Method and system for displaying overlay bars in a digital imaging device

• US 6,504,575 B1
• Filed: 02/27/1998
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• 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., Ramirez, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/032,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5222, 348/207, 348/222, 348/239, 348/333.01, 348/333.02, 348/333.05, 348/333.11, 348/333.12, 348/333.04, 345/629
• US Class Current: 348/333.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04804 Transparency, e.g. transparent or translucent windows
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/377 for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns G09G5/02, G09G5/397 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0035 User-machine interface; Control console input or output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 Display
• 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 5/278 Subtitling

Abstract

A method and system for displaying an overlay bar on a digital imaging device is disclosed. First, text and graphic information to be displayed on the overlay bar are stored in an overlay bar buffer, and then displayed on a display screen. Thereafter, an image to be viewed is displayed on the display line-by-line. The lines of the image that are to be displayed within the area of an overlay bar are stored in a backstore buffer. Each line in the backstore buffer is then merged with its corresponding lines in the overlay bar buffer and displayed. The merging operation is performed by modifying the luminance value of each pixel of the image data that falls within the area of the overlay bar, and overwriting each pixel of image data that falls under a pixel of text in the overlay bar. This makes the overlay bar appear to the user to be translucent and makes the image appear as though it is sliding beneath the overlay bar as it is being displayed. When the user turns-off the overlay bars, only the portions of the image stored in the backstore buffer need be re-displayed to provide the original image, thus eliminating the need to re-display the entire image.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an overlay bar on a digital imaging device comprising the steps of:

a) displaying the overlay bar in a predetermined area of a display screen for displaying text information, the overlay bar comprising a plurality of pixels corresponding to the text information;

b) providing an image to display on the display screen, the image comprising a plurality of pixels having luminance values; and

c) displaying the image by

i) modifying the luminance value of each pixel of the image data that falls within the area of the overlay bar, and

ii) overwriting each pixel of image data that falls under a pixel of text in the overlay bar,

wherein modifying the luminance values of the image data provides the overlay bar with a translucent appearance thereby enabling a user to see the image through the overlay bar.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein step ci) further includes the steps of saving each pixel of the image data that falls within the area of the overlay bar, creating saved image data;

and

in response to the user turning-off the overlay bar, displaying the saved image data on the display screen, thereby eliminating the need to re-display the entire image.

3. A method as in claim 2 wherein step a) further includes the step of providing the overlay bar with graphic information.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein step ci) for modifying the luminance values includes the step of decreasing the luminance values.

5. A method as in claim 3 wherein step ci) for modifying the luminance values includes the step of increasing the luminance values.

6. A method as in claim 3 wherein step c) further includes the step of displaying the image line-by-line.

7. A method as in claim 3 wherein step c) further includes the step of displaying the image block-by-block.