Image information managing system

• US 7,272,641 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamagishi, Yoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone; Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhatia; Ajay M
• Application Number:
  US10/185,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 709217-219, 348 1401- 1402
• US Class Current: 709/218
• 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 1/2175 with local image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2187 with image input from a plurality of different locations or from a non-central location, e.g. from one or more users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/325 Modified version of the image, e.g. part of the image, image reduced in size or resolution, thumbnail or screennail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

An information managing system for browsing or transferring images between apparatuses is connected to a network. In this system, an information storage apparatus such as an image pickup apparatus, an information managing apparatus such as an image server, and an information processing apparatus or client computer such as a PC are interconnected by the network. The information storage apparatus uploads only related information such as an index of image data stored therein to the information managing apparatus to publicize the related information on the network. Only when the information processing apparatus for browsing the public information issues a transmission request for original information, the original information is transmitted from the information storage apparatus to the information processing apparatus.

Claims

1. An image distribution system including an image pickup apparatus, a server apparatus and an information processing apparatus,

said server apparatus comprising:

storing means for storing a plurality of thumbnail images uploaded from said image pickup apparatus; and

list transmitting means for transmitting an image publication list including the thumbnail images uploaded from said image pickup apparatus and an address thereof, to said information processing apparatus on the basis of a publication and non-publication setting notified by said image pickup apparatus,

said information processing apparatus comprising;

selecting means for selecting desired one of the thumbnail images included in the image publication list transmitted from said server apparatus; and

initiating means for initiating communication with said image pickup apparatus on the basis of the address of said image pickup apparatus corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by said selecting means, and

said image pickup apparatus comprising;

request receiving means for receiving a request of an original image of the thumbnail image from said information processing apparatus through the communication initiated by said initiating means; and

image transmitting means for transmitting the original image directly to said information processing apparatus on the basis of the request received therefrom.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said image pickup apparatus can communicate with said server apparatus or said information processing apparatus via a wireless communication network.