Automatically transmitting images from an electronic camera to a service provider using a network configuration file

• US 7,210,161 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Allen, James D., Parulski, Kenneth A., Ward, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/855,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20010022618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,170 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/220.1, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.07, 348/14.08, 348/231.99, 348/231.3, 709/203, 725/105
• US Class Current: 725/105
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00148 Storage information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• 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
• 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 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• 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 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0097 Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0015 Control of image communication with the connected apparatus, e.g. signalling capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/33342 : of transmission mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3335 : Speed or rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/617 : Upgrading or updating of programs or applications for camera control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 : Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 : Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

Claims

1. A method of transferring one of more images from an electronic camera to a service provider, the camera including optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal, a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a first digital memory for storing digital images, a second digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and a communications interface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing the network configuration file for the service provider in the second digital memory;

(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to generate a plurality of image signals which are stored as a plurality of digital images in the first digital memory;

(c) viewing at least one of the plurality of digital images on the display of the electronic camera;

(d) using at least one of the plurality of user inputs to select at least one digital image for transfer to the service provider;

(e) using at least one of the plurality of user inputs to initiate transfer of the selected at least one digital image to the service provider;

(f) using the network configuration file, the electronic camera automatically establishing communications with the service provider and transferring the selected digital image(s) from the electronic camera to the service provider using the communications interface;

(g) transferring from the service provider to the electronic camera, feedback indicating the status of the transfer process; and

(h) displaying the status on the display of the electronic camera.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network configuration file includes a protocol type identifier.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein protocol type identifier identifies a TCP/IP protocol.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network configuration file includes account data.

5. A method of transferring one or more digital images from an electronic camera to a service, the camera including optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal, a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a first digital memory for storing digital images, a second digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and a communications interface, the method comprising:

(a) storing the network configuration file for the service in the second digital memory, wherein the network configuration file includes a protocol type identifier identifying a TCP/IP protocol;

(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to generate a plurality of image signals which are stored in the first digital memory as a plurality of digital images representative of the plurality of image signals;

(c) displaying a representation of at least one of the plurality of digital images on the display of the electronic camera;

(d) selecting at least one digital image for transfer to the service in response to the use of at least one of the plurality of user inputs;

(e) initiating transfer of the selected at least one digital image to the service in response to use of at least one of the plurality of user inputs; and

(f) using the network configuration file to automatically establish communications with the service and to transfer the selected at least one digital image from the electronic camera to the service using the communications interface.

6. The method of claim 5 further including:

(g) receiving feedback indicating the status of the transfer process from the service; and

(h) displaying the status on the display of the electronic camera.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the network configuration file includes account data.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the network configuration file is generated at least in part by a host device.

9. A method of transferring one or more digital images from an electronic camera to a service, the camera including optics and an image sensor for generating an image signal, a display for displaying images, a plurality of user inputs, a first digital memory for storing digital images, a second digital memory for storing a network configuration file, and a communications interface, the method comprising:

(a) storing the network configuration file for the service in the second digital memory;

(b) subsequently using the optics and image sensor to generate a plurality of image signals which are stored in the first digital memory as a plurality of digital images representative of the plurality of image signals;

(c) displaying a representation of at least one of the plurality of digital images on the display of the electronic camera;

(d) selecting at least one digital image for transfer to the service in response to the use of at least one of the plurality of user inputs;

(e) initiating transfer of the selected at least one digital image to the service in response to use of at least one of the plurality of user inputs;

(f) using the network configuration file to automatically establish communications with the service and to transfer the selected at least one digital image from the electronic camera to the service using the communications interface;

(g) receiving information indicating the status of the transferring at least one digital image from the electronic camera to the service; and

(h) displaying an indication of the status.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the network configuration file includes account data.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the network configuration file is generated at least in part by a host device.