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Customizing a digital imaging device using preferred images
Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
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Filing: 2000-12-08
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Granted: 2006-04-04
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Expires: 2020-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital imaging device includes a programmable memory for storing at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device. The method includes providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances. The user selects one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital imaging device and the programmable memory of the digital imaging device is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Miller
- 👤 Kenneth A. Parulski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00244; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00501; H04N1/00503; H04N1/00509; H04N1/00962; H04N1/0097; H04N1/00973; H04N1/21; H04N1/2104; H04N1/2112; H04N1/2158; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32106; H04N1/32122; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/617; H04N23/63; H04N23/631; H04N2101/00; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0074; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/0084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one firmware component in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls the operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances; (b) the user selecting one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s); and (c) providing the selected corresponding firmware component(s) to the digital imaging device and programming the programmable memory of the digital imaging device to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display and wherein step (a) includes displaying on the display an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one firmware component in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls the operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software which can access a plurality of firmware components providing different image appearances, the customization software producing a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances; (b) the user selecting one of the plurality of images having a preferred appearance to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s); and (c) providing the selected corresponding firmware component(s) to the digital imaging device and programming the programmable memory of the digital imaging device to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display and wherein step (a) includes displaying on the display an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the customization software is provided external to the digital imaging device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the customization software is provided on a computer program product.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the customization software is provided by a Network Service Provider.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein step (b) includes using a host computer to select the at least one preferred image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the host computer is provided in a retail establishment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital imaging device is a digital camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital imaging device is a print or film scanner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital imaging device is a hardcopy printer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital imaging device further includes a processor, and wherein the firmware component(s) can be executed by the processor to control the operation of the digital imaging device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the digital imaging device is a digital computer incorporating an image modification application.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
At least one computer program product stored on a computer readable medium having the customization software stored thereon for performing the method according to claim 1 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of images of the same scene depict different sharpness levels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of images of the same scene depict different contrast levels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of images of the same scene depict different color saturation levels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) includes producing hardcopy prints of the plurality of images of the same scene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) further includes, in response to the user selecting the one of the plurality of images, modifying the image corresponding to the current parameter setting to match the image selected by the user.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one parameter in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls at least one image processing operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a default setting that can be used to control the at least one image processing operation; (b) displaying a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances and providing a corresponding plurality of parameter values; (c) the user selecting one of the displayed plurality of images as a preferred image; (d) storing the parameter value corresponding to the selected preferred image in the programmable memory of the digital imaging device, and (e) utilizing the stored parameter value to control the image processing operation of the digital imaging device, to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one parameter in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls at least one image processing operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a default setting that can be used to control the at least one image processing operation; (b) displaying a plurality of images of the same scene having a corresponding plurality of different appearances and providing a corresponding plurality of parameter values; (c) the user selecting one of the displayed plurality of images as a preferred image; (d) storing the parameter value corresponding to the selected preferred image in the programmable memory of the digital imaging device, and (e) utilizing the stored parameter value to control the image processing operation of the digital imaging device, to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the digital imaging device further includes a processor, and wherein the image processing operation is provided by the processor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A digital camera configured according to the method of claim 18 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
At least one computer program product stored on a computer readable medium having the customization software stored thereon for performing the method according to claim 18 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the parameter values provide variations in image sharpness.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the parameter values provide variations in image contrast.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the parameter values provide variations in color saturation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the digital imaging device includes a display, and wherein the plurality of images that can be selected by the user is displayed on the display.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein steps (b), (c), and (d) are performed a plurality of times for different image attributes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 26 wherein the different image attributes include contrast and color saturation.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for providing customized firmware for a digital imaging device for at least one particular user, the customized firmware having at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software executed external to the digital imaging device which can access software code associated with a plurality of different image appearances; (b) displaying a plurality of digital images of the same subject remote from the digital image device, each of the plurality of digital images having corresponding firmware component(s); (c) the user selecting at least one desired image from the displayed plurality of digital images of the same subject to cause the customization software to access the software code associated with the at least one selected image; and (d) providing a firmware component(s) corresponding to the user selected image; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display, and wherein step (b) includes displaying, on the display, an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for providing customized firmware for a digital imaging device for at least one particular user, the customized firmware having at least one firmware component which controls the operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software executed external to the digital imaging device which can access software code associated with a plurality of different image appearances; (b) displaying a plurality of digital images of the same subject remote from the digital image device, each of the plurality of digital images having corresponding firmware component(s); (c) the user selecting at least one desired image from the displayed plurality of digital images of the same subject to cause the customization software to access the software code associated with the at least one selected image; and (d) providing a firmware component(s) corresponding to the user selected image; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display, and wherein step (b) includes displaying, on the display, an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 28 further including the step of providing the selected corresponding firmware component(s) to the digital imaging device and reprogramming a programmable memory of the digital imaging device to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
A digital printer configured according to the method of claim 29 .
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
A digital camera configured according to the method of claim 29 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
At least one computer program product stored on a computer readable medium having the customization software stored thereon for performing the method according to claim 28 .
Claim 36
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing image processing settings in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software executed external to the digital imaging device for displaying a plurality of images of the same subject having different appearances that can be provided by the digital imaging device; (b) the user selecting a preferred image from the plurality of displayed images; (c) the customization software determining at least one parameter setting corresponding to the selected image; and (d) providing the at least one parameter setting to the digital imaging device and programming the programmable memory of the digital imaging device to store the at least one parameter setting to thereby customize the digital imaging device; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display, and wherein step (a) includes displaying on the display, an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing image processing settings in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software executed external to the digital imaging device for displaying a plurality of images of the same subject having different appearances that can be provided by the digital imaging device; (b) the user selecting a preferred image from the plurality of displayed images; (c) the customization software determining at least one parameter setting corresponding to the selected image; and (d) providing the at least one parameter setting to the digital imaging device and programming the programmable memory of the digital imaging device to store the at least one parameter setting to thereby customize the digital imaging device; wherein the digital imaging device includes a display, and wherein step (a) includes displaying on the display, an image corresponding to a current parameter setting and a plurality of images corresponding to alternative parameter settings that can be selected by the user.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 33 wherein the digital imaging device is customized to include different parameter settings for at least two different users.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A digital printer configured according to the method of claim 33 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
A digital camera configured according to the method of claim 33 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
At least one computer program product stored on a computer readable medium having the customization software stored thereon for performing the method according to claim 33 .
Claim 42
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one setting in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls an image processing operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software which can access software code associated with a plurality of different digital imaging device settings; (b) displaying a plurality of digital images provided by the software code corresponding to different digital imaging device settings; (c) the user choosing a desired digital image from the plurality of displayed digital images to cause the customization software to determine at least one associated setting; and (d) programming the programmable memory to store the at least one associated setting to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for customizing a digital imaging device for at least one particular user by storing at least one setting in a programmable memory of the digital imaging device which controls an image processing operation of the digital imaging device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing customization software which can access software code associated with a plurality of different digital imaging device settings; (b) displaying a plurality of digital images provided by the software code corresponding to different digital imaging device settings; (c) the user choosing a desired digital image from the plurality of displayed digital images to cause the customization software to determine at least one associated setting; and (d) programming the programmable memory to store the at least one associated setting to thereby customize the digital imaging device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the at least one digital imaging device setting controls edge enhancement, color correction, or tone correction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-04-03 | 2009-10-03 | 2010-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-04-03 | 2013-10-03 | 2014-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-04-03 | 2017-10-03 | 2018-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |