Patent Application
20060061662
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to communication devices; and in particular to communication devices with imaging capability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Historically, communication devices, (such as cellular telephones, two way messaging devices, wired telephones, mobile devices, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDA), and other devices with communication operation) have had the ability to receive and/or transmit data and/or voice messages sent from a communication system, and perform standard functions in response to message receipt such as storing the message, displaying the message, or alerting the user of receipt of the message. Data messages can include a numeric message such as a phone number, or an alphanumeric message containing one unique piece of information such as “meeting in my office at 6:00 pm.” Voice communication can include traditional two way calling using devices operating on compatible communication protocols.
The user is alerted of receipt of a new message or an incoming voice call by an audible alert or a vibratory alert. The display of many communication devices includes a message indicator for each message it has received and stored in memory. This message indicator allows a quick view for the user of how many messages are in the communication device and also allows the user to quickly pick a message to view. The display further can include a call receipt message indicating to the user a new voice or data call is being received and/or the source of the new incoming communication.
As communication devices continue to evolve, device capabilities continue to expand. One such capability is connectivity to imaging devices such as still-imaging and video cameras. For example, there are still-image and video camera accessories that can be connected to a cellular telephone. Some devices further provide capability to receive images such as photographs taken by other electronic devices such as a cellular telephone receiving a photograph from a personal computer. Further, some device manufacturers are offering communication devices with built-in imaging devices including still image and/or video cameras. Once the images are stored on the communication device, the device user can view them on the display and utilize the images in other available applications such as backgrounds, standby screens, contact lists, and the like.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
The present invention relates to a communication device and method of operation therefore which provides the ability to transmit images (i.e. still images and/or video clips) via multimedia messaging to an address determined by the context of the situation. The present invention provides a device user the capability to input an image (for example, take a picture) and transmit the image immediately to the same destination as a currently active call. This invention ties together the imaging functionality and messaging with automatic address in a novel manner.
Referring to
The communication device 100 preferably includes a user interface (such as a microphone 105, a keypad 110, an earpiece 115, a display 120, and a housing 125). The microphone 105, for example, converts an acoustic input signal received from a voice transmission to the communication device 100 into an electric input signal. The earpiece 115 can convert an electric output signal into an acoustic output signal transmitted from the communication device 100 to be heard by the listener of the communication device 100. The keypad 110 allows the user of the communication device 100 to enter data such as phone numbers and text memos and to perform various functions within the communication device 100. The display 120 displays data such as one or more communication messages, phone numbers, and caller identifications. The display 120 further can display graphics such as screen savers, wallpaper, gaming applications, and the like. Similarly, the display 120 can display still image and video images received by the communication device, programmed into the communication device 100, or captured by the communication device 100 itself. The housing 125 encloses the various elements of the communication device 100 and provides mechanical support for the device.
As illustrated, the communication device 200 includes an antenna 205, a transceiver 210, a processor 215, a memory 220, an alert 225, a display 230, a user interface 235, and an image capture means 245. The antenna 205 intercepts transmitted signals such as a message, data, or a voice call from one or more communication devices 250 via one or more communication systems 240 and transmits signals to the one or more communication devices 250 via the one or more communication systems 240. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the communication systems 240, in accordance with the present invention, can function utilizing any wireless radio frequency (RF) channel, for example, a two-way messaging channel, a mobile cellular telephone channel, or a mobile radio channel. Similarly, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the communication systems 240 can function utilizing other types of wireless communication channels such as infrared channels and/or Bluetooth channels. Similarly, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the communication systems 240 can function utilizing a wireline communication channel such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) or a combination of both. The LAN, for example, can employ any one of a number of networking protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), AppleTalk™, IPX/SPX (Inter-Packet Exchange/Sequential Packet Exchange), Net BIOS (Network Basic Input Output System) or any other packet structures. The WAN, for example, can use a physical network media such as X.25, Frame Relay, ISDN, Modem dial-up or other media. In the following description, the term “communication system” refers to any of the communication systems mentioned above or an equivalent. Further, in the following description, the term “communication device” refers to any device operating within the communication systems mentioned herein or an equivalent.
The antenna 205 is coupled to the transceiver 210, which employs conventional demodulation techniques for receiving the communication signals. The transceiver 210 is coupled to the processor 215 and is responsive to commands from the processor 215. When the transceiver 210 receives a command from the processor 215, the transceiver 210 sends a signal via the antenna 205 to one or more of the communication systems 240. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the communication device 200 includes a receive antenna and a receiver for receiving signals from one or more of the communication systems and a transmit antenna and a transmitter for transmitting signals to one or more of the communication systems. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other similar electronic block diagrams of the same or alternate type can be utilized for the communication device 200.
Coupled to the transceiver 210, is the processor 215 utilizing conventional signal-processing techniques for processing received messages. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that additional processors can be utilized as required to handle the processing requirements of the processor 215. The processor 215 decodes an identification in the demodulated data of a received message or call, compares the decoded identification with one or more identifications 260 stored in the memory 220, and when a match is detected, proceeds to process the remaining portion of the received message or call. The one or more identifications 260, for example, can be a unique selective call address assigned within a wireless communication system, an electronic mail address, an IP (internet protocol) address or any other similar identification.
In accordance with the present invention, the processor 215 includes an image communication manager 255 for managing communication of stored images to the one or more communication devices 250. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the image communication manager 255 can be hard coded or programmed into the communication device 200 during manufacturing, can be programmed over-the-air upon customer subscription, or can be a downloadable application. It will be appreciated that other programming methods can be utilized for programming the image communication manager 255 into the communication device 200. It will be further appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the image communication manager 255 can be hardware circuitry within the communication device 200. In accordance with the present invention, the image communication manager 255 can be contained within the processor 215 as illustrated, or alternatively can be an individual block operatively coupled to the processor 215 (not shown).
To perform the necessary functions of the communication device 200, the processor 215 is coupled to the memory 220, which preferably includes a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory. The memory 220, for example, includes memory locations for the storage of one or more received or transmitted messages 265, one or more image data 270, one or more contact directories 275, one or more software applications, and the like. The flash memory is especially useful for easy and fast information storage of the images taken by the image capture means 245 such as an integrated camera function.
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the memory 220 can be integrated within the communication device 200, or alternatively, can be at least partially contained within an external memory such as a memory storage device. The memory storage device, for example, can be a subscriber identification module (SIM) card. A SIM card is an electronic device typically including a microprocessor unit and a memory suitable for encapsulating within a small flexible plastic card. The SIM card additionally includes some form of interface for communicating with the communication device 200. The SIM card can be used to transfer a variety of information from/to the communication device 200 and/or any other compatible device. The external memory can be, for example, a removable memory such as SD/MMC, TriFlash-R, or TransFlash. The memory 220 preferably stores one or more images 260 and one or more associated image orientation data 265.
Upon receipt and processing of a message or a call, the processor 215 preferably generates a command signal to the alert 225 as a notification that the message has been received and stored or alternatively that a call is waiting for a response. The alert 225 similarly can be utilized for other alerting notifications such as an alarm clock, expiration of a timer, or the memory 220 being at its memory storage limitations. Similarly, the alert 225 can be utilized for alerting a user of a request for a user input. The alert 225 can include a speaker (not shown) with associated speaker drive circuitry capable of playing melodies and other audible alerts, a vibrator (not shown) with associated vibrator drive circuitry capable of producing a physical vibration, or one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (not shown) with associated LED drive circuitry capable of producing a visual alert. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other similar alerting means as well as any combination of the audible, vibratory, and visual alert outputs herein described can be used for the alert 225.
Upon receipt and processing of a message or a received call, the processor 215 preferably also generates a command signal to the display 230 to generate a visual notification. Similarly, the display 230 can be utilized as a means for providing a visual image to the user. For example, one or more still images or video images can be displayed on the display 230 for viewing by the user.
Preferably, the user interface 235 is coupled to the processor 215. The user interface 235 can include a keypad such as one or more buttons used to generate a button press or a series of button presses. The user interface 235 can also include a voice response system or other similar method of receiving a manual input initiated by the device user. The processor 215, in response to receiving a user input via the user interface 235 performs commands as required. For example, the user interface 235 can be utilized for performing functions related to the messages stored in the memory 220 such as reading, replying, or deleting one or more stored email messages. The user interface 235 further can be used to perform various functions and make various operational choices for functioning of the communication device 200. For example, the user interface 235 can be used to provide inputs to the image communication manager 255 for image capture by the imaging capture means 245 and transmission of various images via the transceiver 210 to one or more communication devices 250 via the one or more communication systems 240.
The communication device 200, as illustrated, includes the image capture means 245 coupled to the processor 215. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the image capture means 245 can be integrated within the communication device 200 or alternatively externally coupled to the communication device 200. The image capture means 245, for example, can be a camera including the necessary circuitry for providing camera functionality to the communication device 200. Preferably, the image capture means 245 includes functionality of a digital camera. For example, the image capture means 245 can include software and circuitry for the calculations that are made each time a picture is taken. The image capture means 245 provides functionality to preview, capture, compress, filter, store, transfer, and display the image. Typically, the image capture means 245 includes a microprocessor programmed to perform these calculations and other various functions.
Referring to
Referring to
The communication preference 410, for example, can be a fixed communication order 445, a pattern communication order 450, a fixed time based communication order 455, and the like. The schedule 415 indicates when the communication preference 410 will be utilized for communicating with the particular contact 405. For example, the schedule 415 can identify using the communication preference 410 for a fixed communication order 445 or a pattern communication order 450. Alternatively, the schedule 415 can identify one or more time periods 465 for an associated time based communication order for each of the time periods. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the information stored within the contact preferences directory 400 can be entered manually by the device of the communication device 200 user via the user interface 235, can be programmed into the communication device 200 either via signals received by the antenna 205 or direct contact programming methods, or any other equivalent method.
To exemplify the manner in which information is stored within the contact preferences directory 400,
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
When an active call is detected in Step 505, the operation continues to node A and Step 510 in which the device user participates within the active call. Next, in Step 515, the operation determines whether the device user desires to transmit an image to at least one other participant within the active call. For example, the device user can indicate a desire to transmit an image using the user interface 235. When no image is desired to be transmitted in Step 515, the operation cycles back to node A and Step 510 and the active call continues. When the device user indicates a desire to transmit an image in Step 515, (for example, the image communication manager 255 receives an input from the user interface 235 indicating such), the operation continues to Step 520 in which the operation determines whether the image to be transmitted is stored in the memory 220. For example, the image communication manager 255 can query the images 270 stored in the memory 220 to determine whether or not the desired image is stored. Further, the device user can indicate that the image to be transmitted is stored in the memory 220 via the user interface 235. When the image is a stored image in Step 520, the operation continues to Step 525 in which the image is retrieved. When the image is not a stored image in Step 520, the operation continues to Step 530 in which the image is captured using the image capture means 245.
After the image is retrieved in Step 525 or the image is captured in Step 530, the operation continues to Step 535 in which the communication information for the active call is retrieved. The communication information typically includes the other communication devices' identifications and/or available capabilities, the communication channel identification and/or communication protocol. Next, in Step 540, the operation determines whether or not the communication device being used in the active call by the other participant (s) is (are) capable of receiving an image. When the participant's device is capable of receiving images in Step 540, the operation continues to Step 545 in which the image is transmitted over the active call to the participant's device. Generally, Step 545 comprises transmitting the image from the communication device to at least one other communication device using the communication channel in which the two devices are simultaneously participating in a primary communication. The operation then cycles back to node A and Step 510 as the active call continues.
When the participant's device is not capable of receiving an image, the operation continues at node B as will be illustrated and described in further detail in
When an alternate communication means is available in Step 605, the operation continues to Step 620 in which it is determined whether or not communication preferences have been set for the participant. For example, the image communication manager 255 can query the contacts preferences directory 400 for communication preferences for the participant. When preferences are available in Step 620, the operation continues to Step 625 in which the preferences order is set for further processing. When preferences are not stored for the participant, the operation continues to Step 630 in which it is determined whether or not a user selection has been set. For example, the device user can select the alternate communication means for transmission of the image via the user interface 235. When the selects an alternate communication means for transmitting the image, the image is transmitted to the user selection in Step 660. (note: It is presumed that the user selection is capable of receiving an image as illustrated in
Next, and after Step 625, the operation continues with Step 640 in which a counter is set to N=1. Next, in Step 645, the operation determines whether or not an Nth communication means for the participant exists. When there is no Nth communication means for the participant, the operation cycles back to the optional Step 610 as described previously herein.
When an Nth communication means exists in Step 645, the operation continues to Step 650 in which it is determined whether or not the Nth communication means is capable of receiving an image. When the Nth image is not capable of receiving an image, the counter is incremented to N=N+1 in Step 655. The operation then cycles back to Step 645. When the Nth communication means is capable of receiving messages, the image is transmitted to the Nth communication means in Step 660. The operation then cycles back to node A of
It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the operation of
While this disclosure includes what are considered presently to be the preferred embodiments and best modes of the invention described in a manner that establishes possession thereof by the inventors and that enables those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which are to be limited not by the preferred embodiments but by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, if any, are used solely to distinguish one from another entity, item, or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities, items or actions. Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions. It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs with minimal experimentation. Therefore, further discussion of such software, if any, will be limited in the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts according to the present invention.
