Patent ID: 7107607
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image data communication system, comprising: an image processing apparatus comprising an image processing circuit for converting a captured image signal to image data having a reduced data size that can be readily processed in a remotely located image display apparatus of a transmission destination and a transmission circuit for outputting said image data along with additional data including an e-mail address associated with said image display apparatus, a message to be displayed with said converted image data, and user identification and/or password information; and an image distribution server remotely located from said image processing apparatus for receiving said converted image data and said additional data, and for authenticating the user identification and/or password information by use of a certification server; and, only when the user identification and/or password information has been successfully authenticated, for generating a URL used for retrieving and viewing said image data, and transmitting said URL to said image display apparatus using said e-mail address; said image display apparatus being operative to receive an e-mail message with said URL, retrieve said converted image data by clicking on said URL displayed on the e-mail message and display a message and an image using said retrieved converted image data.