System and method for enabling printing and charging of a mobile capture device via a docking device

• US 20060253638A1
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Eckhaus, Neal, Oliver, Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US11/388,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20060253638A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

Providing data transfer and charging operations for a mobile imaging device via a docking device. An electronic image capture and display device with telecommunications capabilities is enabled to print and charge while connected to a docking device by automatically determining a type of device coupled to a docking device, providing a device-controlled or a dock-controlled charging sequence based on the type of device, and charging a battery disposed in the type of device coupled to the docking device according to the charging sequence.

Claims

1. A method for providing data transfer and charging operations for a mobile imaging device via a docking device, the method comprising:

automatically determining a type of device coupled to a docking device;

providing a device-controlled or a dock-controlled charging sequence based on the type of device; and

charging a battery disposed in the type of device coupled to the docking device according to the charging sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically determining the type of device further comprises determining the difference between a camera and an MCCD by the docking device for applying a proper charging voltage.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the difference between the camera and the MCCD further comprises transmitting a command from the docking device that is interpreted differently by the camera and the MCCD.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the difference further comprises determining a display format of a display on the MCCD and uses the display format for displaying information on a display.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmitting a command further comprises transmitting the content of messages to the display.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising accessing digital images on the MCCD.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising utilizing the communication capabilities of the MCCD to obtain information.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising operating the MCCD by a user while the MCCD is coupled to the docking device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein charging the battery further comprises automatically determining a voltage requirement for the type of device by measuring resistance across electrical contacts for the type of device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically determining the type of device further comprising automatically determining the type of device even when the battery has been exhausted.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising downloading a digital file from the MCCD to the docking device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein downloading the digital file further comprises downloading a digital image file.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein downloading the digital file further comprises downloading a data file.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein downloading the data file comprises downloading the data file including an address list.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein downloading the data file further comprises restoring the data file to the MCCD by the docking device.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting to a communication network for transmitting or receiving data by the docking device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein connecting to a communication network further comprises receiving information by the docking device over the communication network for use in communicating with an MCCD.

18. A device for providing data transfer and charging operations for a mobile imaging device, comprising:

a docking device to automatically determine a type of device coupled to the docking device; and

a processor disposed in the docking device to provide a device-controlled or a dock-controlled charging sequence based on the type of device; and

a charger disposed in the docking device to charge a battery included in the type of device coupled to the docking device according to the charging sequence.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the type of device further comprises one of a camera or a MCCD.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the docking device automatically determines a voltage requirement for the type of device by measuring a resistance across electrical contacts of the type of device.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the docking device automatically determines the type of device even when the battery has been exhausted.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the docking device includes a system to access digital images on the MCCD.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the docking device further comprises a system to determine a display format of a display on the MCCD.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the docking device forwards content for viewing on the display.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein a digital file is downloaded from the MCCD to the docking device.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the digital file further comprises a digital image file.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the digital file further comprises a data file.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the data file further comprises an address list.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the docking device includes a memory for storing the data file and to restore the data file to the MCCD.

30. The device of claim 18, wherein the docking device is capable of connecting to a communication network to transmit or receive data.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the docking device obtains information over the communication network for use in communicating with an MCCD.

32. The device of claim 19, wherein the docking device uses communication capabilities of the MCCD to obtain information.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the docking device uses communication capabilities of the MCCD to update firmware on the docking device.

34. The device of claim 19, wherein a user can use the MCCD while the MCCD is coupled to the docking device.

35. The device of claim 18, wherein the docking device is a Kiosk.

36. The device of claim 19, wherein the MCCD tracks image transfer and resumes the image transfer after an image transfer interruption.

37. The device of claim 19, wherein the MCCD formats non-image files to print on a plurality of different output devices.

38. The device of claim 19, wherein the MCCD deletes a non-image file after a predetermined number of prints are executed.

39. The device of claim 19, wherein the docking device provides control to execute operation performed on the MCCD.