Abstract: An internal or external device may be utilized to calibrate a digital camera for changing ambient light conditions. The device may include a surface which either provides for white light reflectivity or white light transmissivity for making a first measurement of white light intensity. A plurality of light emitting elements of known wavelengths can be used to obtain a second intensity measurement. This information may be used to calibrate the camera for changing ambient light.

Abstract: A method includes capturing an optical image to form raw data indicative of the optical image and using a look-up table to transform the raw data into transformed data that indicates a second image. A white color balance of the second image is computed, and the values in the look-up table are modified based on the computed white color balance.

Abstract: An internal or external device may be utilized to calibrate a digital camera for changing ambient light conditions. The device may include a surface which either provides for white light reflectivity or white light transmissivity for making a first measurement of white light intensity. A plurality of light emitting elements of known wavelengths can be used to obtain a second intensity measurement. This information may be used to calibrate the camera for changing ambient light.

Abstract: An internal or external device may be utilized to calibrate a digital camera for changing ambient light conditions. The device may include a surface which either provides for white light reflectivity or white light transmissivity for making a first measurement of white light intensity. A plurality of light emitting elements of known wavelengths can be used to obtain a second intensity measurement. This information may be used to calibrate the camera for changing ambient light.

Abstract: A system includes a central processing unit, a bus and circuit. The central processing unit is coupled to the bus and segments an image into at least one text region and at least one graphics region. At least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the text region(s), and at least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the graphics region(s).

Abstract: A system includes a central processing unit, a bus and circuit. The central processing unit is coupled to the bus and segments an image into at least one text region and at least one graphics region. At least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the text region(s), and at least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the graphics region(s).

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of building an electronic file, using an electronic camera such as a digital camera, that captures 3-dimensional objects. A number of image data tiles that represent the images are generated by the camera. A number of text data tiles each containing text recognized in a corresponding one of the image data tiles is generated. The method includes searching for overlapping text in the text tiles, and pasting the text tiles in proper alignment into an electronic file.

Abstract: An electronic system including signal processing circuitry that can operate in video and still image modes. Incoming image data is processed and compressed according to the operating mode. Processing includes scaling logic configured to use scaling methodologies appropriate to each mode. Compressing includes using compression methodologies appropriate to each mode.

Abstract: An optical serial link may be formed of an optical transceiver and a reflective wavelength coupler. The coupler may reflect light beams of different wavelengths using an elliptical reflector and a dispersive element.

Abstract: A sequence of spatially located characteristics may be generated to detect the position of a sensor. The sensor associated with a screen display may detect a particular sequence of characteristic values which is unique to a given location. Based on a sequence of detected characteristics, the system may resolve the location of the sensor with respect to the display screen.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system may include a plurality of processors that are optically coupled to one another. An optical transceiver may send messages to other processors using a preassigned wavelength. Each message from one of the other processors in the system may be received by a given processor. The messages from any given processor may include a code that identifies the sending and receiving processors. When a given processor is receiving a signal from another processor, it may provide an indication to the other processors in the system that it is occupied and will not accept any transmissions.

Abstract: An imaging device is tethered to a processor-based system by a high-bandwidth serial bus. Image data produced in the imaging device is minimally processed before being transferred to the processor-based system for more extensive image processing. In particular, compression inside the imaging device may be avoided, for some image resolutions. Where higher throughput of image data through the high-bandwidth bus is desired, the imaging device performs scaled color interpolation on the image data before its transmission to the processor-based system.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of building an electronic file, using an electronic camera such as a digital camera, that captures 3-dimensional objects. A number of image data tiles that represent the images are generated by the camera. A number of text data tiles each containing text recognized in a corresponding one of the image data tiles is generated. The method includes searching for overlapping text in the text tiles, and pasting the text tiles in proper alignment into an electronic file.

Abstract: A companding method is disclosed where a set of factors related to the color characteristics of captured images are determined. Using these characteristics, a companding scheme is developed such that each pixel is lowered in resolution, but in such a manner that the image retains important features. These factors related to color characteristics are determined in part by analyzing histograms related to the image.

Abstract: A method for scaling of an image that includes providing an N-tap filter to be applied upon an image region and applying the N-tap filter variously to the image region and obtaining therefrom at least one scaled image pixel, such that N is equal to the scaling factor plus one. For instance, a 4:1 scaling procedure is achieved using a five-tap filter. By carefully selecting the coefficient of the five-tap filter, 2:1 scaling with a three-tap filter may be achieved using the same hardware and adding control signals and selectors. The scaling methodology and apparatus work directly in the CFA domain and provide efficient single pass dual-moded or multi-moded scaling capability.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method comprising defining a scaling region by indicating in a CFA (Color Filter Array) a starting location, and generating a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of the scaling region, the super-pixel fully color interpolated, the downscaling and the color interpolation achieved in an integrated manner.

Abstract: A cost effective digital image capture apparatus such as a digital camera that operates in both still mode and video mode, using a common programmable image processing chain and fixed optics. The full resolution of the image sensor (yielding raw image data) may be used in still mode, with adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achieved either from the scene ambient lighting or from supplemental light supplied by a strobe. In video mode, the apparatus may be configured to capture video image data by programming the parameters for image processing methodologies such as scaling, decorrelation, and encoding into a look-up table (LUT) which in turn configures logic circuitry to spatially scale and compress if necessary the raw image data in order to meet storage and transmission bandwidth constraints for video images. In video mode, adequate SNR may be achieved despite the lower light conditions, encountered, for example, during videoconferencing, by averaging pixels together during scaling.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method that includes generating an overall sharpness parameter for a given focus position by performing a Discrete Wavelet Transform upon an image captured by an imaging device and automatically focusing said imaging device to an optimal focus position by comparing a plurality of different sharpness parameters. The optimal focusing position is automatically determined by finding the highest sharpness parameter for a given scene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image captured by an image acquisition device having a two-dimensional matrix of non-square pixels with a first aspect ratio. In one aspect of the method, the image is sampled in a color sub-sampled manner such that fewer than three color measurements are known for each pixel location. A processed image is then constructed by processing the fewer than three color measurements known for each pixel to generate one or more interpolated color values at each of the pixel locations. A processed image is then created for rendering on an output device having a square raster with a second aspect ratio which differs from the first aspect ratio. The processed image is processed such that an aspect ratio of the original image captured on the non-square pixels is maintained on the output device.

Abstract: An electronic imaging module is disclosed which is removably insertable into a photographic camera for reversibly converting the camera into an electronic imaging camera. The electronic imaging module includes a sensing unit, a processing unit, and a coupling unit. The sensing unit detects an object image and converts the image to a corresponding electrical signal. The processing unit, which is configured for location within the camera's film cassette holder, includes a storage unit for storing the electrical signal and a transmission link for transmitting the electrical signal to external devices such as a control unit or a base unit. The coupling unit couples the sensing unit to the processor unit. The coupling unit is adjustable to ensure that the sensing unit is in alignment with the camera optical path and the film plane and the processing unit is secured within the film cassette holder.