Abstract: A digital camera includes a processor and a microphone. The camera captures audio speech and converts the speech to text. The text can be combined with a captured image to provide a composite file. The processor executes an instruction set which performs the audio to text conversion. Text conversion is activated using either a user activated input control or through voice commands.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention can eliminate the trouble of starting up the image pickup apparatus once to change settings in order to turn off a start-up picture image and mute start-up sound or operation sound. A method of controlling the same, a program for the method and a storage medium having the program stored therein all can attain such technological advantages. Start-up sound, operation sound after the start-up and display of a start-up picture image of the image pickup apparatus are inhibited by depressing a predetermined button in starting up the image pickup apparatus.

Abstract: Automatic determination of image storage location based on comparing information contained in a data source against image metadata that is stored along with the image. The data source contains information such as date events like birthdays, and anniversaries, location information such as information pertaining to planned trips and conferences, voice recordings, and other information on which basis images can be organized. The information contained in the data source is compared against the image metadata that includes such information as the location of the image, creation date of the image, and audio annotations. Images corresponding to the same event are stored in the same location and are identified by title of the event provided in the data source. Images for which no event title is provided are stored in a default location and identified by a the date images are stored.

Abstract: A digital still camera capable of telecommunication includes a device which converts an optical image into a digital electromagnetic signal indicative of a still image, a receiver which receives an electromagnetic signal generated in accordance with a wireless telephone system, a modifying unit which modifies the electromagnetic signal into a digital electronic signal indicative of a still image, and a displaying device which alternatively displays a still image on the basis of the digital electronic signal from the converting device or from the modifying unit.

Abstract: A portable moving picture recording device includes switching control to enable multiple data flow configurations. Two output encoders receive either composite or component digital video signals. The component video signals can come from one of three sources: decoded composite video, component video, and a random-access storage device. Inputs to a composite video analog-to-digital converter and a genlock decoder may be switched between at least two outputs, including a camera video and external video sources. The digital component signal may also be recorded onto the random access recording medium. These data paths are provided in a portable moving picture recording device, in combination with some editing capability.

Abstract: A system for outputting camera-formatted data to a digital camera interface, wherein the camera-formatted data corresponds to application-formatted data from an application program. A print operation for the application program is started. A camera driver corresponding to the digital camera is selected as an output device driver for the print operation. Application-formatted data is printed from the application program to the selected camera driver, and camera-formatted data is formed based on the application-formatted data and according to a digital camera format. The camera-formatted data is output from the camera driver to the digital camera interface.

Abstract: A pickup section transduces sounds to audio signals. A zoom control section outputs a zoom position signal corresponding to a zoom position. A directivity control section alters the directivity characteristics under a telescopic operation so as to mainly pick up sounds coming from a frontal direction with an enhancement which is in accordance with the zoom position signal, thereby outputting an R channel audio signal and an L channel audio signal. In accordance with the zoom position signal, a noise suppression section applies a greater degree of suppression to the background noise contained in the respective channel audio signals under the telescopic operation than under a wide-angle operation. As a result, a target sound from a remote location can be picked up with a sufficient enhancement in accordance with the zoom position under the telescopic operation.

Abstract: There are provided an imaging apparatus and a video camera which allow an image being recorded and an image being reproduced to be easily discriminated from each other when an already recorded image signal is reproduced while a photographed image signal is being recorded. A recording section records an image signal obtained by an image pickup section on a randomly accessible recording medium, and a reproducing section is capable of reproducing an image signal recorded at a random location on the recording medium while the image signal is being recorded on the recording medium by the recording section. The recording section and the reproducing section are controlled such that the image signal recorded at a random location on the recording medium can be reproduced while the image signal obtained by the image pickup section is being recorded.

Abstract: A data processing method for a digital camera that may record image data as image files and sound data as sound files on a storage medium, wherein sound files are classified into a sound memo file recorded in association with an image file, and a sound record file recorded independently. The image files and the sound record files are time-sequentially recorded in a recording directory on a storage medium, each being given a file-name that contains an individual file number representing the time sequence of recording. To discriminate between the image files and the sound files, an extender common to the image files or a second extender common to the sound files is attached to the file-name. The sound memo file is given the same file-name as that of an image file which the sound memo file is to be associated with, and is recorded in the same recording directory as the associated image file, though the extender common to the sound files is attached to the file-name of the sound memo file.

Abstract: An image recording/reproducing apparatus and a control method thereof to provide the functions of recording image files in a recording medium and reproducing and editing the image files recorded in the recording medium. The apparatus and method enables a user to easily select and manipulate functions of the apparatus using a menu display, and can record, reproduce and edit the image files according to the function selected by the user. The apparatus and method, therefore allows the user to easily select and manipulate the functions using a displayed menu, and more efficiently manage and easily search for the recorded image files.

Abstract: The inability to attach more than one audio file to a single image file is an example of a problem encountered in image recording devices that include an audio recording function whereby audio information can be recorded and played back along with previously captured image files. A major disadvantage of prior image capturing systems is that only one audio file could be attached to a single image file. The present invention discloses an audio-attached image recording and playback device that allows one or more audio files to be associated with a single image file using an audio file identifier for each audio file. The audio file identifier includes an audio file attachment position that has coordinate information about a specific portion of the image that is displayed on a monitor. The user defines the specific portion by using a cursor to select the specific portion. Audio information is recorded and is associated with that position on the image.

Abstract: A portable digital image and sound recording device of structural improvement comprising: a main body and a control unit; wherein a transfer interface is installed in or connected with the main body at a proper position for transferring data, a control unit is set inside main body and connected with the transfer interface for transferring the recorded data of main body to external storage device to be stored as backup data.

Abstract: A camera for recording an image and associated audio. The camera activation mechanism also initiates the recording of audio data in the audio memory, with the audio memory being continuously overwritten after a maximum time of audio is recorded. Thus, at any point in time when an image is captured, audio from prior to that time is available, and audio after that time could be recorded, all with the pressing of a single button.

Abstract: A camera having audio noise attenuation capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, the camera comprises a microphone and an audio noise attenuation system configured to attenuate undesired noise captured by the microphone when recording audio. In some embodiments, the audio noise attenuation system facilitates attenuation of noise generated by a motor of the camera. In other embodiments, the noise attenuation system generation facilitates attenuation of audio noise from the environment in which the camera is used.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a data processing device includes an imaging unit for outputting a taken picture as image data, a memory for temporarily storing the image data output from the imaging unit every at least one frame, a power source for applying power to the imaging unit and the memory, and a plurality of operation switches. Only when a predetermined operation switch of the operation switches is operated, the device controls so as to apply power to the imaging unit and the memory.

Abstract: A robot apparatus is provided with a photographing device for photographing subjects and a notifying device for making an advance notice of photographing with the photographing device. In addition, in a control method for the robot apparatus, an advance notice of photographing subjects is made and then photographs of the subjects are taken. As a result, a picture can be prevented from being taken by stealth, regardless of user's intention, and thus the user's privacy can be protected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a multimedia presentation from heterogeneous media objects stored in a digital imaging device, wherein each one of the media objects includes one or more media types associated therewith, such as images, video, audio and text. The digital imaging device includes a display screen, a navigation control button, and one or more function keys. In a first aspect of the present invention, a representation of each one of the media objects in the digital imaging device is displayed on the display screen. Thereafter, the user navigates to one of the displayed media objects using the navigation control button and marks the selected media object by pressing a corresponding function key. These steps are repeated to provide an ordered set of marked media objects. A slide show is then presented from the ordered set of marked media objects, whereupon initiation of the slide show presentation, each one of the media objects is automatically displayed on the display in the order marked.

Abstract: A digital camera with a voice interface. The digital camera with a voice interface of the present invention comprises a digital camera body having a plurality of functional options and corresponding functions, a one-button input unit coupled to the digital camera body for producing a group of control signals, a control unit coupled to the one-button input unit to select the plurality of functional options and to perform the corresponding functions according to the group of control signals, and to output a corresponding audio signal according to each of the functional options and functions, and a voice output unit coupled to the control unit to indicate which the functional options is selected and which function is performed.

Abstract: A system for capturing, via a digital camera, an audio clip either before, during, or after the capture of an associated photographic image. The system allows a user to associate an audio clip with a corresponding photographic image by using two shutter button positions to respectively control the initiation of an audio recording and the termination thereof. In operation, a user presses shutter button to a partially depressed position which initiates audio capture. The user then fully depresses the shutter button, which initiates image capture with continued recording of the audio clip. Audio recording continues until the shutter button is filly released. The recorded audio clip and corresponding image are stored in local camera memory in a format that allows them to be re-associated when the memory is downloaded from the camera.

Abstract: An input apparatus for image according to the present invention can be set to a digital camera in a simplified manner without requiring program transfer, and can simply set operations of various input modes and operation procedures, and further can improve operation property.

Abstract: A camcorder is combinable with a plurality of sound acquiring units. A first sound acquiring unit is provided with a plurality of sound acquiring sections, and a second sound acquiring unit is provided with at least one sound acquiring section. A main body part outputs a control signal, which variably adjusts each signal level of sound signals acquired by the sound acquiring sections provided in the first sound acquiring unit, to the first sound acquiring unit, and to receive the sound signals adjusted by the control signal from the first sound acquiring unit. The first sound acquiring unit is detachable from the main body part. With the above construction, levels of noise produced when picking up a sound signal through an internal sound acquiring unit or noise produced by a motor operating a zoom lens of the camcorder, may be minimized.

Abstract: A method of storing data includes obtaining image data, preparing sound data to be added to the obtained image data, generating image-data identifying data for identifying the obtained image data and sound-data identifying data for identifying the prepared sound data, and associating the generated image-data identifying data with the generated sound-data identifying data and storing the image-data identifying and sound-data identifying data associated with each other.

Abstract: A self-contained wireless camera (10) and a wireless camera system (25) having such a device and a base station (20). Video processing (e.g. video compression) circuitry (200, 210) of the camera device receives video signals from a camera (130) and provides processed video signals. These are transmitted over a shared radio channel. A radio receiver (101) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals from the base station or another camera device. Images from the camera or the base station are displayed in a selected manner on a display or monitor (140). The base station device (20) receives processed (e.g. compressed) video signals, stores them and retransmits them. A command signal is received by the radio receiver to modify operation in such a manner as to control bandwidth usage. Wireless camera devices can adjust their operation to accommodate other wireless camera devices.

Abstract: An information signal processing apparatus according to the present invention is arranged to receive, as an input, an information signal to temporarily store therein the input information signal and to temporarily store therein management information prepared during a recording of the information signal in the recording medium, thereby recording the temporatily stored information signal and management information in the recording medium. Accordingly, it is possible to record an information signal having a large amount of information in the recording medium without lowering a recording speed and it is also possible to easily reduce the size, weight and cost of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided, which is compact in size but allow the effective use of space inside the apparatus. The image pickup apparatus comprises a sound output section, and an operating member for operating the image pickup apparatus. The operating member has formed therein through holes for transmitting sounds output by the sound output section to an outside of the image pickup apparatus. Typically, the operating member switches between operation modes of the image pickup apparatus. The sound output section is arranged inside the operating member.

Abstract: In a voice mode, when a shutter button of a camera is fully depressed, first and second switches are turned ON, recording of voice starts. The shutter button is released. When the shutter button is half depressed after the shutter button is released the recording of the voice is stopped. Since the recording of voice is performed between when the shutter button is released and when it is depressed half, no mechanical sound is recorded.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises an audio transducer, a processor, and a memory. The memory receives an audio signal produced by the audio transducer and gated by the processor. The memory includes an audio buffer capable of continuously accumulating the audio signal until the buffer becomes full, and thereafter storing a predetermined time amount of the most recent audio signal. The memory further includes one or more audio storage cells capable of storing at least a portion of the audio signal held in the audio buffer. The processor is capable of storing at least a portion of the audio signal from the audio buffer into an audio storage cell of the one or more audio storage cells.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention can eliminate troublesome of starting up the image pickup apparatus once to change setting in order to turn off a start-up picture image and damp start-up sound or operation sound. A method of controlling the same, a program for the method and a storage medium having the program stored therein all can attain such the technological advantages. Startup sound, operation sound after the start-up and display of a start-up picture image of the image pickup apparatus are inhibited by depressing a predetermined button in starting up the image pickup apparatus.

Abstract: There are provided an imaging apparatus and a video camera which allow an image being recorded and an image being reproduced to be easily discriminated from each other when an already recorded image signal is reproduced while a photographed image signal is being recorded. A recording section records an image signal obtained by an image pickup section on a randomly accessible recording medium, and a reproducing section is capable of reproducing an image signal recorded at a random location on the recording medium while the image signal is being recorded on the recording medium by the recording section. The recording section and the reproducing section are controlled such that the image signal recorded at a random location on the recording medium can be reproduced while the image signal obtained by the image pickup section is being recorded.