Patents by Inventor Eric C. Anderson

Eric C. Anderson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6700612
    Abstract: A method for reviewing and navigating among stored images on an image capture unit having a display, wherein each of the stored images is represented by a thumbnail image is disclosed. The method begins by displaying a page of thumbnail images on a display in which when the page is full of thumbnails, the thumbnails are arranged in an N×M array. A memory bar is displayed adjacent to the page on the display, wherein the memory bar indicates a position of the displayed page in relation to the other pages of stored images. The user may navigate among the thumbnail images in the displayed page via the up, down, right and left buttons, where a highlight area indicates a location of a currently selected thumbnail. The user may also navigate from the displayed page to other pages via up, down, right and left buttons, wherein the displayed page is replaced with a second page. In response, the memory bar is updated to indicate a position of the second page in relation to the other pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, John F. Pavley
  • Patent number: 6683649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a multimedia presentation from heterogeneous media objects stored in a digital imaging device, wherein each one of the media objects includes one or more media types associated therewith, such as images, video, audio and text. The digital imaging device includes a display screen, a navigation control button, and one or more function keys. In a first aspect of the present invention, a representation of each one of the media objects in the digital imaging device is displayed on the display screen. Thereafter, the user navigates to one of the displayed media objects using the navigation control button and marks the selected media object by pressing a corresponding function key. These steps are repeated to provide an ordered set of marked media objects. A slide show is then presented from the ordered set of marked media objects, whereupon initiation of the slide show presentation, each one of the media objects is automatically displayed on the display in the order marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6680749
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for an application program executed in a digital imaging device, wherein the digital imaging device and the application program applies a plurality of imaging effects to captured images. The method and system include selecting one of the captured images, and automatically applying the plurality of effects to the selected image to provide a plurality of preview results. The plurality of preview results are then displayed as an aligned set of application specific items in the display along with the selected image to thereby provide a real-time preview of each type of effect applied to the selected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Steve Saylor, Amanda R. Mander, Laslo Vespremi
  • Publication number: 20030236986
    Abstract: A method for anti-piracy protection of a software application by obfuscation of the execution of portions of the applications code is described. The method comprises providing a language specification and library to implement the functions of the language, providing a compiler to translate the language into byte codes, and providing an interpreter to execute the byte codes using the library. The method further comprises providing the language specifications, library, compiler, interpreter, and instructions to a software publisher, wherein the software publisher embeds the library and interpreter in the application to be protected, and selects and prepares application code segments for processing into byte codes by the compiler. The application is then executed using the embedded library and interpreter, wherein the execution of the application is obfuscated by the use of byte codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Paul A. Cronce, Joseph M. Fontana, Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6657667
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing a multidimensional array of overlapping images for composite image generation using a camera that includes a viewfinder. This is accomplished by providing a composite image format comprising an N×M array of overlapping images, and allowing the user to sequentially capture the images in the array. When the user attempts to capture one of the images in the array, the overlap ping areas of previously captured images are displayed in the viewfinder to enable the user to align the next image to be captured in the array with the previously captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030212758
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for implementing internet access to images stored in a digital image capture unit including an imaging device and a display. The image capture unit (e.g., a digital camera) is used to capture images and store them within its internal memory. The image capture unit accesses a ID server via the internet and registers its identity and internet address with the web server. A user subsequently accesses the image capture unit by entering the identity of the image capture unit into his web browser. The web browser, using standard internet protocols, then queries the ID server with the identity of the image capture unit and retrieves the internet address. The internet address is subsequently used to access a web page hosted by the image capture unit and display the web page to the user. The web page provides access to the stored images within the image capture unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Michael A. Ramirez, Stephen G. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030206316
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the creation and use of simple and complex templates. The system includes providing the template where the template contains a plurality of tags, and then applying the template to the image based on the tags. The plurality of tags provide instructions for the application of a plurality of plane files to be applied to the image. The method and system in accordance with the present invention automates the process of applying templates to images which reduces the required amount of user time for the interface. Its use of tags to store the template requires less storage space. The method and system in accordance with the present invention thus saves the user considerable time and effort in applying templates. It also require less processing time over manual template creation methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: ERIC C. ANDERSON, JOHN F. PAVLEY, BRUCE W. SOUTHWICK
  • Patent number: 6636259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for automatically establishing a user account and for configuring a hand-held electronic device for accessing a site on a public network using the user account. The method and system include establishing a connection to a website server, which is responsible for establishing and maintaining website accounts. The presence of account information on the electronic device camera is then checked, and if none are found, it is determined that this is a first-time connection and information uniquely identifying the electronic device is sent to the website server so that the server can set-up the account information based on the electronic device information. The server then sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Robert Paul Morris
  • Publication number: 20030122950
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for digital image stamping are disclosed. A method aspect, and system for providing same, stamps digital images captured with a digital image capture unit. Included are the establishing of parameters for at least one stamp type and the capturing of raw image data. Further included are the processing of the raw image data into at least one image, and the applying of the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6587119
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user to define a panning and zooming path across a still image in a digital imaging device during interactive movie creation. The method and apparatus include allowing the user to define the position of a plurality of key frames on the still image, allowing the user to size the key frames to control the zoom during the movie, and allowing the user to set the key frames on the still image to fix each of the key frame's position and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, John D. Bernstein, John F. Pavely, Carl J. Alsing
  • Publication number: 20030117513
    Abstract: An image processing system for high performance digital imaging in a digital camera. The reflected light from an image is focused through a lens and optically filtered. A CCD array converts this image into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is processed and then converted into an equivalent digital signal. A digital signal processor is then used to process the raw digital signal. The DSP includes a capture data path, a data flow control, an image processing data path, a compression/decompression engine, a resize circuit, a display processing circuit, and a rotation circuit. Data is routed between the DSP and memory via a bus. By selectively activating and reusing certain parts of the hardware architecture and various data paths, at least four modes of operation can be supported: live view, instant review, and play mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030112357
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for locating a desired image from a plurality of images stored in an image capture unit are described. In an exemplary method aspect, the method includes sorting the plurality of images in the image capture unit according to a sort criteria. The method further includes displaying the sorted images as one or more image groups on a display interface of the image capture unit. Additionally included is providing browsing access of the displayed, sorted images by group, wherein locating of a desired image occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6578142
    Abstract: A method including copying a first application from a first non-volatile memory to a second non-volatile memory and setting the first application to be a start-up application. The method further includes booting-up an operating system and executing the first application. The method also includes determining if a suitable connection exists, determining if a needed bandwidth of the suitable connection is available, and downloading a second application if the suitable connection exists and the needed bandwidth of the suitable connection is available. The method then includes executing the second application. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Phoenix Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, David Pitard
  • Patent number: 6571246
    Abstract: A method and system for data collection and workflow management in a business process using the Internet includes: defining a plurality of steps of a business process on a network; and automatically implementing the plurality of steps, including sending a request for data, receiving the data with tags, where the tags comprise identifying information concerning the data, and storing the data based on the tags. The method and system include the ability to integrate a digital image capture device into the business process, where the web server creates an executable file which is downloadable into the digital image capture device. The executable file creates tags for the digital images captured by the digital image capture device. The web server uses these tags to match an image to corresponding stored data. In this manner, there is less chance of confusion or mistake, and the speed of performance is also increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I, LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Devin Mitsugi Jaya Fernandez
  • Patent number: 6567122
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for implementing internet access to images stored in a digital image capture unit including an imaging device and a display. The image capture unit (e.g., a digital camera) is used to capture images and store them within its internal memory. The image capture unit accesses a ID server via the internet and registers its identity and internet address with the web server. A user subsequently accesses the image capture unit by entering the identity of the image capture unit into his web browser. The web browser, using standard internet protocols, then queries the ID server with the identity of the image capture unit and retrieves the internet address. The internet address is subsequently used to access a web page hosted by the image capture unit and display the web page to the user. The web page provides access to the stored images within the image capture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: IPAC Acquisition Subsidiary I
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Michael A. Ramirez, Stephen G. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20030090585
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6563535
    Abstract: An image processing system for high performance digital imaging in a digital camera. The reflected light from an image is focused through a lens and optically filtered. A CCD array converts this image into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is processed and then converted into an equivalent digital signal. A digital signal processor is then used to process the raw digital signal. The DSP includes a capture data path, a data flow control, an image processing data path, a compression/decompression engine, a resize circuit, a display processing circuit, and a rotation circuit. Data is routed between the DSP and memory via a bus. By selectively activating and reusing certain parts of the hardware architecture and various data paths, at least four modes of operation can be supported: live view, instant review, and play mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6538698
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for locating a desired image from a plurality of images stored in an image capture unit are described. In an exemplary method aspect, the method includes sorting the plurality of images in the image capture unit according to a sort criteria. The method further includes displaying the sorted images as one or more image groups on a display interface of the image capture unit. Additionally included is providing browsing access of the displayed, sorted images by group, wherein locating of a desired image occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6532039
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for digital image stamping are disclosed. A method aspect, and system for providing same, stamps digital images captured with a digital image capture unit. Included are the establishing of parameters for at least one stamp type and the capturing of raw image data. Further included are the processing of the raw image data into at least one image, and the applying of the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson
  • Patent number: D470857
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Steve Saylor, Amanda R. Mander