Electronic camera, information obtaining system and print order system

• US 7,265,779 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2001
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sato, Tsuneo, Kobayashi, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/811,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20010024236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,359 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.8, 348/239, 455/556.1, 455/557.1, 396/57, 396/2
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• 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 1/00281 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 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data

Abstract

The camera comprises: an imaging device; a communicating device for transmitting and receiving information to and from a portable telephone capable of determining the communication area, and obtaining the images and maps of the imaging place and the information on the printing shops on the basis of information of the communication area held by the portable telephone; and a display for displaying the obtained images and maps of the imaging place and the information on the printing shops. The user can easily obtain and display the images and maps of the imaging place and the information on the printing shops.

Claims

1. An electronic camera which obtains a desired image from a server storing images of tourist spots and providing an image in accordance with a request from a user through an external communication device, the electronic camera comprising:

a communication device which transmits a request for obtaining an image of a tourist spot to the server through the external communication device which determines a communication area in which the external communication device is located, and receives information and the image of the tourist spot around the communication area from the server;

a display which displays the information and the image of the tourist spot obtained from the server through the external communication device;

an information input device which selects and inputs a desired image from the displayed tourist spot information; and

a recording medium which records the image of the tourist spot received through the external communication device and records an image gotten by an imaging operation.

2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising:

an information processing device which combines the image of the tourist spot recorded on the recording medium with the image obtained by the imaging operation.

3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the server determines the communication area on the basis of communication area information informed by a station.

4. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the external communication device is included in a wireless communication network.

5. The electronic camera according to claim 4, wherein said wireless communication network comprises a plurality of base stations, said external communication device communicating with said server via one of said plurality of base stations.

6. The electronic camera according to claim 5, wherein said wireless communication network further comprises a line control position determination station which controls said external communication device to determine one of said plurality of base stations which is nearest to said external communication device.

7. The electronic camera according to claim 6, wherein said line control position determination station controls said external communication device to determine said communication area in which said external communication device is located, and transmits information identifying said communication area to said server.

8. The electronic camera according to claim 7, wherein said server selects a tourist spot information server based on said information identifying said communication area.

9. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein said communication device wirelessly transmits said request to the server through the external communication device, and wirelessly receives said information and the image of the tourist spot around the communication area from the server.

10. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mode change switch for selecting a mode from a plurality of modes of said electronic camera,

wherein upon selecting a communication mode using said mode change switch, said display displays a screen for selecting a communication connecting destination.

11. The electronic camera according to claim 10, wherein upon selecting said communication connecting destination, said camera starts a communication with said server through said external communication device.

12. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display which displays said information and said image;

an information input device which selects and inputs a desired image from the displayed information; and

a recording medium which records the image.

13. An information obtaining system, comprising:

a server which stores images of tourist spots and provides an image in accordance with a request from a user; and

an electronic camera which obtains a desired image from the server through an external communication device,

wherein the electronic camera comprises;

an imaging device which captures an image of an object;

a communication device which transmits a request for obtaining an image of a tourist spot to the server through the external communication device which determines a communication area in which the external communication device is located, and receives the image of the tourist spot from the server; and

a recording medium which records the image of the tourist spot received by the communication device and the image captured by an imaging operation,

wherein the server comprises;

an image selecting device which selects the image of the tourist spot in the neighborhood on the basis of the information of the communication area of the external communication device when there is sent the request for obtaining the image of the tourist spot through the external communication device from the electronic camera; and

a transmitting device which transmits the selected image of the tourist spot to the electronic camera.

14. The information obtaining system according to claim 13, wherein the electronic camera further comprises an information processing device which combines the image of the tourist spot recorded on the recording medium with the image obtained by the imaging operation.

15. An electronic camera, comprising:

a communication device which;

transmits a request for an image to a server through an external communication device in a wireless communication network, said external communication device determining a communication area in which the external communication device is located and sending information identifying said communication area to said server; and

in said camera, receives information and the image from the server through said external communication device, said image being selected by said server based on said information identifying said communication area.