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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A method for customizing a digital camera for at least one particular
user is disclosed. The digital camera includes a reprogrammable
memory for storing firmware which controls the operation of the
digital camera and a camera graphical user interface responsive
to the firmware stored in the reprogrammable memory. The method
includes providing customization software executed external to the
digital camera which can access a plurality of firmware components
having different camera features. A user selects desired camera
features to cause the customization software to access the corresponding
firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s)
are provided to the digital camera and the reprogrammable memory
is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s)
to thereby customize the digital camera.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A method for customizing a digital camera for a particular user,
the method comprising: a) providing customization software which
questions the user to determine the user's experience level for
using cameras; b) in response to the user's answers to the questions,
the customization software configuring firmware which provides a
camera graphical user interface that enables the user to access
only camera features appropriate for the experience level of the
particular user; and c) storing the configured firmware in the digital
camera to thereby customize the digital camera.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the configured firmware provides
customized icons for the camera graphical user interface.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the customization software camera
is executed external to the digital camera.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the questions are displayed on
a display monitor and wherein the display monitor also displays
a plurality of answers that may be selected by the user.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the customization software classifies
the user based on the user's responses to the questions and wherein
the customization software uses the classification to configure
the firmware.
6. The method of claim 6 wherein the classifications include novice
users and advanced users, and wherein the camera customization software
provides a simpler set of features for novice users than for advanced
users.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the customization software also
questions the user to determine the types of pictures that the user
expects to take, and wherein the configured firmware is customized
responsive to the user's answers to said questions.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the customization software also
questions the user to determine how the user will utilize the pictures
taken by the digital camera, and wherein the configured firmware
is customized responsive to the user's answers to said questions.
9. A method for customizing a digital camera for a particular user,
the method comprising: a) providing customization software which
questions the user to determine the user's picture taking preferences;
b) classifying the user in an appropriate category based on the
user's picture taking preferences; c) in response to the category
used to classify the user, configuring firmware which provides camera
features customized for the user's picture taking preferences; and
d) storing the configured firmware in the digital camera to thereby
customize the digital camera.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the configured firmware provides
a customized graphical user interface for the digital camera.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the customization software camera
is executed external to the digital camera.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the questions are displayed on
a display monitor and wherein the display monitor also displays
a plurality of answers that may be selected by the user.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the customization software also
questions the user to determine the experience level of the user,
and wherein the configured firmware is customized responsive to
the user's answers to said questions.
14. A method for customizing a digital camera for a particular
user, the method comprising: a) providing customization software
which questions the user to determine the user's expectations of
how the user will use pictures taken with the digital camera; b)
in response to the user's answers to the questions, the customization
software configuring firmware which provides a customized camera
graphical user interface; and c) storing the configured firmware
in the digital camera to thereby customize the digital camera.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the configured firmware provides
customized icons for the camera graphical user interface.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the customization software camera
is executed external to the digital camera.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the questions are displayed
on a display monitor and wherein the display monitor also displays
a plurality of answers that may be selected by the user.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the customization software also
questions the user to determine the experience level of the user,
and wherein the configured firmware is customized responsive to
the user's answers to said questions.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the customization software also
questions the user to determine the types of pictures that the user
expects to take, and wherein the configured firmware is customized
responsive to the user's answers to said questions.
Digital Camera Patent Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of pending application Ser. No. 10/850,145
filed May 20, 2004 which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/549,356 filed Apr. 14, 2000, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,778,
Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/137,078, filed Jun. 2, 1999, entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Customized Automation of Digital Image Transfer"
to Wasula et al.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of digital
cameras, and in particular, to customizing digital cameras for particular
users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Digital cameras, such as the Kodak DC26O.TM. digital camera,
sold by the Eastman Kodak Company, enable images to be utilized
on a home personal computer (PC), printed locally or remotely, and
incorporated into e-mail documents and personal World-Wide-Web home
pages which can be accessed via the Internet. The camera's graphic
user interface (GUI) enables many different features to be selected,
but it is complicated, and thus, very difficult for a first-time
user to understand. The camera provides a fixed set of features
to the end user. These features can be controlled by Digita Scripts
specified by Flashpoint, Inc. Digita Scripts are ASCII text files
created with a text editor on a host computer. Such Scripts may
be invoked to select particular camera features and to perform a
defined sequence of camera operations. For example, a Script may
capture an exposure series of still pictures using different exposure
settings.
[0004] This type of camera design presents several problems, including
the fact that any feature that is likely to be demanded by even
a small subset of the users must be included in the camera. A consequence
of this is that the complexity of digital cameras has increased.
This leads to an increase in user anxiety, and therefore, serves
as a barrier to market adoption.
[0005] The firmware in the DC26O.TM. digital camera, for example,
can be replaced via a memory card, as described in commonly-assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,264, entitled "Electronic Imaging System
Using A Removable Software-Enhanced Storage Device," the disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference. Images can be assigned
to albums, as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,678,
entitled "Electronic Still Camera For Capturing And Categorizing
Images," the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by
reference.
[0006] Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,927 and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,784,924 disclose digital cameras which are provided with host
software that enables templates, e-mail addresses, and other information
to be selected at the host computer, downloaded to the digital camera,
and used, for example, to automatically produce prints and e-mail
images. Although this enables user-selected information (such as
preferred templates and personalized e-mail addresses) to be downloaded
to the digital camera, the actual features of the digital camera
normally remain the same for all users who have the same camera
model.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a method for customizing a digital camera for a particular
user, the method comprising:
[0008] a) providing customization software which questions the
user to determine the user's experience level for using cameras;
[0009] b) in response to the user's answers to the questions, the
customization software configuring firmware which provides a camera
graphical user interface that enables the user to access only camera
features appropriate for the experience level of the particular
user; and
[0010] c) storing the configured firmware in the digital camera
to thereby customize the digital camera.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method
for customizing a digital camera for a particular user, the method
comprising:
[0012] a) providing customization software which questions the
user to determine the user's picture taking preferences;
[0013] b) classifying the user in an appropriate category based
on the user's picture taking preferences;
[0014] c) in response to the category used to classify the user,
configuring firmware which provides camera features customized for
the user's picture taking preferences; and
[0015] d) storing the configured firmware in the digital camera
to thereby customize the digital camera.
[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a method
for customizing a digital camera for a particular user, the method
comprising:
[0017] a) providing customization software which questions the
user to determine the user's expectations of how the user will use
pictures taken with the digital camera;
[0018] b) in response to the user's answers to the questions, the
customization software configuring firmware which provides a customized
camera graphical user interface; and
[0019] c) storing the configured firmware in the digital camera
to thereby customize the digital camera.
ADVANTAGES
[0020] It is an advantage of the present invention for a particular
user to customize the look and feel of a digital camera, and the
features offered by the digital camera.
[0021] It is another advantage of the present invention for a particular
user to customize a digital camera to include only those features
that are of interest to the user. Therefore, a novice user can customize
a digital camera to provide a very simple set of features, and a
more advanced user can customize a digital camera to include a more
complex set of features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B, taken together, are a block diagram of
a digital imaging system in accordance with the present invention
for providing a user customizable digital camera 10;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the steps used in customizing
the digital camera 10 of FIG. 1A.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical screen displayed on the display
monitor 52 of FIG. 1B in the process of customizing the digital
camera 10 of FIG. 1A;
[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two different camera graphical
user interface screens displayed on the color image display 22 of
the digital camera 10 of FIG. 1A for two different users;
[0026] FIG. 4C is a rear view of the digital camera 10 including
the color image display 22;
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an additional graphical screen displayed
on the display monitor 52 of FIG. 1B in the process of customizing
the digital camera 10 of FIG. 1A, which includes a depiction of
the camera graphical user interface of the digital camera 10 of
FIG. 1A;
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of several
steps of the process depicted in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 7 depicts several graphical screens used in the process
of FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting image processing operations
performed within the digital camera 10 of FIG. 1A;
[0031] FIG. 9 depicts three tone correction curves that can be
used in block 530 of FIG. 8; and
[0032] FIG. 10 depicts three Coring look-up tables that can be
used in block 540 of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital imaging system in
accordance with the present invention, which enables users to easily
customize the interface and features of their digital camera prior
to taking pictures. The digital imaging system includes a digital
camera 10 which is supplied along with camera customization software
provided on a compact disc CD-ROM 32, a floppy disk 34, or other
digital media. The digital imaging system also includes a host computer
40, such as a Dell Dimension XPS M200, and a Network Service Provider
70. In accordance with the present invention, camera customization
software is executed external to the digital camera 10, and is typically
executed on the host computer 40. The camera customization software
accesses software code which permits firmware in the digital camera
10 to be customized by a user. The software code can be source code
which is compiled by the camera customization software to create
executable firmware. Alternatively, the software code can be compiled
firmware components or firmware settings which are accessed by the
camera customization software. The camera customization software
can modify or combine firmware components in order to provide firmware
which customizes the digital camera 10. The camera customization
software also includes one or more applications that provide a series
of interactive dialogues with the user so that the user may learn
about available camera features and select features of interest.
[0034] The digital camera 10 produces digital images that are stored
on a removable memory card 30. The digital camera 10 includes an
optical viewfinder 11 (shown in FIG. 4C) for composing a scene (not
shown), a 3:1 zoom lens 12 controlled by a zoom switch 13 (shown
in FIG. 4C) having telephoto (T) and wide angle (W) positions and
having zoom and focus motor drives (not shown), and an adjustable
aperture and shutter (not shown) for focusing light from a scene
on an image sensor 14. The image sensor 14 can be, for example,
a single-chip color charge-coupled device (CCD), using the well-known
Bayer color filter pattern. When the user depresses a shutter button
15 (shown in FIG. 4C), the analog output signal from the image sensor
14 is converted to digital data by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter
16. The digital data is processed by a processor 18 controlled by
firmware stored in a reprogrammable memory, such as a Flash EPROM
28.
[0035] The processed digital image file is provided to a memory
card interface 20 which stores the digital image file on the removable
memory card 30 or on another type of digital memory device, such
as a floppy disk or magnetic hard drive. The removable memory card
30, which is well-known to those skilled in the art, can include,
for example, a memory card adapted to the PCMC1A card interface
standard, as described in the PC Card Standard, Release 2.0, published
by the Personal Computer Memory Card international Association,
Sunnyvale, Calif., Sep. 1991. The removable memory card 30 can also
be adapted to the Compact Flash interface standard, such as described
in the Compact Flash Specification Version 1.3, published by the
Compact Flash Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998, or to
other memory devices such as the well-known SSFDC (Solid State Floppy
Disc Card) or Memory Stick formats.
[0036] The processor 18 performs color interpolation followed by
color and tone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image
data. This processing is described later with reference to FIG.
8. The processor 18 can include internal buffer memory to store
a portion of the image, or to store one or more images. Alternatively,
the processor 18 can use a separate external memory (not shown),
such as DRAM memory. The rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed
and stored as a JPEG image file on the removable memory card 30.
The processor 18 also provides a lower resolution or "thumbnail"
size image data to a color image display 22, such as a color liquid
crystal display (LCD), which displays the captured image for the
user to review. A camera user interface 24 including a series of
user buttons 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84 (shown in FIG. 4C) and a capture/review
mode switch 86 (shown in FIG. 4C), is used to control the digital
camera 10. The camera user interface 24, together with text and
icons displayed on the image display 22 (shown also in FIG. 4C),
forms the camera graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI is controlled
by the user interface portion of the firmware stored in the Flash
EPROM 28. The digital camera 10 can also include a digital-to-analog
(D/A) converter 27 and a miniature speaker 29 (also shown in FIG.
4C) which makes audible sounds when a new picture is taken, or when
the user changes modes or advances to review the next stored image.
The digital camera 10 can also include a video output driver 23
which connects to a TV display 31, such as an NTSC format home television,
for displaying the captured images on the TV display 31. The digital
camera 10 further includes a strobe flash unit (not shown) for illuminating
the subject when the ambient illumination level is low.
[0037] After a series of images has been taken by the digital camera
10 and stored on the removable memory card 30, the removable memory
card 30 can be inserted into a memory card reader 48 in the host
computer 40. Alternatively, an interface cable 36 can be used to
connect between a host interface 26 in the digital camera 10 and
a camera interface 46 in the host computer 40. The interface cable
36 may conform to, for example, the well-know universal serial bus
(USB) interface specification.
[0038] The captured images from the digital camera 10 can be downloaded
to the host computer 40 and stored on a hard drive 56 under the
control of a central processing unit (CPU) 50. The CPU 50 is coupled
to a display monitor 52, which is used to view the images, and a
keyboard 54. A mouse 55 permits the user to readily communicate
with the CPU 50. The CPU 50 communicates with a 25 local printer
58, such as an Epson Stylus Photo 700 printer, which produces hard
copy prints of the images captured by the digital camera 10.
[0039] The digital camera 10 that is supplied to a user includes
firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 which provides normal camera
features. Users can customize the look and feel, and the functions
offered by the digital camera 10, using the camera customization
software provided with the digital camera 10. This camera customization
software is provided on the CD-ROM disc 32, which is loaded into
the host computer 40 via the CD-ROM drive 42, or provided on the
floppy disk 34, which is loaded into the host computer 40 via the
floppy disk drive 44. The CD-ROM disc 32 or the floppy disk 34 can
also include digital image application software, such as the Picture
Easy.TM. version 3.1 software developed by the Eastman Kodak Company.
Alternatively, all of the camera customization software could be
downloaded from the Network Service Provider 70 via a modem 60.
The modem 60 communicates with a modem 72 at the Network Service
Provider 70, which is connected to a computer 74, a camera firmware
database 76, and a billing system 78 which can charge the user (e.g.,
via a credit card) for downloading the camera customization software.
The CPU 50 uses the camera customization software in accordance
with the present invention to provide custom firmware code which
is downloaded under the control of processor 18 of the digital camera
10 via the removable memory card 30, and stored in the Flash EPROM
28, as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,264, entitled
"Electronic Imaging System Using a Removable Software-Enhanced
Storage Device" to Sarbadhikari et al., or via the interface
cable 36 as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat No. 5,734,425,
entitled "Electronic Still Camera With Replaceable Digital
Processing Program" to Takizawa et al., the disclosures of
which are herein incorporated by reference. The process of storing
firmware code in an EPROM and of erasing firmware code from an EPROM
is well known in the art, and need not be discussed in detail.
[0040] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the steps used in customizing
the digital camera 10 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, when the CD-ROM disc
32 provided with the digital camera 10 is inserted into thc CD-ROM
drive 42, the camera customization software is automatically launched
(block 100) and executed by the CPU 50. The user is informed, via
the display monitor 52, of the user's ability to enhance the capability
of his/her newly purchased digital camera 10 and asked if the user
wishes to do so at the present time (block 110). If the user responds
"yes" (block 120), the user is asked to connect his/her
digital camera 10 to the host computer 40 via the interface cable
36 (block 125. In block' 130, the camera customization software
then determines the capabilities of the digital camera 10 and an
inventory of the features currently provided by the Flash EPROM
28. The capabilities of the digital camera 10 can be determined
either by determining the camera model number or by determining
the types of hardware features that the digital camera 10 can support
and by the size of the memory of the Flash EPROM 28.
[0041] In block 140, the camera customization software determines
which feature firmware components are available for this particular
model camera via the software provided on the CD-ROM disc 32. In
block 150, the camera customization software uses the modem 60 to
determine whether the firmware components which provide the new
features not stored on the CD-ROM disc 32 are available within the
camera firmware database 76 at the Network Service Provider 70.
The response from the Network Service Provider 70, received by the
host computer 40, might include some firmware components that are
available to the user at no charge, and other firmware components
for which the user will be charged. In addition, the Network Service
Provider 70 can track whether the user has previously purchased
firmware components so that they can be downloaded again at no charge
if the firmware component was lost by the user, or is otherwise
unavailable. Further, the Network Service Provider 70 could offer
discounts to the user based on previous purchases.
[0042] In block 160, the features provided by the available firmware
components are displayed to the user on the display monitor 52 through
an on-screen listing of these features. An example screen 53 listing
available features is shown in FIG. 3. The screen 53 lists the available
camera firmware memory in a window 305, and the features that the
user can select in a product option window 310. A scroll bar 312
having an up arrow 314 and a down arrow 316 permits the user to
scroll through a long list of available options. The product option
window 310 also lists the amount of camera firmware memory needed
to store the firmware component that provides the option, and the
cost of the option.
[0043] To consider a particular option, the user clicks on a particular
option line in the product option window 310, for example, the "Beastly
Vampires" line 318, which highlights this line in the product
option window 310, for example, by making the text bolder than the
other lines, or changing the color of this line. A description window
340 provides a brief description of the option. In this example,
the option is a package of features designed for the Halloween season
that includes the ability to add custom borders and special digital
picture overlays with a Halloween theme. It includes two different
vampire border templates, and the ability to selectively paint "blood"
on pictures of faces captured by the digital camera 10. If this
component is selected by the user in block 180, the appropriate
firmware will be added to the Flash EPROM memory 28 of the digital
camera 10 in block 210 to control the processor 18 to enable the
user, via the camera user interface 24, to selectively add the vampire
border templates to specific images and to paint "blood drops"
in appropriate areas of the images they have captured using the
digital camera 10, as the image is displayed on the color image
display 22.
[0044] The product option window 310 can display many different
types of optional features and functions, which will be described
later. Some of these are listed in the product option window 310
shown in FIG. 3, The options include a "compression adjust"
feature which provides compression algorithm settings appropriate
for taking pictures of documents, rather than of real-world scenes.
[0045] The options also include a "red-eye elimination"
option that eliminates red-eye pictures due to night flash. This
option can be a flash add-on, meaning it adds a camera pre-flash
mode to reduce the subject's pupil diameter or alternatively, can
digitally process the captured picture using the processor 18 to
identify and eliminate red-eye.
[0046] The options also include an "album" option that
enables the user to upload, from the host computer 40 to the digital
camera 10, particularly memorable personal images from various sources
that are stored in the Flash EPROM memory 28, and for display on
the color image display 22 or the TV display 31. These "album"
images are compressed and stored as appropriate resolution images,
typically having a greatly reduced number of pixels (and therefore
a much smaller file size) than the images captured by the digital
camera 10 and stored in the removable memory 30.
[0047] The options further include a web-page generator that automatically
generates an html file using the captured images, as well as one
or more of the stored album images. This feature may be customized
by the user as part of the process depicted in FIG. 2 to produce
a web page that has a customized background color or image, customized
header text, customized image date format or titles, and customized
image sizes.
[0048] In block 170 of FIG. 2, the user can select a demo of one
or more features that he or she would like to see demonstrated.
For example, in FIG. 3, after selecting the "Beastly Vampires"
feature by clicking on line 318, the user can select the "demo"
button 322. When a particular feature (e.g., the beastly vampires
special package) is selected for demonstration, the demonstration
software is provided from the same location which provides the corresponding
firmware component (e.g., the CD-ROM 32 or Network Service Provider
70) in the form of a QuickTime movie, Macromedia director presentation,
or another multi-media presentation that provides more information
on the use and value of the particular feature. To return to the
display depicted in FIG. 3, the user selects a "view"
selector 320.
[0049] In block 180, the user selects the feature(s) that the user
wants to be included in his/her digital camera 10. This is done
by highlighting the desired options in the product option window
310 and then chooses a "select" selector 342. The user
can start with a previous camera selection by selecting a "restore"
selector 332, which permits the user to select and restore a camera
feature set that was previously backed up, and use that as the starting
point for a new feature set.
[0050] When one or more features must be purchased from the Network
Service Provider 70, the purchaser selects a "purchase"
selector 324 which provides a series of order menus (e.g., HTML
web pages) generated by the Network Service Provider 70 and communicated
to the computer 40 via the modem 60. The user pays for the firmware
component(s) corresponding to the selected feature(s) by providing
a payment identifier into a secured electronic commerce link which
specifies a particular account which is to be charged or debited.
The payment identifier can be a credit card number that specifies
a particular credit card account. As used in this specification,
a credit card will also include a debit card. The number of features
that can be selected depends on the size of the firmware component(s)
needed to implement the features, and the size of the firmware memory
in the camera's Flash EPROM 28.
[0051] In block 190, the user is provided with the ability to select
one of a plurality of icon schemes for the camera Graphical User
Interface (GUI) 25 displayed on the color image display 22 of the
digital camera 10, shown in FIG. 4C. This selection occurs after
the user selects a "next" selector 344 shown in FIG. 3.
Two different exemplary types of icon schemes are shown in FIGS.
4A and 48. The icon schemes can use different colors, text fonts,
icon styles (e.g., classic, whimsical, business), and background
colors or patterns. The icon schemes can also include themes, such
as a "Winnie the Pooh" or a "Pokemon" theme
for a child, or an "X-files" or particular football team
(e.g., the Green Bay Packers) theme for an adult, and the appropriate
set of icons, having the appropriate text style, colors, and backgrounds
will be used. Icons are provided for both the review mode features,
enabled when the capture/review mode switch 86 (shown in FIG. 4C)
is set in the review position, and for capture mode features, enabled
when the capture/review mode switch 86 is set in the capture position.
[0052] FIGS. 4A and 4B demonstrate two different graphic user interface
(GUI) screens that can be displayed on the image display 22 of the
digital camera 10. Each GUI screen displays a main image 240 and
provides the same basic camera functions through a scrollable list
of icons 250. The first icon 252A (shown in FIG. 4A) or 252B (shown
in FIG. 48) depict different types of magnifying glasses. Selecting
this icon 252A or 252B enables the user to magnify the image on
the image display 22, i.e., to rescale the image to show the center
portion of the image at a larger size. Both icons 252A and 252B
control the same function, but have a different appearance on the
image display 22 to appeal to different types of users. The second
icon 254A (shown in FIG. 4A) or 254B (shown in FIG. 48) depict different
styles of trash cans which enable the user to delete the selected
picture. The third icon 256A (shown in FIG. 4A) or 256B (shown in
FIG. 4B) enables the user to lock the image so that it cannot be
inadvertently deleted by the user. The fourth icon 258A (shown in
FIG. 4A) or 258B (shown in FIG. 4B) depict different styles of arrows
which enable the user to scroll down to view additional icons which
provide additional functions. The ability to scroll through this
list of features provides the user the ability to view either a
large or small number of camera functions. The length of this list
of icons is modified as additional functions are added to or taken
out of the camera firmware.
[0053] A representation of a film strip 260 at the bottom of the
GUI screens including three small images (i.e., thumbnails), and
a memory bar 262 is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. These enable the user
to easily scroll through and review the images that are stored on
the removable memory card 30 of the digital camera 10. An image
number 264 is shown in the upper right portion of each GUI screen.
FIG. 4B shows two additional icons 266 and 268 at the top of the
GUI screen which represent features that are enabled for the current
image. In the GUI screen of FIG. 4B, the presence of icon 266 indicates
that the date is overlaid on the picture and the presence of icon
268 indicates that the image is locked so that it cannot be deleted.
Note that FIG. 4A does not display cons 266 and 268 to provide a
less informational screen design. Because the user can select an
appropriate GUI for his/her digital camera 10, the digital camera
10 displays only that information critical to the user.
[0054] In block 200 of FIG. 2, the user is provided the ability
to configure the layout of the camera GUI 25 for the selected camera
feature(s). Certain features, such as adding or deleting flash modes
(e.g., fill flash, red-eye reduction mode, auto mode) have preferred
locations in the camera GUI 25 displayed on the color image display
22. Other features, such as the ability to group images into different
albums, may not have predefined places in the camera GUI 25. To
configure the camera GUI 25, the CPU 50 controls the display monitor
52 to provide the display shown in FIG. 5. As the user enters this
phase of the process, the user is given the option of automatically
configuring these objects into the camera GUI 25 by selecting an
"auto configure" selector 352, or by dragging and dropping
icons to a simulation window 300 of the image display 22 of the
camera GUI 25 of the desired final camera 10. This simulation window
300 includes a series of icons 362, 364, and 366 that the user can
"drag and drop" in order to set their preferred icon order
for the camera GUI 25 to be displayed on the color image display
22 of the digital camera 10 (shown in FIG. 1). A scroll bar 372
having an up arrow 374 and a down arrow 376 enables the user to
scroll through the icons 362, 364, and 366. The user arranges the
icons 362, 364 and 366 displayed in the simulation window 300 that
are used for the review mode by first selecting a "review"
button 380, and then arranges another set of icons (not shown) that
are displayed in the simulation window 300 for the capture mode
by selecting a "capture" button 382.
[0055] Note that by selecting the "view" selector 320
shown in FIG. 5, the user can return to an earlier step in the process
(e.g., block 160 of FIG. 2) if he or she wants to review other features.
The user can also demo the various firmware-enabled camera options
by selecting the product in a product window 360, and then selecting
the "demo" selector 322. The user also has some other
options. For example, the user can backup the customized camera
firmware to be stored in the Flash EPROM 28 to a file on the host
computer 40 by selecting a "backup" selector 350, or restore
an earlier configuration from a file on the host computer 40 to
override the current configuration by selecting a "restore"
selector 354.
[0056] FIG. 5 also includes an "install" selector 330.
In block 210 of FIG. 2, this instructs the camera customization
software to configure the firmware components and upload them to
the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in the digital camera
10 in order to customize the camera features and the camera user
interface 24. This can be done by first erasing some of the firmware
installed in Flash EPROM 28, and then uploading the new firmware
components. Alternatively, the camera customization software provided
on the CD-ROM 32 or the Floppy disk 34 can include camera source
code that must be compiled by a firmware compiler (not shown) designed
to produce firmware capable of being executed by the processor 18,
before being downloaded to the digital camera 10. In this situation,
the camera customization software also includes the necessary compiler
software, which is executed when the user selects a "build
camera" selector 356 shown on the screen 53 in FIG. 5 which
is displayed on the display monitor 52 shown in FIG. 1. This enables
the camera firmware to be "built" (e.g., compiled) to
create a firmware component that provides all of the user selected
features. After this firmware component has been created by the
compiler, the "install" selector 330 is used to initiate
the downloading of the compiled firmware component to the digital
camera 10. If the user is unhappy with the features provided by
the newly installed firmware, the user can re-install an older firmware
component by using the "restore" selector 354 followed
by the "install" selector 330.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting the steps of another embodiment
of the present invention. In this embodiment, the camera customization
software can, in accordance with the responses provided by the user
to a series of questions provided as part of the camera customization
software, selectively enable or remove various firmware from the
digital camera 10, to customize the digital imaging system so that
the digital camera 10 provides only those features that are of interest
to the user.
[0058] The additional steps shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6 can
be inserted between blocks 150 and 160 of the flow chart in FIG.
2, and provide an alternative to blocks 160 through 200 of FIG.
2. Block 162 in FIG. 6 follows block 150 of FIG. 2. In blocks 162
though 172 of FIG. 6, the user answers a number of questions displayed
on the display monitor 52 using the keyboard 54 or the mouse 55.
FIG. 7 depicts an example of an interface screen, displayed on the
display monitor 52, for entering the answers to these questions
using groups of "radio buttons" 418, 428, 430, 440, and
450.
[0059] In block 162 of FIG. 6, by clicking one of the radio buttons
418, the user selects a camera GUI style from a group of possible
style choices 410, for example, a classic style 412, a whimsical
style 414, and a business style 416 (shown in FIG. 7). In the example
shown in FIG. 7, the user has selected the business style 416.
[0060] In block 164 of FIG. 6, by clicking one of the radio buttons
428, the user selects a camera GUI color set from a group of possible
color sets choices 420, for example, a white/blue/red color set
422, a gray/mauve /violet color set 424, or a gray/blue/pink color
set 426. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user has selected the
gray/mauve/violet color set 424.
[0061] In block 166 of FIG. 6, by clicking the appropriate radio
buttons 430, the user enters his or her experience levels for using
digital cameras, traditional cameras, and computers. In the example
shown in FIG. 7, the user has indicated that he or she has seldom
used a digital camera or film camera, but is an experienced computer
user.
[0062] In block 168 of FIG. 6, by clicking the appropriate radio
buttons 440, the user enters his or her picture taking preferences.
This provides information on the types of pictures the user expects
to take quite often, and those the user does not expect to take
very often. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user has indicated
that he or she expects to "often" take portraits of faces
and close-up equipment, "sometimes" take pictures of groups
of people, "seldom" take pictures of far-away scenery,
and never take pictures of fast-moving sports.
[0063] In block 172 of FIG. 6, by clicking the appropriate radio
buttons 450, the user enters his or her expectations of how the
user will use the pictures he or she plans to take with the digital
camera 10. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user has indicated
that he or she expects to "often" use his or her pictures
for web pages, "sometimes" use his or her pictures for
electronic documents, "seldom" use his or her pictures
for color photo prints, and "never" use his or her camera
for photo enlargements.
[0064] In block 174 of FIG. 6, the camera customization software
executed by the CPU 50 classifies the user in an appropriate category
based on the user responses in blocks 162 through 172. For example,
the answers provided in the example shown in FIG. 7 indicate a business
user who is not familiar with photography but is very familiar with
computers. Furthermore, the user is interested primarily in taking
pictures of faces and close-up objects for use in creating web pages
and electronic documents.
[0065] In block 176 of FIG. 6, the camera customization software
executed by the CPU 50 determines the appropriate camera features
for the user class determined in block 174 and creates an appropriate
camera GUI 25 to enable the user to access these features. In the
example shown in FIG. 7, the ability to store many relatively low
resolution images in the digital camera 10, and special modes for
portraits and close-up photography, would be emphasized by including
the appropriate firmware components and organizing the camera GUI
25 to make these features most prominent, so they could be easily
accessed by the user when using the digital camera 10. In addition,
a firmware component that automatically arranges the digital pictures
in a web page could be included, since the user often wishes to
use his or her pictures for web pages. Camera features that are
not appropriate for this class of user would not be included. For
example, firmware components that provide a fast moving "sports
photography" mode, or enable a direct connection between the
digital camera 10 and a home printer 58 via the host interface 36,
to print images without using the host computer 40, would not be
included, since the user has little interest in these features.
[0066] In block 178 of FIG. 6, the customized camera GUI 25 and
features are displayed to the user, for example, using the screen
53 depicted in FIG. 5, which is displayed on the display monitor
52 of FIG. 1. The screen 53 includes a simulation window 300 of
the color image display 22 of the camera GUI 25 of the digital camera
10.
[0067] In block 182, the user can approve the GUI and features,
for example, by selecting the "install" selector 330.
In this case, block 210 of FIG. 2 is then completed in order to
install the customized firmware in the digital camera 10. Alternatively,
in block 182, if the user does not approve of some aspects of the
GUI and features, the user can then modify the GUI or features by
demonstrating and selecting alternative features, icon styles, or
GUI arrangements using blocks 160 through 200 of FIG. 2.
[0068] Therefore, the process depicted in the flow chart of FIG.
6 in accordance with the present invention enables the camera customization
software executed by the CPU 50 to create a customized camera GUI
25 for a particular user. The camera customization software can
provide a "novice user" with a very simple set of features
by "hiding" the advanced features. In addition, the camera
customization software can enable the user to select the output
size of the image, as well as the type of output (e.g., a web page,
4.times.6 inch inkjet color photo print, or an 8.times.12 inch thermal
print photo enlargement), and have the digital camera 10 automatically
select the resolution and compression settings. The camera customization
software can also enable the user to select particular "photo
situations" (e.g., portrait printing, web page creation), and
have the digital camera 10 automatically set many camera parameters
including, for example, the color matrix values and the amount of
sharpening, rather than have the user deal with many complex controls.
[0069] The camera customization software executed by the CPU 50
can provide the user with the ability to select from many different
features that may be provided by the firmware executed by the processor
18 in the digital camera 10. In addition to the previously described
features, additional features can include:
[0070] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to add firmware components which provide special
effects features, such as posterization or "coloring book"
creative effects, monochrome or 20 sepia effects, and special effects
filters (e.g., star, defocus corners);
[0071] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to enable the user to upload, from the host
computer 40 to the digital camera 10, particularly memorable personal
images for sharing with others via the color image display 22 of
the digital camera 10;
[0072] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to add a "slide show" capability
to the digital camera 10 for automatically reviewing the image on
an LCD or video display, for a selected period (e.g., five seconds
per image) including "transition" effects (e.g. fades
or pulls) from one image to the next;
[0073] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to add unique sounds to the camera user interface
24, such as, for example, funny noises as pictures are taken;
[0074] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to support various image resolution or compression
levels, compression algorithms, or image tile formats, or to provide
the ability to modify captured images as they are processed, such
as by digital zooming and cropping, tone or color adjustments, or
sharpness adjustments;
[0075] Configuring the firmware stored in the Flash EPROM 28 in
the digital camera 10 to provide red-eye removal, as described in
commonly assigned pending U.S. Ser. No. 09/290,290, filed Apr. 13,
1999, by Fredlund, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated
by reference;
[0076] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to provide the ability to select
one or more border templates that may be combined with newly captured
digital images, as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
5,477,264 to Sarbadhikari et al., the disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference;
[0077] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to group images into various categories
or folders, as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,678
to Kenneth Parulski, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated
by reference;
[0078] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to provide the ability to stitch
multiple images together to produce panoramic images, such as by
using the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,714,249;
[0079] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to provide print ordering from
the camera, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,927;
[0080] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to composite multiple images together,
for example, using the method and apparatus described in commonly-assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,748 to Parulski, the disclosure of which is
herein incorporated by reference;
[0081] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to create html files to arrange
the images into 10 a web page that has a customized background color,
header text, image date/titles, and image size; and
[0082] Configuring the firmware components stored in the Flash
EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 to provide the ability to e-mail
images from the digital camera 10, for example, as described in
commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,924.
[0083] Depending on the features selected, the user must provide
appropriate personalization information that will later be incorporated
into the customized digital camera 10. Such personalization information
can include personal digital data, for example, ASCII text providing
the name, mailing address, phone number, or e-mail address of the
user. The personalization information can also include names of
people or events to be used to categorize images, and an address
book of e-mail addresses to be displayed on the color image display
22. The personalization information can also include one or more
border templates selected by the user.
[0084] In an alternative embodiment, the camera customization software
is uploaded to the digital camera 10 by storing the camera customization
software on the removable memory card 30 using the memory card reader
48, inserting the removable memory card 30 into memory card interface
20 of the digital camera 10, and uploading the camera customization
software from the removable memory card 30 to the Flash EPROM 28
as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,264, entitled
"Electronic Imaging System Using a Removable Software-Enhanced
Storage Device" to Sarbadhikari et al., the disclosure of which
is herein incorporated by reference.
[0085] In another alternative embodiment, the firmware memory is
provided as a Read Only Memory (ROM) that stores firmware which
implements a plurality of different camera features. The digital
camera 10 also includes a programmable memory (not shown) which
stores camera settings. The processor 18 uses the stored camera
settings to determine which camera features to implement, from the
plurality of camera features provided by the firmware. In this embodiment,
the camera customization software displays the selectable camera
features to the user. The user selects desired features, and the
camera customization software determines the associated camera setting(s).
The settings are then communicated to the digital camera 10 using
the host interface 36 or the removable memory card 30, and are then
stored in the camera programmable memory.
[0086] In another alternative embodiment, the camera customization
software provides the user with sets of digital images, for example,
three images at a time, and asks the user to choose which of the
three images is preferred out of each set. The images have noticeable
differences in flesh tones, sharpness, contrast, and other image
attributes. Based on the user's choices, the camera customization
software customizes the firmware in the Flash EPROM 28 to provide
the type of images preferred by the use. For example, a first user
may prefer more vibrant colors, and sharper, more contrasty images.
A second user may prefer softer looking images. Based on the user's
selections, the edge enhancement setting, color correction matrix,
and tone correction lookup tables may be modified. Alternatively,
the digital camera can include a programmable memory (not shown)
which stores the camera settings. For example, the programmable
memory can store one or more edge enhancement settings, color correction
settings and/or tone correction settings. When the user selects
a preferred image, the camera customization software determines
the associated camera setting(s), and the programmable memory stores
the associated camera setting(s). In this embodiment, the camera
customization software can be executed external to the digital camera
10 (e.g., by the CPU 50 of FlG. 1), or alternatively, can be executed
by the processor 18 in the digital camera 10. In the latter case,
the sets of digital images are displayed on the image display 22
of the digital camera 10 so that the camera customization process
can be performed using only the digital camera 10 without the use
of the host computer 40.
[0087] In another embodiment, the customization is done in a retail
establishment which sells the digital camera 10. The camera firmware
stored in the Flash EPROM 28 is customized at the time of purchase,
either by a clerk operating a computer and selecting features at
the request of thc user, or by a customer-operated kiosk. In this
embodiment, it is possible for the firmware to selectively limit
camera features, such as by modifying the control program used for
the zoom lens 12 in order to limit the zoom range (e.g., to provide
only a 2:1 or a fixed focal length lens rather than the 3:1 normal
zoom range) at a lower price, or to disable other features.
[0088] In another embodiment, the camera customization software
permits two or more different users to customize the feature set
and GUI 25 of the digital camera 10 and to store the corresponding
firmware components or firmware settings in the Flash EPROM 28.
When the digital camera 10 is powered on, a list 20 of users is
displayed on the image display 22 and the user selects their name
using the camera user interface 24. In response to this user input,
the processor 18 uses the appropriate firmware components or firmware
settings stored in the Flash EPROM 28 to provide the customized
camera GUI and feature set for that particular user. Alternatively,
when the digital camera 10 is powered on, the settings for the last
user can be employed, and a camera preferences menu can be used
to select a different user.
[0089] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram depicting image processing operations
that can be performed by the processor 18 in the digital camera
10 in order to process the images from the image sensor 14 provided
by the A/D converter 16. The processing performed by the digital
camera 10 to process a particular image is determined by user settings,
for example, User A settings 580 or User B settings 582, shown in
FIG. 8. The User A settings 580 include a resolution setting 514,
a color correction setting 524, a tone correction setting 534, a
sharpness setting 544, and a compression setting 554. The User B
settings 582 include a resolution setting 516, a color correction
setting 526, a tone correction setting 536, a sharpness setting
546, and a compression setting 556.
[0090] The Bayer pattern color filter array data (block 500) which
has been digitally converted by the A/D converter 16 is interpolated
in block 510 to provide red, green and blue (ROB) image data values
at each pixel location. The color filter array interpolation in
block 510 can use the luminance CFA interpolation method described
in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,621, entitled "Adaptive
color plane interpolation in single sensor color electronic camera"
to Adams et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated
by reference. The color filter array interpolation in block 510
can also use the chrominance CFA interpolation method described
in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,678, entitled "Signal
processing method and apparatus for producing interpolated chrominance
values in a sampled color image signal", to Cok, the disclosure
of which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0091] To provide multiple resolution images, for example, a full
resolution image and a reduced resolution image, the color filter
array 20 interpolation in block 510 can use the method described
in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,335, entitled "Single
sensor color camera with user selectable image record size",
to Parulski et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated
by reference. The resolution mode provided in block 512 is either
the full or reduced resolution, corresponding to the current user
setting, which can be either User A resolution setting 514 or User
B resolution setting 516 shown in FIG. 8.
[0092] The RGB image data is color corrected in block 520 using,
for example, the 3.times.3 linear space color correction matrix
20 depicted in FIG. 3 of commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511,
entitled "Method and apparatus for improving the color rendition
of hardcopy images from electronic cameras" to Parulski et
al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The color correction matrix coefficients which are stored in the
flash EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10 can include the following:
Setting 1 (normal color reproduction)
[0093] Rout=1.50Rin-0.30Gin-0.20Bin [0094] Gout=-0.40Rin+1.80Gin-0.40Bin
[0095] Bout=-0.20Rin-0.20Gin+1.40Bin Setting 2 (saturated color
reproduction) [0096] Rout=2.00Rin-0.60Gin-0.40Bin [0097] Gout=0.80Rin+2.60Gin-0.80Bin
[0098] Bout=-0.40Rin-0.40Gin+1.80Bin Setting 3 (desaturated color
reproduction) [0099] Rout=1.25Rin-0.15Gin-0.10Bin [0100] Gout=-0.20Rin+1.40Gin-0.20Bin
[0101] Bout=-0.10Rin-0.10Gin+1.20Bin Setting 4 (monochrome) [0102]
Rout=0.30Rin+0.60Gin+0.10Bin [0103] Gout=0.30Rin+0.60Gin+0.10Bin
[0104] Bout=0.30Rin+0.60Gin+0.10Bin
[0105] The color matrix coefficients provided in block 522 include
the four settings listed above. The coefficients used in color correction
block 520 for a particular picture are determined by the current
user setting, which can be either the User A color correction setting
524 or the User B color correction setting 526. For example, User
A may have selected Setting 1 (normal color reproduction) and User
B may have selected Setting 4 (monochrome). Therefore, Setting 1
is used if User A is the current user of the digital camera 10,
and Setting 4 is used if User B is the current user of the digital
camera 10.
[0106] The color corrected image data is tone corrected in block
530. This tone correction 530 can use, for example, the lookup table
corresponding to FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,511 cited above.
In the present invention, a plurality of tone correction Lookup
tables is provided in block 532. These can include lookup tables
corresponding to the three curves depicted in FIG. 9, which include
a "normal" tone correction curve 600, a "high contrast"
tone correction curve 602, and a "low contrast" tone correction
curve 604. These three lookup tables are stored in the flash EPROM
28 in the digital camera 10.
[0107] The tone correction lookup table used in tone correction
block 530 for a particular image is determined by the current user
setting, which can be either the User A tone correction setting
534 or the User B tone correction setting 536.
[0108] The image sharpening provided in block 540 of FIG. 8 can
utilize the method described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.
4,962,419 ('419 patent), entitled "Detail processing method
and apparatus providing uniform processing of horizontal and vertical
detail components" to Hibbard et. al., the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference. In the present invention, the
coring lookup table depicted in FIG. 4 of the '419 patent is selected
from a plurality of coring lookup tables that correspond to the
curves depicted in FIG. 10.
[0109] These lookup tables include a "normal" sharpening
level curve 610, an "extra sharp" curve 612, and a "less
sharp" curve 608. These three lookup tables are stored in the
flash EPROM 28 in the digital camera 10.
[0110] The coring lookup tables provided in block 542 of FIG. 8
include tables corresponding to the three curves 610, 612, and 614
depicted in FIG. 10. The lookup table used in image sharpening block
540 for a particular image is determined by the current user setting,
which can be either the User A sharpness setting 544 or the User
B sharpness setting 546.
[0111] The image compression provided in block 550 of FIG. 8 can
use the method described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,574
(the '574 patent), entitled "Adaptive block transform image
coding method and apparatus" to Daly et. al., the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference. The compression quantization
tables provided in block 552 include a plurality of quantization
tables, for example, three different tables, for the quantize block
26 in FIG. 1 of the '574 patent. These tables provide different
quality levels and average file sizes for the compressed image file
560 provided to the removable memory card 30 by the digital camera
10. These three quantization tables are stored in the flash EPROM
28 in the digital camera 10.
[0112] The quantization table used in image compression block 550
of FIG. 8 for a particular image is determined by the current user
setting, which can be either by the User A compression setting 554
or the User B compression setting 556 shown in FIG. 8.
[0113] The User A settings 580 and the User B settings 582 shown
in FIG. 8 can be determined as part of the camera customization
process depicted in FIG. 2. In this case, the settings 580 and 582
are downloaded from the host computer 40 to the digital camera 10.
As described earlier, the settings 580 and 582 are used to select
particular matrix coefficients (block 522), tone correction lookup
tables (block 532), coring lookup tables (block 542), and compression
quantization tables (block 552) stored in the flash EPROM 28 of
the digital camera 10 (shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, the matrix
coefficients (block 522), tone correction lookup tables (block 532),
coring lookup tables (block 542), and compression quantization tables
(block 552) can be stored in a ROM (not shown), and only the camera
settings 580 and 582 can be stored in a reprogrammable memory, such
as the flash EPROM 28. As another alternative, only the particular
matrix coefficients (block 522), tone correction lookup tables (block
532), coring lookup tables (block 542), and compression quantization
tables (block 552) selected by Users A and B can be downloaded from
the host computer 40 to the digital camera 10 and stored in the
flash EPROM 28. As yet another alternative, the user selection can
be performed using the camera GUI 25. In this embodiment, the matrix
coefficients (block 522), tone correction lookup tables (block 532),
coring lookup tables (block 542), and compression quantization tables
(block 552) are stored in the flash EPROM 28 or in the ROM (not
shown), and the user settings 580 and 582 are stored in a reprogrammable
memory, such as the flash EPROM 28.
[0114] Computer program products, such as readable storage medium,
can be used to store the customization software, and also the desired
firmware components in accordance with the present invention. The
readable storage medium can be a magnetic storage media, such as
a magnetic disk (such as a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical
storage media, such as an optical disk, an optical tape, or a machine
readable bar code; solid state electronic storage devices, such
as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM); or
any other physical device or medium employed to store computer programs.
[0115] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will
be understood that variations and modifications can be effected
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
PARTS LIST
[0116] 10 digital camera [0117] 11 optical viewfinder [0118] 12
lens [0119] 13 zoom switch [0120] 14 image sensor [0121] 15 shutter
button [0122] 16 analog-to-digital converter [0123] 18 processor
[0124] 20 memory card interface [0125] 22 image display [0126] 23
video output driver [0127] 24 camera user interface [0128] 25 camera
graphical user interface [0129] 26 host interface [0130] 27 digital-to-analog
converter [0131] 28 Flash EPROM [0132] 29 miniature speaker [0133]
30 removable memory card [0134] 31 TV display [0135] 32 CD-ROM disc
[0136] 34 Floppy disk [0137] 36 interface cable [0138] 40 host computer
[0139] 42 CD-ROM drive [0140] 44 Floppy disk drive [0141] 46 interface
[0142] 48 memory card reader [0143] 50 central processing unit [0144]
52 display monitor [0145] 53 screen [0146] 54 keyboard [0147] 55
mouse [0148] 56 hard drive [0149] 58 home printer [0150] 60 modem
[0151] 70 Network Service Provider [0152] 72 modem [0153] 74 computer
[0154] 76 camera firmware database [0155] 78 billing system [0156]
80 user button [0157] 81 user button [0158] 82 user button [0159]
83 user button [0160] 84 user button [0161] 86 capture/review mode
switch [0162] 240 main image [0163] 250 list of icons [0164] 252A,
252B first icon [0165] 252A, 254B second icon [0166] 252A, 256B
third icon [0167] 252A, 258B fourth icon [0168] 260 filmstrip [0169]
262 memory bar [0170] 264 image number [0171] 266 icon [0172] 268
icon [0173] 300 simulation window [0174] 305 window [0175] 310 product
option window [0176] 312 scroll bar [0177] 314 up arrow [0178] 316
down arrow [0179] 318 "Beastly Vampires" line [0180] 320
"view" selector [0181] 322 "demo" selector [0182]
324 "purchase" selector [0183] 330 "install"
selector [0184] 332 "restore features" selector [0185]
340 description window [0186] 342 "select" selector [0187]
344 "next" selector [0188] 350 "backup" selector
[0189] 352 "auto configure" selector [0190] 354 "restore"
selector [0191] 356 "build camera" selector [0192] 360
product window [0193] 362 icon [0194] 364 icon [0195] 366 icon [0196]
372 scroll bar [0197] 374 up arrow [0198] 376 down arrow [0199]
380 "review " button [0200] 382 "capture" button
[0201] 410 style choices [0202] 412 classic style [0203] 414 whimsical
style [0204] 416 business style [0205] 418 radio button [0206] 420
color set choices [0207] 422 white/blue/red color set [0208] 424
gray/mauve/violet color set [0209] 426 gray/blue/pink color set
[0210] 428 radio button [0211] 430 radio button [0212] 440 radio
button [0213] 450 radio button [0214] 514 resolution setting [0215]
516 resolution setting [0216] 524 User A color correction setting
[0217] 526 User B color correction setting [0218] 534 User A tone
correction setting [0219] 536 User B tone correction setting [0220]
544 User A sharpness setting [0221] 546 User 13 sharpness setting
[0222] 554 User A compression setting [0223] 556 User B compression
setting [0224] 580 User A settings [0225] 582 User B settings [0226]
600 "normal" tone correction curve [0227] 602 "high
contrast" tone correction curve [0228] 604 "low contrast"
tone correction curve [0229] 608 "less sharp" curve [0230]
610 "normal" sharpening level curve [0231] 612 "extra
sharp" curve |