US6608650B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive assistant process for aiding a user in camera setup and operation
Assignee: FlashPoint Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-01
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Granted: 2003-08-19
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Expires: 2018-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for providing user assistance to a user of a digital image device. The present invention, referred to as an interactive context assistant, includes computer-readable instructions stored in a memory unit of the digital image device which are executed by a central processing unit. The present invention is configured to automatically recognize an attribute of the image data. The present invention also includes a database which specifies the user assistance according to the attribute of the image data. The present invention retrieves from the database the user assistance corresponding to the attribute and provides the user assistance to the user via a user interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Torres
- 👤 Eric Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/64; H04N23/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A digital image device configured to capture and manipulate image data, said digital image device comprising: a system bus a central processing unit coupled to said system bus; an input/output device coupled to said system bus, said input/output device configured to provide a user interface; and a memory unit coupled to said system bus, said memory unit having stored therein a database and computer-readable instructions, said computer-readable instructions executed by said central processing unit to provide user assistance to a user of said digital image device by: performing an analysis of said image data; automatically recognizing an attribute of said image data based on said analysis; retrieving from said database said user assistance corresponding to said attribute; automatically communicating said user assistance to said user to provide user assistance to said user of said digital image device; and automatically adjusting settings of said digital imaging device based on said user assistance for recapture of said image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A digital image device configured to capture and manipulate image data, said digital image device comprising: a system bus a central processing unit coupled to said system bus; an input/output device coupled to said system bus, said input/output device configured to provide a user interface; and a memory unit coupled to said system bus, said memory unit having stored therein a database and computer-readable instructions, said computer-readable instructions executed by said central processing unit to provide user assistance to a user of said digital image device by: performing an analysis of said image data; automatically recognizing an attribute of said image data based on said analysis; retrieving from said database said user assistance corresponding to said attribute; automatically communicating said user assistance to said user to provide user assistance to said user of said digital image device; and automatically adjusting settings of said digital imaging device based on said user assistance for recapture of said image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein said memory unit is a removable memory unit adapted for use in said digital image device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein said attribute of said image data includes any combination of: sharpness, brightness, contrast, and color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein said attribute of said image data includes any combination of: exposure time, shutter speed, f-stop, white balance setting, and focus distance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein said attribute is an identification tag attached to said image data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein a time-based condition is recognized and user assistance corresponding to said time-based condition is automatically provided.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein an event-based condition is recognized and user assistance corresponding to said event-based condition is automatically provided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital image device of claim 1 wherein a product-based condition is recognized and user assistance corresponding to said product-based condition is automatically provided.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing user assistance to a user of a digital image device, said digital image device configured to capture and manipulate image data, said method comprising the steps of: a) performing an analysis of said image data; b) recognizing an attribute of said image data based on said analysis; c) retrieving from a database said user assistance corresponding to said attribute; d) automatically communicating said user assistance to said user; and e) automatically adjusting settings of said digital imaging device based on said user assistance for recapture of said image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for providing user assistance to a user of a digital image device, said digital image device configured to capture and manipulate image data, said method comprising the steps of: a) performing an analysis of said image data; b) recognizing an attribute of said image data based on said analysis; c) retrieving from a database said user assistance corresponding to said attribute; d) automatically communicating said user assistance to said user; and e) automatically adjusting settings of said digital imaging device based on said user assistance for recapture of said image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said attribute of said image data includes any combination of: sharpness, brightness, contrast, and color.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said attribute of said image data is includes any combination of: exposure time, shutter speed, f-stop, white balance setting, and focus distance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein step a) further comprises the step of: performing a comparison of a first set of image data to a second set of image data, said first set of image data representing a first portion of an image and said second set of image data representing a second portion of said image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein step a) further comprises the step of: performing a comparison of a first set of image data to a second set of image data, said first set of image data representing a first image and said second set of image data representing a second image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said attribute is an identification tag attached to said image data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: automatically recognizing that a time-based condition is satisfied; and automatically retrieving from said database user assistance corresponding to said time-based condition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: automatically recognizing that an event-based condition is satisfied, and automatically retrieving from said database user assistance corresponding to said event-based condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of: automatically recognizing that a product-based condition is satisfied; and automatically retrieving from said database user assistance corresponding to said product-based condition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein step b) further comprises the steps of: b1) retrieving from said database a query corresponding to said attribute; b2) automatically communicating said query to said user; b3) reading a user response to said query; and b4) automatically retrieving from said database user assistance corresponding to said user response.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-08-18 | 2007-02-17 | 2007-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-18 | 2011-02-17 | 2011-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-18 | 2015-02-17 | 2015-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |