Interactive camera for network processing of captured images

Abstract

A digital still camera and interactive system and method for video display or reproduction of captured images employing an image processing system on an interactive network for receiving and converting a captured raw, digitized image information set into a display image format for display as a video image, storage, and/or reproduction as a print. A simplified digital camera without signal compensating and processing circuits is employed by a user to capture an image and to transmit the raw image information sets along with a camera identification code through an interactive television network to an interactive control node for processing with color correction and pixel defect correction using the cameras correction and defect maps and other image enhancement, and to convert the processed image data to the specified display image format. The processed video display signal is transmitted back to the user's or other designated receiver's interactive television home interface controller. The camera specific, correction maps and the color and defect correction algorithms may be provided by the camera manufacturer to the network on registration of the camera and accessed or downloaded by the user or the user's designee. Processing of the raw image information sets may be at a control node within the network or in the user's home interface controller.