Camera network communication device

• US 6,750,902 B1
• Filed: 12/20/1999
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1996
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: FotoNation Holdings, LLC (Adeia, Inc.)
• Inventors: Steinberg, Eran, Prilutsky, Yury
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ye, Lin
• Application Number:
  US09/467,747
• Time in Patent Office: 1,639 Days
• Field of Search: 348/211.3, 348/211.9, 348/211.1, 348/207.99, 348/375, 348/376, 348/207.2, 348/143, 455/556, 455/557
• US Class Current: 348/211.3
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/243 Optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/244 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 7/091 Digital circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1408 by using cryptography for digital transmission H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• 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 1/00214 details of transmission
• 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 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• 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 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00925 Inhibiting an operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 : for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 : involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4486 : using digital data encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 : for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44231 : Monitoring of peripheral device or external card, e.g. to detect processing problems in a handheld device or the failure of an external recording device configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network H04L12/2823; monitoring the status of connected device in data switched networks H04L43/0817
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 : comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 : Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• 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 2201/0049 : By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 : Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0062 : Stand-alone interface device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 : Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3235 : Checking or certification of the authentication information, e.g. by comparison with data stored independently
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3236 : Details of authentication information generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• 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 5/77 : between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 : using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/165 : Centralised control of user terminal subsequent to an upstream request signal H04N7/17345; Registering at central by two-way working H04N7/17309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/167 : Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

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 parameters, 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 operations, such as at specific times or in response to data input.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising:

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

(b) network communication means for sending and receiving said data through any one of a plurality of networks, to and from a destination device; and

(c) processor means coupled to the camera communication means and the network communication means, the processor means containing programming instructions for,

initiating a download of the data from the digital camera in response to a user input,

automatically initiating a download of the data from the digital camera in response to determining that image storage capacity of the digital camera exceeds a predetermined amount, and

performing operations on the data, including any combination of, encrpyting at least a portion of the data, creating authentication data, and regulating selected data for transmission to multiple destinations.

2. A communication device as recited in claim 1 wherein said destination device is a printer.

3. A communication device as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication device has a unique identification.

4. A communication device as recited in claim 3 wherein said communication device sends said unique identification as part of said data to be transmitted to said destination device.

5. A method for transmitting digital data from a camera to a destination device said method comprising:

(a) performing operations by use of a communication device, said operations including

(i) initiating a download of the data from the digital camera in response to a user input;

(ii) automatically initiating a download of the data from the digital camera in response to determining that image storage capacity of the digital camera exceeds a predetermined amount; and

(iii) performing operations on the data, including any combination of, encrypting at least a portion of the data, creating authentication data, and regulating elected selected data for transmission to multiple destinations; and

(iv) structuring said camera data within said communication device to a compatible protocol for transmission through one or more types of communication networks to a destination device.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein said destination device is printer.

7. A method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:

(a) transmitting unencrypted digital camera data to a first said destination device; and

(b) transmitting said authentication data to a second said destination device.

8. A digital camera comprising:

(a) means for converting light to digital image data;

(b) port means for receiving and sending digital data;

(c) means for transmitting and receiving said digital data to and from a destination device by way of a communication network; and

(d) means for automatically performing the following programmed operations upon occurrence of a condition, including

i. initiating a download of the data from the digital camera to the destination device in response to a user input,

ii. automatically initiating a download of the dots from the digital camera to the destination in response to determining that image storage capacity of the digital camera exceeds a predetermined amount, and

iii. prior to transmitting the data performing operations on the data, including any combination of, encrypting at least a portion of the data, creating authentication data, and regulating selected data for transmission to multiple destinations.

9. A communication device as recited in claim 8 wherein said operation is receiving additional information from a remote destination.

10. A communication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said additional information is for accompanying specific image data.

11. A communication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said additional information is operational instructions.

12. A digital camera as recited in claim 8 wherein said condition includes said camera receiving a signal from said remote destination.

13. A digital camera as recited in claim 8 wherein said condition includes said camera programmed to perform a said operation at a specific time.

14. A digital camera as recited in claim 13 wherein said digital data includes

(a) camera identification data; and

(b) user identification data.

15. A digital camera as recited in claim 8 further comprising means for including identification of said camera along with said data representing said particular image.

16. A digital camera as recited in claim 15 further comprising means for including a unique number with each said data representing said particular image.