Abstract: An image viewed by a person is recorded in response to the pointing direction of the eyes of the person by using an optical sensor arrangement that simultaneously derives image segments corresponding with images seen by the person looking forward of his head and to both sides of his head. Alternatively, the sensor arrangement includes plural optical sensors for these images. One image of the plural sensors is selected for recording based on rotation of the head.

Abstract: A digital camera derives an infrared and visible signals from IR and visible sensors. The sensor fields of view overlap or share a common field of view. An analyzer of the IR signal provides the location of and information from an active or passive IR target. The analyzer responds to the location and information signals for visible image composition control (pan/tilt/zoom/timing) and selection of visible image pictures for storage to provide ancillary information, such as personal details of a target wearer. The visible and infrared image signals are combined to correct for sensitivity of the visible and/or IR sensors to IR and visible wavelengths, respectively.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of analyzing an image to identify “must exclude” regions and of determining the best fit of an image outline so as to generate an image boundary that excludes the majority of “must exclude” regions. The method is applicable to the automatic generation of greeting cards and photo-montages.

Abstract: A method of correcting the tilt, or rotation, of a casually captured image is described. Having corrected the rotation of the original image, the image is cropped by determining a crop boundary by applying one or more rules of composition to the image. The resulting image is more satisfactorily composed compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing composite electronic image of a scene including at least one link to other information comprises a camera for providing an image signal, a link generator responsive to the scene or the immediate environment for generating a link signal, and a combiner which combines the image and link signals to provide the electronic image. As shown, the viewed scene includes a zoo information display with a barcode which is read by the camera to provide the final part of the link information for concatenation onto a first part which is loaded into the camera at entry to the zoo (or preloaded if the camera belongs to the zoo). Clicking on the display on the viewed image provides a link to a zoo web page associated with the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of sharing a digital recording between a group of users of digital recording devices (e.g. digital cameras) present at a common event, the method including: (a) creating a digital recording (e.g. a digital photograph) using a digital recording device; (b) subjecting the users' digital recording devices to a synchronization event associated with the common event, the synchronization event resulting in the transmission of a synchronization code between the users' digital recording devices, the synchronization code including an address code to uniquely identify a database; (c) establishing a digital communication connection between the digital recording device which created the recording and the database; (d) causing the database to receive the digital recording without input from a user; and (e) enabling a user to access the digital recording from the database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automated and semi-automated cropping of electronic images, and in particular to an apparatus and a method of using an electronic camera to capture and crop such electronic images. An electronic imaging processing device (1) for cropping an electronic image comprises an image processing means (6,8), the image processing means including an electronic processor (6) and firmware and/or software for processing the electronic image. The device (1) processes the electronic image to identify one or more features relevant to the composition of the electronic image, each such feature having one or more compositionally significant properties from amongst a plurality of different predetermined compositional properties, and each such feature occupying a sub-region of the electronic image.

Abstract: An attention detection system detects a condition of shared attention of plural persons. The system includes plural body language detectors each associated with a different person for detecting body language of the associated person. An analyzer receives body language information from the body language detectors, analyzes the body language of the persons and determines when said body language information indicates shared attention between the persons. The attention detection system generates a signal that captures an image of the shared attention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a system having a plurality of video cameras. The cameras are linked to a control unit which has a motion detection apparatus for monitoring the images received from the cameras and detecting motion therein. The cameras are adapted to operate in at least two modes: a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. Under normal circumstances, cameras will be operating in low resolution mode to minimize use of system resources. If activity is detected within the field of view of one of the cameras, that camera is switched to high resolution, the other cameras remaining in the low resolution mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an image capture system having an electronic camera for platenless document imaging. The system comprises: an electronic camera with an electronic detector and a lens with a field of view for imaging on the detector a portion of a document; a support by which the camera can be positioned to view the document; an actuator for moving the camera field of view so that a plurality of overlapping image tiles of a document can be captured at predetermined different locations over the support surface, each image tile having an array of tile data points and being subject to some expected perspective and/or camera distortion relative to the support surface; and a processor by which the plurality of image tiles may be joined into a composite image of the document. The processor includes a memory which stores transform data for each image tile, the transform data relating both to the expected distortion and to the predetermined overlap between image tiles.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising storing, in the memory, a plurality of digital images received from the source, each image representing an event captured at a different respective time, using the processor to perform an analysis of the images, assigning a quality factor to each image, the quality factor being representative of the composition quality of the analysed images, and updating the memory to maintain images for which the assigned quality factor indicates a higher composition quality than an image captured at an earlier time.

Abstract: A method of providing composition evaluation of an image includes analyzing a composed image in accordance with one or more predefined composition rules and providing a report or warning signal if one or more of those compositional rules have been contravened. The analysis includes identifying regions of compositional significance within the image and applying the compositional rules to those regions. The compositional rules may include well known photographic composition rules such as the “rule of thirds”, ensuring that there are no large expanses of foreground or background with little or no regions of significance within them, and ensuring that the edge of the composed image does not bisect any regions of significance.

Abstract: Automated camera apparatus comprises a head mounted electronic camera 1 for providing a video signal 3 representative of an image 2 viewed by the wearer, video signal processor 51 arranged to receive said video signal for judging the degree of interest shown by the wearer in a feature in the scene and for providing a related saliency signal 12, the means 51 including image analyser 5 for identifying the presence of features and their locations relative to a reference position (e.g. the center) in the frame within each of a series of frames in a time window of the video signal, and track analysis means 7 coupled to the output of said image analyser for analysing the movement of at least one said feature over said series of frames to provide the saliency signal.

Abstract: A computer system 1 comprises a processor 3 connected to a memory 5. The processor 3 receives image data, representing a displayable static photograph, through an input port 7, generates a set of video data by means of an application program 11 and outputs the video data to a display 9. The video data generated by the application program 11 provides a displayable video programme representing a displayable moving viewpoint over the static photograph. The application program 11 initially analysis the displayable content of the photograph and identifies characteristics, such as regions of interest or dominant lines, curves or edges, and depending on the characteristics, identifies the photograph as belonging to a particular image class. The video data is generated in accordance with rules for that particular image class.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an image capture system having an electronic camera for platenless document imaging. The system comprises: an electronic camera with an electronic detector and a lens with a field of view for imaging on the detector a portion of a document; a support by which the camera can be positioned to view the document; an actuator for moving the camera field of view so that a plurality of overlapping image tiles of a document can be captured at predetermined different locations over the support surface, each image tile having an array of tile data points and being subject to some expected perspective and/or camera distortion relative to the support surface; and a processor by which the plurality of image tiles may be joined into a composite image of the document. The processor includes a memory which stores transform data for each image tile, the transform data relating both to the expected distortion and to the predetermined overlap between image tiles.

Abstract: An image viewed by a person is recorded in response to the pointing direction of the eyes of the person by using an optical sensor arrangement that simultaneously derives image segments corresponding with images seen by the person looking forward of his head and to both sides of his head. Alternatively, the sensor arrangement includes plural optical sensors for these images. One image of the plural sensors is selected for recording based on rotation of the head.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an image capture system and subsequently capturing an image of a document with an electronic camera by capturing a plurality of overlapping image tiles of the document at different locations over a support surface and with a predetermined degree of overlap, and joining the tiles into a composite image after correcting for expected distortion and overlap in accordance with transform data obtained by capturing a plurality of image tiles of a registration array having a plurality of individually identifiable location identification features with a predetermined orientation and spacing amongst the features and determining distortion for each tile from the identification features.

Abstract: An electronic still, video or hybrid camera has a physically or mechanically operable user control receiving an input from a user and generates a binary, continuous or multi-level saliency signal while an image signal is being produced. The user control may be the same as or different from the picture taking control. In real time the saliency signal controls processing of the camera signal, or the camera itself, for example by controlling the frequency of still picture taking, or by optimising image storage in memory. The signal can also be stored with the image signal for later use, as in editing. The user control can be mounted on the camera or remote therefrom and include a movement or pressure sensor.

Abstract: Motion signals from head and body motion detectors are combined to measure motion of a user's head with respect to his body. A field of view of an image capture device is moved based on the measured motion of the user's head with respect to his body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of analysing an image to identify “must exclude” regions and of determining the best fit of an image outline so as to generate an image boundary that excludes the majority of “must exclude” regions. The method is applicable to the automatic generation of greeting cards and photo-montages.