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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a method for encoding movies from
still digital images in media viewers and players. In particular the invention
relates to a method for a media viewer and / or a player device with USB
support, digital album devices, and multi-functional monitors (MFMs) and codec
technologies for encoding movies from still digital images with special effects like
visual effects, transition effects, and audio.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer-based (i.e., PC-based) applications for encoding movies from digital
still images are found windows movie maker and Sony Vegas various models for
digital albums or digital media viewers with USB support are known. They vary
in their size, resolution, price, shape (like rectangle, heart shaped, oval shaped,
circular shaped, or can be designed and developed with a feasible arbitrary
shape), and supported media types. Few devices are available with slide show
feature, however, slide shows are only for local playback only, which cannot be
distributed across multiple media devices and further encoding a movie and slide
show is entirely different technical concepts. Details of some of these devices
are available on website for which the links are given below.

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1- http://www.alibaba.com/cataloa/11584960/Diqital Album.html
2. http://sinodia.en.alibab.eom/product/0/51450077/DiqitalAlbum.html
3. http://tectrix.en.alibaba.com/product/50220481/51489074/Diqital Photo
Display/Digital Photo Album.html
4. http://depochina.en.alibaba.com/product/50112373/51121522/Diqital Pict
ure Viewer/Digital Album of Heart Model Design.html
5. http://depochina.en.alibaba.com/product/50112373/516932200/Diqital
Picture Viewer/7 Multi Function Digital Frame.html
6. http://depochina.en.alibaba.com/product/50112373/51693190/Diaital
Picture Viewer/7 Multi Function Digital Frame.html
MFMs are available in various resolutions, multiple AV inputs for DVD players,
HDTV, settop boxes, and game consoles, and wall mountable features.
Computer-based applications described above are applicable only to computers
and digital media data is required to fetch into computers if users need to
encode movies from digital still images. This restricts their applicability and
usability only to the users who have computers or handy on using computers for
the development of such applications.
USB media viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor devices are only for
playing or viewing digital media data and encoding movies is not possible with
them. The only feature they support is slide show feature with some default
effects; however, encoding a movie from digital still images which can be
distributed across multiple media devices is entirely a different technical concept.

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There was a need for a USB media viewer / digital / album / multi-function /
monitor (MFM) device with utility for encoding movies from digital still images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide an application for devices
like USB media viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor devices available
for playing and viewing digital media data, for encoding movies by pasting digital
still images, and by adding images effects, transition effects, controlling timelines
of each image in the movie, and by adding music or speech to provide narrations
for the pasted images. The invention will also access any data like titles and
credits, dates and time, place, or any other media (text-audio-visual) data
attached with the digital images to accommodate them in the encoded movie.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an encoder (hardware
device application) for converting sequence of images into a movie file
exclusively for such devices. This way the user can create a movie (or video) file
with various compression qualities by selecting number of photos, visual effects,
transitions, and adding music / speech and can store it either in these devices for
later playback or move to an USB or any other device supported storage device
for distribution across multiple media players / editors / viewers including PC.

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Yet another object of the present invention is to remove the need for a separate
computer device for creating (or encoding) such movies and converting
traditional media players and viewers available with these devices into an
effective media editors. This way, it also converts these traditional devices into
creative media editor devices.
Still another object of the invention is to utilize the remote control devices of
these media viewer devices or to provide a MENU button for these devices to
configure a main MENU item for movie making, adding image effects, transitions,
time control, adding music/speech, and controlling compression quality.
Some of these devices may not be available with a remote or a MENU button.
For these devices, a specific button (push or touch) can be configured for movie
making purpose and provided on the panel (front, sides, or rear). Secondary
MENU items are developed for adding image effects, transitions, time control,
adding music/speech, and controlling compression quality.

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Thus in a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method for
encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers and players for
playing and viewing digital media data, said method comprising the steps of:
selecting digital still images on a movie strip; accessing USB media viewer /
digital album / multi-function monitor (MFM) device local or supported external
storage for the selected digital still images with all media data on the movie
strip; finalizing movie with desired compression quality for creating a profile
containing specifications for input digital still images with special effects;
encoding the finalized movie profile with the help of an exclusively designed
encoder for the media viewer devices; and outputting said encoded data for local
playback or storage in a movie file or for its transfer to any supported media
storage for distribution across a variety of digital media devices.
For operating and controlling the movie encoding method of the present
invention, a remote control can be configured as shown below:
Main MENU - Create movie → Select images → Control presentation times → Add visual
effects → Add transitions → Select compression quality → Encode movie.

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In another preferred embodiment the present invention provides a device for
encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers and players for
playing and viewing digital media data, said device comprising: a video image
encoder comprising hardware / software application ported into USB media
viewer / digital album / multifunction/ monitor devices for encoding movies / raw
data in the form of digital still images (RGB format); and means for outputting
said encoded data for playing and viewing digital media data.
The video image encoder can be controlled and operated by a remote control
device. The view image encoder is configured with reference to the hardware of
said movie encoding device for encoding raw data in the form of digital still
images (RGB format) with all text-audio-visual data attached to it, with visual
effects, transitions presentation on time and music / speech. It is also
configured with reference to the existing supported operating system. The
movie encoder is provided with a screen capture feature for creating customized
movie using images captured from screen shots.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The invention can now be described in detail with the help of the figure of the
accompanying drawing in which

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Figure 1 shows in flow diagram form the operation of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to the development of an encoder device for USB
media viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor capable of encoding a
movie from raw data as input. The encoding device can be a hardware device or
application. The raw data for encoding can be digital still images in row format
(RGB format) fetched into these device through any supported media storage.
Visual effects for each still image can be optionally included, default being image
in its original form. Transition effects can optionally be included while transiting
from one image to another. Default is simple transition and appearance of the
next image. Presentation time for each image can be pre selected, default is 5
seconds. Music or speech can be provided in case of speech, user needs to
narrate using microphone. In case of music, user can have music files stored on
local device storage or fetched through supported storage devices. Titles and
credits, date and time, place, watermarks, or any other media data (text-audio-
visual) can be attached with the digital still images.

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The present invention contain hardware / software ported into these devices in
an optimal way (optimization being with reference to memory usage and
encoding time) that enables the listed devices of the invention to encode movie
from the above described raw data. The encoding mechanism is controlled and
operated by remote control device on which MENU items configuration is done to
carry out the necessary steps or available MENU button configuration is done for
the same. If none of these are available, the invention has a provision for
providing a specific button on the listed devices for movie making purpose and
configured submenu items.
The encoder can be ported to the operating system of these devices with
interface for external storage. Remote controls (if available with these devices)
are configured for MENU option to control and operate the movie encoding
mechanism, and / or new push or touch button is provided on front, rear, or
sides panel of the listed devices and the same is configured to control and
operate the movie encoding mechanism.

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The development and porting of video image encoder to the existing hardware
and software units of these devices and configuration of MENU (of remote
control or button on any panel of these devices) to control and operate the
movie encoding mechanism are novel features of the present invention. The
concept of encoder (in algorithm form) will be used in the expected way.
However, the novel thing is to configure a software application on the existing
hardware of these devices and the development of new hardware to support the
movie encoding mechanism into these devices directly.
The invention provides utility like encoding of still digital images with visual
effects, transitions, and music / speech for the purpose of movie making, by
providing a hardware / software application which can be ported to the operating
system supported by USB media viewers etc. The invention does not claim such
utility for DTVs, computers, mobile phones etc.
The invention covers movie encoding from still digital images into USB media
viewers etc., to which digital media data can be fetched with any storage
supported by such devices.

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The invention provides configuration of remote control MENU items or buttons
for movie creation purpose and if MENU button is not available then it is
provided configuring it for such MENU items.
The invention relates to creation of single movie file by encoding technique for
distribution, editing and playing across multiple digital media supported devices.
It does not relate to a slide show feature available television, cell phones, media
viewers etc.
The structure of the invention will be clear from Figure 1. A command for movie
creation is given for selecting digital still images on a movie strip (100) media /
viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor local or supported external
storage is accessed for digital still images with all media data on the movie strip
(200). Command for finalizing movie with desired compression quality is issued
with digital still images with all media data on movie strip to create a profile
containing specifications for input digital still images (300). Digital still images
with presentation time assigned (400), digital still images visual effect on the
movie strip (500). Digital still images with transitions added on the movie strip
(600) and movies / speech added on the film strip (700) can be added for
creating the profile containing specifications for digital still images presentation
times visual effect, transition effect and music / speech.

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The speech can be entered using a microphone. The created profile is encoded
in a video image encoder which may be hardware encoder algorithm ported onto
existing hardware of devices / encoder algorithm ported onto supported on the
devices (800). The encoded movie file (900) is now available for local playback,
local store or transfer to any supported media storage for distribution across a
variety of digital media devices.
The present invention converts traditional USB media viewer / digital album /
multi-function monitor devices used for viewing, playing, or recording digital
media data by decoding its contents into sophisticated movie encoder from
digital still images (with all text-audio-visual data) by adding visual effects,
transitions, controlling presentation time of each still image, and adding music /
speech.
The invention removes the need to switch from these devices to a separate
computer, laptop, and PC-based applications for encoding a movie from digital
still images. Thus makes the listed devices stand alone devices capable of
encoding movies without support of other media editors. It provides immediate
and on-demand movie creation without switching using the listed devices. The
encoded movie is available for local playback and storage, and transfer to all
supported (by the listed devices) storage for distribution across variety of digital
media devices.

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The movie can be combined with image (or screen) capture feature to encode a
movie file from captured images. This way, customized movies can be created
by capturing images available on screen. However, the invention is not a screen
codec.
Increases the marketability of digital album (ex. SODI) and MFMs provided by the
Assignee, by adding a feature of movie creation from digital still images.
Applications like creating a movie from digital still images reaches to larger class
of users compared to PC when available to such devices which are trendy,
sophisticated, and portable in nature.

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WE CLAIM
1. A method for encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers
and players for playing and viewing digital media data, said method
comprising the steps of:
- selecting digital still images on a movie strip;
- accessing USB media viewer / digital album / multi-function
monitor (MFM) device local or supported external storage for the
selected digital still images with all media data on the movie strip;
- finalizing movie with desired compression quality for creating a
profile containing specifications for input digital still images with
special effects;
- encoding the finalized movie profile with the help of an exclusively
designed encoder for the media viewer devices; and
- outputting said encoded data for local playback or storage in a
movie file or for its transfer to any supported media storage for
distribution across a variety of digital media devices.

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2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a remote control is configured
for controlling and operating said movie encoding method as shown
hereunder:
Main MENU - Create movie → Select images → Control presentation times → Add
visual effects → Add transitions-→ Select compression quality → Encode movie.
3. A device for encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers
and players for playing and viewing digital media data, said device
comprising:
- a video image encoder comprising hardware / software application
ported into USB media viewer / digital album / multifunction/
monitor devices for encoding movies / raw data in the form of
digital still images (RGB format); and
- means for outputting said encoded data for playing and viewing
digital media data.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said video image encoder is
controlled and operated by a remote control device.

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5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said video image encoder is
configured with reference to the hardware of said movie encoding device
for encoding raw data in the form of digital still images (RGB format) with
all text-audio-visual data attached to it, with visual effects, transitions
presentation on time and music / speech.
6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said video image encoder is
configured with reference to the existing supported operating system.
7. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a screen capture feature is
provided in the movie encoder for creating customized movie using
images captured from screen shots.
8. A method for encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers
and players for playing and viewing digital media data, substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 23rd day of October 2007

The main object of the present invention is to provide an application for devices like USB media viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor devices available for playing and viewing digital media data, for encoding movies by pasting digital still images, and by adding images effects, transition effects, controlling timelines of each image in the movie, and by adding music or speech to provide narrations for the pasted images. The invention will also access any data like titles and credits, dates and time, place, or any other media (text-audio-visual) data attached with the digital images to accommodate them in the encoded movie.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an encoder (hardware device application) for converting sequence of images into a movie file exclusively for such devices. This way the user can create a movie (or video) file
with various compression qualities by selecting number of photos, visual effects, transitions, and adding music / speech and can store it either in these devices for later playback or move to an USB or any other device supported storage device for distribution across multiple media players / editors / viewers including PC.
Yet another object of the present invention is to remove the need for a separate computer device for creating (or encoding) such movies and converting traditional media players and viewers available with these devices into an
effective media editors. This way, it also converts these traditional devices into
creative media editor devices. Still another object of the invention is to utilize the remote control devices of these media viewer devices or to provide a MENU button for these devices to configure a main MENU item for movie making, adding image effects, transitions, time control, adding music/speech, and controlling compression quality. Some of these devices may not be available with a remote or a MENU button. For these devices, a specific button (push or touch) can be configured for movie making purpose and provided on the panel (front, sides, or rear). Secondary MENU items are developed for adding image effects, transitions, time control, adding music/speech, and controlling compression quality. Thus in a preferred embodiment the present invention provides a method for
encoding movies from still digital images in media viewers and players for playing and viewing digital media data, said method comprising the steps of: selecting digital still images on a movie strip; accessing USB media viewer / digital album / multi-function monitor (MFM) device local or supported external
storage for the selected digital still images with all media data on the movie strip; finalizing movie with desired compression quality for creating a profile containing specifications for input digital still images with special effects; encoding the finalized movie profile with the help of an exclusively designed encoder for the media viewer devices; and outputting said encoded data for local
playback or storage in a movie file or for its transfer to any supported media storage for distribution across a variety of digital media devices.