System and method for accessing and utilizing ancillary data with an electronic camera device

An electronic device comprising:

• an ancillary module that transfers at least one ancillary file from a data source to said electronic device,
• said data source being implemented as a computer in a distributed computer network, said at least one ancillary file including software instructions for said electronic device,
• said ancillary data module performing one or more on-line management procedures regarding said ancillary data file while an active communication path exists from said electronic device to said computer,
• said at least one ancillary file being selected and downloaded through selection decisions that are able to be made in all instances only by said system user, said selection decisions being made in all instances prior to said download of said at least one ancillary file, said at least one ancillary file being transferred from said data source to said electronic device by utilizing at least one of a wireless transmission and a physical connection;
• and
• a processor device that controls said ancillary module.

A method for utilizing an electronic device, comprising:

• transferring at least one ancillary file from a data source to said electronic device by utilizing an ancillary data module, said data source being implemented as a computer in a distributed computer network, said at least one ancillary file including software instructions for said electronic device,
• said at least one ancillary file being selected and downloaded through selection decisions that are made in all instances by a system user, said selection decisions being made in all instances prior to said download of said at least one ancillary file, said at least one ancillary file being transferred from said data source to said electronic device by utilizing at least one of a wireless transmission and a physical connection;
• converting said at least one ancillary file from a first format to a second format by utilizing said ancillary data module,
• said ancillary data module performing one or more on-line management procedures regarding said converted at least one ancillary data file while an active communication path exists from said electronic device to said computer;
• and
• providing a processor device that controls said ancillary module.

A mobile device comprising:

• an ancillary data module that transfers at least one ancillary file from a data source to said mobile device, said data source being implemented as a computer in a distributed computer network, said at least one ancillary file including software instructions for said mobile device,
• said ancillary data module performing one or more on-line management procedures regarding said ancillary data files while an active communication path exists from said mobile device to said computer,
• said at least one ancillary file being selected and downloaded through selection decisions that are able to be made in all instances only by a system user, said selection decisions being made in all instances prior to said download of said at least one ancillary file, said at least one ancillary file being transferred from said data source to said mobile device by utilizing at least one of a wireless transmission and a physical connection;
• and
• a processor device that controls said ancillary module.