Abstract: A photographing apparatus capable of photographing still pictures and motion pictures has an image stabilizing feature arranged so as to achieve an appropriate image stabilization characteristic in response to a photography start switch which is turned on and off, and depending upon whether a still picture is photographed or a motion picture is photographed, thereby achieving the optimum image stabilization characteristic for each photographic mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-precision digital image stabilization of an image recording with a CCD sensor utilized in a moving or flying carrier. For the digital image stabilization, the movements of the carrier are detected with the aid of an inertial sensor and stored. Then, a correction of the image data is carried out based on the detected movements.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for the correction of user induced inadvertent orientation errors in captured digital images before the digital image is saved to a storage media or memory. A system of the present invention checks a user-selectable input to determine if the orientation correction has been enabled, enables a tilt determining mechanism which senses orientation errors when the feature is enabled, corrects the orientation errors in the viewed image, displays a corrected digital image to the user and allows the user to store a digital representation of the corrected image into a memory. The method of the present invention includes receiving a digital representation of an image, identifying vertical or horizontal lines contained within the image, determining an orientation error, rotating the digital representation of the image to reduce the orientation error and displaying a corrected digital image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shake prevention apparatus for compensating for a disturbance in an image resulting from a camera shake. A shake of a camera main body is measured by a gyro sensor. Upon sampling the output signal from the sensor by an A/D converter, a sampling timing corresponding to a shutter speed is set. Especially, a timing is generated so that the sampling timing corresponds to the central position of the charge storage period of a CCD.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for using camera attitude sensors with a camera. A camera assembly includes a tripod base, a tripod head interface mounted on the tripod base, a tripod head mounted on the tripod head interface and a camera mounted on the tripod head. The tripod head enables the camera to pan and tilt. The system also includes a first optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been panned and a second optical encoder for detecting the amount that the camera has been tilted. Two inclinometers are mounted on the tripod head interface to measure attitude of the tripod head. Two gyroscopes (“gyros”) are mounted on the camera assembly. Data from the encoders, gyros and inclinometers are packaged and sent to graphics production equipment to be used for enhancing video captured by the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a deviation of a camera as a result of a shaking. The apparatus includes a shaking detector which detects a deviation of the camera from shaking based upon an output of at least two pairs of acceleration sensors which are located on different axes of the camera coordinates. A calculator calculates tilt angles of each of the axes from outputs of the pairs of the acceleration sensors.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for viewing at least one digital image. The system includes a display. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a movement of the display; navigating within the at least one digital image in accordance with the detected movement to generate an updated view of the at least one digital image; and displaying, on the display, the updated view of the at least one digital image.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for compensating for jitter in a digital image forming part of a video sequence of such digital images includes a first motion estimation unit (13) having an input for receiving sensed image data and an output for providing a first plurality of motion vectors, each corresponding to one of a plurality of image blocks making up the digital image. A jitter estimation unit (14) determines a jitter vector from the first plurality of motion vectors for the digital image and a jitter compensation unit (15) adjusts the digital image using the jitter vector to compensate for jitter in the digital image. A second motion estimation unit (16) provides a second plurality of motion vectors, each corresponding to one of a plurality of image blocks making up the jitter compensated digital image. The second plurality of motion vectors are determined by utilizing the first plurality of motion vectors and the jitter vector.

Abstract: This patent describes a print roll for use in an instant camera device, the print roll having a ink return tray for collecting excess waste ink from the printing process. The return tray can comprises a sponge-like strip affixed to a leaf portion of the print roll.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises an image sensor, an orientation sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The image sensor is used for generating captured image data. The orientation sensor is coupled to the image sensor, and is used for generating signals relating to the position of the image sensor. The memory, has an auto-rotate unit comprising program instructions for transforming the captured image data into rotated image data in response to the orientation sensor signals. The processing unit, executes program instructions stored in the memory, and is coupled to the image sensor, the orientation sensor and the memory. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of: generating image data representative of an object with an image sensor; identifying an orientation of the image sensor relative to the object during the generating step; and selectively transferring the image data to an image processing unit in response to the identifying step.