Method and apparatus for controlled camera useability

• US 20030169342A1
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FotoMedia Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC), Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Inventors: Steinberg, Eran, Prilutsky, Yury
• Granted Patent: US 7,324,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00 Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus H04N2201/0013; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

A programmable digital camera requiring a programming password to be entered to access the camera'"'"'s programmability. The camera further includes programming so as to allow the camera to be operated only for a specified time interval, after which the camera becomes inoperable until the programming password is again entered and the camera is programmed to operate for another interval of time. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a programmable digital camera as above described wherein the camera is programmed to only capture a set number of images, at which point the programming password must again be entered and the camera reset for another quantity of images. A further alternate embodiment includes a camera system with a separate transmitter for radiating a signal designed to cover a designated area, the signal being modulated with a camera operational code. The camera is equipped with a corresponding receiver and demodulator to receive the operational code. The camera is programmed to check for the operational code periodically, and if the code is not received, the camera automatically shuts down, thereby limiting operation of the camera to the designated area.

Claims

1. A digital camera system comprising:

camera means including

(a) image capture means for converting a light image to digital image data;

(b) computer means including

i) permit means for providing allowance of operation of said camera and said permit means including a condition of expiration of said allowance; and

ii) disabling means for disabling said camera means upon said condition of expiration of said allowance.

2. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said condition of expiration occurs at a completion of a predetermined length of time.

3. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said condition of expiration occurs at a completion of capture of a predetermined number of images.

4. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said digital camera is a video camera and said condition of expiration occurs at the completion of a predetermined amount of recording time.

5. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer means further includes

(a) card means programmed to implement said permit means;

and

(b) card receptacle means.

6. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein

(a) said camera means further includes receiver means for receiving a radiated signal carrying an operational code;

(b) wherein said permit means includes means responsive to reception of said operational code to provide said allowance;

(c) wherein said computer means further includes means for checking if said operational code is received in a predetermined time interval; and

(d) wherein said condition of expiration occurs when said expiration code is not received in said time interval.

7. A digital camera system a recited in claim 6 further comprising transmitter means for radiating said signal carrying said operational code in said predetermined time interval.

8. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer means further includes means for programming said condition of expiration of said allowance.

9. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer means further includes first password means for requiring a user to enter a password to operate said camera means.

10. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer means further includes means for programming said permit means and said disabling means.

11. A digital camera system as recited in claim 10 wherein said computer means further includes second password means for requiring entry of a password to access said means for programming.

18. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said digital image data is encrypted data, whereby a user can not view a likeness of said light image from said digital image data.

19. A digital camera system as recited in claim 18 further comprising decryption means for decrypting said encrypted data to form unencrypted digital image data whereby a user can view a likeness of said light image through use of said unencrypted digital image data.

22. A digital camera system as recited in claim 1 wherein said computer means further includes display means for providing a visual indication of a state of said allowance.

12. A method of operation of a programmable digital camera comprising:

(a) providing an allowance of operation of said camera and providing a condition of expiration of said allowance;

(b) converting a light image to digital image data; and

(c) disabling said camera upon said condition of expiration of said allowance.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said condition of expiration occurs at a completion of a predetermined length of time.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said condition of expiration occurs at a completion of capture of a predetermined number of images.

15. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said digital camera is a video camera and said condition of expiration occurs at the completion of a predetermined amount of recording time.

16. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising entering a first password to gain access to set said condition of expiration.

17. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising entering a second password to enable said operation of said camera.

20. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said digital image data is encrypted data, whereby a user can not view a likeness of said light image from said digital image data.

21. A method as recited in claim 20 further comprising decryption means for decrypting said encrypted data to from unencrypted digital image data whereby a user can view a likeness of said light image through use of said unencrypted digital image data.

23. A method as recited in claim 12 further comprising displaying a visual indication of a state of said allowance.