Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Utility Patent
1996-09-26
2001-01-02
Ho, Tuan (Department: 2712)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
C348S236000, C348S207110
Utility Patent
active
06169575
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to digital image data processing, and more particularly to image group formation and control of digital image data.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Modern digital cameras typically include an imaging device which is controlled a computer system. The computer system accesses raw image data captured by the imaging device and then processes and compresses the data before storing the compressed data into an internal memory. The conventional digital camera captures raw image data and then remains unusable until the data is completely processed and stored into internal flash memory.
In capturing raw image data, cameras exist that are capable of performing specific types of image captures. These image capture types include time lapse captures and burst captures. Time lapse captures typically refer to a programmed capture sequence of a particular image over a set time period, while bursts typically refer to a rapid sequence of image captures, i.e., a fast time lapse capture. The images captured in time lapse sequences are thus more related than random, single image captures. Of course, single image captures may also be related, such as when taken in a same locale, during an event, and/or of the same person(s). Unfortunately, the related images are not usually easily identified as belonging together within a computer system accessing the image data. Further, attempts, to manipulate and access these related images as sets are difficult.
Accordingly, a need exists for easily identifiable image groups of related images, including user-created groups.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets these needs and provides a method and system for allowing user-specification of a time-based group of related images In a method aspect, the method includes providing a first command to initiate an image capture session and providing a plurality of parameters in conjunction with the first command, the plurality of parameters including a length of the image capture session, and a period of delay between image captures in the image capture session. The method further includes providing a second command to end the image capture session, wherein the image capture session automatically relates images captured during the image capture session to form the user-specified time-based group. Alternatively, the image capture session is ended when the length has been exhausted.
In a system aspect, the system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of capturing and processing digital image data, and a central processing unit. The central processing unit is capable of coordinating instruction sequence execution, the instruction sequence including a first command to initiate an image capture session, a plurality of parameters in conjunction with the first command, and a second command to end the image capture session, wherein the image capture session automatically relates images captured during the image capture session to form the user-specified time-based group. Additionally, the image capture session further includes a programmed group capture, and the programmed group capture include a time lapse sequence.
With the present invention, related images within a camera are easily identified through the use of image groups. The image groups are conveniently formed through command sequences that further provide parameters for the image groups, including values of tags for group names and group types. The parameters also provide more individualized control and greater flexibility of natural group captures. Further, with an advantageous hierarchical system for storing the groups, coordination of image groups among memory components readily occurs, especially easing management of image files in memory overflow situations.
These and other advantages of the aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood in conjunction with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
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Anderson Eric C.
Masukawa Mike
Flashpoint Technology, Inc.
Ho Tuan
Moe Aung S.
Sawyer Law Group LLP
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