System and method for using a scripting language to set digital camera device features

Abstract

A system and method for using scripts and selectable feature parameters to configure digital camera device features. The digital camera includes memory storing scripts for providing digital camera device features, an interface enabling a user to modify feature settings, a port connectable to a host computer for modifying or adding scripts to the memory, and a script manager for interpreting the scripts and the feature settings. The digital camera further includes an imaging device for generating a digitized image, and image processors for enhancing the digitized image according to the scripts and the selected feature settings. The digital camera still further includes command handlers for configuring the imaging device and the image processors according to the scripts and the feature settings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A digital camera system comprising:

an imaging device for receiving picture data;

script memory coupled to the imaging device for storing camera-configuring scripts;

an interface coupled to the script memory for enabling the selection of a script feature setting;

a script manager, coupled to the interface for interpreting the script and the script feature setting, and including

a command interpreter coupled to the script memory,

a programming statement interpreter coupled to the script memory, and

a tokenizer for determining when to send an instruction to the command interpreter and when to send an instruction to the programming statement interpreter;

a command handler coupled to the script manager for processing the script based on the script feature setting to provide a camera feature;

control application memory coupled to the imaging device for controlling the camera features based on camera parameters; and

an image processor coupled to the command handler for controlling a processing of the picture data based on the script feature setting.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the command handler includes

an external command handler coupled to the script manager for processing external commands; and

an internal command handler coupled to the script manager for processing internal commands.

3. A digital camera system comprising:

an imaging device for receiving picture data;

script memory coupled to the imaging device for storing camera-configuring scripts and a command;

an interface coupled to the script memory for enabling the selection of a script feature setting;

a script manager coupled to the interface for interpreting the script and the script feature setting, and including an error handler for providing an error report to the interface upon indication of an error in the script, and further including a command table for interpreting the command, and

a command handler coupled to the script manager for processing the script based on the script feature setting to provide a camera feature.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a communications port coupled to the script memory for transferring different scripts from an external host computer to the script memory.

5. A digital camera system, comprising:

means for receiving picture data;

script means, coupled to the means for receiving, for storing a camera-configuring script;

interface means, coupled to the script means, for enabling selection of a script feature setting;

interpretation means, coupled to the interface means, for interpreting the script and the script feature setting, and including

a command interpreter means coupled to the means for receiving,

a programming statement interpreter means coupled to the means for receiving; and

a tokenizer for determining when to send an instruction to the command interpreter means and when to send an instruction to the programming statement interpreter means;

command handler means, coupled to the interpretation means, for processing the script based on the script feature setting to provide a camera feature;

control means, coupled to the means for receiving, for controlling the camera features based on camera parameters; and

image processor means, coupled to the command handler means, for controlling a processing of the picture data based on the script feature setting.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the command handler means includes:

external command handler means coupled to the interpretation means for processing external commands; and

internal command handler means coupled to the interpretation means for processing internal commands.

7. A system for using parameter tables to generate a data structure for setting digital camera device features, comprising:

means for receiving including an I/O interface for receiving a camera feature setting command which includes a command name, a feature name and a feature setting from a user;

a command table, coupled to the means for receiving, including command names and corresponding command codes;

a feature table, coupled to the means for receiving, including features, corresponding feature codes, corresponding available feature settings and corresponding feature setting codes;

an interpreter, coupled to the means for receiving, for using the command table and the feature table to generate a data structure having the command code representing the command, the feature code representing the feature and the feature setting code representing the feature setting; and

a command handler, coupled to the interpreter, for processing data structures.

8. A system for using parameter tables to generate a data structure for setting digital camera device features, comprising:

means for receiving a camera feature setting command which includes a command name, a feature name and a feature setting;

a command table, coupled to the means for receiving, including command names and corresponding command codes;

a feature table, coupled to the means for receiving, including features, corresponding feature codes, corresponding available feature settings and corresponding feature setting codes;

an interpreter, coupled to the means for receiving, for using the command table and the feature table to generate a data structure having the command code representing the command, the feature code representing the feature and the feature setting code representing the feature setting; and

an error handler, coupled to the interpreter, for providing an error report upon indication of an error.

9. A method of using parameter tables to generate a data structure for setting digital camera device features, comprising the steps of:

receiving, by an interface, a feature setting command which includes a command name, a feature name and a feature setting;

using, by a script manager, a command table which includes a set of command names and corresponding command codes to extract command codes based on the command names;

using, by the script manager, a feature table which includes a plurality of feature sets, each set including a feature name, a corresponding feature code, corresponding available feature settings and corresponding feature setting code, to extract the corresponding feature code and corresponding feature setting code based on the received feature name and the received feature setting;

generating, by the script manager, a message packet which includes the command code, the feature code and the feature setting code; and

providing an error report upon indication of an error to the interface.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, after generating, the step of using a control application to modify camera parameters for setting camera device features.

11. A method of using parameter tables to generate a data structure for setting digital camera device features, comprising the steps of:

receiving, by an interface, a feature setting command which includes a command name, a feature name and a feature setting;

using, by a script manager, a command table which includes a set of command names and corresponding command codes to extract command codes based on the command names;

using, by the script manager, a feature table which includes a plurality of feature sets, each set including a feature name, a corresponding feature code, corresponding available feature settings and corresponding feature setting code, to extract the corresponding feature code and corresponding feature setting code based on the received feature name and the received feature setting;

generating, by the script manager, a data structure which includes the command code, the feature code and the feature setting code;

forwarding, by the script manager, the data structure to a command handler for processing the data structure; and

sending, by the command handler, responsive data in a predetermined format back to the script manager.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising ignoring, by the script manager, a portion of the responsive data based on a flag in the command.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to digital cameras and more particularly to a system and method for using a scripting language to set digital camera device features.

2. Description of the Background Art

A modern digital camera typically includes an imaging device and a built-in computer. The imaging device captures raw image information representing a scene and is controlled by the built-in computer system. The built-in computer system receives, processes and compresses the raw image information before storing the compressed digital information in an internal memory.

A typical digital camera enables a user to manipulate mechanical buttons, rotatable and toggle switches, etc. to select a few of the camera feature settings. However, the remainder of the digital camera features are typically based on built-in computer system programming. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) set the software-based features and software-based feature settings for each digital camera. Accordingly, consumers examine both the camera hardware and the camera programming to determine whether or not to purchase the camera.

Except for a few OEM selected features, the camera feature programming is stored in Read-Only Memory (ROM). Thus, the majority of the camera feature programming is not user accessible and thus not modifiable. Further, new features cannot be added. A system and method are needed for enabling an ordinary user to set digital camera device features easily. Further, a system and method are needed for enabling a programmer to add digital camera device features which are also settable by the ordinary user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are disclosed for using scripts to implement digital camera features. The digital camera includes memory storing scripts for providing digital camera device features, an interface for receiving user selected feature settings, a script manager for interpreting the scripts and the feature settings to generate data structures, and a command handler for configuring the camera to provide the camera features. The digital camera further includes an imaging device for generating a digitized image and image processors for enhancing the digitized image. Since the user need only select the camera feature script and then run and optionally interact with the camera-configuring script, the ordinary user can modify the camera features.

The digital camera includes a port connectable to host computer for adding or modifying scripts to add or modify available camera features. The host computer uses a text editor application program to generate or modify scripts, and optionally uses any error detection application program for error testing the script. The camera may be connected to the host computer for downloading the newly-generated camera-configuring script into camera memory. Alternately, the script can be loaded onto a removable memory card and inserted into the camera. The added or modified script can be run to configure the camera according to a selected feature and setting.

The invention further provides a method for generating data structures from a script. The method begins by receiving a feature setting command which includes a command name, a feature name and a feature setting by an interface from a user. Using a command table which includes a set of command names and corresponding command codes, command codes are extracted based on the command names. Using a command parameter table which includes corresponding parameter formats, the parameters are extracted based on the parameter format list. Parameters may include feature names and settings. Accordingly, a data structure which includes the command code and parameters, including any feature settings in the specified format is then generated by the script manager. The data structure is sent to a command handler for execution and generation of responsive data, which is sent back to the script manager for processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the imaging device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a memory map illustrating the ROM of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a memory map illustrating the DRAM of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating the FIG. 4 script manager;

FIG. 6B is a block diagram illustrating operations of the FIG. 1 camera;

FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating the preferred method for generating a data structure from a script statement;

FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the preferred method for executing a command;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart further illustrating the step of building a data structure of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an external command send data structure; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an external command receive data structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera 110 having modifiable camera features such as exposure, focus, date/time stamp, etc., and coupled to a host computer 120. Camera 110 comprises an imaging device 114 coupled via a system bus 116 to a computer 118. When a photographer depresses an action button (not shown), computer 118 instructs imaging device 114 to take a picture of an object 112. Imaging device 114 optically captures and forwards light-based image information representing object 112 via system bus 116 to computer 118. Based on the camera 110 features, computer 118 performs various image processing functions on the image information before storing the processed data in internal memory (not shown).

Camera 110 uses scripts, which may be authored and error tested on host computer 120, to configure its features. A conventional text editor application program (not shown) may be used on host computer 120 for generating a script and an error reporter application program (not shown) may be used on host computer 120 for error testing the script. If the error reporter locates an error, then the script may be edited until the error reporter determines that the script will provide the intended camera 110 feature. Camera 110 may be connected to host computer 120, and the script may be downloaded from host computer 120 into camera 110 by moving the script to a system folder (not shown) in camera 110 memory or to a flash disk.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating imaging device 114, which comprises a lens 220, a filter 222, an image sensor 224, a timing generator 226, an analog signal processor 228, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 230, an interface 232 and a motor 234. A detailed discussion of the preferred elements of imaging device 114 is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/355,031, entitled "A System and Method For Generating a Contrast Overlay as a Focus Assist for an Imaging Device," filed on Dec. 13, 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Briefly, light-based information identifying object 112 passes along optical path 236 through lens 220 and filter 222 to image sensor 224. Image sensor 224 captures the light data, generates light-based image information from the light data, and routes the light-based image information through analog signal processor 228, AID converter 230 and interface 232. Interface 232 controls analog signal processor 228, motor 234 and timing generator 226, and passes the light-based image information via system bus 116 to computer 118.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating computer 118, which comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 344, Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) 346, an Input/Output (I/O) interface 348 and Read-Only Memory (ROM) 350, each connected to system bus 116. Computer 118 optionally further includes a buffers/connector 352 coupled to system bus 116, and a removable memory 354 coupled via a path 356 to buffers/connector 352.

CPU 344 controls camera 110 operations and may include a microprocessor device such as Motorola MPC821 manufactured by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. or a Hitachi SH3 manufactured by Hitachi America, Ltd. of Terrytown, N.Y. CPU 344 optionally uses a multithreaded environment for concurrent activation of multiple camera 110 control functions. DRAM 346 is conventional DRAM selectively allocated to various storage functions including image data storage. I/O interface 348 permits host computer 120 or a user via externally-mounted user controls and an external LCD display panel to communicate with computer 118.

ROM 350 stores computer-readable program instructions for controlling camera 110 operations. Buffers/connector 352 provides an interface, such as a Personal Computer Memory Card International Standard (PCMCIA) slot, for connecting a removable memory. Removable memory 354 is preferably a readily removable and replaceable non-volatile data storage device such as a flash disk, and serves as an additional image data storage area. A user who possesses several removable memories 354 may replace a full removable memory 354 with an empty removable memory 354 to effectively expand the picture-taking capacity of camera 110.

FIG. 4 is a memory map illustrating ROM 350, which stores programs including a control application 400, a toolbox 402, drivers 404, a kernel 406 and a system configuration 408. Control application 400 comprises program instructions for managing the various camera 110 functions and executing script commands. Toolbox 402 comprises selected function modules including a script manager 410, external command handlers 420, image processors 430 and camera control system 440. Script manager 410 operates as a script interpreter by generating data structures from script statements which are used to provide the camera 110 features. External command handlers 420 manage the data structures generated by script manager 410 and may store parameter values in a programmable RAM (PRAM) such as an EEPROM. Image processors 430 are programs for enhancing (e.g., adjusting the contrast, sharpening, converting the image to gray-scale, etc.) the digital image received from imaging device 114. Camera control system 440 receives and processes the data structures from the external command handlers 420 for controlling camera functions. System functions, I/O functions, camera hardware functions, image processor functions are controlled by the control application and toolbox routines receiving data structures from external command handlers. Script manager 410 operations are described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Drivers 404 comprise program instructions for controlling various camera 110 hardware components, such as motor 234 (FIG. 2) and a flash (not shown). Kernel 406 comprises program instructions providing basic underlying camera 110 services including synchronization routines, task creation, activation and deactivation routines, resource management routines, etc. System configuration 408 comprises program instructions for providing initial camera 110 start-up routines such as the system boot routine and system diagnostics.

FIG. 5 is a memory map illustrating DRAM 346, which includes a working memory 530, a RAM disk 532 and a system area 534. Working memory 530 stores camera-configuring scripts 536. Scripts 536 comprise program statements which may include commands, which are loaded at start-up by the configuration software from the RAM disk or flash disk. A command is a function routine call comprising a command name, optionally a send list and optionally a receive list. An example of a command is "GetCameraStates(1,`hint`:3?,hint)" where "GetCameraStates" is the command name, "1,`hint`" is the send list, ":" separates the send list from the receive list, and "3?,hint" is the receive list. The command name GetCameraStates calls the function routine for retrieving the status value of a particular feature. The "1" in the send list indicates that only one request is being made. The "`hint`" indicates that the value requested is for the hint feature. The "3?" in the receive list indicates that upon receipt of responsive data three values should be skipped, and the "hint" in the receive list specifies the variable in which to store the fourth value. Combining both the send list and the receive list in the command provides a simple command structure.

A script for configuring the camera hint mode, which enables the camera to select exposure type automatically (AUTO), to set exposure such that the background is out of focus (PORT), to set the exposure to capture as much depth of field as possible (LAND), to shift exposure to provide a fast shutter speed for moving objects (SPRT) or to maximize depth of field for objects in very close proximity (CLOS), is as follows:

    ______________________________________
    #HINT.sub.-- 01.CSM        (1)
    name "Set Exposure Hint Mode"
                               (2)
    declare u:hint             (3)
    GetCameraStates(1,"hint":3?,hint)
                               (4)
    get hint                   (5)
     1: "AUTO"
     2: "PORT"
     3: "LAND"
     4: "SPRT"
     5: "CLOS"
    end                        (6)
    SetCameraStates(false,1,"hint",hint)
                               (7)
    SetScriptStatus(1,"hint")  (8)
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 1
    ______________________________________
    Variable Types
    Specifier
             Description
    ______________________________________
    u        32 bits unsigned integer.
    i        32 bits signed integer.
    f        32 bits signed fractional part in signed 15 bits signed
             integer and 16 bits fraction.
    s        32 bytes characters containing a string up to 31
             significant characters terminated by a null character.
    n        16 bytes string contains DOS filename, format as
             (8 characters).(3 characters) or (8 characters).
    p        4 characters string.
    b        32 bits of Boolean flags, each bit can be either true(1)
             or false(0).
    l        identifier used to indicate a label name.
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 2
    ______________________________________
    Command Table
    Command      Command   Parameter Parameter
    Name         Code      Count     Type List
    ______________________________________
    "GetCameraStates"
                 0 .times. 0005
                           2         1, 16, 0, 0, 0, 0
    "GetCameraCapabilities"
                 0 .times. 0006
                           2         1, 16, 0, 0, 0, 0
    "SetCameraStates"
                 0 .times. 0007
                           3         4, 1, 17, 0, 0, 0
    "GetCameraStatus"
                 0 .times. 0008
                           0         0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 3
    ______________________________________
    Parameter Type Table
    Parameter
           Value  Description
    ______________________________________
    cuInteger
           (1)    integer between 0 and 4G, 32 bit unsigned
                  integer, a preceding 0x or 0.times. means hex value,
                  otherwise decimal value.
    cInteger
           (2)    integer between -2G and +2G, 32 bit signed
                  integer, a preceding 0x or 0.times. means hex value,
                  otherwise decimal value.
    cFixed (3)    fixed integer between -32767.99999 . . . and
                  +32767.99999 . . . , 32 bit signed fractional part in
                  signed 15-bit signed integer and 16-bit
                  fraction.
    cBitFlags
           (4)    Boolean and bitflags; 32 bits of Boolean flags,
                  each bit can be either true(1) or false(0), "0b"
                  means Boolean, "0x" or "0.times." means hex,
                  otherwise decimal value.
    cPName (6)    parameter name.
    cName  (7)    DOS filename; 16 byte string surrounded by
                  double quotes. The format is an up to 8
                  character filename, followed by a period, and a
                  up to three character extension or up to 8
                  character filename; example "myscript.csm."
    cString
           (8)    a sequence of characters surrounded by double
                  quotes, max length. is 31, no double quotes
                  inside the character string.
    cPList (16)   parameter list.
    cPVList
           (17)   parameter/value list.
    cNameList
           (18)   DOS filename list.
    cUList (19)   unsigned integer list.
    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 4
    ______________________________________
    Variable Table
    Variable Name     Type   Value
    ______________________________________
    "count"           1      0
    "valu"            3      1.25
    ______________________________________

• Inventors
  Andersion, Eric C.;
• Published
  Jul-25-2000
• Current US Classes:
  348/231.6
  348/552
  717/115
• Application #
  778301
• International Classes
  H04N 005/76; H04N 007/00; H04N 011/00; G06F 009/45
• Field of Search
  348/231 348/233 348/552 348/232 396/48 396/429 396/300 395/705
• Examiner
  Garber; Wendy
• Agent
  Carr & Ferrell LLP
• US Patent References:
  4704699
  5404528
  5475428
  5475441
  5477264
  5493335
  5826088