Method and system for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device using dynamic overlay bars

• US 6,486,914 B1
• Filed: 02/27/1998
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen, VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US09/032,172
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207, 348/222, 348/231-233, 348/239, 348/333.01, 348/333.02, 348/333.05, 348/333.11, 348/333.12, 348/552, 396/373, 396/374, 396/281, 396/287, 396/290, 396/291, 396/292, 345/619, 345/629, 345/634, 345/636, 345/641, 345/764, 345/768, 386/95, 386/96, 386/104, 386/107, 386/108
• US Class Current: 348/333.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and system for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device having a display using dynamic overlay bars. The digital imaging device includes at least two operating modes, where each of the operating modes has at least one mode-specific operation that can be performed on images. In response to operating in both of the operating modes, the digital imaging device displays a first overlay bar on the display that is dynamically updated with status information and interactive instructions that guide the user through the mode-specific operations.

Claims

1. A method for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device using dynamic overlay bars, the digital imaging device including a display, a first function key, and at least two operating modes for capturing, storing, and reviewing the images, the method comprising the steps of:

a) displaying mode-specific information on a first overlay bar that is displayed translucently over a current image in the display;

b) displaying a mode-specific function label corresponding to the first function key in a second overlay bar, wherein the mode-specific function label indicates which one of a plurality of predefined functions is assigned to the first function key;

c) dynamically changing the mode-specific information and the mode-specific function label during operation of the digital imaging device to automatically guide a user through operation of the digital imaging device; and

d) automatically changing the predefined function assigned to the first function key and the mode-specific function label based on conditions existing in the digital imaging device.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

e) manually changing the predefined function assigned to the first function key by pressing a menu key.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein step a) further includes the step of:

a1) providing the current image as a live view image during capture mode.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step a) further includes the step of:

a2) providing the current image as a previously stored image.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step b) further includes the step of:

b1) displaying the mode-specific function label as a combination of an icon and text.

6. A digital imaging device comprising:

an imaging device for capturing image data;

a memory coupled to the imaging device for storing the image data as captured images;

a display for displaying a captured image;

a processor coupled to the imaging device-and to the memory for controlling operation of the digital imaging device and for operating the imageing device in at least two operating modes;

at least one overlay bar displayed on the display, the at least one overlay bar including a translucent background and a combination of mode-specific status information and interactive instructions, wherein the interactive instructions automatically guide a user through a mode-specific operation; and

a set of soft keys, wherein the at least one overlay bar further displays soft key labels to indicate which one of a plurality of functions is assigned to the corresponding soft key, wherein in response to a user pressing a first one of the soft keys, the processor applies the function assigned to the first one of the soft keys to a first captured image.

7. A digital imaging device as in claim 6 wherein the at least one overlay bar is updated automatically based on conditions existing in the digital imaging device.

8. A digital imaging device as in claim 7 wherein the captured image is a live image displayed during a capture mode.

9. A digital imaging device as in claim 8 wherein the captured image is previously captured and stored image.