Abstract:
A system and method for indicating suggested user responses is disclosed. The method includes loading an image into image-editing equipment. The method further includes determining a set of quality-related problems of the image using software. An animated icon is displayed in conjunction with the image, and indicates a suggested user response to one of the quality-related problems. Other embodiments may include matching a corrective function with one of said set of quality-related problems, and indicating the suggested user response in response to the matching. Further embodiments may perform the indicating by having the animated icon proffer a tool icon, or by performing a related editing to the animated icon. Finally, in other embodiments the method may include moving the animated icon to alternate image-editing equipment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application, entitled “Animated Character Photo Editing Interface”, Ser. No. 60/181,840, filed Feb. 11, 2000, and further claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional patent application, entitled “Cross Platform Education Icon”, Ser. No. 60/181,787, filed Feb. 11, 2000. 
   COPYRIGHT NOTICE/PERMISSION 
   A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings hereto: Copyright © 2000, Sony Electronics Inc., All Rights Reserved. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the field of digital photography. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for showing a user how to operate photo-editing software in either a workstation or in a digital camera. 
   (2) Description of Related Art 
   Image editing is a process that may entail a large number of potential procedures. There may be dozens of types of edits that may be used, such as correcting for exposure, color balance, cropping, and many other attributes of a photographic or other image. Furthermore, the editing may take place at different stages of the photographic process. It may take place within a digital camera, within a workstation, or over the Internet at a remote user&#39;s station. In past embodiments of editing software, different user interfaces have been used during each procedure of the process. This has made learning and using the different editing software more difficult and time consuming. Therefore, a method for presenting photo editing for user convenience is at issue in photo-editing systems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A system and method for indicating suggested user responses is disclosed. The method includes loading an image into an image-editing equipment. The method further includes determining a set of quality-related problems of the image using software. An animated icon is displayed in conjunction with the image, and indicates a suggested user response to one of the quality-related problems. Other embodiments may include matching a corrective function with one of said set of quality-related problems, and indicating the suggested user response in response to the matching. Further embodiments may perform the indicating by having the animated icon proffer a tool icon, or by performing a related editing to the animated icon. Finally, in other embodiments the method may include moving the animated icon to an alternate image-editing equipment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a photo editing and camera system, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a photo editing system, according to the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a camera, according to the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an icon demonstrating a brightness correction function on the image, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an icon demonstrating a brightness correction function by changing the icon&#39;s brightness, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an icon demonstrating a cropping function by showing scissors and cut lines on the image, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an icon demonstrating a cropping function by showing a cropped icon and cut lines on the image, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an icon traveling between devices, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a computer software configuration item module diagram, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a data flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, one having an ordinary skill in the art will be able to practice the invention without these specific details. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
   An animated character is used for photo-editing. This animated character may look for potential problems in a photographic image, and then demonstrate a chosen corrective function by example. As more people wish to take advantage of the superior functionality of digital cameras, potential problems will occur because editing images can be a confusing and complicated process. This invention seeks to provide a means to simplify and enhance both the user experience and the end result that should be a printed or displayed image. The idea is to create an animated character that would operate in conjunction with an image editing software module, either on a computer, in a camera, or in another device. The character could even move between devices to demonstrate how a function or operation could be achieved on each device. In order to enhance the user experience, the software module could first look for potential problem areas in the image, such as over-exposure or improper color balance. The animated character could then indicate the area of concern to the user and suggest possible corrective functions. To further enhance this interaction, the character could demonstrate the function by adjusting, for example, the brightness on the image, or the character itself could become brighter or darker. In another example, with image cropping, the character could appear with a pair of scissors and demonstrate a cutting motion, or the character itself could have its top and bottom “cropped” to demonstrate the effect. To further enhance the user experience, the user could modify the personality of the character to suit the user. 
   An integrated user interface in the form of an icon character is used that guides, educates, and entertains by moving across devices and indicating actions being executed. Digital image editing and data transfer is a complicated, time-consuming process. This icon character may not only educate the novice user, but may also entertain the user during a time-consuming computational process. A unique feature is the ability of this tutorial character to move from device to device (i.e. from computer to camera and back again). Although some computerized tutorial characters do exist, this one is unique because, among other things, it can travel across devices. Therefore, the end user does not have to invest any extra time learning to work with a different tutor for each new context. Target applications for the animated icon may be software algorithms on any device that accept parametrical input that describes the character&#39;s appearance, as well as its associated information. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a photo editing and camera system is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Personal computer  110  may be used in a workstation configuration with monitor  126 , keyboard  120 , and mouse  116  to edit photos or other images which may be taken with camera  150 . Data may be exchanged between personal computer  110  and camera  150  via a local interconnect, which in one embodiment is Universal Serial Bus (USB)  142 , or may be physically exchanged via a transportable memory card  140 . Memory card  140  may be one of several common formats, such as SmartMedia, Memory Stick, or PC Card. 
   Personal computer  110  may include removable media  112 , which may be a removable magnetic disk, optical disk, or tape, and provide a memory card mount  114  to receive memory card  140 . Personal computer  110  may be connected via an interface  118  to a wide-area network (WAN)  122 . In one embodiment, WAN  122  is the Internet. 
   Camera  150  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD)  160 , a viewfinder  152 , a pushbutton control  154 , and a rotary switch control  156 . 
   Personal computer  110  may display photos or other images on the display screen  128  of monitor  126 . Camera  150  may display photos or other images on the LCD  160 . In each case, an animated icon  130  or  162 , is displayed on display screen  128  or LCD  160 , respectively. Animated icon  130 ,  162  may guide a user in the photo or other image editing process. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of a photo editing system is illustrated, according to the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention. Personal computer  110  may include a WAN interface  208 , a central processing unit (CPU)  210 , a memory  212 , a system disk  214 , a removable media  112 , a USB interface  222 , a memory card mount  114 , a graphics interface  224  supplying monitor  126 , a keyboard/mouse interface  226  supplying keyboard  120  and mouse  116 , and a local area network (LAN) interface  228 . These functional units may be connected via a system bus  220 . Memory  212  may include volatile random-access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), non-volatile Flash memory, or any other kind of memory. Removable media  112  may be a floppy disk, a removable magnetic disk, an optical or magneto-optical disk, semiconductor memory, or magnetic tape. 
   In one embodiment, the image displayed upon monitor  126  is processed by software stored locally in memory  212  or on system disk  214 . In other embodiments, the software may be stored and executed on a remote server (not shown) connected via WAN  122 , which may be the Internet. In the case the software is stored on the remote server, the user of personal computer  110  may not need to purchase a license for the software. In one embodiment, the use of the software is paid for by revenues generated by banner advertisements on pages accessible through WAN  122 . User access of the software may trigger payments by the advertiser to the host of the banner advertisements. In an alternate embodiment, the use of the software is paid for on a per-transaction basis by the user of personal computer  110 . This per-transaction payment may be made by cash, by a user account, or by redeeming bonus credits from various web-based businesses. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a camera  150  is illustrated, according to the  FIG. 1  embodiment of the present invention. Camera  150  may include a charge-coupled device (CCD)  308  for image capture, a CPU  310 , memory  312 , a USB interface  322 , a memory card mount  314 , a user interface  316  for supporting the actions of pushbutton control  154  or rotary switch control  156 , and a LCD interface  324  supporting the display upon LCD  326 . The functional units may be connected via a system bus  320 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an icon demonstrating a brightness correction function on the image is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the image  412  is displayed on the display screen  128  of monitor  126 . In other embodiments, the image  412  could be displayed on the LCD  160  of camera  150 . 
   Exemplary dark image  412  is shown as lacking in brightness. Problem detection software running in personal computer  110  may identify the lack of brightness as a problem, and may task animated icon  430  to bring this situation to the user&#39;s attention. For this reason, animated icon  430  is shown proffering a light bulb icon  432 , indicating to the user that the brightness function should be executed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an icon demonstrating a brightness correction function by changing the icon&#39;s brightness is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, the animated icon  430  would proffer the light bulb icon  432  to indicate that the brightness function should be executed. In contrast, the  FIG. 5  embodiment uses animated icon  530  where animated icon  530  can change from bright to dark and back again continuously to indicate that the brightness function should be executed on dark image  512 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an icon demonstrating a cropping function by showing scissors and cut lines on the image is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Exemplary image  612  requires cropping at the indicated cut line  614 . Problem detection software running in personal computer  110  may identify the compositional flaws of image  612 , and task animated icon  630  to bring this situation to the user&#39;s attention. For this reason, animated icon  630  is shown proffering a scissors icon  632 , indicating to the user that the cropping function should be executed. The scissors icon  632  may be making a cutting motion to make clear the need for cropping. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an icon demonstrating a cropping function by showing a cropped icon and cut lines on the image is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In contrast with the  FIG. 6  embodiment, in the  FIG. 7  embodiment the animated icon  730  itself is shown as cropped by icon cut line  732 . The presence of the animated icon  730  itself indicates to the user that the cropping function should be executed. As a supplemental indicator, cut line  714  may also be displayed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an icon traveling between devices is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Animated icon  830  is shown on the display screen  128  of monitor  126 , and animated icon  860  is shown on the LCD  160  of camera  150 . In one embodiment, animated icon  830  is generated by software residing within personal computer  110 . In an alternate embodiment, animated icon  830  is generated by a remote server connected via WAN  122 . As an example, WAN  122  is the Internet, and animated icon  830  is generated by a Java applet. 
   Animated icon  830  may be moved  840  to appear as animated icon  860  on LCD  160  across a direct connection, such as exemplary USB  142 , or by transportable media, such as exemplary memory card  140 . Portable code may be used to generate animated icon, such as a Java applet. The animated icon  860  may have access to differing image-editing functions in the camera than in the personal computer  110 . For example, in the brightness example of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , brightness of the images  412 ,  512  could be changed by software manipulation. However, animated icon  860  may indicated other solutions to image problems when operating within camera  150 . Brightness could be changed by re-shooting the image with a flash attachment, and the animated icon  860  could indicate this alternative. 
   In alternate embodiments, animated icon  860  could be locally stored and generated within camera  150 , and moved  850  to the display screen  128  for personal computer  10  via a direct connection or by transportable media. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a computer software configuration item (CSCI) module diagram is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In alternate embodiments, other allocations of functions to modules may be made. Memory area  900  may be in volatile memory, such as RAM, or in non-volatile memory, such as Flash, or in a mixture of the two. In the case where memory area  900  is within a personal computer  110 , an image capture module  910  may be used to import photos and other images. In the case where memory area  900  is within a camera  150 , a camera control module  920  may be used to take photos and import photos and other images. 
   Once a photo or other image is within the system including memory area  900 , a problem detector module  930  may be invoked. Problem detector module  930  may examine the photo for quality-related problems, such as brightness, over-exposure, or improper color balance. The problem detector module  930  may examine the image-processing function modules function  1   940  through function N  948  in order to determine which problems may be solved within the current processing environment. If a match between kind of problem and function module exists, then icon generator  950  produces the animated icon indicating the appropriate remedial action to the user. The display driver  960  may show both the image and the animated icon on the display device. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a data flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In alternate embodiments, the order of the procedures shown in  FIG. 10  may be changed to any order, and other procedures may be used. In procedure  1010 , one or many images are loaded into the image processing computer or camera. The images may be loaded from local storage, from a transportable media or direct connection from a camera, or from a server on a WAN such as an online service. In procedure  1020 , the user selects a particular image to edit. The selection of the image initiates procedure  1030 , where the animated icon is generated and displayed. Then the user may either decide, in procedure  1032 , to let the software guide their editing, or may decide, in procedure  1034 , to perform some of the procedures manually. In either case, at procedure  1040  the software problem detector detects quality-related problems with the image. In one example, the problem is bad contrast. For problems with a software corrective function, the appropriate function is initiated (e.g. the contrast function) at procedure  1050 , and the animated icon is directed to indicate the suggested use of the tool to the user at procedure  1060 . 
   In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will however be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims.