Electronic camera and system for transmitting digital over a communication network

• US 6,999,111 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Parulski, Kenneth A., McIntyre, Dale F., Zacks, Carolyn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Villecco, John M.
• Application Number:
  US09/891,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.1, 348/211.3, 250/208.1, 709/203, 709/217, 709/245, 713/707.1
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• 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 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image

Abstract

An electronic camera and system for capturing of digital images, and wireless transmission of the captured images to a recipient. The camera includes a selection device for creating an electronic content identifier to be associated with a digital image file in the camera that identifies a recipient that the associated digital image file is to be forwarded.

Claims

1. An electronic camera for capturing of digital images, said camera comprising:

a communication device for wireless transmission of digital image files captured by said electronic camera to a recipient; and

a computer software program for analyzing said digital image files for recognizing a pre-selected image content, upon recognizing said image content an electronic instruction is created with respect to further processing of said digital image by said recipient which is transmitted to said recipient along with digital image file, said instruction comprises an icon which identifies a specific instruction that is known to said recipient.

2. An electronic camera according to claim 1 wherein said instruction comprises the automatic forwarding of said digital image file or a representation of said digital image file to a third party.

3. An electronic camera according to claim 1 wherein said recipient comprises a service provider.

4. An electronic camera according to claim 3 wherein said service provider sends a confirmation message to said electronic camera that said transmission has been received.

5. An electronic camera according to claim 4 wherein said transmission to said electronic camera includes information contained in said transmission to said service provider.

6. A system for transmitting digital image files captured by an electronic camera for capturing of digital images, said camera having a communication device for wireless transmission of digital image files captured by said electronic camera to a recipient;

and

said recipient having a computer software program for analyzing said digital image files for recognizing a pre-selected image content having an associated instruction, upon recognizing said image content further processing of said digital image provided by said recipient in accordance with said instruction.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said digital image file is automatically transmitted to a third a party.

8. A method for managing image transmitted directly from an electronic camera to a recipient, said electronic camera having a device for wireless transmission of a digital media file to said recipient, comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital media file over a wireless transmission from said electronic camera, said digital media file having a digital image file and an instruction icon with respect to said digital image file; and

implementing instructions associated with said instruction icon with respect to said digital media file by said recipient.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said instruction includes the step of:

said recipient analyzing said digital image file for a predetermined image content identifier.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said content identifier identifies a third party to whom said digital image file or representation thereof is forwarded.