Apparatus and system for prompt digital photo delivery and archival

• US 7,173,651 B1
• Filed: 06/02/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fo2go LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew T. Knowles
• Inventors: Knowles, Andrew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOE, AUNG SOE
• Application Number:
  US09/324,249
• Time in Patent Office: 2,806 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 3482111-2116, 348/211.14, 348/143, 348/14.01, 348/14.04, 348/14.12, 348/552, 348/231.99, 348/333.02, 348/333.11, 348/211.11, 348/206, 348/204, 348/203, 455/517, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/66.1, 455/566, 455/419, 396/2, 396/297, 396/310, 709203-204, 709206-207, 709/219, 709/238, 707/3, 707/10
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00214 details of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00217 only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP communication protocol aspects and techniques in packet data networks H04L69/00; network-specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications H04L67/00
• 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 1/32411 Handling instructions for routing or relaying
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3208 of an e-mail or network address

Abstract

The invention comprises a wireless camera apparatus and system for automatic capture and delivery of digital image “messages” to a remote system at a predefined destination address. Initial transmission occurs via a wireless network, and the apparatus process allows the simultaneous capture of new messages while transmissions are occurring. The destination address may correspond to an e-mail account, or may correspond to a remote server from which the image and data can be efficiently processed and/or further distributed. In the latter case, data packaged with the digital message is used to control processing of the message at the server, based on a combination of pre-defined system and user options. Secured Internet access to the server allows flexible user access to system parameters for configuration of message handling and distribution options, including the option to build named distribution lists which are downloaded to the wireless camera. For example, configuration data specified on the server may be downloaded to the wireless camera to allow users to quickly specify storage and distribution options for each message, such as archival for later retrieval, forwarding to recipients in a distribution list group, and/or immediate presentation to a monitoring station for analysis and follow-up. The apparatus and system is designed to provide quick and simple digital image capture and delivery for business and personal use.

Claims

1. Digital photo processing system comprising:

at least one wireless digital camera apparatus, wherein each said apparatus includes a processor, a memory, and a destination address and one or more previously defined recipient codes stored in said memory;

user interface connected to said processor for at least displaying one or more said recipient codes and receiving signals indicating user selection of a displayed recipient code;

a digital camera connected to said processor for capturing one or more digital images in response to signals from said user interface;

a RF communications device connected to said processor; and

processor control means, responsive to signals received from said user interface, for transmitting a message, including at least said selected recipient code and one of said digital image, to said destination address via said RF communications device; and

a server associated with said destination address and responsive to messages received at said destination address from each said wireless digital camera apparatus;

server memory storing account configuration data including recipient code data;

server communications means; and

server control means for parsing said recipient code from each said message and processing each said message according to said account configuration data associated with said recipient code, and for transmitting account configuration data including at least one recipient code to at least one said wireless digital camera apparatus; and

wherein said processor control means of each said wireless digital camera apparatus is responsive to receiving account configuration data transmitted from said server to update said memory of said wireless digital camera apparatus with at least a portion of said account configuration data.

2. Digital photo processing system comprising:

at least one wireless digital camera apparatus, wherein each said apparatus includes a processor, a memory, and a destination address and one or more previously defined recipient codes stored in said memory;

user interface connected to said processor for at least displaying one or more said recipient codes and receiving signals indicating user selection of a displayed recipient code;

a digital camera connected to said processor for capturing one or more digital images in response to signals from said user interface;

a RF communications device connected to said processor; and

processor control means, responsive to signals received from said user interface, for transmitting a message, including at least said selected recipient code and one said digital image, to said destination address via said RF communications device; and

a server associated with said destination address and responsive to messages received at said destination address from each said wireless digital camera apparatus;

a database storing account configuration data including recipient code data;

a server communication device; and

server control means for parsing said recipient code from each said message, retrieving from said database account configuration data that is associated with said recipient code, and processing each said message according to said account configuration data.

3. Digital photo processing system of claim 2, wherein said server control means processing of said message further comprises archiving said message on said server.

4. Digital photo processing system of claim 2, wherein said server control means processing of said message further comprises distributing said message to one or more recipient addresses associated with said recipient code in said account configuration data.

5. Digital photo processing system of claim 2, wherein said message further comprises an account identifier, said database configuration data includes an account identifier, and said server control means is for retrieving from said database account configuration data that is associated with both said account identifier and said recipient code.