Patent ID: 6512548
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for providing instant review of a last image captured by an image capture device, the image capture device including a viewfinder for displaying a live image and each image of a plurality of captured images, and a buffer for storing an image for display on the viewfinder, wherein the image capture device further includes an image processing system, wherein the image processing system further provides a plurality of screennail images corresponding to the plurality of images, the method comprising the steps of:(a) allowing a user to select instant review of a last image captured by the image capture device; (b) determining a status and location of the last image; and and wherein step (b) further comprises the step of: (b1) determining if the last image is stored in the buffer; and (b2) checking a status of the last image in the image processing system if the last image is not stored in the buffer, and wherein step (b2) further comprises the step of: (b2i) determining if the screennail image corresponding to the last image has been generated; (c) providing the last image to the viewfinder for display to allow the last image to be edited before image processing for the last image is completed, wherein editing includes allowing a user to add supplemental data to the image; wherein the image capture device is capable of displaying the last image substantially immediately after the last image has been captured; and wherein step (c) further comprises the steps of: (c1) providing the last image from the buffer to the viewfinder if the last image is stored in the buffer; (c2) retrieving and resizing the screennail image and providing the screennail image to the viewfinder if the screennail image corresponding to the last image has been generated.