Automatic transfer of image information between imaging device and host system

• US 7,170,551 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Fichtner, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Srivastava; Vivek
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez; Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US09/846,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,101 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/207.2, 348/207.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.5, 348/211.6, 348/211.8, 348/211.9
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• 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

Abstract

Image information is transferred between an imaging device and a host system. The host system detects that an imaging device is connected to the host system. In response to detecting the imaging device, one or more images are transferred between the imaging device and the host system.

Claims

1. A method for transferring image information between an imaging device and a host system, said method comprising:

the host system detecting a coupling of the imaging device to a port of the host system;

in response to detecting the coupling, said host system automatically detecting a type of the imaging device, identifying application software associated with the type of imaging device, and launching the application software for requesting image information transferred from the imaging device to the host system, the image information including one or more images previously captured by the imaging device prior to be coupled with the host system; and

in response to the request, the application software periodically attempting to communicate with the imaging device to cause said image information is transferred from the imaging device to the host system, wherein the image information is transferred from the imaging device to the host system once the application software successfully communicates with the imaging devices, including

a port driver of an operating system (OS) executed within the host system signaling when the imaging device is connected to the port of the host system, the port driver being associated with a type of the port of the host system,

an imaging device driver associated with the imaging device signaling the port driver upon successfully opening the imaging device, and

the imaging device driver acquiring the image information from the imaging device via the port driver and forwarding the acquired image information to the application software.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the image information comprises initiating the application software for transferring the image information from the imaging device upon detecting the imaging device coupled to the host system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the port of the host system is one of a USB (universal serial bus) compatible port and an IEEE 1394 compatible port.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the imaging device is a digital camera, and wherein the image information comprises one or more digital images captured by the digital camera.

5. A system to receive image information from an imaging device comprising:

a processor;

an input port; and

a detection circuit, said detection circuit detecting the coupling of the imaging device to the input port, and wherein said processor automatically detects a type of the imaging device, identifies application software associated with the type of imaging device, and launches the application software for requesting the image information to be transferred from the imaging device in response to detecting the coupling of the image device to the input port by the detection circuit, the image information including one or more images previously captured by the imaging device prior to be coupled with the host system, wherein the application software periodically attempts to communicate with the image device to initiate the transfer of the image information from the imaging device, and wherein the image information is transferred from the imaging device to the host system once the application software successfully communicates with the imaging device, including

a port driver of an operating system (OS) executed within the host system signaling when the imaging device is connected to the port of the host system, the port driver being associated with a type of the port of the host system,

an imaging device driver associated with the imaging device signaling the port driver upon successfully opening the imaging device, and

the imaging device driver acquiring the image information from the imaging device via the port driver and forwarding the acquired image information to the application software.

6. A computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processing system to perform an operation of transferring image information between a host system and an imaging device, the operation comprising:

the host system detecting a coupling of the imaging device to a port of the host system;

in response to detecting the coupling, said host system automatically detecting a type of the imaging device, identifying application software associated with the type of imaging device, and launching the application software associated with the imaging device for requesting image information to be transferred from the imaging device to the host system; and

in response to the request, the application software periodically attempting to communicate with the imaging device to cause said image information is received from the imaging device to the host system, wherein the image information is transferred from the imaging device to the host system once the application software successfully communicates with the imaging device, including

a port driver of an operating system (OS) executed within the host system signaling when the imaging device is connected to the port of the host system, the port driver being associated with a type of the port of the host system,

an imaging device driver associated with the imaging device signaling the port driver upon successfully opening the imaging device, and

the imaging device driver acquiring the image information from the imaging device via the port driver and forwarding the acquired image information to the application software.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein transferring the image information comprises initiating the application software for transferring the image information from the imaging device upon detecting the imaging device coupled to the host system.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the port of the host system is one of a USB (universal serial bus) compatible port and an IEEE 1394 compatible port.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the imaging device is a digital camera, and wherein the image information comprises one or more digital images captured by the digital camera.