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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
An electronic card is provided that is configured for removable
insertion by a user in a digital image storage card slot of a digital
camera. The electronic card includes a wireless telecommunications
transmitter operative to transmit images taken using the camera
for remote storage or display.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. An electronic card configured for removable insertion by a user
in a digital image storage card slot of a digital camera, wherein
the electronic card includes a wireless telecommunications transmitter
operative to transmit images taken using the camera for remote storage
or display.
2. An electronic card according to claim 1, including a memory
in which to store image data prior to transmission.
3. An electronic card according to claim 2, including a controller
operative to control the memory and the transmitter so as to send
the image data from the memory.
4. An electronic card according to claim 3, in which the controller
is configured to control the memory and transmitter to send image
data stored in the memory whenever a threshold in respect of the
amount of image data stored in the memory is reached.
5. An electronic card according to claim 3, in which the controller
is configured to control the memory and transmitter to send image
data stored in the memory periodically.
6. An electronic card according to claim 3, in which the controller
is configured to control the memory and transmitter to send image
data stored in the memory upon receipt of an instruction signal
to send provided by a control switch operable by the user.
7. A digital camera including a slot for removable insertion by
the user of a digital image storage card, and an electronic card
configured for removable insertion in said slot, the electronic
card includes a wireless telecommunications transmitter operative
to transmit images taken using the camera for remote storage or
display.
8. A digital camera according to claim 7, in which the electronic
card includes a memory in which to store image data prior to transmission.
9. A digital camera according to claim 8, including a controller
operative to control the memory and the transmitter so as to send
the image data from the memory.
10. A digital camera according to claim 9, in which the controller
is configured to control the memory and transmitter to send image
data stored in the memory upon receipt of an instruction signal
to send provided by a control switch operable by the user.
11. A digital camera according to claim 10, in which the camera
has a housing, the control button being mounted on the housing.
Digital Camera Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to telecommunications, in
particular to wireless telecommunications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known that digital cameras have largely superseded
film cameras because they permit nearly immediate display and control
of the picture taken. Digital cameras of known type include a relatively
small amount of internal memory which is supplemented by a plug-in
memory card of known type. Examples of known types of memory cards
are Memory Sticks marketed by Sony Corporation, and CompactFlash
cards. The plug-in memory card fits a corresponding slot in the
camera. When the memory card becomes full, in order to be able to
take more pictures the user of such known systems has only a limited
number of choices. She has to replace the memory card, download
the memory via a cable such as a USB cable to her personal computer,
or delete some pictures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention avoids the disadvantageous situation
of the prior art.
[0004] An embodiment of the present invention is an electronic
card configured for removable insertion by a user in a digital image
storage card slot of a digital camera. The electronic card includes
a wireless telecommunications transmitter operative to transmit
images taken using the camera for remote storage or display.
[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention is a digital
camera including a slot for removable insertion by the user of a
digital image storage card, and an electronic card configured for
removable insertion in said slot. The electronic card includes a
wireless telecommunications transmitter operative to transmit images
taken using the camera for remote storage or display.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to
practical problems. Particularly with the trend to higher resolution
pictures being taken, large numbers of conventional memory cards
would otherwise be required. The problem is avoided of a user filling
all the memory cards that she has whilst out and about, for example
on a journey, so forcing her, if she wants to take any more pictures,
to either delete pictures that she might otherwise wish to keep,
or try to buy a further memory card. Also the pictures that are
taken are more secure. For example if memory cards are lost, damaged
or stolen, the transmitted pictures are not lost. This could be
particularly valuable to users in dangerous areas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now
be described by way of example and with reference to the drawings,
in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating features of the outward
appearance of a digital camera and a digital image storage card
according to one embodiment of the present invention,
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the camera
and card as shown in FIG. 1,
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features of the outward
appearance of a digital camera and a digital image storage card
according to another embodiment of the present invention, and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the camera
and card as shown in FIG. 3.
[0012] It should be noted that the drawings are not to scale but
are schematic representations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a digital camera 2 with a plug-in electronic
card 8 is provided. The camera 2 has a housing 4 and a lens 6. The
camera 2 is provided with the plug-in electronic card 8 which is
shaped and arranged so as to be removably insertable by the user
in a corresponding slot 10 in the housing 4 of the camera 2. The
slot had been designed for a plug-in memory card of known type.
The electronic card 8 includes a wireless transceiver 12. The wireless
transceiver 12 is a radio interface which operates in accordance
with a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard known
as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). This standard
is based on code division multiple access (CDMA). In alternative
embodiments, the transceiver operates according to CDMA2000 or some
other wireless telecommunications standard or methodology.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 2 includes an image capture
stage 7 connected to the slot 10 via a controller 14. The controller
14 is operative to receive picture data from the image capture stage
7 and to pass image data data via the slot 10 to the electronic
card 8. The card 8 includes an input interface 16 for picture data,
and a local memory 20, the interface 16 being connected to the local
memory 20. A card controller 18 acts to control storage in the local
memory 20 of the picture data and control transmission of the picture
data via the transceiver 12 by wireless transmission over a telecommunications
network 16 to a remote station 22. In use, the transceiver 12 establishes
a call connection with the remote station 22 via the network 16
so as to enable the picture data to be down-loaded thereto. Once
picture data has been sent, that data is cleared from the local
memory 12.
[0015] Electrical power is supplied to the electronic card 8 from
a battery (not shown) in the camera 2 via electrical contacts (not
shown) in the slot 10 and on the electronic card 8. In some other
embodiments, the electronic card instead includes its own electrical
power supply, such as a battery.
[0016] In this embodiment, the card controller 18 controls the
wireless transceiver to automatically set up a call connection to
the remote station after each picture is taken so as to send the
picture data to the remote station 22.
[0017] In an alternative but otherwise similar embodiment, data
of several pictures are stored in the local memory on the electronic
card and sent upon a threshold in respect of amount of memory occupied
being reached. For example, data is sent when, for example, the
local memory is 90% full. This means the local memory does not becomes
full that further pictures cannot be captured. In another alternative,
picture data is sent to the remote station periodically, for example
once a day.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in yet another alternative embodiment
that is otherwise similar to the first embodiment described above,
the electronic card 8' includes a control button 24 which the user
presses whenever she wants picture data to be sent to the remote
station, activating the control button causes a signal to be sent
to the card controller 18' to which the card controller 18' responds
by instructing the local memory 20' and wireless transceiver 12'
to send picture data.
[0019] In yet another alternative (not shown) the control button
is located instead on the housing of the camera. The remote station
can be any of a wide range of processors or display devices, for
example a personal computer connected to the network by internet;
the personal computer storing the picture data. Another option is
that the remote station is a web server which provides storage of
the user's pictures, the pictures being accessed by a user station
such as a personal computer functioning as a web browser. Yet another
option is that the remote station is a computer station located
in a photo-printing shop, the computer station acting to record
the picture data as hard copy, in other words pictures on paper,
or other recordings, such as compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs).
GENERAL
[0020] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.
The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only
as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention
is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
their scope. |