Photographic apparatus having display for display of a network and network system

• US 6,947,075 B1
• Filed: 04/14/1999
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Niikawa, Masahito
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hannett, James M.
• Application Number:
  US09/291,066
• Time in Patent Office: 2,351 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/211.14, 348/333.1, 348/333.2, 348/333.02, 348/333.01, 348/333.09, 348/14.03
• US Class Current: 348/211.14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00477 Indicating status, e.g. of a job for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N2201/3219
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A photographing apparatus is connectable to a network to which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via cables or by wireless. The photographing apparatus comprises an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus to the network, a display for displaying the network structure, and an operation unit for allowing image data taken by the photographing apparatus to be processed on the network.

Claims

1. A photographing apparatus connectable to a network to which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, the photographing apparatus comprising:

an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus as a peripheral device to a processor that forms a node on the network;

a display for displaying a network structure when the photographing apparatus is connected to the processor, and for returning to a state in which either a photographed image or a live-view image is displayed when the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the processor; and

an operation unit for allowing image data taken by said photographing apparatus to be processed on the network.

2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is capable of causing any of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network to record the image data photographed by said photographing apparatus.

3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is capable of causing a printer connected to the network to print out the image data photographed by the photographing apparatus.

18. The photographing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processor is a personal computer.

4. A photographing apparatus connectable to a network to which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, the photographing apparatus comprising:

an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus as a peripheral device to a processor that forms a node on the network;

a display for displaying a network structure when the photographing apparatus is connected to the processor, and for returning to a state in which either a photographed image or a live-view image is displayed when the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the processor; and

an operation unit for executing a program recorded in each image processing apparatus connected to the network.

5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the program is an e-mail program.

6. A network system to which a photographing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, the photographing apparatus comprising:

an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus as a peripheral device to a processor that forms a node on the network;

a display for displaying a network structure when the photographing apparatus is connected to the processor, and for returning to a state in which either a photographed image or a live-view image is displayed when the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the processor; and

an operation unit for allowing the image data taken by the photographing apparatus to be processed on the network.

7. The network system according to claim 6, wherein the photographing apparatus is capable of causing any of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network to record the image data photographed by the photographing apparatus.

8. The network system according to claim 6, wherein the photographing apparatus is capable of causing a printer connected to the network to print out the photographed image data.

9. A network system to which a photographing apparatus and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, the photographing apparatus comprising:

an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus as a peripheral device to a processor that forms a node on the network;

a display for displaying a network structure when the photographing apparatus is connected to the processor, and for returning to a state in which either a photographed image or a live-view image is displayed when the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the processor; and

an operation unit for executing a program recorded in each image processing apparatus connected to the network.

10. The network system according to claim 9, wherein the program is an e-mail program.

11. A photographing apparatus connectable to a network which includes a plurality of data processing devices, comprising:

an interface for connecting the photographing apparatus as a peripheral device to one of said data processing devices on the network; and

a display which displays a network structure when the photographing apparatus is connected to the network and returns to a state in which either a photographed image or a live-view image is displayed when the photographing apparatus is disconnected from the network.

12. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an operation unit for allowing image data taken by the photographing apparatus to be processed on the network.

13. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display substantially mimics a screen display of said one of the data processing devices when the photographing apparatus is connected to said data processing device.

14. The photographic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the data processing devices is an image processing apparatus.

15. The photographic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one of the data processing devices is a printer, and the photographing apparatus is capable of causing the printer to print out image data captured by the photographing apparatus.

16. The photographing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the data processing devices are connected by way of cables or wireless connection.

17. The photographing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the photographing apparatus includes a selecting device for selecting at least one application stored on any one of the plurality of data processing devices, and when one application is selected, the operation unit causes the application to execute.