Abstract: A method and system for minimizing image naming conflicts when capturing a plurality of images in a digital camera. The method and system includes incrementing a count in response to an image being captured, the count being a non-repeating number representing the total number of images captured by the digital camera, and associating the count with the captured image to provide a unique image identifier.

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: A method and system for maintaining coherent image relationships within identified image groups in a memory system of a digital image capture device includes storing a plurality of groups of related images on a removable storage device in a hierarchical manner, and providing an alias identifier for an image file when the removable storage device has reached its storage capacity, wherein the alias identifier identifies the image file stored in a storage device of the digital image capture device. The method and system further includes providing the image file with a same file name and a substitute extension designation to correlate the image file on the storage device with an empty file of the same name on the removable storage device.

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 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 method and system for managing a removable memory used in a digital camera. The method and system includes creating a camera folder on the removable memory corresponding to the digital camera when the removable memory is first inserted into the digital camera. When images are captured, the images are stored only in the folder, such that the removable memory can be used with more than one digital camera without image name conflicts.