Abstract:
A system and method for associating index images with motion video segments. The system includes a) a lens for providing an optical image; b) an image sensor for receiving the optical image provided by the lens to produce an image signal; c) a processor responsive to the image signal for producing a plurality of motion video segments and automatically producing an initial index image associated with each of the plurality of motion video segments, each initial index image being derived from one frame of the motion video segment; d) a digital memory for storing the motion video segments and the associated index images; e) an image display for reviewing the motion video segments and the index images; and f) a user interface for selecting a preferred frame of the motion video segment different from the one frame, whereby the preferred frame is thereafter employed as a preferred index image for the motion video segment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a 111A application of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/367,561, filed Mar. 26, 2002.  
         [0002]    Reference is made to commonly assigned application U.S. Serial No. 60/367,586, entitled “MODULAR DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEM”, and provisionally filed on Mar. 26, 2002 in the name of Manico et al, and which is assigned to the assignee of this application. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to digital device for recording motion images, and, more particularly, to a system and method for associating index images with motion video segments.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    Current digital cameras can connect to a host computer by means of a docking unit in order to transfer images to the host computer (e.g., PC). These files can include still image files (e.g. JPEG files) as well as motion video files (e.g. QuickTime files). One example is the Kodak EasyShare DX3600 digital camera, which is sold with an optional docking unit. The camera captures digital still images and motion video segments and stores the images using Flash EPROM memory. The still images and motion video files can be downloaded from the camera to the host computer using the docking unit. If the user configures the EasyShare software on the host computer to provide auto transfers, then, when the user presses the button on the EasyShare docking unit, the still and motion video files are transferred from the camera to a folder on the host computer&#39;s hard drive and are erased from the Flash EPROM memory in the digital camera.  
           [0005]    A problem with the prior art is that, while transferring images from the camera to the computer&#39;s hard drive (via the docking unit) occurs automatically, the motion video files are not easily viewable on the user&#39;s home television. Furthermore, the motion video files take up considerable space on the user&#39;s computer hard drive and can be lost if the hard drive crashes.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for an easy-to-use system for capturing and archiving motion video segments and for associating index images with motion video segments.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An object of the present invention is to permit the user of a digital camera to easily capture and archive motion video segments. This object is achieved by a system including a digital camera and a docking unit.  
           [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for associating index images with motion video segments.  
           [0009]    These objects are given only by way of illustrative example, and such objects may be exemplary of one or more embodiments of the invention. Other desirable objectives and advantages inherently achieved by the disclosed invention may occur or become apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is defined by the appended claims.  
           [0010]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital camera for associating index images with motion video segments. The digital camera includes a) a lens for providing an optical image; b) an image sensor for receiving the optical image provided by the lens to produce an image signal; c) a processor responsive to the image signal for producing a plurality of motion video segments and automatically producing an initial index image associated with each of the plurality of motion video segments, each initial index image being derived from one frame of the motion video segment; d) a digital memory for storing the motion video segments and the associated index images; e) an image display for reviewing the motion video segments and the index images; and f) a user interface for selecting a preferred frame of the motion video segment different from the one frame, whereby the preferred frame is thereafter employed as a preferred index image for the motion video segment.  
           [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for associating index images with motion video segments using a hand-held digital camera. The method includes the step of providing the digital camera, wherein the digital camera includes a lens for providing an optical image; an image sensor for receiving the optical image provided by the lens; a processor; a digital memory; an image display; and a user interface. The method further includes the steps of using the image sensor to receive the optical image and produce an image signal; using the processor to produce a plurality of motion video segments responsive to the image signal; using the processor to automatically produce an initial index image associated with each of the plurality of motion video segments, each initial index image being derived from one frame of the motion video segment; viewing one of the plurality of motion video segments on the image display; selecting a preferred frame of the motion video segment different from the one frame; using the preferred frame to produce a preferred index image for the motion video segment; and storing the preferred index image in association with the motion video segment in the digital memory. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1A is an external view of a digital camera in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1B is an external view of the digital camera and docking unit.  
         [0015]    FIGS.  2 A and FIG. 2B depict block diagrams of two systems suitable for implementing the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera suitable for the digital camera of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]    FIGS.  5 A and FIG. 5B depict user interface screens.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 depicts a directory structure recorded by the digital camera. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the drawings in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements of structure in each of the several figures.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a digital camera  300  is adapted to capture motion video images and still images and includes a viewable image display  332 , such as a color LCD, an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED), or the like. Digital camera  300  preferably has a generally substantially flat shape. Digital camera  300  preferably further includes a dual hinge assembly that allows a screen cover  301  to open and close, like a book, and support the camera/screen in an upright position for image capture and display. The primary cover hinge moves freely but is dampened, the secondary hinge has a locking mechanism that is engaged and disengaged in the full open and full closed positions. The inside surface of the cover preferably includes a non-slip rubber coating to assist in protecting the screen from shock and provides a more secure, non-slip support when used as a stand.  
         [0022]    Digital camera  300  records images on a solid-state Flash EPROM memory card. This enables the camera to be small in size and low in power consumption. The camera operates as a normal still/video digital camera to capture normal still and video image files. The camera also includes several special modes, which are possible because solid-state memory is used for image storage. These modes include a time-lapse mode, where instead of capturing 30 images per second, the images are captured at a much slower rate (e.g., 1 image per second) for example to show a sunrise or flower blossom opening. The images can then be played back at a faster rate, such as 30 images per second. The modes can also include a “slow motion” mode where the images are captured at a higher than normal rate (e.g., 120 images per second) and played back at a slower rate. These modes can be triggered by a significant change in the scene, such as by rapid motion, turning on the lights, etc. When used in the trigger mode, the camera is turned on to capture images at a regular rate (e.g. an image every second) but the images are not recorded until there is a significant change between two captured images, such as due to motion (e.g., a subject entering the room with the camera).  
         [0023]    Digital camera  300  further includes user controls  303 , up/down arrows  382 , left/right arrows  384 , and selection button  386 , as will be more particularly described below.  
         [0024]    The camera connects/mates to a docking unit  350 A, such as shown in FIG. 1B. Docking unit  350 A can recharge the camera batteries and enable the motion and still image files to be transferred from the camera to a separate archival storage medium, which is preferably a DVD disc.  
         [0025]    As shown in FIG. 2A, a DVD recorder  360 A can be part of docking unit  350 A. Alternatively, a DVD recorder can be a peripheral, which attaches to the docking unit. The camera is inserted into the docking unit with the lens facing away from the user and the viewable display facing towards the user, such as shown in FIG. 1B. The combination of the camera, docking unit, and DVD recorder forms a system that automatically transfers video image files from the camera to the DVD disc, so that the DVD disc can be removed from DVD recorder  360 A and played back on a standard DVD player.  
         [0026]    Docking unit  350 A is typically located in an all-purpose room (such as the family room) near the TV entertainment system, rather than next to a computer in an office or den and can optionally connect to a TV monitor or a receiver  370  by means of a suitable video interface  372 , which may be for example an analog RF video interface or a component digital video interface.  
         [0027]    Docking unit  350 A, of FIG. 2A, can also be connected to the Internet in order to transfer and receive still and motion video files, as well as other information, as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/017,809 “SYSTEM INCLUDING A DIGITAL CAMERA AND A DOCKING UNIT FOR COUPLING TO THE INTERNET”, by Belz et. al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 2B, a docking unit  350 B can alternatively be designed to attach to a home computer  381  by means of a suitable digital interface  383 , which may be for example the well-known USB cable interface or the well-known 802.11 wireless interface. A DVD recorder  360 B can be part of desktop computer  381 . Desktop computer  381  can optionally be connected to other peripherals, such as a color printer  385 .  
         [0029]    When digital camera  300  is connected to docking unit  350 A or  350 B, the system performs actions that have been previously selected by the user. The docking unit can include a button to initiate these actions/operations/functions, or the actions/operations/functions can be initiated as soon as the camera is inserted into the docking unit.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing features of digital camera  300  in more detail. Electrical power for all of the circuits of digital camera  300  is provided by rechargeable batteries  346  by means of a power supply  344 . Rechargeable batteries  346  are recharged by means of power supplied by docking unit  350 A,  350 B to a docking interface  322 . Digital camera  300  produces digital still images and digital motion video images that are stored on a removable memory card  330 . Digital camera  300  further includes a zoom lens  312  having zoom and focus motor drives  310  and an adjustable aperture and shutter (not shown). Zoom lens  312  focuses light from a scene (not shown) to provide an optical image focused on an image sensor  314 , for example, a single-chip color CMOS or CCD image sensor, using the well-known Bayer color filter pattern. In a preferred arrangement, image sensor  314  employs “square” pixels in an array of 1800 horizontal pixels by 1200 vertical pixels, thus providing a 3:2 image aspect ratio. Image sensor  314  is controlled by clock drivers  306 . Zoom and focus motors  310  and clock drivers  306  are controlled by control signals supplied by a control processor and timing generator circuit  304 .  
         [0031]    Control processor and timing generator  304  receives inputs from autofocus and auto exposure detectors  308  and controls a flash  302 . The analog image signal from image sensor  314  is amplified and converted to digital data by an analog signal processing (ASP) and analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit  316 . The digital image data from A/D converter circuit  316  is temporarily stored in a DRAM buffer memory  318  and subsequently processed by a processor  320  controlled by the firmware stored in a firmware memory  328 , which can be flash EPROM memory. It is understood that if image sensor  314  is a CMOS sensor, the integrated circuit containing image sensor  314  can also include other circuitry, such as control processor and timing generator  304 , clock drivers  306 , and ASP and A/D  316  converter circuit.  
         [0032]    The processed digital motion and still images are provided to a memory card interface  324 , which stores the digital images in files on removable memory card  330 . Removable memory cards  330  are known to those skilled in the art. For example, removable memory card  330  can conform to the Compact Flash interface standard, such as described in the CompactFlash Specification Version 1.4, published by the CompactFlash Association, Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 5, 1998. Other types of removable memory cards, including Smart Media cards, PC cards, SD cards, or Memory Stick cards could alternatively be used.  
         [0033]    It is understood that the still images can be captured using a high resolution (e.g., 1800×1200 pixels), and digital motion images can be captured using a lower resolution (e.g., 640×480 pixels) with a different aspect ratio. Using a CMOS sensor with programmable readout allows the high resolution sensor to provide an extended digital zoom capability when capturing the lower resolution motion images. In addition, the programmable readout can also be used to adjust the portion of image sensor  314  which is read out during each digital motion image frame to compensate for any camera shake/motion/unsteadiness which might occur during image capture.  
         [0034]    Processor  320  provides color interpolation followed by color and tone correction, in order to produce rendered still and motion video image data. The rendered motion image data is then compressed and stored as a motion video image file on removable memory card  330 . Processor  320  also creates a smaller size digital still “thumbnail” image of at least one video image frame, for example the first or last frame of the sequence. These thumbnail images can be created as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,831 “ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA PROVIDING MULTI-FORMAT STORAGE OF FULL AND REDUCED RESOLUTION IMAGES” to Kuchta, et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. This thumbnail image is also stored on removable memory card  330  in association with the corresponding motion video file, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.  
         [0035]    In playback mode, color image display  332  can display an array of thumbnail images corresponding to the captured still images and motion video segments. The user selects the desired thumbnail image to initiate playback of a particular motion video file. In a preferred embodiment, as the file is played back, the user can select a “make thumbnail” button as a more preferred image from the segment is viewed. A thumbnail image of this more preferred image is then created and stored on removable memory card  330 , replacing (or alternatively augmenting) the thumbnail image that was automatically created (e.g., the first frame of the sequence) when the motion video segment was captured.  
         [0036]    Color image display  332  provides a viewable display and can employ an LCD display, an OLED display, or other types of display technologies. Digital camera  300  is controlled by user controls  303 . As is best shown in FIG. 1A, user controls  303  can include select button  386  (which can be a four-way selection member) which can initiate a picture taking operation, up/down buttons  382 , and left/right buttons  384 . The graphical user interface displayed on the color LCD image display  332  is controlled by the user interface portion of the firmware stored in firmware memory  328 . The camera user interface can also include a microphone  333  which connects to an audio amplifier and A/D converter  335  to provide a digital audio signal to processor  320 . The camera user interface can also include a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter and audio amplifier  337 , and a miniature speaker  339  which plays back the recorded audio, and also makes audible sounds when a new picture is taken, or when the user changes modes or advances to review the next stored still or motion image file. Digital camera  300  can further include a video output driver and connector (not shown) for directly providing a video output signal to a TV (not shown).  
         [0037]    The still images and the thumbnail image stored on removable memory card  330  can use the format referred to as the “Exif” image format defined in “Digital Still Camera Image File Format (Exif)” version 2.1, July 1998 by the Japan Electronics Industries Development Association (JEIDA), Tokyo, Japan. This format includes an Exif application segment that stores particular image metadata, for example the date and time the picture was captured, the lens f/number and other camera settings, and image captions or comments that can be selected or entered by the camera user. The motion video images are stored on the removable memory card  330  using the well-known QuickTime format developed by Apple Computer Inc. It is understood that other still and motion image formats can be employed using various known compression technologies such as JPEG, JPEG2000, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and the like. It is further understood that the image format, including the compression technology, can be transcoded as the still or motion image files are transferred from digital camera  30  to DVD recorder  360 A, 360 B.  
         [0038]    The Exif files and Quicktime files are preferably stored on removable memory card  330  using a directory structure conforming to rules referred to as the “DCF” rules defined in “Design Rule For Camera File System” version 1.0, December 1998 by the Japan Electronics Industries Development Association (JEIDA), Tokyo, Japan. An example directory structure recorded on DOS formatted removable memory card  330  by digital camera  300  is depicted in FIG. 6. Two directories are recorded under the root directory  400 , MISC directory  410  and DCIM directory  420 . The MISC directory  410  contains a file  412  named AUTPRINT.MRK, which is a print order file using the Digital Printer Order Format (DPOF) format. This file can be used to specify images to be printed, as will be described later, including an index image. The MISC directory  410  also includes two DPOF auto play files, AUTPLAY1.MRK file  414  and AUTPLAY.MRK file  416 . These files can be used to specify that a number of digital video segments and/or still images should be played in a particular sequence as part of a program. Files  412 - 416  are examples of control files.  
         [0039]    Subdirectory  430  is named 100STILL, to conform to the DCF rules, and contains four JPEG compressed Exif image files, PIC — 0001.JPG file  432 , PIC — 0002.JPG file  434 , PIC — 0005.JPG file  436 , and PIC — 0007.JPG file  438 . Files  432 - 438  are still image files that have been captured by the digital camera  300 .  
         [0040]    Subdirectory  440  is named 101MOVIE, to conform to the DCF rules. It is used to store motion video files and the thumbnail still image associated with each motion video file. The files stored in subdirectory  440  include three Quicktime movie files, file  442  named VID — 0003.MOV, file  444  named VID — 0004.MOV, and file  446  named VID — 0006.MOV. In addition, the files stored in subdirectory  440  include three associated thumbnail image files, file  452  named VID — 0003.TMB, file  454  named VID — 0004.TMB, and file  456  named VID — 0006.MOV. When the motion video files are initially captured, these three thumbnail files  452 - 456  correspond to the first frame of the motion video segment. As the images are reviewed, however, the user can replace one or more of the associated thumbnail images  452 - 456  with a preferred image, as was described earlier.  
         [0041]    The user uses user controls  303  to set the camera in one of the “capture” modes prior to capturing still or motion images. The user sets the camera in the “review” mode in order to review the captured images (e.g., still image files  432 - 438  and motion video files  442 - 446  in FIG. 6). The user can then review the files and delete undesirable still and motion video files using user controls  303 .  
         [0042]    The user can also use user controls  303  to place the camera in a “place order” mode. In this mode, the user can select still images for printing, and can specify how many copies to make. The camera creates an image utilization file, as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Ser. No. 08/977,382 filed Oct. 18, 2002, entitled, “ELECTRONIC CAMERA WITH UTILIZATION SELECTION CAPABILITY” to Parulski et al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, and as described in commonly-assigned U.S. Ser. No. 09/004,046 filed Jan. 7, 1998 entitled “NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING IMAGES FROM AN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA” to Ward et. al., the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. This image utilization file  412 , named AUTPRINT.MRK, is an ASCII text file containing these instructions, and is known as a Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) file.  
         [0043]    The user can also select one or more frames from one or more motion video sequence to be saved and/or printed as a still image. In a preferred embodiment, a selected image frame from the motion video file (e.g., file  446 ) is automatically converted by digital camera  300  into a JPEG still image file (e.g., file  438 ), which is stored on removable memory card  330 . This JPEG image file is then referenced in the print order file (e.g., AUTPRINT.MRK file  412 ) to indicate the print size, and the number of print copies, that should be made using this still image.  
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment, the user can also combine a number of motion video files together, so that these files are normally played back, one immediately after the other, when the motion image segments are viewed on image display  332  of digital camera  300  or are transferred onto a DVD disc. Instead of merging the actual motion video files, which could take significant computations, an autoplay file (e.g., AUTPLAY.MRK file  414 ) is created which provides an ordered list of the motion image files (e.g. VID — 0003.MOV file  442  and VID — 0004.MOV file  444 ) that should be grouped into a single playback sequence.  
         [0045]    After a series of images have been captured/taken and stored on removable memory card  330 , digital camera  300  is connected to docking unit  350 A,  350 B. Docking interface  322  in digital camera  300  includes an electrical connector that mates with a complimentary connector in the docking unit. Alternatively, removable memory card  330  can be inserted into a memory card reader in a retail kiosk or other printing device, in order to produce prints or to transfer motion video files to an archival media, such as a DVD disc.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow diagram showing the process of capturing and reviewing still and motion images using digital camera  300 , and transferring the images by means of docking unit  350 A,  350 B in order to automatically perform user-selected actions, such as creating a DVD disc containing motion images and an index frame indicating the video segments transferred to the DVD disc.  
         [0047]    At block  100 , the user begins by selecting, using the user interface screens of digital camera  300 , actions to be performed by digital camera  300  and docking unit  350 A,  350 B when the digital camera is connected to the docking unit. Alternatively, this selection can be done by the user using their home computer (e.g., computer  380  in FIG. 2B) which transfers the selections to the digital camera  300  via the docking unit  350 B, or alternatively at a retail establishment, when the digital camera  300  and docking unit  350  are purchased or leased. In some embodiments, this selection process can include customizing the firmware stored in firmware memory  328 , as described in commonly assigned patent application U.S. Ser. No. 09/549,356 filed Apr. 14, 2000, “CUSTOMIZING A DIGITAL CAMERA” to Prabhu et. al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0048]    As one example, the actions selected by the user in block  100  can include automatically creating a DVD disc containing the motion video segments captured by digital camera  300  as well as the still image files and to then delete the motion video files from digital camera  300 , while retaining still image files for later printing by a kiosk printer. The selection made in block  100  is retained in firmware memory  328  of digital camera  300 , and used whenever digital camera  300  is placed in docking unit  350 A,  350 B, unless the user decides to select new actions.  
         [0049]    In block  102 , the user selects a capture mode, which can be a still image capture mode, a normal frame rate motion video capture mode, a time lapse video capture mode, or a high speed video (e.g., slow motion) capture mode. In some embodiments, the user can optionally select whether the recording of motion video images is immediately initiated when the user presses a recording button such as select button  386 , or is initiated only after digital camera  300  detects a significant change in the scene, or is initiated at some future time.  
         [0050]    In block  104 , if the user has selected the still mode, a JPEG still image file is captured and stored each time the capture button (e.g., select button  386 ) is depressed.  
         [0051]    In block  106 , if the user has selected the normal frame rate motion video capture mode, a Quicktime movie file is captured using a normal (e.g., 30 frames per second) recording rate, as long as the user enables select button  386 . In addition, a thumbnail image file corresponding to the first video frame is stored, as is described in relation to FIG. 6.  
         [0052]    In block  108 , if the user has selected the time-lapse motion video capture mode, a Quicktime movie file is captured using a very low frame rate (e.g., one frame every second) from the time the user first presses select button  386  until the user again presses select button  386  to stop the recording process. In addition, a thumbnail image file corresponding to the first video frame is stored, as described in relation to FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, the recording frame rate is user selectable.  
         [0053]    In block  109 , if the user has selected the high speed motion video capture mode (e.g., the slow-motion mode), a Quicktime movie file is captured using a relatively high frame rate (e.g., 60 or 120 frames per second) as long as the user enables select button  386 . To enable this high readout rate, image sensor  314  can be read in a mode that transfers only some of the pixels, to provide a higher speed, but lower resolution, digital video recording. In addition, a thumbnail image file corresponding to the first video frame is stored, as described in relation to FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, the recording frame rate is user selectable.  
         [0054]    In block  110 , the user decides whether to capture more images, returning to block  102 , or to review the captured images in block  112 , using color image display  332  in FIG. 3. The user interface displayed on color image display  332  can use the methods described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,703 “ELECTRONIC CAMERA WITH IMAGE REVIEW” to Miller, et al., and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,015 B1 “CAMERA WITH USER COMPLIANT BROWSE AND DISPLAY MODES” to Miller, et al., the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 5A shows a first user interface screen  500 A, which can be displayed on color image display  332  of digital camera  300 . First user interface screen  500 A includes a thumbnail image display window  510 , which displays an array of thumbnail images of the still and motion video files stored on removable memory card  330 . First user interface screen  500 A also includes a command area  520  having a plurality of command icons for performing operations on selected thumbnail images. These command icons include a play icon  522 , a group icon  524 , a print icon  526 , and a delete icon  528 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 5B shows a second user interface screen  500 B, which can be displayed on color image display  332  of digital camera  300 . Second user interface screen  500 B plays a video image and optionally displays at least one function  530  corresponding to user controls  303  (e.g., controls  382 ,  384 ,  386 ). These functions  530  can include a print function  532 , a “slower playback” function  533 , a “stop” function  534 , a “faster playback” function  535 , and a “make thumbnail” function  536 .  
         [0057]    Referring again to FIG. 4, in block  114 , the user optionally selects new preferred thumbnail images for one or more motion video files. This is done by first selecting a current thumbnail image from thumbnail image display window  510 , and then selecting play command icon  522 , in order to play the motion video segment using user interface screen  500 B in FIG. 5B. Then, at a preferred point in the motion video segment, the user presses select button  386  to freeze the image, and then presses a button corresponding to the “make thumbnail” function  536 . In response, processor  320  in digital camera  300  creates a thumbnail image of this particular (e.g., frozen) image frame, and replaces the current thumbnail file (e.g., file  452  in FIG. 6 associated with Quicktime file  442 ) with this new thumbnail file.  
         [0058]    In block  116 , the user optionally selects a still image from the motion segment to be printed. This is done by first selecting a current thumbnail image from thumbnail image display window  510 , and then selecting play command icon  522 , in order to play this motion video segment using user interface screen  500 B in FIG. 5B. Then, at the preferred point in the motion video segment, the user presses select button  386  to freeze the image, and then presses the button corresponding to the “print” function  532 . In response, processor  320  in digital camera  300  creates a full size JPEG image file of the particular (e.g., frozen) image frame, stores the JPEG file in removable memory card  330 , and adds an appropriate entry to AUTPRINT.MRK print order file  412 .  
         [0059]    In block  118 , the user optionally combines several motion video image segments into a single program. This is accomplished by first selecting a plurality of thumbnail images from thumbnail image display window  510  corresponding to motion video segments, and then selecting group command icon  524 . In response, processor  320  in digital camera  300  creates an autoplay file (e.g., AUTPLAY1.MRK file  414 ) indicating that the selected motion video segments should be treated as a single sequence.  
         [0060]    In block  120 , the user optionally selects a different frame rate to be used for playback of a motion video file. This is accomplished by first selecting a current thumbnail image from thumbnail image display window  510 , and then selecting play command icon  522 , in order to play this motion video segment using user interface screen  500 B in FIG. 5B. Then, the user presses the button corresponding to “slower” function  533  or “faster” function  535 , until the user is satisfied with the playback speed. This feature is particularly useful when the slow frame rate mode (block  108 ) or the high frame rate mode (block  110 ) was used to capture the motion video segment. In response, processor  320  in digital camera  300  creates an autoplay file (e.g., AUTPLAY2.MRK file  416 ) indicating that the selected motion video segment should be played back at the user selected frame rate.  
         [0061]    In block  122 , the user places digital camera  300  in docking unit  350 A,  350 B. The docking unit recharges rechargeable batteries  346  in digital camera  300 . In addition, the user selected actions from block  100  are automatically performed in response to a “user effort” such as placing digital camera  300  in docking unit  350 A,  350 B, or pressing a button on the docking unit after connecting digital camera  300 .  
         [0062]    In block  124 , a DVD disc is created by DVD recorder  360 A in FIG. 2A or by DVD recorder  360 B in FIG. 2B. This DVD disc includes an index at the beginning of the disc, as is common with DVDs. In the present invention, the DVD index includes thumbnail images corresponding to the associated thumbnail files (e.g., files  452 - 456  in FIG. 6). These thumbnail files can be the thumbnails automatically recorded in blocks  106 - 109 , or the preferred thumbnails selected by the user in block  114 . If the user combined several motion video files into one program in block  118 , these files are combined into one DVD index entry which plays all of the segments in consecutive order. If the user captured still images, these JPEG image files are also recorded onto the DVD as high resolution still image files, which can be accessed by a computer.  
         [0063]    In block  126 , the motion image files (e.g., files  442 - 446 ) are erased from removable memory card  330  in accordance with the example actions selected by the user in block  100 . The JPEG still image files (e.g., files  432 - 438 ), including a JPEG file created from the motion video file (e.g., JPEG file  438 ) are retained however, since the print order indicated by the AUTPRINT.MRK file  412  has not yet been produced.  
         [0064]    In block  128 , the user removes removable memory card  330  from digital camera  300 , and takes removable memory card  330  to a retail photo printing kiosk (not shown), such as a Kodak PictureMaker kiosk manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company.  
         [0065]    In block  130 , the kiosk accesses the print order indicated by the AUTPRINT.MRK file  412 , and produces the prints selected by the user in block  116 . These can include an index print corresponding to the thumbnail files used in the DVD index. This index print can be sized to fit into the sleeve of the DVD case, thus providing an index having a thumbnail image associated with each motion video segment. As described earlier, the thumbnail images are automatically generated by digital camera  300 , and may be replaced by a user preferred thumbnail image in block  114 . The still image files are then erased from removable memory card  330 .  
         [0066]    The customer can, of course, repeat blocks  102  to  124  to capture and transfer more still and motion video images, with the digital camera  300  and the docking unit  350  performing the actions selected by the user in block  100 .  
         [0067]    A computer program product, such as a readable storage medium, can store the programs in accordance with the present invention for operating the methods set forth above. The readable storage medium can be a magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disk (such as a floppy disk) or magnetic tape; optical storage media, such as an optical disk, an optical tape, or a machine readable bar code; solid state electronic storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM); or any other physical device or medium employed to store computer programs.  
         [0068]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.  
                                             PARTS LIST (not complete)                                    100   block           102   block           104   block           106   block           108   block           109   block           110   block           112   block           114   block           116   block           118   block           120   block           122   block           124   block           126   bloc           130   block           300   digital camera           301   screen cover           302   flash           303   user controls           304   control processor and timing               generator circuit           306   clock driver           308   autofocus and autoexposure               detectors           310   zoom and focus motor drives           312   zoom lens           314   image sensor           316   analog signal processing and               analog-to-digital converter               circuit           318   DRAM buffer memory           320   processor           322   docking interface           324   memory card interface           328   firmware memory           330   removable memory card           332   image display           333   microphone           335   A/D converter           337   D/A and audio amplifier           339   miniature speaker           344   power supply           346   rechargeable batteries           350A   docking unit           350B   docking unit           360A   DVD recorder           360B   DVD recorder           370   receiver           372   video interface           381   home computer           382   up/down arrows           383   digital interface           384   left/right arrows           385   color printer           386   select button           400   root directory           410   MISC directory           412-416   control files           420   DCIM directory           430   subdirectory           432-438   still image files           440   subdirectory           442-446   motion video/movie files           452-456   thumbnail image files           500A   user interface screen           500B   user interface screen           510   thumbnail image display           520   command area           522   play icon           524   group icon           526   print icon           528   delete icon           530   function           532   print function           533   slower playback function           534   stop function           535   faster playback function           536   make thumbnail function