`Hassan et aI.
`[45] Date of Patent: Aug. 27, 1996
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,550,646
`
`
`
`|lllllllllllll|l|llllllllll|||||lllll||||||llllll||l|||lll|||||||lll||ll|||
`US005550646A
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`IMAGE COMlVIUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`Inventors: Ahmad M. Hassan, Madison; Russel
`R. Johnston, Bedminster; John C.
`Krejci, Sparta, all of NJ.
`
`[73] Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill,
`NJ.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 120,254
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 13, 1993
`
`Int. Cl.6 ....................................................... H04N 1/32
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`.......................... 358/442; 358/400; 379/100;
`348/18
`
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 358/400, 440,
`358/468, 442, 909.1, 456, 457; 379/96—98,
`100; 348/14, 17, 18; 370/941, 94.2, 95.1;
`H04N 1/00, 1/32
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1976 Judice ..................................... 348/910
`3,953,668
`
`.......
`5/1986 Wang et a1.
`379/96
`4,587,633
`
`9/1986 Kawasaki et a1.
`.
`. 358/260
`4,614,977
`
`. 358/402
`2/1987 Iizuka et a1.
`4,646,160
`
`. 364/519
`3/1989 Tsao et a1.
`4,811,239
`
`5/1989 Yaniv et a1. .............. 178/18
`4,827,085
`
`5/1991 Sakakibara et a1.
`379/96
`5,020,096
`
`7/1991 Masunaga .........
`348/14
`5,036,390
`
`..... 379/100
`.
`2/1992 Satomi et al.
`5,086,455
`
`8/1992 Araki et al. ............... 348/18
`5,136,628
`
`I/ 1993 Nakashima et al.
`....... 348/17
`5,182,635
`
`............................. 379/100
`8/1993 Zuiss et al.
`5,237,429
`5,263,025 11/1993 Toni et al.
`
`.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Table of Contents—Electronic Imaging 88—International
`Electronic Imaging Exposition & Conference, Oct. 1988.
`H. Farhangi et al. “A Microprocessor—Based Still Frame
`Capturing System” Displays, Oct. 1982, pp. 212—217.
`
`A. Mathur et a1. “Image Management Software for Decom—
`pressions, Scaling and Display of Digitized Images”, Elec—
`tronic Imaging 88—Intemational Electronic Imaging Expo-
`sition & Conference, Oct. 1988. pp. 1208—1213.
`
`M. Rabbani et al. “An Optimized Image Data Compression
`Technique Utilized in the Kodak SV9600 Still Video Trans-
`
`ceiver”, Proceedings of the SPIE—The International Society
`for Optical Engineering, vol. 1071, 1989, pp. 246—256.
`
`L. P. Glidewell “Filmless Camera Technology Boosts Image
`Transmission”, Defense Electronics,
`Jun.
`1989,
`pp.
`105—112.
`
`Primary Examiner—Kim Yen Vu
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Barry H. Freedman; Mark K.
`Young
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An image communication system and method includes an
`image capture device which utilizes CCD technology to
`“take a picture”, i.e.,
`to capture an image, and then to
`generate a digital representation of that image which may be
`applied to a fax modem and then transmitted to a remote
`facsimile machine via a telephone communication link. The
`digital image is processed, such as by dithering, to enhance
`its presentability, so that shades of gray present in a con-
`ventional black and white photograph are converted to a
`pattern of black and white dots which retains the character
`
`image in spite of subsequent facsimile
`of the original
`transmission. The image capture device may include a
`printer and a memory for storing multiple images as well as
`the destination numbers of facsimile machines which are
`intended to receive copies of the images.
`
`7 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`221
`
`PRINTER
`205
`
`
`
`MICRO-
`
`
`CONTROLLER
`223
`PRINTER
`
`219
`
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`(DSP)
`203
`
`
`FAX
`
`cco
`CAMERA LENS
`
`
`INTERFACE
`24°
`
`
`
`CONVERSION,
`
`TIMING AND
`SYSTEM BUS
`
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`
`225
`
`231
`EXPOSURE
`
`
`CONTROL
`PHOTO—
`
`
`
`SENSOR
`229
`
`213
`
`
`LCD
`E-Watch, Inc.
`
`DISPLAY E-Watch, Inc.
`
`
`EXH. 2004
`EXH. 2004
`227
`Petitioner — HTC Corporation et. a1
`215
`Petitioner – HTC Corporation et. al
`Patent Owner – E-Watch, Inc.
`Patent Owner — E-Watch, Inc.
`page 1 of 9
`IPR2014-00987
`IPR2014-00987
`
`217
`
`225
`
`LCD
`CONTROL
`
`FLASH
`CONTROL
`
`I30
`
`
`
`
`T0
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`
`
`
`
`
`2“
`
`KEYPAD
`CONTROL
`
`KEYPAD
`
`Page 1 of 9
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1996
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`5,550,646
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 9
`
`Page 2 of 9
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`5,550,646
`
`,,
`
`$52asaw3NEm6E
`
`-052
`
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`SE:N”$2Sims
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`t-22:w3528
`
`Page 3 of 9
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1996
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,550,646
`
`FIG. 3
`
`”FAX”
`
`KEY ON KEYPAD 112
`
`DEPRESSED
`
`DISPLAY ”ENTER
`IMAGE NUMBER" ON
`LCD DISPLAY 215
`
`301
`
`303
`
`IMAGE NUMBER ENTERED
`
`3’05
`
`RETRIEVE DESIGNATED IMAGE
`FROM RAM 207 AND (OPTIONALLY)
`ENHANCE AND/0R DECOMPRESS
`
`307
`
`DISPLAY ”ENTER TELEPHONE
`NUMBER 0R DIAL CDDE’
`
`TELEPHONE NUMBER OR
`DIAL CODE ENTERED
`
`SEND KEY 0N KEYPAD 112
`DEPRESSED
`
`RETRIEVE FAX COVER
`SHEET INFORMATION
`
`308
`
`311
`
`313
`
`314
`
`IMAGE APPLIED TO FAX
`MODEM 240 AND TRANSMITTEI
`
`315
`
`YES
`
`317
`
`NO
`
`PRINT RECEIPT CONFIRMATION OR #319
`ERROR CODE AND TERMINATE CALL
`
`Page 4 of 9
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`Page 4 of 9
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`
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 1996
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,550,646
`
`FIG. 4
`
`PRINT KEY ON
`
`401
`
`KEYPAD 112 DEPRESSED
`
`
`DISPLAY ”ENTER IMAGE
`
`NUMBER" 0N LCD DISPLAY 215
`
` 403
`
`
`
`
`
`I MAGE NUMBER ENTERED
`
`405
`
`407
`
`409
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE DESIGNATED IMAGE
`
`FROM RAM 207 AND
`(OPTIONALLY) DECOMPRESS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ENHANCE IMAGE (OPTIONAL)
`
`
`
` APPLY IMAGE TO PRINTER 221
`
`
`AND PRINT .
`
`4“
`
`
`
`Page 5 of 9
`
`Page 5 of 9
`
`
`
`5,550,646
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`2
`
`1
`IMAGE COMlVIUNICATION SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to communication of
`images, and, in particular to transmission of image infor-
`mation to a facsimile receiver.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Visual communications systems and techniques, in which
`images are captured and transmitted via the telecommuni-
`cations network, have recently become increasingly signifi-
`cant. For example, AT&T has recently introduced its Video-
`Phone 2000, which attaches to ordinary telephone lines. A
`real time moving image of the persons using the system is
`transmitted, along with the verbal conversation. However,
`the VideoPhone and similar systems are not portable, and
`must be used either in a fixed location, or in any event near
`a location in which a connection to the telephone network is
`available. Also, such systems are relatively expensive.
`Another entry in this market, also available from AT&T,
`is the Picasso still image phone, which is used in conjunction
`with a conventional video camera and a television receiver.
`At the transmitting end, a still image from the video camera
`is captured in the Picasso phone, and then transmitted to the
`remote Picasso phone, where it is stored and then displayed
`on a television receiver. This arrangement too is neither
`portable nor inexpensive.
`
`Yet other image capture and display products are called
`digital cameras or instant electronic cameras, such as are
`described in US Pat. No. 4,074,324 issued to J. S. Barrett
`on Feb. 14, 1978. Commercially available digital cameras
`include the Model 3 available from DYCAM and the
`Fotoman Plus available from Logitech. With a digital cam-
`era, an image is scanned by an internal charge coupled
`device (CCD), digitized and stored inside the camera. A
`personal computer is then needed to view, manipulate and
`store the image. These digital cameras are designed as
`computer peripherals, specifically, as input devices for com-
`puter based applications. No provision is made in digital
`cameras for remote display of the images.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with our invention, an image communica-
`tion system and method includes an image capture device
`which utilizes CCD technology to “take a picture”, i.e., to
`capture an image, and then to generate a digital representa—
`tion of that image that can be transmitted via a telephone
`communication link to a remote facsimile machine. The
`digital image is advantageously processed to enhance its
`presentability, and stored. The enhancement of the digital
`image essentially converts the shades of gray present in a
`conventional black and white photograph to a pattern of
`black and white dots (sometimes called picture elements or
`pels) which retains the character of the original image in
`spite of subsubsequent facsimile transmission and possible
`photocoping that may thereafter occur. This assures that the
`image can be displayed on an output device, such as a
`facsimile machine that is capable of producing only an
`essentially black and white bit mapped image. The image
`capture device may include a miniature printer, but
`is
`nevertheless compact and lightweight, so that the device can
`be easily transported to a location at which a connection to
`the telephone network is available.
`
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`In one embodiment, the image capture device is arranged
`so that it may be connected directly to a standard telephone
`line, for example, by using a conventional RJll jack and
`plug. Alternatively, the image capture device may be con-
`nected to or include a built in cellular telephone. In either
`event, the user may establish the communications connec-
`tion to a remote facsimile machine by entering the destina-
`tion number(s) of one or more facsimile machines which are
`intended to receive copies of the image into a keypad, or
`retreiving the destination number from a memory in the
`image capture device. The stored image is then applied to a
`fax modem disposed within the image capture device, which
`converts the stored information to an appropriate format,
`and then dials the number of the remote facsimile machine
`to establish the required communications connection(s) for
`transmission of the facsimile image.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`The present invention will be more fully appreciated by
`consideration of the following detailed description, which
`should be read in light of the accompanying drawing in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image
`capture device arranged in accordance with the present
`invention, and its use in a system to enable communication
`of a captured image to a remote facsimile machine;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of image capture device 110 of
`FIG. 1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed
`by the system of FIG. 1 when a captured image is to be
`transmitted to a remote facsimile machine; and
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed
`by the system of FIG. 1 when a captured image is to be
`printed locally.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`there is shown a schematic
`Referring first to FIG. 1,
`diagram illustrating an image capture device arranged in
`accordance with the present invention, and its use in a
`system to enable communication of a captured image to a
`remote facsimile machine. The image capture device is
`designated generally as 110, and in appearance resembles a
`small, portable, hand held camera. Image capture device 110
`is arranged, as described in more detail below, to “take a
`picture”, such as a picture of damaged automobile 120, and
`to store a digital representation (image) of the picture in an
`internal memory. The image remains in the memory until the
`image capture device can be connected or gain access to a
`telecommunications network, such as by being connected to
`an ordinary telephone jack 130 by a telephone line 131, or
`being connected to a cellular telephone arranged to establish
`an over the air communications link. A communications
`connection can then be established between image capture
`device 110 and a remote facsimile machine 140, such as by
`keying the number of facsimile machine 140 on a keypad
`112 built into image capture device 110. Alternatively, as
`shown in FIG. 1, dialing may be accomplished using tele-
`phone 150 which is connected to the same jack 130 and
`bridged on the telephone line. When the connection is made,
`a “send” button on the image capture device is activated,
`causing the stored digital representation to be applied to a
`fax modem in the device. The image, in this case, of the
`damaged automobile, is thus transmitted to and displayed on
`the remote facsimile machine. Advantageously, the image
`capture device also includes a printing capability, such as
`
`Page 6 of 9
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`Page 6 of 9
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`5,550,646
`
`3
`may be provided by a miniature thermal printer, so that a
`hard copy of a stored image may be generated and reviewed.
`This is helpful
`in previewing the image that
`is to be
`transmitted to a remote facsimile machine.
`
`Dialing can be accomplished in an alternative arrange-
`ment, such as by first storing a sequence of digits represent-
`ing the dialed number in a memory within the image capture
`device, and by thereafter reading out and applying the digits
`to a dialing circuit at the time the connection is established.
`The advantages of the present invention are that the image
`capture device is small, portable and inexpensive. It can be
`connected to the telephone network anywhere an ordinary
`telephone jack is available, or, if provided with a cellular
`telephone capability or connection, anywhere cellular ser-
`vice is available, and a picture stored in the camera can be
`transmitted to any conventional facsimile machine in near
`real time. The invention thus would be of great value to
`architects, landscapers, designers, artists, engineers, insur-
`ance adjusters, auto repairmen, teachers, doctors, advertis-
`ing agencies, marketing departments, etc.
`Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram
`of image capture device 110 of FIG. 1. A picture is taken by
`the device by focusing light collected by a lens assembly 201
`on a charge coupled device (CCD) 203, which has an
`associated control element 204 that operates in response to
`commands issued by a microcontroller 205 and communi-
`cated to CCD 203 via a system bus 225. Microcontroller 205
`may be implemented in a digital signal processor (DSP)
`chip, such as the 3210 chip available from AT&T, which
`preferably includes an internal clock function. The combi-
`nation of lens assembly 201, CCD 203 and control element
`204 are well known to those skilled in the art, and can be
`found in digital cameras such as those made by Dycam. Well
`known functionality in such arrangements includes auto-
`matic focusing of the image provided by lens assembly 201.
`As an alternative to automatic focusing, and to save cost,
`lens assembly 201 may be arranged with a large focal depth.
`Automatic aperture/exposure control may be provided using
`photo sensor 231, which is arranged to measure the lighting
`conditions relative to the image being captured, and provide
`a signal to exposure control circuit 229 which is connected
`to system bus 225. In cases where the ambient lighting
`conditions are inadequate, a signal may be sent to flash
`control circuit 226 to actuate a built-in flash tube 227. In
`addition, automatic color balance and other camera features
`may be provided.
`The image output from CCD 203 is processed in micro-
`controller 205 to enhance presentability, illustratively by
`dithering, and then stored, in compressed digital form, in a
`random access memory (RAM) 207. Compression may be
`achieved using any well known compression/archiving algo-
`rithm, which is later reversed by corresponding decompres-
`sion when the image is later printed or transmitted to a
`remote facsimile machine. The purpose of the dithering (or
`other enhancement) is to enable the picture to be displayed
`on a facsimile machine that is essentially limited to display-
`ing black and white bit mapped pictures, rather than grey
`scale images. This can be explained as follows: The image
`captured by CCD 203 is generally about 640 by about 480
`pixels, each having 16 possible grey levels. This image may
`be dithered to around 1500 by 1000 black and white pixels,
`such that each original pixel is represented by a two by two
`block of pixels, which may have sixteen different black and
`white patterns. If the dithered image is transmitted to a fax
`machine which reproduces 200 pixels (dots) per inch, an
`image of approximately 7.5 inches by 5 inches can be
`produced, when displayed sideways on a page.
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`
`Keypad 211 is provided in image capture device so that a
`user can input commands and other information into the
`device, and the commands can be passed to microcontroller
`205 via a keypad control circuit 213 and system bus 225.
`Advantageously, keypad 211 and keypad control circuit 213
`are arranged to implement a command set that includes
`various commands that initiate the taking of a picture (i.e.,
`shutter control), storing a picture in memory, printing a
`picture, deleting a picture from memory, and initiation of
`transmission of one or more pictures to a remote facsimile
`machine. The information that can be input via keypad 211
`includes the telephone numbers of one or more facsimile
`machines With which the device can communicate, and other
`operating instructions and parameters associated with fac-
`similes, such as a designation of the point of origination, the
`resolution of the display, and so on. The keypad can be
`fabricated from a well known rubber mat disposed on PCB
`switches.
`
`LCD display 215, and its associated LCD control circuit
`217, are included in the image capture device to provide the
`user with a visual indication of the operating modes and
`status of the device. Specific alphanumerics shown on LCD
`display 215 are determined by signals generated by micro-
`controller 205. Typical information that may be displayed
`include the image number of the image being captured,
`which corresponds to the “film counter” function of a
`conventional camera, the current time and date, the number
`of images already stored (and the date and time they were
`stored), the image number of the image being recalled from
`RAM 207 and transmitted to a remote facsimile machine,
`and so on.
`
`RAM 207, which is used for storing images captured by
`the image capture device, should have a capacity of approxi-
`mately 4 MBytes, so that approximately 20 images can be
`stored. 4 MBytes will be suflicient, since each image
`requires approximately 640x480 / 22153600 bytes. Advan-
`tageously, the image capture device is arranged so that the
`date and time an image is captured in taken from an internal
`clock in nricrocontroller 205 and stored together with the
`image itself. This enables convenient image retrieval, for
`example, based upon the sequence in which images were
`captured.
`An EPROM 209 is used to store programs used in
`microcontroller 205, that control the overall operation of the
`image capture device, and specific functions performed.
`Specifically, EPROM 209 may store dithering and/or com-
`pression algorithms used to process and/or compress the
`digital image prior to storage in RAM 207. Also, EPROM
`209 controls the “prompts” that may be displayed on LCD
`display 215 when various functions are activated. For
`example, when an image is captured, the user of the system
`may be prompted to enter a supplemental ID number or
`other text
`information by displaying a legend on LCD
`display 215 that reads “enter ID on keypad”. This supple—
`mental ID or relevant notes would be entered by a user via
`alphanumeric keypad 211, and stored with the digital image
`in RAM 207. The supplemental ID or notes could later be
`recalled and displayed on LCD display 215, so that a user
`could be reminded of important facts (such as client name,
`file number, etc.) associated with a particular digital image.
`In a similar fashion, a camera identification number may be
`entered to identify the camera when a fax is sent or image
`printed. EPROM 209 may be implemented using commer-
`cially available CMOS devices.
`A facsirrrile interface 219 is provided in the image capture
`device in order to prepare an enhanced digital image for
`transmission to a remote facsimile machine. Facsimile inter-
`
`Page 7 of 9
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`5,550,646
`
`5
`face 219 includes a fax modem 240 and associated control
`electronics, which may be arranged to send the bit map
`image using standard FAX protocol, Group 3, with normal
`FAX transmission hand shaking. The output of fax modem
`240 is applied to the telephone network via a physical
`connection through jack 130, which, as stated previously,
`may be a conventional RM 1j ack. Alternatively, the output of
`fax modem 240 may be applied as an input to the transmitter
`section of a cellular telephone.
`
`Local printing is accomplished in the image capture
`device by a printer 221 which, as stated previously, may be
`a miniature thermal printer, a dot matrix printer, or another
`type of printing device. Printer 221 may also print and
`output messages indicating the status of facsimile transmis—
`sions, such as confirmation that a message was successfully
`received, or error messages. The microcontroller 205 may
`provide suitable conversion between the digital image for—
`mat used when images are applied to system bus 225 after
`being retrieved from RAM 207, the format of text messages,
`and the format used in printer 221. The associated printer
`control circuit 223 provides line feed and other basic mecha-
`nism control functionalities over printer 221.
`Power for the elements of image capture device 110 is
`provided from a battery, preferably rechargeable, which is
`not shown in FIG. 2.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow diagram
`illustrating the steps performed by the system of FIG. 1
`when a captured image is to be transmitted to a remote
`facsimile machine. The process is initiated in step 301, when
`a user depresses a “FAX” key, being a designated command
`represented by one of the keys (or a combination of keys) on
`keypad 211. The fax transnrission command is recognized in
`microcontroller 205, and the fax transmission “program” is
`retrieved from EPROM 209. In step 303, information is
`supplied to LCD control circuit 217, generating a display on
`LCD display 215 requesting the user to “ENTER IMAGE
`NUMBE
`i.e., the identification of a particular image
`stored in RAM 207. When a particular stored image is
`identified by one or more entries on keypad 211 in step 305,
`the designated image is retrieved from RAM 207 and
`converted by microcontroller 205, in step 307, illustratively
`from compressed storage format to group HI fax format, as
`described above. At this time, the image may be processed
`to enhance its presentability, such as by dithering, if dith-
`ering was not performed previously when the image was
`captured and stored.
`
`Next, in step 309, the user is prompted for the telephone
`number of the remote facsimile machine, by display of a
`suitable legend on LCD display 215. The telephone number
`may be manually entered in step 311, by use of keypad 211.
`Alternatively, a particular prestored telephone number may
`be indicated by entry of an associated dial code in step 311.
`In the latter event, nricrocontroller 205 would be arranged to
`retrieve the associated number from RAM 207 in response
`to receipt of the code. Once the number is entered, a
`“SEND” key on keypad 211 is actuated in step 313, causing
`a facsirrrile cover sheet to be retrieved in step 314 and both
`the cover sheet and the stored image to be applied to fax
`modern 240 in facsimile interface 219, in step 315. Modern
`240 converts the image to standard facsimile format, and
`applies the output signal, including conventional modem
`control signals,
`to the communications channel, such as
`telephone line 131 via jack 130, which serves as the physical
`interface.
`
`Note here that the fax cover sheet retrieved in step 314 can
`be automatically generated in accordance with our invention
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`by storing certain information for the cover sheet in RAM
`207. The stored information is then augmented by the
`current date and time obtained from the clock in microcon—
`troller 205, as well as the stored date and time (indicating
`when the image was captured) and supplemental ID number
`associated with the digital image being transmitted, if pre—
`viously provided by the user. A camera identification num-
`ber, which is provided by the user and stored in RAM 207,
`may also be included in the cover sheet.
`
`After transmission of a stored image is complete, the user
`is prompted in step 317 to determine if other images are to
`be transmitted. If a positive response is entered via keypad
`112, the process of FIG. 3 is repeated, beginning with step
`303. If a negative response is entered, of if no response in
`entered within a predetermined time period, the process is
`completed in step 319, wherein information indicating con-
`firmation of receipt of the facsimile is received in fax
`modem 240 from the remote fax machine, or if an error
`condition is reported,
`that information is received. Such
`information may be stored temporarily in RAM 207, and
`then printed on printer 221 in step 319.
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps performed
`by the system of FIG. 1 when a captured image is to be
`printed locally. The beginning portion of the process, which
`is similar to the beginning portion of the process of FIG. 3,
`is initiated in step 401, when a user depresses a “PRINT”
`key, being a designated command represented by one of the
`keys (or a combination of keys) on keypad 112. The print
`command is recognized in nricrocontroller 205, and the print
`“program” is retrieved from EPROM 209. In step 403,
`information is supplied to LCD control circuit 217, gener-
`ating a display on LCD display 215 requesting the user to
`“ENTER IMAGE NUMBER”, i.e., the identification of a
`particular image stored in RAM 207. When a particular
`stored image is identified by one or more entries on keypad
`211 in step 405, the designated image is retrieved from RAM
`207 and converted by microcontroller 205, in step 407, from
`compressed storage format to appropriate printer format,
`illustratively bit mapped graphics. At this time, the image
`may be processed in step 409 to enhance its presentability.
`Finally, in step 411, the image is applied to printer control
`circuit 223 and printer 221 for local printing.
`Various changes and modifications may be made in the
`invention by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, it is
`intended that the invention be linrited only by the appended
`claims. For example, the use of compression in the storage
`of an image in RAM 207 and the later decompression before
`printing or transmission to a remote facsimile machine, is
`entirely optional, and compression can be dispensed with in
`order to save either processing time or cost. In addition,
`dithering (or other image processing) can be performed at
`the time that the image is retrieved for printing or transmis-
`sion, rather than at the time that the image is stored in RAM
`207. This alternate arrangement would be used when time
`delay in retrieval is not an important factor, since, in this
`arrangement, images could be captured and stored in RAM
`207 more quickly. As a yet further alternative, the image
`capture device can include additional “temporary” memory,
`to facilitate the capture of several images in a short time
`period. Each captured image is stored in the temporary
`memory in real time, and, at a later time, dithered (and
`optionally compressed) and stored in RAM 207. Note also
`that while black and white facsirrriles have been described
`above, the present invention could easily be extended to
`color facsimile processing. In such implementations, the
`conversion of a color image captured by the image capture
`device to a representation of the image that could be
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`transmitted to a color facsimile would be arranged to comply
`with established standards and protocols.
`We claim:
`1. An image communication system comprising
`aportable image capture device including means arranged 5
`to generate digital representations 0f images;
`means for processing said digital representations so that
`shades 0f gray present in said images are converted to
`patterns 0f black and white dots;
`memory means for storing destination numbers of fac-
`simile machines which are intended to receive copies of
`said images;
`a Group HI compatible fax modem; and means for sup-
`plying one of said stored destination numbers and one 15
`of said processed digital representations to said fax
`modem, so that said image may be transmitted to a
`remote Group 111 compatible facsimile machine.
`2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said image
`communication system further includes aprinter arranged to 20
`print a copy of said processed digital representations.
`3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said memory
`means is arranged to store multiple images.
`4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said portable image
`capture device includes a CCD camera.
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`5. An image communication method comprising the steps
`
`of
`
`generating a digital representation of an image in a
`portable image capture device;
`processing said digital representation so that shades of
`gray present in said image are converted to a pattern of
`black and white dots;
`storing said digital representation as well as destination
`numbers of Group III compatible facsimile machines
`which are intended to receive copies of said images in
`a memory in said portable device; and
`supplying one of said stored destination numbers and one
`of said processed digital representations to a Group HI
`compatible fax modem in said portable device, so that
`said image may be transmitted from said portable
`device to one or more remotely located ones of said
`facsimile machines.
`6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein said method
`further includes the step of storing multiple images in said
`memory.
`7. The invention of claim 5 wherein said portable image
`capture device includes a CCD camera.
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