Digital Camera Patent AbstractA simplified image display control interface provides easy and convenient
retrieving and viewing of digital images captured by a digital camera.
Two control buttons provide for scrolling backwards or forwards
through a plurality of captured images displayed on a display and
stored in the digital camera memory. When the oldest captured image
has been displayed, subsequent actuation of a control button causes
the display to be turned off. When the most recently captured image
is displayed, subsequent actuation of another control button causes
a live preview to be displayed.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A display interface for displaying images comprising: a display
configured to display an image; and a simplified image display control
interface consisting of: a first button configured to change an
image shown by the display to the next most recently captured image;
a second button configured to change an image shown by the display
to the next previously captured image; and a third button configured
to delete data associated with the image shown by the display, wherein
the third button is further configured to turn off the display when
there is no data associated with the image shown by the display
to delete.
2. The display interface of claim 1, wherein the first button is
further configured to display a live preview when there is no next
most recently captured image, and wherein the second button is further
configured to turn off the display when there is no next previously
captured image.
3. The display interface of claim 1, further comprising; a memory
configured to store data corresponding to at least one captured
image; and a processor unit coupled to the memory and configured
to receive signals from the first button and the second button,
the processor unit further configured to retrieve from the memory
data associated with the captured images specified by the first
button and the second button.
4. The display interface of claim 1, wherein the first button and
the second button are further configured to turn on the display
when the display is off.
5. The display interface of claim 1, further comprising a right
pointing arrow icon residing on the first button.
6. The display interface of claim 1, further comprising a left
pointing arrow icon residing on the second button.
7. A method for controlling display of images on a display, the
method comprising the steps of: detecting actuation of a simplified
image display control interface consisting of a first control button,
a second control button and a third button; displaying a next most
recently captured image on the display when the first control button
is actuated; displaying a next previously captured image on the
display when the second control button is actuated; deleting data
associated with the image shown by the display when the third control
button is actuated; and turning off the display when there is no
data associated with the image shown by the display to delete when
the third control button is actuated.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining
when the next most recently captured image is available for displaying
on the display when the first control button is actuated; and displaying
a current image detected by an image sensor when the next most recently
captured image is not available.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of turning
off the display in response to actuation of the first control button
when the current image is displayed.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining
if the next previously captured image is available for displaying
on the display when the second control button is actuated; and turning
off the display in response to actuation of the second control button
when the next previously captured image is not available.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining
if the data associated with the image shown on the display is available
for deleting when the third control button is actuated; and displaying
a current image detected by an image sensor when the data is not
available.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: determining
when the display is off; and turning on the display in response
to detecting actuation of one of the first control button and the
second control button when the display is off.
13. A system for controlling display of images on a display comprising:
means for detecting actuation of a simplified image display control
interface consisting of a first control button, a second control
button and a third control button; means for displaying a next most
recently captured image on the display when the first control button
is actuated; means for deleting data associated with the image shown
on the display when the second control button is actuated; means
for displaying a next previously captured image on the display when
the third control button is actuated; means for determining when
the next most recently captured image is available for displaying
on the display when the first control button is actuated and means
for displaying a current image detected by an image sensor when
the next most recently captured image is not available; means for
determining if the data associated with the image shown on the display
is available for deleting when the second control button is actuated
and means for displaying a current image detected by an image sensor
when the data is not available; and means for determining if the
next previously captured image is available for displaying on the
display when the third control button is actuated and means for
displaying a current image detected by an image sensor when the
next previously captured image is not available.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: means for determining
when the display is off; and means for turning on the display in
response to detecting actuation of one of the first control button,
the second control button and the third control button when the
display is off.
15. A computer readable medium having a program executable by a
computer for controlling display of images on a display, the program
comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: detecting actuation
of a simplified image display control interface consisting of a
first control button and a second control button; displaying a live
preview after the most recently captured image has been displayed
on the display in response to actuation of the first control button;
turning off the display after the oldest captured image on the display
has been displayed in response to actuation of the second control
button; deleting data associated with the image shown by the display
when the third control button is actuated; and turning off the display
when there is no data associated with the image shown by the display
to delete when the third control button is actuated.
16. A display interface for displaying images comprising: a digital
image capturing device; a display residing on the digital image
capture device configured to display an image; and a simplified
image display control interface consisting of: a first button configured
to display a live preview on the display after a most recently captured
image has been displayed; a second button configured to turn off
the display after an oldest captured image has been displayed; and
a third button configured to delete data associated with the image
shown by the display, wherein the third button is further configured
to turn off the display when there is no data associated with the
image shown by the display to delete.
17. The display interface of claim 16, wherein the digital image
capturing device is a digital camera.
18. A computer readable medium having a program executable by a
computer for controlling display of images on a display, the program
comprising logic configured to perform the steps of: detecting actuation
of a simplified image display control interface consisting of a
first control button, a second control button and a third button;
displaying a next most recently captured image on the display when
the first control button is actuated; displaying a next previously
captured image on the display when the second control button is
actuated; deleting data associated with the image shown by the display
when the third control button is actuated; and turning off the display
when there is no data associated with the image shown by the display
to delete when the third control button is actuated. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to recording and processing
digital images and, in particular, to a system and method for providing
a simplified, user-friendly interface for operating a digital camera.
2. Related Art
With the advent of digitally based image capturing devices capable
of "photographing" an image and providing the image in
a digital data format, a digital "photograph" of the image
is stored in a memory residing within or coupled to the image capturing
device. A nonlimiting example of a digital image capturing device
is the digital camera that captures still images and/or video images.
Technological advances have enabled the development of digital
cameras that rival the quality of film based cameras. Furthermore,
digital camera interfaces have been designed to mimic film camera
controls so that knowledgeable photographers may control the picture
taking functionalities, such as shutter speed, aperture, flash,
zoom and other features.
However, digital cameras are, in essence, special purpose computers
employing advanced digital imaging technologies. For the first time
user, a complex digital camera may be difficult to operate. Thus,
many consumers are not yet interested giving up their easy-to-use
film based cameras.
Consumers who are not computer literate may feel uncomfortable
with a digital camera in that many of the features of a digital
camera are based upon its similarity to a personal computer. For
example, pictures are stored in a digital camera memory as digital
information. This digital information is conveniently transferable
to a personal computer so that, for example, printing devices can
be used to make hard copies of the digital images or so that the
digital image can be transferred to others electronically. Thus,
an owner of a digital camera needs to be computer literate to some
degree to be able to operate the camera and to process captured
images into viewable images. Compared to a film based camera, where
the user inserts film, takes the photographs, and then simply drops
off the film at a shop for development, a complex digital camera
may present a barrier to user acceptance if the user is not already
computer literate.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists for providing a system
and method for an easy to use digital camera display interface.
Such an easy to use display interface should not necessarily require
the user of the digital camera to be computer literate or knowledgeable
in the art of photography. That is, the operational characteristics
of the digital camera interface should be readily apparent to practically
any user of the digital camera. Also, such an easy to use display
interface should be easy to use by individuals that may have limitations
in the use of their hands. Furthermore, the interface should employ
a minimum number of components to facilitate a lower manufacturing
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies
of the prior art as discussed hereinabove. The present invention,
a simplified image display control interface, provides a system
and method for easily and conveniently retrieving and viewing a
plurality of captured images. As described below, actuation of two
control buttons causes the camera processor to retrieve digital
image data corresponding to a captured image from the digital camera
memory and display the image on the display. Two control buttons
provide for scrolling backward or forward through a plurality of
captured images stored in the digital camera memory. A third control
button is provided for deleting data in memory corresponding to
displayed images.
As the user scrolls forward through the images to preview later
captured images, the most recently captured image will eventually
be displayed. In one embodiment, upon a subsequent actuation of
the forward scroll button, a live preview will be displayed. That
is, the image currently detected by the digital camera will be displayed
on the digital camera display. In another embodiment, actuating
the forward scroll button again will result in the display being
turned off, thus saving limited battery power resources. Similarly,
when the user scrolls backward through the images to preview earlier
captured images, the earliest captured image will eventually be
reached. In one embodiment, the camera display turns off when the
backward scroll button is subsequently actuated.
In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided having
a program executable by a computer for controlling display of images
on a display. The program includes logic configured to perform various
steps as described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative
to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera employing
a simplified interface.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected internal components
of the digital camera of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the operating buttons employed
by the simplified interface in communication with selected internal
components of the digital camera of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the process of viewing images
using the control buttons employed by the simplified interface of
FIGS. 1-3.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for operating the
digital camera of FIG. 1 with the control buttons employed by the
simplified interface of FIGS. 1-4).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera 100 employing
a simplified image display control interface 102 that employs three
control buttons 104, 106 and 108, described in greater detail below.
Digital camera 100 further includes at least a lens unit 110, an
image capture actuation button 112, a viewing lens 114, a power
switch 116, memory unit interface 118 and a plug-in interface unit
120. Plug-in interface unit 120 includes a plurality of connection
pins 122. A display 124 is used for previewing images prior to capturing
or for viewing captured images. For convenience of illustration,
display 124 is illustrated on the top of digital camera 100.
Operation of digital camera 100 is initiated by actuation of power
switch 116 or an equivalent device having the same functionality.
When digital camera 100 is turned on, display 124 may remain off
so as to conserve limited battery power of digital camera 100. As
described in greater detail below, actuation of any one of control
buttons 104, 106 and/or 108 will turn on display 124 such that the
user (not shown) of digital camera 100 may view a live preview of
the image that is being detected through lens unit 110. Alternatively,
an image of a previously captured image or a menu screen may be
initially displayed. In an alternative embodiment, other buttons,
switches or control interface devices are additionally configured
to turn on display screen 124 when actuated.
The simplified image display control interface 102 that employs
three control buttons 104, 106 and 108 is particularly advantageous
for users of digital camera 100 who are not technically familiar
with the operation of prior art digital cameras or who may have
physical handicaps and/or limitations that make operation of prior
art digital cameras difficult. In one embodiment, each one of the
control buttons 104, 106 and 108 is a relatively large button positioned
on the digital camera to provide easy access and actuation.
Lens unit 110 is a well-known device used for focusing the image
on the photosensor. When the operator has focused the image to be
captured and is satisfied with it, the operator actuates the image
capture actuation button 112 (also referred to as a shutter button
or a shutter release button) to cause digital camera 100 to record
a digital image, thus "photographing" the image. The operator
of the digital camera may visually preview the image before capturing
the image on display 124 and/or view the image directly through
the viewing lens 114. Detailed operation of these above-described
individual components of digital camera 100 are not described in
detail herein other than to the extent necessary to understand the
operation and functioning of these components when employed as part
of the simplified image display control interface 102.
FIG. 1 further illustrates a conventional personal computer 126
that may be employed with digital cameras such that digital images
captured by the digital camera may be retrieved, processed, printed
and/or e-mailed. Personal computer 126 may include at least a processor
128, a memory 130 an Internet interface 132, a printer interface
134, a memory module interface 136 and a wire connector interface
138. Memory 130 further includes an image data region 140 where
retrieved image data from digital camera 100 is stored. Personal
computer 126 is further illustrated as being coupled to a display
monitor 142, via connection 144. The display monitor 142 includes
a display 146 for viewing the captured images.
In one embodiment of digital camera 100, digital camera 100 transfers
captured images to personal computer 126 via a hard wire connection
148. Connection 148 is coupled to a plug-in attachment 150. Plug-in
attachment 150 is configured to connect to plug-in interface unit
120, and connection pins 122. The user of personal computer 126
and digital camera 100 simply connects plug-in attachment 150 to
plug-in interface 120 thereby establishing connectivity between
digital camera 100 and personal computer 126. The operator of personal
computer 126 and digital camera 100 then instructs personal computer
126 and/or digital camera 100 to transfer digital images from digital
camera 100 through wire connector interface 138, through processor
128 via connection 152, and then into image data region 140 of memory
130 via connection 154.
In another embodiment, digital image data is stored in a memory
module unit 156. When capturing images with digital camera 100,
memory module unit 156 is coupled to digital camera 100 through
memory unit interface 118. Digital image data is transferred to
personal computer 126 by removing memory module unit 156 from digital
camera 100 and coupling memory module unit 156 to memory module
interface 136. Typically, a convenient coupling port or interface
(not shown) is provided on the surface of personal computer 126
such that memory module unit 156 is directly coupled to personal
computer 126, as illustrated by dashed line path 158. Once memory
module unit 156 is coupled to memory module interface 136, digital
image data is transferred through processor 128 via connection 160
and into image data region 140 of memory 130, via connection 154.
When the user of personal computer 126 has accessed the digital
image data corresponding to the images captured by digital camera
100, as described above, the user of personal computer 126 may e-mail
selected images to other devices via Internet interface 132, may
print selected images via printer interface 134 and/or view selected
images via display monitor 142. For convenience of illustration,
processor 128 is illustrated as being coupled to Internet interface
132 via connection 162. Internet interface 132 facilitates coupling
of personal computer 126 to an external communication system (not
shown) via connection 164. Similarly, processor 128 is illustrated
as being coupled to the printer interface via connection 166. Printer
interface 134 is configured to provide coupling to a printing device
(not shown) that would be coupled to personal computer 126 such
that selected images are printed.
For convenience, personal computer 126 is illustrated as having
only selected components of interest. However, personal computer
126 may include additional internal components that are not illustrated
in FIG. 1. These additional components not shown are known in the
art and are not described in detail herein other than to the extent
necessary to understand the functionality and operation of simplified
image display control interface 102 employed by digital camera 100.
Digital camera 100 also includes additional components not shown
in FIG. 1. Such components are not discussed herein as such components
are not necessarily related to the operation and functionality of
simplified image display control interface 102. Furthermore, for
convenience of illustration, digital camera 100 is illustrated from
a perspective that shows only the front, top and one side view of
digital camera 100. Digital camera 100 has additional components
located on its hidden sides. Such components are not illustrated
or discussed herein as such components are not necessarily related
to the operation of digital camera 100 when employed with simplified
image display control interface 102. However, such components will
be described as required below to the extent that such components
(not shown) are related to the operation of digital camera 100 with
respect to simplified image display control interface 102.
The components of digital camera 100 described above and illustrated
in FIG. 1 may be located in alternative convenient locations on
digital camera 100. For example, display 124 may be located on the
hidden back surface of digital camera 100. Also, control buttons
104, 106 and 108 of simplified image display control interface 102
may be in different positions of the top surface of digital camera
100 or located on one of the hidden surfaces, such as the back surface
of digital camera 100. The placement of control buttons 104, 106
and 108 of simplified image display control interface 102 may be
located anywhere on digital camera 100 as long as the user of digital
camera 100 has easy and convenient access to control buttons 104,
106 and 108.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating selected internal components
of digital camera 100. Cut-away lines 202 demark components located
on the outside surfaces of digital camera 100 and components located
inside digital camera 100. Thus, control buttons 104, 106 and 108
of simplified image display control interface 102, lens unit 110,
image capture actuation button 112, power switch 116, memory unit
interface 118, plug-in interface 120 and display 124 are recognized
as components located on the surfaces of digital camera 100.
The internal components of digital camera 100 are illustrated between
the two cut-away lines 202. Internal components of digital camera
100 include at least a camera processor 204, a photosensor 206,
a memory storage interface 208 and a memory 210. Memory 210 further
includes regions allocated for data management logic 212, camera
image data 214 and image display control logic 216. Photosensor
206 is disposed in a suitable position behind lens unit 110 such
that an image (not shown) may be focused onto photosensor 206. Photosensor
206 detects an image through lens unit 110 and provides information
corresponding to the detected image to camera processor 204, via
connection 218. When the digital camera is operating in a mode that
displays the image currently detected by photosensor 206 on display
124, via connection 222, hereinafter referred to as the live preview
mode, the user of digital camera 100 can preview a detected current
image to determine if the user wants to "photograph" the
detected current image. If so, the user of digital camera 100 actuates
image capture actuation button 112 such that camera processor 204
transfers the received image information from photosensor 206 into
camera image data region 214 of memory 210. That is, when the user
actuates image capture actuation button 112, processor 204 reformats
the current image detected by photosensor 206 into digital image
data that is suitable for storage into memory 210, via connection
224.
As the user of digital camera 110 continues with the process of
"photographing" images, a plurality of digital image data
corresponding to a plurality of captured images is stored into camera
image data region 214 of memory 210. When the user of digital camera
100 has completed the process of capturing images, the user connects
the digital camera 110 to personal computer 126 (FIG. 1) by connecting
plug-in attachment 150 (FIG. 1) to plug-in interface 120. By providing
suitable instructions to personal computer 126 and/or camera processor
204, the captured image data is transferred from camera image data
region 214, via connection 226, to personal computer 126 for further
processing.
In an alternative embodiment, a memory module unit 156 (FIG. 1)
is coupled to digital camera 110 through memory unit interface 118.
As the user of digital camera 100 actuates image capture actuation
button 112 to cause camera processor 204 to save the current image
detected by photosensor 206, camera processor 204 transmits the
image data via connection 222 to memory storage interface 208. Memory
storage interface 208 configures the received digital image data
for transfer to memory module unit 156, via connection 228. In yet
another alternative embodiment, memory storage interface 208 is
not included. Here, camera processor 204 directly transmits suitably
formatted digital image data to personal computer 126 (FIG. 1) via
connection 226.
During the process of capturing images, or after the image capture
process has been completed, the user of digital camera 100 may wish
to view the captured images. Simplified image display control interface
102 provides a system and method for easily and conveniently retrieving
and viewing the plurality of captured images. As described below,
actuation of one of control buttons 104, 106 and/or 108 may cause
camera processor 204 to retrieve digital image data corresponding
to a captured image from capture image data region 214 and display
the image on display 124. In another embodiment, the digital image
data associated with a captured image is retrieved from memory module
unit 156 (FIG. 1) that is coupled to digital camera 100. In other
instances, actuation of one of the control buttons 104, 106 and/or
108 may cause the current image detected by photosensor 206 to be
displayed on display 124. Furthermore, in some instances the actuation
of a control button 104, 106 and/or 108 may cause display 124 to
turn off. The operation and functionality of control buttons 104,
106 and 108 for controlling the viewing of captured images, for
live previewing of the current image detected by photosensor 206,
and the turning off of display 124 are described in greater detail
below. Thus, the three control buttons 104, 106 and 108 provide
a simple and easy to use method and system for controlling the operating
mode of display 124.
For convenience of illustration, connection 230 coupling camera
processor 204 with control buttons 104, 106 and 108 is illustrated
as a single connection from camera processor 204 that branches off
to each of individual control buttons 104, 106 and 108. In another
embodiment, three individual connections are employed to connect
each one of control buttons 104, 106 and 108 individually to camera
processor 204.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating control buttons 104, 106
and 108 employed by simplified image display control interface 102
(FIGS. 1 and 2) in communication with selected internal components
of digital camera 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The functionality of each
of control buttons 104, 106 and 108 is indicated to the user of
digital camera 100 by including the fabrication of an intuitive
icon onto the top surface of each one of control buttons 104, 106
and 108. In one embodiment, control button 104 includes a left pointing
arrow icon 302. Control button 106 includes an "X" icon
304. Control button 108 includes a right pointing arrow icon 306.
Alternative embodiments employ other suitable icons and/or textual
labels that are recognizable to the user of the digital camera such
that the user of the digital camera easily understands the functionality
and operation of control buttons 104, 106 and 108. Furthermore,
control buttons 104, 106 and 108 may be positioned on digital camera
100 (FIG. 1) in a different order than shown in FIGS. 1-3, or located
in different places on digital camera 100.
Also illustrated in FIG. 3 is an image 308 displayed on display
124. Image 308 includes an object of interest 310 (a businessman).
Image 308 is delineated by a thick black image borderline 312 in
one embodiment. Thus, the user of digital camera 100 understands
that the portion of display 124 within image border 312 corresponds
to a captured image and that portion of display 124 that is outside
of the image border, denoted as region 314 of display 124, is not
associated with the captured image 308. The current image detected
by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2) is also similarly displayed. In another
embodiment, image borderline 312 is not employed and demarcation
between image 308 and display region 314 is indicated by differing
colored backgrounds, differing textures and/or other suitable discernible
differences. In yet another embodiment, image 308 is configured
to occupy the entire region of display 124.
Control buttons 104, 106 and 108 in some instances, described in
greater detail below, control the changing of the image displayed
on display 124. In one operating mode, control button 106 functions
as a delete button. Thus, the user of the digital camera recognizes
that the "X" icon 304, or other suitable icon and/or textual
label, corresponds to a deletion function such that when control
button 106 is actuated, digital image data corresponding to image
308 is deleted from memory 210. In an alternative embodiment, the
digital image data corresponding to the displayed image 308 is deleted
from memory module unit 156 (FIG. 1). Thus, the user of digital
camera 100 simply actuates control button 106 to erase image 308.
When the digital image data corresponding to displayed image 308
is deleted, one embodiment of digital camera 100 displays the previously
captured image. In another embodiment, after the image data is deleted,
digital camera 100 displays the next most recently captured image.
In yet another embodiment, digital camera 100 displays the live
preview of the current image detected by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2).
If, after deletion of the image data, no other images remain in
memory, digital camera 100 defaults to displaying the live preview
of the current image. If control button 106 is depressed when the
live preview of the current image is displayed, one embodiment of
the digital camera turns off the display 124.
Control buttons 104 and 108, in one operating mode, perform the
functionality of scrolling through a plurality of captured images
on display 124. Actuation of control button 104 causes the image
that was previously captured before the current displayed image
to be displayed on display 124. Thus, the user of digital camera
100 easily understands that left pointing arrow icon 302, or other
suitable icon and/or textual label, indicates that actuation of
control button 104 will cause earlier captured images to be displayed
on display 124. Control button 104 is also known as a backward scroll
button.
In one embodiment of digital camera 100, scrolling through the
captured images on display 124 with successive actuations of control
button 104 eventually causes display of the oldest captured image
residing in memory 210 (FIG. 1), or in memory module unit 156 (FIG.
1), depending upon the embodiment of digital camera 100. When control
button 104 is depressed again, display 124 is turned off.
Another embodiment may display a message menu indicating that no
earlier captured images are available for display. Then, a subsequent
actuation of control button 104 causes display 124 to be turned
off. Thus, when the user has scrolled through the captured images
to the oldest image stored in memory 214 (or the memory module unit
156), the user understands that actuating control button 104 will
cause display 124 to be turned off.
In yet another embodiment, actuation of control button 104 causes
display 124 to display a live preview after the oldest captured
image is displayed. Then, display 124 is turned off when control
button 104 is actuated again.
Similarly, right pointing arrow icon 306 indicates to the user
that actuation of button 106 will result in the display of the next
most recently captured image on display 124. That is, actuation
of control button 108 causes the image that was captured immediately
after the currently displayed image to be displayed on the display
124. Thus, the user of digital camera 100 easily understands that
right pointing arrow icon 306, or other suitable icon and/or textual
label, indicates that actuation of control button 108 will cause
more recently captured images to be displayed. Control button 108
is also known as a foreword scroll button.
In one embodiment of digital camera 100, scrolling through the
captured images on display 124 with successive actuations of control
button 108 eventually causes display of the most recent captured
image residing in memory 210 (FIG. 1), or in the memory module unit
156 (FIG. 1), depending upon the embodiment of digital camera 100.
When control button 108 is depressed again, a live preview of the
current image detected by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2) is displayed
on display 124.
In an alternative embodiment, if control button 108 is actuated
again, display 124 is turned off. Another embodiment may display
a message menu indicating that no earlier captured images are available
for display. Then, a subsequent actuation of control button 108
causes display 124 to be turned off. Thus, when the user has scrolled
through the captured images to the most recently stored image in
memory 214 (or memory module unit 156), the user understands that
actuating control button 108 will cause a live preview to be displayed.
In other embodiments, subsequent actuation of control button 108
causes display 124 to be turned off.
Summarizing, control buttons 104 and 108 are understood by the
user to provide for the functionality of scrolling backwards or
forwards through a plurality of captured images. Furthermore, the
user understands that actuating control button 102 will eventually
result in display 124 being turned off, thus saving limited battery
power resources. And, the user understands that actuating control
button 106 will eventually result in a live preview.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the process of viewing images
using control buttons 104, 106 and 108 employed by simplified image
display control interface 102 (see also FIGS. 1-3). As described
above, digital data corresponding to a plurality of captured images
is stored in camera image data region 214 of memory 210 (FIG. 2).
In another embodiment, digital data corresponding to a plurality
of captured images is stored in memory module unit 156 (FIG. 1).
Image 402, labeled as PIC 1, is a simplified representation of a
first picture that was "photographed" by the user of digital
camera 100. That is, PIC 1 is the earliest captured image residing
in memory 210 or memory module unit 156, depending upon the embodiment
of digital camera 100.
Thus, PIC 2 would be the next most recently captured image that
was captured after the image associated with PIC 1 was captured.
Likewise, PIC 3 was captured after PIC 2. A plurality of pictures,
in the hypothetical example illustrated in FIG. 4, reside in memory
210 or memory module unit 156. PIC 1 corresponds to the most recently
captured image. The picture associated with image 402 (a tree) is
intended to represent a displayed image of the current image detected
by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2) when operating in the live preview mode.
Assuming that in this hypothetical example, PIC 1 is the image
currently displayed on display 124 (FIGS. 1-3), in one embodiment,
actuation of control button 108 will cause digital camera 100 to
change the display to PIC 2. That is, when the user of digital camera
100 actuates control button 108 having right pointing arrow icon
306, the image displayed on display 124 is scrolled to the next
most recently captured image (here, PIC 2), as denoted by arrow
404.
A second actuation of control button 108 will cause digital camera
100 to display PIC 3 on display 312, as denoted by arrow 408. Subsequent
actuations of control button 108 will cause digital camera 100 to
scroll through the images stored in memory 210 or in memory module
unit 156 until the most recently captured picture, PIC i, is displayed
on display 124, as denoted by arrow 408. Thus, the user of digital
camera 100 understands that actuations of control button 108 will
simply cause the image displayed on display 124 to scroll to the
next most recently captured image.
When the most recently captured image, PIC i, is displayed on display
124, the next actuation of control button 108 in one embodiment
will cause the digital camera to display on display 124 the current
image that is detected by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2), as denoted by
arrow 410. That is, since there are no more recently captured images
residing in memory 210 or memory module unit 156, digital camera
100 is instructed to operate in the live preview mode. As described
above, another actuation of control button 108 will cause display
124 to be turned off.
When digital camera 100 is operating in the live preview mode such
that the current image detected by photosensor 206 (FIG. 2) is displayed
on display 124 (FIGS. 1-3), actuation of control button 104 causes
digital camera 100 to display the most recently captured image (PIC
i). Thus, the displayed image on display 124 changes from image
402 to image PIC i, as denoted by arrow 412. Thus, the user of digital
camera 100 understands that the images that have been captured and
saved into memory 210 or memory module unit 156 may be viewed by
actuating control button 104 when the user is displaying a current
image detected by photosensor 206.
Furthermore, the user understands that subsequent actuations of
control button 104 will cause digital camera 100 to change the image
displayed on display 124 to the next previously captured image.
For example, if the user of digital camera 100 was viewing PIC 2,
the user understands that the next actuation of control button 104
would cause digital camera 100 to display PIC 1 on display 124,
as denoted by arrow 414.
In one embodiment, if digital camera 100 is operating in the preview
mode such that the current image detected by photosensor 206 (FIG.
2) is displayed on display 124, and there are no stored images in
memory 210 or memory module unit 156, actuation of control button
104 causes display 124 to be turned off. Thus, the user understands
that there are no images stored in memory 210 (FIG. 2), or in memory
module unit 156 (FIG. 1), depending upon the embodiment of digital
camera 100.
Summarizing, simplified image display control interface 102 having
the three control buttons 104, 106 and 108 provides an easily understood
and simple-to-use interface such that the user of digital camera
100 may scroll through captured images in any desired manner simply
by actuating control buttons 104 and 108. Left pointing arrow icon
302 on control button 104 is understood to cause the next previously
captured image to be displayed. When the user has scrolled through
the captured images to the oldest captured image, a subsequent actuation
of control button 104 causes the display to be turned off. Right
pointing arrow icon 306 on control button 108 is understood to display
the next most recently captured image. When the user has scrolled
through the captured images to the most recently captured image,
a subsequent actuation of control button 108 causes digital camera
100 to display a live preview. Also, the user understands that actuation
of control button 106 will cause deletion of a previously captured
image that is currently being displayed, as denoted by "X"
icon 304.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 illustrating a process for operating
digital camera 100 (FIGS. 1-2) with control buttons 104, 106 and
108 (FIGS. 1-4) employed by simplified image display control interface
102 (FIGS. 1-4). Flow chart 500 shows the architecture, functionality
and operation of a possible implementation of the software for implementing
the image display control logic 126 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In this regard,
each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code,
which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing
the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that
in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the
blocks may occur out of the order noted in FIG. 5 or may include
additional functions without departing significantly from the functionality
of the simplified image display control interface 102 (FIGS. 1-4).
For example, two blocks shown in succession in FIG. 5 may in fact
be executed substantially concurrently, the blocks may sometimes
be executed in the reverse order, or some of the blocks may not
be executed in all instances, depending upon the functionality involved,
as will be further clarified below. All such modifications and variations
are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure
and to be protected by the accompanying claims. The process of using
the simplified image display control interface 102 (FIGS. 1-4) begins
at block 502. At block 502, digital camera 100 detects the actuation
of at least one of control buttons 104, 106 or 108. In alternative
embodiments, actuation of other selected buttons, switches or other
user interface devices may initiate the process depicted by flow
chart 500.
At block 504, a determination is made whether or not display 124
(FIGS. 1-3) is currently on. If not (the NO condition), the process
proceeds to block 506 where display 124 is turned on. In one embodiment,
the most recently captured image is displayed on display 124. An
alternative embodiment displays the earliest captured image when
the display is turned on. Yet another embodiment displays a suitable
menu to the user. In other embodiments, if no images are residing
in memory 210, digital camera 100 defaults to the live preview mode
of operation and displays the current image detected by photosensor
206 (FIG. 2). Summarizing, the user understands that if the display
is off, actuating any one of control buttons 104, 106 or 108 will
turn on display 124. The process then returns to block 502 to await
actuation of one of control buttons 104, 106 or 108.
If at block 504 display 124 is currently on (the YES condition),
the process proceeds to block 508. At block 508, a determination
is made which of control buttons 104, 106 or 108 was actuated.
If control button 108 having right pointing arrow icon 306 (FIG.
3) is actuated at block 508, the process proceeds to block 510.
At block 510, a determination is made whether or not display 124
is operating in the live preview mode of operation. If so (the YES
condition), the process proceeds to block 512 such that display
124 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to block 502 to await
detection of an actuation of one of control buttons 104, 106 or
108.
However, if at block 510 the display is not operating in the live
preview mode (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 514
such that display 124 displays the next most recently captured image.
That is, digital camera 100 understands that the user has viewed
display screen 124 showing an image, and that the user has actuated
control button 108 to view the next most recently captured image.
(In one embodiment, if there are no more recent captured images
residing in memory 210, or memory module unit 156, the screen defaults
to the live preview mode such that the current image detected by
photosensor 206 is displayed.) Then, the process returns to block
502 to await actuation of another one of control buttons 104, 106
or 108.
Alternatively, if control button 106 having "X" icon
304 (FIG. 3) is actuated at block 508, the process proceeds to block
516. At block 516, a determination is made whether or not display
124 is operating in the live preview mode of operation. If so (the
YES condition), the process proceeds to block 512 such that display
124 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to block 502 to await
detection of an actuation of one of control buttons 104, 106 or
108.
However, if at block 516 the display is not operating in the live
preview mode (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 518
such that data corresponding to the displayed image is deleted,
erased or otherwise removed from memory 210 or memory module unit
156, depending upon the embodiment of digital camera 100. That is,
digital camera 100 understands that the user has viewed display
screen 124 showing an image, and that the user has actuated control
button 106 intending to delete that image from digital camera 100
memory. Then, the process returns to block 502 to await actuation
of another one of control buttons 104, 106 or 108. (In one embodiment,
after deletion of data corresponding to the displayed image has
been performed by digital camera 100, the next previously captured
image is displayed on display 124. In an alternative embodiment,
the next most recently captured image is displayed. In yet another
embodiment, a live preview of the current image is displayed on
display 124.)
Finally, if control button 104 having left pointing arrow icon
302 (FIG. 2) is actuated at block 508, the process proceeds to block
520. At block 520, a determination is made whether or not display
124 is operating in a live preview mode of operation. If so (the
YES condition), the process proceeds to block 522 such that display
124 is turned off. Then, the process proceeds to block 502 to await
detection of an actuation of one of control buttons 104, 106 or
108.
However, if at block 520 the display is not operating in the live
preview mode (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 522
such that display 124 displays the next previously captured image.
That is, digital camera 100 understands that the user has viewed
display screen 124 showing an image, and that the user has actuated
control button 104 to view the next most previously captured image.
(In one embodiment, if there are no previously captured images residing
in memory 210, or memory module unit 156, the screen defaults to
the live preview mode such that the current image detected by photosensor
206 is displayed.) Then, the process returns to block 502 to await
actuation of another one of control buttons 104, 106 or 108.
The above-described embodiment of simplified image display control
interface 102 (FIGS. 1-4) illustrates the placement of control buttons
104, 106 and 108 in a horizontal alignment with respect to display
124. Furthermore, control button 106 (having the functionality of
deletion of image data and denoted with an "X" icon 204)
is illustrated as being placed between control buttons 104 and 108.
In alternative embodiments, the alignment and/or positioning of
control buttons 104, 106 and 108 of simplified image display control
interface 102 may be anywhere on digital camera 100 as long as the
user of digital camera 100 has easy and convenient access to control
buttons 104, 106 and 108. Furthermore, control buttons 104, 106
and 108 do not need to be adjacent to each other. For example, one
embodiment may position the three control buttons 104, 106 and 108
in a vertical alignment with respect to display 124. In another
embodiment, left scrolling control button 104 is located to the
left of display 124 and right scrolling control button 108 is located
to the right of display 124. In yet another embodiment, deletion
control button 106 is located in a convenient location remote from
the two scrolling control buttons 104 and 108.
The above-described embodiment of simplified image display control
interface 102 (FIGS. 1-4) describes control buttons 104, 106 and
108 as pressure actuated buttons that are pushed downward by the
user to actuate. In another embodiment, other suitable sensitive
buttons are employed. In another embodiment, the three control buttons
are implemented as a touch sensitive portions of a display such
that the user merely touches a portion of the display that is displaying
an icon corresponding to one of control buttons 140, 106 and/or
108.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of
the present invention, particularly, any "preferred" embodiments,
are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth
for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many
variations and modifications may be made to the above-described
embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from
the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications
and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope
of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the
following claims.
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