary and distanct primary (or background) subject lighting levels, indicates that a distant primary or background subject is lighter than a near primary subject and use of fill flash illumination will reduce the scene lighting contrast from its initial value. Fill flash illumination will be inhibited if the distant primary or background subject will not be adequately illuminated to generate a proper exposure thereof or if the near primary subject will be excessively illuminated relative to the distant primary or background subject so as to cause a reversal in the scene lighting contrast to occur.