System and method for editing digitally represented still images

Abstract

A method of selecting and editing a plurality of digitally represented still images in a computer environment is provided. The method includes the use of a graphical user interface having a display and a user interface selection device, and includes the steps of opening the data files of the images to be edited, displaying the images, and displaying a task pane including at least one editing task entry having a specified multiple-image editing task command. A group of all or some of the images is formed by the user selecting the images to be edited, and an editing task execution signal is received which is indicative of the user selecting the desired editing task entry on the task pane. In response to receipt of the editing task execution signal, the specified editing task command is performed on the group of selected still images.

1 . A method of editing digitally represented still images, comprising the steps of: 
 retrieving a plurality of still images as separate data files;    opening at least two of the data files;    displaying the still images of the open data files;    forming a group of the data files of at least two of the displayed images in response to selection of the selected still images; and    editing the group of data files in response to the selection of an editing task selection.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying the still images of the edited batch of data files.  
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of displaying a “multiple-image edit” task pane from which the editing task is selected, the “multiple-image edit” task pane being displayed during the step of selecting at least two of the displayed still images.  
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising the step of displaying a picture pane within which the plurality of open still images are displayed and selected, the picture pane being displayed during display of the “multiple-image edit” task pane.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the editing step is selected from the group of editing steps consisting of rotating the selected still images, cropping the selected still images, correcting the tint of the selected still images, correcting the brightness of the selected still images, correcting the contrast of the selected still images, sending the selected still images, saving the selected still images, and printing the selected still images.  
     
     
         6 . A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method of selecting and editing a plurality of digitally represented still images, wherein each still image is a separate data file, the method comprising the steps of: 
 opening the data files of the plurality of still images;    displaying the plurality of still images;    displaying a task pane including at least one editing task entry having a specified multiple-image editing task command;    receiving a group-select execution signal indicative of the user selecting at least two of the still images for editing as a group;    in response to the group-select signal, forming a group of the selected still images;    receiving a task execution signal indicative of the user selecting the multiple-image editing task entry; and    in response to the execution signal, performing the specified editing task command on the group of selected still images.    
     
     
         8 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of displaying the edited group of still images.  
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the task pane includes a “select all” entry having a selection command for selecting all of the open images for editing as a group, the group-select execution signal being indicative of the user selecting the “select all” entry.  
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the step of performing the specified editing task command includes displaying one of the selected still images in the picture pane, and displaying a sub-task pane including at least one option entry having an editing sub-task command.  
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the step of performing the specified editing task command includes receiving a sub-task execution signal indicative of the user selecting the at least one option entry, and in response to the execution signal, performing the editing sub-task command on the selected image displayed in the picture pane.  
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the sub-task pane includes a “Next” entry having a next selected image command for displaying a different one of the selected images in the picture pane, and the step of performing the specified editing task command includes the steps of receiving a signal indicative of the user selecting the “Next” entry, and in response to the signal, performing the next selected image command to display a different one of the selected images in the picture pane for editing.  
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the group-select execution signal is indicative of a user sequentially selecting at least two of the open still images while simultaneously selecting a control key.