Abstract:
A digital camera which captures digital images comprising: a display for displaying an image(s) captured by the digital camera; a user actuatable switch assembly having a plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions; and means for displaying a menu overlay over an image(s) displayed on the display, wherein the menu overlay displays selectable options spatially arrayed in the same pattern as the plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions, such that actuation of the switch at one of the plurality of positions selects the option displayed at a like position of the menu overlay.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates in general to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera having an image display wherein camera features and functions are displayed as an overlay over a displayed image.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Handheld digital information/imaging systems, such as digital cameras, cell phones, personal digital assistants, etc. have become widespread in use in recent years. In order to present images and systems information to a system user, the system is usually provided with at least one display for displaying images and/or information useful to the user. User interface switches are also usually provided to navigate among items displayed on the display. In digital cameras, it is typical to have a large LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display for displaying an image or images captured by the digital camera. The display can also display image capture related functions and menus of camera features that are user selectable (See: U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2002/0030754 A1, published Mar. 14, 2002, inventor Sugimoto; U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2002/0024604 A1, published Feb. 28, 2002, inventors Fjima et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2002/0057351 A1, published May 16, 2002, inventors Suzuki et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,313,877 B1, issued Nov. 6, 2001, inventor Anderson). It is also known to provide a tagging feature which allows the camera user to tag a displayed image for further processing, printing, display, etc. (See: U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,316 B1, issued Jun. 19, 2001, inventor Anderson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,341, issued May 2, 1989, inventor Akimoto).  
           [0003]    It would be desirable to provide a user interface that allows a user to quickly access tag and other features and to facilitate access by user intuitive means.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    According to the present invention, there is provided a solution to the problems and fulfillment of the needs set forth above.  
           [0005]    According to a feature of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera which captures digital images comprising:  
           [0006]    a display for displaying an image(s) captured by said digital camera;  
           [0007]    a user actuatable switch assembly having a plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions; and  
           [0008]    means for displaying a menu overlay over an image(s) displayed on said display, wherein said menu overlay displays selectable options spatially arrayed in the same pattern as said plurality of spatially arrayed actuatable positions, such that actuation of said switch at one of said plurality of positions selects the option displayed at a like position of said menu overlay.  
         ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention has the following advantages.  
           [0010]    1. A digital camera has a digital user interface that allows quick access to a camera&#39;s features and functions and facilitates access by user intuitive means.  
           [0011]    2. A digital camera has an image display for displaying an image, a user interface which effects an overlay of the image, the overlay having spatially presented options which mimic the spatially located switches of a user interface. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary digital camera incorporating the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the back panel of the camera of FIG. 1 showing first and second displays and a user interface according to the invention.  
         [0014]    FIGS.  3 - 16  are diagrammatic views useful in explaining the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    Although in the following description, the present invention will be described incorporated into a digital camera, it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to other hand held or portable digital information/imaging systems such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, portable computers and the like.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary digital camera which implements the method and incorporates the apparatus of the present invention. The digital camera  30  produces digital images that are stored on the removable memory card  74 . The digital camera  30  includes a lens  32 , an electrically adjustable aperture  33  driven by aperture motor drive  34  and an electrically driven mechanical shutter  36  driven by shutter motor drive  35 . The lens  32  focuses light from a scene (not shown) on an image sensor  40 , for example, a single-chip color CCD image sensor, suing the well known Bayer color filter pattern. The image sensor  40  are controlled by sensor driver  42 . The aperture motor  34  and shutter motor  35  and the sensor driver  42  are controlled by control signals supplied by a control interface processor  62  and photo systems interface  37 .  
         [0017]    The control interface processor  62  receives inputs from the Photo Systems Interface  37 . The analog output signal from the image sensor  40  is amplified and converted to digital data by the analog signal processing (ASP)  50  and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit  52 . The ASP  50  and A/D  52  includes a programmable electrical gain that can be used to adjust the effective ISO speed setting of the camera. This can be done as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,654, issued Mar. 11, 1997, inventors Parulski et al. The digital data is stored in a DRAM buffer memory  64  and subsequently processed by a digital image processor  66  controlled by the firmware stored in the firmware memory  70 , which can be flash EPROM memory. Alternatively, the digital image processor  66  can be provided by custom circuitry (e.g., by one or more custom integrated circuits [ICs] design only for use in digital cameras), or by a combination of programmable processor(s) and custom circuits.  
         [0018]    The processed digital image file is provided to a memory card interface  72  which stores the digital image file on the removable memory card  74 . Removable memory cards  74  are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the removable memory card  74  can include memory cards adapted to the PCMCIA card interface standard, as described in the PC Card Standard, Release 2.0, published by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), Sunnyvale, Calif., September 1991, or to the  CompactFlash Specification Version  1.3, published by the CompactFlash Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998. Other types of removable memory cards, including Smart Memory cards, Secure Digital (SD) cards, and Memory Stick cards, or other types of digital memory devices, such as magnetic hard drives, magnetic tape, or optical disks, could alternatively be used to store the digital images.  
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the digital image processor  66  performs color interpolation followed by color and tone correction, in order to produce rendered sRGB image data. The rendered sRGB image data is then JPEG compressed and stored as a JPEG image file on the removable memory card  74 . In other embodiments, the processor directly compressed data on the removable memory card  74 , and the image is later “finished” by processing the compressed Bayer color image data using the host PC  80 .  
         [0020]    The processor  66  also creates a “thumbnail” size image that is stored in RAM memory  68  and supplied to the color image LCD  78 , which displays the captured image for the user to review. A digital status dot matrix LCD  82  is also provided. The mutual display support between LCDs  78  and  82  is described in more detail later. Instead of a color LCD image display, the digital camera  30  could use an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or many other types of image displays. The thumbnail image can be created as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831, issued Nov. 17, 1992, inventors Kuchta et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. The graphical user interface displayed on the color LCD image display  78  and on the digital status LCD  82  is controlled by the user interface portion of the firmware stored in the firmware memory  70  and by digital buttons  84 - 100 . A third display (not shown) can be provided on the top of the camera  10  to show camera body settings such as aperture, shutter speed, exposure mode, etc.  
         [0021]    After a series of images have been taken and stored on the removable memory card  74 , the removable memory card  74  can be inserted into a card reader (not shown) in host PC  80 . Alternatively, an interface cable  77  can be used to connect between the interface  76  in the digital camera  30  and the host PC  80 . The interface cable  77  can conform to, for example, that well known IEEE 1394 interface specification, the universal serial bus (USB) interface specification, or other wired or wireless interface specifications.  
         [0022]    Alternatively, the digital camera  30  could be comprised of a digital back for a 35 mm or medium format film camera. In this case, the lens  32 , aperture  34 , shutter  36  are provided as part of the film camera body, and the other components, including the image sensor  40 , image processor  66  and color LCD image display  78 , are provided as part of a separate digital camera back that is connected to the film camera body. The connection preferably includes an electrical connector (not shown), so that the lens  32 , aperture  33 , and shutter  36  can be controlled by the control processor and timing generator  60  in the digital back.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a diagrammatic view of a camera  30  showing the back panel of the camera with components of a digital user interface incorporating the present invention. As shown, digital camera  30  includes a housing  200  having a back panel  202  including image LCD  78 , digital status LCD  82  and digital buttons  84 - 102 . Back panel  202  also includes a viewfinder  204  and other camera controls (not described). Digital buttons  84 - 102  include menu button  84 , navigate button  86 , hotkey button  88 , digital status button  90 , OK button  92 , cancel button  94 , delete button  96 , tag/record button  100  and 4-way switch  102  having top (12 o&#39;clock) position  104 , right side (3 o&#39;clock) position  106 , bottom (6 o&#39;clock) position  108 , and left side (9 o&#39;clock) position  110 .  
         [0024]    Following is a more detailed description of these elements:  
         [0025]    Image LCD- 78   
         [0026]    A color Image LCD  78  serves as the display for interfacing with the camera menu system containing features and functions (e.g., image review, setting/changing settings). The Image LCD  78  displays three classes of information  
         [0027]    images and image-related information (e.g., histogram);  
         [0028]    camera digital feature/function menus, related sub-menus, and menu options;  
         [0029]    text-based messages and error messages.  
         [0030]    Digital Status LCD- 82   
         [0031]    The Digital Status LCD  82  is a programmable dot matrix display.  
         [0032]    The Digital Status LCD  82  portrays three classes of information, including:  
         [0033]    the current status and settings that pertain to various capture-critical digital functions (icons and alphanumeric characters);  
         [0034]    the information properties of images being reviewed on the Image LCD;  
         [0035]    text-based messages to support and help interpret information displayed on the Image LCD;  
         [0036]    procedural instructions.  
         [0037]    With respect to its role in image capture, the Status LCD  82  assumes an enhanced interaction capability that will allow efficient access to these capture-related digital functions (white balance, etc).  
         [0038]    The following describes the behavior of the digital buttons  84 - 102 :  
         [0039]    4-Way Switch  
         [0040]    The 4-way switch  102  is composed of a single 4-directional rocker switch located on the back panel  202  of the camera  30 . When pressed at one of the 12, 3, 6, or 9 o&#39;clock positions  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , the switch will result in an appropriate signal to the digital camera  30  and its associated firmware  70 . The 4-way switch  102  controls different aspects of the camera depending on the state of the Image LCD  78 .  
         [0041]    4-Way Switch: LCD On  
         [0042]    When the Image LCD  78  is on, the 4-way switch  102  is captured by the digital firmware and is used to control the information displayed on the Image LCD  78 . The 4-way switch  102  operates in the following manner:  
         [0043]    When any Display Mode is active (except when the Region of Interest (ROI) box is enabled):  
         [0044]    pressing the right  106 /left  110  side of the 4-way switch  102  results in forward/backward navigation of images;  
         [0045]    pressing the top  104 /bottom  108  of the 4-way switch  102  sequences through the four Display Modes.  
         [0046]    When the Zoom Mode is active and the ROI box is enabled:  
         [0047]    pressing the left  110 /right  106  side of the 4-way switch  102  results in a left  110 /right  106  movement of the ROI box;  
         [0048]    pressing the top  104 /bottom  108  of the 4-way switch results in a upward/downward movement of the ROI box.  
         [0049]    When any Tabbed Menu screen or text-based menus are displayed on the LCD  102 :  
         [0050]    pressing the right  106 /left  110  side of the 4-way switch  102  results in left/right navigation of menu options (e.g., Tabbed Menu screens);  
         [0051]    when a Tabbed screen option with a cascaded menu is highlighted, pressing the right  106  side of the 4-way switch  102  enables the cascaded menu with the current value highlighted;  
         [0052]    when an enabled cascaded menu or double-cascaded menu is displayed, pressing the left side  110  of the 4-way switch  102  disables the menu;  
         [0053]    pressing the top  104 /bottom  108  of the 4-way switch  102  results in an upward/downward navigation through vertically-arranged menu options (e.g., Tabbed Menu screen options, cascaded menu options).  
         [0054]    The 4-way switch  102  may be used in a discrete or continuous manner. That is, images or menu options may be navigated one at a time by pressing and releasing one side of the 4-way switch  102 . Alternatively, images or menu options may be navigated continuously by pressing and holding (for longer than 500 milliseconds) one side of the 4-way switch  102 .  
         [0055]    4-Way Switch  102 : Digital Status Button  90  Active  
         [0056]    When the Digital Status button  90  is pressed and held, the 4-way switch  102  is captured, taking control from either of the other camera functions (i.e., autofocus, Image Display) currently using the 4-way switch  102 . When under the control of the Digital Status button  90 , the 4-way switch  102  is used to sequence among the functions displayed on the Digital Status Display  82 .  
         [0057]    When the Digital Status button  90  has control of the 4-way switch  102 , the switch  102  operates in the following manner:  
         [0058]    manipulation of the right  106 -left  110  sides of the 4-way switch  102  sequences among the functional groupings, with wraparound;  
         [0059]    manipulation of the top  104 -bottom  108  sides of the 4-way switch  102  sequences among the functional groupings, with wraparound.  
         [0060]    OK Button- 92   
         [0061]    The OK button  92  is a push button located on the right side of the camera&#39;s back panel  202 , just to the left of the 4-way switch  102  and above the Cancel button  94 . The OK button  92  serves a number of functions:  
         [0062]    when the image LCD  78  is off, pressing the OK button turns it on;  
         [0063]    when a menu option is highlighted on image LCD  78 , pressing the OK button  92  will implement that option;  
         [0064]    in the Zoom Mode with the ROI box disabled, pressing the OK button  92  will enable the ROI box at the default or the last-used position;  
         [0065]    in the Zoom Mode with the ROI box enabled, pressing the OK button will implement the zoom;  
         [0066]    when any confirmation screen is presented on image LCD  78 , pressing the OK button  92  will implement the process (i.e., Delete Image, Click Balance).  
         [0067]    Cancel Button- 94   
         [0068]    The Cancel button  94  is a push button located on the upper right side of the camera&#39;s back panel  202 , just to the left of the 4-way switch  102  and below the OK button  92 . The Cancel button  94  will serve a number of functions:  
         [0069]    when the image LCD  78  is on and any Display Mode is active, pressing the Cancel button  94  will turn the image LCD  78  off;  
         [0070]    when the image LCD  78  is on and displaying a sub-menu, pressing the Cancel button  94  exits from that sub-menu to the parent menu in the UI hierarchy without implementing any changes;  
         [0071]    in the Zoom mode with the ROI box enabled, pressing the Cancel button  94  will disable the ROI box;  
         [0072]    when any confirmation screen is presented, pressing the Cancel button  94  does not implement the process (Delete Image, Click Balance);  
         [0073]    when the Menu Bar is displayed on the image LCD  78 , the Cancel button  94  will dismiss it. (The Menu Bar can also be toggled off by pressing the Menu button).  
         [0074]    Menu Button- 84   
         [0075]    The Menu button  84  is a push button located on the left side of the camera&#39;s back panel  202 , just to the left of the Image LCD  78  and above the Navigate button  86 . The Menu button  84  will serve the following functions:  
         [0076]    when the Image LCD  78  is on and any Display Mode is active, pressing the Menu button  84  will display the last-accessed Tabbed Menu screen with the last-accessed option highlighted;  
         [0077]    when the tabbed Menu screen and its associated text-based menu is displayed on Image LCD  78 , pressing the Menu button  84  will dismiss the Menu screen and display the last-used image mode;  
         [0078]    when the Image LCD  78  is off, pressing the Menu button  84  will turn the Image LCD  78  on and display the last-accessed Tabbed Menu screen with the last-accessed option highlighted;  
         [0079]    when a submenu option requiring an OK  92 /Cancel button  94  press, the Menu Button  84  will not dismiss the Menu screen;  
         [0080]    when any Tabbed Menu screen is displayed on Image LCD  78 , pressing and holding the Menu button  84  and manipulating the right  106 /left  110  side of the 4-way switch  102  navigates the tabbed screens.  
         [0081]    Nav+ Button- 86   
         [0082]    The Nav+ button  86  allows a method of quickly and efficiently navigating among folders and images within a folder. The Nav+ button  86  is located on the left side of the Image LCD  78 , below the Menu button  84 . The Nav+ button  86  works in conjunction with the 4-way switch  102  to accomplish the following functions:  
         [0083]    navigating among folders on a card;  
         [0084]    navigating several images at a time within a folder.  
         [0085]    When pressed, the Nav+ button  86  accomplishes the following:  
         [0086]    if the Image LCD  78  is off, it turns the Image LCD  78  on and displays the currently active Image Mode with the Nav+ overlay.  
         [0087]    The Nav+ overlay includes the following information:  
         [0088]    a list of folder names that exist on the memory card together with the number of images in each folder;  
         [0089]    a location bar that indicates the position of the current image relative to the total number of images in the folder;  
         [0090]    the location bar will have shading to indicate the number of images in the folder relative to the maximum number of images (maximum =99);  
         [0091]    the location bar will have tick marks every nth image;  
         [0092]    if the Image LCD  78  is on, it displays the currently active Image Mode with the Nav+ overlay;  
         [0093]    displays review-related information on the Digital Status display LCD  82 .  
         [0094]    Hotkey Button- 88   
         [0095]    The Hotkey button  88  is a push button located on the left side of the camera&#39;s back panel, to the left of the Image Display and below the navigate button  86 . The Hotkey button  88  is used in conjunction with the 4-way switch  102  to allow quick access to user-specified functions. The Hotkey button  88  serves as a shortcut to a (user defined) frequently-changed function so that the function&#39;s current value may be changed. One or more functions can be set for use with the hotkey button.  
         [0096]    When pressed, the Hotkey button  88  accomplishes the following:  
         [0097]    if the Image LCD  78  is off, it turns the Image LCD  78  on and displays the function associated with the first Hotkey position;  
         [0098]    if the Image LCD  78  is on, it displays the function associated with the first Hotkey position;  
         [0099]    when used in conjunction with the 4-way switch  102  it displays the user-selected function;  
         [0100]    pressing the Hotkey button and manipulating the right side of the 4-way switch  102  sequences through the Tabbed Menu screens associated with the assigned Hotkey positions in an ascending numerical order; the Digital Status Display portrays the information associated with the highlighted menu option;  
         [0101]    pressing the Hotkey button  88  and manipulating the left side of the 4-way switch  102  sequences through the assigned Hotkey positions in a descending numerical order; the Digital Status Display portrays the information associated with the highlighted menu option;  
         [0102]    as each Hotkey position is selected, its associated tabbed menu screen with highlighted function is displayed with a disabled appearance. When the Hotkey button  88  is released, the Tabbed Menu screen becomes enabled;  
         [0103]    only functions associated with assigned Hotkey positions are displayed (i.e., unassigned positions are ignored for display purposes).  
         [0104]    Digital Status Button- 90   
         [0105]    The Digital Status button  90  is a push button located above the top left corner of the Digital Status display  82 . This button functions to control access to capture-related functions portrayed on the Digital Status display  82 .  
         [0106]    pressing and holding the Digital Status button  90  highlights the last-used Digital Status display  82  function, traps the 4-way switch  102 , and displays the tabbed Menu screen for the highlighted function (disabled appearance) on the Image Display  78 ;  
         [0107]    if review-related information is displayed, pressing the Digital Status button  90  displays capture-related information and highlights the icon associated with the last-accessed function highlighted;  
         [0108]    when the Digital Status button  90  is released, the Menu function is enabled.  
         [0109]    Digital Status LCD- 82   
         [0110]    The Digital Status LCD  82  is a programmable display that portrays three different classes of information: (1) the current status and settings that pertain to various capture-critical digital functions, (2) the information properties of images being reviewed on the Image LCD  78 , and (3) text-based messages to support and help interpret information displayed on the Image LCD  78 . With respect to its role in image capture, the Digital Status LCD  82  assumes an enhanced interaction capability that will allow efficient access to these capture-related digital functions (white balance, etc.). With respect to its roles in menu screen navigation, the Digital Status LCD  82  assumes an interpretive support role (e.g., “help messages”, and “tool tip messages”) for the content on the Image Display  78 .  
         [0111]    Capture-Related Information: Interactive Display-Control Elements  
         [0112]    The capture functionality of the Digital Status display  82  will be interactive in nature and will serve two functions:  
         [0113]    displays a set of icons associated with capture-critical functions; these icons portray the current value of each function.  
         [0114]    serves as a shortcut to a relevant menu option for changing the displayed value of the highlighted function.  
         [0115]    The nature of the interaction is such that when a display element is highlighted by the user, the highlighted function on the Digital Status Display calls and portrays its associated Tabbed Menu screen function on the Image Display  78 . The user may then interact directly with the Menu options associated with that function.  
         [0116]    As shown in FIG. 3, Digital Status Display  82  displays icons for the following functions: white balance  300 ;  
         [0117]    ISO speed  302 ;  
         [0118]    CF and MM/SD memory cards  304 ,  306 ;  
         [0119]    JPEG quality  308 ;  
         [0120]    raw and JPEG resolution  310 ,  312 ; and  
         [0121]    crop aspect ratio  314 .  
         [0122]    The highlighted Digital Status Display function  400  on display  82  has a corresponding menu option  402  displayed on Image Display  78  (FIG. 4).  
         [0123]    Review Display Elements (Read Only)  
         [0124]    The review functionality of the Digital Status Display will be non-interactive in nature and will serve a single purpose: it displays a set of image-based information that existed at the time of capture for the image.  
         [0125]    When the review-related information is displayed, the Digital Status Display reverts to the capture-related information when the shutter button is pressed to S1. In FIG. 5, current image number  500  and current folder name  502  are displayed on the left and white balance, crop aspect ratio, ISO and resolution  504  are displayed on the right of Digital Status Display  82 .  
         [0126]    Context-Sensitive Text Messages (Read Only)  
         [0127]    The Digital Status Display  82  also provides a supporting role to the Image LCD  78 . The nature of this support will be a combination of a “mini-help” and a “tool tips” function. The design intent behind this mutual display support is to provide an on-camera help system to aid the less experienced digital user.  
         [0128]    According to the present invention there is provided a digital camera user interface having a display overlay containing spatially-distributed menu options.  
         [0129]    Following are examples of this digital camera user interface feature.  
         [0130]    Delete Button- 96   
         [0131]    The Delete button  96  is a push button located in the center of the camera&#39;s back panel  202 , to the right of the Image Display  78  and above the Tag/Record button  100 . This button  96  is a dedicated Delete button  96  that when pressed will display a menu overlay over the current Image Mode content displayed with a disabled appearance. (FIG. 6 shows image display  78  displaying an image before overlay).  
         [0132]    The Delete button  96  is enabled only when one of the image modes is active; it is disabled at all other times.  
         [0133]    There are 5 options that are displayed when the Delete button  96  is pressed. The options are spatially arranged in an up-down and left-right pattern, with the 5 th  option in the center of the screen (See: FIG. 7). The options are displayed with the center option highlighted and the other four options disabled. Accessing any of the options is accomplished by pressing any side of the 4-way switch. When accessed, a menu option is displayed with a highlighted appearance (option name in black with a red border). The five options are as follows:  
         [0134]    [0134] 700  Image &lt;image number&gt; This single image delete is a fixed default option that is always displayed when the Delete button is pressed.  
         [0135]    [0135] 702  All in folder  
         [0136]    [0136] 704  Untagged on Card  
         [0137]    [0137] 706  All on Card  
         [0138]    [0138] 708  Untagged in Folder  
         [0139]    When the desired option is highlighted:  
         [0140]    pressing OK button  92  deletes the image(s) and, depending on the highlighted function, displays a delete confirmation screen when appropriate. (See: FIG. 8).  
         [0141]    no confirmation screen is presented for single image deletion  
         [0142]    a confirmation screen is presented for functions deleting multiple images (e.g., All in Folder, Untagged on Card, etc.)  
         [0143]    pressing Cancel button  94  exits the delete menu and displays the previous Image Mode. (See: FIG. 6).  
         [0144]    Tag/Record Button- 100   
         [0145]    The Tag/Record button  100  is a push button located on the right side of the camera&#39;s back panel  202 , just to the right of the Image LCD  78  and below the Delete button  96 . The Tag/Record button  100  is used to tag reviewed images and to record voice/sound messages that accompany images. The Tag/Record button  100  is enabled only when one of the Image Modes is active; input from this button  100  is ignored at all other times.  
         [0146]    The Tag/Record button  100  is operated in two ways.  
         [0147]    pressing and releasing the button quickly (&lt;1 sec) displays a Tag Menu overlay  900  (See: FIG. 9) with options  902 ,  904 ,  906 ,  908 .  
         [0148]    pressing and holding for longer than 1 sec activates the camera&#39;s microphone  
         [0149]    Image Tags  
         [0150]    The Tag/Record button  100  allows a user to tag and un-tag images that are displayed and selected on the Image LCD  78 . When an image is displayed on the Image LCD  78  (any Image Mode), pressing and releasing this button  100  quickly (&lt;1 sec) displays a Tag Menu overlay. There are two classes of image tags: (1) Tag, and (2) Tag to Print.  
         [0151]    The Digital Status Display  82  content when the Tag Menu overlay  900  is presented on image display  78  is shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0152]    The Tag Menu overlay  900  is displayed with a disabled appearance. Manipulation of any side of the 4-way switch  102  results in highlighting the option corresponding to the switch&#39;s spatial manipulation. Releasing the 4-way switch  102  implements the function associated with that option and dismisses the Tag Menu overlay  900 .  
         [0153]    Tags  
         [0154]    As shown in FIG. 11, pressing and holding the Tag/Record button  100  and pressing the top side  104  of the 4-way switch  102  highlights the tag Image option  902 ; releasing the 4-way switch  102  tags the selected image and dismisses the Tag Menu overlay  900 .  
         [0155]    When an image is tagged, a check symbol ({square root})  1100  is displayed on the Status Bar when that image is selected, providing the visual feedback of its tag state. In addition, the check symbol ({square root})  1100  is displayed in the Histogram Mode for that image (not shown).  
         [0156]    As shown in FIG. 12, when a tagged image is displayed on image display  78  and the Tag/Record button  100  is pressed, the top option  902  is presented ({square root}) as “untag image”  1102 . In highlighting that option un-tags that image and dismisses the Tag Menu overlay  900 .  
         [0157]    Similar tag and untag options can be used on all images in a folder by manipulating the Tag/Record button  100  and the bottom side  108  of switch  102 . In such case option  906  is appropriately highlighted (FIG. 13).  
         [0158]    Tag to Print  
         [0159]    Camera  10  complies with Digital Print Order File (DPOF) standards for printing files from a memory card. This DPOF capability is implemented through the tag function as one of the tag classes. The DPOF function is relevant only for JPEG images. As shown in FIG. 14, pressing and holding the Tag/Record button  100  and pressing the right side  106  of the 4-way switch  102  highlights the “P{square root} to Print” option  904 ; releasing the 4-way switch  102  and displays the Print Properties sub-menu (FIG. 16).  
         [0160]    When a DCR image is selected and the Tag Menu overlay is displayed, the “P{square root} to Print” option  904  has a highlighted border but the text message has a disabled appearance (FIG. 15).  
         [0161]    As shown in FIG. 16 the Print Properties sub-menu screen  1600  contains two options:  
         [0162]    a Print Quantity option  1602 ;  
         [0163]    an option to print a contact sheet of images in the current folder ( 1604 )  
         [0164]    Selecting the desired Quantity and pressing the OK button  92  dismisses the Print Properties screen and returns the user to the last-used Image Mode. Manipulation of the Tag/Record button  100  and right side  110  of switch  102  accesses the Print in Folder option  98 .  
         [0165]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       Parts List  
       [0166]    [0166]                                       30   digital camera       32   lens       33   adjustable aperture       34   aperture driver       35   shutter motor drive       36   mechanical shutter       37   driver       40   image sensor       42   driver       50   analog Gain &amp; CDS       52   A/D converter circuit       62   controlled interface processor       64   DRAM buffer memory       66   digital image processor       68   RAM       70   firmware memory       72   memory card interface       74   removable memory card       76   interface       77   interface cable       78   LCD       80   PC host computer       82   digital status LCD       84   menu button       86   navigate button       88   hotkey button       90   digital status button       92   OK button       94   cancel button       96   delete button       100   tag/record button       102   4-way switch       104   top position of switch       106   right position of switch       108   bottom position of switch       110   left position of switch       200   housing       202   back panel       300   white balance       302   ISO speed       304   CF memory card       306   SD memory card       308   JPEG quality       310   raw resolution       312   JPEG resolution       314   crop aspect ratio       400   digital status display function       402   menu option       500   image       502   folder name       504   ISO and resolution       700   image number       702   all in folder       704   untagged on card       706   all on card       708   untagged in folder       900   tag menu       902   tag menu option       904   tag menu option       906   tag menu option       908   tag menu option       1100   check symbol       1102   untagged image