# US 5,703,696 A · Image memory apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,703,696 A - Document ID: US5703696A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/288,429 - Filed: 1994-08-10 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1989-05-10 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Masanori Sakai; Toshihiro Kadowaki; Naoto Arakawa; Tetsuya Ohnishi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5703696A ## CPC - H04N 1/00384: {Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads (electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00)} - H04N 1/00352: {Input means (H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00)} - H04N 1/00392: {Other manual input means, e.g. digitisers or writing tablets} - H04N 1/00411: {the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen} - H04N 1/00413: {using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options (H04N1/00464 takes precedence)} - H04N 1/00416: {Multi-level menus} - H04N 1/00424: {using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar} - H04N 1/00427: {using a menu list (H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence)} - H04N 1/00435: {arranged in a predetermined sequence, e.g. using next and previous buttons} - H04N 1/00437: {Intelligent menus, e.g. anticipating user selections} - H04N 1/0044: {for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet} - H04N 1/00466: {displaying finishing information, e.g. position of punch holes or staple or orientation references} - H04N 1/00472: {using a pop-up window} - H04N 1/00474: {outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print} - H04N 1/00482: {outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution} - H04N 1/00816: {Determining the reading area, e.g. eliminating reading of margins} - H04N 1/32358: {using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter (H04N1/17 takes precedence)} - H04N 1/3875: {combined with enlarging or reducing (enlarging or reducing per se H04N1/393)} - H04N 1/6016: {Conversion to subtractive colour signals} - H04N 2201/218: Deletion of stored data; Preventing such deletion - H04N 2201/3287: Storage of at least one complete document page or image frame - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An image memory apparatus includes a unit for storing input image information, a unit for designating a storing capacity of the storing unit for the input image information, and a control unit for performing storing control of the storing unit for the input image information in accordance with an instruction from the designating unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image memory apparatus comprising: a) means for storing input image information; b) first means for manually designating a storing capacity of said storing means for the input image information; c) second means for manually designating a portion of image area of the input image information; d) control means for controlling a storing method of said storing means for the input image information in accordance with a manual designation by said first designating means and a manual designation by said second designating means; and e) display means for displaying the storing capacity designated by said first means and the portion of image data of the input image information, wherein said first means and said second means and said display means operate interactively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image information is information obtained by reading an original image. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storing means comprises a semiconductor memory. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said designating means can continuously designate the storing capacity of said storing means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storing means is divided into a plurality of storing blocks, and said control means selects the number of divided blocks. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for graphically displaying a designation state of said designating means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said display means comprises an LCD display. ### Claim 8 An image storing apparatus comprising: a) means for selecting an image information source from among a plurality of input image information sources; b) means for guiding manual designation of a storing capacity of a storing means in response to a predetermined selection of said selecting means, wherein said guiding means guides the storing capacity designation by displaying information based on a capacity of the storing means; and c) storing control means for performing storing control of input image information into said storing means in accordance with the designated storing capacity in the case where said selecting means selects said predetermined selection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the input image information is information obtained by reading an original image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said storing means comprises a semiconductor memory. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said designating means can continuously designate the storing capacity of said storing means. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said storing means is divided into a plurality of storing blocks, and said control means selects the number of divided blocks. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising display means for graphically displaying a designation state of said designating means. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said display means comprises an LCD display. ### Claim 15 An image memory apparatus comprising: a) storing means for storing input image information; b) interactive designating means for interactively permitting manual designation of a capacity of said storing means for subsequent use of the capacity of said storing means after storing said input image information, wherein said designating means interactively permits manual designation of the capacity by displaying information based on a capacity of said storing means; and c) control means for controlling storing of the input image information into the storing means in accordance with a manual designation from said designating means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the input image information is information obtained by reading an original image. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising display means for graphically displaying a designation state of said designating means. ### Claim 18 A method for managing image memory usage, comprising: a) storing input image information; b) a first designating step of manually designating a storing capacity of said storing step for the input image information; c) a second designating step of manually designating a portion of image area of the input image information; d) controlling said step for storing the input image information in accordance with a manual designation by said first designating step and a manual designation by said second designating step; and e) displaying the storing capacity designated by said first designating step and the portion of image area of the input image information, wherein said first designating step and said second designating step are performed interactively. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein the input image information is information obtained by reading an original image. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein in the storing step the input image information is stored in a semiconductor memory. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein said designating step continuously designates the storing capacity of said storing step. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein said storing step stores the input information in a storage means which is divided into a plurality of storing blocks, and said control step selects the number of divided blocks. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, further comprising a second displaying step for graphically displaying a designation state of said first designating step. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A method according to claim 23, wherein said second displaying step displays the designation state on an LCD display.