Mobile telephone system having a detachable camera / battery module

• US 6,731,952 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SCA Ventures, LLC (Adam Saxon)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Schueckler, James R., Parulski, Kenneth A., Schaeffer, Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US09/751,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20020013161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66.1, 455/566, 455/572, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/550.1, 348/372-376
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0262 for a battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00305 with a cordless telephone apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• 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 23/56 provided with illuminating means

Abstract

A handheld mobile telephone system is disclosed including a detachable camera/battery module for capturing images and a mobile telephone for communicating with a receiving unit. The detachable camera/battery module includes a lens for focusing light from a scene to produce an image; an image sensor for capturing one or more images; and a converter for producing digital image signals from the at least one captured image. The detachable camera/battery module further includes a battery for supplying power to the mobile telephone system; and a first connector for detachably supplying the digital image signals and the power to the mobile telephone. The mobile telephone includes a memory for storing the digital image signals; and a processor for processing the stored digital image signals. The mobile telephone further includes a display for displaying the processed digital image signals; a second connector for interfacing with the first connector on the camera/battery module to receive the digital image signals and the power; and a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the processed digital image signals to the receiving unit. When the camera/battery module is connected to the mobile telephone, images are captured by the camera/battery module and are transmitted to the receiving unit using the mobile telephone.

Claims

1. A handheld mobile telephone system including a detachable camera/battery module for capturing images and a mobile telephone for communicating with a receiving unit, comprising:

(a) the detachable camera/battery module including;

(i) a lens for focusing light from a scene to produce an image;

(ii) an image sensor for capturing one or more images;

(iii) a converter for producing digital image signals from the at least one captured image;

(iv) a battery for supplying power to the mobile telephone system; and

(v) a first connector for detachably supplying the digital image signals and the power to the mobile telephone;

(b) the mobile telephone including;

(i) a memory for storing the digital image signals;

(ii) a processor for processing the stored digital image signals;

(iii) a display for displaying the processed digital image signals;

(iv) a second connector for interfacing with the first connector on the camera/battery module to receive the digital image signals and the power; and

(v) a radio frequency transmitter for transmitting the processed digital image signals to the receiving unit; and

(c) whereby, when the camera/battery module is connected to the mobile telephone, images are captured by the camera/battery module and are transmitted to the receiving unit using the mobile telephone.

2. The handheld mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the mobile telephone includes a telephone keypad and wherein at least one image is captured in response to a user actuating at least one particular key on the telephone keypad.

3. The handheld mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile telephone system is operable in an image capture mode and a audio mode, and wherein battery supplies power to the image sensor only when the mobile telephone system is in the image capture mode.

4. The handheld mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the processor compresses the digital image signals prior to transmission to the receiver unit.

5. The handheld mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the first and second connectors provide an RS-232 interface.

6. The handheld mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.