KR20000047603A - Digital camera with automatic data upload - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital camera with automatic data upload capability is provided to transmit image data directly from the camera to the destination computer system or server. CONSTITUTION: A digital camera with automatic data upload capability according to the present invention includes an image sensor(201), a memory(214) and an I/O adapter(216). The image sensor(201) accepts light including images, and generates image data representing the image. The memory(214) stores the image data. The I/O adapter(216) detects whether the digital camera (100) is connected to a network, establishes a communication connection to a destination system, and transmits the stored image data to the destination system.

Description

DIGITAL CAMERA WITH AUTOMATIC DATA UPLOAD}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to electronic photography and, more particularly, to a digital camera that automatically uploads image data when connected to a network.

Digital cameras are becoming popular in both professional and non-professional photography. Typically, photographic image data is stored in memory in the camera and / or removable memory card. When the memory is full, you can remove or replace the memory card, or transfer image data from the camera to your computer. However, small and light memory cards are too expensive to store a large number of pictures that can be taken while traveling. One way to store a large number of photos when traveling is to transfer image data to a laptop or laptop computer. However, it may be inconvenient for the camera user not to own a laptop computer or to carry the laptop computer with him on travel for the above-mentioned transfer purposes. Also, in order to use a photo, the camera user must transfer image data to the home computer in some way. Accordingly, there is a need for a technique that allows a digital camera user on a journey to transfer image data directly and automatically from a digital camera to a home computer or server.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera which automatically transfers image data directly from a digital camera to a destination computer system or server.

1 shows a digital camera system 100 of the present invention,

2 is an exemplary block diagram of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a flow chart for an operational process of the system shown in FIG. 1;

4 shows an exemplary format of data stored in the memory shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary format of data stored in the memory shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

100: digital camera system 102: digital camera

104: holder assembly 106: holder

108: power connector 108: data connector

112: power supply 114: power cable

116: data cable 120: wireless system

122: cable modem

124: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Modem

126: LAN interface device

128: integrated service digital network interface device

130: voice line modem

132: destination computer system or server 134: Internet

136: intermediate system 201: image sensing device

202 lens 204 image sensor

209: Sound sensing device 217, 219: connector

The digital camera of the present invention includes an image sensing device capable of receiving light including an image and outputting image data representing the image, a memory capable of storing an image data, and a network And an I / O adapter capable of detecting that a connection has been made to a network, establishing a connection with a destination system via a network, and transferring the stored image data to the destination system.

Preferably, the Internet is used as the network. Connection to the network may be through a cable modem, an asymmetric digital subscriber line or a local area network. External power and communication connections may be provided by a cradle assembly.

The details of the structure and operation of the present invention can be best understood by referring to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements in the figures.

1 shows a digital camera system 100 according to the present invention. The system 100 includes a digital camera 102 and a candle assembly 104. Receptacle assembly 104 has a holder 106 for receiving camera 102, which enables receptacle 106 to be attached to the camera. Compartment assembly 102 includes power connector 108 and data connector 110 to allow power and data to be provided to camera 102 during the recharge, data transfer, and voice recognition processes. Alternatively, connector 108 and connector 110 may be combined in a single connector.

Power is supplied from power supply 112 to power connector 108 via power cable 114. The power supply 112 may be a wall-mounted device, an automotive power adapter, or a battery-powered device. Data is transmitted via data cable 116 which is connected to data connector 110. Data cable 116 includes wireless system 120, cable modem 122, asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) modem 124, local area network interface device 126, integrated service digital network (ISDN) interface device 128. Or a communication device such as voice line modem 130. Wireless system 120 includes a modem and a wireless transceiver that are communicatively connected to a wireless network. The recharge and data transfer process is performed when the camera returns to the rack after taking a picture.

The present invention is particularly advantageous when, for example, a camera user is traveling or is far from the final destination of the photographed picture, which requires remote data transfer. For example, the hotel may provide the cabinet assembly 104 to the hotel customer for free or at an additional fee. In this case, the hotel customer can transfer the photographed picture when returning to the hotel room. Of course, depending on the speed of the connection means provided, a large amount of time may be consumed for picture transmission. In any case, if there is a storage stand in the hotel room, it will be possible to transmit data at a convenient time, for example, while the camera user is sleeping.

As another example, an automobile, such as a camera user's own vehicle or a rental vehicle, may be equipped with the cabinet assembly 104 and the wireless communication device 120. Many rental cars have a cordless telephone for rent and at the same time the cabinet assembly 104 may be easily rented. The storage assembly assembly 104 may be provided to conveniently transfer data during the trip. The camera user will return to the car and place the camera in the drawer and drive towards the next destination. Data may be conveniently transmitted while the user is driving or when the safety is sufficiently secured while the user is not in the vehicle.

In one embodiment, communication devices 120-130 provide direct access to destination computer system or server 132 via the Internet 134. Destination system 132 is typically a well known programmable computer system such as a personal computer, workstation, mini-computer or mainframe. Such computer systems typically execute computer program instructions contained within computer readable media such as well-known RAM, ROM, flash memory, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetic tape, and the like.

In another embodiment, communication devices 120-130 provide access to intermediate system 136. The intermediate system 136 may be a server or other well-known computer system and is used to enhance the convenience and speed of data transfer from the camera 102. For example, a hotel may be connected to an intermediate server system via a local area network when equipped with a storage assembly. At this time, the data can be transferred from the camera to the intermediate server system at high speed and then conveniently transferred to the destination system.

As another example, in the future, many automobiles will have computer systems. The data can then be transferred from the camera to the automotive computer system at high speed and then conveniently transferred to the destination system. Thus, the camera user can transfer data from the camera quickly and take more pictures, and the automotive computer system can transfer data while the user continues to use the camera.

Optionally, the power connector 108 and the data connector 110 may be directly attached to the camera 102 without using the holder 106. At this time, the power connector 108 and the data connector 110 may be attached separately or may be combined in a single assembly.

2 shows a digital camera 102 according to the present invention. The digital camera 102 includes an image sensing device 201 that receives light including an image and outputs digital image data representing the image. Image sensing device 201 typically includes a lens 202 that focuses an image on image sensor 204. Image sensor 204 is typically a charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device that outputs a signal representing an image to A / D converter 206. The A / D converter 206 digitizes the received signal, converts it into digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the microprocessor 208. The digital camera 102 also includes a sound sensing device 209 that accepts a sound, for example a speech, and outputs digital sound data representing the sound. The microphone 210 senses sound, typically spoken words, and outputs a signal representing the sensed sound to the A / D converter 212, where the A / D converter 212 The received signal is digitized and the digital sound data is output to the microprocessor 208. The microprocessor 208 stores the received digital image and sound data in the memory 214. Memory 214 is typically a semiconductor memory such as RAM or flash memory. Memory 214 may be embedded within camera 102. Alternatively, the memory 214 may be a removable nonvolatile, for example flash memory card. Alternatively, the memory 214 may be a disk storage medium such as a floppy disk or other removable media drive or hard drive in or attached to the digital camera 102.

The digital camera 102 has an I / O adapter 216 with a connector 217 to transfer data into or out of the camera via the data connector 110 and the data cable 116. Digital camera 102 also includes a power supply 218 with a battery to regulate and recharge circuits and connectors 219. Thus, the digital camera 102 can be powered from the power supply 112 via the power cable 114 and the power connector 108. Other known components such as viewfinder, shutter switch and the like are not shown.

The microprocessor 208 stores image data for each picture taken in the image data block 220 in the memory 214. Image data in block 220 is typically compressed to save memory space. Microprocessor 208 stores recorded voice (conversation) data associated with each stored image within recorded voice data block 222. Typically, recorded voice data is also compressed. Text data associated with each stored image is also stored in memory 214 in a recognized text annotation data block 223. Speech recognition may be performed by the speech recognition unit 224 using the speech recognition data 225, or using the speech recognition data 225 to cause the microprocessor 208 to execute the speech recognition routine 226. It can also be carried out by doing.

Digital camera 102 also has software routines that are executed by microprocessor 208. An image / voice capture routine 228 takes a digital picture, records voice annotations, compresses and stores the data in the image data block 220 and the recorded sound data block 222. Control the process Speech recognition routine 226 recognizes voice annotations stored in recorded sound data block 222, generates text annotations, and stores those text annotations in recognized text annotation data block 223.

The connection / data transfer routine 230 controls the process of transferring data from the digital camera 102 using the connection / data transfer data 232. Data 232 includes data used to establish a connection with destination system 132 and / or intermediate system 136. For example, data 232 may include an access phone number, an Internet service provider (ISP) identifier, an ISP account number, a password, an Internet Protocol (IP) or other network address, an e-mail address, an even resource deployer. (Uniform Resource Locators: URLs), directory path names, credit card account numbers, and the like. The data 232 may also include data that controls the connection and data transfer process, for example command scripts.

The data 232 may be input by the user or may be automatically configured. For example, a user may enter an access phone number, an ISP account number, a destination system, and the like. The user may input by using a control unit and a menu of the camera, a configuration program driven by a computer system attached to the camera, or a voice command recognized by the voice recognition part of the camera. The configuration should be as flexible as you want. For example, the user may enter a destination for each picture or series of pictures and the user may enter multiple destinations. The user will probably have all the photos transferred to the user's home computer system, while the other group of photos selected will e-mail the other selected person.

Optionally, the camera vendor or server provider operating the intermediate system sends data 232 into the camera to configure the connection and data transfer. Connection / Data Transfer Data 232 is typically stored in RAM or nonvolatile memory in camera 102.

Software routines 226-230 are typically stored in non-volatile memory such as computer readable media such as ROM or flash memory, but optionally other computer readable media such as RAM, floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk. It may be stored in a magnetic disk or the like.

The digital camera system 100 operates as shown in FIG. In step 302, the camera is removed from the holder 106. In step 304, one or more photos are taken using a camera and one or more voice annotations are recorded. To take each picture, the microprocessor 208 executes the image / voice capture routine 228, compresses the image data and stores the image data in the image data block 220 in the memory 214. Similarly, microprocessor 208 executes image / voice capture routine 228 to record each voice annotation, compresses the image data and stores the voice data in image data block 222 in memory 214. .

Camera 102 may be used to take pictures and record voice annotations until the photo session is complete. The photo session is completed when the memory 214 is full, when the battery charge is exhausted, or when the user has finished taking the desired photo. Upon completion of the photography session, in step 306 the camera 102 is mounted on the receptacle 106 such that the power connector 108 and the data connector 110 are attached to the camera 102. If the holder 106 is not used, the power connector 108 and the data connector 110 should be attached to the camera 102.

The microprocessor 208 detects whether the camera 102 is connected to an external communication device, which detection can be done using any known technique. For example, I / O adapter 216 may detect whether a data signal is present on connector 217 and microprocessor 208. However, other well known techniques may be used.

If it is detected that the camera 102 is connected to an external communication device, then in step 308 the microprocessor 208 executes the connection / data transfer routine 230 to communicate with the destination computer system / server 130 over the Internet. To establish. The details of the connection process depend on the particular type of external communication device used. The communication connection may include the IP address and sign-0n information of the destination system / server 130, for example sign-on script, password, transfer destination directory, and the like. The connection data 232 is used to establish.

Upon completion of the attach step, in step 310 the microprocessor 208 transmits the stored image and text data to the destination system server 130, which transfers a standard transfer protocol such as the well-known file transfer protocol (FTP). You can also use). When the transfer is complete, the communication connection between the digital camera 102 and the destination system / server 130 is automatically terminated. Further, after the transfer of image and text data, those image and text data may be deleted from the memory 214 so that the memory can be reused.

If the data transfer is not successful or the communication connection is not established, the camera 102 will automatically re-establish the connection and resume or repeat the transfer.

Additional features of the present invention include allowing the camera user to specify the handling of image, text and voice data for each picture. For example, a user can specify which photos to send and also to send text and / or voice data associated with those photos. According to another feature, a user may be able to store a threshold number of pictures in memory 214. If the memory 214 has stored fewer than the threshold number, no attempt is made to transfer image, text and / or voice data for the photo.

An exemplary format of data stored in memory 214 is shown in FIG. 4. In this example, image data from each photographed picture is stored as an image data block. For example, image data from photo 1 is stored in block 402 and image data from photo N is stored in block 404. All image data blocks 402-404 are stored consecutively. The recorded voice data associated with each taken picture is stored as a recorded voice data block. For example, recorded voice data from the voice annotation associated with photo 1 is stored at block 406 and recorded voice data from the voice annotation associated with photo N is stored at block 408. All recorded voice data blocks 406-408 are stored consecutively. The converted text annotation data associated with each photographed picture is stored as a text data block. For example, the translated text annotation data associated with photo 1 is stored at block 410 and the converted text annotation data associated with photo N is stored at block 412. All converted text annotation data blocks 410-412 are stored consecutively.

Another exemplary format of data stored in memory 214 is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 4, image data from each picture, recorded voice data associated with each picture, and converted text annotation data associated with each picture are respectively stored as data blocks. For example, image data associated with photo 1 is stored in block 502, recorded voice data associated with photo 1 is stored in block 504, and converted data associated with photo 1 is stored in block 506. do. However, in this example, image data from the picture is stored continuously with the recorded voice data and the converted text data associated with the picture. Thus, blocks 502, 204, 506 all associated with photo 1 are stored consecutively. Likewise, blocks 508, 510, 512 all associated with photo N are stored consecutively.

4 and 5 only show two examples of data storage formats that may be used. Any other format that maintains the association between image data, recorded speech data, and converted text data may likewise be used. For example, a well known file system may be used.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, other embodiments equivalent to those described above will be understood by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention should be limited only by the claims and not by the specific embodiments described above.

According to the invention, image data can be automatically transferred directly from the digital camera to the destination computer system or server.

Claims (66)

In a digital camera, An image sensing device capable of receiving an light including an image and outputting image data representing the image; A memory capable of performing an operation of storing the image data; An I / O adapter capable of detecting that a connection to a network has been established, establishing a communication connection with a destination system over the network, and transmitting stored image data to the destination system Digital camera having a. The method of claim 1, The network is a digital camera. The method of claim 2, Access to the network may include a wireless communication system, a cable modem, an asymmetric digital subscriber line, a local area network, and an integrated services digital network. Or a digital camera established via a voice line. The method of claim 2, The stored image data is transmitted to the destination system via an intermediate system. The method of claim 2, The digital camera may be configured to receive a sound, which is a speech, and to output sound data, which is voice data representing the sound, and to store the voice data. And a second memory capable of performing the operation, wherein the I / O adapter is further capable of transmitting the stored voice data to the destination system. The method of claim 2, An external power source and communication connection is provided by a candle assembly. In the digital camera operation method, Receiving light including an image and outputting image data representing the image; Storing the image data; Detecting that a connection to the network has been established, Establishing a communication connection with a destination system via the network; Transmitting the stored image data to the destination system. Digital camera operating method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein And said network is the Internet. The method of claim 8, Connection to the network is established through a wireless communication system, cable modem, asymmetric digital subscriber line, local area network, integrated service digital network, or voice line. The method of claim 8, And the stored image data is transmitted to the destination system through an intermediate system. The method of claim 8, Receiving sound that is a conversation; Outputting sound data which is voice data representing the sound; Storing the voice data; Transmitting the stored voice data to the destination system. Digital camera operation method further comprising. The method of claim 8, A method of operating a digital camera that provides an external power source and communication connection by a holder assembly. In a digital camera, Means for receiving light including an image and outputting image data representing the image; Means for storing the image data; Means for detecting that a connection to the network has been established, Means for establishing a communication connection with a destination system via the network; Means for transmitting the stored image data to the destination system Digital camera having a. The method of claim 13, The network is a digital camera. The method of claim 14, Connection to the network is established through a wireless communication system, cable modem, asymmetric digital subscriber line, local area network, integrated service digital network, or voice line. The method of claim 14, The stored image data is transmitted to the destination system via an intermediate system. The method of claim 14, Means for receiving sound that is a conversation; Means for outputting sound data which is voice data representing the sound; Means for storing the voice data; Means for transmitting the stored voice data to the destination system Digital camera further comprising. The method of claim 14, An external power source and communication connection is provided by the cabinet assembly. In a computer program product for operating a digital camera, Computer readable media, Computer program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium and executed by a processor in the digital camera Including, the computer program instructions, Receiving, by the digital camera, light including an image and outputting image data representing the image; Storing the image data; Detecting that a connection to the network has been established, Establishing a communication connection with a destination system via the network; Transmitting the stored image data to the destination system. A computer program product for digital camera operation. The method of claim 19, And said network is the Internet. The method of claim 20, And access to said network is established through a wireless communication system, cable modem, asymmetric digital subscriber line, local area network, integrated service digital network or voice line. The method of claim 20, And said stored image data is transmitted to said destination system via an intermediate system. The method of claim 20, Receiving sound that is a conversation; Outputting sound data which is voice data representing the sound; Storing the voice data; Transmitting the stored voice data to the destination system. Computer program product for operation of a digital camera further comprising computer program instructions for performing a. The method of claim 20, A computer program product for operation of a digital camera that provides an external power source and communication connection by a holder assembly. In a computer system, An apparatus capable of performing an operation of establishing a communication connection via a network with a digital camera storing image data; A device capable of receiving the stored image data from the digital camera Computer system having a. The method of claim 25, And the network is the Internet. The method of claim 26, And the digital computer is connected to the network via a wireless communication system, cable modem, asymmetric digital subscriber line, local area network, integrated service digital network, or voice line. The method of claim 26, And the stored image data is received via an intermediate system. The method of claim 26, The digital camera also stores voice data, the computer system further comprising an apparatus capable of performing the operation of receiving the stored voice data from the digital camera. The method of claim 26, An external power source and communication connection is provided to the digital camera by a holder assembly. A method for operating a computer system connected to a network, the method comprising: Establishing a communication connection via a network with a digital camera storing image data; Receiving the stored image data from the digital camera Computer system operation method comprising a. The method of claim 31, wherein And said network is the Internet. The method of claim 32, And the digital camera is connected to the network via a wireless communication system, a cable modem, an asymmetric digital subscriber line, a local area network, an integrated service digital network, or a voice line. The method of claim 32, And the stored image data is received via an intermediate system. The method of claim 32, Voice data is also stored in the digital camera, the method further comprising receiving the stored voice data from the digital camera. The method of claim 32, A method of operating a computer system that provides an external power source and communication connection to the digital camera by a holder assembly. In a computer system, Means for establishing a communication connection via a network with a digital camera storing image data; Means for receiving the stored image data from the digital camera Computer system having a. The method of claim 37, And the network is the Internet. The method of claim 38, And the digital camera is connected to the network via a wireless communication system, a cable modem, an asymmetric digital subscriber line, a local area network, an integrated service digital network, or a voice line. The method of claim 38, And the stored image data is received via an intermediate system. The method of claim 38, Voice data is also stored in the digital camera, the computer system further comprising means for receiving the stored voice data from the digital camera. The method of claim 38, An external power source and communication connection is provided to the digital camera by a holder assembly. A computer program product for operating a computer system connected to a network, comprising: Computer-readable media, Computer program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium and executed by a processor in the digital camera Including, the computer program instructions, Establishing a communication connection via said network with a digital camera storing image data; Receiving the stored image data from the digital camera Computer program product for operating a computer system comprising a. The method of claim 43, And said network is the Internet. The method of claim 44, And the digital camera is connected to the network via a wireless communication system, a cable modem, an asymmetric digital subscriber line, a local area network, an integrated service digital network, or a voice line. The method of claim 44, And the stored image data is received via an intermediate system. The method of claim 44, Voice data is also stored in the digital camera, the computer program product further comprising computer program instructions for performing the step of receiving the stored voice data from the digital camera. The method of claim 44, An external power source and communication connection is provided to the digital camera by a receiver assembly. In the car, A device capable of performing an operation of providing a power source and a communication connection to a digital camera storing image data; An apparatus capable of performing an operation of establishing a communication connection between the digital camera and a network; A device capable of transmitting the stored image data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network. Car equipped with. The method of claim 49, The network is the Internet. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein An apparatus capable of establishing a communication connection between the digital camera and a network, and an apparatus capable of performing the operation of transmitting the stored image data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network, may be used in a wireless communication system. Cars as components. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein And an apparatus capable of transmitting the stored image data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network comprises an intermediate computer system. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein The digital camera also stores voice data, and the vehicle further includes an apparatus capable of performing the operation of transmitting the stored voice data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein And a device capable of performing an operation for providing a power and communication connection to the digital camera comprises a cabinet assembly. In the car, Means for providing a power source and a communication connection to a digital camera storing image data; Means for establishing a communication connection between the digital camera and a network; Means for transferring the stored image data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network. Car equipped with. The method of claim 55, The network is the Internet. The method of claim 56, wherein Means for establishing a communication connection between the digital camera and a network and means for transmitting the stored image data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network are components of a wireless communication system. The method of claim 56, wherein And means for transferring said stored image data from said digital camera to a destination computer system via said network comprises an intermediate computer system. The method of claim 56, wherein Voice data is also stored in the digital camera, and the motor vehicle further comprises means for transmitting the stored voice data from the digital camera to a destination computer system via the network. The method of claim 56, wherein Means for providing a power source and a communication connection to the digital camera comprises a rack assembly. A digital picture comprising image data stored on a destination computer system, The digital photograph, Receiving, by the digital camera, light including the image and outputting image data representing the image; Storing the image data; Detecting that a connection from the digital camera to the network has been made; Establishing a communication connection between the digital camera and the destination computer system via the network; Transferring the stored image data from the digital computer system to the destination system; Storing the transmitted image data in the destination computer system A digital picture created by doing a. 62. The method of claim 61, The network is the Internet. 63. The method of claim 62, Connection to the network is established through a wireless communication system, cable modem, asymmetric digital subscriber line, local area network, integrated service digital network, or voice line. 63. The method of claim 62, The stored image data is transmitted to the destination system through an intermediate system. 63. The method of claim 62, Receiving a conversation sound with the digital camera, Outputting sound data which is voice data representing the sound; Storing the voice data in the digital camera; Transmitting the stored voice data from the digital camera to the destination system; Storing the transmitted voice data in the destination computer system Digital photo created by doing it. 63. The method of claim 62, An external power source and communication connection is provided by the cabinet assembly.