Patent ID: 6493028
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
A method for adding new file formats on a digital imaging device, the digital imaging device also including at least one built-in file format, the at least one built-in file format capable of including all file formats which the digital imaging device is provided during manufacture, the method comprising the steps of:allowing a user to load a first file extension module including a second file format previously unsupported by the digital imaging device; providing a management layer, the management layer for communicating with the first file extension module to write or read an image file having the second file format and for communicating with a portion of the digital imaging device using an internal format that includes the at least one built-in file format; providing at least one data processing utility, the data processing utility for converting data between the second file format and the internal format; and for a capturing an image to be stored in the second format, storing the image in the internal first and using the management layer, the first file extension module and the at least one data processing utility to convert the image from the internal format to the second file format; thereby allowing the digital imaging device to support the at least one built-in first file format and the second file format added by the user without requiring that any of the at least one built-in file format be replaced.