Abstract: Method and system aspects for digital image stamp positioning are disclosed. A method aspect, and system for providing same, positions a stamp in a digital image captured with a digital image capture unit independently of the digital image orientation. Included are the selecting of at least two offset values for a stamp and identifying of an area in an image for placing the stamp based on the at least two offset values. Additionally included is the positioning of the stamp within the identified area based on the at least two offset values.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a host to support a plurality of capture devices have been disclosed. The host includes a application program. In one aspect, the method and system include providing a first digital imaging device module, providing an interface layer, and providing a second digital imaging device module. The first digital imaging device module includes information relating to a first digital imaging device and is for controlling and providing connectivity to the first digital imaging device. The interface layer is for communicating between the application and the first digital imaging device module. The second digital imaging device module includes information relating to a second digital imaging device. The second digital imaging device module is for controlling and providing connectivity to the second digital imaging device and is accessible by the application through the interface layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically rotating a graphical user interface for managing portrait and landscape captures in an image capture unit. A method and apparatus for viewing an image in an image capture unit including a display comprises the steps of providing a first orientation associated with the image and providing a second orientation associated with the image capture unit. It is then determined whether the first orientation is different from the second orientation, and the image is displayed in the second orientation if the first and second orientations are different from each other.

Abstract: A method and system for grouping a series of images stored in a digital camera. The digital camera includes a view finder for displaying a plurality of the image cells, where each of the image cells corresponds to one of the stored images. The digital camera also includes a navigation control button for positioning a highlight area around one of the plurality of image cells, and one or more function keys. The method and system includes assigning a mark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned mark function key, the image cell currently highlighted is marked to provide a marked image. In response to the user repeating the above step, a group of marked images is created. The method and system further includes assigning at least one group function to one of the function keys, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned group function key, the group of marked images is collectively manipulated by the user.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device that includes a display screen. The method and system include providing the digital imaging device with a directed image capture sequence that comprises a set of program instructions, which when executed, display interactive instructions on the display screen that prompt the user to perform specific operations. In response to the user performing those operations, the interactive instructions are automatically updated to thereby guide the user through a series of related image captures. The directed image capture sequence is preferable written in an interpreted scripting language and loaded into the camera from an external source to add functionality to the digital imaging device.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an HTML (hypertext markup language) file including images captured by a digital imaging device, the digital imaging device having a display. A script and it's predefined model are provided to the digital camera. The script is comprised of a set of software program instructions. The digital camera executes the script to display interactive instructions on the display that prompt a user to perform specific operations. In response to the user performing the specific operations, the digital camera automatically updates the interactive instructions, such that the user is guided through a series of related image captures to obtain a series of resulting images. The digital camera then generates an HTML file including the resulting images, wherein the HTML file is formatted in accordance with the predefined model.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accelerating a user interface of an image capture unit. The method and system comprises providing a plurality of thumbnail images on the display, each of the plurality of thumbnail images being associated with a captured image. The method and system also include selecting one of the plurality of thumbnail images to be displayed as a resized thumbnail image on the display, the resized thumbnail image being a larger version of the selected one of the plurality of thumbnail images. Through the present invention the user interface allows a user to quickly review images in an image capture unit such as a digital camera or the like.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently managing the contents of a volatile memory and a non volatile memory used by an embedded computer system in order to reduce the amount of volatile memory required by the embedded computer system for operation. The embedded computer system includes a processor coupled to the volatile and non-volatile memories via a bus. The volatile and non volatile memories store computer readable software for execution by the embedded computer system. When executed, the software causes the embedded computer system to implement the method for efficiently managing the contents of the volatile and non-volatile memories. At power-up, boot code stored in the non-volatile memory is executed and begins instantiating the initial operating environment of the embedded computer system.

Abstract: Method and system aspects for increasing print performance for rotated digital images are described. A method aspect, and system for providing same, includes analyzing a selected image print layout to determine at least a number and size of rotated images in the selected image print layout. Further included is allocating available rotate buffer space to the rotated images based on at least the number and size of the rotated images, and executing band printing of the selected print layout.

Abstract: A method for displaying an image to a display device is provided. This method includes sequentially the steps of receiving the image in a first data format, performing a white balance correction in combination with a gamma correction for the image in the first data format, performing a color correction in combination with a color space conversion to a second data format for the image, and displaying the image in the second data format to the display device. This method reduces the number of multiplications required in the conversion of an image from the first data format to the second data format. This results in significant savings in CPU time, and more images may be displayed within a certain amount of time.

Abstract: A system and method for correlating processing data and image data within a digital camera device comprises a capture device for gathering image data, a data cell manager for building a data cell containing processing data and for linking the data cell to the image data, and a processor device for processing and compressing the image data by using the processing data stored within the data cell.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically updating software-driven features in an electronic imaging device, including digital cameras, is disclosed. The user of the electronic imaging device may desire various features which are not supported by the baseline application program that is built into the electronic imaging device. In the present invention, the user may select removable memory devices to supplement the baseline application program. The user inserts the removable memory device into an external connector of the electronic imaging device. The computer of the electronic imaging device then automatically scans the removable memory device for executable software items, and displays these items in various menus as appropriate. The user may then select these items for execution without having to reboot the computer of the electronic imaging device. When the user is finished using the features on the removable memory device, he may remove it with no subsequent operator intervention required.

Abstract: A system and method for the automatic capture of salient still images in an electronic imaging device includes detecting a high contrast image, notifying a user of the presence of the high contrast image, and capturing a plurality of salient still images to increase the dynamic range of the electronic imaging device. In addition, the system having an exposure control coupled to the electronic imaging device for selecting salient still capture mode, and determined a mode of operation for the capture of the salient still images, and storing the salient still images in a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A method for allowing user-specification of a time-based group of related images includes providing a first command to initiate an image capture session and providing a plurality of parameters in conjunction with the first command, the plurality of parameters comprising a length of the image capture session, and a period of delay between image captures in the image capture session. The method further includes providing a second command to end the image capture session, wherein the image capture session automatically relates images captured during the image capture session to form the user-specified time-based group. Alternatively, the image capture session is ended when the length has been exhausted. A system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of capturing and processing digital image data, and a central processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for obtaining a set of capability parameters for an electronic imaging device. The invention includes a series of capability parameter storage locations for containing capability parameter value sets, a GetCameraCapabilities command for retrieving these capability parameter value sets, and a parameter manager device for executing the GetCameraCapabilities command to retrieve the capability parameter value sets.

Abstract: A system for implementing button interface compatibility for button aware applications executing on a touch-screen equipped digital imaging device. A touch-screen is coupled to the digital imaging device and is adapted to accept input from a user. An embedded computer system is built into the digital imaging device for implementing functionality for the digital imaging device. The embedded computer system includes a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory stores computer readable code which, when executed by the processor, causes the computer system to implement a hardware abstraction layer, a touch-screen manager, a button interface manager, and an event manager. The hardware abstraction layer is coupled to the touch-screen and is adapted to abstract the functionality of the touch-screen. The button interface manager is coupled to the touch-screen and is adapted to interface with a button aware application.

Abstract: A system and method for anti-aliasing of text overlays on electronic images comprises a text-font manager for loading background color and selected font data which includes font type, font size, and font color, and for obtaining a text string for overlay on the electronic image. The invention also includes a graphics manager for retrieving bit-mapped data for the selected font data and text string and for retrieving current pixel information from the bit-mapped data. The invention further comprises an anti-aliasing module for adjusting the inactive pixels of each character of the character text string based upon the surrounding pixels in the bit-mapped data. The anti-aliasing module overlays the electronic image with the active and adjusted text character pixels. The image merged with text is saved in memory and/or displayed on the electronic imaging display device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing instant review of a last image in an image capture device is disclosed. The image capture device includes a viewfinder for displaying a live image and each image of a plurality of previously captured images. The method and system include selecting instant review of the last image captured by the image capture device, determining the status and location of the last image, and providing the last image to the viewfinder for display. Therefore, the image capture device is capable of displaying the last image substantially immediately after the last image has been captured. In another aspect, the image capture device contains an image processing system. In this aspect, the method and system include allowing a user to access a play mode and a review mode while the last image captured undergoes processing by the image processing system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling parameters in an electronic imaging device comprises a series of parameter storage locations coupled to the imaging device for containing parameter value sets, a set of parameter commands for controlling the parameter value sets, and a parameter manager device for executing the set of parameter commands to control the parameters in the electronic imaging device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically adding sound to images in a digital camera, which includes a view finder for displaying a plurality of image cells corresponding to previously captured images. The method and system includes the ability to manually post-annotate a previously captured image. This is accomplished by placing the digital camera in a review mode, selecting the image cell in the view finder corresponding to the previously captured image, recording a sound clip; and then attaching the sound clip to the previously captured image.