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02-15-2016, 06:07 AM   #1
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Ricoh Patent: In-camera user registration

Ricoh has filed another patent about having a function to register a camera with the manufacturer from an interface in the camera when connected to a smartphone. The blogger supposes this will enable automatic updating of firmware and talks about the pros and cons of that.

Japanese Ricoh ??????????????????????????????So-net???
English https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://egami.blog.so-ne...p/&prev=search

I think this patent is quite interesting, in that it seems like Ricoh is thinking of making cameras more autonomous, at least in enabling you to register for and download firmware updates without using a traditional computer.

I've been suggesting that the K-1 screen is designed that way for a touch interface. I think this kind of research points in that direction.

02-15-2016, 06:56 AM - 1 Like   #2
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Ugh, I reckon this is something most Pentaxians would not appreciate. Hopefully it can be disabled without constant, annoying reminders popping up

Last edited by Na Horuk; 02-15-2016 at 08:05 AM.
02-15-2016, 08:53 AM - 1 Like   #3
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I think there is a lot more functionality here beyond firmware updates... particularly with GPS enabled gear.

Adding features valuable to a new segment help grow market share. Imagine a camera that is bricked when reported stolen by the owner... Theft is a growing problem with Pro Segment.

This from the recent PanAm games

Not everyone is as daft as this guy

I currently subscribe to Lenstag.com - It would be nice to have that sort of functionality employed by a Mfgr instead of a third party.
02-15-2016, 06:25 PM - 1 Like   #4
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I can't read the Japanese and the English machine translation isn't clear, but the last sentence (But even if there is a problem with the camera, so do not be worse than now to be farm up, it might be better to farm up was avoided just before shooting) might mean a long-needed feature that allows recovery from a failed firmware update. No more bricked cameras. All products that allow firmware updates should have a way to revert to the factory software settings if things go horribly wrong. Some PC motherboards include a BIOS backup.

Can anyone who reads Japanese clarify?

Overall, I'm not opposed to remote firmware updates as long as it can be easily disabled. No one wants to go out shooting and have their camera freeze while downloading updates. (I dislike the fact that such minor ideas can be patented, but that's a lengthy discussion for another time.)

02-15-2016, 06:47 PM   #5
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^^ Tesla updates their cars that way.
02-15-2016, 07:46 PM   #6
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Cool, this would make a lot of sense for the Theta, which could get new features this way. The camera pretty much depends on a smartphone, anyway

Adam
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02-15-2016, 09:24 PM   #7
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I don't want to be "notified"... nor tracked...
As Deadjohn states, a really smart thing is to allow disabling of that function
Gives you the choice to be contacted or not, when you choose that.


Last edited by Zygonyx; 02-15-2016 at 09:37 PM.
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