A communication device (10) for interconnecting a digital camera (12) to a communication network (16) for downloading data to a remote computer. The device (10) has a network communication port (30) for establishing communication with a network (16) via a pre-defined protocol and communication mode, and has a camera communication port (20) such as a serial, parallel, SCSI, USB or Irda-port that imitates the back end application of a PC (14), for connection to a digital camera (12) for sending and receiving data to and from the camera (12). The camera communication port (20) is also used for input of programming and setup data to the communication device (10) from a PC (14). The device can be programmed to operate on the data directly, such as in the case of data for storage or operational direction, and/or direct the data to the camera. The device may also have a Smart card socket (34) into which a user can insert a card to input data, such as user and camera I.D., user authorization, image marking, camera operational parameters, remote computer/destination address, etc. The device can be programmed to perform encryption, authentication, watermarking and fingerprinting procedures, as well as structuring the data for transmission over a particular network, and to automatically perform operations, such as at specific times or in response to data input.

Camera network communication device

A programmable digital camera requiring a programming password to be entered to access the camera's programmability. The camera further includes programming so as to allow the camera to be operated only for a specified time interval, after which the camera becomes inoperable until the programming password is again entered and the camera is programmed to operate for another interval of time. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a programmable digital camera as above described wherein the camera is programmed to only capture a set number of images, at which point the programming password must again be entered and the camera reset for another quantity of images. A further alternate embodiment includes a camera system with a separate transmitter for radiating a signal designed to cover a designated area, the signal being modulated with a camera operational code. The camera is equipped with a corresponding receiver and demodulator to receive the operational code. The camera is programmed to check for the operational code periodically, and if the code is not received, the camera automatically shuts down, thereby limiting operation of the camera to the designated area. A still further embodiment includes a camera with a built-in apparatus for acquiring measured biometric data of a potential user, and comparing it with corresponding biometric signature data entered in the camera, and allowing camera operation only if there is a match.

Digital camera with biometric security

A digital photography messaging and advertisement system wherein a message center maintains records of camera purchasers, and each corresponding camera identification (ID). The message center prepares and collects messages, putting them in categories including personal messages for a particular camera/user, messages for all users of a particular interest group, and generic messages which can be advertisements for al users with cameras configured according to the system. Each camera is equipped with a transceiver for receiving and sending data, and a display for observing the messages or listening to them. Each camera subscribes to its own personal messages. In addition, a camera user may subscribe to a single or multiple interest groups. When a user turns on the camera, the transceiver transmits a signal conveying the camera identification to the message center. In response, the center packages the messages that are identified for the particular camera/user and transmits them along with a code that assures reception only by the specific camera. Alternatively, the messaging and advertisement center continuously transmits generic and user interest group messages. The camera receives the messages, and places them on a display. Interactive messages remain on the display until the user responds through activation of a key or key sequence on a camera keypad. Alternatively, a key or key sequence is provided whereby a user can select to not receive messages, the activation of the key/sequence directing the camera processor to not initiate the signal transmission to the message center upon camera activation.

Camera messaging and advertisement system

An apparatus and method of intraframe encoding of digital frequency-domain data. The data comprises a plurality of slices each having a plurality of blocks (120). Each block has a DC component and a plurality of AC components (130). A first DC component value of each slice is encoded. Each subsequent DC component value of each slice is represented as the difference between it and the DC component value proceeding it. For lossless encoding, the initial DC component value of each slice and the differences are encoding using Golomb-Rice (138).

Lossless intraframe encoding using Golomb-Rice

An image communication apparatus having an Internet facsimile communication device and a G3 facsimile communication device includes a detector for detecting a facsimile function of a communication partner's apparatus during communication by the G3 facsimile communication device, and a controller for performing control of causing the G3 facsimile communication device to disconnect communication in a G3 facsimile mode and shifting to communication by the Internet facsimile communication device, based on the detection of the facsimile function of the communication partner's apparatus by the detector

Image communication apparatus and method

A color image processing apparatus and method through which it is possible to realize high-speed encoding processing of image data containing data indicative of blank spaces. When encoding processing is executed, a CPU sets data, which is added on as a blank space or margin, in a blank-value setting memory, and a DSP for encoding processing reads in the set value before the start of encoding processing, effects a transformation of the color space to undergo encoding processing, and stores the resulting data in its own internal memory, whereby the data stored in the internal memory is used in encoding of blank areas to make possible high-speed encoding processing.

Toshifumi Nakajima

Papers

Image processing method and apparatus for application to an image file or image communication apparatus