Patent ID: 6680749
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for providing a user interface for a digital camera having a display, a first button having a first orientation, and a second button having a second orientation, the digital camera having a plurality of captured images, the method comprising the steps of:a) selecting one of the captured images; b) executing an application program on the digital camera that applies a plurality of effects to the selected image to provide a plurality of real-time preview results; c) displaying the plurality of real-time preview results as an aligned set of thumbnail images in the display to thereby provide a real-time preview of each type of effect applied to the selected image, wherein all the thumbnail images are displayed in an alignment that is mapped to the orientation of the first button to create a mapped navigation button; d) scrolling the thumbnail images in response to a user pressing the mapped navigation button wherein the display indicates which of the thumbnail images is a currently selected effect, and wherein the thumbnail images are scrolled-off the display and replaced by new thumbnail images; e) applying the selected effect to the selected image to create a large modified thumbnail image and displaying the large modified thumbnail image in the display in a location that is offset from the aligned set of thumbnail images in a direction of orientation corresponding to that of the second button; and f) providing the digital camera with multiple operating modes, wherein when the digital camera is in at least one of the operating modes the user navigates both the application program and the operating mode in substantially the same manner, thereby improving ease-of-use of the digital camera.