Network configuration file for automatically transmitting images from an electronic still camera

• US 6,784,924 B2
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Allen, James D., Ward, Joseph, Parulski, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/004,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20030142215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,428 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207, 348/211, 348/212, 348/213, 348/231, 348/232, 348/233, 348/552, 348/239, 348/211-9-2, 348/211.3, 348/17, 710/62, 710/3, 710/8, 345/327, 386/48, 386/117, 725/131-133, 725/139-141, 725/151-153, 709/217-219, 709/220, 705/26, 705/27, 455/566
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00148 Storage information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• 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 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• 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 1/00965 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 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• 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 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 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33342 : of transmission mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3335 : Speed or rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 : Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 : Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• 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

Abstract

A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

Claims

1. A method for directing the automatic transmission of images from an electronic camera, said method including the steps of:

storing network configuration information in a memory of the electronic camera;

using the network configuration information to connect the camera to an online service or internet service provider (ISP);

transferring pictures and data from the camera to the online service or ISP;

receiving information from the online service or ISP indicating that the transfer of the pictures and data is complete; and

displaying information on a display of the electronic camera indicating that the transfer of the pictures and data is complete;

wherein the network configuration information is generated at least in part in a host device adaptable for communication with the electronic camera, based on information previously stored in the host device and utilizable to connect the host device to the online service or ISP.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection between the camera and the online service or ISP includes a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection between the camera and the online service or ISP includes an ISDN network.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection between the camera and the online service or ISP includes an RF cellular phone network.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection between the camera and the online service or ISP includes an Ethernet connection.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the information previously stored in the host device comprises information stored in a network configuration preference file of the host device.

7. A method for directing the automatic transmission of images from an electronic camera, said method including the steps of:

storing network configuration information in a memory of the electronic camera, the network configuration information comprising information for using a communications network to establish a connection between the electronic camera and an online service or internet service provider (ISP); and

in response to user activation in the electronic camera of a transmission command specifying one or more pictures for transmission, automatically performing without further user intervention the steps of;

retrieving the stored network configuration information;

utilizing the retrieved information to establish a connection between the electronic camera and the online service or ISP;

transferring the one or more pictures from the electronic camera to the online service or ISP;

receiving information from the online service or ISP indicating that the transfer of the one or more pictures is complete; and

displaying the information on a display of the electronic camera indicating that the transfer of the one or more pictures is complete;

wherein the network configuration information is generated at least in part in a host device based on information previously stored in the host device, and the generated network configuration information is subsequently downloaded from the host device into the electronic camera in conjunction with the storming step.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the host device comprises a personal computer.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the information previously stored in the host device comprises information stored in a network configuration preference file of the host device.