Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for erasing in a digital image. A method includes identifying a plurality of tip regions on the image, establishing an erasure color, and completely erasing pixels in the tip region that have a color matching the erasure color. Pixels having partially matching colors are partially erased and color decontaminated.

Abstract: An optimized method and apparatus for correcting for distortions in rendering add-on graphics within a streaming video feed comprising receiving a streaming video feed captured using a real camera, including an image frame capturing an image of a real asset having a size and a position within the image frame, the image frame being captured from a particular view point and having a particular field of view, the real camera introducing a plurality of measurable image distortions into the image frame, receiving set of camera instrumentation sensors data corresponding to the view point, the field of view, distortion parameters of the real camera, creating a virtual camera, generating add-on graphics having a size and an insertion position within the image frame, creating a first distortion grid having a first set of coordinate values, creating a second distortion grid having a second set of coordinate values wherein the second set of coordinate values are derived from the first set of coordinate values, using the

Abstract: An apparatus for providing and electronic display with selectable viewing orientations includes a table surface support device and a table surface having at least one of a transparent section and an opening for viewing therethrough, the table surface mounted on the base. A display support device is mounted on one of the table surface and the table surface support device below the table surface, and a display device is mounted on the display support device and is operative to provide an image, the display device being viewable through at least one of the transparent section and the opening in the table surface. Finally, an operator-controlled viewing orientation selector is operative to change an orientation of the image on the display device.

Abstract: Gamma correction or other power functions are generated for correcting the light intensity for digital pixels. Two levels of mapping of segments are preformed to reduce the total number of segments for a given precision. The range of inputs is divided into successively smaller segments. Each segment is smaller than the next by a factor of 1/a for a first or primary level, or 1/b for a second level of segments. All inputs are mapped or scaled up to the input range of the largest segment in the primary level. Then the largest primary segment is further divided into several second-level segments, and the input is again mapped or scaled into the largest of the second-level segments. Gamma correction is performed on the input scaled into the largest second-level segment. A linear approximation within the largest second-level segment is used.

Abstract: As portable telephone capabilities increase, access to the myriad of features requires users to be familiar with multiple levels of functioning for each of the limited buttons available on the portable telephones. The Operation Guidance Display Processing System and Method provides an enhanced display that guides the user through the operation of various functions relative to the available buttons. The operation guidance display can be enabled or disabled by the user. In addition, the display can also assess the competency of the user during function operation and display operation guidance relative to the users own skill level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for receiving a first data stream comprising a graphic image having an aspect ratio of 16:9 into a computer system, capturing the image within a storage device of the computer system, and displaying the image on a graphical user interface of the computer system in a 16:9 aspect ratio format.

Abstract: A graphical user interface, providing local drag and drop functions, is employed to position text and graphic elements on a video frame image. Frame number, element position, and element attributes are employed to create an enhancement file. The enhancement file is employed to embed a trigger, comprising information that identifies a video frame to be enhanced and a locator indicating where enhancement information may be accessed, into a streaming media file to create and enhanced streaming media file. An HTML/Javascript page embeds a media player and includes software to detect a trigger, access enhancement information, and to render the enhancement information in response to the trigger.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from a module a request related to the modeling of the current state with the multiple state attributes. In such situations, the providing further includes, without further intervention related to the request by the module, determining that the request cannot currently be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request cannot currently be satisfied, monitoring at later times after the indicating to determine whether the request can be satisfied, and indicating to the module that the request can be satisfied if it is determined at one of the later times that the request can currently be satisfied.

Abstract: Methods and systems for creating and rendering skins are described. In one described embodiment skins can be defined as sets of script files, art files, media files, and text files. These files can be used to create new and different skin appearances, layouts and functionalities. The files are organized for use using a hierarchical tag-based data structure, an example of which is an XML data structure. The data structure is processed to provide an object model. The object model can be a scriptable object model that enables script to execute to provide an interactive, dynamic skin that can respond to internal and external events. In one embodiment, a computer architecture used for rendering the skin includes a layout manager that processes an intermediate representation of the XML data structure to provide the scriptable object model. Various components of the scriptable object model can include a script engine for receiving and executing script, and one or more rendering elements.

Abstract: Collaboration space object model provides for a place consisting of rooms created by users interacting with a client browser. A skin (i.e., theme) may be used as template for creating places. PlaceBots (i.e., agents) provide for accessing, processing and managing data in a place. HTML may be dragged and dropped into a place, where it is parsed and corresponding place fields created. MS Excel or Word documents may be dragged and dropped into a place, which creates a corresponding form, and users may create new documents using that form. A place type comprising a template of an entire place, or collaboration space, may be used to create new places. Changes made to a place may be reported, subject to security controls, by selecting what's new. Task fields are provided allowing web browser creation of forms for work flow. Place enabled objects are provided for synchronous communications.

Abstract: In a plurality of electronic devices, a system and method is provided for providing interfaces on the plurality of electronic devices for interacting with at least one source of dynamically changing awareness information. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to update the at least one source with individual awareness information for the electronic device in communication with the at least one source. Each of the plurality of electronic devices communicates with the at least one source to receive awareness information relating to others of the plurality of electronic devices. The awareness information can be a summary of electronic device statuses relating to a selected user. The awareness information can also include an indication of time since each of a plurality of electronic devices relating to a selected user has been in use.

Abstract: A method of scaling a face image with a spectacle frame image through computer includes the steps of determining a frame scale of a spectacle frame image provided on a computer display screen of the computer with respect to a real size of the spectacle frame; providing a face image of a user on the computer display screen by inputting a front face picture of the user into the computer; moving a pair of pupil marks provided on the computer display screen to two pupils of the face image by way of a computer input device of the computer until the two pupil marks are positioned concentrically with the two pupils of the face image, wherein a distance between the two pupil marks positioned on the two pupils of the face image is measured and recorded in the computer as an image pupil distance of the face image; inputting a real pupil distance of the user into the computer and determining a face scale of the face image by comparing the real pupil distance with the image pupil distance; adjusting the face scale and th

Abstract: A computer method suitable for reconciling disparate data archival mediums. The method obviates the need for writing programs that are specific or uniquely tailored to each data archival medium, wherein it is desired to extract specific fields from a variety of spreadsheet or database output files.

Abstract: A feature presentation order for a feature browser display of a communication system terminal is controlled in accordance with user-specific feature utilization history information. The utilization history information may include a set of utilization counters for each of a number of features supported by the system, and the presentation order may be determined by sorting the utilization values of the corresponding features in an increasing or decreasing order. Advantageously, the invention allows different user-specific utilization-based feature presentation orders to be provided to different users of the system.

Abstract: A navigation manager component cooperable with a user interface renderer is described. The navigation manager manages one or more navigation units and maintains a navigation unit cursor. Each navigation unit is associated with another navigation unit managed by the same navigation manager. The navigation manager provides a range of navigation services, which operate upon the navigation unit cursor. These services include a service to navigate forwards and a service to navigate backwards. These services take into account the associations between navigation units in order to determine the correct sequence of navigation units for forwards and backwards navigation. The services also determine whether the items represented by each navigation unit include eligible items or items for which data entry is incomplete. In this way, navigation units for which all the items represented by the navigation unit are ineligible can be passed over by the navigation services, to that they never become current.

Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network is provided. A plurality of pick spaces, a virtual display fixture, and a plurality of virtual articles of commerce are displayed on the screen of a user computer. The user computer is disposed at a user site and operably connected to the network. Initially, the virtual articles of commerce are arrayed on the virtual display fixture. At least one of the plurality of virtual articles moves across the screen from an initial position on the virtual display fixture. Each of such moving virtual articles has a virtual target region defined thereon. Each of the virtual target regions is at least periodically visible on the associated virtual article.

Abstract: Even when all selected dates cannot be displayed on a calendar, selected states of all the selected dates can be completely displayed so as to grasp the selected states of the selected dates. Further, the selected states can be simply changed.

Abstract: An image formation method for forming an image containing an embossed portion of an expandable material on a recording medium, comprising converting height information about an embossed image which is the image of the embossed portion to the same density information as one used to indicate a density of a non-embossed image which is not raised, and controlling an amount of the expandable material formed on the recording medium according to the converted density information.

Abstract: A printhead pressure relief mechanism using a non-mechanical media thickness monitoring apparatus. An increase in media thickness is monitored by an emitter/detector pair, a piezo-electric pressure sensor mounted on the print head, a metal detector or a RFID read/write assembly.

Abstract: A method for printing on a material is disclosed. The method includes providing a printing system having a laser source for producing a printing beam and directing the printing beam to a plurality of locations on a material. The method also includes adjusting a dwell time of the printing beam at the one or more locations so as to form a spot at each location.

Abstract: An image forming method comprising exposing a heat-developable light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least a light-sensitive silver halide having a silver iodide content of 5 to 100 mol %, a light-insensitive organic silver salt, a heat developing agent, and a binder by means of a scanning optical system having a light source emitting a laser beam having an emission peak between 350 nm and 450 nm to form a latent image on said heat-developable light-sensitive material, heating said heat-developable light-sensitive material to about 80 to 250° C. in a heat development section, and cooling said heat-developable light-sensitive material having been heat treated in said heat development section to or below a development stopping temperature while said heat-developable light-sensitive material is transported in a cooling section.

Abstract: A laser imaging apparatus is provided with a light source unit that emits a laser beam including a first beam and a second beam. The central axes of the first beam and the second beams substantially coincide with each other. The first beam includes non-visible light, and the second beam includes visible light. The imaging apparatus further includes a modulating system that modulates the beam emitted by the light source unit, a deflecting system that deflects the beam modulated by the modulating system to scan within a predetermined angular range, and an imaging optical system that converges the deflected beam to form a scanning beam spot on a surface to be scanned.

Abstract: A mirror mount adjusts the curvature of a cylindrical mirror along the optical axis of the mirror, typically the wobble correction mirror, to adjust the scanline bow for an optical scanner. By adjusting the curvature in the mirror mount of the cylindrical axis of the mirror in the plane parallel to the mirror, the scanline bows among multiple ROS's can be approximately equalized. A mirror mount has two fixed abutments on the upper edge of the cylindrical mirror and two moveable abutment points along the lower edge of the mirror. The mirror mount adjusts the curvature of the cylindrical mirror vertically for a horizontal beam to adjust the scanline bow for a single beam and approximately equalize the scanline bow for multiple. ROS units in the printing system. During the bow adjustment the cross sectional shape of the cylindrical mirror is naintained so that the cross scan spotsize is maintained during the adjustment.

Abstract: A pixel clock pulse generating apparatus for use in an image forming apparatus includes high frequency clock pulse and pixel clock pulse generators. The high frequency clock pulse generator generates relatively high frequency clock pulses. The pixel clock pulse generator generates pixel clock pulses based on the phase data for instructing a transition time of pixel clock pulses and the high frequency clock pulses.

Abstract: A visual telephone unit is disclosed, that comprises a first inputting portion for inputting a picture frame, a second inputting portion for inputting a compensation amount of a rotation angle of the picture frame around a perpendicular line that passes through the picture frame, and a rotating portion for rotating the picture frame by the compensation amount.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to capture a real three dimensional scene, including both color and depth information, and subsequently use the resulting color and depth information to produce separate images for a viewer's left and right eyes, thereby producing a stereoscopic view of the original scene.

Abstract: An infrared ray receiving module receives an infrared signal (transmitted by an image display device) generated on the basis of a signal representing switching between right and left eye images. An input signal type automatic judging unit and a field frequency detecting and L/R distinguishing unit acquire data relating to shutter timing of a left eye liquid crystal and a right eye liquid crystal in liquid crystal shutter glasses from the received infrared signal. An operation field frequency determining unit generates decision data relating to shutter timing to be fed to the liquid crystal shutter glasses on the basis of predetermined conditions from the data relating to shutter timing newly obtained in succession, and holds the generated decision data. A liquid crystal driving pulse generating unit can cause the liquid crystal shutter glasses to perform a shutter operation using the held decision data when no decision data is generated because the predetermined conditions are not satisfied.

Abstract: A video magnifier is provided for capturing images [1] in the fixed shutter mode when the user selects the positive video polarity and [2] in the variable shutter mode when the user selects the negative video polarity. During the fixed shutter mode operation, an image capturing device of the video magnifier has an exposure time that is one half of a period of a cycle of the ac power line.

Abstract: A multi-function image capture unit for use in an endoscopic camera system is provided. The image capture unit includes a touch-screen LCD display for generating a graphical user interface and for receiving associated user inputs. The image capture unit is configured to be coupled to an endoscopic camera, an external monitor, and a network. The image capture unit receives live video generated by the endoscopic camera, displays the video on the external monitor and the LCD display, and stores the live video within the image capture unit. Prior to recording, the video is buffered and compressed. The image capture unit can also store the live video in a remote computer system via the network. The image capture unit can also capture and store still images based on the live video as well as store the still images in the remote computer system. “One-touch” network login and storage allows these operations to be performed in response to a single touch by the user.

Abstract: A plurality of digital cameras that are synchronized are connected to a switcher, thus constructing a digital monitoring system in which image signals from the cameras are switched and received. A method of switching the image signals includes the steps of setting transmission timings and transmission cycles of I frames from the digital cameras, buffering the image signals of one cycle from the cameras, and extracting necessary I frames from the buffered image signals. Even though the digital image signals include frames depending upon other frames such as P frame and B frame, the I frames are received by switching operation.

Abstract: A system that tracks and electronically identifies assets from surveillance zone to surveillance zone within a controlled area is provided. A triggering event, which can be the output of an RFID reader, or other event, initiates video tracking of the asset that is associated with the RFID tag or other trigger. The video surveillance continues from zone to zone, as the image of the asset is handed-off from camera to camera. The image of the asset can be selectively displayed and recorded, along with the identity of the asset. The system is flexible and programmable for use in a plurality of different environments and surveillance zones, using a plurality of different triggering sensors and video cameras.

Abstract: An electronic camera of the present invention includes a paper exit opening for removal of printed paper provided on the upper surface of the case of the camera main body, a protection sheet having a base end fixed to the inside of the paper exit opening, with a free end revertible to a wound-up roll shape retracted inside the case, and capable of being extended by the front end of the printed paper when the printed paper is transported from the case to the outside so that the protection sheet covers the photosensitive surface of the paper, and an open-and-close lid having one end edge axially supported to be rotatable to the case so that the paper exit opening is closed from the outside of the case when the protection sheet is retracted within the case. Further, the protection sheet includes a linking mechanism for linking the protection sheet to the open-and-close lid so that the open-and-close lid is opened or closed interlocked with a movement of the protection sheet.

Abstract: An image producing device (10) including a digital camera an area image sensor (20) disposed at an image plane for receiving the image of a subject (21), and producing a digitized image thereof. A CPU (32a) is adapted to direct the output to a variety of storage mediums. A printer (30) is connected to the CPU (32a) for producing a hard copy (39) of the digital image as shown on an image display (38b). The integral digital camera adjustably; directable from 0° to 360° in a horizontal plane and selectively directed at a sheet display (54) or at a subject (21) for a portrait.

Abstract: An auto white balancing apparatus includes a block split circuit for splitting an image into a plurality of blocks; a representative color calculating circuit which for each split block, derives a representative color of each block on the basis of pixel values within each block; and a block reliability estimating circuit which for each block and for each light source determines the distance between color difference components of the color of a white object under each light source and color difference components of the representative color of each block, to thereby estimate a reliability signal with which each light source lights a scene of each block on the basis of the distances.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for a charge coupled device including analog front end circuitry having optical black and offset correction, whereby the an offset and optical black correction circuit has a digitally programmable bandwidth is disclosed herein. The image processing apparatus includes a sampling circuit to sample the incoming optical black signal output from a CCD. The sampled signal is filtered through an analog-to-digital converter for processing by a digital detector circuit which detects the average optical black level of the sampled signal. The sum of the channel offset and optical black level present at the output of the digital detector circuit as a digital error signal is averaged for a given number of lines and optical black cells per line by a digital averager included within the digital detector circuit. Moreover, calibration logic digitally calibrates the channel to obtain a user programmed ADC output which corresponds to that average.

Abstract: A digital camera whose lens is detachable, comprising a judging section for judging whether an image failure is caused due to dirt adhering on an image sensor device unit including image sensor device, an illuminating member which is disposed in the vicinity of the image sensor device unit such that irradiation light can enter the image sensor device and which is driven when at least the judgment is made, a memory for storing a position of a picture element of the image sensor device corresponding to image sensor data causing image failure when the judging section judged that image failure has been caused, and a correcting section for correcting the image sensor data output from the image sensor device unit based on picture element position data stored in the memory when a picture is photographed after the lens is interchanged.

Abstract: A combination interpolation and lowpass filtering for Bayer color-filtered arrays with the green high frequency used as an estimate for red and blue high frequency.

Abstract: A focal plane array sensor includes optics located along an optical path, for transmitting radiation. A focal plane array and integrated circuit, located along the optical path for receiving the transmitted radiation, responsively produces image signals from the transmitted radiation. The integrated circuit includes apparatus for converting the image signals into digital image data at digital image data outputs.

Abstract: An image sensor architecture that accommodates the relative mismatch of bus width between the image sensor, processor, and memory is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a dual-ported memory structure having a relatively wide data port for receiving data from the image sensor and having a relatively narrow data port for communicating data to and from the processor. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory is organized into banks of a specific width. The banks may be accessed sequentially by the processor, such that the bus width is equivalent to the bank width, and the banks may be accessed simultaneously, such that the bus width is equivalent to the combined bank widths. A simple switching means, operating under processor control, reconfigures the memory on the fly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor; and, more particularly, to a pixel array of the CMOS image sensor in a wider dynamic range. A CMOS image sensor based on a correlated double sampling comprises a single common node, a plurality of unit pixels in parallel connected to the single common node, an amplifying means coupled to the single common node for amplifying a voltage of the single common node and outputting the amplified voltage, and an output means for receiving the amplified voltage from the amplifying means and outputting a data voltage level and a reset voltage level.

Abstract: The invention provides a signal processing apparatus having clamp capacitance device for receiving, at one electrode thereof, first and second signals outputted from a signal source, a signal transfer transistor of which one main electrode is connected to an other electrode of the clamp capacitance device, signal accumulating capacitance device connected to an other main electrode of the signal transfer transistor, and reset device for fixing the potential of the signal accumulating capacitance device, wherein the potential of the signal accumulating capacitance device is fixed by the reset device while the first signal is outputted from the signal source and the signal accumulating capacitance device is maintained in a floating state while the second signal is outputted from the signal source, and the signal transfer transistor is controlled in such a manner that the potential of the main electrode of the signal transfer transistor and that of the other main electrode thereof show different saturation operat

Abstract: A color linear image sensor device has a shutter function for selectively draining charges stored in a photodetector circuit. The color linear image sensor device includes first, second, and third linear image sensors having different sensitivities with respect to incident light and arranged successively in sensitivity decreasing order from the outermost, and a shutter gate and a shutter drain for adjusting an amount of exposure to the linear image sensor which has the highest sensitivity to incident light.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup area which includes first and second areas each of which converts an object image into an electric signal, a first output terminal for outputting the electric signal from the first area, and a second output terminal for outputting the electric signal from the second area. A correction circuit corrects at least one of the electric signal output from the first output terminal and the electric signal output from the second output terminal, on the basis of a correlative relationship between the electric signal output from a portion of the first area through the first output terminal and the electric signal output from a portion of the second area through the second output terminal.

Abstract: An image lens distortion correcting method having step (A) for printing an arbitrary image I1 in a computer; step (B) for photographing the printed image I1 with a camera having a lens distortion and obtaining a photographed image I2 in the computer; step (C) for obtaining a parameter &thgr; such that the image I1 is artificially distorted with the parameter &thgr; and an obtained distorted image I1ud equals with the photographed image 2; and step (D) for using the obtained parameter &thgr; to correct the image photographed by the camera. Thereby, (1) no correspondence point needs to be given, (2) no special tool or object is used, and (3) all points on the image are used, so that an internal parameter can automatically be obtained with high precision, and image lens distortion can be corrected with high precision.

Abstract: A distance detecting device comprising an optical system, a pair of image sensors having a plurality of pixels which receives light flux from a photographic subject through said optical system, a distance calculator which calculates the distance to a photographic subject 3 from the image information of a region of the image sensors, and an posture detector detects the posture of the distance detecting device, wherein the distance to a photographic subject is detected from image information of the measurement region which is set such that the length of the region in the vertical direction is longer than the length in the horizontal direction relative to the normal ground surface and in accordance with the posture of the distance detecting device.

Abstract: A photographing system comprising a photographing-method input unit, a temporary exposure time setting unit, and an actual exposure time setting unit. The photographing-method input unit receives input of a photographing method. The temporary exposure time setting unit stores a look-up table in which the kind of photographing method is caused to correspond to a temporary-photographing exposure time that is used to obtain an appropriate actual-photographing exposure time. The temporary exposure time setting unit also obtains the temporary-photographing exposure time in accordance with the kind of input photographing method by making reference to the look-up table and inputs the obtained temporary-photographing exposure time to a camera controller. The actual exposure time setting unit sets an actual-photographing exposure time, based on a temporary-photographing image signal obtained in temporary photographing controlled by the camera controller in accordance with the temporary-photographing exposure time.

Abstract: Management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded in a non-effective imaging zone that surrounds an effective imaging area in the read-out area of the image sensing device. The non-effective imaging zone is a zone from which an output signal is not used in generating a sensed target image. The management data can be sensed from the signal output by the image sensing device. In another aspect, management data for managing an image sensing device can be read from the device even after the device has been mounted on a circuit board. To accomplish this, the management data is recorded on a protective glass, which covers the device, using an ink that reflects infrared radiation. A target image having a uniform pattern is sensed using a light source whose emission includes infrared radiation, and the image obtained by such sensing is displayed on a display.

Abstract: Video signals in different video formats are managed by inputting and outputting video signals via multiple channels and inputting a user selection of a video format for each channel. Then, a video signal input via a first channel is automatically converted into the video format selected for a second channel, and the video signal, in the video format selected for the second channel, is output via the second channel. Also, video signals in different video formats are managed by inputting and outputting video signals through multiple channels, with each such channel having an associated video format. A user designation is input that an output of a user-designated first channel should provide an output video signal corresponding to an input video signal input via a user-designated second channel.

Abstract: A line doubling processing system has an input signal switching output section for receiving sequential input fields and for outputting, based on the sequential input fields, a plurality of fields obtained from the same image, and a line doubling device for generating one line-doubled field using the plurality of fields that are output from the input signal switching output section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the artifacts associated with still frame display and video capture of interlaced video are provided. Tuner 100 receives an interlaced video signal having an image frame with first and second fields. Motion detector 55 detects whether motion is present between the first and second fields. Memory 40 stores one or both of the fields for processing when motion is detected. Processor 30 processes the stored field(s) to provide an image frame with reduced artifacts. Various processing techniques are provided to generate the image frame from the stored field(s), without duplicating the stored field for use as the other field. Memory 40 stores the image frame. If motion is not detected, the first and second fields are both stored to provide the image frame. The stored image frame can then be continuously displayed to provide still frame display, or can be captured for subsequent use.