On Monday at COMDEX, Ricoh Corporation plans to show just how well its new RDC-i700 Internet Ready Digital Camera works in conjunction with 802.11 technology.
The i700 will be used in conjunction with Ricoh’s iMove (Internet Mobile Observation System) system to convert images and transmit them in real-time over a WLAN. Such a setup would enable project managers to remotely monitor surveillance teams in the field. Users can receive live video feeds on the camera and also capture 3 megapixel images that automatically transfer to an archiving site.
The camera itself broadcasts a 320×240 pixel image to a Web browser at a rate of 10 frames per second. It comes in a weatherproof housing and could be used in harsh environments like contruction, medical, and distaster industries. The iMove system is capable of monitoring multiple cameras simultaneously. Operating range in the 802.11-based system would be limited to approximately 300 feet from an access point, or according to Ricoh, up to 3 miles with proprietary wireless solutions.
The i700 itself is a 3.34 megapixel, Internet-ready camera capable of image transfer, sending/receiving e-mail including attachments, sending images to fax machines, Web surfing, html document creation with images, and FTP data and image transfers. The iMove system includes the RDC-i700 digital camera, a palm-sized 802.11 bridge for access point connectivity, and a PCMCIA LAN card. The system is priced at $2,500, according to the company, and can be purchased by calling Ricoh at 909-890-9039. Detailed specs on the camera can also be found at the Ricoh Web site.
Matthew Peretz is Managing Editor of 802.11-Planet.com