Patent Publication Number: US-10764422-B2

Title: Digital image viewing system, a cellar phone and a digital photo frame

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/917,791 filed Mar. 11, 2018, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/162,670 filed May 24, 2016, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/681,113 filed Apr. 8, 2015, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/748,379 filed Mar. 27, 2010, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a digital image viewing system, such as digital photo frame. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In this field of art, various digital image viewing systems have been proposed for enjoying digital images taken by digital camera or the like. A typical example of the digital image viewing system is a digital photo frame. As to digital photo frame, various proposals have made such as in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2008-236395. 
     However, there still remains a demand in this field of art to improve the digital image viewing system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a digital image viewing system easy to enjoy. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a cellar phone incorporated into a digital image viewing system. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved digital photo frame. 
     To achieve one of the above objects, this invention provides a digital image viewing system comprising a wireless phone unit, a battery charger for the wireless phone unit and a digital photo frame in wireless communication with the wireless phone unit. The wireless phone unit in the system includes a phone short-range wireless communicator, an operating portion, a phone display cooperating with the operating portion for operations and displays relating to various phone functions, and a rechargeable battery to power the wireless phone unit. The battery charger in the system is arranged to charge the rechargeable battery of the wireless phone unit. And, the digital photo frame includes a memory arranged to store digital image data, a photo frame display, a controller arranged to play usual slide show on the display on the basis of the digital image data stored in the memory, and a photo frame short-range wireless communicator in communication with the phone short-range wireless communicator to change the image display on the photo frame display. 
     According to the image viewing system above, the digital photo frame is capable of playing slide show of digital image on the display and cooperating with phone function for changing the image display on the display. 
     According to a detailed feature of this invention, the digital photo frame further includes a speaker, wherein the controller of the digital photo frame is arranged to replace the usual slide show with a special image when the speaker plays a ringer melody on the speaker. In this case, the user can know the incoming on the phone function with information of the change in the image display added. According to a further detailed feature of this invention, the controller of the digital photo frame is further arranged to superimpose a message on the special image when the speaker plays the ringer melody. According to another detailed feature of this invention the controller of the digital photo frame is further arranged to have the usual slide show accompanied by background music played on the speaker and to stop the background music when the speaker plays the ringer melody. According to still another detailed feature of this invention, the special image is relating to the ringer melody in such a manner that the special image is relating to a person causing the ringer melody, for example. 
     According to another detailed feature of this invention, the phone short-range communicator is arranged to transmit an operation at the operating portion to the digital photo frame by way of the photo frame short-range wireless communicator to change the display on the photo frame. In this case, for example, the automatic change in image display from usual slide show to the special image can be manually changed back to the usual slide show by means of an operation at the wireless phone unit. 
     According to still another detailed feature of this invention, the digital photo frame further includes a phone function unit. Or, alternatively, the wireless phone unit further includes a phone function unit. In any case, the features relating to the cooperation between the digital photo frame function and phone function mentioned above can be achieved. 
     A typical example of wireless phone unit including the phone function unit is a cellar phone. Focusing to such a case, this invention provides a cellar phone comprising a phone function unit capable of receiving an e-mail with digital image data is attached, a controller arranged to automatically open the e-mail and automatically take out the attached digital image data, and a transmitter arranged to automatically transmit the taken out digital image data to outside of the cellar phone. According to this feature, the digital image transmitted to the cellar phone in the form of e-mail is easily enjoyed in outside of the cellar phone, such as in digital photo frame. In a detailed feature, the transmitter includes a short-range wireless communicator. Or, alternatively, the transmitter includes a communication contact. Further, the transmitter may include both. 
     According to another detailed feature of the above cellar phone, the controller is arranged to automatically open the e-mail and automatically take out the attached digital image data with a predetermined condition met. This is advantageous to avoid confusion or breach of privacy, which may be otherwise caused by automatically opening the e-mail and automatically taking out the digital image data to transmit it outside. The simplest example of the condition is whether or not the e-mail is accompanied by digital image data. Another example of the condition is whether or not the digital image data is of open-sourced in which the sender of the digital image data has allowed the receiver to display the digital image. Still another example of the condition is whether or not any IP address of outside viewer such as digital photo frame is registered as the destination of the digital image data. Further example of the condition is whether or not the short-range communication is possible in wireless case. Or, in the contact communication case, an example of the condition is whether or not the cellar phone is mounted on battery charger or the like. 
     According to another feature of this invention such a digital photo frame is provided that the digital photo frame comprises a memory arranged to store digital image data, a photo frame display, a receiver arranged to receive digital image data from outside of the digital photo frame, a controller arranged to play usual slide show on the display on the basis of the digital image data stored in the memory and to replace the usual slide show with a special image when the receiver receives digital image data from outside of the digital photo frame. 
     According to a detailed feature of the above digital photo frame, the receiver includes a short-range wireless communicator. Or, alternatively, the receiver includes a communication contact. Further, the receiver may include both. 
     According to another detailed feature, the digital photo frame above further comprises a speaker, wherein the controller is arranged to replace the usual slide show with the special image accompanied by a ringer melody played on the speaker. 
     According to a still another detailed feature of the above digital photo frame, the controller is further arranged to superimpose a message on the special image when the receiver receives digital image data from outside of the digital photo frame. 
     As another detailed feature, the above digital photo frame may further comprises a phone function unit. 
     Other features and advantages according to this invention will be readily understood from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     The detailed description of the preferred embodiment according to this invention includes various detailed features derived from the above mentioned features. However, such detailed features are not only applicable to the above mentioned features, but also are widely and independently applicable to other objects and features. So, the above description should not be deemed to limit the scope of this invention, which should be properly determined on the basis of the attached claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of cellar phones are located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator according to the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of digital photo frames are located with there communication ranges of respective short-rang communicators overlapping, within which a plurality of cellar phones exist, according to the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of cellar phones are located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator according to the second embodiment in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of digital photo frames and battery chargers exist in the system according to the second embodiment in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing the fourth embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart commonly showing the function carried out by phone processor in the first to fourth embodiments in  FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart commonly showing the function carried out by photo frame processor in the first to fourth embodiments in  FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiment 1 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the first embodiment of a digital image viewing system including digital photo frame  2 , cellar phone  4  and battery charger  6 . Digital photo frame  2  includes photo frame display  8  for displaying digital image under control of photo frame processor  12  on the basis of image data stored in memory  10 . Memory  10  is for further storing computer programs executed by photo frame processor  12  and also for storing various temporary data necessary for photo frame processor  12  to execute its function. According to the computer programs stored in memory  10 , photo frame processor  12  retrieves new image data stored in memory  10  to replace digital image on photo frame display  8  by means of display driver  14 . 
     Image data to be stored in memory  10  can be received from cellar phone  4  by way of photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or “Bluetooth”. Photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  can also receive image data from a digital camera or the like for the storage in memory  10 . Photo frame processor  12  can also retrieves new image data directly from a removable storage medium inserted into memory card slot  18  to replace digital image on photo frame display  8 . Or, the image data in the removable storage medium inserted into memory card slot  18  can be once loaded into memory  10 , and then retrieved from memory  10  for display on photo frame display  8 . 
     In response to a report from photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  that it receives new digital image data, photo frame processor  12  directs display driver  14  to superimpose a message such as “New!” onto the image display, and replace the existing image slide show by the newly received image. If multiple images are newly received, a new slid show begins at that time. The details of these functions will be explained later. Further, upon receiving the new image or images, photo frame processor  12  replaces the usual background music for the existing image slide show by predetermined special background music for the new slide show for informing of the receipt of new image or images. The sound source of background music is stored in memory  10  for playing over speaker  13 . The slide show of the new image or images accompanied with the special music continues until the predetermined operation made at operating portion  19 . 
     Operating portion  19  includes a direct manual controller such as operation buttons as well as an infrared communicator for receiving infrared remote control signal. Such an infrared communicator is capable of receiving infrared remote control signal from cellar phone  4 . In this case, digital photo frame  2  with photo frame display  8  serves as a larger screen digital image viewing unit under the remote control by cellar phone  4  for viewing image taken by cellar phone  4 . Power source  20  for entire digital photo frame  2  supplies various portions of digital photo frame  2  with various voltages of power required, respectively. Power source  20  is connected to plug outlet  23  through AC adapter  22 . 
     With respect to cellar phone  4 , on the other hand, phone processor  24  controls entire cellar phone  4 , including phone function unit  26 , in accordance with computer programs stored in memory  28 . Operating portion  30  and phone display  32  are for operations and displays relating to various functions of phone function unit  26 , respectively. Camera unit  34  is capable of taking pictures in the camera mode of cellar phone  4  to store digital image data of the taken pictures into memory  28  or a storage medium in memory card slot  36 . The storage medium is removable from memory card slot  36  for insertion into memory card slot  18  of digital photo frame  2 . Thus, the digital image taken by cellar phone  4  and stored in the removable storage medium can be displayed on photo frame display  8  of digital photo frame  2  by means of the conveyance of the removable storage medium from memory card slot  36  to memory card slot  18 . 
     Cellar phone  4  is capable of transmitting and receiving digital image data to and from other cellar phones or digital image servers by means of attaching the digital image data to e-mail to be transmitted through the function of phone function unit  26 . Black thick arrow  27  denotes radio wave arrival to phone function unit  26  according to the cellar phone system. If E-mail with digital image data attached is received by cellar phone  4  through phone function unit  26 , the received e-mail is automatically opened under a predetermined condition to automatically transmit the attached digital image data from phone short-range wireless communicator  38  to photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  as denoted by arrow of lightning  39 . The details of these functions will be explained later. A typical example of the above mentioned condition for automatic open of e-mail is that cellar phone  4  is mounted on battery charger  6  and also is located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16 . The digital image data transmitted by phone short-range wireless communicator  38  is received by photo frame short-range wireless communicator as a new image and displayed on photo frame display  8  in the manner described above. Thus, if E-mail with digital image data attached is newly received by cellar phone  4 , the attached digital image data is automatically displayed by digital photo frame  2  on photo frame display  8  under a predetermined condition. 
     Power source  42  for entire cellar phone  4  supplies various portions of cellar phone  2  with various voltages of power required, respectively. Power source  42  relies its function on rechargeable battery  40  which is connectable to plug outlet  23  through AC adapter  50  when cellar phone  4  is mounted on battery charger  6  to establish the contact between contact  44  on the cellar phone side and contact  48  on the battery charger side. As will be mentioned later, such a modification is possible that cellar phone  4  automatically opens the new e-mail upon its arrival to automatically transmit the attached digital image data to digital photo frame from phone short-range wireless communicator  38  if possible regardless of whether or not cellar phone  4  is mounted on battery charger  6 . According to the first embodiment of this invention above, the advantages of this invention can be achieved with less modification to the conventional cellar phone and conventional digital photo frame. 
       FIG. 2  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of cellar phones are located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  according to the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , same reference number is used as in  FIG. 1  to denote the same part common to the both figures with detailed substructures shown in  FIG. 1  omitted in  FIG. 2 . In the case of  FIG. 2 , in addition to cellar phone  4  which is first mentioned, second cellar phone  62  within the range of short-range wireless communication with digital photo frame  2  is mounted on second battery charger  64 , which is powered through AC adapter  66 . Further, third cellar phone  68  apart from its battery charger is located on a desk or the like also within the range of short-range communication with digital photo frame  2 . 
     First cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68  both have received the same e-mail from forth cellar phone  70  in the long distance by way of radio waves  27  and  72  according to the cellar phone system, respectively. For example, fourth cellar phone  70  is of a daughter living far off her parents, cellar phone  4  of her father, and cellar phone  62  of her mother, wherein photos of a grandson of the parents are attached to the e-mail from cellar phone  70 . It is needless to say that radio waves  27  and  72  come by way of base stations in the cellar phone system although they are symbolically shown in  FIG. 2  as if they come directly form fourth cellar phone  70  to first cellar phone  4  and second cellar phone  62 , respectively. 
     The same e-mails received by first cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68  are automatically opened, respectively. And, the attached digital image data, which corresponds to the photos of the grandson from the daughter, are automatically transmitted to digital photo frame  2  through the short-range communication, respectively. In such a case, digital photo frame  2  receives the digital image transmission in order of receipt. In other word, during the receiving procedure of the first-come digital image data, the commencement of receiving the second-come digital image data is postponed. Further, if the second-come digital image data from one of first cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68  is identical with the first-come digital image data from the other because of the same image data from fourth cellar phone  70  received by both first cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68 , digital photo frame  2  eliminate the second-come digital image data form the arrival slide show for avoiding redundant duplication. The duplication is detected in digital photo frame  70  by means of comparison between ID&#39;s of the digital image data from first cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68 , which are identical if the original is the same. 
       FIG. 3  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of digital photo frames are located with there communication ranges of respective short-rang communicators overlapping, within which a plurality of cellar phones exist, according to the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , same reference number is used as in  FIGS. 1 and 2  to denote the same part common to the figures with detailed substructures shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  omitted in  FIG. 3 . Further, second cellar phone  62  shown in  FIG. 2  is omitted in  FIG. 3 . In the case of  FIG. 3 , third cellar phone  68  automatically opens the email received from fourth cellar phone  70  to automatically transmit the attached digital image data to second digital photo frame  74  by means of short-range communication. The second digital photo frame  74  is powered by plug outlet  23  by way of AC adapter  76 . First digital photo frame  2  and second digital photo frame  74  are each allotted IP addresses for short-range communication, respectively. The IP address of first digital photo frame  2  is registered by first cellar phone  4  and the IP address of second digital photo frame  74  by third cellar phone  68  to identify the destinations of the digital image data transmission, respectively. In the case of  FIG. 3 , first digital photo frame  2  and second digital photo frame  74  each independently present their slide shows on the basis of the same digital image data from first cellar phone  4  and third cellar phone  68 , respectively, even if they are both originated from fourth cellar phone  70 . 
     Embodiment 2 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. Since the structure of the second embodiment in  FIG. 4  is basically similar to that of the first embodiment in  FIG. 1 , same reference number is used to denote the same part common to both figures with explanation thereof basically omitted. The second embodiment in  FIG. 4  includes cellar phone  104  and digital photo frame  102  also serving as battery charger for cellar phone  104 . Thus, the second embodiment in  FIG. 4  firstly differs from the first embodiment in  FIG. 1  in that the digital photo frame and the battery charger are integrated into one body. 
     The second point that the second embodiment in  FIG. 4  differs from the first embodiment in  FIG. 1  is that cellar phone  104  can automatically transmit the digital image data attached to the automatically opened e-mail by way of wired communication through the contact between contacts  144  and  148  when the e-mail is received with cellar phone  104  mounted on digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . In the second embodiment, phone short-range wireless communicator  38  in addition to the wired communication through contact  144  is useful in such a case that cellar phone  104  is not mounted on digital photo frame and battery charger  102  but is located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16 . However, such a simplified modification of the second embodiment may be possible that the second point is omitted by means of carrying out the automatic digital image data transmission only through the short-range wireless communication between communicators  16  and  38  as in the first embodiment. In other words, the simplified second embodiment is characterized by the integration of digital photo frame for cellar phone and battery charger also for cellar phone. 
     In more detail with respect to the wired communication for transmitting the digital image data, digital photo frame and batter charger  102  on which cellar phone  104  is mounted includes contact  148  having communication contact  248  in addition to the power supply contact for charging. Correspondingly, cellar phone  104  includes contact  144  having communication contact  244  in addition to the power receiving contact for charging. Thus, digital image data attached to the e-mail received by cellar phone  104  is transmitted from phone processor  24  to photo frame processor  12  by way of communication contacts  244  and  248 . AC adapter  122  supplies power source  20  and charging contact  148  of digital photo frame and battery charger  102  with necessary powers, respectively. 
     According to the second embodiment, wired path for transmitting digital image data is prepared for a new arrival of e-mail with digital image data attached only by mounting cellar phone  104  on digital photo frame and battery charger  102  for the purpose of charging rechargeable battery  40 . This feature of adding communication contacts  244  and  248  to power contacts  144  and  148 , respectively, is very simple and advantageous even in a case that at least one of cellar phone  104  and digital photo frame and battery charger  102  is designed to have no short-range wireless communicator for the purpose of cost-cutting. In other words, the simple structure of adding communication contacts  244  and  248  achieves the advantageous feature that the digital image data attached to e-mail received by cellar phone  104  is automatically displayed on photo frame display  8  upon the arrival of the e-mail. Further, in the case that cellar phone  104  apart from digital photo frame  102  has received a number of e-mails with digital image data attached, respectively, the e-mails are automatically and collectively opened and all the new digital image data attached thereto are automatically and collectively transmitted to digital photo frame and battery charger  102  through communication contacts  244  and  248  once cellar phone  104  is mounted on digital photo frame and battery charger  102  for charging rechargeable battery  40 . Thus, in the second embodiment, digital image data received by cellar phone  104  by e-mail is automatically displayed on photo frame display  8  only by the mounting of cellar phone  104  on digital photo frame and battery charger  102  without any special operation. 
       FIG. 5  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of cellar phones are located within the communication range of photo frame short-range wireless communicator  16  according to the second embodiment in  FIG. 4 . Also in  FIG. 5 , same reference number is used as in  FIG. 4  to denote the same part common to the both figures with detailed substructures shown in  FIG. 4  omitted in  FIG. 5 . In the case of  FIG. 5 , in addition to cellar phone  104  which is first mentioned, second cellar phone  62  within the range of short-range wireless communication with digital photo frame  2  is mounted on second battery charger  64 , which is powered through AC adapter  66 . Further, third cellar phone  68  apart from its battery charger is located on a desk or the like also within the range of short-range communication with digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . 
     Similar to the case of  FIG. 2 , first cellar phone  104  and third cellar phone  68  both have received the same e-mail from forth cellar phone  70  in the long distance by way of radio waves  27  and  72  according to the cellar phone system, respectively. The same e-mails received by first cellar phone  104  and third cellar phone  68  are automatically opened to take out the attached digital image data, respectively. The digital image data taken out in first cellar phone  104  is automatically transmitted to digital photo frame and battery charger  102  by means of wired communication through communication contacts  244  and  248 . Thick arrow  78  denotes the wired transmission above. On the other hand, the digital image data taken out in third cellar phone  68  is automatically transmitted to digital photo frame and battery charger  102  through the short-range communication as in the case of  FIG. 2 . Similar to the case of  FIG. 2 , digital photo frame and battery charger  102  receives the digital image transmission in order of receipt, in which the commencement of receiving the second-come digital image data is postponed during the receiving procedure of the first-come digital image data. Further, if the second-come digital image data from one of first cellar phone  104  and third cellar phone  68  is identical with the first-come digital image data from the other, digital photo frame and battery charger  102  eliminate the second-come digital image data form the arrival slide show for avoiding redundant duplication. 
       FIG. 6  is a system block diagram showing such a case that a plurality of digital photo frames and battery chargers exist in the system according to the second embodiment in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 6 , same reference number is used as in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to denote the same part common to the figures with detailed substructures shown in  FIG. 4  omitted in  FIG. 6 . Further, another cellar phone such as denoted by  62  in  FIG. 5  is omitted in  FIG. 6 . Alternatively, fifth cellar phone  82  of the similar structure to that in first cellar phone  104  is shown with communication contact  80 . Correspondingly, second digital photo frame and battery charger  86  of the similar structure to that in first digital photo frame and battery charger  102  is shown with communication contact  84  and AC adapter  88 , fifth cellar phone  82  being mounted on second digital photo frame and battery charger  86  for both charging its rechargeable battery and transmitting digital image data as in first digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . 
     As in the case of  FIG. 5 , first cellar phone  104  and fifth cellar phone  82  both have received the same e-mail from forth cellar phone  70  in the long distance by way of radio waves  27  and  72  according to the cellar phone system, respectively. The same e-mails received by first cellar phone  104  and fifth cellar phone  82  are automatically opened to take out the attached digital image data, respectively. The digital image data taken out in first cellar phone  104  and firth cellar phone  82  are automatically transmitted to first digital photo frame and battery charger  102  and second digital photo frame and battery charger  86  by means of wired communication through the pair of communication contacts  244  and  248  and the pair of communication contacts  80  and  84 , respectively. Thick arrow  90  denotes the wired transmission in second digital photo frame and battery charger  86  as in thick arrow  78  for first digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . In the case of  FIG. 6  similar to that in  FIG. 3 , first digital photo frame and battery charger  102  and second digital photo frame and battery charger  86  each independently present their slide shows on the basis of the same digital image data from first cellar phone  104  and fifth cellar phone  82 , respectively, even if they are both originated from fourth cellar phone  70 . 
     Embodiment 3 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. Since the structure of the third embodiment in  FIG. 7  is basically similar to that of the second embodiment in  FIG. 4 , same reference number is used to denote the same part common to both figures with explanation thereof basically omitted. The third embodiment in  FIG. 7  includes digital photo frame  202 , cellar phone  104  and battery charger  206  for cellar phone  104 . 
     The third embodiment in  FIG. 7  is identical with the second embodiment in  FIG. 4  as to the contact structure that contact  144  of cellar phone  104  and contact  148  of battery charger  206  include communication contacts  244  and  248 , respectively, for wired transmission of digital image data in addition to the power supply contacts for charging. In other words, digital image data attached to the e-mail received by cellar phone  104  is transmitted from phone processor  24  to photo frame processor  12  by way of communication contacts  244  and  248 . However, the third embodiment in  FIG. 7  differs from the second embodiment in that digital photo frame  202  and battery charger  206  are not integrated in one body. But, the wired communication is established by connecting communication contact  92  of battery charger  206  and communication contact  94  of digital photo frame  202  with external communication cable  93 . 
     The case of the third embodiment in  FIG. 7 , digital photo frame  202  is of simple construction with communication contact  94 , which can be formed in accordance with the conventional communication standard which can be widely used for connection with other outside devices. In other words, the third embodiment can be simply realized and free from designing a special structure in which digital photo frame and battery charger are integrated into one body as in the second embodiment. 
     Embodiment 4 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing the fourth embodiment of a digital image viewing system according to this invention. Since the structure of the fourth embodiment in  FIG. 8  is basically similar to that of the first to third embodiments in  FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 , same reference number is used to denote the same part common to those figures with explanation thereof basically omitted. The fourth embodiment in  FIG. 7  includes digital photo frame  2 , cellar phone  104  and battery charger  306  for cellar phone  104 . 
     The third embodiment in  FIG. 8  is identical with the third embodiment in  FIG. 7  as to the contact structure that contact  144  of cellar phone  104  and contact  148  of battery charger  306  include communication contacts  244  and  248 , respectively, for wired communication between cellar phone  104  and battery charger  306 . Further, the third embodiment in  FIG. 8  is identical with the third embodiment in  FIG. 7  in that digital photo frame  2  and battery charger  306  are not integrated in one body. However, the fourth embodiment in  FIG. 8  differs from the third embodiment in that battery charger  306  is provided with charger short-range communicator  96  for transmitting the digital image data, which has come from cellar phone  104  through the wired communication, to photo frame short-range communicator  16  by means of the short-range wireless communication. 
     According to the feature in the fourth embodiment in  FIG. 8 , path for transmitting digital image data is prepared for a new arrival of e-mail with digital image data attached only by mounting cellar phone  104  on battery charger  302  for the purpose of charging rechargeable battery  40 . Cellar phone  104  can still enjoy the above advantage even if cellar phone  104  is modified into such a simplified design that phone short-range wireless communicator  38  is omitted for cost-cutting. Further, battery charger  306  provided with charger short-range wireless communicator  96  in the third embodiment serves as a station for short-range wireless communication in general. In other word, the above mentioned simplified modification of cellar phone  104  without phone short-range wireless communicator  38  becomes capable of short-range wireless communication with other variety of outside devices than digital photo frame  2  during a period in which the modified cellar phone  104  is being mounted on battery charger  306  for charging rechargeable battery  40 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart commonly showing the function carried out by phone processor  24  in the first to fourth embodiments in  FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8 . The flowchart in  FIG. 9  only refers to functions relating to the receipt of e-mail and transmission of the attached digital image data to digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  with other functions including conventional phone functions omitted to show. The flow in  FIG. 9  starts when cellar phone  4  or  104  is powered ON to carry out start-up process in step S 2  for initializing cellar phone  4  or  104  and making preparation of its function. Next, it is checked in step S 4  whether or not cellar phone  4  or  104  just receives a new e-mail. 
     If it is not determined in step S 4  that cellar phone  4  or  104  just receives a new e-mail, the flow goes to step S 6  to check whether or not any e-mail which has already received is left unattended with respect to the automatic opening for transmitting the attached e-mail if any to digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202 . If any, the flow goes to step S 8 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 4  that cellar phone  4  or  104  just receives a new e-mail, the flow also goes to step S 8 . 
     In step S 8  it is checked whether or not digital image data is attached to the e-mail. If any, the flow goes to step S 10  to check whether or not the digital image data is of open-sourced in which the sender of the digital image data has allowed the receiver to display the digital image. Such allowance or inhibition of display on digital photo frame can be set by the sender at the time when the sender attaches the digital image data to the e-mail. If it is determined in step S 10  that the digital image data is of open-sourced, the flow goes to step S 12  to check whether or not any IP address of digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  or the like is registered as the destination of the digital image data. 
     If it is determined in step S 12  that an IP address of digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  or the lake is registered as the destination of the digital image data, the flow goes to step S 14  to check whether cellar phone  4  or  104  is mounted on battery charger  6  or  206  or  306  or digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . If not, the flow goes to step S 16  to check whether cellar phone  4  or  104  is located within the short-range communication area of digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202 . And, if it is determined in step S 16  that cellar phone  4  or  104  is located within the short-range communication area of digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202 , the flow goes to step S 18 . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S 14  that cellar phone  4  or  104  is mounted on battery charger  6  or  206  or  306  or digital photo frame and battery charger  102 , the flow goes to step S 20  to check whether or not the cellar phone is of a type with contact  144  provided with communication contact  144  as in cellar phone  104  and also the battery charger is of a type with contact  148  provided with communication contact  248  as in battery charger  206  or  306  or digital photo frame and battery charger  102 . If it is not determined in step S 20  that cellar phone is connected to battery charger with communication contacts, the flow goes to step S 16  to check the short-range communication capability. On the contrary, if it is determined in step S 20  that cellar phone is connected to battery charger with communication contacts, the flow goes to step S 18  regardless of the short-range communication capability. 
     In step S 18 , the e-mail is automatically opened followed by step S 22  to automatically take out the attached digital image data. Next, it is automatically directed in step S 24  to transmit the taken-out digital image data to digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  by means of available wired or wireless communication. And, it is checked in step S 26  whether or not the digital image data has been successfully transmitted to digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  within a predetermined time. In the case of transmission success determined in step S 26 , the flow goes to step S 28  to put a mark as the evidence of successful transmission on the e-mil to which the digital image data attached, the flow then going to step S 30 . On the other hand, if it is not determined within the predetermined time in step S 26  that the image data is successfully transmitted, the flow directly goes to step S 30  without putting the success mark on the e-mail, which will be regarded as the “unattended e-mail” in step S 6 . 
     In step S 30 , the automatic e-mail closing and storing process is carried out to put back the e-mail to the condition before automatically opened and to store it in memory  28 . In other words, the e-mail is put back to the condition before automatically opened through steps S 26  and S 30  regardless of whether or not the digital image data has been successfully transmitted to digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  within a predetermined time. The flow then goes to step S 32  to check whether or not the power of cellar phone  4  or  104  is turned OFF to go to the end if the power OFF is detected. On the other hand if it is not detected in step S 32  that power is turned OFF, the flow returns to step S 4  to wait for a new e-mail. Thus, the flow repeats the loop of steps S 4  to S 32  unless power OFF is detected in step S 32 . 
     If it is not determined in step S 6  that any e-mail which has already received is left unattended, or it is not determined in step S 8  that any digital image data is attached to the e-mail, or it is not determined in step S 10  that any digital image data is of open-sourced, or it is not determined in step S 12  that an IP address of any digital photo frame is registered as the destination of the digital image data, or it is not determined in step S 16  that cellar phone  4  or  104  is located within the short-range communication area of digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202 , the flow in each case returns to step S 4  to prepare for any change in situation. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart commonly showing the function carried out by photo frame processor  12  in the first to fourth embodiments in  FIGS. 1, 4, 7 and 8 . Similarly to the case of  FIG. 9 , the flowchart in  FIG. 10  only refers to functions relating to the management of new image data transmitted from cellar phone  4  or  104  with other functions including conventional photo frame functions omitted to show. The flow in  FIG. 10  starts when digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  is powered ON to carry out start-up process in step S 42  for initializing digital photo frame  2  or  102  or  202  and for making preparation of its function. Next, in step S 44  a direction is made to start a usual slide show as in conventional digital photo frames. 
     The “usual slide show” above means a slide show which is carried out in accordance with a conventional setting on the basis of digital image data stored in memory  10  or in the removable storage medium inserted into memory card slot  18 . A typical conventional setting for the usual slide show includes a selection of digital image data joining the slide show, a setting for order of image appearing on photo frame display  8  and a setting for background music to or not to accompany the slide show and selection of background music if necessary. The “usual slide show” also means in the simplest case that a single image data continues to appear on photo frame display  8  without any substitution by another image data. 
     With the slide show started by step S 44 , the flow advances to step S 46  to check whether or not it is during reception of image data. If not, the flow goes to step  48  to check whether or not a new image data arrives. If arrival of new image data is detected in step S 48 , the flow advances to step S 50  to check whether or not the new image data is the same as an image data which has been already received. If not, the flow goes to step S 52  to stop current slide show, and in place of the current slide show, a slide show of the received new image data starts in step S 54 . 
     Further, in step S 56 , characters as “New !”, which is the message indicative of the arrival of new image data, is superimposed on the new image data on photo frame display  8 . Nest in step S 58 , it is checked whether or not the stopped slide show has been carried out with a background music accompanying. If it is determined in step S 58  that the stopped slide show has been accompanied by usual background music, the background music is stopped in step S 60 , and, in place of the background music, special background music indicative of the arrival of new image data, the flow then going to step S 64 . The play of the special background music continues unless an predetermined operation is made, which is explained later in respect to step S 64 . 
     On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S 58  that the stopped slide show has been accompanied by usual background music, the flow goes to step S 66  to direct playing a ringer melody which continues for a time and automatically stops, the flow then going to step S 64 . In any case regardless of the check in step S 58 , some notifying music such as special background music or ringer melody accompanies the slide show at least in the beginning for aurally notifying the arrival of new image data in addition to the visual notification by the superimposition on the display. 
     In step S 64  it is checked whether or not an operation directing to return to the usual slide show is made. In other words, it is assumed that a user noticing the arrival of the new image data may make the operation at operating portion  30  to stop the slide show exclusively for the new image data, which operation is to be detected in step S 64 . If the operation for usual slide show is detected is step S 64 , the flow goes to step S 68  for directing to start the usual slide show including the newly received image data. In step S 68 , the special background music or ringer melody is stopped and usual background music comebacks if the slide show is set to be accompanied by background music. 
     Next to the direction in step S 68 , it is checked in step S 70  whether or not a power off operation is made. By the way, if it is not detected in step S 64  that an operation directing to return to the usual slide show is made. On the other hand, if the condition during reception of image data is detected in step S 46 , the flow goes to step S 72  to signal the neighboring cellar phones or the like of the busy condition of the digital photo frame, the flow then going to step S 70 . The busy signal is continued as long as the digital photo frame is receiving image data. Thus, if the digital photo frame is in the course of receiving image data form a first cellar phone, a second cellar phone cannot transmit its image data and waits ready until busy signal will stop with the image data transmission from the first cellar phone completed. After the busy condition signaling is started in step S 72  the flow goes to step S 70 . Further, if arrival of new image data is not detected in step S 48 , or if it is detected in step S 52  that the new image data is the same as an image data which has been already received, the flow instantly goes to step S 70 . 
     If the power of operation is detected in step S 70 , the flow of  FIG. 10  ends. On the other hand, if the power off operation is not detected in step S 70 , the flow returns to step S 46  to repeat steps S 46  to S 70 . In other words, the repetition of steps S 46  to S 70  is to continue data receiving function if during reception of image data, or to wait for and respond to an arrival of new image data if not during reception of image data. 
     The various features according to the present invention are not only applicable to the embodiments explained above, but also to other types of embodiments. For example, the features of digital photo frame shown in  FIG. 10  are applicable to a type of digital photo frame having the phone function unit according to the cellar phone system capable of receiving by itself an e-mail to which digital image data is attached. In this case, the digital photo frame can directly receive image data from a cellar phone far away, as well as receiving image data from a neighboring cellar phone by means of wired communication or short-range wireless communication.