RIM files patent for something camera-related

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 8th 2006 at 1:18PM

After reading United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0146140, re-reading it, and reading it yet again, we're still having trouble busting through the patent-speak to make heads or tails of what exactly RIM is trying to get at in the 2004 filing. To quote, the patent covers a digital camera and "and a wireless control apparatus. The digital camera wirelessly transmits the digital signal to the wireless control apparatus. The wireless control apparatus includes a display device, such as an LCD, for displaying a displayed image based on the digital signal." The best we can figure is that RIM is looking to use a BlackBerry to control a digital camera, or possibly to use another device to control the camera within a future RIM device. Either way, we're a little confused about the value of the feature (self portraits, maybe?), but it does jive with what RIM's been saying lately, and as they say in the patent world -- file now, ask questions later.

[Via BBHub]

Filed under: Multimedia, RIM

Tags: blackberry, camera, digital camera, DigitalCamera, filing, patent, rim, wireless

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

wildklymr @ Jul 8th 2006 2:10PM

Well isn't the blackberry itself considered a "Wireless Communication Device"? Maybe it's a roundabout way of filing a patent for camera built into blackberry... but why would they need a patent for it? it would be cool if it was a bluetooth digital camera for upcoming blackberrys

Neutral

Stephan @ Jul 8th 2006 4:34PM

i'm thinking more along the lines of a camera attachment for current models.. Sony Ericsson T237, anyone??

Neutral

Charlie @ Jul 8th 2006 5:48PM

Since the lack of a camera is a business friendly feature, the additon of a bluetooth camera module that can be physically removed for "No Camera" zones seems to fit with RIM's market.

Neutral

-_- @ Jul 8th 2006 7:36PM

could this be something like sony ericsson's bluetooth rc car thing? like a little camera module you place on your hat brim or something and it streams video to your crackberry. that would be sweet! you'd be like a spy or something.

Neutral

James @ Jul 8th 2006 8:47PM

Perhaps you could use a real digital camera (3+ MP) and transmit the photos directly to the BB for emailing or whatever.

Neutral

lucidix @ Jul 8th 2006 8:54PM

bluetooth camera!

Neutral

thought @ Jul 8th 2006 9:39PM

On the surface this idea seems lacking.

There's a reason why far more photos are snapped using cell phone cameras than with stand alone cameras: because most people carry their cell phones everywhere, whereas do not carry their digicams everywhere. Most people don't want to take their digicam with them everywhere.

Who wants to carry two devices when with other competing products, you only have to carry one? And who wants to go through the trouble of transmitting photos from camera to phone, when with other products the photos are automatically stored in the phone, because, well, the camera is in the phone.

This latest concept seems to be a poor design choice. Of course, just because this is a patent, doesn't mean that RIM will ever bring it to market. Remember, Apple files a lot of patents that they never act on.

Neutral

Mobile Phone Text Chat Date @ Feb 21st 2007 12:07AM

Chatnation is incredibly easy to use. You will get a text message back from someone who wants to talk to you right away.

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