Virtual cameras for digital imaging

• US 7,027,073 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2001
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Twitter Inc (X Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Thorson, Derral Charles, Bodin, William Kress
• Primary Examiner(s): Razavi, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOODS, ERIC V
• Application Number:
  US09/961,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20040218068A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 345629-641, 348/261
• US Class Current: 345/629
• 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 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32776 using an interactive, user-operated device, e.g. a computer terminal, mobile telephone H04N1/32782, H04N1/32784 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8153 comprising still images, e.g. texture, background image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends

Abstract

A method of digital imaging, the method implemented through use of a virtual camera, wherein the virtual camera includes automated computing machinery operating under software program control, wherein the virtual camera includes a user interface, the method includes creating an image request for a digital image, wherein the image request includes an image request data structure representing and describing the digital image, wherein the image request data structure includes image request data elements, wherein the image request data elements include data elements for location coordinates and a data element for view direction, and storing the image request data elements in the image request.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of digital imaging, the method implemented through use of a virtual camera, wherein the virtual camera comprises automated computing machinery operating under software program control, wherein the virtual camera includes a user interface, a display device, a lens assembly having a first moveable element;

a zoom sensor, the zoom sensor further comprising a potentiometer having a wiper and a wiper contact, wherein the wiper is moveably coupled to the first moveable element of the lens assembly; and

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the wiper contact of the potentiometer;

the method comprising the steps of;

creating an image request for an existing digital image, wherein the image request comprises an image request data structure representing and describing the digital image, wherein the image request data structure comprises image request data elements, wherein the image request data elements comprise data elements for location coordinates and a data element for view direction, wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom;

storing the image request data elements in the image request;

communicating the image request from the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras;

receiving a digital image from the Web site; and

displaying the digital image on the display device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for zoom, exposure, date, and time.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for a network address of the virtual camera, delivery instructions, a user account identification code, and a device type.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising acquiring at least one of the image request data elements through the user interface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a computer video screen and keyboard on a personal computer.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a touch-sensitive pad on a personal digital assistant.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, the parameter store further comprising non-volatile computer memory.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising acquiring at least one of the image request data elements from a parameter store.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, and the method further comprises entering through a user interface, into the parameter store, default values for the image request data elements.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing the image request in a snapshot queue, the snapshot queue comprising computer memory in the virtual camera.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling, for data communications, the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the image request data elements further comprise at least one data element for location coordinates;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a GPS receiver; and

the method comprises the further steps of;

reading location coordinates values from the GPS receiver; and

storing the location coordinates values in the image request.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for view direction;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a digital compass; and

the method comprises the further steps of;

reading a view direction value from the digital compass; and

storing the view direction value in the image request.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for date and time;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a digital clock; and

the method comprises the further steps of;

reading date and time values from the digital clock; and

storing the date and time values in the image request.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom;

the virtual camera further comprises a zoom sensor; and

the method comprises the further steps of;

reading a zoom value from the zoom sensor; and

storing the zoom value in the image request.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure;

and wherein the virtual camera further comprises;

a lens assembly having a second moveable element, the second moveable element having the capability of adjusting the amount of light passing through a light path through the lens assembly; and

an exposure sensor, the exposure sensor comprising;

a photocell positioned in the light path through the lens assembly, wherein the photocell includes an electrical output contact; and

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the electrical output contact of the photocell.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure;

the virtual camera further comprises an exposure sensor; and

the method comprises the further steps of;

reading an exposure value from the exposure sensor; and

storing the exposure value in the image request.

18. A virtual camera comprising:

a display device;

a lens assembly having a first moveable element;

a zoom sensor, the zoom sensor further comprising;

a potentiometer having a wiper and a wiper contact, wherein the wiper is moveably coupled to the first moveable element of the lens assembly;

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the wiper contact of the potentiometer;

automated computing machinery operating under software program control, further comprising one or more computer processors coupled to computer memory;

a user interface;

means far creating an image request for an existing digital image, wherein the image request comprises an image request data structure representing and describing the digital image, wherein the image request data structure comprises image request data elements, wherein the image request data elements comprise data elements for location coordinates and a data element for view direction, wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom;

means for storing the image request data elements in the image request;

means for communicating the image request from the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras;

means for receiving a digital image from the Web site; and

means for displaying the digital image on a display device.

19. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for zoom, exposure, date, and time.

20. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for a network address of the virtual camera, delivery instructions, a user account identification code, and a device type.

21. The virtual camera of claim 18 further comprising means for acquiring at least one of the image request data elements through the user interface.

22. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the user interface comprises a computer video screen and keyboard on a personal computer.

23. The virtual camera of claim 21 wherein the user interface comprises a touch-sensitive pad on a personal digital assistant.

24. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, the parameter store further comprising nun-volatile computer memory.

25. The virtual camera of claim 18 further comprising means for acquiring at least one of the image request data elements from a parameter store.

26. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, and the virtual camera further comprises means for entering through a user interface, into the parameter store, default values for the image request data elements.

27. The virtual camera of claim 18 further comprising means for storing the image request in a snapshot queue, the snapshot queue comprising computer memory in the virtual camera.

28. The virtual camera of claim 18 further comprising means for coupling, for data communications, the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras.

29. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise at least one data element for location coordinates and the virtual camera further comprises:

a GPS receiver;

means for reading location coordinates values from the GPS receiver; and

means for storing the location coordinates values in the image request.

30. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for view direction and the virtual camera further comprises:

a digital compass;

means for reading a view direction value from the digital compass; and

means for storing the view direction value in the image request.

31. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for date and time and the virtual camera further comprises:

a digital clock;

means for reading date and time values from the digital clock; and

means for storing the date and time values in the image request.

32. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom and the virtual camera further comprises:

a zoom sensor;

means for reading a zoom value from the zoom sensor; and

means for storing the zoom value in the image request.

33. The system of claim 27 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure and the virtual camera further comprises:

a lens assembly having a second moveable element, the second moveable element having the capability of adjusting the amount of light passing through a light path through the lens assembly; and

an exposure sensor, the exposure sensor comprising;

a photocell positioned in the light path through the lens assembly, wherein the photocell includes an electrical output contact; and

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the electrical output contact of the photocell.

34. The virtual camera of claim 18 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure and the virtual camera further comprises:

an exposure sensor;

means for reading an exposure value from the exposure sensor; and

means for storing the exposure value in the image request.

35. A computer program product of digital imaging, the computer program product implemented through use of a virtual camera, wherein the virtual camera comprises automated computing machinery operating under software program control, wherein the virtual camera includes a user interface, a display device, a lens assembly having a first moveable element, a zoom sensor, the zoom sensor further comprising;

a potentiometer having a wiper and a wiper contact, wherein the wiper is moveably coupled to the first moveable element of the lens assembly; and

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the wiper contact of the potentiometer;

the computer program product comprising;

a recording medium;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for creating an image request for an existing digital image, wherein the image request comprises an image request data structure representing and describing the digital image, wherein the image request data structure comprises image request data elements, wherein the image request data elements comprise data elements for location coordinates and a data element for view direction, and wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the image request data elements in the image request;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for communicating the image request from the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for receiving a digital image from the Web site; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for displaying the digital image on the display device.

36. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for zoom, exposure, date, and time.

37. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the image request data elements further comprise data elements for a network address of the virtual camera, delivery instructions, a user account identification code, and a device type.

38. The computer program product of claim 35 further comprising means, recorded on the recording medium, for acquiring at least one of the image request data elements through the user interface.

39. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the user interface comprises a computer video screen and keyboard on a personal computer.

40. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the user interface comprises a touch-sensitive pad on a personal digital assistant.

41. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, the parameter store further comprising non-volatile computer memory.

42. The computer program product of claim 35 further comprising means, recorded on the recording medium, for acquiring at least one of the image request data elements from a parameter store.

43. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the virtual camera further comprises a parameter store, and the computer program product further comprises means, recorded on the recording medium, for entering through a user interface, into the parameter store, default values for the image request data elements.

44. The computer program product of claim 35 further comprising means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the image request in a snapshot queue, the snapshot queue comprising computer memory in the virtual camera.

45. The computer program product of claim 35 further comprising means, recorded on the recording medium, for coupling, for data communications, the virtual camera to a Web site for imaging for virtual cameras.

46. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the image request data elements further comprise at least one data element for location coordinates;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a GPS receiver; and

the computer program product comprises;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for reading location coordinates values from the GPS receiver; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the location coordinates values in the image request.

47. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for view direction;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a digital compass; and

the computer program product comprises;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for reading a view direction value from the digital compass; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the view direction value in the image request.

48. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein the image request data elements farther comprise data elements for date and time;

wherein the virtual camera further comprises a digital clock; and

the computer program product comprises;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for reading date and time values from the digital clock; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the date and time values in the image request.

49. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein:

the image request data elements further comprise a data element for zoom;

the virtual camera further comprises a zoom sensor; and

the computer program product comprises;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for reading a zoom value from the zoom sensor; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the zoom value in the image request.

50. The computer program product of claim 44 wherein the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure;

and wherein the virtual camera further comprises;

a lens assembly having a second moveable element, the second moveable element having the capability of adjusting the amount of light passing through a light path through the lens assembly; and

an exposure sensor, the exposure sensor comprising;

a photocell positioned in the light path through the lens assembly, wherein the photocell includes an electrical output contact; and

an analog-to-digital converter electrically coupled to the electrical output contact of the photocell.

51. The computer program product of claim 35 wherein:

the image request data elements further comprise a data element for exposure;

the virtual camera further comprises an exposure sensor; and

the computer program product comprises;

means, recorded on the recording medium, for reading an exposure value from the exposure sensor; and

means, recorded on the recording medium, for storing the exposure value in the image request.