Method and system for digital image stamping

Abstract

Method and system aspects for digital image stamping are disclosed. A method aspect, and system for providing same, stamps digital images captured with a digital image capture unit. Included are the establishing of parameters for at least one stamp type and the capturing of raw image data. Further included are the processing of the raw image data into at least one image, and the applying of the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for stamping digital images captured with a digital image capture unit, the method comprising: 
 (a) establishing parameters for at least one stamp type;    (b) capturing raw image data;    (c) processing the raw image data into at least one image; and    (d) applying the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising (e) compressing and storing the at least one image with the at least one stamp type.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising (b 1 ) rotating the raw image data.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) establishing parameters further comprises selecting a position for the at least one stamp type.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the at least one stamp type further comprises a time-date stamp.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein establishing parameters step (a) for the time-date stamp further comprises selecting a format, selecting a font, selecting a font size, selecting a color for characters forming the time-date stamp, and selecting a background.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein selecting a background further comprises selecting between a transparent background and a colored background.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the at least one stamp type further comprises a string stamp.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein establishing parameters step (a) for the string stamp further comprises selecting a font, selecting a font size, selecting characters forming the string stamp, selecting a color for the selected characters, and selecting a background.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein selecting a background further comprises selecting between a transparent background and a colored background.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising selecting a language for the string stamp.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the at least one stamp type further comprises a graphical stamp.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein establishing parameters further comprises forming a desired graphical element in a graphics design program.  
     
     
         14 . A method for providing a stamp to a digital image captured and stored by a digital image capture unit, the method comprising: 
 (a) selecting an image to be stamped;    (b) selecting at least one stamp;    (c) displaying the at least one selected stamp on the image to demonstrate the at least one selected stamp on the image; and    (d) stamping the image with the at least one selected stamp when the demonstration is acceptable.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein step (d) stamping further comprises (d 1 ) compressing and storing the at least one selected stamp with the image.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein step (a) selecting an image further comprises (al) decompressing an image file for the image.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising determining whether the at least one selected stamp is repositioned when the demonstration is not acceptable.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein when the at least one stamp is repositioned, the image is demonstrated with the repositioned at least one stamp.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising determining whether another stamp is desired when the demonstration of the at least one selected stamp is not acceptable.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein when another stamp is desired, the method returns to step (b).  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein when another stamp is not desired, the image is not stamped.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the at least one stamp further comprises a time-date stamp, a string stamp, and a graphics stamp.  
     
     
         23 . A system for stamping digital images captured with a digital image capture unit, the method comprising: 
 means for establishing parameters for at least one stamp type;    means for capturing raw image data for at least one image;    means for processing the at least one image; and    means for applying the at least one stamp type to the at least one image.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising means for compressing and storing the at least one image with the at least one stamp type.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the means for establishing parameters further comprises means for selecting a position for the at least one stamp type.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the at least one stamp type further comprises a time-date stamp, a string stamp, and a graphics stamp.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the means for establishing parameters for the time-date stamp and the string stamp further comprises means for selecting a format, a font, a font size, a color for characters, and a background.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the means for establishing parameters for the graphics stamp further comprises means for forming a desired graphical element in a graphics design program.