Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-28
2002-05-28
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S901000, C348S231900, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06396472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus for displaying images in combination with audio outputs. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic apparatus useful for the displaying of digital still photographs and accompanying audio recordings utilizing a non-volatile digital recording medium, which device is functionalized as either as a free standing unit, or operationalized within an electronic local area network or related systems. Likewise, the present invention teaches a process for the displaying of digital still photographs and accompanying audio recordings utilizing non-volatile digital recording media.
Since the advent of contemporary photography, innovations related to the ability to capture images have generally lingered just ahead of those technologies designed to render such images accessible to the general viewing public. Early photographic plates required complex processing and machinery to produce prints, at extremely high cost, only for those of means or having high degrees of skill in the art. Likewise, at each stage from the creation of high resolution digital reproduction capability using removable flash memory cards, no disclosure has been developed which would allow for review and casual enjoyment of the generated images without the use of multi-component or complicated high-technology computer interface equipment. Although major corporate research and development forces from both the East and the West are attempting to standardize common specifications for flash memory cards for digital cameras (or “digital film”), and 20 million of same are forecasted to be sold in the year 2000, the equipment currently available for the average consumer's viewing of this new technology can be costly; not all consumers own equipment effective for transducing images stored on conventional “digital film”, and this equipment normally is not transportable, and difficult to operate for the average consumer.
For example, while known flash memory cards can concurrently store almost one-hundred separate images—it has not been possible to access same without high-priced and complex computer interface technology, or cumbersome co-axial cable and television equipment. That is, prior to the teachings of the present invention being offered for consideration.
One simply cannot enjoy and randomly “flip- through” and enjoy the stored images in the same leisurely context as would be provided by conventional photographs and known albums for viewing same. Clearly, in order to ameliorate this unaddressed need to access the multiplicity of images, which may be so painstakingly stored digitally, in a simplified manner, the teaching of the present innovation are required.
The paucity of disclosure in this emergent field is likewise exemplified by the following U.S. Letters Patents and Publications, which are incorporated expressly herein by reference:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,461,596; 5,504,836; “Flash cards vie in storage derby”,
ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TIMES
, pages 1 and 16 (Oct. 2, 1995); “Minicard promoters release details of spec, “
ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TIMES
, page 16, (Jan. 29, 1996); MINIATURE MEMORY CARDS TRIM SIZE AND WEIGHT IN PORTABLE SYSTEMS,”
ELECTRONIC DESIGN
, pages 46-47 (Aug. 5, 1996): SANDISK FLASH DATA STORAGE: “The Universal Storage Solution ” (1995); TOSHIBA SOLID STATE FLOPPY DISK CARD (SSFDC) Product Overview (1996).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,836 (“the '836 patent”) issued on Apr. 2, 1995 to Loudermilk. The '836 patent discloses a PICTURE FRAME WITH ASSOCIATED AUDIO MESSAGE, and demonstrates that one of skill in the art is readily capable of using conventional audio message circuits to provide means for associating an audio output with a specific displayed image. However, nothing in this disclosure suggests anything but the use of a single conventional photograph, which differentiates it from the teachings of the present invention. The '836 patent likewise is demonstrative of storage of audio messages under CPU control such that initiation, or actuation, of the audio message is designed as a function of operator actions with manual switching means associated with the frame unit itself The teachings of the present invention include associating audio messages with images, but unlike the '836 patent, both audio and video storage means are controlled by the system claimed in the present invention. Further, one reasonably skilled in the art would find no hint at utilizing non-volatile digital recording media in conjunction with the '836 patent.
Likewise, U.S. Letters Pat. No. 5,461,596 (“the '596 patent”) issued to Eastman Kodak on Oct. 24, 1995 is readily distinguished from the present invention, and only serves to amplify the novelty of the teachings of the instant disclosure. The '596 patent discloses a portfolio photo compact disc visual/audio display, which system was developed in response to known constraints of the photo compact disk technology, which do not impact upon the teachings of the instant invention directly. The '596 disclosure cannot be practiced without employing two photo compact disc players, and shows the type of systems which have been used to alternately address those issued ameliorated by the teachings of the present invention.
Many camera manufacturers, both domestic and abroad have begun production of digital still cameras designed around, commonly available digital recording flash media. Such known systems comprise, for example, at least one of three small form factors, such systems being exemplified by the SOLID STATE FLOPPY DISC CARD (SSFDC), the Intel MiniCard and Sandisk CompactFlash. Coming to market now, among these known cameras are those having direct slots for SSFDC's and the like non-volatile recording media, which are available for under US$1,000. Likewise, the big three Japanese camera manufacturers, (FUJI, MINOLTA, and OLYMPUS) have revealed that they plan to introduce still digital cameras into the United States. Further, EASTMAN KODAK introduced a digital recording flash medium in the third quarter of 1996, and APPLE COMPUTER will introduce one in the first quarter of 1997, which are both based upon the SSFDC model.
In essence, the SSFDC, the Intel MiniCard and Sandisk CompactFlash are vying to become a de facto standard in consumer electronics. Consumers have responded to the demand for digital cameras having capabilities of storage and editing pictures which may be done only with the use of personal computers. For digital cameras provide previously unknown flexibility to transfer images onto personal computers and to place same into documents and presentations, including adding such images to “home pages” on the internet or to send them via remote electronic mail (“e-mail”).
The SSFDC, the Intel MiniCard and Sandisk CompactFlash, each serve as a storage memory or “digital film” for digital still cameras. To date, the only means for transferring images from such products as the SSFDC, the Intel MiniCard and Sandisk CompactFlash are by downloading same into personal computers for storage or manipulation, or through related uses with television sets. Unfortunately, the constraints inherent in these systems outweigh any potential benefits to consumers.
In sum, while it has become known to capture and store photographic images on non-volatile digital recording media, serious limitations exist in terms of any uses of same in a conventional sense for a user's ongoing viewing pleasure. Namely, the only known use of stored photographic images on non-volatile digital recording media exists within the context of personal computers, the like complex computer-based technologies, or cumbersome co-axial cable and television equipment. No disclosures among the prior art have addressed those problems solved by the instant teachings, which demonstrates the contributions of the present inventor to the progress of science and the useful arts.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an electr
Awad Amr
Chow Dennis-Doon
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