Multi-mode digital camera with computer interface using data packets combining image and mode data
First Claim
1. A digital camera for capturing images and transferring the captured images to a host computer, said camera comprising:
- an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals;
an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data;
a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer;
means for controlling the image sensor in at least two different camera configurations, each configuration including configuration information defining a plurality of camera parameters;
means for storing the camera configuration information defining the plurality of camera parameters for the at least two different camera configurations;
means for selecting a camera configuration; and
means for communicating at least part of the selected configuration information from the storage means along with the digitized image data to the computer via the digital interface.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A digital camera, which captures images and transfers the captured images to a host computer, includes an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data; a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer; means for controlling the image sensor in at least two different camera configurations, each configuration including configuration information defining a plurality of camera parameters; and means for communicating at least part of the configuration information along with the digitized image data to the computer via the digital interface.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A digital camera for capturing images and transferring the captured images to a host computer, said camera comprising:
-
an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data; a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer; means for controlling the image sensor in at least two different camera configurations, each configuration including configuration information defining a plurality of camera parameters; means for storing the camera configuration information defining the plurality of camera parameters for the at least two different camera configurations; means for selecting a camera configuration; and means for communicating at least part of the selected configuration information from the storage means along with the digitized image data to the computer via the digital interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A digital camera for capturing images and transferring the captured images to a host computer, said camera comprising:
-
an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data; a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer; a memory for storing configuration information defining camera parameters for at least two different camera configurations, each configuration including camera parameters that apply to a current image and a linkage parameter that indicates which configuration to apply to a next image; and means for controlling the image sensor in a selected one of said at least two different camera configurations according to the configuration information that applies to the current image, wherein the controlling means is further responsive to the linkage parameter in the selected configuration to determine which configuration to apply to the next image. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A digital camera for capturing images and transferring the captured images to a host computer, said camera comprising:
-
an image sensor exposed to image light for capturing the images and generating image signals; an A/D converter for converting the image signals into digitized image data; a digital interface for transferring the digitized image data to the host computer; a memory for storing configuration information defining camera parameters for at least two different camera configurations, the configuration information including a linking parameter that indicates that the digital camera should shift to a second configuration after a capture is initiated in a first configuration; a timing generator for controlling the image sensor in said at least two different camera configurations according to the configuration information defining the camera parameters, wherein the timing generator is responsive to the linking parameter to control the image sensor in the second configuration; and means for communicating at least some of the configuration information stored in the memory from the camera to the computer via the digital interface.
-
Specification