Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

David Mark Frohlich

Guy De Warrenne Bruce Adams

David Arthur Grosvenor

Malcolm Stuart Rix

Glenn Peter Hall

Rachel Lucy Murphy

Systems and methods of producing video data and/or audio-photos from a static digital image are disclosed. One such method, among others, comprises receiving input from a user indicating sequentially, in real time, a plurality of regions of the static digital image. The method also includes processing the user input to determine the visual content of each of a sequence of video frames and generating output data representative of the sequence of video frames. The sequence and composition of the video frames are determined such that the visual content of the video frames is taken from the static digital image. For each region of the static image indicated by the user, a video frame is composed such that the said region occupies a substantial part of the video frame. The sequence of video frames shows the regions indicated by the user in sequential correspondence with the sequence in which the user indicated the regions and substantially in pace with the time in which the user indicated the regions.

Producing video and audio-photos from a static digital image

An audio photograph data storage system stores a printed image and a plurality of audio segments associated with the printed image. The audio segments are arranged in a plurality of audio layers.

Associating audio and image data

An apparatus for Internet browsing and other Internet-interactive activities, comprises: a camera focusing on a printed hypertext document for generating video signals representing an image of the printed hypertext document in electronic form: A processor linked to the camera processes images of the printed hypertext document captured by the camera and a finger or other pointing implement within the camera field of view pointing to a region of the printed hypertext document and determines from the image the identity of a linked web page or a linked multi-media, i.e. audio and/or video sequence, data file referred to on that hypertext document in the region pointed to, and then fetches from the Internet or a local cache of web pages data comprising the linked web page or linked multimedia data file referenced in the printed hypertext document. A receiver receives and displays or plays the fetched data.

Internet browsing system

An automated method and apparatus for assisting a reader to read a printed or scribed document that cites, directly or indirectly, other information. A camera focuses down on the document for generating video signals representing an image of the document in electronic form, and a processor linked to the camera processes the image of the document captured by the camera, the processor being configured to fetch information from a database when a user, by pointing to a position on the document, selects a position within the image. The document is placed within the field of view of the camera and finger or pointing implement is placed within the field of view of the camera to a selected position on the document. The camera captures an image of the document and of the finger or pointing implement overlying the document. The processor processes the captured image to recognize the position on the document selected by the finger or pointing implement and information is fetched that is cited, directly or indirectly, at that position in the page of the document.

Assisted reading method and apparatus

A multi-media photograph album comprises a network of electrical conductors which connect with plural data storage devices storing audio data and/or image data. A user, via a user interface, selectively addresses the data storage devices. The user selects individual sound bites for immediate playback via a speaker in the photo album, or via transmission over a wireless link, for playback through an external audio device, for example a hi-fi system. Image data are retrieved from the data storage devices and sent via a wireless link to an image data storage device, e.g., a personal computer. The data storage device can be embedded within a photograph, or can be a separate data storage device attached to the album.

Photo album with provision for media playback

A passage of sound is attached to a printed imageby means of an electronic storage medium. The electronic storage mediumcomprises a diecontaining a non-volatile memory and a flexible substratewith connectors. The connectors can be interfaces with a separate readerwhich plays the passage of sound recorded in the electronic storage medium. Further information is also provided in the electronic storage mediummemory. This further information relates to the printed image. Such information may include a version of the image printed, either to the same or to a lower resolution. It may also include information relating to image capture conditions or location, or information allowing referencing or indexing of the image.

Method and system for providing a printed image with a related sound

A storage apparatus for sentimental electronic memorabilia includes a memory and processor for the storage and manipulation of files within which memorabilia is stored, and a monitor for assimilating the memorabilia; in the case of visually assimilable files, the monitor is a visual monitor. Each file is associated with an artefact which acts as a vehicle for the establishment of sentimental links to electronically stored information. The artefacts are stored within a box which also houses the monitor and processor. The association of artefacts with files is through the provision of an rf tag identifier on the artefact. Once the identifier is read by an rf tag reader on the box, the file corresponding to the identifier is retrieved from the memory and furnished to a user in an assimilable form by means of the monitor.

Storage apparatus

A printer is adapted to produce a printed image with an associated sound passage stored on an electronic storage device. The printer comprises an information input for receiving information to define a visual image and also information defining a passage of sound. The printer has a printer element for printing the first information as a printed image , but also has a writing element for writing the sound information into an electronic storage device adapted for attachment to the printed image. An appropriate mechanism for attaching the electronic storage device to the printer image is provided at the printer.

Growing community of inventors

Bristol, United Kingdom

David Mark Frohlich