Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit, a distance acquiring unit, a painterly transformation processor, a thickness information acquiring unit, and a data generating unit. The distance acquiring unit acquires distance information for each of at least one object image included in an acquired image. The painterly transformation processor transforms each of the object image, included in the acquired image, into a painterly image. The thickness information acquiring unit acquires thickness information corresponding to the distance for each of the object image. The data generating unit generates data in which the painterly image and the thickness information are associated with each other.

Abstract: A process for using a terminal capable of capturing images to determine a probability of capturing the images according to information taken from contextual data provided by the image capture means. The process uses a terminal such as a mobile terminal comprising a first image data sensor and at least one contextual data sensor to automatically determine at least one probability of capturing an image or a sequence of images taking place within a time interval, the capture probability being calculated based on at least one response provided by one of the activated image data and/or contextual data sensors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which corrects input image data based on the image data and foreign substance information containing information on the position and size of a foreign substance includes a correction unit which corrects the influence of the shadow of the foreign substance contained in the image data, based on the image data and the foreign substance information, a still image uniformity determination unit which determines the uniformity of an image in a region around the foreign substance, a moving image uniformity determination unit which determines the uniformity of the image in the region around the foreign substance based on a determination criterion different from one applied to a still image, and a control unit which inhibits correction of the image data when the still image uniformity determination unit or moving image uniformity determination unit determines that the uniformity is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus connectable to an external device includes a recording instruction module which instructs a recording, an imaging module which generates an image signal from an optical image, a memory module which stores the image signal generated by the imaging module, a connecting module which enables connection of the imaging apparatus to the external device, and a control module which controls wiring into the memory module and effects control of an operation of the recording instruction module or an operation responsive thereto.

Abstract: An article of eyewear includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and a single button to control on, off, record on, and record off functions of the article of eyewear. The eyeglass frame may have a camouflage pattern. A system for recording video includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and a wireless transceiver disposed within the eyeglass frame, and a single button to control on, off, record on, and record off functions of the article of eyewear. A method of documenting a hunt using an article of eyewear is provided.

Abstract: A video recording device adapted to be resistive to thermal and mechanical shocks experienced in a catastrophic event, the device including a plurality of interchangeable components, the device comprising: a housing; a video component releasably mounted in the housing and having a lens for capturing images from an external environment of the device and a digital processor for producing digital data from the captured images; a memory component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component adapted for storing the digital data received from the video component, the memory component including a non-volatile memory unit and an enclosure adapted for inhibiting the transfer of thermal and mechanical shocks from the external environment to the non-volatile memory unit, the non-volatile memory unit enclosed in the enclosure; and an interface component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component and the memory component, the interface component adapt

Abstract: An imaging apparatus operating on the basis of setting information determining quality of a captured image.

Abstract: A photographing information management method, which includes: judging whether there is equality between photographing position information added to an image file stored in an external storage medium which is detachably attachable to an imaging apparatus and photographing position information stored in an internal memory of the imaging apparatus; and when it is judged that the two pieces of photographing position information have the equality, displaying an image and the photographing position information of the image file on a display screen of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Default image data and subject image data are stored separately in nonvolatile memory and when the subject image data stored in the nonvolatile memory is displayed in a standard playback mode, the subject image data is displayed on an LCD at a specific scaling factor (first scaling factor) determined by the image size of the subject image data regardless of whether or not default image data is set for the subject image data. On the other hand, when composite image data is displayed in a print preview mode, scaling processing to display the subject image data on the LCD at a smaller scaling factor than the first scaling factor is performed so that the whole of the composite image data can be displayed on one screen of the display.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus having portable multimedia player (PMP) functions. The photographing apparatus provides the PMP functions to store multimedia content such as images, music and moving image files and to play back the stored multimedia content using recording and playback functions of the photographing apparatus so that portability can be improved and a user can enjoy the multimedia content. Specifically, the photographing apparatus includes a photographing module to provide a photographing function and a PMP module to record and play back the photographed image and to provide the PMP function. Therefore, if a display unit is part of the PMP module and the PMP module is attached to the photographing apparatus, the display unit may be used as a part of the photographing apparatus, and if the display unit is separated from the photographing apparatus, the display unit may be used as a PMP.

Abstract: A video imaging system that allows a user to save select image data to at least one detachable storage device, the image data presented on a display for the user, where the user is provided with various control interfaces for saving and appending information to the saved image data. The at least one detachable storage device also including user settings data that is used to adjust the settings of the camera control unit according to the user preferences.

Abstract: A video imaging system that allows a user to save select image data to a detachable storage device, the image data presented on a display for the user, where the user is provided with various control interfaces for saving and appending information to the saved image data. The detachable storage device also including user settings data that is used to adjust the settings of the camera control unit according to the user preferences.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus utilizes management data which includes file identification information identifying an image file recorded on a recording medium and search identification information indicating search information stored in header part of the image file identified by the file identification information. The file identification information is associated with the search identification information, and the search information is classified into predetermined categories and managed. When a category is designated, a controller referring to the management data identifies the image file related to the designated category, in the image files stored in the first or second recording medium, based on the file identification information associated with the search identification information indicating the search information that belongs to the designated category.

Abstract: A body-mountable image capture device comprising a device body and a cover slidably mounted onto the device body, the device body comprising a camera, the cover sliding between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the camera is concealed and in the second position the camera is exposed. The body-mountable image capture device comprises activation means operable to initiate the camera when the cover is in the second position and the camera is exposed. The orientation of the camera is adjustable with respect to that of the device body such that the orientation of the camera can be maintained. The orientation of the camera may be automatically adjusted to keep the field of view generally horizontal. The camera may automatically rotate left and right in a horizontal plane responsive to movement of a head mounted sensor to thereby track a user's head movements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a memory connecting portion, to which an external memory is detachably connected; a detecting portion that detects a connection state of the external memory; a printing portion that prints an image based on an image file to be printed which is stored in the external memory; and a controller that performs an automatic printing processing in which the controller controls the printing portion to automatically start printing the image in response to a detection by the detecting portion of connection of the external memory to the memory connecting portion.

Abstract: A digital camera comprises an imaging device; an internal memory; an attachment device that attaches a storage medium; a medium detector that detects whether the storage medium attached to the attachment device is a storage medium limiting overwrite; and a record control device that controls so as to store image data taken by the imaging device in the storage medium attached to the attachment device. When the medium detector detects that the storage medium attached to the attachment device is the storage medium limiting overwrite, the record control device controls so as to store data management information of the image data recorded in the storage medium limiting overwrite in the internal memory.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an insertion unit for inserting a storage medium, an image pickup unit, a control unit for storing an image picked up by the image pickup unit onto a storage medium inserted into the insertion unit, and a medium detection unit for detecting whether the storage medium inserted into the insertion unit is a storage medium in which rewrite is limited.

Abstract: A system, method and content filtering module is provided for analyzing image data received from an imaging sensor, such as a CCD camera, determining whether or not image data meets appropriate criteria, and potentially blocking unacceptable image data, before the data is stored in a device memory or on some other storage medium, or passed to other applications. This system encourages safer and more responsible use of electronic imaging devices without compromising the general utility of said devices. In particular, it may help to protect young people from making and distributing nude, or sexually suggestive pictures, or pictures containing content that is deemed inappropriate, when using a PDA, camera phone, or computer equipped with a camera.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element arranged to create image information based on the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element and the captured-image information; a memory element arranged to store the image information created by the creation element; a decision element arranged to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to the outside, decide whether or not the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element arranged to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information in accordance with a result of the decision by the decision element.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit, a writing unit, a calculation unit, and a determination unit. The image capture unit captures an image. The writing unit writes the captured image in a recording medium. The calculation unit calculates a number of free clusters in the recording medium. The determination unit determines whether the recording medium has been removed from the image capture apparatus. If the determination unit determines that the recording medium has been removed from the image capture apparatus, a free space in the recording medium is calculated from the calculated number of free clusters. If the determination unit determines that the recording medium has not been removed from the image capture apparatus, the number of free clusters from a predetermined area in the recording medium is acquired and the free space in the recording medium is calculated from the acquired number of free clusters.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that includes a main body that includes a recording and reproducing unit that houses a main recording medium and records an information signal. The information signal from the main recording medium is reproduced. An auxiliary recording medium unit is detachably mounted on a mounting section of the apparatus main body and houses an auxiliary recording medium separate from the main recording medium. During imaging, the apparatus main body is placed on one shoulder of a camera operator and a grip section is disposed on a front surface side of the apparatus main body. The mounting section is formed between the grip section and the recording and reproducing unit. The auxiliary recording medium unit is detachably attachable during imaging.

Abstract: A camera for producing a taken picture that is seen jointly with fictional characters contained digitally and superimposing said figure in the picture overlapped with owner's location. The camera contains a Memory card with multiple fictional character figures such as Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, etc., in various positions, poses and sizes which the operator can choose for the picture that best fits the operator's home or location. The digital picture frame is formed by a series of picture options using multiple fictional characters each being pre-photographed and uploaded to the memory card to create a latent image thereon of a character at a predetermined position within the digital frame. Parental control option switches the camera to manual mode. When, therefore, the shutter is actuated by the operator in manual mode, a picture is taken in which the location appears in juxtaposition to the fictional character.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus including an imaging unit to photograph a subject to acquire image data; an object detection unit to detect a predetermined object from the image data; and a detection condition setting unit to allow a user to set a detection condition for the object detection unit by selecting one of detection rate-priority and detection speed-priority.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus is provided having a storage control device, a writing speed measuring device, and a selecting device. The storage control device writes image data into memory devices. The writing speed measuring device measures the writing speed of the memory devices by writing dummy data into the memory devices. The selecting device compares the writing speeds of the memory devices, and selects the memory device having the fastest writing speed. The storage control device stores image data in the selected memory device.

Abstract: For automatically transmitting an image file, a system transmits the file automatically through specifically specifying information for file transmission such as an address of a destination. The system includes a memory for storing a data file and an automatic transmission control file for briefly describing information of a file name of the file to be transmitted and a destination address, and a communication unit for transmitting the data file according to the automatic transmission control file. Therefore, the system can transmit the data file automatically only by having a memory storing the data file and automatic transmission control file connected to the communication unit.

Abstract: An imaging device to which a portable storage medium is attachable, includes: a portable storage medium attachment section which attaches the portable storage medium; an inside storage medium which links image data imaged to information of imaging date and time and stores the data; and a transfer control section which controls a transfer of the image data from the inside storage medium to the portable storage medium, the portable storage medium having a data area which stores the image data transferred and a system area which stores management data generated corresponding to the image data stored in the data area, the transfer control section setting time stamp information of the management data generated in the portable storage medium corresponding to the image data transferred from the inside storage medium to the portable storage medium as the information of imaging date and time linked to the image data transferred.

Abstract: An article of eyewear includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, and an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure. The eyeglass frame may have a camouflage pattern. A system for recording video includes an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and a wireless transceiver disposed within the eyeglass frame. A method of documenting a hunt using an article of eyewear is provided. The method includes providing the article of eyewear, the article of eyewear comprising (a) an eyeglass frame having an integrally formed camera enclosure, (b) an imaging sensor disposed within the camera enclosure, and (c) wherein the eyeglass frame having a camouflage pattern. The method further includes activating a video recording functionality of the article of eyewear during the hunt and video recording the hunt using the article of eyewear.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes: a detection unit that detects whether or not a detachable recording medium has a cache function; and a validating unit that validates the cache function when the detection unit detects that the recording medium has the cache function.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first part and a second part separable from each other. If the first part and the second part are in a united state, the imaging apparatus stores image data into a storage medium of the first part or a storage medium of the second part. If the first part and the second part are in a separated state, the imaging apparatus stores image data into a storage medium of the first part and transmits the image data stored in its storage medium to the second part.

Abstract: A camera includes an image-capturing unit that captures an image of a subject; a generating unit that generates an image data based on the captured image; a loading unit capable of loading a recording medium for recording the image data generated by the generating unit; a recording control unit that records the generated image data in the recording medium loaded in the loading unit; a detection unit that detects a state of loading of the recording medium in the loading unit; and a display control unit that displays an icon that indicates the state of loading of the recording medium and information on the recording medium in association with the icon on a display device. In an embodiment, the loading unit includes a plurality of recording media.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to allow information recording by maximally utilizing the size of a storage medium while maintaining compatibility to an electronic device which can handle only a storage medium initialized by the first file system to some extent. To this end, on a storage medium, two storage areas, i.e., a partition A initialized by the FAT16 file system to be accessed by a normal digital still camera, and a partition B initialized by the FAT32 file system that allows a still larger address space, are assured. A main image sensed by a camera unit is stored in the partition B, and a thumbnail image as its derivative information is stored in the partition A. Even when this memory card is attached to the conventional digital still camera, the thumbnail image can be browsed. Also, information indicating correspondence between the main image and corresponding thumbnail image is stored in the partition B as management information.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a digital photographing apparatus in which a captured image is stored in a non-volatile memory card, the method including: determining whether the non-volatile memory card is available; and if the non-volatile memory card is not available, transmitting the captured image that is temporarily stored in a volatile memory in response to a request to transmit the captured image. An associated apparatus and storage media for implementing the method are also provided.

Abstract: An image reproduction device has a display interface, a data reading unit, an image processing section, a recording unit, and a control section. The display interface outputs to a monitor device including a display screen. The data reading unit reads data from an external recording device as well as including a connection section capable of electrically connecting the external recording device recording photographic image data. The image processing section generates monitor image data based on the photographic image data. The image size of the monitor image data corresponds to the image resolution of the monitor device. The recording unit records the monitor image data in a memory. The control section performs the reproduction mode in which a reproduction image based on the monitor image data is displayed on the monitor device. Besides, the control section is configured to produce a reproduction image when not connected with the external recording device.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a main memory, an auxiliary memory, an image capturing module, a quick turn-on button, a first initialization module, and a second initialization module. The capacity of the auxiliary memory is smaller than that of the main memory and is capable of storing images after being initialized. The image capturing module is capable of capturing images after being initialized. The quick turn-on button is configured for starting the image capturing device. The first initialization module is configured for initializing the image capturing module and the auxiliary memory when the quick turn-on button is triggered. The second initialization module is configured for initializing the main memory after the image capturing module and the auxiliary memory being initialized.

Abstract: An electronic camera is provided with a power-saving S-AF mode and a C-AF mode as focus adjustment modes. In the S-AF mode, focus adjustment is performed upon half depression of a release button. In the C-AF mode, the focus adjustment is repeated during a shooting mode regardless of the half depression of the release button to simplify the focus adjustment of a shooting time so that shooting is smoothly performed. When the electronic camera is set to the shooting mode, an AF controller obtains an Ev value representing subject brightness. The Ev value is compared with a threshold value stored in a memory. When the Ev value exceeds the threshold value, the focus adjustment mode is changed to the S-AF mode. When the Ev value falls below the threshold value, the focus adjustment mode is changed to the C-AF mode.

Abstract: For automatically transmitting an image file, a system transmits the file automatically through specifically specifying information for file transmission such as an address of a destination. The system includes a memory for storing a data file and an automatic transmission control file for briefly describing information of a file name of the file to be transmitted and a destination address, and a communication unit for transmitting the data file according to the automatic transmission control file. Therefore, the system can transmit the data file automatically only by having a memory storing the data file and automatic transmission control file connected to the communication unit.

Abstract: From a time point at which a storage capacity reaches a certain remaining capacity with respect to a limit value of 4 GB per one file depending on a file system, a subtraction time-managing portion (100A) changes photographing elapsed time display (174) which is displayed on a display picture of a liquid crystal display portion (17) to subtraction time display (178) in which residual time until 4 GB is reached is continuously subtracted in the inside of a portable image pickup device (1). Hence, a photographer can be visually informed of timing at which the photographing blank time period will occur. As a result, the photographer can be previously given the opportunity for the judgment about whether the photographing should be continuously performed or the current photographing should be ended to start new photographing.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit adapted to pickup a moving image, a shooting condition storage unit adapted to store shooting conditions to be used in the image pickup unit, an instruction unit adapted to issue a shooting condition read instruction during moving image shooting by the image pickup unit, a display unit adapted to, when the read instruction has been issued from the instruction unit, display information associated with the shooting conditions stored in the shooting condition storage unit, a selection unit adapted to select a desired shooting condition from information associated with the shooting conditions displayed on the display unit, and a setting unit adapted to set the shooting condition selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: An electronic camera that generates a still image by photographing a subject, generates image information related to the still image having a data volume smaller than a data volume of the still image and records the still image and the image information, includes: a frame feed reproduction device that sequentially reproduces a plurality of still images recorded in advance; a high-speed frame feed reproduction device that sequentially displays a plurality of sets of image information recorded in advance; and a switching device that selects either the frame feed reproduction device or the high-speed frame feed reproduction device to switch between the frame feed reproduction device and the high-speed frame feed reproduction device.

Abstract: A photographic digital data archival apparatus includes an article of media that includes a substrate and one or more layers of silver-emulsion based light-sensitive material, the article of media being configured to store digital data in the one or more layers and including a human-readable portion that provides instructions on reading and interpreting the digital data using basic imaging and computing technologies that do not require a person reading the instructions to previously possess or first acquire, as a prerequisite, knowledge of a format or encoding scheme associated with the digital data.

Abstract: An image format for storing digital images within a baseline DCT compatible bitstream comprises entropy coded image data, a first application marker storing a first data value using a first encoding method to convey a first information value related to the image, and a second application marker storing a second data value using a second encoding method to convey the same said first information value related to the image. More specifically, the first application marker uses TIFF tags within an Exif application marker and the second application marker uses a FlashPix compatible structured storage stream, while the entropy coded data includes restart markers to define tile boundaries within the entropy coded image data.

Abstract: A remote image-pickup system includes a camera device including an image-pickup unit for capturing an image of a subject and generating picture signals and a card slot; and a plurality of types of card substrates which are selectively inserted into the card slot and which convert the format of the picture signals so as to output the converted signals to an external device. By inserting different card substrates into the card slot, a plurality of formats of picture signals can be output from the camera device. Accordingly, the format of the picture signals output from the camera device can be flexibly expanded. Further, since many circuits for converting the picture signals need not be incorporated into the camera device, an increase in the size and price of the camera device can be prevented.

Abstract: A digital camera with multiple ports for emovable memory cards. In some preferred embodiments, the multiple ports will be structured to hand the same type(s) of memory cards. In other preferred embodiments, the ports (or at least some of them) will be differently structured to handle different types of memory cards. In some preferred embodiment, any av files transferred to a memory card will be transferred to all ports having a memory card present. In other preferred embodiments, different av files will be transferred to different ports (or subsets of ports), depending on factors such as pre-programming and/or user selected preferences.

Abstract: An in-car audio/video recording rearview mirror assembly is provided for recording the behaviors of the driver and passengers inside a car. The in-car audio/video recording rearview mirror assembly includes a rearview mirror enclosure and a digital monitoring system. The digital monitoring system is set inside the rearview mirror enclosure, which is attached to an in-car rearview mirror or a fixture, in such a way that a monitor camera device may receive image and sound from inside the car through the mirror for recording the video and audio data occurring inside the car for all the time.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus has: an apparatus body; and a replacement part that is detachably mounted in the apparatus body, wherein the replacement part includes: a replacement part body; and a storage medium that is separably mounted on the replacement part body, and wherein the apparatus body includes a separation mechanism that separates the storage medium from the replacement part body when the replacement part body is mounted in the apparatus body.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus represented by digital camera 200 is capable of accessing at least two storage media. Each time one of the storage media becomes full, the image capturing apparatus switches the image data recording destination to the other storage medium. While one of the storage media is serving as the image data recording destination, image data in the other storage medium is transferred to a host unit by communication.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital still camera includes: an image sensor for receiving light and generating output signals representative of an image of an object or a scene of interest; a processing circuit connected to the image sensor for processing the output signals from the image sensor; and a control circuit connected to the processing circuit for successively generating a plurality of image files and for determining a remaining picture count after each image file is generated based on one of a plurality of predetermined decrement numbers corresponding to an actual image file size of each image file.

Abstract: A projection display device adapted to display a projection image based on external image data input externally, includes: a projection section; an image data storage section adapted to store projection image data; an image control section adapted to execute an image data obtaining process; an image capturing section adapted to capture a projection area including the projection surface to generate a captured image; and a correction amount determination section adapted to execute a correction amount determination process for determining a correction amount, wherein the image control section halts the image data obtaining process during a period in which the correction amount determination section is executing the correction amount determination process, and after the correction amount determination process is terminated, makes the projection section display a temporary projection image obtained by correcting an image data previously stored in the image data storage section, and resumes the image data obtaining

Abstract: A process for using a terminal capable of capturing images to determine a probability of capturing the images according to information taken from contextual data provided by the image capture means. The process uses a terminal such as a mobile terminal comprising a first image data sensor and at least one contextual data sensor to automatically determine at least one probability of capturing an image or a sequence of images taking place within a time interval, the capture probability being calculated based on at least one response provided by one of the activated image data and/or contextual data sensors.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel that does not require a row select transistor. Instead, an operating voltage is selectively provided to the pixel's readout circuitry, and the readout circuitry provides output signals based on charge or voltage of a storage node. The operating voltage can be selectively provided to each row of a pixel array by a row driver. Each pixel includes a source follower transistor that provides an output signal on a column output line for readout. An anti-blooming transistor may be linked to each pixel's photosensor to provide an overflow path for electrons during charge integration, prior to transfer of charge to the pixel's storage node by a transfer transistor. Electrons not produced by an image are introduced to the photosensor prior to image acquisition, filling traps in the photosensor to reduce image degradation.