Kodak debuts Bluetooth-enabled digital camera

Eastman Kodak has introduced a telephoto version of its compact dual-lens camera that offers Bluetooth wireless technology.

The V610 lets consumers transfer images wirelessly to any other Bluetooth-enabled device within 30 feet of the camera. For example, consumers can take pictures in the backyard, while the images are printing in their study.

The camera, which will be released in May for $499, can share photos with Bluetooth-enabled PDAs (personal digital assistants), computers and mobile phones. While companies such as Nokia, Sanyo and Sony have offered Bluetooth capabilities in the form of camera phones, camcorders and adapters, this is the first digital camera with Bluetooth inside, according to Kodak.

The V610 is a compact 6-megapixel camera with a 10x optical zoom. Identical in body to its V570 sister, the product offers two lenses and two sensors in one camera, giving photographers a larger shooting range, Kodak said. The camera also has a 230,000-pixel, 2.8-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screen.

The V610 offers "anti-blur" technology to protect photos from human shaking, a common problem when shooting in low-light settings, the company said. Its panorama stitching allows three images to be fused together into one photo with no need for external software.

[pu2006]

What about Sony's DSC-FX77

It came out in 2003. It had Bluetooth. It was never marketed in the U.S., but that doesn't mean that Kodak gets to say that they're the first.

[EnglishWilliam]

I am inventor of Sense Organs Synthesizer (put in search bar to view Patent Application). I will soon test a prototype, by interfacing Dr. Meijer's The vOICe system with a linear tactile array. His invention is used by the blind, as it paints a 'soundscape' of real-time view provided by DVR Spyglasses, to headphones. Dr. Meijer has given me permission to obtain 'proof of concept' for my invention, by interfacing his system. We must build a linear tactile array, since none exist of type needed.

Dr. Meijer's system is usually run by a laptop, carried in a back pack. There is a smart phone version, but these phones cannot receive video signals from Spyglasses or web cam, as there is no USB port for accessibility to do so. Users must hold phones up to capture views, a bit awkward for them, so the far more expensive and fragile laptop in back back is more often used.

A Bluetooth camera installed in bridge of sunglasses, similar to DVR Spyglasses, would eliminate many problems for blind users of The vOICe. It would wireless connect to cell phone or similarly small device, eliminating the problematic lap top necessity.

I understand some configuration of internal processing in these phones would need to be done, to interact properly with The vOICe App (available as download). Also, most blind cannot afford monthly data plans that many phones demand, to be activated. These are solvable issues.

At some future point, I would like my programming for the SOS Device (short name for my invention) as am App in a smart phone also. I have enough of a wire-bundle to contend with, for the tactile array.

I would think that a Bluetooth camera installed in sunglasses would also have commercial demand for public use, allowing others to see what we are looking at while talking, and having hands free.

Please visit seeingwithsound.com for a full demonstration of The vOICe. His system can be built from off shelf hardware and Dr. Meijer's software downloads are free of charge. He welcomes developers assistance in any area that can use improvements. He is a busy man, so please no one bother him with wasteful conjecture.

Thank You for Your Time,

Bill English