IlllllllllllllllllllllllIllll|||||||||l||||lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`US005724l55A
`
`5,724,155
`[11] Patent Number:
`United States Patent
`Mar. 3, 1998
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Saito
`
`
`[19]
`
`[54] ELECTRONIC IMAGING SYSTEM
`
`OTHER PUBLICAIFIONS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Yawara Saito. Haehiohji. Japan
`
`“Microsoft Mail for Windows”. May 1993. p. 5.
`
`[73] Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.. Tokyo.
`Japan
`
`“Microsoft Mail”for Windows. May 1993. pp. 1. 5. 17.
`
`[21] AppL No.: 366,893
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec. 30, 1994
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`Dec. 30, 1993
`[JP]
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward L. Coles. Sr.
`Assistant Examiner—Tia M. Harris
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm——Cushman. Darby & Cushman IP
`Group of Pillsbury Madison. & Sutro LLP
`
`5-351087
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Int. Cl.‘
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`
`[58] Field of Search
`
`HMN 1/00; H04N 1/32
`358/402', 358/403; 358/407;
`358/468
`
`358/402. 403.
`358/407, 468. 462
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,553,206
`4,587,633
`5,231,501
`
`364/300
`ll/1985 Smutek et al.
`
`5/1986 Wang et al.
`..
`.. 358/462
`7/1993 Sakai ....................................... 358/906
`
`An electronic imaging system is disclosed which is capable
`of transmission and reception of image data and/or data
`stored in recording media with a small size modem and
`taking a great amount of picked-up image. and filing and
`taking them for a personal computer network host at a
`desired timing. Data communication means transmits image
`data obtained through by an image means and/or data stored
`in a mounted information storage medium in a system
`conforming to an inter-personal computer communication
`system fitted for network organization.
`
`26 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`20
`
`f'\ 7
`
`.
`
`vmeo
`
`ENCDDER -
`
`EVF
`
`L C D
`DISPLAY
`
`OPERATION
`SWITCHES
`
`14¢-—14e
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`°“"RéEiEE
`GENE
`
`SYSTEM
`CONTROLLER
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 1
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 25
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`5,724,155
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 2
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`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`CanonE '
`
`' 1213
`age3
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 25
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`5,724,155
`
`F/G.3
`
`CanonE '
`
`' 1213
`age4
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`><4mm#oQo4
`
`w..uI
`
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`»mo2mz
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`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 5
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FlG.5
`
`MAP OF PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PORTION I EEPROM I
`
`PROTOCOL ID
`
`
`
`I PROTOCOL 1 START ADDRESS
`
`PROTOCOL ZSTART ADDRESS
`
`llll
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`H
`
`PROTOCOL 3 START ADDRESS
`
`PROTOCOL 4 START ADDRESS
`
`LN START ADDRESS
`
`LOGOUT START ADDRESS
`TRANSMISSION START ADDRESS
`
`RECEPTION START ADDRESS
`
`PROTOCOL 1 COMMENT
`
`
`
`
`LOGIN PROCEDURE
`FOR PROTOCOL I
`
`LOGOUT PROCEDURE
`FOR PROTOCOL I
`
`TRANSMISSION PROCEDURE
`FOR PROTOCOL I
`
`FOR PROTOCOL 1
`
`LOGIN START ADDRESS
`
` RECEPTION PROCEDURE
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 6
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/6.6
`
`PROTOCOL DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
`
`O0
`
`
`
`- CHECK WHETHER ASSIGNED CHARACTER SERIES CAN BE
`
`RECEIVED IN ASSIGNED TIME
`
`- 2ND BYTE IS ASSIGNED TIME
`
`' 3RD & FOLLOWING BYTES ARE RETRIEVAL CHARACTER SERIES
`
`I LEADING REPRESENTS NUMBER OF CHARACTERS I
`
`
`
`
`-TRANSMIT ASSIGNED CHARACTER SERIES
`‘2ND & FOLLOWING BYTES ARE CHARACTER SERIES TO BE TRANS-
`MITED
`LEADING REPRESENTS NUMBER CHARACTERS I
`(
`DIAL OF ASSIGNED TEL. N0.
`M TRANSMISSION OF ASSIGNED ID
`TRANSMISSION OF ASSIGNED PASSWORD
`
`E TRANSMISSION or ASSIGNED FILE ACCORDING To XMODEM PROTOCOL
`
`RECEPTION OF ASSIGNED FILE ACCORDING TO XMODEM PROTOCOL
`m MAKE LIST OF IMAGE FILE FROM MAIL LIST
`E ER "ON" AND DR CONFIRMATION
`
`E R5 "ON" AND cs coNI=IRMATIoN
`
`
`
`co CONFIRMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 7
`
`02
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FlG.7
`
`PROTOCOL DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE ( LOGIN )
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`O2 O7 AT&F¥N3"
`
`(MODEMSETTING)
`
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`
`O1.20.04.“NETT
`
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`
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`
`
`MAP OF COMM. DESTINATION REGISRATION PORTION
`PROTOCOL
`TEL. N0.
`ID
`PASSWORD
`COMMENT
`CONMDEST.
`1
`
`COMMéDEST.
`
`CONM. DEST.
`3
`COMM. DEST.
`4
`
`FlG.9
`
`CODE ASSIGNMENT OF PROTOCOL COLUMN
`
`NON-REGISTRATION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`m PROTOCOL
`2
`PROTOCOL
`3
`PROTOCOL
`4
`m PROTOCOL
`
`PROCEDURE ON FILE ( PROTOCOL. CTL )
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 8
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 70
`
`REGISTRATION MENU
`
`D COMM. DEST. REGISTRATION
`
`PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
`
`FIG. 77
`
`IN PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
`
`PROTOCOL.DAT
`
`FIG. 72
`
`COMM. DEST. REGISTRATION
`
`XXXXXXXX
`
`I
`COMM. DEST.
`PROTOCOL 01
`TEL
`ID
`PASSWORD
`
`X X X X X X
`NETWORK I
`TONE XXXXXXX
`XXXXXXXX
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 9
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 73
`
`REGISTRATION PROCESS
`
`S
`
`1
`
`S8@
`
`N
`
`Y
`
`32
`
`DISPLAY
`REGISTRATION MENU
`
`SELECT A OR V SW
`
`%s3
`
`34
`
`55
`
`_
`
`S7
`
`COMM.DEST.REGISTRATION
`PROCESS
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 10
`
`
`
`COMM.DEST.
`REGISTRATION?
`
`
`
`PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
`pRocEss
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 14
`
`PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROCESS .
`
`S11
`
`312
`
`DISPLAY REGISTRATION PROCESS
`
`.
`
`RETREIVE"PROTOCOL
`DAT"FILE IN MEDIUM
`
`513
`
`519
`
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
`520
`
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
` N
`
`Y
`
`514
`
`CHECK WHETHER FORMAT-
`IS RIGHT
`
`515
`
`
`
`
`IS ID PREDETERMINED
`DATA?
`
`516
`
`Y
`
`
`N
`
`READ OUT DATA SUCCESSIVEL
`AND WRITE IN ASSIGNED
`ADDRESS OF EEPROM
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY END OF REGISTRATION
`
`DISPLAY COMVL MODE SCREEN
`
`S17
`
`S18
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 11
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 75
`
`COMM.DEST.REGISTRATION
`
`PROCESS
`
`DISPLAY COMM.DEST.REGISTRATION
`
`SCREEN
`
`S21
`
`S22
`
`OPERATE A OR V SW.
`
`523
`
`‘N
`
`STORE DATA IN MEMORY
`AREA.AND MOVE CURSOR
`
`524
`
`8
`
`N
`
`T0 NEXT DIGIT
`
`S25
`
`Y
`
`DISPLAY REGISTRATION
`
`END SCREEN
`
`326
`
`$27
`
`DISPLAY COMM.MODE SCREEN
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 12
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 76
`
`TRANSMISSION LOGIN
`
`1> COMM. DEST.
`
`1
`
`NET 1
`
`
`
`COMM. DEST. 2
`
`NET 2
`
`COMM. DEST. 3
`
`OLYMPUS
`
`COMM. DEST. 4
`
`MANUAL
`
`FIG. 17
`
`SCREEN SELECTION
`
`IN TRANSMISSION
`
`10%
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 13
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 79
`
`SCREEN SELECTION
`
`END
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 14
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent ,
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.20
`
`TRANSMISSION PROCESS
`
`A
`DISPLAY TRANSMISSION
`LOGIN
`
`$51
`
`544
`
`
`
`
`S32 READ OUT TRANSI.’ISSI‘3I‘I
`
`COMM.DES T.
`
` S34
`
`54x5
`
`EXECUTE FILE TRANS‘-AISSION
`
`ACCORDING TO TRANSMISSION
`
`PROCEDURE (IN % I
`
`READ OUT LOGIN PROCEDURE
`
`BASED ON CONIMIPROTOCOL OF
`ASSIGNED COMM.DEST.
`
`546
`
`535 S49 MA
`
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
`Y
`
`S47
`
`EXECUTE LOGIN PROCEDURE
`SUCCESSIVELY
`
`S
`
`36
`
`Y 537
`
` N
`
`548
`
`SET “J61.-,¢S FILE
`
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
`,
`I
`
`j
`5
`I
`1
`
`DISPLAY "LOGIN SUCCESS"
`
`DISPLAY SCREEN SELECTION
`
`S 8
`
`3
`
`S42
`
`OPERATE A OR V SW.
`
`S39
`
`
`
`- 0
`
`EXECUTE LOGOUT PROCEDURE
`
`DISPLAY END SCREEN
`
`Y
`
`\
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 15
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 15 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FlG.27
`
`RECEPTION LOGIN
`
`
`
`D COMM. DEST. I NET 1
`
`COMM. DEST. 2
`
`NET 2
`
`COMM. DEST. 3
`
`OLYMPUS
`
`COMM. DEST. 4
`
`MANUAL
`
`F/0.22
`
`MAIL LIST
`
`03 FILES
`
`
`
`o TOTAL 126K BYTES
`
`RECEIVE ?
`
`FIG. 23
`
`IN RECEPTION
`
`o IN IST FILE RECEPTION
`( TOTAL 3 FILES I
`
`0 FILE NAME DSOOOOOI .J6I
`
`65%
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 16
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 16 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.24
`
`DISPLAY RECEPTION LOGIN ’
`
`S51
`
`S52
`
`S63
`
`OPERATE A 0R V 5W‘ H 570
`{ .
`
`
`N
`
`CCESSFULLY MADE .
`Y
`
`S64
`
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
`N
`
`
`
`
`866
`ALL MAILS COMPLETED?
`Y
`557
`
`RECEIVED FILES
`AUTOMATICALLY
`
`READ OUT LOGIN PROCEDURE
`OF COMM. PROCEDURE OF
`ASSIGNED CDLMM. DEST.
`
`EXECUTE LOGIN PROCEDURE
`SUCCESSIVELY
`
`555
`
`S65
`
`S56
`
`¢ N
`557
`DISPLAY OF ERROR
`
`359
`
`DISPLAY 'LOGIN SUCCESS"
`
`DISPLAY END
`
`5 58
`
`MAKE TABLE OF FILES
`WITH TITLE "J61" FROM
`
`LIST IN MAIL BOX
`
`EXECUTE LOGIN PROCEDURE
`ASSIGNED COMM. DEST.
`
`
`DISPLAY MAIL LIST H
`
` S59
`
`END
`
`353
`
`Y
`
`CREATE FILE NAME
`
`READ OUT RECEPTION PROCEDURE
`OF ASSIGNED COMM. DEST.
`
`sex
`
`562
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 17
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 17 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 18
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 18 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.26
`
`cfiifig PLAY RECORD
`H D '
`_._J
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 19
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 19 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`»<._n_mEoo._
`
`_,_o:$Eo
`
`35:5
`
`5985
`
`ma;
`
`$joEz8I_m
`
`g-EMI
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 20
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 20
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 20 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.28
`
`FlG.29
`
`
`
`F/G230
`
`HD
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 21
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 21
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 21 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FlG.3I
`
`CAMERA SETTING
`
`571
`
`CONNECT BUS OF HD UNIT
`T0 SIDE OF COMP./DECOMRCKT.
`
`RECORD MODE?
`
`572
`
`Y
`573
`
`S76
`
`DISPLAY PLAY MOD:
`
`DISPLAY RECORD MODE
`
`A
`
`REPRODUCE 157 FRAME
`
`PERM T SW INPUT
`1
`.
`
`574
`
`57
`
`5
`
`RETREIVEIFRAMES CAPABLE
`OF RECORDING
`
`S77
`
`F/G.32
`
`
`
`S81
`
`CONNECT BUS OF HD UNIT
`T0 SIDE OF SCSI I/F
`
`
`
`S82
`
`
`383
`
`DISPLAY HD MODE
`
`
`
`PROHIBIT SW. INPUT
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 22
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 22 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.33
`
`TRANSMISSION IMAGE
`
`
`
`IMAGE REGISTRATION
`
`S91
`
`
`CHECK WHETHER IMAGE
`BEING REPRODUCED IS IN
`TRANSMISSION LIST
`
`DISPLAY REGISTERED
`
`SCREEN AGAIN
`
`DELETE IMAGE BEING REPRODUCED
`FROM TRANSMISSION LIST
`
`S95
`
`S94
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 23
`
`
`
`ADD IMAGE BEING REPRODUCED
`TO TRANSMISSION LIST
`
`
`
`
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 23
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 23 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 34
`
`TRANSMISSION PROCESS
`
`
`
`S101
`
`
` WHETHER IMAGE TO BE
` N
`TRANSMITTED IS REGISTERED IN
`TRANSMISSION LIST?
`
`
`S102
`
`Y
`
`MUTE SCREEN
`
`DISPLAY COMM. DEST.
`
`SELECTION PROCESS
`
`S103
`
`_
`__
`DISPLAY IN LOGIN' PROCESS
`
`S104
`
`READ OUT AND EXECUTE
`LOGIN PROCEDURE
`
`READ OUT FILE TRANSMISSION
`PROCEDURE
`
`3105
`
`S106
`
`REPRODUCE TRANSMISSION FILE I
`
`S107
`
`8108
`
`END
`
`5"‘
`
`MUTE SCREEN AND DISPLAY
`‘IN LOGOUT" PROCESS
`
`READ OUT AND EXECUTE
`
`LOGOUT PROCEDURE
`
`S112
`
`DISPLAY END SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY AS TO HOW MUCH FILE
`
`HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED
`
`SET "J61" AS TITLE
`
`WHETHER ALL
`
`
`
`REGISTERED FILES
`EEN TRANSMITTED?
`
`
`
`
`END
`
`S113
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 24
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1998
`
`Sheet 24 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`FIG. 35
`
`SELECT PIC.
`
`32 KBYTES
`
`F/G236
`
`SEND TO C-1
`
`: 0426910181
`
`NAME : NETWRK1
`
`HOST : NIF2
`
`LINE : TONE
`
`NO.
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 25
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 25
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 3, 1993
`
`Sheet 25 of 25
`
`5,724,155
`
`F/G.37
`
`SEND TO c——1
`
`* 2
`
`REST : 32KBYTES
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 26
`
`Canon Exhibit 1213
`Page 26
`
`

`
`1
`ELECTRONIC IMAGING svsrrnvr
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE lNVEN'I'ION
`
`5,724,155
`
`2
`
`10
`
`and reception of image data. In addition. for the transmission
`and reception of the image data or the like by the DSC. the
`storage medium is mounted, causing difliculty in handling.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is therefore to provide
`an elect.ronic imaging system capable of transmission and
`reception of image data and/or data stored in recording
`media only with a small size modem or the like.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`electronic imaging system capable of taking a great amount
`of picked-up image. and filing and taking the images for a
`personal computer network host at a desired timing.
`According to an aspect of the present invention. there is
`provided an electronic imaging system comprising data
`communication means for transmitting image data obtained
`through an image means and/or data stored in a mounted
`information storage medium in a system conforming to an
`inter-personal computer communication system fitted for
`network organization.
`According to another aspect of the present invention.
`there is provided an electronic imaging system incorporating
`information storing means of comparatively large capacity
`and comprising external control mode means for permitting
`independent accessing of the information storing means
`from an external unit via communication means.
`According to other aspect of the present invention. there
`is provided an electronic imaging system comprising image
`pick-up means for generating and outputting an image signal
`photoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon.
`image data storing means for storing an image data corre-
`sponding to the image signal issued from the image pick-up
`means on an applied storage device or medium. data com-
`munication means for transmitting a designated image data
`in the device or medium through a personal computer
`network organization while an operation mode of the system
`is set for communication. and switch means for causing the
`communication means to start a communication mode
`operation.
`Other objects and features will be clarified from the
`following description with reference to attached drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The present invention generally relates to an electronic
`imaging systems for taking. storing. reproducing or retriev-
`ing image data from an applied storage device or medium.
`the systems inclusive of such apparatuses as an electronic
`still camera or an electronic image data filling apparatus.
`More particularly. the invention relates to an electronic
`imaging systems mentioned above further comprising com-
`munication means capable of transmitting or receiving
`image data utilizing a personal computer network.
`In recent years. an image information storing or recording
`apparatus. and/or. retrieving or reproducing apparatus. such
`as an electronic still camera or an electronic image data
`filling apparatus for storing or retrieving image data on or
`from an applied storage device or medium. have been
`developed Electronic still cameras of conventional type
`generally employ solid state electronic imaging devices.
`such as CCD imagers. for photoelectric conversion to obtain
`a picture signal corresponding to objects intended to be
`picked up or photographed. The picture signal issued from
`the imaging device is processed by a conventional process-
`ing circuit to obtain a video or TV signal able to be recorded
`or stored. and the processed signal is converted into a digital
`form representative of the image information intended to be
`stored. In the above mentioned cameras. the image infor-
`mation is represented and conveyed in the form of digital
`data. Following the trend of the times. an electronic still
`camera. which outputs image data whose format may be
`compatible for either the IBM Personal Computer and
`related architectures or the Apple Macldntosh PC architec-
`ture as selected by the operator is proposed. This electronic
`still camera is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5.138.459. The
`digital data stored in the applied storage device or medium
`preferably takes the compressed form thereof. utilizing the
`encoding data compression technique (see U.S. Pat. No.
`5.034.804)or variable-length encoding data compression
`technique (see U.S. Pat. No. 5.027.214). According to such
`variable-length data compression encoding. since an image
`data can be compressed in accordance with contents of an
`image so as to be reduced in amount. a large number of
`electronic still images can be stored in a semiconductor
`memory card as the applied storage device or medium while
`the memory area on the memory card required to store one
`electronic still image is reduced.
`Meanwhile. a still video apparatus which has a device for
`interfacing with an external image data processing device
`has been previously proposed (see U.S. Pat. No. 5.23 1.501).
`The still video apparatus comprises a signal output device
`for outputting an electrical image signal and a signal con-
`verter for converting the image signal to an image data
`signal which can be processed by an external image data
`processing device such as a personal computer.
`Recently. there have been many proposals for electronic
`imaging systems having multiple functions. such as DSC
`(digital still video camera). using such a storage media as an
`IC memory card. magnetic storage medium. opto-magnetic
`storage medium. flash memory. etc. As one of such
`proposals. there is a DSC capable of personal computer
`network communication with image data transmission and
`reception system for external apparatuses.
`For personal computer network application to the above
`prior art image data transmission and reception by the DSC.
`however. it is necessary to make use of personal computers.
`and it has been impossible to easily realize the transmission
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`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of
`the electronic imaging system according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the DSC 20 in the
`embodiment;
`FIG. 3 shows. in an enlarged scale. the operation switches
`14 (14a to 14g) and LCD display 13 provided on the top of
`the DSC housing 18;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a controller of the DSC
`20;
`FIG. 5 shows a map of a protocol registration portion
`stored in the EEPROM 16 of the DSC 20;
`FIG. 6 shows the protocol description language applied to
`the DSC 20;
`FIG. 7 is a view showing a protocol description example
`for login process using the code in FIG. 6;
`FIG. 8 shows the map of the communication destination
`registration portion which is written in the EEPROM 16;
`FIG. 9 shows the codes to be written in the above protocol
`column;
`FIGS. 10 to 12 show the EVF or a monitor screen for
`describing a communication protocol write-in operation;
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`FIG. 13 to 15 show flow charts illustrating “registration
`process”. “protocol registration process” and “communica-
`tion destination registration process";
`FIGS. 16 to 19 show the routines of the image file
`transmission;
`
`FIG. 20 shows a flow chart illust:rating “transmission
`process”;
`FIG. 21 shows a selected communication destination
`displayed on monitor;
`FIG. 22 shows a mail list;
`FIG. 23 shows a screen “IN RECEPTION”;
`
`illustrating
`
`FIG. 24 shows a screen of a flow chart
`“reception process”;
`FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the second embodi-
`ment of the DSC 30 according to the present invention;
`FIG. 26 is an enlarged-scale view showing a display 13
`and an operation switches 14 in the DSC
`FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a controller in the
`DSC 30;
`
`FIG. 28 shows the display 13 in this embodiment of the
`DSC 30;
`FIG. 29 shows a state of screen in the camera mode but
`with the slide switch 14]" switched to the play mode side;
`FIG. 30 shows a state of screen with the slide switch 14g’
`switched to the HD mode side;
`
`FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating a routine when the
`camera mode of the DSC 30 is set;
`FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing a routine which is
`executed when the HD mode of the DSC 30 is set;
`FIG. 33 shows a transmission image registration proce-
`dure of the embodiments;
`FIG. 34 shows a modification of FIG. 20 in the first
`embodiment;
`FIG. 35 shows the regist:ration of image to be transmitted;
`FIG. 36 shows an embodiment of the transmission des-
`tination selection part; and
`transmission
`FIG. 37 is a screen showing the actual
`processes subsequent to the step S104 in FIG. 34.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Now. preferred embodiments of the present invention will
`be described with reference to the drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of
`the electronic imaging system according to the present
`invention applied to the case where image data and/or
`speech data. control data. etc. from DSC 20 or 20A are
`transmitted and received by making use of a personal
`computer network.
`As shown. communication of the image data or the like
`between the DSC 20 or 20A and a personal computer (PC)
`network host 104 is made via a modem 102 or 106 and
`telephone lines 103 and 105. Image data transmitted from
`the DSC 20 is uploadedly written in a mail box 104a in the
`personal computer (PC) network host 104. The image data
`in the mail box 104a is downloadedly written in the receiv-
`ing side DSC 20A.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the DSC 20 in this
`embodiment. It is assumed that the DSC 20 is provided with
`a personal computer card or like memory card 17 as the
`image information storage medium. As shown in FIG. 2. the
`DSC 20 has a camera housing 18. and an image pick-up lens
`1 is provided in the front of the housing. The top of the
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`housing 18 is provided with operation switches 14 (14a to
`14g). an LCD display 13 and a release switch 19. Further.
`one side of the housing 18 is provided with a video signal
`output tenninal 7. a connector 15a (See FIG. 4) which is a
`RS-232C I/F connection portion for transmitting and receiv-
`ing signals to and from modems or the like external
`apparatuses. and a slit 18a for inserting a memory card 17
`as the storage medium.
`FIG. 3 shows. in an enlarged scale. the operation switches
`14 (l4a to 14g) and LCD display 13 provided on the top of
`the DSC housing 18.
`Of the switches. shown at 14a is a “POWER” switch for
`the DSC. at 14b a “REGISTER” switch for registering
`communication protocol (procedure). telephone No.. etc. at
`the time of data communication. at 14c an “EXECU'I'E"
`switch to be operated when executing the registration or the
`data communication. and at 14d and Me an “UP" and a
`“DOWN” switch for assigning the reproduction frame No..
`registered telephone No.. etc. Further. shown at 14g is a slide
`switch for switching a camera mode and a communication
`mode of the DSC. and at 14f is a slide switch for switching
`between a “PLAY" and a “RECORD" mode in the camera
`modes and switching between a “RECEIVE" and a
`"I'RANSMII"’ mode in the communication modes. When
`the DSC is in a mode other than the “RECORD” mode. i.e..
`the “HA ’. "I'RANSMII"’ or “RECEIVE” mode.
`the
`characters “PLAY”. ‘TRANSM[l’” or “RECEIVE” in the
`LCD display 13 are turned on. Further. in the display 13.
`central seven—segrnent digits are for displaying the frame
`No. being processed or the like. and right upper small-size
`seven-segment digits are for displaying the number of
`frames ready for picking up image or number of residual
`frames that can be reproduced.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a controller of the DSC
`20. The operation of the individual system components is
`controlled by a system controller 12. In the DSC 20. an
`image signal can be recorded in the mounted memory card
`17 in response to the depression of the release switch 19 (see
`FIG. 1). Also. by operating the operation switches 14d and
`14:: it become possible to reproduce the image recording
`signal of an image file of an assigned frame No. on the
`memory card 17. In this case. the video signal is displayed
`as the viewfinder image in an EVF 8 and also supplied from
`a video signal output terminal to an external monitor.
`Htrther. as shown in FIG. 1. the DSC 20 can transmit or
`receive data to or from the personal computer network host
`194 via the modem 102 and telephone line 103 on the basis
`of a system conforming to a personal computer cormnuni-
`cation system applicable to the network organization.
`Further. aside from the example of FIG. 1. it is possible to
`realize the data communication between the DSC 20 and a
`personal computer or data communication between the DSC
`20 and a DSC of like type.
`In picking up the image. an object image is focused by an
`image lens 1 on an imaging element. such as CCD. provided
`in an image pick-up circuit 2. In the A/D converter 3 the
`image data from the circuit 2 is converted into digital data
`which is to be stored temporarily in a frame memory 4 of the
`image memory. The digital image data read out from the
`frame memory 4 is converted again in a D/A converter 5 into
`analog signals as video signals through a video encoder 6
`and from a video output terminal 7. The video signal is
`displayed as the viewfinder image in the EVF 8.
`When recording image data in the memory card 17. the
`image data is read out in a unit of blocks from the frame
`memory 4 for data compression by a JPEG (Joint Photo-
`
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`6
`FIG. 6 shows the correspondence between code and
`function of the descriptive language of the file. The code is
`shown hexadecimally (&H). For example. code “&H00"
`represents NOP. i.e.. no operation. Code “&H0l” is for
`checking whether an assigned character series can be
`received in an assigned time. Here. the second byte shows
`the assigned time. and the third and following bytes provide
`the retrieval character series. The leading byte shows the
`number of characters.
`The other codes are as shown in FIG. 6. Particularly. code
`“&H08” is for reading out and producing a list of files
`among the image data files uploaded in the mail box 104a in
`the accessed network. the list files each being with a title
`“J61” as a predetermined mark representing file attribute
`information. The file title “J61” is automatically provided to
`the image file uploaded in the DSC 20 of this embodiment.
`Specifically. the title corresponds to an extender or the like
`in the data file.
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`graphic Effect Group) method or the like in a compressionl
`decompression circuit 10 to be coupled through a bus to a
`card I/F 11 as a recording signal supply means. Then. the
`compressed data is written in an assigned area on the
`memory card 17.
`In reproduction. the frame No. or the like is assigned by
`operating the “UP” and “DOWN” switches 14d and 14a.
`The frame No. or the file No.
`is displayed on the LCD
`display 13. According to the assignment. a memory area in
`the memory card 17 is selected. and the corresponding
`image data is coupled through the card UP 11 and bus to the
`compression/decompression circuit 10. The image data is
`thus subjected to the decompression process before being
`stored in the frame memory 4. The image data is read out
`again from the frame memory 4 to be converted in the DIA
`converter 5 into the analog data. as described before. The
`encoder 6 encodes the analog data to produce the video
`signal from the video signal output terminal 7.
`Further. for the data communication the system controller
`12 reads out a communication protocol (communication
`procedure) which has been written in an EE’ROM 16 as a
`procedure of accessing a network. and according to this
`protocol the data transmission or reception is performed
`with respect to the personal computer network host 104
`accessed by the telephone line or with a camera. a personal
`computer. etc. of the same type via the RS-232C I/F 15 and
`modem 102.
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`FIG. 5 shows the map of a communication protocol
`registration portion stored in the EEPROM 16. The regis-
`tration data file of this communication protocol constitutes a
`“PROTOCOL. DAT” file to be described later.
`In the protocal registration portion. protocol ID is
`recorded at the leading address for identifying the protocol
`rewriting. In this embodiment. four different protocols are
`stored. and subsequent to the above ID addresses (pointers)
`of start of storage of the four protocols 1 to 4 are recorded.
`Of the above four different protocols. the protocols 1 and
`2 may be applied to domestic commercial services; for
`instance the protocol 1 may be applied to NIKKEI. MIX.
`and the protocol 2 to NIFTY. SERVE As for the other
`protocols. the protocol 3 may be applied to DSC of the same
`type. and the protocol 4 to the case where a personal
`computer is used as a terminal.
`At the protocol start address is stored a storage start
`address of the data body of a log procedure (protocol) for the
`pertinent protocol. Subsequently. a start address of logout
`procedure (protocol). a start address of transmission proce-
`dure (protocol). and a start address of reception procedure
`(protocol) are stored Subsequently. comment information
`indicative of the content of the pertinent protocol is stored.
`The comment data. when it is displayed. is converted in a
`character generator 9 into character information for display-
`ing it in the EVF 8 or on an external monitor. Subsequent to
`the comment information storage area the data body of each
`protocol is stored.
`The term “login” means an operation until bringing about
`a state ready for writing the data in the main box 104a (FIG.
`1) of the host 104 by accessing the network host 104. The
`term “logout” means an operation of ending the modem
`control after the completion of the data transfer. The trans-
`mission protocol is a write procedure for uploading data in
`the mail box 104a. The reception protocol is a procedure for
`taking the uploaded data in the main box 104a. Each
`protocol is converted into a file of an object file type as a
`description for executing processes such as the login.1ogout.
`transmission and reception.
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`Shown as “XMODEM” in the function is a transmission
`or reception protocol in an ordinary file. Shown at ER is a
`signal informing the modem of the completion of prepara-
`tion for communication on the DSC side. and at DR is a
`signal showing that the modem has become capable of
`transmission or reception. Shown at RS is a transmission
`request signal. at CS is a transmission approval signal and at
`CD a signal which is turned upon detection of carrier from
`the partner modem.
`FIG. 7 is a view showing a protocol description example
`for login process using the code in FIG. 6. In FIG. 7. the
`code data 811-! is omitted.
`According to this protocol description. “On” of the signal
`ER informing the modem 102 of the completion of prepa-
`ration of the communication on the DSC side and the signal
`DR showing that the modem has become capable of trans-
`mission and reception are confirmed by the code “09”.
`Subsequently. a character series for modem
`setting is
`transmitted. Code “02” shows subsequent transmission of a
`character series. Subsequent to code “07” indicative of the
`number of characters. a character series “AT&F¥N3” as AT
`command is described to execute initial the setting of the
`modem 102.
`For accessing the network host 104 as the object of
`communication. likewise code “02” and “0D" as the number
`of characters are described. Then. “UN; ’
`is described for dialing number‘ ’ by the
`tone dialing. Subsequently. for confirming the response from
`the partner side through the above dial processing. code
`“01”. code “20” providing waiting time (of 32 seconds) and
`“O2” indicative of the number of confirmed response char-
`acters are described. Further. “NE'I‘l”. for instance.
`is
`described as a confirmation character series.
`The protocol description data about the login. logout
`protocol or the transmission or reception protocol. is con-
`verted into the normal object file format to be produced at
`each process time.
`FIG. 8 shows the map of the communication destination
`registration portion which is written in the EEPROM 16.
`The communication is executed by selecting the destinations
`such as destinations 1 to 4. For each communication
`destination. protocol distinction code. telephone No.. ID.
`password and comment to enable the utilizer to acknowl-
`_ edge the communication destination are written.
`FIG. 9 shows the codes to be written in the above protocol
`column. Code “()O" is indicative of non-registration. codes
`"0 1" to “04” are respectively indicative of the protocols 1 to
`4 shown in FIG. 5 and code “OF” is indicative of the
`
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`application of the procedure (for instance “PROTOCOL.
`C'I'L”) recorded in a storage medium 17 or the like. This
`protocol has the same data structure as that on the EEPROM
`16 shown in FIG. 5. Code “0E" applies to the case of
`manually assigning the telephone No. or the like. The
`telephone No.. 11). comment, etc. other than the protocol
`type in FIG. 8 are stored in ASCII codes.
`Now. a communication protocol write-in operation will be
`described by using the EVF or a monitor screen shown in
`FIGS. 10 to 12. On these screens. character data are dis-
`played via the character generator 9 such as in superimpo-
`sition on the presently reproduced image data.
`By depressing the “REGISTER” switch 14b. the regis-
`tering operation is started. and a registration menu is dis-
`played on the EVF 8 or the monitor shown in FIG. 10. The
`cursor is then moved to the position of the communication
`destination registration or the protocol registration by oper-
`ating the “UP” and “DOWN” switches 14d and 14c. and
`either process is assigned by operating the “EX15IIUI‘E”
`switch 14c.
`
`When the protocol registration is assigned. “IN PROTO-
`COL REGISTRATION” is displayed on the monitor or the
`like as