Eastman Kodak Company v. HTC Corporation et al
Filing
1
COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0209-1515015.), filed by Eastman Kodak Company. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibits A to E, # 2 Summons to HTC, # 3 Summons to High Tech, # 4 Summons to Exedea, # 5 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(Slifkin, Neal)
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US007210161B2
United States Patent
(10)
Ward et al.
(12)
(45)
(54)
AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING
IMAGES FROM AN ELECTRONIC CAMERA
TO A SERVICE PROVIDER USING A
NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE
(75)
Inventors: Joseph Ward, Hilton, NY (US);
Kenneth A. Parulski, Rochester, NY
(US); James D. Allen, Rochester, NY
(US)
(73)
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,
NY (US)
( *)
Notice:
Subject to any disclaimer, the tenn of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 917 days.
This patent is subject to a tenninal disclaimer.
(21)
Filed:
Field of Classification Search
348/207.99,
348/207.1,207.2,220.1, 14.01, 14.02, 14.03,
348/14.07, 14.08,231.99,231.3; 709/203;
725/105
See application file for complete search history.
References Cited
(56)
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
A * 7/1993 Yokodate et al.
A * 7/1995 Hayashi et al.
A * 4/1998 Allen et al.
A * 9/1998 Hull et al.
A * 12/2000 Safai et al.
Bl * 5/2001 Gerszberg et al.
Bl * 3/2002 Morris
Bl * 5/2003 Savitzkyet 31
* cited by examiner
5,230,015
5,434,618
5,737,491
5,806,005
6,167,469
6,226,362
6,353,848
6,571,271
348/14.12
348/231.2
704/270
455/566
710/62
379/88.13
709/203
709/200
Primary Examiner-Tuan Ho
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pamela R. Crocker
Appl. No.: 09/855,375
(22)
(58)
Patent No.:
US 7,210,161 B2
Date of Patent:
*Apr. 24, 2007
(57)
May 15, 2001
Prior Publication Data
(65)
US 2001/0022618 Al
Sep. 20, 2001
Related U.S. Application Data
(63)
Continuation of application No. 09/004,046, filed on
Jan. 7, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,784,924.
(60)
Provisional application No. 60/037,962, filed on Feb.
20, 1997.
(51)
Int. Cl.
H04N 7/173
H04N 5/76
(52)
U.S. Cl.
(2006.01)
(2006.01)
A network configuration file is generated at a host computer
and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains
instruction infonnation for communicating with a selected
destination via a communications interface. The digital
camera includes a "send" button or LCD icon which allows
the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired
or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet
Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the
user selects this option, the communications port settings,
user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the
removable memory card. Examples of these settings include
serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account
name and password.
725/105; 348/231.3
11 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
12
----,(0'"45 42
. - -_ _L -
44.,j KEYBOARD
I
ABSTRACT
u.s. Patent
Apr. 24, 2007
US 7,210,161 B2
Sheet 1 of 4
12
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0
HOST
PC
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MEMORY
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INFRARED
INTERFACE
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INTERFACE
20
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38
MICROPROCESSOR
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I
10
PERMANENT
MEMORY
(
28
USER
COLOR
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INTERFACE
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BUTTONS
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COMMUNICATIONS
INTERFACE
k
COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK
40,--
ONLINE SERVICE
OR INTERNET SERVICE
14'L
PROVDER
FIG. 1
u.s. Patent
Apr. 24, 2007
DISPLAY OR
TAKE IMAGE
USER CHOOSES
COMMUNICATIONS
ICON (COMM. ROUTE
OR DESTINATION)
m
[!]
r6J
~
52
CAMERA TAGS IMAGE
WITH TYPE OF SERVICE
REQUESTED
US 7,210,161 B2
Sheet 2 of 4
CBLQAR
r<>=l
r-ETWORK
~ (ETHERNET)
CDPO
KIOSKS
I I
ISDN
PHONE
ISDN
(PSTN)
1~ISATRlITE
(
CHECK PASSWORD
FOR ACCESS
PERMISSION
54
(OPTIONAL)
59
STORE IMAGE AND
DATA IN MEMORY
LOOK UP SEND METHOD
DATA AND PARAMETERS
SETUP COMM. DEVICES
62
FIG. 2
SEND IMAGE FILE{S)
RECEIVER INTERPRETS
SYSTEM COMMANDS
64
APPUCATION SENDS
'-----{FEEDBACK IF APPROPRIATE
I
FIG.4A
FIG. 3
TRANSMISSION
TYPE TAGS
pes
~
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
WIRELESS LAN
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
CELLULAR OR
PROTOCOL PHONE
NUMBER
TYPE
IMAGE
DATA
FIG. 4
FIGAS
FIGAA
DEFAULT
SETTINGS
PARA·
METER
FILE
ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
COMMANDS
DATA
ERROR
DEFAULT MODERN ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
RADIO
PROTOCOL TYPE
SETTINGS CONTROL
DATA
COMMANDS
STRING
DEFAULT MODERN ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
SETTINGS CONTROL
COMMANDS
DATA
STRING
PHONE (PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK)
IMAGE
HEADER
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PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
1&2
FIG. 48
PROTOCOL PHONE
NUMBER
TYPE
IISDNl
ISDN
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
SATELLITE
00
CLOCKS
l!J
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
INTERNET COMMANDS RETURN
SERVICE
TO
STATUS
PROVIDER RECEIVER REQUESTS
PASSWORD
-----------
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSW.ORD SYSTEM
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
COMMANDS
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
COMMANDS
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
COMMANDS
10C
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
ERROR
RADIO
COMMANDS PROTOCOL TYPE
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
CELLULAR DIGITAL PACKET OATA
•
7J).
e
•
US 7,210,161 B2
1
2
AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING
IMAGES FROM AN ELECTRONIC CAMERA
TO A SERVICE PROVIDER USING A
NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE
vider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user
selects this option, the communications port settings, user
account specifics, and destination connection commands are
read from the network configuration file. Examples of these
settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as
well as account name and password.
In addition, information about which image or images to
transmit is entered using the user buttons on the digital
camera. This information is used to automatically establish
a connection, log-in to the desired destination, and to
transmit the image. The transmission may occur immediately after the pictures are taken, for example if the camera
has a built-in cellular phone modem, or at a later time, when
the camera is connected to a separate unit (such as a dock,
kiosk, PC, etc.) equipped with a modem. In the latter case,
a "utilization file" is created to provide information on
which images should be transmitted to which account.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood and
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and
by reference to the accompanying drawings.
5
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
Reference is made to and priority claimed from U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 601037,962, filed Feb. 20,
1997, entitled NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FOR
AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING IMAGES FROM
AN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION(S)
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 091004,046
filed Jan. 7, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,924 entitled
"Network Configuration File For Automatically Transmitting Images From An Electronic Still Camera".
10
15
20
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and in particular to electronic photography. More
specifically, the invention relates to a digital camera that
interfaces with a host computer.
25
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
30
Digital cameras, such as the Kodak Digital Science
DC25™ camera, allow images to be utilized on a home
computer (PC) and to be incorporated into e-mail documents
and personal home pages on the World Wide Web. Presently,
images must be copied to the PC and transmitted as e-mail,
for example using an online service or an Internet Service
Provider (ISP), via a modem from the user's Pc. It would be
desirable to be able to transmit pictures directly from the
digital camera instead of first transferring the pictures to a
Pc. For instance, on a vacation trip, it is desirable to
immediately share pictures with friends or relatives via
e-mail or Internet access. It is also desirable to transmit
pictures from a location without PC access in order to free
up camera storage to take additional pictures. There are a
wide variety of connection means to online services such as
America On Line, ISPs, and bulletin board services. Each of
these services typically requires an account name and password, as well as local telephone access numbers, and
specific communications settings. It would be difficult to
provide an easy-to-use means with buttons or menus on a
small digital camera to input and/or modifY all of these
required settings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or
more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized,
according to one aspect of the present invention, a network
configuration file is generated at a host computer and
downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera
includes a "send" button or LCD icon which allows the user
to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless
communications interface to a desired destination, which
among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Pro-
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the steps used to automatically transmit images using the network configuration file.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an image file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing several versions of the
network configuration file.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
Because imaging systems and devices are well known, the
present description will be directed in particular to elements
forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus
in accordance with the present invention. Elements not
specifically shown or described herein may be selected from
those known in the art. Some aspects of the present description may be implemented in software. Unless otherwise
specified, all software implementation is conventional and
within the ordinary skill in the programming arts.
A system block diagram of the invention is shown in FIG.
1 including an electronic still camera 10, a host computer
(PC) 12 and a service provider 14. The camera includes an
optical section 20 for imaging a scene upon a CCD sensor
22 and generating an image signal, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) 24 for displaying images and other information, a
number of user input buttons 26, both permanent memory 28
and removable memory 30, and an internal communications
interface 32 (e.g., modem). This interface may connect to a
variety of known networks, such as a public switched
telephone network (PSTN), ISDN, an RF cellular phone
network, or Ethernet. The camera 10 also includes a microprocessor 34 for generally controlling the camera functions,
as well as the interchange of data with the host PC 12 and
the memory card 30 through a host PC interface 36 and a
memory card interface 38, respectively. Besides the host PC
12, the system includes a network connection 40 to the
online service or ISP (Internet Service Provider) 14. Alternately, the network 40 can connect to the user's home PC 12.
When the camera 10 is first purchased (or at any time
thereafter), it is connected to the PC 12 via the host PC 36
interface and a software application (stored on a disc 45)
running on the host PC 12 will enable the user to specify the
US 7,210,161 B2
3
4
name of a destination ISP or online service and to input from
the host PC keyboard 44 the appropriate communication
settings and account information. This information generates a network configuration file, which then can then be
downloaded to the camera 10 through the host PC interface
36, which may be a wired or infrared (e.g., IrDA) interface,
and written to the camera's internal memory 28 and/or the
removable memory card 30. Alternatively, a host PC
equipped with a memory card reader/writer 42 can write the
information directly to the card 30 without connecting the
camera through its host PC interface 36. Also, this infonnation could be predetermined by the user and stored in a
"preferences" file on the host PC 12 and then transferred to
the camera 10 from this file without further intervention by
the user. Multiple sets of destination services can be stored
on the memory card 30. Typically, keyword or graphic
descriptors (e.g., icons) accompany the infonnation in the
network configuration file about destination services to
enable easy access by the camera user.
The steps used to automatically transmit images using the
network configuration file are shown in FIG. 2. After disconnecting the camera from the host PC, the user operates
the camera to take pictures (step 50). This is typically done
at a remote location, for example while traveling to another
city. As the user takes or reviews images on the image LCD
display, the decision can be made to transmit one or more
images (step 52). This is done by choosing one of the
keywords or icons in a menu 54 shown in FIG. 2, which are
displayed on the LCD 24 and selected, e.g., through the user
buttons 26. (Note that a camera will typically only include
a subset (only those desired by the user) of all the different
services shown.) The selected image files may be tagged
with a code (step 56) indicating which service is requested,
as shown in FIG. 3. (Alternately, an "image utilization" file
can be created in the camera storing a list of images to be
transmitted by a particular method, as described in the
cross-referenced copending patent application (U.S. Ser. No.
60/037,963). As described in that patent application, the
details of an order, e.g., number of print copies to be made
from an image and the size of the prints and/or a list of
images to be e-mailed to various recipients, is written into
the "utilization" file, which identifies the order and includes
pointers to the image files that store the images required to
"fulfill" the order. The "utilization" file is stored in the
internal memory 28 or the memory card 30.)
Next, the system determines whether a request exists to
send an image (step 58). If no request is present, the image
and associated data is stored in either permanent memory 28
or the memory card 30 (step 59). (Typically, all images are
initially saved in memory whether eventually sent or not.)
Otherwise, if there is a request to send an image, the user
ensures that the camera is connected to the appropriate
service (wired telephone line, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.) and
pushes a "send" button in the user button section 26, or
selects a "send" menu option on the LCD 24. The camera
then utilizes the appropriate network configuration file,
shown in FIG. 4. Each network configuration file contains
items such as the protocol type, phone number, etc., as
described in Appendix 1. The user password may be checked
against the password in the network configuration file to
ensure that the user is authorized to connect the camera to
the desired service (step 60). Alternately, the stored password in the appropriate configuration file can be used. Next,
the camera uses the parameters in the configuration file to
establish communications with the service and send one or
more image files as selected by the user (steps 62). The
service receiver interprets the system commands issued by
the camera from the network configuration file list and sends
appropriate feedback (such as "transfer in progress" and
"transfer complete") which are interpreted by the camera
and displayed on the LCD 24 (steps 64).
For example, when the camera uses a nonnal wired
telephone (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection
(i.e., network 40) to the camera's internal modem 32, after
the user selects the images to be sent and presses the "send"
button, the camera perfonns the following steps without user
intervention:
I) Read the appropriate connection parameters from the
network configuration file (on the memory card 30 or
internal camera memory 28), dial the phone and establish the connection to the destination service 14.
2) Read the user's account name and password and
transmit these to "log-on" to the service 14.
3) Using the appropriate communications protocol (FTP,
mailto, etc.), transmit the selected image or images to
the destination service 14.
The invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that
variations and modifications can be effected by a person of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention.
10
15
20
25
APPENDIX I
These are descriptions of the tags listed in the previous
drawing:
30
35
40
Protocol Type
Each communication method has its own protocol, or
rules to communicate. This tag identifies that protocol and
where to find it. For example, the Network may use TCP/IP
and a modem may use XModem.
Phone Number
This is the number of the receiving service. If internet
access is requested, this could be the number of the Internet
Service Provider. For ISDN, some systems require two
phone numbers, dialed and connected to in sequence.
Default Settings
Standard settings that make the communications device
compatible with the imaging device.
45
50
55
60
Modem Control String
Modem and communications devices have a command
language that can set them up before they are used. For
example, modems have many options controlled by command strings including volume level, the amount of time the
carrier is allowed to fail before the system hangs up, and so
on.
Account Data
This can be internet account data, charge number data,
phone card data, billing address, and data related to the
commerce part of the transmission.
Password
Any password needed to get into the communications
system. Other passwords to get into the remote application
or destination are located in the System Commands section.
System Commands
These are commands that control the end destination.
65
Error Protocol
In cellular and some other wireless communications, error
protocols are used to increase the robustness of the link. For
example, MNPIO or ETC may be used for cellular links.
US 7,210,161 B2
5
Radio Type
The type of radio used for this communications feature
may be identified here. Some cell phones have modems built
in, others will have protocols for many communications
functions built in. The radio type will make the imaging
device adapt to the correct interface.
6
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network
configuration file includes account data.
5. A method of transferring one or more digital images
from an electronic camera to a service, the camera including
optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal,
a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a
first digital memory for storing digital images, a second
IOC
digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and
ISDN Ordering Code identifies what features are available on the ISDN line provided by the teleco. It is used to 10 a communications interface, the method comprising:
(a) storing the network configuration file for the service in
establish the feature set for that communications link.
the second digital memory, wherein the network conInternet Service Provider
figuration file includes a protocol type identifier idenThis identifies the actual service provider and any specific
tifYing a TCP/IP protocol;
information or sequence of information that the service
(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to
wants to see during counection and logoff. It also tells the 15
generate a plurality of image signals which are stored
device how to handle the return messages, like "time used"
in the first digital memory as a plurality of digital
that are returned by the server.
images representative of the plurality of image signals;
(c) displaying a representation of at least one of the
Commands to Receiver
plurality of digital images on the display of the elecThis may be a list of commands to control the receiving 20
tronic camera;
application. For example, a command to print one of the
images and save the data to a particular file on a PC may be
(d) selecting at least one digital image for transfer to the
embedded here.
service in response to the use of at least one of the
plurality of user inputs;
Return Status Requests
(e) initiating transfer of the selected at least one digital
This tag can set up the ability of the application to tell if 25
image to the service in response to use of at least one
an error has occurred, or what the status of the application
of the plurality of user inputs; and
might be. The data here will help the device decide if it
(f) using the network configuration file to automatically
should continue communicating and a set user interface
establish communications with the service and to transresponse can be developed around this feedback.
fer the selected at least one digital image from the
30
What is claimed is:
electronic camera to the service using the communica1. A method of transferring one of more images from an
tions interface.
electronic camera to a service provider, the camera including
6. The method of claim 5 further including:
optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal,
(g) receiving feedback indicating the status of the transfer
a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a 35
process from the service; and
first digital memory for storing digital images, a second
(h) displaying the status on the display of the electronic
digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and
camera.
a communications interface, the method comprising the
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the network configusteps of:
ration file includes account data.
(a) storing the network configuration file for the service 40
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the network configuprovider in the second digital memory;
ration file is generated at least in part by a host device.
(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to
9. A method of transferring one or more digital images
generate a plurality of image signals which are stored
from an electronic camera to a service, the camera including
as a plurality of digital images in the first digital
optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal,
memory;
45 a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a
(c) viewing at least one of the plurality of digital images
first digital memory for storing digital images, a second
on the display of the electronic camera;
digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and
(d) using at least one of the plurality of user inputs to
a communications interface, the method comprising:
select at least one digital image for transfer to the
(a) storing the network configuration file for the service in
service provider;
50
the second digital memory;
(e) using at least one of the plurality of user inputs to
(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to
initiate transfer ofthe selected at least one digital image
generate a plurality of image signals which are stored
to the service provider;
in the first digital memory as a plurality of digital
(f) using the network configuration file, the electronic
images representative of the plurality of image signals;
camera automatically establishing communications 55
(c) displaying a representation of at least one of the
with the service provider and transferring the selected
plurality of digital images on the display of the elecdigital image(s) from the electronic camera to the
tronic camera;
service provider using the communications interface;
(d) selecting at least one digital image for transfer to the
(g) transferring from the service provider to the electronic
service in response to the use of at least one of the
camera, feedback indicating the status of the transfer 60
plurality of user inputs;
process; and
(e) initiating transfer of the selected at least one digital
(h) displaying the status on the display of the electronic
image to the service in response to use of at least one
camera.
of the plurality of user inputs;
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network
configuration file includes a protocol type identifier.
65
(f) using the network configuration file to automatically
establish communications with the service and to trans3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein protocol
fer the selected at least one digital image from the
type identifier identifies a TCP/IP protocol.
US 7,210,161 B2
7
electronic camera to the service using the communications interface;
(g) receiving infonnation indicating the status of the
transferring at least one digital image from the electronic camera to the service; and
(h) displaying an indication of the status.
8
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the network configuration file includes account data.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the network configuration file is generated at least in part by a host device.
* * * * *
EXHIBIT C
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US007742084B2
(54)
(75)
(73)
United States Patent
(10)
Ward et al.
(12)
(45)
NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FOR
AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING IMAGES
FROMAN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA
(51)
(52)
(58)
Inventors: Joseph Ward, Rochester, NY (US);
Kenneth A. Parulski, Rochester, NY
(US); James D. Allen, Rochester, NY
(US)
Patent No.:
US 7,742,084 B2
Date of Patent:
*Jun.22,2010
Int. Cl.
H04N 5/76
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl.
348/231.3; 348/333.02
Field of Classification Search
348/207.1,
348/333.01-333.11
See application file for complete search history.
(56)
References Cited
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,
NY (US)
JP
1994-268582
9/1994
Notice:
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. l54(b) by 258 days.
Primary Examiner-Tuan Ho
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas J. Strouse; Peyton C.
Watkins
This patent is subject to a tenninal disclaimer.
( *)
(57)
ABSTRACT
(60)
Continuation of application No. 091783,437, filed on
Feb. 14, 2001, now Pat. No. 7,256,823, which is a
division of application No. 09/004,046, filed on Jan. 7,
1998, now Pat. No. 6,784,924.
A network configuration file is generated at a host computer
and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction infonnation for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera
includes a "send" button or LCD icon which allows the user
to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless
communications interface to a desired destination, which
among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider
or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this
option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from
the network configuration file on the removable memory
card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate,
parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.
(60)
Provisional application No. 60/037,962, filed on Feb.
20, 1997.
11 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
(21)
Appl. No.: 11/692,224
(22)
Filed:
(65)
Mar. 28, 2007
Prior Publication Data
US 2007/0285523 Al
Dec. 13, 2007
Related U.S. Application Data
12
- , ( 0-'45 42
. - -_ _-1--
,/
HOST
PC
44
~ KEYBOARD
I
u.s. Patent
Juo.22,2010
Sheet 1 of 4
US 7,742,084 B2
12
l
L1
KEYBOARD
n
I
"
0-'45 42
l
/
-
0
HOST
PC
44
/'
MEMORY
CARD
READER
I
CABLE OR
INFRARED
INTERFACE
36'-. HOST PC
I
REMOVABLE
MEMORY
CARD
3~
I
I
CCD
SENSOR r--
V
ELECTRONIC
STILL CAMERA
2~
•
COLOR
LCD
(
2~
(
MEMORY
CARD
INTERFACE
-
INTERFACE
20
30
38
MICROPROCESSOR
I
USER
BUTTONS
---
PERMANENT
MEMORY
2~
COMMUNICATIONS
INTERFACE
~
~
10
40~
14'1-
FIG. 1
COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK
ONLINE SERVICE
OR INTERNET SERVICE
PROVIDER
u.s. Patent
Juo.22,2010
DISPLAY OR
TAKE IMAGE
I
I
US 7,742,084 B2
Sheet 2 of 4
1~ICElLULAR
~
USER CHOOSES
COMMUNICATIONS
ICON (COMM. ROUTE
OR DESTINATION)
~
52
CAMERA TAGS IMAGE
WITH TYPE OF SERVICE
REQUESTED
I
~ NETWORK
~
(ETHERNET)
CDPD
KIOSKS
I'SDNI
ISDN
PHONE
(PSTN)
I~I SATELLITE
(
<~
59
CHECK PASSWORD
FOR ACCESS
PERMISSION
(OPTIONAL)
____.. IS "SEND IMAGE"
REQUESTED?
STORE IMAGE AND
DATA IN MEMORY
54
60
LOOK UP SEND METHOD
DATA AND PARAMETERS
SETUP COMM. DEVICES
62
FIG. 2
SEND IMAGE FILE{S)
RECEIVER INTERPRETS
SYSTEM COMMANDS
64
APPLICATION SENDS
L...-..--lFEEDBACK IF APPROPRIATE
FIG. 4A
FIG. 3
TRANSMISSION
TYPE TAGS
I~I
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
WIRELESS LAN
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
CELLULAR OR PCS
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
IMAGE
DATA
FIG. 4
FIG.4B
FIGAA
DEFAULT
SETTINGS
PARA·
METER
FILE
SYSTEM
ACCOUNT PASSWORD
COMMANDS
DATA
ERROR
DEFAULT MODERN ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
RADIO
PROTOCOL TYPE
SETTINGS CONTROL
DATA
COMMANDS
STRING
DEFAULT MODERN ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
SETTINGS CONTROL
COMMANDS
DATA
STRING
PHONE (PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK)
IMAGE
HEADER
r-----r---------,.------ -
0
....
N
0
~
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N
~
=
?
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
IISDNI
ISDN
FIG. 48
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
1&2
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
SATELLITE
00
CLOCKS
[!J
PROTOCOL PHONE
TYPE
NUMBER
-
INTERNET COMMANDS RETURN
SERVICE
TO
STATUS
PROVIDER RECEIVER REQUESTS
PASSWORD
-----------
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
COMMANDS
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
SYSTEM
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD
COMMANDS
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
COMMANDS
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
10C
DEFAULT CONTROL ACCOUNT PASSWORD SYSTEM
ERROR
RADIO
COMMANDS PROTOCOL TYPE
SETTINGS STRING
DATA
CELLULAR DIGITAL PACKET DATA
US 7,742,084 B2
1
2
NETWORK CONFIGURATION FILE FOR
AUTOMATICALLY TRANSMITTING IMAGES
FROM AN ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA
era. This information is used to automatically establish a
connection, log-in to the desired destination, and to transmit
the image. The transmission may occur immediately after the
pictures are taken, for example if the camera has a built-in
cellular phone modem, or at a later time, when the camera is
connected to a separate unit (such as a dock, kiosk, PC, etc.)
equipped with a modem. In the latter case, a "utilization file"
is created to provide information on which images should be
transmitted to which account.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood and
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and
by reference to the accompanying drawings.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION(S)
This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 091783,437 filed
Feb. 14, 2001 (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,823 on
Aug. 14, 2007, which is now Reissue application Ser. No.
12/540,610) which is a divisional ofU.S. Ser. No. 091004,046
filed Jan. 7,1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,924 which issued
on Aug. 31, 2004) which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 601037,962 filed Feb. 20,1997.
10
15
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention relates generally to the field ofphotography,
and in particular to electronic photography. More specifically,
the invention relates to a digital camera that interfaces with a
host computer.
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the steps used to automatically
transmit images using the network configuration file.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an image file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing several versions of the network configuration file.
20
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Digital cameras, such as the Kodak Digital Science
DC25™ camera, allow images to be utilized on a home computer (PC) and to be incorporated into e-mail documents and
personal home pages on the World Wide Web. Presently,
images must be copied to the PC and transmitted as e-mail,
for example using an online service or an Internet Service
Provider (ISP), via a modem from the user's Pc. It would be
desirable to be able to transmit pictures directly from the
digital camera instead offirst transferring the pictures to a Pc.
For instance, on a vacation trip, it is desirable to immediately
share pictures with friends or relatives via e-mail or Internet
access. It is also desirable to transmit pictures from a location
without PC access in order to free up camera storage to take
additional pictures. There are a wide variety of connection
means to online services such as America On Line, ISPs, and
bulletin board services. Each of these services typically
requires an account name and password, as well as local
telephone access numbers, and specific communications settings. It would be difficult to provide an easy-to-use means
with buttons or menus on a small digital camera to input
and/or modifY all of these required settings.
25
30
35
40
45
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or
more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized,
according to one aspect of the present invention, a network
configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a
communications interface. The digital camera includes a
"send" button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily
transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among
other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a
digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this
option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from
the network configuration file. Examples of these settings
include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as
account name and password.
In addition, information about which image or images to
transmit is entered using the user buttons on the digital cam-
50
55
60
65
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Because imaging systems and devices are well known, the
present description will be directed in particular to elements
forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus
in accordance with the present invention. Elements not specifically shown or described herein may be selected from
those known in the art. Some aspects of the present description may be implemented in software. Unless otherwise
specified, all software implementation is conventional and
within the ordinary skill in the progranlilling arts.
A system block diagram of the invention is shown in FIG.
1 including an electronic still camera 10, a host computer
(PC) 12 and a service provider 14. The camera includes an
optical section 20 for imaging a scene upon a CCD sensor 22
and generating an image signal, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) 24 for displaying images and other information, a
number of user input buttons 26, both permanent memory 28
and removable memory 30, and an internal communications
interface 32 (e.g., modem). This interface may connect to a
variety of known networks, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), ISDN, an RF cellular phone network,
or Ethernet. The camera 10 also includes a microprocessor 34
for generally controlling the camera functions, as well as the
interchange of data with the host PC 12 and the memory card
30 through a host PC interface 36 and a memory card interface 38, respectively. Besides the host PC 12, the system
includes a network connection 40 to the online service or ISP
(Internet Service Provider) 14. Alternately, the network 40
can connect to the user's home PC 12.
When the camera lOis first purchased (or at any time
thereafter), it is connected to the PC 12 via the host PC 36
interface and a software application (stored on a disc 45)
running on the host PC 12 will enable the user to specify the
name of a destination ISP or online service and to input from
the host PC keyboard 44 the appropriate communication settings and account information. This information generates a
network configuration file, which then can then be downloaded to the camera 10 through the host PC interface 36,
which may be a wired or infrared (e.g., IrDA) interface, and
written to the camera's internal memory 28 and/or the removable memory card 30. Alternatively, a host PC equipped with
a memory card reader/writer 42 can write the information
US 7,742,084 B2
3
4
directly to the card 30 without connecting the camera through
its host PC interface 36. Also, this infonnation could be
predetermined by the user and stored in a "preferences" file
on the host PC 12 and then transferred to the camera 10 from
this file without further intervention by the user. Multiple sets
of destination services can be stored on the memory card 30.
Typically, keyword or graphic descriptors (e.g., icons)
accompany the infonnation in the network configuration file
about destination services to enable easy access by the camera user.
The steps used to automatically transmit images using the
network configuration file are shown in FIG. 2. After disconnecting the camera from the host PC, the user operates the
camera to take pictures (step 50). This is typically done at a
remote location, for example while traveling to another city.
As the user takes or reviews images on the image LCD display, the decision can be made to transmit one or more images
(step 52). This is done by choosing one of the keywords or
icons in a menu 54 shown in FIG. 2, which are displayed on
the LCD 24 and selected, e.g., through the user buttons 26.
(Note that a camera will typically only include a subset (only
those desired by the user) ofall the different services shown.)
The selected image files may be tagged with a code (step 56)
indicating which service is requested, as shown in FIG. 3.
(Alternately, an "image utilization" file can be created in the
camera storing a list of images to be transmitted by a particular method, as described in the cross-referenced copending
patent application (U.S. Ser. No. 60/03 7 ,963). As described in
that patent application, the details of an order, e.g., number of
print copies to be made from an image and the size of the
prints and/or a list of images to be e-mailed to various recipients, is written into the "utilization" file, which identifies the
order and includes pointers to the image files that store the
images required to "fulfill" the order. The "utilization" file is
stored in the internal memory 28 or the memory card 30.)
Next, the system detennines whether a request exists to
send an image (step 58). If no request is present, the image
and associated data is stored in either permanent memory 28
or the memory card 30 (step 59). (Typically, all images are
initially saved in memory whether eventually sent or not.)
Otherwise, if there is a request to send an image, the user
ensures that the camera is connected to the appropriate service (wired telephone line, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.) and
pushes a "send" button in the user button section 26, or selects
a "send" menu option on the LCD 24. The camera then
utilizes the appropriate network configuration file, shown in
FIG. 4. Each network configuration file contains items such as
the protocol type, phone number, etc., as described in Appendix 1. The user password may be checked against the password in the network configuration file to ensure that the user
is authorized to connect the camera to the desired service
(step 60). Alternately, the stored password in the appropriate
configuration file can be used. Next, the camera uses the
parameters in the configuration file to establish communications with the service and send one or more image files as
selected by the user (steps 62). The service receiver interprets
the system commands issued by the camera from the network
configuration file list and sends appropriate feedback (such as
"transfer in progress" and "transfer complete") which are
interpreted by the camera and displayed on the LCD 24 (steps
64).
For example, when the camera uses a nonnal wired telephone (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection
(i.e., network 40) to the camera's internal modem 32, after the
user selects the images to be sent and presses the "send"
button, the camera perfonns the following steps without user
intervention:
I) Read the appropriate connection parameters from the
network configuration file (on the memory card 30 or
internal camera memory 28), dial the phone and establish the connection to the destination service 14.
2) Read the user's account name and password and transmit these to "log-on" to the service 14.
3) Using the appropriate communications protocol (FTP,
mailto, etc.), transmit the selected image or images to the
destination service 14.
The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that
variations and modifications can be effected by a person of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention.
10
15
APPENDIX I
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
These are descriptions of the tags listed in the previous
drawing:
Protocol Type
Each communication method has its own protocol, or rules
to commnnicate. This tag identifies that protocol and where to
find it. For example, the Network may use TCPIIP and a
modem may use XModem.
Phone Number
This is the number of the receiving service. If internet
access is requested, this could be the number of the Internet
Service Provider. For ISDN, some systems require two phone
numbers, dialed and connected to in sequence.
Default Settings
Standard settings that make the communications device
compatible with the imaging device.
Modem Control String
Modem and communications devices have a command
language that can set them up before they are used. For
example, modems have many options controlled by command strings including volume level, the amount of time the
carrier is allowed to fail before the system hangs up, and so
on.
Account Data
This can be internet account data, charge number data,
phone card data, billing address, and data related to the commerce part of the transmission.
Password
Any password needed to get into the communications system. Other passwords to get into the remote application or
destination are located in the System Commands section.
55
System Commands
These are commands that control the end destination.
60
Error Protocol
In cellular and some other wireless communications, error
protocols are used to increase the robustness of the link. For
example, MNP 10 or ETC may be used for cellular links.
65
Radio Type
The type of radio used for this communications feature
may be identified here. Some cell phones have modems built
in, others will have protocols for many communications fnnctions built in. The radio type will make the imaging device
adapt to the correct interface.
US 7,742,084 B2
5
6
laC
ISDN Ordering Code identifies what features are available
on the ISDN line provided by the teleco. It is used to establish
the feature set for that communications link.
selected destination via the communications interface
using the infonnation, and wherein the user interface
displays a plurality ofdescriptive icons representative of
the plurality of destinations and selection is made by
reference to at least one of the icons.
2. The camera of claim 1, wherein both first and second
memories are memory locations on the same removable
memory card.
3. The camera of claim 1, wherein the second memory
permanently resides in the camera and can be loaded with a
network configuration file from a host Pc.
4. The camera of claim 3, wherein the network configuration file further includes information to enable connection to
an identified Internet Service Provider.
5. The camera of claim 1, wherein the communications
interface connects to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the communications
interface connects to ISDN.
7. The camera of claim 1, wherein the communications
interface connects to an RF cellular phone network.
8. The camera of claim 1, wherein the communications
interface connects to a data network.
9. The camera of claim 8, wherein the data network is an
Ethernet.
10. The camera of claim 1, wherein the communications
interface is located internal to the camera.
11. The camera of claim 1, wherein the user interface
displays a feedback indicating the status ofthe image transfer.
Internet Service Provider
This identifies the actual service provider and any specific
information or sequence ofinfonnation that the service wants
to see during connection and logoff. It also tells the device
how to handle the return messages, like "time used" that are
returned by the server.
Commands to Receiver
This may be a list of commands to control the receiving
application. For example, a command to print one of the
images and save the data to a particular file on a PC may be
embedded here.
Return Status Requests
This tag can set up the ability ofthe application to tell if an
error has occurred, or what the status ofthe application might
be. The data here will help the device decide if it should
continue communicating and a set user interface response can
be developed around this feedback.
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic camera comprising:
a communication interface;
a sensor for capturing images;
a first memory for storing images;
a second memory for storing infonnation for communicating with a plurality of destinations via the communications interface; and
a user interface for selecting an image destination and for
commanding the camera to send the images to the
10
15
20
25
30
* * * * *
EXHIBIT D
111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US007453605B2
(54)
(75)
United States Patent
(10)
Parulski et al.
(12)
(45)
CAPTURING DIGITAL IMAGES TO BE
TRANSFERRED TO AN E-MAIL ADDRESS
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,
NY (US)
(*)
Notice:
Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 663 days.
(21)
6,167,469 A
6,226,362
Filed:
8/2000 Hashimoto et aI
348/552
12/2000 Safai et aI
348/64
5/2001 Gerszberg et aI
348/14.06
(Continued)
Primary Examiner-David K. Mooe
Assistant Examiner-Henry Dahbour
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pamela R. Crocker
ABSTRACT
(57)
Appl. No.: 11/174,370
(22)
*
*
Bl *
6,111,604 A
Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Rochester, NY
(US); Joseph Ward, Hilton, NY (US);
Michael C. Hopwood, Mountain View,
CA (US)
(73)
Patent No.:
US 7,453,605 B2
Date of Patent:
Nov. 18,2008
Jul. 1, 2005
Prior Publication Data
(65)
US 2005/0243189 Al
Nov. 3, 2005
Related U.S. Application Data
(63)
Continuation of application No. 09/821,152, filed on
Mar. 29, 2001, now Pat. No. 7,034,871, which is a
continuation of application No. 08/977,382, filed on
Nov. 24, 1997, now Pat. No. 6,573,927.
(51)
Int. Cl.
H04N 5/76
(2006.01)
U.S. Cl.
358/402; 348/231.2; 348/231.3
358/402,
Field of Classification Search
358/1.9, 1.15, 1.16,906,505,474; 396/319;
348/231.99,231.2,231.3,231.7,231.9,231.1,
348/14.12,64, 14.06,207.1,231.6,552;
347/2
See application file for complete search history.
(52)
(58)
References Cited
(56)
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,241,659 A
5,546,145 A
5,806,005 A
*
*
8/1993 Parulski et al.
8/1996 Bernardi et al.
9/1998 Hull et al.
An electronic still camera for capturing images to be transferred to at least one e-mail address is disclosed. The electronic still camera includes an image sensor for capturing a
plurality ofimages of scenes and for producing image signals
representative of the corresponding scenes; an analog-todigital converter for digitizing the image signals to produce
digital images; and a removable memory card for storing a
plurality of digital image files corresponding to the digital
images. The electronic still camera also includes an internal
memory for storing at least one digital image to be displayed
and a plurality ofe-mail addresses; a processor for controlling
the transfer ofthe digital images from the removable memory
card to the internal memory and for producing a utilization
file; and a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying at least one digital image. The electronic still camera
further includes a user interface for selecting at least one
e-mail address and for scrolling through the plurality of digital images stored on the removable memory card in order to
display and select particular digital images to be transferred
to the selected at least one e-mail address, wherein the utilization file includes the at least one selected e-mail address and
the name of at least one digital image file to be transferred to
the at least one selected e-mail address and the processor
stores the utilization file on the removable memory card separate from the digital image files.
396/319
348/14.12
20 Claims,S Drawing Sheets
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US 7,453,605 B2
Page 2
u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS
6,344,875 Bl
6,427,078 Bl
6,642,959 Bl
*
*
*
2/2002 Hashimoto et 31
7/2002 Wilska et 31
1112003 Arai
348/207.1
348/231.99
348/231.3
6,683,649
6,784,924
6,812,962
7,034,871
Bl * 112004 Anderson
B2 * 8/2004 Ward et al. ..
Bl * 1112004 Fredlund et 31
B2 * 4/2006 Parulski et al. .
* cited by examiner
348/231.6
348/207.1
348/231.2
348/231.3
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SELECT BACKGROUND
SELECT TEXT
SELECT CREATIVES
SELECT IMAGES
ALBUM IMAGES
E-MAIL IMAGES
ORDER PRI NTS
ACCESSIBLE BY
CATEGORIZE
SEND TO
QUANTITY
SIZE / QUALITY t----~
ALL
OWNER ONLY
FAMILY ONLY
FAVORITE
VACATION
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INPUT VIA HOST PC,
SELECT VIA CAMERA UI
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HI, I'M HAVING A RELAXING
VACATION. -J. SMITH
u.s. Patent
Nov. 18,2008
Sheet 5 of 5
US 7,453,605 B2
- GLOBAL INFORMATION(CUSTOMER NAME, ADDRESS, BILLING INFO, ORDER DATE)
PRINT ORDER INFO(SIZE, NUMBER OF COPIES, IMAGE REFERENCES)
E-MAIL ORDER INFO(E-MAIL ADDRESS, IMAGE REFERENCES)
ALBUM ORDER INFO (ALBUM HEADING, ACCESS, IMAGE REFERENCES)
- CREATIVE DETAIL (TEMPLATE, USER TEXT, IMAGE REFERENCE, IMAGE CROPPING)
-IMAGE REFERENCES(I MAGE FORMAT, IMAGE LOCATION)
FIG. 4
IMAGE FILE #1
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FIG. 5
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US 7,453,605 B2
1
2
CAPTURING DIGITAL IMAGES TO BE
TRANSFERRED TO AN E-MAIL ADDRESS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION(S)
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. Ser.
No. 09/821,152, filed Mar. 29, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,034,
871, by Kenneth A. Parulski et a!., entitled Electronic Still
Camera for Capturing Digital Images to be Transferred to an
E-Mail Address.whichisaContinuationofU.S.Ser.No.
08/977,382, filed Nov. 24, 1997 now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
6,573,927 on Jun. 3, 2003.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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The invention relates generally to the field ofphotography,
and in particular to electronic photography. More specifically,
the invention relates to an electronic camera that can be interfaced with a host computer.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Digital cameras, such as the Kodak Digital Science
DC25™ camera, allow images to be utilized on a home computer (PC) and to be incorporated into e-mail documents and
personal home pages on the World Wide Web. Presently, if a
print is desired, each image must first be copied to the PC and
then individually printed. The user is required to manually
select each image to be printed, and manually decide how big
each print should be and how many prints to make of each
image.
In addition, it is possible for users to electronically send
images to others using software, such as the Kodak Digital
Science Picture Postcard Software™. However, this again
requires the user to manually download each image to the host
computer, select each image to be transmitted, and create a
new "Postcard" for each image to be sent. Users can also
create "albums" of photos on their computers using software
such as the Family Album Creator™ by Creative Wonders,
Inc. Again, however, this is a manual process that requires
each image to be downloaded to the computer, individually
selected, and added to the album.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,659, reprint information can be
generated at the time a PhotoCD disc is played back. This
patent describes an EEPROM card that can be inserted into a
PhotoCD player. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 of this patent,
the EEPROM card can contain reprint order information and
"album disc" information input by the player operator. However, this information is not generated at the time of picture
taking, and is not stored on the same media as the images.
Moreover, the reprint information does not include information useful to the service provider, such as user account,
charge card, and mailing address.
What is needed is a way for camera users to quickly and
easily compose "print orders" and "transmission orders" and!
or "electronic albuming" orders, at the time they capture their
images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an electronic still camera for capturing images to be
transferred to at least one e-mail address, the electronic still
camera comprising:
(a) an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images of
scenes and for producing image signals representative of
the corresponding scenes;
(b) an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the image
signals to produce digital images;
(c) a removable memory card for storing a plurality of
digital image files corresponding to the digital images;
(d) an internal memory for storing at least one digital image
to be displayed and a plurality of e-mail addresses;
(e) a processor for controlling the transfer of the digital
images from the removable memory card to the internal
memory and for producing a utilization file;
(f) a display coupled to the internal memory for displaying
at least one digital image; and
(g) a user interface for selecting at least one e-mail address
and for scrolling through the plurality of digital images
stored on the removable memory card in order to display
and select particular digital images to be transferred to
the selected at least one e-mail address, wherein the
utilization file includes the at least one selected e-mail
address and the name of at least one digital image file to
be transferred to the at least one selected e-mail address
and the processor stores the utilization file on the removable memory card separate from the digital image files.
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system according to the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram ofdownstream services available in the
system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of one example of a creative background added to an image;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the organization of a utilization file;
and
FIG. 5 is a diagram of another organization of a utilization
file together with each image file.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Because imaging systems and devices are well known, the
present description will be directed in particular to elements
forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus
in accordance with the present invention. Elements not specifically shown or described herein may be selected from
those known in the art. Some aspects of the present description may be implemented in software. Unless otherwise
specified, all software implementation is conventional and
within the ordinary skill in the progrannning arts.
A system block diagram of the invention is shown in FIG.
1, and includes a user's host computer (PC) 10, a digital
camera 12, equipment located at a "downstream" service
provider 14, and equipment at a walk-up kiosk 16. The camera 12 includes an optical section 18 for imaging a scene upon
an image sensor 20 and generating an image signal, an AID
converter 22 for digitizing the image signal, a liquid crystal
display (LCD screen) 24 for displaying images and other
information, a number of user input buttons 26, and both
internal memory 32 and a removable memory card 36 for
storing captured images. The camera 12 may optionally
include an internal communications interface 28 (e.g.,
modem). A microprocessor 29 generally controls the operation of the camera 12, and interchanges data through a
memory card interface 34 with the memory card 36, through
a PC interface 38 with the host computer 10, through a host
interface 30 directly with the kiosk 16, and through the communications interface 28 and a commnnications network 31
with the service provider 14.
When the camera 12 is purchased, it is provided with a
software application (located on a disc 40) for running on the
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user's host PC 10 that enables the user to specifY the name(s)
ofdownstream service providers, network addresses (friends,
family or business associates) and related account infonnation such as billing information (e.g., charge card number,
mailing addresses). The user can also select, through the
software application, one or more "creative backgrounds"
offered by the service provider (such as a postcard border)
and enter one or more text messages, (such as "Hi, 1'm having
a relaxing vacation, John Smith"), as will be described in
connection with FIG. 3. All of this information can then be
downloaded, via a memory card reader 42 on the host PC 10,
to the removable memory card 36, which can be subsequently
inserted into the camera 12. Alternatively, the information can
be downloaded to the camera 12 via the host PC interface 38
and written to the camera's internal memory 32 or the removable memory card 36 in the camera. Typically, keyword
descriptors accompany the infonnation to enable easy access
by the camera user.
After placing the memory card 36 in the camera 12 (or
disconnecting the camera 12 from the host PC 10), the user
can operate the camera 12 to take numerous pictures, which
are stored either in the internal memory 32 or in the memory
card 36 (or in both). After taking pictures, the user reviews the
images on the LCD screen 24, using the buttons 26 to scroll
through the images. The user can then select the desired
"downstream services" (printing, e-mailing, and/or albuming) and compose the order using the options listed in FIG. 2.
These services and options are accessed from the memory
card 36 and, for example, the keyword descriptors are
assembled in a menu and displayed on the LCD screen 24.
Selections among these services and options are made, for
example, by reference to the keyword descriptors and actuation of the user buttons 26. The details of the order infonnation is written into a "utilization" file generated by the camera
12 that identifies the order and includes pointers to the image
files that store the images required to "fulfill" the order. The
"utilization" file is stored in the internal memory 32 or the
memory card 36.
For printing, order composition involves selecting the
quantity, print size, and quality level (e.g., thermal or ink jet)
of the images to be printed. For example, the user might
choose one "standard" (4"x6" size) image of 2 different
images, and 2 standard size images plus one "enlargement"
(8"xlO" size) image of their "favorite" vacation image. The
print order infonnation is provided in the utilization file that
identifies the order and includes pointers to the image files
that store the images required to "fulfill" the print order. In
addition to "nonnal" type prints, the prints can be "creative"
prints, using one of the creative backgrounds selected on the
host computer and downloaded to the camera along with text.
In this case, the "favorite" image might be surrounded with
one ofthe border and captions provided via the host PC 10, as
shown in FIG. 3.
The user can then take or mail the image memory card 36
containing the image files and order information (utilization
file) to the print service provider 14. The provider reads the
information, fills the print order, and returns the print order
either for pick-up by the user or by mail. The service provider
14 charges the user's credit card account (which can be stored
in the print order information file) for the prints provided.
Alternatively, the user can place the card 36 in a slot 50 of a
"walk-up kiosk" 16 along with a credit card. The kiosk can
then automatically produce the prints required while minimizing the amount of user interaction required. Finally, the
user could place the card in a home printer 48, and the printer
could automatically produce the quantity of prints of each
image required. In the last two cases, the size and quality of
print types available might be limited to those available by the
kiosk 16 or the home printer 48.
Alternatively, the camera 12 could incorporate or be connected to a wired or wireless modem, such as the communications interface 28. In this case, the print order information,
and the image infonnation needed to fulfill the print order,
would be transmitted to the service provider 14 along with the
account infonnation through the communication network 31
(which could be a wired or wireless network). The service
provider 14 would print the order and mail the prints back to
the user.
Instead of, or in addition to, composing a print order, the
user may choose to transmit one or more images to others.
These images can include the "creative" images and/or text
described above. The user selects the images and the
person(s) who will receive them, from the group of addresses
loaded into the camera 12 via the process described earlier
(the software application running on the home PC 10). The
e-mail order infonnation is provided in the utilization file that
gives the e-mail address and includes pointers to the image
files that store the images required to "fulfill" the e-mail order.
If the camera 12 includes a transmitter, e.g., a cellular
connection in the communications interface 28, the camera
12 could include and initiate a "send" command that the user
would enable after completing the e-mail order. This command would automatically send the appropriate images to the
appropriate user's e-mail accounts through the network 31
using the appropriate communications protocol (i.e., FTP,
mailto). Alternatively, the camera 12 can be placed in a docking unit (not shown) containing the modem. The images can
then be automatically transmitted to the service provider 14,
when the camera 12 is inserted into the dock. Alternatively,
the memory card 36 could be removed from the camera 12
and placed in a kiosk, which would then transmit the images
and bill the user's charge card.
Instead of, or in addition to, composing a print order and/or
an e-mail order, the user may choose to transmit one or more
images to their "electronic photo album" account, which
could be maintained by the service provider 14 (or alternatively could be maintained on the user's home computer 10)
in an image "album" storage 52. In this case, the user selects
the images to be transferred to their photo album, and optionally selects what group of users might be allowed to view the
images. The groups may include "Self only", "Self plus
immediate family only", and "All" (i.e., family, friends) The
information may include text, which may be input and
selected as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,678, "An Electronic Still Camera for Capturing and Categorizing Images",
filed Dec. 20, 1995, and assigned to the assignee of the
present application, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Instead of having the camera 12 communicate directly to
the "downstream" service provider 14 over the communications network 31, the communications network 31 from the
camera 12 could alternatively be connected to an internet
service provider (ISP) (not shown) such asAOL (America On
Line), Earthlink, and Eznet. The "downstream" service provider 14 would then be connected to all ISPs via the internet,
eliminating the need to maintain a separate communications
network. The ISP would transfer the utilization file data and
images needed to order prints and album images to the downstream service provider. The ISP could itselfhandle e-mailing
of images to other users, using the data and images in the
utilization file.
The utilization order information is provided in the utilization file. The general file organization is shown in FIG. 4,
and a detailed example of the file contents of an elaborate
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utilization file is given in Appendix 1. This file may be
encrypted to prevent unauthorized use of the sensitive information, such as the user's credit card number. Referring to
Appendix I, a Global information section (lines 2-26) provides the customer information (name, address, credit card),
as well as the time the order was placed, and whether it has
been processed or not.
The file may contain one or more Print Order sections. For
example, lines 28-37 describe a print order of "standard" size
(4"x6") prints of the images made on a silver halide based
CRT printer. Line 34 indicates that two copies of the image
referenced in line 33 will be printed, while only one copy of
the images referenced in lines 35-36 is printed. A second print
order section (lines 39-55) indicates a large size print (24"x
36") should be made on a silver halide printer and mounted in
particular in a walnut frame. This printer should be sent via
UPS to the address shown in lines 47-52. The image is the
composite shown in FIG. 3, which is described in the CreativeDetail section (lines 76-90).
An e-mail order section (lines 57-65) provides the e-mail
address and a list ofimages that should be sent to this address.
An album order section (lines 67-72) provides a means for
adding images to the users on-line photo album. The user can
classify the images under a particular heading (e.g., "vacation" images) and indicate who is allowed to access the
images via the internet.
A Creative Detail section (lines 74-90) defines each creative image, such as the image in FIG. 3. It also describes user
defined text (line 81). Multiple templates and user text
options may be downloaded from the host computer to a
memory card 36 that is then inserted into the camera 12, prior
to taking pictures. The template (background) may be an
identification code that is only added, for example, during
printing. In this case, the template is not viewed when the
image is displayed on the camera 12. Alternatively, a low
resolution version ofthe templates desired by the user can be
stored in the camera 12, so that the user can preview the final
composite image. A high resolution version of the template
can be used by the service provider to print the final composite image. The user may decide to crop and rotate the image
(lines 86-87) prior to inserting it into the creative background.
Finally, an image detail section (92-102) describes the file
type (e.g., FlashPix, JPEG, TIFF) and location ofeach image.
In this example, the three images are all FlashPix images
located on the memory card "Local Card" in the "vacation"
folder.
Most of the information in GlobalInfo and CreativeDetail
sections of the digital camera utilization file, for example the
addresses and creative text, is downloaded from the host
computer to the camera prior to picture taking. After reviewing the images, the user uses the image LCD and user interface to select which images to print, e-mail, and album. The
print size, e-mail, albuming, and creative options are offered
by pull-down menus that match the options provided by the
service providers they have selected on the computer and
downloaded to the camera 12 (via the memory card 36). The
full utilization file (i.e., Print order, e-mail order) is then
created by the camera based on the user selections.
A much simpler print utilization file is shown in Appendix
II. In this case, the camera 12 simply allows a print order to be
created. The memory card 36 containing the images and the
simple utilization file is then inserted into the home PC 10, the
home printer, or the walk-up kiosk 16 or sent to a service
provider via a communications interface. The proper number
of each selected image is then automatically printed, without
further user intervention.
Instead of providing the utilization information for multiple images in a single utilization file, other embodiments are
possible. For example, the camera may create three utilization
files, one containing the information needed to produce a
print order, a second containing information needed to provide electronic albuming, and a third containing e-mail order
information. Alternatively, the utilization information may be
provided with each image file, as shown in FIG. 5. In this
embodiment, the print order information describing the number and size of each image to be printed is included in tags
provided within each image file. For example, image file #1
contains the image data and a tag indicating that the user has
requested one standard size print. Image file #2 does not
contain a print tag (or alternatively could include a tag with
the number of prints set equal to zero) so no prints will be
made of image #2. Image file #3 includes a first print tag
indicating that the user has requested two standard size prints,
and a second tag indicating that the user has also requested a
single 8"xlO" size enlargement.
The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that
variations and modifications can be effected by a person of
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the invention.
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APPENDIX I: DIGITAL CAMERA UTILIZATION FILE
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00000000 UTILIZATION ORDER SPECIFICATION
(Non-zero initial number identifies encryption key)
%Section: GlobalInfo
%Section: Consumerlnfo (Provides info on camera owner and
default mailing address)
%Name: -Smitb--John--W%Consumer ID: Njj 1007
%Address: -1 Picture Avenue-Apartment 8b-PO Box 123-Anytown-State%PostalCode: -14650%CountryCode: USA
%Email: -jdoe@kodak.com%PhoneDay: -(716) 555-1111%PhoneNight: -(716) 555-2222%CreditCardExpDate: 199603 24
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%CreditCardNumber: 3030445643345
%CreditCardType: AmericanExpress
%EndSection: ConsumerInfo
%Section: OrderInfo (Provides infornation on when utilization file was created)
%Date: 1996228
%Time: 142229
%Processed: 0 (1 Indicates that this utilization order was processed)
%EndSection: OrderInfo
%EndSection: GlobalInfo
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%Section: PrintOrder (Lists the images in a print order)
%Section: FinishInfo
%ImageOutputSize: 4 6 Inches (This example is for standard size prints)
%MediaClass: AgX 20 EN34 Glossy
%EndSeccion: FinishInfo
%ImageRef: ImageDetail! (Points to images defined below)
%Quantity:2 (Optionally indicates number of copies, default ~ 1)
%ImageRef: ImageDetai12
%ImageRef: ImageDetai13
%EndSection: PrintOrder
%Section: PrintOrder
%Section: FinishInfo
%ImageOutputSize: 2436 Inches (This example is for a large creative print)
%MediaClass: AgX 20 EN34 Glossy
%FrameType: F134 Walnut
%EndSection: FinishInfo
%Section: Shippinginfo (Instructions to ship to an address other than the one in
GlobalInfo)
%ShippingCarrier: UPS
%Name: -Good--Johnny--B%Address: -1 Song Street-Mytown-State%PostalCode: -00111%CountryCode: USA
%EndSection: Shippinginfo
%ImageRef: CreativeDetaill (Points to creative defined below)
%EndSection: PrintOrder
%Section: EmailOrder (Sends images via e-mail)
%Section: AddressInfo (Instructions to ship to an address other than the one in
GlobalInfo)
%Name: -Good--Johnny--B%Email: -jgood@localnet.net%EndSection: AddressInfo
%ImageRef: Creative Detail! (Points to creative defined below)
%ImageRef: ImageDetai12
%ImageRef: Imagefletai13
%EndSection: EmailOrder
%Section: AlbumOrder (Add these images to on-line photo album)
%AlbumHeading: -Vacation images- (Place images under "vacation"
album heading)
%AlbumViewing: All (gives access to all authorized album viewers)
%ImageRef: CreativeDetaill (Points to creative defined below)
%ImageRef: ImageDetai12
%EndSection: AlbumOrder
%Section: CreativeDetaill (Describes each composite image)
%LayoutRef: T12345 (Indicates template ID or template image file)
%Section: Pageinfo
%PageRef: 0
%Section: TextInfo (Indicates what text appears in the template)
%TextNodeRef: 1
%ConsumerText: ~Hi, I'm having a relaxing time on vacation. Jo1m Smith
%EndSection: TextInfo
%Section:ImageInfo (Indicates which images(s) appear in template)
%ImageNodeRef: 2
%ImageDetailRef: 1
%CropRect: 256 0 768 1280 (Cropped image top, left, width, height)
%Rotate: 90 (Indicates rotation in degrees clockwise)
%EndSection: ImageInfo
%EndSection: Pageinfo
%EndSection: CreativeDetail
%Section: ImageData (Describes each image, may be referenced multiple times)
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%Section: IrnageDetail 1
%FileType: FlashPix Version 2.0
%ImageLocation: LocalCard-Vacation/Image4.FPX%Section: IrnageDetail 2
%FileType: FlashPix Version 2.0
%ImageLocation: LocalCard-Vacation/Image7.FPX%Section: IrnageDetail 3
%FileType: FlashPix Version 2.0
%ImageLocation: LocalCard-Vacation/ImagelO.FPX%EndSection: ImageData
APPENDIX II: SIMPLE PRINT ORDER UTILIZATION FILE
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%Section:PrintOrder (Lists the images in a print order)
Irnage4.FPX 1 (One copy of image 4)
Irnage7.FPX 2 (Two copies of image 7)
IrnagelO.FPX 1
IrnageI2.FPX 4
IrnageI3.FPX 1
%EndSection:PrintOrder
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic camera for capturing images to be transferred to at least one e-mail address, the electronic camera
comprising:
(a) an image sensor for capturing a plurality of images;
(b) a first memory for storing the plurality of images;
(c) a second memory for storing a plurality of e-mail
addresses;
(d) a processor for producing a utilization file;
(e) a display coupled to the first memory for displaying at
least one of the plurality of stored images; and
(f) a user interface for selecting at least one e-mail address
stored in the second memory and for scrolling through
the plurality ofimages stored in the first memory in order
to display and select at least one image to be transferred
to the selected at least one e-mail address, wherein the
utilization file identifies the at least one selected e-mail
address and the at least one image to be transferred to the
at least one selected e-mail address.
2. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first memory is a removable memory card.
3. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 further
including a communications interface which interfaces to a
communications network for transferring the at least one
selected image to the at least one selected e-mail address.
4. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein the
communications interface includes a transmitter.
5. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 4 wherein the
transmitter provides a cellular connection.
6. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 4 wherein the
electronic camera provides a send command to initiate transfer ofthe at least one selected image to the at least one selected
e-mail address using the transmitter.
7. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 further
including a separate docking unit having a modem for transferring the at least one selected image to the at least one
selected e-mail address.
8. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 7 wherein the
at least one selected image is transmitted to a service provider,
and the service provider then transfers the at least one selected
image to the at least one selected e-mail address.
9. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
plurality of images are stored in a corresponding plurality of
digital image files.
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10. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 9 wherein
the digital image files are lPEG files.
11. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the utilization file identifies at least two digital images.
12. The electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein
the utilization file identifies the camera owner.
13. A method for capturing images to be transferred to at
least one e-mail address, comprising:
(a) storing a plurality ofe-mail addresses in a memory ofan
electronic camera;
(b) capturing a plurality of images of scenes with the electronic camera;
(c) storing the plurality of images in a memory of the
electronic camera;
(d) providing a user interface in the electronic camera for
selecting at least one e-mail address from the stored
plurality of e-mail addresses and for scrolling through
the plurality of stored images in order to display and
select particular images to be transferred from the electronic camera to the selected at least one e-mail address;
(e) transferring the selected images to the selected at least
one e-mail address.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the plurality of e-mail addresses are transferred from a separate device
to the electronic camera.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the separate
device is a Pc.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including
interfacing to a communications network and transferring the
selected images to the at least one selected e-mail address.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the communications network includes a cellular transmitter.
18. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the selected
images are transmitted to a service provider, and the service
provider then transfers the selected images to the at least one
selected e-mail address.
19. The method as claimed in claim 13 further including
producing a utilization file that identifies the at least one
selected e-mail address and the selected images.
20. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the plurality of images is stored in a corresponding plurality of lPEG
image files.
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EXHIBIT E
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