Abstract: A personal computer to which electronic equipment, such as, an electronic camera is connected reads recording units that are recorded in the electronic camera and displays a table consisting of recording information. In recording information such as a main image, a sub image and sound in the electronic camera, data within the electronic camera are inter-related by an index which indicates that the information is part of a common recording unit. The date having the same index are output and displayed in a same thumbnail area. When a recording unit for deletion is designated from the table; check boxes are displayed according to information contained in the recording unit. For example, an “x” is displayed in the check box of the information to be deleted, indicating that the information is a target of deletion. After the selection of information is completed and an “OK” button is pressed, the personal computer sends a control command to the electronic camera and deletes the designated information.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a recording unit operable to record data in a predetermined area, a detecting unit operable to detect a device connected to the apparatus, and an unmounting unit operable to unmount the predetermined area in the recording unit when the device connected to the apparatus is detected. Accordingly, data recorded in the recording unit of the information processing apparatus is prevented from being viewed and edited through an external device connected to the apparatus. The information processing apparatus may include, for example, a camera having two recording media.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus providing a visual indication of the occurrence of video recording operations on an electronic device. The video recording operations including recording a plurality of frames according to a number of characteristics. The method comprising providing a time interval between the recording of two consecutive frames by modifying at least one of the characteristics of the video recording operations and providing the visual indication of video recording operations during the time interval.

Abstract: The present invention is related to providing, in association with an image, information related to the image capture device used to capture the image. In one embodiment, information related to a first static camera characteristic and camera setting information related to a first captured digitized image is embedded in the first captured digitized image using a watermark. The watermarked information may be used to identify the source or owner of the picture, and/or to aid in the more accurate reproduction of the image.

Abstract: Management of files stored on an image capturing unit such as a digital camera, includes detection of connection of the image capturing unit, reception of plural image data respectively corresponding to plural images stored in the image capturing unit, and storage of the plural received image data in a storage medium. A setting screen is displayed for storage settings, wherein the setting screen includes a first region for inputting a character string for a file name and a second region for setting a number. A file name is assigned to each one of the plural image data, the assigned file name including the inputted character string and a number sequentially assigned to the plural image data, the numbers starting from the number set in the second region. Each such one of the plural received image data is stored in the storage medium with the assigned file name.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device acquiring a captured image on a subject; a display section; setting means for setting whether to make effective a temporary recording mode in which the captured image is temporarily recorded in a first storage section; if the temporary recording mode is effective, display control means for playback displaying the captured image recorded in the first storage section from when the temporary recording mode has been effective on the display section in response to an instruction operation of a user; and recording control means for recording an image specified by the user from the playback-displayed captured images in a second storage section as an image to be saved.

Abstract: When a shutter release operation is performed at an electronic still camera, an MPU records image data output from an image capturing element into a CF card. The MPU also stores the image data in a transfer buffer memory of an interface circuit. The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory are transferred to a transfer buffer memory provided at an interface circuit of a personal computer connected via an IEEE-1394 cable. The MPU of the personal computer reads out the image data having been taken into the personal computer from the transfer buffer memory and records them in a specific recording area in a recording device.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is disclosed that records information data and file system information for managing a file containing the information data in accordance with a predetermined file system to a recording medium having a plurality of blocks including an alternative block for a defect block, wherein a first threshold and a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold are set, and recording of the information data to the recording medium is inhibited if an alternative block remaining amount in the recording medium is less than or equal to the first threshold, and an update of the file system information recorded in the recording medium is inhibited if the alternative block remaining amount is less than or equal to the second threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a an electronic device such as a digital camera 300 that includes a deletion mode whereby a camera/electronic device user can delete captured images or data files that have already been transferred in order to make room in the electronic device or digital camera memory for capturing further images. In one embodiment a digital camera keep track of which images have already been transferred to an external storage device and presents those to the user as potential images to be deleted. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a “delete all transferred images” which when selected deletes all the captured images that have already been transferred. In still another embodiment, a deletion criteria is used to prioritize which images are deleted first.

Abstract: A method and a device for recognizing a document image, and a photographing method using the same are provided. The method includes extracting, from an input image, a primary feature, including information on feature points, by determining each pixel that is not similar to comparison pixels to be a feature point through a comparison of the pixel to the comparison pixels spaced a predetermined distance apart from the pixel, and classifying the input image as a document image or a non-document image by applying preset primary classification criteria, including criteria for the total number of the feature points to the primary feature.

Abstract: When a photographed image is recorded using a detachable recording medium having a transmission function, to easily distinguish an image corresponding to the transmitted image and an image corresponding to the image that has not been transmitted yet, when the image data is recorded in the recording medium having a wireless communication unit, the image corresponding to the transmitted image and the image corresponding to the image that has not been transmitted yet are separated and stored in separated folders formed on the recording medium. For example, the image data is stored in the DCIM2 folder and the DCIM folder. When the image data is stored, the image data corresponding to the transmitted image data is reduced and stored in the DCIM2 folder, while the image data corresponding to the transmitted image data is deleted from the DCIM folder.

Abstract: An imaging device, a method of capturing an image, and a program product used to capture a plurality of images, reduce the captured images, transfer second image data correspondent to each of the reduced images, display first images and identify a second image correspondent to the first image, which is instructed by a user.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having a picture taking mode of operation. In the picture taking mode of operation the terminal can capture a frame of image data into a buffer memory prior to activation of a trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal, the terminal transmits one or more frames of the buffer memory to a storage memory. The terminal can further be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal an operator is presented with indicators of frames captured both prior to and subsequent to the activation of the trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that an operator can select for archiving one or more frame.

Abstract: A method for associating event times or time periods with digital images in a collection for determining if a digital image is of interest, includes storing a collection of digital images each having an associated capture time; comparing the associated capture time in the collection with a special event time to determine if a digital image in the collection is of interest, wherein the comparing step includes calculation of a special event time associated with a special event based on the calendar time associated with the special event and using such information to perform the comparison step; and associating digital images of interest with the special event.

Abstract: A method of populating a placeholder of a document as images are captured by one or more image capture devices. A reference image is captured using the image capture device with a first set of capture settings. The reference image is inserted into a placeholder of a document. Target characteristics of a subsequent image to be captured are determined using one of the image capture devices. The target characteristics are determined based the reference image and at least one remaining placeholder in the document. A second set of capture settings are determined based on the determined target characteristics. The second set of capture settings are communicated to at least one of the image capture devices in order to enable the at least one image capture device to capture the subsequent image with the second set of capture settings. A placeholder of the document is populated with the subsequent image.

Abstract: When a connected recording medium has a wireless communication function, the save destination is changed to store received data in a save destination set for data transmitted from the recording medium by wireless communication. The save destination of data received from the connected recording medium having the wireless communication function can be set appropriately.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to generate a thumbnail image in a moving image photographing mode, and storing the generated thumbnail image are disclosed. The apparatus to photograph the thumbnail image generates a thumbnail image at intervals of a predetermined time simultaneously with photographing the moving image. In addition, the apparatus selects a thumbnail image to be preserved and a thumbnail image to deleted from among generated thumbnail images in such a manner that the number of generated thumbnail images does not exceed a predetermined number, thereby limiting the number of generated thumbnail images.

Abstract: A map range determination unit determines a map range that includes all of the shooting locations of the image data items selected by the image selection unit. A map image creation unit creates a map image of a map range determined by the map range determination unit based on the map information. A superimposition unit superimposes symbols representing the shooting locations of the image data items selected by the image selection unit on a map image created by the map image creation unit. A index page insertion unit inserts a map image on which symbols have been superimposed by the superimposition unit into the electronic photo album in the form of an index page of the electronic photo album.

Abstract: An image search device includes: a shooting unit configured to photographically shoot a subject; a display unit; a control unit configured to display a search key for image search on the display unit according to a shooting situation at the time of a shooting mode whereby the subject can photographically be shot by the shooting unit; a specifying unit which is used for specifying the search key displayed on the display unit; and a searching unit configured to search, in the event of the search key being specified via the specifying unit, an image based on the search key thus specified; with the control unit displaying, in the event of the image being searched by the searching unit, this search result on the display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first attribute setting unit which sets first attribute information of image data, a second attribute setting unit which sets second attribute information of the image data, and an input-output controller which writes and reads out image data to and from an external storage medium. The first attribute information is stored in the image data, and the second attribute information is stored in an area in the external storage medium, which is used to manage the image data to be written in the external storage medium.

Abstract: An image display apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a face detection section detecting a face image within a photographed image; a classification section classifying the photographed image by a pattern of the face image and a color or a pattern under the face image; and a display control section displaying an image of the same face with the different color or pattern according to the classification by the classification section, and displays images of the same person among the plurality of images classified by the classification section at the same time or sequentially in the display of the display control section.

Abstract: Provided is a digital image signal processing method, a recording medium for recording the method, and a digital image signal processing apparatus, in which a storage area of a memory may be efficiently used and an image desired by a user can be stored even when the storage area of the memory is insufficient. According to the present invention, a scene of an image may be recognized and a resolution and an image quality may be modified according to the recognized scene, thereby efficiently using the storage area of the memory.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for managing an album, when a user inputs a desired album title, texts of the desired album title are recognized and arranged, and a folder corresponding to the album title is automatically generated. Thus, convenience of the user is improved.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus which communicates with another image capturing apparatus, comprises an image capturing unit configured to obtain image data by capturing an image of an object; a reception unit configured to receive image data captured by the other image capturing apparatus during communication with the other image capturing apparatus; a storage unit configured to store the image data received by the reception unit in a storage medium; and a processor configured to describe image information of the image data received by the reception unit in an information file which describes image information used to identify image data stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A software routine detects a user selection of an icon on a touch screen of a portable digital image capturing device to communicate a digital image over a wireless network to a destination, and detects a selection of the digital image. The software routine further filters the digital image, identifies a user, and communicates the filtered digital image over the wireless network to the destination.

Abstract: A method and system operative to process color image data are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method can comprise the steps of receiving color image data, determining the color ranges to be applied to the color image data, assigning each of the pixel positions in the image data a color range, assigning a different spatial binary pattern to each color range, and assigning each of the pixel positions a binary output pixel value that corresponds to the spatial binary pattern assigned to the color range assigned to that pixel position. The resulting binary image data can be written to a file for subsequent storage, transmission, processing, or retrieval and rendering. In other embodiments, a system can be made operative to accomplish the same.

Abstract: An image data processing system transfers image data, stored in an image file and corresponding to independent images, from a first device to a second device. The first device includes data output, image file generation, and transfer processing units. The second device includes a specification data generation unit. The data output unit outputs combined miniaturized image data. The combined miniaturized image data shows combined miniaturized images. The miniaturized images correspond to the independent images. Each miniaturized image has a smaller data volume than the independent image. The specification data generation unit generates transfer subject specification data from the combined miniaturized image data. The transfer subject specification data specifies data corresponding to a transfer subject independent image. The image file generation unit generates a transfer image file storing the transfer subject image data. The transfer processing unit transfers the transfer image file to the second device.

Abstract: A user enters an input for selecting an image-capturing mode. The user then captures the image of a target with a desired zoon factor as a target image. An image-capturing device determines a zoom factor for an image to be captured starting from the target image and then captures an image while zooming out to the determined zoom factor. A process of changing the zoom factor and capturing an image is repeated until the smallest zoom factor among determined zoom factors is used. When image capturing of an image of the smallest zoom factor is completed, metadata is created that includes the respective zoom factors of images and relative position information of the images, and the metadata is stored in a memory unit in relation with the data of the captured images.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus determines categories for classifying image data based on shooting information of the image data, generates an update information file for each category, and uploads the update information file along with the image data to an image managing server. A client terminal registers, in advance, the address of a desired update information file, and periodically checks the update information file in the image managing server. If the update information file indicates that new image data has been added to the image managing server, the image data is downloaded in accordance with the file path described in the update information file.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes an operating section having dual functions depending on being in an image capture mode or in a reproduction mode respectively. While one of the recording mode and the reproduction mode is being carried out, in response to start of the other mode, a controlling function of the operating section is switched to the function of the other mode, and in response to the completion of the other mode, the function of the operating section is switched to the function of the one mode.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging device capable of accurately and rapidly selecting a main image from a plurality of continuously captured images and simplifying handling of image files recorded on a memory card. With one operation, it is possible to capture a plurality of continuous images at a predetermined time interval. A main image is selected from the captured images and the image data on the main image and the image data on sub images other than the main image are recorded as one image file on a recording medium (220).

Abstract: A remote art jurying system in which art jurors independently evaluate works of art at different locations, times and places. A central database presents information about each work of art and/or the artist to an individual juror. The database provides images of the artwork along with relevant information. Each juror can access the database independent of other jurors in terms of location, or time. The system provides enhanced voting methods. The juror can review or change their votes at any time prior to final submission. They can review all works of art, by categories of art, or by scores. The juror reviews artwork thumbnail images, which can be used to select high resolution images with extended information. Selected categories of art can be enhanced by eliminating the lowest scores to balance artwork finalists across multiple categories of art.

Abstract: The video stabilization method can generate output data for an output frame from input data of an input frame according to a perspective transform of a transform matrix. The input data used for the perspective transform can be obtained from a buffer of a predetermined depth. The transform matrix can be altered when the input data required for the transform exceeds the depth of the buffer.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for arranging digital data in a file in an apparatus-implemented system, is disclosed. One or more pages are generated, where each page includes: i. a mode field containing a camera operation mode, ii. an image data field containing image data, iii. an offset field containing an offset to a next page in the file, and a total size field containing a page size. Each page is recorded in the file using the same format.

Abstract: Method and device for naming digital image data files stored on a camera enabled device having an image sensor, an audio sensor, a display and a memory, including: capturing image data through the image sensor; automatically displaying on the display a default filename for an image data file for the captured image data; monitoring the audio sensor for voice input upon detecting a user input selecting the default filename, and determining a new filename for the image data file in dependence on a text translation of the voice input. A folder name can alternatively be determined in dependence on a text translation of a voice input and an image data file for the captured image data saved in the memory using a folder having the folder name.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising an image pickup sensor that captures an image of a subject, a storage unit that temporarily stores a plurality of frames of image data captured by the image pickup sensor, a detection unit that detects identity or non-identity between at least two image data consecutively captured by the image pickup sensor adjacent in time based on a predetermined image characteristic quantity, and a control unit that controls the device to write the later captured image data in the storage unit when the detection unit detects the non-identity and to not write the later captured image data in the storage unit when it detects the identity.

Abstract: A television (100) includes: an image data receiving section (105) for receiving, from the outside, image data storing therein process specifying information; and a controlling section (107) for controlling an image processing section (103) so as to carry out a process specified by the process specifying information stored in the received image data. Thus, it is possible to cause the television (100) to carry out the desired process by causing the television (100) to receive the image data including the process specifying information for specifying the process which should be carried out by the television (100).

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing device includes: a position detection unit that detects information (hereafter referred to as position information) indicating a position at which data are acquired and reproduced; a determining unit that determines which specific set of geographical information, among a plurality of sets of geographical information defined in advance, the position information detected by the position detection unit at the time of data acquisition and data reproduction corresponds to; a recording control unit that records the acquired data into a recording medium based upon determining results provided by the determining unit; a selection unit that selects reproduction-permitted data from the recording medium based upon the geographical information determined by the determining unit at the time of data reproduction; and a reproducing unit that outputs and reproduces at least one set of data among the reproduction-permitted data having been selected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that records image data on a detachable storage medium in a previously set recording format is provided. The apparatus sets the recording format of image data, and determines whether or not a storage medium attached to an attachment unit has a communication function that communicates with a different apparatus than the image processing apparatus. If it is determined that the storage medium has a communication function, and that the recording format of image data that can be transferred by the communication function does not match the recording format that has been set, the apparatus issues a warning.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of storing as many number of image files as possible, while adding file names conforming to a file storage standard, and capable of making it easy for a user to browse the desired image file among a vast number of continuously photographed image files. When one or plural representative images are selected from among continuously photographed images, a control unit of a digital camera as the image processing apparatus stores the one or more selected representative images into a memory card after a file name conforming to the file storage standard is added to each representative image, and stores continuously photographed images other than the one or more representative images into the memory card after file names not conforming to the file storage standard are added to these images.

Abstract: The size of an image file is not influenced even if location information is added or deleted after storing the image file. To achieve this, when an image is stored on a storage medium, whether GPS measurement was successful is determined. If measurement was successful, information indicating the existence of location information is stored in a first area as attribute information compliant with the image file format, the acquired location information is stored in a second area as attribute information, and the image is stored in a predetermined format. If not, information indicating the existence of location information is stored in the first area, predetermined information is stored in the second area, a reserved area having a pre-set size is allocated in a continuous area that follows the second area, and the captured image is stored.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus which is capable of appropriately providing notification about a connecting state and an operating state of a wireless communication unit, and reducing power consumption. Upon receiving a beacon signal from a wireless communication access point with a predetermined period, a notification unit provides notification that the wireless communication unit is linked to the wireless communication access point. Based on a time corresponding to the predetermined period, the wireless communication unit is returned into a first state from a second state in which a smaller amount of power is consumed than in the first state. When the wireless communication unit lies in the second state, the notification unit is intermittently disabled, and when the wireless communication unit returns from the second state into the first state, the notification unit is disabled.

Abstract: Images captured at a venue and relating to one or more patrons of the venue are incorporated into one or more products in accordance with image selections and/or product selections made by the patron(s). The images may be captured at venues with a variety of image capture devices such as pre-mounted cameras, cell phones, cameras brought by patrons to the venue, or cameras provided to patrons by the venue or another entity. The patrons may obtain products such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, prints, slideshows, or other products incorporating one or more selected images. Patrons may also view the images on portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A method to control an image processing apparatus includes obtaining linkage information representing a relation between a plurality of image files and recording the linkage information as metadata in each of the plurality of image files. This method ensures that a large number of image files are more easily and conveniently classified since linkage information representing relations between a plurality of image files is recorded as metadata in each of the plurality of image files.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image recording apparatus comprising: an image recording device which records an extended image file storing a plurality of pieces of image data and a basic file storing at least one piece of image data selected from the pieces of image data stored in the extended image file, the extended image file and the basic file being associated with each other; a determination device which determines whether or not the basic file has been deleted or modified; and a basic file recovery device which recovers the basic file from the extended image file if it is determined that the basic file has been deleted or modified.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for generating an album while adequately allocating images per page in accordance to image capturing-times. The album creating apparatus has an image storing section for storing images correlating with image capturing-times of the images, a distribution-of-image-capturing-time calculating section for calculating a distribution of image capturing-times of the plurality of images stored in the image storing section based on the image capturing-times of the plurality of images stored in the image storing section, an image sorting section for sorting the plurality of images stored in the image storing section per page in the album based on the distribution of image capturing-times calculated by the distribution-of-image-capturing-time calculating section and a layout determining section for laying out the images sorted by the image sorting section per page to each page of the album.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an imaging unit which performs an imaging process of an object image; an image storage unit which stores the image data linked with album data; a layout storage unit which stores layout information representing a position where the image data linked with the album data is displayed on a page of the album data; an album display unit which displays an image frame at the position on the page of the album data represented by the layout information; and a designation unit which receives a designation of an arbitrary position on the displayed page, wherein when a region outside the image frame is designated, the album display unit displays the captured image data on a background of the page as a live view, and the image storage unit stores the image data linked as the background of the page of the album data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, including an optical system forming an image of an optical image of an object; an imaging element imaging the optical image and producing image data at a frame frequency Ffs out of a frame frequency Ffr of NTSC system; a frame memory storing the image data; and a controller progressively writing the image data in the frame memory and interlacedly reading out the image data from the frame memory at the frame frequency Ffr of NTSC system. The frame memory is divided into at least three areas comprising a writing-in area and a read-out area, wherein the controller sequentially switches the areas of the frame memory and progressively writes one frame of image data in each area and interlacedly reads out one frame of image data from each area in sequence.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selecting one or more of several images captured in sequence and stored in a buffer in response to receiving a user instruction to store a captured image. An electronic device can capture information describing the movement of the device at the time each of the several images was captured, such that each image can be associated with specific device movement information. The electronic device can then select the one of the captured and buffered images for which the movement information of the device satisfies particular criteria. This can ensure that the particular image stored is not blurry due to device movement at the time the image was captured.

Abstract: A camera system includes an image sensor and a processing apparatus receiving image frames from the sensor before and after receipt of a user picture signal. The processing apparatus discards frames that do not meet a quality criterion such as under-exposed frames. Also, the processing apparatus compresses only a subset of remaining frames, specifically, those that meet a compression amount threshold. The remaining frames are presented to a user, who can select a representative frame as the “picture” that was taken.