Patent Publication Number: US-2005134691-A1

Title: Method and system for a communication device having a single button photo send

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
      Not Applicable.  
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless consumer communication devices. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for a communication device having a single button for capturing and sending images in a single operation.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The development and deployment of new wireless technologies and increased bandwidth has spawned a new breed of wireless devices which have the capability to exploit these new wireless technologies. These wireless devices include cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, smart phones and other handheld type wireless communication devices. Smart phones are hybrid communication devices having at least some of the capabilities and features of a cellular telephone and at least some of the capabilities and features of a personal digital assistant. For example, a smart phone may have an operating system (OS), enhanced display, and input/output (I/O) expansion slots, in addition to some of the traditional telephone functions. The operating system may be adapted to facilitate integration of voice and data services such as dialing directly from a telephone address book and displaying a calling party&#39;s information. The enhanced display may, for example, be a high resolution color display, which may have touch screen capability.  
      Some of these wireless devices comprise a camera that may be capable of taking still photographs and/or short video clips. Accordingly, software running on the operating system may be utilized to control operation of the camera. In some instances, the wireless device has to be opened and special menu keys and/or navigational keys accessed and utilized to initiate operation of the camera software. Once the camera is initialized, various software functions may be utilized to capture and either store a photograph or video clip on the wireless device or transfer the image to a remote system or device. The software functions may be accessed through, for example, pull down lists, menus and/or icons. Hence, in order to take a quick photograph, a user has to open the telephone, navigate through various menus using the pull down lists and/or icons to initialize or activate the camera, and then take the photograph. This can be a very cumbersome task and in certain instances, the scene may have changed or a subject of the photograph may have moved and accordingly, it may be too late or impossible to capture the scene and/or subject.  
      For images that are captured and stored on the wireless device, the images may be stored in an internal memory or on a removable memory card such as a secure digital (SD) card. If captured images are stored in the internal memory of the wireless device, these captured images have to be transferred to a remote system or other wireless device using one or more software applications. For example, the captured images may be emailed to a user on a remote system or the captured images may be uploaded to a service provider&#39;s server. This may require utilizing, for example, an email application to attach the captured images to one or more emails and sending the email to its intended recipients. If captured images are stored in a removable memory card, then the memory card must be removed, taken to a different device or system, and uploaded onto the new device or system.  
      Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for a communication device having a single button for capturing and sending images in a single operation. Certain aspects of the invention may also be found in a method and system for processing an image by a consumer handheld communication device. The method may comprise receiving an indication that a capture and send function is activated and capturing at least one image by the consumer handheld communication device. The consumer handheld communication device may wirelessly transfer at least one captured image to a policing authority and/or a service provider providing wireless service for the consumer handheld communication device. An audio and/or a visual signal may be displayed while capturing the image. The indication may be a signal generated by the depression or activation of at least one button.  
      Configuration settings for capturing the image may be determined and a camera for the consumer handheld communication device may be initialized utilizing at least a portion of the determined configuration settings. The camera may also be initialized utilizing default configuration settings. At least one high priority data packet may be generated for transferring the captured image and the generated high priority data packet may be placed at the top of a send queue for immediate sending. The captured image may be stored at the consumer handheld communication device in an internal memory and/or on a removable storage. A flash bulb that illuminates the subject with a flash of light may be generated while capturing the image. The captured image may be a still or a video clip.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, an interval for which the received indication is active may be determined. If the determined interval is at least equivalent to a specified time period, at least one directory number may be dialed. The directory number that is dialed may be a local emergency number, a default directory number and/or a user specified directory number.  
      Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for processing an image by a consumer handheld communication device. The at least one code section may be executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform the steps as described above regarding processing an image by a consumer handheld communication device.  
      Aspects of the system for processing an image by a consumer handheld communication device may comprise at least one processor that receives an indication that a capture and send function is activated. The processor may be a RISC processor, a MIPS processor, CPU, ARM processor, DSP, ASIC, microprocessor, microcontroller, or other type of processor. A camera may be configured to capture at least one image and a wireless transceiver may wirelessly transfer the captured image from the consumer handheld communication device to a policing authority and/or a service provider providing wireless service for the consumer handheld communication device. The captured image may be a still or a video clip. A display is provided which may display a visual signal and a speaker may be utilized to play back an audio signal during capture of the image. The processor may determine configuration settings for capturing the image and utilize at least a portion of the determined configuration settings to initialize the camera and/or the consumer handheld communication device. The processor may also initialize the camera utilizing default configuration settings. The service provider may be a telephone, cable, and/or Internet service provider that may provide wired and/or wireless service.  
      At least one high priority data packet may be generated by the processor and utilized for transferring the captured image. The processor may place the generated high priority data packet at the top of a send queue for immediate sending. An internal memory and/or a removable storage may be utilized for storing the captured image on the consumer handheld communication device. The processor may also be configured with a flash bulb device that illuminates the subject with a flash of light while capturing the image.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the processor may determine an interval for which the received indication is active. If the determined interval is at least equivalent to a specified time period, the processor may dial at least one directory number. The directory number dialed by the processor may be a local emergency number, a default directory number and/or a user specified directory number.  
      These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram of a front view of an exemplary device comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 1   b  is a block diagram of a rear view of the exemplary device of  FIG. 1   a  comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that may be utilized for one button capture and send in a single operation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a rear view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary device of  FIG. 1   a , which comprises a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless device comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Aspects of the invention may also be found in a method and system for processing an image by a consumer handheld communication device and may comprise receiving an indication that a capture and send function is activated and capturing at least one image by the consumer handheld communication device. The consumer handheld communication device may wirelessly transfer at least one captured image to a policing authority and/or a service provider providing wireless service for the consumer handheld communication device. An audio and/or a visual signal may be displayed while capturing the image. The capture and send function may be activated by a single button. If the capture and send function is activated for a specified period, then a special emergency number may also be dialed. In this regard, if a capture and send function button is depressed for a specified period such as for five (5) seconds, then the handheld communication device may dial at least one emergency number or other number.  
       FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram  100  of a front view of an exemplary device comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1   a , the exemplary device may be embodied in, for example, a wireless telephone  102 , comprising a capture and send button  104 , navigation and software function buttons  106 , alphanumeric and symbol keys  108 , microphone  110 , antenna  112 , display  114 , speaker  116  and an IR interface  118 . Although a wireless telephone  102  is illustrated, the invention is not so limited and accordingly, the exemplary device may be a smart phone, personal digital assistant or other handheld device such as a personal communicator or messaging device. The exemplary device may be adapted to utilize any one or combination of the following exemplary wireless technologies: GSM and its variants, CDMA or other spread spectrum technology and its variants, AMPS and its variants, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and Bluetooth, 2-way paging, PDC, PHS, CDPD, Mobitex, Ardis, IDEN, and/or any data protocol associated with any of these wireless technologies. For example, in a case where GSM is utilized, data may be transferred via HSCDS and/or GPRS. These wireless technologies may operate in one or more of a plurality of frequency bands including, but not limited to, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2.4 GHz.  
      The capture and send button  104  may be a button that may be suitably integrated and located on the side, on the face or on the rear of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 . Although the capture and send button  104  may be situated in a location where it may be easily accessed, it may be located in a position in which it may not be erroneously depressed. Accordingly, this may prevent unwanted capturing and sending of images if the single capture and send button  104  is depressed. In this regard, the capture and send button  104  may be recessed into either of the side, face and/or rear of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 .  
      The navigation and software function buttons  106  may include a plurality of buttons that may be adapted to control preset and/or software enabled functions. In this regard, the navigation and software function buttons  106  may be utilized to navigate through various menu lists and/or select and open icons displayed on the display  114 . The navigation and software function buttons  106  may also be utilized to navigate through a software provided keyboard that may be presented on the display  114 . The navigation and software function buttons  106  may also be utilized for browsing since the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 , may comprise an integrated WAP 2.0/XHTML browser, for example.  
      The alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  are similar to the alphanumeric and symbol keys found on conventional wireless telephones and/or smart phones and may be utilized for inputting data and/or instructions into the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 . Various combinations of the alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  may also be adapted to initiate and execute certain functions. For example, in addition to utilizing a single capture and send button  104 , simultaneously holding down or depressing one or more keys such as a “*” and a “#” key may be utilized to initiate and execute a capture and send image function.  
      In general, the alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  may be utilized to program various operations and function of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 . In particular, the alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  may be utilized to program various parameters that may be adapted to control operation of the capture and send functions. For example, setting up the capture and send functions may require that the following parameters be set: capture still image of movie clip; the number of pictures to capture; location(s) of where to send the captures picture(s); and whether to capture images along with accompanying audio. Notwithstanding, if no parameter is set, then default parameters may be utilized. The location of where to send the picture may be, for example, a policing authority such as the local police, sheriff or FBI, and/or a secure service provider server. In instances where an image may be sent to a secure service provider server, a warrant or subpoena may have to he issued prior to the service provider turning over or transferring the image to the policing authority.  
      The microphone  110  may be a conventional microphone that may be adapted to convert voice into electrical signals in order to facilitate communication during a conversation. The microphone  110  in conjunction with voice recognition hardware, firmware and/or software may be adapted to facilitate voice recognition that may be utilized, for example, to navigate menus, to execute functions and/or to store voice notes. In this regard, the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may comprise a voice recognition engine to facilitate navigating menus, executing functions and/or for storing voice notes. In an embodiment of the invention, the microphone may be further adapted to initiate and execute a voice activated capture and send image function. Hence, after training the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  to recognize a user&#39;s voice, the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may be programmed to automatically activate the capture and send image function based on the user&#39;s voice commands.  
      The antenna  112  is similar to other conventional antennas that may be utilized for transmitting and receiving signals over the air. The antenna  112  may be a retractable antenna or a non-retractable type antenna.  
      The display  114  may be similar to a standardized telephone, smart phone or other communication device display and may be a black and white or color TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) or other similar type of display. The display  114  may also have the capability of displaying, for example, 65,536 colors. The display  114  may be configured to display menu functions in the form or lists or icons, for example which may be utilized for controlling the execution of applications. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the display  114  maybe adapted to function as a viewfinder while a camera for the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  is operating.  
      The speaker  116  may be a standard speaker that may be utilized to facilitate playing audio such as voice during a conversation. The speaker  116  may be a polyphonic type speaker having the capability to play MIDI ring tones, melodies and/or notes. Additionally, the speaker  116  may be adapted to playback cues that may be utilized for controlling the operation of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 .  
      The IR interface  118  may comprise a standardized IR transceiver interface that may be adapted to transmit and receive IR signals. The IR interface  118  may facilitate communication with other communication devices such as other cellular telephones, smart phones and personal digital assistants, or peripherals. With regard to peripherals, the IR interface  118  may be adapted to facilitate communication with, for example, a printer. Accordingly, an image stored within a memory of the wireless device or on a removable storage plugged into the wireless device may be printed on a printer utilizing the IR interface  118 .  
      In another embodiment of the invention, one or more of the navigation and software function buttons  106  and/or alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  that may be specially programmed to function as a single capture and send button. Accordingly, a single one or a combination of the function buttons  106  and/or alphanumeric and symbol keys  108  may be adapted to function in a manner similar to a single capture and send button  104 .  
       FIG. 1   b  is a block diagram  150  of a rear view of the exemplary device of  FIG. 1   a  comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1   b , the exemplary device may further comprise a camera  152 , an expansion card  154 , and a battery compartment housing a battery  156 . The exemplary device may further comprise an optional rear speaker  158 .  
      The camera  152  may be an integrated VGA digital CMOS or CCD camera capable of capturing images at various resolutions such as 640×480. The images captured by the camera  152  may be stored in an internal memory of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  or in an expansion card such as a memory card inserted into the exemplary device. The camera  152  may be adapted to capture, for example, H.263 video inside 3 GP file format at 15 frames per second (fps). Accordingly, the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may have the capability to playback H.263 video and/or any MPEG-based video formats. In another aspect of the invention, the camera  152  may be adapted to capture a series of consecutive images resulting in a series of slides. The time interval between the capture of each consecutive slide may be preset or may be user adjustable.  
      The expansion card  154  may be, for example, a compact flash card, a secure digital I/O (SDIO) card or other similar type of storage device. Accordingly, images generated by the camera  152  may be stored, for example, on the expansion card  154 . Images and/or other data stored on the expansion card may be transferred to another communication device by removing and relocating the expansion card into the latter communication device. The images and/or other data stored on the expansion card may also be transferred wirelessly via the antenna, via the IR interface  118 , or via a cable coupled to the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 .  
      The battery  156  in the battery compartment may be any standardized battery that may be adapted to supply suitable voltage and current to sustain operations of the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 .  
      The optional rear speaker  158  may be a standard speaker that may be utilized, for example, to playback an audio signal indicating that an image is being generated whenever an image is being captured and sent. Alternatively, the optional rear speaker  158  may be a polyphonic type speaker having the capability to play MIDI ring tones, melodies or notes. Additionally, the speaker  158  may be further adapted to playback cues that may be utilized to facilitate operation of the exemplary device such as the telephone  102  and may also serve as a speaker. The operation of the optional speaker may be disabled, for example, in software or via a switch or button.  
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that may be utilized for one button capture and send in a single operation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the exemplary steps may start at step  202 . Subsequently, in step  204 , a signal or other indicator may be received indicating that a photo capture and send button is depressed. In step  206 , settings for capturing an image may be determined. In step  208 , the determined settings may be utilized to initialize the camera. In step  210 , the image may be acquired. In step  212 , the location of where to send the image maybe determined. In step  214 , the image may be sent or transferred to the determined location and the exemplary steps may end at step  216 . In step  218 , while the image is being acquired in step  210 , an optional audible and/or a visual warning may be displayed. In step  220 , a copy of the captured image may be stored in an internal memory and/or removable storage.  
      In step  206 , if no settings are determined, then default settings may be utilized to initialize the camera. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the default settings may comprise, capturing a series of four consecutive images with accompanied audio and transferring the captured images to a local police server. In another example, a single picture may be captured and stored in the wireless server provider&#39;s server. Notwithstanding, after the image is acquired in step  210 , a high priority data packet may be generated and the generated data packet may be sent to the determined or default location. The high priority data packet may be placed at the top of a transmit queue so that it may be sent immediately to an appropriate policing authority.  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram  300  of a rear view of an alternative embodiment of an exemplary device of  FIG. 1   a , which comprises a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the exemplary device may further comprise a camera  152 , an expansion card  154 , a battery compartment housing a battery  156 , an optional rear speaker  158  and an electronic flash bulb  304 . In this regard, the rear view of the exemplary device illustrated in  FIG. 3  comprises similar components as the rear view of the exemplary device  FIG. 1   b , but further comprises the electronic flash bulb  304 .  
      The electronic flash bulb  304  may be a conventional type flash device or a LED type flash that may be operated in a manual mode or an automatic mode. The manual mode may be utilized to enhance battery life since the electronic flash bulb may only operate when it is manually turned on. In automatic mode, the electronic flash bulb  304  may be adapted to be turned on whenever it is determined that an image to be captured by the CCD camera is underexposed or is insufficiently lit. Accordingly, when the image capture and send function is activated, the electronic flash bulb  304  may be set to operate in automatic mode to ensure that a subject is properly illuminated. If for example, it is determined that there is insufficient power to illuminate the flash bulb during a capture and send operation, then an image or series of images may be captured without illuminating the electronic flash bulb  304 . During consecutive image capture which may result in a series of slides, the electronic flash bulb  304  may be adapted to operate in a multiple burst mode in which the electronic flash bulb  304  may be turned one multiple times to capture each consecutive image. The electronic flash bulb  304  may be illuminated even if sufficient ambient light exists to illuminate the subject, just for the effect of clearly informing the subject that the photo has been taken.  
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram  400  of an exemplary wireless device  402  comprising a single button for capturing and sending an image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1   a , the exemplary wireless device  402  may be a consumer handheld device and may comprise a processor  404 , a removable storage  46 , a flash bulb  408 , a camera  410 , a battery  412 , a transceiver  414 , a display  416 , an internal memory  418 , and keypad  420 , and IR interface  422 , a camera  424 , a microphone  426 , a speaker  428  and an antenna  430 . The keypad  420  may comprise alphanumeric keys, symbols keys, and navigation and function buttons. The flash bulb may be a LED or other conventional type of flash bulb.  
      In an embodiment of the invention, the processor  404  may receive an indication that a capture and send function is activated. The camera  410  may be configured to capture at least one image and the wireless transceiver  414  may wirelessly transfer the captured image from the consumer handheld communication device  402  to a policing authority and/or a service provider providing wireless service for the consumer handheld communication device. The captured image may be a still or a video clip. Notwithstanding, the display  416  may display a visual signal and the speaker  428  may playback an audio signal during capture of the image. The processor  404  may determine configuration settings for capturing the image and utilize at least a portion of the determined configuration settings to initialize the camera  410  and/or the consumer handheld communication device  402 . The processor  404  may also initialize the camera  410  utilizing default configuration settings.  
      At least one high priority data packet may be generated by the processor  404  for transferring the captured image and the generated high priority data packet may be placed at the top of a send queue for immediate sending. An internal memory  418  and/or a removable storage  406  may be utilized for storing the captured image on the consumer handheld communication device  402 . The processor  404  may generate a flash signal that illuminates the flash bulb  408  while capturing the image. The flash signal that illuminates the flash bulb  408  may be generated in instances where there is insufficient ambient light to sufficiently illuminate a subject. Notwithstanding, the invention is so limited, and accordingly, the flash signal that illuminates the flash bulb  408  may further be generated even in instances when it may be determined that there nay be sufficient ambient light to illuminate the subject.  
      The exemplary wireless device  402  may be utilized in a threatening situation where, for example, imminent harm is perceived by a threatening party. Accordingly, a user of the exemplary wireless device  402  may depress the single button  424 , thereby causing the exemplary wireless device  402  to capture and send an image of the threatening party to a policing authority. While the picture is being captured, the exemplary wireless device  402  may generate and audible signal via the speaker  428  warning the threatening party their image is being relayed to the policing authority.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the capture and send button  104  may further be configured so that when depressed continuously for a specified interval or a predetermined period of time, the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may automatically dial at least one emergency telephone number or directory number (DN) such as 911 in the United States or 113 in Europe. In this regard, when the capture and send button  104  is initially depressed, an image may be captured and sent to the authorities and if the capture and send button  104  is continuously depressed for a period of, for example, about five (5) seconds, the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may additionally dial 911, for example. The emergency number dialed by the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102  may be configurable by, for example, a user and/or it may be set as a default value by a service provider. Accordingly, whatever emergency number is utilized in a particular locality may be programmed into the exemplary device such as the wireless telephone  102 . The period or interval for which the send button  104  has to be depressed to enable dialing of an emergency number may be configurable or it may be a default value.  
      The processor  404  may determine an interval for which the received indication is active. If the determined interval is at least equivalent to a specified time period, the processor  404  may dial at least one directory number. The directory number dialed by the processor  404  may be a local emergency number, a default directory number and/or a user specified directory number.  
      Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
      The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.  
      While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.