MULTI-FUNCTION IMAGE AND VIDEO CAPTURE DEVICE FOR USE IN AN ENDOSCOPIC CAMERA SYSTEM

A multi-function image capture unit for use in an endoscopic camera system is provided. The image capture unit includes a touch-screen LCD display for generating a graphical user interface and for receiving associated user inputs. The image capture unit is configured to be coupled to an endoscopic camera, an external monitor, and a network. The image capture unit receives live video generated by the endoscopic camera, displays the video on the external monitor and the LCD display, and stores the live video within the image capture unit. Prior to recording, the video is buffered and compressed. The image capture unit can also store the live video in a remote computer system via the network. The image capture unit can also capture and store still images based on the live video as well as store the still images in the remote computer system. “One-touch” network login and storage allows these operations to be performed in response to a single touch by the user. In the event of a loss of power to the image capture unit, the live video is automatically routed directly to the external monitor. Features of the graphical user interface include handwriting recognition; ability to display reduced-size versions of captured still images, from which the user can select images for display at full-size; a tabbed album display mode; and on-demand printing.