PCT ,
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`lntemational Bureau
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`
` (11) International Publication Number: WO 99/35818
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 6 :
`
`H04N
`
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`15 July 1999 (15.07.99)
`
` PCT/US99/00664
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`12 January 1999 (12.01.99)
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`
`
`(81) Designated States: AL, AU, BA, BB, BG, BR, CA, CN, CU,
`
`CZ, EE, GE, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KP, KR, LC,
`LK, LR, LV, MG, MK, MN, MX, NO, NZ, PL, RO, SG,
`SI, SK, SL, TR, TT, UA, UZ, VN, YU, European patent
`(AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT,
`LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`Published
`Without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt of that report.
`
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`
`
`US
`12 January 1998 (12.01.98)
`09/006,073
`
`
`
`
`(71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: MONROE, David [US/US]; PO.
`Box 78097, San Antonio, TX 78278 (US).
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(74) Agents: CURFISS, Robert, C. et al.; Bracewell & Patterson,
`L.L.P., South Tower Pennzoil Place, Suite 2900, 711
`Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002—2781 (US).
`
`
`
`(54) Title: APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A DIGITAL
`TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
`G- III
`RECEIVE PROTOCOL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6- III
`DECODING &
`DECOMPRESSION
`
`
`TYPICAL GROUP 11! FAX DEVICE
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`
`
`
`
`An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format
`and protocol capable of being transmitted over any Of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available,
`standard equipment receiving stations. In its most comprehensive form, the system is capable of sending and receiving audio, documentary
`and visual image data to and from standard remote stations readily available throughout the world.
`
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT.
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Céte d’Ivoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GI-I
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People‘s
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`N0
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`R0
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`
`
`
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`WO 99/35818
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`PCT/US99/00664
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`APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING, CONVERTING AND TRANSMITTING
`
`A VISUAL IMAGE SIGNAL VIA A DIGITAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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 throughouttheworld. 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.
`
`20
`
`Examples of systems that have addressed some ofthese 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.
`
`Wire photography, and its extension , radio photography, have long been us ed by the news
`
`media. The most common form involves an input device that converts photographs into encoded
`
`25
`
`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 use with these products.
`
`Still video equipment has recently become available from vendors such as Kodak, Canon
`
`and Sony, and is again primarily used by the television and print media, although applications are
`
`30
`
`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
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`that converts the still video image data into hard copy form.
`
`For applications requiring
`
`communication of the still video image, transmit/receive units are available wherein the image
`
`begins and ends as a Video image.
`
`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.
`
`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
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`10
`
`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.
`
`U.S. Patent-No. 5,193,012 discloses a still-video to facsimile conversion system for
`
`converting the still-video image frame into ahalf-tone facsimilereproduction withouthaving to store
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`While the various prior art systems and techniques provide limited solutions to the problem
`
`20
`
`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.
`
`W
`
`The subject invention is an image capture, compression and transmission system that is
`
`25
`
`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 permits maximum flexibility, with the camera/converter/telephone or other
`
`30
`
`transmission device being designed in a modular configuration wherein any or all ofthe devices may
`
`exist as integrated or independent units.
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`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.
`
`For example, the present invention, permits a still frame visual image to be 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
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`10
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`newsprint. The image may also be sent to and printed as a hard copy using any Group-HI 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.
`
`The system ofthe subj ect invention is particularly useful for applications where immediate
`
`transmission ofvisual images ofscenes, people and objects is desirable and sophisticated equipment
`
`15
`
`is not always available for receiving the information. The system also provides aunique 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.
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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 subj ect invention, including hardwired networks, radio and satellite transmission and the like.
`
`A local facsimile machine may be incorporated with the unit and can serve as a printer for
`
`25
`
`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.
`
`The circuitry is disclosed for supporting any of the preferred configurations from a basic
`
`real time transmission system via Group-HI fax to a comprehensive system supporting both land
`
`line and wireless transmission of image, audio and documentary data at both a local and remote
`
`30
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`station.
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`The subject invention also permits digitized collection of audio signals through 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 out jack to a remote device or via a cellular telephone, land
`
`line telephone, wireless radio or other communication system.
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`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 ofthe system permits transmission of captured
`
`data to a standard bi-level facsimile machine such as Group III, to gray scale facsimile systems or
`
`15
`
`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 JPEG, 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.
`
`20
`
`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.
`
`It is contemplated that the system ofthe invention would be self—contained with an integral
`
`25
`
`power unit such as a disposable battery, rechargeable battery source or the 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
`
`30
`
`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.
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`Where desired, the system also includes camera operation control capability through the use
`
`ofa 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 fiJnctions. 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, field/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.
`
`10
`
`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.
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`The remote device may also be use 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.
`
`20
`
`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
`
`25
`
`on application, the trigger can sample in a prior to and after signal mode, using in combination the
`
`time per sample and number ofsamples prior and after signalbasis, 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
`
`30
`
`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
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`controlled by the specific application.
`
`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 useful 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 desirable to look primarily at images captured before a triggering event if the event is a
`
`10
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`catastrophic event such as an explosion or the like. Other circular sampling techniques may be
`
`employed, as well, incorporating multiple cameras, for example, wherein different fields are sampled
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`depending upon the time frame in a sequence of events.
`
`It is, therefore, an obj ect'and feature ofthe invention to provide an apparatus for capturing,
`
`converting and transmitting a ViSL'ral image via standard facsimile transmissions systems.
`
`It is another object and feature ofthe 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.
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`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.
`
`It is another object and feature of the invention to provide an apparatus which may be
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`30
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`activated from a remote location for initiating the capture of images by the device.
`
`Other objects and features will be readily apparent from the drawings and detailed
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`description.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig. l 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.
`
`Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. l, but incorporates a memory storage capability, permitting storage
`
`and optional review or viewing of the image prior to transmission.
`
`Fig. 3 is similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but incorporates a data compression scheme for increasing
`
`the capacity of the memory and for increasing efficiency of transmission.
`
`Fig. 4 includes the capture and transmission configuration of Fig. 2, with multiple
`
`transmission format capability including Group-1H facsimile, personal computer, modem, parallel
`
`and serial transmission schemes. ,
`
`Fig. 5 is an exemplary Schematic diagram supporting the configurations shown in each of
`
`Figs. 1-4.
`
`Figs. 6A, 6B, and 6C, are block diagrams of the physical components of desktop, portable
`
`and comprehensive console embodiments of the invention, respectively.
`
`Fig. 7A and 7B are perspective drawings of a hand held device for capturing, storing and
`
`transmitting an image in accordance with the invention (new drawings to replace Frassinito design.
`
`Figs. 8A-8L (Formerly Fig. 12) comprises a schematic diagram for an exemplary
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2O
`
`embodiment of the circuit for supporting the subject invention.
`
`Fig. 9 is a diagram of the various triggering sequence options.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODlMENTS
`
`The image capture and transmission system of the subject invention is suited for capturing
`
`one or more single frame analog image or a digital image data signal and transmitting the captured
`
`25
`
`signal via any of a plurality of transmission schemes to a remote receiving station where the image
`
`is downloaded in a suitable format for Viewing and printing on hard paper copy, a CRT screen
`
`image, or other medium. The system is particularly well suited for sending and/or receiving images
`
`via a standard Group HI facsimile transmission system and permits capture of the image at a remote
`
`location using an analog or digital camera. Two generic configurations are shown and described,
`
`30
`
`the first, where each image is transmitted as it is captured, and the second, which permits capture,
`
`storage, and selective recall of captured images for transmission. The invention also contemplates
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`a portable storage medium, wherein the captured stored medium may be removed from the capture
`
`device and archived for later use. While a system for black and white (gray tones) for Group-HI
`
`facsimile transmission is described in detail herein, the invention could be readily adapted to
`
`transmission of color images utilizing the teachings ofthe present invention using industry standard
`
`color video standards and circuits. Both portable, or hand held, and stationary, or desktop, units are
`
`described. The circuitry utilized for both is configurations is identical , but stationary configurations
`
`do not need a battery.
`
`Figs. 1-5 are circuit configuration diagrams for the various capture, storage and transmission
`
`schemes. The physical embodiments utilized to employ the teachings ofthe schemes taught in Figs.
`
`10
`
`1-5 are not limited. Figs. 6-10 are exemplary physical embodiments of the subject invention.
`
`Turning now to Fig. 1, the simplest embodiment of the invention incorporates a standard
`
`analog or digital camera device 10 for capturing a visual image in the typical fashion. The camera
`
`10 may be operator activated as indicated at 12, or may be programmed to be activated at selected
`
`intervals or in response to certain conditions. For example, a motion detector may be utilized to
`
`15
`
`activate the camera 10 in a surveillance installation. Once activated, the camera 10 captures a Visual
`
`image in typical fashion through a lens (see lens 192, for example, in Fig. 7A). In the illustrated
`
`embodiment, the captured image is then transmitted to a gray scale bit map memory device 16, from
`
`which it is output to a half-tone conversion scheme 18 to be input into a binary bit map 20 for
`
`formatting the captured image in a configuration suitable for transmission via a Group-Ill facsimile
`
`20
`
`system. The signal generated at 22 by the binary bit map 20 is input into a Group—III encoding and
`
`compression network 24 for generating an output signal at 26 which is introduced into a Group-III
`
`protocol transmission device 28. The output at 30 of the transmission device 28 is then transmitted
`
`into any standard transmission interface such as, by way of example, hard line telephonic
`
`transmission, cellular transmission, radio signal, satellite transmission or other transmission system
`
`25
`
`32 via a modem or similar device, as needed(as diagrammatically illustrated at 29), to be received
`
`Via a compatible interface by a remote Group-III receiving system 34. The Group-III receiving
`
`system 34 is a typical Group-III facsimile system comprising a Group—III receiver 36, decoder and
`
`decompressor 3 8 and binary bit map 40, from which a facsimile hard copy such as plain paper copy
`
`42 may be generated.
`
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`This configuration is particularly well suited where real near time transmission is desired,
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`for example when the system is operator controlled and a " real time" image is desired at a remote
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`location. An example of such a‘ system may be a photo-identification confirmation of an
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`apprehended suspect in law enforcement use, or transmission of images of damaged assets for
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`insurance purposes, or transmission ofimages ofconstructionj ob site conditions. This configuration
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`is also well suited for use in those applications where a sensor activates the system and real time
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`transmission of 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 to a remote
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`monitoring station. Of course, it will be readily understood by those who are skilled in the art that
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`tagging a transmitted image with information such as, by way of example, date, time and location,
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`can be incorporated in the transmitted signal so that a receiving station could monitor a plurality of
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`remote image data capture systems. This is also useful for reviewing a body of previously stored
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`or printed images to determine the time and location of such image.
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`The embodiment of Fig. '2 is similar to Fig. l, but incorporates a memory and optional
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`operator viewer system. The image is captured by the camera 10 and conditioned by the gray scale
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`bit map 16, as in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the output 44 of the bit map 16 is input into a standard
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`digital memory device 46 for later recall. This configuration is particularly well suited for
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`applications where near real time transmission ofthe image either is not required or is not desirable.
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`It will be noted that with the exception of the insertion of the memory device 46 and the optional
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`viewer device 48, the capture and transmission system of Fig. 2 is identical to that shown and
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`described in Fig. 1. Once the image is captured by the camera 10 and is presented at 44 to the
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`memory device 46, it is stored for later recall and transmission. The specific type ofmemory device
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`is optional and may include, for example, an SRAM device, a DRAM, Flash RAM, hard drive,
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`floppy disk, PCMCIA format removable memory'(see, for example, the PCMCIA card 50 in Fig.
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`7A), writeable optical media or other storage device. The memory may selectively capture images,
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`as indicated by the operator‘interface/capture interface 52, or may be programmed to selectively
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`capture periodic images or all images.
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`In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, an optional viewer
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`device 48 is provided. This permitsthe operator to recall and view all or selective images before
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`transmission, as indicated by the operator interface/recall interface 54. This permits the operator to
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`review all images retained in the memory 46 and transmit selective images, as desired, to the Group-
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`IH transmission system. The remainder of the system of Fig. 2 operates in the same manner as the
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`configuration shown and described in Fig. 1.
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`The configuration ofFig. 3 incorporates all ofthe features ofFigs. 1 and 2, and additionally,
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`includes an interim data compression and decompression scheme to permit increased utilization of
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`the memory or storage medium 46. As shown in Fig. 3, an interim format compressor 56 is inserted
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`between the gray scale bit map 16 and the memory device 46. This permits compression and
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`reduction of the data required to store the image, effectively increasing the capacity of the storage
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`device. It is an objective of the storage device to preserve the gray scale quality of the image for
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`viewing at the location of capture. An interim format decompression device 58 is inserted between
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`the output of the memory device 46 and the rest of the system, whether the optional viewer 48 is
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`utilized, or the output
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`is entered directly into the half-tone convertor 18.
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`The interim
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`compression/decompression scheme is particularly Useful when all of the image data is to be
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`permanently archived, or when limited capacity portable media are used, such as, by way of
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`example, floppy disks or a portable PCMCIA card. It will be noted that the remainder ofthe system
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`shown in Fig. 3 is identical to the system shown and described in Fig. 2.
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`Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the image capture and/or retention configured in any of the
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`optional embodiments of Figs. 1-3 and adapted for use in combination With any of a variety of
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`transmitting and receiving schemes such as, by way ofexample, the Group-III system shown in Figs.
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`1—3, a modem, direct connection to a personal computer, serial or parallel transmission, or any
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`selected transmitting/receiving protocol. This illustration demonstrates the versatility ofthe system
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`once the image has been captured, converted and conditioned by the image capture device of the
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`subject invention. Specifically, once the image is captured by the camera 10 and conditioned by the
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`gray scale bit map 16, it may be stored and transmitted, or transmitted "real time” via any
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`transmitting and receiving scheme. As shown in Fig. 4 the image capture device includes the
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`memory device 46 and the optional viewer 48 for incorporating maximum capability. However, any
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`of the schemes of Figs.
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`l-3 would be suitable for producing a transmittable signal.
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`In the
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`embodiment shown, a format select interface switch 60 is positioned to receive the fully conditioned
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`signal on line 59. This would permit either automated or manual selection of the transmitting
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`protocol, including the Group—HI facsimile system previously described in connection with Figs. 1 -3 ,
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`as indicated by selecting format select switch 60 position A; or PC modem protocol as illustrated
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`by the JPEG compressor 62 and protocol generator 64, as indicated by selecting format select switch
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`position B; or the wavelet compressor and PC modem protocol, as illustrated by the wavelet
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`compressor 66 and PC modern protbcol generator 68 by selecting switch position C; or any selected
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`conversion network 65, (if needed) with a compatible compressor 67 (if needed) and compatible
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`protocol generator 75 (if needed), as indicated by switch position D; or a serial protocol scheme 77,
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`with serial drivers 79 directly to a hardwired personal computer 81 by selecting switch position E.
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`Of course, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that one or a plurality of
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`transmitting protocols may be simultaneously selected. Depending on the protocol selected, the
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`signal output is generated at the selected output module and introduced to a communications
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`interface module 83 via a modem or other device, as needed, for transmission via a transmission
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`system to a compatible receiving station such as the Group-HI facsimile device 34, the personal
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`computer 85, the video telephone 89, and/or other server or receiving device 91 for distribution.
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`An exemplary circuit supporting the configurati