System including a digital camera and a docking unit for coupling to the internet

• US 20030090572A1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Parulski, Kenneth A., Belz, Steven M., Chambers, Susanne
• Granted Patent: US 7,158,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3266 of text or character information, e.g. text accompanying an image H04N2201/3226 takes precedence

Abstract

Described is a system having a digital camera and a docking unit which permits the docking unit to receive images over a channel and direct them to a viewable display in the digital camera.

Claims

1. A system including a digital camera and a docking unit to permit the digital camera to be coupled to a channel, comprising:

a) the digital camera including;

i) a viewable display;

ii) a lens for providing an optical image;

iii) an image sensor for receiving the optical image provided by the lens to produce an image signal, a processor responsive to the image signal for producing a digital image so that the viewable display can respond to such image to provide a viewable image; and

iv) a docking interface to permit the digital camera to be connected to the docking unit; and

b) the docking unit including;

i) a connector for receiving the docking interface in the digital camera and for connecting the digital camera to the docking unit;

ii) a power supply for providing power to the digital camera; and

iii) a network connection for interconnecting the docking unit to the channel; and

c) the processor providing communication through the docking unit so that it receives digital images via the channel and causes such digital images to be displayed on the viewable display.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor further receives content files via the channel and causes information from such content files to be displayed on the viewable display, the content files corresponding to content categories previously selected by the user.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the channel is the Internet and when the digital camera is connected to the docking unit, the processor automatically causing the connection over the Internet to a predetermined service provider, and the predetermined service provider automatically provides files to the digital camera.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the means for interconnecting the docket unit to the channel includes a phone line.

5. A system including a digital camera, a docking unit, and a service provider, to permit the digital camera to be coupled to the Internet, comprising:

a) the digital camera including;

i) a viewable display;

ii) an image capture lens;

iii) an image sensor for receiving a visual image provided by the capture lens to produce an image signal, a processor responsive to the image signal for producing a digital image so that the viewable display can respond to such image to provide a viewable image;

iv) a docking interface to permit the digital camera to be connected to the docking unit; and

b) the docking unit including;

i) a connector for providing an electrical connection with the docking interface in the digital camera; and

ii) a network connection for interconnecting the docking unit to the channel; and

c) the service provider including a memory for storing a plurality of service accounts, each identifying particular content categories, and content information corresponding to the plurality of content categories, and for communicating content information to a plurality of digital cameras, whereby the content information, corresponding to content categories identified in the service account for the digital camera, is communicated over the Internet to the digital camera; and

d) the camera receiving the content information and displaying the content information on the viewable display.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the service provider also communicates digital image files over the Internet to the digital camera, and the camera receives and displays the digital image files on the viewable display.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the means for interconnecting the docket unit to the channel includes a phone line.

8. A method for connecting a digital camera to a channel such as the Internet, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a digital camera having a viewable display and a docking unit for receiving the digital camera; and

b) providing communication over the channel to the docking unit which directs image data to the docked digital camera that provides viewable images on the viewable display of such camera.