Real time transmission of photographic images from portable handheld devices
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for effectively performing a streamlined photo distribution procedure is disclosed. A source device initially captures a photographic image of a target or subject using known techniques. The term “photographic image” as used herein is not limited to single photographs but includes moving pictures, video images and any other known or future means of capturing an image of an event. The source device is likewise broadly defined and includes, but is not limited to, digital cameras, video cameras, cell phones with digital photo capture means, computers, including PDA's or other devices or combination of devices with communication and photo capture means, as well as other image capture means.
1. A system for capturing and transmitting digital data, the system comprising:
a digital camera that captures moving picture and video information in a digital format;
memory for storing the captured digital information;
a global positioning system chip for determining contemporaneous data concerning the location where the captured digital information was acquired at the time the digital information was acquired by the digital camera, contemporaneous data concerning the location of the captured digital information also being stored in memory;
an application executable to annotate the captured digital information with time-stamp data, the time-stamp data also being stored in memory; and
a wireless transmitter that securely transmits the captured digital information, contemporaneous data concerning the location of the captured digital information, and time-stamp data stored in memory over a wireless network to a target site, wherein the target site is pre-designated by the device for transmission so that no input is required from the user to trigger transmission of the digital information, and the system maintains the captured digital information, data concerning the location of the captured digital information, and time-stamp data such that it cannot be modified, thereby providing a mechanism for subsequent verification.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the captured digital information includes individual digital images.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the individual digital images are captured as a part of an album.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the captured digital information includes video.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the time-stamp information is the time and/or date that the captured digital information was acquired.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the time-stamp information is the time and/or date that the captured digital information is transmitted to the target site.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the captured digital information is transmitted concurrent with a user-generated annotation about the captured digital information.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user-generated annotation is text.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user-generated annotation is audio.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the captured digital information, data concerning the location of the captured digital information, and time-stamp data stored are transmitted as the information is acquired.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the captured digital information, data concerning the location of the captured digital information, and time-stamp data stored are transmitted in response to a user instruction.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target site is a web site designated by the device.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target site is an electronic in-box designated by the device.
14. A method for capturing and transmitting digital data, the method comprising:
capturing moving picture and video information in a digital format;
storing the captured digital information in memory;
determining contemporaneous data concerning the location where the captured digital information was acquired at the time the digital data was acquired, contemporaneous data concerning the location of the captured digital information also being stored in memory;
annotating the captured digital information with time-stamp data, the time-stamp data also being stored in memory; and
securely transmitting the captured digital information, contemporaneous data concerning the location of the captured digital information, and time-stamp data stored in memory over a wireless network to a pre-designated target site for storage so that no input is required from the user to trigger transmission of the digital information, such that the captured digital information cannot be modified, thereby providing a mechanism for subsequent verification.