US6977683B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital camera
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1998-12-03
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Granted: 2005-12-20
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Expires: 2018-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A digital camera employs an image sensor with color filters that correspond to individual pixels of the sensor. Image data detected by the sensor is recorded, together with data regarding the alignment of the color filters. The image data and the recorded alignment data are transmitted to a device external to the camera, where the image data is interpolated to produce complete color data for each pixel of the image. The complete color data is used to display the image. By means of this technique, the camera only needs to store and transmit the original image data, rather than interpolated complete image data. In addition, various interpolation processes can be employed in the external device, according to the particular desires of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroyuki Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/64; H04N1/648; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/843; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/13; H04N25/134; H04N2209/00; H04N2209/04; H04N2209/041; H04N2209/042; H04N2209/045; H04N2209/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A digital camera that records a captured image as digital data and that interfaces with an external device, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device equipped with color filters that are located so as to correspond to individual pixels and that perform color separation of the image signals; an A/D converter that converts the image signals obtained by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the alignment of the color filters located so as to correspond to individual pixels; a data processor that, after performing color separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different colors based on said recorded filter alignment data, interpolates for missing pixels for each color using a first process; and a display device that reproduces the image comprising complete pixel data of different colors that is obtained from the data processor, wherein said external device interpolates for missing pixels for each color using a second process which is different from the first process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A digital camera that records a captured image as digital data and that interfaces with an external device, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device equipped with color filters that are located so as to correspond to individual pixels and that perform color separation of the image signals; an A/D converter that converts the image signals obtained by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the alignment of the color filters located so as to correspond to individual pixels; a data processor that, after performing color separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different colors based on said recorded filter alignment data, interpolates for missing pixels for each color using a first process; and a display device that reproduces the image comprising complete pixel data of different colors that is obtained from the data processor, wherein said external device interpolates for missing pixels for each color using a second process which is different from the first process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said recording device includes a memory card that is detachable from said digital camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 1 , said digital camera having an output unit that outputs the digital image data and filter alignment data to the external device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said data processor controls said digital camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said recording device simultaneously records said digital image data and said data regarding alignment of the colors filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
187 words
A digital camera that records an image as digital image data, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device equipped with color filters that are located so as to correspond to individual pixels and that perform color separation of the image signals; an A/D converter that converts the image signals obtained by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the alignment of the color filters located so as to correspond to individual pixels; a data processor that, after performing color separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different colors based on said recorded filter alignment data, interpolates for missing pixels for each color to produce complete pixel data for each color using a first process; and an output unit that outputs to an external device the complete pixel data of each color obtained from said data processor together with the filter alignment data recorded on said recording device, wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each color using an second process which is different from said first process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
187 words
A digital camera that records an image as digital image data, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device equipped with color filters that are located so as to correspond to individual pixels and that perform color separation of the image signals; an A/D converter that converts the image signals obtained by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the alignment of the color filters located so as to correspond to individual pixels; a data processor that, after performing color separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different colors based on said recorded filter alignment data, interpolates for missing pixels for each color to produce complete pixel data for each color using a first process; and an output unit that outputs to an external device the complete pixel data of each color obtained from said data processor together with the filter alignment data recorded on said recording device, wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each color using an second process which is different from said first process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 6 , said digital camera having a display device that reproduces the image comprising the complete pixel data of each color that is obtained from said data processor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for recording and displaying an image, comprising the steps of: sensing an image with an image sensor having an array of pixels, where each pixel generates data relating to one of a plurality of colors; simultaneously storing the data generated by the individual pixels of the image sensor and information which describes the colors that are respectively associated with the individual pixels in said array at a first site; performing a first interpolation of the stored data at said fist site in accordance with said information to produce a first set of complete color data: transmitting said first set of complete color data from said first site to a second site; reinterpolating said first set of complete color data at said second site in accordance with said stored information using a different interpolation process to generate a second set of complete color data for the individual pixels; and reproducing the image in accordance with the second set of complete color data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for recording and displaying an image, comprising the steps of: sensing an image with an image sensor having an array of pixels, where each pixel generates data relating to one of a plurality of colors; simultaneously storing the data generated by the individual pixels of the image sensor and information which describes the colors that are respectively associated with the individual pixels in said array at a first site; performing a first interpolation of the stored data at said fist site in accordance with said information to produce a first set of complete color data: transmitting said first set of complete color data from said first site to a second site; reinterpolating said first set of complete color data at said second site in accordance with said stored information using a different interpolation process to generate a second set of complete color data for the individual pixels; and reproducing the image in accordance with the second set of complete color data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 8 wherein each of said pixels in the image sensor generates data relating to one of three colors, and said complete color data comprises a combination of all three colors for any individual pixel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of compressing the image data at said first site prior to transmitting it to said second site.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
161 words
A digital camera that records a captured image as digital data and that interfaces with an external device, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device having individual pixels that sense different respective components of an image; an A/D converter that converts image signals produced by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the arrangement of said individual pixels of the image pickup device relative to said different components; a data processor that performs separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different components based on said recorded pixel arrangement data, and interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a first process; and a display device that reproduces the image comprising complete pixel data of different components that is obtained from the data processor; wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a second process different from the first process.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A digital camera that records a captured image as digital data and that interfaces with an external device, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device having individual pixels that sense different respective components of an image; an A/D converter that converts image signals produced by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the arrangement of said individual pixels of the image pickup device relative to said different components; a data processor that performs separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different components based on said recorded pixel arrangement data, and interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a first process; and a display device that reproduces the image comprising complete pixel data of different components that is obtained from the data processor; wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a second process different from the first process.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said recording device includes a memory card that is detachable from said digital camera.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 11 , said digital camera having an output unit that outputs the digital image data and pixel arrangement data to the external device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said data processor controls said digital camera.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A digital camera as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said recording device simultaneously records said digital image data and said data regarding alignment of the colors filter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
173 words
A digital camera that records an image as digital image data, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device having individual pixels that sense different respective components of an image; an A/D converter that converts image signals produced by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the arrangement of said individual pixels of the image pickup device relative to said different components; a data processor that performs separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different components based on said recorded pixel arrangement data, and interpolates for missing pixels for each components to produce complete pixel data for each component using a first process; and an output unit that outputs to an external device the complete pixel data of each component obtained from said data processor together with the pixel arrangement data recorded on said recording device; wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a second process different from the first process.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
173 words
A digital camera that records an image as digital image data, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup device having individual pixels that sense different respective components of an image; an A/D converter that converts image signals produced by said image pickup device into digital image data; a recording device that records, together with said digital image data, data regarding the arrangement of said individual pixels of the image pickup device relative to said different components; a data processor that performs separation of said digital image data into pixel data of different components based on said recorded pixel arrangement data, and interpolates for missing pixels for each components to produce complete pixel data for each component using a first process; and an output unit that outputs to an external device the complete pixel data of each component obtained from said data processor together with the pixel arrangement data recorded on said recording device; wherein the external device interpolates for missing pixels for each component using a second process different from the first process.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for recording and displaying an image, comprising the steps of: sensing an image with an image sensor having an array of pixels, where each pixel generates data relating to one of a plurality of different components of an image; simultaneously storing the data generated by the individual pixels of the image sensor and information which describes the arrangement of the individual pixels in said array, relative to said different components, at a first site; performing a first interpolation of the stored data at said first site, in accordance with said information, to produce a first set of complete image data; transmitting the first complete set of image data from said first site to a second site; reinterpolating said first set of complete image data at said second site in accordance with said stored information using a different interpolation process to generate a second set of complete image data for each of the individual pixels; and reproducing the image in accordance with the second set of complete image data.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for recording and displaying an image, comprising the steps of: sensing an image with an image sensor having an array of pixels, where each pixel generates data relating to one of a plurality of different components of an image; simultaneously storing the data generated by the individual pixels of the image sensor and information which describes the arrangement of the individual pixels in said array, relative to said different components, at a first site; performing a first interpolation of the stored data at said first site, in accordance with said information, to produce a first set of complete image data; transmitting the first complete set of image data from said first site to a second site; reinterpolating said first set of complete image data at said second site in accordance with said stored information using a different interpolation process to generate a second set of complete image data for each of the individual pixels; and reproducing the image in accordance with the second set of complete image data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 17 wherein each of said pixels in the image sensor generates data relating to one of a plurality of colors, and said complete image data comprises a combination of said plurality of colors for each individual pixel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-19 | 2009-06-20 | 2009-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-19 | 2013-06-20 | 2013-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-19 | 2017-06-20 | 2017-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |