U.S. patent application number 11/078712 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for system and method for editing digitally represented still images.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Acker, Kristin D., Fisher, Sheldon R., Yang, Xiaoli.
Application Number | 20050216841 11/078712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34435165 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050216841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Acker, Kristin D. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
System and method for editing digitally represented still
images
Abstract
A method of selecting and editing a plurality of digitally
represented still images in a computer environment is provided. The
method includes the use of a graphical user interface having a
display and a user interface selection device, and includes the
steps of opening the data files of the images to be edited,
displaying the images, and displaying a task pane including at
least one editing task entry having a specified multiple-image
editing task command. A group of all or some of the images is
formed by the user selecting the images to be edited, and an
editing task execution signal is received which is indicative of
the user selecting the desired editing task entry on the task pane.
In response to receipt of the editing task execution signal, the
specified editing task command is performed on the group of
selected still images.
Inventors: |
Acker, Kristin D.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Yang, Xiaoli; (Bellevue, WA) ; Fisher,
Sheldon R.; (Issaquah, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
2555 GRAND BOULEVARD
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108-2613
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
34435165 |
Appl. No.: |
11/078712 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11078712 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
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09512154 |
Feb 24, 2000 |
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6883140 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/730 ;
345/619; 715/722; 715/732; 715/845 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00448 20130101;
G06F 3/04845 20130101; G06T 11/60 20130101; H04N 1/00461 20130101;
H04N 1/00442 20130101; H04N 1/00453 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/730 ;
345/619; 715/722; 715/732; 715/845 |
International
Class: |
G06F 003/00; G11B
027/00; G09G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of editing digitally represented still images,
comprising the steps of: retrieving a plurality of still images as
separate data files; opening at least two of the data files;
displaying the still images of the open data files; forming a group
of the data files of at least two of the displayed images in
response to selection of the selected still images; and editing the
group of data files in response to the selection of an editing task
selection.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of
displaying the still images of the edited batch of data files.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of
displaying a "multiple-image edit" task pane from which the editing
task is selected, the "multiple-image edit" task pane being
displayed during the step of selecting at least two of the
displayed still images.
4. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of
displaying a picture pane within which the plurality of open still
images are displayed and selected, the picture pane being displayed
during display of the "multiple-image edit" task pane.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the editing step is
selected from the group of editing steps consisting of rotating the
selected still images, cropping the selected still images,
correcting the tint of the selected still images, correcting the
brightness of the selected still images, correcting the contrast of
the selected still images, sending the selected still images,
saving the selected still images, and printing the selected still
images.
6. A computer readable medium having computer-executable
instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.
7. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including
a display and a user interface selection device, a method of
selecting and editing a plurality of digitally represented still
images, wherein each still image is a separate data file, the
method comprising the steps of: opening the data files of the
plurality of still images; displaying the plurality of still
images; displaying a task pane including at least one editing task
entry having a specified multiple-image editing task command;
receiving a group-select execution signal indicative of the user
selecting at least two of the still images for editing as a group;
in response to the group-select signal, forming a group of the
selected still images; receiving a task execution signal indicative
of the user selecting the multiple-image editing task entry; and in
response to the execution signal, performing the specified editing
task command on the group of selected still images.
8. A method as recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of
displaying the edited group of still images.
9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the task pane includes a
"select all" entry having a selection command for selecting all of
the open images for editing as a group, the group-select execution
signal being indicative of the user selecting the "select all"
entry.
10. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of performing
the specified editing task command includes displaying one of the
selected still images in the picture pane, and displaying a
sub-task pane including at least one option entry having an editing
sub-task command.
11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the step of performing
the specified editing task command includes receiving a sub-task
execution signal indicative of the user selecting the at least one
option entry, and in response to the execution signal, performing
the editing sub-task command on the selected image displayed in the
picture pane.
12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the sub-task pane
includes a "Next" entry having a next selected image command for
displaying a different one of the selected images in the picture
pane, and the step of performing the specified editing task command
includes the steps of receiving a signal indicative of the user
selecting the "Next" entry, and in response to the signal,
performing the next selected image command to display a different
one of the selected images in the picture pane for editing.
13. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the group-select
execution signal is indicative of a user sequentially selecting at
least two of the open still images while simultaneously selecting a
control key.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to editing digitally
represented still images and, more particularly, to a system and
method for performing one or more editing tasks on a group of still
images without requiring the images to be selected and edited
individually.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Digitally represented still images are commonly used in the
computer environment as graphics for applications software and
games and as digitally stored photographs that can be easily
manipulated, printed and transmitted for commercial and
entertainment purposes. Software packages are available for use in
handling the data files in which such still images are stored. Such
software packages include numerous editing capabilities including
archiving the images, printing the images in various sizes and
formats, and sending or uploading the images to other computers or
users via the Internet or fax. Known photo editing software
packages also include numerous other editing capabilities,
including the ability to rotate an image, crop it, and correct its
brightness, contrast, and tint. In addition, such software packages
typically include the ability to cut portions out of one image and
incorporate them into a collage, and to perform many other special
effects.
[0003] In order to manipulate a still image digitally, a digital
representation of the image is created, either by taking a digital
photograph with a conventional digital camera, or by scanning an
existing printed image or its film negative to generate a digital
facsimile of the original. Once a digital representation of the
image exists, it can be retrieved into the system memory of a
computer and edited through the use of the photo editing
software.
[0004] Conventionally, once a user has taken a group of photographs
with a digital camera, he or she downloads the images to a computer
either by connecting the camera directly to the computer through a
serial port connection, or by transferring a flash memory card from
the camera to a flash memory adapter of the computer, wherein the
flash memory card contains the data files of the images.
Alternately, a user will take pictures with a conventional film
camera and obtain a copy of the pictures in digital format on a
compact disc ("CD") that can be read by a conventional CD drive on
the user's computer.
[0005] Once the data files of the images are downloaded, they are
opened in the photo editing software, and may be individually
saved, manipulated, printed or sent to other users. However,
because conventional photo editing software does not allow editing
of the images as a group, a user must repeat any desired editing
steps with each image in turn. This represents a drawback in the
use of conventional photo editing software.
[0006] For example, if several of the images require rotation, the
user must select each image individually within the photo editing
software and rotate that image before selecting a different one of
the images for rotation. As a result, the user must repeat the
steps required to rotate the images several times until all of the
images have been individually selected and edited. This process is
slow and requires numerous repetitive user operations, impeding the
ability of the user to quickly edit the group of images once they
are downloaded.
[0007] Another example illustrative of the drawback arises when a
user employs a scanner that produces a group of digitally
represented still images that are all darker than desired. When a
group of these images is opened in the photo editing software, the
user must select each image and correct the brightness and contrast
of the image before selecting a different one of the images and
repeating the same editing operation. Often, the degree of
brightness and contrast correction required is the same for all of
the images in the group, and the steps employed to correct each
image are identical to those employed with the other images. In
addition, some of the images will also likely require rotation or
some other type of editing, and these steps must be carried out
separately for each image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a system and
method are provided for enabling a computer user to quickly and
efficiently perform any of several different editing tasks on a
group of pictures that have been downloaded or retrieved by the
user. The present invention employs a system having a graphical
user interface, a display, a keyboard, and a pointing device, and
includes a method employing the acts of opening the data files of
the images to be edited, displaying the images, and displaying a
task pane including several different editing sub-task entries for
carrying out specified editing sub-tasks. A group of all or some of
the images is formed by the user selecting the images to be edited,
and one of the editing sub-tasks is performed based on a selection
by the user of the desired editing sub-task entry on the task
pane.
[0009] By providing a system in accordance with the present
invention, numerous advantages are realized. For example, by
permitting a user to select a group of open still images for
multiple-image or batch editing, it is possible to significantly
reduce the number of user steps and time required to perform the
editing operations on the selected images. As such, a user can
quickly download and edit a group of still images from a digital
camera or other source, obviating the need for time-consuming
post-download manipulation and saving of each individual image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0010] The present invention is described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a display produced by the software
package Microsoft "PICTURE IT!.RTM.", with the system and method of
the present invention implemented;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view of a display produced during implementation
of a system for editing digitally represented still images in
accordance with the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to
select multiple images for editing as a group;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to
rotate the group of images;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of a crop sub-task pane displayed during
use of the system;
[0016] FIGS. 6a and 6b together provide a flowchart illustrating
the steps employed to crop the group of images;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a view of a tint correction sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a view of a batch save sub-task pane displayed
during use of the system;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to
save the group of images;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a view of a batch send sub-task pane displayed
during use of the system;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to
send the group of images;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a view of a first batch print sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a view of a second batch print sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a view of a third batch print sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a view of a fourth batch print sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a view of a fifth batch print sub-task pane
displayed during use of the system;
[0027] FIGS. 17a, 17b and 17c together provide a flowchart
illustrating the steps employed to print the group of images;
and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of an exemplary operating
environment in which the invention can be practiced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] An exemplary computing environment in which the invention
may be implemented is illustrated schematically in FIG. 18.
Although not required, the invention will be described in the
general context of computer-executable instructions, such as
program modules, being executed by a personal computer. Generally,
program modules include routines, programs, objects, components,
data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement
particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other
computer system configurations, including digital cameras and other
hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be
practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are
performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network. In a distributed computing environment,
program modules may be located in both local and remote memory
storage devices.
[0030] With reference to FIG. 18, an exemplary system for
implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing
device in the form of a conventional personal computer 20,
including a processing unit 22, a system memory 24, and a system
bus 26 that couples various system components including the system
memory to the processing unit 22. The system bus 26 may be any of
several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory
controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a
variety of bus architectures. The system memory 24 includes read
only memory (ROM) 28 and random access memory (RAM) 30. A basic
input/output system (BIOS) 32, containing the basic routines that
helps to transfer information between elements within the personal
computer 20, such as during start-up, is stored in the ROM 28 of
system memory 24. The personal computer 20 further includes a hard
disk drive 34 for reading from and writing to a hard disk, a
magnetic disk drive 36 for reading from or writing to a removable
magnetic disk 38, and an optical disk drive 40 for reading from or
writing to a removable optical disk 42 such as a CD ROM or other
optical media. The hard disk drive 28, magnetic disk drive 30, and
optical disk drive 34 are connected to the system bus 26 by a small
computer system interface (SCSI) 44. The drives and their
associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile storage of
computer readable instruction, data structures, program modules and
other data for the personal computer 20. Although the exemplary
environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable
magnetic disk and a removable optical disk, other types of computer
readable media which can store data that is accessible by a
computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital
video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs),
read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may also be used in the
exemplary operating environment.
[0031] A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk,
magnetic disk, optical disk, ROM or RAM, including an operating
system 50, one or more application programs 52, other program
modules 53, and program data 55. A user may enter commands and
information into the personal computer 20 through input devices
such as a keyboard 54 and pointing device 56, both of which are
commonly connected to the processing unit 22 through a
keyboard/mouse interface 57 that is coupled to the system bus 26.
Other input devices may include a microphone, joystick, game pad,
satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices
are often connected to the processing unit 22 through a serial port
interface 58 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be
connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port
or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 60 or other type of
display device is also connected to the system bus 26 via an
interface, such as a video adapter 62. In addition to the monitor,
personal computers typically include other peripheral output
devices such as speakers and printers.
[0032] The personal computer 20 may operate in a networked
environment using logical connections to one or more remote
computers, such as a remote computer 64. The remote computer may be
another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer
device or other common network node, and typically includes many or
all of the elements described above relative to the personal
computer 20. The logical connections include a local area network
(LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). Such networking environments
are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks,
intranets and the Internet.
[0033] When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal
computer 20 is connected to the local network through a network
interface or adapter 66. When used in a WAN networking environment,
the personal computer 20 typically includes a modem 68 or other
means for establishing communications over the wide area network,
such as the Internet. The modem 68, which may be internal or
external, is connected to the system bus 26 via the serial port
interface 58. In a networked environment, program modules depicted
relative to the personal computer 20, or portions thereof, may be
stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated
that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communication link between the computers may be
used.
[0034] The system and method of the present invention allow a user
to quickly and efficiently perform any of several different editing
tasks on a group of pictures that have been downloaded or retrieved
by the user. Although the system and method are described as being
implemented in an exemplary embodiment with the PICTURE IT!.RTM.
software package by Microsoft, one skilled in the art would
recognize that the system and method can be implemented with other
photo editing software or independently of such software.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a view of a display produced by the software
PICTURE IT!.RTM., with the system and method of the present
invention implemented. A user of the PICTURE IT!.RTM. application
typically opens the application to download or otherwise open still
images for editing. The user interface provided by the application
is presented in an application window and includes a filmstrip pane
70 in which thumbnails of all of the open images are displayed, a
picture pane or image browser 72 within which a currently selected
open image 74 from the filmstrip pane is displayed, and a menu 76
including a set of menu entries. A plurality of buttons are also
displayed in a button bar extending across the top of the picture
pane 72. The steps employed by the application for downloading and
opening still images for use by the application are conventional
and do not form a part of the invention.
[0036] Once a group of still images has been downloaded in the
conventional manner, the user indicates that the downloading step
is complete by selecting a suitable menu entry displayed by the
application during the download operation. Selection of the menu
entry provides an execution command that automatically displays a
main task pane 78 of an exemplary editing system constructed in
accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, along
with the picture pane 72 and the filmstrip pane 70. In addition,
the open still images currently displayed in the filmstrip pane 70
are displayed in the picture pane 72. Other panes may also be
displayed with the main task pane, if desired.
[0037] In addition to providing automatic execution of the editing
system of the present invention once the download of plural images
is complete, a button entry or menu entry may also be provided in
the PICTURE IT!.RTM. software application that initiates the system
of the invention any time two or more images are open in the
filmstrip. Alternately, a message box can be generated and
displayed when two or more images are open, providing the user an
option to initiate the system.
[0038] The main task pane 78 generally includes several selectable
entries having executable commands for performing various steps.
For example, but not by way of limitation, the main task pane
includes a "Select All" entry 80 having an execution command for
selecting all of the images open in the application for editing as
a group, a "Rotate" entry 82 having an execution command for
rotating the data files of any open still images selected by the
user, a drop-down-list box 84 associated with the "Rotate" entry, a
"Crop" entry 86 having an execution command displaying a sub-task
pane that permits the user to crop any open still images selected
by the user, a "Fix Brightness/Contrast" entry 88 having an
execution command for carrying out an automated analysis and
adjustment of the brightness and contrast of any open still images
selected by the user, a "Correct Tint" entry 90 having an execution
command for displaying a sub-task pane that permits the user to
manipulate the tint of any open still images selected by the user,
a "Save" entry 92 having an execution command for displaying a
sub-task pane that permits the user to save any open still images
selected by the user, a "Send" entry 94 having an execution command
for displaying a sub-task pane that permits the user to send via
e-mail any open still images selected by the user, and a "Print"
entry 96 having an execution command for displaying a sub-task pane
that permits the user to print any open still images selected by
the user.
[0039] In addition, an "Index Print" entry 98 can be provided that
includes an execution command for printing an index of any open
still images selected by the user. An "Undo" entry 100 is also
provided on the main task pane, and includes an execution command
for undoing a preceding rotation, crop or brightness/contrast
correction operation. A "Cancel" entry 102 displayed at the bottom
of the main pane has an execution command for canceling all of the
editing operations carried out by the system on the open still
images currently selected by the user, exiting the system, and
returning to the PICTURE IT!.RTM. application window shown in FIG.
1. A "Done" entry 104 is also provided on the main pane, and has an
execution command for saving the editing operations carried out by
the system on the currently open still images, exiting the system,
and returning to the display of FIG. 1.
[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 2, in order to edit all of
the images that are open in the application and displayed in the
filmstrip and picture panes 70, 72, a user selects the "Select All"
entry 80 of the main task pane 78, typically by moving the pointing
device over the entry and clicking a button on the device or
otherwise indicating the selection. As shown in FIG. 3, if the user
is at step 101 and wants to select all of the images for editing,
this selection is made at 103 so that a subsequent selection of one
of the editing entries on the main task pane 78 is carried out on
all of the open images. When the selection at 103 is executed at
105, a border is displayed at 107 around the selected images to
indicate their selection. However, any other type of indication
could be used.
[0041] If fewer than all of the images are to be edited, an
alternate method is employed to select the images to be grouped.
For example, if only the first and third images open in the picture
pane require rotation, it is desired to select only these two
images for editing as a group. This selection is made at 111 by
depressing a control key on the keyboard, e.g. the "CTRL" or "SHFT"
key, while at the same time moving the pointing device over each of
the first and third images and clicking a button on the device or
otherwise indicating each selection. Alternately, if the images to
be grouped are located adjacent one another in the picture pane,
the user can select them for editing as a group by dragging a
selection box around the images using the pointing device.
[0042] When the selection at 111 is executed at 105, a border is
displayed at 107 around the selected images. An exemplary border
109 is illustrated in FIG. 2, and includes a bold line extending
around the first and third images of the top row of the picture
pane, indicating that those two images have been selected for
editing as a group.
[0043] Returning to FIG. 2, once the user has selected a group of
images to be edited, he or she selects the entry on the main task
pane corresponding to the desired editing task to be performed on
the group of selected images. Some of the editing tasks employed in
a preferred embodiment of the present invention are executed
automatically upon selection of the corresponding entry, while
other tasks are executed by displaying various sub-task panes
presenting entries having additional execution commands for
customizing the editing task for the group or individual images
therein. However, in all cases, the selected editing task is
performed on all of the images of the group without the requirement
that each image be individually selected, edited, and saved before
the next image to be edited can be selected.
[0044] In order to describe the steps employed by the system to
carry out an editing operation on a group of selected images, the
particular editing operations illustrated in the exemplary main
task pane of FIG. 2 will be described. However, it is noted that
the particular editing operations available to the user is not so
limited. Any desired editing operation could be incorporated into
the inventive system in order to permit the operation to be carried
out on a group of images rather than on individual images.
[0045] If a user selects the "Rotate" entry 82 after a group of
open images displayed in the picture pane 72 have been selected, a
rotation operation is executed on the selected images, as shown in
FIG. 4, and the rotated images are displayed in place of the
original images in both the picture pane and the filmstrip pane. As
shown in FIG. 2, the drop down list box 84 is provided next to the
"Rotate" entry 82 on the main task pane 78, and includes an
execution command for changing the direction of rotation carried
out during the editing operation, if desired. For example, starting
at step 113, if the user allows the "Left" entry in the drop down
list box to remain unchanged at 115 and selects the "Rotate" entry
at 119, the images in the group will be rotated 90.degree. at 121
in the counterclockwise direction, and the rotated images will be
displayed in the picture pane at 123. If the user desires to rotate
the image further, the "Rotate" entry is again selected at 119 to
repeat the 90.degree. rotation. If, at step 115, the user wants to
change the direction of rotation to be carried out, he or she
selects "Right" in the box 84 of FIG. 2, illustrated at step 117 in
FIG. 4, and the images will be rotated in the clockwise direction
each time the "Rotate" entry is selected. Once all desired
rotations of the selected images have been completed, the user
awaits the selection of another editing entry at 127.
[0046] The fix brightness/contrast editing operation is similar to
the rotate operation in that both are performed on all of the
selected images without any further action required of the user
subsequent to selection of the entries on the main task pane. The
correction made to each of the images when the entry 88 is selected
is carried out automatically by the system in accordance with a
conventional brightness/contrast correction algorithm that is
incorporated in the system. Alternately, it would be possible to
provide an algorithm that employs user-defined parameters, or to
permit a user to make the correction manually.
[0047] If a user selects the "Crop" entry 86 on the main task pane
after a group of open images displayed in the picture pane have
been selected, the crop operation is executed on the selected
images. Preferably, the operation includes hiding all of the
selected images in the group except the first, taken in the order
the images are displayed on the filmstrip, and displaying a
sub-task pane 106, shown in FIG. 5, in place of the main task pane.
By hiding all but one of the pictures for cropping or other editing
operations, the size of the single displayed picture can be
enlarged relative to the thumbnails of the open images,
facilitating editing of each selected image. In addition, a
one-by-one presentation of the selected images simplifies editing
of the images where step-by-step interaction is required for each
image in order to complete the desired editing operation. However,
a two-by-two presentation or any other implementation can be
employed, including one in which the thumbnails of all of the
selected images remain displayed during editing.
[0048] The sub-task pane 106 includes one or more option entries
108 having editing sub-task commands, a "Cancel" entry 110 having
an execution command for canceling the cropping task without saving
any crops made to images in the selected group, a "Next" entry 112
having an execution command for displaying the next selected image
in the group in the picture pane for cropping, and a "" entry 114
for displaying the previous selected image in the group in the
picture pane.
[0049] The illustrated option entry 108 is a table list box
including a number of possible crop shapes that can be selected by
the user for use on the displayed selected image. As shown in FIG.
6a, once the user has selected the "Crop" entry at 129, the
sub-task pane is displayed at 131, and all of the selected images
are hidden except the first one of the shapes which is enlarged and
displayed alone. Thereafter, the user at 133 selects a crop shape
from the table, and the selected shape is superimposed over the
image at 135 so that the user can move and/or resize the image
within the shape. If the user wants to reposition the image at 137,
he or she selects the desired position of the image at 139, e.g. by
positioning the pointing device over the image, depressing a button
on the device, and then dragging the image to the desired position.
If the user wants to resize the image at 141, the desired size is
selected at 143, and the image is resized and displayed within the
crop shape at 145.
[0050] If after manipulating the image the user wants to cancel the
cropping operation, at step 147, the "Cancel" entry on the sub-task
pane is selected at 149, and the operation is canceled, returning
the user to the main task pane, and displaying all of the selected
images at 151. However, as shown in FIG. 6b, if the user wants to
save the cropped image and move to another of the selected images
at 157, then the "Next" entry on the sub-task pane is selected at
159, and the next image in the group is displayed at 161 in place
of the first image so that the cropping operation can be repeated,
beginning at step 133. When this is done, the crop shape previously
selected is preferably displayed on top of the next displayed
image. However, the shape can be changed by selecting a different
shape in the sub-task pane. Alternately, if at step 157 the user
wants to return to the previous image of the group, then he or she
selects the "" entry on the sub-task pane at 163 and the previous
image is displayed at 165 for cropping. Repeated selection of the
"" or "Next" entries on the pane will sequentially display the
selected images in the group, and any images that have been cropped
will be displayed in the edited form. In each instance, the user at
167 is able to decide whether to crop the image and either continue
or cancel the operation. Alternately, the user can simply skip the
crop operation for the displayed image by selecting a no-crop
option in the entry 108.
[0051] If at step 153 all of the images have been individually
displayed for cropping, the user must decide if they are done with
the crop sub-task at step 155. If desired, the user can cancel the
cropping operation at 147. Otherwise, the program presents a "Done"
entry in place of the "Next" entry, and the user indicates
completion of the operation by selecting the entry at 169 so that
the editing steps performed are saved, and the user is returned to
the main task pane. If further crops are to be performed on one or
more of the selected images, the user can simply back through the
images until an image to be cropped is displayed.
[0052] The tint correction operation is preferably implemented in a
manner similar to the crop operation. Thus, with reference to FIG.
2, if a user selects the "Correct Tint" entry 90 on the main task
pane 78 after a group of open images displayed in the picture pane
have been selected, the tint correction operation is executed on
the selected images. The operation includes hiding all of the
selected images in the group except the first, taken in the order
the images are displayed on the filmstrip, and displaying a
sub-task pane in place of the main task pane. The sub-task pane 116
is shown in FIG. 7, and includes one or more option entries 118, a
"Cancel" entry 120 having an execution command for canceling the
cropping task without saving any crops made to images in the
currently selected group, a "Next" entry 122 having an execution
command for displaying the next selected image in the group in the
picture pane for cropping, and a "" entry 124 for displaying the
previous image in the group.
[0053] In an exemplary implementation of the system, the user is
given an option to either select an area of the displayed image
that is supposed to be white by moving the pointing device over the
entry and clicking a button on the device, or otherwise indicating
the selection. This selection executes an automatic tint correction
operation on the displayed image based on a conventional algorithm,
leaving nothing further for the user to customize. Alternately, the
entry 118 can be selected which permits the user to alter the tint
of the displayed selected image to achieve any desired effect. The
entry 118 includes a color ring 115 around which the color spectrum
is displayed, a slide bar 117, and a range list box 119 that permit
the tint of the displayed image to be altered. In addition, a
"Reset" entry 126 is displayed on the tint sub-task pane 116, and
has an execution command for undoing the current tint correction
applied by the selection of entry 118 so that another attempt can
be initiated by the user.
[0054] Once the user is satisfied with the tint correction
performed on the image displayed in the picture pane, he or she
indicates that the tint correction operation is complete by
selecting one of the entries 122, 124 to display another of the
images in the picture pane in much the same way as is done in
connection with the cropping operation. Once all of the images have
been displayed in the picture pane for tint correction, a "Done"
entry is displayed on the sub-task pane 116 for executing a save of
the changes to the images and returning to the main task pane.
[0055] In accordance with an alternate implementation of the
system, the tint correction is automated in a manner similar to the
brightness/contrast correction such that the user would simply
select the "Correct Tint" entry 90 on the main task pane 78 after a
group of open images displayed in the picture pane had been
selected. Thereafter, the tint of the selected images would be
corrected automatically in accordance with a conventional algorithm
provided in the implementation of the system. As such, no user
interaction would be required, and the images could be corrected
while displayed collectively as thumbnails.
[0056] Returning again to FIG. 2, if the user selects the "Save"
entry 92 on the main pane 78 after a group of open images displayed
in the picture pane have been selected, the save operation is
executed on the selected images. The operation includes displaying
a batch save sub-task pane 128, shown in FIG. 8, in place of the
main task pane while all of the selected images remain displayed in
the picture pane and filmstrip pane. The save sub-task pane 128
includes a file directory 130 for permitting the user to input the
location where the group of images is to be saved, a format entry
132 for allowing the user to save the group of images in one of a
number of different conventional formats, a name entry 134 in which
a base name can be attributed to the selected images of the group,
and a description entry 136 in which a description of the group of
images can be entered. In addition, "Save" and "Cancel" entries
138, 140 are provided, wherein the "Save" entry 138 includes an
execution command for saving the group of images in the selected
location in the selected format, and the "Cancel" entry 140 has an
execution command for canceling the currently selected save options
and returning to the main task pane.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 9, when the "Save" entry on the save
sub-task pane is selected at 171, the batch save sub-task pane is
displayed at 173. The user then selects the storage location at
175, the base name at 179 and any desired description at 181 by
entering or otherwise selecting the information in the entries 130,
132, 134, and 136 of the sub-task pane shown in FIG. 8. In
addition, the user can select the size in which the images are to
be saved, if desired. If, during entry of the noted selections, the
user wants to cancel the save operation, at 183, the "Cancel" entry
can be selected at 185. The operation is thereafter canceled at
187, returning the user to the main task pane.
[0058] If cancellation is not desired at 183, then the user must
decide at 189 whether to save the images in the manner selected. If
so, the user selects the "Save" entry on the sub-task pane at 191,
and the images are saved in the desired location and in the desired
format at 195 after being assigned the selected base name at 193.
If not, the user is returned to step 175.
[0059] Preferably, a numerical extension is added to the base name
of each image at 193, distinguishing the image from the others
selected. The extensions are preferably assigned in numerical order
corresponding to the order of the images as displayed in the
filmstrip pane 70. However, any other convention could be adopted.
Alternately, the images could be saved to each file's original
name, if desired. Once the save operation is completed by the
system at 195, the user is returned to the main task pane 78.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 2, if the user selects the "Send"
entry 94 of the main task pane 78 after a group of open images
displayed in the picture pane have been selected, the batch send
operation is executed on the selected images. The operation
includes displaying a batch send sub-task pane 142, shown in FIG.
10, in place of the main task pane while all of the selected images
remain displayed in the picture pane. The batch send sub-task pane
142 includes a first collection of radio buttons 144 having an
execution command for setting the size of the data files associated
with the selected images, and a second set of radio buttons 146
having an execution command for bundling the selected images into a
single executable file for immediate attachment to an e-mail to be
sent, or for saving so that the file can be attached to an email
later. "Done" and "Cancel" entries 148, 150 are also provided on
the batch send sub-task pane 142.
[0061] One advantage of providing bundling of the selected images
includes the limitation imposed by some Internet service providers
that an e-mail include no more than a single attachment. By
bundling the group of images in a single executable file, the
entire group of images can be attached to a single e-mail,
simplifying the process of sending images via e-mail.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, when a user selects the "Send" entry on
the main task pane at 197, the batch save sub-task pane is
displayed at 199, and the user can decide at 201 whether to change
the size of the images for sending. If a change is desired, the
user selects the desired size at 203. If not, the operation
proceeds to step 205 where the user must decide whether to send the
images immediately or save the single file containing the images
for sending later. If the images are to be sent immediately, the
"Send Now" entry of the sub-task pane is selected at 207. If not,
the "Save" entry is selected. Thereafter, at step 211, or at any
stage of the operation, if the user wants to cancel the operation,
the "Cancel" entry is selected at 213 and the current batch send
operation is canceled and the user is returned to the main task
pane at 215.
[0063] If, rather than canceling the send operation the user
decides at 217 that the operation is to be completed, he or she
selects the "Done" entry at 219. If the "Send Now" radio button is
currently selected at this step, then the images are batched at 225
as a single executable file and displayed at an attachment within
an e-mail application available to the operating system.
Thereafter, the user is returned to the main task pane at 227. If
the "Save" radio button of the sub-task pane is currently selected,
then at 223 the images are batched and saved as a single executable
file to be sent later, and the user is returned to the main task
pane.
[0064] Referring again to FIG. 2, if the user selects the "Print"
entry 96 of the main task pane 78 after selecting a group of the
open images displayed in the picture pane, the batch print
operation is executed on the selected images. The operation
includes displaying a first sub-task pane 152, shown in FIG. 12, in
place of the main task pane while all of the selected images remain
displayed in the picture pane. The sub-task pane 152 includes two
entries 154, 156, one 154 of which has an execution command for
initiating printing of the images in a conventional fashion with
one image printed per page, and the other 156 of which advances the
user to a sub-task pane 158, shown in FIG. 13, that enables the
user to print several of the selected images per page in any of a
number of different formats.
[0065] The sub-task pane 158 is a printer select sub-task pane
including a drop down list box 160 which enables the user to select
the type of printer on which the images are to be printed. Once the
user is satisfied with the correct printer has been selected, he or
she selects a "Next" entry 162 which includes an execution command
for retrieving and displaying the next sub-task pane in the batch
print operation. Alternately, the user can cancel the batch print
operation by selecting a "Cancel" entry 166, taking the user back
to the main task pane.
[0066] If several images are to be printed per page, and a printer
has been selected, the operation displays a template sub-task pane
168, as shown in FIG. 14, which includes an entry 170 for enabling
the user to select a category of templates into which the images
are organized for printing, and other options. Preferably, during
display of this sub-task pane, images of the templates in the
highlighted category are displayed in the picture pane in place of
the images to be printed, enabling the user to select the
particular template desired. The desired template is preferably
selected by moving the pointing device to the template and clicking
a button of the device. Once the template is selected and any other
options are chosen, the user indicates that the template selection
is complete by selecting a "Next" entry 172 which includes an
execution command for displaying an insert method sub-task pane in
the batch print operation. If the user wants to go back to the
previous sub-task pane, he or she selects a "" entry 174 which has
a command for canceling the current template selection and
displaying the previous sub-task pane. In addition, a "Cancel"
entry 176 is provided for canceling the current batch print
operation completely and returning to the main task pain.
[0067] The insert method sub-task pane 178 is illustrated in FIG.
15, and includes a pair of radio buttons 180, 182 for permitting
the user to either fit the images of the group within the template
without cropping the images, or crop the images to fill the
template. As with the previous batch print sub-task panes, entries
184, 186 are provided for indicating that the sub-task is complete
or that the user wants to return to the previous sub-task pane
within the batch print operation. In addition, a "Cancel" entry 188
is provided for canceling the current batch print operation and
returning to the main task pane.
[0068] If the "Next" entry 184 of the insert method sub-task is
selected, the operation proceeds by displaying one or more
additional sub-task panes 190, shown in FIG. 16, including entries
having execution commands for selecting the number of copies to be
printed, the quality of the prints, and other options. The number
and type of such options can be selected to suit the application.
The final sub-task pane 190 displayed during the operation includes
a "Print" entry 192 for executing printing of the images in the
templates selected. Likewise, an entry 194 is provided for
returning to the previously displayed sub-task pane of the
operation. A "Cancel" entry 196 can also be provided for canceling
the current batch print operation completely and returning to the
main task pane.
[0069] With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 17a, the operation
is initiated at 231 with the selection of the "Print" entry of the
main task pane. This selection executes display of the first
sub-task pane at 233, providing the user with the option to print
one image per page or multiple images at 235. If one image per page
is selected at 237, the images are printed in that fashion at 239
and the user is returned to the main task pane. If multiple pages
are selected at 241, then the second sub-task pane is displayed at
243. The user can cancel the operation at 291, as illustrated in
FIG. 17c, by selecting the "Cancel" entry on the pane, canceling
the batch print and returning the user to the main task pane at
293. Alternately, the user can select the printer settings at 245
and move on by selecting the "Next" entry at 247.
[0070] With reference to FIGS. 17a and 17b, the third sub-task pane
is displayed in response to selection of the "Next" entry at 247,
and at step 251 displays the templates of a pre-selected or default
category of templates identified in the sub-task pane. If the user
wants to view the templates of a different category at 253, he or
she selects another category at 255, and the templates of that
category are displayed at 257. Once the user is done selecting a
template category at 261, they can either return to the previous
sub-task pane by selecting the "" entry at 263 or proceed by
selecting the "Next" entry at 265.
[0071] Selection of the "Next" entry at 265 executes display of the
fourth sub-task pane at 267, where the user can either select the
"Fit" or "Fill" radio button at 269. If desired, at step 271 the
user can return to the previous sub-task pane by selecting the ""
entry at 273. Otherwise, the user selects the "Next" entry at 275,
executing the display of the fifth sub-task pane at 277.
[0072] In the fifth sub-task pane, at step 279, the user selects
the number of copies of the batch of images to be printed. In step
281, the user selects the desired quality. Again, if desired, the
user can cancel the operation at 291 or return to the previous
sub-task pane at 285 by selecting the "" entry. Otherwise, if done
at step 283, the user selects the "Print" entry at 287 and the
images are printed at 289, automatically rotating the images to fit
the aspect ratio of the template holes into which the images are
dropped, and returning the user to the main task pane.
[0073] If, subsequent to initiation of the system, the user selects
only one of the open images displayed in the picture pane, the
editing operations carried out on the one picture can either be
carried out by using the various sub-task panes described above, or
by employing panes from the photo editing software application with
which the system is implemented. However, the use of conventional
editing techniques on a single selected image do not take advantage
of the features of the present invention.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached
drawing, it is noted that substitutions may be made and equivalents
employed herein without departing from the scope of the invention
as recited in the claims. For example, although the invention has
been described with reference to several specific editing
operations that can be carried out in accordance with the present
invention, the invention is not limited to just these operations.
Rather, it can be employed with any desired editing operation that
a user might want to carry out on plural digitally represented
images.
* * * * *