System and method to compose a slide show

Abstract

A method of composing a multimedia slide show. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: selecting a plurality of digital images; encoding each of the plurality of digital images to generate a normal resolution image portion and a high resolution image portion; multiplexing each corresponding normal and high resolution image portion to generate a single high resolution still image; determining a time parameter for each of the high resolution still images; selecting an audio portion for at least one of the plurality of digital images; concatenating the plurality of high resolution still images to generate a video bitstream; generating an audio bitstream by encoding the audio portion; and multiplexing the video bitstream and audio bitstream to generate the multimedia slide show.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation application from U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 316,556 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO COMPOSE A SLIDE SHOW”, and filed on Dec. 11, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.[0002]Reference is made to commonly assigned application U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 885,577 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHORING A MULTIMEDIA ENABLED DISC”, and filed on Jun. 20, 2001 in the names of Loui et al, and which is assigned to the assignee of this application.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The invention relates generally to the field of multimedia encoding and rendering.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]The use of digital cameras has increased in recent years. Accordingly, the volume of commercial and consumer held digital image files has also increased. Much like the problem of a closet full of shoe boxes of randomly held photographic prints, in the digital envi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for composing audio and video information as a multimedia slideshow / album on a compact disc with higher spatial resolution and higher image quality than the normal resolution counterparts, which can be played back on VCD / DVD players.

[0015]Another object of the present invention is to provide such a multimedia composition system and method that is easy, enjoyable, and cost and time-effective.

Problems solved by technology

However, the CD format of the Kodak Picture CD does not, as currently configured, play on a television.

Therefore, it is typically not a suitable standard for displaying still images, such as a multimedia album or slide show, on a television.

However, when a still image is subsampled to the normal resolution, encoded by an MPEG-1 encoder (block-based JPEG-like compression for intra frame), and displayed on a television, the distortion, such as blocking artifacts, can be pronounced.

However, the DVD technology is more expensive and more complex, as compared to the CD technology.

Thus, the DVD media and the writing devices are often viewed as being too expensive for most consumers.

Images