US20030025807A1 - Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output - Google Patents
Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20030025807A1 US20030025807A1 US10/241,886 US24188602A US2003025807A1 US 20030025807 A1 US20030025807 A1 US 20030025807A1 US 24188602 A US24188602 A US 24188602A US 2003025807 A1 US2003025807 A1 US 2003025807A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- camera
- digital
- format
- storage medium
- image
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00236—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer
- H04N1/00241—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer using an image reading device as a local input to a computer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00236—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server using an image reading or reproducing device, e.g. a facsimile reader or printer, as a local input to or local output from a computer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
- H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
- H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
- H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
- H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
- H04N1/2137—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N19/00—Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N7/00—Television systems
- H04N7/01—Conversion of standards, e.g. involving analogue television standards or digital television standards processed at pixel level
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2101/00—Still video cameras
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0065—Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0065—Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
- H04N2201/0068—Converting from still picture data
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N2201/333—Mode signalling or mode changing; Handshaking therefor
- H04N2201/33307—Mode signalling or mode changing; Handshaking therefor of a particular mode
- H04N2201/33378—Type or format of data, e.g. colour or B/W, halftone or binary, computer image file or facsimile data
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S358/00—Facsimile and static presentation processing
- Y10S358/906—Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to an electronic still video camera and in particular to an improved electronic still camera which converts a still picture of an object or scene into an operator selectable compressed digital signal format for storage utilizing a compression/decompression algorithm, such as the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) algorithm standard for example, formatted into Personal Computer (PC) compatible format retaining the images' color information, and stored on a PC compatible memory diskette.
- a compression/decompression algorithm such as the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) algorithm standard for example, formatted into Personal Computer (PC) compatible format retaining the images' color information, and stored on a PC compatible memory diskette.
- the diskette can be a three and a half (31 ⁇ 2) inch digital diskette.
- the digital diskette is removeable from the electronic camera for direct insertion into a PC which contains the previously loaded corresponding decompression algorithm whereby the digital image is in a format compatible for immediate use with word processing, desk top publishing, data base, and multi-media applications.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing structure of a conventional prior art electronic still camera system, in which a CCD image sensor element 1 a converts a still image of an object into an analog color video signal when the shutter control circuitry 2 a is activated.
- the output color video signal of the image sensor element is then routed to the signal processing subsystem 3 a where the signal is converted to National Television System Committee (NTSC) or other composite video formats (such as the European video standard Phase Alternating Line-PAL) and logged in analog format onto a mass memory storage device such as an analog video floppy disk, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), analog audio cassette, bubble memory, or other storage device 5 a .
- Power is supplied by a rechargeable/removeable battery system 4 a.
- It is another object of this invention is to provide an improved electronic still camera that, under user selection, can record and store still images selectively compressed in a directly insertable digital memory storage device into a PC in either color or black and white formats thus facilitating storage of a large number of images with the signal flag indicating the degree of compression selected by the operator as well as the color/black and white mode selection being stored as digital values on the digital memory storage device with each image frame.
- An additional object of this invention to provide an electronic still camera device that can rapidly capture a series of images automatically as well as singularly. Also, this camera provides multiple outputs in both video format for monitor and display of images and digital formats to facilitate data transmission, additional processing, or storage to a variety of storage media.
- It is still another object of this invention is to provide a more efficient electronic still camera that can take a still picture with operator selectable high, medium, or low resolution in either color or black and white by electronic shutter and exposure control by utilizing a variety of electro-optical sensors including Charge Coupled Devices (CCD), Infrared (IR), and Ultra Violet (UV) which can be directly or remotely controlled by analog, digital, or radio frequency (RF) control signals.
- CCD Charge Coupled Devices
- IR Infrared
- UV Ultra Violet
- a further object of this invention is to provide a programmable video picture translator device for efficiently converting electronic still images in analog composite video format into digital data format readable by a PC.
- This translator device also provides additional video inputs and outputs for capturing video images, monitoring video images on monitors and displays, and can transmit either compressed or unprocessed digital image data through a variety of output I/O channels in various formats such as serial, parallel, etc.
- this invention can incorporate sound/voice with images thru additional interface circuitry and audio digitizers.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional prior art electronic still camera.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the of the overall structure of an electronic still camera embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is an illustration showing one embodiment of an audio data file, data format flag, compression level, and color/black and white mode selection values stored on a digital memory diskette storage device.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the power-up and continuous self-test sequence in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is an example of a 1 ⁇ 2′′ CCD array utilizable in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 5A is a schematic block diagram showing the image signal to digital signal conversion logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 5B is a logic and timing diagram for the image signal to digital signal conversion logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is an example of the control panel logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 6A is an example of one embodiment of switch logic of the control panel switches and controls utilizable in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 6B is an example of the PICT image file format based upon the published standard provided by Apple Computer, Inc.
- FIG. 6C is an alternate embodiment of the current invention embodying remote operation.
- FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of the digital control unit in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the steps of the image compression algorithm in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a video format translator device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a translator device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of the video format translator in accordance with another aspect of the present invention showing additional video inputs and data outputs.
- FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment of the invention showing an optional diskette format utility flowchart.
- FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of a frame buffer utilizable in accordance with another aspect of the present invention showing a frame buffer stack permitting multiple shot mode.
- FIG. 14A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the format select logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 14B is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the format selection logic operations
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment of an electronic still camera in accordance with the principals of the invention.
- an image optical pick-up element 1 which for example could be a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) (or an Infrared (IR) or Ultraviolet (UV) sensor), converts a still image of an object into an electric signal when a picture “shoot” command is initiated by the operator via control panel 2 .
- CCD Charge Coupled Device
- IR Infrared
- UV Ultraviolet
- the camera like other still video cameras, employs an electronic shutter system that controls a charge storage time in a CCD array onto which an image of an object is focused through the lens system.
- FIG. 6C An alternate embodiment of the present invention that provides remote operation of the camera is shown in FIG. 6C.
- remote “Shoot” control 30 When remote “Shoot” control 30 is activated by any means for example manually, or by radiant, or electronic energy, a control signal is generated and routed through the external jack 31 , located on the external camera body.
- the external control 30 is electrically connected to the external jack 31 by a twisted-pair conductive cable assembly that is familiar to those skilled in the art.
- the relay switch 32 Upon receipt of the externally generated “shoot” command, the relay switch 32 is activated and provides internal switch closure. This closure of switch 32 then initiates the process previously described and provides the half V+ voltage previously described. The full V+ is provided via the fixed delay 33 , the value chosen to allow the diskette drive assembly 5 (FIG. 2) and associated control circuitry to initialize prior to receiving image data.
- the shutter controller 15 (FIG. 6) generates a shutter pulse that generates control signals for the A/D converters 8 allowing the image/picture data signal in the sample and hold circuitry of the pixel multiplexer 7 to be converted into a digital signal.
- Control and address instructions of the type well known in the art are generated from the digital control unit 9 to facilitate the storage of the digital image data within the pixel buffer 10 and frame buffer 11 .
- the compression processor 12 Upon completion of image conversion, the contents of the frame buffer are transferred to the compression processor 12 which for example may be of the many versions currently offered commercially such as C-Cube's (San Jose, Calif.) four chip Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) set.
- JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group
- ISO International Standards Organization
- CITT International Committee
- a variable selectable compression ratio of up to 50:1 is performed on the digital image frame.
- Other compression ratios are operator selectable via the control panel 2 switches 14 A and 14 B (FIG. 6).
- the compressed digital frame is then formatted into either an IBM PC/Clone (such as GIFF) or Apple Macintosh (such as PICT II) image file format depending on the setting selected by the operator for a user switch 17 (FIG.
- the file is written into a temporary memory buffer within the disk input/output (I/O) interface circuit 13 which, under the command of the digital control unit 9 , controls the high density (1.4 Mbyte storage capacity) disk drive unit 5 .
- the frame counter display 22 on the control panel 2 is updated by appropriate control signals and the camera is ready to undergo the same procedure for the next image. Power to the electronic circuits and disk drive system is terminated following release of the “shoot” control switch 6 .
- switches 14 A and 14 B for example could represent a unique digital mark or word that denotes the respective switch position and is sensed during initial power application and periodically during operation.
- FIG. 6A illustrates typical logic AND gate circuits 60 a and 60 b utilizable in conjunction with switches 14 A and 14 B or switch 17 to generate appropriate signals to designate respective switch positions and generate appropriate control signals from.
- the switch positioned in the High position for high resolution allows only four to five images to be stored, while Med.
- switch position for medium resolution allows approximately twenty five images to be stored, and Low for low resolution allows up to fifty images to be stored on a single diskette.
- the operator may select additional storage capacity since storage is increased by a factor greater than three (one element per pixel versus three for color).
- Various image resolution combinations are permissible because the operator can select a different resolution and mode setting for each image prior to image signal capture. This is accomplished by marking or “tagging” each image frame data information signal with the resolution and mode of each image as it is written onto the memory diskette in any suitable manner, for example as shown in FIG. 2A.
- diskette 50 has tracks 51 a , 52 b , . . . 52 n .
- segment 53 depicting a typical image file information format having digital bit 54 depicting color mode, and digital bits 55 representing compression resolution level markings or tags.
- color mode tag 54 it can be seen that if switch 14 B is in the color position tag 54 is recorded as a logical “one” or true-conversely if bit 54 is recorded as a logical “zero” it corresponds to the black and white position of switch 14 B.
- switch 14 A would record in memory position 55 a binary “zero” for low resolution, a binary “one” for medium resolution and a binary “two” for high resolution selections by the operator.
- Still another alternate embodiment in accordance with this invention incorporates an acoustic digitizer circuit which digitizes sound.
- acoustic digitizer circuit which digitizes sound.
- digitizers There are several digitizers commercially available such as the Apple Computer Inc. Musical Instrument Data Interface (MIDI) adaptor.
- the output of this digitizer may be selectively connected to the CPU 20 (FIG. 7) via an additional I/O interface similar to the auxiliary I/O interface 80 .
- the sound or audio associated with each image can be recorded, digitized, and stored on the diskette device on available tracks in an identical manner previously described (FIG. 2A).
- An image file in accordance with this embodiment would be appropriately marked or tagged with the corresponding digitized audio file 56 (FIG. 2A). Upon playback on a sound configured PC, both the image and the corresponding audio would then be viewed and heard simultaneously.
- a major advantage a camera in accordance with the present invention has over conventional still video cameras is that a camera according to this invention is capable of storing multiple digital images in semiconductor memory temporarily at a rapid rate while, simultaneously, the image compression processor 12 , file formatter software algorithm, and disk I/O interface 13 that stores formatted files continue to function in concert together at a slower rate.
- This efficient design coupled with VLSI low power, high speed semiconductor memory devices ( 10 & 11 FIG. 5A and 24 FIG. 7) allows this operational capability.
- a diskette such as a standard three and a half inch or similar storage medium.
- Various memory diskette sizes and formats are suitable for the invention. However, for the preferred embodiment either a double-density (800 Kbytes of storage) or a high-density (1.4 Mbytes of storage) diskette in a three and a half inch format which are readily available from various commercial sources such as Sony, Maxell, and Verbatim.
- the user must then select the desired PC format (IBM PC/Clone or Apple Macintosh, etc.) via switch 17 (FIG. 6) on the control panel 2 . As shown in FIG.
- the digital control unit 9 performs a self test of all internal circuitry, battery, disk drive unit, and control panel. Should any failures be detected, an appropriate error indicator is illuminated on the control panel.
- the inserted diskette 50 is automatically checked for formatting consistencies in accordance with the format selected by the format switch 17 on the control panel 2 (IBM/Apple/etc.) and for available storage space by checking the boot block on the diskette, a technique that will be familiar to those skilled in the art. Should any inconsistencies be detected, an error indicator is illuminated on the control panel (ie, disk full, unformatted, etc.).
- the operator frame counter display 22 (FIG. 6) is then updated to show the maximum number of pictures available based upon indicated operator selections (color/black and white), diskette type (double versus high density), and capacity (partially full versus empty diskette).
- the operator can selectively erase a frame and record over it if desired by selecting the erase mode of operation from the control panel and toggling the forward/reverse control.
- the optics for the preferred embodiment of the invention is a commercially available one-half inch (1 ⁇ 2′′) color CCD device having a pixel grid array of 780 ⁇ 488 as pictorially depicted in FIG. 4. This results in 380,640 pixel elements which results in a commercially acceptable quality resolution image as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
- a color imaging device CCD array
- photoelectric elements such as photodiodes, are arranged in a two dimensional array with optical filters for R (red), G (green), and B (blue).
- optical filters for R (red), G (green), and B (blue).
- Various arrangements of optical filters are well known and the arrangement of optical filters is not limited to a particular one with this invention.
- each pixel stores a charge corresponding to the amount of incident light.
- the RGB components of each pixel's charge is sequentially read out via a horizontal/vertical addressing scheme that will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
- each charge, when addressed, is amplified and processed in a sample and hold (S/H) circuit 18 .
- the analog voltage in each S/H circuit is digitized by an associated analog to digital (A/D) converter 8 .
- the digital values are routed and collected in the pixel buffer 10 .
- the output of the full pixel buffer is routed to the frame buffer 11 by digital control unit 9 . This process continues until a complete frame is collected within the frame buffer.
- the general digital logic and timing and control signals for this circuitry is shown in FIG. 5B.
- the timing is provided by a master clock that is an integral part of the CPU microprocessor.
- the MOTOROLA 68040 microprocessor has a clock speed of approximately 40 Megahertz (MHZ) which results in a clock period of 25 nanoseconds (nsec.).
- This clock pulse is used by the function and address decoder 19 (FIG. 6) to generate the address and control signals shown in FIG. 5B as would be understood by those skilled in the art.
- the circuit of the present invention may be designed by one skilled in the art to function with a variety of microprocessor architectures and is not limited to any one in particular.
- the S/H circuit is allowed (via the SE command) to charge to a voltage level indicative of the analog voltage impinging upon the pixel element (via the PS command).
- the A/D converters are enabled(via the CE command) to begin conversion of the analog voltage value on the S/H.
- a conversion completion signal (CC) is generated by the A/D and routed back to the S/H circuit (via the SC command which is generated by the function and address controller 19 ) to discharge the stored analog voltage in anticipation of the next pixel element conversion process.
- the output of the A/D converter 8 is clocked into the pixel buffer 10 (via the PB command).
- Reset signals are sent to all circuit elements to allow these devices to reset prior to receiving the next analog value.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B Another novel concept of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B utilizes a technique of paralleling the S/H and A/D devices for each pixel element thus accelerating the image signal analog-to-digital conversion process. This is accomplished by eliminating the serial S/H and A/D path typical of prior art still video camera designs.
- high-speed, low-power devices available from Sony, Burr-Brown, Datel, Analog Devices, and others facilitate the increased conversion throughput of the S/H and A/D circuits with pixel conversion times of less than 150 nanoseconds (nsec.).
- Sony's video A/D converter Device part number CXA1016P/K performs up to 50 million samples per second or 20 nsec. per conversion.
- This device may be used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- prior art still video camera designs multiplex each signal component into a common/singular A/D path to reduce the number of components and power consumption.
- components such as CMOS and ECL devices coupled with miniaturized packaging techniques such as surface mount devices (SMD) and ASIC technology make it feasible to incorporate these devices in a parallel design in order to realize a substantial increase in conversion speed with no appreciable increase in power consumption. Therefore, this design approach provides significant conversion throughput increases over previous designs.
- SMD surface mount devices
- the extremely high conversion speed in accordance with another concept of the present invention makes multiple high-speed camera operation possible in an alternate embodiment.
- total conversion time required for the aforementioned CCD array utilizing the circuit of the present invention (FIG. 5A) requires approximately 380,640 ⁇ 150 nsec. or 38 milliseconds (msec.). Additional time (approximately 5 msec.) is required for timing and control signal latency.
- total conversion time for a complete image frame prior to compression processing and logging to the memory storage diskette 50 is less than fifty msec. This allows for approximately 20 images to be captured in a one second period.
- image frames could be “pushed” onto a semiconductor memory stack for temporary storage allowing the compression processor and data interface circuitry to perform their respective functions at a slower rate.
- each unprocessed image frame would be recorded or “pulled” from the stack on a “First-In, First-Out” (FIFO) manner until all images in the stack queue were processed and written to the storage diskette via the disk I/O circuitry 13 .
- FIFO First-In, First-Out
- control panel settings are monitored by the CPU 20 , a microprocessor, thus allowing the appropriate timing, control, and signal processing to be effected properly.
- the microprocessor 20 may be of the type 68040 manufactured by MOTOROLA, Intel's 80386 series, or equivalent microprocessors which specifications are commercially available and are incorporated herein by reference.
- the microprocessor utilization of this invention which is in the digital control unit 9 , transmits commands and status to specific controls, functions, and displays in the control panel as well as receiving both circuit status/control data and operator commands through polling the operator switch settings 14 A, 14 B, and 17 via the bidirectional function and address decoder 19 .
- This approach allows the user to know immediately how much storage capacity remains in the image storage diskette 50 as well as the camera's overall operational and functional status through the use of status displays 21 , 22 , and 23 and ongoing software self-tests running in the background as depicted in FIG. 3.
- An example of this would be a low battery situation.
- the digital control unit 9 would detect a failure in the self-test mode.
- the self-test light emitting diode 21 (FIG. 6) would be illuminated and an appropriate error display would be illuminated in the status display 22 thus providing the user with an exact indication of the error.
- Another example illustrating the operation of this embedded microprocessor type of control approach is the format switch 17 (FIG. 6). The position of the format switch 17 is sensed upon power application.
- the boot block on the diskette is compared with the format switch 17 setting (IBM/clone or Apple) and if the format does not match or if the disk 50 is unformatted, the disk format status light emitting diode 23 would be illuminated and an appropriate error display would be illuminated in the status display 22 thus prompting the user to take appropriate corrective measures.
- the format switch 17 setting IBM/clone or Apple
- An alternate embodiment of the present invention involves adding an auxiliary I/O interface circuit or port to the digital control unit 9 .
- the auxiliary I/O port 80 connects in a manner similar to the Disk I/O interface 13 .
- This additional I/O channel provides for external control and monitor of all timing and control signals internal to the camera.
- it allows for the image data to be routed past or around the compression processor out to any additional internal or external device such as an optical disk storage device, digital analyzer, or other data processors that might be desired.
- FIG. 7 shows the digital control unit 9 .
- the microprocessor 20 architecture here is typical to one familiar with the art.
- the frame buffer 11 (FIG. 5A) receives and stores the outputs of the pixel buffer 10 until a complete frame of image data is received. Then, the CPU 20 , under software control, issues a control signal to the optics logic in the shutter and control circuitry 15 (FIG. 6) thus resetting those functions for future image recording.
- the full frame buffer 11 upon command from the CPU 20 , transfers it's data into the compression processor 12 (FIG. 2) which performs thousands of levels of parallel pipeline processing on the image data.
- the compressed image frame is then written out to the mass memory RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 where it is temporarily stored until transferred to the disk drive assembly 5 via the disk I/O interface circuitry 13 .
- RAM Random Access Memory
- FIG. 8 a flowchart shows the steps involved in the image compression process performed by the image compression processor 12 (FIG. 2) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the output of the frame buffer 11 is transferred into the input of the image compression processor 12 under the control of the digital control unit 9 .
- the setting of switch 14 A (FIG. 6) is read by the CPU 20 (FIG. 7) to determine the image resolution quality desired.
- the unique digital word generated by the AND gate 60 a - b (FIG. 6A) which is activated by the selected position of switch 14 A is routed to image compression processor 12 via CPU 20 (FIG.
- the compression processor uses this command value for example to establish the size of the covariance matrix and a threshold for acceptance for the variances produced by the Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) transform coefficients.
- DCT Discrete Cosine Transformation
- the digital image signals are converted from the RGB format previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 into luminance and chrominance signals.
- the luminance and chrominance signals subsequently undergo a DCT.
- the cosine transformed signals are then quantized and are then processed for Huffman coding.
- the Huffman coded image signals are then formatted into a form that facilitates format processing into various PC compatible formats (GIFF, PICT2, etc.).
- Transform coding techniques that provide good visual fidelity include: Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT), Fourier, cosine, sine, and Hadamard.
- KLT Karhunen-Loeve transform
- the KLT algorithm offers the best visual fidelity but suffers from serious computational complications due to extremely large matrix size.
- Several alternate algorithms that offer reasonable visual fidelity that are computationally feasible for this invention include the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), and Discrete Sine Transform (DST).
- FFT Fast Fourier Transform
- DCT Discrete Cosine Transform
- DST Discrete Sine Transform
- JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group
- MPEG a new international standard due to be announced in the 1991 time frame from the JPEG and should offer compression ratios of 275:1 and greater.
- the JPEG standard is the preferred algorithm chosen with the incorporation of the the MPEG standard or other similar standard in the future when available commercially.
- An alternate embodiment of the present invention would be the incorporation of various proprietary compression algorithm standards such as DVI.
- the compression/decompression algorithm firmware implementation of the JPEG algorithm is available commercially from various sources including C-Cube, Electronics for imaging, Storm Technology, Burr-Brown, Spectral Innovations Inc., INTEL, and others.
- the implementation of this algorithm for the present invention may incorporate the integrated circuit set commercially available from C-Cube.
- Their four chip ASIC JPEG algorithm implementation is performed in three basic steps: first, the image is divided into 8-by-8 pixel squares and applies a discrete cosine transform (DCT) to each square resulting in 64 frequency values; second, these frequencies are put through a quantization algorithm to eliminate unimportant frequencies; third, the remaining values are run through a Huffman coding scheme to encode the most frequently occurring values using the fewest bits.
- DCT discrete cosine transform
- a compatible software implementation of the JPEG algorithm is available commercially from Aladdin Systems, Radius Inc., Kodak, and others.
- the present invention incorporates both available firmware chipsets in the camera and software for use in the PC for decompression.
- the decompression algorithm can be written onto the camera's diskette 50 prior to any image data recording. This allows the PC user to take the diskette 50 to a PC and directly incorporate the image data because the image file selected by the user is automatically decompressed transparent to the user.
- the algorithm can be written onto an unused track 52 or sector combination on the diskette as shown on FIG. 2A.
- the decompression algorithm can be loaded onto a PC before inserting a diskette 50 containing compressed image data. In the latter embodiment the resolution and mode values 54 and 55 (FIG. 2A.) for each representative image would be read from diskette 50 in order to appropriately control the selection and activation of the appropriate corresponding decompression algorithm.
- the output of the image compression processor 12 is routed to the RAM memory 24 where the compressed image is formatted for either the PICT II or GIFF format depending on the setting of format switch 17 (FIG. 6).
- PICT and GIFF are the most common for the Apple and IBM PC's and are therefore the preferred formats for the present invention although other formats can be easily incorporated into the design by changing the software format routines.
- These software image formats are commercially available from many sources most notably Apple computers for PICT and IBM for GIFF.
- An example of the PICT format is pictorially shown in FIG. 6B as will be familiar to those skilled in the computer arts.
- FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the video format translator device in accordance with another aspect of this invention that converts other still video camera formats for example on two inch video diskette to this invention's selectable PC compatible digital format.
- the general concept of operation is shown in FIG. 10.
- FIG. 9 correspond parts and subassemblies in translator 40 are shown with like numbers corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 6 having a 40 hyphenation prefix designation and such parts and subassemblies perform similar functions to those described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6.
- the translator 40 incorporates the same components utilized in the digital circuit card assembly which houses both the digital control unit 9 and optics processing circuits (pixel multiplexer 7 , A/D 8 , etc.
- CCD array 1 is replaced with an input disk drive 25 , for example a two inch (2′′) video disk drive assembly, and an NTSC video format decoder 26 which converts the composite video signal to an RGB format for processing as described previously.
- an input disk drive 25 for example a two inch (2′′) video disk drive assembly
- an NTSC video format decoder 26 which converts the composite video signal to an RGB format for processing as described previously.
- FIG. 11 displays an alternate embodiment of the video format translator device 40 of the present invention that shows optional inputs 27 and outputs 28 and 29 .
- the exact same circuitry is utilized that was used for the translator device 40 as shown in FIG. 9 except that inputs 27 for either an NTSC/PAL format or RGB format video signal is provided.
- inputs 27 for either an NTSC/PAL format or RGB format video signal is provided.
- This allows video signals from other sources such as a cable TV, CAMCORDER, or other video signal source to be digitized and archived in a PC compatible format.
- provisions for video output jacks 28 are made to allow either viewing of the image/video source prior to or during image recording.
- FIG. 12 depicts an alternate feature of an embodiment of the present invention that shows how an inserted diskette 50 that is either unformatted or formatted for a undesired (e.g., not corresponding to the setting of switch 17 —FIG. 6) PC configuration would be automatically properly formatted for use with a camera in accordance with another aspect of this invention.
- This capability allows the user of this invention to forego the requirement to pre-format the storage medium (diskette) on a PC prior to using it in the camera operated in accordance with the present invention.
- the power-on sequence process would result in an abnormal diskette format error if the format of an inserted diskette 50 did not correspond to the operator selected format switch 17 (FIG. 6).
- CPU 20 of digital control unit 9 in response to the abnormal diskette format error would initiate the diskette format process illustrated in FIG. 12.
- the power-on sequence illustrated in FIG. 3 would continue from step B.
- FIG. 14A there is shown a schematic block diagram of the format selection logic in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.
- processor 20 of control unit 9 initiates a format selection switch sample and test routine as more fully described in the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 14B.
- Switch 17 is illustrated in FIG. 14A in the Apple PC position and logic level v1 is applied as inputs to logic gates 60 c and 60 d .
- the format signals 57 for the Apple PC format is a logic “zero” and conversely the format signal or tag 57 if the format switch 17 were in the IBM PC or other computer type position would be a logic “one” and “two” respectively.
- processor 20 accesses a unique memory location XY of format memory 20 - 2 which for example may comprise any random access memory with two megabytes storage capacity.
- the data format for the operator selectable predetermined number of computer architectures, similar in content and arrangement to those illustrated in FIG. 6B for an Apple PC would be stored in memory 20 - 2 which would be addressed in response to the other operator selectable position of switch 17 to generate the other unique codes 57 as shown in FIG. 2A.
- Processor 20 in response to a stored format subroutine more particularly shown in FIG. 14B contains the allocation of data memory addresses in disk input/output interface unit 13 in accordance with the picture image file format as illustrated in FIG. 6B.
- the digital video data information signals generated by compression processor 12 are appropriately formatted and stored in memory storage disk drive 5 to insure compatibility with the format selected by the operator by selectively positioning switch 17 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computing Systems (AREA)
- Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
Abstract
An electronic still camera comprising a lens, shutter, and exposure control system, a focus and range control circuit, a solid state imaging device incorporating a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) through which an image is focused, a digital control unit through which timing and control of an image for electronic processing is accomplished, an Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter circuit to convert the analog picture signals into their digital equivalents, a pixel buffer for collecting a complete row of an image's digital equivalent, a frame buffer for collecting all rows of an image's digital equivalent, and a selectively adjustable digital image compression and decompression algorithm that compresses the size of a digital image and selectively formats the compressed digital image to a compatible format for either the IBM Personal Computer and related architectures or the Apple Macintosh PC architecture as selected by the operator so that the digital image can be directly read into most word processing, desktop publishing, and data base software packages including means for executing the appropriate selected decompression algorithm; and a memory input/output interface that provides both temporary storage of the digital image and controls the transmission and interface with a standard Personal Computer (PC) memory storage device such as a digital diskette. The digital diskette is removably inserted into the housing of the camera prior to use in recording digital image data.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention generally relates to an electronic still video camera and in particular to an improved electronic still camera which converts a still picture of an object or scene into an operator selectable compressed digital signal format for storage utilizing a compression/decompression algorithm, such as the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) algorithm standard for example, formatted into Personal Computer (PC) compatible format retaining the images' color information, and stored on a PC compatible memory diskette. For example, the diskette can be a three and a half (3½) inch digital diskette. The digital diskette is removeable from the electronic camera for direct insertion into a PC which contains the previously loaded corresponding decompression algorithm whereby the digital image is in a format compatible for immediate use with word processing, desk top publishing, data base, and multi-media applications.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing structure of a conventional prior art electronic still camera system, in which a CCD
image sensor element 1 a converts a still image of an object into an analog color video signal when theshutter control circuitry 2 a is activated. The output color video signal of the image sensor element is then routed to thesignal processing subsystem 3 a where the signal is converted to National Television System Committee (NTSC) or other composite video formats (such as the European video standard Phase Alternating Line-PAL) and logged in analog format onto a mass memory storage device such as an analog video floppy disk, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), analog audio cassette, bubble memory, orother storage device 5 a. Power is supplied by a rechargeable/removeable battery system 4 a. - An electronic camera that converts an image into electronic image signals and transferred to a memory storage device is disclosed in the following: U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,919; U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,931; U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,883; U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,554; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,628.
- Conventional prior art electronic still cameras, for example of the types disclosed in the aforementioned references, produce an electronic signal corresponding to a desired image in analog format such as the National Television System Committee (NTSC) or similar on magnetic or electronic storage media for either permanent or temporary storage to facilitate viewing on a television or video monitor. With the current state of the art, it is expensive and time consuming to convert the analog image equivalent to a digital format for direct utilization with PC software applications. Currently, to convert an image captured on an electronic still camera to a PC compatible format one must convert the signal back to either a composite NTSC or RGB video signal and use a conversion device such as a “frame grabber” (a digital circuit board installed into PCs that convert video images into PC compatible formats) of the type sold commercially by Aapps Corporation, Orange Micro, RasterOps, and others or convert the image to a hard-copy print (a photograph) and utilize an electronic “scanner”, a piece of equipment that connects to a PC, which converts an image into a digital format. The later technique is employed extensively within the desktop publishing industry.
- It is the object of this invention to provide an improved electronic still camera with operator selectable picture compression in one of a plurality of operator selectable digital data formats recordable on a standard removeable magnetic diskette common to personal computers.
- It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved electronic still camera that provides digital image files for immediate and direct incorporation into popular word processing, desktop publishing, and other software programs on PCs.
- It is another object of this invention is to provide an improved electronic still camera that, under user selection, can record and store still images selectively compressed in a directly insertable digital memory storage device into a PC in either color or black and white formats thus facilitating storage of a large number of images with the signal flag indicating the degree of compression selected by the operator as well as the color/black and white mode selection being stored as digital values on the digital memory storage device with each image frame.
- An additional object of this invention to provide an electronic still camera device that can rapidly capture a series of images automatically as well as singularly. Also, this camera provides multiple outputs in both video format for monitor and display of images and digital formats to facilitate data transmission, additional processing, or storage to a variety of storage media.
- It is still another object of this invention is to provide a more efficient electronic still camera that can take a still picture with operator selectable high, medium, or low resolution in either color or black and white by electronic shutter and exposure control by utilizing a variety of electro-optical sensors including Charge Coupled Devices (CCD), Infrared (IR), and Ultra Violet (UV) which can be directly or remotely controlled by analog, digital, or radio frequency (RF) control signals.
- A further object of this invention is to provide a programmable video picture translator device for efficiently converting electronic still images in analog composite video format into digital data format readable by a PC. This translator device also provides additional video inputs and outputs for capturing video images, monitoring video images on monitors and displays, and can transmit either compressed or unprocessed digital image data through a variety of output I/O channels in various formats such as serial, parallel, etc. Also, this invention can incorporate sound/voice with images thru additional interface circuitry and audio digitizers.
- Finally, it is the object of this invention to provide an electronic still camera that is efficient in design and permits extended periods of portable operation and which provides the user with operational status through the use of continuous internal self-test software routines and operator displays.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional prior art electronic still camera.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the of the overall structure of an electronic still camera embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2A is an illustration showing one embodiment of an audio data file, data format flag, compression level, and color/black and white mode selection values stored on a digital memory diskette storage device.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the power-up and continuous self-test sequence in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is an example of a ½″ CCD array utilizable in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 5A is a schematic block diagram showing the image signal to digital signal conversion logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 5B is a logic and timing diagram for the image signal to digital signal conversion logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
- FIG. 6 is an example of the control panel logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 6A is an example of one embodiment of switch logic of the control panel switches and controls utilizable in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 6B is an example of the PICT image file format based upon the published standard provided by Apple Computer, Inc.
- FIG. 6C is an alternate embodiment of the current invention embodying remote operation.
- FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of the digital control unit in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the steps of the image compression algorithm in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a video format translator device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of a translator device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of the video format translator in accordance with another aspect of the present invention showing additional video inputs and data outputs.
- FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment of the invention showing an optional diskette format utility flowchart.
- FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment of a frame buffer utilizable in accordance with another aspect of the present invention showing a frame buffer stack permitting multiple shot mode.
- FIG. 14A is a block diagram of an embodiment of the format select logic in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
- FIG. 14B is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the format selection logic operations
- FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment of an electronic still camera in accordance with the principals of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, an image optical pick-up
element 1, which for example could be a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) (or an Infrared (IR) or Ultraviolet (UV) sensor), converts a still image of an object into an electric signal when a picture “shoot” command is initiated by the operator viacontrol panel 2. When taking a picture, focusing and shutter speed are controlled by a lens system and shutter speed selection mechanism under control of thedigital control unit 9. The camera, like other still video cameras, employs an electronic shutter system that controls a charge storage time in a CCD array onto which an image of an object is focused through the lens system. - When the “shoot”
control 6 is half depressed (see FIG. 6), a power supply voltage is supplied from therechargeable batteries 4 to the electronic circuits anddigital control unit 9,control panel 2, and thedisk drive assembly 5. The exposure control circuitry not shown generates appropriate horizontal and vertical transfer pulses as well as field shift pulses under control of the reference clock timing and control signals provided by thedigital control unit 9 type for driving the CCD device and pre-processing circuitry. This design may be of any type well known in the art for example those cited in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,131,919 and 4,456,931 and any similar designs well known in the prior art. - An alternate embodiment of the present invention that provides remote operation of the camera is shown in FIG. 6C. When remote “Shoot” control30 is activated by any means for example manually, or by radiant, or electronic energy, a control signal is generated and routed through the
external jack 31, located on the external camera body. The external control 30 is electrically connected to theexternal jack 31 by a twisted-pair conductive cable assembly that is familiar to those skilled in the art. Upon receipt of the externally generated “shoot” command, therelay switch 32 is activated and provides internal switch closure. This closure ofswitch 32 then initiates the process previously described and provides the half V+ voltage previously described. The full V+ is provided via the fixeddelay 33, the value chosen to allow the diskette drive assembly 5 (FIG. 2) and associated control circuitry to initialize prior to receiving image data. - When the “shoot” control is fully depressed in either embodiment, the shutter controller15 (FIG. 6) generates a shutter pulse that generates control signals for the A/
D converters 8 allowing the image/picture data signal in the sample and hold circuitry of thepixel multiplexer 7 to be converted into a digital signal. Control and address instructions of the type well known in the art are generated from thedigital control unit 9 to facilitate the storage of the digital image data within thepixel buffer 10 andframe buffer 11. Upon completion of image conversion, the contents of the frame buffer are transferred to thecompression processor 12 which for example may be of the many versions currently offered commercially such as C-Cube's (San Jose, Calif.) four chip Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) set. In thecompression processor 12, the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), a part of the International Standards Organization (ISO) which is a subset of the International Telegraph and Telephone Committee (CCITT), image compression algorithm fully described in Report # JTC1/SC2/WG8 dated 1985 is performed under control of thedigital control unit 9 to compress the size of the image. A variable selectable compression ratio of up to 50:1 is performed on the digital image frame. Other compression ratios are operator selectable via thecontrol panel 2switches control panel 2. After formatting, the file is written into a temporary memory buffer within the disk input/output (I/O)interface circuit 13 which, under the command of thedigital control unit 9, controls the high density (1.4 Mbyte storage capacity)disk drive unit 5. Following file transfer to the diskette e.g., theframe counter display 22 on thecontrol panel 2 is updated by appropriate control signals and the camera is ready to undergo the same procedure for the next image. Power to the electronic circuits and disk drive system is terminated following release of the “shoot”control switch 6. - In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention, it is permissible for the user to select various resolution quality image recording levels with the higher levels being at the expense of memory diskette storage capacity. The position of
switches gate circuits switches switch 14B, the operator may select additional storage capacity since storage is increased by a factor greater than three (one element per pixel versus three for color). Various image resolution combinations are permissible because the operator can select a different resolution and mode setting for each image prior to image signal capture. This is accomplished by marking or “tagging” each image frame data information signal with the resolution and mode of each image as it is written onto the memory diskette in any suitable manner, for example as shown in FIG. 2A. With reference to FIG. 2A,diskette 50 hastracks segment 53 depicting a typical image file information format havingdigital bit 54 depicting color mode, anddigital bits 55 representing compression resolution level markings or tags. With reference tocolor mode tag 54 it can be seen that ifswitch 14B is in thecolor position tag 54 is recorded as a logical “one” or true-conversely ifbit 54 is recorded as a logical “zero” it corresponds to the black and white position ofswitch 14B. Similarly as shownswitch 14A would record in memory position 55 a binary “zero” for low resolution, a binary “one” for medium resolution and a binary “two” for high resolution selections by the operator. By incorporating this “tagging” approach, it is possible for the decompression algorithm, loaded into any PC prior to use or written onto the memory storage diskette along with the image data, to automatically determine the appropriate level of compression associated with image file and execute decompression efficiently. - Still another alternate embodiment in accordance with this invention incorporates an acoustic digitizer circuit which digitizes sound. There are several digitizers commercially available such as the Apple Computer Inc. Musical Instrument Data Interface (MIDI) adaptor. The output of this digitizer may be selectively connected to the CPU20 (FIG. 7) via an additional I/O interface similar to the auxiliary I/
O interface 80. The sound or audio associated with each image can be recorded, digitized, and stored on the diskette device on available tracks in an identical manner previously described (FIG. 2A). An image file in accordance with this embodiment would be appropriately marked or tagged with the corresponding digitized audio file 56 (FIG. 2A). Upon playback on a sound configured PC, both the image and the corresponding audio would then be viewed and heard simultaneously. - It should be noted that a major advantage a camera in accordance with the present invention has over conventional still video cameras is that a camera according to this invention is capable of storing multiple digital images in semiconductor memory temporarily at a rapid rate while, simultaneously, the
image compression processor 12, file formatter software algorithm, and disk I/O interface 13 that stores formatted files continue to function in concert together at a slower rate. This efficient design coupled with VLSI low power, high speed semiconductor memory devices (10 & 11 FIG. 5A and 24 FIG. 7) allows this operational capability. - Like most other still video and conventional film cameras, when the “shoot” control6 (FIG. 6) is fully depressed, a control signal is generated from the
digital control unit 9 that generates a trigger signal on thecontrol panel 2 to cause a flash unit 16 (FIG. 6) to irradiate a flash of light onto the subject image. - During initial camera operation, the user first inserts a diskette such as a standard three and a half inch or similar storage medium. Various memory diskette sizes and formats are suitable for the invention. However, for the preferred embodiment either a double-density (800 Kbytes of storage) or a high-density (1.4 Mbytes of storage) diskette in a three and a half inch format which are readily available from various commercial sources such as Sony, Maxell, and Verbatim. The user must then select the desired PC format (IBM PC/Clone or Apple Macintosh, etc.) via switch17 (FIG. 6) on the
control panel 2. As shown in FIG. 3; after turning on the power switch or inserting adiskette 50, thedigital control unit 9 performs a self test of all internal circuitry, battery, disk drive unit, and control panel. Should any failures be detected, an appropriate error indicator is illuminated on the control panel. During the power-on sequence (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 12), the inserteddiskette 50 is automatically checked for formatting consistencies in accordance with the format selected by theformat switch 17 on the control panel 2 (IBM/Apple/etc.) and for available storage space by checking the boot block on the diskette, a technique that will be familiar to those skilled in the art. Should any inconsistencies be detected, an error indicator is illuminated on the control panel (ie, disk full, unformatted, etc.). The operator frame counter display 22 (FIG. 6) is then updated to show the maximum number of pictures available based upon indicated operator selections (color/black and white), diskette type (double versus high density), and capacity (partially full versus empty diskette). During operation, the operator can selectively erase a frame and record over it if desired by selecting the erase mode of operation from the control panel and toggling the forward/reverse control. - The optics for the preferred embodiment of the invention is a commercially available one-half inch (½″) color CCD device having a pixel grid array of 780×488 as pictorially depicted in FIG. 4. This results in 380,640 pixel elements which results in a commercially acceptable quality resolution image as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In a color imaging device (CCD array) photoelectric elements, such as photodiodes, are arranged in a two dimensional array with optical filters for R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Various arrangements of optical filters are well known and the arrangement of optical filters is not limited to a particular one with this invention. During operation each pixel stores a charge corresponding to the amount of incident light. The RGB components of each pixel's charge is sequentially read out via a horizontal/vertical addressing scheme that will be familiar to those skilled in the art.
- As shown in FIG. 5A; each charge, when addressed, is amplified and processed in a sample and hold (S/H)
circuit 18. The analog voltage in each S/H circuit is digitized by an associated analog to digital (A/D)converter 8. The digital values are routed and collected in thepixel buffer 10. Following completion of discrete pixel element conversion and subsequent formatting in the pixel buffer which is under Control Processor Unit (CPU) 20 software control, the output of the full pixel buffer is routed to theframe buffer 11 bydigital control unit 9. This process continues until a complete frame is collected within the frame buffer. The general digital logic and timing and control signals for this circuitry is shown in FIG. 5B. The timing is provided by a master clock that is an integral part of the CPU microprocessor. For example, the MOTOROLA 68040 microprocessor has a clock speed of approximately 40 Megahertz (MHZ) which results in a clock period of 25 nanoseconds (nsec.). This clock pulse is used by the function and address decoder 19 (FIG. 6) to generate the address and control signals shown in FIG. 5B as would be understood by those skilled in the art. The circuit of the present invention may be designed by one skilled in the art to function with a variety of microprocessor architectures and is not limited to any one in particular. One can see from the timing chart that the S/H circuit is allowed (via the SE command) to charge to a voltage level indicative of the analog voltage impinging upon the pixel element (via the PS command). After a fixed time period, the A/D converters are enabled(via the CE command) to begin conversion of the analog voltage value on the S/H. Upon completion of conversion, a conversion completion signal (CC) is generated by the A/D and routed back to the S/H circuit (via the SC command which is generated by the function and address controller 19) to discharge the stored analog voltage in anticipation of the next pixel element conversion process. Next, the output of the A/D converter 8 is clocked into the pixel buffer 10 (via the PB command). When thepixel buffer 10 is full, the output is clocked out to the frame buffer 11 (via the FB command) and the pixel multiplexer address circuitry selects the next pixel for conversion. Reset signals (RST) are sent to all circuit elements to allow these devices to reset prior to receiving the next analog value. - Another novel concept of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B utilizes a technique of paralleling the S/H and A/D devices for each pixel element thus accelerating the image signal analog-to-digital conversion process. This is accomplished by eliminating the serial S/H and A/D path typical of prior art still video camera designs. In addition, high-speed, low-power devices available from Sony, Burr-Brown, Datel, Analog Devices, and others facilitate the increased conversion throughput of the S/H and A/D circuits with pixel conversion times of less than 150 nanoseconds (nsec.). For example, Sony's video A/D converter Device part number CXA1016P/K performs up to 50 million samples per second or 20 nsec. per conversion. This device, or similar, may be used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As explained previously, prior art still video camera designs multiplex each signal component into a common/singular A/D path to reduce the number of components and power consumption. However, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention components such as CMOS and ECL devices coupled with miniaturized packaging techniques such as surface mount devices (SMD) and ASIC technology make it feasible to incorporate these devices in a parallel design in order to realize a substantial increase in conversion speed with no appreciable increase in power consumption. Therefore, this design approach provides significant conversion throughput increases over previous designs.
- The extremely high conversion speed in accordance with another concept of the present invention makes multiple high-speed camera operation possible in an alternate embodiment. For example, total conversion time required for the aforementioned CCD array utilizing the circuit of the present invention (FIG. 5A) requires approximately 380,640×150 nsec. or 38 milliseconds (msec.). Additional time (approximately 5 msec.) is required for timing and control signal latency. Thus, total conversion time for a complete image frame prior to compression processing and logging to the
memory storage diskette 50 is less than fifty msec. This allows for approximately 20 images to be captured in a one second period. By addingadditional RAM 11A (FIG. 13) or other forms of commercially available random access memory to theframe buffer 11, image frames could be “pushed” onto a semiconductor memory stack for temporary storage allowing the compression processor and data interface circuitry to perform their respective functions at a slower rate. As shown in FIG. 13, each unprocessed image frame would be recorded or “pulled” from the stack on a “First-In, First-Out” (FIFO) manner until all images in the stack queue were processed and written to the storage diskette via the disk I/O circuitry 13. - As shown in FIG. 6, control panel settings are monitored by the
CPU 20, a microprocessor, thus allowing the appropriate timing, control, and signal processing to be effected properly. Themicroprocessor 20 may be of the type 68040 manufactured by MOTOROLA, Intel's 80386 series, or equivalent microprocessors which specifications are commercially available and are incorporated herein by reference. The microprocessor utilization of this invention, which is in thedigital control unit 9, transmits commands and status to specific controls, functions, and displays in the control panel as well as receiving both circuit status/control data and operator commands through polling theoperator switch settings decoder 19. This approach allows the user to know immediately how much storage capacity remains in theimage storage diskette 50 as well as the camera's overall operational and functional status through the use of status displays 21, 22, and 23 and ongoing software self-tests running in the background as depicted in FIG. 3. An example of this would be a low battery situation. First, thedigital control unit 9 would detect a failure in the self-test mode. Next, the self-test light emitting diode 21 (FIG. 6) would be illuminated and an appropriate error display would be illuminated in thestatus display 22 thus providing the user with an exact indication of the error. Another example illustrating the operation of this embedded microprocessor type of control approach is the format switch 17 (FIG. 6). The position of theformat switch 17 is sensed upon power application. Following diskette insertion, the boot block on the diskette is compared with theformat switch 17 setting (IBM/clone or Apple) and if the format does not match or if thedisk 50 is unformatted, the disk format statuslight emitting diode 23 would be illuminated and an appropriate error display would be illuminated in thestatus display 22 thus prompting the user to take appropriate corrective measures. - An alternate embodiment of the present invention involves adding an auxiliary I/O interface circuit or port to the
digital control unit 9. As shown if FIG. 7, the auxiliary I/O port 80 connects in a manner similar to the Disk I/O interface 13. This additional I/O channel provides for external control and monitor of all timing and control signals internal to the camera. In addition, it allows for the image data to be routed past or around the compression processor out to any additional internal or external device such as an optical disk storage device, digital analyzer, or other data processors that might be desired. - FIG. 7 shows the
digital control unit 9. Themicroprocessor 20 architecture here is typical to one familiar with the art. The frame buffer 11 (FIG. 5A) receives and stores the outputs of thepixel buffer 10 until a complete frame of image data is received. Then, theCPU 20, under software control, issues a control signal to the optics logic in the shutter and control circuitry 15 (FIG. 6) thus resetting those functions for future image recording. Thefull frame buffer 11, upon command from theCPU 20, transfers it's data into the compression processor 12 (FIG. 2) which performs thousands of levels of parallel pipeline processing on the image data. The compressed image frame is then written out to the mass memory RAM (Random Access Memory) 24 where it is temporarily stored until transferred to thedisk drive assembly 5 via the disk I/O interface circuitry 13. - Referring to FIG. 8, a flowchart shows the steps involved in the image compression process performed by the image compression processor12 (FIG. 2) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The output of the
frame buffer 11 is transferred into the input of theimage compression processor 12 under the control of thedigital control unit 9. As previously described, the setting ofswitch 14A (FIG. 6) is read by the CPU 20 (FIG. 7) to determine the image resolution quality desired. Depending on the operator selected setting ofswitch 14A, the unique digital word generated by the AND gate 60 a-b (FIG. 6A) which is activated by the selected position ofswitch 14A is routed to imagecompression processor 12 via CPU 20 (FIG. 7) which selects for example a predetermined digital memory location containing the appropriate corresponding compression ratio parameters under program control. The compression processor uses this command value for example to establish the size of the covariance matrix and a threshold for acceptance for the variances produced by the Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) transform coefficients. Next, the digital image signals are converted from the RGB format previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 2, 5, and 6 into luminance and chrominance signals. The luminance and chrominance signals subsequently undergo a DCT. The cosine transformed signals are then quantized and are then processed for Huffman coding. The Huffman coded image signals are then formatted into a form that facilitates format processing into various PC compatible formats (GIFF, PICT2, etc.). For a more complete understanding of the image compression process reference may be made to I.E.E.E. Catalog No. EH0231-1, Library of Congress No. 85-60384 published by the I.E.E.E. Society dated 1985 and incorporated herein by reference. - Of the two traditional classes of image compression techniques, spatial coding and transform coding, transform coding techniques lend themselves well for this application due to computational simplicity. Transform coding techniques that provide good visual fidelity include: Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT), Fourier, cosine, sine, and Hadamard. The KLT algorithm offers the best visual fidelity but suffers from serious computational complications due to extremely large matrix size. Several alternate algorithms that offer reasonable visual fidelity that are computationally feasible for this invention include the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), and Discrete Sine Transform (DST). The DCT was adopted by the JPEG as the preferred algorithm due to computational simplicity and performance.
- It should be noted that the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) (composed of experts from many companies including IBM, AT&T, Digital Equipment Corp, and INTEL) compression/decompression standard was developed in 1985 in response to the lack of interoperability between image and processing equipment due to numerous proprietary standards held by each manufacturer. The JPEG standard provides image compression effectively up to 75 times or greater depending on the visual fidelity desired. The JPEG standard is widely used in industry as an alternative to proprietary algorithms such as Intel's own proprietary standard called DVI which was initially developed by RCA before being sold to INTEL, the integrated Circuit manufacturer. INTEL offers it's own firmware compression processor incorporating their DVI standard delivering compression ratios in excessive of 100:1. However, a new international standard called MPEG is due to be announced in the 1991 time frame from the JPEG and should offer compression ratios of 275:1 and greater. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the JPEG standard is the preferred algorithm chosen with the incorporation of the the MPEG standard or other similar standard in the future when available commercially. An alternate embodiment of the present invention would be the incorporation of various proprietary compression algorithm standards such as DVI.
- The compression/decompression algorithm firmware implementation of the JPEG algorithm is available commercially from various sources including C-Cube, Electronics for imaging, Storm Technology, Burr-Brown, Spectral Innovations Inc., INTEL, and others. The implementation of this algorithm for the present invention may incorporate the integrated circuit set commercially available from C-Cube. Their four chip ASIC JPEG algorithm implementation is performed in three basic steps: first, the image is divided into 8-by-8 pixel squares and applies a discrete cosine transform (DCT) to each square resulting in 64 frequency values; second, these frequencies are put through a quantization algorithm to eliminate unimportant frequencies; third, the remaining values are run through a Huffman coding scheme to encode the most frequently occurring values using the fewest bits. A compatible software implementation of the JPEG algorithm is available commercially from Aladdin Systems, Radius Inc., Kodak, and others.
- Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the process and the commercially available software and firmware chipsets that are currently available on the market. The present invention incorporates both available firmware chipsets in the camera and software for use in the PC for decompression. The decompression algorithm can be written onto the camera's
diskette 50 prior to any image data recording. This allows the PC user to take thediskette 50 to a PC and directly incorporate the image data because the image file selected by the user is automatically decompressed transparent to the user. The algorithm can be written onto an unused track 52 or sector combination on the diskette as shown on FIG. 2A. Alternatively, the decompression algorithm can be loaded onto a PC before inserting adiskette 50 containing compressed image data. In the latter embodiment the resolution andmode values 54 and 55 (FIG. 2A.) for each representative image would be read fromdiskette 50 in order to appropriately control the selection and activation of the appropriate corresponding decompression algorithm. - As shown in FIG. 7, the output of the
image compression processor 12 is routed to theRAM memory 24 where the compressed image is formatted for either the PICT II or GIFF format depending on the setting of format switch 17 (FIG. 6). It should be noted that a large number of image formats for PCs exist. PICT and GIFF are the most common for the Apple and IBM PC's and are therefore the preferred formats for the present invention although other formats can be easily incorporated into the design by changing the software format routines. These software image formats are commercially available from many sources most notably Apple computers for PICT and IBM for GIFF. An example of the PICT format is pictorially shown in FIG. 6B as will be familiar to those skilled in the computer arts. Once formatting is complete, the formatted image data is transferred to the disk I/O interface 13 for transfer to themagnetic recording diskette 50. - FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the video format translator device in accordance with another aspect of this invention that converts other still video camera formats for example on two inch video diskette to this invention's selectable PC compatible digital format. The general concept of operation is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 9 correspond parts and subassemblies in
translator 40 are shown with like numbers corresponding to FIGS. 2 and 6 having a 40 hyphenation prefix designation and such parts and subassemblies perform similar functions to those described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6. Referring again to FIG. 9, thetranslator 40 incorporates the same components utilized in the digital circuit card assembly which houses both thedigital control unit 9 and optics processing circuits (pixel multiplexer 7, A/D 8, etc. 10-13). The major difference is that theCCD array 1 is replaced with aninput disk drive 25, for example a two inch (2″) video disk drive assembly, and an NTSCvideo format decoder 26 which converts the composite video signal to an RGB format for processing as described previously. - FIG. 11 displays an alternate embodiment of the video
format translator device 40 of the present invention that showsoptional inputs 27 andoutputs translator device 40 as shown in FIG. 9 except thatinputs 27 for either an NTSC/PAL format or RGB format video signal is provided. This allows video signals from other sources such as a cable TV, CAMCORDER, or other video signal source to be digitized and archived in a PC compatible format. Also, provisions for video output jacks 28 are made to allow either viewing of the image/video source prior to or during image recording. Finally, provisions are made to provide adata output 29 to allow connection to other PC peripherals such as a communications modem, larger/smaller disk drive assembly, optical disk, specialty display or signal processor/analyzer. Either a standard serial, parallel, or Small Computer Standard Interface (SCSI) data port can be readily connected to the auxiliary I/O interface 80. - FIG. 12 depicts an alternate feature of an embodiment of the present invention that shows how an inserted
diskette 50 that is either unformatted or formatted for a undesired (e.g., not corresponding to the setting ofswitch 17—FIG. 6) PC configuration would be automatically properly formatted for use with a camera in accordance with another aspect of this invention. This capability allows the user of this invention to forego the requirement to pre-format the storage medium (diskette) on a PC prior to using it in the camera operated in accordance with the present invention. With reference to FIG. 3 the power-on sequence process would result in an abnormal diskette format error if the format of an inserteddiskette 50 did not correspond to the operator selected format switch 17 (FIG. 6). In accordance with the automatic diskette format option,CPU 20 ofdigital control unit 9 in response to the abnormal diskette format error would initiate the diskette format process illustrated in FIG. 12. Upon completion of the diskette format process illustrated in FIG. 12, the power-on sequence illustrated in FIG. 3 would continue from step B. - Referring now to FIG. 14A, there is shown a schematic block diagram of the format selection logic in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. During the power-on sequence as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 12,
processor 20 ofcontrol unit 9 initiates a format selection switch sample and test routine as more fully described in the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 14B.Switch 17 is illustrated in FIG. 14A in the Apple PC position and logic level v1 is applied as inputs tologic gates tag 57 if theformat switch 17 were in the IBM PC or other computer type position would be a logic “one” and “two” respectively. In response to the logic “zero” indicating Apple PC format,processor 20 accesses a unique memory location XY of format memory 20-2 which for example may comprise any random access memory with two megabytes storage capacity. The data format for the operator selectable predetermined number of computer architectures, similar in content and arrangement to those illustrated in FIG. 6B for an Apple PC would be stored in memory 20-2 which would be addressed in response to the other operator selectable position ofswitch 17 to generate the otherunique codes 57 as shown in FIG. 2A.Processor 20 in response to a stored format subroutine more particularly shown in FIG. 14B contains the allocation of data memory addresses in disk input/output interface unit 13 in accordance with the picture image file format as illustrated in FIG. 6B. Thus the digital video data information signals generated bycompression processor 12 are appropriately formatted and stored in memorystorage disk drive 5 to insure compatibility with the format selected by the operator by selectively positioningswitch 17. - Those skilled in the art will recognize the many alterations, additions or changes of the preferred embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.
Claims (25)
1. In a digital camera including a digital storage medium, the storage medium formatted for use with a first information handling system utilizing a first memory format, the improvement comprising:
a control unit for formatting the storage medium for use with a second information handling system utilizing a second memory format.
2. A digital camera as in claim 1 , wherein the digital camera utilizes the second memory format.
3. A digital camera as in claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is removably coupled to the camera.
4. A digital camera as in claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is a disk.
5. A digital camera as in claim 4 , wherein the disk is a magnetic disk.
6. A digital camera as in claim 5 , wherein the magnetic disk is a 3 and a half inch diskette.
7. A digital camera as in claim 4 , wherein the disk is an optical disk.
8. In a digital camera utilizing a first memory format, the improvement comprising:
a controller operative to change the format of a digital storage medium from a second memory format to the first memory format.
9. A digital camera as in claim 8 , wherein the storage medium is removably coupled to the camera.
10. A digital camera, comprising:
an assembly operative to receive a digital storage medium, the storage medium having a boot area including information identifying a memory format of the storage medium; and
a control unit operative to (a) check the boot area, and (b) format the storage medium in an alternative memory format for use with the camera.
11. A digital camera as in claim 10 , wherein the storage medium is removably coupled to the camera.
12. A digital camera, comprising:
an assembly operative to receive a removable digital storage medium, the storage medium formatted in an undesired memory format; and
a control unit operative to change the format of the storage medium from the undesired memory format to a desired memory format for use with the camera.
13. For use in a digital camera, a method for changing the format of a digital storage medium from a first memory format to a second memory format, the method comprising:
determining in the camera if the storage medium is formatted in the second memory format; and
formatting the storage medium in the camera in the second memory format.
14. A method as in claim 13 , wherein the storage medium is removably coupled to the camera.
15. A method as in claim 13 , wherein the storage medium is a disk.
16. A method as in claim 15 , wherein the disk is an optical disk.
17. A method as in claim 15 , wherein the disk is a magnetic disk.
18. A method as in claim 17 , wherein the disk is a 3 and a half inch diskette.
19. A process for use in a digital camera utilizing a predetermined memory format, comprising:
coupling a removable digital storage medium with the camera, the storage medium formatted in one of a plurality of memory formats;
determining in the camera if the storage medium is formatted in the predetermined memory format; and
formatting the storage medium in the camera in the predetermined memory format.
20. A process as in claim 19 , wherein the step of determining comprises checking a boot area of the storage medium.
21. A process for use in a digital camera, comprising:
coupling a removable digital storage medium with the camera, the storage medium formatted in one of a plurality of memory formats;
determining in the camera if the storage medium is formatted in a desired memory format;
providing a format error indication to an operator of the camera if the storage medium is not formatted in the desired memory format; and
formatting the storage medium in the camera in the desired memory format in response to an operator control of the camera.
22. A digital camera, comprising:
an assembly operative to receive a digital storage device; and
a control unit for changing a memory format of the storage device from a first format for use with a first information handling system to a second format for use with a second information handling system.
23. A process for use in a digital camera utilizing a predetermined memory format, comprising:
providing a removable digital storage device, the storage device formatted in one of a plurality of memory formats;
coupling the removable digital storage device with the camera;
determining in the camera if the storage device is formatted in the predetermined memory format; and
changing the format of the storage device in the camera to the predetermined memory format.
24. A process for use in a digital camera utilizing a predetermined memory format, comprising:
providing a removable digital storage device, the storage device formatted in one of a plurality of memory formats;
coupling the removable digital storage device with the camera;
determining in the camera if the storage device is formatted in the predetermined memory format; and
formatting the storage device in the camera in the predetermined memory format.
25. A process for use in a digital camera, comprising:
providing a removable digital storage device, the storage device formatted in one of a plurality of memory formats;
coupling the removable digital storage device with the camera;
determining in the camera if the storage device is formatted in a desired memory format;
providing a format error indication to an operator of the camera if the storage device is not formatted in the desired memory format; and
changing the format of the storage device in the camera to the desired memory format.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/241,886 US20030025807A1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2002-09-12 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
Applications Claiming Priority (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/615,848 US5138459A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1990-11-20 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (pc) compatible digital format output |
US87860392A | 1992-05-05 | 1992-05-05 | |
US08/098,787 US5576757A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1993-07-29 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US71249396A | 1996-09-11 | 1996-09-11 | |
US09/253,831 US6233010B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1999-02-19 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US09/724,375 US6496222B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-11-27 | Digital camera with memory format initialization |
US10/241,886 US20030025807A1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2002-09-12 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/724,375 Continuation US6496222B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-11-27 | Digital camera with memory format initialization |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030025807A1 true US20030025807A1 (en) | 2003-02-06 |
Family
ID=24467057
Family Applications (7)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/615,848 Expired - Lifetime US5138459A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1990-11-20 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (pc) compatible digital format output |
US08/098,787 Expired - Lifetime US5576757A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1993-07-29 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US08/651,562 Expired - Lifetime US6094219A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1996-05-22 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US09/253,831 Expired - Lifetime US6233010B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1999-02-19 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US09/541,285 Expired - Lifetime US6323899B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-04-03 | Process for use in electronic camera |
US09/724,375 Expired - Fee Related US6496222B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-11-27 | Digital camera with memory format initialization |
US10/241,886 Abandoned US20030025807A1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2002-09-12 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
Family Applications Before (6)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/615,848 Expired - Lifetime US5138459A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1990-11-20 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (pc) compatible digital format output |
US08/098,787 Expired - Lifetime US5576757A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1993-07-29 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US08/651,562 Expired - Lifetime US6094219A (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1996-05-22 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US09/253,831 Expired - Lifetime US6233010B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 1999-02-19 | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (PC) compatible digital format output |
US09/541,285 Expired - Lifetime US6323899B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-04-03 | Process for use in electronic camera |
US09/724,375 Expired - Fee Related US6496222B1 (en) | 1990-11-20 | 2000-11-27 | Digital camera with memory format initialization |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (7) | US5138459A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0558670B1 (en) |
JP (3) | JPH06505841A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100222359B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU9142291A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2095817C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69131138T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1992009169A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030090498A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2003-05-15 | Photela, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the creation of digital photo albums |
US20030112335A1 (en) * | 1998-06-22 | 2003-06-19 | Memorylink Corporation | Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method |
US20050155086A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2005-07-14 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20070216782A1 (en) * | 2006-03-20 | 2007-09-20 | Donald Lee Chernoff | Method of processing and storing files in a digital camera |
US7877290B1 (en) * | 1999-03-29 | 2011-01-25 | The Directv Group, Inc. | System and method for transmitting, receiving and displaying advertisements |
US8687947B2 (en) | 2012-02-20 | 2014-04-01 | Rr Donnelley & Sons Company | Systems and methods for variable video production, distribution and presentation |
Families Citing this family (223)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0469852B1 (en) * | 1990-07-31 | 1999-06-23 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing method and apparatus |
US5138459A (en) * | 1990-11-20 | 1992-08-11 | Personal Computer Cameras, Inc. | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (pc) compatible digital format output |
JPH0575966A (en) * | 1990-12-13 | 1993-03-26 | Nikon Corp | Electronic still camera |
US5263136A (en) * | 1991-04-30 | 1993-11-16 | Optigraphics Corporation | System for managing tiled images using multiple resolutions |
EP0895416A3 (en) * | 1991-04-30 | 1999-08-25 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Magnetic recording type of photographic apparatus |
JP2721447B2 (en) * | 1991-11-21 | 1998-03-04 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image signal processing device |
US5661821A (en) * | 1991-11-26 | 1997-08-26 | Pioneer Electronic Corporation | Still image filing system |
WO1993012481A2 (en) * | 1991-12-13 | 1993-06-24 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Buffer and frame indexing |
WO1993012613A1 (en) * | 1991-12-13 | 1993-06-24 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Quantization table adjustment |
US5355450A (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 1994-10-11 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Media composer with adjustable source material compression |
US5806072A (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1998-09-08 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Electronic imaging apparatus having hierarchical image data storage structure for computer-compatible image data management |
US5717496A (en) * | 1992-11-19 | 1998-02-10 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Electronic imaging apparatus |
US5287420A (en) * | 1992-04-08 | 1994-02-15 | Supermac Technology | Method for image compression on a personal computer |
US6678461B1 (en) | 1992-04-10 | 2004-01-13 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Media recorder for capture and playback of live and prerecorded audio and/or video information |
US6058236A (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 2000-05-02 | Avid Technology, Inc. | System and method for digitally capturing video segments from a video assist of a film camera |
US5623690A (en) * | 1992-06-03 | 1997-04-22 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Audio/video storage and retrieval for multimedia workstations by interleaving audio and video data in data file |
US5475421A (en) * | 1992-06-03 | 1995-12-12 | Digital Equipment Corporation | Video data scaling for video teleconferencing workstations communicating by digital data network |
WO1994001971A2 (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1994-01-20 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Electronic film editing system using both film and videotape format |
DE69327699T2 (en) * | 1992-09-09 | 2000-06-21 | Canon Kk | Player for still image data and audio data |
JPH06149985A (en) * | 1992-11-02 | 1994-05-31 | Fujitsu Ltd | Processing system for image information |
US5438575A (en) * | 1992-11-16 | 1995-08-01 | Ampex Corporation | Data storage system with stale data detector and method of operation |
US5914787A (en) * | 1992-11-19 | 1999-06-22 | Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. | Electronic imaging apparatus |
US5506617A (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1996-04-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera incorporating a computer-compatible bus interface |
US5546126A (en) * | 1993-04-16 | 1996-08-13 | Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. | Television camera lens diagnostic system |
AU7106294A (en) * | 1993-06-16 | 1995-01-03 | Abraham, Carmela R | System and method for transmitting video material |
US5493335A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1996-02-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Single sensor color camera with user selectable image record size |
US5497188A (en) * | 1993-07-06 | 1996-03-05 | Kaye; Perry | Method for virtualizing an environment |
US5960155A (en) | 1993-08-09 | 1999-09-28 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Electronic still camera |
US5887145A (en) * | 1993-09-01 | 1999-03-23 | Sandisk Corporation | Removable mother/daughter peripheral card |
US7137011B1 (en) * | 1993-09-01 | 2006-11-14 | Sandisk Corporation | Removable mother/daughter peripheral card |
JP3764493B2 (en) * | 1993-09-20 | 2006-04-05 | ソニー株式会社 | Electronic still camera and image data processing method |
US5587832A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1996-12-24 | Biophysica Technologies, Inc. | Spatially light modulated confocal microscope and method |
US5923466A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1999-07-13 | Biophysica Technologies, Inc. | Light modulated confocal optical instruments and method |
JP3528214B2 (en) * | 1993-10-21 | 2004-05-17 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Image display method and apparatus |
EP0659017A3 (en) * | 1993-12-15 | 1997-07-23 | Eastman Kodak Co | Portable electronic camera providing optional parameter setting from a computer. |
DE4401853A1 (en) * | 1994-01-22 | 1995-08-03 | Lindenthal Detlef Dipl Soz Pae | Sound radio receiver with sound archiving |
US5418565A (en) * | 1994-02-15 | 1995-05-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | CFA compatible resolution reduction in a single sensor electronic camera |
US5563655A (en) * | 1994-02-28 | 1996-10-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Intelligent digital image storage for an electronic camera |
US5477264A (en) * | 1994-03-29 | 1995-12-19 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic imaging system using a removable software-enhanced storage device |
FI115739B (en) | 1994-05-19 | 2005-06-30 | Nokia Corp | Device for personal communication, data collection and processing and circuit boards |
US5541656A (en) * | 1994-07-29 | 1996-07-30 | Logitech, Inc. | Digital camera with separate function and option icons and control switches |
JPH0879681A (en) * | 1994-09-08 | 1996-03-22 | Asahi Optical Co Ltd | Electronic still camera |
JP3525353B2 (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 2004-05-10 | 株式会社リコー | Digital electronic still camera |
US6670985B2 (en) | 1994-09-28 | 2003-12-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image sensing apparatus including a card device connectable to an information processing device |
JP3893480B2 (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 2007-03-14 | 株式会社リコー | Digital electronic camera |
EP0705037B1 (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 2002-12-04 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image input unit |
US5606707A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1997-02-25 | Martin Marietta Corporation | Real-time image processor |
US5530661A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-06-25 | Winnov | Data bit-slicing apparatus and method for computing convolutions |
US5842050A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1998-11-24 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic still video camera having electro-developing recording medium |
US6088532A (en) * | 1995-01-06 | 2000-07-11 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image signal reading operation control device |
JP4047943B2 (en) | 1995-01-31 | 2008-02-13 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Digital image data recording apparatus and method, digital image data reproducing apparatus and method, solid-state electronic imaging apparatus, and signal charge reading method thereof |
JP3696678B2 (en) * | 1995-02-01 | 2005-09-21 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Digital image data recording apparatus and method, and digital image data reproducing apparatus and method |
US5815201A (en) * | 1995-02-21 | 1998-09-29 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Method and system for reading and assembling audio and image information for transfer out of a digital camera |
US7623754B1 (en) | 1995-02-23 | 2009-11-24 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Motion picture recording device using digital, computer-readable non-linear media |
US5999406A (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1999-12-07 | Avid Technology, Inc. | Dockable electronic equipment container |
US6885470B1 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2005-04-26 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Electronic mail system |
JP3160177B2 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2001-04-23 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Facsimile electronic mail device |
US6778287B1 (en) | 1995-03-06 | 2004-08-17 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Electronic mail system |
JPH08289241A (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1996-11-01 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Digital electronic still camera |
US5666159A (en) | 1995-04-24 | 1997-09-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera system with programmable transmission capability |
JPH08317295A (en) | 1995-05-16 | 1996-11-29 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Digital image recording device and digital image reproducing device |
US5841768A (en) * | 1996-06-27 | 1998-11-24 | Interdigital Technology Corporation | Method of controlling initial power ramp-up in CDMA systems by using short codes |
US5926210A (en) * | 1995-07-28 | 1999-07-20 | Kalatel, Inc. | Mobile, ground-based platform security system which transmits images that were taken prior to the generation of an input signal |
US5581299A (en) * | 1995-08-01 | 1996-12-03 | Raney; Robert B. | Multi-functional camera with graphics editor and form stand |
US5987181A (en) * | 1995-10-12 | 1999-11-16 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Coding and decoding apparatus which transmits and receives tool information for constructing decoding scheme |
WO1997026757A1 (en) * | 1996-01-16 | 1997-07-24 | Obsidian Imaging, Inc. | Electronic digital camera with image identification |
US6750902B1 (en) | 1996-02-13 | 2004-06-15 | Fotonation Holdings Llc | Camera network communication device |
WO1997030375A1 (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 1997-08-21 | Obsidian Imaging, Inc. | Method and apparatus for configuring a camera through external means |
JP3631838B2 (en) * | 1996-02-21 | 2005-03-23 | チノン株式会社 | External storage device and camera system |
AU7231196A (en) * | 1996-03-08 | 1997-09-22 | Kiwisoft Programs Limited | Electronic camera with fast liquid crystal shutter |
EP1282301B1 (en) * | 1996-04-12 | 2004-08-11 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | An electronic-mail reception apparatus and method for receiving image data |
FR2749119B1 (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1998-06-19 | Thomson Broadcast Systems | SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT BROADBAND DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM USING SUCH A CAMERA |
JP3630851B2 (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 2005-03-23 | キヤノン株式会社 | Imaging recording device |
US5848420A (en) * | 1996-06-14 | 1998-12-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | System and method for accessing data of a digital camera from a personal computer |
US6031964A (en) * | 1996-06-20 | 2000-02-29 | Apple Computer, Inc. | System and method for using a unified memory architecture to implement a digital camera device |
US6009336A (en) * | 1996-07-10 | 1999-12-28 | Motorola, Inc. | Hand-held radiotelephone having a detachable display |
US6088053A (en) * | 1996-07-15 | 2000-07-11 | Hammack; Jack C. | Digital record and replay binoculars |
AU4237497A (en) | 1996-08-27 | 1998-03-19 | Ronald E. Hill | Audit and verification system |
JP3796756B2 (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 2006-07-12 | ソニー株式会社 | Still image moving image recording apparatus and still image moving image recording method |
US6169575B1 (en) * | 1996-09-26 | 2001-01-02 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for controlled time-based image group formation |
US5809520A (en) * | 1996-11-06 | 1998-09-15 | Iomega Corporation | Interchangeable cartridge data storage system for devices performing diverse functions |
US5861918A (en) * | 1997-01-08 | 1999-01-19 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for managing a removable memory in a digital camera |
KR100233460B1 (en) * | 1997-01-11 | 1999-12-01 | 윤종용 | The trans mission pevice of still picture |
DE19708755A1 (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1998-09-17 | Michael Tasler | Flexible interface |
US6786420B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2004-09-07 | Silverbrook Research Pty. Ltd. | Data distribution mechanism in the form of ink dots on cards |
US7212229B2 (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 2007-05-01 | Eastman Kodak Company | Digital camera providing image processing for an attachable printer |
US6940541B1 (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2005-09-06 | Eastman Kodak Company | Printer parameter compensation by a host camera |
JP3535693B2 (en) * | 1997-04-30 | 2004-06-07 | キヤノン株式会社 | Portable electronic device, image processing method, imaging device, and computer-readable recording medium |
KR100278358B1 (en) * | 1997-06-03 | 2001-01-15 | 윤종용 | Portable computer with mounting apparatus for camera |
JPH10340522A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 1998-12-22 | Sony Corp | Data recording device and camera device |
JPH10341402A (en) | 1997-06-09 | 1998-12-22 | Sony Corp | Image record device and method and image reproducing device and method |
JPH10341411A (en) * | 1997-06-09 | 1998-12-22 | Sony Corp | Camera device |
US6020920A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2000-02-01 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for speculative decompression of compressed image data in an image capture unit |
US5933137A (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 1999-08-03 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for acclerating a user interface of an image capture unit during play mode |
US6215523B1 (en) | 1997-06-10 | 2001-04-10 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for accelerating a user interface of an image capture unit during review mode |
US6278447B1 (en) * | 1997-06-10 | 2001-08-21 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for accelerating a user interface of an image capture unit during play mode |
US5973734A (en) | 1997-07-09 | 1999-10-26 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for correcting aspect ratio in a camera graphical user interface |
US6618117B2 (en) | 1997-07-12 | 2003-09-09 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image sensing apparatus including a microcontroller |
US6803989B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2004-10-12 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image printing apparatus including a microcontroller |
US6879341B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2005-04-12 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Digital camera system containing a VLIW vector processor |
US6948794B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2005-09-27 | Silverbrook Reserach Pty Ltd | Printhead re-capping assembly for a print and demand digital camera system |
US7724282B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2010-05-25 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Method of processing digital image to correct for flash effects |
AUPO850597A0 (en) | 1997-08-11 | 1997-09-04 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image processing method and apparatus (art01a) |
US7286169B2 (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2007-10-23 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing |
US6665008B1 (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 2003-12-16 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Artcard for the control of the operation of a camera device |
US6304291B1 (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 2001-10-16 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Artcard for the administration of the operation of a camera device |
SG125898A1 (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 2006-10-30 | Silverbrook Res Pty Ltd | Prints remaining indicator for camera with variable length print capability |
US6624848B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2003-09-23 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing |
US6690419B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2004-02-10 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Utilising eye detection methods for image processing in a digital image camera |
AUPO802797A0 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 1997-08-07 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image processing method and apparatus (ART54) |
US6985207B2 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2006-01-10 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Photographic prints having magnetically recordable media |
US7110024B1 (en) | 1997-07-15 | 2006-09-19 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Digital camera system having motion deblurring means |
JPH11102577A (en) * | 1997-08-01 | 1999-04-13 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Image information recording medium, and image processing system for generating recording medium thereof |
EP0902589B1 (en) | 1997-09-03 | 2004-06-16 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd | Digital imaging system |
JP3639730B2 (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 2005-04-20 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and storage medium |
JP3177491B2 (en) * | 1997-10-07 | 2001-06-18 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Digital camera |
US6321026B1 (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 2001-11-20 | Lsi Logic Corporation | Recordable DVD disk with video compression software included in a read-only sector |
US6192188B1 (en) * | 1997-10-20 | 2001-02-20 | Lsi Logic Corporation | Programmable audio/video encoding system capable of downloading compression software from DVD disk |
US6151069A (en) * | 1997-11-03 | 2000-11-21 | Intel Corporation | Dual mode digital camera for video and still operation |
US6847403B1 (en) * | 1997-11-05 | 2005-01-25 | Polycom, Inc. | Integrated portable videoconferencing unit |
US6493028B1 (en) * | 1997-11-26 | 2002-12-10 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for extending the available image file formats in an image capture device |
US6930709B1 (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 2005-08-16 | Pentax Of America, Inc. | Integrated internet/intranet camera |
US5942927A (en) * | 1997-12-09 | 1999-08-24 | Tektronix, Inc. | Clock signal generator for a logic analyzer controlled to lock both edges to a reference clock signal |
FI105382B (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 2000-07-31 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Procedure for transmitting image information |
US6360362B1 (en) * | 1998-02-20 | 2002-03-19 | Intel Corporation | Automatic update of camera firmware |
JP3524372B2 (en) * | 1998-03-12 | 2004-05-10 | キヤノン株式会社 | Solid-state imaging device and driving pulse generation chip |
US7098952B2 (en) * | 1998-04-16 | 2006-08-29 | Intel Corporation | Imager having multiple storage locations for each pixel sensor |
US6584235B1 (en) * | 1998-04-23 | 2003-06-24 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Wide dynamic range fusion using memory look-up |
US6954229B1 (en) | 1998-05-01 | 2005-10-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Storing image data to digital cameras |
US6167469A (en) * | 1998-05-18 | 2000-12-26 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Digital camera having display device for displaying graphical representation of user input and method for transporting the selected digital images thereof |
US6594036B1 (en) | 1998-05-28 | 2003-07-15 | Sandisk Corporation | Analog/multi-level memory for digital imaging |
US6642956B1 (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 2003-11-04 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Digital image processor for a digital camera |
US6577336B2 (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2003-06-10 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Authentication stamping in a digital camera |
US6593963B1 (en) | 1998-05-29 | 2003-07-15 | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Programmable control of operational signals in a digital camera |
JP4131052B2 (en) | 1998-07-17 | 2008-08-13 | ソニー株式会社 | Imaging device |
US7602424B2 (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2009-10-13 | Scenera Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for automatically categorizing images in a digital camera |
AUPP702098A0 (en) | 1998-11-09 | 1998-12-03 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | Image creation method and apparatus (ART73) |
US7268809B2 (en) * | 1998-09-23 | 2007-09-11 | San Disk Corporation | Analog buffer memory for high-speed digital image capture |
US6463177B1 (en) | 1998-11-04 | 2002-10-08 | Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. | Dynamic management of embedded coded images in a digital storage device |
US7324133B2 (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2008-01-29 | Fotomedia Technologies, Llc | Method and apparatus for controlled camera useability |
US6496361B2 (en) | 1998-11-16 | 2002-12-17 | Acer Incorporated | Embedded CMOS camera in a laptop computer |
US6317141B1 (en) | 1998-12-31 | 2001-11-13 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and apparatus for editing heterogeneous media objects in a digital imaging device |
US6760068B2 (en) | 1998-12-31 | 2004-07-06 | Sandisk Corporation | Correction of corrupted elements in sensors using analog/multi-level non-volatile memory |
EP1089562B1 (en) * | 1999-04-15 | 2010-03-03 | Sony Corporation | Imaging device and signal processing method |
US6847388B2 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2005-01-25 | Flashpoint Technology, Inc. | Method and system for accelerating a user interface of an image capture unit during play mode |
AUPQ056099A0 (en) | 1999-05-25 | 1999-06-17 | Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd | A method and apparatus (pprint01) |
US6473527B1 (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2002-10-29 | Mustek Systems Inc. | Module and method for interfacing analog/digital converting means and JPEG compression means |
DE60040933D1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2009-01-08 | Eastman Kodak Co | Individually adapted digital image transmission |
US7019778B1 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2006-03-28 | Eastman Kodak Company | Customizing a digital camera |
JP2001016593A (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2001-01-19 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Image decoding display device |
US6995794B2 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2006-02-07 | Logitech Europe S.A. | Video camera with major functions implemented in host software |
US7009644B1 (en) | 1999-12-15 | 2006-03-07 | Logitech Europe S.A. | Dynamic anomalous pixel detection and correction |
WO2001003431A1 (en) | 1999-07-05 | 2001-01-11 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Video recording method and apparatus, video reproducing method and apparatus, and recording medium |
JP4312905B2 (en) * | 1999-11-12 | 2009-08-12 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Image file management method and image file apparatus |
US7047305B1 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2006-05-16 | Vidiator Enterprises Inc. | Personal broadcasting system for audio and video data using a wide area network |
US7069573B1 (en) | 1999-12-09 | 2006-06-27 | Vidiator Enterprises Inc. | Personal broadcasting and viewing method of audio and video data using a wide area network |
US6961514B1 (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2005-11-01 | Lsi Logic Corporation | System and method for communicating images to a removable media device |
JP2001285597A (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-10-12 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Image information storage device, image-processing unit provided with the image information storage device and transfer control method for image information |
US7039869B2 (en) * | 2000-02-14 | 2006-05-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Global lab software |
US7424207B2 (en) * | 2000-02-18 | 2008-09-09 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Digital camera |
JP4286420B2 (en) * | 2000-02-18 | 2009-07-01 | Hoya株式会社 | Internet camera |
JP2001238199A (en) * | 2000-02-25 | 2001-08-31 | Asahi Optical Co Ltd | Internet camera system |
JP4262384B2 (en) * | 2000-02-28 | 2009-05-13 | Hoya株式会社 | Internet camera |
JP4045525B2 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2008-02-13 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Image quality selection method and digital camera |
US20030211188A1 (en) * | 2000-06-19 | 2003-11-13 | Kachnic Edward F. | Wireless image processing method and device therefor |
US8520138B1 (en) | 2000-07-07 | 2013-08-27 | Ansen B. Seale | Digital panoramic camera with features for enhanced image quality and improved user interface |
US20040059452A1 (en) * | 2000-08-23 | 2004-03-25 | Edward Kachnic | Sensory inspection system and method thereof |
JP2002074853A (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2002-03-15 | Toshiba Corp | Information recording device, information recording method, information reproducing device, information reproducing method, information recording medium and electronic distribution system |
US7768558B1 (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2010-08-03 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Digital still camera with remaining picture count indication |
US7562380B2 (en) * | 2000-10-27 | 2009-07-14 | Hoya Corporation | Internet camera system |
US20020065844A1 (en) * | 2000-11-30 | 2002-05-30 | Rich Robinson | Metadata internet platform for enabling customization of tags in digital images |
US7779117B2 (en) | 2002-05-31 | 2010-08-17 | Aol Inc. | Monitoring digital images |
US7197513B2 (en) * | 2000-12-08 | 2007-03-27 | Aol Llc | Distributed image storage architecture |
US20020080274A1 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2002-06-27 | Gubernick Franklin L. | Photograph display system |
JP2002229901A (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2002-08-16 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Method and system for transmitting image |
US8117313B2 (en) * | 2001-03-19 | 2012-02-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for adaptive formatting of image information for efficient delivery and presentation |
JP2002281227A (en) * | 2001-03-21 | 2002-09-27 | Olympus Optical Co Ltd | Digital camera system and recycle system of camera |
US6901585B2 (en) * | 2001-04-12 | 2005-05-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Active ALT tag in HTML documents to increase the accessibility to users with visual, audio impairment |
US20030011644A1 (en) * | 2001-07-11 | 2003-01-16 | Linda Bilsing | Digital imaging systems with user intent-based functionality |
KR100814426B1 (en) * | 2001-07-14 | 2008-03-18 | 삼성전자주식회사 | multi-channel image processer and system employing the same |
US20030058457A1 (en) * | 2001-09-21 | 2003-03-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Selecting an image bearing product requiring a particular size converted from a high resolution digital image |
US6963973B2 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2005-11-08 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Chain of custody system and method |
CN100357966C (en) * | 2001-11-16 | 2007-12-26 | 夏普株式会社 | Recording medium, content recording/reproducing system, content reproducing apparatus, content recording apparatus, and content recoding apparatus |
US20030218624A1 (en) * | 2002-05-22 | 2003-11-27 | Angelica Quintana | System and method for organizing digital images |
US6998147B2 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2006-02-14 | Dimension Bond Corporation | Method for simultaneously coating and measuring parts |
US6832577B2 (en) * | 2002-07-08 | 2004-12-21 | Dimension Bond Corporation | Apparatus and method for simultaneously coating and measuring parts |
US6860947B2 (en) | 2002-07-08 | 2005-03-01 | Dimension Bond Corporation | Apparatus for simultaneously coating and measuring parts |
US20040025012A1 (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2004-02-05 | Burks David Patrick | System for processing coded content and associated decoding instructions on a removable storage medium |
JP4551610B2 (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2010-09-29 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Digital camera |
JP4300767B2 (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2009-07-22 | ソニー株式会社 | Guide system, content server, portable device, information processing method, information processing program, and storage medium |
US7233354B2 (en) * | 2002-10-11 | 2007-06-19 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Digital camera that adjusts resolution for low light conditions |
US7479992B2 (en) * | 2003-01-07 | 2009-01-20 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Image recording apparatus |
US20040196389A1 (en) * | 2003-02-04 | 2004-10-07 | Yoshiaki Honda | Image pickup apparatus and method thereof |
JP2004242133A (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2004-08-26 | Canon Inc | Device and method for reproducing image, computer program, and computer readable recording medium |
KR100663470B1 (en) * | 2003-03-31 | 2007-01-02 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Portable terminal having a camera and taking a photograph method using that |
JP4245139B2 (en) | 2003-03-31 | 2009-03-25 | 株式会社メガチップス | Image processing device |
US7592567B2 (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2009-09-22 | Wazana Brothers International, Inc. | Apparatus and method for disassembling containers having thermoplastic joining surfaces |
CN1914020A (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2007-02-14 | 阿瓦隆视觉解决方案有限责任公司 | Sensory system and method thereof |
US7543327B1 (en) * | 2003-11-21 | 2009-06-02 | Arecont Vision Llc | Video surveillance system based on high resolution network cameras capable of concurrent transmission of multiple image formats at video rates |
JP3982501B2 (en) * | 2004-01-13 | 2007-09-26 | ソニー株式会社 | Remote imaging device, camera device and option card board |
US7295183B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2007-11-13 | Em Microelectronic-Marin Sa | Extension of battery life in a battery-powered optical pointing device |
US7336849B2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2008-02-26 | Destiny Technology Corporation | Exposure correction method for digital images |
JP4490740B2 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2010-06-30 | 株式会社アドバンテスト | Signal reading apparatus and test apparatus |
EP1657915A1 (en) * | 2004-11-12 | 2006-05-17 | Dialog Semiconductor GmbH | Sized optimized pixel line to pixel block conversion algorithm |
US8239352B1 (en) | 2004-11-19 | 2012-08-07 | Adobe Systems Incorporated | Method and apparatus for determining whether a private data area is safe to preserve |
US20070195198A1 (en) * | 2006-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | Lim Soo S | Method and apparatus for eliminating optical sensor flickering in video gaming systems |
US8330967B2 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2012-12-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Controlling the print quality levels of images printed from images captured by tracked image recording devices |
US9224145B1 (en) | 2006-08-30 | 2015-12-29 | Qurio Holdings, Inc. | Venue based digital rights using capture device with digital watermarking capability |
DE102007061088B4 (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2017-08-17 | Airbus Operations Gmbh | Temperature monitoring of an aircraft |
US20100186234A1 (en) | 2009-01-28 | 2010-07-29 | Yehuda Binder | Electric shaver with imaging capability |
US20100295782A1 (en) | 2009-05-21 | 2010-11-25 | Yehuda Binder | System and method for control based on face ore hand gesture detection |
US20110070386A1 (en) * | 2009-09-19 | 2011-03-24 | Yoel Wazana | Apparatus And Method For Disassembling Containers Having Thermoplastic Joining Surfaces |
US8503539B2 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2013-08-06 | Bao Tran | High definition personal computer (PC) cam |
RU2472302C1 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2013-01-10 | Вячеслав Михайлович Смелков | Television camera for recording images in conditions of low illumination and/or low brightness of viewed objects |
US20130201316A1 (en) | 2012-01-09 | 2013-08-08 | May Patents Ltd. | System and method for server based control |
CN106030614A (en) | 2014-04-22 | 2016-10-12 | 史內普艾德有限公司 | System and method for controlling a camera based on processing an image captured by other camera |
KR102255369B1 (en) * | 2014-08-18 | 2021-05-24 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method for providing alternative service and electronic device thereof |
EP3289430B1 (en) | 2015-04-27 | 2019-10-23 | Snap-Aid Patents Ltd. | Estimating and using relative head pose and camera field-of-view |
WO2016207875A1 (en) | 2015-06-22 | 2016-12-29 | Photomyne Ltd. | System and method for detecting objects in an image |
US11255663B2 (en) | 2016-03-04 | 2022-02-22 | May Patents Ltd. | Method and apparatus for cooperative usage of multiple distance meters |
US11176104B2 (en) | 2018-04-16 | 2021-11-16 | Bank Of America Corporation | Platform-independent intelligent data transformer |
CN108932797B (en) * | 2018-06-13 | 2021-12-07 | 江西光正金属设备集团有限公司 | Intelligent express cabinet control system based on mobile phone APP access and access method thereof |
EP3888346A4 (en) | 2019-02-19 | 2022-08-24 | Edgy Bees Ltd. | Estimating real-time delay of a video data stream |
Citations (98)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4074324A (en) * | 1975-07-14 | 1978-02-14 | Barrett Jon S | Instant electronic camera |
US4315318A (en) * | 1978-12-26 | 1982-02-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for processing a radiation image |
US4318137A (en) * | 1978-04-28 | 1982-03-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Real time digital recording system for thermovision data |
US4375650A (en) * | 1981-04-29 | 1983-03-01 | General Electric Company | System for processing video signals |
US4496973A (en) * | 1981-11-25 | 1985-01-29 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Radiation image read-out method and apparatus |
US4564861A (en) * | 1982-08-17 | 1986-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Subtraction processing method and apparatus for radiation images |
US4571638A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1986-02-18 | Datacopy Corporation | Random-access electronic camera |
US4573076A (en) * | 1984-07-13 | 1986-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image sensor including a repeating read function |
US4574319A (en) * | 1981-05-12 | 1986-03-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera having non-image data recorder |
US4575752A (en) * | 1982-06-17 | 1986-03-11 | Michitaka Honda | Diagnostic X-ray apparatus having a master timing control unit |
US4577239A (en) * | 1980-11-12 | 1986-03-18 | Aiwa Co., Ltd. | Video tape recorder usable with different types of tape cassettes |
US4641198A (en) * | 1983-12-30 | 1987-02-03 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for recording video signal associated with photographic image |
US4641203A (en) * | 1981-03-13 | 1987-02-03 | Miller Richard L | Apparatus for storing and relating visual data and computer information |
US4642700A (en) * | 1983-12-30 | 1987-02-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for producing video signal associated with photographic image |
US4641966A (en) * | 1985-08-01 | 1987-02-10 | General Electric Company | Automated inspection system |
US4652944A (en) * | 1984-06-25 | 1987-03-24 | Kirsch Technologies, Inc. | Computer memory back-up |
US4717969A (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1988-01-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for detecting servo-lock state in rotation of rotary recording medium |
US4729040A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1988-03-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Tracking apparatus for playing back rotary magnetic recording medium |
US4730222A (en) * | 1985-04-22 | 1988-03-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Video recording apparatus having low and high resolution operational modes |
US4730212A (en) * | 1984-01-04 | 1988-03-08 | Itek Corporation | Realtime digital diagnostic image processing system |
US4729897A (en) * | 1985-08-07 | 1988-03-08 | Compagnie Rousselot, S.A. | Gelatin product having highly improved properties of wettability and dispersibility, and a method of making the same |
US4734725A (en) * | 1986-12-11 | 1988-03-29 | Bierman John C A | Apparatus for photographing objects and/or persons simultaneously with the occurrence of a predetermined event |
US4797751A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1989-01-10 | Yamaguchi Cinema Corporation | Electronic camera apparatus for recording and reproducing moving object images |
US4797746A (en) * | 1987-08-24 | 1989-01-10 | Rockwell International Corporation | Digital image interface system |
US4800448A (en) * | 1986-09-02 | 1989-01-24 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image recording/reproducing apparatus |
US4803554A (en) * | 1987-09-30 | 1989-02-07 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging camera utilizing EPROM memory |
US4803568A (en) * | 1985-12-02 | 1989-02-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Motor control apparatus effecting phase control on rotating body |
US4803561A (en) * | 1986-01-13 | 1989-02-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image reading method and apparatus |
US4805037A (en) * | 1987-10-15 | 1989-02-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image recording system |
US4812922A (en) * | 1986-05-16 | 1989-03-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Still video signal playback apparatus with still video recording function |
US4814811A (en) * | 1986-12-05 | 1989-03-21 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Still camera system |
US4814876A (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1989-03-21 | Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera |
US4817050A (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1989-03-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Database system |
US4896220A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1990-01-23 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Magnetic recording method and magnetic recording head used therefor |
US4897735A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1990-01-30 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for multi-media copying machine |
US4897732A (en) * | 1985-09-13 | 1990-01-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic camera |
US4899216A (en) * | 1986-09-02 | 1990-02-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for processing an image with gradation correction of video signal |
US4899212A (en) * | 1987-08-28 | 1990-02-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | White balance adjusting device for a camera |
US4903132A (en) * | 1987-09-26 | 1990-02-20 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic still camera with slow-in, fast out memory addressing |
US4905092A (en) * | 1987-11-04 | 1990-02-27 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Condensation-free data reading machine |
US4905167A (en) * | 1986-12-11 | 1990-02-27 | Yamaha Corporation | Image processing system interfacing with different monitors |
US4907231A (en) * | 1987-05-06 | 1990-03-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Memory cartridge-connectable electronic device such as electronic still video camera |
US4907092A (en) * | 1986-03-26 | 1990-03-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Modulating/demodulating circuit for multiplex recording/playback of data in a magnetic recording/playback system |
US4908709A (en) * | 1987-12-11 | 1990-03-13 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Solid-state electronic imaging device with a photometry function responsive to discarded charge packets |
US4910706A (en) * | 1972-09-11 | 1990-03-20 | Hyatt Gilbert P | Analog memory for storing digital information |
US4982282A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1991-01-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image signal compression encoding apparatus and image signal expansion reproducing apparatus |
US4982290A (en) * | 1988-01-26 | 1991-01-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Digital electronic still camera effecting analog-to-digital conversion after color balance adjustment and gradation correction |
US4982291A (en) * | 1987-08-27 | 1991-01-01 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Electronic still video camera capable of searching desired picture in simple and quick manner |
US4985777A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1991-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Camera having a focus controller capable of focusing in horizontal and vertical directions of an image |
US4991004A (en) * | 1988-02-05 | 1991-02-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film previewer which simultaneously displays a 110 and a 135 frame |
US4992886A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1991-02-12 | Wnm Ventures, Inc. | Method and apparatus for encoding data within the subcode channel of a compact disc or laser disc |
US4994913A (en) * | 1988-11-08 | 1991-02-19 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Still picture transmission-display apparatus |
US4994912A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1991-02-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Audio video interactive display |
US4999705A (en) * | 1990-05-03 | 1991-03-12 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Three dimensional motion compensated video coding |
US4999715A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1991-03-12 | Eastman Kodak Company | Dual processor image compressor/expander |
US5081535A (en) * | 1989-10-14 | 1992-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Exposure control apparatus for electronic still camera having a through the lens light measuring system |
US5086345A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1992-02-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of operation in a still video camera system for transferring track information from a playback device to the still video camera |
US5091747A (en) * | 1989-11-16 | 1992-02-25 | Irving Tsai | Method and apparatus for converting a conventional copier into an electronic printer |
US5177614A (en) * | 1990-02-07 | 1993-01-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | High-definition still picture camera having a solid-state imaging device with photoelectric conversion elements divided into four fields |
US5184229A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1993-02-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Compression coding device and expansion decoding device for picture signal |
US5189522A (en) * | 1991-09-06 | 1993-02-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Synchronized thermal printing |
US5280397A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1994-01-18 | Advanced Television Test Center, Inc. | Bi-directional HDTV format digital signal converter |
US5283633A (en) * | 1989-11-10 | 1994-02-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Solid state image pickup device in which picture elements of green are generated in vertical charge transfer paths |
US5287266A (en) * | 1987-09-21 | 1994-02-15 | Videocart, Inc. | Intelligent shopping cart system having cart position determining capability |
US5379376A (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1995-01-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Bi-directional graphics attribute conversion profile |
US5378533A (en) * | 1989-07-17 | 1995-01-03 | Fujii Kinzoku Kako Co., Ltd. | Electrically conductive exothermic composition comprising non-magnetic hollow particles and heating unit made thereof |
US5481364A (en) * | 1992-11-10 | 1996-01-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for adaptively generating a decoder table for variable-length codes using a stored coding table |
US5493335A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1996-02-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Single sensor color camera with user selectable image record size |
US5706387A (en) * | 1994-12-28 | 1998-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Movie video camera, apparatus for reproducing movie video signal, method of recording movie video signal, and method of reproducing same |
US5706050A (en) * | 1993-12-24 | 1998-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film image input method and system thereof |
US5710597A (en) * | 1993-03-31 | 1998-01-20 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of saving power for video camera |
US5717839A (en) * | 1995-02-22 | 1998-02-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processor and printer having correction table data for an external source transferred to the printer |
US6020982A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 2000-02-01 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Image data processing apparatus for digitally reproducing optical image data |
US6172770B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2001-01-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for correcting halftone-dot image data, and method of correcting halftone-dot threshold data |
US6181880B1 (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 2001-01-30 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image data recording method and frame image regenerating method |
US6192190B1 (en) * | 1988-04-28 | 2001-02-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Digital image recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a plurality of compression methods |
US6191811B1 (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 2001-02-20 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film image regenerating method and device |
US6195469B1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2001-02-27 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for shading correction |
US6337712B1 (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 2002-01-08 | Fuji Photo Film Company, Ltd. | System for storing and utilizing picture image data recorded by digital camera |
US6337951B1 (en) * | 1996-12-02 | 2002-01-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Camera and photo data input system for camera |
US6339485B1 (en) * | 1998-01-12 | 2002-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of making photoprocessing reference image control tool photograph and methods of converting image data |
US6339484B1 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2002-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Guide plate assembly and image recording medium transporting apparatus using the assembly |
US6340989B1 (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 2002-01-22 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Monitoring method with a CCD imaging device and digital still camera using the same |
US6344907B1 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2002-02-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image modification apparatus and method |
US6346998B2 (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 2002-02-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Picture image outputting method and photograph finishing system using the method |
US6351286B1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image producing apparatus enabling a user to evaluate an intermediate image |
US6351291B1 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for an on-screen-display which displays one image over another image |
US6351606B1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera, method for detecting obstruction to electronic flash and method for correcting exposure level |
US6504952B1 (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 2003-01-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image processing method and apparatus |
US6507704B2 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2003-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Pseudo-zoom camera and image processing system using the pseudo-zoom camera |
US6510505B1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2003-01-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for allocating storage space using bit-parallel search of bitmap |
US6515766B1 (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2003-02-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Photographic photosensitive material and photographic printing system |
US6519046B1 (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 2003-02-11 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Printing method and system for making a print from a photo picture frame and a graphic image written by a user |
US6522391B2 (en) * | 1998-09-07 | 2003-02-18 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image reading apparatus |
US6522353B1 (en) * | 1993-03-26 | 2003-02-18 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Automatic white balance control device, video camera with an automatic white balance control device and method for producing a video camera with an automatic white balance control device |
US6525836B2 (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for and method of synthesizing image |
US6525767B2 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic still camera with image pick-up unit and card unit |
US6526232B1 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. | Lens control unit |
Family Cites Families (106)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4714962A (en) | 1976-08-27 | 1987-12-22 | Levine Alfred B | Dual electronic camera, previewing, and control |
US4118687A (en) | 1976-10-04 | 1978-10-03 | Recognition Equipment Incorporated | Portable OCR system |
US4131919A (en) * | 1977-05-20 | 1978-12-26 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic still camera |
US4167022A (en) | 1977-05-25 | 1979-09-04 | Rca Corporation | Setup control unit for television cameras |
GB2047041B (en) * | 1979-03-22 | 1983-06-15 | Micro Consultants Ltd | Digital still picture storage system |
US4420773A (en) * | 1980-06-30 | 1983-12-13 | Nippon Kogaku K.K. | Electronic photographic camera |
JPS5778286A (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-05-15 | Nippon Kogaku Kk <Nikon> | Electronic camera |
US4385361A (en) | 1980-11-25 | 1983-05-24 | The Rust Engineering Company | Graphics produced by optically scanning a design model |
US4453268A (en) | 1981-03-18 | 1984-06-05 | Lundy Electronics & Systems, Inc. | OCR Page reader |
JPS5829279A (en) | 1981-08-14 | 1983-02-21 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Electronic still camera |
JPS58108885A (en) * | 1981-12-23 | 1983-06-29 | Nippon Kogaku Kk <Nikon> | Still picture signal converter |
US4599657A (en) | 1981-12-29 | 1986-07-08 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pick-up device |
JPS5943676A (en) | 1982-09-06 | 1984-03-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Electronic camera system |
JPS5970091A (en) * | 1982-10-13 | 1984-04-20 | Nippon Kogaku Kk <Nikon> | Electronic still camera |
US4587633A (en) | 1982-11-10 | 1986-05-06 | Wang Laboratories, Inc. | Management communication terminal system |
US4821121A (en) | 1983-04-08 | 1989-04-11 | Ampex Corporation | Electronic still store with high speed sorting and method of operation |
US4682248A (en) | 1983-04-19 | 1987-07-21 | Compusonics Video Corporation | Audio and video digital recording and playback system |
JPS59223074A (en) | 1983-06-01 | 1984-12-14 | Canon Inc | Image processing device |
JPS6068469A (en) | 1983-09-22 | 1985-04-19 | Canon Inc | Integrated file system |
AU571674B2 (en) | 1984-03-06 | 1988-04-21 | Practel Pty Ltd | Vision/reaction system |
DE3586171T2 (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1992-12-17 | Olympus Optical Co | MAGNETIC RECORDING / PLAYBACK DEVICE. |
JPS6110360A (en) | 1984-06-26 | 1986-01-17 | Canon Inc | Picture processing device |
US4768110A (en) | 1984-09-20 | 1988-08-30 | Go-Video, Inc. | Video cassette recorder having dual decks for selective simultaneous functions |
US4706126A (en) | 1984-11-02 | 1987-11-10 | Ricoh Company. Ltd. | Facsimile apparatus |
DE3588163T2 (en) | 1984-11-14 | 1997-12-18 | Canon Kk | Machine vision system |
US4774600A (en) | 1985-05-06 | 1988-09-27 | Eastman Kodak Company | Video tape editing technique |
US4691253A (en) | 1985-05-13 | 1987-09-01 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging camera for recording either moving or still images |
US4689696A (en) | 1985-05-31 | 1987-08-25 | Polaroid Corporation | Hybrid image recording and reproduction system |
US5170262A (en) * | 1985-09-13 | 1992-12-08 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic camera |
NL8502623A (en) | 1985-09-26 | 1987-04-16 | Philips Nv | TELEVISION CAMERA PERFORMED WITH AN ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER. |
US4656525A (en) | 1985-12-04 | 1987-04-07 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging copier |
DE3641592A1 (en) | 1985-12-06 | 1987-06-11 | Canon Kk | IMAGE DATA PROCESSING DEVICE |
US4656524A (en) | 1985-12-23 | 1987-04-07 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging copier |
US4858032A (en) | 1986-06-30 | 1989-08-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Device for extracting still picture frames from a moving image video signal and recording same on a magnetic recording medium |
US4760606A (en) | 1986-06-30 | 1988-07-26 | Wang Laboratories, Inc. | Digital imaging file processing system |
US4837628A (en) * | 1986-07-14 | 1989-06-06 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Electronic still camera for recording still picture on memory card with mode selecting shutter release |
JP2537041B2 (en) | 1986-11-05 | 1996-09-25 | キヤノン株式会社 | Recording device |
US4855779A (en) | 1986-11-19 | 1989-08-08 | Minolta Camera Kubushiki Kaisha | Camera system |
JPS63146566A (en) | 1986-12-09 | 1988-06-18 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Digital copying machine |
KR910006609B1 (en) | 1986-12-18 | 1991-08-29 | 가시오 게이상기 가부시기가이샤 | Electronic still camera |
DE3809677A1 (en) | 1987-03-19 | 1988-12-01 | Toshiba Kk | DISPLAY AND INPUT DEVICE |
US5005126A (en) | 1987-04-09 | 1991-04-02 | Prevail, Inc. | System and method for remote presentation of diagnostic image information |
JPH0769564B2 (en) * | 1987-04-20 | 1995-07-31 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Video camera with still camera |
US5475539A (en) | 1987-04-30 | 1995-12-12 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Image data recording system including memory card |
JPH07110065B2 (en) | 1987-05-01 | 1995-11-22 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Digital electronic still camera |
JPS63284987A (en) | 1987-05-18 | 1988-11-22 | Toshiba Corp | Electronic still camera |
US4887161A (en) | 1987-05-28 | 1989-12-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Memory cartridge and digital electronic still video camera in which said memory cartridge is freely loadable/unloadable |
US4772956A (en) | 1987-06-02 | 1988-09-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Dual block still video compander processor |
JPS6444430A (en) * | 1987-08-12 | 1989-02-16 | Canon Kk | Image inputting device |
US4935821A (en) | 1987-08-13 | 1990-06-19 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for multi-media copying machine |
JPH0628396B2 (en) * | 1987-09-25 | 1994-04-13 | 旭光学工業株式会社 | Electronic still camera |
JP2611269B2 (en) * | 1987-10-23 | 1997-05-21 | ソニー株式会社 | Signal processing device for solid-state imaging device |
JP2690312B2 (en) | 1987-10-28 | 1997-12-10 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Digital storage device for video signals |
US5018017A (en) * | 1987-12-25 | 1991-05-21 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Electronic still camera and image recording method thereof |
EP0323194A3 (en) * | 1987-12-25 | 1991-07-10 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Electronic still camera and image recording method thereof |
US4967297A (en) | 1988-01-26 | 1990-10-30 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Magnetic disk head positioning device |
US5231549A (en) | 1988-03-01 | 1993-07-27 | Conner Peripherals, Inc. | Disk drive apparatus with cam and follower for unloading heads |
US5032927A (en) * | 1988-03-01 | 1991-07-16 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image signal recording apparatus capable of recording compressed image data together with audio data |
US5111288A (en) | 1988-03-02 | 1992-05-05 | Diamond Electronics, Inc. | Surveillance camera system |
JP2745406B2 (en) | 1988-03-11 | 1998-04-28 | 株式会社リコー | Control method of image filing system |
JP2908796B2 (en) | 1988-03-30 | 1999-06-21 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Image signal orthogonal transform coding device |
EP0336317B1 (en) | 1988-04-08 | 1995-07-19 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic still camera capable of selecting recording media |
JP2543171B2 (en) | 1988-04-08 | 1996-10-16 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Electronic still camera |
US4847677A (en) * | 1988-04-27 | 1989-07-11 | Universal Video Communications Corp. | Video telecommunication system and method for compressing and decompressing digital color video data |
US4974197A (en) | 1988-05-05 | 1990-11-27 | International Business Machines | Batching data objects for recording on optical disks with maximum object count |
US4876590A (en) | 1988-06-17 | 1989-10-24 | Eastman Kodak Company | Low resolution verifier for a still video image |
US5058185A (en) | 1988-06-27 | 1991-10-15 | International Business Machines Corporation | Object management and delivery system having multiple object-resolution capability |
US4872054A (en) | 1988-06-30 | 1989-10-03 | Adaptive Video, Inc. | Video interface for capturing an incoming video signal and reformatting the video signal |
US5214781A (en) | 1988-07-25 | 1993-05-25 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Method of managing storage medium |
US4827347A (en) * | 1988-08-22 | 1989-05-02 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic camera with proofing feature |
JPH0263757A (en) | 1988-08-30 | 1990-03-05 | Canon Inc | Image processor |
US5130813A (en) | 1988-08-31 | 1992-07-14 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Image data supervising system |
JP2514410B2 (en) | 1988-10-04 | 1996-07-10 | 旭光学工業株式会社 | Still video equipment |
JPH02198274A (en) | 1988-10-14 | 1990-08-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Picture data compressing and recording device |
JPH0748814B2 (en) | 1988-11-04 | 1995-05-24 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Digital electronic still camera |
EP0374285A1 (en) | 1988-12-21 | 1990-06-27 | Deutsche ITT Industries GmbH | Portable electronic image pick-up device |
US5099846A (en) | 1988-12-23 | 1992-03-31 | Hardy Tyrone L | Method and apparatus for video presentation from a variety of scanner imaging sources |
JPH0614696B2 (en) | 1989-02-01 | 1994-02-23 | 旭光学工業株式会社 | Electronic still camera |
JP2670131B2 (en) | 1989-02-09 | 1997-10-29 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Image data playback device |
JP2899007B2 (en) | 1989-02-20 | 1999-06-02 | キヤノン株式会社 | Electronic camera |
JPH02222087A (en) | 1989-02-23 | 1990-09-04 | Toshiba Corp | Recording medium connecting device |
JPH02222385A (en) | 1989-02-23 | 1990-09-05 | Toshiba Corp | Electronic camera device |
JPH02233080A (en) | 1989-03-07 | 1990-09-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Electronic still camera |
JP3066531B2 (en) | 1989-03-30 | 2000-07-17 | キヤノン株式会社 | Digital image processing system, imaging recording device and reproducing device |
DE69010366T2 (en) | 1989-03-30 | 1994-12-01 | Canon Kk | Still video camera. |
JP2959773B2 (en) | 1989-04-20 | 1999-10-06 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Electronic still camera |
US20010033734A1 (en) | 1989-05-02 | 2001-10-25 | Minolta Co., Ltd., | Image information processing system |
US5029115A (en) | 1989-05-04 | 1991-07-02 | Laserfast Industries | Process for the creation of camera-ready mechanicals |
US5016107A (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1991-05-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic still camera utilizing image compression and digital storage |
US5231501A (en) * | 1989-05-25 | 1993-07-27 | Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Still video apparatus |
JPH02311935A (en) * | 1989-05-29 | 1990-12-27 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Storage control system for memory card |
JP3143110B2 (en) | 1989-07-24 | 2001-03-07 | 株式会社リコー | Image input device |
JP3226271B2 (en) * | 1989-07-27 | 2001-11-05 | オリンパス光学工業株式会社 | Digital electronic still camera |
US5032918A (en) | 1989-10-06 | 1991-07-16 | Nikon Corporation | Electronic still camera |
JPH03142678A (en) | 1989-10-30 | 1991-06-18 | Toshiba Corp | Electronic filing system |
US5227863A (en) | 1989-11-14 | 1993-07-13 | Intelligent Resources Integrated Systems, Inc. | Programmable digital video processing system |
US5454067A (en) | 1989-11-16 | 1995-09-26 | Tsai; Irving | Method and apparatus for converting a conventional copier into an electronic printer |
US5212770A (en) | 1989-12-06 | 1993-05-18 | Eastman Kodak Company | Data-handling and display system capable of supporting multiple application programs and output devices |
US5040068A (en) | 1989-12-28 | 1991-08-13 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic imaging apparatus with interchangeable pickup units |
US5038392A (en) | 1990-02-12 | 1991-08-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for adaptive image processing by recognizing a characterizing indicium in a captured image of a document |
US5164831A (en) * | 1990-03-15 | 1992-11-17 | Eastman Kodak Company | Electronic still camera providing multi-format storage of full and reduced resolution images |
US5241659A (en) | 1990-09-14 | 1993-08-31 | Eastman Kodak Company | Auxiliary removable memory for storing image parameter data |
US5218455A (en) | 1990-09-14 | 1993-06-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Multiresolution digital imagery photofinishing system |
US5027221A (en) | 1990-10-10 | 1991-06-25 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Digital image recording system with preset control for selecting output formats based on the selected amount of pixel color and density data |
US5301262A (en) | 1990-10-10 | 1994-04-05 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Image processor |
US5138459A (en) * | 1990-11-20 | 1992-08-11 | Personal Computer Cameras, Inc. | Electronic still video camera with direct personal computer (pc) compatible digital format output |
-
1990
- 1990-11-20 US US07/615,848 patent/US5138459A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-11-20 DE DE69131138T patent/DE69131138T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-20 WO PCT/US1991/008500 patent/WO1992009169A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-11-20 EP EP92902180A patent/EP0558670B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-20 KR KR1019930701490A patent/KR100222359B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-11-20 CA CA002095817A patent/CA2095817C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-11-20 AU AU91422/91A patent/AU9142291A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-11-20 JP JP4502638A patent/JPH06505841A/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-07-29 US US08/098,787 patent/US5576757A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1996
- 1996-05-22 US US08/651,562 patent/US6094219A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-02-19 US US09/253,831 patent/US6233010B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-04-03 US US09/541,285 patent/US6323899B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-11-27 US US09/724,375 patent/US6496222B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-03-12 JP JP2002067371A patent/JP3741656B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-09-12 US US10/241,886 patent/US20030025807A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2004
- 2004-03-05 JP JP2004062416A patent/JP3993858B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (100)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4910706A (en) * | 1972-09-11 | 1990-03-20 | Hyatt Gilbert P | Analog memory for storing digital information |
US4074324B1 (en) * | 1975-07-14 | 1994-01-11 | S. Barrett Jon | Instant electronic camera |
US4074324A (en) * | 1975-07-14 | 1978-02-14 | Barrett Jon S | Instant electronic camera |
US4318137A (en) * | 1978-04-28 | 1982-03-02 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force | Real time digital recording system for thermovision data |
US4315318A (en) * | 1978-12-26 | 1982-02-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method and apparatus for processing a radiation image |
US4577239A (en) * | 1980-11-12 | 1986-03-18 | Aiwa Co., Ltd. | Video tape recorder usable with different types of tape cassettes |
US4641203A (en) * | 1981-03-13 | 1987-02-03 | Miller Richard L | Apparatus for storing and relating visual data and computer information |
US4375650A (en) * | 1981-04-29 | 1983-03-01 | General Electric Company | System for processing video signals |
US4574319A (en) * | 1981-05-12 | 1986-03-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera having non-image data recorder |
US4496973A (en) * | 1981-11-25 | 1985-01-29 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Radiation image read-out method and apparatus |
US4575752A (en) * | 1982-06-17 | 1986-03-11 | Michitaka Honda | Diagnostic X-ray apparatus having a master timing control unit |
US4564861A (en) * | 1982-08-17 | 1986-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Subtraction processing method and apparatus for radiation images |
US4571638A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1986-02-18 | Datacopy Corporation | Random-access electronic camera |
US4641198A (en) * | 1983-12-30 | 1987-02-03 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for recording video signal associated with photographic image |
US4642700A (en) * | 1983-12-30 | 1987-02-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for producing video signal associated with photographic image |
US4730212A (en) * | 1984-01-04 | 1988-03-08 | Itek Corporation | Realtime digital diagnostic image processing system |
US4814876A (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1989-03-21 | Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera |
US4717969A (en) * | 1984-05-28 | 1988-01-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for detecting servo-lock state in rotation of rotary recording medium |
US4652944A (en) * | 1984-06-25 | 1987-03-24 | Kirsch Technologies, Inc. | Computer memory back-up |
US4729040A (en) * | 1984-07-02 | 1988-03-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Tracking apparatus for playing back rotary magnetic recording medium |
US4573076A (en) * | 1984-07-13 | 1986-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image sensor including a repeating read function |
US4730222A (en) * | 1985-04-22 | 1988-03-08 | Eastman Kodak Company | Video recording apparatus having low and high resolution operational modes |
US4797751A (en) * | 1985-06-19 | 1989-01-10 | Yamaguchi Cinema Corporation | Electronic camera apparatus for recording and reproducing moving object images |
US4641966A (en) * | 1985-08-01 | 1987-02-10 | General Electric Company | Automated inspection system |
US4729897A (en) * | 1985-08-07 | 1988-03-08 | Compagnie Rousselot, S.A. | Gelatin product having highly improved properties of wettability and dispersibility, and a method of making the same |
US4897732A (en) * | 1985-09-13 | 1990-01-30 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic camera |
US4817050A (en) * | 1985-11-22 | 1989-03-28 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Database system |
US4803568A (en) * | 1985-12-02 | 1989-02-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Motor control apparatus effecting phase control on rotating body |
US4803561A (en) * | 1986-01-13 | 1989-02-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image reading method and apparatus |
US4907092A (en) * | 1986-03-26 | 1990-03-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Modulating/demodulating circuit for multiplex recording/playback of data in a magnetic recording/playback system |
US4812922A (en) * | 1986-05-16 | 1989-03-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Still video signal playback apparatus with still video recording function |
US4896220A (en) * | 1986-07-28 | 1990-01-23 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Magnetic recording method and magnetic recording head used therefor |
US4899216A (en) * | 1986-09-02 | 1990-02-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for processing an image with gradation correction of video signal |
US4800448A (en) * | 1986-09-02 | 1989-01-24 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image recording/reproducing apparatus |
US4814811A (en) * | 1986-12-05 | 1989-03-21 | Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha | Still camera system |
US4905167A (en) * | 1986-12-11 | 1990-02-27 | Yamaha Corporation | Image processing system interfacing with different monitors |
US4734725A (en) * | 1986-12-11 | 1988-03-29 | Bierman John C A | Apparatus for photographing objects and/or persons simultaneously with the occurrence of a predetermined event |
US5091787A (en) * | 1987-05-06 | 1992-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Memory cartridge-connectable electronic device such as electronic still video camera |
US4907231A (en) * | 1987-05-06 | 1990-03-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Memory cartridge-connectable electronic device such as electronic still video camera |
US4797746A (en) * | 1987-08-24 | 1989-01-10 | Rockwell International Corporation | Digital image interface system |
US4982291A (en) * | 1987-08-27 | 1991-01-01 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Electronic still video camera capable of searching desired picture in simple and quick manner |
US4899212A (en) * | 1987-08-28 | 1990-02-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | White balance adjusting device for a camera |
US5287266A (en) * | 1987-09-21 | 1994-02-15 | Videocart, Inc. | Intelligent shopping cart system having cart position determining capability |
US4903132A (en) * | 1987-09-26 | 1990-02-20 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Electronic still camera with slow-in, fast out memory addressing |
US4803554A (en) * | 1987-09-30 | 1989-02-07 | Polaroid Corporation | Electronic imaging camera utilizing EPROM memory |
US4805037A (en) * | 1987-10-15 | 1989-02-14 | Eastman Kodak Company | Image recording system |
US4897735A (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1990-01-30 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for multi-media copying machine |
US4905092A (en) * | 1987-11-04 | 1990-02-27 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Condensation-free data reading machine |
US4908709A (en) * | 1987-12-11 | 1990-03-13 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Solid-state electronic imaging device with a photometry function responsive to discarded charge packets |
US4982290A (en) * | 1988-01-26 | 1991-01-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Digital electronic still camera effecting analog-to-digital conversion after color balance adjustment and gradation correction |
US4991004A (en) * | 1988-02-05 | 1991-02-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film previewer which simultaneously displays a 110 and a 135 frame |
US5086345A (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1992-02-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of operation in a still video camera system for transferring track information from a playback device to the still video camera |
US6192190B1 (en) * | 1988-04-28 | 2001-02-20 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Digital image recording and/or reproducing apparatus using a plurality of compression methods |
US4985777A (en) * | 1988-06-17 | 1991-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Camera having a focus controller capable of focusing in horizontal and vertical directions of an image |
US4994913A (en) * | 1988-11-08 | 1991-02-19 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Still picture transmission-display apparatus |
US5184229A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1993-02-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Compression coding device and expansion decoding device for picture signal |
US4982282A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1991-01-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image signal compression encoding apparatus and image signal expansion reproducing apparatus |
US4992886A (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1991-02-12 | Wnm Ventures, Inc. | Method and apparatus for encoding data within the subcode channel of a compact disc or laser disc |
US4994912A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1991-02-19 | International Business Machines Corporation | Audio video interactive display |
US5378533A (en) * | 1989-07-17 | 1995-01-03 | Fujii Kinzoku Kako Co., Ltd. | Electrically conductive exothermic composition comprising non-magnetic hollow particles and heating unit made thereof |
US5280397A (en) * | 1989-09-07 | 1994-01-18 | Advanced Television Test Center, Inc. | Bi-directional HDTV format digital signal converter |
US6020982A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 2000-02-01 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Image data processing apparatus for digitally reproducing optical image data |
US5081535A (en) * | 1989-10-14 | 1992-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Exposure control apparatus for electronic still camera having a through the lens light measuring system |
US5283633A (en) * | 1989-11-10 | 1994-02-01 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Solid state image pickup device in which picture elements of green are generated in vertical charge transfer paths |
US5091747A (en) * | 1989-11-16 | 1992-02-25 | Irving Tsai | Method and apparatus for converting a conventional copier into an electronic printer |
US4999715A (en) * | 1989-12-01 | 1991-03-12 | Eastman Kodak Company | Dual processor image compressor/expander |
US5177614A (en) * | 1990-02-07 | 1993-01-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | High-definition still picture camera having a solid-state imaging device with photoelectric conversion elements divided into four fields |
US4999705A (en) * | 1990-05-03 | 1991-03-12 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Three dimensional motion compensated video coding |
US5379376A (en) * | 1990-06-04 | 1995-01-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Bi-directional graphics attribute conversion profile |
US5189522A (en) * | 1991-09-06 | 1993-02-23 | Eastman Kodak Company | Synchronized thermal printing |
US5481364A (en) * | 1992-11-10 | 1996-01-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for adaptively generating a decoder table for variable-length codes using a stored coding table |
US6522353B1 (en) * | 1993-03-26 | 2003-02-18 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Automatic white balance control device, video camera with an automatic white balance control device and method for producing a video camera with an automatic white balance control device |
US5710597A (en) * | 1993-03-31 | 1998-01-20 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of saving power for video camera |
US5493335A (en) * | 1993-06-30 | 1996-02-20 | Eastman Kodak Company | Single sensor color camera with user selectable image record size |
US5706050A (en) * | 1993-12-24 | 1998-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film image input method and system thereof |
US5706387A (en) * | 1994-12-28 | 1998-01-06 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Movie video camera, apparatus for reproducing movie video signal, method of recording movie video signal, and method of reproducing same |
US5717839A (en) * | 1995-02-22 | 1998-02-10 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processor and printer having correction table data for an external source transferred to the printer |
US6191811B1 (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 2001-02-20 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Film image regenerating method and device |
US6525836B2 (en) * | 1996-01-31 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for and method of synthesizing image |
US6525767B2 (en) * | 1996-10-02 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic still camera with image pick-up unit and card unit |
US6346998B2 (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 2002-02-12 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Picture image outputting method and photograph finishing system using the method |
US6337712B1 (en) * | 1996-11-20 | 2002-01-08 | Fuji Photo Film Company, Ltd. | System for storing and utilizing picture image data recorded by digital camera |
US6337951B1 (en) * | 1996-12-02 | 2002-01-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Camera and photo data input system for camera |
US6351286B1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image producing apparatus enabling a user to evaluate an intermediate image |
US6340989B1 (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 2002-01-22 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Monitoring method with a CCD imaging device and digital still camera using the same |
US6519046B1 (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 2003-02-11 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Printing method and system for making a print from a photo picture frame and a graphic image written by a user |
US6344907B1 (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 2002-02-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image modification apparatus and method |
US6195469B1 (en) * | 1997-08-29 | 2001-02-27 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for shading correction |
US6172770B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2001-01-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for correcting halftone-dot image data, and method of correcting halftone-dot threshold data |
US6339484B1 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2002-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Guide plate assembly and image recording medium transporting apparatus using the assembly |
US6339485B1 (en) * | 1998-01-12 | 2002-01-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of making photoprocessing reference image control tool photograph and methods of converting image data |
US6181880B1 (en) * | 1998-02-27 | 2001-01-30 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image data recording method and frame image regenerating method |
US6504952B1 (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 2003-01-07 | Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. | Image processing method and apparatus |
US6515766B1 (en) * | 1998-08-20 | 2003-02-04 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Photographic photosensitive material and photographic printing system |
US6522391B2 (en) * | 1998-09-07 | 2003-02-18 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image reading apparatus |
US6351291B1 (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Image processing apparatus for an on-screen-display which displays one image over another image |
US6351606B1 (en) * | 1999-04-07 | 2002-02-26 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Electronic camera, method for detecting obstruction to electronic flash and method for correcting exposure level |
US6526232B1 (en) * | 1999-04-16 | 2003-02-25 | Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. | Lens control unit |
US6507704B2 (en) * | 2000-10-06 | 2003-01-14 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Pseudo-zoom camera and image processing system using the pseudo-zoom camera |
US6510505B1 (en) * | 2001-05-09 | 2003-01-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | System and method for allocating storage space using bit-parallel search of bitmap |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7864216B2 (en) | 1998-06-22 | 2011-01-04 | Memorylink Corporation | Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method |
US20030112335A1 (en) * | 1998-06-22 | 2003-06-19 | Memorylink Corporation | Self-contained wireless camera device, wireless camera system and method |
US7877290B1 (en) * | 1999-03-29 | 2011-01-25 | The Directv Group, Inc. | System and method for transmitting, receiving and displaying advertisements |
US20050163463A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2005-07-28 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US8907961B2 (en) | 2001-11-13 | 2014-12-09 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20060192791A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2006-08-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US7202893B2 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2007-04-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20030090498A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2003-05-15 | Photela, Inc. | Method and apparatus for the creation of digital photo albums |
US7403212B2 (en) | 2001-11-13 | 2008-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US7432920B2 (en) | 2001-11-13 | 2008-10-07 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20080291215A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2008-11-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20050155086A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2005-07-14 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the display of still images from image files |
US20050099385A1 (en) * | 2001-11-13 | 2005-05-12 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and apparatus for the creation of digital photo albums |
US20070216782A1 (en) * | 2006-03-20 | 2007-09-20 | Donald Lee Chernoff | Method of processing and storing files in a digital camera |
US8687947B2 (en) | 2012-02-20 | 2014-04-01 | Rr Donnelley & Sons Company | Systems and methods for variable video production, distribution and presentation |
US8989560B2 (en) | 2012-02-20 | 2015-03-24 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Systems and methods for variable video production, distribution and presentation |
US9516369B2 (en) | 2012-02-20 | 2016-12-06 | R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company | Systems and methods for variable video production, distribution and presentation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0558670B1 (en) | 1999-04-14 |
JPH06505841A (en) | 1994-06-30 |
US6323899B1 (en) | 2001-11-27 |
US5138459A (en) | 1992-08-11 |
KR100222359B1 (en) | 1999-10-01 |
CA2095817C (en) | 2002-01-01 |
JP3993858B2 (en) | 2007-10-17 |
US6233010B1 (en) | 2001-05-15 |
US5576757A (en) | 1996-11-19 |
AU9142291A (en) | 1992-06-11 |
EP0558670A4 (en) | 1993-10-13 |
JP2002325194A (en) | 2002-11-08 |
EP0558670A1 (en) | 1993-09-08 |
US6496222B1 (en) | 2002-12-17 |
CA2095817A1 (en) | 1992-05-21 |
WO1992009169A1 (en) | 1992-05-29 |
JP2004222314A (en) | 2004-08-05 |
JP3741656B2 (en) | 2006-02-01 |
KR930703791A (en) | 1993-11-30 |
US6094219A (en) | 2000-07-25 |
DE69131138T2 (en) | 1999-10-14 |
DE69131138D1 (en) | 1999-05-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6323899B1 (en) | Process for use in electronic camera | |
US7366404B2 (en) | Image pickup apparatus | |
US5335016A (en) | Image data compressing/coding apparatus | |
JP3542653B2 (en) | Image data transmission system for electronic still camera | |
US5067152A (en) | Method and apparatus for vector quantization | |
US7580060B2 (en) | Electronic camera that reduces processing time by performing different processes in parallel | |
US6859609B1 (en) | Portable digital recorder | |
US20020054212A1 (en) | Digital electronic still camera which receives an input/output control program through a detachable communication interface card | |
US20120050572A1 (en) | Information processing apparatus and method for operating same | |
JPH07274108A (en) | Digital electronic still camera and recording method into memory card | |
JPH0795507A (en) | Electronic still camera | |
US6845176B1 (en) | System and method for on-line computation and storage of scene histograms in an image acquisition appliance | |
US5740303A (en) | Magnetic recording system and method for a digital still video recorder | |
JP3143429B2 (en) | Method for calculating the number of writable data on a data recording medium, digital still camera, method for calculating the number of frames that can be photographed, and recording medium | |
JP2000069428A (en) | Digital camera system | |
JP3350392B2 (en) | Electronic still camera with video output function | |
KR100261594B1 (en) | Compact flash card digital still camera | |
JP2001245139A (en) | Digital image recording apparatus and method, and transmission method | |
JPH08298610A (en) | Memory card with video signal processing function | |
JP3082925B2 (en) | Image recording device | |
KR100261596B1 (en) | Miniature card digital still camera | |
JP2732941B2 (en) | Image signal processing device | |
JPH1075415A (en) | Still picture recorder |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |