System for changing setup of first device that executes predetermined function by second device and these devices

• US 7,705,888 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kitawaki, Haruyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Sinh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peterson; Christopher K
• Application Number:
  US11/219,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20060007319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,693 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.5, 348/211.6, 348/552, 348/143, 348/231.99, 348/333.03, 382/236
• US Class Current: 348/211.99
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/48 adapted for combination with other photographic or optical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• 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 1/4406 Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity mechanisms actuated y cards, PIN or the like in apparatus for dispensing G07F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• 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

The user of an objective device registers a favorite setup of the objective device in a user setup data recording device in correspondence with user information based on a physical feature. Upon detecting the physical feature of the user, the objective device sends its device ID to the user setup data recording device together with the user information based on the physical feature. The user setup data recording device sends setup data of the objective device, which is set in advance by the user, to the objective device on the basis of the received user information and device ID. The objective device changes its setup on the basis of the received setup data.

Claims

1. A system comprising a first apparatus and a second apparatus,

said first apparatus being an image pickup apparatus and comprising:

an acquisition unit configured to acquire identification information of a user, who operates said first apparatus, from the user;

a first transmission unit configured to transmit the identification information acquired by said acquisition unit and specific information of said first apparatus to said second apparatus;

a first reception unit configured to receive, from said second apparatus, image pickup apparatus setup data indicating the user'"'"'s preference regarding the setup of said first apparatus; and

a setup unit configured to set up said first apparatus upon executing a predetermined function on the basis of the setup data received by said first reception unit; and

said second apparatus comprising;

a storing unit configured to store the identification information of the user, the specific information of said first apparatus, and image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information;

a second reception unit configured to receive the identification information and the specific information transmitted from said first apparatus; and

a second transmission unit configured to transmit the image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information received by said second reception unit to said first apparatus,

wherein a plurality of users operate said first apparatus, and image pickup apparatus setup data for the plurality of users is stored only on said second apparatus.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus setup data transmitted by said second transmission unit can be registered from said first apparatus in said second apparatus.

3. A first apparatus which can execute a predetermined function, comprising:

an image pickup unit configured to acquire an image;

an acquisition unit configured to acquire identification information of a user, who operates said first apparatus, from the user;

a transmission unit configured to transmit the identification information acquired by said acquisition unit and specific information of said first apparatus to a second apparatus;

a reception unit configured to receive, from the second apparatus, image pickup unit setup data indicating the user'"'"'s preference regarding the setup of said first apparatus; and

a setup unit configured to set up said first apparatus upon executing the predetermined function on the basis of the image pickup unit setup data received by said reception unit.

4. The first apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a registration unit configured to register the image pickup unit setup data in the second apparatus.

5. A second apparatus which can set up a first apparatus, comprising:

a storing unit configured to store identification information of a user who operates the first apparatus, specific information of the first apparatus, and image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information, the first apparatus being an image pickup apparatus;

a reception unit configured to receive the identification information of the user and specific information of the first apparatus transmitted from the first apparatus; and

a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the first apparatus, image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information received by said reception unit,

wherein

a plurality of users operate the first apparatus,

the image pickup apparatus setup data to be transmitted by said transmission unit is data used to set up the first apparatus upon executing a predetermined function, and

the image pickup apparatus setup data for the plurality of users is stored only on said second apparatus.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the image pickup apparatus setup data is data registered by the first apparatus.

7. A method of controlling a first apparatus which can execute a predetermined function, comprising:

the acquisition step of acquiring identification information of a user, who operates the first apparatus, from the user;

the transmission step of transmitting the identification information acquired in said acquisition step and specific information of the first apparatus to a second apparatus;

the reception step of receiving, from the second apparatus, image pickup apparatus setup data indicating the user'"'"'s preference regarding the setup of the first apparatus, the first apparatus being an image pickup apparatus; and

the set-up step of setting up the first apparatus upon executing the predetermined function on the basis of the image pickup apparatus setup data received in said reception step.

8. A method of controlling a second apparatus which can set up a first apparatus, comprising:

the storing step of storing identification information of a user who operates the first apparatus, specific information of the first apparatus, and image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information, the first apparatus being an image pickup apparatus;

the reception step of receiving the identification information of the user and specific information of the first apparatus transmitted by the first apparatus; and

the transmission step of transmitting, to the first apparatus, image pickup apparatus setup data corresponding to the identification information and the specific information received in said reception step,

wherein

a plurality of users operate the first apparatus,

the image pickup apparatus setup data to be transmitted in said transmission step is data used to set up the first apparatus upon executing a predetermined function,

and the image pickup apparatus setup data for the plurality of users is stored only on the second apparatus.