Method and system for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device using dynamic overlay bars
AssigneeFlashPoint Technology, Inc.
InventorEric C. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device having a display using dynamic overlay bars. The digital imaging device includes at least two operating modes, where each of the operating modes has at least one mode-specific operation that can be performed on images. In response to operating in both of the operating modes, the digital imaging device displays a first overlay bar on the display that is dynamically updated with status information and interactive instructions that guide the user through the mode-specific operations.
Claims9
A method for controlling user interaction in a digital imaging device using dynamic overlay bars, the digital imaging device including a display, a first function key, and at least two operating modes for capturing, storing, and reviewing the images, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) displaying mode-specific information on a first overlay bar that is displayed translucently over a current image in the display;
- b) displaying a mode-specific function label corresponding to the first function key in a second overlay bar, wherein the mode-specific function label indicates which one of a plurality of predefined functions is assigned to the first function key;
- c) dynamically changing the mode-specific information and the mode-specific function label during operation of the digital imaging device to automatically guide a user through operation of the digital imaging device;
- and
- d) automatically changing the predefined function assigned to the first function key and the mode-specific function label based on conditions existing in the digital imaging device.
A digital imaging device comprising:
- an imaging device for capturing image data;
- a memory coupled to the imaging device for storing the image data as captured images;
- a display for displaying a captured image;
- a processor coupled to the imaging device-and to the memory for controlling operation of the digital imaging device and for operating the imageing device in at least two operating modes;
- at least one overlay bar displayed on the display, the at least one overlay bar including a translucent background and a combination of mode-specific status information and interactive instructions, wherein the interactive instructions automatically guide a user through a mode-specific operation;
- and
- a set of soft keys, wherein the at least one overlay bar further displays soft key labels to indicate which one of a plurality of functions is assigned to the corresponding soft key, wherein in response to a user pressing a first one of the soft keys, the processor applies the function assigned to the first one of the soft keys to a first captured image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.