Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards

• US 20070296836A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/853,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20070296836A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00485 providing a hardcopy output to the user, e.g. print out
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2621 Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability

Abstract

An interconnected camera system includes a number of cameras interconnected via a data communications protocol. Each camera has an image sensor configured to capture an image. A card is configured to be inserted into each camera. The card has encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of the captured image. A processor is configured to manipulate the captured image in accordance with the encoded instructions.

Claims

1. An interconnected camera system comprising:

a number of cameras interconnected via a data communications protocol, each camera comprising

an image sensor configured to capture an image;

a card configured to be inserted into the camera , the card carrying encoded instructions for the manipulation of the captured image; and

a processor configured to manipulate the captured image in accordance with the encoded instructions.

2. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 1, in which the cameras are interconnected with two connectors on each camera so that a plurality of the cameras can be interconnected in series to provide a cascading of imaging effects.

3. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each connector is a USB connector.

4. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each card has an image manipulation program stored thereon.

5. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each card has instructions for utilization in a network environment stored thereon.

6. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, in which each camera has a printer and is configured to print out its own manipulated image in addition to forwarding the image to the next camera in the series.

7. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each camera is configured so that splitting of paths can be arranged whereby one camera outputs to two different downstream cameras.