Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Methods and Systems for Content Processing

Methods and systems are provided for controlling the functions of a handheld multifunction device based on the orientation of the device The multifunction device can be held in a plurality of orientations including a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation The multifunction device includes a user interface that includes a display; and a plurality of applications that provide the device with respective functions, the plurality of applications comprising at least two of organizer, communication, and entertainment functions, wherein at least a portion of the application include different modes of operation The device further includes control means for detecting an orientation of the multifunction device and for automatically switching between the plurality of applications based on the detected orientation

Controlling functions of a handheld multifunction device

A communication system includes at least one telephone unit, a transmission system for communicating from the telephone unit, and a server for receiving information via the transmission system. The telephone unit includes a digital image pick up by which images are recorded, transmitted to the server, and stored in the server depending upon classification information which characterizes the digital images and which is associated with the digital image data. The classification information is determined by an analysis unit in the server.

Apparatus and method for recording, communicating and administering digital images

An image processing apparatus for tracking faces in an image stream iteratively receives an acquired image from the image stream including one or more face regions. The acquired image is sub-sampled at a specified resolution to provide a sub-sampled image. An integral image is then calculated for a least a portion of the sub-sampled image. Fixed size face detection is applied to at least a portion of the integral image to provide a set of candidate face regions. Responsive to the set of candidate face regions produced and any previously detected candidate face regions, the resolution is adjusted for sub-sampling a subsequent acquired image.

Real-time face tracking in a digital image acquisition device

The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises an image sensor, an orientation sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The image sensor is used for generating captured image data. The orientation sensor is coupled to the image sensor, and is used for generating signals relating to the position of the image sensor. The memory, has an auto-rotate unit comprising program instructions for transforming the captured image data into rotated image data in response to the orientation sensor signals. The processing unit, executes program instructions stored in the memory, and is coupled to the image sensor, the orientation sensor and the memory. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of: generating image data representative of an object with an image sensor; identifying an orientation of the image sensor relative to the object during the generating step; and selectively transferring the image data to an image processing unit in response to the identifying step.

Apparatus and method for rotating the display orientation of a captured image

A system to form reduced data for indexing use classified according to specific groups. A digital still camera records image data corresponding to a photographed subject, in frame units on a recording medium, and includes a classification unit to classify the image data corresponding to the photographed subjects into specific groups and a recording control to record image data corresponding to plural frames of the specific groups classified by the classification unit.

Image processing system for classifying reduced image data

A camera in which the compressibility of digital image data is controlled by a focus signal. The camera includes an imaging device and a photographic optical system which forms a subject image on the imaging device, the imaging device converting the subject image into electrical signals. A focus detection device is coupled to the photographic optical system and focuses the photographic optical system. The focus detection device also provides a corresponding focus output signal. An analog-to-digital conversion unit receives the electric signals from the imaging device and converts the electric signals into digital signals. A compression unit receives the digital signals from the analog-to-digital conversion unit and the focus output signal from the focus detection device and compresses the digital signals at a compressibility corresponding to the focus output signal.

Camera which compresses digital image data in correspondence with the focus control or the stop value of the camera

An imaging device which includes an optical unit passing light from a subject and having an exit pupil position. An image pickup element receives the light from the subject passing through the optical unit, and produces an image signal from the received light. The image signal has corresponding color excitation values. A color compensation mechanism adjusts a ratio of the color excitation values of the image signal produced by the image pickup element by adjusting at least one of the color excitation values in correspondence with the exit pupil position of the optical unit. Further, the imaging device can include an aperture positioned between the optical unit and the image pickup element to limit the amount of light received by the image pickup element from the optical unit. The size of the aperture is adjustable. The color compensation mechanism can then adjust a ratio of the color excitation values of the image signal produced by the image pickup element by adjusting at least one of the color excitation values in correspondence with the size of the aperture.

Imaging device which adjusts the ratio of color excitation values produced by an image pickup element in accordance with an exit pupil position and the size of an aperture

A white balance adjustment device adapted to be used in contexts where a photographic subject is illuminated with fluorescent lighting. The white balance adjustment device includes an imaging device for forming an image of a photographic subject and for outputting signals representing the image. An adjustment mode selection device is included for selecting a white balance adjustment mode according to the kind of light source used to illuminate the photographic subject. A measurement unit is used to measure color aspects of the light source used to illuminate the photographic subject. White balance adjustment circuitry is included to adjust the white balance of the output of the imaging device in accordance with the adjustment mode selected by the adjustment mode selection device and in accordance with the measured color aspects of the light source used to illuminate the subject. A method of performing white balance adjustment includes the steps of imaging a subject to produce a video signal representing an image of the subject, color separating the video signal into its primary light color components, measuring the color attributes of light used to illuminate the subject to produce a color measurement value, matching the color measurement value with a predetermined parameter to produce a processing parameter which corresponds to the type of light used to illuminate the subject, and performing white balance adjustment of the video signal using the processing parameter.

White balance adjustment device

An image-capturing element comprises: a plurality of pixels provided in a matrix each of which has a photoelectric conversion element; a plurality of color filters each of which is provided at one of the plurality of pixels; and a read out circuit that adds together electrical charges of pixels within every specific range among the plurality of pixels and enables a sequential read out of added electrical charges.

Image-capturing element, image-capturing circuit for processing signal from image-capturing element, image-capturing device, driving method of image-capturing element

Masahiro Suzuki

Papers

Image processing system for classifying reduced image data

Camera which compresses digital image data in correspondence with the focus control or the stop value of the camera

Imaging device which adjusts the ratio of color excitation values produced by an image pickup element in accordance with an exit pupil position and the size of an aperture

White balance adjustment device

Image-capturing element, image-capturing circuit for processing signal from image-capturing element, image-capturing device, driving method of image-capturing element