[19]
`United States Patent
`6,122,526
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: *Sep. 19, 2000
`Parulski et al.
`
`
`
`US006122526A
`
`[54]
`
`CELLULAR TELEPHONE AND
`ELECTRONIC CAMERA SYSTEM WITH
`PROGRAMMABLE TRANSMISSION
`CAPABILITY
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Rochester;
`James R. Schueckler, Leroy, both of
`NY.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester,
`NY.
`
`Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`Appl. No.: 09/232,594
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 19, 1999
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 08/842,458, Apr. 24, 1997.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... H04Q 7/20
`US. Cl.
`............................................... 455/556; 348/12
`Field of Search .................................. 348/6, 7, 8, 10,
`348/12, 13, 14, 15, 211—214; 354/442,
`375
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,712,679
`5,893,037
`5,900,947
`
`1/1998 Coles .
`............................. 455/556
`4/1999 Reele et al.
`5/1999 Kinmochi et al.
`...................... 358/442
`
`Primary Examiner—Nathan Flynn
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Pamela R. Crocker
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic camera system includes a programmable
`transmission capability for selectively transmitting elec-
`tronic image data to a plurality of remote base units. In one
`embodiment, a camera module is detachably coupled to a
`portable computer including a display screen and a data
`entry device. The electronic image data generated by the
`camera module is supplied to the portable computer for
`display on the display screen. The data entry device is used
`by an operator to select which of the plurality of base units
`are to receive the digital image data. The digital image data
`is supplied by the portable computer to a radio-frequency
`transmitter module for transmission to the selected base
`
`units. The radio-frequency transmitter module is formed
`either integral with the portable computer or, like the camera
`module, is detachably coupled to the portable computer. In
`a further embodiment, a combined telephone/camera unit is
`provided that
`includes a camera module for generating
`electronic image data representative of a scene to be imaged,
`a memory unit for storing the electronic image data gener-
`ated by the camera module, a display screen for displaying
`the electronic image data stored in the memory unit, a
`mechanism for selecting which of the plurality of base units
`is to receive the digital image data, and a cellular transceiver
`for transmitting the digital image data to the base units
`selected by the selection mechanism.
`
`5,414,444
`
`5/1995 Britz.
`
`7 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Page1of11
`
`E-Watch, Inc.
`E-Watch, Inc.
`EXH. 2005
`EXH. 2005
`Petitioner - HTC Corporation et. al
`Petitioner - HTC Corporation et. al
`Patent Owner - E-Watch, Inc.
`Patent Owner - E-Watch, Inc.
`IPR2014-00989
`IPR2014-00989
`
`Page 1 of 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f 7
`
`6,122,526
`
`
`
`
`
`K33mth.$9me
`
`
`
` k33v.km;\MUMQ
`
`Page20f11
`
`Page 2 of 11
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`SheetZ 0f7
`
`6,122,526
`
`r___3_§
`
`
`mommmwomm_A_uSE2835:8_'—__ mm3waning_bJ_I_mItIIL.+mmommmgmmmv_4_/m#56.
`
`
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`_8?,_
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`“.w>ma
`
`Page3 of11
`
`Page 3 of 11
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 0f 7
`
`6,122,526
`
`FIG.5
`
`USER TURNS ON COMPUTER
`
`IMAGE TEMPORA RILY
`STORED IN, PEN BASED
`COMPUTERS MEMORY
`
`USER ACTI VATES APPLICATION
`PROGRAM FEATURING PHOTOS
`
`USER FL/PS UP FLASH, WHICH
`POWERS UP THE CAMERA
`
`CAMERA READS LIGHT LEVEL
`AND CHARGES FLASH IF NEEDED
`
`
`
`USER PRESSES "CAPTURE ”
`BU TTON, CAMERA OPENS
`SHUTTER, FIRES FLASH IF
`
`NEEDED, A ND CLOSES SHUTTER
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE TRANSMI TTED MULTIPLE
`TIMES USING THE FREOUENCY OF
`EACH SELECTED RECEIVER
`
`USER SELECTS WHICH
`RECEIVERISI TO
`TRANSMIT IMAGE TO
`
`
`
`(OPTIONAL STEP)
`IMAGE COMPRESSED AND/
`OR CONVERTED TO
`NECESSARY FORMAT
`
`N0 %
`
`YES
`
`RECEIVER CODES INSERTED
`IN IMAGE HEADER, IMAGE
`TRANSMITTED
`
`Page4of11
`
`Page 4 of 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 0f 7
`
`6,122,526
`
`COMPUTER D/SPLA Y
`
`
`
`FIGS
`
`Page50f11
`
`Page 5 of 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19,2000
`
`Sheet 5 0f7
`
`6,122,526
`
`UNIT
`
`CELLULAR
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`CONTROL
`
`PRZf/EgflNG
`
`CAMERA
`
`MODULE
`
`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`
`KEYPAD
`
`MEMORY
`
`F/G.9
`
`Page60f11
`
`Page 6 of 11
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 6 0f 7
`
`6,122,526
`
`
`
`
`
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`@04000kQMktm>x<Qbmm3.5
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`Page7of11
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`Page 7 of 11
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 19, 2000
`
`Sheet 7 0f 7
`
`6,122,526
`
`
`
`206933E:EmzollmquExqbqHub $33mekmmtqmzEx2:
`
`
`
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`
`Page80f11
`
`Page 8 of 11
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`6,122,526
`
`1
`CELLULAR TELEPHONE AND
`ELECTRONIC CAMERA SYSTEM WITH
`PROGRAMMABLE TRANSMISSION
`CAPABILITY
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This is a continuation of application Serial No. 08/842,
`458, filed Apr. 24, 1997.
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention is directed to an electronic camera system.
`More specifically, the invention is directed to an electronic
`camera system that includes a transmission mechanism for
`sending image data to selected receiver units.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Motion video cameras and electronic still cameras have
`
`been utilized for several years in applications involving
`image data transmission. Electronic image data generated
`from a video camera, for example, can be transmitted by a
`conventional broadcast television station and received by
`any television in the broadcast area tuned to the appropriate
`channel. It is not possible, however, for the transmitter to
`select which receivers will obtain the image data, as selec-
`tion is controlled at the receiver. Image data from electronic
`still cameras has been transmitted via conventional tele-
`
`phone lines to selected receivers through the use of a
`computer equipped with a modem. The image data must first
`be downloaded from the electronic still camera to the
`
`computer, which then transmits the image data to a second
`modem equipped computer via the telephone line where it
`can be viewed or printed. Unfortunately, the requirement for
`a telephone line to transmit
`image data does not allow
`images to be quickly and easily transmitted from remote
`field locations to receiver units. While systems have been
`proposed that utilize radio frequency transmission to trans-
`mit image data from an electronic camera to an individual
`base unit, none of these systems have the capability of
`selectively transmitting image data to a plurality of receiver
`units.
`
`In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to
`provide an electronic camera system that includes a pro-
`grammable transmission capability for selectively transmit-
`ting electronic image data to a plurality of remote receive
`units.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`2
`or, like the camera module, is detachably coupled to the
`portable computer. In a further preferred embodiment, a
`combined telephone/camera unit is provided that includes a
`camera module for generating electronic image data repre-
`sentative of a scene to be imaged, a memory unit for storing
`the electronic image data generated by the camera module,
`a display screen for displaying the electronic image data
`stored in the memory unit, a mechanism for selecting which
`of the plurality of receiver units is to receive the digital
`image data, and a cellular transceiver for transmitting the
`digital
`image data to the receiver units selected by the
`selection mechanism.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be described in greater detail with
`reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof and the
`accompanying drawings, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a camera system in accordance with
`a first embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a camera module
`utilized in the camera system illustrated in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a front view of the camera module illustrated in
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the components of
`the camera module illustrated in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the
`camera system illustrated in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 illustrates the display of a captured image and a
`receiver unit menu selection on a display screen of the
`camera system illustrated in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a combined
`telephone/camera unit in accordance with a second embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`FIG. 8 is a top view of the combined telephone/camera
`unit illustrated in FIG. 7;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the combined
`telephone/camera unit illustrated in FIG. 8;
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the
`combined unit illustrated in FIG. 7; and
`FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the transmission of image
`data to a base unit utilizing the combined unit illustrated in
`FIG. 7.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`50
`
`A diagram of a camera system in accordance with a first
`embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`
`The invention provides an electronic camera system that
`includes a programmable transmission capability for selec-
`tively transmitting electronic image data to a plurality of
`remote receiver units. In one preferred embodiment of the
`invention, a camera module is detachably coupled to a
`portable computer including a display screen and a data
`entry device. The camera module includes an electronic
`image sensor for generating digital image data representa-
`tive of a scene to be imaged. The electronic image data
`generated by the camera module is supplied to the portable
`computer for display on the display screen. The data entry
`device is used by an operator to select which of the plurality
`of base units are to receive the digital image data. The digital
`image data is supplied by the portable computer to a
`radio-frequency transmitter module for transmission to the
`selected receiver units. The radio-frequency transmitter
`module is formed either integral with the portable computer
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`camera system includes a “clip-on” electronic camera mod-
`ule 10 coupled to a pen-based computer 12 that includes a
`radio frequency (RF) transmitter module 14 including an
`antenna. The camera module 10 can be of a form described
`
`in copending and commonly assigned US. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 07/988,517 entitled “Electronic Camera with
`Memory Card Interface to a Computer”, which describes a
`removable camera module that fits into and interfaces with
`
`a standard PCMCIA card interface slot of a pen-based
`computer, or of a type described in copending and com-
`monly assigned US. patent application Ser. No. 07/988,560
`entitled “Electronic Camera Incorporating a Computer-
`Compatible Bus Interface”, which describes a removable
`camera module that interfaces directly to a standard personal
`computer compatible bus. The camera module 10 takes still
`images that can be displayed on an interactive display screen
`16 of the pen-based computer 12. The RF transmitter
`
`Page90f11
`
`Page 9 of 11
`
`

`

`6,122,526
`
`3
`module 14 can either be a clip-on unit, like the camera
`module 10, or constructed integrally with the pen-based
`computer 12. The interactive display screen 16 acts as an
`input device to the pen-based computer 12, where a stylus or
`“pen” is used to select various icons or “buttons” displayed
`on the display screen 16 to enter data or commands into the
`pen-based computer 12. Still images captured by the camera
`module 10 are transmitted from the pen-based computer 12
`to one or more receiver units, labeled A, B and C in FIG. 1,
`via the RF transmitter module 14. The still images can be
`displayed, printed, manipulated or stored at
`the receiver
`units A—C.
`
`The camera module 10 is shown in greater detail in FIGS.
`2 and 3 as preferably including a slide-out optical veiwfinder
`18, a capture switch 20 for initiating an image capture
`operation, a lens 22, a flip-out flash unit 24 that protects the
`lens 22 when the camera module 10 is not in use, and a
`computer bus connector 26 that connects the camera module
`10 to either the internal bus of the pen-based computer 12 or
`to an interface port (such as a PCMCIA slot) of the pen-
`based computer 12. Mounting clips 27 are provided to aid in
`securing the camera module 10 to the pen-based computer
`12. As shown in FIG. 4, which illustrates a schematic block
`diagram of the internal components of the camera module
`10, scene light passes through the lens 22, an adjustable
`aperture 28, a shutter mechanism 30 and a filter 32 to an
`electronic imaging unit 34. The electronic imaging unit 34
`includes a charge coupled device (CCD) electronic imaging
`sensor 36, for example an Eastman Kodak KAF-400, driven
`by a CCD driver unit 38. The electronic imaging unit 34 is
`coupled to an image signal processor 40 that processes an
`analog image signal generated by the electronic imaging
`sensor 36 into digital image data, and supplies the digital
`image data to the computer bus connector 26. Specifically,
`the analog image signal
`is supplied to a gain stage, a
`correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit and then an
`analog-to-digital (A/D) converter which are not specifically
`illustrated in the diagram. The digitized output signal from
`the A/D converter is processed via an EPROM lookup table
`which performs gamma correction and white balancing. The
`overall operation of the camera module 10 is controlled by
`a camera control processor 42 that includes either a general
`purpose microprocessor or discrete circuit elements, which
`receives inputs from a light measuring unit 44 and the
`capture switch 20, and controls the operation of the flash 24,
`the signal processor 40, and a driver unit 46 that controls the
`operation of the aperture 28 and shutter 30.
`The operation of the camera system is illustrated in
`greater detail in the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 5. The
`user turns on the pen-based computer 12 using a power
`switch (not shown) to activate a camera application program
`stored in a memory unit of the pen-based computer 12, and
`then flips up the flash unit 24 which causes power to be
`supplied to the camera module 10 by activating a power
`switch (not shown). The user frames the subject using the
`optical viewfinder 18 and presses the capture switch 20 to
`initiate a sequence where the scene light level is read by the
`camera control processor 42 using the light measuring unit
`44, the aperture 28 is adjusted, and the shutter 30 is opened
`to expose the electronic image sensor 36 to scene light. The
`camera control processor 42 also controls the firing of the
`flash unit 24 if the light measurement taken by the light
`measuring unit 44 indicates insufficient scene illumination.
`The image captured by the electronic image sensor 36 is
`processed by the image signal processor 40 and supplied to
`the pen-based computer 12 via the connector 26, where it is
`stored in the memory unit of the pen-based computer 12.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`As illustrated in FIG. 6, the stored image is displayed on
`the display screen 16 of the pen-based computer 12 along
`with a transmission selection menu. The user has the option
`of transmitting the image to one or more of the receiver units
`A—C. The user selects the receiver units that are to receive
`the image by utilizing a pen or stylus to touch the appro-
`priate icon displayed on the display screen 16.
`If
`appropriate,
`the image can be compressed, using for
`example JPEG compression, and converted to an appropri-
`ate format by the pen-based computer 12 prior to transmis-
`sion to the receiver units A—C. After selection, the image is
`transmitted to the selected receiver units via the RF trans-
`mitter module 14.
`The RF transmission link between the RF transmitter
`
`module 14 and the receiver units A—C may be a single
`frequency system including a cellular system, that uses the
`same frequency for all receivers, or a multiple frequency
`system,
`that uses different frequencies for each of the
`different receiver units A—C. In the latter case, the image is
`transmitted multiple times, once using the appropriate fre-
`quency band for each selected receiver unit. For single
`frequency systems, a header code is transmitted prior to
`transmitting the image. The header includes an ID for each
`receiver that is to receive the image. In a simple case, a three
`bit digital code is transmitted, where the first bit is 1 if
`receiver unit A should receive the image and 0 if it should
`not, the second bit is 1 if receiver unit B should receive the
`image and 0 if is should not, and the third bit is 1 if receiver
`unit C should receive the image and 0 if not. Alternatively,
`each receiver unit A—C could be assigned a specific address,
`and the header would contain the address of each receiver
`
`that should receive the image.
`A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
`
`FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, a cellular telephone is
`provided with the components of an electronic image cam-
`era to form a combined telephone/camera unit 48. The top of
`the combined unit 48 includes a lens 50, a flip-up flash unit
`52, and an antenna 54. The front face of the combined unit
`48 is provided with a liquid crystal display screen 56 and a
`telephone keypad 58, both of which are coupled to an
`internal bus 60 along with a control processing unit 62,
`memory unit 64, and cellular transceiver 66 as shown in
`FIG. 9. The internal bus 60 is also connected to a camera
`
`module 68, which includes the same basic components as
`illustrated in FIG. 4, with the exception that the output from
`the image signal processor is supplied directly to the internal
`bus 60 instead of a connector.
`
`In operation, as illustrated in greater detail by the flow
`diagram illustrated in FIG. 10, the user takes a picture by
`flipping up the flash unit 52 and pressing an image capture
`switch (not shown). Alternatively, a key (for example the #
`key) on the keypad 58 can be utilized as the image capture
`switch in an image capture mode of operation. The digitize
`picture data generated by the camera module 68 is stored in
`the memory unit 64 and displayed on the display screen 56.
`To transmit the image, the user dials the telephone number
`of a desired fax machine that is to receive the image using
`the keypad 58. The number is transmitted to the fax machine
`via the cellular transceiver 66. The fax machine responds
`back to the combined unit 48 with the type of fax mode it is
`capable of receiving, for example group IV fax, color fax,
`etc. The stored image is then converted to the appropriate fax
`standard by the control processing unit 62, and is transmitted
`to the receiving fax machine using the normal cellular
`telephone system that includes an RF link from the cellular
`transceiver 66 to a cellular base unit, which connects to the
`normal wire, fiber, and satellite telephone system as shown
`
`Page100f11
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`Page 10 of 11
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`

`

`6,122,526
`
`5
`in FIG. 11. Once the image transmission is complete, the
`image can be transmitted to other faX machines by entering
`the desired numbers using the keypad 58. The memory unit
`64 can include prestored phone numbers,
`to reduce the
`number of keystrokes needed to dial frequently used
`numbers, and can include memory for multiple images, so
`that multiple images can be transmitted to the same receiv-
`ing faX machine, one after the other. In addition, the com-
`bined unit 48 may be pre-programmed so that the complete
`image capture and telephone dialing sequence is performed
`each time the image capture switch is activated.
`The invention has been described with reference to certain
`
`It will be understood,
`preferred embodiments thereof.
`however,
`that modifications and variations are possible
`within the scope of the appended claims. For example,
`although the first
`illustrated embodiment utilizes a pen-
`based computer, other types of portable computers with
`non-interactive displays can be utilized. In such a case,
`commands and data would be entered via a keyboard, mouse
`or other data entry devices.
`
`INDUSTRIAL UTILITY
`
`The invention provides an electronic camera system that
`includes a programmable transmission capability for selec-
`tively transmitting electronic image data to a plurality of
`remote base units. The camera system is particularly suited
`to applications, such as news gathering operations, in which
`it is desirable to capture images in remote field locations and
`transmit the images to a base station for subsequent review,
`distribution or publication.
`Parts List
`10 Camera Module
`
`12 Pen-based Computer
`14 RF Transmitter Module
`
`16 Display Screen
`18 Optical Viewfinder
`20 Capture Switch
`22 Lens
`24 Flash Unit
`
`26 Computer Bus Connector
`27 Mounting Clips
`28 Aperture
`30 Shutter Mechanism
`32 Filter
`
`34 Electronic Imaging Unit
`36 Electronic Imaging Sensor
`38 CCD Driver Unit
`
`40 Image Signal Processor
`42 Camera Control Processor
`
`44 Light Measuring Unit
`46 Driver Unit
`
`48 Telephone/Camera Unit
`50 Lens
`52 Flash Unit
`54 Antenna
`
`56 Display Screen
`58 Keypad
`60 Internal Bus
`
`62 Control Processing Unit
`64 Memory Unit Parts List (cont’d)
`66 Cellular Transceiver
`68 Camera Module
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A portable handheld telephone system for selectively
`communicating with at least one of a plurality of receiving
`units, comprising:
`(a) a telephone keypad for selecting a particular receiving
`unit;
`
`(b) an image sensor for capturing image data;
`(c) a memory for storing the captured image data;
`(d) a control processor responsive to an image transmis-
`sion mode signal indicating a type of image transmis-
`sion mode receivable by the selected receiving unit for
`converting the stored image data into data which can be
`received by the selected receiving unit; and
`(e) a portable transceiver/receiver including an antenna
`for
`transmitting the converted image data to the
`selected receiving unit in a format corresponding to the
`image transmission mode receivable by the selected
`receiving unit.
`2. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 1,
`further including an image display for displaying the stored
`captured image.
`3. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 1,
`wherein the memory can store a plurality of captured image
`data.
`
`4. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 1,
`further including flash unit.
`5. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 1,
`wherein the memory stores phone numbers for the receiving
`unit.
`
`6. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 1
`wherein the image transmission uses facsimile modes.
`7. The portable handheld telephone system of claim 6,
`wherein the facsimile modes include Group IV facsimile and
`color facsimile.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Page11of11
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`Page 11 of 11
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