Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for managing the size of software files that are to be transmitted. In one arrangement, the system and method pertain to referring to a default transmission setting to determine whether a media file to be created will be too large and adjusting media capture device settings to reduce the size of the media file that will be created where the file exceeds the predetermined size. In another arrangement, the system and method pertain to referring to a default transmission setting to determine whether the stored media file is too large and reducing the size of the stored media file where the file exceeds the predetermined size.

Abstract: An appliance provides for the selection of data to be transmitted to an external device by selecting metaphoric page icons, each icon corresponding to a page of captured information. Metaphoric page icons may be selected by selecting the icons individually, by selecting a predefined group of icons, by selecting tagged icons, or by selecting all icons. A default selection includes selecting the current metaphoric page icon displayed on the display.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for managing communication transactions between electronic appliances is presented. The invention includes a source input/output (I/O) communications function which establishes a first communication link between the apparatus and a source appliance, and a destination I/O communications function which establishes a second communication link between said apparatus and a destination appliance. The apparatus stores and executes a communications program in program memory which manages communications transactions between the source I/O communications function and destination communications function.

Abstract: A method for automatically cropping, rotating, and scaling a scanned image to ensure that a printed copy of the scanned image is the same size as the original, when possible. The method attempts to honor the default or operator designated orientation of the printed image, but will automatically rotate the image if that will eliminate unnecessary image reduction. Optimal orientation and scaling factors are automatically determined based on the target page size and the size and shape of the information of interest in the original image (not the boundaries of the original document). The operator selects a desired printed orientation (or accepts a default orientation) and selects a desired printed paper size (or accepts a default printed paper size). If an image will fit within the printable margins without rotation or cropping, the image is simply printed without modification. If the image will fit without rotation by cropping white space, then white space is cropped.

Abstract: A hand-held image capture and communication appliance and method of using same are provided wherein images may be captured and saved in an internal memory. The appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the images on a built-in display screen. Program code stored in the internal memory and executed by the processor includes a delete page module for purging the memory of captured images when they are no longer needed. The delete page module includes a code segment for displaying an animation, which, in the preferred embodiment, is designed to convey the concept to the user that a delete operation is irreversible. One implementation of the animation shows the deleted page or group of pages turn into ashes, which is a metaphor for the permanence of the delete operation. A confirmation prompt is provided prior to carrying out the delete operation to inform the user how many pages or images will be deleted and what percentage of memory will be freed.

Abstract: A keyboard for a computer includes at least one insertion point control device. When alphanumeric or typographic key on the keyboard are actively being used, the insertion point control device is automatically disabled or ignored for a predetermined period of time. As a result, when a user is actively typing, the insertion point control device is automatically disabled, and when the user pauses, the insertion point control device is re-enabled. Automatically disabling or ignoring the insertion point control device reduces the risk of inadvertent movement of an insertion point.

Abstract: A hand-held image capture and communication appliance and method of using same are provided wherein images may be captured via the appliance and saved in an internal memory. The capture and communication appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the images on a built-in display screen. Program code stored in the internal memory includes an image attachment module that allows the user to associate captured images with one another (i.e., electronically attach the images) to form a group and provides a graphical representation of this association on the display screen. Moreover, a group of captured images is treated as a single logical unit, which allows operations (e.g., send to another device or appliance, delete, etc.) to be performed on several captured images (i.e., the entire group) at once instead of on an individual basis. According to another aspect of the invention, the program code includes an image detachment module that allows the user to disassociate scanned image(s) (i.e.

Abstract: A hand-held image capture and communication appliance and method of using same are provided wherein images may be acquired via scanning means and saved in an internal memory. The scanning appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the images on a built-in display screen. Program code stored in the internal memory and executed by the processor includes a capture page module for processing the image data acquired through the scanning means by filtering and discarding redundant image data to form a whole image. The capture page module includes a code segment for displaying a first animation that is designed as a metaphor to signify the progression of the image data processing taking place in the appliance. The metaphor used in the preferred embodiment is a bar graph overlaying a thumbnail of the capture path followed in acquiring the image.

Abstract: A method for automatically cropping, rotating, and scaling a scanned image to ensure that a printed copy of the scanned image is the same size as the original, when possible. The method attempts to honor the default or operator designated orientation of the printed image, but will automatically rotate the image if that will eliminate unnecessary image reduction. Optimal orientation and scaling factors are automatically determined based on the target page size and the size and shape of the information of interest in the original image (not the boundaries of the original document). The operator selects a desired printed orientation (or accepts a default orientation) and selects a desired printed paper size (or accepts a default printed paper size). If an image will fit within the printable margins without rotation or cropping, the image is simply printed without modification. If the image will fit without rotation by cropping white space, then white space is cropped.

Abstract: A hand-held image capture and communication appliance and method of using same are provided wherein images may be captured and saved in an internal memory. The appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the images on a built-in display screen. Program code stored in the internal memory and executed by the processor includes a delete page module for purging the memory of captured images when they are no longer needed. The delete page module includes a code segment for displaying an animation, which, in the preferred embodiment, is designed to convey the concept to the user that a delete operation is irreversible. One implementation of the animation shows the deleted page or group of pages turn into ashes, which is a metaphor for the permanence of the delete operation. A confirmation prompt is provided prior to carrying out the delete operation to inform the user how many pages or images will be deleted and what percentage of memory will be freed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a messaging system and methods for converting attachments to e-mails into a suitable format. The messaging system includes an e-mail server for receiving or sending an e-mail message for an intended recipient and a computer system including an e-mail client and a suite of software modules for processing data files having respective compatible data file formats. A trigger is provided for responding to a data file associated with an e-mail message and providing an indication that a data format of the data file associated with said e-mail message is not one of the compatible data formats. A data file converter, responsive to the trigger, selectively converts the data file associated with said e-mail message into one of the designated compatible data file formats.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for making single, merged digital images including a processor configured to provide a digital image, a monitor configured to display the digital image, a user input device configured to accept commands from a user and software associated with the processor. The software is configured for providing at least one object cursor capable of receiving a selected portion of the digital image when overlaid on the digital image, wherein the software is also configured to merge the object cursor and selected portion of the digital image into a single image.

Abstract: An appliance and method are provided for capturing and viewing images. The capturing and viewing appliance is an instrument used to capture and communicate images to other appliances and devices with communication capabilities. The capturing and viewing appliance includes a processor for manipulating and viewing the images on a built-in display. Program code stored in internal memory includes a viewing application program which allows the user to view stored images in a variety of pixel resolutions. According to another aspect of the invention, the viewing system provides a user-friendly interface for effective graphical communication of the functioning of the appliance or other device to the user through use of animated transitions.

Abstract: A communications system for airplane passengers includes a plurality of communications units fixedly mounted onboard an airplane. Each of the communications units is adapted to be operated by an associated passenger and may perform digital image viewing and/or scanning functions. At least one processor may be operatively connected to one or more image data receiver(s), a scanner, and a video screen. At least one remote connection device may also be provided which is adapted to connect each of the communications units to a remote location such as the Internet.

Abstract: A capturing and viewing appliance and method are used for capturing and communicating images. The capturing and viewing appliance is an instrument used to capture and communicate images to other devices with communication capabilities. The capturing and viewing appliance includes a processor for manipulating and viewing the images on a built-in display. Program code stored in internal memory includes a menu/image navigation application program which allows the user to use navigation buttons to view multiple images as well as navigate menus. According to another aspect of the invention, the menu/image navigation interface provides a user-friendly interface for effective communication of functionality of an appliance or other device to the user through use of animated transitions.

Abstract: An appliance indicates that it is transferring information to an external device by displaying a send animation. The send animation simulates movement of a metamorphic icon by moving images on a background such that the metamorphic icon appears to be moving. One embodiment of the appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the send animation on a built-in display screen. In one embodiment, the metamorphic icon resembles a paper airplane and the moving images resemble clouds so that the paper airplane appears to be flying over the clouds, thereby indicating that the appliance is sending information to an external device.

Abstract: A capturing and viewing appliance and method are provided for capturing and communicating images to other appliances and devices with communication capabilities. The capturing and viewing appliance includes a processor for manipulating and viewing the images on a built-in display. Program code stored in internal memory includes a menu navigation interface application program which allows the user to use navigation buttons and operational buttons to operate the menu navigation interface in operating the appliance. According to another aspect of the invention, the menu navigation interface provides a user-friendly interface for operating an appliance or other device through reuse of the navigation buttons and operational buttons in menu activation and deactivation as well as menu item selection.

Abstract: A capturing and viewing appliance and method are provided for capturing and communicating images to other devices with communication capabilities. The capturing and viewing appliance includes a processor for manipulating and viewing the images on a built-in display. Program code stored in internal memory includes an error utility interface which informs the user of an error in operating the appliance. According to another aspect of the invention, the error interface provides a user-friendly interface for learning how to correctly operate the appliance after an error in operation has occurred. Through the use of icons, operational buttons, and animated sequences the present invention presents a novel user interface which makes the error interface and method a solution in devices with limited resources which need to be able to communicate with users correct methods of operating an appliance.

Abstract: A hand-held image capture and communication appliance and method of using same are provided wherein images may be captured and saved in an internal memory. The appliance includes a processor for manipulating and exhibiting the images on a built-in display screen. Program code stored in the internal memory includes a send page or image module that allows the user to transfer data stored in the device to another appliance, device or system. The send page module controlling the transfer of data to another device includes code segments for establishing a communication link over a first communication port with the target device, monitoring the status of the link while the transfer is in progress, and displaying an animation on the display screen that graphically portrays the transfer of image data to the target device.

Abstract: An appliance provides for the selection of data to be transmitted to an external device by selecting metaphoric page icons, each icon corresponding to a page of captured information. Metaphoric page icons may be selected by selecting the icons individually, by selecting a predefined group of icons, by selecting tagged icons, or by selecting all icons. A default selection includes selecting the current metaphoric page icon displayed on the display.