Digital camera/computer synchronization method
First Claim
1. A method for matching a photographic image created with a digital camera that includes an internal clock with related identifying data, comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting an interface apparatus to a PC connector or a universal hot shoe of the digital camera;
(b) connecting the interface apparatus to a digital storage device having an internal clock;
(c) creating a digital image with the digital camera that includes a datafile containing image time data based on the internal clock of the camera, said camera including a flash circuit that automatically closes when an image is taken with said camera;
(d) transmitting a signal to the digital storage device through the interface apparatus in response to closure of the flash circuit when the digital image is created;
(e) applying a time stamp to the signal at the digital storage device based on the internal clock of said digital storage device;
(f) storing in the digital storage device identifying information relevant to the digital image, said digital storage device associating information time data according to the internal clock of said digital storage device with said identifying information;
(g) synchronizing the image time data and the information time data; and
(h) associating the digital image with the identifying information by matching the synchronized image time data and the information time data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for matching a photographic image with related identifying data, including the steps of creating a digital image that includes a datafile containing image time data, generating a signal when the digital image is created, and storing in a digital storage device identifying information relevant to the digital image. The identifying information also has information time data associated therewith. A signal is transmitted to the digital storage device and a time stamp is applied to the signal at the digital storage device. The image time data is stored in the digital storage device in time sequenced order. The image time data and the information time data are synchronized, and the digital image is associated with the identifying information by matching the synchronized image time data and the information time data.
56 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for matching a photographic image created with a digital camera that includes an internal clock with related identifying data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting an interface apparatus to a PC connector or a universal hot shoe of the digital camera; (b) connecting the interface apparatus to a digital storage device having an internal clock; (c) creating a digital image with the digital camera that includes a datafile containing image time data based on the internal clock of the camera, said camera including a flash circuit that automatically closes when an image is taken with said camera; (d) transmitting a signal to the digital storage device through the interface apparatus in response to closure of the flash circuit when the digital image is created; (e) applying a time stamp to the signal at the digital storage device based on the internal clock of said digital storage device; (f) storing in the digital storage device identifying information relevant to the digital image, said digital storage device associating information time data according to the internal clock of said digital storage device with said identifying information; (g) synchronizing the image time data and the information time data; and (h) associating the digital image with the identifying information by matching the synchronized image time data and the information time data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of matching a photographic image created with a digital camera that includes an internal clock with related identifying data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting an interface apparatus to a PC connector or a universal hot shoe of said digital camera; (b) connecting said interface apparatus to a computer having an internal clock; (c) while said interface apparatus is connected to said digital camera and said computer, creating a sync digital image with said digital camera that includes a data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera, said camera including a flash circuit that automatically closes when an image is taken with said camera; (d) transmitting a signal to said computer through said interface apparatus in response to closure of said flash circuit when said sync digital image is created and recording the time said sync digital image was created according the internal clock of said computer in said computer; (e) importing said image time data associated with said sync digital image into said computer and recording the time that said sync digital image was created according to the internal clock of said camera in said computer; (f) attaching a digital storage device having an internal clock to said computer and recording the time shown by said internal clock of said digital storage device in said computer; (g) using said computer to calculate any offset between the internal clocks of said camera, computer and digital storage device; (h) creating a customer digital image at an event, said customer digital image capturing a specific person at the event and including a data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera; (i) inputting and storing identifying information tied to said specific person or said customer digital image into said digital storage device, said digital storage device associating information time data according the internal clock of said digital storage device with said identifying information; (j) importing said customer digital image including said associated data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera from said camera into said computer; (k) importing said identifying information tied to said specific person or said customer digital image and said associated information time data according to the internal clock of said digital storage device from said digital storage device into said computer; (l) using said computer to apply any offset to said information time data and synchronize said information time data with said image time data associated with said customer digital image; and (m) associating said customer digital image with said identifying information by matching the synchronized information time data and image time data. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of matching a photographic image created with a digital camera that includes an internal clock with related identifying data, comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting an interface apparatus to a PC connector or a universal hot shoe of said digital camera; (b) connecting said interface apparatus to a computer having an internal clock; (c) while said interface apparatus is connected to said digital camera and said computer, creating a sync digital image with said digital camera that includes a data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera, said camera including a flash circuit that automatically closes when an image is taken with said camera; (d) transmitting a signal to said computer through said interface apparatus in response to closure of said flash circuit when said sync digital image is created and recording the time said sync digital image was created according the internal clock of said computer in said computer; (e) importing said image time data associated with said sync digital image into said computer and recording the time that said sync digital image was created according to the internal clock of said camera in said computer; (f) attaching a scanner having an internal clock to said computer and setting the time shown by said internal clock of said scanner to match the time shown by the internal clock of said computer; (g) using said computer to calculate any offset between the internal clock of said camera and the internal clocks of said computer and scanner; (h) creating a customer digital image at an event, said customer digital image capturing a specific person at the event and including a data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera; (i) using said scanner to scan identifying information tied to said specific person or said customer digital image, said scanner associating information time data according the internal clock of said scanner with said identifying information; (j) importing said customer digital image including said associated data file containing image time data based on the internal clock of said camera from said camera into said computer; (k) importing said identifying information tied to said specific person or said customer digital image and said associated information time data according to the internal clock of said scanner from said scanner into said computer; (l) using said computer to apply any offset to said information time data based on the internal clock of said scanner and synchronize said information time data with said image time data based on the internal clock of said camera and associated with said customer digital image; and (m) associating said customer digital image with said identifying information by matching the synchronized information time data and image time data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification