Method and apparatus for integrating a digital camera user interface across multiple operating modes

What is claimed is:

1. A method for integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital camera having a display and a first button and a second button, the first button having a first orientation and the second button having a second orientation, the method comprising the steps of:

a) placing the digital camera into a first operating mode;

b) displaying mode-specific items in the display such that all the mode-specific items are displayed in an alignment that is mapped to the orientation of the first button to create a mapped navigation button;

c) scrolling the mode-specific items by pressing the mapped navigation button wherein the display indicates which of the mode-specific items is a currently active item, and wherein the mode-specific items are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new mode-specific items;

d) displaying additional information corresponding to the currently active item in the display in a location that is offset from the active item in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second button; and

e) placing the digital imaging device into a second operating mode and repeating steps b) through d) such that the user navigates both the first and second operating modes in substantially the same manner, thereby improving ease of use of the digital imaging device.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein when the camera is placed into first mode, the additional information includes a list of information items, the method further including the steps of:

d1) displaying the list of information items in an alignment corresponding to the orientation of the second button; and

d2) scrolling through the list of information items by pressing the second button.

3. The method as in claim 2 wherein step c) further includes the step of:

c1) providing the first button with left and a right navigation buttons having a horizontal orientation.

4. The method as in claim 3 wherein step d) further includes the step of:

providing the second button with up and down navigation buttons having a vertical orientation.

5. The method as in claim 4 further including the step of displaying a set of menu icons as the mode-specific items while in the first operating mode.

6. The method as in claim 5 further including the step of pressing the down navigation button to scroll through the list of information items corresponding to the currently active item.

7. The method as in claim 4 further including the step of displaying a set of thumbnail images corresponding to captured images as the mode-specific items when the digital camera is placed into the second operating mode.

8. The method as in claim 7 further including the step of displaying a large thumbnail as part of the additional information.

9. The method as in claim 8 further including the step of including as part of the additional information, one or more media types, a name, and a capture date and time for the active image, wherein the media types include a still image, a time lapse image, a burst image, and sound.

10. The method as in claim 4 further including the step of providing a third operating mode wherein when the digital camera is placed into the third operating mode, a set of icons representing camera features are displayed as the mode-specific items.

11. The method as in claim 10 further including the step of changing a particular one of the camera features by pressing one of the up and down navigation buttons to change a state of the corresponding icon.

12. A digital camera having an integrated user interface; comprising:

an image device for capturing image data;

a memory coupled to the imaging device for storing the image data as captured images;

a display;

a first set of navigation buttons having a first orientation;

a second set of navigation buttons having a second orientation;

multiple operating modes for supporting a plurality of digital camera functions; and

a processor coupled to the image device, the memory, the display and to the first and second set of navigation buttons for controlling operation of the digital camera and the multiple operating modes, such that at least two of the operating modes are navigated in substantially the same manner, wherein the processor includes,

means responsive to the digital camera being placed into the at least two operating modes for displaying mode-specific items in the display such that all the mode-specific items are displayed in an alignment that is mapped to the orientation of the first set of navigation buttons,

means for scrolling the mode-specific items in response to a user pressing the first set of navigation buttons, wherein an indication in the display indicates which of the mode-specific items is a currently active item, and wherein the mode-specific items are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new mode-specific items, and

means for displaying additional information corresponding to the currently active item in the display in a location that is offset from the active item in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second set of navigation buttons.

13. The digital camera of claim 12 wherein when the digital camera is placed into a first operating mode, the additional information includes a list of information items, wherein the processor further includes,

means for displaying the list of information items in an alignment corresponding to the orientation of the second set of navigation buttons; and

means for scrolling through the list of information items in response to the user pressing the second navigation button.

14. The digital camera as in claim 13 wherein the first set of navigation buttons have a horizontal orientation and the second set of navigation buttons have a vertical orientation.

15. The digital camera as in claim 14 wherein in the first operating mode the mode-specific items comprise icons representing menu categories.

16. The digital camera as in claim 15 wherein as the user presses the first set of navigation buttons to scroll through the set of icons, each of the icons is highlighted, and becomes an active icon in response to the user pressing one of the second set of navigation buttons.

17. The digital camera as in claim 16 wherein when the digital camera is placed into a second operating mode the mode-specific items comprise thumbnails representing captures images.

18. The digital camera as in claim 17 wherein when the digital camera is placed into the second operating mode the additional information includes a large thumbnail representing of the currently active item.

19. The digital camera as in claim 18 wherein when the digital camera is placed into a third operating mode the mode-specific items comprise icons representing camera feature settings.

20. The digital camera as in claim 19 wherein when the digital camera is placed into the third operating mode the additional information includes text representing the feature setting of the currently active item.

21. The digital camera as in claim 20 wherein the digital camera further includes a status display wherein when the digital camera is placed into the third operating mode the mode-specific items and the additional information are displayed in the status display.

22. A method for integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital imaging device, the digital imaging device including a display, and a navigational device including first and second control buttons for controlling the display, the method comprising the steps of:

a) placing the digital imaging device into a first operating mode;

b) displaying a plurality mode-specific items, such that all the mode-specific items are displayed in a horizontal row across the display;

c) providing a user controlled horizontal interaction whereby the user presses the first control button to horizontally scroll the plurality of mode-specific items in the row, which activates individual mode-specific items with each press, wherein the mode-specific items are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new mode-specific items; and

d) providing a vertical response from the digital imaging device wherein in a position on the display vertically offset from the plurality mode-specific items, the digital imaging device displays an optional combination of graphics and text corresponding to the activated mode-specific item; and

e) placing the digital imaging device into a second operating mode and repeating steps b) through d) such that the user navigates both the first and second operating modes in substantially the same manner, thereby improving ease of use of the digital imaging device.

23. A method as in claim 22 wherein step b) further includes the step of:

b1) displaying a plurality of thumbnail images as the mode-specific items.

24. A method as in claim 23 wherein step d) further includes the step of:

d1) displaying a large thumbnail image corresponding to the activated mode-specific item.

25. A method as in claim 24 wherein step d) further includes the step of:

d2) displaying text of an image name and date corresponding to the activated mode-specific item.

26. A method as in claim 22 wherein step b) further includes the step of:

b1) displaying a plurality of icons as the mode-specific items.

27. A method as in claim 26 wherein step d) further includes the step of:

d1) displaying a text feature list corresponding to the activated mode-specific item.

28. A method as in claim 26 wherein step d) further includes the step of:

d1) displaying text corresponding to a state of the activated mode-specific item.

29. A digital camera having an integrated user interface; comprising:

an image device for capturing image data;

a memory coupled to the imaging device for storing the image data as captured images;

a first set of navigation buttons having a first orientation and a second set of navigation buttons having a second orientation for controlling navigation;

a processor coupled to the image device, the memory, and to the first and second set of navigation buttons for controlling operation of the digital camera including a first operating mode and a second operating mode;

a primary display coupled to the processor, the primary display being divided into a first set of elements where all of the elements are aligned with the orientation of the first set of navigation buttons, and a second

element displayed offset from the first set of elements in a direction aligned with the orientation of the second set of navigation buttons, wherein when the camera is in the first operating mode, a user navigates the first set of elements using the first set of navigation buttons; and

a status display coupled to the processor, the status display being divided into a third set of elements and a fourth element, wherein all the elements in the third set are aligned with the orientation of the first set of navigation buttons and the fourth element is displayed offset from the third set of elements in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second set of navigation buttons, wherein when the camera is in the second operating mode, the user navigates the third set of elements using the first set of navigation buttons, whereby navigation of the second operating mode in the status display is substantially similar to navigation of the first operating mode in the primary display.

30. The digital camera as in claim 29 further including a first status control button and a second status control button wherein the user navigates the status display using the first and second status control buttons.

31. A method for integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital camera, the digital camera including a display, and a navigational device including first and second buttons for controlling the display, the first button having a first orientation and the second button having a second orientation, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the digital camera with a first mode for capturing images;

b) providing the digital camera with a second mode and a third mode that are navigated by a user in substantially the same manner by;

c) displaying a set of menu categories on the display in the second mode by

i) displaying all of the menu categories in alignment with the orientation of the first button,

ii) scrolling the menu categories in response to the user pressing the first button, wherein the display indicates which of the menu categories is a currently active menu category, wherein the menu categories are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new menu categories, and

iii) displaying additional information corresponding to the currently active menu category in the display in a location that is offset from the menu categories in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second button; and

d) playing back a set of thumbnail images on the display in the third mode by

i) displaying all of the thumbnail images in alignment with the orientation of the first button,

ii) scrolling the thumbnail images in response to the user pressing the first button, wherein the display indicates which of the thumbnail images is a currently active thumbnail image, wherein the thumbnail images are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new thumbnail images, and

iii) displaying additional information corresponding to the currently active thumbnail image in the display in a location that is offset from the thumbnail images in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second button, wherein operation of the third mode is consistent with operation of the second mode to thereby increase ease of use of the digital camera.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to digital cameras, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for integrating a digital camera user interface across multiple operating modes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most digital cameras today are similar in size to and behave like conventional point-and-shoot cameras. Unlike conventional cameras, however, most digital cameras store digital images in an internal flash memory or on external memory cards, and some are equipped with a liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen on the back of the camera. Through the use of the LCD, most digital cameras operate in two modes, record and play, although some only have a record mode. In record mode, the LCD is used as a viewfinder in which the user may view an object or scene before taking a picture. In play mode, the LCD is used as a playback screen for allowing the user to review previously captured images either individually or in arrays of four, nine, or sixteen images.

Digital camera user interfaces typically include a number of buttons or switches for setting the camera into one of the two modes and for navigating between images in play mode. One type of camera, for instance, includes two navigation buttons labeled "-" and "+", a mode button, a display button, a zoom button and a delete button. Play mode for this camera begins with a default screen displaying a full-sized individual image. Other images stored in the camera may then be displayed in a backward or forward sequence by pressing the "-" and "+" navigation buttons, respectively. Pressing the mode button during play mode causes four images to be displayed in a 2.times.2 array, and pressing the mode button again causes nine images to be displayed in a 3.times.3 array. The user can then "page" through screens of image arrays by pressing the navigation buttons, or the user can move from image to image in the arrays by first pressing the display button and then traversing across the images in the rows of the arrays using the navigation buttons. The user may have the full-sized image displayed of a chosen image by pressing the zoom button or can delete the image by pressing the delete button.

Although digital cameras that have both a record mode and a play mode are more versatile than digital cameras having only the record mode, two mode digital cameras suffer from several disadvantages associated with the camera's user interface. One disadvantage is that having only two modes means that either the camera only has a limited number of functions, or that several functions must be accessed in play mode since the record mode only has one function, capturing images. The disadvantages of having several functions in one mode is that the functions may have to be accessed through multiple levels of navigation screens, which complicates the operability of the camera.

Another disadvantage of conventional cameras is that the operation of user interface is non-intuitive, especially for the novice user. The user interface is non-intuitive because the operation of the user interface across different modes and/or navigation screens is inconsistent. Accessing most features in the two mode camera described above, for instance, requires that the user press the keys of the interface in a certain sequence. Each of these key sequences may be different depending on which play-mode navigation screen is displayed, the navigation screen showing individual images or the navigation screen showing arrays of images. For example, the function of the display button changes when the navigation screens change, and in some situations where the display button has been depressed, the mode button either becomes inoperable or the functionality of mode button becomes mutually exclusive with the functionality of the zoom button. Furthermore, because each navigation screen has a different key sequence, it is not obvious to the user how to exit that screen or how to choose a particular function. Thus, this type of user interface requires that the user memorize a different key sequence for each navigation screen before being able to effectively operate the camera.

A further disadvantage of conventional digital-camera user-interfaces is that the camera is capable of displaying only the images themselves, or a combination of an image and its image number. The user interface is either incapable of delivering further information regarding displayed images and the camera features, or accessing such information requires the user to enter another non-intuitive and complicated key sequence.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved user interface for a multi-mode digital camera. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and system for integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital camera wherein mode-specific items are displayed on a display when the digital camera is placed into a particular operating mode. The digital camera includes a first and a second navigation button for interacting with the operating modes, where the first navigation button has a first orientation and the second navigation button has a second orientation. The method includes the step of mapping an aligned set of mode-specific items in the display to the orientation of the first navigation button. After the mode-specific items are displayed, the user scrolls from one mode-specific item to the next in the aligned set by pressing the first navigation button, and the display indicates which of the mode-specific items is a currently active item. After a mode-specific item becomes the active item, additional information is displayed corresponding to the currently active item in the display in a location that is offset from the active item in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second button. In certain modes, the additional information includes a list of information items that is displayed in an alignment corresponding to the orientation of the second button, wherein the user can scroll through the list of information items using the second navigation button.

According to the method and apparatus disclosed herein, the digital camera is provided with more than two modes wherein the user can navigate, manipulate, and view camera contents using a consistent and intuitive spatial navigation technique. Providing more than one mode in which the user can view images and camera contents reduces the complexity of the user interface, and the spatial navigation frees the user from entering long key sequences. The user interface also automatically displays context sensitive information regarding the active item, which reduces the input required from the user and thereby increases the ease of use and operation of the digital camera.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera that operates in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment for the imaging device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the preferred embodiment for the computer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a memory map showing the preferred embodiment of the Dynamic Random-Access-Memory (DRAM).

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the input buffers and frame buffers.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams depicting the back and top view, respectively, of a digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the process of integrating a user interface across multiple operating modes of a digital camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the alignment of the mode-specific items are mapped to the orientation of the horizontal navigation buttons.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the user interface illustrating that when the mode-specific items are displayed horizontally, information corresponding to an active item is displayed vertically offset from the row of mode-specific items.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation and appearance of the integrated user interface during review mode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation and appearance of the integrated user interface during menu mode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation and appearance of the integrated user interface during capture mode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improvement in user interfaces of digital imaging devices, including digital cameras. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

The present invention is a method and apparatus for integrating a digital camera user interface across multiple operating modes. According to the present invention, a method and system is provided for providing a digital camera with more than two modes and for providing a consistent and intuitive user interface across the multiple modes. The operation of the user interface across the multiple modes includes a user controlled horizontal interaction following by a reply from the camera of a vertical display of additional information in response to the user controlled horizontal interaction.

A digital camera architecture has been disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/666,241, entitled "A System And Method For Using A Unified Memory Architecture To Implement A Digital Camera Device," filed on Jun. 20, 1996. The Applicant hereby incorporates the co-pending application by reference, and reproduces portions of that application herein with reference to FIGS. 1-3 for convenience.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a digital camera 110 is shown according to the present invention. Camera 110 preferably comprises an imaging device 114, a system bus 116 and a computer 118. Imaging device 114 is optically coupled to an object 112 and electrically coupled via system bus 116 to computer 118. Once a photographer has focused imaging device 114 on object 112 and, using a capture button or some other means, instructed camera 110 to capture an image of object 112, computer 118 commands imaging device 114 via system bus 116 to capture raw image data representing object 112. The captured raw image data is transferred over system bus 116 to computer 118 which performs various image processing functions on the image data before storing it in its internal memory. System bus 116 also passes various status and control signals between imaging device 114 and computer 118.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the preferred embodiment of imaging device 114 is shown. Imaging device 114 preferably comprises a lens 220 having an iris, a filter 222, an image sensor 224, a timing generator 226, an analog signal processor (ASP) 228, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 230, an interface 232, and one or more motors 234.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,106, entitled "A System and Method For Generating a Contrast Overlay as a Focus Assist for an Imaging Device," is incorporated herein by reference and provides a detailed discussion of the preferred elements of imaging device 114. Briefly, imaging device 114 captures an image of object 112 via reflected light impacting image sensor 224 along optical path 236. Image sensor 224, which is preferably a charged coupled device (CCD), responsively generates a set of raw image data in CCD format representing the captured image 112. The raw image data is then routed through ASP 228, A/D converter 230 and interface 232. Interface 232 has outputs for controlling ASP 228, motors 234 and timing generator 226. From interface 232, the raw image data passes over system bus 116 to computer 118.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the preferred embodiment for computer 118 is shown. System bus 116 provides connection paths between imaging device 114, an optional power manager 342, central processing unit (CPU) 344, dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) 346, input/output interface (I/O) 348, non-volatile memory 350, and buffers/connector 352. Removable memory 354 connects to system bus 116 via buffers/connector 352. Alternately, camera 110 may be implemented without removable memory 354 or buffers/connector 352.

Power manager 342 communicates via line 366 with power supply 356 and coordinates power management operations for camera 110. CPU 344 typically includes a conventional processor device for controlling the operation of camera 110. In the preferred embodiment, CPU 344 is capable of concurrently running multiple software routines to control the various processes of camera 110 within a multi-threading environment. DRAM 346 is a contiguous block of dynamic memory which may be selectively allocated to various storage functions. LCD controller 390 accesses DRAM 346 and transfers processed image data to LCD screen 402 for display.

I/O 348 is an interface device allowing communications to and from computer 118. For example, I/O 348 permits an external host computer (not shown) to connect to and communicate with computer 118. I/O 348 also interfaces with a plurality of buttons and/or dials 404, and an optional status LCD 406, which in addition to the LCD screen 402, are the hardware elements of the camera's user interface 408.

Non-volatile memory 350, which may typically comprise a conventional read-only memory or flash memory, stores a set of computer-readable program instructions to control the operation of camera 110. Removable memory 354 serves as an additional image data storage area and is preferably a non-volatile device, readily removable and replaceable by a camera 110 user via buffers/connector 352. Thus, a user who possesses several removable memories 354 may replace a full removable memory 354 with an empty removable memory 354 to effectively expand the picture-taking capacity of camera 110. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, removable memory 354 is typically implemented using a flash disk.

Power supply 356 supplies operating power to the various components of camera 110. In the preferred embodiment, power supply 356 provides operating power to