e-Watch, Inc.
`EXH. 2007
`Petitioner: Apple, Inc. , et al.
`Patent Owner: e-Watch, Inc.
`IPR2015-00414
`
`1
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`5,666,159
`
`
`
`k330km;Demo.
`
`.5:<:Q.5:Eumt
`
`k:<bvtm>Gout
`
`2
`
`

`
`95
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Wm
`
`h
`
`vmjmm
`
`9.,_|In1|
`mm.mm«mama_Eu
`
`1...,omm».wt
`
`sXL!
` ml»..._4%mommmuomm_m"SE28«$38_2_a|u.o|...lI_
`
`
`,tutgm..15mm2.mmineo__.|__
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`
`5,666,159
`
`use»? run/v3 ON compursn
`
`IMAGE TEMPORA RILY
`SWRED M, PEN BASED
`COMPUTERS MEMORY
`
`USER ACTI VATE5 APPLICATION
`PROGRAM FEA rum/va PHO ms
`
`user? FLIP5‘ up FLASH, WHICH
`POWERS up THE CAMERA
`
`USER SELEC TS WHICH
`RECEIVERISI T0
`7"74’V3""’7' ’W‘G5 70
`
`CAMERA READS L IGHT LEVEL
`AND CHARGES FLASH IF NEEDED
`.
`
`I OPTIONAL srs/=2
`IMAGE ca/wmgssso A/vo/
`on can V5}? 750 To
`NECESSARY FORMAT
`
` USER PRESSES "CAPTURE"
`No
`
`
`BU rm/v, CAMERA OPENS
`suu rrsn, FIRES FLA SH IF
`
`NEEDED, A No cwsss SHUTTER
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE TRANSMITTED MULTIPLE
`TIMES USING THE FREOLENCYOF
`E4CH SELECTED RECEIVER A
`
`YES
`
`RECEIVER CODES INSERTED
`IN IMAGE HEADER, IMAGE
`TRANSMITTED
`
`4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 7
`
`5,666,159
`
`COMPUTER DISPLA Y
`
`5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 9, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 7
`
`5,666,159
`
`
`
`
`
`KEYPAD
`
`MEMORY
`UNI T
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`SCREEN
`
`58
`
`64
`
`FlG.9
`
`CONTROL
`
`PROUI€E7$$lNG
`
`
`
`CA MERA
`
`MODULE
`
`
`
`CELLULAR
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`
`6
`
`

`
`U.
`
`M
`
`m6M..n
`
`6M
`
`9
`
`
`.:93mSom.l3kmum:.m:3.503REEEmsqummatst......=:§<§:xfiuzsmummP«$38$2lbmmmgomS5:;
`
`mmumqmumsxmtomode95.
`
`
`
`amfimz..=E3...
`
`mmmean
`
`5N9at
`
`mes:
`
`mmmémumm
`
`
`
`nommmzazmzozm3.33%
`
`mziusexfiwasEumm
`
`
`
`S238Eqm.E.§28me33\<nFSm...wm:.~$6..mmmmmtmRum:
`
`
`.2EIumm.at«mafiaxfi~>5.mm:.imtazmmzmmoSE38
`
`
`
`
`samqazfim.3S5...mo.EoxmzmE.Sm=8ammqm2mm
`
`
`
`
`
`:38EamE.§28mu3.:EPumfim‘SE§6nE...:mews‘7
`
`7
`
`
`

`
` U.S.Patent
`
`233.5
`
`MEOIQNWK
`
`$2.Gout
`
`mmémumm
`
`Sep.9,1997
`
`Sheet7of7
`
`22$Sums:.m2.:Eqmfimmtas2238228
`
`
`2.29%m2otm.3.fl
`
`2GERBER2<406.2%2tEblEQU
`
`.m.E$mufi
`
`Ummémumm
`
`M22283
`
`22:mm2mm222u<2
`
`2Q94932m222u§M2228Ru.
`
`2GP...
`
`5,666,159
`
`
`
`m2o2m.3.u:233.5
`
`
`
`
`
`29mm22m235kt232.3%b...m$m2EX23
`
`8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`1
`ELECTRONIC CAMERA SYSTEM WITH
`PROGRAMMABLE TRANSMISSION
`CAPABILITY
`
`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.
`
`5,666,159
`
`2
`
`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
`
`10
`
`20
`
`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 fllustrated 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;
`
`30
`
`FIG. 8 is a top view of the combined telephone/camera
`unit illustrated in FIG. 7;
`
`35
`
`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 EMBODIIVIENTS
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`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
`or. like the camera module. is detachably coupled to the
`portable computer. In a further preferred embodiment. a
`combined telephone/camaa 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
`
`A diagram of a camera system in accordance with a first
`embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`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 U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 07/988517 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 U.S. patent application Ser. No. O7/988.560
`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
`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
`
`9
`
`

`
`5,666,159
`
`3
`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 detafl 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 disaete 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 insuflicient 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.
`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
`
`4
`
`the image can be compressed. using for
`appropriate.
`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-
`mitta 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
`ditferent 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
`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-
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`
`5,666,159
`
`5
`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
`preferred embodiments thereof. It will be understood,
`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.
`
`Reference Numerals
`
`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
`
`6
`
`66 Cellular Transceiver
`68 Camera Module
`What is claimed is:
`
`5
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`1. An electronic camera system for selectively transrnit-
`ting digital image data to a plurality of base receiver units.
`said electronic camera system comprising:
`imaging means for imaging a scene and generating digital
`image data representative of the imaged scene;
`storage means for storing the digital image data;
`display means for displaying the digital image data gen-
`erated by the imaging means;
`selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality
`of base receiver units to receive the digital image data;
`radio-frequency receiver means for receiving a mode
`signal from the base receiver unit selected by the
`selection means indicating the type of transmission that
`can be received by the selected base receiver unit;
`means responsive to the mode signal for converting the
`digital image data to standzndized digital image data
`corresponding to the type of transmission that can be
`received by the selected base receiver unit; and
`radio-frequency transmission means for transmitting the
`standardized digital image data to the base receiver unit
`selected by the selection means to receive the digital
`image data.
`2. An electronic camera system as claimed in claim 1.
`wherein the radio-frequency transmission means includes a
`cellular transceiver.
`3. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein
`
`said imaging means is contained in a module that is separate
`from said display means and said selection means.
`4. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein
`said radio-frequency receiver means and said radio-
`frequency transmission means are contained in a module
`that is separate from said display means and said selection
`means.
`5. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 2 wherein
`said cellular transceiver connects to a standard telephone
`system connection.
`6. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 5 wherein
`
`said telephone system connection connects to said plurality
`of base receiver units.
`7. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 6 wherein
`said at least one of said plurality of base receiver units
`includes a facsimile machine.
`8. An electronic camera as claimed in 5 wherein said
`camera system further includes a memory unit that stores a
`plurality of phone numbers.
`9. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 8 wherein
`said selection means selects one base receiver unit. and
`wherein said selection means selects one of said prestored
`phone numbers in said memory unit and automatically dials
`said one selected prestored phone number.
`10. An electronic camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein
`said radio-frequency transmission means transmits standard-
`ized digital image data for a plurality of imaged scenes to
`said selected one of the plurality of base receiver units.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`11
`
`11