Camera with user compliant browse and display modes

• US 7,053,951 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Miller, Michael E., Lourette, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Nelson D
• Application Number:
  US09/796,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,917 Days
• Field of Search: 348/333.05, 348/333.11, 348/231.99, 348/239, 348/231.1, 348/333.02, 348/333.01, 348/333.03, 348/333.06, 348/333.012, 348/333.04, 348/220.1, 725/52, 725/37, 345/684, 345/688, 345/685, 345/686, 345/687, 345/689
• US Class Current: 348/333.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input 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 1/00387 Multiple functions per key
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2104 for one or a few pictures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters

Abstract

A camera is configured to capture an image of a real world scene as an image signal and to store captured images. The camera includes a screen suitable for displaying a high resolution version of a stored image from a list of stored images when a location within the list is selected. When a browsing mode is selected, the screen displays a scrolling strip of low resolution versions of stored images from the list. A single control allows a user to select the location within the list and also allows a user to select the browsing mode. The camera can allow a user to move between full screen display of stored images and the browsing mode multiple times, with little repetitive finger and/or hand motion, without blocking viewing of the screen, and while allowing the hands to be retained in a convenient picture taking position.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

(a) means for capturing an image of a real world scene as an image signal;

(b) storage means for storing captured images and from which stored images can be read;

(c) a screen;

(d) means for displaying on the screen, when a high resolution mode is selected, a high resolution version of a stored image from a list of stored images when a location within the list is selected;

(e) means for displaying on the screen, when a browsing mode is selected, a scrolling strip of low resolution versions of stored images from the list;

(f) a single control button which allows a user to select the location within the list and which also allows a user to select between the high resolution mode and the browsing mode, wherein when the browsing mode is selected, the scrolling strip wraps around from the end to the beginning of the list; and

(g) means for indicating the end or beginning of the list during scrolling.

2. A camera comprising:

(a) means for capturing an image of a real world scene as an image signal;

(b) storage means for storing captured images and from which stored images can be read;

(c) a screen;

(d) means for displaying on the screen, when a high resolution mode is selected, a high resolution version of a stored image from a list of stored images when a location within the list is selected;

(e) means for displaying on the screen, when a browsing mode is selected, a scrolling strip of low resolution versions of stored images from the list;

(f) at least first and second control buttons, each of which allows a user to select the location within the list and which also allows a user to select between the high resolution mode and the browsing mode, wherein when the browsing mode is selected, the scrolling strip wraps around from the end to the beginning of the list; and

(g) means for indicating the end or beginning of the list during scrolling.