Network configuration file for automatically transmitting images from an electronic still camera

Abstract

A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

1. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface, wherein said communication interface connects to an RF cellular phone network and wherein said first and second memories are memory locations on the same removable memory card; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file. 
 
     
     
       2. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing instruction information for communicating with a plurality of destinations via a communications interface; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file, and wherein said user interface displays a plurality of descriptive icons representative of the plurality of destinations and selection is made by reference to at least one of the icons. 
 
     
     
       3. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing a protocol type and instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface, and wherein said protocol type specifies a TCP/IP; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file. 
 
     
     
       4. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing account data and instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface, and wherein said account data includes charge number data; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic still camera as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the account data includes charge number data. 
     
     
       6. The electronic still camera as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the account data includes a billing address. 
     
     
       7. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing account information, instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface and a password used to access the selected destination, and wherein said account data includes charge number data; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file. 
 
     
     
       8. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface and information identifying an Internet Service Provider; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; and 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file. 
 
     
     
       9. The camera as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the second memory permanently resides in the camera and can be loaded with the network configuration file from a host PC. 
     
     
       10. The electronic still camera as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the network configuration file further includes information to enable connection to an identified Internet Service Provider. 
     
     
       11. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file; and 
 means for receiving from the selected destination, feedback indicating the status of the image transfer. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic still camera as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the user interface displays the feedback. 
     
     
       13. An electronic still camera comprising:
 a sensor for capturing images; 
 a first memory for storing images; 
 a second memory for storing a network configuration file, said network configuration file containing instruction information for communicating with a plurality of destinations via a communications interface; 
 means for loading the network configuration file into the second memory; 
 a user interface for selecting an image destination and for commanding the camera to send the image to the selected destination via the communications interface, using the information in the network configuration file; and 
 means for receiving from the selected destination, feedback indicating the status of the image transfer. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic still camera as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the user interface displays the feedback. 
     
     
       15. The camera as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the second memory permanently resides in the camera and can be loaded with the network configuration file from a host PC. 
     
     
       16. The camera as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the second memory permanently resides in the camera and can be loaded with the network configuration file from a host PC.