WO1997026757A1

WO1997026757A1 - Electronic digital camera with image identification

Info

Publication number: WO1997026757A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/000460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken Kryda
Original assignee: Obsidian Imaging, Inc.
Priority date: 1996-01-16
Filing date: 1997-01-16
Publication date: 1997-07-24

Abstract

An electronic still image digital camera (10) having a processor (18) programmed to contain a variety of data selections. Upon activation of the camera (10), a list of the data selections is displayed on a touch LCD display. The camera operator can then select from the provided data selections to input a descriptive image identifier for a particular still image to be recorded by the digital camera (10). The camera (10) creates digital image data corresponding to the particular still image, and image identifier data corresponding to the selected image identifier. This data can then be outputted, for example through a PCMCIA slot to a PCMCIA memory card.

Description

Specification ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CAMERA WITH IMAGE IDENTIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to an electronic still video camera, and more particularly to an electronic still video camera having a touch LCD display through which an operator can enter data for input to the camera for identifying each recorded image, the camera operating to output the identification data with the image data so as to uniquely identify each image recorded.

Brief Description of the Prior Art Descriptive and accurate identification of an image recorded by an electronic still camera is a problem in a number of fields of use. For example, a real estate agent may take numerous pictures of a number of different dwellings on a single day, all stored on a single disk. In order to accurately identify each picture, the agent needs to keep a separate log with a high degree of accuracy in order to avoid subsequent mis-labeling of the pictures. A single omission could result in chaos if the particular point of error is not known. The insurance field has a similar problem in taking pictures at accident sites. Each picture needs to be carefully identified with descriptive data as to view, angle, etc. In both of these fields and possibly others, a large amount of clerical work is required to keep the pictures organized and properly identified for use in record books and reports. In addition to the high cost of record keeping, there is always the problem of identification of a misplaced photo. There is clearly a need for some kind of label that is permanently associated with each recorded image. Such a label would avoid the possibility of confusion due to error in keeping an auxiliary/companion log book, and would minimize the large amount of clerical time currently spent in keeping records for photo identification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic still video camera that allows a user to record selected image identification information along with each recorded image. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electronic still video camera with a touch LCD display for user input of an image identifier selected from a variety of data selections. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an electronic still video camera having push buttons for user input of an image identifier. Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic still image digital camera having a processor programmed to contain a variety of data selections. Upon activation of the camera, a list of the data selections is displayed on a touch LCD display. The camera operator can then select from the provided data selections to input a descriptive image identifier for a particular still image to be recorded by the digital camera. The camera creates digital image data corresponding to the particular still image, and image identifier data corresponding to the selected image identifier. This data can then be outputted, for example through a PCMCIA slot to a PCMCIA memory card. An advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the need to keep a separate record for identifi- cation of pictures taken with an electronic digital camera. Another advantage of the present invention is that it avoids loss of identification of a particular image. A further advantage of the present invention is that it reduces clerical work otherwise required to correlate and keep records of pictures and their identification. IN THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic digital camera having an image identification input device by which a user can enter specific image identifier data; Fig. 2 is a preferred embodiment of the processor of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a preferred embodiment of the image input interface circuit of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the memory of Fig. 2; Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the image ID input device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 is a flow chart of the operation of the electronic digital camera with image identification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a block diagram of an electronic digital camera 10 according to the present invention, having a facility for allowing an operator to enter an image identifier for each individual recorded image. There is an image optical pickup 12 for receiving light images 14 and converting them to a corresponding analog electric signal which is transmitted through bus 16 to a processor 18. The processor 18 is further interconnected to an image ID input device 20 through bus 22, and to a shutter activator 24 by way of line 26. Data is transmitted from the processor 18 through a data output interface 28 by way of bus 30. Fig. 1 also shows a destination device 32 and a power supply 34. The terms "signal" and "data" will be used somewhat interchangeably throughout the following text. The term "signal" will generally be used when referring to electrical waves being propagated along some transmission means, and the term "data" will be used when referring to the stored digital information. In any case, the meaning of "signal" or "data" will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the specific term used will not be controlling as to the meaning. Referring again to Fig. 1, in operation the processor 18 responds to the shutter activator 24 by converting the analog electric signal and storing it as digital image data. In addition, the processor 18 stores data selections for output to the image ID input device, which displays the data selections so an operator can create an image identifier for a particular image/picture. The data selections can be in the form of names, name segments, and/or optional menus or keyboard characters as alternate embodiments of the invention. Various possibilities of menus and lists and their display will be understood by those skilled in the art, and these are included in the spirit of the invention. Upon operator selection of an image identifier from the data selections, the corresponding image identifier data is entered into the processor 18, and subsequently made available for output through the data output interface 28 along with the corresponding digital image data for reception by a destina- tion device 32. Power for the camera 10 is supplied by way of the power supply 34 through interconnections which are not shown. The image optical pickup 12 converts the light 14 to the analog electric signal when a user operates the shutter activator 24. The preferred embodiment of the pickup 12 is a charge coupled device, but other types of pickups are also included in the spirit of the present invention, such as infrared or ultraviolet sensors. The pickup 12 receives horizontal, vertical, and electronic exposure signals from the processor 18, and sends the analog electric signal to the processor 18 by way of bus 14. Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the processor 18. [The interface circuit 36 stores a reference signal and the raw analog electric signal, received from the pickup 12 through bus 16, and outputs the refined corresponding digital image signal to an integrated multiprocessor 38 by way of bus 40. These operations are performed in response to a digital interface circuit command signal and a timing activation signal from the integrated multiprocessor 38, received by way of bus 40.] The integrated multiprocessor 38 responds to the shutter activator 24, interconnected through line 26. The multiprocessor 38 performs the operation of sending the interface circuit command signal and the timing activation signals to the interface circuit 36, and receiving the digital image signal from the interface circuit 36. The multiprocessor 38 acts upon the digital image signal from bus 40, and the image identifier signal received from the image ID input device 20 through bus 22, and stores the information content of the signals as data in memory 42, interconnected by bus 44. The data is subsequently passed by the multiprocessor 38 though bus 46 to the data output interface 28. The interface 28 provides interconnection to a destination device 32 for receiving the digital image data and image identifier data. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a PCMCIA slot for the data output interface 28 for interconnection to a PCMCIA memory card destination device. Other types of data output interfaces for other destination devices are included in the spirit of the invention, including for example an output to a 3.5-inch diskette destination device, output to a computer network, output to a modem, or a serial or parallel port for output to a computer. The integrated multiprocessor 38 is preferably a single chip system containing a processor, PCMCIA controller, memory controller, communications processor, LCD controller, timers, interrupt controller, and serial ports. An example of such a multiprocessor is the Motorola MPC 821. Other equivalent parts are included in the spirit of the invention. The memory 42 is programmed to store the data selections, including a selection of name segments that the multiprocessor 38 makes available to an operator through use of the image ID input device 20. The chosen data selections for a particular image are recorded by the multiprocessor 38 in memory 42 and then transmitted through the data output interface 28 to the destination device 32. Referring to Fig. 3, a preferred embodiment of the image interface circuit 36 is shown in more detail. The circuit 36 includes a correlated double sampler (CDS) 48 with an input line 50 from bus 16, an input 52 from a digital to analog converter (D/A) 54 and an output 56 to an analog to digital converter (A/D) 58. The A/D converter 58 has an output 60 to bus 40, and the D/A converter 54 has an input 62 from bus 40. There is also a timing generator 64 with an input 66 from bus 40, and an output 68 to bus 16. The CDS circuit 48 has two sample and hold circuits (not shown) connected to the inputs of a differential amplifier (not shown) . One sample and hold circuit stores a reference signal from the pickup 12 received through line 50, while the other sample and hold circuit stores the raw image signal from the pickup 12, also through line 50. The CDS circuit 48, in response to an analog signal received by way of line 52 from the D/A convertor 54, outputs a refined, corrected image signal on line 56. The details of the CDS circuit are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail here. The A/D converter 58 converts the output from the CDS circuit to a digital signal and sends it to the multiprocessor 38 via line 60. The timing generator 64 in response to a signal on line 66 from the multiprocessor 38, outputs a proper timing signal to the pickup 12. Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the memory 42 as having a separate frame buffer 70 with an input-output sub-bus 72 joining bus 44, and a flash memory 74 with an input-output sub-bus 76 also joining bus 44. The frame buffer 70 is preferably a high speed memory system capable of recording CCD image data at over 10 million samples per second. The flash memory 74 is preferably a large memory circuit that exhibits fast read timing, but slower write timing. The flash memory 74 is also used to store application software for the camera 10. As briefly discussed above, the memory 42 is programmed to store various data selections which are sent by the multip- rocessor 38 to the ID input device 20, from which an operator can create a particular image identifier. The ID input device 20 could take on many forms in the spirit of the present invention, such as a conventional keyboard. It could also be an input device such as a remote control with a keyboard, the remote control emitting a radiated signal carrying the input information to a receiver on or in the camera. Such technology is well known to those skilled in the art, such as in the use of remote controls for television, etc. A preferred embodiment of the ID input device 20 according to the present invention is a touch LCD display 78 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The multiprocessor 38 outputs data selections to the LCD display 78, and the operator makes his particular selections by pressing the corresponding area, which causes the coordinates of that location to be sent to the multiprocessor 38. The example shows three general categories of name segments in Fig. 5, including residential 80, automobile 82, and keyboard 84. For example, if the operator pushed area 82 corresponding to automobile, a display such as Fig. 6 would be presented, or alternatively, the first row of Fig. 6 could be displayed from which the operator would make a selection of a particular list for either 2-door 88, 4-door 90, or station wagon 92 listings. The group of name segments 89 in Fig. 6 is an example of name segments that could be displayed as a result of pushing the 4-door area 90. If additional data needed to be entered to create a proper image identifier, the operator could push area 94 for a new selection (NEWSEL) , which would result in the display of Fig. 5 again. According to the example of Fig. 6, when the operator has completed the selection of an identifier, the operator pushes the enter area 96, and the processor causes the image identifier data to be written in the memory 42, and associated with the particular image to be recorded. As an additional feature, the cancel 95 area with corresponding programming in the camera can be provided. If the operator makes an error in selection, he can start over by pushing this area. The image data and identifier data are subsequently sent through the interface 28 to the destination 32. The image data and image identifier data stored in memory 42 can be automatically sent to the destination device 32, or can be sent upon operator inputting a transmit command, which can be accomplished in a number of ways, such as through use of a transmit button 98. The above description of the display given in Figs. 5 and 6 is by way of example, and many other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The operation of the electronic digital camera with image identification is displayed in the flow chart of Fig. 7. Operation begins when a user implements the shutter activator 24 of Fig. 1. This is indicated in block 100 of Fig. 7 as a shutter button. Although the preferred embodiment for the shutter activator is a shutter button, other kinds of devices known to those skilled in this art are included in the spirit of the present invention, such as various kinds of remote control devices. Pressing the shutter button activates the multiprocessor 38 to power up and initialize the hardware, as indicated by block 102. The multiprocessor 38 sends a signal to the timing generator 64 (Fig. 3) which outputs a signal to activate the optical pickup 12, which is preferably a charge coupled device (CCD) . Image data is then sent to the frame buffer 70 (Fig. 4) as previously explained and now illustrated as block 104 in Fig. 7. The multiprocessor 38 performs a test for exposure and if it is not within pre-set limits, an adjustment signal is sent back to the image interface circuit 36 to adjust the shutter of the pickup 12 and send a new image, i.e. analog electric signal. This is indicated by the decision block 106 and feedback block 108. When the exposure meets the pre-set conditions, the multiprocessor 38 causes the data selections, such as name segments, to be entered on the display, the preferred embodiment being an LCD touch display, as previously described, the operation now indicated in block 110 of Fig. 7. The user enters the desired image identifier data as previously explained in reference to Figs. 5 and 6, or by means of other alternate input devices known to those skilled in the art. This is indicated by block 112. The multiprocessor then constructs the image identifier (data) , described as a picture file name in block 114, from the user inputs (image identifier data) indicated by block 114, and sends the picture with the user-supplied identifier (image identifier) through the data output interface to the destina- tion device. This is indicated as block 116, with specific reference to writing the picture with filename (image identifier) to the preferred destination device, noted as a PCMCIA card in block 116. This completes the picture-taking sequence and the processor turns off the power, as indicated in block 118. Alternatively, the camera can be turned on or off with a manual, user-operated on/off switch or other means well known to those skilled in the art. Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it will be appreciated that certain alterations and modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended frames be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed is:

Claims

1. An electronic digital camera comprising: a) means for receiving a light image and recording a corresponding digital image data,* and b) means for user input of image identifier data to said camera to identify said light image.

2. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 1 further comprising: means for outputting said digital image data and said image identifier data.

3. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for outputting includes a PCMCIA slot for outputting to a PCMCIA card.

4. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for user input of said image identifier data includes touch LCD display means including an LCD display upon which is displayed data selections from which said user can input said image identifier data.

5. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 4 further comprising means for outputting said digital image data and said image identifier data.

6. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for outputting includes a PCMCIA slot for outputting to a PCMCIA card.

7. An electronic digital camera comprising: a) an image optical pickup for receiving light and outputting a corresponding analog electric signal; b) a shutter activator for activating said electronic digital camera; c) an image identification input device for operator input of image identifier data to said electronic digital camera for identifying said image,- d) a data output interface; e) signal processing means responsive to said shutter activator to power up and initialize said camera, and to provide a control signal to said image optical pickup for exposure control, and to receive said analog electric signal and convert said analog electric signal to corresponding digital image data, and to output said image data and said image identifier data to said data output interface for transmission to a destination device.

8. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 7 wherein said data output interface is a PCMCIA slot for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a PCMCIA card destination device.

9. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 7 wherein said signal processing means provides data selections to said image identification input device, whereby said operator can select specific combinations of said data selections to input as said image identifier data.

10. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 9 wherein said data output interface is a PCMCIA slot for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a PCMCIA card destination device.

11. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 9 wherein said data output interface is an output for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a computer network .

12. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 9 wherein said data output interface is an output for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a mode .

13. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 9 wherein said data output interface is a serial output for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a computer.

14. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 9 wherein said data output interface is a parallel output for transmission of said digital image data and said image identifier data to a computer.

15. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 7 wherein said image identification input device is a touch LCD display.

16. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 7 wherein said image identification input device is a remote control device.

17. An electronic digital camera as recited in claim 7 wherein said remote control device contains a touch LCD display.