Image capture apparatus and method and method with a remote signaling device

[0011]It will be appreciated that environmental cameras and the like potentially provide for a much greater range of camera heights and positions, thereby greatly improving the range of images available for capture by an individual. The present invention allows individuals to conveniently capture still and/or moving images taken by environmental cameras as well as, or instead of, using a personal camera.

[0012]In one embodiment of the present invention, the signalling means is mounted in or on a user's personal still or video camera. However, this function may be provided in a separate portable device such that the user does not need to have their camera with them to capture an image via an environmental camera if desired. The signalling device may be made simple and cheap enough to be given or rented to, for example, visitors to a desired location such as a theme park. This is particularly useful if the image data is stored in a separate device. In this case, the signalling device may be arranged to transmit user identity information to the selected environmental camera so that user-specific images can be stored for subsequent viewing. The same signalling device could be arranged to transmit the user identity information to a public viewing device or the like, so that the user-specific images can be viewed or reviewed prior to deletion, print or purchase. In fact, if the user carries a signalling device and the image data is transmitted directly to a central storage area, such as a website, the user does not even have to have a personal camera. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the signalling and image data (or URL) receiving means are provided in a unitary device which may be mounted in or on a personal camera, or which may comprise a stand-alone device.

However, the field of view of such devices is limited by the positions and standpoints available to the user, and in some cases it may be required to capture images which are not actually visible or accessible to the user.

Further, in many cases, it is difficult for a camera user to capture an image of themselves without the assistance of another party.

In addition, although personal cameras tend to combine photographic sensing with the capture of sensed images in a digital storage medium, and even though many of these cameras have removable storage cards, such cards generally need to be plugged into the camera to which they belong before they can be used to capture images.

However, the remote control is only suitable for use with the specific camera with which it is associated.

Unfortunately, however, the images captured by such environmental cameras are not usually available to the general public and may only be accessed by the camera provider or their agent(s).