Digital Camera Patent AbstractTo enable the use of a single use digital camera for acquiring,
selecting and storing images, that allows a customer to submit the
captured images for development from a convenient location, while
also providing the ability to delete unwanted images, a method is
disclosed in which a customer is provided a single use digital camera,
which the customer uses for acquiring, selecting and storing data
corresponding to digital images, the data corresponding to selected
images is received from the customer after the storing of the data
and the selecting of the images. The single use digital camera does
not provide the customer the ability to retrieve the stored data
in image form. A method which includes additional steps allows the
removal of selected ones of the data from the digital camera thereby
preparing the camera for re-use. A system that provides the ability
to perform the steps of the method for use of a single use digital
camera is also described.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A method of enabling the use of a reloadable single use digital
camera for acquiring and storing data corresponding to images and
thereafter providing a customer means for retrieving selected images
from said stored data upon the customer transmitting said data to
a reloading server, said method comprising the steps of: providing
the customer said reloadable single use digital camera of the type
that electronically records and stores said data corresponding to
said images selected by the customer, and provides no means for
the customer to retrieve said data in image form from said digital
camera; wherein said digital camera includes a means for said customer
to view said images that said customer acquires and stores as data
corresponding to said images and for selecting a predetermined number
of said stored data corresponding to said images for continued storage
while removing the remainder of said stored data corresponding to
said images from storage within said digital camera; and, wherein
said selected data corresponding to said images cannot be removed
from storage by said customer after being selected for continued
storage; and, receiving said data corresponding to said selected
images from said customer after said customer has utilized said
digital camera to acquire and store data corresponding to said images
and, thereafter, retrieving selected images from said data for said
customer.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said selected images are retrieved
for said customer in hardcopy form.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said retrieving of said images
in hardcopy form occurs at a remote photo-finishing node of a network.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said network is the Internet.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said selected images are retrieved
for said customer in electronic form.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of sharing
said retrieved images via said network with at least one of a plurality
of other entities located at other remote nodes of said network.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing
said retrieved images in hardcopy form.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of providing said retrieved
images in hardcopy form occurs at a remote photo-finishing node
of said network.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said network is the Internet.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: transmitting
instructions executable by a computer system, said instructions
causing the removal of selected ones of said data from said digital
camera after it has been utilized by said customer to acquire and
record data corresponding to images and said data has been transmitted
to the reloading server.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a camera
to a customer further comprises the step of accepting a payment
from said customer.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said payment includes a refundable
portion.
13. A system for providing a customer retrieved selected stored
images, said images corresponding to data stored in a single use
digital camera, wherein said digital camera provides no means for
said customer to retrieve said stored data in image form, and wherein
said digital camera includes a means for said customer to view said
images that said customer acquires and stores as data corresponding
to said images and for selecting a predetermined number of said
stored data corresponding to said images for continued storage while
removing the remainder of said stored data corresponding to said
images from storage within said digital camera, said system comprising:
means for receiving said data corresponding to said selected images
from said customer after said customer has utilized said digital
camera to acquire and store data corresponding to said images; and,
means for retrieving said selected images from said data for said
customer, said means for retrieving not being available to said
customer.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said retrieving means provide
said selected images to said customer in hardcopy form.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said retrieving means provide
said images in hardcopy form at a remote photo-finishing node of
a network.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein said network is the Internet.
17. The system of claim 13 wherein said retrieving means provide
said selected images to said customer in electronic form.
18. The system of claim 17 further comprising means for transmitting
said retrieved selected images to a remote node of a network.
19. The system of claim 18 further comprising means for sharing
said retrieved selected images via said network with at least one
of a plurality of other entities located at other remote nodes of
said network.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said network is the Internet.
21. The system of claim 18 further comprising: means for transmitting
instructions executable by a computer system, said instructions
causing the removing of selected ones of said data from said digital
camera after it has been utilized by said customer to acquire and
record data corresponding to images. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionCROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to commonly owned patent application
Ser. No. 09/861,806 entitled "Method and System for Enabling
the Single Use of Digital Cameras" U.S. Publication No. 2004-0201678).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the use of digital cameras as
"reloadable" single use cameras. More specifically, it
relates to a method for enabling the single use of a digital camera
by a customer while allowing the camera to be conveniently prepared
for re-use.
2. Background Description
Single use cameras constitute one of the fastest-growing segments
in photography. Every year over 100 million single use cameras are
sold in the United States and the market has been growing at over
10 percent per year over the past five years. Single use cameras
are used while traveling, during holidays, at amusement parks and
at family events such as weddings. They are purchased for convenience
and for special events. Representative examples of single use cameras
are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,890,130; 4,896,178; 5,126,775;
5,235,366; and 5,235,364.
The sales of single use cameras have grown almost exponentially
since 1989. The customer experience from single use cameras parallels
that of other conventional photographic cameras. A large number
of the photos taken with single use cameras are either not acceptable
or not of interest to the user. Therefore, the user pays for the
development of photos that are not wanted or misses a significant
portion of their photographic opportunities. Single use cameras
currently available do not provide the user the opportunity to select
those photos that the user wants to retain.
Presently, after a customer captures images on film using a single
use camera, the camera must be returned to a processing location
where the film is developed. The customer must travel to a processing
or camera return site and must purchase another camera for reuse.
If the customer desires to return the camera for processing without
travelling to a return site, the customer must use a service that
receives the camera through the mail or a package delivery service.
Single use cameras currently available do not provide the customer
the opportunity to submit the captured images for development from
a convenient location without incurring additional time before the
images are returned to the customer. Furthermore, Single use cameras
currently available do not provide the customer the opportunity
to prepare the camera for re-use.
Another recent development in their photographic market is the
growth of Internet sites that provide the user with the ability
to share their photos with other users and to order prints or reprints
of the user's photos. The present model for sharing photos from
a conventional photographic camera consists either of scanning the
photos, which have been developed conventionally, and loading them
onto a web site, or of providing the single use camera or the roll
of film to a service provider that develops the photos, scans them
and loads them onto the web site. Once the photos have been loaded
onto the web site, the user can then select those photos that the
user wants to share. While this mode of operation presents an opportunity
to the customer, it precludes the possibility of sharing the photos
in a timely fashion. Thus, customers are not provided the opportunity
to share their photos at the moment of development.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of this invention to provide a system
and method for enabling the use of a single use digital camera for
acquiring, selecting and storing images thereby providing the ability
to delete unwanted images, and where the system and method enables
the customer to submit the stored images for development from a
convenient location.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system and
method for enabling the use of a single use digital camera that
enables the customer to prepare the camera for re-use.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system and
method for enabling the use of a single use digital camera in sharing
the images at the time they are retrieved.
To achieve these and other objects, one aspect of the invention
includes a method of enabling the use of a reloadable single use
digital camera for acquiring and storing data corresponding to images
and thereafter providing a customer means for retrieving selected
images from the stored data, comprising the steps of: providing
the customer a reloadable single use digital camera of the type
that electronically records and stores data corresponding to images
selected by the customer, and provides no means for the customer
to retrieve the data in image form from the digital camera, and,
receiving the data corresponding to selected images from the customer
after the customer has utilized the digital camera to acquire and
store data corresponding to images and, thereafter, retrieving selected
images from the data for the customer. In another aspect of the
invention, the method further comprises the step of receiving enabling
information from a server, the information enabling the removing
of selected ones of the data from the digital camera after it has
been utilized by the customer to acquire and record data corresponding
to images and the data has been transmitted to the reloading server,
thereby preparing the camera for re-use. The removing (deleting)
of the selected ones of the data from the camera occurs while the
camera (or the removable storage in the camera) is interfaced to
a computer at a client site, thereby enabling the customer to prepare
the camera for re-use.
Another aspect of this invention is a system providing means to
perform the steps of each of the described methods.
The method and systems of this invention provide a single use digital
camera that can be used while traveling, during holidays, at amusement
parks, at family events such as weddings, at other special events,
when a customer needs a camera and does not have one, or when a
conventional camera, due to the large number of moving parts in
a conventional camera, would not be used. The single use digital
camera of this invention would ensure that the customer could select
and keep their best images. The method and systems of this invention
enable the use of a single use digital camera that allows the customer
to transfer the images to a web site from which they can be shared
with other recipients or from which the images can be printed. The
sharing of the images would happen when the images are retrieved.
The single use digital camera of this invention enables the customer
to retrieve the images from any convenient location where a personal
computer with an Internet connection is available. Furthermore,
digital camera of this invention enables the customer to delete
stored data corresponding to images, thereby preparing the camera
for re-use ("reloading" the camera), from any convenient
location where a personal computer with an Internet connection is
available. Thus, the customer can retrieve images or prepare the
camera for re-use from home or while travelling.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention
are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention
itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation,
together with other objects and advantages thereof will be best
understood from the following description of the illustrated embodiment
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a graphical representation of an embodiment of the
system that enables the use of a single use digital camera;
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C depict a flowchart of an embodiment of the
method that enables the use of a single use digital camera;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are graphical representations of the front and
back view of a typical handheld digital camera;
FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of selected components of an embodiment
of the single use digital camera;
FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of selected components of an embodiment
of the reloading server.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
To enable the use of a single use digital camera for acquiring,
selecting and storing images that allows a customer to submit the
captured images for development from a convenient location, while
also providing the ability to delete unwanted images, a method is
disclosed in which a customer is provided a single use digital camera,
which the customer uses for acquiring, selecting and storing data
corresponding to digital images, the data corresponding to selected
images is received from the customer after the storing of the data
and the selecting of the images. The single use digital camera provides
no means for the customer to retrieve the stored data in image form.
A method comprising additional steps allows the removal of selected
ones of the data from the digital camera thereby preparing the camera
for re-use. A system that provides means to perform the steps of
the method for use of a single use digital camera is also described.
The System and Method
Referring to FIG. 1, a customer 10, is provided with a single use
digital camera 20. Subsequently, the customer uses the camera for
acquiring, selecting, and storing data corresponding to digital
images. The single use digital camera 20 provides no means for the
customer to retrieve the stored data in image form. Upon receipt
of the single use digital camera, the customer renders a payment
for the use of the digital camera. Such payment can include a refundable
portion. The refundable portion can be used to defray the cost of
using the digital camera again after it has been prepared for reuse
or it can be used to provide an incentive to for the customer to
return the camera and retrieve the images. The customer interfaces
the single use digital camera to a computer at a client site 30,
where the client site can be the customer's personal computer or
another personal computer. The selected and stored data corresponding
to digital images are downloaded from the camera 20 to the computer
at the client site 30 and transmitted via a network, the Internet,
40 to a reloading server 60. The transfer (download) of data from
the camera 20 to the computer at the client site 30 can proceed
by several different means. If a software driver for the camera
exists at the computer at the client site 30, and if an application
specific program for transferring data from the camera to the computer
or to a web browser in the computer exists at the computer at the
client site 30, the consumer can using the application specific
program transfer the data from the camera to the computer or to
the web browser in the computer. (Such application specific programs
are well-known in the art.) If driver software for the camera does
not exists at the computer at the client site 30, the methods described
in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597,
filed on Aug. 31, 2000, entitled "Web Based File Upload System",
hereby incorporated by reference herein, can be used to upload a
driver software and application software (or an "applet")
to transfer the data to the reloading server 60. If the methods
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597 are used,
any computer with a web browser could be used as the client site
30, thereby allowing the customer to transfer the data from any
computer having a web browser. Thus, the customer will be provided
with the opportunity to submit the captured data corresponding to
digital images from any convenient location.
Innovative means are needed to retrieve the data in image form,
hereafter referred to as images, from the data corresponding to
digital images. Such innovative means will be detailed below when
the reloading server 60 is described. The information as downloaded
from the camera is in the form of digital data files, not in image
form and has to be retrieved in image form and rendered in a form
that is useful to the customer. The retrieved images can be rendered
in hardcopy by means of a photo fulfillment center 80, which could
be located at the server site or located at a remote point. From
the photo fulfillment center 80, the images would then be delivered
to the customer 10.
The retrieved images can be also rendered in electronic form. Such
an electronic form could be placed in a removable storage medium
50 such as a recordable CD (CD-R or CD-RW), a ZIP.TM. disk, or one
or several floppy disks. The removable storage medium 50 would then
be delivered to the customer 10.
Alternatively, their retrieved images could be transmitted via
the Internet 60 to a remote node 70 from which the images could
be placed in a sharing site and shared with recipients at other
computers 100 or transmitted back to the client site 30. If the
images are placed in a sharing site and shared with recipients at
other computers 100, this mode of operation would decrease the time
from acquisition to sharing. At the client site 30 or in storage
at the server 60, the customer could specify the list of sharing
recipients and provide a list or link to a list of Internet addresses.
If desired, the images could be transmitted from the remote node
to a photo fulfillment center 80. At their photo fulfillment center
the images would be rendered in hardcopy. From the photo fulfillment
center 80, the images would then be delivered to the customer 10.
If the retrieved images transmitted back to the client site 30,
the customer can store the images in a removable storage medium
50 or in any other computer readable medium. Or, the customer can
render the images in hardcopy utilizing a photo-printer at the client
site 30 or at a remote site 70.
Upon retrieving the data in image form, the camera can be "reloaded",
that is, prepared for reuse. Such a preparation for reuse can occur
at the client site 30. The customer interfaces the single use digital
camera 20 to a computer at a client site 30, where the client site
can be the customer's personal computer or another personal computer.
The selected data corresponding to digital images are removed from
memory and deleted from the camera 20. The deleting of the selected
data from the camera 20 interfaced to the computer at the client
site 30 can proceed by several different means. If a software driver
for the camera exists at the computer at the client site 30, and
if an application specific program for deleting data from the camera
exists at the computer at the client site 30, the consumer can,
in conjunction with a an executable program at the server 60, delete
the selected data from the camera using the application specific
program at the computer. (Such application specific programs are
well-known in the art.)
If driver software for the camera does not exists at the computer
at the client site 30, an extension of the methods described in
commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597, can
be used to upload driver software for the camera and application
software (or an "applet") to delete the selected data
from the camera. The extension of the methods of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/653,597 to the manipulation of data in the camera is
described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/861,791, filed on this same date, entitled "Web Based File
Manipulation System", hereby incorporated by reference herein.
The application software ("applet") could, in one embodiment,
be the same application software ("applet") used for transfer
the data to the reloading server 60 but, after a transaction, the
application software ("applet") would enable deleting
selected data. If the methods based on those described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/861,792, are used, any computer with a web
browser could be used as the client site 30, thereby allowing the
customer to "reload" the camera from any computer having
a web browser. Thus, the customer will be provided with the opportunity
to "reload" the camera from any convenient location.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C provide a flowchart of one embodiment of the
method to enable the use of a single use digital camera. Referring
to FIG. 2A, the customer purchases the single use digital camera
20 at a point of sale location (step 200). In one embodiment, the
single use digital camera 20 includes means for the customer to
view the images that the customer acquires, means for storing data
corresponding to images and means for selecting a predetermined
number of the stored data corresponding to images for continued
storage while removing the remainder of the stored data corresponding
to images from storage within the single use digital camera 20.
In that embodiment, selected data corresponding to images can not
be removed from storage by the customer after being selected for
continued storage. The single use digital camera of this invention
20 provides no means for the customer to retrieve the data in image
form. The customer then uses the single use digital camera 20 to
acquire and store images (step 205). Subsequently, the customer
downloads the data corresponding to images, via a network such as
the Internet 40, to a reloading server 60 for image retrieval (processing)
(step 210). Selected data from the stored data corresponding to
images are then retrieved in image form (step 215). The digital
camera or the removable storage media in the digital camera is connected
to computer at the client site 30. At the client site 30, the customer
10 selects stored data to be deleted. The computer at the client
site 30 is in communication with the reloading server 60 via a network
such as the Internet 40. Under control of the reloading server 30,
the ones of selected stored data corresponding to images are then
removed from the digital camera or the removable storage media in
the digital camera, and the camera is prepared for re-use (step
220).
The retrieved images are retrieved for the customer in hardcopy
form or electronic form (step 225). Referring to FIG. 2B, when the
selected images are retrieved in hardcopy form, the retrieving of
the images in hardcopy form can occur at location of the reloading
server 30 or at a remote site (step 230). If the retrieving of the
images in hardcopy form occurs at the location at which the camera
was returned, the selected images are printed at that location (step
235). The printed images are then returned to the customer (step
250). If the retrieving of the images in hardcopy form occurs at
a remote site, the selected images are transmitted to a remote site,
for example, a node of a network, (step 240) and are printed at
a remote photofinisher (step 245). The printed images are then returned
to the customer (step 250). Referring to FIG. 2C, when the selected
images are retrieved in electronic form, the selected images can
be retrieved for the customer in digital copy (step 260), for example,
a removable storage medium 50 such as a recordable CD (CD-R or CD-RW),
a ZIP.TM. disk, or one or several floppy disks, or can be transmitted
to a remote node of a network (step 270), for example transmitted
via the Internet 60 to a remote node 70. If the selected images
are retrieved for the customer in digital copy, the digital copy,
for example the storage medium, is then provided to the customer
(step 265). If the selected images are transmitted to a remote node
of a network, the retrieved images are then shared via the network
(step 275) with at least one of a plurality of other entities 100
located at other remote nodes of the network. The retrieved images
are then transmitted to the sites of the at least one of a plurality
of other entities 100 (step 285). If hardcopy of the shared retrieved
images is desired (step 280), then the shared retrieved images are
printed at a remote photofinisher (step 245). The printed shared
retrieved images are then returned to the customer (step 250). While
the flowchart of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C indicate different paths for
the different options that a customer has rendering the retrieved
images, it should be apparent that the customer can select all means
of obtaining the image data (hardcopy, digital copy, transfer to
a remote network site and share) concurrently.
The Single Use Digital Camera
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict the front and back views of a single use
handheld digital camera 300 according to this invention. The camera
comprises a camera body 305 which houses the camera components.
A viewfinder 320 is optical coupled to the lens 330. A flash assembly
310 is also located on the body 305. A shutter release button 315
serves to actuate the shutter and initiate the capture of the image.
A display device 350 is mounted on the body. In one embodiment the
display device 350 is comprised of an LCD and provides the capability
of viewing the image immediately after image acquisition. A number
of selection buttons 340 are placed in the vicinity of the display.
The selection buttons 340 are used to display menus on the display
device and provide the capability to select from those menus and
select options in camera operation. The camera user can then display
the image that has been acquired and using the selection buttons
can select or delete images and permanently store the selected images.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of selected components of one embodiment
of the single use digital camera. The image collection module 400
comprises optical components and a shutter (not shown) that collect
the image radiation and focus it on an image acquisition device
(also not shown) which is part of an image acquisition module 410.
The image acquisition module also comprises device drivers and acquisition
electronics which are well known in the art and also not shown.
In one embodiment, the image acquisition device would be a CCD imager.
In another embodiment: the image acquisition device would be a CMOS
imager. Al, the output of the image acquisition module 410, the
image is comprised of analog electronic signals. Those analog electronic
signals are processed by analog (video signal processing) circuits
420 and then converted to digital signals by A/D circuits. 430 Further
image processing, required to generate missing color samples and
available to provide some image enhancement, is provided by image
processor 440. It should be apparent that is possible to perform
the image processing at the central processing unit 470 instead
of at a separate image processor 440. The image can then be displayed
using the display 450. The image can also deleted or selected using
the input buttons 460. The selected images can be permanently stored
in the storage module 490. The storage module 490 may comprise one
or more semiconductor memory devices, or may comprise an external
memory module (not shown). The external memory module can comprise
a magnetic disk drive, a flash memory, or any of various other types
of memory modules known in the relevant art.
A central processing unit (CPU) 470 provides central control for
the above described functions and can also perform functions such
as image compression, image enhancement and encoding. It should
be apparent that in some embodiments the central processing unit
470 could be comprised of several processors in order to provide
faster processing of data, separate control from processing, or
optimize the design. An innovative retrieval prevention module 495
provides inputs to the central processing unit to ensure that the
customer has no means of retrieving the images.
The details of the embodiment of the retrieval prevention module
495 depend on the means used to prevent retrieval of the images.
In one embodiment, electronic means may be used to encode (encrypt)
the image data is at the single use digital camera. The encrypted
data is decoded (decrypted) at the point of return terminal. In
the preferred mode of operations, the image data is first compressed
in the CPU 470 and then encoded. It should be apparent to those
skilled in the art that more than one processor could be used in
the encoding and compression. The encoding (encrypting) algorithm
is preferably applied before final storage. Since encryption randomizes
the data and hides patterns, effective compression should take place
before encryption. In one possible embodiment, the image data is
compressed and selected for permanent storage before encryption.
Once encrypted the data can not be read as an image before it is
decrypted. This procedure effectively prevents the retrieval of
the images by the customer.
One choice of the encryption system is the so-called public key/private
key system. In this system one key (public key) is used for encrypting
the data and a different key (private key) is used for decrypting
the data. The word key is used symbolically here and is analogous
to protecting the data with a "lock", wherein a key is
used to obtain access to the data or to lock the data. In encryption,
the key is the characteristic of the transformation between the
original data and the encrypted data or of the transformation between
the encrypted data and the original data. One widely used public
key/private key algorithm is the RSA algorithm that was the first
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,829 issued on Sep. 20, 1983. (This
and other encryption algorithms are also described in B. Schneier,
"Applied Cryptography", 2.sup.nd edition, 1996, ISBN 04-71117099.)
The public key could be generated in software and the encryption
algorithm could be performed in software. In that case, the entire
system resides in the CPU 470 and its operating memory. Alternatively,
the key generation and the encryption algorithm could reside in
dedicated hardware. (See, for example, "Security ICs Are Targeting
Consumer Applications", Electronic Design, Nov. 6, 2000, pp.
105 112, and p. 153.) The choice between software and the dedicated
hardware is dictated by considerations of cost and processing speed.
In other possible embodiments, using electronic means, the image
data is compressed using a unique compression algorithm where the
details of the algorithm are not known to the camera user. In still
another embodiment, using electronic means, the image data is stored
using a unique format where the details of the format are not known
to the known to the camera user.
The Reloading Server
FIG. 5 depicts the block diagram of selected physical and logical
components of one embodiment of the reloading server 60. The reloading
server 60 comprises certain hardware components 515 and logical
(software) components 510. It should be apparent that besides the
selected components shown in FIG. 5, the reloading server 60 comprises
other hardware and software components that are well known in the
art. The central processing unit (CPU) 520 provides central control
for the other hardware components and executes the software components
510, as described below. A main memory 540, such as a random access
memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device system stores information
and instructions to be executed by processor 520. Main memory 540
also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate
information during execution of instructions by processor 520. A
read only memory (ROM) 545 stores static information and instructions
for processor 520. One or more data storage devices 550 also store
information and instructions. Transmission of the data over a network
is accomplished by communications control module 530 (a modem, for
example) under the control of the processor 520. A modem 530 represents
just one example of a data communication interface that can be used
to convey information to a network such as the Internet. It should
be apparent that other systems could be used to achieve the same
result. Wireless links could also be implemented as a modem. In
any such implementation, communication module and interface 530
sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals
that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.
The processor 520 executes software elements including the selected
elements shown in FIG. 5. It should be apparent that besides the
selected elements shown in FIG. 5, the processor executes other
software, such as a kernel, device drivers, an operating system,
as is well known in the art. In one embodiment, the processor 520
manages the retrieval in image form from the data corresponding
to digital images 565, executing the necessary operations to obtain
image data in original (as acquired) form 565, manages the process
to output image data to hardcopy or digital output 570, performs
the necessary operations to enable the upload the data and to enable
the "reloading" of the camera 560, and manages records
and accounts 580.
Upon selecting hardcopy output, the image data can be processed
to insure best perceptual quality output. Since the single use digital
camera 305 is of a known type, its characteristics are known and
a device profile can be constructed in the manner described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,128,415 (Hultgren, et al., Device Profiles For Use In
A Digital Image Processing System, issued on Oct. 3, 2000), which
is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Then, the method described
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,484 (Cottrell et al., System and Method for
Automatically Processing Image Data to Provide Images of Optimal
Perceptual Quality, issued on Dec. 2, 1997), also hereby incorporated
by reference herein, can be used to provide an image of optimal
perceptual quality rendered by a hardcopy device of known characteristics.
The processor 520 executes the necessary operations 575 to produce
an image of best perceptual quality.
If the customer selects hardcopy output, and an output device is
available at the server's site, the images are transferred to the
output device 525 through a printer interface (not shown) under
control of the processor 520. The output device 525 is preferably
a photo quality printer such as a dye sublimation printer, or a
photo quality ink jet printer, or a digital mini-lab.
If remote hardcopy output is desired, or if image sharing is desired,
the images have to be transmitted to a remote node of a network
(such as the Internet For example, if image sharing is desired,
under control of the processing unit, the images are uploaded in
a manner well known in the art., through the data communication
interface 530 to a designated.
If digital copy output is selected by the customer, the images
are transferred to a digital copy output device 525 through a standard
interface. (Interfaces between processing units and removable storage
modules are well known in the art.) The digital copy output device
525 would preferably be a digital media output device (not shown)
such as a CD-R or CD-RW drive, a ZIP.TM. drive, a floppy disk drive,
or any other removable digital media drive.
The operations necessary to enable image retrieval 565 depend on
the innovative means used in the single use digital camera 305 to
prevent retrieval of the images. When the retrieval of the images
is prevented by encoding (encrypting) the image data at the single
use digital camera, the encoded data will then be decoded at the
reloading server. If the encryption system is the so-called public
key/private key system, one key is used at the camera to encrypt
the data and a different key (private key) is used at the reloading
server for decrypting the data. The private key could be generated
in software and the decryption algorithm could be performed in software.
In that case, the entire system resides in the processing unit 520
and its operating memory. (It should be apparent that the processor
520 could comprise more than one actual processor in order to achieve
required speed or functionality.) The instructions for the key generation
and the decryption algorithm may be read into main memory 540 from
another computer-readable medium, such as other memory 550. Execution
of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 540 causes
the processing unit 520 to perform the process steps described herein.
Alternatively, the key generation and the decryption algorithm
could reside totally or partially in dedicated hardware. In that
case, the dedicated hardware could be considered as a component
of the processor 520. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not
limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
In other possible embodiments of the operations necessary to enable
image retrieval 565, if the image data has been compressed using
a unique compression algorithm where the details of the algorithm
are not known to the camera user, the decompression algorithm must
be supplied to the processor. In one configuration, the entire system
resides in the processing unit 520 and its operating memory. The
instructions decoding algorithm may be read into main memory 540
from another computer-readable medium, such as other memory 550.
In still other possible embodiments, if the image data has been
stored using a unique format where the details of the format are
not known to the known to the camera user, instructions on format
conversion from the proprietary format to a standard format (for
example, JPEG, or TIFF) must be provided.
In one embodiment, the operations necessary to enable upload of
data corresponding to images, download to the client site of images
and "reloading" of the camera (deleting selected data
corresponding to images) 560, utilize the methods of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/653,597 and of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/861,792, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597, provides
a computer implemented method for uploading information from a peripheral
device (such as a digital camera 20) to a web site at the server
site 60 through a computer at the client site 30. After connecting
the peripheral device to the client computer, the customer uses
a conventional web browser installed on the client computer to navigate
to a predetermined web site. The web site includes a software component,
such as a Java applet, that is downloaded to the client computer
and executed within the web browser. If the software component determines
that the peripheral device driver is not already installed on the
client computer, the software component downloads and installs the
peripheral device driver on the client site computer 30. The user
uploads the information to the web site. The web server, that contains
the web site which includes the software component, can be implemented
as software executing in the processing unit 520.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,792 provides a computer-implemented
method for deleting information from a storage component in a peripheral
device (such as a digital camera 20), connected to a client computer,
where the deletion occurs under instructions from a web server.
In the same manner as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597,
after connecting the peripheral device to the client computer, the
customer uses a conventional web browser installed on the client
computer to navigate to a predetermined web site; the web site includes
a software component, such as a Java applet, that is downloaded
to the client computer and executed within the web browser. The
software component is able to provide outputs to and receive inputs
from the server 60. The web server, that contains the web site which
includes the software component and that receives outputs and provides
inputs to the software component when the software component is
executing in the computer at the client site 30, is implemented
as software executing in the processing unit 520. The software component
executing at the client site computer 30 initiates or "invokes"
transactions with the services at the server 60. The transactions,
in the case of a reloadable single use camera, are requests, for
re-use of the camera and payment for such re-use. The payment is
verified, accepted and recorded by software applications that manage
records and accounts 580. The verification of the payment could
require interaction with another server (rot shown). The software
applications that manage records and accounts 580 are executed by
the processing unit 520. The software application that enables the
upload of data corresponding to images, download to the client site
of images and "reloading" of the camera (deleting selected
data corresponding to images) 560 invokes the software component
that had been downloaded to the computer at the client site 30 in
order to delete from the camera 20 selected data corresponding to
images where the number of data items deleted is determined by the
request for re-use of the camera and payment for such re-use. Using
the methods of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/653,597 and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/861,892 allows any computer with
a web browser to be used as the client site 30.
In another embodiment of the means to enable image retrieval, when
the retrieval of the images is prevented by encoding (encrypting)
the image data at the single use digital camera, the software component
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,792 also includes
the instructions for the key generation and the decryption algorithm.
In this embodiment, the receiving of the data corresponding to selected
images after the customer has utilized the digital camera to acquire
and store data corresponding to images and the retrieving of selected
images from the data for the customer occur at the computer at the
client site 30 under the control of the software component. The
web site that includes the software component constitutes the means
for retrieving selected images.
If a device driver for the camera 20 and application software,
where the application software is able to provide outputs to and
receive inputs from the server 60, have been previously installed
in the computer at the client site 30, then the software application
that enables the upload of data corresponding to images, download
to the client site of images and "reloading" of the camera
(deleting selected data corresponding to images) 560 can be implemented
using methods which are well known in the art and similar to those
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,792 except that the software
application resides in the computer at the client site 30. (In the
case of the software component residing at the client site, the
means for image retrieval would reside at the server 60).
The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers
to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the
processor 520 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms,
including but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media.
Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks,
as one component of the memory 550. Volatile media includes dynamic
memory, such as main memory 540.
Thus, embodiments have been disclosed of a system for providing
a customer retrieved selected stored images, the images corresponding
to data stored in a single use digital camera wherein the digital
camera provides no means for the customer to retrieve the stored
data in image form, and where the system comprises means for receiving
the data corresponding to selected images from the customer after
the customer has utilized the digital camera to acquire and store
data corresponding to images, and means for retrieving selected
images from the data for the customer. Embodiments have also been
disclosed of a system that comprises elements of the above described
system and further comprises means for transmitting instructions
executable by a computer system, where the instructions cause the
removal of selected ones of the data from the storage area in the
digital camera. The latter system enables the "reloading"
of the single use digital camera.
Embodiments have also been disclosed of a method of enabling the
use of a single use digital camera for acquiring and storing data
corresponding to images and thereafter retrieving selected images
from the stored data corresponding to images for the customer and
for a method that enables the removal of selected ones of the data
from the storage area in the digital camera.
Other embodiments of the invention, including combinations, additions,
variations and other modifications of the disclosed embodiments
will be obvious to those skilled in the art and are within the scope
of the following claims. |