Camera network communication device

• US 6,628,325 B1
• Filed: 06/26/1998
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: FotoNation Holdings, LLC (Adeia, Inc.)
• Inventors: Steinberg, Eran, Rafer, Scott Neil, Prilutsky, Yury
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, JACQUELINE B
• Application Number:
  US09/105,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 348/231, 348/232, 348/233, 348/552, 348/211, 348/14.08, 348/14.14, 348/14.09, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.04, 348/231.99, 348/231.2, 348/231.3, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.6, 348/211.11, 348/211.12, 348/211.13, 380/10
• US Class Current: 348/211.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0034 Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

A communication device for interconnecting a digital camera to a communication network for downloading data to a remote computer. The device has a network communication port for establishing communication with a network via a pre-defined protocol and communication mode, and has a camera communication port such as a serial, parallel, SCSI, USB or Irda-port that imitates the back end application of a PC, for connection to a digital camera for sending and receiving data to and from the camera. The camera communication port is also used for input of programming and setup data to the communication device from a PC. The device can be programmed to operate on the data directly, such as in the case of data for storage or operational direction, and/or direct the data to the camera. The device may also have a Smart card socket into which a user can insert a card to input data, such as user and camera I.D., user authorization, image marking, camera operational parameter, remote computer/destination address, etc. The device can be programmed to perform encryption, authentication, watermarking and fingerprinting procedures, as well as structuring the data for transmission over a particular network, and to automatically perform operation, such as at specific times or in response to data input.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising:

(a) camera communication apparatus for sending data to a digital camera and for receiving data from said digital camera;

(a) network communication apparatus for sending and receiving data through a network, to and from a destination device; and

(b) apparatus for automatically initiating the performance of a programmed operation at a specific time pre-programmed into said communication device, said operation comprising uploading data including a camera ID and account number to said destination device, and wherein said communication device does not include a display or a keyboard.

2. A communication device as recited in claim 1, wherein said operation further includes downloading said camera ID and account number upon initiation of a pre-programmed operation.

3. A communication device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a ROM programmed to restrict downloading to a specific destination.