Image tagging for post processing

• US 20030007078A1
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Feldis, John J. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,110,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.6
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3277 The additional information being stored in the same storage device as the image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• 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 of processing image data includes providing an image capturing apparatus. A host device for receiving image data generated by the image capturing apparatus is provided. An image to be captured with the image capturing apparatus is targeted. First image data representing the targeted image is generated using the image capturing apparatus. The first image data has a first resolution size. A first tag to the first image data is attached for post processing in the host device. The first tag instructs the host device to convert the first image data from the first resolution size to a second resolution size. The apparatus is programmed to automatically attach the first tag to the first image data once the first image data is generated.

Claims

1. A method of processing image data, comprising:

providing an image capturing apparatus;

providing a host device for receiving image data generated by the image capturing apparatus;

targeting an image to be captured with the image capturing apparatus;

generating first image data representing the targeted image using the image capturing apparatus, the first image data having a first resolution size; and

attaching a first tag to the first image data for post processing in the host device, the first tag instructing the host device to convert the first image data from the first resolution size to a second resolution size,

wherein the apparatus is programmed to automatically attach the first tag to the first image data once the first image data is generated.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a first image data file having the first image data and a tag field at the image capturing apparatus, the tag field including the first tag;

transmitting the first image data file from the image capturing apparatus to the host device; and

converting the first image data from the first resolution size to the second resolution size according to instructions of the first tag, thereby generating second image data.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

attaching a second tag to the first image data for post processing in the host device, the second tag instructing the host device to remove red-eye effects from the first image data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second tag is attached to the first image data automatically if the targeted image is captured in a poorly lighted environment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second tag is attached to the first image data if a flash light coupled to the image capturing apparatus goes off while capturing the targeted image.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capturing device is a digital camera.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the host device is a computer.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to targeting the image, programming the image capturing apparatus by a user to attach the first tag to the first image data.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

setting the first resolution size; and

setting the second resolution size.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the host device receives an image data file including the first image data and the first tag via a communication network.

11. A method of processing image data, comprising:

providing an image capturing apparatus;

providing a host device for receiving image data generated by the image capturing apparatus, the host device coupled to a communication network;

targeting an image to be captured with the image capturing apparatus;

generating first image data representing the targeted image using the apparatus, the first image data having a first resolution size;

attaching a resolution tag to the first image data for post processing in a device other than the image capturing apparatus, the resolution tag instructing the device to convert the first image data from the first resolution size to a second resolution size;

attaching a quick-send tag to the first image data for post processing, the quick-send tag designating a recipient and instructing the host device to transmit the first image data to the recipient;

transmitting a first image data file including the first image data and the resolution tag and quick-send tag to the host device; and

transmitting a second image data file from the host device to the recipient according to the quick-send tag via the communication network, the second image data file including the resolution tag and a second image data corresponding to the first image data, the second image data having the first resolution size.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the recipient is a remote host device, further comprising:

converting the second image data from the first resolution size to the second resolution size according to the resolution tag at the remote host device automatically once the second image data file has been received at the remote host device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first image data and the second image data are substantially the same.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first image data and the second image data are different.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the host device is a computer or an electronic device having wireless connection to the communication network.

16. The method of claim 15, where in the remote host device is a computer or an electronic device having wireless connection to the communication network.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the communication network is the Internet.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the image capturing device is a digital camera.

20. The digital camera of claim 19, wherein the first memory is a nonvolatile removable memory card.

21. The digital camera of claim 19, wherein the first, second, and third memory are the same.

19. A digital camera, comprising:

an imaging device to convert reflected light into image data;

a processor coupled to the imaging device to process the image data;

a first memory coupled to the processor, the memory including at least one communication address where the image data can be transmitted via a communication network;

second and third memories coupled to the processor;

a first program stored the second memory for causing the processor to retrieve the communication address from the first memory to attach a quick-send tag to the image data; and

a second program stored in the third memory for causing the processor to attach a resolution tag to the image data.

22. A digital camera, comprising:

an imaging device to convert reflected light into image data;

a processor coupled to the imaging device to process the image data;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a program stored in the memory for causing the processor to attach a resolution tag to the image data.