Eastman-kodak Company

Anthony W Schrock

Dale Frederick McIntyre

Paul E Spencer

Edward P Furlani

John Randall Fredlund

Arnold W Lungershausen

Robert W Easterly

David K McCauley

Harold J Barrett

Lawrence E Walther

Dolores A Mallette

Camera apparatus and method with provision for selection of image annotations to be recorded with captured images. Camera user initiated keywords associated with groupings of annotations are inputted to the camera via voice recognition or handwriting recognition to search for related annotations using group codes which may also include hierarchical rank classification codes. Annotations pre-recorded in memory and having codes matching those of the inputted keywords are displayed on a camera display device to allow the camera user to rapidly select a desired annotation for recording of the associated code in connection with the captured image. The code is then utilized in known manner during photofinishing to print the selected annotation on the front or back of the reproduced image print.

Method and apparatus for annotation of photographic film in a camera

An annotation system for a camera comprising at least one storage area capable of storing annotations, an input/output interface operatively connected to both the camera and the storage area, a sorting algorithm that is run by a microprocessor for reordering previously used annotations according to a predetermined set of parameters such as the number of times the annotation has been used or the frequency of use of an annotation; and a recall function run by the microprocessor for selecting parameters used by the sorting algorithm. A time recording mechanism is provided via a real time clock to denote annotation time, and a counting mechanism to count the times a particular annotation was used are provided to yield parameters for the sorting algorithm by which previous annotations can be reordered. A user selectable recall mode switch activates a menu on the display to enable user selection of the recall sorting method.

Camera with adaptive annotation recall

A camera having a touch sensitive control with first and second positions spaced apart along a surface of the camera, and a shutter. A processor is connected to the touch sensitive control and the shutter, so that as a user slides a finger from the first to the second positions, the shutter is operated. The sliding shutter control inhibits vibration during picture taking while allowing a two-position shutter control. The touch sensitive control may particularly be a touch sensitive screen and icons controlling other camera functions can be presented thereon. These camera control icons can be re-positioned or re-sized on the screen to suit user preferences and/or physical limitations.

Camera with touch sensitive control

An annotation system for a camera comprising: a memory card having a plurality of activation switches that are electrically coupled to an encoding circuit, the encoding circuit being operatively coupled to the camera; a look up table is configured to receive data from the encoding circuit as an input and to generate annotation data for the camera as an output; and a mechanism for placing annotation data indicia on film within the camera.

Camera with low cost interchangeable pushbutton annotation

A stylus based annotation system for cameras comprising a touch screen display on the camera for implementing stylus input, a first memory for storage of image annotation data, a second memory for storage of annotation data that is repeated between multiple images, a recording device for placement of annotation data on images and stylus sensor to detect removal and replacement of the stylus to effect a mode change

Stylus based electronic annotation camera

Respective image representations of a scene in front of a camera are recorded on a recording medium, such as a filmstrip, when the camera is at two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene, in order to obtain a matched pair of right-eye and left-eye pictures that can be simultaneously viewed to present a stereoscopic image of the scene. Respective indications are recorded on the recording medium, distinguishable from the image representations, that the image representations were recorded with the camera at the two separated viewpoints with respect to the scene. Thus, the matched pair of pictures can be kept in the right order for stereoscopic right-eye and left-eye viewing.

Apparatus and method for recording on separate film frames right and

A camera (10) includes a camera body (12), an objective lens (14) that receives light from a scene (34) and focuses the light on a focal plane (36) in the camera body. An emitter (18) receives power and produces a beam (66) oriented generally along an optical axis (20) of the objective lens such that the beam reflects from an object (32) in the scene. A sensor (22) measures an intensity level of a portion of the beam reflected back from the object to the sensor. An emitter controller (42) adjusts the output power of the emitter when the intensity level measured by the sensor for the reflected visible beam differs from a predetermined level. The beam may be visible or invisible. Corresponding methods of operating such a camera also are disclosed.

Autofocus camera with power control for emitted beam

A laser diode current drive control circuit including a drive circuit supplying a modulated laser diode current drive signal, a laser diode drive current source having a switch responsive to the drive circuit for controlling flow of drive current to the laser diode. The control circuit is further provided with one or more fault sensing circuits coupled to the diode current switch and responsive to a fault condition in the operation of the diode that would cause the diode power output to exceed a predetermined maximum safety limit to open the switch thereby terminating the flow of diode drive current. A feedback sensing circuit operating synchronously with the current drive signal is effective to open the switch when a normal feedback control signal is lost. A drive signal sensing circuit is effective to open the switch when integrated power output of the laser diode exceeds a safety related limit value. The fault sensing circuits are integral with the laser drive circuit and operate independently of the separate controller circuits.

Driver circuit for a camera autofocus laser diode with provision for

Apparatus for fixing a flash unit to a camera is disclosed. The apparatus includes mounting magnets and a structure for shielding the fields produced by the mounting magnets in a first undocked position and for exposing the fields produced by the mounting magnets in a second docked position. The apparatus further includes a mounting structure effective in the first undocked position for causing the flash unit to be moveably mounted to the camera and for leaving the shielding structure in the first undocked position and effective when the flash unit is moved to the second docked position for causing the shielding structure to be in the second docked position whereby the exposed fields produced by the mounting magnets cause the flash unit to be fixed to the camera.

Magnetically attaching flash units to cameras

The problem of error-introducing artifacts associated with the sampling of the pixels of a solid state imager is obviated by controllably clocking the A-D converter to which the sampled pixel signals are applied, such that the A-D converter digitizes successive pixel samples only during those times that are exclusive of those times when switching transitions occur during the sampling of the imager pixels. The D.C. restoration level is established in accordance with the contents of `dark ` pixel samples, which are exclusive of the switching transitions. In one embodiment, the selective D.C. restoration process is accomplished by coupling the output of the A-D converter to a digital-to-analog (D-A) converter. The D-A converter is clocked during the times that the A-D converter digitizes dark samples, so that it generates successive dark sample-representative voltages. Difference between these analog voltage values and a prescribed level are integrated and fed back to the input to the (A-D) converter as a D.C. restoration offset. In a second embodiment of the invention, the difference between the output of the analog-to-digital converter and a prescribed digital code is used to control the operation of a digital counter. The D.C. reference level is established in accordance with the contents of the digital counter.

DC restoration of sampled imagery signals

The translation of an optical image into video signals by a video sensor illuminated by the optical image is adjusted by illuminating the sensor at a first level of light intensity sufficient to provide the video signals at maximum amplitude while adjusting the amplitude of the video signals to a first level, and then illuminating the sensor at a second reduced level of light intensity while adjusting the black level of the video signals so that the black level is at least equal to the amplitude of the signals produced by the sensor in the absence of illumination.

Optical image to video transfer system having enhanced resolution and

A video timing system is provided for clocking an imaging sensor as well as for clocking a downstream video monitor and NTSC encoder. Due to signal processing delays between the sensor and the monitor/encoder, the first pixel is clocked out of the sensor prior to beginning the rasters of the monitor and encoders by a time period which is equal to the signal processing delay. In this manner, the first pixel out of the sensor is displayed at the beginning of the video rasters. In response to a video signal from an external source, the video monitor and NTSC timing is adjusted so as to be synchronous with the external source. Timing adjustment of the sensor is facilitated by the fact that the time period for early clocking of the sensor is unchanged whether or not the external video signal is present.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Anthony W Schrock