System and method for using a unified memory architecture to implement a digital camera device

• US 6,031,964 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US08/666,241
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 358/909.1, 358/906, 386/38, 386/117, 348/207, 348/231-233, 348/552, 348/372
• US Class Current: 386/277
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00885 Power supply means, e.g. arrangements for the control of power supply to the apparatus or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00893 using a back-up supply, e.g. in case of main-supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00899 Detection of supply level or supply failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2141 in a multi-frame buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3288 Storage of two or more complete document pages or image frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3297 Simultaneous use of a single memory for different image storage purposes

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.

Claims

1. A digital camera device comprising:

a CPU capable of concurrently processing multiple unprocessed images into processed images;

a memory device, coupled to said CPU, for storing sets of image data, comprising frame buffers for storing unprocessed image data and a random-access memory disk for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data;

a memory manager for allocating storage locations to store said sets of image data within said memory device;

a power management system, for monitoring a power supply to detect a power failure, configured to protect said sets of image data if said power failure is detected; and

an interface coupled to said memory device whereby an external host computer can access said sets of image data stored in said memory device.

2. The digital camera device of claim 1 further comprising a removable non-volatile memory coupled to said memory device for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data.

3. The digital camera device of claim 1 wherein said memory device uses a standardized file system for storing said sets of image data.

4. The digital camera device of claim 1 wherein said power management system comprises:

main batteries for providing operating power to said digital camera during normal operation;

backup batteries for providing operating power to said memory device during a power failure in said main batteries; and

a power manager device for sensing said power failure and responsively connecting said memory device to said backup batteries.

5. A method of implementing a digital camera device, comprising the steps of:

using a CPU to concurrently process multiple unprocessed images into processed images;

using a memory manager to allocate storage locations within a memory device comprising frame buffers for storing unprocessed image data and a random-access memory disk for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data;

storing sets of image data into said allocated storage locations;

using a power management system to monitor a power supply and detect a power failure;

using said power management system to protect said sets of image data from said power failure; and

communicating with said memory device via an interface whereby an external host computer can access said sets of image data.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising a removable non-volatile memory coupled to said memory device for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said memory device uses a standardized file system for storing said sets of image data.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said CPU can instruct said memory manager to allocate said storage locations.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a computer system to perform the steps of:

using a CPU to concurrently process multiple unprocessed images into processed images;

using a memory manager to allocate storage locations within a memory device comprising frame buffers for storing unprocessed image data and a random-access memory disk for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data;

storing sets of image data into said allocated storage locations;

using a power management system to monitor a power supply and detect a power failure;

using said power management system to protect said sets of image data from said power failure; and

communicating with said memory device via an interface whereby an external host computer can access said sets of image data.

10. The medium of claim 9 further comprising a removable non-volatile memory coupled to said memory device for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data.

11. The medium of claim 9 wherein said memory device uses a standardized file system for storing said sets of image data.

12. The medium of claim 9 wherein said CPU can instruct said memory manager to allocate said storage locations.

13. A digital camera device comprising:

CPU means for concurrently processing multiple unprocessed images into processed images;

memory manager means for allocating storage locations within a memory device comprising frame buffers for storing unprocessed image data and a random-access memory disk for storing unprocessed image data and processed image data;

means for storing sets of image data into said allocated storage locations; and

means for communicating with said memory device via an interface whereby an external host computer can access said sets of image data.

14. The digital camera device of claim 13 further comprising a removable non-volatile memory coupled to said memory device to store unprocessed image data and processed image data.

15. The digital camera device of claim 13 wherein said memory device uses a standardized file system for storing said sets of image data.

16. The digital camera device of claim 13 wherein said CPU can instruct said memory manager to allocate said storage locations.