Method and system for creating a temporary group of images on a digital camera
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for grouping a series of images stored in a digital camera, the digital camera including a view finder for displaying the stored images, a navigation control button, and one or more function keys, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) allowing a user to navigate among the displayed images using the navigation control button;
(b) allowing the user to randomly select one of the displayed images;
(c) assigning a mark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned mark function key, the image currently selected is marked to provide a marked image;
(d) repeating steps (a) through (c) to create a temporary group of marked images; and
(e) assigning at least one group function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned group function key, the group of marked images is collectively manipulated by the user within the digital camera.
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Abstract
A method and system for grouping a series of images stored in a digital camera. The digital camera includes a view finder for displaying a plurality of the image cells, where each of the image cells corresponds to one of the stored images. The digital camera also includes a navigation control button for positioning a highlight area around one of the plurality of image cells, and one or more function keys. The method and system includes assigning a mark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned mark function key, the image cell currently highlighted is marked to provide a marked image. In response to the user repeating the above step, a group of marked images is created. The method and system further includes assigning at least one group function to one of the function keys, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned group function key, the group of marked images is collectively manipulated by the user.
196 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for grouping a series of images stored in a digital camera, the digital camera including a view finder for displaying the stored images, a navigation control button, and one or more function keys, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) allowing a user to navigate among the displayed images using the navigation control button;
(b) allowing the user to randomly select one of the displayed images;
(c) assigning a mark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned mark function key, the image currently selected is marked to provide a marked image;
(d) repeating steps (a) through (c) to create a temporary group of marked images; and
(e) assigning at least one group function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned group function key, the group of marked images is collectively manipulated by the user within the digital camera. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
(e1) providing a view function as the at least one group function, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned view function key, each of the marked images is displayed sequentially in the view finder without manual intervention.
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3. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (e) further includes the step of:
(e1) providing a save function as the at least one group function, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned save function key, a permanent group of images is created by saving each of the marked images in a folder.
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4. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (e) further includes the step of:
(e1) providing a slide show function as the at least one group function, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned slide show function key, a permanent group of images is created by saving each of the marked images in a file.
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5. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (e) further includes the step of:
(e1) providing a duplicate function as the at least one group function, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned duplicate function key, each of the marked images are duplicated, and if no images have been marked, then the image currently selected is duplicated.
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6. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (e) further includes the step of:
(e1) providing a delete function as the at least one group function, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned delete function key, each of the marked images is deleted, and if no images have been marked, then the image currently selected is deleted.
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7. A method as in claim 1 further including the step of:
(f) assigning an unmark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned unmark function key, the mark number is removed from the image currently selected is unmarked.
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8. A method for grouping a series of images stored in a digital camera, the digital camera including a navigation control button, one or more function keys, and a view finder for displaying stored images, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) allowing a user to navigate among the displayed images using the navigation control button;
(b) allowing the user to randomly select one of the displayed images;
(c) enabling the user to mark the selected image using a corresponding function key;
(d) displaying a mark indication on the selected image in response to the user pressing the corresponding function key;
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) to provide a temporary group of marked images;
(f) enabling the user to select one of the functions of saving the group, deleting the group, and creating a slide show from the group using a corresponding function key; and
(g) saving the group, deleting the group, and creating a slide show from the group in response to the user pressing the appropriate function key. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
(d1) providing a mark number as the mark indication.
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10. A method as in claim 9 further including the steps of:
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(h) allowing the user to unmark the selected image using a corresponding function key; and
(i) removing the mark indication from the selected image in response to the user pressing the corresponding function key.
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11. A method as in claim 10 wherein step (a) further includes the step of:
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(b1) prompting the user to duplicate the selected image using a corresponding function key; and
(b2) duplicating the selected image in response to the user pressing the corresponding function key.
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12. A digital camera device comprising:
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a memory device for storing sets of image data;
a memory manager for allocating storage locations within said memory device to store said sets of image data;
an interface coupled to said memory device whereby an external host computer can access said sets of image data stored in said memory device;
a user interface for displaying a plurality of images corresponding to the image data, the user interface including a plurality of function keys, and means to navigate among and randomly select one of the plurality of images;
means coupled to the memory manager for assigning a mark function to one of the function keys, such that in response to the user pressing the assigned mark function key, the selected image is marked, such that in response to the user repeatedly selecting images and pressing the assigned mark function key, a temporary group of marked images is created; and
means coupled to the memory manager for assigning at least one group function to one of the function keys, such that in response to a user pressing the assigned group function key, the group of marked images is collectively manipulated by the user, within the digital camera.
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Specification