Abstract: An imaging device comprising an imaging section for repeatedly forming subject images at a set period, while performing a bulb exposure operation, and outputting image data; an adding processing section for performing adding processing of the image data and previously output image data; an added image storage section for sequentially storing a plurality of added images that have been determined by the adding processing section; and a selection section for selecting any of the plurality of added images that have been stored in the added image storage section, after completion of the bulb exposure operation.

Abstract: Provided is a control section that, when created data is set to be recorded in both a first memory card and a second memory card and an amount of empty space in a writing buffer memory is less than or equal to a predetermined value, performs control to record the created data in only the first memory card and erases, from the buffer memory, data that has been recorded in the first memory card; and a transmission control section that, while a transmission path for image files from the first memory card to the second memory card is open, transmits to the second memory card, from among pieces of image data recorded in the first memory card, image files that are not recorded in the second memory card. When a memory card with a low communication speed is used, the effective recording speed is not decreased.

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: A digital camera stores image data, which represent object images captured via a taking lens and a charge coupled device, in a built-in memory, which is provided in a camera body and which is able to store image data of plural object images. When the built-in memory is filled with the image data, a memory card is inserted into a card slot so that the memory card connects to a card connector, and then the image data stored in the built-in memory are automatically transferred to the memory card. In this case, more than ? of the memory card in the insertional direction is exposed, and hence the camera can be small-sized without being restricted by standards of the memory card.

Abstract: A digital camera to which a storage medium can be connected, includes a profile information storer and a profile information reader. The profile information storer stores profile information representing a storage medium user in the storage medium connected to the digital camera. The profile information reader reads the profile information.

Abstract: A recording device which records data onto a recording medium includes a nonvolatile memory storing and holding data on a free capacity of the recording medium, and a control unit controlling the data recording. The control unit determines the free-capacity data stored in the nonvolatile memory based on the total capacity of the recording medium when power is turned on. When the determination result indicates that a value of the free-capacity data stored in the nonvolatile memory does not exceed a value of the total capacity of the recording medium, the control unit records the data onto the recording medium with reference to the free-capacity data. When the power is turned off, the control unit updates the free-capacity data so as to reduce the value of the free-capacity data by as much as an amount of the data recorded onto the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for a customer leasing a configured camera system including a camera and services for using such configured camera system and paying for the lease of such configured camera system, includes the steps of providing an electronic database of information describing a plurality of differently configured camera systems which have different features and services that can be selected by the customer via a digital communications network; displaying at the customer's location remote from the electronic database various components of the camera system that can be combined into the configured camera system; the customer selecting desired components and services to provide the configured camera system and completing a lease agreement and providing a payment identifier specifying an account to be debited to pay for the configured camera system; and sending the camera to a designee of the customer and establishing a service user account that specify the selected services that the designee can use.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a monitor for displaying a menu screen, a menu button for operating a menu on the menu screen, a hardware key such as a button for setting a picture-taking condition, and a storage medium removably mounted in a body of the image pickup apparatus for storing picture data. The image pickup apparatus stores in the storage medium an operation control file in which information on contents of actions associated with operation of the menu button or the hardware key is stored. Further, the image pickup apparatus reads the operation control file stored in the storage medium and changes the actions associated with operation of the menu button or the hardware key according to information stored in the operation control file.

Abstract: A camera with a photo tracklog producing function includes an image recording module used to take digital images; a GPS (Global Positioning System) module used to receive order sequence of positioning data coordinating the measurements of GPS as GPS tracklogs; a processor unit which writes the positioning data in the format for digital images and combines digital images with the GPS tracklogs to produce the corresponding photo tracklog. Users can recognize the traveling track by reviewing the photo tracklogs. The photo tracklogs also show information of the digital images taken along the traveling track. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for producing photo tracklogs.

Abstract: A flash memory module includes an integral indicator light. The module alternatively includes a plurality electrical contacts which electrically interface to a host digital device. The module includes a plurality of flash memory cells. The cells are controlled by an integral controller. The indicator light is controlled by the controller. The indicator light indicates whether the flash memory module is being accessed. Alternatively, the indicator light indicates that the flash memory module should be replaced. A housing for the module is preferably light transmissive material, and preferably a transparent plastic. A proximal end of the module includes the electrical contacts and is inserted into the host. The indicator light is preferably a surface mount LED and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the flash memory module to be seen through the transparent plastic. Alternatively, the controller generates an electronic signal which is coupled to the host.

Abstract: The electronic still camera includes an internal memory, a calculating part, a storage medium, and a display part. With a storing rate of the storage medium equal to or higher than an internal processing rate of the camera, the calculating part calculates a storable continuous frame count according to a residual storage capacity and an image data amount of the storage medium. With the storing rate lower than the internal processing rate, it calculates the same according to a storage capacity of the internal memory, the image data amount, a continuous shooting rate of frames, the internal processing rate, and the storing rate, and calculates the continuous shooting rate of frames of when an actual continuous frame count exceeds the storable continuous frame count according to the storing rate and image data amount. The display part displays the storable continuous frame count and continuous shooting rate of frames.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus and recording method that can further improve ease-of-use for the user creates directories according to shooting situations selected from multiple predetermined types of shooting situations, assigns image data produced as a result of photographing a subject to the directories according to the selected shooting situations, attaches identification information to the image data according to the selected shooting situations, and stores the image data to which the identification information is attached, together with an application program of one or more specified applications, so as to associate the image data with the applications.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus comprises a plurality of recording media, data generating means for generating recording data, recording means for, whenever the recording data is generated from the data generating means, allocating and recording the recording data in the plurality of recording media, and data transfer means for integrating, into one recording medium, the plurality of recording data recorded in a distributed manner in the plurality of recording media, when the data generating means and the recording means are not in operation.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a global positioning system (GPS) device with a digital image processing device and inputting position information into an image file captured by the digital image processing device. A system and method for inputting position information into a captured image employ a digital image processing device which generates an image file by capturing an image, and stores the image file, a GPS device which receives position information from a GPS satellite at regular time intervals; when the digital image processing device is connected with the GPS device, a GPS information storage unit which receives position information from the GPS device and stores the position information, and a GPS information input control unit which inputs position information excluding a timestamp, into an image file.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera system, which can simplify an ordering procedure. An IC memory comprising a contactless interface is mounted on a camera, or an image recording medium, such as memory card or film. In a case where a customer has carried the camera to a photo lab, image data is read out of the memory card or is acquired by reading the developed film, by an image data acquisition component. Moreover, individual information, order information, account information, and the like, are read out of the IC memory over wireless communication by a reader and writer and are affixed to the image data, whereupon the resulting image data is stored in a database.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a CPU (34). The CPU (34) is a multitasking CPU for executing in parallel an imaging task, a file recording task, and a file transmitting task. When a shutter button (32) is operated, JPEG data corresponding to an object scene is written to an SDRAM (22) by the imaging task. An image file including the JPEG data stored in the SDRAM (22) is recorded in a CF memory of a memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file recording task. The image file recorded in the CF memory is applied to a wireless LAN card of the memory/LAN cartridge (30) by the file transmitting task.

Abstract: A flash memory module includes an integral indicator light. The module alternatively includes a plurality electrical contacts which electrically interface to a host digital device. The module includes a plurality of flash memory cells. The cells are controlled by an integral controller. The indicator light is controlled by the controller. The indicator light indicates whether the flash memory module is being accessed. Alternatively, the indicator light indicates that the flash memory module should be replaced. A housing for the module is preferably light transmissive material, and preferably a transparent plastic. A proximal end of the module includes the electrical contacts and is inserted into the host. The indicator light is preferably a surface mount LED and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the flash memory module to be seen through the transparent plastic. Alternatively, the controller generates an electronic signal which is coupled to the host.

Abstract: A video data transmitting device 30 manages storage areas 31a, 31b of a memory card 31 by equally segmenting these storage areas into partitions whose capacities are equal to each other. Image data forming video data is stored piece by piece in each partition in the sequence from a head partition toward a tail partition. Then, the image data is overwritten sequentially from the oldest, whereby the storage areas 31a, 31b are always temporarily stored with N-pieces of image data starting from a point of the time when recording the image data and ending to a point of time tracing back for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A passage of sound is attached to a printed image 11 by means of an electronic storage medium 12. The electronic storage medium 12 comprises a die 16 containing a non-volatile memory and a flexible substrate 14 with connectors 15. The connectors can be interfaces with a separate reader 4 which plays the passage of sound recorded in the electronic storage medium. Further information is also provided in the electronic storage medium 12 memory. This further information relates to the printed image. Such information may include a version of the image printed, either to the same or to a lower resolution. It may also include information relating to image capture conditions or location, or information allowing referencing or indexing of the image.

Abstract: A photographic system includes a photographic film having a film ID number thereon; a receipt provided with the photographic film, the receipt being imprinted with a uniform resource locator for acquiring an image on the film via the Internet, and an associated password; a scanner for scanning the film after processing to generate a digital image; means for associating the film ID number with the digital image; a digital image storage device for storing the digital image, a web server connected to the digital image storage device, having means for accessing the digital image using the uniform resource locator; a database accessible by the web server having stored therein the film ID number and the associated password; and wherein the means for accessing the digital image is password protected and accessible by use of the password.

Abstract: A self-annotating camera providing annotation relating to a photograph. The camera captures a desired field of view in a photograph, obtains information relating to the photograph via a plurality of information sources, produces annotation corresponding to the information obtained from the plurality of information sources, and utilizes the produced annotation to annotate at least one of a photograph and an electronic file associated with the photograph. At least one of the plurality of information sources is internal to the camera and at least one of the plurality of information sources is external to the camera.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for increasing storage capacity in a digital image capture device are described. Compression levels of saved image files are utilized to increase storage capacity by identifying a level of compression of a saved image file in the digital image capture device. The identified level of compression is compared with a predetermined level of compression, and the saved image file is compressed to the predetermined level of compression when the identified level of compression does not match the predetermined level of compression to free storage space in the digital image capture device.

Abstract: A self-annotating camera providing annotation relating to a photograph. The camera captures a desired field of view in a photograph, obtains information relating to the photograph via a plurality of information sources, produces annotation corresponding to the information obtained from the plurality of information sources, and utilizes the produced annotation to annotate at least one of a photograph and an electronic file associated with the photograph. At least one of the plurality of information sources is internal to the camera and at least one of the plurality of information sources is external to the camera.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing method which can adjust benefits between electronic device makers and expendables makers. In the method of the present invention, a cartridge which is detachably attached to an electronic device is used. The cartridge carries expendables of the electronic device and has a storage medium in which information that specifies a maker of the electronic device is written by the electronic device when the expendable is consumed by the electronic device. The method comprises the recovery step of recovering the cartridge with the storage medium in which the information is written from a user, the acquisition step of acquiring the information written in the storage medium of the recovered cartridge; and the totalization step of totalizing quantities of expendables consumed for respective makers on the basis of the acquired information.

Abstract: A printer 802 is adapted to produce a printed image with an associated sound passage stored on an electronic storage device. The printer 802 comprises an information input for receiving information to define a visual image and also information defining a passage of sound. The printer has a printer element 808 for printing the first information as a printed image 804, but also has a writing element 807 for writing the sound information into an electronic storage device 803 adapted for attachment to the printed image. An appropriate mechanism 805 for attaching the electronic storage device to the printer image is provided at the printer.

Abstract: The camera system comprises a camera and a data-recording device. The camera has a mount for attaching the photo-taking lens and this mount can also be used for attaching the data-recording device by way of the data-recording device's mounting member. The camera has a recording medium inside it for recording photo-taking information. When the data-recording device is attached, photo-taking information can be transmitted by communication members in both the camera and data-recording device to a recording medium contained in the data-recording device.

Abstract: An apparatus using a film cartridge having an IC memory unit. The IC memory unit is arranged beneath a side of a cartridge shell of the film cartridge, and a positioning hole is formed on the side of the cartridge shell. In order to read/write information from/to the IC memory unit, an arm of a contact unit is rotated towards the cartridge shell, so that a positioning pin provided at the arm end engages the positioning hole to position the cartridge shell, and contact pins provided at the arm end are brought into contact with terminals of the IC memory unit.

Abstract: A CPU mounted on a printer according to the present invention decides whether at least one sheet can be printed based on a battery capacity detected from a battery controller through a battery check section before a printing operation in a DPOF mode is started, for example, stores, in print history information memory, print history information indicative of a printed frame number and the number of prints in a print scheduling frame number and the number of prints which are set to print control information if it is decided that one sheet cannot be printed due to an insufficient capacity and once interrupts the printing operation. Then, the battery is exchanged with a new battery or is charged. Thereafter, the CPU is operated to read the print history information and restart the printing operation from the number of non-prints corresponding to the print scheduling frame number interrupted based on the history information thus read.

Abstract: A camera comprises a photographing data memory for storing data determined for each photographing at the time of photographing, a setting memory for determining whether to store the photographing data or not, a remaining memory capacity discriminator for outputting a first signal when a memory area to store the photographing data is present and outputting a second signal when the memory area to store the photographing data is exhausted. When the second signal is outputted, an alarm is displayed or a release operation is inhibited. In accordance with another aspect, the camera may comprise an inhibit circuit for comparing a memory capacity necessary to store the photographing data and a film end mark with a remaining memory capacity and inhibiting the storing of the photographing data when the remaining memory capacity is smaller than the required memory capacity.

Abstract: An image data recording method for recording, in an IC memory mounted in a film cartridge, image data of one or more desired frames on developed photographic film stored in the film cartridge is provided. The image data recording method comprises the steps of: determining the residual capacity of IC memory, changing the quantity of image data of one or more desired frames to be recorded in the IC memory or erasing the data recorded in the IC memory in accordance with the determined residual capacity of IC memory, and recording the image data of one or more desired frames in the residual capacity of the IC memory.

Abstract: A photographic information storage device equipped with a memory, which is able to store photographic information regarding pictures taken by a camera. A control device is provided which executes writing of the photographic information to the memory and interrupts the writing of the photographic information when the memory is full. When the control device has interrupted writing, a second control device enables writing by automatically cancelling the interruption command.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a photo film housing. A photo film roll chamber is formed in the photo film housing and pre-loaded with photo film in a roll form. A cassette holder chamber incorporates a photo film cassette, to wind the photo film therein after being exposed. A flash-emission main capacitor stores charge by a charging operation. A flash discharge tube emits flash light by a discharging operation of the charge. A flash circuit controls the main capacitor and the flash discharge tube for effecting the charging operation and the discharging operation. An EEPROM is incorporated in the photo film cassette. A write control IC is incorporated in the photo film housing, for writing information to EEPROM. A battery supplies the flash circuit and the write control IC with power. A charge control signal generator or BUSY terminal is disposed in the write control IC, and supplies the flash circuit with a low-level inhibit signal, to inhibit the flash circuit from effecting the charging operation.

Abstract: A camera includes a magnetic head member arranged to read magnetic information recorded in each of a plurality of frames on a film, a transport member for transporting the film, a speed detecting circuit for detecting transport speed information indicative of a speed of at least one frame which is being transported by the transport member, a level detecting circuit for detecting a signal output level of magnetic information read out from the at least one frame by the magnetic head member, and a storage element for storing the transport speed information detected by the speed detecting circuit and the signal output level detected by the level detecting circuit. The camera is thus arranged to permit inspection of the magnetic information reproducing capability of the camera by detecting the transport speed information and the signal output level.

Abstract: A photographic system includes a photographic film having a unique identification code thereon. An identification tag is included with the photographic film; the identification tag bears a uniform resource locator that includes the unique identification code, and an associated password. The film is scanned after processing to generate a digital image and the unique identification code is associated with the digital image and stored in a digital storage device. A web server connected to the digital image storage device includes a resource identified by the uniform resource locator for accessing the digital image. A database accessible by the web server contains the unique identification code and the associated password wherein the resource is password protected and accessible by use of the password.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing method which can adjust benefits between electronic device makers and expendables makers. In the method of the present invention, a cartridge which is detachably attached to an electronic device is used. The cartridge carries expendables of the electronic device and has a storage medium in which information that specifies a maker of the electronic device is written by the electronic device when the expendable is consumed by the electronic device. The method comprises the recovery step of recovering the cartridge with the storage medium in which the information is written from a user, the acquisition step of acquiring the information written in the storage medium of the recovered cartridge; and the totalization step of totalizing quantities of expendables consumed for respective makers on the basis of the acquired information.

Abstract: The camera system comprises a camera and a data recording device that may be detachably mounted to the camera wherein the camera has a first mounting member to which the photo-taking lens may be detachably mounted, a first communication member that communicates with the photo-taking lens mounted on the first mounting member, and a first recording member that records photo-taking information and the data recording device has a second mounting member that may be detachably mounted to the first mounting member, a second communication member that reads out the photo-taking information recorded in the first recording medium of the camera through communication with the first communication member and a second recording member that records the photo-taking information that has been read out by the second communication member in a second recording medium.

Abstract: A lens-fitted film unit with an exposure mechanism which is equipped with a built-in flash and a pre-loaded film cartridge is provided with an IC memory in which exposure data is written, a write control IC operative to control writing data on an exposure in the IC memory, and a switch arrangement comprising a synchronizing switch which is actuated by a shutter blade of the exposure mechanism to cause the built-in flash to make a flash and an auxiliary switch which is actuated by operation of the shutter mechanism. The write control IC is actuated to control writing data on an exposure in the IC memory when at least one of the synchronizing and auxiliary switches is actuated during making the exposure. The built-in flash has a charge switch opetative to be turned on for charging a capacitor of the built-in flash and to remain turned on until turned off.

Abstract: A pseudo zoom camera, which utilizes a film cartridge provided with an information storing device, comprises a taking lens optical system for projecting an object image onto a portion of photographic film, which portion has been pulled out of the film cartridge. The camera also comprises a finder optical system capable of displaying an image of a field angle, which is different from the field angle of the object image formed by the taking lens optical system, in a predetermined region representing an image-recording range. A writing device writes information representing an image range ratio of the image, which is displayed in the predetermined region by the finder optical system, to the object image, the information being written on the information storing device of the film cartridge.

Abstract: In a camera system for exposing an image of an object in each frame on a film, an inherent film number is optically exposed in a predetermined region on the film which is disposed before a first frame and not exposed. Furthermore, all frame data such as shutter speed, aperture number, and so on with respect to all frames on the same film are recorded together in a file in a memory card. A name corresponding to the inherent film number is used as a name of the file.

Abstract: An image data recording method for recording, in an IC memory mounted in a film cartridge, image data of one or more desired frames on developed photographic film stored in the film cartridge is provided. The image data recording method comprises the steps of: determining the residual capacity of IC memory, changing the quantity of image data of one or more desired frames to be recorded in the IC memory or erasing the data recorded in the IC memory in accordance with the determined residual capacity of IC memory, and recording the image data of one or more desired frames in the residual capacity of the IC memory.

Abstract: A digital image capturing device which communicates through an input/output interface with an external processing device which monitors and/or controls the camera. The image capturing device communicates with the external device in order to output status information to the external device, receive commands from the external device and to transfer images and sound between the image capturing device and the external device. Various parameters describing the state of the image capturing device are transmitted to the external device including characteristics of the captured images, whether the flash is ready, the state of the device battery, whether the memory is full, or the parameters used when capturing images. The commands which can be sent from the external device to the image capturing device include commands to change any of the parameters of the image capturing device and a command to capture an image or a series of images, and whether or not sound is recorded.

Abstract: A card slot door locking mechanism including a pair of doors, each of the pair of doors being rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and being biased to the closed position; a pair of open guide surfaces which are formed on each respective door of the pair of doors so that the pair of doors concurrently rotate to the open position when the pair of open guide surfaces are concurrently pushed by the removable card; and a pair of barrier surfaces which are formed on each respective door of the pair of doors so that at least one of the pair doors is prevented from rotating toward the open position when at least one of the pair of barrier surfaces is pushed by an object other than the removable card without pushing the pair of open guide surfaces concurrently.

Abstract: Openings (OPa, OPb) corresponding to respective card slots (18a, 18b) are formed in a side face of a digital camera, and a slot cover (121) having a size covering both of the openings (OPa, OPb) is placed in a manner so as to shift thereon, thereby allowing either of the openings of the card slots to be selectively exposed. A CPU, installed therein, is allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is not exposed, and is not allowed to access a card-type medium attached to the card slot that is exposed. A card-type medium can be detachably attached to the card slot that is exposed, and with respect to the card slot that is not exposed, the attaching and removing operations of a card-type medium are restricted.

Abstract: A camera for use with a film cartridge includes: an identification device for assigning individual identification information to a film cartridge loaded in the camera; a device for recording the individual identification information assigned by the identification device on one of the film cartridge and the film accommodated in the film cartridge; a device for storing the individual identification information and film use history information of the film accommodated in the film cartridge, such that the film use history information is identifiable based on the individual identification information; a device for detecting the individual identification information recorded on at least one of the film cartridge loaded in the camera and the film accommodated in the film cartridge; a device for reading out from the storage device film use history information corresponding to the individual identification information detected by the detecting device; and a device for controlling operation of the camera in accordance

Abstract: The cartridge accommodates a shooting film therein, and includes at least an electrically connectable contact on an outer surface layer thereof, and said recording medium has a recording area for storing digital data of an index image based on images recorded on said shooting film. Therefore, by recording the digital data of images recorded on the shooting film in the recording medium of the cartridge a customer can read the image data and process the image data.

Abstract: A write control IC is incorporated in the photo film housing, for writing information to EEPROM. A battery supplies the flash circuit and the write control IC with power. A charge control signal generator or BUSY terminal is disposed in the write control IC, and supplies the flash circuit with a low-level inhibit signal, to inhibit the flash circuit from effecting the charging operation. The write control IC controls the charge control signal generator, to write the information while the flash circuit is inhibited from effecting the charging operation. A power source voltage of the battery is prevented from dropping while the information is written.

Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a photo film housing. A photo film roll chamber is formed in the photo film housing and pre-loaded with photo film in a roll form. A cassette holder chamber incorporates a photo film cassette, to wind the photo film therein after being exposed. A flash-emission main capacitor stores charge by a charging operation. A flash discharge tube emits flash light by a discharging operation of the charge. A flash circuit controls the main capacitor and the flash discharge tube for effecting the charging operation and the discharging operation. An EEPROM is incorporated in the photo film cassette. A write control IC is incorporated in the photo film housing, for writing information to EEPROM. A battery supplies the flash circuit and the write control IC with power. A charge control signal generator or BUSY terminal is disposed in the write control IC, and supplies the flash circuit with a low-level inhibit signal, to inhibit the flash circuit from effecting the charging operation.

Abstract: An icon reader reads picture identification data from a data icon on an image print. This data is used to determine the location of a corresponding sound bite contained in a memory module and for playing the sound bite. The memory module contains sound bites recorded at the camera during picture taking. The icon reader includes a data reader module that optically scans the data icon from one location to read the picture identification data. The icon reader further includes a decoder for decoding the encoded picture identification data, and a data port for selective communication with the memory module. In one embodiment, the icon reader is structured to be a self-contained sound playback apparatus in which a sound IC card is docked to the data port and, in another embodiment, the icon reader is coupled with a wireless communication device for communicating the decoded picture identification data to a remote memory archive unit having built-in sound playback apparatus.

Abstract: A latched film unit has a support, a filmstrip held by the support, and a latch mounted to the support. The latch is reversibly switchable between a first state and a second state and can enable or disable an access right of a memory element in the film unit. A latching device operates the film unit.

Abstract: A digital camera stores image data, which represent object images captured via a taking lens and a charge coupled device, in a built-in memory, which is provided in a camera body and which is able to store image data of plural object images. When the built-in memory is filled with the image data, a memory card is inserted into a card slot so that the memory card connects to a card connector, and then the image data stored in the built-in memory are automatically transferred to the memory card. In this case, more than ⅓ of the memory card in the insertional direction is exposed, and hence the camera can be small-sized without being restricted by standards of the memory card.