US 20040105008A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0105008 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Jun. 3, 2004
`
`Yamazaki
`
`(54)
`
`IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND
`CAMERA AND IMAGE COMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Akihisa Yamazaki, Asaka-shi (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
`PO BOX 747
`FALLS CHURCH, VA 22040-0747 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/712,107
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 14, 2003
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 09/199,427, filed on Nov.
`25, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,670,933.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 27, 1997
`
`(JP) ............................................. 9-325663
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... H04N 5/225
`(51)
`(52) U.S.Cl.
`.............. 348/2071;348/207.99;348/221.1
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The camera reads identification information of the user,
`which is contained in an identification card, through a card
`reading part. The camera connects automatically to a server
`designated in accordance with the read identification infor-
`mation through a communication interface. Then, the cam-
`era transmits and stores the data of recorded images to the
`designated server. The camera retrieves the image data
`stored in the server, and reproduces and displays the image
`on an image display at the back of the camera. Aplurality of
`cameras in which the same user’s identification information
`
`is set can be controlled altogether in the image-recording
`and reproduction by one camera. One camera in which the
`identification information of a plurality of user’s is set can
`distribute the recorded image data to the servers of the users
`simultaneously.
`
`22
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 1
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`FIG.1
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 2
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`FIG.2
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 3
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
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`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`EX. 1007, p. 4
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 4
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`F I G; 4
`
`IO
`
`50
`
`:SERVE'
`
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`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 5
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`
`
`_ SET OWNER‘S ID. INFO.
`AS USER'S IDINFO.
`
`
`3108 SHO
`
`
`
` PRESS RECORD BUTTON
`
`COWUNICATIONAI
`CONDITION IS
`
`SATISFACTORY?
`
`No
`
`'
`
`8116
`
`Yes
`
`8114
`
`TRANSMIT IMAGE
`DATA TO SERVER
`
`8118
`
`gSTORE IMAGE DATA INTu‘
`MEMORY IN CAMERA
`
`RECORD
`
`
`CAPACITY
`OF MEMORY IN
`
`CAMERA IS
`ENOUGH?
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`
`
`IIVIPOSSIBLE TO
`
`
`
`IMAGE DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
` POSTPONE IMAGE DATA
`TRANSMISSION UNTE
`
`
`COMIVIUNICATIONAL CONDITION
`
`
`
`BECOMES SATISFACTORY
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 6
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`‘Fl 6.7
`
`52
`
`
`
`24A
`
`24B
`
`24C
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 7
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 Al
`
`F I G. 8
`
`MASTER
`IOA CAMERA
`
`'08 EIA/ixXEERAI
`
`ICC gflERAz
`
`SWITCH MASTER
`
`CAL/HERA
`
`CAMERA
`
`DESIGNATE
`MASTER
`
`
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`
`DESIGNATE
`MASTER
`CAMERA
`
`DESIGNATE
`MASTER
`
`IOA
`
`IOB
`
`24C
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 8
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`CAMERAI
`
`CAMERA2
`
`3131
`
`8131
`
`TURN ON POWER SWITCH
`
`TURN ON POWER SWITCH
`
`
`
` SET ENTERED ID. INFO.
`
`
`AS USER'S ID. INFO.
`COMMAND TO START TO
`
`REPRODUCE IMAGE
`TURN ON
`REPRODUCTION SWITCH—
`
`
`8138.
`
`
`ENTER ID. INFO?
`
`
`
`
`ENTER ID. INFO?
`
`Yes
`3134
`
`! SET ENTERED ID. INFO.
`AS USER'S ID. INFO.
`
`8136
`
`8138
`
`START TO
`
`REPRODUCE IMAGE
`
`
`
`START TO
`
`8140 COMMAND TO
`REPRODUCE
`
`
`SWITCH IMAGES
`IMAGE
`
`
`_
`
`
`513 8
`
`SWITCH IMAGES
`
`
`
`
`
`CAN
`'— — — — “I
`COMIVIUNICATE WITH
`
`
`l
`CAMERA l?
`
`COMMUNICATE I
`
`8146 WITH SRVER
`3‘44
`Yes
`l
`COMMUNICATE WITH CAMERA 1
`8150
`REPRODUCE NEXT IMAGE
`
`Ir‘J
`I
`
`{l
`
`No
`
`— —
`
`8148
`
`REPRODUCE
`NEXT IMAGE
`
`‘
`
`m EN
`
`F | G. 9
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 9
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`8132
`
`8132
`
`CAMERA
`
`3,4,5,-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`F l G.
`
`1 0
`
`CAMERA 1
`
`CAMERA 2
`
`CAMERA 3,4,5, -
`
`-
`
`-
`
`START
`
`START
`
`3161
`
`$161
`
`TURN ON
`
`
`
`POWER SWITCH
`
`TURN ON
`
`POWER SWITCH
`
`$162
`
`$162
` ENTER ID. INFO?
`<ENTER ID. INFO?
`
`
`
`
`SET ENTERED
`TD. INFO.
`
`
`
`
`
`SET ENTERED
`
`ID. INFO.
`
`
`
`AS USER'S I.D. INFO.
`
`
`
`AS USER'S ID INFO.
`
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE DATA
`
`IMAGE DATA
`IMAGE DATA
`TO SERVER 1
`TO SERVER 1
`
`
`
`
`TO SERVER 1
`
`
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 10
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`FIG.11
`
`52
`
`E
`
`v I l l l 1 I I l I I I I l I I I
`
`l-
`
`I.
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 11
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 Al
`
`F |(3.1 2
`
`5
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`
`528
`
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`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 12
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 3, 2004 Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 2004/0105008 Al
`
`F I G.
`
`1 3
`
`START
`
`.
`J/IMAGE DATN
`”TRANSMISSION TO ALL SERVERS
`
`~
`
`TRANSMIT
`
`1
`IMAGE DATA TO
`FIRST SERVER
`
`DISTRIBUTE
`
`IMAGE DATA FROM
`
`FIRST SERVER TO
`
`OTHER SERVERS
`
` 8178
`
`”CONTMUNICATIONAL
`CONDITION IS
`SATISFACTORY?
`
`POSTPONE IMAGE DATA
`TRANSMISSION CONDITION
`
`BECOMES SATISFACTORY
`
`E TRANSMIT IMAGE DATA
`
`TO EACH SERVER
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 13
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 13
`
`

`

`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`Jun. 3, 2004
`
`IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND CAMERA AND
`IMAGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`[0001] This application is a Divisional of co-pending
`application Ser. No. 09/199,427, filed on Nov. 25, 1998, the
`entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by refer-
`ence and for which priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §
`120; and this application claims priority of Application No.
`9-325663 filed in Japan on Nov. 27, 1997 under 35 U.S.C.
`§ 119.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The present invention relates to an image display
`apparatus and a camera that are provided with functions of
`communicating with a server through a network and trans-
`mitting and receiving image data to and from the server, and
`an image communication system that distributes the image
`data by means of the image display apparatus, the camera
`and the server.
`
`[0004]
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`
`[0005] Recently, an information apparatus such as a digital
`camera and a personal digital assistant (PDA) that has an
`image display has been in common use. This apparatus is
`provided with a communication function of connecting to a
`computer network so that a variety of information can be
`exchanged. Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No.
`8-315106 discloses a system that adds an identification
`signal of a cameraman to image data recorded with a digital
`camera for the purpose of distributing the recorded image
`with a charge. Specifically,
`the system adds the camera-
`man’s identification signal to the recorded image data to
`thereby specify who is the cameraman of the recorded image
`(i.e., an original owner of the image data) distributed on the
`network. Then, the cameraman can charge a user of the
`distributed image for the use.
`
`[0006] The conventional information apparatus such as
`the digital camera cannot store a number of images since the
`capacity of an internal memory is limited. The recorded
`image may be transmitted to the server to reduce the burden
`of the memory with the use of a technique disclosed in
`Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 8-315106. In
`this case, the use of the network and a database charges
`therefor, and it is therefore necessary to carefully designate
`a server to connect and identify the user. Japanese Patent
`Provisional Publication No. 8-315106, however, merely
`teaches adding the identification signal
`to the recorded
`image data to ensure the payment for the secondary use of
`the image data. It fails to teach designating the server to
`connect or to which the image data is transmitted.
`
`Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No.
`[0007]
`5 -165932 discloses another system that makes it possible for
`a plurality of users to connect to a server at the same time
`so that they can edit the image data while they look at the
`same image.
`
`[0008] A liquid crystal display (LCD) is used as the image
`display in many of apparatus that are provided with the
`above-mentioned image display function. If several persons
`look at the same screen, the image is sometimes difficult to
`see because of the direction of the liquid crystals. In this
`case, it is possible to distribute the image data to a plurality
`
`of apparatuses with the use of a technique disclosed in
`Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 5-165932 so
`that several persons can look at the same image on the
`plurality of displays at
`the same time. Japanese Patent
`Provisional Publication No. 5-165932, however, merely
`proposes a processing method in the case where several
`persons edit the same image. The mere application of this
`method has a problem described below. Since each person
`can freely enter a command from each apparatus, one person
`enters a command of “switch to the next image”, whereas
`another person enters a command of an “enlargement”, for
`example. If a rule were adopted in such a way that another
`command is not accepted during the processing of one
`command, an arbitrary operation of one person would influ-
`ence all
`the other persons.
`It
`is therefore impossible to
`supervise the images that are distributed to all the persons.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] The present invention has been developed in view
`of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object
`the provision of an image display apparatus and a camera
`that recognize who is using the apparatus (a user), commu-
`nicate automatically with a server that is under contract with
`the user, and display the same image on a plurality of
`apparatuses while one of the apparatuses supervises the
`distribution of the images. Another object of the present
`invention is to provide an image communication system that
`makes possible the distribution of the image data by means
`of the above-mentioned apparatuses provided with the com-
`munication function.
`
`To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present
`[0010]
`invention is directed to an image display apparatus com-
`prising: an information reader for reading identification
`information from an external storage medium; a communi-
`cating device for communicating with a server through a
`network, the server being designated in accordance with the
`read identification information; and an image display for
`displaying an image represented by image data distributed
`from the server.
`
`[0011] According to the present invention, the information
`reader reads the information contained in the external stor-
`
`age medium, and the identification information of a certain
`person contained in the external storage medium is entered
`into the image display apparatus. Then, a server is desig-
`nated in accordance with the entered identification informa-
`
`tion, and the communicating device connects the image
`display apparatus automatically to the designated server.
`The image display apparatus receives the image data from
`the connected server, and displays the image represented by
`the image data on the image display.
`
`[0012] The use of the external storage medium makes it
`easy to enter the identification information of the user into
`the image display apparatus and connect the image display
`apparatus to the server designated in accordance with the
`user.
`
`[0013] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, an image display apparatus comprises: an infor-
`mation reader for reading identification information from an
`external storage medium; a nonvolatile storage device for
`storing identification information of an owner of the image
`display apparatus; a user’s identification information setting
`device for setting the owner’s identification information as
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 14
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 14
`
`

`

`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`Jun. 3, 2004
`
`user’s identification information if the information reader
`
`reads no identification information, and setting the identifi-
`cation information read by the information reader as the
`user’s identification information if the information reader
`
`a communicating
`the identification information;
`reads
`device for communicating with a server through a network,
`the server being designated in accordance with the user’s
`identification information; and an image display for display-
`ing an image represented by image data distributed from the
`server. Accordingly, once the owner of the image display
`apparatus records his or her own identification information
`in the own apparatus, it is possible to omit the entering of the
`identification information to use the own apparatus.
`
`[0014] To erase previously-set user’s identification infor-
`mation, a user’s identification information erasing device
`may be adopted so that the user’s identification information
`is erased when the image display apparatus is turned off.
`Further, a user’s identification information updating device
`may be adopted so that when the information reader reads a
`new identification information, the set user’s identification
`information is erased and the new identification information
`is set as the user’s identification information.
`
`the image display apparatus further
`[0015] Moreover,
`comprises a user’s identification information confirmation
`device for, if the set user’s identification information is other
`than the owner’s identification information, requiring reset-
`ting of the user’s identification information when a first
`preset time has elapsed after the setting of the set user’s
`identification information, and erasing the set user’s identi-
`fication information when a second preset time has elapsed
`without the resetting after the requirement. The provision of
`this device prevents the user’s identification information
`other than the owner’s identification information from being
`fraudfully used. This provides security when a pay network,
`etc. is used.
`
`It is also possible to use a plurality of image display
`[0016]
`apparatuses of the present invention. In this case, the image
`display apparatus further comprises: a cooperative mode
`designating device for designating the image display appa-
`ratus in either of a master mode and a slave mode with
`
`respect to at least one additional image display apparatus
`reading the same identification information that the image
`display apparatus reads; wherein the image display appara-
`tus supervises the additional image display apparatus when
`the image display apparatus is in the master mode; wherein
`the image display apparatus is supervised by one of the
`additional image display apparatus when the image display
`apparatus is in the slave mode, the one of the additional
`image display apparatus being designated in the master
`mode by the cooperative mode designating device thereof.
`
`[0017] According to the present invention, the identifica-
`tion information of one person is set as the user’s identifi-
`cation information in the plurality of image display appa-
`ratuses, so that several persons can look at the same image
`displayed on the plurality of image display apparatuses. In
`particular, only the image display apparatus that is desig-
`nated in the master mode is capable of manipulating the
`images such as switching, enlarging, and reducing. The
`master image display apparatus can supervise the images
`that displayed on the other image display apparatuses des-
`ignated in the slave mode.
`
`the image display apparatus further
`[0018] Moreover,
`comprises a communication mode designating device for
`designating the image display apparatus in either of an
`on-line mode and an off-line mode with respect to at least
`one additional image display apparatus reading the same
`identification information that the image display apparatus
`reads; wherein the image display apparatus supervises the
`additional image display apparatus when the image display
`apparatus is in the on-line mode and the master mode;
`wherein the image display apparatus is supervised by one of
`the additional
`image display apparatus when the image
`display apparatus is in the on-line mode and the slave mode,
`the one of the additional image display apparatus being
`designated in the master mode by the cooperative mode
`designating device thereof; wherein the image display appa-
`ratus operates independently of the additional image display
`apparatus when the image display apparatus is in the off-line
`mode. Accordingly, it is possible to satisfy a personal need
`to freely operate the image display apparatus without the
`control of the image display apparatus designated in the
`master mode.
`
`To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present
`[0019]
`invention is directed to a camera comprising: an imaging
`part provided with an imaging optical system and an imag-
`ing device, an image of a subject being formed on a light
`receiving surface of the imaging device through the imaging
`optical system, the imaging device photoelectrically con-
`verting the image into an image signal; a signal processor for
`processing the image signal sent from the imaging device so
`as to produce image data; an information reader for reading
`identification information from an external storage medium;
`a communicating device for communicating with a server
`through a network, the server being designated in accor-
`dance with the read identification information; and a data
`transmitter for transmitting the image data to the server.
`
`It is preferable that the camera further comprises an
`[0020]
`image display for displaying a first image captured by the
`imaging part and a second image represented by image data
`distributed from the server.
`
`[0021] According to the present invention, the information
`reader reads the information contained in the external stor-
`
`age medium, and the identification information of a certain
`person contained in the external storage medium is entered
`into the camera. Then, a server is designated in accordance
`with the entered identification information, and the commu-
`nicating device connects the camera automatically to the
`designated server. The transmission of the recorded image
`data to the connected server eliminates the necessity for
`providing the camera with a memory that stores a large
`amount of image data. Thus, the image-recording is per-
`formed without need to pay attention to the amount of the
`recorded image data.
`
`It is also possible to use a plurality of cameras of
`[0022]
`the present
`invention.
`In this case,
`the camera further
`comprises: a camera communicating device for communi-
`cating with at least one additional cameras reading the same
`identification information that
`the camera reads; and a
`cooperative mode designating device for designating the
`camera in either of a master mode and a slave mode with
`
`respect to the additional cameras; wherein the camera super-
`vises the additional camera through the camera communi-
`cating device when the camera is in the master mode;
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 15
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 15
`
`

`

`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`Jun. 3, 2004
`
`wherein the camera is supervised by one of the additional
`cameras through the camera communicating device when
`the camera is in the slave mode, the one of the additional
`cameras being designated in the master mode by the coop-
`erative mode designating device thereof.
`
`[0023] According to the present invention, the identifica-
`tion information of one person is set as the user’s identifi-
`cation information in the plurality of cameras. One of these
`cameras is designated in the master mode, and all of the
`cameras can be controlled by operating only the camera
`designated in the master mode. It is therefore possible to
`perform a simultaneous image-recording such as a pan-
`oramic photography, a 360° photography, etc. using the
`plurality of cameras.
`
`In order to increase the functions of the camera, the
`[0024]
`camera further comprises: an identification information stor-
`age device for storing identification information of a plu-
`rality of persons read by the information reader; and a
`communication controller for controlling the communicat-
`ing device and the data transmitter such that the communi-
`cating device communicates with the server designated in
`accordance with the read identification information of each
`
`of the persons and the data transmitter transmits the image
`data to the designated server.
`
`[0025] According to the present invention, the identifica-
`tion information of the plurality of persons can be set as the
`user’s identification information in one camera, and the
`same image data is distributed simultaneously or sequen-
`tially to one or more of servers, each of which is designated
`in accordance with each of the plurality of persons. Thus,
`when the one camera performs the image-recording,
`the
`recorded image data can be distributed automatically to the
`one or more of servers, thus eliminating the necessity for
`extra printing.
`
`[0026] According to another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an information adding device
`for adding the identification information read by the infor-
`mation reader to the image data of the recorded image. If the
`identification information of each person who is a subject in
`the recorded image is entered into the camera in the case
`where several persons are snapshot, the identification infor-
`mation of the persons is attached to the recorded image data.
`The persons in the recorded image can be identified in
`accordance with the attached information, and thus,
`the
`recorded images are retrieved using the attached informa-
`tion.
`
`[0027] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present
`invention is directed to an image communication system
`comprising: at least one server provided with a storage
`device storing image data; a network capable of connecting
`to the server; an image display apparatus communicating
`with the server through the network,
`the image display
`apparatus comprising: an information reader for reading
`identification information from an external storage medium;
`a communicating device for communicating with the server
`through the network, the server being designated in accor-
`dance with the read identification information; and an image
`display for displaying an image represented by the image
`data distributed from the server; and a data distributor for
`distributing the image data from the server to the image
`display apparatus in accordance with a command given
`through the image display apparatus.
`
`the image
`invention,
`[0028] According to the present
`display apparatus connects to the server designated in accor-
`dance with the identification information entered from the
`
`external storage medium, and receives the image data from
`the server. In this case, there may be provided a charge
`calculator for calculating a charge to a person designated
`with the entered identification information for at least one of
`
`using the network and using the image data. Consequently,
`it is possible to properly charge the person who receives the
`service.
`
`To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present
`[0029]
`invention is directed to an image communication system
`comprises: at least one server provided with a storage device
`storing image data; a network capable of connecting to the
`server; a camera communicating with the server through the
`network, the camera comprising: an imaging part provided
`with an imaging optical system and an imaging device, an
`image of a subject being formed on a light receiving surface
`of the imaging device through the imaging optical system,
`the imaging device photoelectrically converting the image
`into an image signal; a signal processor for processing the
`image signal sent from the imaging device so as to produce
`image data; an information reader for reading identification
`information from an external storage medium; a communi-
`cating device for communicating with the server through the
`network, the server being designated in accordance with the
`read identification information; and a data transmitter for
`transmitting the image data to the designated server; and a
`transmitted data recording device for recording the trans-
`mitted image data in the designated server.
`
`the camera
`invention,
`[0030] According to the present
`connects to the server designated in accordance with the
`identification information entered from the external record-
`
`ing medium, and transmits the recorded image data to the
`server so that the image data can be stored in the server. In
`this case, there may be provided a charge calculator for
`calculating a charge to a person designated with the entered
`identification information for at
`least one of using the
`network and recording the image data in the server. Conse-
`quently, it is possible to properly charge the person who
`receives the service.
`
`[0031] The image communication system of the preset
`invention, wherein the camera further comprises: an infor-
`mation storage device for storing identification information
`of a plurality of persons read by the information reader; and
`an information transmitter for transmitting the read identi-
`fication information of a first group of at least one of the
`persons to a second group of at least one of the server
`designated in accordance with the read identification infor-
`mation of a second group of at least one of the persons;
`wherein the image communication system further com-
`prises: a data distributor for distributing the image data from
`the second group of the at least one of the server to a first
`group of at least one of the server designated in accordance
`with the transmitted identification information of the first
`
`group of the at least one of the persons; and a distributed data
`recording device for recording the distributed image data in
`the first group of the at least one of the server.
`
`[0032] According to the present invention, the image data
`transmitted from the camera to one of the servers is distrib-
`uted from the one server to the other servers, so that the
`image data recorded with the one camera can be distributed
`to the plurality of servers at the same time.
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`
`Ex. 1007, p. 16
`
`IPR2017-02058, Petitioner Google Inc.
`Ex. 1007, p. 16
`
`

`

`US 2004/0105008 A1
`
`Jun. 3, 2004
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0033] The nature of this invention, as well as other
`objects and advantages thereof, will be explained in the
`following with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which like reference characters designate the same or similar
`parts throughout the figures and wherein:
`
`[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the appear-
`ance of a camera according to an embodiment of the present
`invention;
`
`lens is, for example, a rear focus type zoom lens, which is
`composed of a variable focal-length lens group and a
`compensator lens group.
`
`[0049] A shutter release button or a record button 16, a
`mode dial 18, and a power switch 19 are provided on the top
`of the camera 10. An information reader or a card reading
`part 20 is provided at the right side of the camera 10. When
`an external storage medium or an identification card 22 is
`inserted into a groove of the card reading part 20, informa-
`tion contained in the identification card 22 is entered into the
`
`[0035] FIG. 2 is a back view of the camera in FIG. 1;
`
`camera 10 through the card reading part 20.
`
`[0036] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the inner
`structure of the camera in FIG. 1;
`
`[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the structure
`of an image communication system according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0038] FIG. 5 is a conceptional view describing an
`embodiment in which the camera is used;
`
`[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of setting
`of user’s identification information and image data trans-
`mission in image recording;
`
`[0040] FIG. 7 is a conceptional view describing an
`example in which the same user’s identification information
`is set in a plurality of cameras;
`
`[0041] FIG. 8 is a view of assistance in explaining a
`method of setting a master camera;
`
`[0042] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of a
`reproduction process in the case where the same user’s
`identification information is set in a plurality of cameras;
`
`[0043] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of an
`image-recording process in the case where the same user’s
`identification information is set in a plurality of cameras;
`
`[0044] FIG. 11 is a conceptional view of assistance in
`explaining a function of entering to a group in the middle of
`the reproduction;
`
`[0045] FIG. 12 is a conceptional view describing an
`example in which the identification information of a plural-
`ity of persons is set as the user’s identification information
`in one camera; and
`
`[0046] FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the flow of an
`image-recording process in the case where the identification
`information of the plurality of persons is set as the user’s
`identification information in the one camera.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`[0047] This invention will be described in further detail by
`way of example with reference to the accompanying draw-
`ings.
`
`a perspective view illustrating an
`[0048] FIG. 1 is
`example of a digital camera 10 according to an embodiment
`of the present invention. An imaging part 12 is provided at
`the upper right corner of the front of the camera 10, and a
`grip part 14 is formed at the left side of the camera 10. The
`imaging part 12 includes a taking lens and an imaging device
`such as a CCD arranged behind the taking lens. The taking
`
`[0050] A storage part 23 of the identification card 22
`magnetically contains identification information of an owner
`of the identification card 22 such as name, sex, birthday, an
`owner’s bank, and the number of an owner’s bank account.
`In FIG. 1, the identification card 22 such as a credit card is
`read, but the external storage medium is not restricted to this.
`The external storage medium may be either of a magnetic
`card, an IC card, and a microchip. The external storage
`medium may be read electronically, magnetically, by radio,
`or by visible or invisible light, for example.
`
`[0051] FIG. 2 is a back view of the camera 10 in FIG. 1.
`A single image display 24 is provided at the back of the
`camera 10. The image display 24 is, for example, an LCD,
`and a touch panel 26 is attached over the image display 24.
`Although not illustrated in detail, a variety of operation
`buttons are displayed on the image display 24, and a user can
`enter a variety of commands to the camera 10 through the
`touch panel 26 by touching the operation buttons.
`
`[0052] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the inner
`structure of the camera 10 in FIG. 1. The camera 10
`
`comprises the imaging device or the CCD 30, an imaging
`circuit 32, a memory 34, a central processing unit (CPU) 36,
`the image display or the LCD 24, a communication interface
`38, a user operation interface 40, an identification informa-
`tion entering interface 42, and an external storage medium
`interface 44. These components connect
`to one another
`through a bus 46.
`
`is formed on a light
`[0053] An image of the subject
`receiving surface of the CCD 30 through the taking lens of
`the imaging part 12, and the CCD 30 photoelectrica