180 results about "Camera phone" patented technology

A system and method for decoding an image of decodable indicia, the computer system that includes receiving a request to decode an image, disabling the automatic focus on a camera in a client, setting the focus to a predetermined focus point that is close to the camera lens, capturing the image, locating the decodable indicia in the image and decoding the image of decodable indicia.

A camera phone includes a phone stage for generating voice signals, a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output, a first fixed focal length wide angle lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output, and a second fixed focal length telephoto lens pointing in the same direction as the first lens and forming a second image of the same scene on the second image sensor. A control element selects either the first sensor output from the first image sensor or the second sensor output from the second image sensor. A processing section produces the output image signals from the selected sensor output, and a cellular stage processes the image and voice signals for transmission over a cellular network.

A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

A 3G-camera phone (9) user may transfer photographic images from 3G-camera phone to an image viewing device (11) associated with a residential telephone (13) accessible on the PSTN telephone network (3). Both the image viewing device (11) and telephone (13) are connected to narrowband PTSN POTS telephone line (25). Through use of a call waiting (6) feature of the networks, data transfer is performed over a single narrowband PTSN POTS line with the voice conversation put on hold. Reciprocal image transmission is also possible. Like data transfers may also be made to telephone users having broadband DSL (45, 47 FIGS. 8 &10) or CATV (54, 57 FIGS. 9 &11) or VoIP (82, FIGS. 10 &11) services. An Internet (7) connected fileserver (15) uses a lookup table (23) to determine the kind of line to which the image viewing device is connected and select the appropriate routing for the image transfer.

A novel method for using product identifiers includes capturing a product identifier identifying a product, selecting one of a plurality of queries, transmitting the product identifier and the selected query to a data provider, and receiving a response to the selected query from the data provider. The method is performed on a personal data device (e.g., a camera phone, PDA, tablet PC et.), which includes a network interface, a scanner operative to capture the product identifier, a user interface operative to receive the query selection, and an application program interface operative to associate the product identifier and the selected query, transmit the product identifier and the selected query to the data provider via the network interface, and to receive the response to the identifier and query from the data provider via the network interface. A method for the data providers to use the product identifiers is also disclosed, and includes receiving a request from a consumer including a unique product identifier and data indicative of the type of information requested, retrieving the type of requested information associated with the particular product from a database, and transmitting the retrieved information to the consumer. The data provider includes a database associating the product identifiers with information corresponding thereto, and means for the providing the associated information to the requesting consumer.

A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and / or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes an MMR user, a MMR computer, a user printer that produces a printed document, a networked media server, an office portal, a service provider server, an electronic display that is electrically connected to a set-top box, a document scanner, a network, a capture device, a cellular infrastructure, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology, Bluetooth® technology, infrared (IR) technology, wired technology, and a geo location mechanism. The MMR system of the present invention provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system of the present invention facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a cellular camera phone, and a paper document.

A system, method, and device for remotely controlling the camera functions of a mobile camera phone are disclosed. The mobile camera phone and another device are communicable with one another using the Bluetooth™ protocol. Each includes a Bluetooth module that establishes a wireless connection with one another such that data and instructions can be exchanged. The other device receives and displays data representative of the mobile camera phone's viewfinder. A camera application is coupled with the Bluetooth module for establishing a master / slave relationship with a corresponding camera application in the mobile camera phone. The other device sends camera control commands to the mobile camera phone wherein the camera control commands can manipulate camera settings, take a picture, and dispose of the resultant picture. The other device further includes a user interface coupled with the display that provides a means of inputting data to manipulate the camera application.

A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

The present invention proposes to streamline the process by replacing most of the manual entry and mobile navigation through a mobile client application that will allow the user to [a] capture a barcode using a camera phone or any other camera-equipped communicating device such as a PDA with a camera attachment or a internet connected computer with a web-cam and [b] automatically send—or prepare the transmission of—the relevant information to the vendor directly or through the usage of a centralized platform.

A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and / or web link as a second medium). In one particular embodiment, the MMR system includes an MMR user, a MMR computer, a user printer that produces a printed document, a networked media server, a service provider server and a capture device. The MMR system of the present invention provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. The MMR system includes a MMR brokerage network having a customer, an MMR broker, an MMR service bureau and an MMR clearinghouse. The MMR brokerage network allows these entities to interact to provide a unified point of business access for the customer who wants to add MMR functionality to a document. More specifically, the MMR technology may be used to provide advertising associated with documents and MMR hotspots. Furthermore, the MMR system of the present invention facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, such as a cellular camera phone, and a paper document. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for operation of a MMR brokerage network, a method for layout independent MMR recognition, a strip fragment candidate generation process, and a page candidate accumulation process.

The present invention provides mathematically accurate image processing algorithms for extracting natural looking panoramic images and distortion-free rectilinear images from images acquired using a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens which is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis and devices implementing such algorithms. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security•surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phone for apartment entrance door, rear view camera for vehicles, visual sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, camera phone, PC camera, and broadcasting camera. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic or rectilinear photographs using a digital camera.

A mobile communications device includes a camera and an LED flash. The camera is configured to photograph a series of images in rapid shoot mode. The user photographs the series of images of an assailant in response to recognizing imminent danger of an attack. A predetermined event, such as a user pressing a camera button or hot key on the mobile communications device three times in rapid succession or pressing a combination of buttons, begins the series of photographs. The photographs are automatically transmitted wirelessly to a central repository for later use. The predetermined event also initiates a call to an emergency call center and / or an audible alarm.

An automated stabilizing apparatus includes a bracket to mount an image device such as a camcorder or camera phone and a differential gear assembly connected to the bracket; a first and second drive system, consists of a bidirectional DC motor, an encoder, and a gear train, having an output shaft couples to the differential gear assembly; and an electronic enclosure houses controls elements that include a microcontroller, motor drivers, and sensors in communication with the drive systems to maintain the bracket and image device steady over a wide range of positions.

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a camera in a mobile communications unit. A location of the mobile communications unit in a selected area is determined. Depending on the location of the mobile communications unit, a signal is sent which causes at least one camera function in the mobile communications unit to be disabled or limited.

The present invention provides mathematically accurate image processing algorithms for extracting natural looking panoramic images and distortion-free rectilinear images from images acquired using a camera equipped with a wide-angle lens which is rotationally symmetric about an optical axis and devices implementing such algorithms. Imaging systems using this method can be used not only in security•surveillance applications for indoor and outdoor environments, but also in diverse areas such as video phone for apartment entrance door, rear view camera for vehicles, visual sensor for unmanned aerial vehicles and robots, camera phone, PC camera, and broadcasting camera. Also, it can be used to obtain panoramic or rectilinear photographs using a digital camera.

A method and an electronic device such as a digital camera or a camera phone for managing digital media files such as photo images. A user of the device may define link areas on the latest image captured via a camera to be automatically associated with the subsequently taken images. Thus image structures called image chains are formed while still continuing the image capturing process. Such chains can be navigated through during the image capturing process or later on.

A system and method of the present invention provide parental and corporate control for a camera-phone. An administration authority web site is provided that enables an owner of a camera-phone to log into a server and establish a set of control policies that specify what actions on the phone are authorized for what user. The control policies that affect behavior of the camera-phone are downloaded to the camera-phone, and the camera-phone is then operated such that a user of the camera-phone is only able to perform actions authorized by the control policies. In a further embodiment, a control policy is provided that requires the camera-phone to upload captured images to the server for review by the camera-phone owner. In addition, the images may be quarantined until the camera-phone owner authorizes their release to the user.

Systems and methods are provided for preventing the transmission of pornographic or otherwise undesirable material from a wireless device. The wireless device 100 can be a device capable of capturing and storing video or photographic data. Prior to transmitting the video or photographic data, filter 110 can detect whether the content of the video or photographic data is pornographic or otherwise undesirable and thereby prevent the transmission of that data.

An active lens cover for a device, such as a smart phone with a dual lens camera. The camera lens that faces the user and the camera lens that faces away from the user are not directly behind each other, but are slightly offset. The active lens cover is advantageously in the shape of a “U”, which allows a single cover to be used to protect both lenses. The offset arrangement of the two lenses allows the facing lens be exposed by sliding the lens cover in one direction, and the away lens to be exposed by sliding the lens cover in the opposite direction. When the lens cover is slid to expose the facing camera lens, the camera phone automatically turns ON and enters a pre-selected operating mode. When the cover is slid in the opposite direction to expose the away camera lens, the camera phone automatically turns ON and enters another pre-selected operating mode. The housing of the U-cover includes at least one sensor that tells the device's CPU what hardware to activate. In the preferred embodiment, the user is able to seamlessly switch between transmitting a video feed from either camera during a telephone call.

Machine vision is used for the separation or identification of medicinal preparation or the dosage of medication in various situations for example, without limitation, morning, day, evening and night doses, in which the dose is delivered from medicine boxes or other containers. In one implementation the medicine table or medicine box that is typically set to a planar scanner and a picture is taken with a camera or a camera phone and the picture is analyzed with machine vision software for separation and indentification of the medical preparation or the dose. Medicines are then recognized in cooperation with a database, and information related to the recognized medicines are transmitted or displayed. The identification of the medicinal preparation is often useful in many official tasks that require near real time identification of the medicine.

A support for a camera phone provides a simple way of securely cradling a wide range of camera phone sizes, irrespective of whether the phone is provided with a case. The support also provides a handle assembly for stably supporting the cradled phone by hand, or with an integrated tripod mechanism.

The related collection and record method for business card information by image recognition in mobile phone comprises: using phone camera to obtain card information, taking pre-process, analyzing image impression, dividing area, taking letter recognition to every area, recognizing data, analyzing information, and storing the data into telephone directory in phone. This invention needs no additional device, improves speed, and fit to wide application.

A method, system and computer product for discount coupon acquisition, management and redemption. In one embodiment, the method comprises scanning a coupon with a portable computing device without establishing a data connection to the portable computing device. The method further comprises decoding a scanned image of the coupon for storage in the portable computing device, and generating information of the coupon by the portable computing device for redeeming the coupon.

Techniques are disclosed for capturing first information (such as a digital photograph) descriptive of a health-related item (such as a meal or fitness device), and transmitting the first information to a server which queues the first information for subsequent association with second information (such as nutritional content information) descriptive of the health-related item. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user uses a cellular cameraphone to capture a digital photograph of a meal to be eaten, and transmits the digital photograph over a cellular telephone connection to a server, where the digital photograph is stored in the user's account. Additional information, such as a timestamp, may be generated automatically and transmitted for storage with the digital photograph. The user subsequently connects to the account and tags the digital photograph with nutritional information descriptive of the meal. Accurate and efficient tracking of the user's nutritional intake is thereby facilitated.

A system and method of the present invention provide parental and corporate control for a camera-phone. An administration authority web site is provided that enables an owner of a camera-phone to log into a server and establish a set of control policies that specify what actions on the phone are authorized for what user. The control policies that affect behavior of the camera-phone are downloaded to the camera-phone, and the camera-phone is then operated such that a user of the camera-phone is only able to perform actions authorized by the control policies. In a further embodiment, a control policy is provided that requires the camera-phone to upload captured images to the server for review by the camera-phone owner. In addition, the images may be quarantined until the camera-phone owner authorizes their release to the user.