Wireless transfer of at least one digital image file between a first device and a second device

• US 6,940,543 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2002
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Chapman, Steven S., Harel, Dan, McIntyre, Dale F., Perotti, Jennifer C., Wolcott, Dana W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Ngoc-Yen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US10/095,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/14.02, 348/231.3, 348/153, 348154-159, 348/10.01, 348/14, 455/66, 455/566, 455/11.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/556.1, 455/577, 455/248, 709/200, 709/248, 370/255
• US Class Current: 348/211.2
• 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 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3209 of a telephone number

Abstract

A method for transmitting at least one digital image file between first and second devices, the first and second devices having limited range wireless transceivers; a user operating the first device selecting at least one electronic address designating said at least one second device; and said first device broadcasting at least one digital image file and the at least one selected electronic address until received and stored by one or more third non-designated devices. The method compares the received at least one selected electronic address to a stored electronic address belonging to said third non-designated device and automatically re-broadcasting the at least one digital image file if the received at least one selected electronic address does not match the stored electronic address of said at least one third non-designated device; and said at least one second device receiving and storing said at least one digital image file.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting at least one digital image file between a first device and at least one second device, comprising the steps of:

a) providing the first and second devices with limited range wireless transceivers;

b) a user operating the first device selecting at least one electronic address designating said at least one second device;

c) said first device broadcasting at least one digital image file and the at least one selected electronic address until received and stored by one or more third non-designated devices having limited range wireless transceivers;

d) said one or more third non-designated devices comparing the received at least one selected electronic address to a stored electronic address belonging to said third non-designated device and automatically re-broadcasting the at least one digital image file if the received at least one selected electronic address does not match the stored electronic address of said at least one third non-designated device; and

e) said at least one second device receiving and storing said at least one digital image file from the third non-designated devices.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of broadcasting a confirmation message by the at least one second device acknowledging receipt of the digital image file to the first device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third devices are electronic cameras.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein broadcasting is in the RF microwave or infrared portion of the spectrum.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein broadcasting by one of the electronic cameras continues until it is determined that the digital image file has been received by another device or presumed to be received by another device according to at least one predetermined criterion.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein each electronic camera includes a display but can only access for display the received digital image file if it includes the at least one selected electronic address.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein the electronic cameras are portable.

8. The method of claim 1 further including the step of broadcasting an electronic address which is effective after receipt as the electronic address for a second designated device.

9. The method of claim 1 further including the step of permitting any one of the devices to erase the stored digital image file.

10. A method for transmitting at least one digital image file between a first device and at least one second device, comprising the steps of:

a) providing the first and second devices with limited range wireless transceivers;

b) a user operating the first device having an electronic address and selecting at least one electronic address designating said at least one second device;

c) said first device broadcasting at least one digital image file, the electronic address of said first device, and the at least one selected electronic address until received and stored by one or more third non-designated devices having limited range wireless transceivers;

d) said one or more third non-designated devices comparing the received at least one selected electronic address to a stored electronic address belonging to said third non-designated device and automatically re-broadcasting the at least one digital image file if the received at least one selected electronic address does not match the stored electronic address of said at least one third non-designated device; and

e) said at least one second device selectively receiving and storing said at least one digital image file from the third non-designated devices.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein selectively receiving at least one digital image file is based on the electronic address of the first device.