E-Watch, Inc.
`EXH. 2001
`Petitioner - HTC Corporation et. al
`Patent Owner - E-Watch, Inc.
`IPR2014-00989
`
`Page 1 of 110
`
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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`_
`
`60719
`
`_ Title of Invention
`
`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A
`DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
`Title of the Invention
`
`Application Information:
`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL
`VIA A DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
` Attorney Docket Number
`60719
`Small Entity Status Claimed
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`Utility
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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`Title of Invention
`
`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A
`DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
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`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING
`A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
`Inventor: David A. Monroe
`
`Page5of110
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`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING
`A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is a divisional application of and claims priority from a non-
`
`provisional United States Application entitled Apparatus For Capturing, Converting And
`
`Transmitting A Visual Image Signal Via A Digital Transmission System, Serial No.
`
`09/006,073, having a filing date of January l2, 1998; the specification and drawings of which
`
`are hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`The invention is generally related to image capture and transmission systems and is
`
`specifically directed to an image capture, compression and transmission system for use in
`
`connection with land line and wireless telephone systems.
`
`DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`[0003]
`
`Industry has developed and continues to develop and enhance techniques for scanning,
`
`compressing, transmitting, receiving, decompressing, viewing and printing documents. This
`
`technology, encompassing the full body of facsimile transmission and reception, is currently in
`
`widespread use. The current standards, CCITT Group III and Group IV, define methods to scan
`
`and transmit high quality, bi~level images with a high degree of success and has become
`
`commercially acceptable throughout the world. However, gray scale documents are not easily
`
`transmitted because the scanners and algorithms are not tailored to the function. Three
`
`dimensional objects will not fit into the flat document scanners and cannot be transmitted.
`
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`[0004] Examples of systems that have addressed some of these issues are shown in U.S. Patent
`
`No. 5,193,012 which shows a video to facsimile signal converter, and U.S. Patent No. 3,251,937
`
`which discloses a system for transmitting still television pictures over a telephone line.
`
`[0005] Wire photography, and its extension, radio photography, have long been used by the
`
`news media. The most common form involves an input device that converts photographs into
`
`encoded signals for communication over telecommunications facilities or radio. At the receiving
`
`end, reproducing equipment reconverts the encoded image signals by exposing photographic
`
`film or other sensitized paper. The term facsimile is often used with these products.
`
`[0006] Still video equipment has recently become available from vendors such as
`
`Kodak, Canon and Sony, and is again primarily used by television and print media,
`
`although applications are expanding rapidly in such areas as insurance investigations
`
`and real estate transactions. A still video camera captures a full color still video image
`
`that can be reproduced using a special video printer that converts the still video image
`
`data into hard copy form. For applications requiring conmiunication of the still video
`
`image, transrnit/receive units are available wherein the image begins and ends as a
`
`video image.
`
`[0007]
`
`The Photophone from Image Data Corporation is an example of a specialty
`
`product that combines a video camera, display and storage facility in a terminal
`
`package. One terminal can send a real time or stored still video image to another for
`
`display or storage, or printing on special video printers. Again, the signal begins and
`
`ends as a video image.
`
`[0008] Another example of a specialty product is peripheral equipment available for
`
`personal computers that enables the input/output, storage and processing of still video
`
`images in digitized formats. For instance, the Canon PV-540 is a floppy disk drive that
`
`uses conventional still video disks, digitizing and a still video image using a
`
`conventional format, and communicates with the computer through a standard
`
`communications I/O port.
`
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`[0009] U.S. Patent No. 5,193,012 discloses a still-video to facsimile conversion
`
`system for converting the still-video image frame into a half-tone facsimile reproduction
`
`without having to store an entire intermediated gray scale image frame by repeatedly
`
`transmitting the still—video image frame from a still-video source to an input circuit with
`
`a virtual facsimile page synchronization module. This system permits image to
`
`facsimile conversion by utilizing a half tone conversion technique.
`
`[0010] While the various prior art systems and techniques provide limited solutions
`
`to the problem of transmitting visual images via a facsimile transmission system, all
`
`fall short of providing a reliable and convenient method and apparatus for readily
`
`capturing, storing, transmitting and printing visual images in a practical manner.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011]
`
`The subject invention is an image capture, compression and transmission
`
`system that is specifically designed to permit reliable visual image transmission over
`
`land line or wireless communications using commercially available facsimile
`
`transmission techniques. The invention incorporates a camera and signal converter into
`
`an integrated unit wherein the converted signal may be transmitted on a real time basis
`
`or may be stored in memory for later recall and transmission. The design of the
`
`invention pennits maximum flexibility, with the camera/converter/telephone or other
`
`transmission device being designed in a modular configuration wherein any or all of the
`
`devices may exist as integrated or independent units.
`
`[0012]
`
`The preferred embodiment permits capture of a video image using a digital
`
`camera, an analog camera, or a video camera such as a camcorder. The captured video
`
`image is then converted into still frame digitized format for transmission over any of
`
`a variety of transmission systems ranging from Group-III facsimile to computer, or to
`
`a like device at a remote location, in any protocol desired. The invention recognizes
`
`that once the signal is digitized, the transmission protocols are virtually endless.
`
`[0013]
`
`For example, the present invention, permits a still frame visual image to be
`
`4
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`captured at a remote location and sent immediately, over wireless communication
`
`systems, to a remote location such as, by way of example, a computer system wherein
`
`the image could be merged directly into newsprint. The image may also be sent to and
`
`printed as a hard copy using any Group-III facsimile machine, anywhere in the world.
`
`Where desired, the images may be stored in memory for later recall, and may be
`
`archived on a portable medium such as a memory card or the like.
`
`[0014]
`
`The system of the subject invention is particularly useful for applications where
`
`immediate transmission of visual images of scenes, people and objects is desirable and
`
`sophisticated equipment is not always available for receiving the information. The
`
`system also provides a unique and reliable means for transmitting visual data to and
`
`from remote locations, such as, by way of example, law enforcement and emergency
`
`vehicles and the like.
`
`[0015]
`
`In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the system includes a video
`
`camera and an integral cellular telephone, wherein the telephone using the standard
`
`audio mode or future digital modes, can be used to transmit and receive visual image
`
`signals. A desk model is also disclosed and permits connection to a standard land line
`
`telephonic system. A mobile console model is disclosed for use in law enforcement
`
`vehicles, and the like. Other communication systems are also supported by the subject
`
`invention, including hardwired networks, radio and satellite transmission and the like.
`
`[0016] A local facsimile machine may be incorporated with the unit and can serve as
`
`a printer for providing hard copy of the captured image at the point of capture, as well
`
`as being adapted for receiving facsimile transmissions in the standard fashion.
`
`[0017]
`
`The circuitry is disclosed for supporting any of the preferred configurations
`
`from a basic real time transmission system via Group—III fax to a comprehensive system
`
`supporting both land line and wireless transmission of image, audio and documentary
`
`data at both a local and remote station.
`
`[0018]
`
`The subject invention also permits digitized collection of audio signals through
`
`5
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`the use of an internal microphone, and external input device, a cellular telephone, land
`
`line telephone, wireless radio or other communication system, and digitized audio
`
`playback, as well. The playback can be via an internal speaker, out an external outj ack
`
`to a remote device or via a cellular telephone, land line telephone, wireless radio or
`
`other communication system.
`
`[0019]
`
`The digitized image and audio capture features permit association of audio
`
`with an image, as well as data with the image. Useful data associated with the image
`
`includes GPS from either internal or external GPS devices, range information from
`
`ranging devices, date and time, and text which may be input from an integrated
`
`keyboard or from a remote device.
`
`[0020]
`
`It is an important feature of the invention that the system supports storage of
`
`images in an interim storage format including raw video, compressed video, interim
`
`gray scale format and/or half tone format. The image can also be stored in the selected
`
`output mode, such as by way of example, a Group III facsimile mode. The versatile
`
`capability of the system permits transmission of captured data to a standard bi—level
`
`facsimile machine such as Group III, to gray scale facsimile systems or full color
`
`facsimile systems, as well as to other remote receiving devices such as, by way of
`
`example, personal computers and network servers. The data may be transferred in any
`
`of a Variety of formats and protocols including IPEG, FAX, wavelets, emerging imagery
`
`formats, FAX and computer data protocols. The invention is adapted to operate in
`
`multiple modes, with a unitary capture and send mode or separate capture and store, and
`
`send modes.
`
`[0021]
`
`In the preferred embodiment, the system is adapted for tagging a collected
`
`image, video, audio, and other data such as a GPS information, with geospatial
`
`information and real time clock and added text. This permits the complete historical
`
`data to be transmitted simultaneously with the image signal.
`
`[0022]
`
`It is contemplated that the system of the invention would be self—contained with
`
`an integral power unit such as a disposable battery, rechargeable battery source or the
`
`6
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`like. Therefore, the system is adapted to power up when in use and power down or
`
`“sleep” when not activated, preserving power during idle time. The power systems for
`
`the video camera, the video input circuits and converters, the modem or other
`
`transmission devices and other high drain components may be isolated and only
`
`powered when needed. This also permits use of ancillary functions, such as use as a
`
`cellular telephone, to proceed without draining the power source by powering idle
`
`components. The processor clock rate may also be slowed down during idle mode to
`
`further conserve power.
`
`[0023] Where desired, the system also includes camera operation control capability
`
`through the use of digital/analog circuits for converting digital commands to analog
`
`signals for controlling the gain, pedestal, setup, white clip, lens focus, white balance,
`
`lens iris, lens zoom and other functions of the camera from a local input device, a
`
`remote device or as automatic or programmed functions. The central processor may
`
`also be used to control camera shutter rate. Other camera features and parameters
`
`which may be controlled in this manner are compressor resolution ( such as high,
`
`medium, low user settings) corresponding to compression rate parameters, f1eld/frame
`
`mode, color or monochrome, image spatial resolution (640x420 pixels, 320x240 pixels,
`
`for example), lens and camera adjustments, input selection where multiple cameras or
`
`video sources are used and the like.
`
`[0024] When an integrated communications device is used, such as by way of
`
`example, a cellular telephone, the telephone can be isolated from the rest of the system
`
`to permit independent use, and independent power up and power off and other cellular
`
`phone functions.
`
`[0025]
`
`In operation, the system permits not only the manual capture, dial (select) and
`
`send of images, but may also be fully automated to capture, dial and send, for example,
`
`on a timed sequence or in response to a sensor such as a motion sensor, video motion
`
`detection, or from a remote trigger device. The remote trigger also may be activated by
`
`an incoming telephone signal, for example.
`
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`

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`[0026]
`
`The remote device may also be used for remote loading and downloading of
`
`firmware, and for setting of the programmable parameters such as to provide remote
`
`configuration of sampling modes during capture, compression rates, triggering methods
`
`and the like.
`
`[0027] The triggering function permits a multitude of sampling schemes for a simple
`
`triggered activation for capturing an image upon initiation to a trigger signal to more
`
`complicated schemes for capturing and transmitting images prior to and after receipt of
`
`the trigger signal. The trigger function can be set to operate, for example, on a time per
`
`sample and number of sample basis, or time per sample and total sample time basis, or
`
`number of samples and total time basis. Depending on application, the trigger can
`
`sample in a prior to and after signal mode, using in combination the time per sample
`
`and number of samples prior and after signal basis, a total time basis, a percent prior
`
`versus percent after trigger basis, time per sample basis, time prior to and time after
`
`trigger basis, and other combination. For example, if the image capture device is
`
`positioned to monitor traffic accidents at a specific location, and an audio signal sensor
`
`identifying a crash were used as the trigger, it would be desirable to collect image
`
`sample both prior to and after the trigger signal. The number of samples, total sample
`
`time, and percentage of samples prior to and after trigger would be controlled by the
`
`specific application.
`
`[0028] Circular sampling techniques are supported by the data capture system of the
`
`present invention. This is particularly useful when triggering events are used to initiate
`
`transmission of collected image data over the communications system. For example, if a
`
`triggering event is motion detected at a motion sensor, it may be usefiil to look at the images
`
`captured for a period of time both prior to and after the actual event. The circuitry of the
`
`subject invention permits any circular sampling technique to be utilized depending upon
`
`application, such as prior to an after trigger, only after trigger or only before trigger or prior
`
`to and after the trigger point. Again, as an example, it may be desirable to look primarily at
`
`images captured before a triggering event if the event is a catastrophic event such as an
`
`explosion or the like. Other circular sampling techniques may be employed, as well,
`
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`incorporating multiple cameras, for example, wherein different fields are sampled
`
`depending upon the time frame in a sequence of events.
`
`[0029]
`
`It is, therefore, an object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus
`
`for capturing, converting and transmitting a visual image via standard facsimile
`
`transmissions systems.
`
`[0030]
`
`It is another object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus for
`
`compressing the visual image data in order to minimize the capacity requirements of the
`
`data capture and storage system.
`
`[0031]
`
`It is an additional object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus
`
`for capturing and storing a visual image for later recall and review and/or transmission.
`
`[0032]
`
`It is yet another object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus for
`
`storing a captured video image in digital format on a portable storage medium.
`
`[0033]
`
`It is an additional object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus
`
`capable of sending and receiving telephonic audio messages, facsimile documents and
`
`captured visual images to and from standard, readily available remote stations.
`
`[0034]
`
`It is a further object and feature of the invention to provide the means and
`
`method for capturing images prior to, prior to and after, or after a triggering event.
`
`[0035]
`
`It is also an object and feature of the invention to provide for multiple triggering
`
`events and/or optional viewing or review of the captured images prior to printing or
`
`transmission.
`
`[0036]
`
`It is another object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus which may be
`
`activated from a remote location for initiating the capture of images by the device.
`
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`[0037]
`
`Other objects and features will be readily apparent from the drawings and detailed
`
`description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0038]
`
`Fi g. 1. is a block diagram of a basic facsimile camera configuration for capturing
`
`an image via a camera and transmitting it via Group III facsimile transmission to a
`
`standard hard copy medium.
`
`[0039]
`
`Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1, but incorporates a memory storage capability,
`
`permitting storage and optional review or viewing of the image prior to transmission.
`
`[0040]
`
`Fig. 3 is similar to Figs. I and 2, but incorporates a data compression scheme
`
`for increasing the capacity of the memory and for increasing efficiency of transmission.
`
`[0041] Fig. 4 includes the capture and transmission configuration of Fig. 2, with
`
`multiple transmission format capability including Group-III facsimile, personal
`
`computer, modem, parallel and serial transmission schemes.
`
`[0042]
`
`Fig. 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram supporting the configurations shown
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`in each of Figs. 1-4.
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`[0043]
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`Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C, are block diagrams of the physical components of
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`desktop, portable and comprehensive console embodiments of the invention,
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`respectively.
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`[0044]
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`Fig. 7A and 7B are perspective drawings of a hand held device for capturing,
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`storing and transmitting an image in accordance with the invention (new drawings to
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`replace Frassinito design.
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`[0045]
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`Figs. 8A-8L (Formerly Fig. 12) comprises a schematic diagram for an exemplary
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`embodiment of the circuit for supporting the subject invention.
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`10
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`[0046]
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`Fig. 9 is a diagram of the Various triggering sequence options.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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`[0047]
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`The image capture and transmission system of the subject invention is suited for
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`capturing one or more single frame analog image or a digital image data signal and
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`transmitting the captured signal via any of a plurality of transmission schemes to a
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`remote receiving station where the image is downloaded in a suitable format for
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`viewing and printing on hard paper copy, a CRT screen image, or other medium. The
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`system is particularly well suited for sending and/or receiving images via a standard
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`Group III facsimile transmission system and permits capture of the image at a remote
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`location using an analog or digital camera. Two generic configurations are shown and
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`described, the first, where each image is transmitted as it is captured, and the second,
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`which permits capture, storage, and selective recall of captured images for transmission.
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`The invention also contemplates a portable storage medium, wherein the captured
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`stored medium may be removed from the capture device and archived for later use.
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`While a system for black and white (gray tones) for Group—III facsimile transmission
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`is described in detail herein, the invention could be readily adapted to transmission of
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`color images utilizing the teachings of the present invention using industry standard
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`color video standards and circuits. Both portable, or hand held, and stationary, or
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`desktop, units are described. The circuitry utilized for both configurations is
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`identical , but stationary configurations do not need a battery.
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`[0048]
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`Figs. 1-5 are circuit configuration diagrams for the various capture, storage and
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`transmission schemes. The physical embodiments utilized to employ the teachings of
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`the schemes taught in Figs. 1-5 are not limited. Figs. 6-10 are exemplary physical
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`embodiments of the subject invention.
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`[0049]
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`Turning now to Fig. 1, the simplest embodiment of the invention incorporates
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`a standard analog or digital camera device 10 for capturing a visual image in the typical
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`ll
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`fashion. The camera 10 may be operator activated as indicated at 12, or may be
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`programmed to be activated at selected intervals or in response to certain conditions.
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`For example, a motion detector may be utilized to activate the camera 10 in a
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`surveillance installation. Once activated, the camera 10 captures a visual image in
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`typical fashion through a lens (see lens 192, for example, in Fig. 7A).
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`In the illustrated
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`embodiment, the captured image is then transmitted to a gray scale bit map memory
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`device 16, from which it is output to a half-tone conversion scheme 18 to be input into
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`a binary bit map 20 for formatting the captured image in a configuration suitable for
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`transmission via a Group-III facsimile system. The signal generated at 22 by the binary
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`bit map 20 is input into a Group—III encoding and compression network 24 for
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`generating an output signal at 26 which is introduced into a Group III protocol
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`transmission device 28. The output at 30 of the transmission device 28 is then
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`transmitted into any standard transmission interface such as, by way of example, hard
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`line telephonic transmission, cellular transmission, radio signal, satellite transmission
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`or other transmission system 32 via a modem or similar device, as needed(as
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`diagrammatically illustrated at 29), to be received via a compatible interface by a
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`remote Group-Ill receiving system 34. The Group III receiving system 34 is a typical
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`Group—III facsimile system comprising a Group-III receiver 36, decoder and
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`decompressor 38 and binary bit map 40, from which a facsimile hard copy such as plain
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`paper copy 42 may be generated.
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`[0050]
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`This configuration is particularly well suited where real near time transmission
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`is desired, for example when the system is operator controlled and a “real time” image
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`is desired at a remote location. An example of such a system may be a photo
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`identification confirmation of an apprehended suspect in law enforcement use, or
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`transmission of images of damaged assets for insurance purposes, or transmission of
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`images of construction job site conditions. This configuration is also well suited for use
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`in those applications where a sensor activates the system and real time transmission of
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`the sensed condition is desired. An example of such a system would be a motion
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`activated camera in a surveillance location, where the image is immediately transmitted
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`to a remote monitoring station. Of course, it will be readily understood by those who
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`are skilled in the art that tag