Automatic transfer of image information between imaging device and host system

• US 6,256,059 B1
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Fichtner, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen, VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US09/003,732
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5232, 348/13, 348/207, 348/211-213, 348/231-233, 348/552, 358/906, 358/909.1, 382/293, 382/295-299, 340/825.44, 395/700, 395/830, 710/8, 710/10
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera

Abstract

Image information is transferred between an imaging device and a host system. The host system detects that an imaging device is connected to the host system. In response to detecting the imaging device, one or more images are transferred between the imaging device and the host system.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor;

a storage medium storing instructions which if executed by the processor cause the processor to perform an operation including;

creating and initializing an imaging device Applications Programming Interface (API);

the API periodically attempting to open an imaging device driver on a host system to communicate image information with the imaging device and wherein the imaging device driver is opened if the imaging device is connected with the host system; and

subsequent to the API successfully opening the imaging device driver, transferring image information from the imaging device to the host system.

2. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform an operation including:

creating and utilizing an imaging device Application Programming Interface (API);

the API periodically attempting to open an imaging device driver on a host system to communicate image information with the imaging device and wherein the imaging device driver is opened if the imaging device is connected with the host system; and

subsequent to the API successfully opening the imaging device driver, transferring image information from the imaging device to the host system.

3. A method of transferring image information from an imaging device to a computer, the method comprising:

detecting if the imaging device is connected to the computer;

loading an imaging device driver onto the computer if the imaging device is detected to be connected to the computer;

signaling an operating system, executing on the computer, that the imaging device is connected to the computer; and

transferring the image information from the imaging device to the computer using the imaging device driver upon the operating system being signaled that the imaging device is connected to the computer.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein transferring the image information further comprises:

initiating an application program for transferring the image information from the imaging device to the computer.

5. A method of transferring image information between an imaging device and a host system, the method comprising:

application software, executing on the host system, creating and initializing an imaging device Applications Programming Interface (API);

the API periodically attempting to open an imaging device driver on the host system to communicate image information with the imaging device and wherein the imaging device driver is opened if the imaging device is connected with the host system; and

subsequent to the API successfully opening of the imaging device driver, transferring the image information from the imaging device to the host system.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

detecting a successful opening of the imaging device driver if the imaging device is connected to the host system; and

the API notifying the application software the imagining device has been detected if the imaging device is connected to the host system.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

after successful opening of the imaging device driver and prior to the API notifying the application software the imaging device is detected, the API closing the imaging device driver;

said API rejecting and notifying the application software that the imaging device is no longer being used; and

upon said notification the application software re-opening the imaging device driver by signaling the API.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the imaging device is detected if the imaging device is connected to a port of the host system.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

a port driver signaling if the imaging device is connected to the host system, wherein the imaging device driver is successfully opened subsequent to the signaling of the port driver.

10. A method of transferring image information between an imaging device and a host system, the method comprising:

application software, executing on the host system, creating and initializing an imaging device Applications Programing Interface (API);

the API periodically attempting to open an imaging device driver on the host system to communicate image information with the imaging device and wherein the imaging device driver is opened if the imaging device is connected with the host system;

subsequent to the API successful opening of the imaging device driver, transferring the image information from the imaging device to the host system;

detecting a successful opening of the imaging device driver once a connection of the imaging device is detected;

the API notifying the application software the imaging device has been detected;

after successful opening of an imaging device driver and prior to the API notifying the application software the imaging device has been detected, the API closing the imaging device driver;

said API rejecting and notifying the application software that the imaging device is closed; and

upon said notification the application software re-opening the imaging device driver by signaling the API.