Camera with user identity data

• US 20010022621A1
• Filed: 02/20/2001
• Published: 09/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Squibbs, Robert Francis
• Application Number:
  US09/788,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20010022621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.99
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9201 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the video signal

Abstract

A camera is provided with user-input means for setting a current-user data item stored in the camera to indicate the user ID of a current user, this current-user data item being changeable by subsequent users to indicate their own respective user Ids. Upon an image recording being taken with the camera, the user ID currently indicated by the current-user data item. is associated with that image recording.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

an image recording system for making image recordings,

a memory for storing a plurality of user IDs,

a user-operable selector control for enabling user selection of a said user ID stored in the memory and for setting a current-user data item stored in the memory to indicate the most recently selected user ID, this current-user data item being changeable by subsequent users by selecting a different user ID from said plurality of stored user IDs, and

an identity association arrangement operative, upon an image recording being made using the camera, to associate with that image recording the user ID currently indicated by the current-user data item.

2. A camera according to

claim 1

, wherein the plurality of user IDs is downloaded to the camera.

3. A camera according to

claim 1

, wherein the plurality of user IDs is pre-installed in the camera

4. A camera according to

claim 3

, wherein the plurality of user IDs comprises user IDs in the form of icons.

5. A camera according to

claim 1

, wherein the image recording system stores an electronic image in said memory, the user ID indicated by the current-user data item being copied and stored in association with the stored image recording.

6. A method of identifying the taker of an image recording, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of user IDs in a memory of a camera,

having a current user of the camera select one of said plurality of stored user IDs using an input selector of the camera, and storing an indication of the selected user ID in the memory of the camera,

upon the current user taking an image recording using the camera, associating with that recording the user ID currently indicated by the stored indication.

7. A method according to

claim 6

, wherein the plurality of user IDs is downloaded to the camera.

8. A method according to

claim 6

, wherein the plurality of user IDs is pre-installed in the camera

9. A method according to

claim 8

, wherein the plurality of user IDs comprises user IDs in the form of icons.

10. A method according to

claim 6

, wherein the image recording is stored electronically in said memory and the user ID indicated by said indication is copied and stored in association with the stored image recording.