Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The sensor output from the first imaging stage is used as a primary output image for forming the captured image signal and the sensor output from the second imaging stage is used as a secondary output image for modifying the primary output image, thereby generating an enhanced, captured image signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, one of the stages being designated as a default imaging stage. A processor enables capture and display of the separate images, and further responds to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera. If the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period, or if the camera is actuated before the time has run out, the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor; a first lens for forming a first image on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor; a second lens for forming a second image on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal, (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal.

Abstract: A camera phone includes a phone stage for generating voice signals, a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output, a first fixed focal length wide angle lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output, and a second fixed focal length telephoto lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor. A control element selects either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor. A processing section produces the output image signals from the selected sensor output, and a cellular stage processes the image and voice signals for transmission over a cellular network.

Abstract: User input systems are provided having a core extending along a length and an input sleeve having an exterior surface and an interior surface shaped and sized to receive the core. A slide sensing system has a slide sensor that senses sliding movement of the input sleeve relative to the core and that causes a slide signal to be generated that indicates at least that the input sleeve has been moved along the length of the core and a direction of such movement. A rotation sensing system has a rotation sensor that senses rotational movement of the input sleeve relative to the core and that causes a rotation signal to be generated that indicates at least that the input sleeve has been rotated relative to the core. A processing system determines an output signal based upon the slide signal and rotation signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes first and second imaging stages for capturing separate images of a scene, one of the stages being designated as a default imaging stage. A processor enables capture and display of the separate images, and further responds to an operator selection of one of the imaging stages as a primary capture unit which is to be primarily used for capturing an image of the scene that is stored by the digital camera. If the operator selection does not occur within a predetermined time period, or if the camera is actuated before the time has run out, the processor automatically selects the default imaging stage as the primary capture unit.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal.

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The sensor output from the first imaging stage is used as a primary output image for forming the captured image signal and the sensor output from the second imaging stage is used as a secondary output image for modifying the primary output image, thereby generating an enhanced, captured image signal.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.

Abstract: An optical image capture assembly for use in an electronic camera includes a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output; a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output; and a zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor. The camera is contained within an enclosure and, in one variation of the assembly, either the first lens or the zoom lens (or both) forms its image through a folded optical system in which an optical path between the lens and its respective image sensor is folded at an angle in order to conserve space within the enclosure.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an express zoom mode for producing an expedited operation over an extended zoom range. The electronic camera includes a first zoom lens for forming a first image of the scene on a first image sensor, a first zoom positioner for adjusting the first zoom lens through a first plurality of discrete zoom positions, a second zoom lens for forming a second image of the scene on a second image sensor, and a second zoom positioner for adjusting the second zoom lens through a second plurality of discrete zoom positions. A zoom controller enables an express mode when a user specifies a zoom transition from a present zoom setting within one of the plurality of discrete zoom positions to a target zoom setting within the other of the plurality of discrete zoom positions.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a camera is provided. The camera has a photosensitive element; a light blocking expansion structure combined with the photosensitive element to form a light tight chamber there between. The light blocking expansion structure has an aperture to focus light from a scene to form an image on the photosensitive element; the light blocking expansion structure is adapted to automatically expand from an initial position to an extended position, with expansion of the expansion structure position in the aperture relative to the photosensitive element. Expansion of the expansion structure drives a shutter system to start and end an exposure of the photosensitive element to light from the scene. A trigger system is manually operable so as to initiate expansion of the expansion structure from the initial position.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a first image sensor, a first wide angle lens for forming a first image of a scene on the first image sensor; a second image sensor, a zoom lens for forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor, a control element for selecting either a first sensor output from the first image sensor or a second sensor output from the second image sensor, and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output. In one variation of this embodiment, the first lens is also a zoom lens, where the maximum focal length of the first lens is less than or equal to the minimum focal length of the second zoom lens.

Abstract: According to one feature of the present invention, a camera is provided that is adapted for data communication with an external device having electrodes, the camera comprises a camera housing defining a port for engaging the external device. Disposed within the housing are an electronic image capture system to provide data; a memory to store the data; a data transfer bus having a plurality of lines for data transfer between the electronic image capture system and the memory, and a plurality of taps with taps connected between respective lines of the data transfer bus and the port to contact selected electrodes when the port and external device are engaged to permit data communication between the external device and the memory.

Abstract: An image capture device for capturing an image includes an image sensor for receiving incident light; a microprocessor for assisting the image sensor in image capture; and non-volatile, programmable memory for storing predetermined variables that are loaded into the image sensor upon startup.

Abstract: A system for electronic photography includes a number of photo-capture stations. Each station includes a digital camera and a customer identification device for selectively actuating the digital camera to capture a digital image and recording customer identification with the digital image. The system includes a central controller for collecting and storing the digital images captured by the photo-capture stations and a high bandwidth communications network connecting the photo-capture stations to the central controller. The system also includes an output station connected to the central controller by the high bandwidth communications network.

Abstract: A digital still camera and interactive system and method for video display or reproduction of captured images employing an image processing system on an interactive network for receiving and converting a captured raw, digitized image information set into a display image format for display as a video image, storage, and/or reproduction as a print. A simplified digital camera without signal compensating and processing circuits is employed by a user to capture an image and to transmit the raw image information sets along with a camera identification code through an interactive television network to an interactive control node for processing with color correction and pixel defect correction using the cameras correction and defect maps and other image enhancement, and to convert the processed image data to the specified display image format. The processed video display signal is transmitted back to the user's or other designated receiver's interactive television home interface controller.

Abstract: A light shield (40, 100) for closing the film slot (33) in a film cartridge (20) is configured as a light shielding strip (40, 100) which extends around a film strip (26) coiled on a supply spool (25) within the film cartridge (20). The light shielding strip (40, 100) has a first end portion (44, 102) for covering the film slot (33) and a second end portion (54) for engagement by the film lead (56) of the film strip (26). When the film strip (26) is initially advanced, detents (64) on the light shielding strip (26) are engaged temporarily by teeth (66) on the supply spool (25) to pull the light shielding strip (26) open so that the film strip (26) projects from the cartridge (20). Upon rewinding the film strip (26), a film lead portion (56) of the film strip (26) engages other detents (72, 142) on the light shielding strip (40, 100) to push the light shielding strip (40, 100) back over the film slot (33) to thereby again close the film slot (33).

Abstract: A camera comprises a cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a film cartridge with a filmstrip having a protruding film leader, a film take-up chamber, and a backframe opening between the cartridge receiving chamber and the film take-up chamber at which the filmstrip except for the protruding film leader is to be substantially exposed. A film support is movable to a leader supporting position within the backframe opening to substantially bridge the backframe opening in order prevent a forward-most reduced width portion of the film leader from falling into and becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the forward-most reduced width portion of the film leader is initially advanced over the backframe opening to the film take-up chamber, and to a retracted position substantially removed from the backframe opening to permit the filmstrip to be exposed.

Abstract: A system for electronic photography includes a number of photo-capture stations. Each station includes a digital camera and a customer identification device for selectively actuating the digital camera to capture a digital image and recording customer identification with the digital image. The system includes a central controller for collecting and storing the digital images captured by the photo-capture stations and a high bandwidth communications network connecting the photo-capture stations to the central controller. The system also includes an output station connected to the central controller by the high bandwidth communications network.