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 electronic camera includes a plurality of three or more image sensors for generating three or more sensor outputs; a plurality of three or more fixed focal length lenses for forming a corresponding three or more images of the scene on the corresponding three or more image sensors, each of the lenses providing a different field of view of the scene; a control element for selecting one of the sensor outputs from one of the image sensors; and a processing section for producing the output image from the selected sensor output.

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: 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: Imaging systems and methods for operating an imaging system capable of forming images based upon adjustable image capture settings and a viewing frame in which evaluation images of a scene are observable are provided. In accordance with the method, an initial viewing distance is detected from the viewing frame to an anatomical feature of a user; determining an initial image capture setting. A change in the viewing distance is detected and a revised image capture setting is determined based upon an extent of the change in the change in the viewing distance. The image capture setting is adjusted based upon the revised image capture setting.

Abstract: A virtual shopper devices and methods are provided for presenting to a user an image display of the user wearing an item. The virtual shopper device has an image display, a sensor for sensing signals from a tracking memory associated with the item, a memory device containing personal profile information for the user including at least one dataset composed of user fit data and user image data and a user input device for at least activating a function to present an image of the user wearing the item. A controller is also provided and is adapted to retrieve item fit data and item image data for the item from a database, to generate a display image simulating the appearance of the item as worn by the user, said display image being generated based upon the item fit data, the item image data, the user fit data and the user image data and to cause the image display to present the generated image.