Digital Camera Patent Abstract
Methods for storing and retrieving digital image files, such as
photographs taken by a digital camera, to and from an archival image
storage system such as a file server or a mass storage medium. A
combination proof sheet and order form is printed containing an
array of thumbnail images, corresponding image selection user designation
areas, and a storage selection user designation area markable by
the user to specify selected images to be stored on or retrieved
from the image storage system. The form is scanned to detect the
user designation areas completed by the user, and then perform the
indicated operation. A printing system includes programming for
generating, scanning, and processing the form, and for storing and
retrieving the selected images. Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for storing a plurality of image files onto a storage
device, comprising: forming at least one identity marker collectively
indicative of the plurality of image files wherein the forming at
least one identity marker includes forming a plurality of data keys,
each data key indicative of one of the image files; and printing
a proof sheet having a plurality of image representations, each
image representation identifying a corresponding one of the plurality
of image files, at least one user designation area associated with
the plurality of image representations and markable by a user for
selecting certain ones of the plurality of image files for storage,
the at least one identity marker, and a plurality of data key representations
in the at least one identity marker, each data key representation
indicative of one of the data keys.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: marking the at least
one user designation area to form a marked proof sheet specifying
the individual ones of the image files to be stored; scanning the
marked proof sheet to detect markings; and storing the individual
ones of the image files corresponding to the markings onto the storage
device.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: acquiring the image
files from an image source device; and copying the proof sheet before
the marking so as to make an copy for use in retrieving the stored
image files at a future time.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the storing further comprises
storing the image files on a storage device/medium selected from
the group consisting of a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-Rewriteable
disk, and a file server.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising: storing the data
keys onto the storage device.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: associating each
of the stored data keys with the corresponding one of the stored
image files on the storage device.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the storing the image files further
includes: embedding each individual one of the data keys into the
corresponding ones of the image files.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the storing the data keys further
includes: storing each individual one of the data keys separately
from the corresponding ones of the image files.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the printing a proof sheet further
comprises: forming the plurality of data key representations by
converting each data key to one of the plurality of data key representations.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the printing a proof sheet further
comprises: printing identification information sufficient to identify
the printing apparatus in the at least one identity marker.
11. The method of claim 2, wherein the storing image files further
includes storing each of the image files at a specific location
on the storage device indicated by a corresponding one of a group
of file specifiers, further comprising: constructing each file specifier
from the data key for each of the corresponding image files.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the printing a proof sheet includes
printing the at least one identity marker as a plurality of alphanumeric
characters.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming a plurality of data
keys further includes: processing each of the image files so as
to calculate the corresponding one of the data keys.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the processing further includes:
performing a cyclic redundancy check on the contents of each individual
one of the image files to form the corresponding one of the data
keys.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the proof sheet is printed
by a printing apparatus, and wherein the forming a plurality of
data keys further includes: incorporating identification information
into each one of the data keys sufficient to identify the printing
apparatus.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the incorporating identification
information includes incorporating into each one of the data keys
information indicative of at least one of the group consisting of
a manufacturer of the printing apparatus, a model of the printing
apparatus, a serial number of the printing apparatus, a user account
associated with the printing apparatus, and an index number maintained
by the printing apparatus.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the incorporating identification
information includes incorporating into the at least one identity
marker information indicative of at least one of the group consisting
of a manufacturer of the printing apparatus, a model of the printing
apparatus, a serial number of the printing apparatus, a user account
associated with the printing apparatus, and an index number maintained
by the printing apparatus.
18. A method for storing a plurality of image files onto a storage
device, comprising: forming at least one identity marker collectively
indicative of the plurality of image files; and printing a proof
sheet having a plurality of image representations, each image representation
identifying a corresponding one of the plurality of image files,
at least one user designation area associated with the plurality
of image representations and markable by a user for selecting certain
ones of the plurality of image files for storage, and the at least
one identity marker as a non-alphanumeric pattern.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the printing the at least one
identity marker as a non-numeric pattern includes printing a binary
pattern comprising a plurality of marked regions selected from the
group consisting of printed bit markers representing a first binary
state and unprinted bit markers representing a second binary state.
20. A method for storing a plurality of image files onto a storage
device, comprising: forming at least one identity marker collectively
indicative of the plurality of image files; and printing a proof
sheet having a plurality of image representations, each image representation
identifying a corresponding one of the plurality of image files,
and at least one user designation area associated with the plurality
of image representations and markable by a user for selecting certain
ones of the plurality of image files for storage, wherein the printing
at least one user designation area includes printing a plurality
of image selection areas, each image selection area associated with
a corresponding one of the image representations and markable for
including the corresponding one of the image files in a selected
subset of the image files, and printing a storage selection area
markable for specifying a storage operation selected from the group
consisting of storing all of the image files, storing the selected
subset of the image files, and storing none of the image files,
and the at least one identity marker.
21. A method for retrieving image files from a storage device,
comprising: providing a preprinted proof sheet having a plurality
of image selection areas each associated with a corresponding one
of a plurality of image files and a corresponding one of a plurality
of predetermined data key representations; marking on the proof
sheet at least one of the image selection areas corresponding to
at least one of the image files to be retrieved; scanning the marked
proof sheet to determine marked image selection areas; identifying
the predetermined data key representations associated with the marked
image selection areas and converting the data key representations
into the corresponding data keys; and using the identified data
keys, retrieving from the storage device the image files associated
with the marked image selection areas.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein each of the predetermined data
key representations includes a printed pattern indicative of a data
key, wherein the identifying and converting further includes: locating
the associated data key representations on the marked proof sheet;
reading the printed patterns of the associated data key representations;
and converting the printed patterns into associated data keys.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein the retrieving includes: converting
each of the identified data keys into a file specifier; and reading
from the storage device the image file corresponding to each file
specifier.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the retrieving includes: sending
the identified data keys to a file server; and on the file server,
locating the image files associated with the identified data keys.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the locating further includes:
correlating each of the identified data keys to a corresponding
file specifier; and providing the image file corresponding to each
file specifier.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the locating further includes:
for certain ones of the image files on the server, generating internal
data keys from the image file content; comparing the internal data
keys to each of the identified data keys; and providing the image
files for which the internal data keys match individual ones of
the identified data keys.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the marking at least one of
the image selection areas includes specifying an operation to be
performed on the corresponding one of the image files, further comprising:
performing the specified operation on the corresponding one of the
image files after retrieval.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the performing the specified
operation includes printing the corresponding one of the image files.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electronic photography,
and more particularly to a system and method for enabling a user
to easily store and retrieve one or more images taken by a digital
camera on an archival image storage system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electronic photography, and more
particularly, to a system and method for enabling a user to easily
select and enhance one or more images taken by a digital still camera
for printing without using a personal computer or some other complex
user interface.
Digital still cameras (DSCs) are rapidly gaining popularity with
consumers. They permit high resolution color images to be stored
for subsequent printing by conventional ink jet and laser printers.
The quality of the color prints that are produced approaches that
of conventional silver halide photographic prints. More importantly,
the digital images can be permanently stored on different forms
of media such as compact disks (CDs), manipulated and altered in
a personal computer (PC), inserted into computer graphics and word
processing programs, sent to friends and relatives via e-mail, and
transmitted over the Internet as part of web pages. From an environmental
standpoint digital still cameras are attractive because they eliminate
the need for chemical developer solutions.
Commercially available digital still cameras typically have a removable
data storage media such as floppy diskette or a flash memory card
onto which the digital representation of the images captured by
the camera optics and charge coupled device (CCD) can be stored.
These forms of media may be removed and plugged into a personal
computer so that the digital representations of the images may be
viewed. The personal computers may be provided with digital still
camera image processing software for enhancing the color balance,
contrast, borders and other characteristics of the images prior
to storage, printing or transmission. Typically the image processing
software that runs on the personal computer allows certain images
to be selected and others discarded or ignored.
Other digital still cameras have been developed that may be coupled
directly to a printer. These cameras are desirable for consumers
who do not own personal computers or feel uncomfortable using such
computers. The command buttons and graphical user interface (GUI)
menus on such a camera's liquid crystal display (LCD) are used in
accordance with a pre-programmed protocol to select the images to
be printed. This type of digital still camera image selection and
printing system has the advantage of not requiring a personal computer.
It is normally undesirable to print all images, because some are
usually poor in quality, and printing all images results in wasted
time, paper and ink or laser toner. However, the user is faced with
a complex and bewildering set of commands for selecting, downloading
and printing images. As an alternative, the printer itself can be
provided with a user interface for selecting images from a digital
still camera. However this is undesirable because the printer ends
up having user-unfriendly interface software. With either approach
for coupling a digital still camera directly to a printer, without
a PC interface, it is very tedious and cumbersome to vary the characteristics
of the selected images to be printed, such as size, brightness,
cropping, etc. For the sake of simplicity, such characteristics,
along with others, are generally referred to herein as something
that will "enhance" the original image taken by the digital
still camera.
Users frequently wish to archive in electronic form all or some
of the digital images stored in the camera or on the removable storage
media. Archiving the images on an archival image storage system
allows the images to be erased from the camera and the removable
storage media, so that the camera can be used to take a new set
of photos. The archived images can be retrieved as desired at a
future time from the image storage system for printing, e-mailing,
incorporating into web pages, or other applications.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a system and method
for enabling a user to easily select one or more images taken by
a digital camera for storage to, or retrieval from, an archival
image storage system or medium without requiring complex user interactions
with the image storage system
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method
for retrievably storing digital image files onto a storage device.
The invention uses a combination order and proof sheet to provide
a simple mechanism for users to select the images they want to store
or retrieve. The method for storing includes forming one or more
identity markers which, as a whole, identify a set of digital image
files associated with the proof sheet, and printing the proof sheet.
The proof sheet contains a printed image representing each of the
image files; one or more user designation areas markable by the
user to select which of the image files will be stored; and the
identity marker or markers. The user designation areas preferably
include a markable image selection area associated with each image
file to select the associated image file, and a storage selection
area markable to specify the storage operation to be performed.
Possible storage operations include storing all of the image files
on the proof sheet, storing only the selected image files, and storing
none of the image files. After the proof sheet is printed, it is
marked by the user and then scanned to detect the markings in the
user designation areas. Those image files which are indicated by
the markings are then stored onto the storage device. The storage
device may be a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-Rewriteable disk, a file
server, or the like.
Each identity marker may also include identification information
sufficient to identify the printer or other apparatus which printed
the proof sheet, such as the manufacturer of the printer, the model
of the printer, the serial number of the printer, a user account
associated with the printer, or any combination of these. The marker
may be printed as alphanumeric characters or as a non-alphanumeric
pattern which frequently is a binary pattern having printed bit
markers representing a first binary state and unprinted bit markers
representing a second binary state.
As part of forming each identity marker, a data key is formed for
each of the image files represented on the proof sheet. The data
key may be formed by processing the image file itself so as to calculate
the data key, preferably by performing a cyclic redundancy check
on the contents of the image file. Alternate versions of the data
key may be based on an index number provided by the printer. Some
versions of the data keys may include the identification information
for the printer. The data keys are printed as data key representations
in the identity marker(s). In addition, the data keys themselves
may be stored on the storage device in such a way as to be associated
with corresponding image files, or may be embedding in the corresponding
image file on the storage device. Each data key may also be used
to form a file specifier defining the location on the storage device
where the image file is stored.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a method for retrieving
selected image files from a storage device. The method for retrieving
includes providing a preprinted proof sheet having image selection
areas associated with corresponding image files and corresponding
predetermined data keys representations. At least one of the image
selection areas on the proof sheet is marked to identify the corresponding
image file or files to be retrieved. The marked proof sheet is scanned,
and the marked image selection areas determined, and their corresponding
data key representations identified. The data key representations
are converted into data keys, which are then used to retrieve the
image files associated with the marked image selection areas from
the storage device.
Each of the data key representations has a printed pattern. To
identify and convert each printed pattern to the corresponding data
key, each data key representation is located on the marked proof
sheet, the printed pattern read, and the pattern converted into
the associated data key.
In some embodiments, retrieving the image files is done by converting
each of the identified data keys into a file specifier, and reading
from the storage device the image file corresponding to each file
specifier. In alternate embodiments, retrieving is done by sending
the identified data keys to a file server, and locating the image
files associated with the identified data keys on the server. Locating
may alternatively be done by generating internal data keys from
the image file content of certain image files on the server, comparing
the internal data keys generated by the server to each of the identified
data keys provided to the server; and providing from the server
those image files for which the internal data keys match the identified
data keys.
Once the desired files are retrieved, the method may further performing
an specified operation on each of the image files, such as printing
the image file.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned features of the present invention and the manner
of attaining them, and the invention itself, will be best understood
by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system for enabling
a user to select and print digitally stored images in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printer that may be used
in the system of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate a combination proof sheet and order form
that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1 to select one or
more of an array of thumbnail images for final printing;
FIG. 4 illustrates a custom proof sheet and order form that may
be utilized with the system of FIG. 1 in cropping a single image
and selecting the brightness thereof for final printing;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary final print sheet with an image
having the size, brightness and cropping designated by the user
on the custom proof sheet and order form of FIG. 4;
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an alternate combination proof sheet
and order form that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1 in
designing and printing pages for a digital photo album;
FIG.7 is a flow diagram of the basic method of the method of the
present invention for enabling a user to select and print digitally
stored images;
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an archival electronic
image storage and retrieval system employing a user-designated proof
sheet according to the present invention;
FIGS. 9A-9C are illustrative examples of alternative representations
of an identity marker printed on the user-designation proof sheet
of FIG. 8;
FIG. 9D is a schematic diagram illustrating the format of a data
key, a representation of which is incorporated in the identity markers
of FIGS. 9A-9C;
FIGS. 10A-10H are flowcharts of differing levels of a method of
storing images on the archival image storage and retrieval system
of FIG. 8; and
FIGS. 11A-11C are flowcharts of differing levels of a method of
retrieving images from the archival image storage and retrieval
system of FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention a
system 10 is provided for enabling a user to select and print digitally
stored images. A conventional digital still camera 12 is used for
taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images.
A laser printer 13 is used for generating graphical representations
of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print
media. A flash memory card 16, floppy diskette 18, direct data link
20, wireless data link (not illustrated) or some other well known
digital data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations
of the plurality of images from the digital still camera 12 to the
laser printer 13.
The laser printer 13 includes firmware programming for generating
a combination proof sheet and order form 22 (FIG. 3A). As will be
described later on in great detail, the combination proof sheet
and order form 22 includes a graphical representation of at least
one of the images and a plurality of image selection and/or image
enhancement user designation areas.
It should be understood that the system of FIG. 1 can be used with
an ink jet printer instead of a laser printer. Other types of printers
could be utilized such as a dot matrix printer, dye sublimation
printer, or thermal printer, provided they are capable of coloration
and pixel density that will produce a suitable quality image. All
that is necessary is that the printer have the electro-mechanical
features, circuitry and firmware required to perform the functions
described hereafter.
FIG. 2 illustrates an ink jet printer 14, in functional block diagram
form, that may be utilized in the system 10 of FIG. 1 in place of
the laser printer 13. The ink jet printer 14 includes, for example,
a reader 24 into which the flash memory card 16 may be removably
inserted. Alternatively, the ink jet printer 14 could be equipped
with a floppy disk drive or a wireless data transceiver. The flash
memory card reader 24 is connected to a central processing unit
(CPU) 26 which uses programs stored in a read only memory (ROM)
28 to download the digital representations of the images into a
random access memory (RAM) 30. Pushbuttons 32 are manually selectively
depressed by the user in a protocol directed by alphanumeric prompts,
icons and/or other GUI indicated on an LCD display 34 and associated
driver circuitry to cause the printer 14 to generate the combination
proof sheet and order form 22 (FIG. 3A). In FIG. 1, the laser printer
13 has a slot or bezel 35 which allows insertion of the flash memory
card 16 into a flash memory card reader.
An ink jet cartridge 36 (FIG. 2) is transversely reciprocated back
and forth in the ink jet printer 14 while a sheet of print media
such as plain paper located in an input/output media tray 38 is
longitudinally advanced through the ink jet printer 14. An electro-mechanical
cartridge drive mechanism 40 is controlled by the CPU 26 for moving
the ink jet cartridge 36 transversely across the paper as required.
The CPU 26 controls the ink jet cartridge 36 through a jet driver
circuit 42. An electro-mechanical media drive mechanism 44 is connected
to the CPU 26 for advancing the sheet of paper longitudinally through
the ink jet printer 14.
The user manually completes selected user designation areas on
the proof sheet and order form 22 (FIG. 3A), such as by marking
thereon with a marking implement such as a pencil or a pen. This
permits the user to select which images to send to final printing,
image quantity, image brightness, image cropping, etc. The completed
proof sheet and order form 22 is then manually re-inserted into
the input/output media tray 38 (FIG. 2) of the ink jet printer 14.
The user then pushes one or more of the push buttons 32 on the ink
jet printer 14 to cause the media drive mechanism 44 to draw the
now-completed form 22 from the tray 38 back through the ink jet
printer 14. Alternatively, the printer 14 can detect the re-insertion
of the order form 22 and automatically start printing the final
print sheet(s).
A scanner 46 (FIG. 2) including circuitry and software is mounted
in the ink jet printer 14. The scanner 46 may, for example, include
a high intensity illumination source (not illustrated) and an array
of photo detectors (not illustrated) mounted adjacent the path of
the proof sheet and order form 22 as it is conveyed longitudinally
through the ink jet printer 14. Alternatively, the scanner 46 can
incorporate the exiting paper edge sensors that are already in some
printer. Some ink jet printers have sensors for detecting the type
of media and the activation energy for the ink jet pen. These sensors
can be used to detect completed user designation areas. The scanner
46 is used to detect the user designation areas completed by the
user on the proof sheet and order form 22. This information is conveyed
to the CPU 26 for storage in the RAM 30. Programming stored in the
ROM 28 is used by the CPU 26 to generate at least one final print
sheet 48 (FIG. 5). As discussed hereafter in detail, the final print
sheet or sheets have the images and enhancements (e.g. size, cropping,
brightness, etc.) designated by the user on the combination proof
sheet and order form 22.
The ink jet printer 14 (FIG. 2) is also provided with a plurality
of input/output (I/O) ports 50 for connecting cables such as the
direct data link 20 to the digital still camera 12 (FIG. 1) and
to a personal computer (not illustrated). The ink jet printer could
have a wireless data transceiver for communicating with the digital
still camera, such as an infrared based system widely used with
8 mm VCR cameras to communicate with their remote controls.
FIG. 3A is a detailed plan view of an exemplary combination proof
sheet and order form 22 that may be utilized with the system 10
of FIG. 1 to select one or more images from an array of thumbnail
images such as 52 (FIG. 3C) for final printing. By way of example,
there are twenty-five thumbnail images labeled "I" in
FIG. 3A arranged in an array of four rows and eight columns on the
form 22. The term "thumbnail" is a term of convenience
used to describe printed graphical representations of reduced size
and/or quality that are sufficiently small so that an array of the
same can be printed on a single sheet of paper for simultaneous
viewing and evaluation by a user. The thumbnail images I are preferably
printed in color, although they could be black and white. They are
made up of microscopic pixels of color pigment applied in a well
known manner to achieve the image definition, tone, shading, resolution
and other image characteristics required. The thumbnail image 52
and the image on the final print sheet 48 (FIG. 5) have been shown
as line drawings due to the limitations imposed on permissible patent
drawings. It will be understood that the thumbnail images I are
typically of lower quality than the final print images. The thumbnail
images are displayed in an array to allow the user to quickly and
easily select which of the digitally stored images transferred from
the camera 12 that he or she wants to print or save in final, higher
quality form.
The combination proof sheet and order form 22 (FIG. 3A) includes
image selection user designation areas such as 54 (FIG. 3C) adjacent
each of the thumbnail images I. The user designation areas 54 include
rows and columns of bubbles 56 that can be manually filled in by
a user with a pen or a pencil. Other discrete regions could be utilized
as user designation areas such as vertical stripes or slots between
two adjacent vertical bars. The user designation areas could consist
of discrete bounded regions in which a user could write in print
or cursive form numbers, digits or symbols that could be read with
optical character recognition (OCR) software. Alternatively, a user
could punch out holes or apply stickers or conductive markers. Besides
optical scanning, the printer could use electrical or mechanical
detection of the completed user designation areas. The user designation
areas 54 of the form 22 also include user readable printed indicia
in the form of the column headings "Size" and "Qty"
(quantity) in addition to row headings "3.5.times.5",
"4.times.6", "5.times.7", "8.times.10"
and "Cstm". The user designation areas are labeled "B"
in FIG. 3A. The user can fill in one or more bubbles 56 in the user
designation area B adjacent a particular thumbnail image I to "order"
the desired number and size of final prints of that digitally stored
image. Filling in the bubble next to "Cstm" causes the
ink jet printer 14 to generate the custom proof sheet and order
form 58 (FIG. 4) for that particular thumbnail image on a single
sheet of paper. The layout and use of the custom form 58 will be
described in detail later on.
Referring again to FIG. 3A, the combination proof sheet and order
form 22 further includes a first identity marker 60 and a second
identity marker 62. Each of these identity markers may take the
form of a checkerboard grid as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3F. Each identity
marker 60 and 62 has a unique pattern that is associated with the
set of digital images that have been used to generate the proof
sheet and order form 22. The markers 60 and 62 thus identify the
contents of, for example, the flash memory card 16. When the completed
form 22 is re-inserted into the ink jet printer 14, the identity
markers 60 and 62 are scanned and compared to a code associated
with the set of digital images currently stored in the printer 14
and/or flash memory card 16 residing therein. If there is no match,
the user is warned via message on the display 34. This prevents
the system from printing images and/or user designated enhancements
from a reinserted form that do not correspond to the digital images
currently available to the printer.
An "All Pictures" user designation area 64 (FIGS. 3A
and 3B) is printed on the upper left corner of the form 22. It has
no thumbnail image but has the Size and Qty indicia and associated
bubbles to allow the user to order that all portrayed thumbnail
images I be printed in particular sizes and quantities. Finally,
the combination proof sheet and order form 22 also includes a "Select
pictures for storage" user designation area 66 (FIGS. 3A and
3E) with associated indicia and bubbles. This feature allows the
user to designate that all images, all images designated for final
printing, or no images are to be permanently stored in the memory
of the ink jet printer 14 or in a PC connected to the ink jet printer
14, or in some other permanent fashion.
The ink jet printer 14 could have a cache memory larger than that
normally found in the camera 12 but smaller than the RAM memory
of a PC connected to the ink jet printer 14. The ink jet printer
14 could be programmed to store the images transferred from the
camera 12 and after reading the completed order form 22, transfer
selected images to the PC for permanent storage when the printer
detects that the PC has powered up. This empties the RAM 30 of the
ink jet printer 14 for receiving new images.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the custom proof sheet and order form
58 that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1 in cropping a
single image and selecting the brightness thereof for final printing.
Print size, print quantity and picture brightness may also be selected
via the custom order form 58. The custom order form 58 includes
a substantially enlarged version 52' of the thumbnail corresponding
image on the form 22 whose "custom" bubble 56 was previously
filled in. Again the image 52' has been shown diagrammatically in
FIG. 4 due to the limitations on the permissible form of patent
drawings. In reality, the image 52' would be a graphical image printed
on the form 58 via a complex pattern of tiny pixels. A series of
equally spaced bubbles 67 and a series of equally spaced bubbles
68 along the left vertical and bottom horizontal side edges, respectively,
of the enlarged image 52' may be filled in by the user to crop the
image 52'. In FIG. 4 two of the bubbles 67 and two of the bubbles
68 have been filled in or darkened to give an example of the manner
in which a user would designate cropping, which is one form of image
enhancement described herein. The indicia or notation "Cropping--Mark
two bubbles on the side & two on the bottom" appears above
the enlarged thumbnail image 52' on the custom form 58.
The custom proof sheet and order form 58 (FIG. 4) further includes
a "Print Size & Quantity" user designation area 69
similar to the user designation area 54 of the form 22 except that
the former includes additional print sizes such as "2.times.3
(wallet)", "11.times.14", "16.times.20"
and "4.times.10". In addition, the custom proof sheet
and order form 58 also includes a user designation area 70 labeled
"Apply Cropping". By filling in the appropriate bubble,
this feature enables the user to best-fit the designated cropping
to the selected print size. Such a feature is necessary because
the rectangular proportions of the cropping selected by the user
in filling in selected ones of the bubbles 67 and 68 along the borders
of the enlarged thumbnail image 52' may not match the rectangular
proportions of the print size selected with the user designation
area 69. Alternatively, this feature enables the user to specify
that the final print of the selected image should be larger than
the print size selected so that further cropping can take place
on the next printing or the user can simply use scissors to cut
a print down to the desired size.
The custom proof sheet and order form 58 (FIG. 4) further includes
a "Brightness" user designation area 71 on the right hand
side thereof This area includes four thumbnail images 52a, 52b,
52c and 52d with progressively less brightness in the actual graphic
printing of these images. The user fills in the bubble adjacent
one of the four thumbnail images 52a, 52b, 52c or 52d to select
the level of brightness desired in the final print using the different
brightness levels depicted. Brightness is another form of image
enhancement referred to herein.
FIG. 6A is a plan view of an alternate proof sheet and order form
72 that may be utilized with the system of FIG. 1 in designing and
printing pages for a digital photo album. The album form 72 is preferably
printed on a single sheet of paper in response to the pressing of
one or more of the push buttons 32 on the ink jet printer 14 or
by filling in a bubble on one of the forms 22 or 58. The album form
72 includes user designation areas 73 for image "Layout",
74 for "Background", 75 for "Foreground"and
76 for "Styles & Borders". Each of these user designation
areas presents relevant choice options, each having an adjacent
bubble that can be filled in or completed to designate a choice.
The choices available and their purposes are evident from FIG. 6A
and need not be further described. The album form 72 further includes
plurality of thumbnail images such as 80 (FIG. 6B) each having adjacent
"Add to album" and "Rotate Image" designation
options 82 and 84 for the corresponding thumbnail image. Again,
due to the restrictions on patent drawings, the thumbnail images
I cannot be shown in their true color graphical form in FIGS. 6A
and 6B. The images are shown as boxes labeled I in FIG. 6A and as
a line drawing in FIG. 6B. It will be understood that in FIG. 6A
each thumbnail image I is shown with its adjacent user designation
area below the same that permits the user to add the image to the
album and rotate the same. Identity markers 86 and 88 (FIG. 6A)
on the album form 72 serve the same function as the identity markers
60 and 62 (FIG. 3A) of the form 22. A "Select pictures for
storage" user designation area 90 (FIG. 6A) on the album form
72 permits the user to select, by filling in the appropriate bubble,
"All pictures", "All printed pictures" or "none"
for permanent storage.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other forms
of image enhancement could be selected on the forms 22, 58 and 72
such as color balance. In addition, if date information has been
stored when each image was taken, the user could designate on an
order form that the final print is to include a superimposed picture
date. Many other possibilities and combinations for image selection
and/or image enhancement will occur to those skilled in the art
and need not be specifically described herein.
In accordance with the present invention a method is also provided
for enabling a user to select and print digitally stored images.
Referring to FIG. 7, the method involves the following steps. The
first step involves taking and storing digital still representations
of a plurality of images. The second step 102 of the method involves
transferring the digital still representations of the plurality
of images to a printer capable of generating graphical representations
of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print
media. The third step 103 of the method involves generating with
the printer a combination proof sheet and order form including a
graphical representation of at least one of the images and a plurality
of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas.
The fourth step 104 of the method involves completing at least one
of the user designation areas on the combination proof sheet and
order form. The fifth step 105 of the method involves using the
printer to read the combination proof sheet and order form to determine
the user designation areas completed by the user. The sixth and
final step 106 of the method involves generating with the printer
at least one final print sheet with the images and enhancements
designated by the user on the combination proof sheet and order
form.
FIG. 7 illustrates only a very top level view of our method. It
will be understood that there are a wide range of subroutines and
options that can be followed in selecting and printing digitally
stored images. For example, the combination proof sheet and order
form 22 of FIG. 3 could first be printed, completed, re-inserted
into the ink jet printer 14 and scanned. The printer could then
print a half dozen custom forms 58 (FIG. 4) which could then be
completed and fed through the ink jet printer 14 in succession with
final print images being printed in succession as ordered. Thereafter,
the album form 72 (FIG. 6) could be completed and scanned.
Our invention thus provides a system and method for enabling a
DSC user to quickly and easily decide what images to print, what
size to print them in, and the number of prints of each image that
are to be printed. The order form technique that we have developed
is greatly advantageous in that it eliminates the need for the user
to connect the DSC to a PC, while at the same time eliminating the
need for a complicated and expensive GUI on the printer. Many DSC
users are well familiar with filling out forms that include brief
word instructions and bubbles for making selections in other aspects
of every day life such as standardized test taking, survey responses,
mail order catalog forms and the like. Our invention has the advantage
of minimizing the amount of paper, ink and toner that would otherwise
be consumed in prior camera-direct-to-printer systems which typically
require all images to be printed. Our invention further has the
added benefit of allowing sophisticated color photographic prints
to be "ordered" quickly and easily, while at the same
time being environmentally friendly by eliminating the use of developers
and other chemicals associated with conventional silver halide photography.
Considering now in further detail the storage and retrieval of
digital images using the combination proof and order sheet 22, the
sheet 22 can have one or more identity markers 60,62 which individually
or collectively contain a unique pattern associated with the set
of digital images used to generate the proof sheet 22. As best understood
with reference to FIG. 8, the combination proof and order sheet
22 can be advantageously used in a system 10' according to the present
invention so as to store and retrieve digital images. The system
10' includes a multifunction printer 14' having both printing and
optical scanning capabilities operable either programmatically from
a host computer 200 connected via a host computer link 202 to one
of a plurality of I/O ports 50 on the printer 14', or manually by
one or more of the pushbuttons 32 on the printer 14'. The multifunction
printer 14' can print documents, including the proof sheet 22 and
photo-quality prints of individual digital images, and deliver these
documents to the print output tray 120 for retrieval by the user.
A printed document, such as the user-completed proof sheet 22, can
be placed on a scan platen 122 and optically scanned by the multifunction
printer 14'. If a marked proof sheet 22 is placed on the scan platen
122, the multifunction printer 14' also detects and interprets the
markings made by the user in the image selection user designation
areas 54 and the "Select pictures for storage" user designation
area 66, associates each of the individual image selection user
designation areas 54 with a corresponding digital image using the
identity marker 60', and carries out the operations specified by
the user on the associated digital images. The printer 14' may contain
another I/O port 50 to which a digital camera 12 can be connected
via a direct data link 20, and a memory card reader 24 into which
a memory card 16 removed from the camera 12 may be inserted. In
addition, some printers 14' contain printer identification information
124 which may include the printer manufacturer, model number, serial
number, and the like.
The system 10' further includes a data key generator (not shown),
preferably implemented as a firmware module in the ROM 28 of the
printer 14' which is executed by the CPU 26. However, the data key
generator may alternatively be implemented as a software module
in the host computer 200. The data key generator generates data
keys corresponding to individual image files. Each data key, alone
or in combination with other information, uniquely identifies the
corresponding image file for storage and retrieval. As will be explained
subsequently in further detail, each data key may be generated from
the contents of the corresponding image file, or from an index number
provided by the printer 14' which is unique to each image file.
In some embodiments, a data key may also include the printer identification
information 124, user account information for the file server 230,
or both.
The system 10' also includes an identity marker generator (not
shown), preferably implemented as a firmware module in the ROM 28
of the printer 14' which is executed by the CPU 26. However, the
identity marker generator may alternatively be implemented as a
software module in the host computer 200. The identity marker generator
formats and prints the identity marker 60' on the proof sheet 22.
As part of the formatting and printing, the identity marker generator
formats and prints a representation of the appropriate data keys
within the identity marker 60'. The data keys that are printed on
the proof sheet 22 are the data keys for those image files that
correspond to the thumbnail images 52 which are printed on the proof
sheet 22. The identity marker 60' may further include the machine
identification information 124 for the printer 14', or user account
information, printed separately from the data keys. In operation,
when a user presses a pushbutton 32 to print a combination proof
and order sheet 22 for those images presently loaded into the printer
14' from the digital camera 12 or the memory card 16, the data key
generator generates the data keys, and the identity marker generator
then uses the data keys to print the identity marker 60' on the
proof sheet 22.
Considering now in further detail the host computer 200, the computer
200 includes subsystems which operate in conjunction with the multifunction
printer 14' to store digital images to, and retrieve them from,
a mass storage device such as a local mass storage peripheral device
220 (such as a hard disk, CD-ROM disk, CD-Rewriteable disk, or the
like), or a file server computer system 230. The subsystems on the
host computer 200 include a storage subsystem 202 and a retrieval
subsystem 206 which are preferably implemented as modules of a software
program executed by the computer 200. However, other arrangements
are contemplated by the present invention, such as having certain
subsystems, or portions thereof, implemented in firmware or hardware
of the multifunction printer 14' instead of the computer 200. In
operation, the printer 14' invokes the subsystems 202,206 as required.
For example, when the user places a marked proof sheet 22 on the
scanner platen 122 and presses a pushbutton to scan the user-marked
proof sheet 22, the printer 14' detects the user designation areas
54,66 and determines the operations requested by the user. If the
user has marked the areas 54,66 to indicate that image files received
by the printer 14' from the digital camera 12 or memory card 16
are to be stored, the printer 14' invokes the storage subsystem
202 to store the image files on the mass storage device. If the
user has marked the areas 54,66 to indicate that image files previously
stored on the mass storage device are to be printed, edited, or
the like, the printer 14' invokes the retrieval subsystem 206 to
retrieve the image files from the mass storage device.
Considering now in further detail the storage subsystem 202, the
storage subsystem 202 preferably receives from the printer 14' the
image files to be stored and the associated data keys. In an alternate
embodiment, the storage subsystem 202 may generate the corresponding
data key for each image file instead of receiving it from the printer
14'. In some embodiments, the storage subsystem 202 may embed the
data key into the image file prior to storage, and/or convert the
data key into a file specifier at which the image file will be stored.
The image file, and in some embodiments the data key, are then stored
on the mass storage device. If the mass storage device is a local
peripheral 220, the image file is preferentially stored at the location
indicated by the file specifier. If the mass storage device is a
file server 230, the image file (and data key, if appropriate) are
preferentially stored under the user account at a location selected
by the file server.
Considering now in further detail the 206, the retrieval subsystem
206 receives from the printer 14' the data keys of the image files
to be retrieved. If the image file was stored on the mass storage
device at a file specifier derived from the data key, the data key
is processed to again derive the same file specifier, and the image
file is retrieved using the file specifier. If the storage location
of the image file was left to the file server 230 to determine,
the data key is sent to the file server 230 (along with the user
account information) in order to retrieve the image file. The retrieval
subsystem 206 then sends the retrieved image file to the printer
14' for printing, editing, or the like.
Considering now the in further detail, and with reference to FIG.
9D, each data key 128 is digitally represented as an n-bit number,
the individual bits of which can be conventionally referred to as
bit 0 (the least significant bit) through bit n-1 (the most significant
bit). In a preferred embodiment, this n-bit number is generated
by processing the contents of the corresponding image file. Preferably
this processing includes performing a data reduction operation,
such as a cyclic-redundancy check (CRC), on the contents of the
image file. CRC algorithms are well known to those skilled in the
art. Since the data keys 128 will be used to retrieve the image
file at a later time, it is desirable to minimize the risk that
a data key 128 will retrieve the incorrect file. Accordingly, the
larger the value of n (i.e. the more bits in the data key), the
lower the risk of improper file retrieval. In an alternative embodiment,
the n-bit data key 128 is not derived from the image file contents,
but rather is the next in a series of consecutively-numbered values
maintained by the individual printer 14', such as an incrementing
index number associated with the image.
If it is desired to further lower the risk of improper file retrieval,
such as in situations where a very large number of image files will
be stored on the storage device, or where image files from more
than one printer 14' will be stored on the storage device, then
the printer identification information 124, user account information
for the file server 230, or both, can be incorporated into each
data key 128, typically by appending a number of additional bits
containing this information to the data key 128.
Considering now in further detail the identity marker 60', and
with reference to the exemplary identity markers 130, 134, and 138
of FIGS. 9A-9C, the identity marker contains information sufficient
to derive the data keys 128 for the image files displayed on the
proof sheet 22 as thumbnail images 52. The exemplary identity markers
130,134,138 each specify eight data keys 128. Each n-bit data key
128 may be converted for printing purposes into a data key representation
of a non-numeric graphical pattern, such as exemplary binary data
key representation 132; or an alphanumeric printed pattern, such
as exemplary hexadecimal data key representation 136. This conversion
is preferentially performed by the printer 14', but could alternatively
be performed by the host computer 200.
The patterns in each identity marker 60' can be arranged linearly,
as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 9B; in a matrix, as illustrated
by way of example in FIG. 9A; or in any other manner known to those
skilled in the art. The size and shape of the alphanumeric characters
and the non-numeric patterns are preferably chosen such that the
identity marker 60' can be reliably located and converted back into
the correct data keys 128 by the scanner 46. Alternatively, more
than one identity marker, such as identity markers 60 and 62 of
FIG. 3A, may be employed. The multiple markers may be identical,
in order to provide redundancy in the event that a portion of the
proof sheet 22 is damaged. The multiple markers may alternatively
be mirror images or rotations of each other, sometimes with a certain
portion marked differently so as to indicate whether or not the
marker has a normal orientation or a mirrored orientation.
In some embodiments, the identity marker 60' may incorporate additional
printed representations, such as exemplary representation 142, which
represents the machine identification information 124 for the printer
14', or the user account information for the user's file server
account.
Alternate embodiments may be used in order to reduce the size of
the printed identity marker 60'. In the exemplary marker 138, where
the data keys 128 are consecutively-numbered values such as an incrementing
image index number assigned by the printer 14', it is not necessary
to print all the data keys 128. Rather, the first-numbered data
key 128 may be printed, such as exemplary data key representation
140, followed by a count of the total number of data keys 128 in
the identity marker 60', such as exemplary data key count 144. Since
each data key 128 is associated with a thumbnail image 52 printed
on the proof sheet 22, and since the number of printed thumbnail
images can be determined when the proof sheet 22 is scanned, some
embodiments of the identity marker 60' may not include the data
key count 144.
The identity marker 60' has a predetermined format that allows
the individual data key representations within the marker 60' to
be associated with a corresponding individual one of the thumbnail
images 54, which is in turn associated with an individual image
file to be stored or retrieved. This predetermined format is used
for printing the proof sheet 22. Once the scanning system locates
the identity marker 60' on a user-marked proof sheet 22, the predetermined
format allows the printer 14' to locate the appropriate data key
representation to be sent to the storage subsystem 202 or the retrieval
subsystem 206.
Another embodiment of the present invention, as best understood
with reference to FIGS. 10A through 10H, is a method 250 for retrievably
storing a plurality of digital image files onto a storage device.
The method begins at 252 by acquiring digital image files from an
image source device, such as a digital camera 12 or a memory card
16. At 254, at least one identity marker 60' indicative of the digital
image files is formed. At 256, an image representation for each
image file, such as a thumbnail image 52, is printed on a proof
sheet 22. At 258, at least one of the user designation areas 54,66
associated with the image representations on the proof sheet 22
is printed. At 260, the identity marker or markers are printed on
the proof sheet 22. At 262, a copy of the proof sheet for use in
retrieving the image files from the storage device at a future time
is made. The proof sheets 22, or copies thereof, may be kept by
the user in a proof sheet archive 126 for convenient access at a
future time when file retrieval is desired. At 264, the user designation
area or areas 54,66 on the proof sheet 22 are marked in order to
select the image files to be stored. At 266, the marked proof sheet
is scanned in order to detect the markings in the user designation
areas 54,66. At 268, the user markings are process in order to identify
the image files to be stored. Finally, at 270 the identified image
files, as well as any supporting files needed for retrieval, are
stored onto the storage device, and the method ends.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10B, the forming 254 of at least one identity marker 60' indicative
of the digital image files, at 272 the first digital image file
that is to be printed on the proof sheet 22 is obtained. At 274,
a data key 128 indicative of the digital image file is formed. If
there are more image files to be printed on the proof sheet 22 ("Yes"
branch of 276), then at 278 the next digital image file to be printed
on the proof sheet 22 is obtained, and the method continues at 274.
If there are no more image files to be printed on the proof sheet
22 ("No" branch of 276), the forming 254 ends.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10C, the forming 274 of a data key 128 indicative of the digital
image file, at 280 the source of the content of the data key is
determined. If the content of the data key is determined from the
content of the corresponding image file ("Derived from Image
File" branch of 280), then at 282 each image file is processed
to calculate the corresponding data key. As has been described heretofore,
the processing preferentially includes calculating a cyclic redundancy
check (CRC) value for the digital image file. If the resulting level
of uniqueness provided by the CRC is adequate ("No" branch
of 284), then the results may be directly used as the data key,
and the forming 274 concludes. If an increased level of uniqueness
is desired so as to further reduce the chances of an incorrect file
retrieval in the future ("Yes" branch of 284), then at
286 the CRC value can be combined with some or all of the printer
identification information 124, such as the manufacturers code,
model number, and/or serial number of the printer 14', or with information
descriptor of a user account on a file server 230. Then the forming
274 concludes. If the content of the data key is determined from
information provided by the printer 14' ("Derived from Printer"
branch of 280), then at 288 the printer 14' generates an index number,
as has been described heretofore, for the data key 128. If the resulting
level of uniqueness provided by the index number is adequate ("No"
branch of 289), then the results may be directly used as the data
key, and the forming 274 concludes. If an increased level of uniqueness
is desired so as to further reduce the chances of an incorrect file
retrieval in the future ("Yes" branch of 289), then at
290 the index number can be combined with some or all of the printer
identification information 124, such as the manufacturers code,
model number, and/or serial number of the printer 14', or with information
descriptor of a user account on a file server 230. Then the forming
274 concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10D, the printing 260 of the identity marker or markers 60'
on the proof sheet 22, at 292 the data keys for first identity marker
60' to be printed on the proof sheet 22 are obtained. At 294, each
data key 128 is converted to a data key representation, such as
exemplary representation 132,136, as heretofore described. If additional
printer information 124 is to be included in the data keys 128 ("Yes,
printer info" branch of 296), then at 298 a representation
of the printer identification information 124, such as the exemplary
representation 142, is formed as heretofore described. If additional
user account information is to be included in the data keys 128
("Yes, user account info" branch of 296), then at 300
a representation of the user account information is formed as heretofore
described. After the operations as 298 or 300 are performed, or
if no addition information is to be included in the data keys 128
("No" branch of 296), then at 302 all the representations
in the marker 60' are arranged according to a predetermined format
to form the identity marker 60' as indicated in the exemplary identity
markers 130,134,138. At 303, the formed identity marker 60' is printed
on the proof sheet 22. If there are more identity markers 60' to
be printed ("Yes" branch of 304), then at 306 the data
keys for next identity marker 60' to be printed on the proof sheet
22 are obtained, and the method continues at 294. If there are no
more identity markers 60' to be printed ("No" branch of
304), the printing 260 concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10E, the storing 270 of those image files identified for storage
onto the storage device through user markings on the proof sheet
22, as well as any supporting files needed for their retrieval,
at 308 the method of image file retrieval that will be used to retrieve
the image file from the storage device at a future time is determined.
If the retrieval method will use a data key 128 which is stored
on the storage device separate from the image file ("External
Key" branch of 308), then at 310 the identified image files
are stored onto the storage device. At 312, the data keys for the
identified image files are stored onto the storage device. At 314,
each stored data key 128 is associated with the corresponding stored
image file, and the storing 270 concludes. The associations are
preferably implemented as a link file stored on the mass storage
device, the link file containing a table of the associated data
key 128 and image file pairs.
If the retrieval method will use a data key 128 which is stored
on the storage device internally to the image file ("Internal
Key" branch of 308), then at 316 the data key 128 for each
identified image file is embedded into that image file. At 318 the
identified image files are stored onto the storage device, and the
storing 270 concludes.
If the retrieval method will calculate the data key 128 from the
image file contents during the retrieval process ("Self-Generated
Key" branch of 308), then at 318 the identified image files
are stored onto the storage device, and the storing 270 concludes.
If the retrieval method will locate the file by using a file specifier
derived from the data key ("File Specifier" branch of
308), then at 320 a file specifier is constructed from the data
key 128 for each image file. The file specifier typically includes
a logical location such as a directory pathname and a filename.
At 322, each image file is stored at the location on the storage
device indicated by the file specifier, and the storing 270 concludes.
Note that the above description of the storing 270 presumes that
the files which are to be stored on the mass storage device are
currently resident in or accessible by the printer 14'. As a result,
the storing 270 may further include an error checking operation
to ensure that the selected files are resident or accessible, and
an error handling operation to continue or conclude the method in
a logical manner should one or more files not be resident or accessible.
Such operations are well known to those skilled in the art, and
will not be discussed further hereinafter.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10F, the converting 294 each data key 128 to a data key representation,
at 324 the form of the representation is determined. If the data
key representation is as a non-numeric pattern such as the pattern
of exemplary identity marker 132 ("Non-Numeric Pattern"
branch of 324), then at 326 each data key 128 is converted to a
non-numeric pattern such as exemplary data key 132, having printed
bit marker regions 131 and unprinted bit marker regions 133, and
the converting 294 concludes. If the data key representation is
as a series of alphanumeric characters such as the pattern of exemplary
data key 136 ("Alphanumeric Character" branch of 324),
then at 328 each data key is converted to a group of alphanumeric
characters representative of the data key, and the converting 294
concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10G, a preferred embodiment of the printing 258 at least one
user designation area 54,66, at 330 an image selection area 54 corresponding
to each thumbnail image 52 is printed on the proof sheet 22. At
332, a storage selection area 66 is printed on the proof sheet 22,
and the printing 258 concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 10H, the marking 264 of the user designation areas on the proof
sheet 22 in order to select the image files to be stored, at 334
the image selection area 54 corresponding to each image file to
be stored is marked. At 336, the storage selection area 66 to specify
the storage operation to be performed is marked. In the preferred
embodiment of the storage selection area 66, the user can specify
that the image files corresponding to all thumbnail images 52 printed
on the proof sheet 22 are to be stored; that only the image files
corresponding to those thumbnail images 52 for which an operation
has been marked in the corresponding image selection area 54 are
to be stored; or that no image files are to be stored, but rather
only that the operation marked in the image selection areas 54 are
to be performed. These storage marking options just described are
merely illustrative of the manner in which image file storage may
be specified, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention to those particular marking options or modes of operation.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention, as best understood
with reference to FIGS. 11A through 11C, is a method 350 for retrieving
selected image files from a storage device. The method begins at
352 by the user marking at least one of the image selection areas
54 on the proof sheet 22. The effect of this user marking is to
indicate at least one image file to be retrieved, and, in the preferred
embodiment, to indicate what operation is to be performed on the
image file after retrieval, such as printing the image file on the
printer 14' so as to create a photographic print. At 354, the marked
proof sheet 22 is optically scanned by the scanner 46 in order to
determine the identity marker or markers 60', and the image selection
areas 54 that were marked. At 356, the data key representations
within the identity marker or markers 60' and associated with the
marked image selection areas are identified and converted into the
corresponding data keys 128. At 358, the image files corresponding
to the marked image selection areas 54 are retrieved from the storage
device using the converted data keys 128. At 360, the operations
specified in the marked image selection areas 54 are performed on
the corresponding ones of the retrieved image files, after which
the method concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 11B, the identifying and converting 356, at 362 the data key
representations corresponding to the marked image selection areas
54 are located within the identity marker 60'. The location is preferably
done by position, according to the predetermined format of the identity
marker 60'. Accordingly, the position of a data key representation
within the identity marker 60' correlates it to an associated one
of the image selection areas 54 on the proof sheet 22, and further
correlates it with one of the thumbnail images 52 which are preferably
located adjacent the corresponding one of the image selection areas
54. At 364, the printed patterns of the data key representations
for the selected image files are read. At 366, the printed patterns
are converted into the corresponding data keys 128, and the identifying
and converting 356 concludes.
Considering now in further detail, with particular reference to
FIG. 11C, the retrieving 358 the image files from the mass storage
device, at 368 the method of retrieval is determined. If the method
of image file retrieval is by conversion of the data key 128 into
the file specifier for the desired file ("File Specifier"
branch of 368), then at 370 each of the identified data keys 128
are converted into file specifiers, and at 372 the image files corresponding
to each of the file specifiers are retrieved from the storage device
and the retrieving 358 concludes.
If the method of image file retrieval is by comparison with the
data key 128 for the desired file ("Key" branch of 368),
then at 374 the identified data keys 128 for the desired image files
are sent to the file server 230 on which the image files are stored.
Typically the user account information is also sent to the server
230 in order to gain access to the user's portion of the file system.
At 376, the type of data key 128 is determined. If, as part of the
storage process, the file server 230 either embedded the data keys
128 within the corresponding image files, or stored the data keys
128 in a separate link file containing a table of the associated
data key 128 and image file pairs ("Internal/External Key"
branch of 376), then at 378 the file server 230 locates the image
files associated with the identified data keys 128 by correlating
each data key 128 with the corresponding image file. At 380, these
corresponding image files are provided to the host computer 200
by the server 230, and the retrieving 358 concludes.
If, as part of the storage process, the file server 230 did not
store the data keys ("Self-Generated Key" branch of 376),
then at 382 the file server 230 generates internal data keys from
certain image files stored on the server. At 384, the file server
230 compares these internal data keys with each of the identified
data keys for the image files to be retrieved, which are provided
to the server 230 by the host computer 200. At 386, the file server
230 provides to the host computer 200 those image files for which
the internal data keys generated by the file server 230 match the
identified data keys provided to the file server 230 by the host
computer 200. Then, the retrieving 358 concludes.
Considering now another aspect of the proof sheets 22, as described
heretofore the proof sheets 22 generated by a storage operation
250, or photocopies thereof, are intended to be retained in the
proof sheet archive for a future time at which a retrieval operation
350 is desired by the user. If one or more proof sheets 22 are discarded,
damaged, or destroyed, the host computer 200 can be used to obtain
the image files from the storage device and download them to the
printer 14', in an analogous manner to how the printer 14' obtains
the image files from the digital camera 12 or the memory card 16
prior to storage. Once the image files are downloaded to the printer
14', a new proof sheet or sheets 22 for those images can be printed
and stored in the proof sheet archive 126 for future use.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the system and method
for enabling a user to store and retrieve digital image files provided
by the present invention represent a significant advance in the
art. Although several specific embodiments of the invention have
been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited to
the specific methods, forms, or arrangements of parts so described
and illustrated. In particular, while the present invention has
been described with reference to storing and retrieving digital
images, it can also be used to store other types of information
and data which may be desirable to store and retrieve through use
of a combination order and proof sheet 22. Therefore, the invention
is limited only by the claims. |