Communication Methods Patents (Class 348/211.1)
  • Patent number: 7421246
    Abstract: A wireless communication device comprising a search apparatus and a detection apparatus, wherein the search apparatus searches for a peripheral device when the detection apparatus detects that the peripheral device is likely to be utilized by the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Richard Layley, Trevor John Beer
  • Patent number: 7411609
    Abstract: A system and a method for optically communicating information between a display and a camera that is observing the display. In general, the transmission of information is unidirectional in a direction from the display to the camera. The display transmits information to the camera that is observing the display by displaying a series of symbols and images (such as an alphabet) on the display. Information (such as a network address of the display or camera) may be transmitted to the camera without any prior shared knowledge between the two. The present invention also is capable of determining a spatial location (or pose) of the display (relative to a camera observing the display) by observing a pattern presented on the display and using well-known correlation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Barrett L. Brumitt, Steven A. N. Shafer, Stephen C. Harris
  • Patent number: 7386872
    Abstract: A network storage type video camera system enables to perform real-time recording and live distribution concurrently. The network storage type video camera system includes camera terminal equipment for generating moving image data; a network; and a moving image storage server connected to the camera terminal equipment through the network, wherein the camera terminal equipment converts the generated moving image data into packets to transmit in real time to the moving image storage server; the moving image storage server stores received packets and then reports reception packet information on the received packets to the camera terminal equipment; and further, after real-time transmission of the packets is completed, the camera terminal equipment supplies one or more lost packets having been lost during the transmission to the moving image storage server, so as to complement the lost packets according to the reported reception packet information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Seiya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7379095
    Abstract: An information processing system, such as a camera system, includes a radio communication system and an information appliance (such as a camera) communicable with the radio communication system within a predetermined distance. The information appliance includes an image pickup for obtaining image data by photographing a subject, a storing part for storing information peculiar to a user of the information appliance, a radio communication part for transmitting a predetermined radio signal and for reading information from the radio communication system, and an authorization part for authorizing the user by collating information from the radio communication system read at the radio communication part with stored information peculiar to the user. The radio communication system includes storage for storing predetermined information and a transmission part for receiving a radio signal generated at the information appliance and for transmitting the stored predetermined signal as a radio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kondoh
  • Patent number: 7369160
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a camera system suitable for remote monitoring. The present invention is made by making improvements to a camera system that transmits camera image data to a network. The camera system includes a camera head including an image sensor and a sensor controller that controls the image sensor; a video signal processing means that performs video signal processing on image data from the image sensor; and a web server which transmits image data from the video signal processing means as the camera image data to the network, receives control data from the network, and controls at least the sensor controller or the video signal processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Fujino, Tooru Katsurai, Shuuji Yamamoto, Hisanori Hayashi, Ryoutatsu Iga, Gentarou Fukano, Harumi Wada
  • Patent number: 7362353
    Abstract: A lens apparatus, with which compatibility, regarding AF operations, to cameras of a variety of manufacturers can be established more easily, is disclosed. The lens apparatus includes a focus driver which drives a focus lens, a terminal which is a member for communication with the camera. Further, the apparatus includes a signal generating circuit into which an image-pickup signal output from the camera is input via the terminal, and which generates a focus driving signal for the focus driver based on the image-pickup signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Kikuchi, Isao Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7362352
    Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus which can be remotely operated from an operation terminal, to carry out image transmission control in accordance a communication form between the image capturing apparatus and the operation terminal. An image capturing apparatus 2 has a judging section 244, and judges a communication form between an operation terminal with which the image capturing apparatus 2 communicates. The transmission control section 243 carries out a control regarding transmission of an image based on a result of judgment by the judging section 244. When the current communication form is judged as low-speed communication from the result of judgment, the transmission control section 244 performs a process such as decreasing the operation speed of panning, tilting and zooming of the image taking section 21 or decreasing the resolution of an image to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Ueyama
  • Patent number: 7355632
    Abstract: This invention is to simplify operations for photographing a subject and acquiring radio tag information. In this invention, when a radio tag information registration photographing mode is selected, and it is detected that the photographing button (shutter button) is pressed halfway, a radio tag detector generates a radio wave that excites a radio tag. Whether a response from the radio tag is received is then determined. When a response is received from the radio tag, and a radio tag ID can uniquely be decided, a status “photographing OK” is indicated. When the photographing button in the half-pressed state is pressed completely, image sensing processing is executed. Radio tag information and obtained image information are stored in an information format, in which they are paired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotaka Shiiyama
  • Patent number: 7340766
    Abstract: A control system for digital camera makes it possible to control a digital camera from a personal computer and to operate the digital camera simultaneously from both of the digital camera side and the personal computer side by means of performing a communication between the digital camera on which a WWW server function is equipped and the personal computer having a WWW browser function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Nagao, Kazumitsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7333134
    Abstract: A terminal distinction circuit distinguishes the terminal type. When the terminal is a PC, moving image data is sent directly from a moving image buffer memory to a transmission image memory. The transmission image memory sends moving image data together with a synchronization signal to the terminal via a broadband modem. When the terminal is a cellular phone or a PDA, an animation generating circuit reads images of every three picture frames from moving image data having thirty picture frames per second. The animation generating circuit scales down an image of each picture frame according to the display capability of the terminal, and then subtracts the number of color. Image data of ten picture frames is converted into one animation GIF file. The animation GIF file is sent to viewer's terminal via the broadband modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7327386
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit, an image processing unit, a memory, and a network interface unit. The image capture unit captures an image. The image processing unit generates an image file including the captured image and additional information and stores the image file in a storage medium. The memory stores the image file read from the storage medium. The network interface unit transmits the image file stored in the memory to an external apparatus via a network. Furthermore, the network interface unit deletes predetermined additional information from the image file before transmitting the image file to the external apparatus, the predetermined additional information including information relating to a user of the image capture apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahisa Kawade
  • Publication number: 20080002032
    Abstract: An image-capture apparatus having an intercom connecting unit, capable of voice communication with an external camera control unit (CCU) is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit, a warning-sound signal generator, a receiving unit, a voice synthesizer and a transmitting unit. The control unit outputs a warning-command signal when determining that a control-information signal value indicating a state of the apparatus varies from a predetermined standard. The warning-sound signal generator outputs a warning-sound signal corresponding to the warning-command signal. The receiving unit receives a multiplexed signal from the CCU and extracts an intercom-voice signal at the multiplexed signal. The voice synthesizer combines the intercom-voice signal extracted at the receiving unit with the warning-sound signal from the warning-sound signal generator to generate a voice-synthesized signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Yujiro Ito, Hidekazu Suto
  • Patent number: 7301561
    Abstract: A digital image storage system includes a digital camera having a memory capable of storing digital images and a data storage including an adapter on which the digital camera is to be laid down. The data storage includes a storage medium that stores the digital images transmitted from the memory through the adapter and a controller that carries out a program for conducting the transmission and the storage of the digital images. The data storage further includes a detector that detects a signal from the adapter to have the program start. The program is designed to wait a command for a predetermine period to follow the command if the command comes within the predetermined period and to take a predetermined course if the predetermined period has expired without the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 7298399
    Abstract: A camera control apparatus provides an end user with environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When the camera control apparatus 1001 receives a file-transfer request described in the format of the network from an external device 1002 connected to the apparatus, it handles a characters in a character string of a file name of the request as camera-control characters. As a result, if the character string includes description corresponding to the format for camera control, the camera control apparatus 1001 controls the camera in accordance with the description to perform image sensing, and transfers the obtained video image as the content of an image file requested by the external device as the file-transfer request originator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Sato, Tadashi Yamakawa, Yoshiyuki Akiba
  • Patent number: 7289141
    Abstract: In a recording system in which a DSC and PD printer are directly connected via a communication interface, and image data is transmitted from the DSC to the PD printer and recorded, it is determined whether predetermined status information is received from the PD printer within a predetermined time period after the DSC issues a predetermined command to the PD printer. If it is determined that the predetermined status information is not received, the status is determined to be one estimated from a normal process, and a process continues. To confirm the status of the PD printer, the DSC requests status information of the PD printer, and acquires the status of the PD printer on the basis of the status information sent back in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Kazuya Sakamoto, Takao Aichi, Kentaro Yano, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Fumihiro Goto, Ruriko Mikami
  • Patent number: 7274949
    Abstract: Transmission and receiving of image data recorded on a digital still camera to and from a server are controlled by a portable telephone set. At the time of transmission, communication between the portable telephone set and the digital still camera and communication between the portable telephone set and the server are established. A reading command is issued from the portable telephone set to the camera. Image data are transmitted in packet units to the portable telephone set from the camera in response to the reading command. The image data is transmitted to the server from the portable telephone set. At the time of receiving, when the communication is established, all image data are transmitted to the portable telephone set from the server. All the image data are transmitted to the camera from the portable telephone set and are recorded in the camera. It is possible to control the transmission and receiving of the image data by the portable telephone set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7259782
    Abstract: Communicating apparatus to be provided between an intermediate line and transmission lines to establish data communications, the intermediate line and the transmission lines having in combination data pass therethrough, the transmission lines including first line and second line 1 and 2, is designed to select the transmission line from among the first and second lines 1 and 2 based on detecting the data passing through each of the first and second lines 1 and 2 so as to transmit data without collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ogawa, Masahiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7256820
    Abstract: A method and system allow a hand-held digital camera to access and store large volumes of digital image data utilizing a wireless communications link between a host computer and the camera. In an embodiment of the invention, imaging optics and a photosensor array capture image data that represents an image of a subject. A transceiver integrated into the hand-held digital camera then transmits the image data to a host computer via a wireless communications link. The host computer stores the image data, or a copy of the image data, and retransmits related image data or, alternatively, the same image data back to the hand-held digital camera via the wireless communications link. Once the image data is received by the hand-held digital camera, an electronic image is formed by a display device that is integrated into the camera. The host computer may process the digital image data into enhanced digital image, thereby enabling the camera to display an enhanced electronic image of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Barclay J. Tullis
  • Patent number: 7248292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to video recording and playback apparatuses in which a video camera directly accesses a server via a network and can therefore send and receive data. A network access program 26c stored in a storage unit 26 controls a GMT program 26b; adds time-difference information for each area stored in area information 26a, which is stored in a RAM 24c built into a microcomputer 24, and information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and, based on time information generated by a real-time clock, which is set using date and time setting processing, calculates World Standard Time, that is to say, Greenwich Mean Time. The present invention can be adapted to video cameras, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Shimakura
  • Patent number: 7202904
    Abstract: A video monitoring device is constructed to include a casing formed of a hollow bottom shell and a top cover, which covers the bottom shell and is horizontally rotatable on the bottom shell, a camera turnable about a horizontal pivot at the top cover, and a driver mounted inside the bottom shell and controlled to rotate the top cover and the camera horizontally on the bottom shell and to turn the cameral vertically about the horizontal pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: E-Benk Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Wei
  • Patent number: 7196805
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for processing digital imagery. A reference platform device is provided with network and telephone connectivity that enable it to establish a connection with a central server. Additional connectors are provided for attaching digital cameras and video equipment to the reference platform. The user can connect their camera to the reference platform and, by simply pressing a single button, initiate a new connection to the central server and upload the electronic image files. Once uploaded, the user can edit the image files using a standard web browser and have the processed images reduced to paper or compact disk and forwarded to another location for pick up or mailing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A Toebes, Philip R Graham
  • Patent number: 7161622
    Abstract: An electronic camera system including an electronic camera having a recording medium which records image information obtained by shooting an image, a detection arrangement which detects that a memory capacity of the recording medium becomes a predetermined value, and a first interface which transmits and receives information, and a communication unit including a wireless communication arrangement which can transmit an image file, a transmission control arrangement to transmit the image information recorded on the recording medium by the wireless communication arrangement based on a detection signal from the detection arrangement, and a second interface which transmits and receives the information with the first interface of the electronic camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Oinoue
  • Patent number: 7161623
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided in which previously sensed image information is stored, so that information with an angle desired by the user can be searched for and displayed. Image data sensed by a camera device (100) is captured by an image information capture unit (101) and the angle information of image data captured by the image information capture unit (101) is acquired by an image view point information acquisition unit (102). A header is generated by a header generation unit (103) based on the angle information. A recording information generation unit (104) generates recording information based on the generated header and the captured image data, and stores the generated information in an external storage device (6). Upon reception of an external search instruction, a search unit (105) searches for information matching angle information included in the search condition, and an output unit (106) outputs the found image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoko Kuno
  • Patent number: 7158172
    Abstract: A digital camera with an automatic image transmission function which includes a transmission section for transmitting photo images and a transmission control unit connected to the transmission section. The transmission control unit judges whether a predetermined transmission allowance condition is satisfied and allows the transmission of photo images only when the predetermined transmission allowance condition is satisfied. As one example, the predetermined transmission allowance condition includes a condition when photography is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kawaoka, Yoshiko Shiimori, Atsushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7154535
    Abstract: A digital camera includes: an image capturing section; an image data generation section; a display section; a recording/reproducing section; a data communication section; and a control section. The image data generation section generates image data, which represents the image of the object that is captured by the image capturing section, and index data associated with the image data. The display section displays the image data and the index data. The recording/reproducing section records the image data and the index data in a memory section and reproduces the image data and the index data recorded in the memory section. The data communication section sends the image data and the index data, which are recorded in the memory section, to an external device, and receives image data and index data from the external device. The control section controls the image data generation section, the recording/reproducing section, and the data communication section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitomo Yamasaki, Hideki Aikoh, Tohru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7149503
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for associating postmark information with digital content. Content is created or otherwise selected from available content selections. Information is received at the mobile device from a radio frequency (RF) transponder. The information may include postmark information to allow the mobile device to associate the postmark information with the content, or may include information to allow the mobile device to send a message to a network service to associate the postmark with created or selected content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Aarnio, Ilkka Tiainen, Ilkka Rahnasto
  • Patent number: 7145596
    Abstract: The image input apparatus comprises the image pickup unit which optically scans a subject and successively acquires partial images of the subject. The relative change detection unit detects an amount of relative change in position or speed of the image pickup unit between a time when a previous partial image was taken and a time when a current partial image is being taken. The an overlapping amount calculating unit calculates an amount of overlap between the previous partial image and the current partial image based upon the amount of relative change in position or speed detected by the relative change detection unit. The image recording determination unit determines whether or not the current partial image is to be recorded based upon the amount of overlap calculated by the overlapping amount calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kitaguchi, Norihiko Murata, Shin Aoki, Saburoh Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7139021
    Abstract: An image memory used for processing signals from a camera can be released within a short period of time. Specifically, when all of the image data are transmitted to a buffer memory, a control circuit in a camera relinquishes processing control of an imaging circuit, an encode buffer memory, a frame memory, an image codec and an IC card interface circuit, so that these sections are released when the communication circuit initiates communication with the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7136094
    Abstract: A digital image capturing system includes at least two digital image capturing devices and a bi-directional link cable connecting the image capturing devices. The image capturing devices are capable of sharing data items over the bi-directional link cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Theodore B. Ziemkowski
  • Patent number: 7119835
    Abstract: A camera mount includes a hosting device including a flat surface for mounting a camera including a user interface. A first connector is located on the flat surface such that the first connector mates to a complementary connector located on the camera. The user interface of the camera also functions as the user interface of the hosting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: K Douglas Gennetten, Amy E Battles, James C Dow
  • Patent number: 7117519
    Abstract: A method and system for allowing a user to select actions to be taken by a server when uploading images from a hand-held image capture device is disclosed. The method and system include storing an action list on the image capture device that includes one or more items representing actions that the server should take with respect to uploaded images. After the user initiates an image upload process, the action list is displayed to the user on the image capture device for user selection. After the user selects at least one of the items in the action list, the images and the selected action list item are sent to the server, and the server performs the specified action on the uploaded images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: FotoMedia Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Eric C. Anderson, Robert Paul Morris
  • Patent number: 7106364
    Abstract: A camera server includes a video transmitting part for transmitting a video signal of a video camera to each of a plurality of camera clients in response to their request to acquire the control right of the video camera and their requests to transmit video information of the video cameras, a permission command issuring part for issuing a command to permit control of the video camera in response to the request to acquire the control right of the video camera, and an automatic control part for executing automatic control of the video camera if the command to permit control of the video camera is not issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Noro, Kazuko Suzuki, Youichi Kazama
  • Patent number: 7107607
    Abstract: In an image data communication system, a digital image recording apparatus captures a desired still image or moving video image. For a color still image, the digital image recording apparatus compresses the image based on JPEG to create a color GIF (graphics interchange format) file. This file is converted to image data having an amount of data which can be processed with a portable telephone or a portable information terminal. An image sender transfers the image data generated from the digital image recording apparatus to an image distribution server. The image distribution server records the image data in an internal recording apparatus and notifies a recipient that the image is ready for distribution by sending, for example, an e-mail message to the portable telephone or the portable information terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Miyagi, Kimio Maki, Mio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7098943
    Abstract: Anyone using a camera device can set proper shooting conditions according to shooting result while imaging the shooting result. A plurality of sample images and shooting condition data such as shutter speed of each sample image or diaphragm value are stored in a data file of an image server. A personal computer browses images that the image server has, and download a required image (during downloading, the image server adds shooting condition data to the required image data, and generates a sample transmission image. The personal computer stores the received sample image, transmits the image to the user's camera, and records it.). The camera sets the same shooting conditions as those during shooting of the sample image based on the shooting condition data added to the sample image when predetermined key operation is made while the sample image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Shibutani
  • Patent number: 7071975
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus capable of mounting a media card 101 having a nonvolatile memory and a communication circuit, when image data of a captured image is transmitted to an external, the image data corresponding to a data length of a packet is stored in the nonvolatile memory of the media card, and the image data is sent to the communication circuit 103 of the media card and divided into a plurality of packets to be transmitted to the external. When transmission of the image data is aborted, the image data still not stored in the nonvolatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Myojo
  • Patent number: 7062230
    Abstract: A communication device is provided which is capable of transmitting pickup images efficiently with high portability, manipulativity, and instantaneous response. A control apparatus starts a communication (such as a radio transmission) operation in a communication apparatus simultaneous with an image pickup operation in an image pickup operation when the operation is initiated by a user in a communication device having the image pickup function. Thereby, the pickup images obtained in the image pickup operation are automatically transmitted to a specified transmission destination via a communication apparatus. Thus, a user can obtain and transmit pickup images to a desired transmission destination simultaneously by simply setting the operating mode of the device to a predetermined mode or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishiguro, Hiraku Sonobe
  • Patent number: 7062576
    Abstract: A digital image storage system includes a digital camera having a first terminal for data communication in accordance with a data communication interface standard and an adapter for the digital camera for communicating with the digital camera. The adapter has a second terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal. The digital image storage system further includes a data storage having a third terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal. The data storage is capable of communicating with the digital camera by way of the adapter through a connection between the third and the second terminals and also capable of directly communicating with the digital camera through a connection between the third and the first terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ohmura, Tetsushi Nomoto, Yukinobu Ishino, Masahide Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7046274
    Abstract: A method for recycling a digital camera which includes: a communication section which outputs image data to an external device; and a protecting cover which covers the communication section and which is removed at times when the image data is output, wherein after the protecting cover is removed and the image data is taken out from the communication section, the communication section is once again covered by the protecting cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Misawa
  • Patent number: 7039200
    Abstract: A system and process for estimating the time delay of arrival (TDOA) between a pair of audio sensors of a microphone array is presented. Generally, a generalized cross-correlation (GCC) technique is employed. However, this technique is improved to include provisions for both reducing the influence (including interference) from correlated ambient noise and reverberation noise in the sensor signals prior to computing the TDOA estimate. Two unique correlated ambient noise reduction procedures are also proposed. One involves the application of Wiener filtering, and the other a combination of Wiener filtering with a Gnn subtraction technique. In addition, two unique reverberation noise reduction procedures are proposed. Both involve applying a weighting factor to the signals prior to computing the TDOA which combines the effects of a traditional maximum likelihood (TML) weighting function and a phase transformation (PHAT) weighting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Rui, Dinei A. Florencio
  • Patent number: 7034880
    Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images to be provided to a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images; a memory for storing the captured digital images; an interface to a communications device for transmitting the stored images to a service provider; wherein the digital interface automatically transfers images to the network service provider during a specified time period. Rechargeable batteries may be provided for powering the digital camera; wherein the communications device recharges the batteries using the interface. The camera may further include a display for displaying digital files stored in the digital memory and displaying the at least one order status confirmation file on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jay A. Endsley, Steven M. Bryant, John R. Fredlund, Kenneth A. Parulski
  • Patent number: 7027084
    Abstract: A communication system includes a portable phone and a digital still camera. The user selects an image for transmission, and data indicating a frame number of the selected image is sent from the portable phone to the digital still camera. The portable phone sends a re-size instruction to the digital still camera. The digital still camera re-sizes the image data to reduce a data quantity thereof. The re-sized image data is sent from the digital still camera to the portable phone. The image data is sent from the portable phone via a network to a partner communication system. The image data has a reduced data quantity through the re-sizing and hence can be completely transmitted thereto in a relatively short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7015949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved Internet camera is described. The method of keeping a refreshed image from a camera on a user's system comprises sending the image to the user's system and refreshing the image when a refresh period has elapsed. The method further comprises decreasing a frequency of the refresh after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: IPIX Corporation
    Inventor: Adam D. Sah
  • Patent number: 6982747
    Abstract: In an image sensing system including at least one image sensing apparatus and at least one communication apparatus, the communication apparatus transmits the operating status of the communication apparatus to the image sensing apparatus. The image sensing apparatus determines the received operating status and displays the operating status on the display in accordance with the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 6977680
    Abstract: An image data processing system includes a digital camera having a conversion means for conversing the light from a photographic object to the image data, and a storage medium, an image data memory apparatus having a memory section storing the image data, reduction image data forming means for forming the reduction image data according to the image data and a communication apparatus having a communication device transmitting and receiving the image data and the reduction image data between the digital camera and the image data memory apparatus, and a communication path to which the communication apparatus is connected, wherein the image data is stored in the memory section, and the reduction image data is stored in the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shintaro Ichihara
  • Patent number: 6975350
    Abstract: A method includes generating a first set of commands for an imaging device. The first set of commands are associated with a first task to be performed by the imaging device. A second set of commands are generated for the imaging device during a second time interval that overlaps the first time interval. The second set of commands are associated with a second task to be performed by the imaging device. The first set of commands is transmitted to the imaging device during a third interval of time, and the second set of commands is transmitted to the imaging device during a fourth interval of time that does not overlap with the third interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mannan A. Mohammed, Bruce P. Clemens, Mark R. Fichtner
  • Patent number: 6970185
    Abstract: A photographer adds explanatory text to a captured image by speaking the text at approximately the time the image is captured by the digital camera. The spoken information is reduced to text by recognizing the user's speech, and is associated with the digital image. Preferably, the digital camera contains an on-board speech reduction capability to produce an intermediate symbolic form expressing the user's speech as a series of basic sounds, or phonemes, which can be later reduced to natural language text by a computer system having access to sophisticated vocabulary lists and syntactical analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Steven Halverson
  • Patent number: 6967675
    Abstract: A digital camera includes an interface connected with a memory card. To the memory card is recorded an image file including a compressed main-image data and compressed thumbnail image data of a subject taken. When the operator selects a transmit mode and performs predetermined key operation, the image file recorded on the memory card is transmitted to an Internet server via a communication circuit. After completing the transmission, the image files already transmitted are erased leaving the compressed thumbnail image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ito, Yasuo Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6965399
    Abstract: When a control command for a video camera is entered, a client issues an acquisition request for a video camera control right and a camera server issues a permission command for the video camera control right in response to the acquisition request for the video camera control right from the client, and controls the video camera in accordance with the control command from the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroto Oka, Tsuneyoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6961092
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light emitting device and an imaging device, such as a CCD, having a plurality of photo-diodes, a vertical transfer unit and a substrate. A pulse-modulated distance measuring light beam is radiated from the light emitting device to a measurement subject and a reflected light beam, generated by the measurement subject due to the distance measuring light beam, is sensed by the photo-diodes, so that a distance information sensing operation which detects distance information of the measurement subject is executed. The data, for example, relating to the distance information or the image information of the measurement subject, which is stored in the device, is transmitted to an external computer system by an optical transmission system using the above light emitting device. A data transmitting light beam may be superposed onto the distance measuring light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Kakiuchi, Shuzo Seo, Nobuhiro Tani
  • Patent number: 6891567
    Abstract: A digital photography messaging and advertisement system wherein a message center maintains records of camera purchasers, and each corresponding camera identification (ID). The message center prepares and collects messages, putting them in categories including personal messages for a particular camera/user, messages for all users of a particular interest group, and generic messages which can be advertisements for al users with cameras configured according to the system. Each camera is equipped with a transceiver for receiving and sending data, and a display for observing the messages or listening to them. Each camera subscribes to its own personal messages. In addition, a camera user may subscribe to a single or multiple interest groups. When a user turns on the camera, the transceiver transmits a signal conveying the camera identification to the message center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Fotonation Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eran Steinberg