Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-20
2003-12-02
Miller, John (Department: 2614)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
C348S236000, C348S236000, C348S222100, C348S714000, C348S229100, C455S566000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06657660
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a picture image storing and utilizing system wherein picture image data recorded by a digital camera are stored in a large capacity disc of a server computer installed in a minilab, DPE or the like, and the stored picture image data are utilized later by printing or downloading them.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following the rapid spread of personal computers and personal digital assistants (PDA) recently, there has been a growing demand for utilizing a picture image recorded by a user as digital image data. As a service provided by laboratories or DPE's to meet the demand, a digital output service has been known which records image data in a photo CD or in a large capacity floppy disc and returns it to a customer when a film, on which image data has been recorded, is deposited for developing by the customer. Alternatively, a network photograph service wherein image data are stored in a server computer installed in a laboratory or in a DPE so that a customer can request download of the image data via the Internet or the like has been proposed.
Meanwhile, in the case of digital cameras, digital image data can be obtained directly by recording, without involving a DPE. Therefore, image data recorded by digital cameras are generally stored and managed by individuals. In other words, a user of a digital camera generally records picture images by using the digital camera, and transfers the picture image data within the memory of the digital camera into a hard disc of a personal computer or the like when the memory becomes full.
Several methods have been used for transferring picture image data from a digital camera to a personal computer. In the case where the digital camera used for recording stores picture image data recorded thereby in the built-in memory thereof, a data transfer can be carried out by connecting the digital camera with a personal computer using a predetermined interface cable. As the method similar to the above, camera loading transfer device wherein a table which has a predetermined contact is connected to a personal computer using a cable and image data are transferred from a digital camera to the personal computer via the contact by loading the digital camera on the table has been implemented. This is a so-called docking station or a camera station, and the camera station CS-36 by Canon Inc. is an example of such camera stations.
In the case where a digital camera stores picture image data recorded thereby in a removable medium such as a memory card, the picture image data can be transferred from the digital camera to a personal computer using a reading apparatus such as a card reader. Furthermore, in the case where a digital camera belongs to a PDA or a digital camera has a communication function, image data can be transferred to a personal computer via a modem and a public telephone line (including portable phones). Moreover, some digital cameras can transfer image data via infrared communication.
As described above, storage and utilization of picture image data recorded by a digital camera implicitly assumes that a user of a digital camera has a personal computer. Furthermore, the fact that subsequent recording cannot be carried out unless image data are transferred to a personal computer when the memory of a digital camera becomes full means that a personal computer should be carried with a digital camera.
However, the rate of ownership of portable notebook type personal computers is not high, even though personal computers have become wide spread recently. Even if a user has a notebook type personal computer, it is not realistic for the user to carry the computer with him/her during a trip only for storing image data of a digital camera. Furthermore, even if the user carries the computer with him/her, it is possible that recorded picture images cannot be transferred due to the disc space of the computer becoming full.
On the other hand, it is not necessary to carry a personal computer if a plurality of memory cards are available and can be exchanged in the same manner as films of an ordinary camera. However, memory cards are far more costly than films, and the maintenance cost of a digital camera would become very high if a plurality of memory cards were necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, implementation of a method which can store and utilize pictures recorded by a digital camera more easily and at a lower cost has been desired. Based on consideration of the problems described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a picture image data storing and utilizing system which enables even a user who does not have a personal computer at hand or at all to use a digital camera easily and to store or utilize picture images recorded by a digital camera.
A first picture image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention comprises an image server which stores picture image data, at least one medium reading means which transfers picture image data, recorded by a digital camera and stored in a removable medium, to the image server by reading the removable medium, and accessing means which enables the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed and utilized.
A second picture image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention comprises, instead of the medium reading means of the first system, at least one data transferring means for transferring the picture image data, recorded by a digital camera and stored in the built-in memory of the digital camera from the digital camera to the image server.
Furthermore, a third picture image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention comprises the image server, the accessing means, the medium reading means, and the data transferring means.
In addition to each of the device mentioned above, a picture image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention may comprise file outputting means which outputs picture image data stored in the image server as a file in a predetermined recording medium, or print outputting means which outputs picture image data stored in the image server as prints.
“The image server” herein referred to means, for example, a server computer which is installed in a DPE or a laboratory or the like, and has a large capacity disc which is sufficient for storing picture image data of customers.
“The removable medium” herein referred to means, for example, a memory card or the like inserted in a digital camera. “At least one medium reading means which transfers picture image data recorded by a digital camera and stored in a removable medium to the image server by reading the removable medium” means a card reader and a cable to connect the card reader with the image server, for example. “The data transferring means” refers to a cable interface, a docking station, and a communication line as described above, for example. The communication channel means not only means using wires but also includes using other methods of date transfer such as radio infrared communication or a portable phone for example.
“Enables the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed and utilized” means, for example, to utilize all kinds of services having been carried out at a DPE or having been proposed as a network photograph service, such as the case where the image data are browsed, searched for, downloaded, ordered for a print, output in a floppy disc or the like, and transferred to a specified apparatus.
“The accessing means” is meant to include not only communication equipment and channels which make an access from a personal computer or a PDA via a network possible, but also other things such as a monitor and inputting means, including a keyboard and a touch panel for example, which are both connected directly to the image server. The software to be installed in the server computer, that is, the software whereby a request for a service is received, and picture image data are displayed, searched for, and transferred in resp
Fukada Shigekazu
Haneda Norihisa
Shiota Kazuo
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Miller John
Natnael Paulos M
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