Patent Publication Number: US-6715003-B1

Title: Digital camera and method for communicating digital image and at least one address image stored in the camera to a remotely located service provider

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/081,491, filed May 18, 1998, entitled “Transporting Digital Images,” and naming as inventors Mohammad A. Safai and Eugene Wang. 
     This application is related to Application Ser. No. 09/503,984, filed Feb. 14, 2000, entitled “REMOTE DIGITAL IMAGE PRINTING AND INTERFACE FOR A DIGITAL CAMERA,” and naming as inventors MOHAMMAD A. SAFAI, DOUGLAS W. L. TEEPLE, EUGENE WANG. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to data processing. The invention relates more specifically to automatic remote development, printing, and forwarding of photographic prints based on digital images that are formed in a digital camera. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People around the world enjoy photography and distributing photographic prints to their friends, relatives, and neighbors. Photography is also important in a variety of commercial industries. Recently, a new generation of cameras has become available that form images using digital technology. Personal electronic handheld digital cameras are now commercially available from Nikon, Canon, and other manufacturers. 
     In a personal electronic handheld digital camera, light reflected from a subject passes through a lens and strikes a digitizing device, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector. The CCD detector, and associated circuitry, converts light rays into digital electronic signals that form an image of the subject. One or more digital images are stored in a solid-state memory device within the camera or in a removable memory device such as a flash memory card. The camera contains a microprocessor that executes the image formation and storage operations, under control of a computer program embodied in firmware such as read-only memory. 
     A display integral to the camera, such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD), provides a viewfinder function by showing images formed by the lens and CCD prior to storage. The display also shows status information about various camera settings. 
     After a picture-taking session, a user of the camera connects the camera to a workstation or personal computer. Alternatively, the user removes the removable storage device that contains stored images from the camera, and connects the removable storage device to the personal computer. The personal computer executes a program that can read the stored images, from either the camera or the removable storage device, and display the images on a display of the personal computer. Under software control, the personal computer can also send one or more images to a printer, store the images as files on the personal computer, and carry out other functions. 
     One problem of this approach is that a user of the digital camera is required to use the personal computer to obtain a reasonable display of the digital images. Generally, personal computers have displays that are far larger and have far better resolution and image quality than the small LCD displays typically found on digital handheld cameras. As a result, using a personal computer is the only practical way to obtain a useful displayed image of a digital image taken with a digital camera. 
     Another disadvantage of the prior approach is that a personal computer or its equivalent is required to print a tangible copy of a digital image taken with a digital camera; the camera cannot produce a printed copy itself. Further, most consumers do not own or cannot afford a high-resolution color printer, such as a laser or ink jet printer, that is capable of producing a high-quality printed image of a digital photo. Consumer-grade computer printers can produce a good-quality grayscale image or black-and-white image, but high-resolution color printers are expensive and not common in the home computer environment. 
     As an alternative, a user of a digital camera can take the removable storage device to a commercial image printing service. Conventional photo developers are beginning to offer such services. The user pays a fee to the service provider, and the service provider prints a hard-copy print of an image, generally using a high-resolution color laser printer and ordinary paper. However, this involves delay and fees that are undesirable. In particular, in this alternative, when a user of the camera wishes to send a tangible copy of an image to a relative, friend, or neighbor, the user is required to wait for the service provider to print the image and deliver it to the user, before the user can send the print to the desired person. There is a need to expedite the image transport process. 
     A further problem with the prior approaches is that the user of the camera is required to use a personal computer to send a digital image made with the camera to a distant business, friend, relative or neighbor. Personal computers are not ubiquitous on a worldwide basis or even in large cities, outside highly industrialized nations such as the United States. Thus, there are millions of people who enjoy taking pictures but do not have access to, cannot afford, or do not want to use a personal computer in order to send a picture to someone else. For these people, there is an acute need to simplify and expedite the process of sending pictures from themselves to someone else. 
     Another problem with these approaches is that the user or owner of the digital camera cannot prepare a photographic print from a digital image, on standard photographic paper of the type used in optical and chemical photographic processes. Making photographic prints from digital images is desirable for several reasons. For example, in general, because photographic paper is more color-sensitive and has extremely fine grain, a photographic print will have greater image fidelity and color quality than an image printed on a laser printer. In addition, laser printed or ink jet images may be unsuitable for reproduction in newspapers, magazines and other media. Furthermore, because color laser printing is a new technology and the long-term durability of inkjet inks and papers is unknown, images printed on conventional plain paper have an uncertain life span. In contrast, photographic prints are durable and are known to last many years, and are therefore desirable for archival applications. 
     Currently, an owner of a digital camera who desires to make photographic prints must take the camera, or a diskette containing images taken by the camera, to a commercial photo developer or camera shop. The diskette is given to the developer, or the images are transferred from the camera to a storage device associated with the developer. The owner of the digital camera then generally leaves the premises while the photographic prints are made, because the photo printing process takes time and may involve slow chemical processing. Thus, the owner of the camera is requested to return at a later time to pick up and pay for the prints. If the prints are to be given to another person or business entity, the owner of the camera must separately deliver the prints to that individual or entity. The foregoing process takes time and requires multiple manual steps and an associated expenditure of energy and resources. 
     Accordingly, there is an acute need in this field for a more automatic way to transfer digital images to a developer or other entity that can prepare photographic prints. There is also a need for a more automatic way to deliver the completed photographic prints to the intended recipient without requiring multiple visits or trips by the camera owner to the developer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a method of preparing a photographic print is provided. A digital image is formed in a digital camera. One or more address images are retrieved. The digital image and the one or more address images are communicated from the digital camera over one or more networks to a service provider that is remote from the digital camera and coupled to one of the networks. A photographic print of the digital image is printed on a photographic printer associated with the service provider. The photographic print is delivered from the service provider to one or more receiving parties specified by the one or more address images. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preparing a photographic print. A digital image is formed using a digital camera. Address information is stored in the digital camera in association with the image. The address information specifies one or more recipients of the digital image and defines characteristics of the photographic print. Both the digital image and the address information are communicated over a packet-switched data network to a service provider that is logically remote from the digital camera and communicatively coupled to the data network. A photographic print is printed from the digital image based on the characteristics. Finally, the photographic print is delivered from the service provider to the one or more recipients specified by the address information. 
     According to another aspect of the invention a digital camera is provided that is configured to form a digital image and retrieve one or more address images. The digital camera is further configured to communicate the digital image and the one or more address images from the digital camera over one or more networks to a service provider that is remote from the digital camera and coupled to one of the networks. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of a handheld digital camera. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of selected physical and logical components of a digital camera according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of a method of transporting an image, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 3B is a flow diagram of an operation of the method of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 3C is a flow diagram of an operation of the method of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 4A is a diagram of a display generated during an image transport step of the method of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 4B is a diagram of a display generated during an addressing step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4C is a diagram of a display generated during a keyboard entry step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4D is a diagram of a display generated during a subject entry step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4E is a diagram of a display generated during an image selection step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4F is a diagram of a display generated during a messaging step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4G is a diagram of a display generated during a confirmation step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4H is a diagram of a display generated during an addressing step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 4I is a display generated during an addressing step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram of an alternate display generated during a confirmation step of the image transport application. 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image transport system. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computer system that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image development system. 
     FIG. 9A is a diagram of an image options screen. 
     FIG. 9B is a diagram of an Edit options screen. 
     FIG. 9C is a diagram of an addressing screen generating during an addressing step of the Edit application, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 9D is a diagram of a completed address screen generated during an addressing step of the Edit application. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagram of a developing option selection screen generating during a development process, according to an embodiment. 
     FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of a process of using a digital camera. 
     FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of an EDIT process. 
     FIG. 11C is a diagram of a ZOOM process. 
     FIG. 11D is a diagram of a PAN process. 
     FIG. 11E is a diagram of a BRIGHT process. 
     FIG. 12A is a flow diagram of an image sending process. 
     FIG. 12B is a diagram of steps in a process of remote image development. 
     FIG. 12C is a flow diagram of steps in a process of image transport. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A method and apparatus for automatic remote developing, printing, and forwarding of photographic prints based on digital images that are formed in a digital camera is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. 
     OVERVIEW OF DIGITAL CAMERA ARCHITECTURE 
     FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of a personal handheld digital camera  100 . The camera  100  comprises a body  102  generally formed as a rectangular box that can be gripped in the hand using a handgrip  104 . A viewfinder  106  is optically coupled to a main lens (not shown), so that a user of the camera who wishes to take a picture can look through the viewfinder  106  to line up a shot. 
     A display device  108  is mounted in the body  102 . Stored images, camera settings, and other indicators may be viewed on the display device  108 . In one embodiment, the display device  108  is a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a visible area that is approximately 2″ (5 cm) in the diagonal dimension. Selection buttons  110 ,  112 , and  114  are mounted in the body  102  adjacent to the display device  108 . The selection buttons  110 ,  112 ,  114  are used to signal various logical selections of options, commands, etc. based on the contents of the display device  108 . Use of the selection buttons  110 ,  112 ,  114  in the context of transporting digital images is described further below. A microphone  216  is additionally included in the digital camera  100 . 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an architecture  200  including selected physical and logical components of the digital camera  100 , according to an embodiment. Architecture  200  of the digital camera  100  comprises certain software elements  220  and hardware elements  250 . Among the hardware elements  250 , an image detector  202  is optically coupled to a main lens of the camera  100 . As in a conventional camera, a shutter is interposed between the main lens (not shown) and the image detector  202 . When the shutter is opened, the image detector  202  receives light reflected from a subject and focused by the lens, and an image is formed at the image detector. An example of an image detector  202  is a charge-coupled device (CCD) that comprises an array of detectors or elements. 
     The image detector  202  produces a plurality of analog image signals that are generally proportional to the amount of light falling on the image detector  202 , e.g., elements of the CCD. The analog image signals are coupled to an analog device  204 , which can be an analog chip or photo color device. The analog device  204  receives the signals from the image detector  202  and organizes them into a discrete set of analog signals having pre-determined values. The analog device is coupled to an analog-digital converter (ADC)  206  that receives the analog signals from the analog device  204 , and converts the analog signals into a plurality of digital signals. According to example embodiments, the ADC  206  performs 8-bit or 12-bit analog-to-digital conversion. 
     The ADC  206  provides its digital outputs to a photo processor  208 . In one embodiment, photo processor  208  is implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) device that controls operational parameters of the image detector  202  and the analog device  204 . The photo processor  208  may also buffer or groom the digital signals received from the ADC  206  to improve or modify image quality. 
     The photo processor  208  is coupled to a central processing unit (CPU)  210 , which is a microprocessor in one embodiment. The CPU  210  provides central control for others of the hardware elements  250  of the architecture  200  and executes software elements  220 , as described below. The CPU  210  is coupled to one or more storage devices  212 . For example, the storage devices  212  can include a flash memory card that provides non-volatile storage of digital images or photos taken by the digital camera. 
     The CPU is also coupled to input/output devices such as a communications port  214 . For example, the CPU  210  can be coupled to a telephone line  213  through a communications port  214  in the form of a modem that is comprised of a coder/decoder (codec) and a digital-to-analog adapter (DAA). Using the modem, the CPU  210  can communicate data over a conventional telephone line to a remote device such as a server, personal computer or workstation, or printer. A modem is merely one example of a device suitable for use as communications port  214 . Alternatively, the communications port  214  is an infrared communications device, an Ethernet interface, an ISDN terminal adapter, or another telecommunications device. The specific communication method, protocol or mode used by communications port  214  is not critical. In addition, the hardware elements  250  can include more than one such communication device. 
     In one embodiment, CPU  210  also is coupled to a microphone  216  through an appropriate interface  218 . Preferably, the microphone  216  is mounted in or on the body  102  of the camera  100  (see FIG.  1 ). The interface  218  converts analog voice signals received from the microphone  216  into a digital signal that is representative of the voice signals. The interface  218  enables the CPU  210  to receive, use and manipulate voice commands or voice message information spoken by a user of the digital camera into the microphone  216 . The interface  218  preferably is also coupled to an output device  217 . The interface  218  can receive digitized audio information convert it to analog form, pre-amplify the resulting analog signal, and drive the output device  217 . In combination, the interface  218  and output device  217  enable the CPU  210  to play digitized audio files or voice messages in an audible way. The output device  217  can be a loudspeaker, or an output connector or jack that can be connected to an amplifier and speaker or to a pair of headphones. 
     The CPU  210  is also coupled to the display device  108  through a display driver  219 . The CPU  210  communicates, to the display driver  219 , the form and content of information to be displayed on the display device  108 . The display driver  219  determines how to display the information and drives the display device  108 , for example, by causing the display device  108  to illuminate pixels of an LCD array at appropriate locations. In a particular embodiment, the display device  108  has a touchscreen formed integrally with the display. In this embodiment, the display driver  219  also includes circuitry or firmware for receiving signals from the touchscreen that represent user selection of elements shown in the display. Alternatively, a separate touchscreen driver circuit or chip is used. 
     In one embodiment, CPU  210  is also coupled to a printer interface  209  that can connect to an external printer (not shown), for example an image-quality printer. Using printer interface  209 , under program control, CPU  216  can command such a printer to print a tangible copy of a stored photo. In a particular embodiment, printer interface  209  communicates data to the printer using infrared light signals. Of course, any other type of printer interface can be used alternatively. 
     In another alternative embodiment, the CPU  210  is coupled to a hot-pluggable external interface located in or on the camera body  102 . The hot-pluggable external interface enables the digital camera  100  to be connected to a docking station whereby the digital camera may communicate data and images to external computing devices, such as a personal computer. 
     The CPU  210  can execute software elements  220 . In one embodiment, the software elements  220  of the architecture  200  are arranged in multiple logical levels. At the lowest logical level, the CPU  210  executes a kernel  222  and one or more drivers  224 , which cooperate to control and supervise the hardware elements  250 . For example, the drivers  224  can include a driver program that controls and supervises operation of the image detector  202 , the analog device  204 , and the photo processor  208 . 
     The CPU  210  executes an operating system  226 . The operating system  226  is arranged at a logic level higher than the kernel  222  and drivers  224 , so that the operating system  226  can use services embodied in the kernel and drivers. In one embodiment, the operating system  226  is the Microsoft Windows CE operating system. 
     An application programming interface (API)  228  is logically interposed between the operating system  226  and one or more application programs  230 - 236 . The API  228  provides an application programming interface (API) so that the application programs  230 - 236  may use services of the operating system  226 , kernel  222  and drivers  224  by calling functions organized according to high-level abstractions. In such a configuration, the application programs  230 - 236  are insulated from implementation details or intricacies of the operating system  226 , kernel  222  and drivers  224 . In one embodiment, the API  228  provides functions accessible through function calls that express abstract program behavior and simplify application program development. For example, the API  228  provides functions for retrieving images, storing images, manipulating image elements, receiving or outputting information, and other functions. 
     In one embodiment, the CPU  210  can execute a transport application  230 , an edit application  232 , a print application  234 , and a camera control application  236 . Generally, the transport application  230  can provide image transport functions, enabling a user of the digital camera  100  to send one or more stored pictures or images from the camera to one or more external addresses. The edit application  232  can provide image editing functions, enabling a user of the digital camera  100  to edit, retouch, or alter one or more stored pictures or images while they are stored in the camera. The print application  234  can provide image printing functions, enabling a user of the digital camera  100  to print one or more stored images directly from the camera to a printer. The camera control application  236  can provide camera control functions, enabling a user of the digital camera  100  to adjust settings of the camera such as the exposure time, flash on/off, zoom, whether manual focus or autofocus is enabled, red eye removal, flash fill, exposure intensity, etc. In alternate embodiments, other application programs, or a subset of the above applications can be executed. 
     In alternative embodiments, the software elements  220  are implemented in the form of firmware or hardwired circuitry that carries out the functions described herein. Thus, implementation in software in this arrangement is not required. 
     IMAGE TRANSPORT APPLICATION AND SERVICE 
     The transport application  230  is now described with reference to FIGS. 3A-C, FIGS. 4A-G, and FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 3A is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a transport method  300  using the image transport application  230 . Operation of the image transport application  230  includes displaying a transport menu, as shown by block  302 . An example of such is illustrated by the transport menu screen  404 , shown in FIG. 4A, which includes one or more transport type buttons  406   a-d . In block  304 , a transport type selection is received, for example when a user selects one of the transport type buttons  406   a-d  included in the transport menu screen  404  of FIG.  4 A. The transport type can be selected by manipulation of one or more of the selection buttons  110 ,  112 , or  114  of the digital camera  100  or by use of a finger or stylus touching the display device  108  (see FIG.  1 ). The use of scroll bars, selection buttons, and styluses are well known to those skilled in the art, and a stylus can be any instrument for touching a desired portion of the display device  108 . 
     A destination address is received in block  306 , a more specific example of which is further illustrated in FIG.  3 B. The transport method  300  can also include receiving other transport information in block  308 . For example, such information can include a message, aural and/or typed, to accompany the transported image(s), and/or the quantity of each printed and/or developed image. Also, characteristics of the printed and/or developed image can be received, such as the desired size, orientation, paper type, or other photo-processing characteristics. In block  310 , one or more images can be selected for transport. This can include acquiring one or more images, selecting one or more images acquired before the image transport process, or both, as described further below with reference to FIG.  3 C. The image(s) is sent to a desired destination in block  312 , a more detailed example of which is shown in FIG.  3 D. 
     Image Addressing 
     FIG. 3B is a specific example of steps including in receiving a transport destination address in block  306  of FIG.  3 A. When a user selects the transport type button  406   a  (see FIG.  4 A), as in block  304  of FIG. 3A, the transport application  230  displays an address entry screen in response, as indicated by block  316  of FIG.  3 B. In a particular embodiment, the address entry screen  412  of FIG. 4B is shown on the display device  108 . As shown in FIG. 4B, address entry screen  412  generally comprises an address entry field  414  and virtual option buttons  415   a-c . Option buttons  415  can include a Cancel button  415   a , a Back button  415   b , and a Next button  415   c , discussed further below. 
     The address entry field  414  can include a scroll bar  414   a . The address can be entered by the user operating the scroll bar  414   a  to display one or more addresses, and to select one or more of these addresses. When so performed, the transport application successively receives a request for scrolling the address list in block  334 , and in block  336  displays the next address of a stored list until the user stops operating the scroll bar and address entry is completed in block  338 . The scroll bar  414   a  can be operated by manipulation of one or more of the selection buttons  110 ,  112 , or  114  of the digital camera  100  or by use of a finger or stylus touching the display device  108  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     Alternatively, the transport application can receive selection of the address entry field  414  in block  326  by, for example, user operation of the selection buttons  110 ,  112 ,  114 , a finger, or a stylus. In response, a virtual keyboard  416 , as shown in FIG. 4C is displayed on the display device  108 , in block  328 . The virtual keyboard  416  can be a graphical representation of an alphanumeric keyboard or any other combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The transport application can then receive selection of keyboard characters in block  330  by the user selecting, touching, or pressing one or more keys of the virtual keyboard with one or more of the selection buttons  110 - 114 , a finger or a stylus. The selected keyboard characters can thereby form an address  418 , and address entry can be completed when selection of a completion button, such as the Enter button  420  on the virtual keyboard  416 , is received in block  332 . In addition or alternatively, address entry can be completed by selecting the Next button  415   c  or the Cancel button  415   a . The address  418  may be an electronic address, such as an electronic mail address that follows the Internet addressing format. Alternatively, the address  418  may be a physical address, such as a postal mail address. Any appropriate address format may be provided. 
     In another embodiment, the transport application  230  has an auto-completion function. Each time that a user enters an address, the transport application  230  stores the address in an ordered internal table in the storage device  212 . As the user subsequently enters an address, the auto-completion function examines the keystrokes or characters. With each keystroke or character, the auto-completion function compares the partial address entered at that point, to the addresses in the internal table. If a match occurs, the auto-completion function retrieves the complete address from the internal table and displays it in the address entry field  414 . 
     In some embodiments, a user may also enter text describing a subject of the photos or message. In these embodiments, address entry screen  412  can further include a subject data entry field  422  in addition to the address entry field  414 , as illustrated in FIG. 4D. A user may select the subject data entry field  422  using the selection buttons or by touching or pressing on it with a finger or stylus. In response, transport application  230  displays a cursor in the subject data entry field  422  and displays the virtual keyboard  416  in the address entry screen  412 . The user may enter text for the subject line using the virtual keyboard  416  as described above with reference to FIG.  4 C. The transport application  230  displays each character in the subject data entry field  422  as it is entered by the user. When the user selects an Enter key  420  on the virtual keyboard  416 , the transport application stores the characters that were entered, for example, in a subject string variable associated with the address received in block  306 . In addition, the address entry screen  412  is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 4D, including the address entry field  414  and the subject data entry field  422  with the entered characters  423 . 
     After address entry is determined to be complete in block  332  and/or when the Cancel button  415   a  is selected, the transport application can also check whether the received address is valid, as shown in block  340  of FIG.  3 B. Block  340  may involve various validity checks and tests. For example, block  340  may involve testing whether the address  418  conforms to Internet addressing protocols or whether the address is formatted as a recognizable postal mail address. If the address is found to be invalid, then an error condition occurs in block  344 . In one embodiment, at block  344  the transport application generates a prompt to the user that asks whether the user wishes to correct the address or discard it. This enables the user to “fix” an incomplete or erroneous address before the process continues. In the absence of or after the rejection of such an opportunity, the application discards the current address  418  and the process can end or return to block  302 ,  304 ,  316 , or to any other appropriate process of the application. 
     If the address is found to be valid in block  340 , then in block  342  the address  418  is stored in the storage device  212 , for example, in a list of current addresses. Control can then be passed to block  308  and the application continues. In addition or alternatively, control can be passed to block  316  in which the user may enter another address. Thus, using a loop formed by blocks  316  through  346 , the user may enter and store one or more addresses to which one or more stored images or photos can be sent. The Next button  415   c  or some other appropriate button can be selected to indicate that no additional addresses will be entered, and the process continues in block  308 . 
     In one embodiment, it is desirable to minimize address validity checking in the transport application. This is because additional validity checking can be carried out in other stages and by other equipment, and because it is desirable to permit the user to enter virtually any type of address, and then use more powerful equipment and processing at another location to interpret or parse the address. 
     Non-Traditional Image Addressing 
     According to another embodiment, the addressing of messages in block  306  of FIG. 3A supports non-traditional addresses. As used herein, a “non-traditional” address is an address that is difficult to enter using virtual keyboard  416 . For example, a non-traditional address may be in a language not supported by virtual keyboard  416  or otherwise require a different character. According to this embodiment, when a user selects transport type button  496   a  in block  304 , then as illustrated in FIG. 4H, the user is presented with an addressing screen  424  and choice of selecting traditional addressing, non-traditional addressing or returning to the prior screen by selecting one of buttons  424   a ,  424   b  or  424   c , respectively. 
     Selecting traditional addressing via button  424   a  causes the steps to be performed to enter a traditional address as previously described herein. Selecting non-traditional addressing button  424   b  provides for the use of a non-traditional address. According to one embodiment, selecting non-traditional addressing button  424   b  causes image address display  425  (FIG. 41) to be displayed, which allows a user to capture and store one or more address images to which one or more images are sent. 
     Address images are provided to a fulfillment house along with one or more stored images. Address images may take many forms and the invention is not limited to a particular address format. For example, the address image may be of a hand written address, a page from an address book, a business card, a rolodex card, or any other form that can be captured in an image. Address images may include any type of address information. Examples of address information include, without limitation, names, addresses, facsimile numbers, telephone (cellular or land line) numbers and email addresses. Non-traditional image addressing allows images to be sent to addresses in any form and any language, regardless of the character set supported by virtual keyboard  416 . 
     Multiple address images may be collected, stored and recalled on demand. Each address image may be displayed in display  426  by selecting any of image selectors  427   a-d  or by scrolling through stored address images using selectors  428   a  and  428   b . Address images may be deleted using trash selector  429   a . A currently displayed address image may be enlarged by selecting a zoom selector  429   b . An address image indicator  429   c  indicates the current number of address images taken. One or more address images are selected by a user selecting a done selector  429   d . Thus, a user may capture and store a digital image and then store and capture one or more address images for the digital image. Alternatively, a user may capture and store a digital image and recall one or more previously stored address images. 
     Address images do not have to be captured and stored by the same digital camera that forms a digital image. According to one embodiment, address images are received by a digital camera over a communications medium, for example, a network, any type of interface connection, or over a wireless connection. 
     Option Buttons 
     When the Next button  415   c  (see FIGS. 4B-D) is selected by a user, the transport application  230  of FIG. 2 can generate a display showing the next logical step in the message transport process. For example, when the user is addressing a message and activates the Next button, the transport application can continue to the “choose photo” function described below in connection with FIG. 4E, or to another next logical step of the application. Activating the Back button  415   b  produces the opposite effect; the transport application generates a display showing the previous logical step. In this way, the user is substantially never “lost” in the message transport process. Next and Back buttons may be provided and used in this manner, alone or with a Cancel button  415   a.    
     The Cancel button  415   a  can be used to terminate an address entry session and return to the transport menu such as in FIG.  4 A. In a particular embodiment, a user may activate the Cancel button  415   a  at any time that it is displayed. As an example, when the Cancel button  415   a  is selected during address entry of block  306 , the transport application tests whether the current address  418  is valid. If so, it is stored in the current address list, and control returns to block  302  and the transport menu screen  404  is displayed. Alternatively, control can return to any other point in the application, with the appropriate corresponding display on display device  108 . While Cancel button  415   a  is shown with the Next and Back buttons in FIG. 4A, any combination thereof can be included. For example, the Next and Back buttons can alternatively be included alone. 
     Image Selection 
     Generally, after entering one or more addresses, in block  310  a user can next select one or more stored images, such as digital photos, to be sent to the one or more received addresses. As shown in FIG. 3C, in block  348  the transport application displays a photo select screen. FIG. 4E is an example of a photo select screen  430  that is generated during the image selection step of the image transport application. The photo select screen  430  comprises a plurality of images  432   a - 432   c , each of which is a small-size representation of a previously taken digital photo that is stored in a storage device in or in communication with the digital camera  100 . Thus, the images  432   a - 432   c  comprise “thumbnail” views of stored photos. Although three (3) images  432   a - 432   c  are shown in FIG. 4E, this number is not critical, and any appropriate number of images can be shown in thumbnail form. 
     Normally, a digital camera can store a large number of digital images. For example, a digital camera can have a miniature storage device, such as a hard disk drive, mounted in it for image storage. Such disk drives are capable of storing on the order of several hundred images. Since only a few “thumbnail” views of the images can be displayed at a given time, the photo select screen  430  has backward/forward scroll buttons  437   a ,  437   b . When a user selects buttons  437   a ,  437   b , the images  432   a - 432   c  conceptually scroll left or right, respectively. This causes one or more of the images  432   a - 432   c  that is at the end of the display to disappear from the displayed screen, and one or more other images from among the stored digital images to be displayed. 
     The photo select screen  430  also has an enlarged image  434  that reproduces one of the current or stored images, such as one of the displayed thumbnails  432   a - 432   d , in enlarged form. For example, the enlarged image  434  can show a currently selected or highlighted image. The enlarged image  434  enables a user of the digital camera to see a more clear view of a particular image. 
     A counter field  438  displays the current number of images that have been selected (as described below) from among images  432   a - 432   c  and others stored. A ZOOM button or icon (not shown) can enable a user to zoom in on a portion of an image that is displayed as the enlarged image  434 . 
     In block  350 , the transport application receives a photo selection from the user. In one embodiment, a user taps a finger or stylus on one of the thumbnail images  432   a - 432   c . In response, the transport application selects or deselects the image, as shown in block  352 . If the selected image  432   a - 432   c  has not been previously selected, then the image is selected. In that case, block  352  preferably involves displaying a colored or highlighted border around the selected image or otherwise distinguishing the selected image from those that have not been selected. As shown in block  354 , an enlarged copy of the selected image is displayed as the enlarged image  434 . The value displayed in the counter field  438  is incremented and redisplayed in block  356 . An identifier of the selected image is stored in the storage device for later use. Thus, the transport application maintains a stored list of selected images. 
     Alternatively, if the image chosen by the user has previously been and still remains selected, then in block  352  the image is de-selected. The colored border or other distinguishing aspect is turned off, and the value displayed in the counter field  438  is decremented and re-displayed. 
     The application determines whether image selection is complete in block  358 . For example, such completion can be indicated when the Next button  415   c  is selected. When such completion is determined, control can pass to block  312  to send the images, or to any other appropriate point in the application. Also, the stored list of selected images is maintained in the storage device. For example, the selected images are associated with the address(es) entered by the user as described herein and stored in a data structure, conceptually serving as an “out-box” or output queue that is maintained in the storage device. 
     Accompanying Message 
     Optionally, a user may record a voice or text message, or both, and associate such message(s) with the selected photos and addresses. To record and associate a message, the user selects an appropriate provided button (not shown). FIG. 4F is an example of a display  446  generated during a message step of the image transport application. The display  446  includes a Record button  448 , a Play button  450 , and a Done button  452  to facilitate voice message recording. The display  446  also includes a message text input field  454 , as well as a Cancel button  415   a , a Back button,  415   b , and a Save button  456 . 
     To record a voice message, the user can tap or touch the Record button  448  with a finger, stylus, or by any other appropriate method of selection. In response, the transport application  230  begins receiving digitized voice information from the microphone  216  through the interface  218  (see FIG.  2 ). In one embodiment, the transport application  230  calls one or more functions of the operating system  226  or kernel  222  to obtain digitized voice information from the interface  218 . The user speaks into the microphone  216  and speaks any desired message. For example, the voice message recorded by the user may be a commentary on one or more images, such as “Hi, Grandma, here are the photos of the grandchildren,” or any other desired voice annotation for one or more images. In some embodiments, the received aural voice message can be translated into text, using an appropriate speech recognition application associated with the digital camera  100 . To play back a recorded voice message, the user taps, touches, or otherwise selects the Play button  450 . In response, the transport application retrieves the previously recorded voice message and plays it back through interface  218  and output device  217 . 
     In the context of a digital camera, it is considered sufficient to record only one voice message per photo and store it in a single area of the storage device. Therefore, the application can be configured such that when the Record button  448  is pressed multiple times, successive recordings overwrite previous recordings. 
     In addition or in the alternative, a textual message can be received. For example, the user can select the text input field  454 . Characters to form a text message can be received and displayed in the text input field  454 . These characters can be entered with the aid of a keyboard as described above with reference to FIG. 4C, or by any other suitable method. 
     When the Save button  456  is selected, the provided message(s), as digitized voice information and/or a text message, is stored in the storage device  212  in association with the list of selected photos and the addresses entered by the user. For example, the message(s) is stored in a file in the storage device  212 , using the file system provided by the operating system  226 , and the name of the file is stored in an object that associates the name, the names of the selected photos, and the addresses. 
     Image Send 
     After selecting one or more images, providing one or more intended recipient addresses, and optionally recording a message, an image transport confirmation screen  458  is displayed, as illustrated in FIG.  4 G. The confirmation screen  458  includes a confirmation box  460 , a Cancel button  415   a , a Back button  415   b , a Send button  462 , and a Send Later button  464 . 
     The confirmation box  460  displays an address and any associated subject previously entered. The confirmation box  460  can also display the number of photos to be sent to each address. When the user has entered more than one address, the transport application will send the selected photos to each address in the list separately. In that case, each address may be displayed in the confirmation box  460  separately. 
     An advisory box also can be included in confirmation screen  458  and display an applicable advisory message directed to the user. For example, an advisory message can be displayed informing the user to connect the camera  100  to the telephone line  213 . In response, the user is expected to connect a cable from the camera to a telecommunication device or network. For example, when communication port  214  is a modem, the user connects it to a telephone jack that is coupled to the public switched telephone network. In addition, the confirmation screen  458  can include a message box that includes an indication of an associated stored message(s) and/or, in the case of textual messages, the message(s) itself. 
     The user may select the Send button  462 , Cancel button  415   a , or the Back button  415   b . A user may dispatch the selected images to the entered addresses by selecting the Send button  462  of the confirmation screen  458 . In response, the transport application can display a Sending Message screen (not shown) which can display the current status (e.g., percentage complete or remaining) of the image transport operation. Further aspects of this Send process are discussed below with reference to FIG.  6 . When the Cancel button  415   a  is selected, the send operation terminates and control is passed back to any appropriate point in the image transport application. When the camera  100  and image transport application are engaged in actually sending one or more photos to one or more destinations, selecting the Cancel button  415   a  will interrupt such a sending operation. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the confirmation screen has the configuration shown in FIG.  5 . The confirmation screen  458 ′ comprises an address field  466 , a photo field  468 , a voice message check box  470 , a delete option check box  472 , a Cancel button  415   a , a Store button  476 , and a Send button  462 . In this configuration, the address field  466  displays one or more addresses that have been entered by the user. The photo field  468  displays one or more numeric values that identify the photos that will be sent. Each numeric value identifies the ordinal position of a photo in a sequence of photos that are stored in the camera. For example, FIG. 5 shows values of “1, 4”, which identify the first and fourth stored photos in association with the camera  100 . 
     The voice message check box  470  indicates whether the user wishes to transmit a pre-recorded voice or text message with the photos. When the check box  470  is checked, the transport application  230  will transmit a message previously recorded by the user along with the photos identified in the photo field  468 . The delete option check box  472  indicates whether the user wishes the photos identified in the photo field  468  to be deleted from the camera  100  after the photos are sent. When the delete option check box  472  is checked, the transport application deletes the photos from storage in the camera  100  after sending them. When the Cancel button  415   a  is activated, the transport application  230  terminates the send operation and returns control to an appropriate point in the image transport application. When the Store button  476  is activated, the transport application  230  stores information describing the photos, address, and the state of the check boxes  470 ,  472  in an Out Box. The Out Box is a data structure in the storage device  212  of the camera  100  that contains a list of messages that have been configured for transmission out of the camera but that have not been sent. In such an embodiment, the image transport application may be provided with a Check Out Box option that enables the user to review the contents of the Out Box, select a message, and/or perform other tasks, and resume the transport process. The Send button  462  is used to transport messages in the manner described above with reference to FIG.  4 G. 
     As discussed above, when the Send button  462  is selected, in response, the transport application sends the selected photos to the destination address indicated in the confirmation box  460 . One process of sending messages will be described with reference to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram of an image transport system. Camera  100  is coupled through its communication port  214 , such as a modem, and telephone line  213  to the public switched telephone network (PSTN)  606 . A service provider  600  is logically separated from camera  100 . The service provider  600  has a server  601  that is coupled by a modem  604  to the PSTN  606 . One or more services  602  are executed by the server  601 . The services  602  preferably include a service of receiving and forwarding photos, as described herein. Other services can be provided, as described below. 
     PSTN  606  and modem  604  represent just one example of a data communication network and a communications interface that can be used to convey information to server  601 . Any data communication network or its equivalent, and an interface or the equivalent that can communicate data to or from communication port  214 , may be used. 
     Preferably, the server  601  is coupled to a mass storage device  614 . The server  601  is also coupled to a network  608  and to remote devices that are located logically across the network, such as a remote server  610 , a printer  612 , and other devices. In one embodiment, the network  608  is the global packet-switched data network known as the Internet. 
     In this context, when the Send button  462  is pressed, the transport application causes the camera  100  to connect to the server  601 . For example, communications port  214  takes the telephone line  213  off-hook and dials a pre-determined, stored telephone number corresponding to the number of the modem  604 . The server  601  answers the call and establishes a connection to the transport application in the camera  100 . In an embodiment, one of the services  602  initiates a process that handles the connection. 
     The server  601  and the transport application carry out handshaking operations. The server  601  signals the transport application to send photos to it. The transport application sends the selected photos to the server  601 , along with the addresses entered by the user and any associated voice message information, in digital form. 
     In one embodiment, the transport application stores pre-determined information describing the user or owner of the camera  100  in the storage device  212 . For example, the user information may comprise a name, address, telephone number, serial number, and passcode. Alternatively, the user information comprises a unique user name and password. In yet another alternative, the user information comprises a public key of the user for use in a public key cryptography process, or a digital signature, or a digital certificate that uniquely identifies the user. The transport application retrieves the user information and sends it to the server  601 . 
     The server  601  receives the user information, photos, addresses, and voice message information, and stores them locally. After all user information, photos and addresses have been received, transport application  230  or one of the other software elements  220  terminates the network connection. Alternatively, or depending on the communication protocol being used, the server  601  terminates the connection. As a result, modem  214  goes on-hook. 
     Having received the photos, addresses, and voice message information, the server  601  determines what to do with them. In an embodiment, a process of the services  602  examines each address received from the camera  100  and parses the address. When the address is identified as an Internet address in the parsing process, then the service  602  forwards the photos by Internet electronic mail. In particular, the service  602  creates an Internet mail message as a package for the photos. The Internet address is designated as the address for the message. The electronic mail message contains a text greeting identifying the sender. Each digital photo is converted into an image file in a universal file format, such as JPEG, etc. Each image file is attached to the Internet mail message as a file attachment. The service  602  then dispatches the Internet mail message over the network  608 . 
     When the address is identified as a physical address such as a postal mail address, the service  602  prepares a tangible copy of each photo and causes the photos to be sent to the physical address. For example, the service  602  converts each photo into a printable format, and sends each photo in that format to a high-resolution color printer. The service  602  also sends a header sheet to the printer. The header sheet identifies the sender (based on the user information), the addressee, the subject of the message or photos if a subject has been entered by the user, and the number of photos. The header sheet is retrieved from the printer along with the tangible copies of the photos. The header sheet is used as a packing slip. The printed photos are packaged in an envelope and mailed to the address indicated on the header sheet. 
     A system in this configuration may be integrated with a variety of other services. For example, one of the services  602  can redirect one or more photos received from the camera  100  to a facsimile number that is identified in the address information. In this embodiment, the server  601  is coupled to a fax modem. The service  602  parses the addresses received from the transport application and identifies a fax number among the addresses. The service  602  arranges the photos into a fax format file, and passes it to a fax server that controls and supervises the fax modem. The fax server causes the fax modem to dial the fax number and send a fax transmission containing the photos in the fax format file. Details of such fax forwarding technology are well known and are not described in detail herein to avoid obscuring the invention. 
     In another embodiment, the services  602  are configured to upload the photos received from camera  100  to a designated server or Web site. In this embodiment, upon receipt of user information, addresses, and selected photos, services  602  parse the addresses and identify a Web site address among them, such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). In response, services  602  create a Web document, for example, a file in the hypertext markup language (HTML) format. The selected photos are converted into image files, and the image files are hyperlinked into the HTML file. Services  602  establish a connection to the Web site or Web server that is identified in the addresses, through the network  608 . For example, services  602  open an anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) connection to a Web server that is identified in the addresses. Using the FTP connection, services transfer the HTML file and the image files to the Web server. As a result, digital photos taken by the camera  100  become available worldwide, on a rapid basis, through the network  608  using standard World Wide Web protocols and the foregoing processes. 
     Other Services 
     In this configuration, the server  601  may provide services  602  other than image transport. For example, services  602  may also include a registration service in which an owner or user of a camera  100  may register with the server  601  and establish an account on the storage device  614 . The camera owner provides name, address, and billing information, such as a credit card number or bank account number, to the registration service. Thereafter, when the camera owner sends photos from the camera  100  to the services  602  for redistribution to addressees, the server  601  charges the designated credit card number or bank account number a transaction fee for the service of forwarding the message. 
     Services  602  may also include a photo album maintenance service. In the photo album service, a camera owner registers with the server  601  and receives a unique username and password. The camera owner is entitled to store a fixed number of photos on the storage device  614  associated with the server  601 . The camera owner may use the camera  100 , under control of the transport application  230  or another application, to upload one or more photos to the camera owner&#39;s account and designated photo storage area on the storage device  614 . Using the transport application or another application, the camera owner may connect to the server  601 , retrieve one or more photos that are stored in the owner&#39;s account on the storage device  614 , and view the photos at the camera. The camera owner may also print any stored photo at any time and transport any photo at any time in the manner described above in connection with transport application  230 . Thus, the storage device  614  and services  602  provide a virtual photo album service to the camera owner. 
     Services  602  may also include novelty product services. For example, the services  602  may include an image printing service. Using the printing service, one or more photos, stored in the storage device  614  or received from the camera  100  using the transport application  230 , are printed on T-shirts, coffee mugs, or other products. The printing operations are carried out upon request by an owner of a camera  100  who has an account registered with the server  601 . Completed products are shipped to the owner of the camera  100  at the address that is associated with the owner&#39;s account, and the owner is billed by credit card charge or other method. 
     Image Authentication 
     In one embodiment, the steps carried out in response to selection of the Send button  462  also include an image authentication process. 
     Preferably, the transport application has an encoding algorithm that can be applied to one or more of the stored images to produce a unique code representative of the image. For example, the transport application has one or more digital signature algorithms that can receive one of the stored images  432   a - 432   c  as input, and produce as output a digital signature of the input image. In one embodiment, the digital signature algorithm is a one-way hash algorithm, such as the MD5 algorithm. Digital signature algorithms and one-way hash algorithms are described in detail in B. Schneier, “Applied Cryptography” (2d ed. 1997) (New York: John Wiley &amp; Sons, ISBN 0-471-12845-7). 
     The encoding algorithm is applied to each photo as the photo exits the camera  100  and is sent to the server  601 . Thus, an authenticity stamp in the form of the code is added to each photo upon transmission. If the digital photo is subsequently altered, the code will be invalid. The alteration can be detected by applying the altered image to the same encoding algorithm and comparing the code it generates, and information describing its purported author or source, with the original code attached to the image, and information identifying the author of the image or the camera that produced the image. If the codes do not match exactly, alteration has occurred. 
     In one embodiment, the encoding algorithm uses a public key cryptography technique. Schneier describes public key cryptography in detail in the above-referenced work. In this configuration, a public key of the server  601  and a public key of the owner of the digital camera  100  are stored at server  601  in association with the owner&#39;s account, or information describing the owner or information describing the camera. A private key is stored in the camera in a manner that prevents recovery of the private key. For example, the private key is embedded in firmware in the camera. The private key in the camera  100  is used by the transport application  230  as one parameter for the encoding algorithm. Using the private key and the encoding algorithm, the plaintext of an image is converted into ciphertext and then transported to the server  601  in the manner described above. At the server  601 , the plaintext of the image can be recovered using the camera owner&#39;s public key. 
     In this embodiment, the encoding algorithm provides a way to associate a particular camera  100  or owner with each image. Thus, using this information, the server  601  or another party can determine not only whether an image is authentic, but can also determine who or what camera created the image. Moreover, due to the mechanics of public key cryptography, even if the private key in a particular camera is obtained by a malicious party, that private key cannot be used to decrypt or apply false authentication stamps to image created by other cameras or other persons. 
     Hardware Overview 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system  700  upon which aspects of the invention may be implemented. Computer system  700  includes a bus  702  or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor  704  coupled with bus  702  for processing information. Computer system  700  also includes a main memory  706 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus  702  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  704 . Main memory  706  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  704 . Computer system  700  further includes a read only memory (ROM)  708  or other static storage device coupled to bus  702  for storing static information and instructions for processor  704 . A storage device  710 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus  702  for storing information and instructions. 
     Computer system  700  may be coupled via bus  702  to a display  712 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. An input device  714 , including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus  702  for communicating information and command selections to processor  704 . Another type of user input device is a cursor control  716 , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor  704  and for controlling cursor movement on display  712 . This input device typically has two degrees of freedom, that allow the device to specify positions along a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y) in a plane. 
     The invention is related to the use of computer system  700  for image transport and authentication. According to one embodiment of the invention, image transport and authentication is provided by computer system  700  in response to processor  704  executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory  706 . Such instructions may be read into main memory  706  from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device  710 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory  706  causes processor  704  to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
     The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor  704  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device  710 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory  706 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wires and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus  702 . Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infrared data communications. 
     Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, many other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, and any other medium from which a computer can read. 
     Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to processor  704  for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system  700  can receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and appropriate circuitry can place the data on bus  702 . Bus  702  carries the data to main memory  706 , from which processor  704  retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory  706  may optionally be stored on storage device  710  either before or after execution by processor  704 . 
     Computer system  700  also includes a communication interface  718  coupled to bus  702 . Communication interface  718  provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link  720  that is connected to a local network  722  For example, communication interface  718  may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, communication interface  718  may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface  718  sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. 
     Network link  720  typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link  720  may provide a connection through local network  722  to a host computer  724  or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)  726 . ISP  726  in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”  728 . Local network  722  and Internet  728  both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link  720  and through communication interface  718 , which carry the digital data to and from computer system  700 , are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. 
     Computer system  700  can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link  720  and communication interface  718 . In the Internet example, a server  730  might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet  728 , ISP  726 , local network  722  and communication interface  718 . In accordance with the invention, one such downloaded application provides for image transport and authentication as described herein. 
     The received code may be executed by processor  704  as it is received, and/or stored in storage device  710 , or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer system  700  may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave. 
     Network Architecture 
     FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a remote image development, printing and transport system. Camera  100  communicates through an internal or external modem  214  with network  806 , which may be the public switched telephone network or any other type of voice or data network. A service provider  800  is coupled to network  806  at a location logically separate from camera  100 . In an embodiment, service provider  800  is an Internet Service Provider that communicates with camera  100  using standard Internet data communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, over network  806 . In such an embodiment, a user of camera  100  has access to an account with service provider  800 . The user may utilize the account, for example, for World Wide Web or Internet access using a personal computer or workstation. 
     Service provider  800  has one or more modems  804  that are compatible with modem  214 . Service provider  800  has one or more servers  801  that provide data communication services to clients of the service provider. For example, server  801  can be a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server or an anonymous file transfer protocol (FTP) server. Using software elements  220  (see FIG.  2 ), which may include a web browser, other HTTP client, or FTP client, camera  100  can establish an HTTP connection, an FTP connection, or another type of connection over network  806  to service provider  800 . Although modem  804  is illustrated in FIG. 8 as a single block, it may include a modem bank that has many modems for serving many simultaneous connections. It may also include network access servers, AAA servers, firewalls, etc. 
     Server  801  of service provider  800  is also coupled to a data network  808 . In an embodiment, networks  806 ,  808  are integrated into one network. In an alternate embodiment, they are separate networks. 
     A photographic service provider, such as a photo development business, photograph or film processing business, camera shop, or other service bureau (“photo service provider”), can be located logically separate or remote from the service provider  800  and the owner of camera  100 . A server  810  that provides photographic development, or printing services, or both  802  is coupled to network  808  in a position that is logically separate from service provider  800  and camera  100 . The photo service provider provides development, printing and/or transport services for photographic prints or other photographic elements such as negatives, internegatives, interpositives, motion picture film, etc., that are produced based on digital images, to a user of camera  100 . 
     For example, using software elements  220 , a user may establish an FTP connection between camera  100  and server  810 . Using the user&#39;s account at service provider  800 , the user uploads one or more digital images taken by camera  100  to server  810 . The user may also have an account on server  810 . Server  810  is coupled to a photographic printing machine  840  that is loaded with unexposed photographic paper. In this context, “photographic printing machine” refers to a photo laboratory-quality machine that can produce images on photographic paper, rather than a consumer-grade inkjet printer, plain paper color printer, laser printer, etc. The server  810  sends digital image data to the photographic printing machine  840  together with commands that instruct the machine about how to print the images. The photographic printing machine  840  has software elements that can interpret the commands and produce a photographic print based on the commands and the digital images. The photographic printing machine  840  prints one or more copies of the digital images on photographic paper of one or more sizes. An example of a photographic printing machine that is suitable for this purpose is the Chromapress  32 Si produced by the Agfa-Gevaert Group (“Agfa”). 
     In an embodiment, server  810  has a database  830 . Database  830  stores one or more account records for users of cameras  100  who maintain accounts at server  810 . Database  830  may store the account records itself or may provide pointers to the directory structure of server  810 . For example, each account-holder can have a directory within the file system of server  810 . Each directory stores one or more digital images. Each digital image can be stored in wavelet form. Server  810  converts the digital images from wavelet form to “thumbnail” format in a display format, such as the Graphical Interchange Format (GIF). Server  810  may also convert the digital images from wavelet form to other graphical formats for external use, such as GIF, JPEG, TIFF, etc. 
     Database  830  may also store user authentication information that is uniquely associated with a specific user or a particular camera  100  for security purposes. The user authentication information may comprise, for example, a username and a password. In an embodiment, this information may be provided by camera  100  at the time that an FTP connection is requested. Server  810  opens an FTP connection to camera  100  only if the camera provides the correct username and password information. Thus, server  810  enforces access control measures so that only authorized users may access information in server  810  or a particular account of the server. 
     Services 
     Services  802  may carry out a variety of actions. For example, in response to a request by software elements  220 , services  802  cause an uploaded digital image to be printed on the photographic printing machine  840 , resulting in creation of one or more photographic prints. The prints are delivered to a third party addressee that is specified by the user of camera  100 , according to address data associated with the image and sent to server  810  with the image. Delivery may be by postal mail, courier, etc. Alternatively, the prints are delivered to the user of camera  100 . In another alternative, services  802  forwards the prints to an external service provider or fulfillment organization for further processing. The external service provider might offer manual image enhancement, preparation of poster-size prints or other specialty items, bulk image storage, etc. Services  802  are carried out through cooperation of software elements  220  and other software elements of server  810  that are executed by server  810  to provide the services  802 . 
     In an embodiment, the software elements  220  of camera  100  may generate the menu displays of FIG.  9 A through FIG.  9 D and FIG.  10  and cooperate with software elements executed by server  810  to carry out services  802 . The displays of these figures are described below in connection with FIG.  11 A through FIG. 11E, and FIG.  12 A through FIG.  12 C. 
     FIG. 11A is a flow diagram of a method of using a digital camera that may be carried out by software elements  220  when executed by camera  100 . In one embodiment, camera  100  includes a power button for applying power to the camera, and a shutter button for exposing camera electronics to light and forming images. In another embodiment, camera  100  has a five-position rocker control that may be pushed or rocked up, down, left, and right, and which also has a centrally disposed selection button. Software elements  220  can sense selection of the rocker control in any of the five positions and respond appropriately. In one embodiment, camera  100  also has a MENU button which, when pressed, causes the camera to display a menu of command options in the camera display, superimposed over an image that has been taken with the camera. The display of camera  100  may be a touch-sensitive display that is used in conjunction with a stylus. 
     In block  1102 , power is applied to camera  100 . Block  1102  may involve the steps of turning on the camera  100  or installing a battery and activating a power-on button. In block  1104 , one or more digital images are formed. 
     Block  1104  may involve exposing the image-forming electronics of camera  100  to light one or more times, as by pressing the shutter button of camera  100 . One or more digital images are thereby formed by the camera and stored in its memory for later use, viewing or manipulation. 
     In block  1106 , one of the images is selected for an operation or a service such as editing, deleting, or sending for remote development, printing, and forwarding. In an embodiment, the camera  100  displays a first image, and a user may cause the camera to display an earlier taken image or a later taken image, respectively, by moving a rocker control of the camera left or right. 
     Once a desired image is displayed by the camera  100 , the user may activate a menu of services options, as shown by block  1108 . In an embodiment, the menu is activated by pressing the MENU button on the camera. In response, software elements  220  display a menu of the form shown in FIG. 9A, superimposed over the current image. 
     FIG. 9A is a diagram of a top-level menu  900  of services that may be displayed by camera  100 . Menu  900  includes an image description line  902  that identifies the sequence number of the current image, such as image number “ 4 ” among “ 4 ” total images stored by the camera  100 . Although not shown, the image description line  902  may also include a title of the current image and the date on which the image was taken. Menu  900  also may include one or more menu option labels, such as an Edit label  904 , Delete label  906 , Send label  908 , and Setup label  910 . Menu  900  may also include up and down graphical buttons and menu traversal option labels such as a Back label and a Next label (not shown). 
     By default, Edit label  904  is highlighted and indicates the default selection from menu  900 . A user may select a different menu option by touching up and down graphical buttons with a stylus, when such buttons are supplied, or by moving the rocker control, or through another selection method. In an embodiment, selecting a label and holding a stylus on it, or holding the rocker control so as to select it, causes camera  100  to display a help text description near an associated label. For example, holding a stylus on the Edit label  904  may cause camera  100  to display the phrase, “Select to enhance this picture.” The help labels assist the user in remembering what functions are carried out by each option. 
     As indicated by block  1110 , block  1112 , block  1114 , and block  1116 , the main menu may be used to select Edit, Delete, Send, and Setup options. 
     Edit 
     FIG. 11B is a flow diagram of a process of carrying out the Edit option. When the Edit label  904  of FIG. 9A is selected, in response, camera  100  may display a menu of image editing options such as shown in FIG.  9 B. 
     FIG. 9B is a diagram of an edit menu  918  that may be displayed in an embodiment when Edit label  904  is selected. Edit menu  918  displays the same image description line  902  as in FIG. 9A so that the user may retain a sense of context. Edit menu  918  may include a Magnify option  920 , a Draw option  922 , a Message option  924 , and a Brightness option  926 . Edit menu  918  also includes a Done option  930 , and, although not shown, can further include a Cancel option and/or  928 , Back option. Each of the options may be displayed in the form of a text label or graphical button, and each of the options may be selected by moving a cursor to the desired option using the rocker, by touching a finger or stylus to the desired option, or by some other selection method. 
     Selection of the Done option  930  terminates Edit processing, and makes any changes to the image persistent by saving the altered image in camera memory. When included, selecting the Cancel option  928  can cause software elements  220  to display menu  900  of FIG.  9 A. Thus, the Cancel option discontinues Edit processing without taking action on the image. When the Back option is included, its selection can cause software elements  220  to return to the previously displayed menu. If the Back option is selected from Edit menu  918 , it would have the same effect as the Cancel option; however, when the Back option is selected from subsequent screens, the immediately preceding screen is displayed. 
     FIG. 11C is a flow diagram of processing steps that may be carried out in connection with Magnify option  920 . In an embodiment, the Magnify option  920  enables a user to zoom in to or zoom out from an image in increments of 5%. Selection of increasing or decreasing magnification can be made using various selection methods, such as those discussed herein. For example, the rocker control can be moved up or down, to indicate a zoom-in operation or a zoom-out operation, respectively. 
     In block  1130 , the process tests whether the Done option  930  has been selected. If so, then the process returns, for example, to a calling process. If the Done option  930  is not selected, then in block  1132  the process tests whether zoom-in (i.e., increase size) has been selected. Selection of zoom-in may be carried out by moving the rocker control in the up direction. If zoom-in is selected, then the image is digitally zoomed in by 5% and re-displayed in the display of the camera  100 , as shown by block  1134  and block  1139 . The options of FIG. 9B remain displayed, superimposed over the zoomed image. Similarly, as shown by block  1136  and block  1138 , camera  100  senses selection of zoom-out and responds by zooming the image out. 
     FIG. 11D is a flow diagram of processing steps that may be carried out in connection with Draw option  922 . In an embodiment, the Draw option  922  enables a user to add a drawing to the current or selected image. For example, a drawing can be selected from stored drawings, or a drawing can be specified by the user. 
     In block  1130 , the process tests whether the Done option  930  has been selected. If so, then the process returns, for example, to a calling process. If the Done option  930  is not selected, then in block  1140  the process tests whether one or more displayed selection buttons (not shown) have been selected. The selection buttons can each correspond to one or more stored drawings. If a selection button is not activated in block  1140 , in block  1144  it is determined whether a stylus, finger, or other suitable input is detected. Such input can be in the form of moving the stylus, finger, or the like over the image in the location and pattern of the desired drawing. In addition or alternatively, the rocker button can be used to input a drawing. If either a selection button is activated in block  1140 , or a detection is made in block  1144 , the corresponding drawing is placed over the image in block  1142 . In block  1147 , the image is re-displayed, after which the process returns to block  1130 . 
     The Message option  924  may be used to enter a text annotation for the current image. The text annotation is stored in camera  100  in association with the current image, and transported with the image when the image is emailed, transferred by FTP transfer, etc. As an example, the Message option  924  can operate as described above with reference to FIG.  4 F. 
     FIG. 11E is a flow diagram of processing steps that may be carried out in connection with Brightness option  926  of FIG.  9 B. In an embodiment, the Brightness option  926  enables a user to increase or decrease the brightness of the current image (i.e., its “gamma” value) in pre-determined increments. Such increase or decrease can be selected by any suitable selection method, for example, by using a finger or stylus to select one of two arrows, or a position on a bar indicating lesser and greater brightness. As a further example, the rocker control can be moved up or down, to indicate an increase or decrease, respectively, in the gamma value of the current or selected image. 
     In block  1150 , the process tests whether the Done option  930  has been selected. If so, then the process returns, for example, to a calling process. If the Done option  930  is not selected, then in block  1152  the process tests whether a gamma increase (e.g., UP) has been selected. Selection of a gamma increase may be carried out by moving the rocker control in the up direction. If a gamma increase is selected, then software elements  220  cause the gamma value of the current image to be increased by a pre-determined value, and the image is then re-displayed in the display of the camera  100 , as shown by block  1154  and block  1160 . The options of FIG. 9B remain displayed, superimposed over the adjusted image. Similarly, as shown by block  1156  and block  1160 , camera  100  senses selection of a gamma decrease (e.g., DOWN) and responds by decreasing the gamma value and re-displaying the image. 
     Although not shown, the main menu  900  of FIG. 9A can also include a Pan option. In an embodiment, the Pan option can enable a user to pan the current image left or right in pre-determined or user-defined increments. The rocker control can be moved left or right to indicate a pan-left operation or a pan-right operation, respectively. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the Pan process tests whether the Done option  930  has been selected. If so, then the process returns, for example, to a calling process. If the Done option  930  is not selected, then the process tests whether a LEFT movement has been selected. Selection of a LEFT movement may be carried out by moving the rocker control in the left direction. If LEFT is selected, then the image is panned or shifted left by a pre-determined or user-specified number of pixels or image elements, and re-displayed in the display of the camera  100 . The options of FIG. 9B remain displayed, superimposed over the panned image. Similarly, camera  100  senses selection of a RIGHT movement and responds by panning the image in the rightward direction. 
     In the processes of FIG. 11C, FIG. 11D, and FIG. 11E, a finger, stylus, or the like, or any other suitable selection method may be used to indicate option selections, rather than the rocker control. 
     Send 
     FIG. 12A is a top-level view of a process that may be carried out when Send option  908  of FIG. 9A is selected, for example, at block  1114  of the process of FIG.  11 A. When the Send option  908  is selected, camera  100  displays a Send menu superimposed over the current image, as indicated by block  1202 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, camera  100  displays a Send menu  932  that includes an Email option  406   a , a Develop option  406   b , a Print option  406   c , and a PC option  406   d . A user may select an option by touching a stylus to the name of the option on the display of the camera or by using the rocker control, or by any other suitable method. In response to selection of one of the options, camera  100  carries out steps associated with the selected option, as indicated in FIG. 12A by Email option  1204 , Develop option  1206 , Print option  1208 , and PC option  1210 . 
     In an embodiment, Email option  496   a  may carry out the transport application as described further above with reference to FIGS. 3A-C, FIGS. 4A-G, and FIG.  5 . FIG. 3A is a process diagram of a method  300  for transporting an image in the form of an email. 
     The Print option  406   c  may carry out an image printing service as described further above with reference to FIG.  6 . The PC option  1210  may involve steps that enable a user to transfer one or more digital images from camera  100  to a personal computer, workstation, or other electronic device. 
     FIG. 12B is a flow diagram of steps that may be involved in an embodiment of Develop option  406   b . The steps of FIG. 12B are initiated when a user selects the Develop option  406   b  using the rocker control, stylus, or other selection method. In this context, “Develop” refers to virtual development of a digital image, that is, transport of a digital image from camera  100  to some external storage and service location for remote storage, photographic processing, printing, or forwarding. 
     In block  1208 , an image chooser is displayed. The image chooser may be a graphical panel that displays one or more images that are stored in the camera. The specific form or format of the image chooser are not important, provided that the user may conveniently select an image from among all the images stored in the camera. Any image selection method or mechanism may be used. FIG. 4E is an example of a photo select screen  430  that camera  100  may display at block  1208 . Photo select screen  430  includes a counter field  438  that indicates the sequence number of the currently selected image. One or more thumbnail images  432   a - 432   c  are provided in photo select screen  430 . Each of the thumbnail images  432   a - 432   c  is a reduced size version of a digital image previously taken with and stored in association with camera  100 . 
     In block  1210 , an image is selected from among all the images stored in the camera. For example, in an embodiment, photo select screen  430  may include a scroll bar with which a user may traverse among the images  432   a - 432   c  to select one of the images as the current image. The current image is indicated by a colored frame around the image, or by any other suitable form of highlighting or other indication that one image is selected. As the scroll bar is moved, the colored frame can moves from image to image. Alternatively, the colored frame can be applied to those thumbnail images that are positively selected, as further described above with reference to FIG.  4 E. 
     In block  1212 , an addressing screen is displayed. For example, in an embodiment, camera  100  displays addressing screen  963  as shown in FIG.  9 C. Addressing screen  963  includes a “TO:” field  414  into which a user may enter an address of a person or system to which the current digital image is to be sent. Preferably, the “TO:” field  414  is automatically made current or highlighted so that any subsequent data entry will appear in that field. Addressing screen  963  also includes an address list (not shown) accessible through a scroll bar  414   a , with which a user may select a previously stored address. Alternatively, an address list can be displayed, with or without a scroll bar, in the addressing screen  963 . 
     In block  1214 , the current image is addressed. In an embodiment, an image may be addressed by a user. The user may select one of the addresses and cause it to be entered in the “TO:” field  414  by selecting it using scroll bar  414   a . Alternatively, if the desired addressee is not shown in the address list, the user may enter an address using a virtual keyboard of the type shown in FIG.  4 C. In one embodiment, the user may display the virtual keyboard  416  by pressing the center button of the rocker control; in response, camera  100  displays the virtual keyboard. The user may then enter the address by moving the rocker control to select letters of the alphabet from the virtual keyboard  416 . In an alternate embodiment, the user selects letters of the alphabet from the virtual keyboard  416  by selecting each letter using a stylus, finger, or the like. Either the full address of the addressee, or the addressee name alone can be entered into the “TO:” field  414 . 
     If only the addressee name is entered in the “TO:” field  414 , the user may also enter the postal mail address or email address of the addressee in one or more separate data entry fields, such as the Address field  964 . After the name is entered in the “TO:” field  414 , the other data entry fields are accessed by moving the rocker control or using a stylus, finger, or the like. Data in all the fields is stored in association with the image. 
     FIG. 9C is a diagram of an addressing screen  963  that is displayed when a complete address has been entered or when a previously stored address has been selected using the address list. Addressing screen  963  includes an address field  964  that shows the complete address  965  that will be used to send the current image. The user may scroll through the address information using a scroll bar  966  to confirm that the information is correct. At any time, the user may return to addressing screen  963  of FIG. 9C or virtual keyboard  416  by pressing the center button of the rocker control, or by signaling camera  100  or software elements  220  in some other appropriate manner. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, name and address information may be entered in the form of a second digital image. For example, the user may take a digital image of a mailing label, envelope, address book entry, etc. The digital image is displayed in the camera display device  108 . Software elements  220  may include optical character recognition routines that are applied to the digital image to result in text or other data that may be stored as a current address and used in image development and forwarding services. 
     Referring again to FIG. 12B, in block  1215 , the process includes choosing the size and quantity of prints to be prepared. For example, a user specifies that a certain number of 8×10 prints are to be made. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagram of a selection screen  1000  that may be displayed by camera  100  as part of block  1215 . Selection screen  1000  includes an image identifier field  1002  that displays the name or other identifier of one or more images. In the example of FIG. 10, field  1002  displays the name of the fourth image stored in the camera, which is named “Sally.” Selection screen  1000  may also include one or more size selection fields  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008  in which the user may enter the desired quantity of a particular size of photographic prints. Each size selection field  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008  is associated with a different standard photographic print size, such as 8×10, 5×7, 4×6, etc. Each size selection field  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008  accepts a numeric entry, and may include up and down single-step buttons  1009  that may be used to increase or decrease the numeric entry by integer values of “1.” The particular format and mechanics of the user interface are not critical. Any mechanism for entering a quantity of a particular type of print may be used in addition or alternatively. A total number of requested prints, computed from the values entered in the size selection fields  1004 ,  1006 , and  1008 , can be included in a total print number field  1010 . 
     Selection screen  1000  may also include a price field (not shown) that displays a price value representing the cost to the user of camera  100  of preparing and sending the desired quantity of photographic prints. The price value displayed in the price field may be computed and displayed by software elements  220  based on a table of prices stored in the camera or otherwise accessible to the camera. In an embodiment, the table of prices may be updated with new prices in subsequent steps of the process of FIG. 12B when an image is sent for development. Thus, camera  100  may be updated periodically to acquire new price values as processing prices change. To indicate that the displayed price value is acceptable, the user may select the NEXT option  415   c.    
     In block  1216 , a confirmation screen is displayed by the camera  100  on its display. For example, camera  100  may display a screen that states “Canoe image will be sent to grandma@hometown.com.” The confirmation screen may also include the quantities and sizes of prints that were selected in block  1215 , as well as the cost. Alternatively, addressing screen  963  of FIG. 9D may serve as a confirmation screen. 
     In block  1218  of FIG. 12B, a send option is selected. In one embodiment, the user may select whether to send the current image to the service provider immediately, or the user may select delayed sending. In the case of delayed sending, information about the current image and the prints desired is stored in an Out Box for later delivery at a scheduled time. The Out Box is a storage area within the non-volatile memory of camera  100  that stores one or more images and information that defines how the images should be printed by the photo service provider. 
     FIG. 12C is a flow diagram of a process of sending an image for development and printing. In an embodiment, block  1218  involves carrying out the steps of FIG.  12 C. 
     Block  1220  indicates that a SEND NOW option has been selected using software elements of camera  100 . In block  1222 , camera  100  opens a network connection to server  801 . This may involve: prompting the user to connect a cable between modem  214  of the camera  100  and a telephone line that is coupled to network  806 ; automatically dialing a pre-defined telephone number that is associated with modem  804 ; and carrying out handshaking or other communications between modem  214  and modem  804 . 
     In block  1224 , the current image is uploaded from camera  100  to server  801 . This may involve carrying out an FTP transfer of the current image between an FTP server running in and executed by server  801 , and an FTP client running in and executed by camera  100 . The FTP client may be one of the software elements  220 . Block  1224  may also involve communicating information from the camera  100  to server  801  that defines how the image is to be printed. For example, the information may include the size and quantity of prints, the expected charge, and a third party recipient or addressee to whom the prints are to be delivered. 
     In block  1226 , services are carried out by the photo service provider with respect to the current image. Block  1226  may involve: interpreting the information that defines how the image is to be printed and creating one or more commands for photographic printing machine  840 ; forwarding the current image to the photographic printing machine  840  with the commands; generating a photographic print at photographic printing machine  840 ; and delivering the photographic print to the recipient. The delivery may be automatic; for example, the photographic print may be automatically stuffed into an envelope to which an automatically-generated mailing label is applied. Such services may be carried out by software elements associated with or executed by server  810  in cooperation with database  830  and cooperative software elements of photographic printing machine  840 . 
     In one embodiment, server  810  includes an HTTP server that can communicate with clients that are equipped with browser software. Thus, a customer of the service provider that is providing services  802  may browse the customer&#39;s account with a Web browser. For example, the customer can use the browser to connect to the HTTP server of the service provider, log in using a pre-determined user name and password, and view images that the customer has sent to the service provider from the customer&#39;s camera  100  using the mechanisms outline above. In addition or alternatively, the customer can order reprints or other products incorporating an image or images, such as calendars, t-shirts, etc. The browser may be among software elements  220 . 
     Software elements  220  may use smart dialing to establish a connection from modem  214  to modem  804 . For example, the software elements go off hook and dial a pre-selected number of service provider  800 . If error tone or fast busy tone is received, software elements  220  go on hook, then go off hook and dial a “ 9 ” as a prefix digit. Other combinations of prefix digits, such as “ 8 ”, “ 9 - 1 ”, “ 8 - 1  ”, etc., may be attempted separately or successively. 
     Block  1230  indicates that the SEND LATER or “Out Box” sending method has been selected. In block  1232 , a delayed sending time is entered. Block  1232  may involve displaying a prompt on the display device of camera  100  that requests entry of a day and time at which the current image is to be sent to the photo service provider. The day and time values may be entered using a virtual keyboard. 
     In block  1234 , the day and time values are stored in association with the image in an Out Box of the digital camera. Block  1234  may also involve initiating an alarm process or daemon that periodically compares the current time, as determined by a clock within the digital camera, to the day and time values. When the day and time specified by the day and time values arrive, as indicated by arrow  1235  of FIG. 12C, the image is sent to the photo service provider using the method described above. 
     In one embodiment, transfers of digital images between camera  100  and server  810  use data compression techniques to reduce the size of the digital image file that is transferred over the networks. For example, wavelet compression may be used. Suitable wavelet compression software is available from TeraLogic and MediaMotion, Inc. 
     ALTERNATIVES AND EXTENSIONS 
     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.