Method and system for digital image stamping

• US 6,532,039 B2
• Filed: 09/17/1997
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FlashPoint Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Anderson, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe, Aung S.
• Application Number:
  US08/932,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,001 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231, 348/232, 348/239, 348/552, 348/231.3, 348/231.5
• US Class Current: 348/231.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/325 Modified version of the image, e.g. part of the image, image reduced in size or resolution, thumbnail or screennail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3263 of a graphical motif or symbol, e.g. Christmas symbol, logo H04N2201/3211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 Display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums

Abstract

Method and system aspects for digital image stamping are disclosed. A method aspect, and system for providing same, stamps digital images captured with a digital image capture unit. Included are the establishing of parameters for at least one stamp type and the capturing of raw image data. Further included are the processing of the raw image data into at least one image, and the applying of the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.

Claims

1. A method for providing a stamp to a digital image captured and stored by a digital image capture unit, the method comprising:

(a) selecting an image to be stamped, the image having a height and width boundary to establish a size for the image;

(b) selecting at least one stamp;

(c) displaying the at least one selected stamp on the image to demonstrate the at least one selected stamp on the image, wherein the at least one selected stamp is displayed within the height and width boundary of the image;

(d) stamping the image with the at least one selected stamp when the demonstration is acceptable; and

(e) determining whether the at least one selected stamp is repositioned within the height and width boundary when the demonstration is not acceptable.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) stamping further comprises (d1) compressing and storing the at least one selected stamp with the image.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) selecting an image further comprises (a1) decompressing an image file for the image.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising determining whether another stamp is desired when the demonstration of the at least one selected stamp is not acceptable.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein when another stamp is desired, the method returns to step (b).

6. The method of claim 5 wherein when another stamp is not desired, the image is not stamped.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein, when the at least one stamp is repositioned, the image is demonstrated with the repositioned at least one stamp.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one stamp further comprises a time-date stamp, a string stamp, and a graphics stamp.