Television – Two-way video and voice communication – Answering machine
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-01
2001-08-28
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2743)
Television
Two-way video and voice communication
Answering machine
C348S014010, C348S014050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281926
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to an image storage system, and relates more particularly to an image answering machine for storing voice and images received over a public telephone system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Digital cameras have come into wide use for acquiring images of people, scenery, sporting events, etc. The acquired digital images are either stored on removable media (memory card, magnetic disk) which can be used later with a computer or transmitted from the camera directly to a computer. In the case where the user is located near a computer, the images can be transmitted over a dedicated communication link, such as a cable or wireless link. When, however, the user is travelling and is therefore remote from his computer, the digital images can be transmitted form the digital camera to the users computer over the public telephone system. However, digital images from a digital camera or other source cannot be accepted by an individual who does not own a personal computer or who does not want the computer to be left on to receive incoming calls (for example, during a prolonged travel).
There is thus a need for a device that is low in cost that can store images transmitted over public telephone systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a solution to the problems of the prior art.
According to a feature of the present invention, there is provided an image answering apparatus comprising: an interface for connecting to a public telephone system; and memory for storing audio and image information received over the public telephone system.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
The invention has the following advantages.
1. A low cost machine is provided for storing both images and voice transmitted over a public telephone system.
2. A user of a digital camera or other source of digital images can store images sent over a public telephone without owning an expensive personal computer or without having to leave a personal computer on for extended periods while away from home or business.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4484344 (1984-11-01), Mai et al.
patent: 5453982 (1995-09-01), Pennington et al.
patent: 5521716 (1996-05-01), Itoh
patent: 0617562A2 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 401233944A (1989-09-01), None
patent: 407023357A (1995-01-01), None
patent: 410126492A (1998-05-01), None
Allen James D.
Heberling Allen D.
Moghadam Omid A.
Squilla John R.
Eastman Kodak Company
Kuntz Curtis
Noval William F.
Ramakrishnaiah Melur
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