Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital camera including a display. When the digital camera is placed into each one of the multiple operating modes, mode-specific items corresponding to that mode are displayed on the display. The digital camera includes a first button and a second button for interacting with the multiple operating modes, where the first button has a first orientation, and the second button has a second orientation. The method and apparatus includes mapping an aligned set of mode-specific items in the display to the orientation of the first button. After the mode-specific items are displayed, the user scrolls from one mode-specific item to the next in the aligned set by pressing the first button and the display indicates which of the mode-specific items is a currently active item.

Abstract: A method and system for reviewing and navigating through images displayed on an image capture unit is provided. A method and system includes displaying images in a predetermined number of group types. Each of the group types indicates a number of images to be displayed at a time. The number of images displayed at a time being a page of images. The method includes selecting one group type from the predetermined number of group types and navigating through a plurality of images within the group type through the use of a highlighting area surrounding an image to be selected. Finally, the method and system includes selecting a particular image within the group type based upon the highlighted area. In one aspect, the method and system includes a four-way button to facilitate ease of movement between an image or cell and between pages of images. It also includes a mode button which allows for movement between group types and a view button to facilitate selection of a particular image.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an image related event is disclosed. In one aspect, the method and system remove an image file on a digital imaging device. The image file is capable of including incompletely processed data. A reference to the image file is stored in a database. The method and system include ensuring that removal of the image file will not affect processing of a second image file and removing the reference to the image file from the database. In another aspect, the method and system mount a volume on a digital imaging device. The volume contains an image file capable of including incompletely processed data. The method and system include detecting the insertion of the volume, mounting the volume, providing a database including a reference to the image file, and completing image processing of the image file if the image file contains incompletely processed data.

Abstract: A system and method for using a unified memory architecture to implement a digital camera device comprises a dynamic random-access memory for storing captured image data during processing and compression, a memory manager routine for allocating storage space within the dynamic random-access memory, a power management system for protecting the stored image data in case of a power failure, and an input/output interface for allowing an external host computer system to access the dynamic random-access memory.

Abstract: A method for manipulating image data in a digital image capture device includes forming two or more image processors, and providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device. The method further includes linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, the image processing chain capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners.In a system aspect, the system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of processing digital image data through two or more image processors. The system further includes a central processing unit within the digital image capture device and capable of linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, wherein the image processing chain manipulates the digital image data in sequential and serial manners.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for accelerating a user interface on a display of an image capture unit. The image capture unit includes a plurality of image files for providing a plurality of images. In a first aspect, the method and system comprise selecting an image based upon a scrolling method and providing a predetermined number of speculation buffers. The method and system include organizing the predetermined number of speculation buffers based upon the selected image so as to assign each of the predetermined number of speculation buffers to store one of the plurality of images in response to the scrolling method. In a second aspect, the image capture unit operates in a plurality of modes The image capture unit also includes a plurality of input buffers which are utilized in one of the plurality of modes and are unutilized on at least one of the other of the plurality of modes.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for timelapse capture in an image capture unit. A system and method for timelapse capture according to the present invention comprises capturing a first image automatically; initiating a sleep mode after capturing the first image; and transitioning from the sleep mode into a wake mode prior to capturing a second image. According to the present invention, a system and method is provided which provides a digital camera with the ability to automatically place the digital camera in a sleep mode during the interval when the camera is inactive. The sleep mode minimizes power consumption during inactive periods of a timelapse capture sequence, thus allowing automation of timelapse sequences. The sleep mode can be initiated if a predetermined time interval is greater than a setup time required prior to initiating the next image capture.

Abstract: Aspects for allowing variably controlled alteration of image processing of digital image data in a digital image capture device include forming an image processing chain with two or more image processors to process digital image data, and providing one or more parametric controls within each of the two or more image processors. The aspects further include accessing chosen controls of the one or more parametric controls to modify the two or more image processors for alteration of the image processing.

Abstract: A method for grouping related images captured with an image capture device includes identifying a first group, the first group distinguishing at least one first image of an image capture method defined in the image capture device, and identifying a second group, the second group distinguishing at least one second image of one or more designated image characteristics, wherein the first and second groups provide structured relationships among images. The first group further includes a natural group and the image capture method further includes a time lapse capture. 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 within the digital image capture device. The central processing unit further coordinates identification of a first group and identification of a second group, wherein the first and second groups provide structured relationships among images.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting the aspect ratio of an image captured by a digital camera is disclosed. In one aspect, the method and system include determining if the image requires cropping, decompressing the image, and cropping the image if the image required cropping. The image is then provided to a display. In another aspect, the method and system include cropping an image to a predetermined shape and providing the data to a display buffer.

Abstract: A power supply provides a voltage to a digital camera. If the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold, a voltage sensor generates a signal to a power manager. In response, the power manager configures the camera into a lower power consumption state. As the power source weakens further, the power manager continues to place the camera into a lower and lower power consumption state, until the power source is exhausted. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of monitoring the power source's voltage, generating a signal if that voltage falls below a pre-determined threshold, and reducing the camera's power consumption in response to the signal.

Abstract: The invention comprises a battery coupled to a power bus, an external power connector coupled to the power bus for receiving an external power plug, and two switching devices for disconnecting the battery from the power bus when the external power plug is coupled to the connector. The battery supplies power to the camera unless the external power plug is coupled to the connector. Upon coupling of the external power plug to the connector, the two switching devices, which are positioned in series between the negative terminal of the battery and the system ground, are opened. The opening of the two switching devices disconnects the battery from the power bus and connector to prevent damage which could be caused by applying an externally supplied voltage from the external power plug across the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

Abstract: A method for systematic generation of one or more image groups to relate a plurality of images as a single group includes providing an image command sequence. The image command sequence controls an image capture session comprising one of a plurality of capture types, and further includes a first command, the first command initiating the image capture session and formation of a first group, a plurality of parameters, the plurality of parameters characterizing the first group as one of at least two image capture group formats, and a second command, the second command ending the image capture session, wherein the image command sequence results in the single group of related images, and wherein the related plurality of images are identified through use of the single group. A system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of capturing and processing image data, and a central processing unit within the digital image capture device.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the functionality of a digital system is disclosed. The system includes a read-only memory (ROM) for storing an extendible control application, a processing unit for executing the code stored in ROM, an imaging device for capturing optical images and converting them to digital code, random-access memory (RAM) for providing working memory for the processing unit and storage for files and images, an input-output (I/O) device for receiving user input and communicating with a host computer to transfer images and files, and an optional removable memory for providing storage for images and a means for introducing extensions into the system. The ROM image includes a patch manager and function pointers which, together, permit the redirection of the program execution sequence. New pieces of code (extensions) can, through such redirection, be incorporated into the original, non-modifiable control application, to supplement or replace routines of the original control application.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing damage to media files within a digital camera comprises a power manager for detecting power failures, an interrupt handler for responsively incrementing a counter device and a removable memory driver for performing memory access operations, evaluating the counter device to determine whether a power failure has occurred during the memory access operation and for repeating the memory access operation whenever a power failure has occurred during the memory access operation.

Abstract: A method and system for accelerating a user interface on a display of an image capture unit is disclosed. The image capture unit includes a plurality of image files for providing a plurality of images, the image capture unit further includes controls for allowing an image to be viewed on the display and for allowing navigation between the plurality of images. In a first aspect a method and system in accordance with the present invention comprises providing a low resolution image, medium resolution image and high resolution image within each image file and allowing the medium resolution image to be viewed on the display. In a second aspect a method for accelerating a user interface on a display of an image capture unit in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of image files for providing a plurality of images, each image file includes a high resolution image therein.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering from a power failure in a digital camera comprises a power manager for detecting and handling power failures, an interrupt handler for responsively incrementing a counter device, service routines which register to receive notification of the power failure, and a processor for evaluating the counter and providing notification of the power failure to the service routines which may then assist the digital camera to recover from the power failure.

Abstract: A system for displaying and manipulating image data sets includes a display device, a memory, and a processing unit. The memory includes a view management unit that generates a graphical window showing thumbnail representations of programmed groups. A method for displaying and manipulating image data sets includes the steps of generating a first graphical window showing thumbnail representations of programmed groups, generating a second graphical window showing thumbnail representations of data objects contained in a programmed group selected from the first graphical window, and invoking an application program in response to the selection of a thumbnail representation of a data object from the second graphical window.