U.S. patent application number 11/058040 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for printing system and method having a digital printer that uses a digital camera image display.
Invention is credited to Hadley, Keith, Parulski, Kenneth A., Perry, Ronald J., Romano, Nathan J..
Application Number | 20050146616 11/058040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24285630 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050146616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parulski, Kenneth A. ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Printing system and method having a digital printer that uses a
digital camera image display
Abstract
A digital photography system includes a digital camera and a
digital printer. The digital camera includes an image display and
the digital printer includes user interface controls to control the
images displayed on the camera and to select images to be
printed.
Inventors: |
Parulski, Kenneth A.;
(Rochester, NY) ; Romano, Nathan J.; (Rochester,
NY) ; Perry, Ronald J.; (Webster, NY) ;
Hadley, Keith; (Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark G. Bocchetti
Eastman Kodak Company
Patent Legal Staff
343 State Street
Rochester
NY
14650-2201
US
|
Family ID: |
24285630 |
Appl. No.: |
11/058040 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11058040 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
|
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09571928 |
May 16, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0049 20130101;
H04N 1/00278 20130101; H04N 2201/0056 20130101; H04N 1/2112
20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 1/2104 20130101; H04N
2201/0074 20130101; H04N 2201/0082 20130101; H04N 2201/0084
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.2 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital photography system comprising: a digital camera for
capturing images and a digital printer for producing hardcopy
prints; the camera including: an image sensor for capturing images;
a memory for storing a plurality of the captured images; an image
display for displaying the stored images; camera user controls for
selecting the stored images to be displayed; and a camera
electrical connector which directly mates with a printer electrical
connector in the digital printer; and the printer including: a
housing having a top surface including a recess for receiving the
digital camera, the recess including the printer electrical
connector which directly mates with the camera electrical
connector; a marking apparatus adapted to provide the images on a
print; printer user controls for controlling, from the printer, the
images displayed on the display of the camera and for selecting an
image to be printed from the plurality of digital images stored in
the memory of the camera; and a processor, coupled to the user
controls, marking apparatus and printer electrical connector, for
commanding the digital camera to transfer the selected image from
the camera to the printer over the printer electrical
connector.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the camera user controls
are smaller than the printer user controls.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the printer user controls
include a print button which is larger than the other printer user
controls.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the camera electrical
connector uses the IEEE 1394 interface.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the camera electrical
connector uses the universal serial bus interface.
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the printer user controls
further comprise menu buttons for processing and manipulating
images viewed on the image display of the camera.
7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the printer user controls
enable a selection of a preferred layout from a plurality of
layouts.
8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the printer user controls
enable the selected image to be cropped prior to printing.
9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the cropped image is
displayed on the image display prior to printing.
10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the printer user
controls enable the selected image to be overlayed with a text
message prior to printing.
11. A system according to claim 21, wherein the overlayed image is
displayed on the color image display prior to printing.
12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the marking apparatus
includes a removable ink jet head.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the image display
provides a graphical image depicting the amount of ink remaining in
the ink jet head.
14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the printer user
controls enable a printing of multiple copies of the selected
image.
15. A digital printer comprising: a housing having a top surface
including a recess for receiving a handheld digital camera, the
digital camera being smaller than the digital printer such that it
can be inserted into said recess; an printer electrical connector
located in the recess, for directly mating with an electrical
connector of the digital camera; a marking apparatus adapted to
provide the images on a print; printer user controls for selecting
an image to be printed from a plurality of digital images stored
that can be provided by the digital camera; and a processor,
coupled to the user controls, marking apparatus and printer
electrical connector, for commanding the digital camera to transfer
the selected image from the camera to the printer over the printer
electrical connector.
16. A printer according to claim 15, wherein the printer user
controls include a print button which is larger than the other
printer user controls.
17. A printer according to claim 15, wherein the printer electrical
connector uses the IEEE 1394 interface.
18. A printer according to claim 15, wherein the camera electrical
connector uses the universal serial bus interface.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/571,928
filed May 16, 2000.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] Reference is made to commonly-assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/570,089 filed May 12, 2000, entitled "A
COLOR DIGITAL PRINTER HAVING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR
DISPLAYING AND SELECTING IMAGES FROM A DIGITAL STORAGE MEDIUM" to
Romano et. al.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a color digital photography
system including a digital camera and a digital printer and, more
particularly, a digital camera including an image display and a
digital printer including user interface controls which control the
image display on the digital camera to select images to be
printed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Digital cameras and digital printers are available from the
Eastman Kodak Company and many other suppliers. Current digital
cameras, such as the Kodak DC280 camera, capture images with a
single-chip color CCD image sensor, process the images to provide
"finished" RGB images, compress the images using JPEG compression,
and store the images on a removable memory card. The images can be
reviewed on an LCD image display on the back of the camera, and
unwanted images can be deleted.
[0005] The memory card can then be placed in a digital color
printer, such as the Kodak Personal Picture Maker PM100. This
printer includes memory card slots for the well-known Compact Flash
and Smart Media Flash EPROM memory cards. The card is removed from
the camera and placed in the printer. The printer includes a
monochrome LCD status display and several buttons that serve as the
user interface. These buttons enable the user to make one or more
copies of all of the images on the memory card and to select
various printer features. The prints are made using a color ink jet
head which marks specially designed photo ink jet paper.
[0006] As described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application
Ser. No. ______ (Docket 76759P) filed May 12, 2000, entitled "A
COLOR DIGITAL PRINTER HAVING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR
DISPLAYING AND SELECTING IMAGES FROM A DIGITAL STORAGE MEDIUM" to
Romano et. al., a digital printer may include an image display,
such as a color LCD, as part of a printer graphical user interface
(GUI) to allow the user to select images to be printed. However,
this means the digital photography system that a user must purchase
includes an expensive color LCD in both the camera and printer.
This increases the cost of the system.
[0007] What is needed is a printer GUI that allows the images to be
easily selected for printing without requiring that the printer
include an expensive color image display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides for a photography system that
includes a digital camera and a digital or electronic printer. The
digital photography system comprises a digital camera for capturing
images and a digital printer for producing hardcopy prints. The
camera includes an image sensor for capturing images; a memory for
storing a plurality of captured images; and a display for
displaying the stored images. The printer includes a marking
apparatus adapted to provide images on a print; user controls for
controlling the printer; and an electrical interface for
controlling, from the printer, the images displayed on the display
on the camera, for selecting an image to be printed from the
plurality of digital images stored in the memory of the camera, and
for transferring the selected image from the camera to the
printer.
[0009] The present invention further provides for a printer adapted
to produce hardcopy prints. The printer comprises an interface
arrangement for connecting a digital camera including an image
display to a printer, with the interface arrangement being adapted
to transfer images stored in a digital memory, and the transferred
images being viewable on a display screen of the digital camera
connected to the printer; and user controls adapted to manipulate
the images displayed on the digital camera when the digital camera
is connected to the printer.
[0010] The present invention further provides for a method of
producing prints. The method comprises the steps of: electronically
capturing images by way of an electronic camera; connecting the
electronic camera to an electronic printer; using user controls on
the electronic printer to control the images displayed on an image
display provided by the digital camera; selecting, by using the
user controls, a particular image to be printed using the image
display provided by the digital camera; transferring the selected
image to the printer; and printing the transferred image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a digital camera that
captures and stores images on a digital storage media and includes
a color image display;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a digital printer having
user controls for selecting images to be printed and which
interfaces to the digital camera of FIG. 1 in order to control the
images displayed on the camera color image display;
[0013] FIG. 3A depicts the rear view of an electronic camera;
[0014] FIG. 3B depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of
a digital printer;
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts the printer graphical user interface;
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of a typical user interaction
scenario;
[0017] FIGS. 6A to 6L, 6L', 6M, 6M' and 6N-6Q depict graphical user
interface screens used as part of the printer graphical user
interface; and
[0018] FIG. 7 depicts a second embodiment of a digital printer
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals represent identical or corresponding parts throughout the
several views, a digital camera 300 is depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG.
3A. Digital camera 300 stores images on a digital storage medium,
such as a memory card 300 as shown in FIG. 1 which can be displayed
on a color LCD image display 332. A digital printer 400, shown in
detail FIGS. 2 and 3B, produces color hardcopy prints using a color
marking apparatus 412, such as an ink jet head, and a paper
transport mechanism 410. Digital printer 400 includes a camera
interface 422, such as a USB interface, for transferring images
from the digital camera 300 and controlling the images displayed on
the camera color LCD image display 332. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
digital printer 400 incorporates user controls 430 for selecting
specific images to be printed from the plurality of digital images
stored on memory card 330 within digital camera 300. The user
controls 430 on the digital printer 400 are specifically arranged
to provide easy control of the printer 400, since they do not need
to be miniaturized in order to fit on a small portable digital
camera, such as camera 300.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1 in detail, FIG. 1 is a block diagram
showing electronic camera 300 that captures and stores digital
images on a digital storage medium, such as memory card 330. FIG.
3A depicts a rear view of the appearance of electronic camera 300.
Electronic camera 300 includes a zoom lens 312 having zoom and
focus motor drives 310 and an adjustable aperture and shutter (not
shown). The user composes the image using optical viewfinder 311
and zoom lens control switch 372 shown in FIG. 3A. Zoom lens 312
focuses light from a scene (not shown) on an image sensor 314, for
example, a single-chip color CCD image sensor, using the well-known
Bayer color filter pattern. Image sensor 314 is controlled by clock
drivers 306. Zoom and focus motors 310 and clock drivers 306 are
controlled by control signals supplied by a control processor and
timing generator circuit 304. When the user depresses shutter
button 374 (FIG. 3A) to take a picture, control processor and
timing generator 304 receives inputs from autofocus and
autoexposure detectors 308 and controls a flash 302. The analog
output signal from image sensor 314 is amplified and converted to
digital data by analog signal processing (ASP) and
analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit 316. The digital data is
stored in a DRAM buffer memory 318 and subsequently processed by a
camera processor 320 controlled by the firmware stored in a
firmware memory 328, which can be flash EPROM memory.
[0021] The processed digital image file is provided to a camera
memory card interface 324 which stores the digital image file on
memory card 330. Removable memory cards 330 which are described as
an example in the present specification are known to those skilled
in the art, and are one type of digital storage media. The memory
card 330 can conform to the Compact Flash interface standard, such
as described in the CompactFlash Specification Version 1.3,
published by the CompactFlash Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug.
5, 1998. The removable memory card can alternately conform to the
PCMCIA, Smart Media, Memory Stick, or SD memory card formats. The
present invention is not limited to memory cards and it is noted
that other types of digital storage media, such as magnetic hard
drives, magnetic tape, or optical disks, can alternatively be used
to store the digital images.
[0022] Processor 320 performs color interpolation followed by color
and tone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image data
as defined in IEC 61966-2-1 Multimedia systems and
equipment--Colour measurement and management--Part 2-1: Colour
management--Default RGB colour space--sRGB available from the
International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva, Switzerland. The
rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed and stored as a
JPEG image file on memory card 330 using an JPEG/Exif version 2.1
image file as defined in Digital Still Camera Image File Format
Standard (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Camera:
Exif), version 2.1, JEIDA-49-1998 available from the Japan
Electronic Industry Development Association, Tokyo, Japan. The
JPEG/Exif image files can be utilized by many different image
capable devices, such as computers and stand-alone printers.
[0023] Processor 320 also creates a "thumbnail" size image, as
described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831 "Electronic
still camera providing multi-format storage of full and reduced
resolution images" to Kuchta et al.,. The thumbnail image is stored
in RAM memory 326 and supplied to a color LCD image display 332,
which displays the captured image for the user to review. User
controls 303 and the text, icons, and images displayed on the
display 332 provide the camera graphical user interface (camera
GUI). As shown in FIG. 3A, the user controls 303 include a number
of miniaturized buttons, 380, 382, 394, 396, 398 and a
capture/review mode switch 386. These controls must be small in
order to fit on the back of camera 300, and arranged so that they
do not get in the way during the picture taking operations. After a
series of images have been taken by placing mode switch 386 in the
capture position, and then repeatedly depressing shutter button
374, mode switch 386 may be placed in the review position so that
the captured images can be reviewed on color LCD image display
332.
[0024] When the camera is operated independently of the printer,
the camera graphical user interface is controlled by the user
interface portion of the firmware stored in firmware memory 328,
which controls how the processor 320 responds to user controls 303
and creates the information displayed on display 332. Display 332
can be an active matrix color LCD display. Alternately, it can use
other display technologies, such as organic light emitting diodes
(OLEDs). Electronic camera 300 can also include a video output
driver and connector (not shown) for displaying the captured images
on a TV (not shown). Camera 300 may include firmware stored in
firmware memory 328 to control image processor 320 to allow the
user to create an image utilization file (such as a Digital Print
Order Format (DPOF) file) to indicate what images are to be
printed. Such a utilization file is described in commonly-assigned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/977,382, filed Nov. 24, 1997 to
Parulski. This image utilization file is stored on memory card 330
along with the image files.
[0025] After a series of images have been taken and stored on
memory card 330, the camera 300 is inserted into a recess 451 in
the top surface of the housing of digital printer 400 shown in FIG.
3B. The printer 400 and specifically the recess 451 includes a
connector 452 which mates with a connector 352 in digital camera
300 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in order to electrically interconnect printer
interface 322 in digital camera 300 to camera interface 422 in
digital printer 400. The electrical interface 342 between
electronic camera 300 and digital printer 400 may use any
well-known interface, such as the universal serial bus (USB)
interface specification, the IEEE 1394 interface specification, or
other cable interface or card interface specifications.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of digital printer 400. FIG. 3B
depicts the appearance of digital printer 400. Digital printer 400
produces digital prints (not shown) from images provided on memory
card 330 via interface 342 from electronic camera 300. Digital
printer 400 includes a media transport mechanism 410, such as a
motor-driven roller, for moving hard copy media (e.g., ink jet
paper) past a marking apparatus 412 (e.g., a color ink jet head)
under the control of a printer processor 420. Processor 420
controls the marking apparatus 412 to provide controlled amounts of
various color inks or dyes in order to produce a pictorial image on
the hardcopy media. Color marking apparatus 412 may alternately use
color thermal dye sublimation, color electrophotographic, or color
instant technologies to produce the digital prints. As shown in
FIG. 3B, digital printer 400 includes a paper exit slot 416 where
the print can be ejected from digital printer 400, and an access
door 414 which can be opened to replace the inks or dyes (e.g. to
replace the color ink jet cartridge). Printer 400 also includes a
power switch 431 for turning on and off power to printer 400
provided by a power cord input (not shown).
[0027] Digital printer 400 is controlled by printer user controls
430. User controls 430 and the text, icons, and images displayed on
the color LCD image display 332 of digital camera 300 provide the
printer graphical user interface (printer GUI). The printer GUI is
controlled by the user interface portion of the firmware stored in
printer firmware memory 428, which controls how processor 420
responds to user controls 430 and the color LCD image display
control portion of the firmware stored in camera firmware memory
328, which controls how image processor 320 creates the information
displayed on color LCD image display 332.
[0028] Since the image files created by electronic camera 300 use
the JPEG/Exif image format, they are JPEG compressed and must be
decompressed by processor 420 in digital printer 400. Processor 420
also provides interpolation, sharpening, color correction, and
half-toning to prepare the image data properly to be used by the
marking apparatus 412. Processor 420 is controlled by firmware
stored in firmware memory 428. Alternatively, the processing can be
provided by image processor 320 in camera 300, in order to reduce
the required performance and cost of processor 420 in digital
printer 400.
[0029] To quickly allow the images stored on memory card 330 to be
displayed on color LCD image display 332, image processor 320
downloads the "thumbnail" size images from the images provided on
memory card 330. These thumbnail images are stored in RAM memory
326 and supplied to display 332, so that the user can select the
images to be printed using user controls 430 on printer 400. The
user controls 430 on the digital printer 400 are much larger that
those on digital camera 300, since the digital printer 400 does not
need to be a hand-held device. Furthermore, the user controls 430
can be arranged and labeled in order to be very easy to use.
[0030] FIG. 4 depicts the printer user controls 430 in more detail.
User controls 430 include menu button 440, select button 442,
view/return button 444, print button 446 and cursor button 450
having left arrow button 452, up arrow button 454, right arrow
button 456, and down arrow button 458. Printer user controls 430
and color LCD image display 332 provide the printer graphical user
interface (printer GUI).
[0031] Camera 300 can be further adapted to communicate with a
network service provider 1000 (FIG. 2), such as the internet, by
way of a modem 1001, to permit the electronic transfer of images to
the camera; or camera 300 can be adapted to communicate with a
computer via a PC interface 2000 to receive images from a personal
computer. With these arrangements a user can load images from the
internet or from a computer to the camera. With the camera
connected to printer 400, the user can then use user control 430 on
printer 400 to manipulate the loaded images while they are being
displayed on image display 332 of the camera. As an alternative,
the connection to the modem or computer can be through the
printer.
[0032] The printer GUI is used to control printer 400 to implement
the general workflow depicted in FIG. 5. The workflow includes
numerous printer modes 500-518 which utilize various printer GUI
screens shown in FIG. 6A-FIG. 6J, which are displayed on the color
LCD image display 332 of digital camera 300. The modes include an
Idle mode 500 that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6A, a
Photos to Print mode 502 that uses the printer GUI screen shown in
FIG. 6B, a Printing in Process mode 504 that uses the printer GUI
screen shown in FIG. 6C, and a Layout mode 505 that uses the
printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6D. The modes also include a Full
Photo View mode 508 that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG.
6E, a Page Preview mode 506 that uses the printer GUI screen shown
in FIG. 6F, and a Main Menu Categories mode 510 that uses the
printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6G.
[0033] The modes also include Print Setup modes 512, including a
Photos submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6B
and a Layout submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG.
6D. The modes also include Paper Settings modes 514, including a
Paper Size submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG.
6H and a Paper Format submode that uses the printer GUI screen
shown in FIG. 6I. The modes also include Edits modes 516, including
a Crop submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6J, a
Rotate submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6K,
an Add Frame submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG.
6L, an add Text submode that uses the printer GUI screens shown in
FIG. 6M, and a Change brightness submode that uses the printer GUI
screen shown in FIG. 6N. The modes also include Utilities modes
518, including an Erase card submode that uses the printer GUI
screen shown in FIG. 6-O, an Ink Level submode that uses the
printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6P, and a User Default Layout
submode that uses the printer GUI screen shown in FIG. 6Q.
[0034] Menu button 440 as shown in FIG. 4 toggles to and from Main
Menu Categories mode 510 from the Page Preview mode 506 or the Full
Photo View mode 508. Select button 442 is; used in Full Photo View
mode 508 to toggle images to be printed on and off in order to
select specific images to be printed. In Menu modes 510, 512, 514,
516 and 518, select button 442 allows the user to enter a submenu
or accept menu settings. View/return button 444 is used to switch
modes between Page Preview mode 506 and Full Photo View mode 508.
In Menu modes 510, 512, 514, 516 and 518, View/return button 444
allows the user to return to a previous menu level without
retaining any changed settings.
[0035] Print button 446 initiates the print procedure. If there is
no memory card 330 attached to memory card interface 324 of digital
camera 300, or if the digital camera 300 is not connected to the
digital printer 400 using interface 342, pressing print button 446
initiates a test print. If there is a memory card 330 in digital
camera 300, and the digital camera 300 is connected to digital
printer 400 using interface 342, depressing print button 446
initiates the print using the current printer settings.
[0036] In Full Photo View mode 508 corresponding to the display
screen shown in FIG. 6E, cursor left arrow 452 and cursor right
arrow 456 allow the user to navigate photos, and cursor up arrow
454 and down arrow 458 allow the user to select the number of
copies per image. In Page Preview mode 506 corresponding to the
display screen in FIG. 6F, cursor left arrow 452 and cursor right
arrow 456 allows the user to navigate the pages. In Menu modes 510,
512, 514, 516 and 518, the cursor buttons 450 are used for menu
navigation.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 6A, idle screen 600 is used to provide
pertinent information on the current printer parameter settings.
These parameters include the layout, paper size, paper type, and
print quality. The user-defined default setting (to be described
later in relation to FIG. 6Q) is used, unless the user overrides
this default setting by making other selections. Idle screen 600
allows the user to immediately understand the settings that will be
used if the user immediately presses print button 446 in FIG. 4.
This is beneficial because the user may not have used the printer
for some time, and may have forgotten the printer parameter
settings. If the settings are appropriate, the user may insert
removable memory card 330 into digital camera 300 and immediately
make prints without further interactions with the printer GUI. The
idle screen also displays an icon 602 representing the printer, to
provide immediate identification that this is not a parameter
setting screen such as the parameter settings screens depicted in
FIG. 6B-6N.
[0038] FIG. 6B depicts the first start-up GUI screen 604, which is
displayed on color LCD image display 332 when the user inserts
memory card 330 into the memory card interface 324. GUI screen 604
provides a simple method for printing either all of the images
stored on memory card 330 using the "Print All" option or printing
the images specified in an image utilization file stored along with
the images on memory card 330 using the "Print Order" option. The
user can also use the "Print Index" option to make an index print
including small versions of all of the images stored on memory card
330. In all three cases, processor 420 in digital printer 400
instructs processor 320 in digital camera 300 to update the printer
GUI screen shown on color image display 332 of digital camera 300
to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG. 6C. Finally, the user can
select the "Review and Choose" option in FIG. 6B to choose
particular images to be printed. In this case, processor 420 in
digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera 300
to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display 332
of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG.
6D.
[0039] FIG. 6C depicts a "Printing in Process" GUI screen 606. This
screen lists the parameter settings that are being used to print
the images. It also includes a progress bar 608 that graphically
indicates the percentage of the pages that have so far been
printed. Finally, the GUI screen 606 includes a "Cancel" option 610
that will abort the printing process when selected by the user.
[0040] FIG. 6D depicts a Layout startup screen 612. This allows the
user to choose exactly how the pictures will be laid out on the
printed pages. The user can use the up button 454 and down button
458 of cursor 450 to select option 614 or 616. The General Category
option 614 represents a general category of print formats. If
arrows 620 and 622 are visible, the user can use the cursor right
arrow 456 and left arrow 452 in FIG. 4 to view other allowed print
format settings. These print formats include general Photo Sizes
(e.g. 8".times.10" and 4".times.6" size images) as well as specific
formatted media identifiers (e.g. defined template numbers) that
indicate specific paper size and layout details, such as the
location of perforations if the paper is perforated. The firmware
memory 428 in printer 400 stores the paper size and layout
information for each media identifier, to simplify the use of such
media by the user. The specific options listed in option list 616
provide specific options that may be utilized for the General
Category 614 chosen by the user, such as allowed photo sizes (e.g.
5".times.7", 4".times.6", etc.). Underneath the specific option
list 616 is a graphical representation 618 of the currently
selected layout and the current paper size and type settings 619.
For example, graphical representation 618 indicates that two
5".times.7" images will be printed on an 8.5".times.11" size
paper.
[0041] After the user chooses his/her preferred layout using GUI
screen 612 in FIG. 6D and presses the Select button 442, processor
420 in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital
camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image
display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown
in FIG. 6E. The top of the screen 624 provides pertinent
information including picture number 630 and copies 632 which is
overlayed on a thumbnail image depicting the specific picture 636.
The left arrow 638 and right arrow 640 located at the edges of the
screen indicate to the user that they can view other images by
depressing the left arrow 452 and right arrow 456 of the cursor 450
in FIG. 4 in order to scroll to other digital images stored on
removable memory 330. Checkmark 634 indicates whether or not image
636 has been selected for printing. By depressing Select button
442, the user can toggle between printing or not printing the
specific image 636. Arrows 628 indicate to the user that they can
change the numbers of prints for the specific image 636 by
depressing the up arrow 454 and down arrow 458 of cursor 450 in
FIG. 4. If image 636 has been edited by the user (as will be
described later in relation to FIG. 6J-N), icon 626 is made visible
in GUI screen 624. When the user presses View/Return button 444,
processor 420 in digital printer 300 instructs processor 320 in
digital camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color
image display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606
shown in FIG. 6F.
[0042] FIG. 6F depicts a Page Preview GUI screen 642, to allow the
user to view the appearance of the entire print. A single page 648
is represented on GUI screen 642, and may contain multiple images,
such as the four different images shown in page 648. The left
arrows 644 and right arrow 646 indicate to the user that they can
view other pages by depressing the left arrow 452 and right arrow
456 of the cursor 450 in FIG. 4. The paper size and type 652 and
the current and total number of different pages to be printed 650
are also displayed in GUI screen 642.
[0043] When the user presses the menu button 440 in FIG. 4,
processor 420 in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in
digital camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color
image display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606
shown in FIG. 6G. Icons 656, 658, and 660 depict general menu
categories. For example, icon 656 represents the Print Setup
category mode 512 in FIG. 5, icon 658 represents the Paper Settings
category mode 514 in FIG. 5, and icon 660 represents the Edits
category mode 516 in FIG. 5. Once a general menu category has been
selected (e.g. Print Setup category mode 512 in FIG. 5) the user
can select specific submenu options relevant to that category (e.g.
Photos or Layout). FIG. 5 lists the main menu categories and the
submenu options. Arrow key 659 indicates to the user that they can
select a different general menu category (e.g. Utilities Category
mode 518) by depressing the down arrow 458 of the cursor 450 in
FIG. 4.
[0044] When the user selects the Paper Size submenu, processor 420
in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera
300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display
332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG.
6H. A check mark 664 indicates the current paper size setting. The
user can select a different paper size by using the up arrow 454
and down arrow 458 in FIG. 4 to highlight a different paper size.
By then pressing the select button 442, the user can select the
newly highlighted paper size to change paper size settings. The
processor 420 then stores the newly selected paper size setting in
firmware memory 428 of digital printer 400, and instructs image
processor 320 in digital camera 300 to update the GUI shown on
color image display 332 to the Paper Settings Submenu (not shown).
If the user instead presses the View/Return button 444, the user
can exit the Paper Size submenu, and processor 420 will not modify
the current setting stored in firmware memory 428.
[0045] When the user selects the Paper Format submenu, processor
420 in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital
camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image
display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown
in FIG. 61. GUI screen 666 indicates the currently selected media
identifier 674. The left arrow 668 and right arrow 670 indicate to
the user that they can view other media options by depressing the
left arrow 452 and right arrow 456 of the cursor 450 in FIG. 4. The
GUI screen 666 also includes graphical representation 672 of the
currently selected media. This allows the user to easily visualize
important aspects of the currently selected media. For example, if
the currently selected media provides two perforated 5".times.7"
prints on a single 8.5".times.11" size sheet of paper, the user can
recognize this by viewing graphical representation 672
corresponding to the selected media identifier 674.
[0046] When the user selects the Crop submenu, processor 420 in
digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera 300
to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display 332
of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG. 6J. A
thumbnail view of a cropped portion of the current image read from
memory card 330 is displayed within crop window 686. The image area
outside crop window 686 has a darkened appearance, indicating that
this area of the image will not be printed. Arrows 676, 678, 680,
and 682 indicate to the user that they can modify the position of
the crop window by using cursor 450 to change the area of the image
that will be printed. If an image has been previously cropped, the
cropping can be undone using the Undo Crop option 684. If the image
has not been previously cropped, the Undo Crop option 684 is not
displayed in GUI screen 674. When the user presses the select
button 442, the processor 420 stores the crop settings for the
current image in firmware memory 428. These stored settings will be
used when the image is printed.
[0047] When the user selects the Rotate submenu, processor 420 in
digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera 300
to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display 332
of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG. 6K. A
thumbnail view of the current image read from memory card 330 is
displayed in window 694. The left arrow 690 and right arrow 692
indicate to the user that they can selectively rotate the image by
90 degree increments by depressing the left arrow 452 and right
arrow 456 of the cursor 450 in FIG. 4. The currently selected
rotation setting 696 is indicated by a checkmark 698. When the user
selects a different setting, the orientation of the image within
window 694 is also rotated, so that the user can immediately
preview the results of applying the rotation setting. By using the
thumbnail image data stored within the image file on removable
memory 330, processor 320 within digital camera 300 can quickly
modify the thumbnail image and provide an immediate visual response
in window 694 to the user's selection, so that the user can quickly
confirm that they have made an appropriate selection. When the user
presses select button 442, processor 420 stores the orientation
setting for the current image in firmware memory 328. This stored
setting will be used when the image is printed.
[0048] When the user selects the Add Frame submenu, processor 420
in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera
300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display
332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG.
6L. A thumbnail view of the current image read from memory card 330
is displayed in window 706. The left arrow 702 and right arrow 704
indicate to the user that they can select various decorative frames
by depressing the left arrow 452 and right arrow 456 of the cursor
450 in FIG. 4. The currently selected frame setting 708 is
indicated by a checkmark 710. For example, GUI screen 700 shows
that no frame has been selected. When the user selects a different
frame option, the image shown within window 706 is updated to
depict the current image within the selected frame. For example,
GUI screen 712 in FIG. 6L' indicates that a Circle frame has been
selected. The frame options can be stored in firmware memory 428 in
digital printer 400, firmware memory 328 in digital camera 300, or
in memory card 330. Alternatively, it can be downloaded from memory
card 330 to firmware memory 328 in digital camera 300 or firmware
memory 428 in digital printer 400 using the methods described in
commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,264, Dec. 19, 1995,
"Electronic imaging system using a removable software-enhanced
storage device" to Sarbadhikari et. al., the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference. By using the thumbnail image data
stored within the image file on removable memory 330 as well as a
thumbnail image of the decorative frame, processor 320 within
digital camera 300 can quickly combine the current image and
currently selected frame to provide an immediate visual response in
window 706 to the user's selection, so that the user can quickly
confirm that they have made an appropriate selection. When the user
presses the select button 442 in FIG. 4, processor 420 stores the
frame setting for the current image in firmware memory 428 in FIG.
2. This stored setting will be used when the image is printed.
[0049] When the user selects the Add Text submenu, processor 420 in
digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera 300
to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display 332
of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 606 shown in FIG. 6M. A
thumbnail view of the current image read from memory card 330 is
displayed in window 720. The left arrow 716 and right arrow 718
indicate to the user that they can select various text messages by
depressing the left arrow 452 and right arrow 456 of the cursor 450
in FIG. 4. The currently selected text message setting 722 is
indicated by a checkmark 724. For example, GUI screen 714 shows
that no text has been selected. When the user selects a different
text option, the image shown within window 720 is updated to depict
the current image overlaid by the selected text. For example, GUI
screen 726 in FIG. 6M' indicates that a text message "Anniversary"
has been selected. Various text messages can be stored as text
files within firmware memory 428 in digital printer 400, firmware
memory 328 in digital camera 300, or on memory card 330. By using
the thumbnail image data stored within the image file on memory
card 330, processor 420 within printer 400 can quickly combine the
current image and currently selected text message to provide an
immediate visual response in window 720 to the user's selection, so
that the user can quickly confirm that they have made an
appropriate selection. When the user presses select button 442,
processor 420 stores the text setting for the current image in
firmware memory 428. This stored setting will be used when the
image is printed.
[0050] When the user selects the Change Brightness submenu,
processor 420 in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in
digital camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color
image display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 728
shown in FIG. 6N. A small thumbnail view of the current image read
from memory card 330 is displayed in window 734. A second window
736 depicts a brightness-adjusted version of the same digital
image. The left arrow 730 and right arrow 732 indicate to the user
that they can select brightness settings by depressing the left
arrow 452 and right arrow 456 of the cursor 450 in FIG. 4. The
currently selected brightness setting 738 is indicated by a
checkmark 740. When the user selects various brightness settings,
the image shown within window 736 is updated to depict the modified
image, using the methods described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/315,647 filed May 20, 1999, "Correcting
Exposure in a Rendered Digital Image", to Gilman, et. al. By using
the thumbnail image data stored within the image file on memory
card 330, processor 420 within printer 400 can quickly modify the
image to provide an immediate visual response in window 736 to the
user's selection, so that the user can quickly confirm that they
have made an appropriate selection. When the user presses the
select button 442, the processor 420 stores the brightness setting
for the current image in firmware memory 428. This stored setting
will be used when the image is printed.
[0051] When the user selects the Erase Card submenu, processor 420
in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera
300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display
332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 742 shown in FIG.
6-O. When the user confirms that they want to erase all of the
images from memory card 330, a progress bar 744 indicates how much
progress has been made in erasing the images. A cancel bar 746 can
be selected to abort the process of erasing memory card 330.
[0052] When the user selects the Ink Level submenu, processor 420
in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in digital camera
300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color image display
332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 748 shown in FIG.
6P. GUI screen 748 includes a graphic representation 752 and
numeric value 750 indicating the approximate level of ink remaining
in the cartridge within marking apparatus 412 of digital printer
400. The user can return to the Utilities submenu (not shown) by
pressing the Select button 442 or the View/Return button 444 in
FIG. 4.
[0053] When the user selects the User Default Layout submenu,
processor 420 in digital printer 400 instructs processor 320 in
digital camera 300 to update the printer GUI screen shown on color
image display 332 of digital camera 300 to provide GUI screen 754
shown in FIG. 6Q. Using a process similar to that described in
relation to FIG. 6D, the user can select a preferred layout. This
layout is then used as the default the next time the printer is
used, as described earlier in relation to FIG. 6A. When the user
presses the select button 442, processor 420 stores the user
default setting in firmware memory 428.
[0054] The firmware code stored in firmware memory 428 can be
customized to suit the needs of a particular user, as described in
commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/534,469,
entitled "Configuring and Purchasing Imaging Devices" to Parulski.
Either the memory card 330 or the camera interface 422 can be used
to upload the customized firmware to the firmware memory 428 from a
separate computer (not shown). The configured firmware stored in
firmware memory 428 can include personal digital data, for example,
the name, address, and favorite photo of the printer owner, or a
greeting if the printer was given as a gift. This personal digital
data can be displayed on the display 332 for a specified period
(e.g., five seconds) when the digital printer 400 is turned on and
connected to digital camera 300. This personal digital data can be
used to determine the owner, in case the digital printer 400, which
can be a small portable device, is lost or stolen.
[0055] In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, digital
printer 400 is attached to electronic camera 300 using connection
342 in the form of interface cable 342'. Interface cable 342' mates
with a connector on electronic camera 300 to provide a connection
between printer interface 322 of electronic camera 300 in FIG. 1
and camera interface 422 of digital printer 400 in FIG. 2. Digital
printer 400 in FIG. 7 does not include a slot for holding digital
camera 300.
[0056] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *