US6636748B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for image capture, compression and transmission of a visual image over telephone or radio transmission system
Assignee: e-Watch Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-12
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Granted: 2003-10-21
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Expires: 2018-01-12
Abstract
Abstract An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. The system is adapted to be installed in a standard cellular phone configuration, providing a portable, hand held, wireless transmission system for transmitting video image signals to a remote receiving station.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Monroe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; H04N7/148; H04N7/142; H04N2007/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to the battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; and an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to the battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; and an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The processing device of claim 1 wherein interface means comprises a data port cable having an external connector plug for reversable connection to an external video source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The processing device of claim 1 further comprising a battery compartment for selectively receiving a cellular telephone battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The processing device of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a side panel having an LED display light thereon to display a visual indicia of at least one operational state for the processing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processing device of claim 1 further comprising a remote triggering device for capturing a video image data signal upon remote initiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The processing device of claim 1 further comprising means for selectively and alternatively connecting the device to a land line telephone system whereby the output data signal may be transmitted over the land line telephone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to a battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source; and said housing having a power transfer circuit for channeling electrical power from a cellular telephone battery retained within said battery compartment to said data receiving and processing system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to a battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source; and said housing having a power transfer circuit for channeling electrical power from a cellular telephone battery retained within said battery compartment to said data receiving and processing system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processing device of claim 7 further comprising a remote triggering device for capturing a video image data signal upon remote initiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The processing device of claim 7 wherein the housing further comprises a side panel having an LED display light thereon to display a visual indicia of at least one operational state for the processing device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The processing device of claim 9 wherein the side panel retains an on/off switch for the processing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The processing device of claim 7 wherein the means for selectively and alternatively connecting the device to a land line telephone system comprises a detection circuit for detecting the presence of a land line telephone hookup.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The processing device of claim 7 further comprising a compression device within the housing for compressing data representing a captured image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processing device of claim 7 further comprising a video image storage memory within the housing for storing an image after capture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The processing device of claim 13 further comprising an addressing device for addressing a video image on a selected pixel-by-pixel basis in the storage memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
132 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to a battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source; and a means for selectively and alternatively connecting the device to a land line telephone system whereby the output data signal may be transmitted over the land line telephone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
132 words
A modular image processing device for receiving and capturing a visual image from an external source and transmitting said image to a remote receiving station, the image processing device comprising: a housing shaped and sized to be removably affixed to a battery compartment within the body of a cellular telephone; an image data receiving and processing system within the housing to receive a video signal from an external video source and to produce an output signal in a format transmittable over a telephone system; an interface means operably associated with the data and receiving processing system for interface with an external video source; and a means for selectively and alternatively connecting the device to a land line telephone system whereby the output data signal may be transmitted over the land line telephone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The processing device of claim 15 further comprising a video image storage memory within the housing for storing an image after capture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The processing device of claim 10 further comprising an addressing device for addressing a video image on a selected pixel-by-pixel basis in the storage memory.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The processing device of claim 15 wherein the housing further comprises a side panel having an LED display light thereon to display a visual indicia of at least one operational state for the processing device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The processing device of claim 15 wherein the side panel retains an on/off switch for the processing device.
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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) | 2006-10-20 | 2007-04-21 | 2007-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | 2011-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-20 | 2015-04-21 | 2015-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |