Patent US4764603A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6040856A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6040856A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic camera capable of performing photography and character recognition
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-18
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Granted: 2000-03-21
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Expires: 2016-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An electronic camera includes an image pickup device for receiving an image and outputting an image signal corresponding thereto. A connector is provided for receiving a control program from an external source. A memory is provided for permanently storing a built-in control program, and for temporarily storing the external source control program. A selection device is provided for designating one of the stored built-in control program and the external source control program. Signal processing circuitry is provided for processing the image signal output from the image signal pickup means in accordance with the control program designated by the selection means. Preferably, the built-in control program is a photography program, and the external source control program is a character recognition control program. Accordingly, the electronic camera is capable of performing both photography and character recognition functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuji Sakaegi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10821; G06K7/1092; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/75; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00962; H04N1/00973; H04N1/21; H04N1/2104; H04N1/2112; H04N1/2137; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32128; H04N2101/00; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/0008; H04N2201/0065; H04N2201/0068; H04N2201/0074; H04N2201/0077; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3274; H04N2201/3277; H04N2201/333; H04N2201/33307; H04N2201/33314
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An electronic camera comprising: image pickup means for receiving an image and outputting an image signal corresponding thereto; a connector for receiving from an external source (i) camera mode setting information and (ii) a character recognition program; a first memory for storing (i) the received camera mode setting information and (ii) a file name of the character recognition program; a second memory for storing the external source character recognition program received by said connector; a third memory for storing a built-in photography mode control program; a designator for designating one of a photography mode and a character recognition mode; and signal processing circuitry for processing the image signal output from said image pickup means (i) as a photograph and in accordance with the camera mode setting information stored in said first memory when said designating means designates the photography mode, and (ii) as character signals when said designating means designates the character recognition mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electronic camera comprising: image pickup means for receiving an image and outputting an image signal corresponding thereto; a connector for receiving from an external source (i) camera mode setting information and (ii) a character recognition program; a first memory for storing (i) the received camera mode setting information and (ii) a file name of the character recognition program; a second memory for storing the external source character recognition program received by said connector; a third memory for storing a built-in photography mode control program; a designator for designating one of a photography mode and a character recognition mode; and signal processing circuitry for processing the image signal output from said image pickup means (i) as a photograph and in accordance with the camera mode setting information stored in said first memory when said designating means designates the photography mode, and (ii) as character signals when said designating means designates the character recognition mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A camera according to claim 1, wherein said third memory stores a built-in bar code control program, and wherein said designator designates a bar code mode, and wherein said signal processing circuitry processes the image signal as a bar code signal when said designator designates the bar code mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a RAM, and wherein said signal processing circuitry transfers the character recognition program from said second memory to said RAM when said designator designates the character recognition mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A camera according to claim 1, further comprising a cable for coupling said connector to a personal computer external source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |