Digital Camera Patent AbstractAn interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery containing
pictures taken by a user is displayed on a display of a digital
camera 10. The user navigates through the gallery using camera buttons.
Methods relating to implementing the virtual-reality photo gallery
are also disclosed.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera comprising: a display; a memory for storing
pictures; a plurality of buttons 34 for implementing a user interface;
processing circuitry coupled to the lens, image sensor, display,
buttons and memory; and firmware that runs on the processing circuitry,
that implements the user interface in conjunction with the buttons,
that displays an interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo
gallery on the display comprising one or more virtual rooms having
one or more selectable picture frames disposed on one or more virtual
walls and that selectively displays one or more digital pictures
taken by a user surrounded by one or more picture frames.
2. The digital camera recited in claim 1 wherein the user interface
comprises a playback menu comprising a selectable icon that allows
a user to enter the photo gallery to view pictures, and another
icon that allows the user to add a selected picture to the photo
gallery.
3. The digital camera recited in claim 1 wherein the firmware configures
the interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery
to contain elements selected from the group consisting of pillars,
wainscoting, chandeliers, carpeting, hallways, stairs, rooms, and
picture frames.
4. The digital camera recited in claim 1 wherein the firmware configures
the user interface to allow the user to navigate through the gallery
using the buttons 34.
5. The digital camera recited in claim 1 further comprising: a
video output port that is connectable to a television for replicating
the display screen.
6. The digital camera recited in claim 2 wherein entering the photo
gallery, displays the three-dimensional photo gallery on the display
screen of the camera.
7. The digital camera recited in claim 1 further comprising a video
output port that is connectable to a television for replicating
the display screen, and wherein the photo gallery icon, when selected
to enter the photo gallery, displays the three-dimensional photo
gallery on the television.
8. The digital camera recited in claim 2 wherein the firmware corresponding
to the another icon adds a picture to the photo gallery by storing
the picture in the memory, placing it in an unoccupied picture frame,
and configuring the display so as to place the user in the gallery
facing the picture.
9. The digital camera recited in claim 8 wherein the firmware and
the user interface cooperate to move the gallery 60 that is displayed
so that the user moves through the gallery.
10. The digital camera recited in claim 1 wherein, if a picture
is visible and selected (i.e. it completely fills the display),
the firmware 13 and the user interface cooperate to allow the user
to selectively (1) return to the gallery, (2) move the picture that
is displayed, (3) delete the picture that is displayed, and (4)
exit the gallery.
11. A method for use with a digital camera 10 that comprises a
lens, an image sensor, a memory for storing digital pictures, a
display, a user interface comprising buttons for performing predefined
tasks, processing circuitry coupled to the lens, image sensor, memory
and user interface, and firmware that runs on the processing circuitry,
comprising the steps of; taking one or more digital pictures using
the camera; storing the digital pictures in the memory; indicating
that a picture should be added to the gallery; automatically inserting
the selected picture into an available picture frame; displaying
an interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery 60
on the display that comprises one or more rooms having one or more
selectable picture frames disposed on one or more virtual walls;
and manipulating the displayed gallery to allow it to be viewed
by a user that moves throughout the rooms of the gallery.
12. The method recited in claim 11 further comprising the step
of manipulating the displayed gallery to allow it to be viewed by
a user that virtually moves throughout the rooms of the gallery.
13. A digital camera comprising: a lens; image sensor means for
recording pictures viewed by the lens; display means for displaying
the pictures and images; memory means for storing the pictures;
a plurality of buttons 34 and for implementing a user interface;
processing means coupled to the lens, image sensor means, display
means, buttons and memory means that comprises firmware that implements
the user interface in conjunction with the buttons, that displays
an interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery on
the display means comprising one or more virtual rooms having one
or more selectable picture frames disposed on one or more virtual
walls and that selectively displays one or more digital pictures
taken by a user surrounded by one or more picture frames. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionTECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to digital cameras and
methods.
BACKGROUND
All digital cameras of which the present inventor is aware only
display images in a flat two-dimensional (2D) image space. However,
many three-dimensional (3D) games exist that allow users to wander
through a virtual environment. Some architectural programs also
exist that allow users to create a three-dimensional model of a
house and walk through it.
No digital camera system has the ability to display photos that
are taken by a user having a format of a three-dimensional virtual-reality
photo gallery. It would be desirable to have a digital camera that
could present a three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery
to a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a system and methods embodied in
a digital camera that provide for an interactive virtual-reality
photo gallery. More particularly, the interactive three-dimensional
virtual-reality photo gallery contains digital photos taken by a
user that are displayed on a display of a digital camera. The user
navigates through the gallery using camera buttons. Methods relating
to implementing the virtual-reality photo gallery are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural
elements, and in which:
FIGS. 1a and 1b are rear and front views, respectively, of an exemplary
digital camera that may be used in a system in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate an exemplary user interface that may
be employed in the digital camera shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b;
FIGS. 3a 3e illustrate exemplary display screens from a prototype
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method in accordance with the principles
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawing figures, FIGS. 1a and 1b are rear and
front views, respectively, of an exemplary digital camera 10 implemented
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As is
shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the exemplary digital camera 10 comprises
a handgrip section 20 and a body section 30. The handgrip section
20 includes a power button 21 or switch 21 having a lock latch 22,
a record button 23, a strap connection 24, and a battery compartment
26 for housing batteries 27. The batteries may be inserted into
the battery compartment 26 through an opening adjacent a bottom
surface 47 of the digital camera 10.
As is shown in FIG. 1a, a rear surface 31 of the body section 30
comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) 32 or viewfinder 32, a
rear microphone 33, a joystick pad 34 including a plurality of arrow
buttons 34a, a zoom control dial 35, a plurality of buttons 36 for
setting functions of the camera 10 and implementing a user interface
50 (generally designated), and a video output port 37 for downloading
images to a computer, or connecting the camera 10 to a television
screen (TV), for example. As is shown in FIG. 1b, a zoom lens 41
extends from a front surface 42 of the digital camera 10. A front
microphone 44 is disposed on the front surface 42 of the digital
camera 10. A flash unit 45 is disposed adjacent a top surface 46
of the digital camera 10.
An image sensor 11 is coupled to processing circuitry 12 (illustrated
using dashed lines) that are housed within the body section 30,
for example. An exemplary embodiment of the processing circuitry
12 comprises a microcontroller (.mu.C) 12 or central processing
unit (CPU) 12. The (.mu.C 12 or CPU 12 is coupled to a nonvolatile
(NV) storage device 14, such as flash memory 14, for example, and
a high speed (volatile) storage device 15, such as synchronous dynamic
random access memory (SDRAM) 15, for example.
The processing circuitry 12 (microcontroller (.mu.C) 12 or CPU
12) in the digital camera 10, embodies firmware 13 comprising one
or more algorithms 13 in accordance with the principles of the present
invention. The firmware 13 or algorithm 13 is operative to implement
the user interface 50 (FIGS. 2a, 2b) and interactive virtual-reality
photo gallery 60 (FIGS. 3a 3e) on the display 32 of the digital
camera 10.
The interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery
60 contains digital photos taken by a user that are displayed on
the display 32 of the digital camera 10 in a manner similar to conventional
three-dimensional games that allow users to wander through a virtual
environment, or architectural programs that allow users to create
a three-dimensional model of a house and walk through it. The user
navigates through the gallery 60 by using the arrow buttons 34a,
for example. The technology used to create the three-dimensional
photo gallery 60 on the display 32 is well known to those skilled
in the art. This well-known conventional technology is embodied
in the digital camera 10 to implement the present invention.
The algorithms 13 used to generate the three-dimensional views
are common in the industry. Three-dimensional virtual reality games
have been around for several years. However, heretofore, there have
been no cameras 10 that include three-dimensional virtual reality
rendering. Furthermore, when combined with the "favorite"
image concept disclosed herein, users can create three-dimensional
photo albums in the camera 10 that provide a uniquely immersive
experience for sharing their photos with others either directly
on the camera display 32, or on a connected television screen where
the interaction is controlled by a remote control.
Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, they illustrate a portion of an exemplary
user interface 50 that may be employed in the digital camera 10
shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. More particularly, FIGS. 2a and 2b show
the part of the interface 50 that is displayed on the display screen
32 of the camera 10, for example. Selected arrow buttons 34a may
be used to navigate through photos displayed in the photo gallery
60.
The present invention provides for a user interface 50 that may
be used to display all photographs that have been taken and stored
in the digital camera 10. The user interface 50 may also be used
exclusively for favorite photographs or pictures that were explicitly
placed in a gallery by the user.
As is shown in FIG. 2a, the exemplary user interface 50 comprises
a playback menu 50a that includes the following menu options (illustrated
as a drop-down menu 50a, for example): Delete 51, Rotate 52, Enter
Photo Gallery 53, Add This Image to Gallery 54, and Cancel 55.
Selecting "Enter Photo Gallery" 53 draws the three-dimensional
photo gallery 60 on the display screen 32 of the camera 10, or on
the television screen (TV) if the camera 10 is connected to it by
way of its video output port 37, for example. An exemplary three-dimensional
photo gallery 60 is illustrated in FIGS. 3a 3e.
By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 3a 3e, the gallery 60
may include marble pillars (FIGS. 3d, 3e), wainscoting panels (FIGS.
3a 3e), chandeliers (FIGS. 3a, 3b), water fountains (not shown),
exotic carpeting (FIGS. 3a 3e), hallways (FIGS. 3a, 3d), stairs
(FIGS. 3a, 3b), multiple gallery rooms with various themes (FIGS.
3a 3e), and large picture frames (FIGS. 3a 3e) containing pictures
(FIGS. 3a 3e) that the user had taken and added to the gallery 60.
Selecting "Add This Image to Gallery" 54 stores the current
picture in internal flash memory 14 and places it in an unoccupied
picture frame, such as is shown in FIGS. 3a 3e. The user is then
placed in the gallery 60 facing the new picture. The user can wander
around the gallery by pressing and holding selected arrow buttons
34a, for example. If a picture is approached such that a portion
of it completely fills the screen 32, the user's position and orientation
is slid or moved to an optimum viewing point where the entire picture
is visible and completely fills the display screen 32.
Pressing the OK button 34a while in the gallery 60 exits the gallery
60, unless the user is standing in front of a picture that is displayed
on a full-screen 32. In that case the following menu 50b (entitled
"My Photo Gallery") is displayed, which is shown in FIG.
2b: Return to Gallery 56, Move This Picture 57, Delete This Picture
58, and Exit Gallery 59.
Selecting "Move This Picture" 57 removes the picture
from the current frame and shows an iconic representation of the
removed picture on the display. Furthermore, empty picture frames
appear in every location where a picture isn't already posted. The
user can then walk up to any picture frame until it fills the screen
and press the OK button 34a to post the picture in that frame. If
the frame already contains a picture, the pictures swap places,
causing the one that was just replaced to become the iconic picture
being moved.
Selecting "Delete This Picture" 58 deletes the current
picture.
Selecting "Exit Gallery" 59 returns the user to the normal
display screen 32 to resume normal camera operation.
The use of the interactive virtual-reality photo gallery 60 to
display stored photos provides a novel way for users to present
their photographs to others. The present invention is intended to
provide users with a new way to share the photos they take. Virtually
all digital cameras can display previously taken photos. The present
invention goes one step further by placing the photos within the
virtual three-dimensional photo gallery 60. Users can leisurely
stroll through the gallery 60 instead of just flipping through images.
The present invention also gives the users the illusion that their
photos are very large because they occupy most of the height of
a virtual wall, even though they may be viewed on a very small display
32. Users can further personalize the gallery 60 by grouping photos
together in different rooms with different themes. The gallery 60
therefore becomes a virtual extension of the user's home by allowing
them to hang photos on walls and invite company to come over take
a tour of their home. The novelty and fun of the experience makes
sharing photos more enjoyable, thereby encouraging users to share
their photos with more people.
This invention gives users a totally new way to enjoy their pictures.
The virtual photo gallery 60 gives users a way to share pictures
in a very fun and unique way. Many people spend a great deal of
time making elaborate photo albums to preserve their photos. The
present invention gives users a quick and easy way to display and
arrange their photos in a fun, creative, and unique way without
the use of scissors, glue and mess.
Another advantage is that the users frequently carry their camera
10 with them, but rarely carry their photo albums. This vastly increases
the number of opportunities to invite friends to stroll through
their virtual photo gallery. Furthermore, the three-dimensional
nature of the gallery adds a new dimension beyond a typical photo
album, making the experience more fun, further encouraging users
to share their photos.
The present invention also provides for a method 70 of displaying
photographs on the digital camera 10. The exemplary method 70 is
used with a digital camera 10 that comprises a lens 41, an image
sensor 11, a memory 14 for storing digital pictures, a display 32,
a user interface comprising buttons for performing predefined tasks,
and processing circuitry 12 coupled to the lens, image sensor, memory
and user interface, and firmware 13 that runs on the processing
circuitry. A generalized exemplary method 70 comprises the following
steps.
One or more digital pictures are taken 71 using the camera. The
digital pictures are stored 72 in the memory. The user indicates
that the current picture should be added to the gallery 73. The
picture is automatically placed in the next available picture frame
74. An interactive three-dimensional virtual-reality photo gallery
60 is displayed 75 on the display that comprises one or more rooms
having one or more picture frames disposed on one or more virtual
walls. The method may further comprise the step of manipulating
76 the displayed gallery to allow it to be viewed by a user that
moves throughout the rooms of the gallery.
Thus, digital cameras and methods that provide for an interactive
virtual-reality photo gallery have been disclosed. It is to be understood
that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of
some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications
of the principles of the present invention. Clearly, numerous and
other arrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the
art without departing from the scope of the invention. |