Image processing device and method compatible with a television receiver

Abstract

A method for processing digital images and displaying them on a television receiver is provided. Initially, an image processing device receives digital image data from a digital camera or other digital device. Next, the digital image is stored on a storage device associated with the image processing device. This digital image on the storage device is converted into television signals and supplied to a television receiver where it can be displayed. Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing these images. This apparatus includes a first input terminal capable of receiving digital image data, a second input terminal capable of receiving commands from a user, an output terminal capable of supplying digital image data to a television receiver external to the apparatus, a storage device associated with the apparatus capable of storing the digital image data, and a processor capable of executing instructions in response to commands received over the second input terminal that store the received digital image in the storage device, converts the digital images into television signals, and transmit the television signals to the television receiver for display thereon.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . An image viewer apparatus comprising:
 a data reader configured to read processed digital image data from a storage medium, wherein the digital image data is obtained by an image capture device and processed by an upgradeable image enhancement process prior to being read;   a processor configured to convert the processed digital image data read by the data reader into video signals; and   an output terminal coupled to the processor, the output terminal outputting the video signals to a display device.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the data reader reads the digital image data from a portable storage medium. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the output terminal outputs the video signals to a television. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the image capture device comprises a digital camera. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the image capture device comprises a digital video camera. 
   
   
       20 . An image viewing system comprising:
 an image processing module that processes digital image data obtained by an image capture device, the processing module comprising:   an upgradeable enhancement process including at least one image enhancement routine that enhances the digital image data, and   executable instructions that, when executed, direct a storage component to store the enhanced digital image data; and   an interface device comprising:
 a data reader configured to retrieve the stored digital image data, 
 a processor configured to convert the retrieved digital image data into video signals, and 
 an output terminal coupled to the processor, the output terminal outputting the video signals for display. 
   
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one image enhancement routine comprises at least one of an edge sharpening routine, an image softening routine, an image cropping routine, a compression routine, a decompression routine, and a formatting routine. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the upgradeable image enhancement process is operable to receive an image enhancement upgrade routine. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the output terminal outputs the video signals to a television. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the image capture device comprises a digital still camera. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the image capture device comprises a digital video camera. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the image processing module comprises a computer program product. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the executable instructions that direct the storage component to store the enhanced digital image data comprise instructions that direct the storage component to store the enhanced digital image data on a portable storage medium. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the data reader retrieves the enhanced digital image data from the portable storage medium.